So there weren't any auctions or estate sales that looked like they were worth the time and effort to get to this weekend.
But by late morning Saturday, I was getting hungry for some junk, and so I went to the little flea market store (note to Sue, who lives nearby: the place with all the Happy Meal toys). And this is most of what I brought home.
Here's what the buttons looked like when I found them: lovingly sorted and stapled into little plastic bags by the older lady who runs the store with her husband. I used to get so annoyed when I'd see them at a yard sale. I figured they had already bought anything I'd want.
Because I'd have certainly snatched these away from them if I'd had a chance. But then it dawned on me: They weren't rivals. They were helpers. All I had to do was go to their shop occasionally and just buy from them. So what if they got to a sale before me? Maybe I'd have to pay a quarter for something instead of a dime. It really seemed kind of silly to care.
And I like their curious little store, and the two of them. They're awfully sweet. Their grown-up granddaughter visited with her new puppy while I was there Saturday, and the good karma of place was just off the scale, with the grandparents fussing over the puppy while I was digging in the button bin.
These yellow buttons came in two sizes. Very Mary Engelbreit, don't you think? I also got some nice old paper parasols ("Don't you just love these?" the lady asked when I was checking out) and a bunch of great old embroidery scissors.
You'd think in all the boxes of sewing notions I've toted home over the years that I'd have a hundred pairs of scissors. Nope. One pair of pinking shears and a couple of pairs of clunky kid-sized scissors. These are slim and elegant and lovely.
Of course there was a pair of stork scissors.
On Sunday we went to the Aurora Inn and enjoyed brunch with the initially resistant but ultimately delightful Miss Oodles and oodles, as well as ...
tidy windowboxes full of geraniums ...
a limestone ruin that captured a view of Cayuga Lake and migrating geese ...
and miles of rosebush hedges. It was a very good weekend.
The buttons are wonderful and the scissors are quite a find. I have a pair of the stork scissors that were my grandmother's...I treasure them!
Posted by: Lavender Dreams | October 18, 2009 at 07:40 PM
Lovely buttons, and a great lesson: "They weren't rivals. They were helpers."
Posted by: Rebecca | October 18, 2009 at 08:18 PM
ooooh aaaah! I just love your buttons! They are amazing! The scissors are cool too!
Hugs, Lisa
Posted by: lisa | October 18, 2009 at 08:36 PM
What is it with buttons? Love to collect them, hate to sew them on for mere mending tasks.
Posted by: Mary @ Turkey Farm Treasures | October 18, 2009 at 09:03 PM
First - the buttons are scrumptious - they are the kinda colours that make me drool! I appreciate the little mental "debate" you had to. Sometimes I shake myself thinking about how focused we get on "the hunt" sometimes - way too serious. And the setting for brunch was just as nice - what a nice weekend for you! I dragged poor hubby through an Antique Mall on Saturday, only to have him suffer from allergies because of all the dust - alas, I did not have the opportunity to find great finds like yours :< Jewels
Posted by: Julie | October 18, 2009 at 10:16 PM
Oh, beautiful beautiful. The scissors on the far right are absolutely gorgeous. The old couple and their store sound lovely, too!
Posted by: Alli | October 18, 2009 at 10:27 PM
Your whole post made me smile- the buttons beautiful; the good karma of the antique shop; the scissors- fabulous; and the view through the limestone ruin.
Posted by: Beth Leintz | October 18, 2009 at 11:34 PM
Oh my goodness! I am practically hyperventilating. Look at all of those beautiful buttons!
Posted by: Betty @ She's Sew Pretty | October 19, 2009 at 12:01 AM
Oh wow! Love those buttons!!
Posted by: Michelle | October 19, 2009 at 12:19 AM
The buttons are so colorful and charming and the embroidery scissors are lovely. Great finds.
Posted by: Deborah Bonner | October 19, 2009 at 05:20 AM
Those buttons are gorgeous! Please come visit my bog-I'm doing a giveaway until Friday, 10/23! Hugs, Leslie
Posted by: Leslie | October 19, 2009 at 07:51 AM
Looks like it was a very colorful weekend for you, from those gorgeous buttons to those windowboxes, to what looks like a castle ruin! I could've sat there for hours, and they'd have to kick me out!
Posted by: Carol @ Old Glory Cottage | October 19, 2009 at 09:58 AM
Gosh, so much to comment on. Your photos are lovely. I love the buttons. Buttons speak to me. These are saying "I love you!". The other photos are amazing. I'd love to go there.
Posted by: nanette | October 19, 2009 at 11:29 AM
What a lovely blog you have. I happened upon a Flickr photo of yours and several clicks later, arrived in this charming wonderland. Love the buttons and the story of the nice couple with the shop.
Maureen
Posted by: Maureen | October 19, 2009 at 07:46 PM
I'd say everything about the weekend was a delight. xo, suzy
Posted by: georgiapeachez | October 19, 2009 at 10:25 PM
those buttons are perfect! looks like a good outing and i love your scissors! it's funny you do feel the need to go treasure hunting, don't you? i think that might be a sign of a problem, you think? hope all is well!
Posted by: susan | October 20, 2009 at 04:47 PM
Really? A quarter vs. a dime? Is this just an analogy because either of those prices sound like a steal to me!
The buttons are just incredible, not only colorful but unique, too!
On a side note, my daughter would LOVE to go to the store with the Happy Meal toys! She has me and my mother searching for her "treasures" everywhere we go!
Posted by: Shelley G in Iowa | October 20, 2009 at 11:23 PM
Oh the buttons....it makes me a little crazy that you found so many in one place! There are so few places that even have buttons like these where I live, that are worth looking thru, but I do....I would be doing the happy dance for a week with a stash liek that! I just imagine all of the wonderfuls things you can do with them! Congrats on a great find! And the store sounds really nice....
Posted by: sandy McClay | October 22, 2009 at 11:23 PM
Most excellent life lesson! I get so wrapped up sometimes losing things at a sale, and then end up buying them later from whoever bought them (still cheaper than I can sell them for). We're all just passing things along, and it's important to remember this. Every single dealer out there is a FACILITATOR.
Today, at an auction, I was bummed because I lost out on a box lot that included some flashcards I wanted. I approached the guy afterwards, asking if he'd sell them to me, and he GAVE THEM TO ME. He didn't even want them; he was bidding on the other stuff! Karma, my dears. Keep it all in perspective.
P.S. And, they sorted them for you..... XOX
Posted by: Sue | October 24, 2009 at 09:43 PM
Oh... I am so envious of all those buttons!!!!
Posted by: Marcia "HDMac" | October 28, 2009 at 06:45 PM