Oodles and oodles

The price was right

 
The most recent auction presented a dilemma, since there was a sale right in town that I kind of wanted to attend. The auction went so late that I didn't make it back in time for even the end of the sale - so imagine my happiness when I received an e-mail a few days later that there would be an unadvertised sale of radically marked-down leftovers.

Almost everything here was 10 cents. If it wasn't 10 cents, it was a dollar.

Both of the ladders were a dollar. They'll be plant stands on the deck once the walnut-tree shedding season ends. One day you stop ironing tablecloths, and the next day you decide not to fix up the deck until the walnut trees stop dropping their annoying shaggy pods. From there, it's just a slippery slope down to lack of personal hygiene, or so I hear.

 
I'm such not a figurine person. However, in addition to the attractive price tag, these featured 1) an accordion, which we all know are inexplicably hot, and 2) a white Scotty dog (or mixed-breed Scotty), which I collect.

 
Classic junk: dominoes and the folding yardstick.

 
Frogs, salts and a dapper bow tie.

 
Pincushion and great frame which only was missing a screw and took about 5 seconds to repair.

 
A tile (no mark on back) which has a kind of Art Deco feel to it, and the most enviable object of all: The R. Walter Riehlman Cookbook.

R. Walter Riehlman was a congressman from this area in the 1960s. I'd like you to take one look at that cover and tell me whether R. Walter was:

1. a Republican, or
2. a Democrat

If you answered "I think that R. stands for Republican," ding ding ding! You are correct! 

Further, I'd ask whether you thought that R. Walter collected recipes representing all 50 states from:

1. Excellent cooks regardless of their party affiliation, or
2. Any Republican he could find, including the wives of assistant county Republican chairmen

Did you answer #2? Correct again, my friends!

Finally, I'm going to ask this question, but in the interests of maintaining a civil, nonpartisan tone, I'd like you to keep your answer to yourself. R. Walter concludes the introduction to his cookbook with this sentiment: "Enjoy this book while you can, because cooking is one of the few activities the Federal Government does not yet control." This is evidence of:

1. Witty commentary and astute political analysis, or
2. Proof the Republican party hasn't had an original idea in 50 years.

Like I said: keep it to yourself. I am.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Fabulous! field trip

 
One of the things I don't do well is relax. I don't know what to do with free time, so I try to make sure I never have any.

So when Mr. Oodles and I took the entire day Sunday - in prime work-outdoors season! - to do something fun, you know it would have to be something fabulous.

Or Fabulous, with a capital F. Like visit the home of the Fabulous Beekman Boys for the annual garden party in Sharon Springs!

The photo above is probably the most familiar view of the farm, which actually is from the back.

 
Josh was our tour guide. He's just as sweet and funny as he is on the show. Brent was downtown at the mercantile.

 
Here's the store now. It is the best-smelling store in the world. The scent of all those lovely goat-milk soaps floats out the door and down the street.

(If you're not familiar with the TV show, or the store, or the web site, maybe none of this is making sense to you. But you'll figure it out.)

(And by the way, Sharon Springs is about two hours from where I live.)

Oddly enough, between the time that I bought tickets to the garden party and the actual date of the garden party, I visited the farm and store to write a story for Central New York magazine. Then, of course, I had to show a little journalistic detachment. This time, I could just go and enjoy myself. (Some of the photos are from my earlier trip.)

 
The only problem with watching The Fabulous Beekman Boys, or, worse, going to the farm, is that it really ignites my passion to get some farm animals.

 
Especially goats.

 
I love goats. They're as friendly as puppies. Except they give milk! It's like the best of all worlds.

Mr. Oodles says I can get whatever livestock I want as long as I take care of it. He usually uses the word "we" in sentences, so it's significant that he doesn't when it comes to livestock.

 
It's probably important that I remember I don't have Farmer John to help me take care of my livestock.

 
Polka Spot! Though it's hard not to love Polka Spot, I have to confess I have no real desire to get a llama. Alpacas, though - that's another story.

 
Here's Josh again, telling us about the Beekman family crypt.

 
I've never been inside a crypt before. It wasn't exactly creepy. But it's not a place where I'd choose to spend a lot of time.

 
Josh's mom, Jackie, gave us some Beekman 1802 garden gloves and offered to let us weed the strawberry patch. We weeded enough to feel as if we earned our gloves, and I got some good ideas for our garden from Jackie.

 
And look! Here I am at the farm! (I wanted to remember the trim on the windows, because I think it's cute as can be.)

 
Already thinking about how I might be able to recreate this look.

 
We had a wonderful day at the Beekman farm. And I came home with lots of inspiration. That's the kind of field trip I need: one that gets me energized for even more projects!