Right before we went to Pennsylvania, I gave up on my house. Just decided there wasn't any sense in trying. (I think I needed a weekend away.) But I couldn't abandon my need for order altogether, so I started thinking small.
I thought I might feel better if I corraled some of my tinier finds in a shadowbox. (The box came from a long-ago yard sale; it had a hideous picture under the glass in the frame and seemed to be in use, sitting on its back, as a jewelry box.) In a hundred years I would never have thought of painting the inside a deep aqua, but I love it.
Easier to see with the glass door open.
I've had this set forever, and the teapot and cup belonged to my mom.
I kind of like the way nothing is exactly the same scale.
On to this morning's sale, which didn't sound like it had much of the kind of stuff I like, but it was on my road, just a little more than walking distance. With next to no effort on my part, I was #5 on the list.
Because I know my road well, I knew parking would be impossible. And I was correct. But I claimed rights as a resident, counted on my generally good relationship with my neighbors, and very carefully parked to the side and at the end of a farmer's lane out to the fields. Naturally, others soon followed. I was getting very nervous about my car being hit by these latecomers. I also was worried about the farmer's hay. Before long, a pickup truck went by slowly, then turned around, and I sensed trouble. The woman driving the truck rolled down her window and started yelling. Since I was the first car in the lane, she was yelling at me.
I hate being yelled at. I hate confrontation. I don't like getting in trouble when I'm trying to be so good.
I took a deep breath, walked out to the woman's truck and started chatting her up. Completely out of character for me, let me tell you. But two things saved me: one, my ability to correctly identify alfalfa; the other, the fact that she knew which house was ours because my daughter at one time had set up a dog agility course in our yard. Anyway, we had a long and pleasant chat, and she was fine with my car parked where it was.
Phew.
I was correct in my belief there wouldn't be much for me at the sale, but I did (if you remember that photo so long ago) get a wooden silverware tray, a chopper, and a doll case because it reminded me of one from my childhood, and because it seemed like there might be some fun stuff inside it.
And there was. I think the baby is Renwal, but I'm not sure. I like the TINY on the bottle. And the little hot-water bottle for TINY tummy aches.
Awesome footwear, especially the ice skates, which would make a great Christmas tree ornament.
A wooly doll blanket (I must confess being unacquainted with the Esmond bunny), doll hangers and clothespins. And that was it for my morning: home by 9 (I forgot to mention the sale opened a full 45 minutes early because parking was so difficult), not a lot to show for it, but I stayed out of trouble, and that counts for something.
Kind of a one-apron morning. Not a two, but maybe a one-plus. And a few more tiny things for the shadowbox.
EEEEEEEEEEE! You couldn't possibly know this, but doll skates are on my ebay watch constantly right now. Forget the tree and send them to MEEEEEEEEEE! :-) (I have become seriously obsessed with vintage doll stuff. It's for the children. Right, for the children. That's my story and I am sticking to it.)
Posted by: Sarah | September 23, 2011 at 12:39 PM
It sounds like it could have gotten really ugly real quick out there on that country lane! And I can think of only one word to describe all of your finds: SWEET!
Posted by: Carol @ Old Glory Cottage | September 23, 2011 at 04:47 PM
So cute! I love those little roller skates...
Posted by: Mrs. Cozy Home | September 23, 2011 at 05:57 PM
I love shadow boxes! I shall have to make one when things get settled down. I hate confrontation too. Sounds like you handled it quite well.
Brenda
Posted by: Brenda Kula | September 23, 2011 at 06:07 PM
Little things are so cute. I love that little hot water bottle! Thank goodness you didn't get in a fist fight in the hay field...though it would have been really exciting to read about. Hope you have a good weekend!
Posted by: freckledhen | September 23, 2011 at 07:35 PM
All your goodies are precious..but I'm totally swooning over your shadow box display. Brilliant.
Posted by: Kim K. | September 23, 2011 at 10:25 PM
Love the shadow box and the mixture of scales in size. Reminds me of my cabinet of curiosities which I love dearly. At least you hit a decent sale today and found some fun stuff - I struck out completely.
Posted by: laurie magpie ethel | September 24, 2011 at 12:32 AM
Oh, I think those tiny little doll hangers are worth the effort, but I TOTALLY understand what you mean about confrontation. NOT my strong suit, by far. Gald you were able to score some goodies for your trouble!
Posted by: Kathy | September 25, 2011 at 12:03 AM
I hate confrontation as well. I want to go in and come out with out so much as a peep. Why people have to be so loud and mean is unknown to me. I am glad you stopped and took a moment to grab what you did. THese are darling...smiles...Renee
Posted by: Renee | September 25, 2011 at 10:18 AM
You always find the best stuff!!
Posted by: Patty | October 01, 2011 at 04:07 AM