Olive the other stuff

I spent so much time making a pile of Christmas stuff at Saturday's estate sale that I didn't think there would be much else left in the house to interest me once I got to it. Actually, there was quite a lot more. In addition to this little clock, which keeps excellent time, I found some other whatnots.

Some miscellaneous vases, a set of Easter cookie cutters, a little spice rack and some aqua McCoy.

I had never seen the McCoy icicle planter - ever, anywhere. It's huge, as ceramic planters go, and I already know exactly where it's going (on my dresser) and how I'm going to use it (for an amazing Christmas tableau, complete with a bottle brush tree, little ornaments and possibly a number of snowmen.) I think it's my favorite McCoy ever.

Because the woman who lived in the house was a kindred spirit who clearly loved Christmas, she had a number of Christmas aprons ...

as well as some sweet cotton aprons that she had stitched up, pressed and tucked away, unused.

Among them were some smocked gingham aprons. The one on the right is unfinished. I'll figure out how to finish it. Someday. Smocked gingham reminds me of my great-grandmother, who was about my favorite person in the world.

I don't buy as many linens as I used to, but there were so many at this sale that the organizers were more than happy to have people make up their own box lots and name a price. So as long as I had a box lot of aprons going, I figured a guest towel couldn't hurt. Especially since it featured a parachuting kitty with the words 'Drop in any time.'

And since there was still a little room in my box, I added some handkerchiefs. There was pretty much every kind of handkerchief, from familiar florals and monogrammed hankies to bandanas and children's handkerchiefs, and holiday handkerchiefs, and delicate lace handkerchiefs.

Then I found a whole batch of tablecloths, so I started a second box lot. There was, naturally, a Christmas tablecloth, and a Christmas table runner. (I'm wondering if I am somehow related to the woman who lived in the house. We seem to share a lot of tendencies.) To this box lot I was able to add a nice stack of never-used kitchen towels.

The next photo is kind of special, because it represents a first for me. I don't know about you, but I find the category of collectibles featuring green olives particularly lacking. It's a shame, because I come from a long line of people who really, really love green olives. Members of my family eat them by the jar. The video of my brother's wedding ends with one of my cousins squealing with delight at the reception when she discovers a huge bowl of green olives. It's one of those things that could have been edited out but thankfully wasn't.

If that weren't enough, our family's cat was addicted to green olives. If my mother poured the juice from an empty olive jar down the drain (this happened pretty frequently in our house), we knew we would soon find the cat in the sink, sniffing for olives. If he slipped outside, all we had to do was take a jar of olives outside, and we could tempt him back. All of this is true.This is not the kind of thing people have any reason to make up.

At any rate, you can imagine my delight when I found not one but TWO olive-themed objects: one, a piece of Holt Howard Pixieware, and the other a tablecloth that features large wooden bowls of salad, iron trivets and olives.

Well, if all that Christmas stuff wasn't evidence enough, now I'm convinced: I have to be related somehow to the woman who lived in that house.

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Joy]

Love the tablecloths and pixieware olive dish! How on earth do you beat all the antique dealers from scooping this stuff up first?

[Linda @ A La Carte]

I love all the linens! You really found a kindred spirit here. The olive items make me smile. WE LOVE OLIVES in our house also! Great finds all!

[Gina @ VintageJunkinMyTrunk]

We grow more and more alike each day, although the Dirty Martini lover in me cringed at the thought of that golden olive juice being poured down the drain! Oh, and that planter and clock are awesome. Now to see if the cats like olives…

[Renee]

I was just thinking...Hmm...B hasn't found any "Olive" stuff recently? Of course I am stuck back on the linens but that it beside the point...I am supposed to be packing but this is way better. Smiles...Renee

[Christi]

I always head for the holiday lovelies too. Vintage Christmas is the best!

[nanette]

aaack which is my fav? the clock or the linens?

[Kat]

What a haul!! My cat loves olives, too! Even at 17, he'll try to climb my leg for them when he hears the jar open!! Then if there's any residue left on the floor, he'll roll in it! He turns his nose up at catnip. It's nice to know there's another weird cat out there. Is yours an orange tiger?

[laurie magpie ethel]

Green olives huh? My hubby is the black olive man. We can not throw a party without having them served. The woman with this estate must have been a doll...what wonderful fun things she had. Awesome sale!!! First the Christmas and now these goodies....

[Hen]

Aaaarrgghh, thanks so much for sharing these photos recently but you must stop, I'm so green with envy it's most unbecoming! I am very much enjoying fondling the feedsack squares I bought from you, though. That curtain...
Hen x

[Rebecca]

"All of this is true.This is not the kind of thing people have any reason to make up." You are hilarious. :) Solid finds!!! I love the parachuting kitty.

[Kim Kenward]

I'm seriously jealous. You have one amazing haul.

[Kathy]

I cannot get over all of this on top of all the Christmas. I am sitting here wondering if I somehow manage to go the estate sales of poor people who had no taste. Harumph.
When you were little did you stick the olives on your fingers, one for each finger? 8+)

[Jewels]

Hilarious B - what a wonderful haul for you and how nice to find an unknown relative (LOL). I personally love green olives stuffed with garlic (but that may be to fancy schmancy for your family/cat)... J

[Ruthann]

My mom used to put a whole jar of green olives in my Christmas stocking, because I was known for clearing out the olives from the relish dish every holiday.

[Danielle @ Blessed Serendipity]

You certainly cleaned out that sale. Wonderful finds~ LOVE that pixieware piece.

xo,
Danielle

[rae]

you got some really beautiful stuff! i really love that mccoy, i cant wait to see what you do with it at christmas!

[Vicki]

I just live vicariously now...but, you reminded me that back in April I bought a vintage Goldilocks and the 3 Bears cookie cutter set. Where is that thing? I should bake some Goldilocks cookies before it's time to go back to work...hmm. Of course I love everything!

[Erica / Golden Egg Vintage]

I am in AWE of your blog!! I don't know what took me so long to find you! We have such similar taste in vintage! I actually have that McCoy Icicle planter in a round version!! Isn't it great?
Erica :)