The phrase "lots of Christmas" in an estate sale listing can mean one of two things: lots of bad Christmas decorations (i.e., most things made after I was born), or lots of good Christmas decorations (things older than me.)
Fortunately, the latter applied Saturday morning.
There were decorations I'd never seen before, like a three-piece band in its original "Merry Miracles" box.
Decorations I've seen and wanted but didn't have, like a pair of spun-head pinecone snowmen riding in silver cages.
There were milkglass Christmas bulbs.
And a Santa and reindeer set in its original box.
Oh, and there were ornaments, too.
American classics.
Handpainted ornaments from Poland.
Original boxes.
Odd and interesting colors.
Lovely stripes.
Beautiful indents.
Early favorites to take the "Best Panorama" award at the next AOVCOA&S ceremony.
And my most favorite spun-head creation ever: a penguin.
One apron for being close to home.
One apron for not spending too, too, too much.
One apron as a personal pat-on-the-back for not sleeping in when that's what I really wanted to do.
One apron for the person running the estate sale, who let us in 15 minutes early rather than making us stand outside in the rain.
One apron for a season's worth of Christmas ornaments (well, close) in one stop.
One apron for being home by 11 a.m.
One apron for a spun-head penguin.
And three aprons for all of the non-Christmas stuff yet to show you.
A ten-apron sale. But you kind of felt that coming, didn't you?
WOW! i don't even have words! that was really a gem, i would have gone crazy! i love absolutely everything.
Posted by: rae | July 28, 2012 at 03:21 PM
Milk glass christmas Santas. It doesn't get better than that! Everything looks in great condition. Perfect find!
Maureen
Posted by: Maureen | July 28, 2012 at 03:34 PM
I just stepped on my tongue. That is an amazing pile of treasures. Wow.
Posted by: Gina @ VintageJunkinMyTrunk | July 28, 2012 at 03:47 PM
You are giving me a stomach ache lately with all you wonderful finds. Lucky, lucky you!
Posted by: Shara | July 28, 2012 at 05:11 PM
Funny, the other day when my odd Santa came along I thought "wow, B hasn't found any great Christmas stuff yet?" Oh they junk fairies were listening and the dioramas are in full force. I am already humming jingle bells. Smiles...Renee
Posted by: Renee | July 28, 2012 at 05:59 PM
{THUNK}...me tipping over. Speechless. Chest bump x2.
Posted by: Kathy | July 28, 2012 at 06:12 PM
I am completely and utterly jealous. one word...JEALOUS. (spun head penguin and "Merry Miracles" new to me too)
DANG.
JEALOUS.
Posted by: laurie magpie ethel | July 28, 2012 at 06:34 PM
I think I am not liking you any more. No fair. You bring out the immature second grader in me. I want what you have. Forget aprons. This sale deserves a trophy.
Posted by: Kim G. | July 28, 2012 at 07:09 PM
I am freaking out here! A ten apron sale is unheard of! And there's more to come! I'm already getting excited about the AOVCOA&S and it's still only July! I hope you're going to sell that church in the dark ornament, because it should be on my tree!
This is a five exclamation mark comment, and that's a record for me.
You are the estate sale queen (and I am not kidding either!)
Posted by: Martha | July 28, 2012 at 09:45 PM
Jackpot! Great score! I was starting to miss your Christmas finds. How bizarre the black church ornament. The milk glass Santas are cool and creepy looking at the same time.
Posted by: Joy | July 28, 2012 at 10:10 PM
Bravo ! What a very impressive haul. It's well worth losing a little sleep over ... as always ... good for you Barbara ! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Lisa W. | July 29, 2012 at 01:20 AM
Now this was a sale worth going to! I love the Penguin! So many pretty ornaments...I would have a ball just looking at them. Ten Aprons for sure!
Posted by: Linda @ A La Carte | July 29, 2012 at 12:29 PM
Gasp. It's all so amazing. I just can't get over that stash of treasures. I love happy endings.
Posted by: Kim Kenward | July 29, 2012 at 07:47 PM
Totally jealous!! I thought I had a good haul of Christmas stuff from this weekend. You take the cake!
Melissa
Posted by: Melissa's Antiques | July 30, 2012 at 09:37 AM
I should collect Christimas vintage. My area is not a good place for this as people don't get rid of anything here. I love your stuff. this post nearly made me cry. My parents used to call it jap crap (sorry for this being an insensitive remark) but I always loved the little trinkets and balls. Still do. It isn't crap to me. It is treasure.
Posted by: nanette | July 30, 2012 at 11:26 AM
Like most of us, I am completely envious of your Christmas finds. My heart starts palpitating as I see each picture of lovely things I covet!
Posted by: Ruthann | July 30, 2012 at 09:38 PM
Somehow ten aprons might not be quite enough for this incredible haul. I have yet to have this kind of vintage Christmas good fortune but it's stories like yours that continue to give me a flicker of hope.
That nighttime ornament with the little white village is absolutely killing me. As is the penguin.
Posted by: Into Vintage | August 01, 2012 at 12:53 AM
Omg.. Totally jealous!! I thought I had a good haul of Christmas stuff from this weekend. You take the cake!
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