A weekend that I had been looking forward to for weeks...the big Ocean Grove flea market, A town wide yard sale in Red Bank, and a big flea market in Atlantic Highlands...it all required a plan. Is it possible to hit all of the above and actually walk away with something good? Here was my plan, we would be up at the crack of dawn and be out the door by 7:00 and on our way to the flea market in Ocean Grove. They always set up early and look forward to the throngs of customers..I like to get there early and avoid the crowds. It was drizzling out, actually pretty dreary, and many of the vendors did not even set up. For those who did, I applaud you because plenty of people were walking around, looking for a great find....but there was nothing there for me.
We moved on to the big townwide yard sale, and this is where it got good. Drizzle or not, everyone was very accomodating...it was like Halloween tricks or treats for yard salers. People everywhere criss-crossing the streets to see what was being offered. A lovely woman had a large collection of McCoy pottery for sale, five dollars a piece. Being on a bit of a blue kick lately, I asked to buy all of the blue flower pots...she said if I was taking all of the blues, I could have them for fifteen dollars. They now reside here
with my other blue pottery pieces. Moving on, a young man was trying to clean out his room of much clutter and was offering these dishes
on a table full of teenage debris that was pretty wet... the rain had picked up a little at this point. Thinking, Tablescape Thursday, maybe they would make a cute diner style vintage table setting, so how much? He said I could take all of them for a dollar....sold!
They are vintage Buffalo dinerware, and the cups and saucer sets are actually a demitasse set.
Wet or not, this was fun. I didn't find much more, so I turned my attention to the stacks of books that people were selling. If you have been reading my blog for a while then you know that I have been reading while walking on the treadmill and have gotten through many books this year. This time, I thought I would ask the sellers to recommend books that they especially enjoyed, and this is what I bought at their suggestion, 25 cents a book. Seriously, a full day of shopping, happy sellers, happy buyer...priceless! The books that I recently finished,
I honestly loved so much that I didn't want any of them to end. I tend to get attached to the characters. I hope that I feel that way about the new books. If anyone is interested in some sort of a book swap, just send me an email. I love to hear about books that you have really enjoyed. Some of the others that I finished this year were Eat, Pray, Love by Melissa Gilbert and Julie and Julia by Julie Powell.
Joining in on Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch, hosted by Susan, and Blue Monday at
Smiling Sallies blog. You ladies rock! Thank you for hosting, and please everyone see what the other contributions are to these links.
One little metamorphosis that I worked on this weekend, was organizing my sewing supplies. They are all in plastic containers, buttons in one, scissors and measuring tapes in another...it turned into organized kaos. So, I took the blue sewing basket that was repurposed to hold a fern on the porch, off of the porch,
and repurposed it in my office as... a sewing basket. Maybe grandma had something there...keeping stuff handy and in its proper place. Duh!!
♥, Susan
What a fortunate find! Very nice!
Posted by: Lynda | September 13, 2009 at 01:59 PM
WOW! I love the shade of blue on the pottery- never seen anything like it here! Totally my colour too!
And I LOVE buying books at sales and thrifts! Great deals!
Posted by: Caro's Thrifty Adventures | September 13, 2009 at 03:30 PM
What a great deal .... I love the color...I am having a new give a-way do hope you stop over...
xoxo
Julie
Posted by: Julie | September 13, 2009 at 04:19 PM
Oh, how I love the MCCOY pottery! Great find and price. Michelle
Posted by: Michelle DiDomenico | September 13, 2009 at 04:39 PM
Sounds like you had a busy day of fun shopping! Love the pottery pieces you found....great deal too.
Posted by: Jane | September 13, 2009 at 05:27 PM
I love the blue pottery! SO pretty! I love little transformations too - make such a difference. :)
Roeshel
Posted by: The DIY Show Off | September 13, 2009 at 06:28 PM
Have you read Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers? It is one of my favorites.
Posted by: The Persimmon Perch | September 13, 2009 at 07:43 PM
Didn't you find some great buys! I love the McCoy pottery. Can't believe you got all of them for $15. Thanks for sharing. ~ Sarah
Posted by: Sarah | September 13, 2009 at 08:26 PM
LOVE all those blue pots!
Posted by: Fifi Flowers | September 13, 2009 at 08:57 PM
Back to its original purpose!
Posted by: Maya@Completely-Coastal | September 13, 2009 at 09:23 PM
The sewing stand is Gorgeous!
Posted by: svelteSTUFF | September 14, 2009 at 03:28 AM
Wow, what neat finds. Lovely blues.
Cindy
Posted by: cindy dodd | September 14, 2009 at 04:25 AM
I love yard sales!!
And, your blue sewing basket is precious....
Posted by: bj | September 14, 2009 at 06:03 AM
Great finds-love all the blue!
and love the new sewing organizer. My grandma had one just like and used for the same thing!
Posted by: Reid | September 14, 2009 at 06:54 AM
Thank you for letting me go with you to the Ocean Grove flee, Susan. I used to go to this one too!!
Great treasures and books too! Many of the ones you bought I loved reading!!
Thanks again for you thought provoking comment.
xox
Constance
Posted by: rochambeau | September 14, 2009 at 07:19 AM
You found some super bargains! Happy Blue Monday.
Posted by: Sally | September 14, 2009 at 07:44 AM
Holy cow on the blue pots!! Deal of a lifetime right there. Lucky you!
Posted by: jen duncan | September 14, 2009 at 08:09 AM
I love the blues you found to share with us today. Those flower pots were a real steal. I hope you are having a wonderful day.
Posted by: Mary | September 14, 2009 at 09:00 AM
Light blue is my favorite. I loved the pottery.
Thanks for sharing.
Happy Blue Monday,
Val
Posted by: kitty valerie | September 14, 2009 at 09:31 AM
Very nice finds!!
Posted by: Miranda | September 14, 2009 at 09:59 AM
I love yard sale you canfind tons of fascinating things for such a cheap price. Thats a pretty good deal for those lovely flower pot.
Posted by: Shy | September 14, 2009 at 10:16 AM
Hi Susan
You and Laura always find such good buys at flea markets! The blue McCoy flower pots are such a pretty shade of blue!
I usually go to the Rock-away craft fair, held this past weekend but the rain kept me away. I did feel bad for the vendors as I know rain keeps the crowds so small.
I am no longer going to use my grandson's name in blog posts and I'm asking everyone to please not say his name in comments from now on. I realized a little late that so many people read blogs, and not all with the best intent, so I'd rather be safe than sorry. Thanks for understanding!
Posted by: Pat | September 14, 2009 at 02:38 PM
great McCoy finds.
Posted by: Denise West | September 14, 2009 at 02:54 PM
Yard sales are a great place to find books! That was a good idea to ask the seller's about their favorites! Great blue pots at a great price!
Posted by: susan | September 14, 2009 at 03:19 PM
Oh, those blue pots!!!
Posted by: barbara | September 14, 2009 at 04:50 PM
Hi Susan!
WOW!!
Love your blue pots--what a deal!! And the buffalo wear!!!
love,kelee
Posted by: Kelee Katillac | September 14, 2009 at 05:19 PM
What wonderful buys - I enjoyed seeing the pictures!
Posted by: Ivory Spring | September 14, 2009 at 05:24 PM
Love all the blue treasures you found.
I hope you will come by for a visit as well. I have a fun party on Mondays and another on Wed that just started up.
Cheri
Its So Very Cheri
Posted by: Cheri Peoples | September 14, 2009 at 05:41 PM
Some great finds. I love town wide garage sales.
Posted by: susan | September 16, 2009 at 07:41 AM
I love the Blue McCoy! What a score!
Posted by: Christine | September 23, 2009 at 06:37 PM
Susan: Didn't the writing in the Poisonwood Bible blow you away? I was more interested in her character development than the story...incredible
Posted by: Laura | September 29, 2009 at 04:57 PM
Laura, Barbara Kingsolver has become one of my favorite authors. I found myself down right excited by her writing and absolutely lost in her characters. Her books are the type that I do not want to end. I become some involved with the characters that I want to see sequels to her books.
♥, Susan
Posted by: susan ericson | September 30, 2009 at 06:10 AM