Islands In The Stream...Er...

...kitchen...have always been something I envied. Now, remember

I don't have a big kitchen. And after watching far too much of HGTV's House Hunters, I have

come to realize that I possess a kitchen "too small for any living human being" (Does this mean UNLiving folks will fit?), that has

 "old fashioned Granny cabinets", and, for the pièce de résistance, is "positively grotesque"! All comments I heard last week alone about kitchens resembling my own. But I digress.

Suffice to say I do not have an HGTV dream kitchen. But I now do have an island...well...of sorts. But I like it. I really like it!

Recently, the vivacious and always glamorous Sue from Sullivan and Murphy,

and I spent a morning and afternoon sale-ing around garages and yards. *smile*

We came home *mostly* empty handed. But I had seen the cutest old sewing table bottom and wow. I wanted it. Sue knew I did but she and I were in total agreement that I NOT buy it!

Why? The lady of the house would not dicker at all. We tried for a measly 3 dollars off her asking price. She just turned and went inside. Not even a response! Obviously we offended her sensibilities.

We are pretty rude sorts you know. But this was a GARAGE sale. We were not in a high end department store. I may be a virgin yard sale-er but I have come to learn that dickering is expected and yes. Even desired! And we only asked for 3 dollars off! So we left. Uh huh.

So here is what Sue has yet to find out. (This is a little surprise for her by the way!)

The next week I was out with Bill and I asked him to drive by the house. We know the area as we had once looked at the house next door to purchase. I wanted him to see this house...and gadzooks!

They were having another garage sale. We pulled up and what did my little eye spy?

You betcha.

And had she come down 3 dollars? More like 15! Yippee!

So Sue? You were right!

Oh, and this is the first time I have shown off our new tile floor! What do you think? It only took us 8 years to do...next up? New counters. Let's hope they will go in in less time! *smile*

Yard Sale Newbie

It's Monday and I want to welcome all of you who are hopping over from Rhoda's!

You will find that I am a bit of a novice at this game...

Yes. It's true. I am a Yard Sale newbie. *blush* A Garage Sale virgin. An Estate Sale rube.

I am learning so bear with me! Thanks to Rhoda's inspiration and Sue's inspired finds and insistent "You need to try it!" I ventured forth. Okay, so Sue did most of my wheeling and dealing and I DO have much to learn but I wanted to share with you a few of these first finds...

Is this not gorgeous? It was marked $7 and the man took $5. Later his wife shared that she had originally marked it $4 but a friend told her she saw one in an antique store for $25. I think I did okay. What do you think? *smile* I LOVE turkeys. And yes, I know I am odd. *grin* See that sweet little covered tureen? $3. I wish I had 12 of 'em but I adore this one. I will find lots of tablescape uses for this darlin' piece but for now, it just sits and looks pretty. I like that! And how about this precious mortar and pestle? Made of olive wood, it was $1. The sellers folks brought it home from a vacation overseas and it was never used. I have already used it several times for garlic and grinding sea salt. That's worth a buck right?

Lastly I want to show you this dear little creamer.

Red transferware and so pretty. It was also $1.

Couldn't pass it up!

I have several more goodies to share with you including an old bicycle that Sue found...but that will wait until next time.

Remember, I am new at this so starting off slow!

Oh but I think that the Yard Sale bug bit little 'ol me me. Uh huh. It's venom is swirling through my system and causing all manner of havoc. I know there is but one remedy and that is to get out and find another sale!

So, until next time...

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q