Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Loot!


 There's a very good reason for my lack of blogging lately...I've been in the Midwest.  Actually, the road trip took us through nine states, but Iowa and Minnesota were the main destinations.  While there, we visited family and enjoyed some incredible weather.  Sadly, we came home to temps around 116.  I keep telling myself that we are near the end of the heat, but there is still more than a month of it to go before we head into the chamber of commerce weather. 
I'm fairly certain that I hit every antique shop between here and there.  Above is some of the misc. loot that came home with me.  I see a theme going on with the alphabet, don't you?  I guess I'm pretty predictable, I always seem to look for the same things every trip such as vintage photos, old buttons, canning jars, silhouettes, and pewter.  I really had no intention of bringing home another piece of salt-glazed pottery, but I couldn't resist these two.  The crock was a steal at $40, and the jug, complete with "turkey droppings" was only $15.  I had no clue what a turkey dropping was until a woman stopped me to admire them on the jug.  She enlightened me with a story about the brown splats.  The glaze apparently drips/drops onto the ones below them in the kiln.  According to her, they make a piece more desirable and valuable.  Who knew?


We attended this event in Minnesota for the second year.  Last year, I flew and was limited to what I could bring home.  This year, I was prepared and brought our van.  We were just about to leave when I spotted the spinning wheel.  I have to say that I was feeling a little disappointed because I hadn't found any samplers worth buying and had missed out on a wonderful old spool cabinet by minutes.  So, when this came into view, I was excited.  It has the original blue/black paint, and is from 1844. You can see where the paint has worn from use.


The bee skep is not old, but I have always wanted one.  I'm hoping that it will age in time.


 Now this is something that you do not see everyday.  It was originally a large rhubarb leaf.  My sis-in-law participated in a fundraiser by making these.  I can't remember the exact process, but it involves forming an actual leaf over a mound of dirt to form the bowl.  Then some type of plaster mixture is added to make it hard.  This one was painted, but I love how you can see the veins.  I'm using it for a small bird bath along the walkway.

 We were on hand to wish brother-in -law, Mike a happy 50th.  He was golfing at the time, and came home to a surprise party.  That is yours truly in the middle.  I'm the only one not holding up a "50" napkin.  Another sister-in-law had just given me something from Tastefully Simple, and that is what I am displaying.

 We also spent time in this resort  I mean farm, of yet another sister and brother-in-law.  It is absolutely lovely here, and the dogs ran and played until they could run no more.  I sat on the patio and stitched...it was heaven.


22 comments:

Karin said...

Sounds and looks like a great trip Tanya! But I am glad to live here in the Midwest instead of those temperatures you have down in AZ, 116!! Yikes. We have a couple of days around 100 and that was more than enough LOL.

Julie M said...

Awesome loot and I love that spinning wheel! Sounds like you had a great time!

samplerlover said...

Hi Tanya, sounds like you had a wonderful time away and you picked up some lovely pieces. I also love your spinning wheel. Looks lovely under your samplers - Sandra.

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

What a wonderful trip! I love all your finds and especially that spinning wheel; what a treasure! Love the pic of you and the gang!

Unknown said...

ooo... the spinning wheel is beautiful!

Margaret said...

Oh it sounds so wonderful, Tanya! Perfect vacation. And your loot! Yummy! That spinning wheel is so wonderful! Love everything else too!

Sherry :o) said...

sounds like a great trip! Love your finds.

marly said...

Nice haul. You bought a wheel and I'm trying to sell mine! Fabulous prices on those crocks, but the prize for me would be to sit on that patio with that view.

Katrina said...

Great finds!!! I especially love the spinning wheel and the alphabet plate :-). Looks like a wonderful trip and I am glad you are home safe and sound.

Penny said...

Sounds like you had a dream trip. Love the salt-glazed pottery-never heard about "turkey droppings" before,interesting. What a beautiful spinning wheel. Your sampler wall is a great backdrop.

Anonymous said...

Wow! You scored some wonderful treasures. I especially love the pottery and beautiful spinning wheel - which looks right at home next to Maria Tilley! Blessings from Kentucky - kelley

Dona said...

Tanya, great finds; they are all very cool. Beautiful spinning wheel. I especially love the little rhubarb leaf bird bath - it's so sweet. Have the birds found it yet?

Glad you had a good time and got to visit with family. I know you and the squatters are glad to be home, though.

Siobhán said...

Oh my gosh, what fantastic finds! Lucky you! That spinning wheel is just fabulous. Yikes on the temps--it's in the high 50s here and the leaves are already turning.

woolwoman said...

You've been missed Tanya but what a great trip you had. the spinning wheel is a wonderful find and all your other goodies too. HOT - I'm sick to death of it but like you said - we have at least another month of it and if we escape 2011 with no storms I'll be happy! Cheers and welcome home
Mel

Nancy in WI said...

Love your loot Tanya! Don't you miss the farmland/Midwest just a teeny bit?? My friend went to the Gold Rush Days and I plan to go next year. I hadn't heard of it until this year. It should be fun! Glad you had a good trip!

Nancy in WI said...

Hmmmm, your Maria Tilley does look good next to your spinning wheel! Is the color of your wall gray or green? I love it.

Fiona said...

Looks like you had a great time shopping and getting together with family.

Karoline said...

Sounds like you had a great trip, you got some lovely things

Michelle said...

What a fantastic trip! And you found lots of goodies to bring home with you. The spinning wheel is amazing!!

Charlene ♥ NC said...

Your haul was more than mine, but do you believe I got the exact pewter plate - with alpha and numbers - on Friday? Love your pickin's and your designs!

Sue said...

Both my mom and husband are from the same small town in Minnesota. We have gone there so many times, and seeing your photo of the patio on the prairie made me wish I were there right now. I love that state! Aren't the people the friendliest, and most helpful? Glad you had a nice visit there.

Generic Cialis said...

There are some great relics in that loop. For those relics hunters would be delighted about it.