Michigan's Yard Sale Trail 2014--Another Fun Day!!

Yesterday was such a whirlwind day!! It started at 7:30 in the morning when I met my friend and fellow treasure-seeker/junking buddy Auntie from Kitschy Vintage to go off on an adventure on Michigan's Yard Sale Trail. A long yard sale route that follows M-29 and M-25 along the St. Clair River and  Lake Huron coastlines of Michigan's thumb. 

The start of the trail is about an hour and fifteen minutes from our hometown, and since we haven't had much time to hang out this summer, we had LOTS of time to blab and catch up. Whenever we get together, we always jump back in right where we left off, and we never lack for things to talk about.

We literally shopped til we dropped! We finished in Port Sanilac, even though the sale goes much farther north, because we ran out of time and energy. I had a standing date with my Cousin and her son's girlfriend to finish up the tutus for our team for the Spina Bifida fundraiser walk that we are walking in next Saturday, so I had to get home. 

When we started, we were an hour and fifteen minutes from home, when we ended we were two hours from home, and we shopped on driveways and in fields for 8 hours-that's how many sales there are along the route, and we didn't hit everyone we saw, or go off of the main drag to other sales.

It was a LOT more crowded with shoppers this year than in previous years. I think the advertising on t.v. and social media really helped bring it to the attention of a lot of people. Even though there were a lot more shoppers, there was still plenty to look at and more than enough treasures for everyone to buy. 

This year there were several estate sales along the route too, something that I've not seen before, but was very excited to check out. The very first estate sale that we went to was a "make an offer, we gotta get rid of it, the estate sale was last week, this is what's left" kind of sale. I got a really neat refrigerator/leftover dish and two very filthy tiny red Pyrex dishes for $1.

I took Auntie to all of my favorite driveways and fields to shop and I think we both did really well. Since I don't have the booth anymore, I was just hunting for the fun of it and for things that I wanted for myself. Treasure hunting has a totally different feel to it when you aren't hunting for reselling-there is a huge weight of pressure off of your shoulders when it is a just for fun hunt.

For most of the day I was talking to Auntie about the museum and the Amish baked/canned goods booth that is on the grounds there and how much I love to buy their little turnover pies to eat on the way home. My mouth watered just thinking about them, I was anticipating munching on one at the end of our very long day (just like I do every year when I do this sale).

 Unfortunately we were there a couple of hours later than I usually get there and they were all out of pies. We had to settle for soft sugar cookies. We were both starving so we couldn't wait to try one. I've bought a LOT of Amish baked goods over the years and they have all been outstanding. I've never had a bad pie, cake, or cookie-I epecially LOVE their fry pies-YUM-those are the BEST!

This time was the exception...they were totally out of turnover pies, and the cookies we bought were really bad. I should have had a clue when the oatmeal cookies they were selling all had burned bottoms. I never dreamed sugar cookies could taste so bad. What a big let-down after bragging up the pies all day!

We raced home after all of our adventures so that I could get home in time to meet up with my cousin for the tutus. I got home and had exactly ten minutes to unload the car, do a loot shoot and put it all away before they got here! Whew!! 

We made tutus until around 11pm. That was a long, super fun day-I LOVED every minute of it!! Thanks Auntie and Marla and Sarilda for making it so much fun!!

Here are some shots of my day yesterday...

 My beautiful hydrangea

 Sun coming up over the trees

 Auntie, starting her stash

 Beautiful water...we saw 3 freighters go by while we were on the trail.

 The place where Auntie scored some AMAZING Pyrex!!! Might be the first Gooseberry that she's found ITW (in the wild).

 Estate sale #1

 This sale didn't have anything for me, but I was delighted to see two boxes of Optometrist testing lenses-reminded me of my days as an optician.

 I could get so used to this view-LOVE being on the water!

 You can see how close we were to the water while we were shopping.

 Auntie and her big floppy hats!

 There were so many cars driving by that I couldn't get a clear, car-free shot of this sale.

 The one antique shop we walked through. I go in every year, it's a fun break from all the driving.

 I almost didn't think we were at the right place when we got to this sale area...it seemed so much bigger every other year that I've been to it.

 A shopper was driving this-I would LOVE to have a car like this!

 Part-way through the day.

 Look at what I saw for sale in someone's garage-how cool is that?!?

 This was in a little outbuilding on someone's property where there were several tents set up-little hobby antique shop I'm guessing. I took this pic to show the Mr so he can make the table top for my treadle base.

 I LOVE this!!!

 The end of the trip...

 Loot Shoot! I guess it was a tablecloth kind of day for me!

 These were in a box on the floor in the entryway of the house under some stuff. I saw the red and the shape and knew it was Pyrex, but they were really dirty. I took a chance because I got them both and the clear round refrigerator dish next to them for $1.

 Soap flake pitcher, Pyrex and Riviera shakers-oh my!

Soaking with dish soap and water over night-so glad I didn't let a little grime scare me off!!

So another successful yard sale trail, with lots of great memories, fun times, laughter, and great treasures-I can't wait for next year!!!

Family

Last Saturday we had a mini family reunion for my Dad's side of the family. Over half of the family couldn't make it. They were out of town for a special weekend at the Miss I Can Do it Pageant, and my mom couldn't come because she was doing respite care at her house on Saturday. I think there were only 12 or so of us, but we still got together because it was the only day that family from Texas were going to be in town and available.

My Dad's oldest brother planned the whole thing. We met in Bay City, since it was close for my Dad (from the U.P.), my uncle (from Canadian Lakes) and the Texas family's final destination was around Caseville.

My uncle rented a bunkhouse, and the very kind, generous and gracious owners allowed us to use their backyard (of their own personal house) and their pavilion and pond for our get-together. They own two houses side by side and rent them and their own private house is right next door.

My uncle has stayed at their bunk house a few times when he was in the area for fishing, so he's gotten to know them quite well. My Dad came down a day early and they fished on Friday and had their limit of walleye in less than three hours!

The owners had a loaf of fresh-baked homemade bread and fresh butter waiting for them when they got there on Friday. I think my uncle will be a bunkhouse renter for as long as he is able from them. I would recommend their place to anyone, who needs a place to stay in that area. It's not fancy, it's homey, charming and very clean. I have no idea on the price, but I could always find out if anyone is interested.

 Three twin bunkbeds with a vintage couch and a couple of chairs make up the great room. So may interesting things to look at on the walls!! I loved the sled and wooden crate!!

 L o o k at that SINK!!! LOVE!!!

 Little cubby over the fridge-more vintage goodies.

 From the kitchen/eating area looking into the great room.

 The entryway/mud room.

 Look what was in the cupboards!!!

 They set up tables for us under their pavilion and put vintage tablecloths on them!!! I almost had a heart attack when the husband took a staple gun and whacked staples into the tablecloths to hold them to the tables!!!

 Lucy got to go with us, but we had to keep a really good eye on her. The owners have a cat that hates dogs, and it attacks dogs-even dogs 3-4 times bigger than itself. When we got there it was sneaking up on us as we were setting up. The owner came and locked it up in the barn, but it was kind of creepy how it stalked over to us. It was easily double Lucy's size too. I was worried it would find a way out the whole time we were there!

 

As soon as they cast their lines into the water, they had a fish! Even the turtles were jumping on the lines.

I think everyone had a great time catching up and relaxing. It was a gorgeous day for a picnic!!

After we got home, our power kept flickering and eventually went out until after 2:30 in the morning. Mr startled me and popped up out of bed when it came back on. He flipped on the main light in our room, and started setting his clock! He mumbled something when I complained, and me being half asleep, I didn't hear what he said. When I got up in the morning, I looked at his clock and he'd set it two hours too slow!!! He didn't even remember doing it-must have been sleep walking!

I overslept for church on Sunday, I woke up too late, and Mr was out for a run. So we ended up having a big breakfast, and heading out to Northville to the Buy Michigan Now Festival. It was interesting. Lots of vendors and lots of shoppers. It was fun to walk around and see what everyone was selling.

I stopped in a store called Salvaged-I love that store! I saw a child's tea set that would be a great go-along for Fiesta. I was tempted to buy it, but I'm trying to be more selective in what I get, and since it wasn't true Fiesta, I passed it up.

We stopped at Knightsbridge while we were in Northville. I saw LOTS of changes since the last time I was there. Lots of fun things to look at, but nothing that I couldn't live without. That's OK though, it is always fun to look!

I did see this awesome stove...

...but I left it there for someone else to buy. It reminded me of my grandparents trailer in the U.P. on the St. Mary's River. I have LOTS of great memories of spending vacations at that trailer when I was a kid. The kitchen had pink appliances and a pink sink. The bathroom had turquoise sink, toilet and tub. It was beyond awesome, and since it was a get-away place, it was all barely used and in excellent condition. I liked it back then when I was a kid, now...I LOVE to see it again-too bad it didn't stay in the family!

I have a busy month this month, at home and at work, no free evenings and no free weekends! All good things though. Friday Auntie and I are doing the Yard Sale Trail. It's her first time, so I hope we have good weather and find lots of fun things to see, and maybe find a treasure or two to bring back!

Anyone else doing the yard sale trail??

Summertime Pretty!

Did I ever mention...

Did I ever mention that I have a small soft spot addiction to vintage tablecloths? I stopped today at a random garage/moving sale. It wasn't advertised, I just happened to drive by it on my way to one that was advertised. The advertised one was a total frog. They had nothing like what they advertised, and since the closest way home was to go back the way I came, I took a chance and stopped.

They didn't have much, usually I don't stop for such small sales, but I saw a couple of blenders from the road, and was hoping they were vintage, and hoping there would be more vintage kitchenware there as well. The blenders were vintage, but there wasn't any other vintage kitchenware. I was just about to leave when I saw this beauty!

$2-still has the Wilendur tag...some stains...still bright...no holes, tears or thin spots! Still doing a happy dance!!

These came in the mail-a few more pillow shams made from vintage tablecloths. I can't wait to get out and get some pillow forms to stuff into these! They are going to look GREAT in my sun room with all of my vintage Fiesta, Pyrex, quilts and tablecloths!! They are from the same seller that I got the first one from. She was willing to make a deal for me since I was a repeat buyer.

Potluck...trying something new

I don't know about you, but I love a good potluck. Maybe because I love trying new things. Not just things that other people bring to share, but I like to try new things with what I bring too. Sometimes my new food adventures are a total flop, and sometimes they turn out pretty good. I'm hoping this new idea turns out to be one of the good ones.

I made mini little no-bake cheesecake cups-a little bigger than shot glass size. Half cherry and half blueberry. I have a can of whipped topping to squirt a little dollop on top of each one right before we eat them-YUM! I can't wait to try them tomorrow!

Early tomorrow morning, these will be piled high with meat, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and yum! So much cheaper and better tasting when you make your own subs!!