We had the most beautiful day for garage saling on Saturday. It was sunny with low humidity and cooler temps in the 70’s.
I didn’t come home with tons of treasures, but I found a few good things. You might be surprised by the item I’ve chosen as my ‘find of the day’, but you’ll have to read to the end to find out what it is.
Before I get to the ‘finds’ though, I have to tell you guys that the garage sales themselves are really only part of the reason why I love these neighborhood garage sales. The other part is getting to drive around these gorgeous neighborhoods and snoop.
This particular neighborhood is in St. Paul and is bordered on one side by the Mississippi River. The homes along Mississippi River Boulevard are especially fab. Isn’t that row of hydrangeas spectacular?
I was totally envious of the hydrangea tree (on left) in front of this next house.
Who wouldn’t love to live in a pretty little cottage like this next one?
But let’s get back to the finds.
First up, Shelly suggested I show you my sister Debbie’s finds this time. I aim to please, so here they are.
She spent less than $10 and came home with some Scandinavian style Christmas linens, a cookbook and a piece of blue carnival glass, which she non-collects 😉
I think it’s fair to say that Debbie comes along for the sight-seeing and the scintillating company more so than the actual garage saling (right Deb?). But she usually finds a couple of things to buy.
I came home with a couple of things to add to my own non-collections.
Including just one solitary Christmas ornament and some bluebird china.
I also purchased a gorgeous vintage tablecloth. The colors in it were just so vibrant.
You may remember that I pared down my non-collection of these earlier this year, so it was silly to buy another … but at $10, I just couldn’t pass it up.
Somehow I also can’t seem to resist sweet painted china like this plate …
There’s really no market for these pieces right now and as a result they tend to be dirt cheap. I paid $1 for this one. I was thinking it would be pretty hung on the wall in my guest room.
I also picked up another enamelware coffee pot.
These have been selling well for me with the Prima Marketing transfers added to them, so I added some on this one too.
I also nabbed this mid-century glassware …
I think I’m going to use them as a prop for the mid-mod credenza that I’ll be sharing later this week.
Speaking of things one can’t resist, who can resist heading to a garage sale that uses the poop emoji on their sign?
I didn’t end up buying much from these ladies, just a pair of quail.
I’ve already given them a fresh new look with a coat of spray paint. You’ll also see them again as props on that mid-century credenza, but here they are with their new paint job …
I also bought a few bigger pieces at Mac-Grove.
The three kid-sized wooden chairs will get makeovers eventually. I have some ideas for those swimming around in my head. Of course the washstand will also get a paint job and probably some new hardware since one pull is missing.
The bucket on the right would make a fantastic large planter, don’t you think? It is really quite heavy and the seller told me that it’s an old ash bucket. It would also be a great container for firewood if you’re lucky enough to have a wood burning fireplace.
Remember the secretary desk I shared last week with the Prima Marketing Parisian Letter transfer on it? I mentioned that I couldn’t quite fit the entire transfer on the desk. The remaining portion was perfect for this bucket.
It looks pretty awesome filled with Limelight hydrangeas, doesn’t it?
Now, you’re probably wondering, what about that ‘find of the day’? Well, it’s actually not included in any of the photos so far but here it is …
Oh my gosh you guys, these cookies were so delicious that I just had to call them my find of the day. The gal selling them is going to be opening a bakery in Northfield, MN. She said that she uses a lot of old Swedish recipes for her baking. These cookies might not look like much, but they had the most delicate crisp texture on the outside, with a chewy interior. Plus they were the perfect almond flavor. The gal also mentioned that she crushes the almonds by hand to make these. If any of you are ever near Northfield, keep an eye out for this bakery. You’ve got to try these cookies!
So, what’s your favorite among my finds this week? Were you surprised that my ‘find of the day’ was a cookie? Did you have your own fab finds last weekend? Leave me a comment and let me know.
q is for quandie 
Yep, those cookies were awesome! I really don’t come along as a big shopper but it fun to look at everything. I do find some really fun things every so often. I love seeing all the homes and dreaming of owning one even though it will never happen. There is also the good conversations and lunch after we are done. Like eating on a patio On Grand Ave this last weekend. And I do have a few non collections too.
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Well, when you win the lottery we have a couple of great options for a new house 😉
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I pretty much like anything you put a transfer on but the bucket is my favorite item this week. The enamel wear coffee pot is a winner as well. Yes I was surprised to find a cookie was your find of the week. And another unexpected thing the garage sale sign – hilarious!
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Yeah, that bucket turned out pretty awesome. I might have to keep that one …
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Sounds like a fun day was had by all. I am going with the bucket as my favourite,love the large size and would use it for firewood. Your Christmas ornament is very unique.Some of those houses are amazing!
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It would be perfect for firewood!
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Oh goodness, very sweet finds, indeed. I agree with the other comments that the transfers really up the game when they are added! I love the tablecloth and the bluebird dishes. Gorgeous neighborhood. And the cookies sound amazing! I love almond flavor so I know they would rate find of the day for me, too. Although I would be craving them the entire next week…
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I am sort of wishing I’d bought a few more of those cookies!
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Thank you for showing us Deb’s finds! I love those linen pieces! They will be nice for Christmas. I have to admit, I like the snooping part of garage sales and estate sales as well! 😃 I am sure for you two, just spending a beautiful day with your sister is a great time. I love that tablecloth! I used to have a wash stand like that, I can’t wait to see you transform it. That bucket looks so pretty with the transfer and the hydrangeas. I went to an auction, drove 1.5 hours to get there. Hoping to buy some fire king jadite dishes. Came home empty handed!! 😡 Oh well, it was a beautiful day for a drive! Now I want one of those cookies! Yum!
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That is a long drive to end up coming home empty handed!
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Well, I just love the bucket with the transfer…….so simple but so cool! It appeals to my classic side…….And, as with all of your hauls, I turn a little darker shade of green with each one that I see! ;-D
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The bucket is definitely the front runner for everyone’s favorite!
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I attended the Mac-Groveland sale this year for the fist time. Besides drooling over some really beautiful houses, I enjoyed tremendously checking out the gardens. I passed through one of the alley-ways and saw a sign posted “Best Alley Garden 2019”!
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We saw quite a few of those signs too. Out of curiosity, I googled it. Apparently they gave out 798 of those awards this year! No wonder we saw so many signs 😉 You can read more about that program here. I love checking out the gardens too, it’s a great way to get ideas for your own yard.
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I guess I have to go against the crowd here. My favorite items were the bluebird china and the sweet painted plate. I am a sucker for things like this, too. I live in the Cities, too, but I’ve never been to this garage sale. I just don’t like getting up early in the morning to find the best stuff!
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Unfortunately it pretty much does require getting up early. The sales in Mac-Grove start at 8 a.m. and the early bird definitely catches the worm 🙂
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I need those 3 little chairs to round up to 4 for a table and chairs we’re making for the grands. Please do those first so I can steal your idea. I’d love to stay and chat but I gotta get dressed for a 3 hour round trip to Northfield so I can have those cookies with my coffee.
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Ha, it would be worth the trip! But I don’t think the bakery is actually open yet so don’t rush over there 😉 As for the chairs, I’ve done many of these in the past too, check them out here, here, here, here and here. That should give you some ideas!
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Great finds! Love the bluebird China and the tablecloth too.
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They both have such pretty colors!
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Cookies are my favorite! Love cakes, pies, brownies, but cookies can’t be beat! I love bluebird china and tablecloths as well. Don’t even get me started on commodes. I love them – so versatile. I am always drawn to them by their size and shapes, and always can find a place for one, or four!
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If you plan on selling the bluebird china, please let me know. My mom collects it! Thanks
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You found some great finds!! I love the bluebird china. I think that the galvanized container will be a great planter. I love almond cookies! You will have to post again if that bakery ships them. Sounds like an awesome day. 😊
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I couldn’t find any info on the bakery on line, but I’ll have to keep an eye out!
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