Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Happy Birthday Tea (to Me!) and an Old Fashioned Country Auction



This morning I am enjoying one of the cinnamon rolls my mother-in-law made for my birthday (yesterday!) along with an uncustomary deviation from my "usual" black tea.





Something citrus-y seemed like the perfect pairing to a rich, sugary cinnamon pastry.





And it is!





YUM!






The amazing thing was, that there was a country auction on my birthday(!!!)





So I went.





And dragged my antiquing friend Liz along for the ride.





It's a rare auction that happens on a week day





Most are Saturdays or even an occasional Sunday afternoon.





So one on my birthday had to be a sign of good things.





Or just really good junk at rock bottom prices!

At a country estate auction, where most things are pulled fresh from the barn,






you have to look past the dirt to see the treasures and their potential.






This stuff is not cleaned up for show.












I wasn't the only one who recognized this glass water kettle as something rare.

It sold for $27.






The dirt was free.






The hay trailers look like they are full of junk. Trash even.






So you have to dig through boxes and make a mental note of what is in them.












So you wouldn't accidentally buy a box of old pens.
I actually bought all of these on purpose, when they were bundled with a tray of knick knacks, a coffee mug a couple planters and an old cookie tin of quilt squares.
I paid $1.00 for ALL of it.
Hey, do you know how hard it is to find a pen in my house when I need one?
And my kids like sharpening pencils more than using them!
Auctions are not all about antiques and collectibles.






Although I also scored this McCoy planter (yes, the Real McCoy, marked) for a mere $4.00!
The farmers were more interested in wire egg baskets which went for $16.00-$22.00 a piece.
I was not even tempted to join into that bidding war!






The temperature barely got above 50*F (10*C. ?) and that's only when the sun came out in the early afternoon. Liz and I had dressed for the cold but were shivering within the first hour (auction started at 10am).
But it was worth it.
And some hot coffee from the concession stand eased our discomfort.
Between us, we spent $51-- and packed my van!
I will reveal more in future posts.
The auction was as much entertainment as shopping.
Like, did you know that framed paint by number snow scenes are worth $25 each?!
They are when when close friends and family members bid on them.
For more Tea Tuesday posts, visit Kimmie's blog.

15 comments:

Halle said...

Happy Birthday!! Looks like you had a great day! The auction reminds me of my folks place. UGH...what a lot of work.
Can't wait to see your treasures!

Nancy said...

Oh my, did you hit the jackpot :) The first things I look for are bits of jewelry anything with lace...it's a long list :) looks like fun. Happy t day.

Unknown said...

OMG I am so jealous!!! But happy for you to have such a cool birthday! And this so soon after your posting about collections :) .... Another collectible thing I'm always on the hunt for - old tablecloths! Actually, anything farm kitchen and I'm all over it!

Nancy said...

I was so excited to see all the goodies, I forgot to say Happy Birthday! I can tell it was a good one :) and that cinnamon roll would win over cake with me!

Yvonne said...

Happy birthday late! What fun! I haven't been to an auction like that in years. I still have many things I have bought at auctions in the past. Auctions have sort of fizzled out around here. Great stuff and like you said you have to look beyond the dirt. Fun stuff for your birthday! Happy tea day.

Margaret said...

Sounds like you had a fab day!! what a delight! l'm looking forward to seeing your bargains in detail! Mx

Steph said...

Happy Belated Birthday!!! and what a wonderful trip that looked like....shopping for antiques ....have a good week!!

Joanna said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY for yesterday! Sounds like you spent it in the best way - rummaging around amongst junk, my kind of heaven!

Those paint by number pics must have been something special - or maybe I should dash a couple off and stick 'em on ebay. What d'ya think?!

xx
ps that cinnamon roll looks de-lish.

Mary Helen-Art Saves Lives said...

The McCoy piece is wonderful....Happy Birthday to you! Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

~*~Patty S said...

How perfect to have an extra special Happy Birthday to YOU day dear Nathalie!!!

Looks like great fun...you are such a treasure magnet!

Hope you keep celebrating!
oxo
p.s. and what a sweetie your MIL is to make you those yummy cinnamon rolls!

Lorraine Young Pottery said...

Auctions like this are addictive. I used to go with my mother and there was always something hiding somewhere that might be overlooked by others, if you are lucky! :-} HAPPY BIRTHDAY


xxx Lorraine xxx

Ann said...

a very Happy Belated Natal Anniversary to you!!
a McCoy for 4.00? SCORE!!!!!!!
you really get some awesome stuff for such great prices.
so glad you had such a good time!!
..i enjoyed"going along with you"!!

Jill said...

That's my style of auction! Most of the ones I go to are in an auction house so I love it when I get to go on site. It's fun to experience it with you via pictures. Now, how did that birthday get by me?! Happy belated birthday dear friend!!! An auction was the perfect way to celebrate.

Deonsnider said...

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Marva Plummer-Bruno said...

OMG I am drooling! I hope you grabbed the animal creamers and such! Those are so cute!