AppleUmpkin

Yearly we make the thirty-odd minute trip to the tiny hamlet of Wyoming, New York for their AppleUmpkin Festival. (that's apple/pumpkin = appleumpkin) It started as a tiny fall festival that I'd go to with my family when I was young. It's grown quite a bit since then, but is still a great place to go to find some delicious cider, taffy, and candy apples. Of course, this year it was blazing hot, so I had me a sno-cone.

I'm pretty bad at taking pictures in the moment, as you well know. The husband jumped in with his phone and took a bunch for me and I did take some pictures in 2007, and not a whole lot has changed since then. Check it:

It's a pretty cute town and there are a lot of great things for sale both food and craft-wise. But then, you're gonna see some of this...

...because it's in the country. And in NY state, the country means camo fashions. Matching his and hers sets, even. Jealous?

But then you run across something like these guys, here and you feel a lot better about things.




This guy is always there. Selling these...things. And the funny thing is, his tent is always crowded. People buy these. I mean, they are deluxe and one-of-a-kind, after all! Are they ever!


This is always a favorite tent. Home made taffy. I prefer the cinnamon and watermelon varieties. The lady who sells it can be right nasty. If you are lucky you'll get one of her care worn looking kids to ring you up. They are much nicer since I wager that they've been beaten into submission from a young age. The taffy is worth it, in case you are wondering why you would want to get in the middle of some dysfunctional family. Worth it.


This is a bed and breakfast on main street. They sell hot cider and you can have lunch there too, if you like.


I don't know what this building is or does, but there is always a large used book sale outside of it. This year I saw a teenage boy scouting the harlequin romance section. I wanted to tell him that they would just give him unrealistic ideas about love, but I'm not his grandmother.


There are tents with people playing the banjo and the fiddle. Boy do I love to hear that kind of music! These are the type of people who keep their band stuff in vintage suitcases like this:


Then there is a building that I think used to be the town hall but is now an art gallery and a community space as far as I can tell. It looks like a big story book house.



Adorable, right? This is where they have the antiques dealers set up. I find great stuff at reasonable prices every single year. This year I got these bird ornaments. Covered in black glitter. They were meant to be Christmas ornaments, but I'm totally using them for spring/Easter.


This year I bought a few home made decorations. This lady had these really, really awesome plush characters for sale. She sewed/painted them herself. Nope, I don't know what her name is or if she sells on Etsy, so don't even ask. I'm not good in the moment. I'm trying to get better, but it will take time, so just bear with me. I just sort of freaked out and asked her, "Did you make these yourself!?" She looked both startled and weirded out when she answered affirmative.


I ended up with two because I spotted the cat first and then I saw a guy buying the skeleton and rushed up to the seller with a panicked expression, I'm sure, asking if she had "any more of those" whilst I pointed frantically to the retreating man. She had one more of those, in fact and I got it! Huzzah! Just come on and look at the detail on these things, will ya?

A-double-dorable. I'm still searching for just the right places for these new guys. There was also an amazing vulture that I hope to own next year.

We also went to a thrift store and I ended up getting...

Ba-bing! The red Pyrex bowl from that one set. The only missing piece that I didn't have! It was only $1.99 as you can see. Score! Just look into the face of rainbow bliss:


I also came into possession of a few of these. Now, I saved one for myself and gave one to Sarah Mae because she's got a demented sense of cute and I knew she'd love it. I've got two left up for grabs. Anyone want?


For your viewing pleasure, and to fuel your nightmares, may I present: Sarah Mae's terrifying baby horde!

Run! Run for your lives!!

A Rose By Any Other Name

I've said it before and I'll say it again. It's the Craft Antique Co-op and no amount of rebranding, fresh coats of paint, new color schemes or stupid new signs is going to change that. Harumph.

So last weekend some of us went on a shopping trip to the Craft Antique Co-op. I got quite a few things. Little things. Like, $80 worth of tiny $2 items. (Ok, ok, slight exaggeration, but wait till you see!) You know how I love my plastic. And my glitter.

It was Sarah Mae's first trip and she seemed to think we were overestimating when we said we'd be there four and a half hours. By the end of the first row (Where we stopped for a snack, no lie!) she was starting to get a handle on the situation. By the time we left she had a crazed look in her eye, was sweating and hauling two baskets to the check out counter. She got tons of great stuff (as did we all) aside from all the nightmarish rabbit/baby, lamb/fox and elf/babies. Girl has a terrifying sense of adorable.

Here is all the stuff that I'm adding to my already garish jumble of odds and ends:

With glitter.


I like the house to smell like fall.

A tiny clutch (ok, wallet if you must) and earrings. I couldn't decide if I liked these earrings because they remind me of corn or because they are sort of art deco or because they remind me of native American art. Why choose? Plus, when I wear them they make the most gorgeous tinkling noise. Like my own personal wind chimes.


And all the little bits. I love vintage Hallmark. Almost as much as I love vintage Avon. Let's not talk about it. I know that you are busy and don't have that much time on your hands.

I also got quite a few Christmas presents but I'm not going to show them. Some people should be forgetting that they exist.

Now. I've been telling you all about a certain room that I've got hidden away in my house. I wish I could say that it's concealed behind a secret bookcase/door that will only open if you move a certain book the title of which I'd never share or make public. (Though, seriously if I had one of these, I'd almost always go Catcher in the Rye. Is there anyone more fun to quote than Holden? "It gives me a real pain in the ass, if you really want to know the truth.") Alas, it's not hidden behind a secret door, gotten to through a secret passageway or revealed only with a magic word. It's just in my basement. There is one finished off room in our basement and the Muppets have been relegated to it. Some days I feel pretty bad about it. But, this being the 75th anniversary of Jim Henson's birth and all, (I think we might have talked before about how I can't get on the train where people say it's so-and-so's 75th birthday when so-and-so is no longer with us. It's the anniversary of his birth, but it is NOT his 75th birthday.) I think you deserve a peek.


Keep in mind you can't see three walls of this Cave of Wonders. I'm in the process of databasing the collection. I know, right?

Swan Song

Yard sale season is winding down in a hurry. Maybe if summer hadn't started two months late I wouldn't feel so depressed about it. Usually I'm kind of ready to sip apple cider and eat cinnamon donuts. But this year, I'm not. I'm clinging to iced tea and mai tais. I want paper umbrellas and watermelon. I want neighborhood sales every Saturday!

Last weekend there were two church sales. Some of my fellow travelers scored big. Some of them should be imprisoned for buying more greeting cards when they have a whole dresser drawer full of unused cards already. I didn't get a whole lot. Just a few Christmas things. After the churches we went to the large Salvation Army in Greece, NY. I didn't get a ton of stuff, but what I did get is good. Real good.

Christmas bits.

Banana Republic black v-neck sweater. $2.99. Take that Goodwill! (grumblemumble prices) None of your sass about how I already own about seven black v-neck sweaters. You heard that I said Banana Republic. Plus, you know that black is the source of all my powers.

Mossimo cardigan $2.99. I love me some creamy green.

May I present: The Red Polka Dot Dress. (Sam & Max $5.99) My mother brought this gem to me in the dressing room. It fits like a freaking glove. Let's see...I love red. I love polka-dots. I love things that fit well. Nicely done, Lilah. Let's look a little closer, shall we?

Oh yeah, that's the stuff. I wore this on my birthday and it makes me feel like nothing so much as Little Red Riding...Dress.

We're going to a fall festival this weekend. I'll try to remember to take pictures but you know how I am "in the moment". I also have all my treasures from my adventures at The Craft Antique Co-Op to show you, ya lucky little devils.

Ode To A Cake Plate

There have been a lot of shout outs lately. Some people get them, some don't. Some people feel snubbed, some remind me of things that deserve shout outs and some sort of order me to do a shout out to a certain something... But in all honesty the certain something really does deserve a shout out.

It's there, quietly in the background, holding together the entire tableaux...every time. The Elmer's glue to my construction paper diorama. I couldn't have half the great displays that I've bragged about if it weren't for this one, golden (jadeite) treasure.

I give you: The Jadeite Cake Plate

This pillar of my life was given to me by one of my college roommates.

(She'll hit me the the whipping stick if I don't say she was my favorite roommate. Either that or she'll cut me with a steak knife and then insist "Momma didn't mean it.")

Ever since then it has stood as the foundation of all of my holiday decorating. I never put this piece away. Ever. And so, in much deserved honor, I present to you, my Ode to a Cake Plate. A haiku.

Creamy green titan.

Sitting without sly judgment.

You hold my plastic.

Hobbiton Sale

OK, so it's not really Hobbiton. It's just a neighborhood in East Rochester that looks like it was built in Yore. Renaissance festival style. Pretty sweet lookin'. It was rather hilly and kind of a workout to walk it. Plus, my mom had lunch for us after, so we were working towards a goal.

There were a lot of new families and as you know, new families is not what we want when sale-ing. We want old people. We want moth balls, we want canes and walkers, we want orthopedic shoes! Because, as you well know, the oldies have the goods. The good goods. This is the reason I like to yard sale in Gates. Tons of old people. Tons of old people from different countries. So many amazing things!

I didn't get a whole lot at this sale, because of all the newbies. But I did find a few things. Behold:

That's right. Guns and glow bracelets. I had a hard time finding a water gun to spray paint for a Halloween costume a few years ago. I checked every store in a 100 mile radius. Nobody sells even water guns that look like guns in NY state. And glow bracelets. Always glow bracelets.


I mean, just look at this junk. If this sight doesn't make you giddy then you might as well just throw in the towel.


I'm pretty sure this acorn linen is a sampler. There are all types of stitches around the edge. I love things with acorns. The green linen underneath is gorgeous. I need another hankie like I need another root canal. But they were only about a quarter a piece! I'm not sure if you can tell from the picture but the second one is green with green trim. I love me some tone on tone. I think I like this one so all fired much because it reminds me of one of my all time favorite My Little Ponies. Medley.


Last but not least, beakers. For...science. I'm going to put a curly pipe cleaner in them and set them up in the fall/Halloween decorations like a mad science experiment. Mwaaa....mwaaaaahhh...muahhahahahaaaa!

Falling 2011

Fall decorating post, 2011. Loved by many, loathed by some, feared by all.

As you'll see, I have hardly any fall decorations. Last year I felt overwhelmed by their numbers. This year I'm all, "Where are all the fall decorations!? I hardly have enough to do the bathroom with!!" I'm scheduled to go to the Craft Antique Co-Op (Which is now called something ridiculous like, "The Shops On Ridge Road" or something. I refuse to acknowledge the new name. It's horrible for branding and most of the time doesn't even end up working. Plus it's trying to trick people into thinking that it's just another strip mall or something, which it isn't. They are trying to skirt around the issue of there being nothing but crafts and antiques and more often than not people dressed in garb. One year a very old woman who had to be on the far side of 90 if she was a day, was working one of the check out lines. It was Halloween time and all the employees were dressed up. This woman was wearing some god awful home made, white fuzzy cat? mask that would have shot fear into the heart of anyone who gazed upon it. My sister-in-law had nightmares for a month afterward. I didn't look it directly in the eye for fear of being turned to stone. That is not something that someone who just wants to go to a strip mall is going to stomach with any amount of goodwill. Good luck to you, sir.) soon and hope to pick up a trillion more. I still need to decorate the bedroom, bathroom and garage. Come on now.

The kitchen.


I'm pretty sure the white glittered ghost is new to you.

Most of this stuff you will have seen before. It might be in a slightly different spot. So, I'll make you look at it all again. Lucky you.


Look! The little purple house made it another year. I wasn't at all sure it would. I also wasn't sure about the candy corn, but I haven't forgotten that my cousin has dibs on it if I ever want to oust it. I feel like I can't afford to oust stuff this year. Not enough to cover the holes! (Yes, in case you are wondering those are beany baby bats up there. Don't you judge me.)


This is the first year that I put decorations in the cabinet. I like it a lot. Will continue this trend in the future, provided I have enough things to go around.

And the Martha shelf. Framed in those awesome plastic Avon lights coated in glitter.

On to...the Living Room.

The graveyard is growing. This vignette reminds me so much of the Haunted Mansion. Don't let me get started on that, though. You'll be here all day. I can blather on for an eternity about Disney World. I love it more than I love Avon. And you know how much I love Avon. Let's just say that our haunted graveyard has 999 ghosts and we're always looking for one more....(cue evil laugh here)


Remember these dudes from last year? They are keeping the husband's dvd collection company and spreading fall cheer while we sleep. (Because as you can clearly see, these are of the variety that come to life when we go to sleep.)


This is Boo Baby and Boo Baby's Baby Boo Baby. I don't think you've been introduced before. You might think I made up that ridiculous litany of names, but I didn't. The husband did. No, really, he did. I swear. The gorgeous box was given to me by a dear friend last year. Behind that you can see my wand. Maple with a phoenix feather core. Accio nerds!

2011 Fall Mantel.

New large black owl coated in black glitter from The Christmas Tree Shop. That shop is like crack. Don't go in there. You'll get hooked and no amount of hospitalization or rehab with help. They tried to make me go to rehab, but I said no-no-no.

This glittery dude came from the same place last year. See what I mean? Can't. Stop.

This is a real robin's nest culled from above an outdoor light fixture at my place of work. (Don't worry, the birds had already moved out. I think it was because of the crazy amount of blue jays in that neighborhood. They really bring the nest property value down. Always throwing huge, loud parties and trying to peck cat's eyes out...) It's really a huge lump of mud with some sticks wrapped around it. I'm not sure how long it will last before it crumbles and makes a gigantic mess all over my living room. As you can see, I live on the edge.

I just remembered that I forgot to take a picture of the shadow box. That will have to wait until next time, I guess. Until then!

Tweed Thrift

So, the Rochester Tweed Ride is coming up pretty quickly. I'll actually be riding this year, so I'm not wearing the same outfit as last year. I'm not one of the awesome girls who can ride in a skirt and heels. There are lots of them here and I yearn for the day when I can join their ranks. Until then it will be pants and sensible shoes. And a clean pair of underwear in case I land in the hospital.

You may recall that I made my husband a pair of knickers last year. I want my own pair, so with that in mind we ventured forth to the land of the thrift store. Namely Henrietta, NY since there are no less than four within a two mile radius.

Let me show you what I got.

Speaking of bicycles! I found this rad sheet and the husband nearly did a jig. ($4.99 - Savers) I think we're going to make pillows out of them, or pillow cases, maybe. If I feel terribly ambitious before October I might just make one as a prize for the Tweed Ride. There are all kinds of games and prizes to be given out.

I also found this green on green pillowcase. (99 cents, Savers) I love things with roses on them. It's a recent discovery. I also love rose lotion, perfume and soap. I don't use it though because it gags the husband and makes him think that he's married to an 80 year old.


Two pairs of shoes from AmVets. Of course. I always find shoes there. Every single time. The brown flipflops were 99 cents and the black pair are a brand called "Grasshoppers". I had never heard of them but they are uber comfortable. ($1.98) I'm pretty sure they are meant for old ladies. There was another pair that were navy blue with red trim. They were deck shoes. I was all about them but they were vetoed by two different people. Apparently my wardrobe is a democratic state. Everyone gets a vote.


You know it's a good trip when you come back with Christmas goodies. The tree is pretty heavy because it's lucite coated in glitter. The santa is a candle holder although I won't be using him for that. He'll go into the cabinet. You know the one. I just love when pink is made into a Christmas color.

Jewel purple cowl neck sweater $2.99 at Savers.

This striped sweater actually has shoulder buttons, too. ($3.98 - AmVets) What is with me and purple right now? Daria must be influencing me!


These are seersucker pants. Did you want to read that again? Go ahead, I'll wait. I'm going to make them into shorts for the next Seersucker Social Bike Ride. They were a bit more than I normally pay for costume pieces at $7.99, but they fit so, I didn't argue too much.



I'll probably be wearing this shirt with them. It's just for the bike rides, not for real life. ($1.98 - AmVets)


This is the pair of pants that I'm going to alter for the Tweed Ride. ($5.99 - Savers) They are super high waisted, which is perfect for a 1940's look. I think that they are really just hounds tooth, but I don't care. They look tweedy and will work just fine. Again, they fit, so I bought them.

Now, if I might, I'd like to go on a rant. About Goodwill. The prices there have become astronomical. As in, so high only the astronauts in outer space can see them. Which, if you think about it is pretty high. $9 for a used pair of pants?! $9 for a USED PAIR OF SHOES!?!? What happened to you as a child that you think someone will buy a pair of OLD SHOES for $9!? I got so angry I walked out. I advise you to do the same. Goodwill is on some kind of hard drugs and won't be coming back to reality for some time. You might want to steer clear. I advise you to shop at Amvets. It's huge, has tons and tons of clothes, house wears, etc. and the prices are honestly the lowest of any thrift store I've been to in recent memory.

Make it so.