Diversions

Tackled a bunch of projects this weekend.   Mostly bigger things that I'd put off because I needed to clear some space in the garage before I could work on them.  But before I got started on crackle-painting the old mirror, recovering a bedroom bench, and sprucing up a pair of candlestick lamps with a little wallpaper, I visited the old grange hall over in the next town, a historic building that gets transformed into a treasure hunters paradise twice a year.  I didn't realize it, but it's been a happy happening for about ten years now.  For goodness sakes WHERE have I been?   Grace and I drove out there together and spent almost two hours aimlessly wandering and gawking.  Well, she was actually a little more well-behaved than I was, because  I had to handle and inspect everything and kept ending every sentence with an exclamation.  I couldn't help it.  The place is literally stacked to the rafters with so many assorted marvelous things, two and a half floors worth, for goodness sake, all grouped together by themes & pretty colors.  I was standing up on this little stage area above the main floor covertly snapping pictures with Grace's camera here, because I'd left mine in the car and was too excited thinking I'd miss something if I went back out for it, plus I was also a little worried that someone might accost me for my coveted parking space if I made a move toward the car and didn't get in it and drive away.  I'm joking, of coarse.  Well.  Kind of.  Coming in, I'd passed a woman who was getting out of her car saying how she was a little concerned about blocking the driveway because there wasn't any place left to park, but thought it would be OK because she was only going inside for a minute.   I answered, "I think you might be in there longer than a minute, there seems to be a lot to see."  She looked sheepish, snickered and said, "I know, this is my third time back today!"  (I mean, can you tell how starved we are for fun shopping here, people?)  So anyway, after I snapped this picture I made a bee-line for that dark corner, the one way at the end there in the top picture, and found the most wonderful antique buffet cabinet sitting there, just waiting for me to find it.  I know this because it just happened to match the old dining table we've had all these years. I  was crazy excited and bought it on the spot; nicks, scratches, stubborn drawers and all, paying no mind whatsoever about how I was going to get the thing home.   Luckily, Grace is aware of all the new fangled features that come equipped on my Odyssey, and had transformed it into a cargo van in no time.  They slid that cabinet right in, no problem.   So I was very relieved about that and we got it home safely.  And now I can't stop looking at it.  It just completes the room so perfectly.

OK, so this morning I sweet-talked the Mister into going back over there with me again, and picked up a little curio cabinet for my old tea cups, along with a few other things that I'd somehow overlooked before.  Every time I circled around I found something else that just happened to find it's way into my basket.  Guess it's a good thing that I'm going to be very busy this week, because if there's a spare moment, I very well might find myself back over there again.  Possibly parked in the driveway.

Comments

[mo]

Oh that sounds like a place I would have to go back to a few times too! Great finds. I also love the Stablemates fabric. I made skirts for my neice and my daughter out of the pink and the aqua and it really is the cutest print.

[paula luckhurst]

I understand very well what you felt. I'm just so sorry I couldn't go too!

[brenda]

looks like some really good pickings! Wow!!

[Amyleigh]

I am happy for you and it sounds like you needed this outing...but I am totally jealous :)

[Mama Urchin]

Wow that looks fun.

[weirdbunny]

Well done for converting the car into a van!

That place looks amazing....

[Kelly]

That's so exciting! I would've been forgetting to breathe. ;)

[beki]

Oh. my. goodness. I would LOVE to go to a place like that. Heaven. I know I'd have a hard time controlling myself.

[Gina]

LOL.. I started to read your post and you was talking about your garage and I was looking at that picture stuffed full of pretty items, and I was thinking please don't let that be her garage because now I feel really ashamed of mine..LOL
Everything sounds real exciting!

[Pam]

That looks amazing! Pretty and nicely displayed makes it all the better. Can't wait to see the pictures of the finished goods.

[judy]

Oh! How wonderful!

My Son-in-law just bought a pick-up truck. I do believe he is going to regret it.

I, however, will not!

[Melanie]

I stumbled across your blog a few weeks ago and realized we live in the same town! Fun! I haven't heard of this sale before. Please tell me more (where, when, etc.) Much appreciation, Melanie.

[Linda]

I'd like to know too!

[prairie mouse]

can't wait to see a pic of the new cabinet in situ! the place looked gorgeous!

[Lina]

That place seems too good to be true! You are so lucky. I wish we had something like that here too.

[Kathie]

Vicki,

We have an antique store in town that is stuffed just like that! It has two floors and now they have also bought the store next door too. I love browsing in there but I can't go often since I find something I've 'just got to have' every time I go.

I'm glad you had fun and found some great stuff! And how great to find a cabinet that matches your table after many years?! Yea. :)

[pixie]

Oh those blue and white cups. be still my heart!! Sounds like great shopping.

[pam]

Oh, I have this sinking feeling that I missed something soo good. Where is this place, this piece of paradise? From your discription (twice yearly, old grange hall transformed) it sounds verg much like a place I stumbled upon last Spring when I was out on a country drive showing off the beautiful orchards and farmland of rural Oregon to my friend from the city in N.M. Could it be that very place, somewhere between Beverton and Hillsboro? If it is, I'm so disappointed, but then there is always, next fall!