Chucks knew something "flea-y" was up when I planned my route to my cousin's house by the backroads. I was supposed to be there by eleven to celebrate her granddaughter's five-year anniversary of being in remission.
It is about fifty miles.
I left at seven!
Is it my fault that there is a flea market in the small town of Springfield, South Carolina, halfway there?
I have not visited this market in years. It is one of those which begins at five on Saturday morning and people start packing up by eight.
Not only did I squeeze in the flea market, but also an estate sale!
Did I fill my truck? Sort of, but there was space left.
Do I have a whole stack of cleaning and painting to do? Sort of, but I may get out of some of the painting part.
At the estate sale, I bought a whole tub of cardboard spools of thread, and a vintage Duke's mayonnaise jar filled with vintage buttons, a Christmas tin, and an old yardstick (for use only in NYC and Penna. - why?).
I love the look of these spools. I will show how I use them in another post.
The small cabinet is actually one side of a vintage vanity.
The cabinet has more than paid for itself by being a photo prop for this post!
Here it is with another flea find which may have real fleas inside.
A vintage pet carrier - the flap on the side rolls up to reveal a screen for air.
It appears the last residents were of the fowl variety because of the foul condition on the interior.
It will clean.
I am beginning to like the cabinet in its distressed black form.
Maybe it will just get cleaned.
I found these two spiky things - I didn't know what they were until the vendor told me.
They were used as drying racks in a tobacco barn. They have a red patina to them and I think they will wax up nicely. The spikes are rusty.
OOOH, rust!
A basket of old patterns for children's clothing.
A Thermos.
A kettle missing its top - looks like a planter to me!
I had to drive around the market to pick up the black cabinet. It was too far to drag it.
Out of the corner of my eye as I turned the corner, I saw this.
This piece had my number at 3-2-1!
Here is the front of the creamy, dreamy dresser. Solid oak - original everything - no wobbles or loose pieces - drawers work just fine.
I did not get to remove it from the truck. It needs extensive cleaning and de-funkifying.
I think there is a wonderful white under all that dirt.
It may not need painting!
I finally found a basket I liked. I really do not understand the lack of baskets at yard sales and flea markets the last few months.
Is one of you hogging all of them?
This basket is a big half-round one with a handle.
Now I have forgotten why I wanted a basket with these attributes.
A small collection of bottles. None of them especially collectible, but perfect for what I want them for.
Their makeover will be a future project.
Wait and see.
Fleaing Springfield was a delightful time. I plan to return in a few weeks to see if there are more treasures to be found.
Did I make it to my cousin's Alex's Lemonade Stand event? Yes, I was even early! Read and meet Katelyn, a survivor of childhood cancer. We are so proud of her!
I must run - really, R-U-N! Once again it is raining here. Will it never end? I have tags and painted things outside drying.
NOTE: As I was proofing this post, Chucks came through the room and said, "At least you didn't drag all that stuff home!" What he doesn't know will not hurt him. I just have to make sure he does not look in the truck.
See y'all!
I will be over at Funky Junk Interiors for Party Junk 193!
Family and friends spent the day in Orangeburg, South Carolina, honoring our special hero - Katelyn. Katelyn is a typical ten-year-old young lady going into middle school next year - running, riding bikes, and telling secrets with friends.
You would never know from just looking at that beautiful face that she is five years in remission from not one, but two bouts with cancer.
Katelyn decided to celebrate her anniversary with an event named after Alexandra "Alex" Scott who fought childhood cancer until she passed away in 2004. Alex had a lemonade stand to raise money to find a cure for childhood cancers. Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation grew from that small venture. You can read more at www.AlexsLemonade.org. Meet A Survivor - Katelyn Hoffman here.
Now in typical Southern family fashion, let's figure out who these people are and how they relate to me!
Four generations pictured here: Amanda (mom of Katie), Norma (Mimi - great grandmother), Debbie (Gah-gah - grandmother), and then the star herself, Katelyn.
Norma is my aunt on my father's side. Debbie is her daughter and my first cousin, but more like a sister growing up. Amanda is her daughter and my Godchild. Katie is her daughter.
You following this? There is more.
And there will be a test later!
Amanda (Mandy to family) did an excellent job in setting up the event and getting it publicized. The appropriate tees were handed out to volunteers and other tees were sold.
There were games for the little kids, raffles for a bear made by Katie and a Coke clock, and, of course, lemonade.
There were baked goods to sell and donation boxes set up around the stand.
Here is Dolly getting a pet from Aunt Norma. I am sure she thought the event was just for her to get multiple hugs!
Dolly, not Aunt Norma, though Aunt Norma does enjoy hugging and is a champion hugger.
The menfolk set up the ring toss game and spent time checking it out.
The little kids loved to try for a prize.
The menfolk were avoiding running the lemonade stand.
The menfolk included Uncle Allen and Grandfather Dexter (Papa).
It was a great day and Katie raised a bunch for the charity. We don't have the final total yet.
I would urge you if you are out and about treasure hunting one weekend and happen upon a bright yellow banner proclaiming Alex's Lemonade Stand, please stop and donate a little or a lot.
We have our Katie because research funds made it possible for her to survive. She fought hard through months of chemotherapy in 2005 and then again in 2007.
She is a true miracle from God.
In typical fashion my photos of the event were terrible so many people are left out, but I hope they are not offended.
Here is the test: How is Allen related to me?
Answer: Allen is my first cousin Debbie's second child so he would be my first cousin once removed!
See y'all!
It is one of those rare perfect days in South Carolina - sunny, low humidity, and no thunder showers. A beautiful azure sky dazzles from above.
It is the first official day of summer. How are you celebrating?
I am celebrating by finishing the first of my summer vignettes for the two mantels.
And, as always, skinny-dipping in the moonlight.
No, really, it is how I celebrate every year unless there is lightning. A long, leisurely swim in the pool. There will be no pictures of this activity. Sorry!
The blue mantel in the living room (which is really just a staging area for projects needing work) is bedecked with heads, arms, and legs.
Yes, more doll parts.
I mix a little of things I love to gaze upon.
Books, tins, doll parts, sheep, and fake hydrangeas.
I know horrible photos, but it is either too bright or too dark in the living room and I have to administer a little CPR with Pic Monkey.
The candlesticks on the left are antique legs from China.
Table legs, not human!
Even more doll parts, books, and fake hydrangeas.
I have seen all of you with your beautiful hydrangea blooms posted.
However, my hydrangea despises me. She refuses to produce anything but puny blooms.
Therefore, I fake it.
Notice there is a subtle red, white and blue theme here.
In another week I will throw up a flag or two.
In the den things are much more primitive.
The doll trunk on the left was my mother's and is full of doll clothes she made.
The large rustic star is a recent purchase.
One of my favorite old dolls discovered in a box at the flea market.
She sits atop a couple of vintage garden journals.
Maybe they should be required reading for my hydrangea!
I noticed I was missing something I have been seeing around - canning jars, milk bottles, and olive oil bottles.
So I added a few of those - I will stick a few flags into these, too.
Just in case you did not notice, here is a close up.
What can that be?
Yes, blue bottle brush trees on a summer mantel!
Some red and white baker's twine will decorate them for the Fourth.
That's all, folks! It is almost time for the annual moonlight skinny-dipping to commence. Just me, the bats, the mosquitoes, and the dogs.
Find something crazy to do and enjoy your weekend!
See y'all!
Party Junk 192 - Friday night at Funky Junk Interiors!
