A Hunting We Did Go….

“A Hunting We Did Go, A Hunting We Did Go, Hi HO the Merry-O, A Hunting We Did Go!” Jabberwocky happily reminisced about all the fun things we saw today.  “Not to mention the treasures we got, too!” Jabber said, but she didn’t mention.

So I will….

Yes, Weeders–it was Saturday and two of our favorite community sales were held today.  We had to decide which one to choose…..it is always a difficult decision.  But since Sosew lived in one community, we decided to go there first.  Besides, she agreed to come with us if we would pick her up.  So we did.

Girlfriend found an area rug for under $10 (I don’t recall the exact amount); Thumper found a fun sign which said, “Kiss The Cat” and while I can’t explain exactly why anybodies would want to do such a thing, she knew.  (Thumper being a Bunny of the highest quality generally knows about these things.)

SOSew found two pairs of Coach tennis shoes which Jabber REALLY wanted, but they didn’t fit Jabber.  They did fit Sosew….Jabber still hasn’t gotten over it.  They were so cute!  Vanna found a Chico’s shirt which she promptly put on.

What?

Oh yes, she HAD on a shirt before, but she liked the new one so much she just changed shirts.  The reason, she said, was that her first shirt was sleeveless and she wanted to cover up her ‘wings’.  I informed her that we ALL had ‘wings’ and we should really be proud of them as they showed we were angels.   Somehow this didn’t seem to make Vanna any more pleased.  The shirt did, however.

Cupcake was in a bossy mood today, too, telling everyone that she, and only she, would sit in the back seat.  She planted her water container there in the holder and got quite miffed if anyone else tried to take her spot.  Cupcake found some books which looked unread (but how does one KNOW they were unread I ask you) and some lovely pillows on which to lie while reading said books, unread or not.

And Jabber!  Well, Jabber found some wonderful treasures which began with:

Yes, Weeders, a gen-u-ine silver birdcage on a stand!  For $5.  It’s perfect in the mint garden.

“You don’t HAVE a bird!” Jabber declared, “but on the other hand, it looks big enough for TMWLH…if he could get through the tiny little door.”

Ignore Jabber.  That was meant as a Joke, Jabber.  We all know that a dog house is what a man is placed in should he misbehave.  I don’t have one of those, but I DO have a kennel….

But I digress….

What did you ask?  Oh….

Well, yes, it’s a mint garden.  I do have some pots with herbs scattered in there, but the mint has taken over and I’ve let it, so I just call it my mint garden.  Got a problem with that?  If you do, then YOU come pull up all that excess mint.  Besides, it does make a nice flavoring for iced tea.  When I think of it….

But I digress!

More about our travels:

We stopped at a house where we’d had great finds last year.  This year the sale was for the benefit of Happy Tails, a no-kill animal shelter.  And for the Brownies, too, evidently.  At this sale, the Brownies were selling cookies:

Aren’t they a cute bunch of little Brownies? (No, no!  The Brownies were not available for adoption–the animals at Happy Tails were available for adoption.  PAY ATTENTION!)

And guess what?  Cupcake was a Brownie and said her goal at that age was to grow up to be a Girl Scout!  Girlfriend, when she saw this photo, said, “Well!  You’d think she’d have BEEN a Girl Scout by now!”  But no, she is a Cupcake instead.

Yep, there is Cupcake still wanting to be a Brownie or a Girl Scout or something……

The Brownies were taking contributions for Happy Tails, selling cookies, and handing out goodie bags (for free!) for shoppers’ DOGS!  Poppy was so thrilled when I came home and told her I’d found some things for her.

  This bag contained six treats such as:

         

And then, Jabber found some other treasures including:

These were $2 total.  Two weeks ago, Jabber found another few of these, and then last week one glass, and this week four more.  It seems that people all decide to dispose of their old items–the SAME items–at about the same time.  Perfectly lovely summer glasses for fun.  And Jabber just loves to have fun.  And pretty things.  And to drink wine….   Well, yes, that too.

Three panels @ $10.  New.

Let me explain–Houdini made a portion of the drapes disappear in the office.

This she did a couple of months ago, whilst teething, by eating off one corner and the weight in said corner of said drapery.  Since then, the drapes have been gathered up and held above Houdini’s mouth grasp, but they really needed replacing.  (And I suppose I shouldn’t tell you how Houdini does her magic tricks, but in this case, we figured it out.)

We retired to Sosew’s for a lovely cup of coffee and bagels.

“What do you mean you ‘retired’?” Jabber  indignantly stated, “You retired YEARS ago!”

Yes, yes.  I did.  What I meant was, Sosew hosted a little gathering at her house.  We’d all had ENOUGH treasure hunting for the day.  Besides, we’d already had to do a drop off earlier at Sosew’s as we’d filled up the van after only ONE BLOCK of shopping.  It was also very hot by  10:30 or so and getting warmer.

At the gathering, right in the middle of our very deep conversations about washing machines, Thumper put her hands up in the air, making circles with them as she is wont to do, and interrupted us for a word from our sponsor with a commercial.  Thumper is wonderful at impromptu commercials.  As we all know.  And which I DID get on video.  However, I regret to inform you that my very life has been threatened should I post such videos on this blog, so I won’t.

However, I will say that after everyone got home, we received this photo and a message which said, “This is what I was talking about!” via smartphone from Thumper:

The Mouse House

“The Brocanters decided to go yard sale-ing this morning?” Jabber mildly inquired.

Well…..yes, as a matter of fact.  Some of us did.  Some of us didn’t.  And all of us ate a beautiful breakfast at Sosew’s home which she had prepared for us.

“Well, what’d you buy, what’d you see?” Jabber was now a bit more interested….

Whilst on our journeys from one sale to the next, we viewed a most interesting home–with exquisite deck and furniture.

Yes, this is the house that Jack built:

Turns out that the owner has built all this by himself–it is a hobby of his!  I was amazed….it is truly beautiful work.

And this is the man (I have named Jack) who lives in the house that Jack built:

And this is MOUSE who lives in the house that the man named Jack lives in too–the house that Jack built:

Amazing house–amazing dog and amazing man!  Turns out he does all this woodworking in his spare time, for relaxation.  His real day job is being a computer technology consultant.  And he named his dog ‘Mouse.”  Mouse is a 5 month old St Bernard–a real sweetie.

When we had gone to all the sales we could get to (and some we could not get to), Sosew called and said, “Come over here for breakfast!  I have biscuits…and jam….and coffee.”

Well, wouldn’t you know it, Cupcake, (spoiled as she is), demanded eggs Benedict.  Sometimes we don’t know what to do with Cupcake.  I mean, just yesterday, not knowing what to do with her,  we s t r e t c h e d her, but even THAT didn’t make her happy.  Nope.  She wanted eggs Benedict, of all things……(go ahead and figure out what I mean by ‘stretched her’!  Read on, I’ll tell you at the bottom of this.)

Ignoring her, we contacted Vanna to meet us there, and off we went to Sosew’s.  Guess what we had when we got there?

“Eggs Benedict?” Jabber guessed.

No.

She did serve delicious scrambled eggs, biscuits, sausage and coffee.  It was very good and very fun.  Even Cupcake ate some!

Following that, discussion ensued on various issues of the day:    how was everyone feeling?  What was going on in various households?  How was Girlfriend’s trip?  that sort of thing….

Whoops!  Thumper just realized her PEOPLE were behind her…..

  Thumper and her Musical Group

After that shock receded, Thumper said it was time for a commercial break–from her of course.  This time it was on grout cleaner.

Vanna allowed as how Thumper didn’t really clean, she just bought stuff to clean WITH and told us about it.

Commercial done, time to  leave, and so off we went, happy and full!  Another exciting morning spent at yard sales and bringing home some good treasures!

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Stretching Cupcake:  Seems she has a back issue.  Leader suggested that she lay down whilst Leader pulled her from the top and I pulled her by her ankles.  As hard as we could.  Cupcake said it felt good.  )Jabber thought she’d actually grown about 2 inches taller.)

Now, I suppose, we’ll have to be stretching her all the time….but this morning she declined.  I do not know why.

Community Sales Have Begun!

Yes, yes, YES! cried the Brocanters….along with a complaint (from Jabber) that there seemed to be three community sales all the same day.  This meant, of course, we would be unable to get to all of them.  So we settled on one near Thumper’s house because Thumper had offered coffee and treats later.  We never turn down treats.  Or coffee.

Off we went!

Thumper takes a look at some items for sale.

We saw some beautiful tulips in bloom–had to get some shots of them….

As always, we were surprised at some things we saw along the way:

  The jumper house was in someone’s backyard–maybe for a party later?

Another innovative seller had put up a huge stand advertising the shirts, lemonade. water and other items they were selling.  Their sale’s proceeds were for an adoption.

  Another big sale….

After several hours of searching for treasures, it was time to take a rest at Thumper’s house.  And have coffee.  And treats!

Raisin Bran muffins which Sosew provided for us along with some raspberry cookies and coffee from Thumper.

  Girlfriend sampled first and declared them delish! although she also asked Jabber, “What are you doing taking my picture?” in a challenging voice.  Jabber moved on to photograph….

Vanna patiently waited, refined lady that she really is, all alone, at the table–the kitchen table…..

She had to sit at the kitchen table because, as Thumper explained, the dining room table belonged to Scout.

Scout’s table.

Scout is a cat.

Scout is the only cat I’ve ever known who has his own table.  I wonder if he requires wait service?  I expect he does.

How very civilized!

Moving along in our visit, Sosew showed us her latest sewing creations!  How beautiful!

  But wait, there is more!!!

A beautiful purse to match!

  Very professionally done, too, I must add!  It was lovely…..

Then it was time for a brief pause for a commercial.

Provided by Thumper.

Who always has such personal and interesting commercials.

 This was all about her brand new Bissell floor cleaner!

Thumper missed her calling as a television advertising personality.  I am sure of it.  I mean, wouldn’t you buy a Bissell floor cleaner from her?  Look at that expression on her face!

‘Twas time to leave and take our treasures home.  We’d had a good time visiting, ‘scored’ some treasures for ourselves, enjoyed delicious treats and coffee, and of course, a wonderful commercial, too.

For a Saturday morning, it doesn’t get much better than this!

Saturday Morning Brocanting and Brunch

“Now there is a table full of trouble” Jabber stated emphatically.

Who?

Us?

Left to right:  Girlfriend, Cupcake, Jabber, Vanna, Sosew, Thumper

We aren’t trouble.  We just get INTO trouble–and make a lot of noise and say outrageous things and have a good time.  Like today when a seller said to one of our Brocanters downstairs, “It sounds like they are having a PARTY up there,” referring to other Brocanters upstairs.

We were.  Sosew found a book with the title, “Sex for One”–we all burst into laughter.  (No, we did not look at the book.  And no.  We didn’t buy it either.)  One never knows what a sale will have to offer–sometimes treasures and sometimes just a good laugh.

Girls just wanna’ have fun, right?

It’s the first time in quite a while that all the Brocanters have been together–so we had to celebrate and have brunch at Crumb de la Crumb after sales.  Vanna joined us for brunch, but didn’t make it for the expedition which took us to several locations.

Once in a while, it’s just appropriate to show all the Brocanters together.

“Oh, come on….once in a while you just like to see yourselves.  Am I right?” Jabber asked.

Of course.

BEST GROUP OF FUN LADIES EVER!

 

Community Sales

Finally!  Even though the weather was a little rainy and cold, there were several community sales today.  We were happy.  Happy, happy, happy.  Llama llama duck!

See how happy, happy, happy, llama llama duck! Sosew is above?  She found some treasures!Yep.  HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY!  Kickin’ up her heels! happy.  Now, THAT is happy.

(Poor Girlfriend, though.  She found a jacket which Sosew liked, too.  She gave it to Sosew.  Girlfriend is a TRUE FRIEND.  We also tease her a lot, but she’s a good sport about it.)

Two FLINGOS! in somebody’s Dusty Miller patch.  They were happy, too.

Cupcake is happy.

  Sosew modeled a wrap around dress which tied behind the neck.

Cupcake made a ‘haul!”

Which means she found a lot of stuff on-the-cheap.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      The ‘find of the day’ has to be a free baby crib!  It was propped up under a tree, labeled, “Free!”  We stopped, the owner came out and helped load it in the van along with the mattress.   As it turns out, one of Racer Daughter’s friends needs one.  This all-wood, very good condition crib is perfect, and………it was free! 

At a small estate sale, we found this ceiling of interest:

It was not for sale, though.

We met this woman selling her exercise instruction books.  How old to you think she is?  Take a close look.

Her exercise instruction book is for facial muscles.  For $5, one could purchase the book along with a pair of white cotton gloves which one uses to do the facial exercises. 

This woman has not had any cosmetic surgery or any type of face lift.  (Scroll down.)

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She is 86 years old.

I bought the book!

Go here to read about the book and to order one of your own if you like:

http://www.lulu.com/shop/catherine-chisholm/a-do-it-yourself-facelift/ebook/product-17453390.html

Wedding dresses, Piggys, Exercise, Santa Fish and Stories from the Weird Side

The Brigade was in full force this morning after working out, ready to go find some bargains.  And so off we went, all six of us, chatting and laughing just happy to be together.

We found an excellent sale in a nice clean garage which had some perfect items for some of us. 

Below, the wedding gown and maid of honor dresses we chose for Cupcake. 

This sale had several bridesmaid’s dresses as well as a dress for the mother of the bride, all coordinated.  Alas!  No groom was located at the sale.  Cupcake indicated she really didn’t care for RED all that much, not her color of choice, so we reluctantly left the dresses there.

  Cupcake secretly wants a groom from Maine.  (Even if she thought her sweatshirt said “Miami” before we enlightened her.)  Yep!  Any nice males from Maine reading this, you may apply.  But you can not have red in your wedding.  Blue is more Cupcake’s color.

This cheery fish Santa tempted us, but since it is almost July, we decided he really didn’t need to come home to celebrate the holidays with us.  It was a tough decision, however.

Because, next we saw a large collection of:

 

PIGGY BANKS!

And other items relating to, well, pigs.  One is a feeding dish for a pet.  The dish OINKS!

“Well,” reasoned Jabber, “if you had a pot-bellied piggy you could feed it out of that bowl and it’d be very happy for the company I think.”

What can I say?

Above, Thumper and Vanna seriously consider which pig might be THE pig for them……….

  Thumper chose THIS one!  And she loves him, yes she does.

Meanwhile, outside, this was going on:

“WHAT?”  hollered Jabber……”That’s Sosew.  Didn’t she get ‘nuf exercise in class this morning?  I, myself, was worn to a frazzle after all of it…….”

(Jabber is generally worn to a frazzle and dripping wet as well after class.  Today being no exception.  Sosew is very energetic.  And not drippy ever.)

  “There she goes agin’!” Jabber pointed to Sosew as she resumed her exercise.

And so it went.  Let me assure you this sort of nonsense goes on all the time.  Sellers at first look surprised, then began to kid with us, and finally they are laughing as hard as we are.  Turns out sales are a great way to meet new people, find great finds, and laugh.

(Hint here:  ask the seller if he/she has something you are looking for.  Sometimes they do and will bring it out for you to consider.  We asked for a groom today, but the seller informed us she had none available and also no tuxedos, either, which, of course, blew any consideration about a deal.  Gotta’ have the tux.) 

And then we went to eat, as per usual.  It was, after all, Fajita Friday at Cancun and we had to go get our fajitas!

A final lil’ story for all y’all: 

“Why you talkin’ so funny like you be Suthren’ which you are not?” interjected Jabber.

Because I am telling a story about Thumper who IS Suthren’ born and bred.  And she told US a story which was pretty funny:

Her husband was sayin’ somebody was crazy and Thumper and her husband were havin’a disagreement-like discussion. 

“Was he sayin’ THUMPER was crazy?” asked Jabber.

No.  Well, maybe.  Doesn’t matter.  At any rate, Thumper raised each of her palms and made circles with them in the air, sayin’ to him, “LOOKIE HERE!  Anybody who spends BIG money to go to a green field and chase a lil’ white ball all over the place just to hit it into a tiny lil’ ol’ hole….” and with this she gestured making a tiny lil’ circle with her fingers….back to the palms circling in the air……”an’ he does this whether the temperature is 109 degrees or 42 degrees, he does this every week.  Now, THAT is crazy!”

Thumper won the argument, of course.

 

Plenty of Time

“Huh?” Jabberwocky looked at the picture, perplexed….”What are those large things on your wrists?”

Watches.  We all got matching watches.  Thumper found ‘em.  They are all brand new!  And they don’t work, but we don’t care.  Gives us plenty of time.  Oh, and they were free, to boot!

Thumper got a lime green one for Cupcake, a darker green one for Jabber, a turquoise for Vanna, a lemon yellow for herself!  Oh, and Girlfriend got the brown.  ‘Cause she couldn’t make up her very own mind about which one she wanted. 

These fashion statements say, on the face of the watch, “HELLO SOMEBODY”.  I mean, what more could a girl want?

(You shoulda’ seen the sellers, two little girls about 11 or so.  Jabber saw they were selling jump ropes, so she tried one out, but it wasn’t long enough.  And then Thumper got the watches from their ‘free box’.   I have a feeling the little girls were very happy we were not their grandmothers.  But I digress…….)

The last sale we attended had this guy available for a small fee:

A brief meeting was called, right there on the spot, to determine whether or not this guy would go home with Vanna (for her maid).  Ultimately, he was rejected, left to hang there, alone, waiting for another potential gullible  interested customer.  As we departed the sale, he looked very crestfallen, wistfully gazing out the window, dreaming of his potential exciting life with the unknown maid, but rejected, once again.  Poignant moment, indeed.

But……………………..

At least we had plenty of time!

Last Saturday’s Sales

We were 7 for a while on Saturday—Seven, 7, SEVEN in the van—which meant some of us were squished in the back seat.

Above:  Cupcake, Thumper and Vanna, squished.

No matter.  We laughed our silly heads off, terrorized a few sales and sellers, and demonstrated our new Prancercise talents.  This because Jabber accidentally hit the Itunes button on her iphone and the one and only song she has loaded is the Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive.”  Some of you readers—I mean you Sis and Twin and California, will recall this well.  With the music, the Brocanters broke into their dance routine. 

“What is a Prancercise?” Jabberwocky inquired.

Well, look at it here.  Then try to envision seven of us, the Lucky 7, prancing around a community sale and you’ll sort of see what I’m talking about:

The above is from Youtube—looked up “Prancercise”

Below, Vanna loads a rustic ladder Sosew bought for her hubby, in the backseat.  This requires explanation:  Sosew bought the ladder because she knew that Hubby would NOT be able to use it, thereby discouraging him from climbing on ladders.   I know, I know.  Hey, we’re women of a ‘certain age’ and we can do what we want!

Above, Girlfriend with her Hat (it WAS ‘hat day’ for us, but only Girlfriend and Jabber wore hats.  The others had to buy them at sales.)  Also Vanna, striking a pose as always.

Take a good look at the hat below—Hat has a pineapple drink, glasses, flowers, everything one needs for a party in a hat ‘cept the liquor.  We can provide that.  (True confessions:  the hat went home with Jabber.  Don’t ask why. 

Okay, ask why.  It will be my hat on the upcoming family vacation.  I know my children will be thrilled.  Not to mention the Grands…….   Look at it this way:  you’ll be able to see me in a crowd.  And lose me.)

Vanna brought her “Damn It” doll with her.  Jabber was periodically hit on the back with the Damn It doll.  Useful instrument with which to take out aggression.  Vanna highly recommends it.  Jabber doesn’t necessarily.

Girlfriend shows off a T-shirt which seemed to be appropriate for Cupcake.  It says, “Don’s Driving School.”  This because Cupcake had a lil’ accident a while ago.  Just a suggestion, Cupcake!

This is a young seller—he was running a yard sale with his father and mother.  We were impressed with his prices and wares.  And his sunglasses.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Cute little statue.  We often see unique items—this one seems to be missing something.  Like a leg. 

Speaking of missing something:  this seller had a cute bunny for sale, but missing some eyelashes on one eye.  So the seller placed a box of Latisse (which will help one’s eyelashes grow) next to the bunny:

Obviously, problem solved!

A great purchase below!  It was brand new, never opened, $10—a 13 X 10 foot tent standing 7 feet tall.  This for Leader’s daughter.  She requested we look for one on Thursday.  We found it, of course, on Saturday.  It’s beyond bizarre how items appear at sales once we focus our attention on finding them.

Guest Pat had to leave early, and we had to do a ‘drop off’ before we could continue on with our shopping.  We found treasures, but most of all we had a fun time together and, of course, we got our Prancercise workout in, too!

Back by popular request, “What’d find? What’d ya’ get?”

“Popular request?  Who asked?” said Jabber.  “An’ why would anythin’ you did be ‘popular’ anyways?”

Don’t you just love your imagination?  Mine is Jabberwocky and she’s always, forever, putting me in my place.

Okay Jabber, TWO people asked.  For me, that’s popular in my book.  I mean, come on’ gimme’ a break!

Thank you, you Two people.  For asking.  At any rate, if nothing else, it will allow me to put up a blog post.  Which I haven’t done for a few days.  And all my many readers are missing them.

“All your MANY??” said Jabber.  “Who’re you kidding?  You don’t have many.  You’re lucky if you get one or two—and I ‘pose they’re the ones who asked, right?”

I am ignoring Jabber for now.

This morning, Girlfriend (aka Foxy Lady—oh yes, she really is aka that!!!) took off for parts unknown, after workout class of course. 

“Evidently not too unknown, Realtor and Teach showed up as well…….” commented Jabber.

Yes, they did.  Anyway, we went to sales.  These are the treasures:

New, never used!, picnic backpack for our annual Longest Yard Sale Trip complete with dishes, utensils, glasses and napkins AND a place to keep our wine.  $8

25 cents each—nice cups for coffee!

Square baking pan, glass, for $1.50

NEW!  $8  A nice Christmas present for someone!

Tomorrow we hope the other members of the Brocanting Brigade will join us.  It’s always a surprise and a treasure hunt. 

 

A Rainy, Cold Day

“But………but it’s raining!  IT’S RAINING!” hollered Jabberwocky* as I pushed her into the driver’s seat of the van.  “It’s cold and it’s raining! and the Brigade won’t go today………”

Shows what you know about the Brigade, Jabber!  We drove over to Girlfriend’s house and there they all were, sans Vanna who had a previous engagement with a party (yes, Vanna IS a party girl—not all of us paint our toenails silver or blue!) and they all piled in.  Clad in their plastic, pleather and whatever rain gear and eager, as always, to hunt for treasure.

Thumper and Girlfriend………a much-coveted dish drainer had just been found!  Seems that each had wanted one and Thumper found one earlier and there was ALMOST a fight over it.  I told them to calm down.  There’d be another one found.  Sure enough……….

Off we went into the wilderness………oh well, not REALLY the wilderness, no.  No, no no…….It was to the next subdivision.  It was raining there, too, but nevermind…….

“Nevermind…….” Jabber said sarcastically.  To me!

Well, let me tell you, we are the die-hards of all brocanters in these here parts.  Weren’t many out and about.  Good!  We had no competition!

One person had placed an empty garbage can in the alley to catch rain water—it is ALMOST FULL!  And you can see that it is really raining hard.  Temperature this morning when we left was 41 degrees—and it seemed to get colder and colder.  THIS IS THE SOUTH!  AND THIS IS MAY!                                                                                                               A bit later, we all decided we’d had enough shopping for the day, so we headed to the local Corner Pub for soup.  I had ordered chicken and sausage gumbo which arrived whilst I was in the ladies’ room.  When I returned to the table, Cupcake and Thumper had decided to try MY SOUP!  Sosew said, “Jabber, you’re too late……..”

And then she and Girlfriend decided to help them out!  Deciding it was very good (and their soup arrived), they allowed Jabber to eat her own—that’s how thoughtful they are!

It was a wet and wild day, but we all had a lot of fun.  And here is the sign which I’m going to hang in the Brocanting Van on sale days—Sosew got it for us!

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*Jabberwocky:  http://harpethview.com/2012/04/03/whats-a-jabberwocky/