Getting ready for winter at the Aframe

We had unusually warm weather last weekend, and we spent some much needed time at the lake getting the yard tidy.

Last year, we invested in a new furnace and water heater.  This summer we had new sliders/windows replaced so that we really can enjoy our Aframe year-round.

Mother nature can really stay outside where she belongs!

It was definitely a weekend of heavy outdoor labor, but we are officially ready for cooler weather.  

I even pulled out a few Christmas decorations.

 Have a wonderful weekend.  

We have snow in the forecast.  Stay cozy!
 

Orange and black treasures...

I have a shelf in my hutch that I've been tucking a few estate sale treasures until it's time to get the rest of the Halloween chaos out of storage.

I would say that it's been a pretty good estate sale season for vintage Halloween .

Dollhouse #9

I didn't intend on bringing home another dollhouse.

Really I didn't.

But the price was right, it was in mint condition and it was full of Renewal furniture. 

Most metal dollhouses are left in damp basements and rust takes over.  

This 1948 T. Cohn home is in perfect condition.

Of course, this meant rearranging all my other homes to make space in my craft room.  

I hope you found time to play this weekend.  

XOXO

My forgotten craft room...

I’ve been neglecting my craft room as much as I’ve been neglecting my blog (or visiting blogs).

So, a week ago, I spent some time cleaning up my special space. It had become a dumping ground of estate sale treasures.  It's still packed but there is a sense of order now (kinda).

Yes. I have Christmas out year-round in my craft room.

I also have Halloween out year-round too.

As well as a zillion Chinese checkerboards.

 And my amazing vintage record album collection from estate sales.

 Speaking of estate sales, Chris has hit some really fun estate sales lately.  He's come home with some cool treasures for really good prices. It’s been a while since I shared any estate sale treasures. Next post.  Pinky swear.

Dumpster diving at the dump...

I had hinted that I had a trash-to-treasure story.  Earlier last week, we went to the town dump near our lake house because that's where the garbage service is located.  We had finally decided to pay for a service instead of hauling our trash home every weekend in our van.  Stinky STINK!

Anyways, as we were getting ready to leave with our shiny brand new garbage can, I spotted a rusty outdoor chair near a dumpster.  Knowing we just couldn't grab it and run (although tempted) Chris and Josie went back inside the office and inquired about the metal outdoor chair.  They were told they could take the chair but we weren't suppose to pick trash and not to make this a habit.  Thanks, ladies. Got it!

 After a few hours of sanding, Chris chose ocean mist rustoleum paint.  

I think our trash- to-treasure chair is pretty darn cute now.  Don't you just love a happy ending!?!

Red, white and blue at the lake

We couldn't have asked for a better weekend for the fourth.  

Lots of beautiful sunrises.

Lots of water time.  

Lakeside dining made the food taste even better. 

Quality family time.  

Amazing fireworks on the lake.  

Even found an estate sale near the cottage.  

You know me.

I brought home all kinds of vintage holiday.

Enjoy this week ahead.

I've got a trash-to-treasure post to share later.  Let's just say dumpster diving was involved!  

Here we go again!

Greetings! How is your week going? While I’ve been busy at work, my husband and girls have been purging and preparing for a garage sale which happens Friday and Saturday at our house.

 They've also managed to hit an estate sale or two.

I've been on the hunt for more blowmold planters and this swan was another fun rescue and she's now quite happy nestled near our tiny backyard pond.

 Gotta love a husband who isn't afraid to purchase swan blowmolds and dollhouse furniture without his wife.  Yes.  I do have more dollhouse furniture than most people have real furniture, but I can justify my collections because I do have several empty dollhouses.  hee hee.

 No lake time for us girls this weekend, but Chris will be supervising the installation of 3 new slider doors on the lake-side of the A-frame on Monday.  

Can't wait to have slider doors that seal properly and leave Mother Nature outside.

He'll also be painting the rest of the non-sliding doors at the Aframe this deep red.  Boy, I love my handy husband!

 Be sure to take time to play this weekend, friends.
 

Picker's sale...

I had hinted on my last post that Chris recently attended a picker's estate sale.

It was advertised as a sale in which gloves and flashlights were necessary.  Imagine 20 acres of outbuildings, rusty cars swallowed up by nature and random piles of items just rotting away. 

 In addition to this chaos, there was a house and scary basement packed with collections.  These were the items that came home with him.  

Halloween 

A few more pinecone serving pieces and a set of deer salt/pepper shakers for my growing collection.

A blowmold deer planter which is now happily living at the lake.

A darling squirrel planter which is also living at the lake.

Some vintage Christmas, including these flocked reindeer.

And a few more turkey planters to add to my thanksgiving decorations.

This dirty/dusty sale went down as one of Chris's favorite picks of all time.  I think he's ready to hang with Frank and Mike from American Picker's.  Have a great week, friends.  May you find a few treasures too.