Today's Thrifty Treasure

Rhoda at http://southernhospitality-rhoda.blogspot.com/ just started a fun Monday post called Today's Thrifty Treasures. I love this idea, I love to yard sale and find a treasure for little money. In my neck of the woods it is bulk pickup time and my treasure for this week is the beautiful creamer and teapot that I found in the trash!! I previously purchased the platter and was waiting to find a pot but who would have thought I would find one in the garbage.
What is another man's trash has certainly become my treasure. Mary

Pink Saturday

It's Pink Saturday once again, how fast the weeks go by. Today I am having a "giveaway"!!

It's one of my yard sale finds that I thought some of our passionate pink people would enjoy.

If you would enjoy drinking a cup of tea in this pretty cup and saucer just leave a comment

that you would like to enter the giveaway.

Have a wonderful Pink Saturday and please visit Beverly at http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/

More bulk pickup finds

This has been a great year so far! If I don't find anything else I will call it a success!

The best find so far!

What can I say, I love it!

Just a few of my bulk pickup finds

Whats one man's trash is another man's treasure, couldn't be more true this bulk pick up season. I found this lovely coffee pot and creamer which I think is silver, I couldn't find markings on this but I'll shine it up with Wrights tomorrow and get a better idea.

This photo box wasn't even taken out of it's shrink wrap and I love the pink roses!

The crystal flutes are so pretty, too bad clutzy me broke one.

This neat little object flattens out. Maybe an egg holder or steamer? I don't know how I'm going to use it but it was too good to pass up.

These are only a sampling of what I found today and I'll be adding to this all week long.

And there are still 3 weekends left to scour the streets and I couldn't be any happier!

Road Trip to "Switzerland of America"

otherwise know as Jim Thorpe, Pa. This town is nestled in the Mountains of the Poconos and because of the landscape and architecture was nicknamed, "Switzerland of America."

It was originally called Mauch Chunk which means Sleeping Bear in Lenape Indian. After the famous Olympian Jim Thorpe died, his widow sold the town his remains and the town of Mauch Chunk was renamed Jim Thorpe in the hope of stimulating tourism. I'm sure the town is hopping in the summer, white water rafting is very popular here but I went there Wednesday and unfortunately all the places of interests to tour were closed, the tourist season hadn't started yet. Just my luck!

Struck "Pink" garage sale gold!

The mug was 2$

Cup and saucer 2$

Plate was 1$ and I just love the roses!

Pink Saturday rolls around again, how fast do the weeks go? I went a garage sale yesterday and found pink gold! Two pretty, maybe antique? cups. Also, another one of my orchids is blooming and I just have to share it, I'm so proud of my orchids since I have trouble growing any other plant.

Please stop by Beverly's at http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/ and drop her a note, her Mom has been sick.

I hope everyone has a Happy and Blessed Easter! Mary

A walk with Snuggles

Which way should we go??

To the right?

Straight ahead?

Maybe to the left...decisions, decisions!

Some more cards

This pink card I designed myself. Happy Birthday is emossed in the little tag. Simple but doesn't quite cut it.

This card I like a whole lot more..my inspiration was from Laurie at

http://justgivemestamps.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/04/index.html She is an incredibly talented card creator. I enjoy many stamping blogs but hers is my favorite. If you enjoy card making please visit her blog, her talent is amazing! Mary

Chai tea and Turkish Tea cups

I went to a huge yardsale this past Saturday at West Point Military Academy. I had big expectations for this sale because so many of the officers are stationed throughout the world and you never know what kind of international treasure you will find or at least hope to find!
After passing home after home of the typical kids toys and clothes I found these. I was intrigued by the little cups with the underplates. The seller told me that she was stationed in Turkey and when you go into the little shops you are given a cup of very hot chai tea in these little cups. (Isn't that a nice custom?) The tea is so hot that you hold it by the underplate. The Turks like their tea sweet and with each cup came a tiny spoon and each had a different pattern. I asked the price and she said, " two dollars for the lot" and I said, "Sold"!
So, I am now going to enjoy my "little glasses of hot chai tea in authentic Turkish chai glasses."
I love yardsales, you never know what treasure you will find.
P.S. The other items shown my Mom bought, English chintz cup and saucer and two coffee cups and I also found 2 bone plates. I'll be posting more of my finds later this week.

What is your best yardsale find? I would love to hear! Mary

Pink Saturday is here again!

I purchased these two photo box holders at A.C. Moore for 2 dollars each to store some of my card making supplies. I would have bought more but they only had these two. I'm hoping they get more in soon. I covered a cookie tin with paper to store markers. I'm trying to be neat and pink with my storage!

Have a Happy Pink Saturday! Here is Beverly's link for more pink pretties.

http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/

Better late than never, Irish Soda Bread

I'm just getting around to making my Irish Soda bread for St. Patrick's Day! I didn't want to waste the quart of buttermilk that was making me feel guilty every time I opened up the refrigerator door!

Now doesn't this look good! The tea is Stash's licorice spice. I love Stash teas!

Irish Soda Bread

2 cups unbleached flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cream of tartar

1 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

2 Tablespoons sugar

1 heaping tsp. caraway seeds

4 Tablespoons butter, worked into flour with pastry blender or 2 knives

1 cup raisens

1 cup buttermilk

Mix dry ingredients. ( I cut in butter than add caraway seeds and raisens)

Stir in buttermilk.

Knead dough, till consistency is smooth. I put a little flour on counter, flour my hands and knead till smooth.

Make shape of cross on bread and bake in greased and floured 8 inch cake pan.

Bake at 325 for 45 mins. Remove and cool. You can also smooth some butter on top while the loaf is still warm.

Enjoy any time of the year!