Craving More?

Just in case you haven't had enough rummage sale posts this week, I thought I would show you what my friend, Robin, got at the big sale. I think, at this point, we are all "saled" out for awhile. Maybe. ;)

The Joy of Being a Woman

Taking a little break from what is turning into a weeklong celebration of rummage sale finds, I offer this bit of conversation from my yearly gyn exam:

Nurse: Your blood pressure is a little high. Were you just running around?

Me: No, but I'm kind of nervous about the exam.

Nurse: Oh, do you have "White Coat Syndrome?"

Me: No, but I think I may have "Someone's About To Stick a Little Wooden Spatula Up My Ya-Ya Syndrome."

Have a great day, ladies! More rummage sale finds tomorrow...

Yada, Yada, Yada, Part Deux

I promised more thrilling rummage sale finds, so here they are. Are you quivering with excitement? Pale with anticipation?

Bored out of your gourd?

Anyway, here they are:

A pair of unusually framed flower prints. We all know by now that I cannot be trusted to walk away from anything flowery in a frame. Or not in a frame.

Which leads very nicely to my next find, a handpainted tin tray with daffodils. Perfect for my kitchen.

Three examples of pressed flower art. See above, regarding flowers and frames.

And finally, the picture at the top of the post -- a cute needlepoint in a tiger maple frame. I would have bought it just for the frame alone, but I do love the needlepoint, too.

I did get some books, too. Maybe I'll save those for another day...unless you have had enough "yada, yada, yada..." for the time being. :)

One Man's Trash... Yada, yada, yada

You've all heard the phrase, "One man's trash is another man's treasure," right? Well, I'm here to tell you, very often one man's trash is just, well, trash. And when you go to a semi-annual rummage sale that draws shoppers from around the state, you have to wade through a lot of trash to find some treasure. But we did find some treasure, Robin and I, and I will show you some today, and save some for later in the week. Here goes:

A hand-painted vase. As we have already established, I am a sucker for anything with flowers on it.

Two creamware vases, one country simple and the other a bit more elegant.

A small alabaster bird bath, with three out of it's four carved birds intact. I already have one of these, but I couldn't resist this smaller version.

A small green glass candy dish that proved, on closer inspection, to be merely painted green. But it's still lovely, and I'm sure I'll find a use for it somewhere.

And the first picture, at the top of the post, show the newest additions to my milk glass collection.

I'll show you a few more things tomorrow. Happy Monday, dear bloggers!

Rosie Says...

What, you want to see what my mommy and Aunt Mary got at the big rummage sale on Friday? Well, you are just going to have to wait until Monday, because Aunt Mary is very, very tired from schlepping all those heavy bags of goodies to the car. It was rrrruff!

Happy Saturday from Rosie!

I Love Pasta

Here is one of my favorite pasta salad recipes. I think it began as my attempt to recreate a dish I had enjoyed somewhere, but for the life of me I can't remember where. Anywhay, I've been making this one for years, and leftovers never last more than a day in my house.

Gemelli with Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Artichokes and Oil-Cured Olives

1 lb. gemelli pasta (rotini would be fine here, too)

1 small jar marinated artichoke hearts

1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, packed in olive oil

3/4 cup oil-cured black olives, pitted and chopped

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

2 tbsp. sugar

salt and pepper

Cook pasta in salted, boiling water until al dente. Drain artichokes and set aside. Drain sun-dried tomatoes and slice into slivers. Pit olives and cut in half.

Combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar and sugar to make dressing.

Drain cooked pasta. Combine in bowl with artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes and oil-cured olives. Pour dressing over all and add salt and pepper to taste.

I realize that oil-cured black olives are probably an acquired taste. I have to admit that I am the only one in my family who eats them -- the rest of my family picks them out. But I think they make the dish. Anyway, try it, I think you'll like it!

*********

Today is the first day of our semi-annual Visiting Nurse's Rummage Sale -- a gigantic sale filled with great things. I'm practically salivating at the thought of it. My friend, Robin, and I plan to go this morning at opening time. Wish us luck!

Another Note: Kacey, at Wine on the Keyboard, is running her Photo of the Month contest for April. If you get a chance, go on over and see all the great entries -- they are beautiful!

Addicted To Flowers

OK, so I may have a slight problem. Those of you who have been visiting here for awhile already know of my obsession with dishes. Well, I seem to be collecting flower prints these days.

I'm not sure when this began, but I suddenly find myself with a few too many pictures (printed and needlepoint) of roses and violets and primroses and pansies. And several other flowers, too.

I think the women at the thrift store have my number. They see me coming and say, "Quick, put out all the flowered things -- here she comes!"

I swear, that's how I ended up with all these flower prints. Some not even framed yet. They all begged to be taken home from the thrift store.

Well, maybe a few came from the antique shops. And a couple may have been on ebay.

Yeah, I guess I have a slight problem.

Slight.