Touring the Countryside for Antiques

One of my sisters recently had some holiday time she needed to use up, so we agreed to plan a day trip to visit as many antique malls as we could. This was quite an undertaking as they are all quite far from each other, making for a very long day of driving. However, the thought of scouring through rows and rows of collectibles and rooms and rooms of treasures was simply too alluring for us.

I'm happy to share that after five hours of driving, and a few turnarounds, the day was a success!

I came home with a few bags of carefully wrapped findings.

What was even more successful, was that we managed to do the entire trip with both boys! And can I just say that they were unbelievably good sports. Though I did put some effort into making the day more exciting for them. I created a scavenger hunt for Willen to do in the antique store which kept him happily occupied - the prize was $10 to spend at a surprise destination later in the day (a Lego store complete with a build-your-own-care racetrack, and life-size Lego creations). We also made stops at a farm and at a park, ate lunch at a chip truck that was an old fishing boat, and ended the trip with a giant ice cream cone. They also napped in the car, which helped.

On one of the back roads, we came across this field and a small herd of Jersey cows. It was such a pretty pastoral scene, I couldn't resist pulling over and taking a few photos.

As for what came home, here are two gorgeous ironstone pieces I found. 

The pitcher was $19, "as-is" (which means nothing to me as it usually just means it has even more character and charm, and will simply be displayed on my shelf) and the sugar pot was $35. What's even better is that I actually had this exact one, and sold it a while ago. I regretted it, which rarely happens to me, so it made the find even more sweet.

I've come to love the detailed pieces - the pots with ornamental handles, and pitchers with pretty patterns.

I also picked up this small frame for $19 and this charming little gold alarm clock, that works perfectly, for $11. I think the clock was a steal!

Also, my roses started blooming for the second time this year! They were the only bit of my garden I could move with me, as they were in pots, and for a long while I wasn't sure if they would survive. But after a lot of watering and care, they've recovered and a full of buds. I just hope most of them either open, or stay tight before we leave for the cottage!

The old basket to the left wasn't a find on this trip, but I did recently find it at an antique shop in town. It was $20 and it holds things we use each day at the table - my bible and notebooks along with Willen's activity books and homework supplies.

I also found this ladder back chair, with it's perfectly simple design, for $18. I plan on recovering the seat with a piece of antique linen. I can just see it in the boys room, with a lovely old quilt folded on top of it, or in the front entrance with a basket of mittens and scarves set on the seat.

I also found a few other things which I will show later.

Coming up in September, I have two more large antique shows that I'm looking forward to - the Fall Christie's Antique Show on Saturday, September 12th, and the Annual Aberfoyle Fall Outdoor Antique Show the following Saturday, September 19th.

For now, I was happy to cross a few items off my list.