DAY TRIPPING

We've taken a couple of day trips in the last couple of weeks -- both without a camera -- I know, what was I thinking?

The first was to the monthly (in the summer) Paris Street Market in Littleton, a suburb of Denver.  Since we don't need a thing, we go with the idea of checking the trends, observing what other people are buying: and if we just happen to see something inexpensive that catches our eye, we will buy it.

Our only purchase this time was this plaid and leather flask from England for $7.

We didn't really see any new trends emerging - lots of chippy furniture and window frames still being carried out.  We saw mega amounts of repurposing done in the name of art; some repurposed a little too far for our taste!  Always a fun little trip, as we usually meet our son there -- he had just returned from the REAL Paris just a couple of days before; so we got to hear about his trip.

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The second day trip was to the mountain town of Rye, Colorado for an estate auction.  The man had been an auction attendee for years, and had stockpiled sheds and sheds of stuff.  The auction company had done an incredible job in sorting out things into over a thousand boxes and containers.  There was some great stuff, along with a lot of junk; but the boxes were going high - over $25 and up for a box.  The property was hilly, dusty, and the sun was unbearable.  If you've ever stood in high-altitude sunshine, you know what I mean.  After a couple of hours, I retreated to the car (I was engrossed in a novel; and remember, I'm not the outdoors type)!  Bob hung around and bought a wire basket of bottles, but there weren't any medicinal amber bottles in the basket -- that's what I'm interested in.  

 This is just a small number of the bottles he got; we'll probably keep the old grocery basket and sell the bottles.

If I had been 40 years younger, $400 richer, and 4000 miles closer to sea-level; it would have been the perfect auction. 

We found a good Mexican food place in Colorado City; and stopped in Pueblo at Barnes and Noble for a couple of new decorating magazines, plus I finished my book on the way home.  All in all, it was a fun day in an unusual way!
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This coming weekend we are headed to the Denver area again to the Old Glory Antiques Fair in Clement Park.  I'll try not to forget my camera this time.

Check out the following blogs for mega inspiration:
Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday
Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Knick of Time for Knick of Time Tuesday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday

HICKS FROM THE STICKS OFF TO THE CITY

We took a couple of fun days off from just hanging around the house, and went to the big city -- Denver!  

The first day we met our son and went to the new History Colorado Center.  It has only been open a short time in its new facility, a block south of the old Colorado History Museum on Broadway.  It was enjoyable, but a little slick and high tech for our tastes.  We missed the old museum that was packed so full of artifacts that you could actually FEEL the history.  We will go back, however, when more of the new exhibits are open.  One of the temporary exhibits was Colorado - past, present and future; - all done in Legos.  Fun, fun - my favorite was the row of the tiny, blue porta-potties done in Legos, but all of the Colorado landmarks executed by the Lego artists were great!

We then hit our favorite antique mall on South Broadway, had Colorado Hacienda Mexican food, and checked into our hotel to find we had been upgraded to a suite at no extra cost - a nice surprise.  It doesn't take much to please us hicks!

  On our second day, we went to the Old Glory Antique Fair in Clement Park.  Clement Park is right next to the infamous Columbine High School - always a sobering moment when you remember what took place there.

But on this day, it was all about junking and antiquing.

After 50 years of antiquing, we don't buy much anymore (sorry, dealers); but we love checking everything out for trends and seeing what people are buying.

 We saw several industrial carts -- all in the $500-600 range, which makes our $20 cart from a yard sale a REAL bargain.  Read about that score here.

 This was a great seed box, and I've always wanted one; but way out of our price range.

 Lots of industrial and farmstead goods.

 We laughed about this chicken coop - another winter on the farm and it would have been a pile of splinters.  And, in our opinion, was pretty pricey at $65 for that kind of patina!

 After a morning of sun, we headed south and stopped at our favorite antique mall in Colorado Springs; then home.  In my childhood, we would go to Denver from the farm 3-4 times a year to shop, eat, and observe.  It's still a thrill for me!

So, what did I buy?

 I keep saying I'm going to quit buying brown transferware, but I can't seem to pass up a nice specimen like this tureen for $12.  It has a hairline crack in the lid, but still pretty on the shelf at that price.

In my continuing search for items with the number 15, I found a cue ball, a bingo card, and a cash register indicator.  Part of my discipline is that I will not spend more than $10 and preferably under $5 for these things.  Don't ask what I'm going to do with them -- I'm getting quite an assortment, but the fun is in the search.


Please check out the following blogs that I'm linking to this week, and thank them for their efforts.
Southern Hospitality for Monday Thrifty Treasures
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Tuesday Treasures
Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday
From My Front Porch to Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday
Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
White Ironstone Cottage for Treasure Chest Friday