treasure hunting
while running a few errands friday afternoon, the girls and i came across a rummage sale at a small local church. they were most excited when i suggested we go for a treasure hunt. almost as excited as mama.
we headed straight for the children's room, which was a treasure trove, let me tell you. not only did i find the prettiest little vintage polly flinders hand smocked dress which will fit the girls in a few years, but there was also a pair (as in two!) of handmade, hand-smocked gingham dresses. (let me add, being twins is supercool, but i just never felt the need or desire to dress the girls alike.) but these dresses, well how could i pass up two of these? i mean, one even came with a special hanger.
and the books, oh the books - some very special titles have now been added to our bookshelves. so so good. i tried to exercise some self-control as i scoured the bins, but there were so many gems.
and for the first time, the girls each were able to pick a treasure by themselves. one treasure. they spent upwards of 15 minutes picking and choosing, changing their minds, carefully considering which one item they'd each like to bring home. there were a few cringeworthy moments with cruddy dollbabies and the like, but mama bit her tongue because this was to be their choice and their choice alone. my children really took the concept of "one special treasure" to heart and appreciated what i was trying to convey without saying as much. and we stayed under budget, with the entire lot including two full-length vintage skirts (bought for the fabric amazingness) coming in at a whopping $8.55.
more than ever, i am looking forward to rummage sale season this year as well as the coming months of garage saleing. what a joy to have two eager little treasure hunters in my company. xoxo
AH! one amazing thing after another...but those dresses. oh my. you scored big time. lucky, lucky duck!!
Posted by:Candace | 27 April 2008 at 11:32 PM
What great finds!
Posted by:Lil' d | 27 April 2008 at 11:33 PM
The dresses are gorgeous! What great finds!
Posted by:Beth | 28 April 2008 at 12:05 AM
Now I've got "I Went to the Animal Fair" stuck in my mind. Great memories of my grandfather singing that to me on road trips.
Posted by:homejewel | 28 April 2008 at 02:55 AM
The dresses are so cute.
Posted by:Catrin | 28 April 2008 at 04:08 AM
What a great time!
Posted by:Tine | 28 April 2008 at 05:13 AM
i love the dresses, but the experience sounds like the best part.
Posted by:cindy k | 28 April 2008 at 07:30 AM
oooooh, divine. My Mom was all about the Polly Flinders dresses when I was a kid. And the handmade ones, gah. I always try and figure out where you live. I picture upper Midwest like me, but I can't figure it out exactly.
Posted by:Courtney | 28 April 2008 at 09:22 AM
treasure hunting is a favorite activity here as well. how wonderful that your girls took their choosing so seriously.
:-)
Posted by:kat | 28 April 2008 at 10:52 AM
oh my word, I want a yellow summer dress just like that in the worst way! if that is not "summer dress" I don't know what is.
And the blue? So simple and adorable. They'll be darling in them.
How CUTE!
Now I'm off to lament about the fact that we seem to have sucky rummage/church sales. ;)
Posted by:sarah | 28 April 2008 at 11:15 AM
You know, the only thing worse than coveting a bloggers rummage sale finds is realizing the sale couldn't have been too far from where you live, haha. I really love the polly flinders dress that wooden hanger, what a great find!
Posted by:Donna | 28 April 2008 at 11:22 AM
Oh, I'm a sucker for smocking - so cute!
Posted by:Mymsie | 28 April 2008 at 12:33 PM
It sounds like you had a wonderful adventure! The fabric on those skirts is gorgeous and those dresses are a great find! I love church bazaars-always a find!
Posted by:hobocampcrafts | 28 April 2008 at 02:29 PM
Gorgeous finds! I love those smocked dresses. Lovely blog, btw, I'll definately be back!
Posted by:Knitsational | 28 April 2008 at 03:17 PM
Wow! Fantastic finds! I love finding treasure with my Mom...
Posted by:Crystal | 28 April 2008 at 04:34 PM
Oh my, you hit the mother load! Those dresses and the hanger..... wonderful!
Posted by:AnyoneCanQuilt | 30 April 2008 at 01:47 PM
Oh my, you hit the mother load! Those dresses and the hanger..... wonderful!
Posted by:AnyoneCanQuilt | 30 April 2008 at 01:48 PM
Oh my, you hit the mother load! Those dresses and the hanger..... wonderful!
Posted by:AnyoneCanQuilt | 30 April 2008 at 01:48 PM
Oh my, you hit the mother load! Those dresses and the hanger..... wonderful!
Posted by:AnyoneCanQuilt | 30 April 2008 at 01:48 PM
Fabulous finds, and you're lucky I wasn't there--I'd have been fighting you for that incredible hanger! ;o)
Posted by:Queen of Fifty Cents | 04 May 2008 at 03:11 PM