Mama Squirrel

Sirna's Farm Fall Festival

 A couple of weeks ago, a friend of mine shared this article on Facebook.  As soon as a saw the giant corn box, I knew if we only made it to one fall festival this year, this would be it.  Since this is the peak weekend for fall foliage in these parts, the 45 minute drive out to the farm melted away as we admired the brilliant reds, oranges and yellows that lit up the forests along the highway.  

For seven dollars (three for me and two for each of the littles) we were able to play to our hearts' content.  We started our adventure by checking out the animals.  While Little Tiger was enamored with the humming alpaca, I could tell that The Milk Belly Princess was freaked out so we moved on to a hay ride.  Both girls marveled over the giant muddy tractor tires and squealed with glee as we rode around the farm.  A hay ride is a highlight of any fall festival.  How could anyone ever top that? Our hay ride was almost over when I saw it: 

This contraption just might get my vote for coolest form of transportation EVER.  Six 55 gallon drums were repurposed into seats (with little benches and safety belts) and connected to form this sweet little train.  Here's a close up of the girls getting ready to take their ride.  Notice Little Tiger's look of joy and how The Milk Belly Princess'  brow is furrowed with apprehension:

I truly wish I was in a position to give whoever invented this an award for innovation in repurposing. This train was constructed so as it moved forward each car gently bounced up and down.  It was interesting enough for older kids, but safe enough for little ones.  (The Milk Belly Princess' brow was smooth when she was returned to me at the end of the ride.)

Next, it was time for the corn box.  Once inside, Little Tiger eagerly reported that she was standing knee deep in feed corn and her feet were still not touching the ground.  While The Milk Belly Princess was happy to dig with the wide array of shovels available, Little Tiger made several corn angels.

The girls had so much fun in the corn box I wasn't sure I would be able to drag them out, but they wanted to try the corn maze.  Here they are as we were just getting started.  The Milk Belly Princess was concerned I was too far behind.

Today was the last day for Sirna's Fall Festival, but if you're looking for some unique fall fun you should definitely check it out next October.

Treasured

My hunter/gatherer roots are never far from the surface.  Or maybe I'm descended from pirates and all of this can be traced back to a centuries-old desire for buried treasure.  There has to be something more than the simple practicality of saving money that causes me to get childishly excited any time I have an opportunity to mine for gems on the secondary market.  The night before Zerolandfill or an estate or rummage sale my eager anticipation mirrors that of  preschoolers quequing up at the starting line of an Easter egg hunt.

I'm not proud  to admit it, but over the past week I've visited my church more than I did this entire summer.  It started with Sorting Sunday when the entire congregation stayed after the 10:30 service to help  move all of the donations for our annual Trash and Treasure Sale from the large mult-purpose room to the various places where they would be sold.  

Although I tried to play it cool, I was excited to open each new box of  donations to see what was inside.  The fact that most of it was pretty ordinary made the exceptions all the more thrilling.  I didn't think much of the blue and white striped copy paper box as I approached it.  Upon closer inspection, I saw "Dollhouse + Furniture" printed on it in faint blue ballpoint pen.  When I opened the lid, I tried not to squeal with glee.   Check it out:

Not a doll house, but a fashion boutique, four small shoppers and an assortment of tops, skirts, hats, wigs--even a cape.  I looked everywhere, but was unable to find a single clue about the name, manufacturer or date of this toy.  The name "Madeline" was written on the bottom of two of the doll's in blue ink, so I'm guessing that was who owned at least half of the set.  Maybe the other two dolls belonged to a sister? 

I knew Little Tiger and The Milk Belly Princess would love this toy.  It was still there when I arrived at church to price sale items on Monday, so I scooped it up.  I thought about saving it for Christmas, but The Milk Belly Princess saw me gathering all of the pieces and it was over. We brought the play set home and were in the midst of giving the dolls and their clothes a bath on our front stoop when Little Tiger arrived home on the school bus.  She was happy to join us.

Since we brought the dolls and their boutique home on Monday it has usurped everything else as the favorite toy in our house.  Several times during the early afternoons, I've stopped what I was doing to listen to The Milk Belly Princess croon to the dolls, making them talk and sing to each other.  I tried to sneak up on her and get some candid shots, but she was on to me.  For as much as she loves imaginary play, she hates it when she thinks anyone is watching or listening.  So this was the best I could do:   

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

trash and TREASURE

From the thrill of finding great deals to the satisfaction of turning someone else's castoffs into something valuable,  I love everything about thrifting.  While I'm always up for a good rummage or estate sale,there are a few annual events I look forward to...and tomorrow is one of them.  Unlike most other bargain-hunting extravaganzas I attend, this time I will be working instead of shopping (but, really, why should the two be mutually exclusive?)  

If you're local, I hope you'll come visit me this Saturday (TOMORROW October 6th) at Rocky River Presbyterian Church during our  annual Trash and Treasure Sale.  The sale is from 9-2 and for the last hour everything is half off.  I was just there today pricing items in the childrens' room (that's right, this isn't one of those puny, half of a multi-purpose room sales--we've got six rooms with different departments) and EVERYTHING IS PRICED TO MOVE.  ALL of the procceds from this sale are donated to charity so it is a great way to find amazing deals and donate to a worthy cause at the same time.  

Curious, but unsure?  Here's a sneak preview.  Rather than full room shots where you can't get a good look at anything, I've opted to zero in a few select items I thought were interesting in an effort to give you a little taste of the sale.  Descriptions precede each picture:

This children's rocker is really sweet.  It comfortably fits both of my 45ish pound girls and I think they both wanted to take it home.

If you like mid-century furniture, the piece behind it is a set of drawers that is part of a bedroom set from that era.  I believe there is a dresser with a large mirror, the drawer set and a full size bed.  The set is located right next to one of the exits for easy  shopper removal.  The bedroom set is STURDY.  I actually thought about purchasing it to replace the trendy, but cheap set I have in The Milk Belly Princess' bedroom, but after the major decluttering I went through at my house  to get ready for this sale, I'm just not up for all of the heavy lifting that would be involved.

This little folk doll is in an area of the sale known as "The Boutique" which is a museum of sorts, lovingly curated by all of the volunteers who worked hard all week to prepare for the sale.  I like how her posture suggests that she, too, is shopping.

 

My mother originally bought this larger-than-life Strawberry Shortcake at the estate sale of an American Greetings employee.  My daughters loved it, but it was a little...much.  I knew The Milk Belly Princess sold me out when my mother told me she heard I found it "creepy."

These puzzles/educational games  are wooden and seem to be very high quality.  I'm not exactly sure how they work, but my mom thrifted several games and puzzles for my daughters by the same company and my girls and I both love them because they are aethestically pleasing, sturdy AND educational.  A new teacher trying to build a collection of classroom games would be able to put these to good use. 

If the five dollar price tag on Miss Madeline's hat is off-putting, fear not.  She is definitely one of the more expensive toys at the sale.  (I think there is a vintage metal Tonka truck for $15 and some brand new big K'nex sets at about the same price, but most of the toys are a dollar or two.)  I'm not sure if the high chair is a children's toy or more of a decoration for a doll collector, but I love the color.  It would look great holding one of  The Milk Belly Princess' baby dolls in her room, but her imaginary play doesn't really involve feeding. 

This is in the room with all of the seasonal decorations.  I'm not sure what season it is supposed to represent, but it reminds me of Parade the Circle.

Here is a small sampling of the many lamps for sale.  The volunteer in charge of organizing this room (who is a thrifting/estate sale styling GENIUS) made the observation that, with green shades, this lamp would look really good.  I know she's right because I've seen her house and it is brilliantly decorated.

The Apollo glass is one of several we donated.  I originally bought eight and the matching carafe for The Mister as a birthday present one of the years we were dating.  Then, we either received more as gifts, or the glasses mated in the cabinet because somehow we ended up with double that amount.  I think it looks nice next to this taller, blue swirly piece.  

There is a whole room devoted to books.  While there are dozens of contemporary childrens' titles,  I was drawn to the covers of these two vintage volumes.  The Milk Belly Princess REFUSED to move her finger, so that's the little pink digit you see hovering over Nancy Drew.  

Not sure what the story is on these McGuffeys.  They are not first editions or anything, but that red leathertte binding looks smart.  They would be perfect for the den or office of an elementary school teacher or principal.  

Even though we have many of these titles, I really enjoyed looking at the artwork in some of these older Little Golden Books.  We bought "Raggedy Ann's Tea Party" and "Nurse Nancy" when we were  sorting on Tuesday.  The Milk Belly Princess loved both of them (although the latter turned out to be a commerical of sorts for Band-Aids' mid-century release of "Stars and Stripes" printed bandages).

As I've been typing these descriptions I've been thinking of all of the other items I should have photographed, including:

• an artist's painting set complete with a stool, an easel and oil paints that folds up into an easy to manage carrying case. $20
• a unicorn pillow pet $2 (I know the little girl who donated this and she takes VERY good care of her things.)
• a tiny vintage ambulance/abacus toy  (ten cents)
• two ruffly, twirly, swirly square dancing dresses

...and so much more.  But my hour for writing this is up.  I will have a very sad, scared little girl at tumbling class, if I don't hit "Publish" and go pick her up right this minute.  I hope I've piqued your curiousity and see you tomorrow at the sale.