Inspired by all of the thrifting scores from Friday, I decided to hit up a handful of sales along the coastline this weekend. The scenery was beautiful and the cottages were darling but the yard sale pickins, well, let’s just say that they were mighty slim.

However, I did manage to find a really cute vintage Christmas play book.

All of the pages in the book pop out and you can build a cardstock house, complete with a happy family.

And of course, reindeer for the roof.

The only other thing I snapped up were these two pans for making baked donuts. They were still in their original packaging and I’m particularly excited about the mini donut pan since it’ll be perfect for making wee round ring shaped cookies.

August is nearly half over, and frankly I’m already starting to get a little bit ansy about the yard sale season winding down. Logically I know that this is ridiculous, that as long as the weather is halfway decent, people will continue to throw their unwanted crap and once-loved belongings on their front lawns for strangers to pick through. At least for the next month or two when sweater weather rolls in.

As irony would have it, I drove past a bunch of neon pink signs advertising a multi-family tag sale *just* as I was having these thoughts. And bonus, it was starting today and lasting all weekend. Did I mention that the sign said that there were many vintage and antique items? Sign me up.

Leah and I pulled into the driveway and rolled up to the first sale. It was only 10 am on a weekday but there were already tons of shoppers. The seller was telling everyone to ignore any prices they found marked on items, that everything was actually much less expensive, to just ask. Groovy.

Everything was in a series of large boxes, kind of jumbled together. Then some items were strewn across three tables. Not so easy to navigate with a baby stroller, but it was manageable. The first thing that I spotted were three huge boxes loaded with vintage Christmas items. I wasn’t interested in the glass orbs, tree skirts, tangled lights or the reindeer with the blinking nose, but I did find a bunch of super cute ornaments. They were in a big plastic bag, sold as a lot for just $1. Look how cute!

Adorable.

Mixed in with the lot was this darling little shelf sitter gnome. Seriously, I think I love him.

I also found a super cute albeit tacky turtle planter for a dime.

Slightly hokey yet totally endearing mottled swan wall pockets. I really like them for some reason. Also ten cents. For both. I may paint them, but probably not. They’ll be great for holding pencils and paintbrushes in my crafting area.

An old Monet leaf pin, perfect for fall.

Look, it’s Poppie Fresh, also known as the Pillsbury dough girl! How 1970s. And a butterfly gold pattern butter dish.

I almost stopped in my tracks when I saw this “thistle” pattern Stangl plate for just a quarter. There was a Stangl factory outlet near my Grandparents house that we used to go to when we visited them. Stangl made all kinds of lovely, hand painted pottery, dishes, housewares and collectibles and almost everyone I knew had at least a few pieces. They’ve been out of business for quite some time now, and I don’t come across their stuff all that often, so when I do it’s super exciting and nostalgic. Insert warm fuzzies here.

When I saw this, I knew I had to have it. After all, who doesn’t want a ceramic denture cup, marked “Her Chopper Hopper?” Scarily enough, somewhere out there is a coordinating “his” chopper hopper cup for the mister. Someday maybe I’ll find it.

Tiny glass chipmunks, a wee monkey marked “hear no evil” on the back and a tiny plastic dog to go into my mini curio boxes.

That was it for the first sale. The second one had even more fun goodies.

Like this charming piggy bank, marked “Hand Made in Japan by Viking.” He’s missing a bit of red paint on his bowtie and shoes but is still quite a dashing little chap.

Swanky little chef salt and pepper shakers. It’s official. I collect vintage shakers now, but only if they’re interesting and under $2 per pair.

Jaunty woodland creatures in straw hats.

Bright Chalkware Florida salt and pepper shakers.

Ducks!

I also bought a pair of tiny glass salt and pepper shakers with bright red lids as part of a lot. In the box were a bunch of small plastic containers with removable lids, as shown. I have no idea what they are. For sugar cubes perhaps? Anyone know? They’re quite fetching and mysterious.

If you can believe it, more Stangl dishes! This pattern is “Orchard Harvest.” Three tea cups, two salad plates, seven dishes.

One of the great things about Connecticut is that there are so many interesting places to go to on day trips. Like say, Hale Homestead, in Coventry. My husband and I had never been there, and it seemed like good place to toddle around with our 13 month old. After loading the diaper bag with sippy cups, Cherrios and of course, Sophie the giraffe, the three of us hit the road.

Hale Homestead is now owned by Connecticut landmarks, but it was originally the family home of Nathan Hale, the patriot solider hanged by the British in 1776 as a spy. His famous last words were believed to be “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” Did you know that Nathan Hale is the official State Hero of Connecticut? Me either. See what you can learn on an educational field trip?

Whether you like Georgian architecture, are a history buff or just want to check out the amazing Coventry Regional Farmers Market right on the homestead grounds, it’s well worth a visit.

The scenery is quite lovely, and it was a beautiful, warm day when we went.

There are some nice raised beds on display.

You can observe actors reenacting the past (note the fab spinning wheel in use!) and go on a guided tour of the grounds if that strikes your fancy.

Or just run like a heathen towards the enormous Coventry Regional Farmers market where live music plays as you try to decide which direction to tear off in first.

I have never seen such a large farmers market before, and the diversity of products was incredible. There were tons of vendors and farmers selling everything you could possibly imagine. Fruits, veggies, goat cheese, sauces, meats, pastries, breads, popcorn, fudge, coffee, tea, fudge, flowers, plants, wool, yarn, clothing, jewelry, pottery, soaps, various crafts and even pet treats.

And plenty of food vendors including a wood fired pizza booth, Italian ices and a stand that had one of the best veggie burgers I’ve ever had in my whole life. Yum.

We bought an apple strudel pastry, too.

They had gobs of heirloom watermelons, available with your choice of red or yellow flesh.

And beautiful sunflowers.

As well as some colorful gladiolas.

I bought a few containers of yellow pear and black cherry tomatoes to bring home as souvenirs. They were mighty delicious, and since they are heirlooms, I’ll be saving a few seeds to grow these next summer.