Thanks for joining us as we continue “S” and Tammy’s Great Adventure: Blue Ridge Hospice Thrift Shops Crawl, April 21, 2011. If you missed part one, go here.

When we left off, our stomachs were growling and we decided to look for something to eat. We headed off in the general direction of our next stop in the crawl, stop number four. Before we realized it we were upon our destination and so decided to fight through the hunger in order to thrift shop! We are thrift shop troopers, I tell you!

This location was another bright and cheery site. I was immediately distracted by a Disney music globe featuring Cruella DeVille of 101 Dalmations villainy. It was adorable and a reasonable price. I didn’t buy it. It’s my one non-purchase regret of the entire trip. Maybe if I had had a tablescape design in mind centered around this music globe it would have jumped into my hands. Alas, I left it behind. We saw some interesting ceramic star shaped flower ‘frogs’ that sit atop a vase. “S” figured out what they were. They had lots of them… probably because no one else could figure out what they were.

I found a beautiful, large white tablecloth. Again, “S” and I held it open to check its status. Pristine. This beauty jumped into my arms for $10.

I also found eight red, scalloped-edge napkins for $4 and some bright placemats which match the style of ones I bought earlier. These have a different color wave and were half the price of the others, $2 for all four.

I also found some graduated black beads to which “S” says “You could restring those with silver spacers instead of gold since you like silver.”  To which I say, “You could restring them; I don’t have a clue how to do that.” She’s so sweet. “S” believes everyone is as multi-talented and creative as she is. Silly girl, but that’s why we’ve been friends for many, many years; she makes her friends feel so talented and confident. I also found, with help from “S”, a silver and possibly onyx pendant which perfectly matches some earrings I already have. I know the earrings are not real onyx. Sorry, forgot to take pictures of the jewels.

By the time we checked out of here (couponing again for maximum purchasing power – Extreme Couponing did you hear that?), we were grouchy hungry. Our mission was food and fast. I remembered hearing of a little Italian/Greek restaurant nearby so we set out in search of that or fast food, whichever we encountered first. It was a tie, so the nice little Italian place won out and boy were we glad. It was wonderful. And, can you believe it, right next door was a Salvation Army? The thrifting girls are living right.

After lunch, we checked out the SA and I found a glass candlestick destined to be the base of a future cake plate and an apothecary jar filled with milkweed. Yes, milkweed. Some things are not to wonder why. Although I can tell you it was a fluffy mess trying to get that stuff out of there. I also found two pineapple candle holders which will be painted something, anything, other than their existing color. My $4 purchases (with a little color in the background courtesy of a yard sale platter from here):

You can see that milkweed is still clinging to the interior of the apothecary jar in its pre-wash state.

Just to keep it real, we stopped in an antique store in the same shopping area. Lots of pretty dishes with accompanying pretty prices. The antique furniture was really beautiful, too. It’s nice to know that they do sell all styles of plate hangers in case I ever run out.

With our bodies well nourished and rested, we headed out on the last leg of our trek, stop number five. After a bit of necessary back-tracking, we were on our way. One of the nicest things about our day was the beautiful country through which we were traveling. The mountains, the rolling green hills, farms, cows and even freight trains made our drive that much more pleasurable. Oh, and “S” was driving so I really had it easy!

The small town we ended our “crawl” in was just postcard picturesque. As happened all day long, “S” spotted the store well before I did and like I just said, she was driving. How she spotted these places and drove, too, I just don’t know. I think I need stronger contacts.

Our last shop was just as bright and well merchandised as most of those we had stopped at previously. I found some pretties, there, too. Did you doubt I would?

The patriotic placemats were $4, the four new gold napkins $4, the twisted metal bow napkin holders $3, the cut glass gravy/sauce boat $4, (here is a close up of this piece)

and three divided pressed glass plates with scalloped edges and relief berry and leaf designs were $2 each. Does anyone know what pattern these plates are? I saw this design several times throughout the day before I succumbed to their purchase. Once again, coupons were called into service.

To repay “S” for her eagle eye on goodies for me, I found a carved wooden rolling pin for her collection. We both passed on some violet water goblets. We will probably regret that pass in the future. The store had a basket of comics, too. I even did the “phone home” routine to make sure no one was interested in them.

This town’s street was lined with quaint antique shops and second-hand shops. Even though we were on the last leg of our trip, we mustered up the energy to check out as many as possible. I found this tiny plate for $2 in one such shop. Sorry about the glare. No sunshine for picture taking today.

We wandered through a few more antique shops marveling at the deals we had found for similar items that day and some of the deals we had passed on. “S” thought about purchasing some clear Indiana Glass Whitehall iced tea glasses. At $28 for 6, I thought that was high. Did I steer her wrong? I sure hope not. I hope we can find these glasses for her at a much better price than that. I feel more thrift adventures in our future…

We ended our day at a second-hand store. Not too much of interest until we hit the back room and then, wow! A 21-piece set of Metlox’s Sculptured Zinnia PoppyTrail dishes.

Their design just spoke to me…”come here.. tammylovesdishes..come here and take a closer look…” Who am I to argue with talking dishes? I got closer and saw the price on that 21-piece set…wait for it….wait for it… $7.95. Are you kidding me? Come to Momma!

These are well-loved dishes about which I can only create a history. I believe one of the cups I have was the favorite one as it has a slight chip and shows much use inside. This little cup is the one reached for most, the woman of the house’s favorite and special cup. One of the dessert plates was the one kept on the bottom of the stack. It has brighter and clearer colors than its mates. The large bowls were well-used in family dinners to hold mashed potatoes or succotash. These dishes were well-used and well-loved and they are still usable. A well-made USA product. And mine for $7.95!

We literally closed this place down. They announced they were closing in 3 minutes! Was it really 5:00 already? We grabbed our great buys and headed to the check-out counter to get in line. Instead of being snarky about having to work past closing time, these sweet women were gracious to all of us waiting in line and wished us each a Happy Easter upon our departure. Our thrift shopping day ended as it began…with great buys and service with a genuine smile! Yes, there really are wonderful places like these left in America; sometimes you just have to travel off your beaten path to find them.

All in all, “S” and I consider our thrift shop “crawl” a whopping success. Not only did we find some incredibly fun things at deal prices, we had the opportunity to spend time together doing something we each really wanted to do. That last part was important so I’ll repeat it. We got to spend time doing something we each really wanted to do. And we helped out hospice patients and other organizations, too, as a nice side benefit. Life is good.

I hope to join the parties at Apron Thrift Girl’s Thrift Share Monday, Flea Market Finds at Her Library Adventures, Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays at Coastal Charm, Thrifty Thursday at Tales from Bloggeritaville, and Thrifty Things Friday at The Thrifty Groove.

Tammy