22
Jan
2012
weekend fun and a giveaway win ...
Tags: Life, east aurora NY, estate sale, olive oil tasting, maynard greenhouse, cottage style decorating
Well, well, well ... I won a giveaway!!  And I'm so excited because Carole, of Maynard Greenhouse,  is sending me a copy of the Jeanne d'Arc Living Magazine.  I can't wait to brew a pot of tea, put my feet up, and delve into the glossy pages of this inspiring publication.  Have I mentioned I love magazines?  Back in the day, before real life got in the way, I dreamed of working for a magazine.  So needless to say, I'm very grateful to Carole for her generosity.  If you haven't visited Maynard Greenhouse yet, make sure you do.  It's a lovely blog that's full of all manner of inspiration and beauty.



I'm also very grateful for a weekend full of family and fun.  My daughter called me shortly after 8 a.m. on Saturday to see if I wanted to go to an estate sale.  Of course I hopped to it and threw myself together so I could join Kelly and Jeremy on an outing to the town of East Aurora, NY. 

   

This country estate looked beautiful basking in the winter morning sunshine.  The iron gate whispered to us of antiques, horses, and years and years of country living.



(Sorry for the bad photo - my camera was set on close-up mode!)



Unfortunately, this was a partial sale.  They don't tell you that on the website or in the newspaper ad.  And the old gentleman was sitting in his blocked off living room reading the paper!  I'm sure he generated the prices ... they were staggering.  How's $1,500 for a pair of wall sconces?  Or $400 for framed prints of wolves? 





Well, as you can imagine, we didn't buy much.  We bought a few garage items - a couple of shovels, a dart board, a wood clamp, and a crewel pillow.  I actually felt bad for the estate sale manager.   It was a long drive to get to this pretty home and you could just tell how disappointed the other shoppers were.  I felt worse for the barn, though.  Just look at the size of that tree!



It was too early for lunch, so we strolled through East Aurora and did a little shopping.  A new cupcake shop opened recently.  I love the sign.



Next we shopped for olive oil and balsamic vinegar at Prima Oliva.  I have to say, this was a wonderful experience.  I've been to Italy and savored the real deal, but these products were out of this world!  We couldn't believe it, to be honest. 





Did you know balsamic vinegar lasts up to three years and olive oil for up to one year.  I hope I have that right and not backwards.  Now I'm second guessing my memory!



I bought the Blackberry Ginger Balsamic Vinegar for my dad's upcoming birthday.  (I doubt he reads my blog!)  I was told it pairs beautifully with ice cream.  And I'll combine the Basil Extra Virgin Olive Oil with the Cinnamon Pear Balsamic Vinegar for my own culinary pleasure.  The sales clerk said the combination is excellent.  I'll let you know how it is when I try it.



Today, like most days, has flown by.  I did some cleaning, organizing, and caught up on blog comments.  And I enjoyed a gorgeous sunset out my office window.  God's color palette of pink and orange was mesmerizing.  I had to stop my work and just allow the majesty of the Creator's handiwork to speak to my thirsty heart.  Surely He never disappoints. 



Now I'm looking forward to a simple supper, a glass of wine, and Downton Abbey at 9 p.m.  Thanks for visiting Cottage and Creek.  I appreciate each and every friend, old and new. 




I participate in the following parties: Flea Market Finds, It's Party Time, Restyle Sunday at Stylish Once Again, Spiritual Sundays, Sunday's Best at My 1929 Charmer, Today's Thrifty Treasures, Make It Pretty Monday, Marketplace Monday at Common Ground, Masterpiece Monday, Meet Me Monday, More The Merrier Monday, Mosaic Monday, Thrift Share Monday, Uncommonly Yours, Cowgirl Up, Knick of Time Tuesday Vintage Style Party, Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays, Northern Cottage Party Time, Sew-Crafty Tuesday at Ruby Jean's, Tabletop Tuesday, Talent Tuesday, Tuesday Trash to Treasure at Sassy Sites, Tuesday's Treasures, Tweak It Tuesday, Twice Owned Tuesday, Good Life Wednesday, Outdoor Wednesday, Penny Pinching Party, Primp Your Stuff Wednesday, REDnesday, Share The Love Wednesday, Whatever You Want Wednesday, What's It Wednesday, White Wednesday, Wicked Awesome Wednesday, Wow Us Wednesday, 100 Ideas Under $100 at Beyond the Picket Fence, Coloradolady, Delightfully Inspiring Thursday at Delightful Order, Everything But The Kitchen Sink at A Little Knick Knack, House of Hepworth's, Open House, Thrift'n on a Thursday at Savvy City Farmer, Thrifty Thursday @ Thrifty Decorating, Time Travel Thursday, Treasure Hunt Thursday, Anything Blue, Be Inspired Friday, Feathered Nest Friday, Feature Friday Free For All at 5D5W, Fridays Unfolded, MMS Furniture Feature Friday, Potpourri Friday 2805, Show and Tell Fridays, The Charm of Home, Thrifty Things Friday, What Have Your Redone at Redoux, A Few of My Favorite Things, Favorite Things at Mockingbird Hill Cottage, Funky Junk Interiors, Get Schooled Saturday, Pink Saturday, Show and Tell Saturdays

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Reply from: Judy on 1/22/2012 6:56 PM
 Loved these pictures of winter in Buffalo...and that estate was awesome!!! Sorry no good deals though. I LOVE Dowington Abby...will be watching it with you. I am hoping to come to Buffalo in April and want to c u and your cottage...love you.
Reply from: Carolyn on 1/22/2012 7:16 PM
 Hi Lynn, Congratulations on winning Carole's giveaway, hope you enjoy the magazine. It was lovely to discover your lovely blog and meet you. Looks like you had a fun day out. Happy week Hugs Carolyn
Reply from: Angie on 1/22/2012 8:28 PM
 What a terrific prize! It looks like you had an very fun-filled day! Your photos are lovely! Blessings, Angie @ Knick of Time
Reply from: deanna on 1/22/2012 9:16 PM
 Congrats on the win! That;s neat. Enjoyed your news/
Reply from: Pondside on 1/22/2012 11:33 PM
 Congratulations on that win. I'd love to read Jeanne d'Arc Living - I'll have to find one! The estate sale sounds like a disappointment, but you saved the day with the visit to town - what a pretty place.
Reply from: Marge on 1/23/2012 10:04 AM
 What a fun day! East Aurora is always a trip worthwhile. There are so many interesting shops to visit. Congrats on your win. Hope to see the magazine soon.
Reply from: Marianne on 1/23/2012 12:23 PM
 Congratulations, Lynn!! It's such a nice surprise to win a prize. And how perfect it was a magazine echoing your 'old' dream. You know, dreams never die, and they always find a way to shine again in one way or another. The country home is beautiful, and I suppose the old gentlemen was either expecting some extreme 'men of means' as customers or he was tentative about selling the contents. I've heard about the olive oil shoppes. Someone at the store mentioned they had been to one, but I forget where. Sounds like an interesting place. It was nice that you were able to spend the day your Kelly and Jeremy. Oooo...the cupcake shop sounds like a delight. One just opened in my hometown, too, but I haven't been there yet. I haven't been on the computer much during the work week, as I go into work earlier now, and want to get in some exercise, or personal time in before hand. Then, I'm just way too tired when I get home. I'll try to check up on my favorite blogs more. Have a delightful day, Marianne xox
Reply from: Carole on 1/23/2012 3:35 PM
 Too bad about that estate sale. I've never heard of balsamic vinegar on ice cream? you'll have to let us know. Thanks for the shout out! it went out today!!!! hugs Carole
Reply from: thepolkadotcloset on 1/23/2012 6:12 PM
 I does not sound like a total bust of a day! Cute downtown area! I hate when I got to estate sales like that....bummer! I am following you back, It will be great to see you at the Dress Form link party AKA Dress Form Ball! Carol
Reply from: RHome410 on 1/24/2012 7:28 PM
 Ouch! for the tree...and barn! You have such fun shops to go to! The sign is great, but I just love the name... Cupcakery is a fun word. ;-) Thanks, as always, for your visits to my blog!
Reply from: WendyBee on 1/26/2012 4:33 PM
 Darn! I didn't know about Jeanne d'Arc Living mag. Now I'll be coveting not just the magazine, but the things in it and on the website. I love magazines too. I still haven't recovered from the old Victoria magazine going away. And I haven't been able to embrace the new one.


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photo of Lynn - author of vintage blogs and etsy blogs Thank you for visiting Cottage and Creek. I'm Lynn and I live in a cozy 1952 Cape Cod style house in the heart of a historic village near Buffalo, New York.      ...more »

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