A Silly, Frilly Thrifting

It was downright chilly here this morning
in northern New Jersey.  Sweater chilly.

This is always a little bit of a shock, that first zippy morning of late summer,
when you take the dog out for his morning constitutional and realize that he is
wearing a fur coat and is just fine, thank you, but that you are freezing.

Morning constitutionals are tiring!

Late August brings its own delights -- a thinning out of summer's heat and humidity,

geraniums and begonias blooming like gangbusters, crystal clear days,

local farm vegetables at their peak, peaches-to-die-for, and a special urgency:

if there's something we planned to do this summer, we'd better pull up our socks and do it.

Howard and I would like to get out to the beach house this weekend -- it's our 33rd wedding anniversary.
But Hurricane Irene may have other plans.  Picture from the 2nd  floor deck.

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Among August's joys is a one day sale at a very fine thrift shop which is otherwise closed in summer.

It was yesterday, and Annie and I motored down in the minivan to see what we could see.

(Did you read the old, original Nancy Drew books?  She was always motoring somewhere in her roadster,

and that used to sound so much better to me than plain old driving in a car, which is what my parents did.)

So, what'd I get?

 If you guessed goofy napkin rings, you guessed right.

If you guessed a pair of wall sconces for candles, you guessed right. Again!

 Subtle they are not, but I like their ribbony, drapey look and the flower candle cups.

I know that brass is not fashionable right now, and lots of thrifters
would be dashing for a spray can of paint to cover up the offending metal,
but since we've pretty much figured out that I am not fashionable,

I think I will leave these two fellas as is.  We can be passe together.

How do you get little accent marks when you need them, like at the end of passe?  'Tis a mystery.

 That's if I keep them.  Jury's out on that.

But these guys, below?

They are too silly not to keep.

 A dozen brass napkin rings.

 With teeny little knives, forks, and spoons on them.

Well, I think they're cute!

By the way, those knives are actually sharp.  Don't ask me how I know.  -- Cass

Link Parties!

Diane at A Picture Is Worth 1,000 Words hosts 2nd Time Around Tuesday.  Click here.

Linda at Coastal Charm is the charming sponsor of Nifty Thrifty Tuesday.  Click here.

The Ultimate Beachy Table Accessory!

Sometimes it pays to reach 'way up high on your shelves. . . .

I'm popping back into the distant past -- exactly 2 years ago --

and I hope you enjoy the ride in the Time Machine!

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(July 31, 2009) The other day I was rummaging through my old kitchen cupboard shelves, looking for a misplaced cell phone charger,

and I reached up and took this chubby little guy down from the top shelf:

I think he is silver plate, but he's quite tarnished -- in finish, if not in reputation.  He's even got a dent or two, poor dear.

He belonged to my mother, one of her many yard-sale and church bazaar finds.

I am not sure if he is an open sugar bowl, or maybe . . .

a spooner.

Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference between the sugar and the spooner in an old tea set,

but -- no matter. What is interesting about this little fellow is what I found inside him:

Can you guess what they are?

They are hand-carved.

And very, very old.

They were used every day by my grandparents.

Yes, these are Mother of Pearl napkin rings, and belonged to my grandparents.

They loved all things to do with the sea, the original beachy-look fans!

Years ago, napkin rings were not just decorative items for table settings; laundry was no easy matter,

so you used your napkin for more than one meal, sometimes for a whole week,
and your own ring identified your napkin as yours.

I remember these on the sideboard at Grandma's house; I always loved them.

Last year, when we were clearing things from my parents' beach house, I found these on a kitchen shelf and,

wanting to make sure they were safe, I brought them home -- inside my Mom's little silver plated bowl.

And forgot about them.

They are in perfect condition, if you look past some schmutz.

I'm a little afraid to clean them. What is safe to use on shells?

Or should I leave more than a hundred years of schmutz right where it is?

And ... anyone have a suggestion for a good, mild silver cleaner?

Friar Tuck here needs a little help:

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Two Linky Parties on this sunny last-day-of-July Sunday.

Sunday Favorites, hosted by Chari at Happy To Design.  Click here!

and

Seasonal Sunday, hosted by The Tablescaper.  Click here!

What have you got planned for your blog this week?

I'll be sharing my latest Goodwill finds from this weekend,
including one that will make you scratch your head and say, "Huh?"

And tomorrow I hope to have my demitasse cup project ready to show off to you! Action shots, and all.

Enjoy this last July day; summer just races past, doesn't it?  -- Cass