Recently Richard, my dear Huckleberry Friend, and I went on a trip and had a great time stopping at different antique shops and flea markets along the way. Frequently, I am asked (particularly about the wide assortment of items I use to decorate the Cottage Greenhouse) where I find the items I use in decorating. So, today I’m sharing some of the treasures we “two drifters, off to see the world” found on our trip, and what each item cost.
Moon river, wider than a mile I'm crossing you in style some day Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker Wherever you're going, I'm going your way Two drifters, off to see the world There's such a lot of world to see We're after the same rainbow's end Waiting 'round the bend My Huckleberry friend Moon river and me Moon River ~ written by Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini
Just look at this bounty of baskets I found on our trip! Y’all know I love baskets…not delicate, decorative baskets, but rustic, practical, picnic-carrying, flower-gathering, apple-picking baskets! I love using them for storage and love the way they look hanging from the rafters in our stair closet…or from the rafters in the Cottage Greenhouse. I never have enough of these winsome containers and use them for storing unsightly extension cords and surge protectors…for making flower arrangements…or just to have nearby to fill up with sandwiches and a thermos to carry down to the dock. The largest flower gathering basket at the bottom of the stack has a flat bottom and is used when cutting and gathering flowers. The cost of this beautiful basket was only $1.25, the rustic large baskets were $2.00, $2.80, and $3.20. The little crate with the heart cut-out is made of wood, rather than woven reeds, and cost only $1.00.
I bought this larger wooden crate with iron handles for $4.00 and I’ve filled it with more of my vintage finds: an antique relish tray with grapes and other fruits and vegetables embossed in the glass. Cost $3.00. Dainty depression glass dessert plates were only $1.75 for all seven!…and this sweet mirror trimmed in a gold, engraved frame was only 75 cents! Though I don’t think it is vintage, I was delighted to find this autumn colored tablecloth in perfect condition for $6.90. I can just imagine it covering the table near the fire pit for wiener roasts and toasting s’mores this fall.
I love all the rugged textures in this picture and the basket with it’s high sides and sturdy handle was only $2.00. The colorful pheasant is going to look right at home on his new perch in the Cottage Greenhouse, high on the planter’s rack…cost $3.00.
I was so excited when I found this silver chalice and this silver bowl with it’s little handles. I love the ornate silver exterior’s and the contrast of their splendid gold insides. My heart skipped a beat when I spied them on the shelves…in two different flea markets! The silver chalice was standing tall, winking at me and trying to get my attention; I was almost afraid to pick it up, thinking it would be too expensive. I couldn’t believe it when I saw the price tag marked $2.50! The other silver bowl was almost hidden underneath a pile of pine cones, flea market rubble, and a layer of dust; I could barely see the glimmer of silver, and reached further to investigate and was rewarded! This beautiful, dusty, little bowl was marked 99 cents!
As Goldilocks would say, this wooden chair with it’s heart cut out on the back is “just right” for our 3 year old grand daughter. She loves to play in “Grandma’s little house” as she calls the Cottage Greenhouse and I found lots of surprises for her. The wooden chair was $2.00, and this wire basket trimmed with red apples, sitting on the wooden chair was another flea market find and was only 50 cents. It makes a great caddy and looks so cute holding her little garden rake, trowel, and shovel. The big white ducks nestled in the pea gravel are already a favorite of hers; each time she comes over, I find the ducks have migrated to a different spot in the greenh0use…she loves carrying them around! The ducks were from a previous flea market venture and were glued in one of the big baskets I bought, along with some floral foam and Spanish moss. Total cost for all was $2.00!
Our precious little gardener. ❤
Look at this little house Richard found for me. I love it, not only because he found it and surprised me with it, but because it has a red roof and is painted green like our own Cottage Green and has the word MUSIC written over the door. The door clicks open and shut and inside there are little shelves that the grand children love storing things on. Just this week I was surprised when I opened the door and found a handful of glass colored rocks our little gardener had carefully tucked away on the top shelf.
Now, look what Grandma put beside the glass rocks to surprise my little grand daughter when she opens the door…these antique dog figurines! I can hardly wait for her to come and open the door! The total for all 5 of these cute little doggies, dated from the 1940’s, was $4.40.
I couldn’t believe it when we found this miniature wrought iron bistro table with two little chairs for only $16.80! It is the perfect size for our grand son and youngest grand daughter and makes a charming tete-a-tete for the kiddos around the fire pit.
I’ve admired this gorgeous vintage pattern for so long at many different antique stores, but it has always been too pricey, or the material was worn and in disrepair. I was delighted when I found this tablecloth in the blue and red pattern I love, in excellent condition for only $4.90!
The berry/dessert bowls I placed on top of the tablecloth, are made by Fitz & Floyd and were another super find. They were only $1.75 each and I was lucky enough to find 5 bowls, for a total cost of $8.75. These bowls look like they were made for this vivid tablecloth backdrop. This combination duo looks perfect for an al fresco afternoon spent sitting around the table enjoying bright bowls of berry cobbler topped with ice cream.
I’ve saved the best for last, and I’ve decided this darling heart mirror is my personal favorite, and find for myself. I saw it glimmering and beckoning to me before I even got to the stall where it was hanging, and felt my heart quicken. The antique floral embellishment at the top of the mirror and the sweet scalloped edges around the heart spoke to me, and told me, “You are taking me home.” Tentatively, I reached behind the mirror and fumbled for the price tag that was dangling from a string, while I held my breath. I had to look twice to convince myself that I had seen the price correctly; incredibly, it was marked $4.95!
This post is already getting long, but I found so many other “jewels” on our treasure hunts…a miniature, old fashioned roller coaster that is also a music box that plays “In the Good Ol’ Summer Time” unbelievably for only 50 cents…a Thomas Kincaid picture in a gold frame for $10.00…a wooden magazine rack with tulip cut-outs I’ll use in my greenhouse to store plant food and fertilizers for $4.00…2 antique glass floral frogs, 1 large, 1 small, for $5.00 and $4.00…a “brand new-old” cup towel embroidered with 3 birds for $2.00…and a beautifully illustrated antique book, “The Pied Piper of Hamlin” by Robert Browning for $4.00…AND lest you think Richard didn’t have as much fun as I did, or discover just as many treasures, he found:
- 1 complete 1940’s vintage wool baseball uniform w/stockings…cost $52.00
- Akai 4000 Reel to Reel tape player…cost $5.00
- 12 Antique Sport Figurines…$15.75
- Camera bag with Sony camera…$25.00
- Nikon camera…$25.00
- Golf figure sculpted and made of silver spoons…$3.00
- Antique Buddy L Greyhound bus…$8.00
- Odyssey White Hot Putter…$2.00
- 34 antique screw drivers & socket drivers…$5.00
- Stan Musial Bobble Head…$16.95
Hope you enjoyed vicariously shopping with us! Here are a few pictures I took along our way. We are…
"Two drifters, off to see the world There's such a lot of world to see."
Look at this cute picture! Caution: Goose crossing! (:
We're after the same rainbow's end Waiting 'round the bend My huckleberry friend Moon river, and me
Click here for song, “Moon River.“
From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda
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Cottage Green on the Lake 
Moon River reminds me of our time living in Savannah, Georgia. Cottage Green on the Lake is pure inspiration!
Dear Patricia…thank you for your gracious words.
Did you see Moon River when you lived in Savannah?
I’m sure you know, but I
loved learning that Moon River is a real river in Savannah, Georgia, where Johnny Mercer grew up. His family’s home overlooked a river, then known as, “The Back River” and the lyrics Johnny wrote for “Moon River” were about his fond recollections, overlooking the river. Later, in honor of the song,
“Moon River” that Johnny had written (Henry Mancini composed the music) “The Back River” was renamed “Moon River” and his family’s home became known as “The Moon River House.”
An enchanting bit of trivia.
I’ve always loved the song, and it was one of Richard’s and my wedding songs. ❤ Trenda
Amazing trip!!! and lots of treasures. and even more fun. I love that you and Richard enjoy the same things.
Dear Ruthie,
It’s always so good to hear from you!
Richard and I are “two of a kind.” 💞
It’s about time for you and BJ to pack up your bathing suits and sunscreen and head to the beach for your annual family reunion, isn’t it? 😊🕶☀️
Praying always for blessings and benefits along your way…”from above, from the Father of the heavenly lights.” ❤️ Trenda
Wow, you found some great shopping places with those amazing finds. I love the heart shaped mirror too, just precious! My Mom is the basket collector, she would not have been able to resist your finds either. Love your stories!
Dear Nancy,
Thank you for letting me know you enjoy my stories! Sounds like you and your mother are kindred spirits! We just got back from another trip, but kids and grand kids took up any spare room in the car; regretfully, there was no room for any baskets. Richard and I managed to squeeze in a few finds in the spare tire storage compartment!
❤ Trenda