Piddlin’ Posts

Holiday Wrap Up

Happy Thanksgiving! Merry Christmas! and Happy New Year! Technically Christmas isn’t over until Friday, you know…but alas, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years have come and gone, and boy were they good to us! I wish I had found some more time to share our holiday treats with everyone but here’s a quick taste of a little bit of what we’ve been up to:

We made some *fabulous* turkeys!

Saw a few lighthouses on Oak Island and Bald Head Island and this cool antique light fixture that I would have liked to take home with me!

Chipper turned 4 in December!

We trekked to Asheville, NC to enjoy one of our favorite quick trips to see The Biltmore all decked out for Christmas! …even cut down our first fresh Christmas tree!

We decked the halls!

Rang in 2012 with party hats, noise makers, homemade bacon-wrapped scallops and Andre!

Oh yea and we had a big time having our engagement shots taken by sweet Sally Freshour! She’s amazing!!

© Sally Freshour Photography 2011
© Sally Freshour Photography 2011
© Sally Freshour Photography 2011
© Sally Freshour Photography 2011

With our engagement party fast approaching, I can’t help but think what a great start 2012 has made. Only 9 short months left ’til the BIG DAY! As far as the piddlin’ side of life, we have managed to squeeze in a few quick-stops here and there between our travels…check back in a bit to catch all the fun deets!

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Bouckville 2011

A guest post by our friend, Sarah from New York on her piddlin’ adventures near and far: Enjoy!!

Bouckville, or should I say Madison & Bouckville, are quaint villages located side by side about 30 miles southeast of Syracuse, New York. The two locales are known for their numerous antiques shops and enormous antiques festival held every summer. In mid-August, both communities transform into an endless piddler’s delight; fields & fields of vendors, tent after tent, shop after shop, and deal after deal. There’s something for everyone at Madison Bouckville’s Antiques Week.

I’ve had the privilege of attending this antiques extravaganza over the past 4 years. I know I’ve never come close to seeing it all! I recommend you arrive early and stay late. Eat salt potatoes amp; fried dough at any one of the many food vendors you’ll find street side along US Route 20. Bring a wagon or cart – you’ll need it to carry your many wares. No one wants to trek back to their cars once they’re in their groove.

This year I picked up 3 old Maxwell House Coffee tins (without lids) for $1 each:

…a blue & white vintage spice rack with ceramic jars depicting the following spices: salt, pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, all spice & paprika for $25:

and an old blue & white swirl graniteware colander for $20.

I also purchased a piggin gift for my Sister Jessie (aka Pig). Hint: it’s so “piggin” cute; hope she can use it for her cookbooks in the kitchen. This represents the least amount of purchases I’ve ever scored at Bouckville.

In years past I’ve picked up kitchen chairs, more blue & white swirl graniteware and a collection of equestrian goodies that I used to decorate my daughter’s bedroom (back when she was interested in horses). BTW those items are now for sale if y’all like horses.

I’ve been with a friend who scored an oak desk for her hubby (that helped justify her other purchases) and another friend who found the perfect side table. Last year I found 2 kitchen cabinets that I absolutely loved but knew I could not justify buying them. They weren’t there this year; I know as I looked and looked thinking I might just break down and “acquire” one. “Acquire” is what I say to my husband when I don’t exactly tell him how much an item was. (editor’s note: this is a sign of a good seasoned picker! haha)

If The Piggin Piddler (aka Mary Catherine) allows, I’ll update y’all from Central New York next August as I return to Madison Bouckville Antiques Week in search of the perfect piggin’ kitchen cupboard.

Sista Sara | hatrickme@twcny.rr.com

Thanks to Sister Sara for the fabulous post! What a great pick she had! If YOU are interested in guest posting, just email me at pigginpiddler@gmail.com! Stay tuned for the latest on this piddler’s recent move and revamp of the soon to be love nest~ until then keep piddlin’!

Sursies from Scott’s

Scott’s Antique Market in Atlanta was incredibly overwhelming! Antiques were uncovered, memories were made, and without further ado, here are my finds:

Cast Iron Twine Holder/Dispensers @ $12 each, settled for $22-
Check In! Check Out! | Very hard to find!! Asking price $65….settled for $50.
A beautifully handcrafted mirror-frame off of an old oak dresser that will SOON become a chalkboard agenda for the house! | sticker price $48…SOLD! for  $35!
Another, shorter ladder…because there are too many neat things to do with ladders!! $30 asking price, I got it for $25-

And all these sundries cannot be fully enjoyed without a few pics from the rest of the trip:

Gotta have some good reading material!!! | Country Living is definitely our mag. of choice!
What’s a good girls’ trip without the Happy Hour spread!?
Loads & loads of such good “junque!!”

That’s all for now!

keep piddlin!

love

Old, New, Borrowed & Blue

So as they say…good things come in threes. I don’t know that I have ever experienced this phenomenon in the past, but I can definitely speak for it now.

I managed to make it through every day of last week with a smile on my face (which is a huge accomplishment), received countless encouragements from my co-workers, and on Friday evening I received a wedding proposal that was out of this world amazing (more to come later.)

It may be hard to believe, but these aren’t even the three good things I intended to share with you.

On the night of my engagement I also received three antiques. They are three that I will forever associate with the happiest time in my life to date.

1. A “nautical” antique lantern: given as a third of five clues leading me to Ryan on the beach and the aforementioned wedding proposal!

pondering the initial use of a lantern like this one…

2.  An antique I have been searching for everywhere since I first started piddlin’ with gusto: a fabulously old painter’s ladder with hardware to boot! Given as a gift from the one and only “sister Sara,” who is the sister of our dear neighbor Jessie Buck. (who we also call “the pig”- and that is a whole post for another day)

um…how piggin’ perfect is this ladder !?!?!

3. And finally, the most perfect ring I have ever seen and more than I ever dreamt it could be ….mine?! Yes. This is the third antique I was given after a beach dinner picnic and the 5 clues (baseballs with messages) leading up to it. I am not completely convinced that I deserve something of such stunning beauty, but I am forever thankful and quickly humbled by such a gift. I mean, just look at it: Found in Ryan’s very own Elizabeth City, North Carolina…a city just as beautiful as this ring and now, forever a part of our life together!

The most unique 1910-1920s Art Deco Estate Gold Filigree & Platinum Engagement Ring anyone has ever seen!
after a trip to the jeweler…its back on my finger clean sparkling and fitting like a glove!

It has been a long week, but every time I look down at that ring on my left hand, I am reminded about how much I am loved…and not just by the giver of such a beautiful gift, but also I am reminded of the love of his parents and mine who have spent and sacrificed so much of their time to bring us to this point. We are all truly looking forward to planning and celebrating such a happy occasion.

Finally, I must add that tomorrow is THE TRIP of a LIFETIME…

Okay. well. maybe not a LIFEtime, but it is certainly a big trip for any piddler, because since I knew it existed I have always wanted to take a trip down south to Atlanta, Georgia’s very own Scott’s Antique Show. I have only ever heard stories but tomorrow and subsequently after work, travel and sleep time, (Saturday) I will finally lay eyes on the closest antique Mecca South of the Mason Dixon and East of the Mighty Mississippi….SCOTTS! FINALLY!

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WHOOHOO!!! We’re finally getting married!!!! I am the happiest and luckiest girl in the world!!!!

I leave you with one of my favorite lines by Emily Bronte, taken from Wuthering Heights:

“Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.”

Stay tuned because there are sure to be all sorts of fun finds on the blog next week!

happy piddlin!

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Summer Celebrations

First of all! Happy Independence Day Weekend! Look at what I found to help celebrate!…

of course, a good find must always have a story so here’s how we found it!

…But first, I must add that Chipper was very helpful in taking this picture! He too was very excited about the patriotic star, and asked to be included in this post!

A dear neighbor of Ryan’s is every bit of southern belle, and what southern belle does not LOVE her antiques!? Erin, who is getting married in another 2 months time asked if we could make a sunday stop by my favorite piddlin’ haunts: Antiques Market! Luckily, they are open on Sundays (one of the many reasons why I LOVE the place).

I don’t have to be asked twice to go seekin’ a good antique find, so you know I was ready with bells on when it finally came time to go! And we had SUCH luck, which made the trip even more enjoyable. I found this lovely antique-blue tin star and with Erin’s help, I realized, I could NOT live without it! It was just the right price at $24- so it obviously came home with me!

Erin also had great luck and a GREAT eye for fabulous little sursies left and right. The first pick was a set of beautifully hemstitched linen handkerchiefs with gorgeous detail. She has her eye on them as a gift to her dear father for her wedding day! So thoughtful and beautifully southern-indeed! It will be an heirloom for years to come!

While wandering the aisles of the closest thing to antique-Mecca this side of The Cooper, there were many things to ooh and ahh at! I warned her when we walked in the door that it was very possible for me to spend the better part of the afternoon wandering, so it was a quick trip…which really is sometimes best! Because you only go for the things that really snag your eye, and make an impression on you. Some of my best finds have been on the road in an allotted time set per store! (see the post from last August!)

Also found today:  2 potential chairs for Erin’s living room—well, she is waiting in hopes they will break up the pair one day so she can go back for it…if anyone is looking for a chair like this one please contact me so y’all can go half-sies! Total price is listed as $550 for the pair, so…$275 per chair? Remember email me if interested! pigginpiddler@gmail :

Precious Erin also had a keen eye to find this sign on the floor of one of the booths with some local, Lowcountry flair:

and of course! What’s a perfect “pick” without an after shot! This sign just puts a finishing touch on Erin’s nautical red bathroom wall! I just LOVE it.

Last but not least: another finishing touch in the final countdown run to the BIG DAY! A basket for her flower girl, little princess Izzy! Erin literally said, “please help me find a basket for my flower girl to carry!” I walked around the corner and voila! the basket had been there for months, and I just happened to find it once more to give it THE perfect home. It’s quite beautiful, don’t you think?

This treasure really resembles a traditional Shaker basket, with the over-under style weave and the top border twisted ’round and ’round. What do you think? I know the basket I bought for my bicycle is similar and it wasn’t found at as good of a price as this one!  See here for more details on the different types of woven baskets found around the country.

I love the sandollars! Erin and Erik are getting married next to the water in September so what a pretty touch to place sandollars inside the basket until the wedding! Ryan and I wish them all the happiness in the world! I personally cannot WAIT to see pictures from the special day!

Finally, if you haven’t had enough red + white + blue yet, then here is just a little more to help with the festivities!

AND! How ’bout those GAMECOCKS?! It’s a good (TWO years) to be a Gamecock Alumni!

Happy Fourth of July and Happy Birthday to America!!

Here’s to fireworks, suntans, watermelon and another 235 years as a beautiful, strong, independent country!

Vintage Virginia

ROANOKE & BLACKSBURG,VA–Virginia is a long way away from the tidal coastlands that we call home…and I will admit, I am bit of an antsy pants. (i.e. can’t sit still for more than 2.5 hours at a time). Regardless of the seemingly endless drive, there are perks: absolutely beautiful scenery worth photographing the whole way up and down and through the mountains; the fresh, thin, mountain air that infiltrates your lungs and fills your soul, and (my favorite) LOTS of antique stops!

I could go on and on for days and days about our most recent trip to The Old Dominion State, but for the sake of time I will sum it up the best way I know how, with pictures, ENJOY!

one of MANY beautiful views, looking straight up, while hiking on Dragon’s Tooth Trail in Salem, VA


From the lookout on top of the mountain crest! We made it the whole way up (4,000 ft above sea level, if I am remembering correctly)

Ryan’s second home is this campus, this beautiful beautiful place in Blacksburg, VA. We got to see the whole place covered in a morning fog and it was simply magical!

our favorite! HOMEMADE framed chicken wire…if you haven’t seen these yet….pick up the latest issue of Country Living! I already have one hanging in my office! LOVE THESE.

We found this AWESOME white barrel in Christiansburg, VA – just $35-!! I have put it to use as additional “counterspace” in my quaint kitchen!

Been looking for this EVERYWHERE….now if only I can snag a South Carolina, the abbreviated collection will be complete! Piddler’s be on the look out for me!!!

The finishing piece of the trip! The highly sought after trunk which is now by new COFFEE TABLE! yesssssss. This was a great find, in great condition, complete with wheels on bottom. Although, the side (leather) handles were long gone, the brackets that once held the old straps  are GORGEOUS with stars shining brightly. This is definitely one of my TOP 10 finds. I knew it was meant to be, when the tag read: ” old trunk, would make great coffee table” SOLD. What an adventure that was!

There are so many pictures from this trip, it would almost be impossible to share them all, although I would really like to! I will try to post more on facebook in the near future!

thats all for now, | keep piddlin’ !

Tobacco Road Trip


You’ll never guess where WE went piddlin’ last weekend….well let me back up. The reason for the road trip was graduation! My beau’s brother received his degree from Elon University this weekend and their ceremony was absolutely beautiful…”Under The Oaks!”

I took a million pictures for the happy grad to have as a keepsake reminder of his day…it was the first graduation I have really attended other than my own, so it really had a great deal of meaning to me.

So Elon…you’re thinking…where does that put us on the map? Well if the title didn’t give it away, then my tweets this weekend would have! We were smack dab in the middle of North Carolina- Tobacco Road refers to the stretch of schools along an area that at one time produced the most tobacco in the country.

Here’s what we found! Piddlin goodies below…

Riding through Duke Forest…
Dentist sign for DeeDee’s office!
“friendship” pyrex bowl for my friend & may birthday girl ~ jessie
perfect for stashing receipts or just knocking out all those short orders!
love love LOVE milkglass- almost as much as I love these gardenias!
                                            windows for memo boards (more to come on that)
will you just look at that patina!

Now- What would a “Tobacco Road Trip” be without some pictures of the infamous schools found in its path?

Cameron : Home of The Duke Blue Devils
The Old Well at Chapel Hill

…look for more pictures from the trek on facebook! And, stay TUNED! More piddlin’ adventures to come…until then, au revoir!

Miss Southern Priss: The story of Jocelynn

SO- I owe you an explanation on what I’ve been up to. First, may I just shamelessly say how lucky I am to have such a wonderful, caring, kind-hearted and selfless beau! (the rest of this sentence should read: ….that will drive me down to BRUNSWICK, GA even though when I fell in love with this revamped piece of furniture I thought we’d be retrieving it on our way home from North Carolin’) …YEA.

so long story short. sorority sister (the wonderfully amazing, bkick) introduced me to Southern Priss, prepare to be wowed by her page on facebook; then I get stuck in some traffic one random day after work, am browsing the latest and greatest on Southern Priss’ facebook page; before you know it, I’ve become the first one to comment “SOLD” and the piece is mine…just in time to find out that my lovely and also kind sorority sister had *just* commented her absolute love for “jocelynn” as she was so named; well after the back and forth vigorus texting with britt, we decide that I could have it, ’cause anyone could have bought it in the time that she had to wait on her hubby to give the go ahead and well- HERE she is in her new home/my new fabulously comfy living room. (she is the answer to my prayers!) the living room was more like a storage space before her and jocelynn added this pop of color and bam: instant living room….well I guess the few antique finds do help out a bit…;) tell me what you think!! Britt- I OWE YOU ONE!!!

Love at first sight!

| keep piddlin’

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