Estate saling with friends, is an experience of many pleasures. On a sunny day in Seattle the first pleasure was driving through neighborhoods different than the familiar trails of my life. Trees and flowers abound reflecting the creativity and love of nature amidst the people who inhabit this city. It reminds me that life goes on in different ways all around me. When you walk into the "estate" of the sale that awareness occurs on a more minuscule level. It's like seeing someones life unfold with clues to their loves and hobbies and pleasures everywhere.
The homeowner of the last of three sales today was a writer. She even published a book of her own. She and her husband traveled extensively (I found a map of London for a friend who goes there often and a map of Seattle for our car). I was pleased to find a tea towel emblazoned with the Lancaster Squadron of WWII. One of the members of my writing class was a part of it and has written extensively about his wartime exploits, he'll be surprised and pleased with this towel that wouldn't mean much to many. The couple in this home loved movies and classical music. Their pleasures, though, were eclectic as there were Cd's of blue grass music and other genre's, as well. Funny, at the home of these cultured and obviously wealthy folks I found an unused Dirt Devil, perfect for my small space. I also found a book explaining the new IPhone I bought, a book of words authored by Wm. F. Buckley and a classy, black leather unused lined book. I love empty books and have a small collection. And this home provided something I've been looking for, a plain small kitchen timer. I left behind some beautiful place mats in a 40's esque flower design, alas, I love the design but wasn't sure what I'd do with the placemats. I just realized I left in the car the Liz Claiborne black crocheted purse I snagged and an oversized mug with a reddish brown lined design.
There were fewer clues in the second "estate", a single level, 1970's era home in a wealthy neighborhood. It had a unique, 'mother-in-law-apartment built in. We heard there'd been a bidding war for the place. They were actively Christian with a line of books on the subject followed, ironically, by a book, Understanding Tax Loopholes. Ah well, my father-in-law always said, "You'll never meet an honest rich man". My friend was thrilled to find a kit for splicing line, a skill she's been wanting to learn, plus a book of knots. Dweller in a small space that I am, I loved the collapsible plastic tub I found. That 'estate' also had dishes, not what I'm after. I am, though, on the lookout for unique vessels for flowers. Besides the plastic tub I found an oven-safe fish shaped dish in an attractive blue. I might keep it or it would be a cool container for a flower arrangement to take as a gift to someone. The 'Gig Harbor' tea towel I found in this home would be a fun item for an acquaintance who just bought a home there. And, turning a corner into the kitchen of this house sat a huge, attractive roasting pan, just the one my friend had been looking for to do a 25 lb. turkey comfortably.
At the first estate, the least refined of the three, I was thrilled to find a favorite book in hardbound, Gavin de Becker's, The Gift of Fear, also a book I haven't read of his, Fear Less. It's kitchen was abounding and gave up a new garlic press enabling me to store garlic in the refrigerator and press at will. We'll see how it goes. I love garlic accouterments and have many I've found over time at estate sales. I found a medium sized metal mixing bowl that will hold up on the boat, It's my third metal bowl, I love them but they're expensive at the store. The kitchen also had a new box of plastic storage bags and a new serrated knife. It wasn't a high quality knife but I need one in my kitchen drawer for bread. I got two oversized mugs in a periwinkle blue, a color that I love. They were left in the car, thus out of the picture.
We enjoyed a yummy lunch of breakfast at The Breakfast Club on Lake City Way. It, like each 'find' at the sales, was a treat. Breakfast only, home-made corned beef hash, platter sized pancakes, perfect Eggs Benedict and home-made rustic hash browns that will bring me back, for sure.
What fun to share these experiences with like-minded friends who enjoy each other and share a love of the treasure hunt.
