Saturday, November 20, 2010

Day 20 - 30 Days of Thanks: Antiquing

One of the things I love about A and R is that they like to visit antique shops and fairs with me. Today, we headed to Hopkinton, MA to Vintage on the Common, a wonderful antique shop where we spent A LOT of time and made some fabulous and affordable purchases.

The shop was having a special Christmas event, and we were welcomed with cookies, cider, eggnog, and chocolates. The very kind shop owner sat down with R to show him how to make a pomander out of fruit, cloves, and cinnamon, which was great because it gave A and I time to browse. Our friend PJ also met up with us there, and she made quite a few purchases herself, including a framed antique postcard with Santa on it that she and I are going to share (i.e., I get it this Christmas, she gets it next Christmas, etc.).

Antique/vintage shopping is a fun way to recycle! R immediately found a little gilded pineapple jewelry box that he wanted because of the "secret" compartment inside. I found a huge, rustic wooden candleholder that holds 12 votive candles and is perfect for the mantle above our fireplace - or as a table centerpiece. It was once some kind of equipment from a farm. I also swooned over a tiny little stool that had a handpainted bird on top. A found an interesting coin set that included coins from year 0, 1000, and 2000; a vintage bronzing kit with all kinds of bronzing and gilding powders; a collection of Edgar Allan Poe stories published in 1903; and a science book for kids from the late 1800s. There were so many other things we were interested in -- we'll definitely be going back soon!


Today, I'm not only thankful for the fun finds we got, but I'm also thankful that antiques shopping is another activity my family enjoys doing together. I don't think I would enjoy it as much if my boys weren't with me!

What does your family like to do together?

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I think my mom wished that I enjoyed antiquing as much as she did. Love that even R has gotten into the fun!

My folks and I always love traveling together or going to shows, restaurants and museums. Many good memories! xoxo