Previously

We’ve been working like dawgs putting this sale together! We’ve been going down to Westchester every other day to price and display. Still pulling things out of closets and from boxes in the garage. These people were Pack! Rats!

Here’s some last minute finds that I didn’t get to photograph….

The couch above? Yards and yards of spare fabric. Is that called a bolt? I don’t even know. Anyway, I’m pricing it at about $60. Not a tag sale bargain, but definitely good for that Schumacher fabric. Between you and I, I don’t really want it to sell because I’d rather use it myself. There’s also some spare wallpaper and other fabric from around the house.

I found all of these old movie cameras in some closet upstairs. They’re probably 1940’s. There’s even shot film and 35mm family slides as well. Also a 1950’s compact chrome tripod and a subminiature camera. Very f**in cool!

This woman had an obsession with ducks. Or maybe it was her husband, but I doubt it. There’s gotta be like 50 duck related tschotskes. I’m going to have duck nighmares. Aflac!

There’s a bunch of newer stuff as well, which I always tend to overlook. Toys, small kitchen appliances, Ball jars, a tractor (anyone need a tractor?), Christmas junk, cooking crap, glassware…..

A couple of very cool vintage dresses, shoes and belts. There’s also some never worn crocheted skirt sets.

Many of the smalls are $1-5 and some of it wasn’t even worth a dollar, so I’m hoping people fill boxes so I don’t have to start counting quarters. Furniture that needs work starts at $5 for chairs and small tables. Some of the better pieces, like small china cabinets, are priced at $120-$180. The two couches are $75 apiece. The most expensive piece of furniture is $500 for the rounded oak china cabinet. Most expensive item in sale is the $700 cash register which may be more of an auction item, but we’ll try!

So much stuff. Hope you can make it. I’ll be the one pulling my hair out by the front door.

That’s 28 Jennifer Lane in Hartsdale, NY. This Saturday and Sunday, Feb 28th & March 1st. 8:30am-4pm

Only cash will be accepted for this one. Here’s a list of local ATM’s, so no excuses!

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Back in October I posted a contest held by the Paint Quality Institute. Of course my lazy ass didn’t get around to writing an essay to enter. Now I’m glad I didn’t. Looking over the top 20 finalists made me feel very fortunate about my life. There are some real sad stories out there!

The institute is asking people to vote on the finalists. The house in the above photo had me immediately. But in the end I had to cast my vote for the pet rescuers. They have all these pets, then the husband was deployed to Iraq and suffered injuries….Oy!

Then there’s the one with the trailer and the fire and the brain surgeries.

So yeah, my own house is looking rather haunted these days and who knows when I’ll get to paint it? But you know what? These people need it a hell of a lot more than I do! Cast your vote!

Author: Emilia

I have been working on doing some distressed wall techniques these last few days. It’s pretty easy and fun, mostly because you can’t go wrong when making something look damaged and aged. The process consists of joint compound, paint and weathered crackle.

Step 1: Trowel joint compound on wall in sort of a textured manner. Whatever texture you would like it to be. Let it dry.

Step 2: Paint your colors on the dry joint compound. You can use several colors applied to different areas or just one, depending on your taste. Let it Dry

Step 3: Brush on Weather Crackle (I use McCloskey Weathered Crackle Glaze)
Let it dry.

Step 4: Now brush on another color on just some areas and let the crackling begin. You can go wild on this or you can go simple. Let it Dry.

Step 5: Now you can apply now some more weathered crackle. Let it dry.

Step 6: Trowel joint compound in sections of about a square foot. Let it set up so it’s not completely dry yet, but workable. You can tint the joint compound with your top color or you can let it stay the color of the compound which when dry has a cement look.

Step 7: Get some brown craft paper and apply it the square foot of joint compound at a time. Pat down lightly and the peel off. The compound lifts off to reveal the paint underneath. You can put more pressure on the paper or less depending how much of a peel paint effect you want.

Keep repeating step 7 until your wall is complete.

So there you go…hope you can have a chance to try this sometime. Please feel free to ask me any questions or have me do this or another faux paint technique for you. Enjoy!

Emilia

We’re ba-aack! We had a fun filled few days in Dublin caring for Mum in Law at home after she was kicked out of the hospital and not sent to rehab. Apparently, the Irish recession has had an effect on the health care system. Many Americans, myself included, are envious of the socialized medical benefits other countries receive. Michael Moore’s Sicko made it very clear where our system fails. It’s true! Our system sucks. But it’s not all rainbows and unicorns in Ireland either.

After waiting around the first day for the social worker and/or physical therapist who never showed, we rented a wheelchair out of pocket for the week. It got her out of the house, but if she ever wants to walk properly again, she needs the therapy, no? The appointment was a cable company kind of thing (”We’ll show up on Friday”) They didn’t pick up the phone either.

Luckily, Brother in Law Peter (rear) is a hard ass London lawyer, so he can work his magic. I’m sure many elders say “Oh now, I don’t want to make a fuss…” so they won’t know how to deal with someone who does talk back. The photo was taken on the grounds of the Newbridge House (I think) in Donabate where Brother in Law John lives. He lives in Donabate, not in the Newbridge House. Just wanted to make that clear.

But on to Mum in Law’s house. The armoire above was in Brother in Law John’s room when he was growing up. Ok, The Human League and Nick Cave were easy to figure out, but who is that in the middle? I just got it now as I was writing this, not because I recognized him, but because I know he’s from one of John’s favorite bands.

I love the Aga! She doesn’t really use it to cook much anymore, but it does heat the kitchen. Mum in Law does not own a proper toaster so the Aga is one way of making toast. See contraption below.

The other way of making toast is on that grill thing above the stove.

The house doesn’t have central heating. When I first started visiting over 20 years ago, there wasn’t a plug in heater in every room. I’m not sure, but these may have been purchased to appease the finicky American daughter in law. Originally, I was told to put on another sweater and bring a hot water bottle to bed. Most Dublin homes have converted to central heat now.

The water heater is located in a closet on the second floor. You can get two, maybe three showers and then you have to wait for it to refill. It also serves as a towel warmer.

Clean coal technology? For the fire place.

Peat or turf briquettes. I have no clue how environmentally clean these are, but Ireland has a distinct smell when people use these during the winter. It’s a good smell. Like rugged earth.

This is the dishwasher. Many people soap up the dishes and dry them without rinsing. I need to rinse!! But when I get lazy, I sometimes do it the way everyone else does and rinse just my own as I need them.

Elaborate shower system. When I first started visiting, this wasn’t in place. It was bath or bust. I’m 4′11″ and I have to bend my knees to fit under this.

Ah, yes, my sanctuary! There’s one bathroom upstairs in the house. I won’t go into my privacy issues, but let’s just say I use the outhouse a fair bit when I need to do my thing.

The Home Depot of Ireland. We hit it one day when we were looking for safety bars and such.

Found the safety bars. Gee, can you tell he knows his photo is being taken?

If one doesn’t want to overwork their water heater or if they don’t have one, this is the type of shower they can get. Those dials control the temperature as well as the water flow.

Skinny house in Blackrock.

The Blackrock Market has been a favorite of mine for years! There are stalls of antiques and vintage goodies at reasonable prices. I was a little disappointed this time to see more new dealers. Many were selling handmade items, but I still prefer the old finds.

At last! My long awaited hosting spot for Carnival of the Green! I signed up over a year ago and wasn’t even sure if I’d still have a blog by now. But I do. And it’s game on!

Firstly, thanks to Lighter Footstep for hosting last week’s Carnival. Please check them out!

Want to learn more about hosting or submitting posts? Find out at Treehugger.

And now, without further adieu, may I present this week’s Carnival #167 ala Reclaimed Home…..

From Ancient Wisdom Modern Mind, Kerry ponders What affect do our Thoughts, have on Our Health, Our Relationship and Our Environment? Really interesting article.

C Richey writes about the Green Products Showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show on Las Vegas Realty. When I first saw it was from a Vegas RE firm, I thought they were trying to pass one over on us, but no, it’s a legit green article right outta Vegas, baby!

Dana from A Very Nearly Tea sends us Trash For My Garden. Unfortunately, my black thumb was all like “Wha?” But it’s a great article for anyone even THINKING of their garden.

Read up on Five Eco Ideas for Your Holidays. That’s vacation to us Americans. Mircea posted that one on Journey Etc. Gotta bookmark this.

Here’s one I like. Something for free! Dr. Joseph M. Peck, PhD fills us in one Free Tote Bags over at Eco Joe’s. Three different offers. And I here I am paying 99 cents!

Heather  from The Greenest Dollar does a nice review of three Green Wines. That means boxed, ladies and gents. Remember I got over that snobbery here a few months ago.

Marty Hayes of Ethical Superstore brings us the A to Z Guide of Fair Trade. That’s a keeper. Must bookmark!

Julie of Thrifty Frugality shares Healthy Food on a Thrifty Budget. A list of practical tips for eating healthy on a budget. Green doesn’t have to be expensive, ya know!

David presents Just Because It Was OK In The Past Does Not Mean That It Still Is. posted at The Good Human. Warning: If you want to keep your head in the sand, don’t read it.

Verna Morris gives us her Top 100 Organic Living Blogs over at Radiography Schools. Wow, 100? With descriptions? Verna was hard at work!

Speaking of overachievers, Peter of  We Overstep sent in not one, not two, but three submissions. The blog ain’t called “We Overstep” for nothing. There’s a Go Vegan post and a Raw Vegan article. He also posted some of his Ireland photos. Get it? Emerald Isle? Green?

Myscha Theriault sent us Green for Girls: A Feminine Perspective  posted at Wise Bread. Ok, this is a must read! You should’ve seen the wide eyed, jaw dropped look on my face as viewed the post. I consider myself an eco-conscious soul, but a menstrual collection cup? Sorry, I’m just not ready to go there yet.

People are complaining about all the little water bottles floating around, but what about the Brita filters? Huh? Well, Beth Terry of Fake Plastic Fish gives us the rundown with her Gimme 5, Brita, Preserve and You.

Ken Kneidel used an ecological footprint test to compare the benefit of driving a hybrid car to the benefit of a eating a vegan diet. Which one reduced his footprint more?  Read Less Meat Smaller Footprint from Veggie Revolution to find out!  It includes links so you can figure out your own.

James the Beacon Artist has been dumpster obsessed. Check out all of his dumpster posts here.

Julena presents Organic Skin Care on a Budget posted at Organic Makeup and Skin Care.

Barry Wright III gives us (Almost) No Trash: An Inspiration at 3stylelife.

Travelcat4 wonders Where Does All The Plastic Go? over at Eco Friendly House And Garden. She also offers up travel tips at Eco Holidays and Green Holidays. She also blogged about ASUS Technology - Leading The Green Revolution! posted at Latest Inventions. She’s a busy gal.

Darren Collins is talking shit with his Green Manure Crops posted at Green-Change.com.

Finally, Traci Hayner Vanover presents Americans Show Increased Interest in “Voluntourism” posted at News About Green Living.

Oh wait…Anne from Sustainable Flatbush just woke late in the game to send her Worm Potluck Post. Warning: Yucky worm photos!

It’s been a year in the making, but Reclaimed Home’s number is finally up to host Treehugger’s Carnival of the Green next week. What does this mean? Monday will be an orgy of green links. I’m hoping there’s enough material to last the entire week because…..

I’m off to Dublin on Wednesday. Won’t be back until the 24th. Yeah, I know that I can post until Wednesday and even write posts to upload whilst I’m away. But do I want to? No. The gal deserves a little break.

And speaking of breaks, the Dublin trip is really no vacation. The mother in law fell and broke her leg. We’ll be visiting her at the rehab center and preparing the house for her return…which means putting a bathroom on the first floor or figuring out how to get a lift put in.

Don’t get me started with the Irish. Why can’t they plan ahead? I’ve been telling my husband for years that his 80something year old mother cannot live forever alone in that 2 story home with bedroom and bathroom ONLY on the second floor. Sure, it would be nice if she lived to see a healthy, vibrant 120 and then just dropped dead one day, but people deteriorate as they age.

As I hear it, there’s no Florida in Ireland. Retirement communities and assisted living aren’t all that common. Maybe this was ok when people had Suleman sized families and they all sat around on the dole scratching their arses and getting piss drunk. Sure, they had time to take care of the elders. But it’s a different country now. Birth control. Jobs. Welcome to the 21st Century. You have options now. Use them.

Ok. End rant here.

$159k: Livingston Manor

Get ‘em while the prices are low! There are short sales and foreclosures popping up everywhere. Although I don’t like the idea of being a vulture, a short sale actually saves the seller from from foreclosure, so maybe it’s good karma?

Here are some huge party/weekend homes you may not otherwise be able to afford. Of course, you can live in these places full time too!

House in above photo is zoned for commercial and residential in Sullivan County. Hello B&B! The 6 bedroom 4700 sq ft house was built in 1902.

$130k: Liberty

5 bedroom on 12+acres. This house needs work. The guy ran out of money and wants to unload it. I’m sure you can find friends to help out in exchange for a country retreat.

$360k: Red Hook

4 bedroom farmhouse on an acre with a barn.

$425,500: Putnam Valley

Dated 3000 sq ft contemporary on 8+ acres. Babbling brook on property. *Felix would’ve loved this! (*for Odd Couple fans only)

It’s not difficult being a vegetarian in NYC these days. Everywhere pretty much has one or two items on the menu for us. Most places have an entire vegetarian section. Woo-hoo! Would I prefer to eat at a place that caters only to vegetarians? Sure. But I have to admit that some of them are a wee bit boring for me.

Last night I had dinner at Blossom in Chelsea. My eyes teared as I read the menu. Everything looked SO good and I had SO much choice! I don’t know if any of you remember a West Village restaurant called Shojin. Now, THAT was my favorite restaurant for real! Well, the Blossom menu was sort of reminiscent of Shojin. Unfortunately, nothing compares to the Shojin decor. The restaurant was housed in a brownstone and the dining area looked like an old lady’s living room. It was so friggin cozy.

Ok, so this is about Blossom, not my long lost love, Shojin.

Unfortunately, we were too rushed to order appetizers. This definitely isn’t a quick meal kind of place. Entrees run about $20 so you want to savor that. But we were in the neighborhood and I’ve always wanted to try it.

I ordered the Port Wine Seitan Cutlets with a side of mashed. OMG, I’m crying again just thinking about it! It was good, ya’ll! Hubby ordered the Feijoadinha with smokey tempeh. It’s a vegetarian version of a Brazilian stew. I tasted it and thought it was good, but the hubby prefered my dish. Not that I let him have it.

I wish I could have tried everything on the menu. How does this sound? Seitan Scaloppini? Porcini Rubbed Tofu? Phyllo Roulade?

This place just might be up there with my other fave veggie restaurant, Hangawi.

Everything but the mantle for sale here.

 (The latest update here.)

Finally, after dropping hints here and there, this is the official Hartsdale Estate Sale announcement.

WHEN: Saturday, February 28 & Sunday, March 1

WHERE: 28 Jennifer Lane, Hartsale, NY (that’s Westchester)

TIME: 8:30am-4pm both days. *Earlybirds, we’ll probably arrive shortly before 8am, so don’t bother.

WHAT: A little background. This is a 1950’s home that up until recently housed a couple whom, let’s just say, didn’t update too often. They didn’t need to. They had pretty good taste.

ATTN: This is a cash only sale! No checks or credit cards will be accepted.

Antique and Vintage Furniture

Oak China hutch, piano, dining room table, set of 8 chairs (some broken), couches, comfy chairs, garage full of antiques in need of restoration

Collectibles

Antique scales, cash register, Japanese ceramics, old tools, china

Artwork by Jay Hyde Barnum, Harry Leroy Taskey and others.

Outdoors

Wrought iron patio furniture, cement planters, 1970’s chairs, statuary

Household “stuff”

Pyrex, pots and pans, utensils, Tupperware, pasta maker, wastepaper baskets, professional beauty supplies

There’s something for everyone…honestly! From the $500 crystal chandelier to the $2 tschotske. Too much stuff to photograph and list.

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Am I the last to know? I was just wasting time and came across Tip Junkie. Yes, it’s a fabulous site for sharing diy tips and ideas. But more importantly, there’s free stuff!

Look! A directory of free goodies. I feel like I’ve just emerged from the rock I was living under.

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