Basket of Gourds, Puerto Rican Torta and No Candy

Halloween was terrific when I was age 12 and under.  I have to admit--the Halloween craze for adults is not something Dear One and I participate in.  Now don't get me wrong--I could eat a pumpkin shaped sugar cookie right now, and if It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown were on tonight, I would be right there wallowing in nostagia.

But instead,  this Halloween we are in the house while the rain just keeps coming down.  I should be working on some antiques that could use a bit of a shine and clean--but instead I am making a Puerto Rican Torta that some family friends from PR used to make for my family 45 years ago, listening to some old time radio Halloween vintage shows, and putting a fall "tablescape" together in the dining room.

The gourds you see in the photo are as they come off the vine in summer.  Our Dear Friend Frank took that photo and our Other Dear Friend Richard scrapes the gourds, dries them and gave us this vintage basket of them as a gift.  Are these gourds terrific or what??  As you walk buy them--you just want to reach out and touch them.

Perfect for a table decoration as we leave Halloween behind.

By the way, no Halloween candy here.  After many years of trying to get trick or treaters to the door--we realized it is too long a driveway and too dark for little visitors.  We used to buy candy--but then who do you think ended up eating it? Then we decided--if a kid came to the door we would give them money. How pathetic.  (unless you are the kid getting the money).

A crisp white wine, the torta and a classic universal studios horror movie are on the agenda for tonight.
Happy Halloween.  Bah Humbug!

Industrial Stools, Freighter Ship's Wheel and a Light Up Lingerie Torso

Yesterday's auction was a humdinger.

At last there was an auction within 100 miles that had a bill of sale that contained some interesting  items.  For the first time in Way Too Long I had to leave an auction because I did not have room to put one more thing in the truck.

At first blush--the wagons were just "stuff".  Filled with plenty of yesterday's Once Were Neat Now Just Stuff kind of auction goods.   I had driven 1.5 hours to get to the auction--and was determined to comb over all the offerings and find some "rent makers" for the shop and shows.  I did way better than that.

In addition to the title items-- fabulous vintage sleds, snow shoes and architectural items found their way into the truck.   Also a full sized mannequin and 5 vintage bra mannequins.  Totally neat.  Dear One was not with me--so I was lugging and packing by myself.  A 52 inch cast iron freighter ship's wheel with a piece of the mechanism attached was the biggest challenge.

Driving home--the only place the mannequins could ride was in the passenger seat.  Yes--a jammed seat full of female body parts. 

Antique and vintage dealer is the best job in the world.