Monday, December 15, 2014

My Last Mistake of the Year. Maybe.

Between holidays and bad weather, there have been no driveways to shop on lately, and Judy and I have been missing our Fun Fridays. She went to some thrift stores down in Albany with her sister a while back, where she found this cool guy for me:Pinocchio Pencil NoseShe had no idea I had put a similar pencil sharpener on my “Want This” Pinterest board, where I stash images of things I would give house-room to if money were no object. Which in this case it turned out the money WAS no object; Judy found this at our favorite price point of fifty cents.

Since Craigslist showed only one estate sale on our end of town Friday, we decided we’d check that and then go down and tour the Albany thrift stores. You know how it is…if you once find some good score in a particular store or neighborhood, you’re always sure there’s going to be something there again. (Or am I the only one who does that? I’m pretty sure it’s what keeps casinos in business.)

The estate sale had nothing we wanted, and the thrift stores proved equally barren. However, we happened upon another estate sale by chance, where I found a shirt I liked.Lafayette 148 linen shirtBlack linen with lace inserts, nicely made. Tags are gone but there was an identical shirt in white with a ‘Lafayette 148’ tag. Smart Judy told me to take a picture of the tag in the white shirt so I could look up the maker when I got home. I’d never heard of the company, and now I know why. Their shirts retail in the $350 up range. So I ended up with quite a score. I always knew I had expensive tastes!

I saw an ad for another estate sale on Saturday, not too far from home, so I took my hopeful self over there. Turned out there wasn’t much overlap between their tastes and mine. But everyone can use safety pins, yes? And for a dollar I picked up what I hope will be a lifetime supply.Lifetime Supply of Safety PinsI was taking a last look around to make sure I hadn’t missed anything when I noticed a stack of baking pans, and remembered I need something rustproof. I bake bread several times a week, and usually have a pan of water in the oven to help create a wonderful crust. The old cake pan I’ve been using is pretty rusty, and when I spotted this vintage roasting pan I figured it was just what I was looking for. Wearever Roasting PanAlas, I hit a snag as soon as I opened the oven door.Vintage Wearever roasting pan-too wideVintage Wearever roasting pan-too longIt doesn’t fit in my oven! Which is a rather compact convection oven; it bakes great, but it’s happened before that a pan wouldn’t fit. You’d think I would have learned after the last time (a cookie sheet) but I didn’t.

So I was kicking myself for spending a buck on something I can’t use. I know, it’s only a buck, and that won’t change my lifestyle. But in my personal monetary reckoning, that’s the equivalent of four cashmere sweaters! And here we are at the end of the year, and I just had to get in one more buying mistake. I haven’t looked at my spreadsheet to determine how many others there have been, but that will be part of my year-end tally.

However, I may be able to erase this particular mistake. When I checked eBay sales, it seems this particular pan Wearever Pandoes have some resale value. I may shine it up and try to resell it. Hopefully it will find a good home, I’ll make a few bucks, and be able to take this dollar out of the ‘buying mistakes’ column.

Now here’s hoping all my future mistakes (buying and otherwise) are this inexpensive and easy to fix!

9 comments:

  1. You are so right about expecting more good luck where you scored before! "Ah, this sale is near where we found those great Balinese mantle vases!"

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  2. Use some Bar Keepers Friend and elbow grease that pan will shine like brand new. I have a set of those same pots and pans and I love them. Love reading about your finds. I also did not know I should be putting a pan with water in when I bake bread. I will have to try that next time I make some. Thanks. Happy Holidays to you and your family.

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    1. I was kind of hoping to get away without having to use the elbow grease! ;o) It is a great pan; such a pity it doesn't fit in my oven!
      I only use the water in the oven when I'm baking free form breads that have a crusty crust. If you're baking in a bread pan you probably don't need it. But any homemade bread is a fabulous thing!

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  3. You are right about returning to the place of a previous "magnificent find". I do it too. I know in my head there is no logical reason really, but in my heart I guess I believe there is some mystical thrift karma, sort of like an aura, that hangs around the place. Thrifters, I think, are always optimistic, which is a good thing.

    You are MUCH too hard on yourself! I agree, the BKF will probably work a treat and you'll be able to make a nice little profit. Wear-ever literally does wear forever and works beautifully. I have a couple of pieces including a saucepan originally owned by my mother. It's older than I am.........so, I have to tell, I guess ......I'm 59. The pan is used frequently.

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    1. It's interesting that one good find is all we need to keep us going back! I'm older than you too, probably about the same age as your pans. ;o) Hey, if we started using a little BKF on ourselves I wonder if we'd start looking new and shiny...

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    2. I'll let you know how that works out!

      :)

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  4. In any case, you can always use the rust-proof pan under a grouping of house plants. When we go traveling, I cluster mine together for the convenience of our neighbor, who waters for us!

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  5. I admit I was thinking this might make a good tray. But I still wish it fit in the oven!

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I really love your comments. Thanks for coming along on my thrifty adventures!

 
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