Monday, September 11, 2006

Rummage Sale

OK, I'm wiped out, lol. I was up yesterday at 5:45 when I heard Andrea come in the front gate and start getting our stand ready (where does she get that energy???) So I staggered down to help, broke a glass, and sent myself inside to make coffee (much more productive than trying to help Andrea who has everything under control - and can somehow see in the dark!) At 6 a.m. there were already people walking around with flashlights buying stuff. One stole Andrea's fax machine. Argh. It was dark, and the fax machine was in a black bag. Oh well. By 7 we were all set and drinking coffee and nibbling brioche. The sun was coming up, and everything was bustling as the last vendors arrived and set up their stands.

(Here is a picture of me (green) Andrea, and Lynne early in the morning - it was still chilly.)
The kids got up around 9 and set up their stand in my front garden. They organized themselves - there were five girls selling, so one would go out on the street and hold a sign pointing to our house, where another sign said "Everything for Sale!" I got several offers for the house.

(here is a view from the house looking out past the kids' stands to the street)

By 11 we decided it was time for a little apperatif, so I got some pinot (sweet wine, sort of like port, from the Charente region of France) from a stand and we had a glass of that. Then I went around the stands and bought:
Bread
Cheese
Smoked ham
Tomatos
Plums
(The bread and brioche stand right next to ours)
and made lunch for everyone. Andrea bought some chilled rosé wine to go with that. Then it was more sales until 4, and we needed more coffee.
At 5 we decided pinot was more fun than coffee.
At 6 we were getting ready to pack everything up and clean up the mess.
It was fun.
I counted the kids and adults we had at the house yesterday and came up with 10 kids and 6 adults. Plus two dogs. Can't wait for next year! (and I even have some pinot left over!)

4 comments:

Andrea said...

Hope your rested, man I was totally pooped, once I took a shower I felt a lot better...It was great fun as it is every year...9/11 Can you beleive it's been 5 years already since that awful tragedy, I can still remember when you called me and said put on CNN NOW! It's as if it was yesterday...have a great day! tranquila!!!xxxoooxxx

Madeline Hill said...

Thanks for sharing your village sale and your delightful day! I wish I was there!!!

Gabriele Campbell said...

I should have known that post would turn to food. Posts about life in France always do.

And now I'm hungry. :)

Daisy Mae said...

What a fabulous looking house you have. I love it!

In the pic of your sale I saw several things I wanted. I wish I had gone to your villages sale. Maybe next year!