Yard Sale Kitchenware

Now is the time for yard and garage sales There are some good bargains out there.Some are almost too tempting to pass up.Yet, what;s a good deal and what's not ? What's the best pick up at any second hand sale?

Any yard sale is pure temptation, especially to those just starting to build a kitchen. Check to see if there are any cast iron pans on sale. These are a must buy.Older ones are your best.They're still usable even though they may have a rough surface. If the pan is risty buy it anyway The rust can be scraped and washed off and you wind up with a good sturdy pan for cooking and baking. Keep in miind cast iron lasts a whopping one hundred and fifty years. It'll be a good find and a good bargain to acquire one. Another good yard sale buy is a set of pots and pans. Many feel that they need to replace their pots and pans even after five years. Jump on these sets. You could even score Farberware.what you need to avoid are those Teflon coated non-stick pots and pans. these could be scratched and emit chemicals that were sprayed on the surface. You can get silicone and microwave bakeware. These are OK to buy and are good if you want extra pans for baking cupcakes. Silicone scrapers and whisks are other good bargains as are cookie cutters and rolling pins.

China is also a good buy. Spode is one of the desired chinas many barbain hunter seek. The original pieces go back  over two hundred years , to Josiah Spode and his son Josiah II 's of Stoke Upon Trent , England. These are few and far between, although there are some random pieces out there. Still a good Christmas set can cost as much as $200 hundred dollars . Yard sales can yield up Wedgewood pieces as well and you can be lucky to get a dinner set for six. Mikasa is another good yard sale buy . Keep in mind the owner may be selling sets that have missing plates due to breakage. You could wind up with an odd numbered set like five or seven place settings. Go another route and go funky. The coolest restaurants have mismatched plates and cups. You can do it that way and just pick up anything that's still in good condition. The same applies to wine and champagne glasses. You may not get an even numbered set. The same goes for tumblers and shot glasses too. Pick what you think works best with your dining room decor. What about utensils? . There may not be a full set of matching knives forks and spoons.Opt for the eclectic and look for a hodgepodge of different styles and brands.

Garage sales are fun. You can pick up some really good sales at one. Just be prudent with what you decide on and buy.

 

Are You Christmas Ready????

Christmas is a week away. Are you all set for another holiday meal? Do you have enough for your baking extravaganza? Are you Christmas ready?

The most important question is do you have your main meal planned out?  By now you should have your ham if you're planning on serving it. With it should come a good supply of cloves and pineapple. You can always buy the ginger ale for it the day before or use the brown sugar left over from baking for a sweet rub. As for the turkey, you have a few days leeway time. It can be bought as late as the 22nd or 23rd.  Yams can also be bought on the weekend too along with potatoes and onions. Once you have the dinner sorted out , it's time to reevaluate the linens. Are they OK after Thanksgiving? Are there any stains that need to be washed out again. Then use baking soda on them and a good wash and rinse through the washing machine. This also applies to those linen napkins too, Be careful , though, when you're dealing with hand embroidered or heirloom dinner linens. These will have to be presoaked in the tub and then gently wash in either the tub or sink. Try to use something gentle such as  The Laundress' The Baby Detergent,It's meant for baby clothes but it also can be used on delicate vintage fabrics too. Another must is checking the silver and glassware. Make sure everything is polished along with being tarnish and crack free. If you're wine glasses or tumblers aren't up to par, then head to your local store like Target or Macy 's for a new replacement set.

The second big kitchen to-do is the whole holiday baking. Since we're now so close to the holiday, you can buy the ingredients right now when the stores have them on sale. Take advantage of this, especially if you have a lot of baking to do. Buy up the cookie mixes if you don't have the time or experience to create scratch ones. Betty Crocker has some good flavors, like peanut butter and oatmeal.Also  stores like Stop & Shop has sales on cake and brownie mixes, perfect if you want to make more substantial treats like cupcakes and brownies. If you are making scratch cookies and cakes, make sure you're stocked with a variety of flours such as plain flour and gluten free for those with allergies. Flavorings are used a lot during this time. Keep an eye on your vanilla, almond and peppermint extracts. If they're looking a little low , then it's time to bring in new bottles. The same goes for the sprinkles and nuts too. You should also be well stocked when it comes to all the sugars. Not only does granulated sugar go fast during this time, but also confectioner's , light and dark brown sugars. Buy your eggs and butter close to the day you start baking. The fresher they are, the better they'll perform. This is also a good time to assess your cookie sheets, cookie cutters, and cake pans. Make sure you also have parchment paper for some butter cookies and meringues. Do you have enough tins to hold them? If not , buy a few festive holiday ones and even platters to serve them on.

Christmas is a week away, Be ready. Be prepared.  That way it'll make holiday cooking and baking easier - and better.