Savvy Steals and Frugal Finds: Canada Day Weekend Addition!

                                                                                                      *google image search
Over the Canada Day long weekend, our family went camping with friends at a lake near St.Paul, Alberta. Just leaving the city was exciting and it turned out to be one of the best weekends we’ve ever had as a family! Today though, we are back to reality, thoroughly exhausted and are stuck tackling the mounds of laundry :S!

 

On our way out of the city, we stumbled upon this treasure trove on the side of the highway, just east of Elk Island National Park. As seen in the picture there were lots of little buildings, trading posts, or buildings setup for yard-sales, and collectibles. There was so much great stuff to look at (and great prices too!) that we could have stayed the whole day, sifting through the treasures!

 

In the first little trading post we went in, the walls were covered in paintings by an artist of the name J.G Lewis, who is no longer with us. He had done paintings of all the places he visited in his life, areas in Alberta, places in Hawaii etc. Although the paintings were not overly skillful, they had a lot of folky-charm. We bought this painting, which was suitably of “Mount Robson, Alberta” (see why we had to have it?) for the amazing price of $5.00! Each of the paintings on the wall told a story, and Mr. Lewis had put a lot of work into them, we couldn’t turn down a piece of $5.00 art! So, the painting travelled to camp with us amongst our tent, air mattresses and kit bags! I think a new frame will do it wonders!

We also bought this great cowboy hat that we all enjoyed wearing while we were tenting on the weekend. It made for lots of laughs, as we each practiced our cowboy impressions and was also great for keeping those darn mosquitos off and the smouldering 30+ temperatures!

K-aos found this tiny dancer! She just had to have it of course, to display her earrings on. The elderly lady at the sale, gave it to her for nothing!

 

…and just because I think it’s pretty, I acquired this little jadeite set for myself. How much did I pay? $6.00!

On the side of the road we met Betty Newman, when she waved us over to see her artwork and her home-printed novels. The novels were true stories about a little girl and her horses. Her artwork and homemade cards were mostly of Alberta wildlife and bison in the area of where she lived. These were $5.00! So we purchased a painted card for $5.00, how could I refuse? Anyone that's willing to stand there all day by herself in the heat, with no chair, had me sold! Betty was wearing a great big floppy hat, which just added to her kooky character, but she wanted to take it off when I asked if I could take her picture for my blog. Her reasoning was that she had a new haircut! :) We loved Betty Newman!

Painting of bison in Elk Island Park, by Betty Newman

Betty Newman without her floppy hat! She was so fun to talk to!

 

All in all, we had a fabulous weekend, and had a blast searching for treasures. Although, it was the last thing on my mind when I left for the lake; you just never know when you will stumble upon new acquaintances, fun art, or a new prized possession.

 

xo Amy!