Hey it’s me, peeking out from under bubble wrap, newspapers and boxes. But before I get into where we are with the moving process, I wanted to share with you what I think is one of the prettiest towns in NY.
I’m sure you’ve heard of Saratoga Springs, famous for its horse racing and spring water that will have you looking like you just stepped out of a Botox session (in a good way). But maybe you didn’t know it also has some of the most beautiful Victorian homes east of the Mississippi, so let’s get right to it.
Not only does this beauty have a lovely wraparound porch, but check out those moldings and second story windows. Wow, just wow.
I love me a stately tudor, especially one with a turret. What I don’t love are air conditioners in windows, but in older homes it’s difficult to do it any other way.
Our friends Elaine and Steve have a tradition of celebrating Elaine’s birthday in Saratoga. This was our first and most likely last time we helped them celebrate and I’m so glad we finally did. I even picked three out of four horses!
Just in case your wallets are not quite deep enough for a stately Victorian, do not despair. There’s always rv’ing ;).
In other news…
We’re in full blown packing mode, and after our moving sale this Sunday it will only get worse. Even though most of our furniture isn’t making the trip with us, there’s still tons of stuff to pack. I realized that most of the time professional movers are involved with doing the heavy lifting, but homeowners oftentimes pack the stuff themselves that can go in boxes, so I guess we have just as much to do as anyone would. I don’t know how people do it with large homes and/or families, especially if they’re hoarders collectors.
I’ve packed up most of my sewing room supplies, so no more bags in the near future for me. Some of you were wondering if I sold any bags at the town tag sale last week, and the answer is yes, about 5, including a beach bag and the pretty black and white one I featured in a recent post, but most made the trip back home with me. It wasn’t really the venue for it but I learned a bit about what people like and what’s not as important to them. (Like linings. No one opened the bags to see what was inside. Surprising!).
We also sold antique snow shoes even before the official start time of the sale, as well as a southwest style bowl we had for over 30 years, a telescope (perfect timing for the eclipse), a chainsaw, a fuzzy throw, a couple of beautiful paintings that were in our previous home (they’ve been under our bed lately), new snowshoes, and of course, a few miscellaneous items not worth mentioning. What didn’t sell? Autumn decor items like pumpkins and leaf vines and lots of scrapbook supplies among others, but overall, a successful and profitable day.
I placed a Facebook ad in a town tag sale site last Wednesday and all hell broke loose! You would have thought I was giving the stuff away. It got so crazy the admin had to shut the post down because I couldn’t keep up with the inquiries. And guess what? I made two appointments and neither showed up. And guess what again? You know what were the top two items? A chainsaw and our singing deer, ‘Buck’. Who knew cowboy songs and bad jokes coming from a mounted deer head would be so popular??!
We’ve got the boys for a few days, then will spend Saturday preparing for Sunday’s sale. Monday the 21st Sarissa & Josh land in NY, and I’ll see her Wednesday for some one on one time (haven’t done that for three years!) then Saturday we head to Manhattan for dinner with them and some friends, then Labor Day they will spend with us at the cabin amongst the boxes and mayhem.
I’ll try to post some pics on Instagram of Sunday’s sale, so if you don’t follow me there click on over and get crackin’ :).
Julie says
Hi Doreen, wow I have never visited Saratoga but now I will have too. I love those old home they are so beautiful!! You sound like you are so busy with the sale and packing the house up. I hope you have a fun time with your daughter and all. Take care.
Julie
Debbie - MountainMama says
I adore Saratoga! We usually go up for the races, but my sweetie’s been down and out with back problems so we didn’t make it this year! Plus I’m insanely busy at work, that doesn’t help. Good luck with the packing, I’m not envying you one bit!
Emily says
Doreen, One of my favorite things to do while traveling is to check out the local homes, The homes in Saratoga are beautiful, like you I love the one with the wrap around porch. I can only imagine how wonderful it would be to sit there and enjoy visiting with neighbors. Wow, you have been busy getting ready for your move. Packing is no fun but sometimes it has to be done with our collectibles, don’t want anything broken. Isn’t is funny how what we think will sell doesnt’ and the other stuff flies out! Enjoy the time with your friends and hope all goes well with the next sale. Hugs…….
Dewena says
Doreen, there were months in 2016 that I thought bubble wrap was permanently springing from my fingers, sort of like Wolverine with those claws. RH says in two moves we spent $1K on bubble wrap.
I doubt that anyone could have this move organized as well as you. And I’m so glad Sarissa and Josh are coming to visit and that you’re having time with the boys–I bet they’ll be coming down to visit you often!
You take care of yourself, moving is hard enough without getting sick during it,
Dewena
Dewena says
Plum forgot to say that I love love love those houses! Would not want the care of them but would love to tour them all!
Brenda Pruitt says
Oh, what I would give to have a nice big porch again!
Brenda
Linda says
Hi Doreen,
I love Saratoga, it is beautiful! We stayed at a lovely hotel one night passing through and I have always wanted to go back. These homes are incredible!
I’m not surprised one little bit that your bags got scoffed up!! Happy packing! Linda
Mary says
No wonder you haven’t been posting at all. Of course you would be busy with the packing. I have to confess that that joke about hoarders/collectors really hit close to home Doreen. It is really hard to get rid of a life time of treasures (junk by any other name). Good luck with the sale on Sunday and enjoy your time with your daughter.
Poppy says
Forget the horses, I’d be racing to see those gorgeous Victorians! Love them all, and like you, I have a thing for turrets, and whenever I think of one, a damsel in distress dives into my mind, and think, ‘so what, she’s trapped in a turret, indulging in afternoon tea, waiting for her knight in shining armour, lucky lady!’.
Make peace with the moving process; every bubble wrapped possession gets you closer to your dream home!
Enjoy your time with the boys and Sarissa! How you must treasure those tête-à-têtes with your talented daughter!
xxx
Poppy
Rita C at Panoply says
Ugh, good luck with all that hard work, even the sale tomorrow.I know you’ll be glad to have this all behind you. A friend of mine moved this past week, and I helped her before the movers got there, toting bags of linens mostly. She made the comment that movers move boxes, not bags?? Then she canceled her movers for the day they were to box everything….whatever. I think it’s probably just a control thing.
Those homes in Saratoga are so pretty, but imagine the upkeep! I wish I could find a home like ours, only smaller, in as good a locale as we have right now. I’ve said more than once we could raze the top floor and stay here. 😉
AnnMarie says
Thanks for the peek into Saratoga Springs. I now have a new weekend getaway destination. It’s about 3 hours from us. I don’t envy you the packing but it is one step closer to your new adventure! Sounds like you have a busy week ahead. Have fun with it!
tammy j says
awww…
this post made me homesick. we lived about 3 hours away from Saratoga. have you ever been to Alex Bay NY? Alexandria Bay.
the marine worked at the other end of the international bridge when he was in school. the Thousand Islands area.
so beautiful. and yes. the old Victorians are sublime! I knew two old ladies (i’m talking in their late 80’s and early 90’s)
who had afternoon tea every single day in the summer on a porch that looked identical to that third picture.
right on down to the white wicker! always a lovely cloth laid on the table and tea served in china. wow. a different era even then!
picture it with pots of bright red geraniums and the flag and it would be deja vu for sure for me!
thinking of you surviving your move and knowing only happiness! XO♥
SharonFromMichigan says
Good luck with the move. It seems like you’re taking everything in stride and still finding the time to spend with loved ones. Good for you! We live in a “newer” victorian house. It was built in 1995 to look victorian on the outside (two sided wrap around porch and all). I totally get the a/c unit in the upstairs bedroom. We have that problem too. No matter how much the central a/c runs, it just doesn’t cool off the upstairs, so for sleeping comfort, the window units get put in. At least we had a window company that actually makes special windows that have the unit mounted into it so it doesn’t hang precariously out of the window. Then when fall gets here, that window is replaced with a glass one for the fall and winter. I would much rather live in a victorian flavor ranch. Lots of gingerbread with a large porch but all on one level. Take care and happy packing!
Penny at Enjoying The Simple Things says
What beautiful homes! I am right there with you on the packing. When we moved into this rental 10 months ago, we kept a lot of things boxed up, thinking we would only be here for 4 months. Sadly it has been much longer and I had to dig through some of the boxes to find things I needed. I have been repacking those, and thinking about getting ready to pack up everything else – mostly kitchen stuff, but that will have to wait until we are just a few days from moving.
Cindy says
Hi Doreen, I remember packing our house. The bubble wrap and boxes were everywhere
Happy you get to have one on one time with Sarissa.
Wish we could have gotten together one more time
Cindy
Kris @ Junk Chic Cottage says
Saratoga looks like a great place to have some fun. Those homes are beautiful. Glad you could sell a couple of your bags. They are so pretty. Good luck in bubble wrap and box packing land. Been there so I feel your pain!
Have a good packing weekend.
xoxo
Kris
Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse says
I’m in love with those old Victorian homes. Good luck with all the moving preparation.
Melanie says
I love all those beautiful houses! So stately and full of charm and personality. You sound so busy with the move and selling things. Hope you’re getting some restful moments in, as well!
Kim says
Those houses are spectacular. I have been to Saratoga…and driven through on the way to and from college for many years…and it is lovely. And have faith, the packing will be over soon. It has to be right? 😉
Karen says
You are one busy little gal, Doreen! Traipsing off to Sarasota 🙂 and selling your wares, packing and visiting with loved ones…..my goodness! Love the Victorian houses – they are stunning. Those big porches would be so wonderful to enjoy a summer evening. Congrats on selling some of your sweet bags. I can relate to the hoarder thing. I would be in trouble if I had to pack up this place anytime soon. Lived here 35 years – you can imagine……It is always so good to have a purge and I know you are going to feel so light and free when it is all over. Enjoy your visit with your sweet family and hope everything goes smoothly with the sale. xx Karen
Susan lawton says
Good luck with your move Doreen, Moving is always so emotional with lots of work, but best of all the excitement of a fresh beginning and adventure! I definitely would have looked inside the bags! That’s where a pretty surprise might be!
Cecilia says
Oh now doesn’t that sound fun? (No, not really). I’m not looking forward to that part of moving. Trying to get rid of the stuff (uh, junk) I don’t need. Good luck with the sale!
Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow says
Lovely photos of Saratoga and glad to hear that the sale went well 🙂
Marilyn @ Pink Paper Cottage says
Wow those houses are so stunning! I’ve lived in two Victorians… one in Portland, Oregon…. back in about 1971 in my “hippie” days! It was a rental and to live there for free, I also property managed an old 40 unit apartment complex. NOT fun! But that Victorian was similar to one of the ones you pictured here, with the four big center columns and that circular “roof” on top! It had two kitchens, a butler’s pantry and 6 or 7 bedrooms! Wow. Then the one I owned was a 100+ year old Victorian in Waitsburg, Washington which is a tiny 1000 people town. I loved that home and wished I would have kept it. Had a wonderful wrap around circular porch!
I’m not envious of all the packing you are having to do, and sales and such. I always having a “moving sale” before I move and get rid of more “stuff” but the boxes of “stuff” continue to follow me everywhere. Can’t get rid of them! Glad you sold a few things too. By the time you get moved and settled, you’ll be yearning for some bag-making days… I’m sure.
Am glad you’re also taking the time to visit friends, sightsee and RV.. and see family. When will your big move be? I’ll be anxious to hear!
Hugs to you… Marilyn
Kelly says
What a beautiful town! I love old Victorian homes like those. Did you sell your house already?! I hate packing. I dread it when we move one day. We will have to hire professionals since we’re older now. It like you said there is still a ton we’ll have to do ourself. I’ll just cross that bridge when we come to it. Not this year though! I hope everything goes smoothly for you.
Nancy says
Moving is a lot of work. I know, I’ve done it close to 30 times in my lifetime. It always feels so good to have the packing done. Unpacking doesn’t seem so bad when you’re in a new place, excited about setting up a home. Interesting what you wrote about buyers not looking inside the bag before purchasing. I always do if for no other reason than to see if there’s a pocket. Enjoy your time with family. It sounds like you’re having fun. xo
Amy says
Hey, Doreen! You’re peeking out from behind bubble wrap, and I’m finally done packing up my son for college. It’s good to get back to visiting my blog friends! I’ve been to Saratoga once. It’s so charming! Hope you are enjoying your time with Sarissa and Josh. Enjoy Labor Day weekend!
Amy | Stow and Tell U says
Oh my, oh my, oh my, those homes!!! And that porch full of chairs… now that’s a southern welcome if I’ve ever seen one. Keep up the good work with the packing. So excited for you!!
Judy says
Doreen, air conditioners in windows or not, those are some of the most beautiful homes. What a gorgeous city. Even that motohome is quaint, to say the least!! Have a wonderful time with the kids on Labor Day and don’t get discouraged, packing will come to an end sometime. Happy Sunday..xxoJudy
Red Rose Alley says
These Victorian homes are so charming, Doreen. Love the BIG front porches you see on these old homes. You know, if Nel could choose any type of house to live in, it would be a Victorian house. The packing is not a fun process at all. I gave away lots of stuff, which made it easier. But you’re right, the movers usually move the big stuff, but our movers moved all our boxes as well, after I packed everything up. They were pretty awesome. It sounds like everything is going smoothly, and you’re pretty organized with it all, which makes all the difference in the world. Keep it up, girlfriend. : )
~Sheri