A Sale of Many Names

Depending where you live a sale of second-hand items/goods can be called by many names such as yard, tag or garage sale. Up North garage sales are just as big of a deal as in the city. Huge ads are taken out in local papers. Fridays and Saturdays in the summer can be serious shopping days for those into scouring sales looking for that incredible deal or just the right discarded treasure.

I have only 4 garage sales under my belt hardly enough to call me seasoned but enough to be able to pass along some random thoughts on garage sales. I found the link below helpful if thinking about hosting a garage/tag/yard sale.

http://www.garagesalesource.com/articles/planning_garage_sale/

14 Bits of Wisdom From A Recent Garage Sale

1. Do your homework...its all about preparation (set-up)

Items should be color coded, visibly marked,well displayed and creatively arranged

2. Pricing can be painful! Consider having a trusted friend help you arrive at a price

3. Start out with $ 75.00 (small bills and change) for your cash box

4. Use a notebook and after each sold item place sticker on the page of the seller

5. It's all about marketing-place visible signs on road, end of driveway and ads in local newspaper and on Craigslist

6. Location, location, location-consider having a multi-neighborhood garage sale as it will be a bigger draw for people

7. Team up with a friend or family member-makes the day so much more enjoyable

8. Be ready to slash prices on last day of sale

9. Beware: holiday items are not big sellers in summertime heat

10. Consider selling bottled water or pop on a warm day

11. Place kid items up front usually best sellers

12. DO NOT OPEN your garage sale before the designated time since early birds are right outside your door ready to pounce on an early bargain

13. Avoid my recent pitfall (even though I am thrilled to have gotten a RAVE Bongo) buying a big ticket item the night before the sale so I started out in the red

14. Having coffee and a variety of treats to nourish the soul for the workers

The following recipes would be well received at a garage sale. Note the treats are for the sellers to keep their spirits up throughout the day

Lemon Blueberry Bars

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter and 1/2 cup margarine
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2 cups flour
• 4 eggs
• 1- 1/4 cups sugar
• 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 2-3 TB. grated lemon zest
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 2 cups fresh blueberries

Directions:

• In a large bowl beat butter and margarine till smooth
• Beat in powdered sugar and vanilla
• Blend in 2 cups flour and 1tsp. cinnamon
• Mixture will be soft and crumbly press into bottom of a lightly greased 13 x 9 pan
• Bake 350 15 minutes
• In a small bowl combine eggs, sugar, lemon juice, zest, 1/4 cup flour, baking powder about 2 minutes
• Sprinkle berries over warm crust
• Pour filling evenly over berries with a spoon
• Bake till set 30 minutes, cool and refrigerate 4 hours or overnight
• To serve sprinkle with powdered sugar , cut into bars

Praline Pull Apart Rolls

adapted from Southern Living 2009

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sugar
• 4 tsp. cinnamon divided
• 1- 2 lb. package frozen bread roll dough( I used Rhodes White Dinner Rolls)
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 3/4 cup whipping cream
• 3/4 cup brown sugar

Directions:

• Stir sugar and 3 tsp. cinnamon- coat each roll in butter, dredge each roll in cinnamon sugar
• Arrange in a lightly greased 10 inch tube pan
• Sprinkle with pecans and cover
• Chill overnight
• Preheat oven 325
• Beat whipping cream till soft peaks, stir in brown sugar and remaining 1 tsp. cinnamon
• Pour mixture over dough
• Place pan on an aluminum foil lined baking sheet
• Bake 325 for 1 hour cool on a wire rack invert onto a serving plate-drizzle any remaining glaze on top

Note: Don't skip part about whipping the cream and this is a very easy no fuss recipe