I love the weekend. It's a time to hang out, tackle projects and have a little more down time, no matter how short that down time is. It's also the time I get to go to the flea market or thrift shop. There is always something waiting for me to re-purpose or display at minimal cost.
How can I not go? I think it's the ultimate in "reduce, reuse, recycle."

Reese and I went to a couple of shops and he enjoyed scouting for his treasures. He shares the same love of vintage that I do, as do his sisters, making our trips more enjoyable.
Being goofy is part of it...

So let me share this week's round-up with you:

I always have my eye out for transferware and ironstone so I picked up two brown transferware plates. They were marked "as is" because of the crazing. Lucky for me, I like the crazing effect because it adds character. I'm not afraid to pick up imperfect items unless there is too large of a crack or many chipped edges.

The vintage horse show ribbon from 1947 has great color and would add interest to a side table or bookshelf. I like to pick up items that are "native" to the area in which I live. This one is from an area not too far away from where we currently live.

The large pendant shade is the perfect size for my entrance. I was planning on spending a lot more for a new light fixture but I saw this guy, and at 4 bucks, I couldn't pass it up. I'll just use the existing light fixture, add the shade but change out the fabric. Although I like its texture, the metallic gold woven through just doesn't cut it for me and I've had enough of the"70's Harvest gold" in this house.

And rounding out the trip, I collected plates and candle holders to make more dessert stands like the one in the picture. I'm sure you've seen them before and they are just as easy to put together as they look. Not to mention, inexpensive and pretty. These are just a few I picked up but all of the plates and candle holders I have were between .25 cents - $2.00. So, if the kids knock them over, I'm not out anything, really.

So there you go, another productive trip that was easy on the wallet. I'll be scouting for more finds this week - can't wait. If you find anything on your excursions, let me know.

Happy hunting!

2 year old manners

While I was working on the computer yesterday, Trae man walked in to the room and sat on my lap. I called him a saggy bottom boy as he scooted from my lap and tried to take off his diaper. I told him to hang on for a sec but he continued. He pulled it off and I went to throw it away, assuming it would be safe to do so since he had a full, wet diaper. But when I came back he was busy whizzing on the floor.

I said, "Uh oh."

and he said "Uh oh, I spilled" or in Trae speak, "I spiowod."

That made me laugh and while I was cleaning the floor, I said, "Thanks a lot Trae man."

To which he replied, "You're welcome,"

Or in Trae speak, "Yo wacome."

At least he's polite about it...

An 8 year old's foray into the world of wine

I'm thinking this is what my arm may have looked like at 8 years old?..read on..

I quietly made my way to the staircase banister to peek around and see what the big deal was in my living room. There were chairs all over the place. I wondered where we had gotten all of these chairs.

Seeing in to the dining room, I noticed the table even had all three leaf extensions in it. This must be some shin dig, I thought.

My cousins wanted to have a crystal party but felt their space was too small to host a large gathering of people. I believe it was for a direct selling company for crystal glasses and dishes and their approach was to have a wine tasting party. My parents' living room was long and large with the space to provide multiple seating areas. So, although being LDS and my mom did not drink alcohol, she let my cousin and his wife host their party at our house.

I don't remember where my brothers and sister were at the time. Maybe at a church dance, school sporting event or just at a friend's house. Being the youngest and 7 years apart from the rest, I was often at home with my mom or dad while my siblings were out with friends. That evening, my mom told me to go upstairs for the night.

I really wanted to check out the party going on but I went and watched TV for a while. We lived a little out in the country and had no cable then. I ran through the few channels we had and they were all news programs, PBS or a Northwest magazine show. It was a really boring line-up to an 8 year old.

As I peered over the banister, I also had a view to the kitchen. There were plates of hors d'oeuvres on the counters and no one was milling around in there. "Oooh, cheese!" I said to myself.

I made my way in to the kitchen and snacked on a few varieties along with crackers. Some were soft cheeses with pungent smells and some were sweet. I decided to stick with good old Tillamook, still the best cheddar in my opinion.

My mom came in, let me get snacks and reminded me to head back upstairs. I asked for something to drink so she gave me a glass of water. I asked what everyone was having and she said they were drinking grape juice. I thought that sounded better and wondered why I wasn't having any. She went back to the other room and I looked around for grape juice.

I didn't see any in big plastic containers just in tall slim bottles. They were displayed on the dining table with crystal glasses and decanters so I went and poured myself some. I was stopped by the consultant in charge of this party. She said I couldn't have this kind of juice. I wondered what was up with these people and their tight grip on the grape juice?!

This denial of beverage peaked my interest so I decided to take matters in to my own hands. Because all of these adults were busy sniffing, swirling and tasting all types of juice and snacking on cheese, they didn't notice me crawl from the kitchen to the dining room table. The long tablecloth concealed me crouching below as I swiped a glass from the top. I was able to shimmy underneath the row of chairs and went undetected; lying down behind some coats draped over the backs.

When the server came around, I stuck out my arm and firmly held my glass amid the other people. To my delight I felt liquid being poured into my lead crystal glass. I did it and was happy I was so sneaky. So let's just see what is so special about this, I thought. And as quickly as I gulped it, I spat it out, gasping. It tasted like the way my teen-aged brother's gym socks smelled - Sour! I wiped my tongue with my sleeve. "Gross!

They could have just told me it was alcohol. I'm 8, not dumb you know," I said to myself. (Although by these antics, that is debatable.) My mom heard me choke, looked down to where I was, shook her head and held out her hand for the glass.

And I've been sober ever since.

Friends, Flower Show and IKEA

Silver Burrow's Tail I purchased at the flower show.

I love its color against the aged color of the urn.

Amber and Carrie

This past weekend I went to the Philadelphia flower show with a couple of friends. A chance to get out of the house and into the big city with friends? I'm there!

We made our way onto the turnpike and in no time we were in the bustling city. It's always exciting to me when I see a nice skyline.

The flower show was filled with interesting floral displays and the aroma of sweet smelling blooms. There were plenty of items to buy as well so we each made stops to different booths to get flowers, seeds or plants. I rather enjoy the Silver Burrows Tail which will eventually grow and hang over the side of the planter. It will look so great when it gets to that point.

It's small enough to sit atop the counter in the urn for now.

After the show we were IKEA bound and continued shopping there. Who doesn't love a trip there as well?? Over the loudspeaker they tempted us with dinner for a dollar. So we checked it out and got Swedish (of course) meatballs and mashed potatoes - for a buck, really. It was so inexpensive that we treated ourselves to chocolate cake. Besides, we had walked a few miles already.

Over dinner we decided that for the show's price of admission there really should have been more to do and see. But it wasn't too high and we thought it was good to try once.

But it will always be worth any admission price to have a day to hang out with these gals again for good fun and conversation!

I would pay triple the price for that...

Up next - Baltimore harbor anyone??

Thrift store pick of the week

Have you ever watched "American Pickers" on the History channel?

This show makes me want to pack up and move to Iowa. I know I could hang with those guys and hike all over people's property, make offers, get excited about a pile of junk and load up a truck. That is my dream job. Well, one of them anyway. Anybody wanna come with?

Today they were tromping through the farm of an 88 year-old American WWII Veteran. I love our WWII vets. I always have. This gentleman was frail and walked slowly; his voice raspy with age and at times barely audible. But he was so lovely in his hat and a buttoned up shirt tucked into his belted trousers. He looked like the perfect grandpa tinkering around his farm, enjoying 60 years of collections in the many barns on his property. I found myself wishing I had a grandpa like that.

Two of my favorite finds of the episode were an antique Harley Davidson bicycle crank and a vintage carnival ride. The crank was made of iron and was very architectural and would look great on a shelf. The carnival ride was a small 5 car ride with old, heavy kiddie cars and was stored in a fold up track on its own trailer. It was awesome. I would love to have that and cart it around to birthday parties.

But since I only go picking in Flea markets and thrift shops, I'll have to settle for this week's find of a vintage Westclox alarm clock. It was front and center on a little out-of-the-way shelf and when I picked it up and wound it, the familiar 'tick, tick' sound made me smile. I think the sound is soothing at night. The little gold doors were an extra surprise. I never hesitated and into my cart it went.

Each week I will be doing a round up of my finds and maybe even show you what I plan on doing with them -once I find out what that will be exactly.

Ooh, now I have more of a real reason to go hunting - yeah. (Like I really needed one...)

Hello Friday morn

Missing March

Herbs making it through the winter

Welcome home March.

It's been a long time.

It's so nice to see you peeking through the snow covered ground.

I was beginning to wonder if you'd ever show your face around these parts again.

Don't get me wrong, winter was fun and I looked forward to a beautiful snowfall. Old man winter did not disappoint this year and we had a great time playing in the snow. But, the time has come to put that to rest and enjoy the newness of Spring. It's going to be a lovely one.

You're on your way and I can't wait!