to reflect

on a day that changed everything.

Auctioning produce

I'm back from the produce auction and what a fun experience this was. After passing an Amish schoolhouse, farms, rows of corn being harvested and horses and buggies, we came upon a large building. On the inside I found rows of flat beds which held all kinds of fruits and vegetables.

The largest pumpkin was 140 lbs. I didn't hear what it sold for.



The auctioneers went to every flat bed and started the fast bidding. Everyone gathers around the one in which they are interested and the game begins. I am always up for an auction and the excitement that builds when you are bidding on something you really want. This is the first produce auction I have been to and the excitement was still there, friendly farm style.

There were many ornamental gourds to choose from as well. They were short on flowers and plants being the end of season and all so I'll remember to try next year.

And what did I bring home?


14 orange pumpkins, 8 small white pumpkins,
a box of gourds, a box of tomatoes, 4 acorn squash and 4 zucchini.
All for 21 dollars and some change.

Why so many?

Reese has been brain storming business ideas and is always thinking of something to do. When I saw all of the pumpkins I knew a stand would be perfect for him. I'm excited that he wants to do something new so we'll see how it goes.

And if it doesn't work, well then, I'll have a great display!
Either way, there will be photos of his business venture.

Fall is in the air and I love it.
Don't you?

Frugalicious fashion

Yesterday seemed to be the perfect day to go to the thrift store since I hadn't been in a while. So I packed up the kids and we headed out. I first looked at some house ware type of items but nothing jumped out at me so I decided to go by the clothing aisles. It was super busy since it was the weekly family 50% off day. It can be hard to find things because everything is categorized by color within the depts. So I just gravitated toward the colors I liked and this is what I came home with - a cute skirt, shoes and...

two pairs of pants, (one still had Gap store tags) a shirt, another skirt and a pile of play clothes for Reese, Blair and Trae man. All without any problems and some with original sales tags even. For 36.00 bucks I'd say that was pretty good.

Saving there helps when I want to do a little splurging elsewhere. Like tomorrow for instance, my friend is taking me to a huge plant auction. She bought these big urn planters complete with beautiful flowers and some hanging baskets for 6 dollars a piece. She stuffed her car to the top with them. Can you believe that?? The urns flank her doorway and I hope some will do the same for mine, if I can be so lucky.

Cheerio,

Laura

Hardly laborious

Labor Day signals the end of summer and the ushering in of what I describe as one of the most breathtaking of all seasons. I loved the lazy days of summer but I look forward to seeing the leaves change colors, warming up the house with fall decorations, the smell of pumpkins and hearty soups on the stove.

Summer was great though but it's time for a change.

Growing up we always celebrated this changing of time on Labor Day with a family picnic. Two of my dad's sisters lived nearby so we always got together with them. There was always badminton, horseshoes, making hay mazes in the barn and my Aunt Janet's killer potato salad. As everyone got older, left home, got married and had kids, these mini-reunions just didn't happen like they used to.

And that's okay because new traditions are made.

So without our extended families around us, we just play together on Labor Day. After hamburgers, we went to the playground at Reese's elementary school because we love that it's tucked away from everything...and we played until the sun went down.

What did you do for Labor Day? I hope it was great!

Hugs,

Laura

Garage thrifting

Since it's not In the plan to get to any flea markets or thrift shops in the next little while, I thought I'd shop the garage. After all, it's free, sort of.

(Although, I am making plans to go a big flea with a friend so I'll document that journey later! Maybe I'll even shoot a video... You didn't think I'd stay away for too long, did you?)

Jon and I have made it a point to go through all of the boxes in the garage and either use what we have, sell or give-away what we don't need. I've already set out 5 boxes of items that were picked up by freecyclers. Love that. Two people came by from Craigslist today and a few other items are heading to Etsy.

It was a tough competition but something had to go. I'm the Paula Abdul of the garage storage and thinks everything has a chance. Jon is more like Randy. "Yo dog, you're cool and all but you're better suited for someone else."

But the following items are what made today's cut.

This vintage tool carrier was from my mom. I'm a sucker for these but they can be pricey. This was found at an antique mall and it was such a bargain, we couldn't pass it up. It held big jars of spices in her kitchen and I may do the same. Flowers would look so good in here too. Or herbs... any thoughts?


Although I don't buy linens as much as I used to, I still like them, especially vintage tablecloths. They are always just a little more fun to use.



I thought the price on these napkins was funny. $12.60 for a dozen of Damask Irish linen. I like it when the original price tags are left on items.

Even though I don't use doilies that much, I do think they are small pieces of artwork and I hate to part with any that were made by my family members. I've often wondered how I could modernize them a bit since I lean toward contemporary design with a vintage mix.

Then one day I was reading an old Country Living article and came across this and my question was answered. Stitch together the doilies and make a table runner. It would look great on a big table, like a large graphic design. I have plenty to work with so we'll see how that turns out.

Last but not least, the Jadeite. I bought 12 of these older cups in North Dakota for $12.00 at an antique shop. I thought I heard the store owner wrong when she told me. Without hesitation, other than being shocked for a brief moment, I took them and added to the collection.

It will make drinking hot chocolate with a {huge} dollop of whipped cream this winter so enjoyable. Can't wait.

** You know how there are "crossover" artists in music?

Well, I am going to be a crossover blogger.

In addition to Enjoying the Simple Things, I will soon be writing another blog called @Home Again. There I will post most of my thrifting and flea market adventures, Etsy sales, re-purposing, crafts and home remodeling projects that are still haunting me. I may have the same post at both if I am having a case of writer's block, though, so don't be surprised at that. Like maybe this one for example!

I hope you'll stop by there too.

Thanks friends!

linking to:

A little Knick Knack

Southern Hospitality

Coastal Charm

Tales from Bloggeritaville

Finding Fabulous

Leafy bugs

I think it's a Katydid, no?

She looks like she's wearing lipstick.

Even when she's going incognito and looks like a leaf,

she doesn't leave home without her lipstick.

My kind of bug.

I'm off to go thrifting in my mom's collection of things

that are boxed up in my garage.

I bet I can find something.

An adventure awaits.

Let them be and follow - a children's photo session

When I photograph children there is no telling how long they will tolerate me so I always go in with some sort of plan. Those plans are usually gone the minute we start. I bring an arsenal of props for interest and other secret weapons but ultimately I just follow them along and work very fast, my fingers adjusting the settings as quickly as I can.

Last Saturday I had the opportunity to photograph my friend's little boys, one who just had a birthday. I always encourage parents to get in to the pictures also so I was happy that Amber was willing to do that. You never know what sweet memory you will make through a photograph.

My whole goal is to capture kids as naturally as new surroundings afford them and just let them be. That plan will always produce something good.
These boys were exceptional and are about the most well behaved little guys I have ever met. And their mom? Well as you can see, she is naturally beautiful, whose beauty is only enhanced by her goodness.

This is just a small sampling of the day.