...rainy indulgence

I tried to hit some sales early this morning , during a break in the rain, ... but in no time, it started again.
By the time I got home, the rain had lightened, so I went out to dig an area for the new YELLOW Lilac that I purchased this week at a sale... but again, it started to rain harder.

I have resigned myself to a lazy afternoon on the porch ... completely indulgent! Curled up with a stack of magazines, enjoying the sounds of the rain, and the sites of these sweet pink roses I cut yesterday during a break in this never ending rain.
As I look around, I currently have FIVE vase of flowers arranged around the house - talk about indulgent!!

...clueless.

Can anybody out there identify this little 'clip' for me?! It has a chain built into it. Inside of the clips is smooth and it is rather heavy, so I don't think that it is a hair accessory... I'm thinking a 1950's purse accessory of some sort. Not a 'glove clip' - too small (clip legs are only 1 1/2" long). DH had his guess... I told him the 'Ladies' of the 50's didn't do that kind of thing... ...or did they?(!) here's another view of it...

Despite the rain this morning, I did manage to fit in a little 'shopping'...

6 Bennington mugs ($3), 3 Pyrex mugs (.75¢), 1 Kitchen Witch mug (.25¢), Amefa Holland flatware ($3), Aluminum powder music box - works! (.50¢), Lotion ($1), Yankee Candle and B&B hand soap (.50¢ ea), Basket ($1)

I don't normally 'do' baskets, but something told me I should check this one out, and look what was marked on the bottom...

HOPE they are doing as good on E-bay as they used to! I went a little overboard in the 'mug department' too, because I've been having REALLY good luck with them lately!

Remember these two mugs? They just sold for $60+ !!

The Kitchen Witch mugs are hot now too!!

As for the Al. powder/music box... it will go in Mom's Xmas stocking (she collects them).

I made the mistake of buying the bottle of Crabtree & Evelyn 'Nantucket Briar' lotion without sniffing it. It was new and still sealed, and I generally like C&E, so I thought it would be safe... WRONG! Not 'MY Taste' anyways!! Anybody out there like it? I'll make you a good deal on it!

I did manage to score three of 'my' VERA today ($1.ea)...

As for the gardens...

They are L.o.v.i.n.g. all of the rain we've been getting!

Last night we broke our previous record of six Moon-flowers in one night...

(that droopy 'pink thing' in the front is what these yellow beauties turn into the following morning when the sun shines on them.)

That's all for today! I would love to hear any ideas on the original purpose of 'The Clip'!

...Clutter is... (No.1)

Clutter is ...

...a lack of acceptance that a moment has passed. (Peter Walsh)

Anybody out there remember the old 'LOVE IS..' one panel cartoons?? I think that we could be onto a new weekly post on this blog!! Have any good contributions??

...words we could all learn from.

"If only they were educated to live instead of earn and spend..."

(D.H. Lawrence)

*Name the book that quote is from... the first correct guess will have a copy sent their way!!

...this is an 'other' day!

Some days, I love chatting with our retail customers.

Other days, a couple will come in and I just think "Damn, she must be good in bed - why else would he put up with her?!"

(random garden photo to balance this post!)

...the Fish is fed, the Dog has been walked

'MAGGIE'

Another WONDERFUL 'Journey Stuff' filled weekend (which equals a 'Quantitative Stuff' empty post!)

Two of our dear nieces took time out of their Busy schedules to come visit their 'old aunt'! The youngest (#3) from the East end of the state (arrived Fri. morning w/ her sweetie 'Maggie' for a weekend visit) and the eldest (#1) from the West arrived Sat. morning for a day visit. Destination: POST SECRET exhibit at the Everson Museum - WARNING: For those of you not familiar with PS, it IS addictive!! It was a day filled with NON-STOP talk, as the cousins caught up with each other, and plans for #1's upcoming August wedding were discussed.

Can you see that line?!!?

On Friday, #3 and I decided to go to the annual MacKenzie-Childs barn sale.... NOT! Though it opened at 8am, when we arrived at 2pm there was still a 2 1/2 hr. waiting line to get in and another 1 1/2hr. line to check-out. We chose to stroll the grounds and appreciate the gardens instead!!


Right now, the house is quiet... Poor DH has been on overload, being in the presence of THREE 'Smith Girls'!! So he is out golfing, #3 is still asleep, Maggie is dozing at my feet after our early walk, the sun is shining, and our roses are luscious in the morning light. My gardens aren't quite MacKenzie-Childs caliper, but I love 'em!!

**SIDE NOTE: I did find the glaze on that piece of Haeger from my previous post!! In Ed Blas' book it states that Haeger produced this line 1971-72 and it is called 'BLUE DECORATED' - snappy name, huh?!**

...name that glaze

((HAPPY DANCE)) ~ ~ ((HAPPY DANCE))

A local animal shelter is having their yearly fundraising sale, so I HAD to stop by on my way to work this morning. I found this little piece, in a glaze that I've never seen before... no chips... and look at that sweet little tag will ya!! (Now I can't wait to get home and research it!)

...no temptation!

On my way home from work today, I was in need of a 'little therapy', so I stopped by a thrift for a quick fix. Check out this 'score' - NINE Vera Bradley Double Eyeglass cases (NWOT) w/ sweet little price tags of .50¢ ea. . Though I have picked up numerous pieces of this designer over the years, this is NOT my style (WRONG VERA!!), so they have all made to resale without hesitation (or regret)!!

...the quest for the 'rectal thermometer'

OH, what a weekend this has been! None of the usual 'stuff', so to speak, to show-n-tell; but there is PLENTY of the experience-type 'stuff' to share!! (I recently read an amazing article, which compared and contrasted how people choose to spend there resources - Acquiring stuff vs. Experiencing... - interesting read! ...and if I can ever figure out where I read it I will include a link!!). I did find a nice SHAWNEE vase on Thursday, but while hastily cleaning it in prep for weekend visitors, it was broken beyond repair. I also finished 'shelling' the garden tree stump before company arrived - amazing what a motivating factor a deadline can be!! I amazed myself by having the house cleaned, vases filled and food prepped by Friday evening - a FULL 24 hours before the arrivial of our long anticipated guests!

This left me with Saturday free to participate in the Town festivities - our first annual Founders Day (In celebration of Statesman Seward's purchase of Alaska - and their 50th anniversary of statehood). There was to be a 'High Profile' guest in for the event, parade to be viewed, speaches to be tolerated and a 'block party' to be had! Now, mind you, our sleepy town rarely draws attention or any real interest. This 'guest' however, drew out a 'Passion' in the locals that was pretty impressive. There was both positive and negative energies flying - but just the fact that there were 'sparks' flying was an occurance not to be missed!

Before I get into the escapades that Mrs. M, baby Z and I had during their all too short visit, I must give humble praise to all of you selfless, ever awake & puked on Moms out there! I definitely DO NOT posess the Parental 'gene' or the desire to ever acquire it! I ADORE our sweet nieces and nephew, as well as all of our friends small ones - but that is DEFINITELY where I draw the line!!

Upon arrival (my first meeting with Z), he was 'out of sorts'. Poor baby was hot and just Not Happy. Temperature? Well, contrary to popular belief, those of us without 'chilluns do not regularly take temperatures! We know if we aren't feeling well, and if it gets bad enough, we go to a Dr., who's job it is to take our temperature. I soon learned, that in the land of the Wee-Ones, a 'rectal thermometer' is a necesssity. Off we went... in search of... The local drugstore was close enough, so we walked. WARNING: Be careful who you allow to drive the stroller!! Yes, Z and I over the course of the weekend did a little 'off roading', wiped out a couple of small store displays and struck terror into the hearts of many... but it was all good! Well, the fever was 'up' and 'down' over the weekend - kind of like Z's 'sweet potatoes'...

(Insert missed photo op: Mrs. M as the poster child for Birth Control - complete with 'second time around sweet potatoes' COVERING the front of her!!)

The visit was brief - cut short by the necessity to get Baby Z home and feeling better, but the short time we had with them was Wonderful!! We were even able to fit in a little shopping adventure, and a BBQ - topped off with homegrown strawberries and Angel Food Cake (while Z was eating his Sweet potatoes!!).

Come see us again soon!

...1,000 words

(Somedays, a picture speaks a thousand words.)

...June?

June 1, 2009: Long Jeans, turtleneck, sweater and socks. It's just WRONG!!