Wouldn’t it be lover-ly?

I’ve been dreaming of having my very own booth at an antique market.  Wouldn’t it be fun to gather goodies and display them to sell?  There are SO many of these markets around with so many beautiful ideas too.  I would want MY booth to be very special and stand out from the rest!

 

My mother and I used to decorate the store front of my dad’s pharmacy in Ohio.  We had so much fun changing out the displays every month.  My mother was and will always be my inspiration!  She taught me to grow and arrange flowers, taught me how to sew, helped me learn how to re-purpose things, and most of all how to appreciate the little things in life.

I have so many things in my home now that would sell really well in an antique shop!  None, I am willing to part with however!  It seems that the things I love others like too.  Is that enough to venture in to a retail type business?

It would be nice to have some extra income to support my thrifty habits though!   How do you get started doing something like this?  Is it worth the time and expense?

I wouldn’t want MY booth to be a copycat of the others.  What would make it special and more attractive?  Color perhaps?  A specialty of some sort?  I have way too many favorites to concentrate on ONE thing!

Maybe an Etsy shop?  Sell on Ebay?  What about the hassles of shipping?  I don’t think I would want to spend so much time at the post office!

Just dreaming here this morning. Time to go to work!

What are you dreaming about today?

Love,  Kathi

(photos from Flicker)

A few of my favorite things

I walked around the house the other day and took some photos of some of the things I’ve collected over the years.  Thought I would share them with you…

 

My little collection of carousel horses.

A free (!) dresser and thrifty shelf in my craft room

Mother’s Spode china. Love it!

A lovely sampler made by my Mother in 1987

One of my fat cats.  Henry.

A little wooden stool I spray painted yellow.  Stacked with magazines I need to go through – again!

Some pretty blue glass.  The covered dish belonged to my mother.

 

Shell art (Mother again) and a little glass jar with things I collected on the beach.  Reminds me of “home.”

A thrifty robin and candle holder.  I made the little grapevine “nest.”  The colorful paddles and vase were thrift store finds.

Little wooden boxes.  I use them to store colored pencils, pens etc.  The metronome was a gift from a friend.  The small dark box contains some tiny wooden candle holders that are painted like little people!

I love the way the sun shines in the front door!  I’ve changed up the wall where the clock is and moved my buffet there.  The buffet was found inside a shed (free) at a house I rented in Florida.  The owner had used it as a tool cabinet.  I refinished it and it looks great!  Can’t get a good photo of it this morning.  Sorry.

I found these three embroidered florals at thrift stores.  My dad made this cute wooden stool and I just painted it blue!  The towel was a gift from one of my patients.  Isn’t it fun to see what you’ve collected over the years and how they all find a place of their own?

Hope you have a beautiful day!

Love, Kathi

Dinner and a DEAD battery

I decided I would treat my self to a take-out dinner at Logan’s Roadhouse Grill tonight.  I called in my order - sirloin steak, baked sweet potato and broccoli (YUM) then I drove over to pick it up. 

When I got back into my car it wouldn’t start.  Just a weak “click” and nothing else.  Click click click.  Nothing.  There was no one around to help me so I called AAA.  I’ve been a member for 30 years so they had better come help me fast!  My food was getting cold!

I tried to eat in the car while I waited.  Have you ever tried to eat steak with a plastic knife and fork?  Don’t bother…

Before long, my hero arrived and jump started my car.  He informed me that the battery was dead, kaput, done for.  I’m not surprised since it’s the original 2004 battery that came with the car.  Guess I shouldn’t complain! 

He offered to put in a new one for me for $129.  I said, “thanks, but no thanks” and drove off to the auto parts store down the street.  It was after 5 pm and I didn’t think they would be open, but they were!

A really nice guy sold me a new battery for $89 and installed it for FREE!  Can’t beat that!  In less than 10 minutes too!

Later while I was enjoying my cold and really tough steak I thought, “you know, I could have been stuck at home tomorrow morning trying to go to work when this happened.  I could have been somewhere else and not had dinner sitting beside me.  I even had a cold diet Pepsi with me so I didn’t get thirsty while I waited for AAA to come.  The weather was perfect - warm and sunny.  AAA came right away and the guy at the auto parts place was so helpful . . .

God was watching over me and taking care of me this evening just like He always does.  It’s just that sometimes I fail to notice His goodness or say “thank You” as often as I should.

“It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Thy name, O Most High.  To declare Thy lovingkindness in the morning, and Thy faithfulness at night.”  Psalm 92:1

Blessings,  Kathi

Not one, but two!

This is the quilt I got today at my neighbor’s garage sale for $3. Seems they had a lot of things for $3 . . .

When I came home and opened the bag, I found that there was not just ONE quilt, but TWO! They are BOTH handmade, have lovely stitching and the prettiest prints!

There are a few small stains but I think with some care they will come out pretty as can be!

Get to know your neighbors! Not only will you make a new friend, or two, you just may find some treasures when they have a garage sale!

My “new” little sewing machine!

No, not this one. It’s $38.50 on Etsy.

Not this one either. $99.00 on Ebay!

Nope, not mine either. $79.00 on Ebay!

THIS one is MINE!

I found it at my neighbor’s garage sale!

Isn’t it pretty!? In perfect condition too! Love the dovetailed wooden base and the shiny red knob on the handle! Did I mention it was only $3.00 ?

Those are my “new” Ralph Lauren sheets behind it. They were $3.00 too.

Time to get back out in the yard, but I just HAD to show you what might be my best find ever!

I'm linking up with Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality on Monday. Check out all of the other thrifty finds from this weekend!

Happy Saturday!  Love, Kathi

http://southernhospitality-rhoda.blogspot.com/2009/04/white-creamware.html

Garage sale right next door!

This will have to be a quick post with no photos.

I just got home from my neighbor’s house with an armload of treasures!! I got a gorgeous old quilt with shams, a perfect apron, a Ralph Lauren sheet set and the cutest little PINK antique toy sewing machine!!! All for $10!

I really MUST go mow my yard and pull weeds, but I’ll be sure to show you my finds later!

Hope you too have a happy Saturday!

Blessings, Kathi

Maggie, Maggie, give me your answer do…

I think that Nugget must have been looking over my shoulder this morning. I guess he read the letter that Maggie wrote to Oliver Wendell I thought maybe he was just tired but now I’m sure that he is just sad.

He looks at me with these eyes and I wonder what it will take for him to find happiness again? The love of his life is interested in someone else. Has that ever happened to you? If so, then you know how Nugget feels right now. Poor baby…

His world is crumbling around him. He can’t even lift his head.

We had a little chat this morning. I was just trying to cheer him up. These are some of the things he would say to Maggie, if he had the chance.

"Miss Maggie, we could be so good together. We could share stories about our moms. We could hunt lizards together. I’m great at catching lizards! I even got a squirrel once! I could be your great hunter and show you lots of places to find things. My heart is so sad right now. How could you choose a big old dog like Oliver when you could have a sweet little man like me?

I know I don’t dress the part of a charming suitor. I don’t have any nice clothes or collars to get spiffied up in.

  http://www.doggieclothesline.com/

I just have my purple dog collar and a flea collar that’s so old it surely doesn’t kill any fleas. I don’t have any fleas Maggie, I promise. I’m soft and silky just like you.

http://deardaisycottage.typepad.com/

You look so lovely in your photos. I just can’t take my eyes off you. If only you could get to know me better, I’m sure you would like me. Everyone likes me. I can do tricks too. I can leap sideways over my big brother. I can spin circles at dinnertime. I can even jump up on the dining room table! You know there is always something good up there!

Maggie, if you could only give me a chance. Just one little chance, then I could smile again."

Hopefully yours, Nugget

Measure twice, buy once!

Why has the day gone by without a thing being accomplished? Why do I feel so tired and unmotivated? I started the day late but with plans to hang my drapery rod in the living room and work on my “new” drapes/valances.

Not sure where my mind was when I purchased the drapery rod?

After fighting with sealed plastic packaging for almost 15 minutes, and trying a razor blade, I had to chop it out with scissors! I scratched my hand in the process. That plastic is SHARP!

I laid it out on the floor and it didn’t look quite long enough? So I measured my window again and I measured the rod. I went to the trash and looked at what was left of the packaging and read the size. It is about 20” too short!

Reminder to self: Measure twice, buy once.

I have so many projects in mind. I thought maybe today I would get ONE thing done!? After the drapery rod disappointment my weak enthusiasm got weaker. A trip to Mickey D’s didn’t help. Now I craving CHOCOLATE!

I usually have my best energy in the mornings. It’s almost 6pm now and getting close to my bedtime. Well almost. Looks like tonight will be one of those veggie nights on the sofa with my “new” thrift store blanket (photo above), a cup of tea and perhaps a big bowl of chunky monkey ice cream?

Do you ever have a day when a small disappointment stops you dead in your tracks? How do you brush it off and go on to something else? I can’t seem to get beyond the drapery rod thing. It just took the wind out of my sail.

I did put away all of my Easter decorations earlier. Guess I did get something accomplished today . . .

The sun will come out tomorrow,

Kathi

“Instant” Oatmeal

Ingredients: Quick cooking Quaker Oats, brown sugar, raisins, cinnamon.

Optional: nuts, dried apples, dried cranberries, shredded coconut . . .

Mix together in plastic container and you’ve got oatmeal to go!

When you’re ready for breakfast, fill a coffee mug 1/2 full of the oatmeal mix. Add water to cover, then microwave for about 45 seconds on “hi.” So easy! So QUICK! So good for you!

So much better and so much less expensive than this:

Like I used to say to my kids, "Be good, don't fight!, eat breakfast!

Love, Kathi

Why is it SO hard to get a good photo of this dog!?

   

Perhaps it’s because Nugget just won’t be still.  Unless he has his “stegasaurus.” 

Hobby Lobby Sale!

I went to Hobby Lobby for the first time yesterday.  Good thing it’s not close to me!  I had a 25% off coupon, but today there’s a 40% off coupon!  This is one place I really need to stay away from!  There’s a Michael’s Art and Craft store not too far from me.  Need to stay out of there too!  I have enough '”stuff” here already to open my own store!

Hallelujah! Jesus Loves You!

History, mythology, and art are filled with stories and images that speak of the beauty and majesty of the elegant white flowers. One of the most famous Biblical references is in the Sermon on the Mount, when Christ said, "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they toil not, neither do they spin and yet Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these."

Often called the "White-Robed Apostles Of Hope," lilies are said to have been found growing in the Garden of Gethsemane after Christ's agony. At Easter time, Churches bank their altars and surround their crosses with masses of Easter Lilies, to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and hope of life everlasting.

The pure white lily has long been associated with womanhood, too. In early paintings, the Angel Gabriel is pictured extending a branch of pure white lilies to the Virgin Mary, announcing that she is to be the mother of the Christ Child. In other paintings, saints are pictured bringing vases full of white lilies to Mary and the infant Jesus. Tradition has it that when Eve left the Garden of Eden she shed real tears of repentance, and from those remorseful tears sprung up lilies. The spiritual principle held here is that true repentance is the beginning of beauty.

A mark of purity and grace throughout the ages, the regal white lily is a fitting symbol of the greater meaning of Easter. Gracing millions of homes and churches, the flowers embody joy, hope and life. Whether given as a gift or enjoyed in your own home, the Easter lily serves as a beautiful reminder that Easter is a time for rejoicing and celebrating.

I found this beautiful discussion this morning online. Click on the word “lilies" for the link. The photo is from Flicker.

Hope you have a wonderful Easter Day, filled with hope and the promise of the Resurrection.

Blessings, Kathi

Ribbons and Windows

Here’s the king-sized bed skirt I found on craigslist!  The little flowers are RED. I’m going to pick it up this afternoon.  For $7 (yep, that’s seven dollars!)  I think it will be the perfect thing to dress up the white sheets I’m going to use to make drapes for my living room!  Now I’m looking for some ribbon trim to finish them off.

 

I love grosgrain ribbon!  Look at all of the pretty colors!

This ribbon is just adorable!  Not the right colors for my curtains, but I love it!  I’ll probably use either red or green grosgrain instead…  Does anyone know if grosgrain ribbon is colorfast?

 

Too plain.

This is more like it!  Love the little ties at the top!

Or maybe something like this?

This is pretty too.

 

From www.landofnod.com

Aren’t these just the cutest rods?  I bought some cheap rods with leaves on the ends.  I think they need little birds like this!?  They are gold too.  Looks like there might be more spray painting going on here again!

Hope you have a blessed Easter weekend.

Love,  Kathi