Junk For Sale

Good evening! The picture above is how the pond across the road looks almost every morning. The steam rising off the water is absolutely beautiful. I need to try to take a better picture. It is even more breathtaking when you see the sun peaking up over the trees.

I came home this evening to the sound of a tractor mowing our grass. We have several acres of grass, but only mow the yard (probably about 2 acres). I worried when we moved here what we would do since we don't own a tractor. Well, everything works out. A farmer down the road mows and bales our grass. He has hay for his livestock and we have a cleared yard. No money is exchanged, but he is happy and we are happy!

My first month at the antique store was great! I deposited my first check yesterday and it was more than I expected when I started this whole thing. I really enjoy doing this - shopping for treasures, turning "junk" into something new, and then displaying it in my booth just so. I found out that there is one lady in town (and her daughter) who have bought A LOT from my booth. They'll come in or call and ask if I have been there to add anything new. And then they SHOP! Works for me!

Last week was a good junking week. Between thrift stores, garage sales and one estate "tag" sale I came home with lots of new things. Most will end up in my booth, although I am hanging on to a few things (for now anyway).

This isn't everything I bought last week, but it gives you an idea. The back of my van got pretty full on Saturday morning. I am so thankful that my hubby allows me to go junking on Saturday mornings while he watches the kiddos. I don't go out every week, but it sure is nice when I do.

It is a little hard to see the table that everything is sitting on. It appears to be pretty old and "primitive" and was a bargain for $3. It is on my front porch. I'm working on a fall display set up on it that I will try to show you later.

I have a confession. I like men's pajamas. Only vintage ones. Strange, I know. But have you every looked at them? There are some great prints. The ones I found last weekend are probably my favorites. It is a beautiful winter scene fabric. Not sure if I will put them in my booth around Christmas time or if I will keep them and wear them. Yes, I even wear men's pajamas. Now you know.

I love this old refrigerator drawer. And of course I can't pass up trim, lace and rick rack.

There is a lady in town who does estate "tag" sales. Sometimes I think things are pricey and other times I am excited at the bargains I find. This breakfast tray was $2. Definitely worth it! The cherry plate came from a garage sale. Isn't it sweet?

More treasures....a serenity prayer sampler and a Homer Laughlin mixing bowl. I like how they look together.

More old magazines, turkey salt and pepper shakers, a vintage thermos, a McCoy planter....The mirror (which you can see better in a previous picture) is an old window frame. It came from the tag sale. I have been looking for a mirror for our back bathroom and I think this one is perfect.

I'm not sure if I will do much fall decorating inside this year, but like I said before, I am working on the porch. I wish I could find some of those fun pumpkins like are available in some places - white, green, etc. All that is available here is the typical orange ones from the grocery store. Have any of you every grown pumpkins or gourds? I'm thinking about trying it next year.

Time to get off the computer. The house is not going to clean itself and the laundry fairy did not make an appearance here today. I guess it is up to me.....

{Two rows of bronze gourds were around the outer edge of the bowl, ten gourds to every eighteen inches. I Kings 7:24}

Grass Stains

October is "Rett Syndrome Awareness Month." I've been trying to think of some great, profound post, but I guess my heart and my head are just not in it right now. Neither is my body. I have a recurring neck/shoulder/arm pain that is back this week. It hurts to be on the computer. It hurts to sleep. It hurts to lift my Sweet Girl. It isn't horrible - just constant and annoying. But enough about me.

Since I can't think of anything original to type tonight, I want to share a story I wrote a few years ago.

Grass Stains

As moms, we’ve all heard the phrase, “You’ve got to pick your battles.” Well, I am done fighting the war on grass stains. I’ve scrubbed. I’ve soaked. I’ve scrubbed some more. Still, my sons’ jeans come out of the laundry looking quite colorful. My seven year old arrives home from school not only with bright green on his knees, but all the way up and down his legs and the seat of his pants. I can’t even imagine what he does to get those stains in so many places! And if that is not enough, his four year old brother is quickly learning from his example.

I used to worry about those stubborn grass stains. What will other moms think about me if I let my boys be seen this way? Maybe I don’t care enough about their appearance. If I can’t remove those stubborn stains, what does it say about my homemaking skills? After all my scrubbing and soaking, I am still inadequate. Well, I surrender. The grass stains are just going to stay!

My grumbling has turned to gratitude. Now, as I throw those blue-turned-green jeans into the washing machine, I don’t reach for the Shout or Spray-and-Wash. Those stains are a reminder that God has blessed me with two healthy boys who can run and play. I fold the permanently stained jeans and think about the fun that was involved in getting them that way. Let others think what they will. Green is becoming my favorite color.

You see, I also have a daughter and chances are, she will never have grass stains on her knees. Not because she is a girl, but because she can’t walk. She has Rett Syndrome which affects her ability to move, among other things. I love my little girl with all my heart, but I grieve the fact that she will never join her brothers in a game of tag; that she won’t fall down in the grass and come up with green battle scars. Her little pink leggings will be forever pink.

I guess I need to get back to my laundry. Time to soak the food stains from my daughter’s shirts. Swallowing is sometimes difficult for her and food falls out of her mouth onto her clothes. On second thought, I think I’m beginning to like the pizza sauce polka dots……

Here is the most recent picture of Sweet Girl. It was taken last weekend. It is a rare occasion to get her looking at the camera and smiling (well, sort of).

If you would like to know more about Rett Syndrome you can visit these places: RettHelp, Girl Power, and IRSF. All of these sites have information about Rett Syndrome and also opportunities to donate. I really hate asking for money, especially in these difficult economic times. But I also hate that there is no cure for Rett Syndrome yet.

Also, my Usborne books eshow is still open. I am donating my commission to Rett Syndrome research. These books make wonderful gifts and the holidays are fast approaching.

Well, this has been a somewhat "scattered" post. Just the way my brain is tonight, I guess. It is past my bedtime and it hurts to type or even use the mouse. I'll be back in a few days with a more "usual" post.

Autumn Craftiness

Time sure does fly between blog posts! Way back when I first started this blog I posted almost every day. Now I am lucky if I do it twice a week. It is probably because I spend too much time reading all my favorite blogs. Speaking of favorites, Kristi tagged me with an award. Thanks, Kristi! I am supposed to put the picture of the award on my blog and then tag 7 other bloggers. I'll try to do that later in the week.

The first month of my antique booth went very well. I am quite excited! I've gotten several compliments on my displays and people are buying my stuff! The trick is for me to go in, add and rearrange things in my booth and NOT buy anything from anyone else. I did spend $2 in there today. That's not too bad considering I sold $80+ just over the weekend.

I've been trying to keep a good variety of "handmade" items in my booth. My "Halloween Favors" feeder sold right away. Last week I made a chalkboard from an old silver tray (and forgot to take any pictures.) It sold. I also made a journal and it sold today. Didn't take a picture of it either. Of course, there are also things I made earlier that haven't sold. Oh, well.
A couple weeks ago I purchased a tutorial from Dawn at The Feathered Nest. She is an amazing artist and I love that she shares her ideas with others. The photos above and below are my baby shoe pincushion that I made using Dawn's wonderful instructions. Isn't it sweet? It is in my booth, but it is okay if it doesn't sell. I'll keep it!
This morning I made this little collage. It is displayed alongside an Edgar Allen Poe book propped open to "The Raven."
I'm really not a "Halloween" person. I love fall, but could just do without Halloween. Nevertheless, I know other people love decorating for this holiday and I want to accomodate them!
I printed "Boo" onto an old dictionary page and stuck the letters on these old bottles. Didn't even clean them out first. That adds to the spooky factor, right?!

On the homefront, I have been working on cleaning and painting porch furniture. Once that task is done I will put out some fall decorations. Sweet Girl has a nasty cough - typical for this time of year. Other than sounding awful, I really don't think she feels bad. I just put her in bed and she had a beautiful smile on her face. The guys are in town playing basketball at the church. I'm going to finish this post and then sit and read a new magazine that came in the mail today. Love my magazines!

{"Don't hoard your goods; spread them around. Be a blessing to others....." Ecclesiastes 11:2}

Shades of Inspiration - Gray

This week's Shades of Inspiration is focusing on "gray". You can view my flickr photos here or you can view the entire group. As always, there are some amazing photographs. It is fun to look for a specific color throughout the week. It really makes you aware of your surroundings.

This is my favorite photo for the week. I drive by this place several times a day; it is just 1/4 mile down the road from our house. It brings to mind so many thoughts. Gray. That is the color for this week and the color of this house. Makes me think that there certainly are many "shades of gray" around here. As evidenced by the clothes hanging on the line, someone lives here. Someone also lives in the $400,000 house just around the corner. Then there are the "gray" houses in the neighborhood. Not literally gray, but figuratively somewhere in between.

Humbling. Another thought that comes to mind as I drive by. I whine because my sink doesn't drain properly. I wonder if they have running water? I complain because the electric bill is too high. They swelter in the heat with no air conditioning. I grumble about not being able to keep up with the laundry. Theirs is hanging out for all to see. I am humbled by the sight.

Peaceful. Really. There is something peaceful and comforting about laundry blowing in the breeze. It makes me think of simpler times. I would like a clothesline. I had one (and used it regularly) when we lived in Kansas. I'll have to figure out how to get one here. Not having to listen to the rumble of the dryer is a peaceful thought.

Take some time to look at the ordinary things around you this week. What thoughts do they bring to mind?

{"Look around you: Everything you see is God's—the heavens above and beyond, the Earth, and everything on it." Deuteronomy 10:14}

Life in the Slow Lane

So, I suppose I could tell you that I haven't blogged in a week because I have been so busy, but that wouldn't really be the truth. Oh, I've had things to do; places to go....but I haven't been swamped. Thankfully. I was thinking the other day how blessed our family is right now because we are not just running here and there all the time. It is "life in the slow lane" for us this fall.

Last year at this time we were juggling soccer, football, piano, hippotherapy.... Where we live now there is no youth soccer in the fall. There is football, but we opted not to do that. Our 11 year old didn't put up a fuss. I am disappointed about piano. We just haven't found a teacher for our 7 year old. Of course, we are still doing hippotherapy.

Wednesday is our "crazy" day. As soon as school is out the kids and I make a 45 minute drive so Sweet Girl can ride. After an hour we drive back to town and meet hubby somewhere for supper. There is no time to make it clear home because he has about 1/2 to eat before he goes back to campus for a meeting. Then I take the kids to church. Everyone is finally home by 8:30.

I can't imagine this schedule most every night. I know our day is coming as the boys get older and involved in school sports, band, etc. Right now we are enjoying the peaceful evenings at home. We don't even have cable tv. I love finding the boys in their room reading a book! Sometimes we sit on the porch or walk down the quiet, country road. We might end up stopping and visiting with the neighbors for an hour. Or the boys might get an invitation to go fishing and off they go to the pond. I was describing this all to a friend in an email lately and she replied that it sounded like "Mayberry."

I hope you all can have some Mayberry moments during your week. Enjoy them!

Before I go, I wanted to share some pictures. I walk on a walking trail through campus and Friday I took my camera along with me. The trail mostly goes through the university farm.

There are three cattle guards that I have to cross during my walk.

This is an old ampitheatre on campus.
I'll also show you some pictures of some fall flowers on my porch.
Pansies and kale in an old feeder.

This isn't a great photo, but I stuck these mums in an old wooden tool box. They aren't bloomed out much yet. I'll take another photo later. I also bought a huge mum that I have sitting on my front steps. It is going to be beautiful when it blooms. Stay tuned.

Once again, I have managed to do quite a long post. Guess that is what happens when I only post once a week.

{"The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live." I Timothy 2:1-3}

Feeling {Fall}ish

It was 58 degrees when we woke up this morning! Beautiful! We have the AC off and all the windows open. It is starting to feel like fall. Of course, I do feel a little bad rejoicing about the cool weather knowing that it is probably a result of Ike. We had some fairly strong winds here this weekend. Some people in our town lost power, but ours only flickered a couple of times.

I loved Margo's carriage wheel when I first saw it. I was excited when I found some wheels of my own shortly after that. I've had them for several months now and finally got around to decorating one this week. I'm not completely satisfied with it, but I will probably keep it this way for now. Maybe I will change it for Christmas. I really need my mom here for this project. She is a florist and just knows how to do these things.

I briefly mentioned these little feeders a couple posts back. They were a quarter a piece at a garage sale and I just thought I could do something with them. For the first one I attached the hymn "Bringing in the Sheaves" and then just tucked in some fall decorations.

This one has a dictionary page, some scrap paper and an advertisement for "Halloween Favors" from my 1917 Ladies Home Journal. Doesn't it make a fun candy dispenser?

These are just a couple of old brown bottles I embellished.

Not everyone does seasonal displalys in their antique booth, but I like to change things around a bit. Sadly, I took my little green cabinet off my front porch because I desperately needed it in my booth. Tonight I worked on it for a couple of hours. My 11 year old son helped me.
It was fun to tuck little pumpkins here and there.
Owls seem to be fairly popular right now, so I added a couple to my display.

And a couple more pumpkins....
It may feel like fall, but the grass is still growing. Our grass is about a foot tall! Thankfully, not a lot of people drive by on our road. They'd probably think our place was abandonded. Nope. Our mower is just in the shop. Broken mower + lots of rain = a sad looking yard. Actually, the mower was done being fixed today. Now we just have to figure out how to get it home since we don't own a pickup or trailer.

Today the power doors and locks on my van quit working. Very frustrating. Hopefully it is not a computer issue. I need to take it to a Chrsyler dealer and the nearest one is 45 miles away. Not sure when I will do that. Aaaaah! Life was so much simpler without all this "power" stuff on vehicles. Actually, that is not true. The power doors make my life easier. When I am carrying a 45 lb. child, a school bag and a purse it is nice to push a button and have the door open.

Oh, and have I told you that my kitchen sink drain has not worked properly for over two months? The plumbing issues go way beyone just this one drain, but it is the most pressing matter right now. I'm hopefully getting it fixed this week. When I come up with an extra $13,000 we will get the rest of the plumbing fixed.

Sorry about all that. I guess I just felt the need to let you know that life is not all about crafting, decorating and sweet little pumpkins. Those are just some of the things that help me stay sane!

{"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven..." Ecclesiastes 3:1}

{ReNew}

I decided that my antique booth needed a name instead of just a silly number. I used old dictionary pages to put the name on an old mirror. I like the way it turned out. I am also stamping the name on all of my price tags.

Isn't this plastic shelving pitiful? I just didn't have anything else to use - especially at the last minute. It will have to do for now. I'm on the lookout for a wooden bookshelf or cabinet. But you know me - it's got to be cheap! So far, no luck.

Here is the stadium chair being used as a shelf. After I took the picture I added a boy scout book. Looks kind of bare as it is. The blocks spell out "Live. Laugh. Love." I've already sold a set that spelled "Dream."
This is an old silver scoop. It was not in great shape, so I decided to decorate it. I used shredded music for the "nest" and then added some little eggs, a tag and some antique lace.
Here is a plate I dressed up. I have no idea if these things will sell, but I enjoy making them.
I also made up some "embellishment packs." Again, fun to put together and not sure if they will sell. I've actually accumulated quite a lot of vintage lace, ribbon and trims lately. Much more than I can use anytime soon. I love it and hope others will, too.

Webster's defines renew this way: 1. Revive. 2. Begin anew. I love that. With a little care an antique can be revived. With some imagination an object can begin anew; perhaps with a new purpose. Here is an example of renewal from this week.

I'm calling it my flea market bag. It is quite large - great for holding newfound treasures! Can you guess what it was before I "renewed" it?

A chair slipcover! Not this one exactly, but you get the idea, right? It is a linen fabric. I cut it off just above the ties. So, what would have gone over the back of the chair became the bag. I also removed the ties and used them as the straps. So easy because I didn't have to do any hemming. The small pocket with the embroidery was cut from the bottom of the slipcover. The large floral pocket is from a vintage handmade valance.

I used the same fabric as a band along the top, inside of the bag. I didnt want to line the bag, but wanted the top to be neat. I sandwich the straps between the right sides of the two fabrics, stiched around the whole thing, turned the floral print to the inside and pressed it. I should have taken pictures, because I'm not sure what I just typed makes any sense to anyone but me. Sorry.

Enough for tonight. I have laundry that is waiting to be folded. I'd rather keep blogging.

{"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." Psalm 51:10}

Back in Business

There is a fun little antique mall in town and I called last Thursday to see about booth fees, etc. The owner informed me that she just had an opening and I could "move in" on Monday. I felt the rent was quite reasonable and so I decided to go for it. I really had to get busy getting things ready, but by Monday evening I was back in business! I took a few pictures but they didn't turn out well - it is pretty dark in there. I'll try again this next week.

Since I am selling again (already made over half my rent!) I figured I might need to step up the buying just a bit also. You know, I have to make sure to keep that booth full. The garage sales and thrift stores were pretty good to me this week. I found some things to sell and, of course, some things to keep.

My son and I were talking about how nice it would be to take a nap on the porch with these cool temperatures we've been having. This cot will make that possible.
Some linens are drying on the drying rack I got this morning.
Some pictures, a camp stool (that needs the canvas replaced) and some badmitton racquets....This stuff was all super-cheap. The pictures are nothing special, but the frames were worth it. I think the large one would make a great chalk board or inspiration board.
This is just a small sampling of the trims and laces I bought. There is actually a whole box full. Some really fun stuff!

You might want to enlarge this picture. Here is what you are looking at: little metal feeders, vintage fabric, a lunch pail with owls on it, shoe forms, a peg rack and a wooden stadium chair. I am thinking that the feeders might make fun fall decorations - maybe add some mini pumpkins, leaves, etc.
I wish I would have taken a better picture of this stadium chair. It is really neat. I might hang it in my booth and use it as a shelf.
Here is a better look at the fabric.
Isn't this a sweet little sewing rocker? It is going to the booth. I don't have room for more furniture here.
This silver tiered stand is very tarnished but I will probably leave it that way for now. On it are some of those little candle holder clips for Christmas trees. There are more of those and the candles to go with them. I will put them in my booth later on. I have a project planned for the silver shoe forms. I'll show you when I complete it.

Some of the things I bought Friday morning I have already priced and taken in to the booth. I forgot to take pictures. There is the sweetest little vintage child's pinafore apron. I wanted to keep it, but I don't need it.

We got several inches of rain last week, but the winds never got too bad. We have been enjoying the wonderful temperatures. It is so nice to open up the house and let the cool breezes blow through.

Are you having a good weekend? I sure hope so!

Grab Your Favorite Mug....

....and follow me! We aren't making coffee (yet). We are making "the most dangerous cake in the world." Prepare yourselves!

We don't need a mixer for this cake, so just keep it covered.
Are you ready? Here goes....

5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake

4 T. flour (not self-rising)

4 T. sugar

2 T. baking cocoa (I use dark - dutch processed)

1 egg

3 T. milk

3 T. oil

3 T. chocolate chips (optional) (Are chocolate chips really ever optional?)

A small splash of vanilla

Add dry ingredients to your favorite mug and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Add the milk and oil and mix again. Add the chocolate chips and vanilla and stir once more. Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts. Please note: the cake will rise over the top of the mug but don't be alarmed! (Actually, mine didn't because my favorite mug is oversized.)

Allow to cool just a bit. Just enough time to grab your other favorite mug and pour a cup of coffee. Get a spoon and dig in! Enjoy!

Why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world? Because now you are just 5 minutes away from chocolate cake any time of the day or the night!

I have just one more thing to say. Shame on my friends who emailed me this recipe.

{"Better a bread crust shared in love than a slab of prime rib (or chocolate cake) served in hate." Proverbs 15:17}