Indulge Your Shelf

I love the hot weather, but not our famous hailstorms.  The one we had last week destroyed my hydrangea (above),  this hosta, which was coming in so nicely this year, and this pretty geranium.  I was Not Happy. I was also Not Happy that the hail came the day after we had new roof shingles installed.  On a hot night last week, I went to another writer's event in downtown Denver; this time it was held at an art studio, and consisted of three novelists sharing on What's Fiction For?  Interesting. I arrived early (after some antiquing) and relaxed and waited in this little courtyard. I really liked this plastic sculpture...in the ladies room! I'm celebrating this month; click to read about my 300 followers/600 posts Celebration giveaway!

I have always been too intimidated by auctions to take part, but then I met Kari , who is much braver than I am and she has shown me the ropes!  At the flea market a couple of weeks ago, I watched her bid at an auction that was also onsite.  Then, this past Friday we went to another auction and stayed for 3 hours!  It was a hot summer afternoon and I was perfectly content to spend it trying to "win" some of their interesting stuff. (I photographed this metal pail because my husband was raised on a street called Schlueter, in St. Louis.) I actually got all the items I bid on, except for the box that had 3 baby christening dresses in it.  (Darn!)  Here is my haul: 4 boxes of mostly vintage sewing stuff! I really like the middle sewing basket; it is wicker and blue leather, nicely worn, and, interestingly, it locks and came with its key.  I don't think I've ever seen a locking sewing box before!   The inside satin was in pretty good shape, too. Bu...

The waterpark with family and friends ...with lots of opportunities to get wet! The name of this ride is appropriate.  I didn't ride it, but Ben did! Stagecoach Another stagecoach Dinner out at the Historic Stagecoach Inn in Manitou Springs We are loving summer; how about you? Let's talk!  Every comment counts towards my 300 followers/600 posts Celebration giveaway!

I think I'm addicted to vintage china. I often find pieces for less than $2 at thrift stores;  and when I do, I just can't seem to resist buying pretty plates. Especially English transferware...  but also these little squarish dessert plates.  And flowers. How about you? I'm joining in with: Apron Thrift Girl  Click on the button to see more thrifty finds!  And, don't forget every comment counts towards my 300 followers/600 posts Celebration giveaway!

I had so much fun doing the Very Vintage Spring Ephemera Swap hostessed by Jessica !  Here's the package of spring-themed ephemera I sent:     It's so much fun to put together ephemera packs that I had a hard time stopping! I just got the package from the 16 participants in the mail, and it is swoon-worthy!  I'm thrilled with everyone's generosity, and the care they took... in wrapping up a little package of vintage-y joy! If this whet your whistle, be sure to comment to enter my own 600 Posts/300 Followers Celebration Giveaway of...ephemera !

Sometimes I think I could fill a whole blog with photos of funny, tacky, or downright scary things I see at thrift stores.  Honestly, don't you find yourself shuddering or gasping sometimes when you see something that is so kitschy it's not even cute?! Like this little horse server... made up of four bowls; there's horse's head, the wire body, two "packs" that are small bowls, and it's pulling a wheeled "cart" which is the large bowl.  Did you ever ?  I just had to take a picture! This plate is something I LOVED but didn't buy.  It was at one of our ARC thrift stores that is always, always overpriced.  Sometimes the prices there make me gasp out loud!  I don't know what they are thinking.  The only reason I go there, really, is to buy the stuff that's half price that week; then, it's thrift-store affordable. But, isn't it lovely?  And it was very old.  (Sigh.) What have you found that made you gasp at the thrift store/f...

Well -- I almost missed this boat, but the Blog Guidebook (which I appear in, thankyouverymuch, and you can, too !) is giving something away every day this month to celebrate their one year anniversary! Go see ! While you're at it -- be sure to enter my giveaway, too! Thank you for the anniversary wishes, all.  I'm sad to say I was ill on our anniversary, so all of our wonderful plans were canceled.  I had a fever, upset stomach, etc., etc. and in fact still feel a bit queasy.  I hope we can celebrate later this week. But, my wonderful husband sent me this amazing bouquet of 20 peonies (20 years = 20 peonies!), so I'm going to share these gorgeous photos with you!