Mother's Day Joy

Front Row - l-r - Grandson Conrad, Daughter-in-Law Mykette, Son Paul, Granddaughter Carolyn, PFCMom (Rozy, holding portrait of Son James), Daughter Elizabeth, newest Granddaughter Eleanora

Back Row - l-r - Daughter-in-Law Tatum, Son Daniel, Grandson Warren, Son Joseph, Daughter-in-Law Nicole

All of the grands belong to Paul and Mykette, Auntie Elle held Eleanora the most.

This represents all of my treasures, so far.

Thrift-Larking Treasures

You'd think that because I'm decluttering and downsizing that I wouldn't be going to thrift stores. Well, you'd be wrong. I love going to thrift stores because you never know what treasures await. And, frankly I just like seeing and touching pretty things. Occasionally I find a piece that grabs my heart and won't let go.

Some years ago I bought a set of 12 pink dessert plates, just because I couldn't resist the lovely feminine color, rimmed with gold.

I love using them! They are especially pretty for Valentine's Day or a Spring luncheon or tea.

Last week on a little thrift-larking adventure I found a platter that caused me to say, "Be still my heart!"

Isn't that the prettiest platter ever? I love it!

On a past adventure I found these two delightful glasses for when TopDad and I are alone for breakfast.

Now, for proof that more is going out than coming in, a couple of photos of the stuff stacked up for a yard sale and/or donation.

Have you been doing any Larking? (Search for, or creation of treasures)

Tuesday's Treasures

I followed a prompting to go to the thrift store last week even though it wasn't on my list of places to go, and am I glad I did! I hit the jackpot!!

Remember my living room makeover? I hung up some plates and have been looking for more to fill in the space.

Blue transferware plates are not so easy to find. I keep my eye open for them and I managed to find two, a large and a smaller, but didn't want to hang them up until I had enough to make the pattern even of large and small.

Last month I finally found another smaller plate at "Chuck's Bargain Barn" outside of town.

But here is the proverbial piece de resistance:

I like the plate to be meaningful to me, in design or picture. We visited Mt. Rushmore as a family in 2014.

Now I have enough to complete the pattern and fill in the space. Yay for cheap decorating.

Other items from my jackpot haul included:

One tile trivet and two other tiles to make trivets with. I asked TopDad if he'd help me this summer make frames and he said he would.

Beautiful brass candlestick for stay-at-home dinner date nights.

And then there were the linens. Oh be still my heart.

First up is the gorgeous linen cutwork embroidered tablecloth, large enough for my big table.

Detail of embroidery

Assorted dresser scarves, napkin and yellow linen towel.

Flannel sheet set for $6.00!!

Another flannel sheet that will make a great backing for a Christmas quilt.

And, pink sheets, top and bottom, for my pink bedroom.

I also scored some DVD's for $2 each, but as they are gifts, I won't show what they were.

And that is why I like shopping at thrift stores. It is a treasure hunt that never gets old!

Tuesday's Treasures

Confession: I have an obsession. Yes, I admit it. Every time I go to a thrift store I check the linens to see what treasures have been turned in, abandoned by the unappreciative. I find the prettiest things!

26" square either napkin or towel

Lily of the Valley motif on each corner

Linen kitchen towel with liquid embroidery
In all of my study of domestic history, Monday is consistently washday. One historian believes that is so that the best linens, used on Sunday would be washed before any stains could set. Makes sense to me.

This gorgeous peacock is embroidered on a piece of polyester linen-like fabric.
I'd like to make a sofa pillow out of it. (17"x 13")

Peacock tail feather detail

Lovely natural linen hand towel

Detail of daisys in dark and light orange with grey stem and leaves

Bleached linen hand towel

Detail of pulled thread embroidery and yellow and grey flowers

Linen is soft and absorbent; it feels so nice against skin whether it's a towel or handkerchief or napkin. There is just nothing like it. I pay anywhere from 25 cents to $5 for the things I chose. Low end for small items like a hanky or napkin, up to large tablecloths at the high end. With new linen costing anywhere from $10 to $100 per yard, I think I pick up absolute bargains, especially with all the handwork included! Can you see why I'm obsessed?

Do you have an obsession? What do you collect? What can you just not resist? What attracts you at thrift (or antique) stores?

Tuesday Treasures - Thrift Store Finds

In anticipation of today's blizzard I drove to the next larger town yesterday for a little shopping. We had run out of milk on Sunday and I wanted to be sure to have some. I also grabbed some borax for the laundry, and some dish washing (by hand) detergent. Near the grocery store is a wonderful thrift store that we almost always stop at when we're in that town. Here are the treasures I picked up yesterday!

First is a piece of 3 inch gingham in my favorite yellow, 45" wide, almost 4 yards, for just $3.00.

Next are two 100% cotton muslin flat sheets, one full size and one queen, $5 each. I love the feel of the old muslin and always look for these kind of sheets. Fitted sheets are much harder to find as they wear out faster. But I also use sheets for all kinds of sewing projects, so I can't have too many.

I found a large glass jar, which  I'll use for cookies or nuts or dried fruit on the counter ($2); a Revere ware sauce pan and lid, to replace ones from our RV trailer that we gave away to a needy family, ($3); a metal serving tray in a blue and white Ming style ($2), a favorite children's book ($.75). 

What treasures have you found at the thrift store lately?