throw aways

Sadly, missing 4 pieces.

Imperfect, but beautiful.

(Not unlike our country...Not unlike ME!)

I'm reluctant to throw it away.

***

I enjoy finding unique jigsaw puzzles like this one at thrift stores.

For a quarter of a dollar or so, I've purchased many hours of relaxation.

To be honest, my husband puts in the most hours,

but there is something soothing to me about having a puzzle in process.

***

When we finish them, we pass them along to friends who pass along theirs to us

or return them to the thrift store.

If pieces are missing, we sometimes discard them.

This one is VERY hard for me to throw away...

 

 

sorting and selling

 Sorting

 and selling...

my blue valentine

We stopped first at a thrift store

several miles from home.

There I purchased this

Fabulous Piece of Pottery.

For $2.00!
After a steak dinner purchased with
a gift card, we headed to
Barnes and Noble where I sat across the table from this man...

The magazines I thumbed through
confirmed the desirability of my
pottery purchase!

Afterward we returned home
to enjoy a soup & salad supper
and table games with some of my siblings.
A near-perfect day!

the hanging

This large floral picture has

been with us forever!  

I took it off the living room wall

some time ago to accommodate

a tall piece of furniture.

Yesterday my husband hung it here--

tricky because of its size,

the height of the chair backs,

and wanting it to be staggered from the level of the shelf above the window.

He succeeded.

I'm happy...

black

I don't frequent thrift stores

nearly as often as I used to...

but when I do, I always check out

shoes.   When I find black flats

in good condition, I buy them.

They are staples in my wardrobe

along with black tops.

Most recently, I was thrilled to find

these Vera Wangs for $3.00!

going on 71

 Almost 31 days into my 71st year...

feeling a bit wild and free.

Free to sit and do nothing

or anything else that I choose.

It's a great time of life

(if a bit daunting).

I've given up haircuts for awhile,

wondering how long it will grow

before I give in.

This experiment is symbolic

of something else, I believe.

I just haven't figured out what yet.

At any rate, I've saved the money 

of haircuts.

Maybe that's enough.

stocking up

 Some people run to stock up 

on milk and bread and toilet paper

before a predicted snow.

Not me!

I headed to my favorite thrift store where I couldn't resist this book

or the beautiful, warm black sweater.

 By late afternoon, this was the scene

out our back door as snow continued

to fall...

best buy of 2019 (so far)

 When he lost his winter coat

right before spending a few days

with us during Christmas break,

I crossed my fingers and we

headed out to the Bargain Box.

My very favorite thrift shop.

Not only did we find a GREAT winter coat in his size that he liked,

we found a lighter weight jacket

that he wore day and night!

All for under $5!

A Savior...not a Season

We (well mostly my husband)

finished this puzzle this afternoon.

Admiring its beauty,

a phrsae keeps crossing

my mind--

A Savior.  Not a Season.

So insistent is this phrase,

I'm working on a poem

featuring this line.

Seasons come and seasons go.

Not the Savior!

highlights

 Our evening at the Botanical Conservatory...

 Carolers

 Lights

 Nostalgia

Loved ones

$1 Night!  First Thursday of each month.

holiday home tour

The afternoon began pleasantly

and ended in rain..

Many of the historic, restored houses

retained their period's charm...

Those features were of great delight to me.

Unfortunately, I didn't take many photos.

The William Woodlands Park Holiday Home Tour is a tradition of our household.

A hint of christmas

I'm very unfocused;

random even

in my decorating decisions.

Somehow, that's OK with me this year.

Everyday Beauty

She (to me):  You see beauty in "everyday" things.

Me (to her):  Yes. I. Do.  All the time!