thrifty style at 73: February 2012

what a deal

On our way home from our short getaway yesterday, we stopped at a small thrift shop that we live too far away from to visit often...By bedtime, we were this far on the baseball jigsaw puzzle I bought. It requires a magnifying glass to read all the stadium names
and other fine print.

I was charmed by this ceramic cat (even though I'm not a big fan of real cats).

The basket, pink velvet ribbon and white Homer Laughlin bowl caught my fancy, too--

along with an Arch Book - a child's version of the Bible story of the woman at the well.

My husband found 2 pair of slacks and a sweater.

We left the store $3 and some odd cents poorer!

What a deal.

old stuff...new eyes

We treated ourselves to a very short getaway.

Seeing sights like these as we wandered through the shoppes that were open

(it's not actually "the season" yet), we gathered ideas and enthusiasm

for using some of the spare parts and pieces

we've gathered over time to create some new pieces.
I'm already looking for a corner in which to place the open cabinet (below)
after we find a door to split and refurbish!

A couple of shoppes specifically asked that no photos be taken.

So I'm relying on my memory and brief descriptions scribbled

in my journal to remind me.

It's time to see old stuff with new eyes!

this is war!

Vix commented on my last post about my recent journey to keep my kitchen counters and sink clean: "I'd love to develop that habit but I think I'm genetically predisposed to being messy and maximalist!"

And I replied, "Oh, Vix! Me, too. But (for me) there was just something about the piles that accumulated on "my" kitchen counter! I could tolerate them about so long...and then my head exploded thinking about going through the piles."

I HAVE resigned myself to the fact that I MUST be genetically predisposed to being both messy and maximalist. But I MUST have an equal predisposition to becoming overwhelmed by stacks of paper and miscellany that seem to accumulate out of NOwhere and grow like Jack's beanstalk - overNIGHT!

So, in the words of Elaine (another blogger friend), I "soldier on".

One small step after another.

Simplicity is relative.

That's why I labeled one of the pictures, "Relatively uncluttered"

My counters will never be as sparsely furnished as some I see.

But it's not a competition, and that's not my goal.

Living with my two warring, genetic predispositions IS!

a simple habit

My weekend delight is the simplicity of clean counters.

For some, that may not be a "biggie",

but it has been a challenge for me the majority of my life.

For the past 19 days, I've been faithful at cleaning off counters

and keeping up with the dishes.

What a difference it makes in my mind and emotions!

I believe I have 2 more days before this becomes

an official habit.

Guess it's about time.

Is there a simple habit that YOU'D like to establish

yet in your lifetime????

a thing for footstools

As I see them here, I see shabby and worn.

As I experience them everyday,

I think, "Comfortable and Comforting".

I DO have a thing for footstools

and have difficulty passing them up when I see them

in thrift stores or at garage sales.

Some I recover.

Others I cherish "as are".

black and white

Today I'm wearing a black sweater, buttoned up with black fabric buttons,

a 3-strand pink necklace,

and a black wool skirt.

All clothes - and necklace - were thrifted.

I like the silhouette created by this combination.

Yesterday I buzzed in and out of my Favorite Thrift Store.

I was pleased to find these three white ironstone pieces.

It's a busy week. This may be all I find, but I'm a happy lady!

another shade of blue

All in our master bedroom.

All found in thrift stores.

None lately.

Still on the "hunt"!
There's always room for one more.

I leave you with this picture....Not great quality - but proof that I still exist.
I'm working on my weight (again) and soon will be able to fit into
many of my clothes. It's easier (and more fun) to shop at thrift stores when
I am in size 8 or 10 clothes. Can't wait.
Meanwhile, I'm wearing brown slacks (given me by a friend)
with one of my favorite black shirts and a long strand of amber beads,
looped three times to fill in the neckline...

pineapple "love"

It's on the workbench. I've fashioned a part of a leaf that had broken off at the top out of some putty-type stuff my husband had on hand. It was part of my $2.41 purchase documented in my prior post. I am VERY excited about this "find". While the repair dries, I'm trying to figure out what color to paint it. Any suggestions?