happy halloween

 Awhile ago, my husband cut a large chalkboard we found

into several frame-sized pieces.

 We sold a few, but have two left.

 This is one of them.

 Today I thought of a way to use it!

 I'm already practicing drawing turkeys and Christmas trees!
Oh!  Lea suggested I draw a crackling fire!
Well, SURE!

Of course, if someone is interested in buying it,

I will reluctantly part with it 

and fill the artificial fireplace with some candles...

(Many of you know the mantel was found curbside! 

We're all about "free" here.)
Addendum:  SOLD.

sunday combinations

Trust me!  I'm not nearly as aloof as I appear in this photo...

wearing three separates--all from thrift stores a few years ago--

and very much appreciated as I continue

to explore new COMBINATIONS from my closet.

 This tote and the artificial sunflowers

 WERE newly thrifted this past week!

 My husband stained the wooden tote and I'm thrilled with the result.

 Now I'm off to church and will follow it up with dinner

 at a local community church to welcome back their pastor 

 from her sabbatical...

simply good habits

On Thrift Store shopping...."It’s a hobby that cuts waste,
saves money , and rewards diligence — all simply good habits."
(Joe Ferarro)

I agree, Joe!  Though not the dress-up style that Joe is so good at, this outfit is the result of my good habits.  These are not recent purchases, but I enjoyed wearing this simple outfit on a day with such a varied schedule as I had yesterday....

And though I may someday regret adding these pink plastic salad servers onto my stash at my Favorite Thrift Store this past week, I don't reckon it will be soon!   I think the large tropical tablecloth will be fun to use next summer, too--whether as a table-topper or for constructing a tent over the clothesline for our grandchildren.....It's HUGE!

 

black again

 For church this morning, I'm wearing a sleeveless LBD.

The rust-colored jacket frames the square neckline.

Though shorter than I usually wear my skirts and dresses,

I feel comfortable in this length.

All three visible items of clothing were thrifted, of course.

The dress & jacket - YEARS ago!
The shoes - recently.

After hours of work restoring this (free) table,

my husband pronounced it "finished"!

I am desperate to find a place for it. 

I don't want to part with it.

 It's the distressed wood that most attracts me.

(That and its drop leaves...)

Below:  Ready to go with 4 folding chairs

we found at a garage sale earlier this fall...

today at the croft*

My brown-checked tablecloth needed washed.  Instead of putting it back on,
I selected this faded paisley one.  I like it for a change!
(Yes.  I DID get my summer shoe wardrobe sorted, weeded out, and stored.)
And here I am today!
Yet another LBT with a different pair of jeans this time.

Note the unique, flared sleeves.

Not so convenient to work around the house in,

but funky and fun.

*croft = short for Gatescroft, the name we selected for our
house/home some time ago.   Do YOU have a name for YOUR house?

cropped cardis and summer shoes

My friend and I were at My Favorite Thrift Store on Monday.  I had paid for my purchases and carted them to the car.  I returned to wait in line with Sue.  This sweater caught my eye - hanging at the end of a rack of sweaters.  Actually, it was the faux fur collar that caught my eye....When it was time for her to pay for her items, the cashier pointed out that all clothes were priced Buy-One-Get-One-Free.  Since she had three items, she was entitled to a free one.  Overhearing this, I boldly stepped up and claimed this sweater!

I didn't realize just how "in style" I would be wearing it until I was blog surfing this morning and found a post on cropped cardis.  This DEFINITELY would be considered a cropped cardi!  I'm not sure if it was MEANT to be or if it assumed this shape after an ill-attempted washing....

The fit -- especially the lay of the collar  -- is awkward.  But the fur is detachable.  And if I can't make it work the way it was meant to be worn, I shall use the collar another way.

Meanwhile...I have summer shoes to sort and store.  I piled them all in the middle of my closet yesterday and kind of forgot about them until this morning.  So sorting/storing is on my agenda.  That's my plan.  And I'm sticking TO it.

...summer shoes

speaking of yesterday

 Almost as much as I like little black dresses,

 I like little black tops!

I bought this one for fifty cents 

and am wearing it with the same jeans that I wore yesterday.

I like the way the sleeves and neck are finished.

Speaking of yesterday...

a friend and I went to my Favorite Thrift Store

before enjoying a wonderful lunch.

Here are two of my treasures from the adventure--

 Books, pictures, and wooden objects are "a few of my favorite things".

Lunch?  This wonderful grilled pear salad with goat cheese

and currant vinaigrette dressing.

the deeper....the more

The DEEPER I dig (in my closet and drawers)

 the MORE I find that was waiting for me to get back-to-size!

This morning that means a pair of jeans & a blouse with flared sleeves

and happy pattern!  

Everything thrifted years ago!

Shoes included.

 And how about this sweetly decorated cigar box?!?

 Pretty OUTSIDE and INSIDE.

Found last Saturday at the $2/bag sale at the Church Rummage Sale.

These, too.  A set of 6.

another little black dress

One of MANY little black dresses that have been hanging in my closet
waiting for me to return to their size!

I have difficulty passing up LBDs in thrift stores when they are only $1 or $2--even if they are smaller than I am currently wearing.  (Funny.  I'm not tempted to buy larger ones than I am currently wearing.....)

This one has simple lines with some colorful trim around the sleeves and at the waistline.  It is comfortable and fits like a glove.  I'm very thankful I didn't bag it up and give it away out of frustration at the beginning of the year!

If you happened to see my last post, you may be interested to know that THIS is how that little pink chair turned out. I couldn't be happier! Once again, I put some vintage fabric found at thrift stores to work.

"rummaged"

 I found & quickly packed this little suitcase FULL of finery
 this morning at a church rummage sale
(one of my favorite places to shop for goodies)!

 This well-crafted homemade doll was one of the contents.

 She fits beautifully in the decorating scheme of our kitchen's dining area!

 It's impossible for me to pass up these "booties"!

Can't wait to warm my feet in them...

or maybe I should gift someone with them?!?

Thinking the covered pumpkin that I made at a ceramic shop a few years ago needed company,

I brought home this smiling companion.

 I'll recruit my husband to reapply the wings on this bird,

and it will join a small flock I already have accumulated.

 THIS is the "princess" of my finds today!

Don't you think Rachel Ashwell would be delighted to have found it?

 I like these painted-over tacks along the back of the seat so much.

I think I'll recover the seat and leave the precious pink paint "as is".

 (Oh.  I almost forgot this pair of decanters.  Not sure why I couldn't pass them up....)

 

All this for the cost of a large Dairy Queen Blizzard!

I capped  my rummaging off with all  these hangers from the "Free Box".

Surely I'll think of SOMETHING to do with them.

favorite finds from the past few days

 ...and inside, these beautiful illustrations...

I'm also enjoying a bunch of wonderful gourds - decorative;

and a couple of butternut squash - edible - and currently in the crock pot

with onions, an apple, and some turkey sausage.

A simple and tasty autumn meal...

 and this ENORMOUS sweet potato!

 It will provide meals for several days.

The sweet potato, gourds and squash were all gifts from friends.

We are blessed, and we know it.

candle, candle, burning bright...

It's hard for me to pass up candles when I see them in thrift stores or garage sales--
especially when they're a quarter for a bag of 'em!

These are my latest acquisitions.

It's not like I actually NEED any more...

One entire side of a large wardrobe in our living room

 is devoted to candles

(many of the red - for Christmas).

Most recently I lit candles Saturday night and Sunday noon 

as I hosted a couple of dinners.

Sunday evening, l-o-n-g after guests had left,

I was straightening the dining area and noticed that one candle was still burning!

I had completely forgotten to blow it out when I extinguished the other two in the room.

Relaxing later, I decided to remind myself of some basic candle safety tips such as:

• Always keep a burning candle within sight. 
• Extinguish all candles when leaving a room or before going to sleep.
• Never burn a candle on or near anything that can catch fire.
• Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets. Don't place lighted candles where they can be knocked over by children, pets or anyone else.
• Read and carefully follow all manufacturer instructions.
• Trim candlewicks to 1/4 inch each time before burning.
• Always use a candleholder specifically designed for candle use. The holder should be heat resistant, sturdy and large enough to contain any drips or melted wax. Be sure the candleholder is placed on a stable, heat-resistant surface.
• Keep burning candles away from drafts, vents and air currents.
• Keep the wax pool free of wick trimmings, matches and debris.
• Don't burn a candle for longer than the manufacturer recommends.
• Extinguish the flame if it comes too close to the holder or container.  (2" of wax or 1/2" if in a container).
• Don't touch or move a votive or container candle when the wax is liquid.
• Extinguish pillar candles if the wax pool approaches the outer edge.
• Candles should be placed at least three inches apart from one another. (So they don't melt one another or create their own drafts causing them to burn improperly.
• Use a candle snuffer or hold your index finger in front of the flame and blow at it. Air will flow around your finger, extinguish the candle from both sides, and prevent hot wax from splattering.
• Flashlights and other battery-powered lights are much safer light sources than candles during a power failure.
• Don't use a candle for light when fueling equipment such as a lantern or kerosene heater.
• Install a smoke detector in every room where candles are burned.

I do plan to keep on enjoying candles--safely!
I've even started a
Candle/Candlestick category in my Pinterest space.

 Have YOU had any close calls with candle-burning?

 Any additional tips to help us all be safe?