a few of my favorite things....

 $4 was the price of admittance

 to beautiful Brookside

 on the campus of St. Francis University (Fort Wayne, IN).

Its rooms were decorated by various local decorators...

one prettier than the other!

My own house is minimally decorated this season

 However, I have deliberately scheduled a few special outings like these

 in lieu of efforts at home.

 It's actually turning out to be quite wonderful!

 These are a few of my favorite things

 from the outing I shared with a friend--

 a most wonderful way to spend an afternoon

 enjoying the sights of Christmas.

 Merry Christmas!

nothing like homemade

 Nothings says "love" like homemade!

 We received these ornaments and goodies

in plenty of time for enjoyment this season.

he did it (again)

 Above - as found curbside...
(It was actually worse than it looks here.)

 Above - stripped down & ready for finish...

Ta-Dah!

less than $1

 +

 +

 =

less than $1total!

hull

 The price was right!

 (So was the color!)

And shape.

shoes

 Since hip and knee replacement surgeries - both this year -

my footwear options are limited.

I need "sensible" and quality shoes but long for fashionable ones as well.

Imagine my excitement when I came across these at a church rummage sale this morning!

They met my personal standards (cleanliness, lack of wear, comfort, etc.),

and I look forward to wearing them soon.

sweater weather

It really felt good to don this thrift-store purchase today.

The sleeves are 3/4 length and over-sized and loose fitting.

 It was just the right weight to wear on this beautiful autumn day.

I wore it with a black and white tweed skirt and felt quite stylish!

I especially like the button system.

Quite unique.

casual and cozy

 I love casual, cozy environments....

 like this one at the Agora on Waldo's Hill in Antwerp OH...

It's a fine place to gather

or to enjoy solo.

What kind of atmosphere do YOU like in a coffee shop?

how could i resist?

Photos don't do these lovely, framed needlepoints justice...

 

I found them during the last hours of a church rummage sale

in a nearby town.

They're all signed and dated (1957 & 1960).

It was stuff a bag full and pay $3!

How could I resist?

let the soups begin

After a quick inventory of my refrigerator doors and drawers,

it was obvious to me that it was Soup Time!

I boiled a few potatoes from the bottom of the bag, sliced some zucchini,

and diced some onions.  Covered them with water and boiled awhile.

I beat them with my hand beater right in the water.

Added some left over fresh corn, some tomatoes just little past slicing prime,

a handful of shredded cheddar cheese and a few pieces of bacon I'd browned in the microwave.

I had a partial can of evaporated milk so I added that to the mixture along with 

a bit of salt and pepper.

The flavors will blend as it warms on the stovetop this morning.

Then I think I'll serve it in one of these tureens from my collection--thrifted, of course.

 (Or maybe we'll just dish it up straight out of the saucepan.....)

parting is such sweet sorrow

Yes, it really is (such sweet sorrow),

but I really MUST.

The time is w-a-y past due. 

I need to begin somewhere.

 I hope to find a buyer who will get as much enjoyment from them as I have...

 After my husband removed a rope inset in this wood frame,
he sanded it and I gave it a coat of white paint.
Frames "make" a picture, I think.
So when I found this one at a garage sale on the way to a thrift store this past weekend,
I snatched it up!
With or without a picture, it will find a place SOMEwhere.

real living space

"For too many people, being happy at home is pretty much an abstract idea,

something they can’t know or imagine, until it appears on some taste maker’s must-have list, 

or in a magazine, or reposted on Tumblr. 

A home sweet home is not curated or produced by acquiring 

a perfect arrangement of chairs, lamps and friends. 

A real living space is made from living, not decorating. 

A bored materialist can’t understand that a house has to become a home. 

It happens, not through perfection but by participation."  

(Andy & Elsa Beach Apartamento issue #07) 

As you can see, it's very "real" at our house!  Our living room
is full and doesn't get sorted out nearly enough.
Our hearts are at home here...