another wreath

Still a treasure after all these years!

The hands were those of our youngest daughter in early elementary school

 - maybe even kindergarten.

I laminated the wreath after a few years hoping to preserve it.  

Except for a bend or two, it has held up quite well.

should I be embarrassed?

Should I be embarrassed to admit that I pulled this out of a cabinet and lit it this morning?

We'll be traveling for Thanksgiving 

so I don't have a strong reason for 

Thanksgiving/Harvest decor to occupy my time and efforts.

Instead I find myself needing light on these evenings when it is dark by 5:30!

So this it is.

It was "won" at a gift exchange at a gathering of our small group from church last year,

so it comes with memories and reminds me that our lives have changed

dramatically this past year. 

I don't go "all out" for Christmas decorating.

Give me a few candles, a strand of lights or two and carols playing in the background

and I am content! 

No.  I'm not embarrassed.  

I'm content and thankful for Christmas and all the blessings 

that came along with the First One.

I plan to enjoy the season as long as I can stretch it!

ideal

Hubby is out of town, so yesterday I gifted myself with some leisurely strolls

through a couple of thrift stores...

 two of my Favorite Thrift Stores, in fact!

 Here's looking at what I brought home with me.

 I'm especially fond of this fabric "throw".  The colors don't show up as brightly 

as they are in person  For only $.75, I think it is my favorite purchase of the day.

Seldom do I pass up an Ideals Christmas if it is in good condition.

This one was!

What an "Ideal" outing for so little money.

This was only $.30!  I googled it and then realized what a great find it was!

heaven scent

Forty-plus years ago (in the late '60s)  this was one of my favorite scents.

A few years ago, I came across several of these small bottles of eau de parfum

in a thrift store, I believe.

I'm getting to the last drops of the last bottle, though I don't wear perfume regularly.

I haven't checked if Heaven Sent is still on the market.

I will miss it - and the memories that come with it - when it's gone.

***

Do YOU have a favorite scent that connects you to your past?

recreation

 Our recreation yesterday involved stops at a few thrift stores.

The Salvation Army store featured a 1/2 price sale pretty much store-wide.

It was difficult to say "no" to this charming mirror, so I didn't!

I can see it turning ANY table or desk into a vanity!

balls, boxes and bowls

 The long-neglected task of dusting began early this morning.

 It wasn't so bad as I alternated it with a cup of coffee.

 Beginning in this corner, I planned to work my way around the room.

 Progress is slow.

 I stop to photograph my recognition of all things wooden--

 balls, boxes and bowls.

Each one a favorite.  All thrift store or garage sale purchases, I'm certain. 

fun to dream

In less than 24 hours I bought and sold this 1947 Standard E.K. Blessing trumpet.

With case.

With mute.

(And a folding music stand which I did not sell.  Yet.)

I played a cornet in elementary school

When I saw this at a thrift store yesterday, old memories came flooding back

and I couldn't resist buying it.

The valves need cleaning, for sure.  I think it was a bargain.

I played the C scale, unsticking valves as I went

and surprising myself by how well I managed to create a solid tone.

The buyer is a young man whose high school music career I enjoyed following.

(Realistically I know I would not be playing it myself, but it was fun to dream!)
 ♪♪♪♪♪

What instrument did/do YOU play?

in and out

 Dashed in and out of my Favorite Thrift Store yesterday...

 just long enough to spend $1.25 for these three items.

A 75"x45" vintage curtain panel (pretty sure I bought the other one there several months ago (need to check my stash); a plaid tin; and a thick book of "Family Fun & Games". 

Yes, we ARE game players in our household--

and always interested in trying a NEW one.