irresistible

 It's been while since I've purchased ANYthing

at a thrift store.  

Last week was an exception.  

In addition to the couch (see previous post) and a few items of clothing,

these two items proved quite irresistible.

I might have to try a cold soup or two this summer.

Any recipe ideas?

pretty pumped

 I'm pretty pumped about our new old couch!

 A hide-a-bed even.

Found last week for 1/2 its $35 price.  (You read that correctly)

Picked up today and now in its place. 
 Its patterns may not be EVERYone's cup of tea,
but it fits in fine here at Gatescroft.

We've done without a couch for awhile

after selling our vintage sectional.  

It was OK without one, but I've missed my foot rubs.

Smile.

mirror mirror on the wall

After gathering dust for many months (years?) in a corner of our garage,

this mirror finally found its place

above the desk in our backyard cabin.

It serves a dual purpose:  visually enlarging the space and covering 

the electrical box behind it.

(The box had been exposed when we removed and sold

a different mirror that had been hanging there for quite some time.)

We just used the existing nail, so the mirror hangs a little higher

than I would have liked, but I'm not going to move it...
And yes.  It's Christmas year 'round in the cabin.

strong in the good intention department

 A few years,

a few additional pounds,

and knee and hip replacements 

have happened since I last rode this bicycle

which my husband had painted per my request.

Today I stenciled an R on the basket and dusted it off.

It awaits the insertion of a new inner tube.

I'm currently strong in the Good Intention Department!

UPDATE:  My Good Intention translated to action!

I rode the bike the short distance to the Post Office

and returned with mail in the basket!

book decor

 Today it was book decor that caught my eye

while thumbing through current magazines.

I actually THOUGHT I'd taken more photos,

but when I got home to upload them from my phone's camera -

this was it!

I'll add them to my Pinterest board bearing the same title as this post.

 Meanwhile, here's a great quote with which I completely concur:

I like it when people don’t try too hard. I think the best results come 

when people are true to themselves and create an environment that reflects their personality. 

My favourite homes are real homes 

where you are not left wishing you had the same 

but rather feel touched by the experience of being in that place. 

Read more HERE.

(And here's a sweet leather chair thrown in for good measure.)

(It, too, will find a place in my Pinterest files.)

miscellaneous on wednesday

For what's going on with the sewing machine, click HERE.

And yesterday, I was especially thankful for my cell phone's camera

when I came across these like-new golf shoes in one of my favorite thrift stores!

I texted the photo to my husband who said, "Yes!"

Finally, here's the potting bench my husband's been working on with a base coat of paint.

Can't wait until it's finished!

magazine love & lore

 An hour thumbing through magazines

 at Barnes and Noble (does anyone else do this?)

 found me admiring these interiors...

 Clearly, I gravitate toward rooms full and overflowing!

 Eclectically traditional.  Layered.  

Full of paintings, books, colors and textures.

what he's up to...

 Always SOMEthing!

Using planed-down, old boards (some of which were free),

he's fashioning a potting bench.

I'm giving advice -

like "That's too long,"

or "Add this (or that)."

I'm thinking a shelf, maybe some hooks....

 Yes!  Like that...

how we roll

Yep!  This is how we roll!

Especially when we stumble on one of those rare, curbside treasures!

Here yesterday; gone today.
We decided to sell is "as is" and dream about what might have been.

small and spectacular

It didn't ALWAYS look like this!

It began with this box that caught my eye a l-o-n-g time ago

at a garage sale or thrift store.

It sat on a shelf.

Forgotten--

until my slow process of sorting and down-sizing began.

I found some wooden pegs which my talented husband turned into legs.

He inserted shelves and painted the entire piece,

and the transformation was complete!

Small and spectacular, it is a fine showcase for miniatures.

♥

scene in a magazine

Between church and Pizza Hut today,

we spent some time at Barnes and Noble.

A look at the photos I snapped from a stack of magazines

is an indicator of my current style preferences.

Color, tons of unique accessories,

brick, old wood, gilded mirrors,

interesting patterns, books comfy seating, and paintings...

it pays to wait

Several years ago, my husband and I struck up a friendship with an elderly couple

who frequented Borders Bookstore almost as much as us!

The gentleman was an artist.  We attended one of his shows in Portland, IN.

The couple met in Chicago where both worked as young adults.
While there, he painted a series of Chicago scenes.

He gifted us with two prints.

I've been looking for proper frames for a long time

(at a bargain price, of course).

Friday I stopped at a thrift store on the way to visit my mother and dad.

Imagine my delight to purchase two frames at only thirty cents each.

And THIS, too.  At an equally pleasing price!

Good things really DO come to those who wait.

"The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him."

Lamentations 3:25

here today; gone tomorrow

 We have meetings today with purchasers for these items.  

They sold on a local Facebook site.

This means some extra cash AND some extra room!

Encouraged by my success,

I've gathered and washed up a bunch of blue crocks.

I think I'll post them and see what happens.