Dollar Deals

I find it hard to resist little things that only cost a dollar. Not the Dollar Tree variety, but Goodwill bargains. I do believe it is the thrill of the hunt. It's never knowing what you will find in the junky bins.

After digging out a chunk of candle wax, I have a new gold pencil holder near the telephone.

This greenish container had Canada imprinted on the bottom.

It reminds me of a beehive.

Now other great deals are tin cans. When the wrapper comes off 

salmon cans, a wonderful green shade is underneath. These make great flower vases, paintbrush holders, pencil cans, etc.

I spend peaceful hours over in the studio room.

Happy for new inspiration from one of my favorite magazines

Good Morning!

Just wanted to say "Hello."

After coffee, exercising, and laundry I'm wondering what to do with the rest of my day.

A Special Box

Someone's birthday is on Sunday. If you read my blog on a regular basis, I'm sure you can guess who's going to get this as one of his birthday gifts.

Surprisingly this unique box came from the Goodwill store. It looked as though it had never been used. The main reason I enjoy shopping at thrift stores and antique shops is that you never know what you will find. Some of my favorite paintings, pottery pieces, and picture frames were found in this way. 

Which One?

Fireworks or Eclipse

For me fireworks after Friday's victorious football game were much more spectacular. We viewed yesterday's eclipse with safety glasses, but it was not as spectacular as I had imagined it would be. In our location it was not total, and therefore day did not become night. Happy for those who witnessed the event in all its wonder.

Finding Places for New Finds

My quest for brass continues.

Brass dog looks right at home on top of wood box.

Brass trays are a favorite find, especially this oval

 style for only a dollar at the Bargain Center.

They require cleaning but usually polish up nicely. 

Green vase had to moved to make room for the brass dog.

Good thing I enjoy moving objects to different spots.

August Activities

Sometimes I'm able to find canvases at bargain prices at thrift stores. Some I save for the artwork an individual has done. Others I paint over to do my own amateur creations. Either way art brings me pleasure.

 This was one of my very first attempts at covering over another art picture.

This is my latest. The church is modeled after the one we attend.

Just starting to add some layers to this canvas...have no idea how it will turn out.

Had a browsing day at this store and 

also at the Antique Gallery's new location on Summer Ave.

I decided to make use of my Maps app and locate both places.

Nicolas and Lucas are enjoyable visitors.
Lucas likes to make brownies.
Nicolas prefers trying out cookie recipes.

It's hard to believe they are back in school this week.

This drawing by Nicolas amazed me with the clever way he designed the letters.

And a story goes with each belonging...

Do you ever wonder what will become of treasured possessions that are  important pieces of your life? Who will know the stories that go with each one? I have no idea if anything I own will be kept... much less treasured. All I can do is keep enjoying them myself plus writing and sharing and hoping that my children or grandchildren will appreciate the stories.

And a story goes with each belonging...

This is very true of almost every item I own. The school bell was a Christmas gift from TK in the early years of our marriage. The books were used in my classrooms. After lunch I would read from chapter books, trying to instill a love of reading in my third and fourth graders. Ellen Tebbits was definitely a favorite, and Caddie Woodlawn managed to touch the hearts of girls and boys.

I bought the schoolhouse when I first started teaching. It's a windup and the door opens and a teacher comes out as it plays "School Days."

This basket is coming apart due to age. When I bought it at an antique store in Dyersburg named The Odds and Ends Shop, there was a typed note that explained how it was an early basket used by schoolchildren to carry their lunches. Whether true or not, I always liked that idea. From this shop I also obtained two other special items - a long wood piece with a carved design and 

a tall wooden clothes rack. Sadly I would learn that the nice, attractive owner of the shop later committed suicide.

When my college friend Carla and I were apartment renters and young beginning teachers, we decorated our walls with posters and art prints.  Recently Carla bestowed upon me the Antiques print by Alex Blum because she knew I always liked it. The Edward Hopper print has been a personal favorite all through the years. So now they hang together in my house like they once did in the apartment.

The  painting of the man in the chair was a Goodwill find I found not long ago. If you remember it has a painting on the other side, too. Whoever painted it was very talented in my opinion. The billiards are special because of the numbers - 4 when TK, Ryan, Lauren, and I were a family; 3 for when it was only me, Ryan, and Lauren; 7 for the blended family of Joseph, Jason, Ryan, Lester, Lauren, Corkey and me. 

Well, I need to come to a stopping point this Wednesday afternoon. Until next time...

Sincerely,

Sandy