Texas Getaway

Posting a few photos from recent trip to Celina, Texas. Four days away provided relaxation and a new set of memories.

1) Pennee and I returned to the old town square of Celina to do a bit of shopping. I found a round decorative Italian tray at Cherry's. 

2) Lester showed us around on the second floor of the Fusion Academy Plano where he is head of school. The sound studio and art rooms had been completed since our last visit. This place has such creative learning experiences for its students. 

3) The majority of our time was spent
      enjoying the granddaughters.

4) We had a unique dining experience at Babe's in Frisco, Texas. Friendly atmosphere, fantastic food, and entertaining waitresses contributed to a memorable good time.

We had a really good time.  

In my next post I'll share a bargain purchase and tell how Pennee made it possible. I was able to bring home something I've always wanted.

Strange Post

I was asked to take a small picture and enlarge it.  

 I guess he's finished except for some touching up details.

 This cheetah will greet youngsters as they register for Vacation Bible School. I just hope he doesn't scare them away.

Thursday Tidbits

A looking up photo...wow

Lilies have returned in all their glory.

We are starting to prepare for Vacation Bible School. The theme centers around Acts 17:28. "In God we live, move, and exist." Different sports equipment will be used to decorate and emphasize movement, such as bicycles, skateboards, scooters, etc. We were asked to personalize a cardboard skateboard. On one side I pasted states to show our scattered locations. On the other side are numbers that have significance for us. For instance, the 89 stands for the year we became a blended family. Two adults and five kids added up to a household of seven. Then 26 is for the number of years Corkey and I have been married. Oh, and the 8 is for grandchildren, four girls and four boys.

On very hot days I am content to be inside. 

I have been doing the usual this week

• reading Bible chapters
• following the news
• exercising in the morning
• filling out crossword puzzle
• getting salads ready for lunch
• reading a new paperback
• stopping by the booth to rearrange and add items
• watching an occasional television program
• using iPad to catch up on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram
• having light suppers
• making a few ministry cards
• journaling

And, of course, a lot of puttering when I should be doing more important tasks.

Antiquing Day

Friday was a road trip to Dyersburg, my hometown from 1970-1989. My friend Linda joined me for a full day of antiquing. 

Because this store was having a 50% off sale, I was able to purchase one of my favorite collectibles - a dough bowl. I already enjoy two that I acquired from my mom. There's one in the kitchen that holds fresh fruit, and the other in the den is a resting place for old croquet balls. This one will stay by my easy chair for now with favorite magazines. Come fall and the Christmas holidays it will be used differently. 

We took time out to grab a light lunch at Dave's on the Courthouse Square.  While I was paying my ticket at the front counter, I noticed a stairway to the right leading downstairs. It became clear to me that this very building was once  Burnett's Shoe Store where I shopped years ago. It is strange how much a town changes after twenty or more years.


Heading back south we made a stop in Ripley, TN, at Outside the Box. Vendors offer an assortment of vintage and unusual items. Two finds were a speckled pottery jar and a glass coffee jar.   

The colors won me over.

Sunny Brook Coffee

On two sides of the jar are four flying swallows with the caption

"Every Swallow Brings You Joy"

On the bottom of the jar Weathersby Brunner Company Memphis

Our final stop was in Covington, TN. There are several shops on the square, but we only had time for one. Happily I snagged a Kelly Rae Roberts canvas for half price at the Upscale Retail Store. I'm a fan of her art, and I follow her on Instagram.

I had planned to find some odds and ends for my antique booth, but my personal likes got in the way. 

Linda and I agree that the thrill of the hunt is what motivates us. As Samantha S. Thorpe, editor of Best of Flea Market Style, writes "the thrill of the hunt is hard to resist. But collecting is about the journey as much as the pieces we bring home. Living with things that have meaning - because of where we found them or who gave them to us - lends soul to our decor."

P. S.

Today was the wedding of Stacy and Sam. They spoke their marriage vows clearly and sweetly before family and friends. I wish them the very best as they start their journey together.

Quotes and thoughts

Sorrow looks back  

Worry looks around

Faith looks up

I'm not sure who said or wrote those words.  A note stuck in my Bible had those nine words.

The tree stands in our backyard. Sometimes I forget to look up and enjoy its beauty.

Sometimes brief messages stay with me the longest.

I love the following eight words.

"I write to know what my heart thinks."

Someone came up with that beautiful thought. It's one of my favorite quotes.

Loving small frames and quotes the way I do, I decided to put them near my writing desk.

I splurged on this magazine yesterday. It's full of great stories, collectible ideas,  projects, and flea market tips. It has 128 pages. The three pages below may whet your appetite.

Looking up...

  

xo, Sandy

Discovery

June quietly arrived. 

My Susan Branch calendar states this June message:

FUEL CREATIVITY

Take Time To Dream 

   

After working on my own booth a few days ago, I glanced at the other booths on the upper level. There's one booth I favor because of the many small items offered. Tucked among much paraphernalia on one shelf were these two bags. An unexpected Christmas treasure in late spring!

Once I got them home, I understood the reason for the storage bags. The original cardboard boxes were coming apart.

These vintage ornaments are definitely showing their age, but that's what I love. They're not shiny and new. 

All two dozen fit into this one jar.

Must store these away until later.

 Something tells me that 2015 is going to pick up speed.
However, June seems to be an ideal month for slowing down and dreaming. 

Deciding What Stays and What Goes

Some things here at the house were carted to the booth. Spring cleaning!!!

Also weeded out my supply of paints. Two wooden boxes worked great for their storage.

It's almost time to turn the calendar page. See you in June.