Quilt #6

Quilt #6 -1998- TwinSize

Five Bucks and a Thrift Shop, Round 3


A couple of books (including one I remember from childhood).
A knit hat for the next baby (as soon as I can talk my husband into round two).
A wooden box (I pick these up whenever I see them.  So many options for use).
A wooden mirror and massager, used as a rattle.
Two CDs (including High School Musical...my fave!).
A plain white bag, tags still on it, awaiting an applique.

Cost:  Exactly $5 before tax.

Five Bucks and a Thrift Shop?  What's this all about?

I am a big fan of thrift shopping.  It's not because I can't buy things new and I'm dragging myself to the thrift store out of necessity. Instead, it's for the find, the score, the excitement.  The "I can't believe I found this...and I
need this" moment. It's amazing the stuff you can find. It sort of gives you a high.  And then I come home and set up a little display for my husband to gawk at.  Okay, so "Yup, that's nice" isn't quite a gawk, but I'm sure his non-nonchalant, monotonous mannerism is a cover up.  Surely, he's silently just as enthusiastic and excited as me!  How could one not be?!  I mean, isn't this pile of treasures what you've always dreamed of having?  He must be secretly busting at the seams with excitement.  Okay, maybe not. But one can hope. 

What's with the five bucks?  Well, I saw some sort of article somewhere about a woman who goes to the drug stores with coupons and records what she can get for five bucks.  Five bucks is usually what I end up spending at a thrift store anyway. Instead of spending $5 on a coffee, might as well see what you can get elsewhere.



Won't you play along?  If you are a deal seeker, post a link with pictures or describe the awesome deal you got!  I promise I will be just as excited as you!  If no one posts, I'm going to assume no one cares about my treasures.  It will be simply heart breaking to think I'm the only one who gets outrageously giddy over a brand new set of navy plaid cloth napkins for only $0.50. For a set of six, none less!  Certainly, I must not be the only one, right? 

My new clothsline

We've lived here close to 5 years and I finally got the clothesline I wanted!  (Thanks to my dad and husband). It's off the balcony in our bedroom.  And I love it!
A freshly laundered load of diapers out to dry.  My shadow is in the corner. 
The world we live in is so fast paced.  Deadlines, to-do lists, schedules. My clothesline is a respite.  I throw in a load of laundry to hang first thing in the morning, before the day officially commences.  As the sun peeks through the trees, I visualize it rising over the ocean, just a few trees and two roads away from us.  I hear the morning chorus and chatter from the birds.  Occasionally I hear an owl telling his last story before he beds down.  I listen to the tiny peeps of the baby nuthatches that have made their home in the birdhouse my brother made.  I watch the mama nuthatch begin her day of gathering food for her babies.  I feel joyful tugs on the pantlegs of my pajama pants from my little nuthatch.  He babbles away and he 'helps' me with the clothespins.  Occasionally, a cat or two weave their way in between my legs.  And there's always a dog watchfully waiting. This morning was even more blissful, as my husband's singing and the delicious aroma of his waffles filled the air.  

There's something to be said for the simplistic, methodological manner of hanging clothes.  The rhythmic manner gives one a chance to pause, reflect and listen in this fast paced world. 
Mama Nuthatch
My baby nuthatch.
When we've been here ten thousand years...
bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise...
then when we've first begun. ~Amazing Grace

Head Scarves

I was asked by a co-worker to make some scarves for a cancer survivor hero.  I guess the right sized scarves are tricky to find.  Plus most scarves are silky and don't stay tied.  I made these up, per request, 30x30 with cotton fabric.  All I did was hem the edges.  Per report, they work perfectly.  I thought I'd post about it, for it would be a great 'pick me up' gift to whip up if you know anyone battling cancer.

Happiness is...

The love of grandparents...

Exploring close to home with my dad...

 
Photographic moments...
 
A cup of deliciousness...
First taste of whipped cream... 
Window shopping for treasures...
Large and small memorable images...
The rhythmic motion of waves...
The quiet serenity of placid waters...
Spring blossoms...
Sweet treats...
Time being a family...

Colossians 2: 6-7
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 


Grandma Russell's Yellow Cake with Maple Frosting


Now, this recipe was a staple in my life as a child.  Every year my dad requested it for his birthday.  And none of us were ever disappointed with the results.  It's a nice moist yellow cake with the lightest and fluffiest maple frosting.  Are you salivating yet?  Out of a scale of 1-10, it's an off the charts 11. Seriously, this is good.

Well, my grandmother had a tendency to hide her recipes.  I'm not sure why, but even I wasn't allowed to peek.  Obviously, I'm exactly opposite of her...I tend to share everything I have!  No secrets here.  When cleaning out her house after my grandfather died, my dad came across the recipe.  Of course, he knew the perfect home for it.  For the first time in 10 years, a maple cake was coming his way.  And boy was he excited!  The whole time I was making it for the first time (which it takes over an hour to make), he was looking over my shoulder with a permanent grin on his face.  I think inside he was singing for joy, although he never admit it.  His visits often accompany some real maple syrup now.  As a 'gift' so he says, but I know better.  I know his motives.

MMMMMMMMMMMM!

Grandma Russell's Yellow Cake

2/3 cup shortening
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
3 eggs
3 cups flour
3 tsp baking powder
1 1/3 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla

Mix all in above sequence.  Whip for 3 minutes.  Placed in greased round cake pans.  Bake at 375 for 30 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.

Maple Syrup Frosting (her recipe is very vague, I tried to add times)

1 1/2 cup maple syrup
3 egg whites
pinch cream of tarter (I used 1/4 tsp).

Beat egg whites until stiff (maybe 4-5 minutes).  Set aside.
Boil syrup until string like threads fall from a spoon.  Then boil 2 more minutes (I think this took me 45 minutes or so).
Add cream of tarter to eggs.  Gradually pour maple syrup over egg whites.
Whip on high speed until it's light and fluffy (I'd betting this took 5 minutes or so too).
Spread on cake once cool enough.

Create Porch Shelf

All I did was flip terracotta pots upside down and add a piece of old wood between.  Bigger pots on the bottom, ascending in size for each shelf towards the top.  We store grilling supplies in the pails, gardening supplies and wood.  My favorite part is how we use the shelves to display and contain treasures from nature.  Rocks, pinecones, shells, etc.  I'm sure this will come even more handy when our little one is big enough to be interested in nature collections.  A great way to encourage collections without having them overtake the house.

Cost:  I did have to buy the big terracotta pots, so I think I spent around $20.

Five Bucks and a Thrift Shop: Round 2

Here's this week's score:

 
 A wooden bead maze. 
Wooden stringing beads.
Wooden Melissa and Doug Ark.


Cost:  $5.10





Five Bucks and a Thrift Shop?  What's this all about?

I am a big fan of thrift shopping.  It's not because I can't buy things new and I'm dragging myself to the thrift store out of necessity. Instead, it's for the find, the score, the excitement.  The "I can't believe I found this...and I
need this" moment. It's amazing the stuff you can find. It sort of gives you a high.  And then I come home and set up a little display for my husband to gawk at.  Okay, so "Yup, that's nice" isn't quite a gawk, but I'm sure his non-nonchalant, monotonous mannerism is a cover up.  Surely, he's silently just as enthusiastic and excited as me!  How could one not be?!  I mean, isn't this pile of treasures what you've always dreamed of having?  He must be secretly busting at the seams with excitement.  Okay, maybe not. But one can hope. 

What's with the five bucks?  Well, I saw some sort of article somewhere about a woman who goes to the drug stores with coupons and records what she can get for five bucks.  Five bucks is usually what I end up spending at a thrift store anyway. Instead of spending $5 on a coffee, might as well see what you can get elsewhere.



Won't you play along?  If you are a deal seeker, post a link with pictures or describe the awesome deal you got!  I promise I will be just as excited as you!  If no one posts, I'm going to assume no one cares about my treasures.  It will be simply heart breaking to think I'm the only one who gets outrageously giddy over a brand new set of navy plaid cloth napkins for only $0.50. For a set of six, none less!  Certainly, I must not be the only one, right? 

A new perspective

Quick!  The little guy is sleeping.  Time to clean this mound of a mess we call home.  Seriously?!  How did it get this messy in here?  Didn't I just clean it?  A working mama, a baby, a husband and three pets...there's always a to do list.  I'm making the rounds- bottles, burp cloths, husband's gym bag.  Grr...I'm always moving this gym bag.  I notice my gardening boots I dropped at the door after weeding this morning.  Ugh...why don't I put things in the right spot immediately?  I didn't even hang Kammie's leash up after our morning run. Look there. Yet another toy has migrated by our little mover.  Sigh. In my scramble, I stopped.  I just looked at that pile by the door.  Gardening boots, dog leash, a toy car.


I stopped and thought...look at this.  This is what life is all about. This isn't a mess, it's piles of snapshots.  Pictures of memories of the life we're living.  These little messes are my chance to relive the memories of the day...to savor the moments just one more time.  And to remind me to appreciate this wonderful life I have as a wife and mama. I am so blessed.

Playroom Art

Picture hanging wire, clothespins and a $0.25 book and you have perfect art for the playroom.   When our little one is older, the clothespins can hold his artwork instead. 

Cost: $0.25.

Anxiety!

These trucks give me anxiety. A pacing, worrying, fidgeting kind of anxiety, complete with a tension headache.

But to the boys in the household, this interminable parade of construction vehicles brings out wonder, amazement, longing and awe.  Moments to be savored and cherished.  Minutes to not be missed.

And in just watching two of my loves, my anxiety (*just about*) goes away. 

Khakis turned into a Backpack

Yes you read that right.  Yet another project from one of my husband's ripped khakis.  I just couldn't throw them out.  Here it is...

The front pocket on the backpack was the center fly on the pants.
 The side pockets on the backpack were the back pockets on the pants.
 The main zipper and straps were salvaged from a ripped backpack that was a free business give away..
 I'm thankful for that serger my dad got me for my 16th birthday.
The trim is denim...from old pants.  So, yeah...he's a big little for it yet.
Maybe he can use it as a sleep sack?  Look at that face...he's not impressed with his mama. 

Cost: Free!!!!

Lamp and Lampshade

I found these next to the dumpster at my old apartment.  A can of spray paint changed the look.  I covered $.99 lamp shades with fabric scraps to match our bedroom using a glue gun.  Perfect night stand lamps. 
Cost:  $1.98 for lamp shades.

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