Can't believe I finally did it....

I finally had my first official lesson in crocheting. I know how to chain stitch, but didn't have a clue how to turn around and go back the other direction. Thanks to Judy, a new friend of mine, I was able to learn how to single crochet, something called double and a half and one more that I can't remember. It might have been a triple stitch if there is such a thing. We weren't making anything, just randomly crocheting stitches. Then we would rip out and start over. After about 20 minutes, I started from scratch and did a little piece and used all the stitches she taught me. This is the result.

It's too loose in places and too tight in places, but I did it all by myself. And do you know what else I learned from the experience? I learned that I am sticking with knitting. It is SO much easier. But at least I know I could learn to do it if I really wanted to, but I don't think it is for me.



As the weekend approaches, I am making plans for yard sale shopping. I was looking on some local sites to see what good items might be showing up at yard sales. Craig's List people will sometimes put pics of their items and you can see an idea of what they have. It's usually small furniture, tables full of glassware, kitchen items, etc. Just some thing to pique your interest. As I was scrolling through them, this caught my eye and I wondered what hubby would thing if I brought this home. :)



Isn't that just the cutest little camper you ever laid eyes on. The same place has this one for sale as well. 

I just thought they were adorable. Truth be told, he would probably love it if I bought one of these home. I did see a cute little roll top desk on one of the ads. It looks so precious. 

It is at an estate sale that is happening on Saturday. Here are some other items they had listed. 

Check out this table. I love tables with fold down sides so you can expand as you need to. I am sure there is a name for this type of table, but I don't know what it is. I just call it tables with flaps.



It is hard to tell what I might find this weekend.

Happy Anniversary

I want to wish my son and my daughter-in-law a happy anniversary today. They are not only husband and wife but best friends. 

God has blessed them with three beautiful children and a love that will last throughout eternity. 

Happy anniversary, Chris and Jamie. I love you.

Some local Pyrex for sale

I am looking for a Pyrex in the Pink Daisy pattern. This one was listed again on Craig's List. It was on there for almost two months at $25 locally. They listed it again at $20. I wondering if I should call and offer $15. I want it bad enough to pay $15, but not bad enough for $20.

There is a set of three Shenandoah bowls for $25 for the set. That's not a bad price, but it's not a pattern I'm looking for. 

I sorta like this Verde pattern, but not sure. It's just $10 so that is not a bad price.

Two Butterprint bowls for $30 total. Not a bad price considering how hard it is to find that patter around here except in antique stores. 

It started with a towel...

When I got my new towel from my cousin, I realized I needed to change some things up. I have been using tablecloths for over 20 years. I have decided it is time to switch to place mats for awhile. 

I found some plaid ones in light browns and tans that I really liked. So I picked them up and brought them home, hoping I would like my table without a tablecloth. 

I have an old McCoy pitcher my cousin Patty and I bought for Mamaw Eden one year for Mother's day when we were little girls. When Mamaw passed away, Patty made sure I got the pitcher to keep and I have kept it in my kitchen ever since. I had some spring flowers that I put in it for my centerpiece for the table. 

My dining set is a solid oak and we have had it a little over 20 years. It is not without scratches and blemishes. That is why I always used tablecloths. But I got out the Old English and went to work polishing and shining. I wanted to bring the beauty back to it. I was very pleased with my hard work. So I put the place mats and the pitcher on the table. 

Then I added my wicker baskets that stay on the table. One with napkins and one with the salt and paper shakers. 

I must say I am very pleased with the result. I think I'm going to like seeing my table again after all these years. 

Rainy Day Rambling

...It is pouring the rain and storming in my neck of the woods. And I've been up since 5:30. Hate it when I can't sleep in on rainy days. It will definitely be casual dress Sunday for Sunday School this morning. 

...I saw a lady at the grocery store last night that I know from the local Fire Department. She had the prettiest fingernails. They looked like almost acrylic, but they were her real nails. The polish was that new gel polish. Oh my gosh! What a difference that makes in a manicure. She has had it o for a week and it looked like she just had a manicure an hour ago. She said it is about $25 to get them done, but I researched the gel polish and you can purchase a bottle for a lot less than that. It's still high for nail polish. But when you think of how many times you could do your nails with one bottle vs. having to go pay to have them done, the price is great. 

...I have been thinking about using placemats on my kitchen table. I have used tablecloths for over 20 years. I may step out of my comfort zone and use placemats for a change. I even found some I like yesterday. I even bought them. I even brought them home. Now, to just get my nerve up today to switch out from a tablecloth to placemats. It's funny, I love change. It never bothers me....except with something like this. But I feel like I'm in a tablecloth rut so I am willing to try placemats...for however long it will last. Come back tomorrow to see the tranformation...IF I like it.

My daughter's nephew by marriage is getting married today. My granddaughter Shelby is a flower girl in the wedding. My grandson Caleb needed a new shirt to wear. So since rehearsal was yesterday, I was asked to take him shirt shopping. Have you ever went shopping with a 9 year old for clothes? It was an experience. He shops nothing like me or his mommy. He sees what he wants and he makes his mind up immediately. He did bring a chuckle to my day as we were trying on his shirt. They have big dressing rooms so he had me come in with him. I was helping him button the buttons and I think he was getting aggravated with me because he is perfectly capable of doing it himself. But here I was helping (it's a grandma thing). He sighs and looks at me and says "Now I know how Jason Aldean feels when his grandmother helps him in the dressing room." I cracked up. For those of you who don't know, Jason Aldean is a country music performer and Caleb's idol. I just smiled, but I am pretty sure that Jason's grandma doesn't go into dressing rooms with him. 

I guess it is time for me to get off here, quit my rambling and eat a bite of breakfast before church. Is Lemon Glazed 7-Up Cake considered acceptable breakfast food?

Surprises and a celebration...

I went out to the mailbox yesterday and I had a little package from my cousin, Jeannie. Even though I don't see my cousins or talk to them as much as I would like, we have remained a close family for years. I was so excited to hear from her that I ripped into the package right there at the mailbox. I couldn't even wait to get back to the house. What was inside made me scream! I was so EXCITED. Check it out. She made me a dishtowel with Pyrex bowls. And they are the Cinderella style that I love. Words cannot describe how happy I was. 

I dashed in the house, showed Hubby and rushed to the kitchen to hang it up. I knew exactly where I wanted it. It looks so pretty hanging there and the colors go perfect with my collection. Hubby keeps laughing at me because I keep going in the kitchen and just staring at it and saying "I can't believe I have a Pyrex dishtowel. Doesn't it look pretty hanging there?

I want to give a Happy Anniversary shout to a very precious friend of mine. Ms. Norma had a milestone anniversary yesterday. She celebrated the 10th year of her lung transplant. For someone who was told the transplant should add about 5 years at the most to her life, 10 is a major, major reason to celebrate. She is such an inspiration to anyone who knows her. God has blessed her in so many ways and anybody that knows her is inspired by her strength, her will, and most importantly by her unshakable faith in God. I hope you will take 2 minutes to watch this video of Ms. Norma on the Dr. Bob Show. She is one of the most special women I know.

Go the extra mile...

Sometimes it pays to literally go that extra mile. I went to a yard sale yesterday that was on Craig's List and it was really disappointing. There was one across the street that was unadvertised. It was a young girl and her grandmother. They had a few school/office supplies so I picked up four new folders and two packs of my favorite note pads for a total of $1.20.

As I turned out of the subdivision, I thought to myself, I think I'll go on up the road a mile just in case there are any more yard sales. Our little town doesn't always advertise, they just stick out a sign. Well, I am so glad I turned and went the way I did. I stumbled a cross a little second hand store that has just been opened three weeks. I normally have no need to go in that direction and it is in a residential area so it was a double surprise. It's called His & Hers Resale Shop. 

Talk about a pleasant surprise. Not only was it a new place to shop, it has some amazing items. 

I fell in love with this little bistro set right by the front door. The price was very reasonable but I have no room for it. 

They have some neat figurines. And she has everything displayed very nicely.

There was so much that I don't think I even looked at everything. As I look back over my pictures I see several things I missed, like this gorgeous white lamp off to the far left of the picture. I never even noticed it yesterday. I need to go back and check it out. 

I didn't notice the little beehive lamp with the blue shade. My daughter says I am obsessed with lamps this year and I fear she may be right. This beehive is just too cute. I should go get it for my office. Of course, when your nickname is B, you tend to gravitate to cute little bee related items. 

And the name is right. There is a lot for the "His" in your household as well. I should have checked out the coffee table books. I love a good deal on a book. 

Lots of tools and manly items for my better half to go check out later. 

I am still amazed at the sheer variety of products she has in the shop. I love figurines and she has some really cute one. 

I didn't think to get a price on this chair. I will check it out on my next trip. I have a friend that is looking for chairs to fix up for her craft room. This might just be exactly what she is looking for. 

Being short, I had not noticed the wire baskets on top this shelf. 

But I did spot some cute items on the lower shelf. I actually have a bunny rabbit like that pink one. 

Another cute little table and chairs set. Makes me want to enclose my back deck and fix a cute little breakfast nook on it. Check out the precious little lamp on the table. (there I go with the lamp again, daughter may just be right).

Lots of neat kitchen items from decor to useful to some vintage. She did tell me that she goes to estate sales to get a lot of her stuff so I can't wait to see what she adds as the summer goes along. 

I love purses and if I can get a deal on a purse in good shape, I will usually snap it up. She has quite a selection. And they are all like brand new. 

I have been looking for a red purse. This one caught my eye. It was a soft as could be. The inside is leopard print and the price...$4.95! Did it come home with me? Well, yeah. So thrilled. I've already changed my stuff to it so it can go shopping with me today. 

I need to go back over there first thing this morning. I was so excited about my red purse, I failed to walk around the rack to the other side. As I was posting the pictures, I saw this blue one that is a color my daughter loves. Since all the purses are $4.95, I think I will be in major trouble if I don't go get her this blue one today. 

But I have saved the best for last. As I was browsing through the kitchen items, a piece of vintage McKee glass caught my eye. It was in excellent shape, just needs washed and cleaned up. It was the sailboat pattern that I've been looking for. A 1930's vintage butter dish.

I held my breath as I looked at the price.....

$2.00!  

Happy dance time. You betcha this definitely came home with me! I am beyond thrilled. I'm going to clean and shine it today and place it in a place of honor in my kitchen. I must have picked it up twenty times last night just to look at it and smile and say "mine, all mine." I will definitely keep visiting this little shop.