Summer Saturdays

The past 2 or 3 summers I have managed to convince the Man of the Place that a fun "date" is to take me garage-saling on Saturday mornings. We pick out the "Saturday only" garage sales listed in the Nickel's Worth, he programs Rhoda (our GPS), we stop at the ATM and then our favorite coffee kiosk, and we're off. Some weeks we find very little. Other weeks we spend our full "allowance" (usually $40-$60). It doesn't really matter. It's just fun.

Yesterday was our first garage sale expedition for this summer. As we waited for our coffee, he asked me, "What are we looking for?" Umm... well... I'm not really sure. I'll know it when I see it. But... umm... clothes, if we can find any that fit... and umm... well, you know, pretty vintage dishes and stuff. Can't you imagine how excited the man is to set off on a shopping trip with such a vague list? He kinda smirked at me, but good-naturedly followed Rhoda to our first "destination" (that's what she calls Garage Sales).

It turned out to be a good day for bargains. We got a nice 2-person swing for the backyard (like a porch swing, only on a stand), a vintage floor lamp for the family room, some books, games, and puzzles for Becky, some jeans, hand-towels, and a nice purse-- all for less than $50.

But my favorite find?

This sweet vintage plate and three pretty hankies for a grand total of $1.25!

This is what I'm really looking for at garage sales. Just a wee bit of vintage loveliness to add to my "parlor" decor. I love finding just a bit at a time like this, because then it doesn't cost very much, plus I don't end up with more stuff than I know what to do with.

Want to read about more garage sale finds? Visit the Garage Sale Treasures meme @ My Life on a Taffy Pull.

Recycled Apron

My mother made this cute apron for Becky out of an old pair of jeans. I don't really have a story to tell about it. I just thought you'd like to see it!

Animal Collectibles

A couple of years ago for Christmas my parents started a collection of Schleich animals for Becky. She really enjoys her collection and would add to it with every bit of pocket money she ever received if we would just let her! We think it makes it more special for her to just get a few occasionally, so we told her she can't buy them for herself. My parents bring her one or two every time they come, and she usually gets a few for Christmas and her birthday. She treasures each of them.

A few weeks ago, I happened across a giveaway of Schleich animals on Have Sippy Will Travel. It was a collection of 7 animals that Becky didn't already have. Samantha offered several ways to enter and I think I did them all! I knew Becky would be thrilled if I won. I didn't tell her I had entered, though, until I got the notification a few days later that I had actually won! (Thank you, Samantha, for the great giveaway and for making the extra effort to get in touch with me.)

Becky was very excited to add to her collection the Water Buffalo daddy and Calf, the Warthog Family (complete with both parents), and the Lion daddy and Cub.

When my parents came this time they brought her the Kangaroo. And then she used some money PaPa gave her to get the Lipizzaner stallion. (We let her get just one since the money was a gift.) She loves to pore over the catalog to think about what animal she might get next. Her collection is steadily growing.

How Huge the Night - giveaway

I accidentally got signed up twice to review How Huge the Night by Heather and Lydia Munn. Consequently, I received two copies of it. I thought it was a wonderful book and I am really looking forward to the sequel. You can read my full review here.

Since I have 2 copies I am going to offer my extra copy as a giveaway. If you would like to be entered in the drawing for this inspiring novel about World War II please leave a comment on this post. Mention that you're a follower of my blog for an extra entry. I will select a winner on July 1. (US addresses only please.)

Tag!

 One of my daughter's classmates, Mandy @ Eternity is Closer Than You Think, tagged me on this fun little meme. It's been awhile since I've done one, and this one is different than others I've done, so I thought it would be fun to play along!

What is happening... Becky and I enjoyed some light "summer school" this morning. Now she's doing a few chores and I'm getting some office work done before time to start work. (Hey, blogging counts as office work, doesn't it?)

How I'm doing... Pretty well, thank you. I'm glad to have the stress of the past month or so behind me, and I'm enjoying getting into a more "normal" summer routine.

Quote... "I do like a road, because you can be always wondering what is at the end of it." L.M. Montgomery, The Story Girl

How God feels about me right now... He loves me. Now and always. I'm so glad that never changes.

I see... sunshine streaming in my window. It's still early enough in the summer that I am really enjoying the sunshine.

I hear... Becky talking to the dog... or maybe the refrigerator. I'm never quite sure who it is she's talking to when no one else is around. Probably the dog.

I smell... lilacs. (Last night the Man of the Place asked me if I was "attached to that big ol' bush out by the truck." Umm... you mean the lilac bush? Well, yeah! Please don't take it out!)

I taste... cantaloupe. Just cut up one for lunch, and of course I snitched a piece. Mmm... summertime fruit!

I feel... rested and relaxed. Finally!

I think... I should scan some more vintage Workbasket ads and articles to share before long.

I'm curious... about what we'll get to review for the upcoming TOS Homeschool Crew year.

I'm praying... that Laura has a good summer, that she learns a lot and is stretched, inspired, and encouraged.

I'm thinking... about writing-- blog posts and letters and a novel some day.

When I was little... I would get bored in the summer with "nothing to do." It's hard to imagine such a thing these days! My to-do list is way longer than the summer.

I want to go... on vacation! But that's not in our plans this year. We enjoy our convention trips and camping on weekends, so at least that's something. Maybe we can take a mini-vacation in the fall.

I love... spending time with my husband.

I despise... snakes.


Scripture... "But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold." --Job 23:10

I'm thankful for... family and friends and a comfortable home.

I just learned... that Singapore has 4 official languages. I had thought that the language of Singapore was English until I had an email yesterday from a Singaporean lady who said Chinese was her mother tongue. One of my co-workers looked it up on Wikipedia, and shared that there are 4 official languages. Malay and Tamil are the other two.

If you enjoy doing tags and this one appeals to you, please consider yourself tagged! Be sure to leave a comment for me so I can come read your answers.