Of Spell Books and Cauldrons

Last Sunday, after saying goodbye to the last of our company, the Farmboy and I were kind of at a loss as to what to do with ourselves on the way back home.
Just as our exit came up to take us to our house, that spontaneous Farmboy veered off track and we drove up to McKinney to wander about the square.
(despite the 100+ temperature)

As we slowly tootled along, glancing into this shop window and that shop window, I was doing what I do best when alone with the Farmboy.
Babbling.
Babbling about every topic whirling about in my little head and then some.
As we came to a stop, waiting for the light to tell us we could cross, I came to an unexpected silence.

And then I exclaimed,
"OH!  I need a cauldron!"
The Farmboy blinked.
"And maybe a couple of spell books too."
Another blink.

Luckily he's used to odd out bursts of this sort.
And being the good Farmboy that he is, helped me search and find a couple of books that will beautifully hold some spells
(plus a mid to late 1800s ledger)
and even a humongous cauldron.
(well, it was actually an antique candy making kettle)
However, just as fast as he found it, I decided that maybe I didn't need a cast iron cauldron after all.
I have a better idea instead.......

I Took A Picture

of my soul


and it made me smile,


because I liked what I saw.

On the Orient Express

Had I the opportunity to travel on the Orient Express back in the day, I would have had two wishes.

The first would be to have traveled with as lovely a train case as this one.

One must always have both her toiletries and jewels near at hand whilst on a journey.


You just never know what unexpected moment life may throw your way, and to be without hand cream or your pearls could possibly be devastating.

Oh, the second wish?

To help Monsieur Poirot solve the murder case, of course.

Arctic Winds, Viruses and Boxes

I want to know who picked up my house and moved it to the Arctic while I was sleeping. The wind... OMG! I live in Texas... this isn't right. 'Nough said about that.

Viruses. I found out how dependent I have become on my laptop. I managed to download a virus, a real nasty one, because of some cheese. Yup, cheese... in the form of TV. See, I love me some "Xena, Warrior Princess". Don't laugh, I know it's cheesy TV, but we all have our oddities and that's one of mine. I went to watch an episode on TVshack and accidentally clicked a pop up. It really wasn't good, but luckily I'm married to a computer wizard Farmboy.

So, two days ago I really wanted to box up the wind and the virus and bury it somewhere far away and deep into the ground. But I would pick a much different box than one of these little beauties.

I have the beginning of a lovely little collection of antique boxes.


This pretty, little Dutch tin, I bought while in Omaha this past November. I love the soft, muted colors on it.


This tiny, little thing was tucked into my stocking this past Christmas. I think the graphics on it are just gorgeous.


And this beauty was given to me by a very dear friend. I just love the 18th century image.

So, my little boxes are what I want to share with you days ago. It's now taken me two days to finish this post, and since, those horrid winds have stopped, thank goodness.

I'm off to make orange cranberry muffins for breakfast. Hope the rest of your weekend is beautiful.

Good Shopping

Every now and then, I go out junquing with a list of specific items I need to find. It is very rare that I find all of those items on the list.

Last week I went out with a list and low and behold, I found everything I was after.

My list consisted of...
*a birthday gift (the book)
*4 red and white milk caps (3 out of 4 isn't bad. At least the fourth has red on it and isn't green or orange.)
*white posies

Then the shopping got better, because I found a few extra pretties too.

*Northeast Africa plant life recognition cards
*a lovely pearl and rhinestone brooch
*light pink velvet ivy leaves

And it was all done in a very timely manner. Here's to a good day of shopping!

A Random Act of Kindness

A couple of weeks ago, I received an email from a complete stranger. Turns out, not all strangers mean danger, as McGruff the Crime Dog taught me when I was little.

So, I received this email from Darlene who, unbeknownst to me, has been reading my blog for the last 2 months. Her email said that she had been given an old Victorian scrapbook by a family friend, and would I like to have it.

Can you say "SHOCK"!

Can you say "YES"!

Can you say "Squealing and Jumping Up and Down like a little kid on Christmas morning"!

So, she sent it to me and I sent her a journal of her choice in return.

The book is simply wonderful! It has calling cards and some fabulous coffee cards in it, as well as, school awards and such. I have been sitting and looking through it over and over again. It makes me wonder if someone will be as excited to find my art journals and my own scrapbooks, a hundred years from now, and be as thrilled to sit down with a cup of tea and linger over each page, as I have done with this scrapbook.

Even though I've said it half a dozen times already, Thank You so much, Darlene!!!

I've Been Nesting

A little bit of decorating for spring, planting flowers in containers for the back deck and even some organizing, but really, that seems to be an ongoing thing for me. And a little day dreaming about eating alfresco. The wind has been just down right ridiculous here. I mean really, March is over so come on Mother Nature, time to call it quits.

I've also done a little junquing. Here are two of my most recent and favorite finds.

This is an antique trunk tray. The paper on it is original and unfortunately a bit fragile in a few spots. I have decided on a place to put it, but keep changing my mind on what to store in it. Here's a close up.


I also found this little beauty for next to nothing. But, then again, it's no wonder it was next to nothing. It's in terrible condition. Which is probably one of the reasons I love it so.

It's a Victorian photo album. I adore the image on the front. Isn't it so sweet? There are, of course, no pictures in it, but it does still have the photo frames, which are in decent condition. The spine of the book is almost completely gone, so I'm trying to decide if I should go ahead and remove the cover for display and use the pages for art work and chunk the back or just leave it as is. What do you think?

I received the prettiest card from my good friend Cheryl the other day. I just have to show it off.


I just love it. Thank you Cheryl!

Okay, now for a different topic. Blogging without obligation. I've seen this on several blogs and never really thought a whole lot about it. However, I've now come to the conclusion, that I think this is for me. I've really been feeling kind of stressed out over the whole blogging thing. And I really don't want to. I like having this little place to write down my thoughts and what I've been up to and really just whatever catches my fancy. The best part of it is the amazing people I've met through blogging. And I absolutely love the fact that you all are kind enough to even care what I have to say in the first place and then leave me the most lovely comments on top of it all. I really don't want to lose any of that. But at the same time I want blogging to be a peaceful activity for me and I don't want to feel stressed out if I can't get a post in at least every other day. So with that said, I've decided to join some of those other bloggers and blog without obligation. So, if you stop by and I'm not around, please know that I will be back and more than likely with a long winded post, like this one. ;) Again, I want you all to know how much I truly appreciate each and everyone of you!!!

Whew! Do I feel like a load has been lifted now!

I hope you all have a most beautiful Tuesday!

Inspiration and Some New Pretties

So, during my down time I found a few goodies to help inspire me. I thought I'd share and maybe they will inspire you too.


I purchased these three books from Wanda. She's my book go-to-girl. Funny how a few musty old books can make one so excited. And giddy with excitement was just what I was when I opened this package. See that Russian Ballet book? Eeeep! I CANNOT WAIT to get started altering it! But alas, wait I must. I'm still collecting ballerina images. But I am ridiculously excited!

The American Traveler book I am going to have to hide, until I decide what I want to do with it. The Farmboy has already tried to confiscate it once. Saying it's a book that would come in handy for him. You see, he's learning to speak Spanish from a Scotsman via pod casts (funny, I know) and we all know how often he travels through Portugal and France, so of course he would need the book.... uh, yeah right... nice try buddy.


One afternoon while junquing with my friend Nina, after telling myself I was just going to look and not buy, because I was already pushing the Farmboy bounds with the amount of money I spent on new glasses (two pair... doctor's orders), I went home with this lovely pink floral hat and pretty pink trim. A girl can never have too much trim, I always say.


Now this has a story behind it. There I am rushing off to an appointment. Starving, as I had not eaten yet and it was already 12PM. So I decide to drive through Starbucks and get a latte thinking it would tide me over until after the appointment and I could then grab a bite to eat. So I do just that. Pull out of Starbucks onto the street and stop at the stoplight. Are you with me so far? This is where the story gets good. Red light... I pick up my grande Carmel Macchiato. There is no cup sleeve on it. Starbucks no longer puts them on. If you want one, you have to ask for it. Well, I was preoccupied when I took my cup from the nice barrista, so I didn't ask for one. The cup was HOT. I started juggling it one handed trying not to burn the skin off of my fingers and get it back into the car cup holder. Before the cup made it into the said cup holder, scalding hot carmel macchiato ended up all over my left knee, right thigh and the console of my car. I'm really surprised my car didn't shoot out into traffic. Somehow I managed to keep my foot on the brake pedal. I did end up with a nice red welt on the underside of my right thigh where the coffee pooled up in my seat. Needless to say, that evening I went Internet shopping for a handmade cup sleeve. I found this one here. I have vowed to always have it with me in case a coffee craving should ensue... no more scaldings for me.


These little pretties I found while out junquing with my friend Cheryl. Love the lady on the lid. I think I'm going to put her on the cover of a book I'm making. Both the lady and the circular rhinestone brooch, I saw while I was out with Nina, but didn't get them. When I saw that both were still there,as well as on sale, I knew it was a sign. ;)


Last item. You will never believe where I got this. Well, at least I was surprised... Target! I actually had another one in my basket that I had picked up in the Easter section, but when I saw this one, that one went right back. I love the colors. I reminds me of an OliveJuice & Co. apron. I know your thinking exactly what I'm thinking. I am going to be a Domestic Diva in this apron. Okay, maybe you weren't actually thinking that, but I am... thinking it, that is. Yes, I know it's a little wrinkled and please ignore the grubby hand marks on the door, but I did say I would be a Domestic Dive when I had the apron on... and well right now, technically, Callia Adel has it on, not me. Anyhoo...

Whew, that was a lot longer than I had anticipated. Sorry for that. I suppose I should go don my new DD apron and clean those doors now.
Have a beautiful day!

Monday News

Wow, it's Monday again... so soon! We had a great visit with my dad and now he's back on his paradise island. But, my mom will be here in a few weeks. How was your weekend?

I have received two more awards and as usual, have forgotten all the rules.

This one is from Tracy of Tide Up Memories. Tracy started her blog not too long ago. You should go by and visit her, she's a sweetheart!


And this one is from Cindy of Yapping Cat Studios. Cindy is one of the cowgirls who round up Paper Cowgirl here in North Texas. If you're in the area, you should check it out. But make sure you don't take my spot when registration comes 'round!


Thank you ladies. Y'all are really too sweet!

Looky what I got in the mail Saturday.

Stunning, aren't they! They are from Art-e-ology . Lori had a blog post awhile back about these ledger pages. I've found that a lot of times when you purchase ledger pages, the top couple of pages will be really lovely, but then as you meander towards the back of the stack, there is less writing on them. Which is understandable and somewhat expected. Not these babies. Every single page, front and back, has this amazingly gorgeous script. I seriously don't know if I'm going to be able to cut these up. We'll see.

I'm off to the eye doctor now. Yep, I'll finally be able to retire the scotch taped glasses and will no longer be such an embarrassment to the family... heehee.
Have a beautiful Monday!

Girly Getaway

This weekend I had a chance to get away for a bit with some girlfriends. We hopped in our cars and drove down to Austin in celebration of a friend's birthday.

What a great weekend!

Three of us left a little earlier than everyone else on Saturday morning. We got down there just in time for a delightful luncheon at the Driskill Hotel. Really, there is just no better place in Austin to sit with your girlfriends, to eat and chat, than the 1886 Cafe & Bakery in the hotel.



Once the rest of the group made it into town we did a bit of shopping, then checked in at the hotel. We got settled in, had a nice rest, more chitchat, then a quick freshen up and off for a birthday dinner.

Sunday gave us more good food, a stroll around the capital and some time spent at my happy place, Uncommon Objects.





Good Times!

Thank you for all the nice comments about the two Valentine swaps I was in.

Hope you have a beautiful Monday!

French Notes

It's 1935 and two young women are sitting in a classroom on a beautiful Spring day. They are both lovely to look at... one dark and the other fair, but very different in more than just appearances.



Virginia, sitting at the front of the class, is diligently and intensely taking notes, as the teacher gives the day's lesson.

As her pencil quickly fills the page in her neat hand, she mentally goes down the list of errands she needs to run before heading to her study group this afternoon... the library to pick up the extra credit reading for her Lit class, the Student Hall to sign up for the new Editorial Committee, the drug store. After study group, she will sit down and pen a letter to her mother.


In the back corner of the room, near the window is where Katherine is sitting. As she stares out of the window, she's thinking about a picnic under an oak tree. It's such a beautiful day. The sun is shining and wispy clouds slowly make their way across the sky. She can almost smell the fresh green grass and hear the laughter of her friends.

As the teacher begins the next chapter, Katherine is brought back to the present. Glancing at the clock on the wall, she sighs. She looks over at the boy next to her and scribbles a note in her book. She winks at him as she slides the book to the edge of her desk so that he can read it.

But soon, the drone of the teacher's voice and the ticking of the clock are gone and she's back, sitting on an old blanket under the oak tree, feeling the breeze ruffle her hair.


**************

I have a hard time finding French books around here for a decent price, so when I saw that Wanda had some in her shop, I snatched them up as fast as I could. When they arrived on my doorstep I was so pleasantly surprised to find all of the names, scribbles and drawings in the books, as well as, the notes tucked inside. As I turned the pages, I saw both Virginia and Katherine sitting in their French class that day.

**************

Now to fill you in on the "bad mama vs. good mama" struggle. They were still at it, debating back and forth with me on what to do about that pretty velvet ribbon, when the boy himself found out about the whole thing. Needless to say, he has hidden the shirt and told me I could no longer do his laundry. Ha! How long do you think that will really last? Not long, I say.

Shopping

My wallet has seen a lot of action in the last month... and none of it was Christmas shopping either... oops!

We'll start with Omaha Shopping.

The flowers on the hat are such a lovey variegated color, I thought the girl was pretty (she'll go in my pretty lady collection) and the postcard is of Omaha... needed some sort of postcard souvenir, why not an old one! You know my fascination with Egypt... I'm 99.9% certain the photo was taken in Giza.... a must have.
Okay, the pearls. You know how Holly Golightly loves diamonds, but "doesn't feel that they are for her", but they look wonderful on older ladies? Well, this is how I have always felt about pearls. Evidently I have reached the age (level of maturity... wisdom? Am I reaching too far here?) that I think pearls are now for me and I'm not even 40 yet, you know. Seriously, I can't get enough of pearls! This pearl choker is my favorite piece of jewelry now... please don't tell my Farmboy though! I've already worn it half a dozen times and feel that I could actually buy clothing around this necklace, just so I can wear it! Crazy, I know.


Lovely bits of broken jewelry. (more pearls)


Pretty buttons and don't you just love the trims! Yummy, I say! I'm thinking I'll use the trims in my French Textile Album... like the one in this post.


The beginning of my antique button collection.

Now, Silver Bella Vendor Night.

Wallpaper rolls from her, wallpaper and millinery pack from her and holiday flashcards and velvet strawberries (I'm sure I don't have to tell you) from her. Did you catch her seam binding sale? I did... and Andrea is really too sweet.


Yummy colored yoyos, trims and vintage bird from her. Some how I missed the "crafter's crack" at her table (I'm not crazy, Wanda knows what I'm talking about). Hand dyed silk and velvet ribbons from her, but you probably already knew that too.


The sweet little kit was from Teresa's table (her daughter put them together) and I also bought a Prairie Home tee shirt from her table too. Love that shirt! In fact I put 3 others on my Christmas Wish List for Santa. The mica was from her.

I think I mentioned that my Farmboy had to be out of town during the week of Thanksgiving. He didn't have to "work" the whole time, but he had to be there just in case, so I spent the week down there with him. Well on Saturday, we decided we would drive over to Fredricksburg, we were in Austin (forgot to mention that). Well, when in Fredricksburg there are three things that are a must... eat German food (which I don't like, other than spatzle, so we did better than that and ate at both of Rebecca Rathers' restaurants)... drink beer (well, I don't like beer either, unless it's a cider ale or a fruity lager. So I didn't do that either)... and the most important thing you should do in Fredricksburg is shop! (but with Christmas just around the corner, I did control myself and only picked up a few things.)

These are the only "old" goodies I bought. Two French books... love the the N's on the spines and a fabulous journal all written in french. Yep, hit a pretty good jackpot with that one!

You know my favorite shop in Austin... Uncommon Objects? These are the goodies I got from there.

I went looking for a German book and found it before even getting to Fredricksburg. The sweet little bracelet is a child's bracelet from 1930. Love the pretty aqua heart on it. And low and behold, it fits me perfectly! (not that I'll ever wear it... I wouldn't want to break it.)

So those are all of my goodies!

Before I go, I'd like to show a little sneak peek of what I'll have in the shop soon.



Hope your day is a beautiful one!