coffee talk

 I love my cup of coffee first thing in the morning. It's what I go for the minute

I get out of bed. And I'm a bit of a coffee snob. I like to grind my own beans

fresh every morning. And only two certain kinds will do: Either Dunkin' Donuts

or Trader Joes Breakfast Blend. I've also discovered the beauty of making
coffee via the french press. It makes the most delicious, deep-tasting cup of
coffee I've ever had. I was lucky enough to find this personal french press at
 Goodwill last year. Since I'm the only coffee drinker in the house, this single-
serving press is perfect for me.

 When Brenda of Cozy Little House was talking about home coffee bars

a few days ago and is talking about coffee again today on her blog, I thought

I'd jump on the coffee bandwagon. I do have a coffee/tea/hot chocolate bar
in my kitchen, but not on my counter top. There's not enough room. But I
found a wire shelf in my stash of home decor and put it on the counter to
hold my two favorite winter mugs and some creamers.

The beverage bar is across the kitchen on the butler's table. You'll see a larger

french press. I found that one at Goodwill just a couple of weeks ago. It'll

come in handy when I have company. I do have an automatic drip coffee maker,

but like I said, I'm hooked on the french press right now. The coffee tastes

so much better. Once in awhile, I'll have a cup of tea in the afternoon or

evening (I usually just drink water all day after my morning coffee) -

plus Brian's a tea drinker - so I have an assortment of teas in a

vintage glass jar. And if anyone prefers hot chocolate, I have a homemade

mix - as well as peppermint sticks.

Here's the whole look on that side of the kitchen. As usual, I have a photo-

bombing kitty. That's Clementine under the butler's table.

In other non-coffee news, these past couple of days have brought sunshine

and 40+ degree temps. It not only feels wonderful, but it's melting some of 

that snow. However, tonight into tomorrow we're supposed to get a lot of rain

on top of all that melting snow. And you know what the means: flooding! I'm worried

about our basement. Brian's going to work on shoveling the snow away from the

foundation when he gets home from work today.

I had my first acupuncture appointment this morning for my rotator cuff

impingement. I went through a month of physical therapy in December and

it didn't do much good. It felt good during the therapy, but once therapy was

over, the pain and limited movement came right back. I do the prescribed PT

exercises at home every single day, too. Plus yoga class and yoga at home.

I will not get a cortisone shot unless absolutely necessary. I would like to say

never, but you know how that goes...never say never. I'm a natural health person

and have read a lot of information on the dangers and risks of cortisone - not

only to your soft tissues, but the effect it has on your heart. No, thank you. I will

go the natural route first. I've done acupuncture in the past - for my back. And it

helped tremendously. I have to say that just after today's treatment, I'm a little

sore but my range of motion is already much better. I also had a headache when

I went in and she was able to take that away immediately with appropriately-

placed needles. Amazing!

Linking up to: Cozy Little House Tweak it Tuesday and
Green Willow Pond What We Accomplished Wednesday 

thrifting treasures ~ part two

This is a picture-heavy post ~ you've been forewarned!

I've really been on a thrifting roll lately.

And I like to sometimes show not only what I found, but where I'm using those finds, too.

So settle in with your feet up and your beverage of choice - I'm drinking Yogi Green Tea Kambucha - my new favorite.

It was hard to photograph this glass bird - he looks more like a penguin

in the photo! He's much more handsome in person.

 He now nests happily on a shelf in my office, along with that pretty 

little floral oil painting I found the other day ~ which was featured here: 

hit the thrifting jackpot - part one

Thought this was a cute box...it now holds an assortment of teas on the kitchen counter.

 

 Even the side of the box is cute...

Another pretty little painting...

 

 which I used in grouping on the kitchen wall. And instead of putting more nail holes in the

wall, I used those trusty 3M Command strips.

When I stand back and look at the wall, it seems to me that it now needs some kind of

horizontal something-or-other to top off the grouping. Maybe a white ornamental piece?

 

I was thrilled when I found these sterling silver candlesticks!

Only $4.99 each. They'll be so pretty and shiny when I remove the tarnish.

 

 Here's the original price!

 I bought a set of six of these gorgeous Lefton dishes.

They're for my mom. Not sure whether she's going to keep them or try to sell them on eBay.

If I had a dining room (I only have an eat-in kitchen), I'd be keeping these lovelies.

The sterling silver coyote earrings are for a friend of mine, as she loves

jewelry like this. The funky pin is not for me to wear, but I could picture her on

a bulletin/inspiration board or pinned somewhere fun...

like on this vintage fan.

 

When I came home with this big basket and set it on the kitchen counter,

Monkey immediately jumped into it and had to investigate!

When I was carrying this basket out from Goodwill to my car, two women

in the parking lot commented on it. "Ooh, I want that basket!" And, "Someone found a great basket!" 

Household stuff...a two-slice toaster (which will make my son happy - we only had a four-slice

toaster which was too big to keep on the counter, so every time he wanted toast or waffles, he'd

have to drag the toaster out from storage, which wasn't exactly convenient); a Chef'n salad Emulstir (I make our own salad dressing and just kept it in a jar, but we'd have to shake the jar or mix

the dressing with a spoon every time we'd use it, which got messy); an onion chopper (was so happy

to find this, as my mini food processor broke a little while ago); and kind of out of place here...a lime green vase to go in my living room.

 

So here's the lime green vase - on the hanging window ledge display. I like how it picks

up the green in the picture above it.

Aren't these Swedish candlesticks beautiful? Found them for 99 cents each and the

candles for 49 cents. 

 

 Tchotchkes...loving the vintage bud vase (guessing that's what it is; I was drawn to the hand);

a little trinket box with lid; and the cutest little dish with a cat on it. I know I've seen this dish

online before and I'm thinking it was from Anthropologie, but I can't find it online now.

Anyone recognize it?

 Speaking of that little trinket box with lid, I am hoping someone can help me with this.

What exactly IS this thing? It has a slot in the side. I'm wondering why.

The bottom is marked Stowell.

 

Woo-hoo, another stack of books!

 

Oops, more books! Yarn Harlot is for my same friend that is getting the 

coyote earrings, as she's a knitter - and a reader.

 

Cute 99 cent bracelets for a friend's little girl, and a couple of $1.99 necklaces.

Not too sure about the beaded one on the right - it's not like anything I normally wear.

I'll try it when I'm wearing a plain black or blue shirt and if I don't like it, one of

my aunts who likes bold jewelry will be getting a little prezzie.

 

Pretty pink and silver bracelet. Just needs a little cleaning.

 

14k gold hummingbird earrings for a friend who adores hummingbirds and delicate earrings...

 

 Whew, that does it for now! I also found a few shirts for myself and a red Tommy Hilfiger sweater for my husband, but I didn't take pictures of those things.

 I would tell you that I'm going to stay away from

thrift stores for awhile, but a friend of mine asked me to go to Goodwill and

Savers with her next Monday. Do you think I said no? ;-)