my house must have a vacany sign - and more Goodwill finds

 I think animals know that I am a "sucker" and will take them in.

Zippo, my 12-year old cat, showed up on our doorstep when he was about four months old. 

Then, in August 2010, Clementine also showed up on my porch.

Pregnant. 

(Monkey - yes, that's his name - is her baby.)

Late last night, I looked out my front door, and there was a dog on my porch!

I was talking to him through the screen and he didn't run away.

Tim went outside to see the dog and the dog jumped on him and

started licking his face.

Oh. No.

I couldn't just leave the dog roam free, especially at night when he was more

likely to get hit by a car or attacked by a coyote.

And it was SO cold last night.

I also couldn't bring the dog into our house because of the cats.

So, I put the dog in the garage and gave him a fresh bowl of water

and Thanksgiving leftovers (turkey, ham, sweet potatoes, and green beans!)

I had a little doggie bed in the basement, so I put that in the garage,

along with some newspapers - so that hopefully, he'd use those for

his "business".

Doggie was certainly glad to see me this morning. Look at his sweet face!

I brought him inside and put him in one of the bathrooms,

as I felt sorry for him in the cold garage.

I had to take Monkey to the vet, so I inquired there as to what to do about the dog.

They advised bringing him in so they could scan him for a micro chip.

He did indeed have one and the vet called the owner and left a message.

They kept the dog there in a kennel and told me they'd let me know if the

owner called to claim him, otherwise they'd call Animal Control.

I was so happy to hear from the vet's office later, that the owner did indeed

call them. Yay!

On another note, I made a quick stop at a different Goodwill store today. 

I only found a few items this time, though I did get about six books.

I really don't need any more Christmas decorations, but I couldn't resist

this tin Santa.

I also have a thing for pottery and have started a small collection.

I liked this little pitcher because of the cheery yellow flowers.

My best find was this beautiful Paragon tea cup and saucer for only $1.99!

I don't think whomever priced it realized the value of Paragon.

My mom collects tea cups and saucers and one of her favorites

is Paragon, so I'm giving this to her. :-)

The only thing I couldn't figure out about the tea cup was this strange gold

lettering (ESOR) on the bottom of the cup.

Anyone have any idea what it could mean?

I did a Google search, but didn't come up with anything.

Have a lovely day ~ and please get your pets micro chipped if you haven't

already done so!

thanksgiving family dysFUNction

I feel like a lazy, beached whale today.

I ate too much food last night, along with a few glasses of wine...

then came home to have two of my aunt's amazing cream cheese brownies.

Today, I've had all kinds of leftovers (mostly carbs), two pieces of another aunt's

wonderful apple spice cake that went perfectly with morning coffee,

movie popcorn (I saw The Muppets!), and some M&M's.

Can you tell I've fallen off the Healthy Food Wagon?

 

So, yesterday we had Thanksgiving dinner at my mom's house.

She lives in a small townhouse and there were 17 people and 3 dogs.

One dog pooped in the floor because she was nervous.

Another dog bumped into the table and knocked over the red wine,

which landed on the cream-colored carpet.

My 91-year old great aunt, who has dementia started

freaking out and shaking and demanded she wanted to go home.

Just another family holiday.

 Cousin Greg opens a bottle of wine...

The 3 famous bad dogs

(the ones with four legs and fur).

OK, that was really bad. I think I've all the carbs have gone to my head.

L to R: my sister, Laura with her dog, Phobe; my Aunt Suzie

with her dog, Penny (Phoebe & Penny are sisters); and

my mom, with her dog, LuLu.

 

Niece, Hannah showing me her pumpkin dessert.

My mom has a knife and she knows how to use it!

Recipe for a happy family Thanksgiving:

Take unresolved issues and soak in alcohol.

(From the TV show, Modern Family)

 

what's new saturday - and a couple of great finds for the guest room

You all know me and my treasure hunting, especially at Goodwill...

So, how cool is this green pitcher? It's hand blown Blenko glass, which retails for

$44 - and even sells on eBay for $40. I paid a few dollars.

I think it looks really pretty on display in the living room...

I also found this TracyJoy bag. Love the colors. But, please tell me...

does this look like a purse? Because I looked online and found that this is really a camera bag! They are pretty pricey and I got this for $4.99, but I thought it was a purse! Can it pass for one?

Confession: I did pay too much for this pretty little butterfly tray.

This wasn't a Goodwill find. It was from a consignment shop.

Oh well, I really like it ~ and it can be used on top of this vintage suitcase,

or on a dresser top, or even propped up on a shelf.

Today, I went to the antique mall by my house in search of a nightstand for 

the guest-room-in-progress.

I got lucky and found this beauty...

I'm still playing around with the decor. I think I'll add a little dresser scarf 

to the top, and then a pair of red wooden candlesticks. 

The calendar is just there temporarily.

 Also, on my Goodwill expedition yesterday, I picked up 

this wicker chair for $15. Originally from Pier 1.

I'm going to put the bookcase downstairs and put the chair

in the corner instead. When I finally get the desk in this

room, the chair can then be pulled over by the desk when needed.

Otherwise, it'll be perfect for stacking some quilts

or simply to sit on and watch TV.

Now that Black Friday and Cyber Monday are coming up, I've

been keeping my eye out for a great deal on a 32" LCD or 1080p TV.

Yep, this guest room is starting to shape up!

 As always, thanks for visiting. :-)

some new finds - and a new vignette

 One of the many things I have a fancy for is vintage pictures, especially botanicals.

Found this latest framed beauty at my favorite shop (Goodwill).

This shelf arrangement is one of three above my fireplace, as I don't have a mantle.

Mama and baby canary figurine is Goebel, W. Germany.

I so wanted to make a lovely tablescape on my kitchen table today, 

but it just didn't happen. The first step would've been to iron a tablecloth.

First of all, ironing tablecloths isn't my idea of a good time. 

Secondly, the tablecloth only ends up looking good for a day or two,

as food or drink gets spilled on it, plus a couple of naughty kitties

love to jump on the table and lie down like they own the place. I'm forever
taking a lint roller to the tablecloth to pick up all the cat hair.
Ick.

All I managed to do is make a centerpiece. I found this glass piece at 

TJ Maxx for only $4.99. Filled it with a soup bean mixture (Trader Joe's)

and stuck a pillar candle in the middle. It's a start!

How do you like this cute bird? Another one of my obsessions "fancies".

Of course, it's also a Goodwill find.

I ordered this book, "Decorate" from Amazon, thanks to a birthday gift card

from my mom. Got it a few weeks ago and haven't even looked at it yet!

From what I've read from other bloggers and online reviews, it's fantastic.

Can't wait to delve in.

Found this unique glass and iron (?) house at _______ (guess where?!)

The back has a little door that opens up - I'm assuming you can put a tealight in there.

There's a sticker on the bottom of this house that says it's made in the Philippines.

Another gorgeous picture find at Goodwill. 

This one has the artist information on back that says it's black and white

photography that is hand colored.

I have it hanging in the main bathroom, as the purple walls

pick up the purple in the flower.

 Now for the new vignette. Previously, I had a bunch of framed pictures

on top of this table, leaning against the wall. 

I think it looks a bit "cleaner" with just three of the pictures and 

the candelabra. The two pottery bowls in front were made

by my son, Tim in his college ceramics class.

Thanks for visiting - and happy thrifting and decorating!

end of october thoughts

   Today loomed cool and overcast, but I was feeling edgy

and a bit "off" today. Wacky hormones? 

I also know that we're numbering the decent days to be outdoors.

And I need more exercise

especially since I sit at a desk all day, three days/week.

So, I headed to my favorite, peaceful walking place:

The State Park.

I actually didn't plan on walking so far, but the scenery was beautiful

and it felt so good to just

move.

How long has it been since you experienced total silence?

To be somewhere were you could just...

be?

Just you and your thoughts...

No ringing phones. No email.

No kids hanging on you.

No piles of laundry waiting to be done.

No work deadlines.

Out in nature, you are free to be anything you want to be.

There is no timetable, no judgment, no hurry.

Keep going...beauty is everywhere.

Even in the worn out, old, and weathered.

Take time for yourself,

Beautiful Woman.

You deserve it!

a glimpse of my peaceful sunday

 Sweet pussy cats sleeping away the afternoon...

Barley Minestrone soup simmering on the stove....

(Recipe at end of post)

And oatmeal cookies (standard Quaker Oats recipe) with 

dried cranberries and white chocolate chips, fresh out of the oven...

BARLEY MINESTRONE

(From Fine Cooking)

2 T. extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 c. (about 1 oz.) finely diced pancetta (I used bacon)

2 c. large diced Savoy cabbage

1 c. medium diced yellow onion

1 c. sliced carrot

1/4 c. medium diced celery

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 quarts low-salt chicken broth

1 14-1/2 oz. can diced tomatoes, with their juices

1/2 c. pearl barley, rinsed

2 large sprigs fresh rosemary

2" square Parmigiano-reggiano rind (optional)

Kosher salt

1 c. rinsed & drained canned kidney beans

Fesh ground black pepper

Freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano for serving

Heat the oil in a heavy 6-qt. or larger pot over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook, stirring frequently, until it becomes ever so slightly golden 2-3 min. Add the cabbage, onion, carrot, celery, and garlic. Cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables begin to soften, about 6 min. Add the broth, the tomatoes with their juices, the barley, rosemary, Parmigiano rind (if using), 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1 c. water. Bring to a boil over high heat and then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until the barley and vegetables are tender, about 20 min. Discard the rosemary springs and Parmigiano rind. Stir in the beans and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve sprinkled with the grated Parmigiano.

new downstair decor

 As you might know from previous posts, our basement flooded in the spring of 2010

and we had to have it totally re-done. 

I decided to go with a completely different sort of look:

Modern.

I also wanted to break out of my safe color rut, so I had the walls painted a pumpkin color,

and then chose a pale yellow for the stairway.

The TV stand, side table, sofa table, and floating wall shelves are black,

so I figured I wanted to hang things on the stairway walls that were black.

This black filigree "frame" used to be a mirror. I simply took the mirror out

and spray-painted the frame black. The empty frame with ribbon hanger - Goodwill.

And the cool, modern picture that matches the basement perfectly?

A friend's garage sale for just $5. I'm not digging the "Faith, Hope, Love" hanging though...

I think it looks too "country" for the downstairs decor.

Oh well, I change and play with decor all the time, so that will be changed out soon!

 You can see the painting better in this photo...

Another recent Goodwill find - these straw hangings (I have no idea what these are - any guesses?)

for only 49 cents each. I think they look really cool hanging on this narrow space

of wall near the utility room door.

Close-ups...

Here's what I did to soften up the stark sofa table a bit - what do you all think?

I finally found the perfect rug from Home Depot for the sitting area.

It's very plush and wooly.

View of the sitting/TV area...

We found this picture at IKEA - I love how the orange in the picture "pops"

against the pumpkin colored walls. We also live in the Chicago 'burbs, 

so we happen to love this Chicago picture.

Thanks for visiting!