The Real Deal

We were in Massachusetts over the weekend enjoying an early taste of fall.  We went exploring and found this amazing pumpkin parked downtown in front of a row of shops.  Needless to say, it caught the attention of everyone that was passing by.  

Hard to believe, but it is made of styrofoam.

We found the real deal later in the day and decided that

 the best things do often come in small packages.

Patience is a Virtue...

Patience is not only a virtue, but can be quite valuable when thrifting. 

 Last week I was short on time (and patience to be honest) when I saw this cute pitcher at my local thrift shop.  I had to pass it up.  I couldn't face the long checkout line. 

Fast forward one week and I am back at the thrift shop.  It is 10am. 

 I have not learned my lesson to avoid the morning hours.  There is good news, the little cottage ware pitcher is still waiting for me.  There is bad news, so is the long line at the checkout.  Isn't it strange how somedays you can deal and some days you can't?  Today I can deal and decide to wait in line...patiently.  The lady in front of me was in no hurry.  After she paid, she continued to ask to see things in the display case behind the register.  Her daughter, who had driven her, was so frustrated that she went to wait for her in the car.  The rest of us would have to wait it out.  I decided to check out the items in the case.

This little corn pitcher caught my eye.

And this cute teapot. 

 I had time to kill, so used the Etsy app on my iphone to do a little search. 

 What a great find.  Two pieces of Shawnee king corn pottery for $9.

Patience, when thrifting, can really pay off!

Linking with:

Apron Thrift Girl

Coastal Charm

Common Ground

Win One of my Laundry Day Aprons

Click on over to Cathy's adorable blog Cap Creations, 

and enter to win one of my child's laundry day aprons.

Giveaway Link.

I first met Kathy through her Thrifty Love link party and have joined in to celebrate her reaching 1,000 followers.  She is hosting a week of giveaways with multiple entries available on each item. 

 Cathy also has an adorable Etsy shop featuring hand stamped custom

 jewelry and vintage lovelies. 

Speaking of shops, I also gave Cathy a 10% off coupon code for my

  Etsy shop to share with her readers.  So, check it out!

Truly Local Honey

This Summer I shared a few photos of my favorite farm stand right down the road from where we vacationed in Massachusetts.  Beyond the yummy tomatoes and sweet corn, what captured my heart was the fact that it was an honor stand.  Such a good old fashioned treat to visit each day while on vacation.  We found a handful of honor stands while vacationing this summer and they all charmed me.

But, I must admit, I have a new favorite.  It is this adorable honor stand my husband and son built a few weeks ago to sell their homegrown honey.  They have brought a little of that old fashioned charm we enjoyed so much this summer, back to New Jersey.  Lemonade stands are a common sight on our street, but a honey stand is not something you usually come across in a residential neighborhood!

The neighbors have enjoyed watching our bees this past year 

and have all been anxious to get a taste.

They are my son's best customers.

And I will say, everyone has been "honorable" so far.  Everytime 

a jar or two disappears, my son finds money in the cigar box.  

Needless to say, everyone is quite charmed by his little honor stand. 

  

Every day is Christmas....

As I was sneaking my newest find into the house last weekend, my 6 year old daughter saw me and asked "Is that for me?"  It was a scene right out of How the Grinch Stole Christmas.  I felt like the Grinch, stuffing presents and the Christmas tree up the chimney, caught red-handed by sweet little Cindy Lou Hoo.  My daughter asked a pretty simple question, 

but I didn't have a simple answer.

How do I explain that Mommy likes doll cribs just as much

 (and maybe even more) than a 6 year old?

and that Mommy likes little high chairs...

and little rocking chairs...

and little step stools that I am way to big to use...

I have yet to think of a simple answer.  So, the answer is always "yes, it's for both of us to share" as I hand my newest find over to my daughter and her dolls and patiently wait my turn.  I guess everyday is Christmas when your mom has a passion for vintage.

Linking with:

Caps Creations

Apron Thrift Girl

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

Inspiration Friday At The Picket Fence

Potpourri Friday 2805

Fridays Unfolded at Stuff and Nonsense

Imparting Grace

Common Ground

Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Junkin Joe at The Cottage Market

Miss Mustard Seed

    

Tiny Treasures

I had to pass on a local estate sale this weekend because the line was way too long and I was short on time.  Luckily, the thrift shop I peeked in on the way home had this group of tiny treasures was just waiting for me.  It has been many years 

since I last bought a piece of doll house furniture.

But, I just love white porcelain pitchers and wash basins.

So fun to have found a "mini me" version of one of my favorites.  It may be time to pull out my old dollhouse and give it a vintage decorating makeover.  I will keep you posted.....

Linking with: Miss Mustard Seed

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Thrifty Love at Caps Creations

The Cottage Market

1,000 Wishes

Our oldest daughter turned 16 this summer.  Born with multiple disabilities and an ever growing list of challenges, she greets every day with a smile and has never asked us for anything.  She can't communicate, but we have learned that she is happiest when she is surrounded by family and friends.  Her birthday was a week long celebration of grandparents and friends dropping in to help her celebrate. 

My husband had ordered a box of wish lanterns and we launched them in the evenings whenever we had guests.  Everyone had a chance to make a special wish. 

We are a superstitious group and the adults didn't reveal our wishes, but I'm sure many of them were for Samantha's continued health and happiness.  My 6 year old daughter must have heard the story about the genie in the bottle, because she told us that she wished Samantha could have 1,000 more wishes.  Maybe that is what the rest of us 

were hoping for as well..... 

Linking with:

Rooted in Thyme

Time Travel Thursday

Polka Dot Pretties

Fridays Unfolded at Stuff & Nonsense

Two Yellow Birds Decor

Inspiration Friday at the Picket Fence

Grace st Home at Imparting Grace

Potpourri Friday at 2805