Happy Colors!

This handmade crochet afghan is truly alive with color! It is not too big and not too small. The colors remind me of Mardi Gras and can make any room a little brighter and "happier" any day of the year...AND is a sweet reminder of "simple" living, when home furnishings and decor were "created" with time, patience, and love.

Precious to My Heart!

How can you possibly pass up these beautiful blue eyes? It was love at first sight!

A little girl and a little boy praying. These were and are very special to my heart, after all I have been blessed with a son and a daughter and now have been blessed again with a granddaughter and grandson!

"Precious to My Heart"

I had seen these adorable vintage prints from Italy on the internet on various antique sites, but had yet to see them in person! .... until a few weekends ago! The price was more than "right" and I knew they were mine, no question, no pause! Off the wall they went, and off I went to find Gordan in another corner of the store to show him these two precious prints! (They are framed in ornate brass/brass-tone filigree and have oval/convex bubble glass.)
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Monkeying Around

The title of this post should really by "The Monkey Mystery!"

One weekday my daughter and I had to make a trip to a town nearby. On our way, we stopped by an antique store because we had a little extra time. We spotted five little monkeys tucked away in a shoebox. Hmmm....interesting, quite heavy but quite dainty.

Each monkey held an instrument and being the little cajun's we are, these little monkey reminded us of New Orleans Jazz! Well, guess these little monkeys are coming home so we can find out more about them.

We searched the internet and the information was quite confusing. On one site they were described as bronze with a hefty value of five hundred dollars! On another site, they were described as pewter. Some were valued at fifty dollars.

So, the monkey mystery continues while they sit on the fireplace mantel. I have yet to shine them up and research their history more, but as soon as we have time, we will.

If you have any information about these monkeys...please leave us a comment! (chuckle) For now, they are our New Orleans Jazz Monkeys, and they are the cutest little things, aka vintage figurines!

Three Rabbits, A Little Tin Shade and One LIttle Angel

One Sunday afternoon, we were on our way to Abbeville when we stopped at a home on the highway that sold vintage and antiques. I had been there before with my son, but this was a "new" spot for Gordan.

At first we didn't see much...but then Gordan spotted an antique cabbage bowl with a little rabbit on top! Along with it, came the little salt and pepper shakers.

I knew from the twinkle in his eye, he had to have it!
The price was a little higher than he wanted to pay, so he said no and walked away. BUT, he couldn't make it back to the car...no, he paused, looked at me, and said, "I'm getting it!" I was proud of him. I say this as I laugh to myself. In the past, he has passed up things and I have never heard the end of it! Soooo....little rabbits came home!

My little grandson spotted them as soon as he came over! He gazed at them high up on the dresser with that same twinkle in his eye! You see, he is a digger and treasure hunter too, in a two year old kind of way (chuckle)

As for me, I had spotted an old army green, tin lampshade. I can't tell you why this caught my eye, but of everything there, this was my new "treasure."

I knew I could take it home, and sooner or later, I would find the perfect lamp base to "give it" a new life. Two dollars, and it was mine to "redecorate" and make beautiful.

We both walked away with our treasures on that windy, cold day! We chatted with the friendly owner about how "big" the market has become and I'm sure we will visit her and her husband again one day!

And....not two days later, after visiting a few places, I came across the perfect base for my lampshade! We kept our fingers crossed that it still worked and did not have to be re-wired, but Gordan said that was an easy fix, but as soon as we plugged it in, it was a beauty!

The base is a tiny angel holding a bird and looks like it was always meant to fit this vintage shade! Project complete and it is a "treasure" we all love!

Welcome to our Blog!

Well here it goes! Our first blog post!

I have debated back and forth whether I wanted to "document" our journeys into the land of antique stores, flea markets, and thrift stores...but it has turned from a pastime to a treasure-seeking, thrilling, joyful adventure for both of us!

Not only does it pass the hours of a gloomy, dull, dreary winter day, we have met such wonderful people along the way. We have had hour long conversations with complete strangers that have truly touched our hearts.

Many shop owners are retired married couples and we have met a few that are still running their shops while their spouse is upstairs or in the next room too sick or ill to visit with customers. What truly touches our hearts is their "love" for their dear one in the next room. The store remains open, it is still thier livelihood, and they still are there, healthy or ill, passing the days, meeting new people and enjoying their lives!

The years have passed, they lived their dreams, they've raised their families, and served their communities...they love "people" and they share their wisdom, their troubles, and their lives with you like they have known you their entire life!

One couple we met recently in north Louisiana told us all about all of their grandchildren and how their grandchildren help them and love to spend their afternoons in the store. Such sweet memories for these little ones! My fondest memories are of my hours doodling and drawing in my family's print shop. Hearing the old bell ring on the door each time a customer came in! The footsteps on the creaking stairs of my Uncle Al offering me an ice cold rootbeer from a gigantic frozen mug while I sorted papers in the room upstairs overlooking the Bayou Teche! Yes, sweet memories of the smell of old ink and paper and undiscovered nooks and crannies in the old print shop house my great-grandparents ran and lived in!

So, as you can see, it's more than thrift store, antique store, and vintage shopping! It's the experience, the people, the laughter, and the memories that make it such fun....along with beautiful or quirky great "treasures" from the past that we "adopt" and bring home!