Vintage Vibe

I know you know that I love all things glass ~ and vintage (well, not ALL things vintage, but a good amount).  And I love finds, steals, gifts from family and friends and, aaand, a "shout out" from a kindred spirit on Pinterest!

Have you ever wanted something when you saw it?  Ogled over it?  Wanted it?  Couldn't afford it? Never got it, but it was always in the back of your mind?  I would say, "One day. . .. one day, I shall have one".  Well.  A month or so ago I was playing with paper at Dolly's house and before I left she sent Miss Sarah to the attic to fetch something.  Down came the following:

 

"Would you like this?" she asks.  Say what?  Be still my beating heart!  Why, yes, YES I WOULD!
You could have knocked me over with a feather.  Oh, Dolly!  Thank you so, so much! Insert Happy Dance! Ahhh. . . . chippy love!   I have pondered for a while as to how to use it. 
I'm sure the perfect thing will come to mind, but if not, I love 'er the way she is!

Then a couple weekends ago the Lion's Club here in town had a "community yard sale" in their building.  I hemmed and hawed over whether or not to go and finally caved around 11:30AM.  I know from experience that all things good and pretty and valuable are usually gone in a matter of minutes.  So I figured I was just going on a scenic tour of the place.  (I've  never been in their building before.)

But someone, aka: God, was watching out for me and my addiction!  Just look at what I came home with (all for under five buckeroos!):

Not one, but two, serving dishes!  $1.00 each.  They are pretty good sized.  Larger than a relish tray. The pattern is called "Star of David".  Told ya He was watchin' out for me.  Used them on the 4th.
Two little candle holders that I'm going to turn into pin cushion bases.  They are heavy as lead and very, very sparkly. And they were only a quarter each.
And lastly, (Heidi Jane ~ I can't believe it!) a tiny little Banana bowl!  That's right.  A.  Banana. Bowl.  It's a pressed diamond cut kind of pattern.  Cute.  Shiny. And tiny.  For ~ hold on ~ two smakeroos! Two!   Ahhh. . . . . Happy Jig! Happy Jig!

On our Annual 4th of July get together my sister surprised me with these:

Like my old Maxwell House coffee jars, they are vintage and they came from Dad's. (All but the little one in front ~ she picked it up at a thrift store).  The star lid on the little one belongs on one of the bigger jars, but the OCD in me wanted consistency.  (go ahead and laugh) The lids even have the old cardboard seals still in them!  I asked her why she gave them to me and you know what she said?  Because I said I liked them and if she ever got rid of them I would like them.  Now, how's that for sharing?  I'm going to use them on patriotic holidays for sure!  Already have it planned out in my noggin.  I love the scene on them ~ a kitchen counter with a window, a coffee mill, a coffee pot, a jar of coffee, utensils, a loaf of sliced bread and a vase of flowers.  Love it!

And then, today.  I'm on Pinterest and see I'm mentioned in a pin by my Kindred Spirit on the West Coast of this here United States of America.  She thought of little ole me when she pinned this:

It's an old Coke carrier like the one I have, only this gal (http://www.infarrantlycreative.net) put shelves in hers to hold pretties.  She even used black, white and red accents!  Can we say: "Oooooo, ahhhhh"?   It was sweet of Christie to think of me after reading my blog post about my Coke carrier.
Even sweeter that she remembered!

Life is too short not to enjoy things around us. It's too short not to share your love, your heart, your talent, your spirit and the things that connect us to one another.  Every day it seems I'm reminded of those that God has led into my life, be it for the long haul or for short stints.  I'm grateful for each and every one, even if I fail to say it.  I feel sometimes I am a miserable friend.  Sometimes I fall short ~ but mostly I just fall.  Flat.

Forgive me?
I love you guys!

Living in A Small Town

Living in a small town has it's pros and cons.  But, here in my little town, I can't think of hardly any cons.

Saturday I had my hair cut.  No biggy.  Everyone gets their hair cut (at some point and time).  I just happen to have a hair salon in my little town ~ Kellie's Hair Place.  It is within walking distance from my home, as are many conveniences we use in our lives ~ Churches, a Post Office, a grocery store, a bank, Town Hall, Fire Department, carnival, Schools, antique store (when Pop-Pop Ayers is there), a little Diner, a car repair shop, day cares (both in home and "free standing"), and on occasion, a Mom and Pop store will spring up. All this, tucked inside farmland.  In addition to these things we are only minutes from the "bigger" city, the "Bury", a half hour from the beach and day trips from sites to enjoy.  Our little town even has an Easter Parade and hosts a marvelous fire works show in honor of the Fourth!  All of which I can enjoy either from my sidewalk or the comfort of my deck.  Yea, I am ideally situated in my little town  and I am spoiled rotten about it.  I would probably  NEVER have to leave this town for sundries, but I love me some Marshall's, and Lowes, and Hob Lob! 

But, that is not what prompted this post.  As I was getting ready for my hair appointment on Saturday I had and "ah-ha" moment.  Kellie's little shop reminds me so much of the beauty shop on "Steel Magnolias".  Everyone knows everyone. You can catch up on the "goings on" around town.  You can talk girl talk, you can confide, you can ask someone to pray because you can openly talk about God. You can "let your hair down"!  You have the freedom to be who you are and be accepted for who you are because everyone knows who you are!  Chances are you know most of the guys and gals that come in there, too.  Even Pop-Pop Ayers strolls in with his fury friend Annie and a Cup 'o Joe to shoot the breeze or chew the fat!  Local artisans can ask to display a taste of their work in her shop and she is happy to oblige their requests. It's an eclectic place with a homey feel.

Kellie started her little shop in the back of her home. My girls grew up working there, shampooing hair, tending to her kiddlings while she worked, learning life lessons and responsibilities.  A small shop in the back of her home with a big heart! Where else can we get that?
Now, now. . . . she has a free standing shop, and   . . . she commutes from her beach home in DE every day just so she can stay connected to us town folk.  Talk about love.

With all this said, that does not mean I would not move back "home" (to the south) if opportunity presented itself, 'cause I would.  I would have to be very picky as to where I lived, for I know I would not find this setting anywhere else.  I would miss this little town.  I own being spoiled rotten living here in this little town.  It has somehow managed to sabotage my life quietly slip into my bloodstream.  How'd THAT happen may I ask?

So, here's to all the small towns and those who love their small towns.  May they forever hold their place in our country, because they are what makes our country.