Junkin' Just Got Better

Remember when I wrote that the last few months had been the pits, as far as junkin' goes?

Just nothing much out there?

Well, as of last Friday,

Junkin' just got a whole lot better!

I had to go to Murrells Inlet, for Kevin, and decided to bypass Myrtle Beach, and take the scenic route, ...back roads of SC.

Smart move!

The weather was beautiful, and the yard sales and outdoor flea markets started just a few miles outside of town. Thrift stores nestled in little strip malls from here to Murrells Inlet were open, and their merchandise bountiful. Since most were out of the way shops, the prices were great!

"Oh Happy Day!!!"

The first two pictures are of items I picked up to add to my milkglass collection. Each piece was a dollar or two. I've seen the back urn pictured, in etsy shops and on ebay for $30-$40 dollars.

The following items, I can't reveal what I paid for them, because I am very excited to announce,

I'm opening an Etsy Shop....Bello Market.

I've listed just a few items, and have lots more to add.

Take a look at my finds...

All will be listed within the next few days in my shop.

Love the details of the hobnail milkglass.

The larger pieces were found a thrift store and the little urn at a yard sale.

The white Corningware tea/coffee pot and pyrex cups were found at a Salvation Army Thrift Store. Don't get to those often, but there are two on the way to Murrells Inlet/Myrtle Beach.

The Indiana Green Compote came from a little thrift store and the cow creamer was found an outdoor flea market in Loris, SC.

The set of 8 cups and saucers were also found at the Salvation Army in Conway. Very unique, made in Spain, Block Bidasoa China.

Would be a great addition to a black and white tablescape.

The African wood animal napkin rings were found at a yard sale. The man said that his mother lived in Africa for 8 months in the 50's, and brought these back with her. They are hand carved and very unusual.

The brass tray underneath them, came from the flea market.

The glass dish below, will be a keeper for me, as well.

I have been looking for a crystal piece like this, to put flatware in when I entertain. {usually buffet style} It is the perfect size and was a dollar at a yard sale.

I will say, that if anyone is in the Myrtle Beach area, the Goodwill on 544 was top notch. It smelled wonderful and the staff was very friendly! The shop was well and abundantly stocked. Unfortunately, the manager at our GW in Wilmington is rude and difficult, even to her staff in front of customers. Her actions affect the feel of the entire store. Going to the store on 544 was refreshing and delightful!

That concludes the tour of my Friday outing and finds.

It's days like this one, that keep the Junkin' Fever Hot! :)

~~~

Halfway between Loris and Conway, they were filming an Extreme Makeover of a local home. I could have gone to the site as a spectator, but junk awaited!

~~~

I'll be taking a few days off from blogging to stock my shop and to take care of a few things around home. I'm still behind from responding to comments on my last two posts. But please know that your comments really mean a lot to me and I appreciate them! I'll be by to visit soon! ~ Rhonda :)

"He was calling my Name!"

You know those pieces!

You fall in love with them,

but just can't make up your mind

whether to take them home or not.

Maybe the price isn't right, which was the problem with the rabbit below.

Or maybe you aren't quite sure you have somewhere to put them.

So you walk away....

But each time you go back, that piece is there,

calling your name!

"Take me home....Take me home!"

Such was the case.

The little rabbit was $10.00 at a local consignment shop,

which I thought was a bit much!

He sat patiently on the shelf for months, and was passed over by many a shopper.

Never marked down, which would have expedited his adoption I'm sure.

And then after Christmas,

with my home looking so bare and bleak,

I decided he would add some much needed color, even if only subtlety.

So home he came.

To sit on the foyer table,

and greet those that visit.

And to bring a smile to me,

as I come and go.

'Cause he certainly is a handsome little fellow,

isn't he? :)

Linking post to

Blue Monday, at Smiling Sally's,

Second Time Around, at A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words,

& Tabletop Tuesdays, at Grits and Glamour.

~~~

Rhonda :)

Pretty & Functional Silver

To say Silver is shiny, pretty,

even glamorous,

is an understatement,

but it can be quite functional as well!

After many months of admiring these Tin Woodsmen pewter measuring spoons, made famous by Paula Deen, I splurged and bought a set for myself several Christmases ago.

...Actually after they arrived, I opened them and proudly showed my husband "what he bought me for Christmas!"

Isn't he a sweetie! :)

One purchase I have yet to regret! Love them!

For the dining room, to catch those little stray crumbs after dinner,

an aluminum silent butler.

Handy, indeed!

Found at a local antique store.

For more silver beauty, visit the host of Silver Sunday, The Gypsy Fish Journal!

~Blessings to you, Rhonda~

You're Kidding Me, Right???

That thought entered my mind as I opened the frozen food box below!

Was this a portion for an adult or child?

Surely, the baby food jars my kids once ate from held more than all these small compartments combined.

Like so many others,

my foremost goal for 2010 is to lose weight.

Not so much for vain reasons, although that would be a definite "pro."

But primarily, to be healthier!

I'm getting to the age to really start worrying about such, you know. I bought several "diet" frozen meals for my lunches.

After opening the boxes, I realized,

is it any wonder you can lose weight on these...

the portions are SO TINY!

{Note: Objects are much smaller than they appear in the picture!}

But "baby steps," here, please, I didn't intend on starving....or to go cold turkey from eating, just cut back.

I thought by putting the contents on a small salad plate, it would appear I had more food. And by eating very slowly, with a salad fork, I would think I was full and satisfied. No such luck.

The meals themselves are actually very tasty. And if I had about three boxes of each entree to combine, it would all be good! :)
For dessert, I lit a candle, a Christmas gift from my SIL.

Chocolateness Legacy Candle, by Root. The smell is heavenly. The fragrance alone will satisfy your senses, without the calories, of course. For your "chocolate fix," this is the perfect solution! :)

~~~

The recipe below, is one that I have used before when watching my carbs. It is easy and delicious. I intended on fixing it last night for supper, and taking pictures, but had forgotten it has to simmer for 1 1/2 hours. Didn't have time.

Sour Cream Pork Chops

*Boneless pork chops, *onion sliced into rings (optional), *1-8 oz. sliced mushrooms,drained, *1 cup beef broth, *1 tbs. chopped parsley, *1 tsp. prepared mustard, *1/2 tsp. salt and pepper each, *1 cup sour cream

Brown chops, 2 minutes on each side. Place onion over chops, spreading mushrooms over onion. In a small bowl, combine broth, parsley, paprika, mustard, salt and pepper. Pour broth mixture over chops. Cover, reduce heat to med-low and simmer for 1 1/2 hours. Stir in sour cream, and cook an additional 3-4 minutes. Do not let boil.

If you are not watching carbs, the pork chops are wonderful over rice. ~Enjoy!

~~~

Linking recipe to Foodie Friday, at Designs by Gollum!

Monkeys & Greenery

Where has all the good junk gone???

Contrary to this time last year, my thrifting expeditions haven't been very productive!

I did manage to snag a couple of things in the last few weeks, like the monkey planter below. It was found at a local thrift store for a couple of dollars. I decided to use it as a soap dish in our guest half bath. But before I unloaded it from the car, it succumbed to a little accident.One of the monkeys lost an arm,
and was repaired with the glue gun.

Are those blue flowers I see? {Just for Sally :)}

Behind that flash in the mirror,

is ME! :)

"Metamorphosis of my Festive Home To Just Plain Winter"

With the temperatures being so cold and as the Christmas decorations come down, my house suddenly looks so bland and lifeless. I've been adding greenery everywhere, mostly little live plants. Interjecting some life and adding some warmth into my home.
Ivy in the fish bowl...
Ivy in a second-hand urn on the piano.
The shorter candlesticks were a Christmas gift from my MIL, found at an antique store in Wilmington. Love them!

The little bromeliad below was on clearance at Lowe's for $3.00.

Linking this post to

Blue Monday, at Smiling Sally's {Sally}

~

Metamorphosis Monday, at Between Naps on the Porch {Susan}

~

and

Second Time Around, at A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words {Diane}

~~~

I couldn't think of a good catchy name for today's post, so there you have it, 3 posts in one, ...Monkeys and Greenery! :)

~Rhonda

~~~

Post Edited to add a link to a

Blog Premiere Event ~ Tabletop Tuesday

Hosted by Barb

at Grits and Glamour!

Be sure to check it out!

Framed Memories in Silver

I happened upon a really neat blog this week,

The Gypsy Fish Journal, the host of Silver Sunday. First, let me say, I don't have many silver pieces in my home! I love silver, especially in other's decor, but I am still stuck in the Olden GOLDen age. One day, I just know I'll be back in style with my gold, brassy accents. Doesn't everything make the full circle of design, sooner or later. :)
I do have a silver frame I'd like to share. It holds a photo of someone who was very dear to me....my Grandmother B.

The picture was taken at my Grandmother's home, when I was about 2 1/2. {I'm pictured with my grandma and grandaddy ~ 1970 ~ Maternal side}

I loved all of my grandparents. My grandaddys were both sweet, quiet men. But I had a very special bond with my grandmothers. They were total opposites personality wise. And although they were different and unique in their own ways, they were both exceptional ladies. Words can not describe how much I loved and admired them!

Growing up, on cold nights such as the one we are experiencing now, you could find me camped out with my Grandma B. for a night of crafting! We stayed up until our project was complete, no matter how late, laughing and getting sillier as the hours progressed.

And then as the days began to warm, and winter gave way to spring, we shopped local plant nurseries. Many were small, operated out of someone's home. Some of the flower varieties we found were rare and the prices were cheap! :)

When I was expecting my first child, Ashley, Grandma and I routinely hit the local thrift shops, close to her home to look for baby clothes and linens. We found so many beautiful, vintage crisp cotton pieces! I inherited my "thrifting" gene from her!

I could post memories to fill this page, but will share just one more. On Sundays, I am particulary mindful of going to church with Grandma. I was raised in church, but Grandma's was different. She was a charter member of a very small country church that was formed when I was in grade school. The newly formed congregation started in an old one room clapboard wood building. It closely resembled the church from The Little House on The Prairie. {minus the chalkboards} Grandma loved her church! And she loved the Lord! Normally a quiet and reserved lady, I can still remember how loudly she would sing the old gospel hymns during Sunday services. The Old Rugged Cross was her favorite!

Sadly, in her last years, she was plagued by dementia. She lived to be 96 or 98. Her church was in the process of building a new, beautiful Sanctuary, and she fretted terribly over not living long enough to see it completed! In a confused state, her worry was quite pitiful.

But she did. The new church was finished, and on one of her "better days," which were far and few between by this time, my mom carried her. I remember this part with fondness, because I know it meant so very much to her! She was a precious soul, and my life is so much richer for having been a part of hers! ~Rhonda :)

A True Friend

A TRUE FRIEND,

not only remembers YOU at Christmas,

{with homemade fudge and a Vera Bradley Christmas Ornament, ...may I interject! "smiles"}

But also your dog,

with a thoughtful, special treat!

My friend, Robin,

knowing that Coco gets one hot dog first thing in the morning, and another in the evening,

brought this package wrapped with festive ribbon, along with gifts for our family during Christmas.

How sweet was that!

I am so blessed to have wonderful "local" friends,
and great blogging buddies, as well!!!
I couldn't agree with the quote below, more!

"A cheerful friend is like a sunny day spreading brightness all around."
- John Lubcock ( English Astronomer )

~~~
Speaking of "a sunny day",

no sun here,
although we did miss the snow!
It's just wet and cold this morning,
no WHITE stuff, much to the kid's disappointment!
It's a good day, to stay in where it's warm,
and finish putting up my Christmas decorations!
TODAY IS THE DAY...I will finish!
...I hope! :)

~Rhonda