The Best of Times, The Worst of Times

Last week both of the Grands got very sick with the Flu.  Fever, coughs, runny noses.  Sara and Blake had taken off many days already this year so last week they needed help.  Grandma to the rescue.  I washed my hands, got lots of sleep and took all my vitamins.  BUT...I still got the flu! UGH!

I'd love to say I looked this cute in bed, but I do not!  The fever is gone but now I've again lost my voice.  It is my progression to healing.

Also as I lay in bed yesterday I cried a few times while thinking about my Charlie.  It was one year ago that he crossed the bridge.  I miss him so much!

So enough of the Worst of Times

I thought I would update my goals for 2017 since we are in February

~I got lots of things out of the house to the thrift shop.  More boxed for a friend and lots for the church rummage sale.

~Started organizing the craft supplies.  Much more still to do on that but I have a box full of things for a young friend who loves to craft and scrapbook

~Taking better care of myself has moved up the list.  I've got to get well and get my immune system back up.  So far my Mom hasn't gotten sick and I'm so thankful for that. I started probiotics and hoping that will help.  The flu has run through the school system here twice so I'm on track with that, but I don't want to be!!

~I finally took some time to work on lesson one of my watercolor class.

It's not much but learning how much water to mix to get different color values and how your brushes work is fun.  I'll do this exercise at least one more time before moving on to the next lesson.

~I'm a little behind in the book reading.  The fever made me so woozy I slept a lot and then just binge watched some TV shows.   I did read a book I highly recommend

It is about this lovely family that has five boys, only the last boy is transgender.

The way the family deals with this is so true to life.  I cried, I got angry and I rejoiced. The author has a transgender child and states clearly that it is not her child's story, but it has certainly given her much insight into how hard it is to navigate this path.  She is living it and so am I. Many of you know this and those that don't well it's scary to put things out there like this for the haters to attack.  I didn't plan on writing all this but it just poured out of me.  I emailed the author and told her how much this book meant to me and she emailed me back.  We are a special group of parents who have a transgender child.

~Still not blogging as often as I hoped.  I've been thinking I want to change back to my old D10 camera and see if that helps me enjoy taking photographs more.  I'll let you know how that goes.

I hope you are feeling good and I'll see you soon.

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

K is for Keene

I think most of us have read Nancy Drew Mysteries!

They were my first mystery books and I loved them.  I could not wait to read more and more.  Mostly I checked them out of the library but my parents did buy me a few.

Over the years I acquired a few more until this was my collection!

Carolyn Keene is a pseudonym for the author of the Nancy Drew Mysteries and also the Dana Girls Mystery Series.  These were written by several authors including Mildred Wirt who wrote many of the first 23 books in the series.

I found some interesting history about the series here.

How many of you read Nancy Drew as a girl?

Joining Jenny at Alphabe-Thur

(I am so late with this post)

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

"The Collector"

I found a few great books at the thrift shop 

I love finding books that are by some of my favorite authors at a great low price!

This week I read "The Collector" and found I could hardly put it down.  I liked the characters and the plot was interesting.  Take a professional house sitter who is also a writer and mix them up with an up and coming painter, add theft, murder and love to the mix and you have a really great story from the pen of Nora Roberts.  It kept me engaged and reading late into the night to finish it, always a sign of a good story!

I just started "The Island" by Elin Hildebrand and will share what I think of this book next week!

I'm joining  Literary Friday

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

Literary Friday!

I love to read and have decided to join 

Literary Friday

at Art @ Home with Ricki Jill

This week my favorite book is

I have read many books by Elin Hilderbrand and they never fail!  Set on the lovely island of Nantucket her books are full of interesting characters in personal crisis.

Try any of her books and you will not be disappointed!

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

Gratitude~Day 13

I am so very grateful for books!

I love reading and have since I was a very young child.  I had story books I would take to the adults and have them read to me....apparently over and over again.  If they tried to skip pages I would make them go back and read them!  Funny, I see my Grandson being the same way!!

This was last year!  I take Tiger a book each time I visit and we read it together! 

I love non fiction!  I always have a book I'm reading.  I read one at a time.  I like a fun mix of mystery, suspense, chick lit, intrigue and drama!

Thrift stores have allowed me to find used books at very reasonable prices!

I always have a stack of TBR books!

It's an addiction I tell ya!

I have always been a fan of the library! 

Growing up I loved checking out books.  I always took my girls to the library and they participated in summer reading programs.  

I seldom read a book more then once! I also have stopped keeping most of my books once they are read.  I would not have room to store them all!

I share books with friends and family after reading them!  My best friend Terry and I always exchange books.  She has introduced me to some good authors I would not have found on my own!

I like books that make me laugh, take me to far away places, make me think and make me cry!

I can't imagine my life without books!

Do you read? 

I'm joining 

You're Gonna Love It

Hugs,

Linda

Thrifty Fun Finds

I have cut back on thrifting since I need to be taking things out of the house not in!

However there are some things when I need them I look at the thrift shop first! 

Tiger is now 17 months old

(I know!!!  How did that happen)

and growing like a weed, so clothes are something we look for at the thrift shop.  On my last visit Sara and I found lots of t-shirts, shorts and jeans for Tiger.  I forgot to take photos but we got a good bit for our money!

One of the things we usually buy new is pajamas since they are hard to find used...these came from the Carter's outlet in Houston

This pair was bought on sale at The Children's Place

Notice how serious Tiger is when choosing his books.  This child loves his books and Grandma brings him at least one book each time I visit!

Thrifted of course!  These are so easy to find and usually only .25 to .50 cents each!

How cute is this face?  

Tiger and I always try to take a walk when I visit! 

He is very good about staying on the sidewalk!

I have been looking for a riding toy for him and I finally found one in good shape at the thrift store

Look at this cute Fisher Price ride on bus!

It has a horn, plays music and he can ride or push it!  Look at the price!

Only $3.99!! 

I can hardly wait to take it to him on my next visit!

I did find a few things for myself

I could not resist this cute 'watermelon slice' bird house for only $1.97

and of course books!  Grandma likes to read also!

Those are my latest finds!

I'm joining Diann at

Thrifty Things Friday

and

Honey at Potpourri 

Hugs,

Linda

What A Wonderful Week It's Been!

I am back home after some Tiger time! 

It was great!  He is so adorable,  I can't get enough of that child.  It was also special to spend time with my daughter Sara

Watching her with Tiger is such a joy! 

She and Blake are such great parents!

We went one morning to this fun playground

Lots of places to climb!  

They have a toddler area so the big kids don't run them over!

It was too hot to sit on the frog but Tiger had a good time 

saying 'ribbit' and giving it a kiss! 

Time to leave but we had to stop at the 'Bulldog' to say goodbye!  There are 'Bulldogs' all over this town since it is the home to the University of Georgia! 

Sara, who is a speech pathologist and works in the school system with deaf and hard of hearing children, uses sign language and has been teaching Tiger.  It has helped him communicate before he could use words.  The words are coming now of course but sign language will be a wonderful thing for him to know.  

Hey even Grandma has learned some signs!

Sara cooked me a great Belated Birthday meal

This was our main course Chicken and Zucchini rollatini!  (recipe)

Oh my goodness this was so good! 

Then she really outdid herself

This delicious dessert was made in the crockpot and was sinfully chocolate!  Called Chocolate chip/brownie cake!  Served with Blue Bell Vanilla Ice Cream!  YUM!! (recipe)

 (We did go on a family walk afterwards to burn a few calories)

I'm back home and since we are having temps in the triple digits, I'm taking it easy here in my A/C home!  Planning to read Mary Kay Andrews latest novel

 Spring Fever and I can't wait!  She seems to publish a new novel each June just in time for my Birthday.  I had this book waiting for me when I got home from Texas!  

Hoping all of you will stay cool and enjoy this wonderful weekend!

I'm joining Honey at Poptourri Friday (yes I'm late)

and wanted to say welcome back to blogging Honey, we've missed you!  

Toujours,

Linda 

Spot, Harry And A Winner!

I wanted to share a few of my latest thrifty book finds with you!

My sweet Grandson Tiger does love his books so each time I see him I try to bring him a new book!

His Mommy and Daddy don't want him spoiled with too many "thing's" but books aren't in that category!

I find most of my books at thrift stores and yard sales!

Tiger is a little young for these books, but it won't be long before he is ready for them! When I find books in good shape and a good price (I only paid 50 cents each) I get them!

My kids loved 'Harry' the dog books and when I found this like new book at the thrift I picked it up

The illustrations are great fun!

These two books are in the 'Tiger' bag and will going to him on my next visit

Both are cardboard page books and I think Tiger will love them both!

I like the 'Thank You Prayer' book

Tiger loves Dogs so I know he will enjoy the Spot book!

I'll be getting stickers for all of Tiger's books from my sponsored giveaway from PrintRunner

The winner of the giveaway has the same idea and it is

Coloradolady!

Oh, what a fantastic giveaway and so timely for me! My daughter and I have been purchasing books at garage sales and Goodwill and thrift stores to build her classroom library. She finishes and gets her masters in December. We just talked about getting some type of sticker to cover the previous owners names in the books. I am really crossing my fingers here !! This would be perfect-o!!!

Congrats to Suzanne and her daughter! 

I will get your info to the company and they will contact you about your stickers!

Hugs,

Linda

Thrifting On The Road

I do love to go thrifting and while I'm traveling is no exception!  I shared my stop at Sherry's wonderful booth in the Antique Mall, but of course I've done a bit of shopping while here in Texas as well!

First let me say the prices in the thrift stores have just gone out of sight!  Not kidding!!  I have been in about 6 thrifts since being here and only bought a couple of things.....mostly books! 

These all look good and I'm already into "A Summer Affair" by Elin Hilderbrand

I did find this little blue and white owl for $1 and I really like that it's a bank....

cute huh?

So that's it for my thrifting finds here in Texas! 

Pretty slim pickins as they say!

Joining Diann for Thrifty Things Friday!

Hugs,

Linda

THRIFTY THINGS FRIDAY

The economy has really touched me here at A La Carte.  I am thrifting less and being much more careful in my purchases.  Until I can sell more of my inventory I will not be buying for my Etsy store.  So all my purchases will be for my use or for gifts.  I have already started my Christmas shopping!

I found these items at my local thrift on half price day

This Hallmark ornament was in the box and so cute.  Santa with a cookie and cocoa will go on my Kitchen tree this year.  The half price amount...$1

This snowman still had his Kohl's tag on him.  This can be used for a photo or favorite Christmas card display.  

For only 50 cents I had to get it!

Recently I shared that I had been going to the library more and more as even thrift books can add up.  My Library has a books for sale section, where older books and donated books are sold.  I found these amazing children's books for Tiger....

Penguin Pete is a cute story

and 

Pooh's Colorful Garden is so bright

I paid 25 cents each for these books.  Be sure to check out the sale book section of your library.

Tiger and I have already read this book and he was very interested in the bright colors. 

I'm getting some much needed hugs and Tiger kisses tonight.

I'm joining Diann at The Thrifty Groove

for her Thrifty Things Friday party.

Head on over and check out all the ideas for saving money!  

Hugs,

Linda

THRIFTY THINGS FRIDAY

I can't believe it is Friday already!  The last few weeks have flown by and been a bit crazy.  I hope we are all able to settle down a little now.  While in Athens I stopped at a Thrift Store and hit the jackpot on books! 

These are just a few of the great children's books I found.  All of the above were 50 cents each. 

Some wonderful vintage cookbooks

also 50 cents each

This one especially caught my eye!  I can see Tiger and I cooking in the future can't you!  

Both of these books were 10 cents each

I love the vintage First Aid book

The book about flowers has some amazing drawings

I picked up all these fun books again for the amazing price 

of only 50 cents each 

Do you look at books in the thrift store?

It's one of my favorites bargains! 

I'm joining Diann for 

Here

 Please go visit and see all the fun things her thrifty friends have found this week! 

hugs,

Linda