SUMMER BEAUTY

I have really neglected my deck garden this summer.  Between the heat and being gone so much it has really suffered.  Still there is some Summer Beauty in my yard!

The most beautiful plant in my yard is the amazing Hydrangea Tree

Mr ALC pruned it way back this winter and now it has the most beautiful blooms on it

They start out white and will turn a beautiful pink later in the fall. 

I never tire of it's beauty!

Last summer I planted a butterfly bush and it finally grew this year.  I have enjoyed the wonderful butterflies it attracts

Maybe I will get some new plants for the deck garden this fall

I hope you are all enjoying these last weeks of summer!

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

WHAT'S UP WEDNESDAY

It is hard to believe that August is half over already!  Summer will soon be ending and before it gets away from me

I have some catching up to do!

Several weeks ago I tried to make a Pyrex trade with the "Queen" of Pyrex Valerie of Vonlipi's Favorites.  She had these beautiful Delphite 'Bluebelle' bowls and I fell in love with them.  I did not have any Pyrex she is looking for but she traded with me anyway for a 'future' piece I'm sure I will find for her! 

I love these bowls and she included this little blue rabbit also!  Thank you my friend!  I will find you a special piece of Pyrex!

Tracy at Ms. Bake It had a give away for her 2nd Blogversary!  I was incredibly lucky to win an original painting by Jane McMullen who blogs at Artfully Graced

I love wrapped packages!

This whimsical painting of dragonflies is so much cuter then my photos show and the colors more vibrant!

I love this painting so much!  

Thank you Tracy and Jane!

I will be heading to see my sweet Grandson for a few days.  I will babysit one night so they can go to the movies!

A first date since Tiger was born! 

At four months old Tiger is a hard playing boy

A late night play session with Daddy

But when he finally sleeps

he is precious beyond belief! 

Hugs to all,

Linda

MY FAVORITES FROM WLYS 2011

This year Mr ALC was not looking for anything in particular and with all the heat he shopped but not like this addict umm dedicated shopper!

These are my favorite items from Mr ALC's finds

This great Craftsman toolbox for $2

 And this coffee can full of tools for $1

See I am not the only thrifty person in this household!

The countdown of my favorite finds from WLYS 2011 begins...

 Top Eight Favorites

coming in at #8

 I was really happy to find this Pink Gooseberry bowl

#7

This Pyrex baking dish has already been used in my kitchen...love its size

#6

I have been looking for these raffia mugs and was so happy to find four

#5

This hand embroidered scarf just tugged at my heart with it's beauty

#4

You know how I love my Flamingos and even with the damage this one is a great addition to my collection

#3

These Bluebirds of Happiness brought me just that

#2

This was a close call but this cute milk glass bird with a Santa hat made me really smile and came in at #2

My Favorite Find of the WLYS 2011

#1

 The Baby Brownie Camera just thrilled me when I found it and remains my #1 favorite find this year!

Now for what I found for Deb who was my winner of the 

"let me shop for you" giveaway

Deb gave me a list of some items too look for and I hope she is happy with what I found

Here are some close ups

Deb loves vintage buttons on cards

These vintage playing cards are so cute and could be used in some of the altered art and card making that Deb does

This hand embroidered dresser scarf is so pretty 

And two vintage hankies

Deb I will be sending this out to you next week!  

Thanks to all of you for coming along with me on this years trip!  I hope you enjoyed it.

A special thank you to Mr ALC who spent 2 days 'Driving Miss Linda' !

 I'm going to play with all my treasures now!

Hugs,

Linda

 

WORLDS LONGEST YARD SALE PART 2

Day 2 starts with an early morning

The view from our room at Fall Creek Falls State Park in Tenn shows the beauty of the fog on the lake

We had a quick breakfast and headed back out to shop 

the WLYS day 2

Good Junk Cheap was a place we found last year and enjoyed so we wanted to stop here again this year

Only open nine days a year during the WLYS it is a junk pickers heaven!

Speaking of 'Pickers'....very funny!

So much to see....

I didn't buy this 1950Pontiac, but I did find these great items

A great ball jar and this sea glass colored bottle for my friend Sandie's bottle tree

The two vintage made in Japan flower frogs (owl and bird) were great finds and $5 for the pair. 

The Flamingo was only .25 since the head had been broken and then re-glued.  I paid $1 for the snail 'orphan' salt shaker

Leaving all this junk behind we continued on our way...our next stop found some unexpected bargains

I found this cute ceramic bag with Blue Bonnets on it for my collection of Texas items for .75

I have two of these glasses and thought it would be nice to have 4 so I asked the price...she said both for $1....good deal

She then pointed to these 3 glasses and told me I could have all of these for $1 also....wow

and if I wanted these 4 glasses I could have them for $1 also....I handed her the $3 pretty darn fast!  These are amazing vintage glasses and I will enjoy using them in my tablescapes

Another stop brought me these items

the Pink Pyrex plate is just really cute and I was happy to find 2 bowls at .50 each in the Sussex pattern

I also found two white planters one for .50 and one for $1

This was so pretty and only $2

I picked up and put down this little guy a couple of times but he just called my name.  He was on a table with a lot of overpriced Avon but not priced himself when I inquired on the price, the seller said "well it's not worth anything so .50" that made me very happy! 

I found this while buying some items for Deb's prize package

and it just made my day!

It is a Baby Brownie Camera

It works and I hope to get some film and take some photos with it!

It was a really hot day and so many places we had counted on to shop were disappointing.  Very few sellers and not much I was interested in.  After several of these stops with no purchases we were ready to head home.  We did make one more stop where I made my last purchase

 I have a set of these napkin rings and always wanted another set so I could have two of each animal...$1 and my WLYS 2011 trip was over! 

We made it home Friday night hot and exhausted but happy.  Tomorrow I will show you Mr ALC's finds and also what I bought for Deb! 

**I'm joining Thrifty Things Friday 

at The Thrifty Groove...check it out**

Linda