A Little Dream

Don't we all have 'something' we really want but for various reasons don't acquire?  Or maybe it's just me (smile).  Years ago I fell in love with a piece of furniture.  I know...furniture?  I was visiting a friends family in Boston and they had a secretary desk.  It was gorgeous, it was 'fancy' and unlike anything in my mid-century modern upbringing.  

It might have looked something like this! 

or even this.

So I get married and have children and my life is run by needs not wants.  I'm happy but I never forgot the gorgeousness of a secretary desk.  Years later I find a small desk at an estate sale, it's only $25 so I buy it an bring it home.

This is the best photo I could find of it...Just the desk part, no drawers or upper shelves.  Not REALLY what I wanted so when I moved I sold it.

A few months ago I'm looking at a local yard sale site and voila...there it is! 

It is still a 'want' and not a need, but I fall in love
The price is a bit high so I make an offer...accepted
but I can't pick it up without help...they deliver for $10 more.  So for $160 this gorgeous gal is mine!

The amazing drawers and hardware

Inside the desk

There isn't a backing on the shelves, but that is an easy fix...I am so happy I finally got this secretary desk!

She has moved near the window in the living room and now to fill her with treasures! 

Have you had a special 'something' you have dreamed of having and finally did?  I'm so glad my little dream came true.

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

Simplify!

Simplify

to make less complex or complicated, to make plainer or easier...simplify

2015 brought some major changes in my life.  Another grand child, an aging cat, the loss of my brother which had a huge impact on me.  My health and the health of my Mom.  All these things have overwhelmed me at times. 

Simplify is my word for 2016

I want to make my life simpler so I can enjoy it more.  The first step is my home.  It is cluttered and I am not able to keep it as clean as I would like because there is so much stuff in here.   I've been working on downsizing for a few years, but this year will see a major change.

Staring with my dish closet.  I am no longer doing tablescapes on a regular basis.  I have collected so much stuff that I can't use this extra closet for anything else.  Most of these items I haven't touched in two years!!  So out they go. 

Just look at it all!

I am going to do a weekly post on my journey to simplify my life.  I'm going to start with a huge purge of my dish closet.  

These sets of flatware will be going to the thrift shop today.  I enjoyed picking these sets up over the years at bargain prices, but I don't use them so out they go.

This box full also.  Yes I had way too many but it was fun to have all the different colors when setting tables.  Time to donate so someone can use these items and they can stop taking up space in my closet. 

I will be working on dishes this week and will have photos next Monday. 

Join me as I Simplify! 

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

Junkin Awards 2015

This is one of my favorite posts to write.  It is fun to look back and see what thrifty finds made me happy this past year.

Favorite Find in Green

This was an exciting find at Goodwill this year.  A Bordallo Pinheiro cabbage tureen for only $4.99.  I have fallen in love with this pattern from my friend Marigene's blog and to find this piece set off a (bargain) buying spree on Ebay I haven't shared yet but will soon.

Favorite Find in Red

I love this coffee mug and in fact I am drinking coffee from it as I write this post!  Found at a thrift store for .59 it is now a favorite mug.

Favorite Find in Blue

This beautiful bowl made by Federal glass was $3 and the blue bottle was .25 and both really made my day when I found them at a local thrift shop.

Favorite Find in Pink

Always a hard category to choose just one, this beautiful depression glass tray won hands down this year and only $2.99. 

Favorite Find in White

This McCoy pottery planter was a great find at $5 and really encouraged me to look for more pottery this year.

Favorite Find in Plates

Another Bordallo Pinheiro find this Lemon Leaf plate was only $1 and it is gorgeous!!

Favorite Find in Milk Glass

I still love my milk glass, but seldom find anything that I want to add to my collection.  This year I found these two pieces.  A plate and a little dish with the green inside.  The prices were so low I can't even tell you how much (under $1 for both).

Favorite Finds for Tiger/Scout

I found books, a shape sorter for Scout and these action figures for Tiger.  All were hits and most ended up at their house! 

Favorite Find in Pottery

This green planter for $1 found at the Habitat for Humanity thrift store, really made me happy.  I love the glaze on it and the unusual depth of the planter! 

Favorite Find Paris

As you know I didn't go to Paris again, but my eyes always are looking for Paris items.  This year I found a few new things but my favorite...

This photo of benches in front of the Eiffel Tower

It was only $1.99 and is going to be part of a gallery wall I am working on. 

Categories I'm retiring are:

Pyrex~I sold most of my collection this year, keeping only the pieces I love the most.

WLYS~I haven't gone to the World's Longest Yard Sale in a couple of years now so unless I hit the sale in 2016, this category is retired.

I hope you enjoyed my Junkin Awards.   I am downsizing a great deal now but I still enjoy finding those special little things for bargain prices! 

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

Linking with

Share Your Cup 

A Little 2015 Cleanup

As I was putting most of the Christmas decorations away yesterday, I realized that I had some items I didn't share with you since I had was away for Christmas.  So here are a last few bits and pieces of 2015!

I found these adorable small plates at Goodwill for about .50 each.  They are collectible and so cute.

I love them and was so excited to find something vintage to add to my Christmas decor.

I also won a fabulous giveaway from my friend Pam at Virginia Retro!  It arrived just before I had to leave for Texas so I didn't get to share it until now!

Look at all this vintage cuteness! 

Which also included this little guy!

Thank you Pam!! 

I also participated in a pocket letter exchange.  My partner was Judy at 20 North Ora

I received this cute pocket letter after returning from Texas and she sent all these goodies also

Thank you Judy!  It was a fun exchange!

I think that does it for Christmas 2015!

Just the tree left and I may enjoy those Christmas lights for a few more nights! 

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

Goodbye 2015

2015 was a year of mixed emotions for me.

The birth of my second grandchild was such a joyous occasion...we are all in love with her!

Watching her grow and seeing her with her big brother brought many smiles this year.

Having my Mom living here is wonderful.  We've had a few ups and down's with her health, but she is doing really well right now.  I am so blessed to have her close by to share in my life.

This year found me downsizing more and more.  Of course I found some new things to collect!

I fell even more in love with McCoy pottery and was able to add several pieces to my collection.

I also tried some art projects 

and did some pocket letter swaps!  

I also continued to thrift shop and will do a post soon with my favorite finds of 2015.

So much JOY was tempered by the illness and passing away of my brother on Dec 23rd.  It was such a difficult time that I have not recovered from it yet.  It takes awhile to get your energy back and I don't think I'm done with the mourning process.   My Mom is doing pretty well but it doesn't take much for either of us to cry. 

His smile and that twinkle in his eye will always be in my heart!

I had some amazing times with my crazy group of friends this year.

The 'come as your favorite Barbie doll' party

Our trip to the Biltmore Estate to see the Downton Abbey costume exhibit was so much fun

Including our crazy shenanigans wherever we go!

Our Christmas party this year was full of good cheer and great food.  Friendship means so much!

Of course my Grands are the light of my life!

Having two just made my heart grow larger!

The laughter this little guy brings into my life is always so much fun!  Lots of hugs and kisses also!

Watching this little one grow and learn so much has been a wonderful adventure!

I can't wait to see what the new year brings with these two loves in my life! 

I also am so happy to have had special time with both of my daughters this year.

Sara is a wonderful Mom and takes such amazing care of Tiger and Scout.  She also works full time and makes sure she is there for me when I need her.

I love Sara, Blake, Tiger and Rosemary Scout so very much!

I was able to see Ashleigh several times this year.

I am always happy to have time with her and this year she made a special trip to Texas to be with me when my brother passed away.  

Her presence, love and support helped me deal with all of it. 

Of course I can't forget Charlie Kitty.

He turned 17 and age has started to really take its toll on him.  He gave me a scare a few weeks ago but seems to be OK.  I treasure every day I have with this sweet guy.

So much Joy and Sadness this year.

I am looking forward to 2016 and hoping it brings only good things! 

Linda