Baby, Baby, Baby

Our family is expecting three, yes three, new additions of the baby kind in the next few months. In fact, one is on her way here this week! We are so excited! Since all of them live a couple of hours away from us, we decided to set up a little baby area in one of the guest bedrooms for overnight visits. Our bedrooms are small so it's a little tight but I think it turned out pretty nice. I tried to stay neutral since we will be having he's and she's. Nearly everything is thrifted or vintage or both.



Overall view.
The pull down wall map is an A. J. Nystrom from 1966.
I got it at a garage sale for $1 - no lie!
The other maps are vintage jigsaw puzzles.

 

The globe on the corner of the vanity is a Fisher Price.
It lights up so it should make a good night light.

The baby quilt came from a recent auction.
The mechanic rag will be great to lay on the sheet
 when changing diapers.
Don't you love the old skateboard underneath? I couldn't resist it!

The bag hanging from the corner of the bed is made out of
a vintage baby blanket. I put diapers and other necessities in it.

 

This is an old shoe shine stool stacked with children's books.
It is in the corner behind the rocker. I thought it would be fun
for the kids to go back there & look through books
 when they are old enough.



Cool Metal Vibe

I have always been drawn to metal objects. I have a hard time passing by a utility cart or a metal watering can or a metal tray, and more often than not, if the price is right, it will come home with me. Over the last couple of months, I have noticed that I have accumulated several metal pieces, a few that I think even Mike and Frank of American Pickers would "pop" on.

Craftsman tool chest, Craftsman tool box, and Eskimo Two Speed window fan

Love this copper handle

I have fond memories of Craftsman tools and accessories. I can remember shopping at the old Sears building at 22nd & Messanie in St. Joseph, Missouri with my dad and we always spent time looking through the tools. In his opinion, there were none better. I can still "feel" the store to this day. The small tool box I picked up at a local garage sale for 25 cents. It is rusty but in good condition and the Craftsman metal plate is in near mint condition. The large tool chest and Eskimo fan I purchased at this estate sale. The tool chest was $30 and is super cool - it even had a few jigsaw patterns in it. I am not sure if the red paint is original but I like it anyway. I am thinking of using it as a night stand or end table. The Eskimo window fan was $10 and I just love the aqua case and... it runs! The copper handle and that it was manufactured in Missouri helped sell it, too.

Here are a few more items I got at the same garage sale as the Craftsman tool box. The industrial metal hooks are super heavy and cost me a whopping $3. I don't know what I am going to do with them yet but I am pretty sure I am going to keep them. The five metal gas cans cost $3.40 for the lot. They all have some red paint on them and are in fair condition. Again, what to do with them is still being pondered!

Crosby Laughlin industrial hooks

Metal gas cans with red paint

Children's wagon wheels (maybe Radio Flyer?)

I absolutely love these vintage children's wagon wheels. I found them at the Big Brown Dog Antique store in Cole Camp. I looked at them on a couple of different trips but finally, broke down and brought them home. They were $10 for the set. I think I am going to make a shelf with the two that have the metal brackets.  They are sitting on a metal magazine table I also picked up at the same place and it was also $10.

Large metal tray and metal napkin holder

I have gotten more than one red metal tray in my lifetime but I think this might be my favorite. The graphics are so fun - who doesn't love a man in an apron and billowy white chef's hat?! And for $2.00 who could resist? Certainly, not me. The napkin holder is vintage goodness, too. And it was only 25 cents!

On a recent trip to River Market Antique Mall I managed to get a few goodies. This license plate is from a long closed meat packing plant in St. Joseph. I don't know if they put them on the delivery trucks or were just for the scooters and lift trucks around the plant. This plant was in the neighborhood where I grew up so I had to have this. It was a little pricey but a piece of history from my hometown was worth the price. It is too bad that neighborhoods are not the same as they were in the past.

Two-sided cushions and cool scroll work
made this purchase a no-brainer

Sleek silhouette

Another thing I picked up at the River Market is this fabulous vintage aluminum patio chair. I don't know if the cushions are original to it but they are definitely vintage, too. We just repainted our deck and now, I am search of vintage patio furniture. I can't find a manufacturer on this piece - does anyone know who made this? I would love to have at least one more chair to match. The cost for this beauty - $34. I thought it was a steal!

So, what have you been hunting for lately? Do you dig metal? Or industrial chic? Whatever you are hauling home, I bet you have found some awesome treasures.

Friday Thrift Trip

I had the best day today. I headed over to an estate sale that was a little north of Jefferson City about 80 miles from our house. They had advertised some vintage state tablecloths and I was not disappointed when I arrived. On my way back, I stopped in Tipton at a place that is an antique store on one side and a thrift store on the other. The thrift store gives you a brown grocery bag and you pay $5 for everything you can fit in the bag and $2.50 for each additional bag. I only filled one bag but I got a lot of stuff in it. Here's my favorite item I stuffed in the bag.



Morgan Designs Bucket Brigade Ice Bucket

How totally fun is this ice bucket? It is really cool (because it's an ice bucket, of course) with the nautical theme as we live between two large lakes in Missouri. It will be perfect for those summer outings - oh, too bad we sold the boat! It will still work out on the deck. And it was made in the U.S.A. so that makes it even better. I don't know much about Morgan & Company except that they were located in Boston. I would guess this ice bucket to be from the 1960's. A great find for a $5 bag!

I've been a little remiss in posting to my blog (actually, a lot). I will share with you some more of my finds from my Friday thrift trip next week. I got some fantastic goodies including a vintage Craftsman tool chest! I think Mike and Frank would be proud. Have a super weekend!

Mod Lodge Stylin' - Rambling Ranch

Wow! It has been a long time since I've seen you my blog friends. This has been a busy, hot summer. I do believe this summer has been as long as our past winter and to tell you the truth, I would prefer 28 inches of snow to 100+ degree weather any day! Thankfully, today is cooler and we got some much needed rain. I hope this is a sign that the heat wave has broken and not just a teaser.

It has been four years today that we moved from our 1920's arts and crafts home in the city to our 1970's ranch in the country. We picked this property, not for the house, but for the 20 wooded acres, stocked pond, large garden area, wildlife, and 1 1/2 acre fenced yard for the dogs. I actually could not remember any details of the inside of the house when we got back home but we placed an offer on it anyway. I did not warmly embrace the ranch style house once we moved here - it was too new, too boring, too small. I absolutely loved the history of our old home and the style. Four years later, my attitude has changed. It has been fun trying to bring this place into our mod lodge style. We have made some changes to suit our lifestyle - some bigger than others. Here are just a few...

Hammered Copper Farmhouse Sink

We always wanted a farmhouse sink even when we lived in the old house. We grow a lot of vegetables (80 tomato plants out this year) and can a lot, too, so this type sink is perfect for rinsing and cutting large quantities. I picked the copper, not only for its rustic charm, but because it is the most anti-bacterial material and the hammered look does not show any dents or marks. If you are interested in a copper sink, I suggest you shop around. I found this at the eBay store for Copper Depot for about half the price they were charging at some of the large home improvement retail chains. And we have a guy who works with my husband that does construction projects on the side so we got a good deal on the installation. This picture is before we put in the vintage 1960's tile back splash and replaced all the hardware on the cabinets - I'll show that to you some day (when the kitchen is clean - it is canning season). Eventually I would like to replace the counter tops, too.

Sun room with bamboo floor & propane fireplace

When we moved into our house, the sun room had no heating or air conditioning and it was carpeted. Who builds a sun room and puts carpet in it? I mean, seriously. We installed a propane fireplace (ProCom heater) the first winter we were here for two reasons - we needed heat in this room because we use it all year round; and because our house is all electric, we wanted an alternative source of heating just in case. One of the best investments we made - we really enjoy having it and it gives us a little cozy feel without the hassle of chopping wood (although we have plenty of wood we could chop). Again, I shopped around for the fireplace and again, I think I got this one on eBay (or maybe it was Northern Tool). Then, this past March, we finally tore out all the carpet and put in the bamboo floors. We chose a dark, wide plank because the walls are a lighter paneling and we thought it would contrast nicely. The flooring came from Lumber Liquidators. Our guy installed it, too. I bought a couple of cowhide rugs at World Market to further enhance the mod lodge style. This picture, obviously, was taken before we put all the furniture back in the room.

A small change I have made to the front of the house is to purchase this Ranchero house numbers kit from Crestview Doors. I read about them on Retro Renovation, a blog that promotes loving the house you're in! Our place did not have any house numbers on it and I had been looking for something for over three years that suited the style and me. When I saw this, I knew I had to have it! Someday, I would like to replace the front door. Maybe that will be our next home improvement project - I better call the guy!

Mod Lodge Stylin' - Bird is the Word

Blue Jay nest with Wal-Mart plastic bag

As I was doing laundry this week, I noticed that we really didn't have much of a spring. Our laundry basket consisted of fleece pullovers and shorts - it didn't seem like there was anything in between. We basically went from winter to blazin' hot summer in a few days. If it weren't for nature, spring would have passed us by without saying hello. However, one of the many signs that spring did indeed visit us are the birds and their nests.



Apple picker bird's nest with baby birds

I perused the yard the other day to look at our fruit trees. We have four apple trees and it looks like we will only have a good harvest on one of them. Again, another indicator that maybe winter had lingered on too long. One of the apple trees, though, did have a blue jays nest in it so at least it was serving a useful purpose. And as I stared at this nest, I noticed that the blue jay parents had used a shredded up Wal-Mart plastic bag for part of its foundation. Well, how ingenious! And so "in", too. We have been hearing time and time again that we should "Recycle, Reuse, Repurpose" - and the bird world has been doing this forever. As I pondered this, I remembered that there was another bird's nest that not only was recycling and reusing with feathers and yard waste but also repurposing. Instead of using the apple tree to build the nest in, this pair of birds used the apple picker that was leaning against the house for a nesting location. Come to think of it, I repurposed that same apple picker as a snow removal tool on our satellite dish this winter. Bird brains think alike!

As thrifters, junkers, pickers or what ever you call yourself, we have embraced the "Recycle, Reuse, Repurpose" lexicon as a way of life. Not only do we thrift to be frugal but to bring once discarded items back to a purpose. Here are a few examples of what I have done in my own yard and garden to RRR. Most of these things are not overly original or even difficult to do but it gives an old item a new purpose. Plus it looks kind of cool.

I found this bucket in our shed when we moved here and have been trying to find its purpose for three years. I have a thing for galvanized. Finally, I planted some flowers in it and set it out by the front gate. I love it. So do Pearl and Chloe - doggie kisses to you!

The Delphos 3 gallon water cooler is being used as a plant holder. I think I picked it up at a garage sale for $1. It still has some remnants of turquoise or green paint but its mostly galvanized and a little rusted but I like it that way. It sits atop a BPS Paints box I bought from a neighbor many years ago. And the boots are from Target - they have a hole in them so I thought they looked good in this garden display.

This is an old wash tub that is being used as a plant holder, too. I just bought a hanging basket and set it in there - it works perfect for this because it already has a drain in the bottom for the water to run through!

This is an old refrigerator or freezer metal basket. I just used plastic ties to hold it on to the post, added some moss and potting mix and planted these wave petunias. Next year, I might add more moss to fill it up more.

I picked up this retro chair last summer at a garage sale for $1. I don't know what I thought I was going to do with one chair but I loved the atomic pattern so I had to have it. It has been sitting in the garage waiting for a purpose. Viola - now it's a plant stand. It works great for this as it is vinyl with metal legs so it should endure the summer's weather. Plus it looks mod sitting on the deck!

So what have you used in your garden following the mantra "Recycle, Reuse, Repurpose"? Has nature's way inspired your way? I'm sure if you look around, you will see that your thrifting is eco-friendly!





Ooo, Ooo, Ooo, Ooo, Ooo, I've Got a New Attitude

Well, I have been blogging a little over 8 months now (off and on) and decided it was time to switch it up a little. Some of the other blogs I follow have changed their header and I thought why not do the same - it is spring, time of rebirth or some such nonsense.  So here it goes...

The Look

My header is a panoramic mash of the Lake McDonald Lodge totem pole in Glacier National Park. For the past 6 years, we have gone to Northwest Montana in the winter for vacation. We usually spend a day at Glacier National Park (which you can only drive into 11 miles on the west side). This year I spotted this totem pole which I guess has always been there (at least since 1913) but I didn't notice it until this year. I just love it! The colors, the imagery, the rustic carvings. Since this is blog has LODGE in the title, this totem pole was meant to be there, too. And now, I have an obsession for totem poles. I am right now in the process of trying to find someone local to carve me one for my garden. I hope you love it too.

The 'Tude

I have not been extremely diligent about posting on my blog. Some weeks, I might get a post or two on here. Others, not so much. I love to write and I love taking photographs so I don't know why I can't be a better blogger. Sooooo... I have am going to attempt a new attitude and be more blog visible. In an effort to push me to this goal, I will continue to participate in Thrift Share Monday and actually try to post it on Monday, and on each Thursday, I am going to post the following:

• 1st Thursday - Mod Lodge Stylin' - this will show some of the things I have around here that I think fall into my Mod Lodge Vintage style. It may be a renovation, a craft, a thrifted item with a differnt purpose, etc.
• 2nd Thursday - Do Good Thursday - I will highlight a thrift store that uses its sales for nonprofit activities.
• 3rd Thursday - Travelin' Thursday - I will highlight a state, city, or destination through some of my thrifted treasures and personal accounts. I hope to uncover some tidbits that maybe we didn't know about this great nation and lands far away. It will be fun!
• 4th Thursday - Mod Lodge Hodge Podge - this will be whatever I am feelin' at the time. Maybe it is an obsession, or animal life, or gardening, or who knows. Plus it sounds cool to say "Mod Lodge Hodge Podge".

So, there you have it. I hope you will come along with me on this journey. And now, on to...

Thrift Share Monday

I have been doing quite a bit of garage saling the last two weeks. On May 7th, it was the Lincoln, Missouri Citywide Garage Sale. In this small town on the way to Truman Lake, there were 56 garage sales. I did not make it to all of them but I did hit a quite a few in about a two hour period. Some of the treasures I found included the orange topped Thermos for 25 cents, a pretty yellow and cream floral plate marked USA, an orange fired on milk glass pitcher (possibly Hazel Atlas?), a Cheinco Housewares tea canister, and a patchwork pillow, super cool made by Gertie in 1982. See..



I also picked up some vintage fabric at a couple of sales. Here are my favorites, all polyester (or double knit) from 1/2 yard to 2 1/2 yard pieces, and ranging in price from 25 cents to $1.00 per piece. They match the totem pole colors to a T!

This past Friday, I went to 5 garage sales on my way to shop in Warsaw. There is one place, Edmonson Trading Post, that has a garage sale once a month from about March through October or November. I always wondered how they could have "new" inventory and sell it for cheap, cheap, cheap, and this visit I found out why - they are real life Auction Hunters. Now, I don't think they find those high dollar, rare treasures like Allen and Ton (or maybe they do) but they do find enough stuff to keep a small building full for sales each month. This month, they had a lot of fabric and craft items from a storage unit they bought in Warrensburg, Missouri. In fact, they have so much from this unit, it will be spread over three months. My favorite buys from this month are these transfers which I got for 15 cents each for the small packages and 50 cents each for the larger ones.

I also picked up this patchwork quilt for $1 at this same sale and the wooden box with the bears, and at a couple of other sales, I got several '70's craft books including the two pictured below, a knitted lap size afghan, and a bag and box of vintage snaps on original cards.

I found several plates and vintage souvenir items for my eBay store that I will be listing soon and other goodies that I will share sometime, I'm sure. I also found the wooden cat at the Edmonson Trading Post that I posted here. Oh, and one more thing to share... even the screen I have for the back drop of my most recent photographs was a thrift find from a church rummage sale. It is a Da-Lite Flyer tripod projection screen and it was only $5!

So, how is your treasure hunting?

Weekend Sneak Peek

Even though it was a rainy Friday here in mid-Missouri, I managed to hit 5 garage sales and found some fun treasures. Here is a sneak peek at one of my favorites. This kitty isn't marked but it has some fabulous mid-century attitude. If you could gaze into her eyes, you would be able to see the golden yellow tone behind that stare. She's the cats meow. Oh, and my blog has changed it's attitude, too. More on Monday. Have a good thrifty weekend!

Sunshine Came Softly Through My Window Today...

It is nearly May and we had to turn our furnace back on. In the old days, we would tough it out but as we get older, my husband and I are becoming sissies (as far as being cold is concerned). We even had the gas company come out and fill our propane tank so that we can have our fireplace on out on the sun porch - in freakin' April. Our long, cold winter lingers even though we have officially been in Spring for over a month. Are there any signs of this Spring? Well, I think I have a few.

Morels and the kitchen counter before the cleaning frenzy.

Since last I wrote, I have done very little thrifting. We had everyone here for Easter which means for about 8 hours of company we do a bazillion hours of cleaning. With 3 dogs, 2 cats, and a couple of not so fussy people, it is a major undertaking. Don't get me wrong, it needs to be done and having people over is the best way to get it in gear. We have, though, gone hunting! Yes, it is morel season and actually, this year has been better than we have had the past 3 years we've been in the country. I think that snowy winter helped the ground open up to this delectable treat. So far, we have managed to find 77 - not enough for sharing but enough for a couple of meals. In the old days, this would be a laughable amount since we would bring home pounds of them but going on the not so distant pasts hauls, this is a respectable quantity.

Another sign that spring is here can be seen in the wildlife (not the beer drinking kind although if it was warmer, the lake crowd would certainly qualify). We have seen four tom turkeys on our property courting the hens - the hunters would love this because they want to shoot them. My husband used to be one of them until I started naming the toms, the bucks, the fish, etc. How can he possibly shoot Tom Jones? Or Tom Selleck or Tom Hanks, for that matter.

The hummingbirds have started showing up, too. This is Henry - he was the first to arrive from his long trip from Mexico. He really wishes Spring would kick in, too, because he is cold - he loves to sit in the little tree near the dining room window but the other evening we looked out and he was shivering. You read that right - shivering. We thought maybe he wouldn't make it through the night but he was back on the tree the next morning!

Last week, on what seems like my 100th trip to the grocery store, I did manage to swing by the new flea market in Warsaw. It is quickly becoming one of my favorites as I always find something there and it's almost always cheap! Like this, for instance...

Here is a nearly complete set of china made by Universal Potteries that I picked up for $10 (there are 21 pieces). This is part of the Fascination series designed by Alf Robson (see more about it  here) in the Park Avenue pattern. It was manufactured in the late 1950's and is true Mid Century Modern. I love the delicate details of the pattern - a breath of fresh Spring air.  I can't decide if I am going to keep it or list it in my eBay store - I am leaning toward the latter only because it really doesn't match my other china or my dining room - it is almost too subtle.

Another item I picked up was this cute little vintage child's suitcase. It was more than I would usually pay for something like this ($10) but I couldn't resist the sweet felt pig amongst the flowers and butterfly. And the colors are just so fun and definitely, bring thoughts of Spring. It is marked Neevel which I found out was the largest luggage manufacturing company in the United States in the late 1930's and was located in Kansas City, Missouri (I guess it is probably worth more than $10 based on that information.) Anyway, it is returning home and finding its way into a baby's room in Kansas City (unless she changes her mind... about the luggage, not the baby)! 

Oh, and one more sign of Spring... my old sow dog brought me a possum to the front door last night. She really wanted to bring it in but after my screech, she sat it down and eventually, it waddled off.  Really, I wish I had a picture of it because she is old and weighs less than 30 pounds, nearly blind and can't hear well, but damn, her nose still works. The two younger dogs went in the other door because it was just too scary. Yep, Spring is here. So what signs have you seen? Are you finding any treasures? Hopefully, the sunshine is finally peaking through your windows, too.

Cow Town Wanna Be? Maybe. Junking Paradise? Most Definitely.

Spring thrifting has sprung.

A former friend once said "Kansas City is a cow town. St. Joseph is a cow town wanna be." Whatever. At the time, this was funny because the quoted grew up in Podunkville, Missouri, not to be confused with B.F.E. which is where his brother was from, I'm sure. Later, it was truly discounted since he turned out to be an embezzler and married to two women at the same time - not to mention that he had the same name as a U.S. President who some deemed a crook (or was that his real name).  He got to spend some time in the joint with Big Leroy. True story. Anyway, St. Joseph, Missouri may or may not be a cow town wanna be but it is for sure one of the best spots for junking!

I started my thrifting week on Thursday. I needed to make a trip to my hometown to take my mom to an appointment. I purposely scheduled her appointment for Thursday as that is the opening day for many weekend garage, estate, and rummage sales. This particular Thursday did not disappoint.  I got on the road extra early so that I could stop at a church rummage sale on my way into town. When I arrived, there were a lot of cars in the parking lot which surprised me and not in a good way. Oh no, all the good stuff will be gone. Even when I first walked in, I thought this wasn't going to be productive because all I could see were people and clothes and I don't buy clothes at rummage sales. I was el wrongo! After the seas parted (get the religious reference - church rummage sale), there was a table near the entrance along the wall with a bunch of unmarked goodies. First I picked up a Westclox Big Ben alarm clock. I don't have TOO many vintage clocks and I definitely do not have a Big Ben so I snatched it up. Next to it was a vintage ceiling mount light fixture in perfect condition - score! Then I looked up and saw this painting:

Like, I don't know how I missed this when I first walked in. It is pretty big  - 37" square. I love the retro colors of gold, avocado green, brown, and a hint of red. It's a canvas painting and is signed "R. Styles". I did a search of the artist on the internet but came up with very little except that there are other people out there with some of his or her art that don't know anything about the artist, too. I am guessing this has to be from the 1970's. Do any of you know anything about R. Styles?

Okay, so this sale is starting to pan out. As I finally made it past the hall table, there it was... ahhhhhhhhh (like angels descending from the heavens).  You have read that I have had estate sale envy of you big city folk. Seems like every blog I read, you guys find some fabulous piece of mid century modern furniture and all I find are smalls. Not that I don't mind smalls because they are easy to tote around and easy to sell on my eBay store (not so shameless plug). But finally, finally I found a Kroehler chair and no one had cabbaged on to it. It was marked $5 - $5, that's unreal.  I looked it over and it is in great shape. It has a tufted back, I believe the original upholstery with just a slight amount of staining, and, wait for it, the original metal tag on the back. And it was sitting right next to the cashier so I rushed over and told them I wanted it. They marked it sold, handed me a bag so I could get some more stuff, and I was off again. Lucky me!

I perused the other tables but was short on time. I still ended up with 2 vintage tablecloths (one Simtex), a stack of vintage paper Christmas coasters, a Homco wall plaque, a 1984 calendar towel, a 1982 book "Garden Secrets", a PIT game from Parker Brothers (1964 version), and two souvenir plaques of Jamaica - none of these items were marked. I went to the cashier to pay and asked how much I owed them (besides the $5 for the chair) and they said "It's a free will donation. Whatever you want to give."  What? How can I be this lucky? I gave them $10 for the unmarked goodies and they seemed pleased. As I was walking out, I looked over and luck struck again... look what I found:

No, not the dog. That's my silly old sow (almost 16) - she found us long ago. This beautiful mid century floor to ceiling (low ceiling) gold cone lamp. Major score. It is not in perfect shape as it is missing one of these cool metal diffusers that attaches to the bulb in one of the cones and I think the top "mount" is missing but it is still sweet.  I ran back over to the cashier, gave them another $5 and loaded up my treasures.  Twenty dollars never felt so good. I looked up the chair and some are selling for around $300.  What a great sale!

Since I have babbled on so long about this one sale, I will wait until later in the week to share my other finds over the weekend. On a personal note, I want to thank the 16 people who are officially following my blog - that makes me feel special. And I accomplished one of my goals which was to actually post for Apron Thrift Girl's Thrift Share Monday on Monday. It looks like a lot of people thrifted this weekend as she already has 56 links. Is your hometown your favorite place to thrift? What did you find that made you giddy with excitement? I know it has to be heavenly.

Mod Lodge Alphabet: D for Deer, T for Thermos

Brass Deer Candle Holders $6

Well, once again, I have not made Monday for Thrift Share Monday but I am getting closer to it! It is a big week here at the ranch... our new 9' x 12' greenhouse arrived yesterday and today, as I am typing this, a new bamboo wood floor is being put down on our sun porch. I am thrilled. The only bad thing about it is when emptying the sun porch in preparation for the floor, I realized I have a LOT of stuff. It has invaded nearly every room of the house. I probably should pare down when we put the stuff back in but I don't see that happening. Which leads me to my purchases this weekend...

I am in estate sale and garage sale envy of all of you out there who have been hitting those the past couple of weeks. We hardly ever have an estate sale around here and it seems like garage sale season doesn't start until Aprilish. We do have quite a few thrift stores, antique stores, and flea markets so those happily work. Friday, I visited Valley Flea Market and Antiques in Warsaw (Missouri - not Poland) and found a few things to add to my collections including the brass deer candle holders pictured above. I can't find a makers mark on them but I think they are just fab - nice detailing. I especially like the doe who looks like she is drinking from a pond or possibly eating the corn I leave out for the deer we have on our property.

I scooped up another deer for my collection. This one is a wood-like carving and is marked Red Mill Mfg Handcrafted USA. After doing some internet research, I found out this about Red Mill Manufacturing: A unique blend of crushed pecan shells provided the look and feel of real wood, and each sculpture translated into an exact replica of its original carving. After being carefully removed from its mold, craftsmen highlighted and hand lacquered each collectible for added depth and color. Okay, so that's very cool. I have two more deer from this manufacturer already so I am excited to add a third! She cost me $4 but so worth it.

I almost couldn't get to this booth fast enough when I saw the Thermos' on the shelf. I have a small obsession with these, especially the red ones. These all happen to be Thermos brand -I wonder if Thermos is like Kleenex is to tissues except for the life of me, I can't think of what else to call these containers other than Thermos (oh, I see "insulated food and beverage containers" - whatever). Anywhoser, I quickly added them to my basket as I don't have any just like them. I love the small one because it has great color and the definition of the sun and snowflake symbolizing hot and cold. The Winchester plaid  is fun because of the cool graphics of the geese, bear, moose, rabbit, squirrel, and eagle incorparated into the design. And the other, well let's just say I had a "revelation" to buy it.  I purchased all three for $9.

So, how is your spring thrifting going? Found any treasures you can't live without? What's in your alphabet of collecting? I bet whatever it is, it's fantastic!

Into the Mystic... Farewell, Roger

Roger Kirschbaum at Hunter's Ranch - photo by Eric Keith



 It has been nearly a month since I found out about the passing of my middle school and high school classmate and friend K. Roger Kirschbaum and it is still surreal. I had not seen or talked to Roger, I would guess, since we graduated from high school nearly 30 years ago. I read about his passing on facebook from a posting of another classmate... it saddened me deeply. How could this be? We are only 48 years old. So much of life is still ahead. I haven't got to meet the man Roger had become. I really would like to know him again after all these years and now I can't. I feel a sense of real loss and I feel guilty about it because there are so many people out there that are his family of friends that are mourning, truly mourning, the departure of Roger - I don't deserve to mourn him but I do. I can't even recall one specific memory of him - but I do know that when I read or hear his name, I smile. I liked Roger Kirschbaum.

I have come to know Roger again through a facebook group "Remembering Roger" - his friends have shared so much and it has been a true inspiration for me to be allowed to connect with them. Thank you so much for letting me into Roger's life. It is amazing, you all are amazing. I don't know why but when I think of Roger now, this song comes to my mind.

Roger was a father, a husband and mate, a friend, a poet, and a teacher. He lived his life with passion and soul. He was happy, sad, tormented, reverent, and irreverent. He was ordinary and extraordinary. He was Roger. He will be missed, so missed. Rest in peace, Roger Kirschbaum, rest in peace.