spring

No Longer a Thrift Store Snob

No Longer a Thrift Store Snob
Me and G – Happy Spring!

I posted this picture as my profile photo and within minutes I had several likes and comments – guess it is a hit – and it prompted me to write about my hat and where I got it.

I almost didn’t buy the hat. I was at the check-out counter at St. Vincent De Paul’s the other day where I saw it as I went to buy my some other items. I picked it up once. Then put it back. I love hats, but sometimes feel funny wearing one.

But that hat was determined to go home with me…I swore I heard it calling out to me. Just as the clerk rang in the last item I bought, I quickly grabbed the hat and put it on the counter. 

I’m glad I did. If I wear it once it certainly didn’t break the bank at $4.49. But I have a feeling I’ll be wearing it often. I adore it!

And to think I used to be a thrift store snob. I wouldn’t have been caught dead in one when I was in my 20s and 30s. But then in my late 30s, feeling like something was missing in my life, I began to think about what a meaningful and creative life would look like for me.

I no longer wanted to be in the corporate world. I wanted more freedom. I wanted to explore what it was that would make me happy and bring me more joy.

This meant making different choices because my income was no longer what it was. I admit that I do love clothes and I like to look nice. So now instead of purchasing three items that would cost on average of $75 or higher at a department store I normally walk out of a thrift store with a bagful for about $30.  In fact, I bought three cute tops, a pair of shoes, and this hat for $27 and some odd change.

My taste in clothes have changed too. Oh, how I used to love all the designer brands. But these days there are just so many others things in life that are important and mean more to me. 

So I’m glad I bought the hat…and I’m really glad I’m no longer a thrift store snob.

As for Miss Gidget, I don’t believe she has quite the fondness for hats as I do, but lucky for me she humors me and puts up with it.

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Nothing Says Spring Like…

Nothing Says Spring Like...
Photo credit: Marie Mahan

My artist friend, Miss Marie, sent me this photo she took of a Purple Finch nest that has made it’s home on her porch.

Isn’t it so lovely?  Nothing says spring like baby bird eggs.

I hope to see it in person soon.  It’s been way to long since Miss Marie and I have had a chance to visit.

We’ve both been bitten by the spring bug that has us busy as bees with creative and fun projects, but tea time together is around the corner soon.

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Bentley the Landscaper. Come Meet Him.

Bentely the LandScaper. Come Meet Him.
Bentley – Official Garden Center Greeter

Meet the owner of Willow Wood Acres Garden Center and Land Steward Landscaping. Well, okay, Bentley isn’t really the owner. But he is the sweetest and most handsome greeter ever!

Well, that is, if you aren’t afraid of his low growl while at the same time his tail is wagging when you come in through the doors.  I’m pretty sure the growl means, “pet me please” as he loves attention, which I was happy to bestow upon him.

Today I was excited to review our landscaping plans with one of the real owners of the garden center, Kathy. We’ve not had anything done with our landscaping since we moved into our home over 25-years ago. It is sorely in need.

John built the owners of the garden center, Kathy and Stuart, a beautiful home last fall and winter on the same property as their business. And Kathy designed a beautiful and colorful, low maintenance landscaping plan for around our house and my writing cottage.

It was so nice to see all the pictures of the plants, trees and shrubs with lots color on this cold and dreary day of spring.

But before you know it, the sun will be shining again and the temperatures will rise along with the work to begin at what I call my little “cottage in the village.”

And this time around I’m going to try really hard to make sure I take as best care of everything as I can. I’m not exactly a green thumb type person, but this time I’m determined.

Maybe after reading about children’s book author and illustrator, Tasha Tudor, and children’s book author, Beatrix Potter, and their beautiful gardens this past winter, they just might rub off on me.  One can certainly hope!

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