Sunday, November 22, 2009
So how are you doing? Are you planning a huge Turkey spread? Are you as worried as I am that the turkey will be a flop? I have to tell you, my Texas in-laws make the best deep-fried Cajun infused turkey every Thanksgiving, and I miss it! Oh man, my mouth is watering.But, I'm deathly afraid of fires, and anything catching fire, so I refuse to deep fry. I don't even fry anything that involves more than a Tablespoon of oil in the house. Not only do I dislike the smell, but again... I'm scared I'll burn the house down! You should see the heart-attacks I have when my husband decides to BBQ on our deck, throws the meat on, and then walks away from it! I'm paranoid
But that doesn't stop me from lighting candles. However, that DOES stop me from self-cleaning the oven because once upon a time... my neighbor had to call the fire department when she was self cleaning hers. Cleaning is dangerous. I rest my case.
Look at these funky fire extinguishers! They kind of remind me of 2 liter soda bottles.
So as I was straightening up the great glittery room today, I thought I'd show you some little things that make me smile! Do you surround yourself with stuff that makes you smile? I hope so!
As much as I would love to live in a minimalistic environment, I would fail horribly because I like stuff way too much. And that reminds me of a home that I went to a few times growing up. These people had nothing but the essentials. No artwork, no pretties on the shelves, no paint on the walls, no nothing! And it was just... so strange... and so extreme... it felt hollow. I didn't like going to their house.
Do you remember these nut dishes? It seems like every Grandmother had one of these. This one belonged to my Grandma Lois, and she always had it full of nuts on her buffet in her dining room. When she passed away, I was able to give it a new home. It has been packed away ever since we used to live in Oklahoma... umm... and that was before we lived in Florida, and now we've been in WA for like 3 years, so... umm.. I know. Horrible. But I was so tickled when I finally unpacked the box it was hiding in last week!Too perfect for Fall!
Friday, the Kiddo and I (actually, I had to drag her with me and bribe her with lunch at our fave Mexican restaurant) dropped in on a rummage sale at a local church.
Hiding away in a dark corner on the floor were these 2 funky looking wood baskets, covered in years of dust and caked on grime, and filled with the most horrid plastic fruit.
The lady tells me she'll give me a great deal on both. I tell her, "maybe... but I really don't want the fruit." She can't imagine why not!
After I brought them home, gave them a big-time bath, and a fresh spray of Pledge, they were STUNNING! Maybe they're not your style, but I was so tickled that they are obviously hand carved, and the leaves on the handles... charming.
The smaller bowl/dish/thing is a little lighter wood color, and has the prettiest tiger looking variegation to the wood.
I found one similar online somewhere... Mine are way prettier. The oddest thing about mine? The wood smells like mint! No kidding. Mint! I've googled "minty wood" and I can't find that type of tree. Wood. I wish there was more information out there on bowls like these.
My other little favorite things happen to be this heavy as heck hand and these concrete heads. Weird, I know, but I swoon at stuff like this. I also have a hand fixation. I'll save that for another chatty-blog-session! I often think maybe I should take these out of the living room and put them somewhere that's more private. You know, so my guests don't feel creeped out. But, I love them, so they have to stay, right?
Finally, I did make something for myself right before I carted all my supplies back downstairs (where they belong) and started cleaning the house for guests...
You might remember that I love crosses from a prior post.
And I love the colors of these pearls.
And I love anything that has to do with music.
And I love a finished back side.
And I love it on my wall-of-way-too-many-crosses
So thank you for sitting with me while I chattered your ear off! I think we should get together for a talky-talk on your blog next time! I would love to see your smiley-things from around the room we sit in while we chat over laptops, or desktops, and hear the stories that go along with those things! I'll bring my own coffee :)
(Don't forget to drop your name in the giveaway below this post if you like kitschy)
