Checking In!

It's been nine days?  Really?  So much catching up to do, so let's get started!  

First of all, my  "first line of defense" didn't work out quite as expected hoped.  It may have kept the moles away, but SOMETHING out there really liked it.  I found cinnamon on the driveway although the little packet was still stuffed next to the house, and the whole packet was removed from a flower pot in the front yard.  Cinnamon and peppermint appeals to some nighttime visitors.  Back to the test kitchen/lab.

Unexpectedly, I was asked to drive to Nashville a few days ago. I like to drive, but this was a quick trip.  I was there for exactly 24 hours.  That's a lot of driving in one day but I did just fine.  I even found time for a couple of thrift store stops.  Goodwill is everywhere--and I intend to visit all of them.  

I had a birthday on Sunday (5th) and I celebrated by sleeping in, choking down eating another one of my son's birthday/Mothers' Day breakfasts, and not getting dressed until 2p.  I went downtown Chicago to see a play and it was good--weird, but good--"Smokefall".  My sister went with me and fell asleep immediately.  But it really was a good play!  I got lots of gifts, texts, phone calls, and Facebook well-wishes.  I didn't have much time to think about it because I was on the road by Monday afternoon.  I attended the Dove Awards and it was soooooo much fun!  I had a seat right up front for all of the entertainment and the performances were amazing.  I only wish they'd given out those "swag bags" that they give out at the Grammys.  The only swag I got was a bag of chocolates.  But then, I really wasn't supposed to be there so maybe there's something I don't know....

And now for the really important stuff.  I mentioned Goodwill and yes, I hit two on the drive home.  A week before that I made a couple of trips to my local favorites, Unique and Restoration Ministries.  I had one goal in mind when I went to Unique a few days before my birthday.  Find something amazing to wear to that (weird) play.  I found an amazing striped skirt and amazingly enough, I didn't take any pictures!  I'll fix that this weekend.  I did take pictures of these:

 I found this 14 inch tall handcrafted stool and I love it because it's so much nicer than the one I bought from Menards' a couple of years ago.  It's taller, wider, and it didn't break when I stood on it...Handmade will always be the best!

 This is the official Grandaddy of all enamel pots.  This thing is big enough for a turkey!  I LOVE it!  Isn't it beautiful?

This big ceramic bowl had to come home with me.  It's big enough for four packs of instant oatmeal, even though I stop at two, it's dishwasher and microwave safe, and it's well made.  AND, it has cows, including the little one at the bottom that greets me when I finish my oatmeal.  I used to collect cows and it got a little ridiculous.  Now I only buy them when they're this special. 

At 15" tall, this is a really nice piece!  This calls for a YAY ME!

I also found two vintage leather trench coats, several ugly holiday sweaters, and this beautiful vase with stand, for just .50!  Yes, that's cents...  

It's been a busy week--I missed you guys!  Holla, or as they say in Nashville, Holler Back!