Unusual Landscaping - a Saturday Sighting...

 Perusing a very typical middle class American development 

this AM for garage sales (yes - another rainy Saturday)...

 ...brought a bit of a surprise!  

Turns out we all see landscaping a bit differently :)

 There you go you car buffs.  No need to let that old car die rejected

 and alone.  Give it some end-of-life dignity in your flower beds.

Happy Saturday everyone!  ~Joyce

Christmas Already? - In My Friday Finds...

I'm thinking I should really show you my finds from all week

 on these Friday Finds posts.  But today I'm sharing the collection

 that I literally found just today - this morning actually...

There is just one item that I'm keeping for me - can you spot it?

Yep - the soap!  It's actually in a Christmas gift box - but the 

soap itself is not Christmasy per se and smells wonderful - 

so I can use it anytime.  Price?  Just 50 cents!

Psst - it's Juniper Sage.. can you smell it?

Most holiday things for my Etsy shop are picked up through the year.  

So I'm well on my way to Christmas after this morning.  

This lovely cross-stitched tablecloth is in near perfect condition!

And the beading on this ornament is quite elaborate!

And did you notice the yellow plaid book?  It is a wonderful 

baking cookbook with photos and tutorials from the 30's.  

Did you know they had tutorials in the 30's? (wink)  Already in the shop here.

I was smitten with that cover... and surely hope someone else will be too!

But my favorite finds were these gift wrap sheets.  Such great graphics!  

There are even stickers and a matching greeting card.

 So all-in-all - not a massive haul.  But still fun.  

Fridays are always fun!   Enjoy!!  ~Joyce

Landscaping Find & Garden Things for Thrifty Thursday...

There was just one yard sale today & I found just one thing.  

But then - 

I noticed a sign:  'Free Flagstone some broken and some not'.   

That caused a little excitement - that stuff is expensive!   

I quickly said I'll come back for it and went home for the truck.  

On the way I called Honey.  Turns out he was less enamored with the idea... 

'It'll be more stuff to store in the garage' he said.   

 But there's a path through my garden that needs some help.  

Do you see it?   I pleaded by case...

He was fine with enough for the path.   I can live with that!

 And two kind men loaded what I wanted in my truck.  

(Not sure how I thought I was gonna load it - so was quite thankful!!!)  

I'm aware that 'stored projects in waiting' are not Honey's 

favorite thing - so must make haste on this project.

But I'm gonna need his help...poor guy.  The things he does for me!

On another thrifty garden note... I'm noticing I already have some food growing.  

Parsley - (did you know it comes back every year?)... So fun to have.

And rhubarb!  

We bought a plant at a yard sale and this year have enough to use.

Made my first batch of rhubarb strawberry jello.  Yum!

And after many rainy days and weekends - the sun came out today. 

 What a lift to the spirit!

Thanks for stopping by today friends!  ~Joyce

A 2 Year Old and a Sweet Yellow Boy's Suit...

I recently sold a vintage boy's yellow suit with a sweet 

rabbit embroidered collar...

Turns out the buyer had her 2 year old son's photo taken in it!  

Oh my goodness - cuteness overload!  And an ice cream sundae 

to boot - sure to make any boy pose adorably for pictures.  :)

I love when I learn the rest of the story on a product.  

I'm actually off with a friend on a 'goods hunt' now. 

 And its the same place I found this suit.  

Can't wait to see what we unearth.  Enjoy your day!   ~Joyce

Our Spring Yard - Saturday Sightings...

I headed out to yard sales today - a very rainy day.  

Upon return - I decided to capture sightings in my own yard... 

After a major necessary trimming which I was sure would kill our dogwood - 

I am happy to see at least some flowering this year...

I believe this mini iris is one of my favorites in my gardens.

Sadly it lasts such a very short time...

So I figure it's worth 2 pictures...

Another favorite that is here naturally is our old redbud tree.  

It's hanging in there - but we should think about replacing it...

And my reward for heading out in the rain and combing yard sales under tarps?  

This luscious chemise with no damage for $2.  Love!!

Now on to my Saturday at-home to-do list.

Have an awesome Earth day!  ~Joyce

Old Farms & Country Saturday Sightings...

It's Saturday and cloudy - but not nearly as cold as the past 

two weeks (see here & here).  I went to just a few yard sales today.

I love this area where I live and realize I am extremely blessed

 to be able to get out and enjoy it.

As fun for me as the yard sales themselves are the sightings 

along the way.  Stopping at a sale allows an up-close look and

 photo opp for things I'd otherwise be zooming past in my car.  

Isn't this stone wall amazing?  

The forsythia bush is just coming to life... 

And I walked by a weathered barn with the neatest doors and windows 

way up high!  Not sure what good those doors did way up there - 

but a fun discovery...

In our area there have been quite a few run-down properties 

that have been sold and remodeled to gorgeous proportions.  

Today I happened upon one in it's 'before' state.  

Oh the potential...

Is this barn amazing or what?

 May I encourage you to slow down and enjoy your surroundings too?  

A blessed Easter weekend to you!  ~Joyce

Frugal In the Garden for Thrifty Thursday...

 It's that time of year when I'm out puttering in my garden.  

For me - that mostly means flower beds. 

Outdoor decor can be done with thriftiness.

Just watch for these frugal finds:

1.  Trees, shrubs, plants and flowers...

     As mentioned in this post - I found a red Japanese maple tree 

at a yard sale last weekend.  Cost?  Just $10.

2.  Architectural & ornamental items...

These tiles (& a few more) were a free roadside find in a wooden drawer.  

I really wanted the drawer - but figured I'd use the tiles somehow.

And an instant cute 'path' was born...

Just beside that path above - the first bleeding hearts are budding.  

There was a slight breeze which caused a bit of blur - sorry!

3. Large Planters...

Flower pots - the big planter kind - are out there... 

and much cheaper than in the stores.  

I fill these with shade loving perennials every year and

continue watch for more to upgrade...

4. Rocks & Pavers...

Occasionally you get fortunate enough to have a resource come your way.  

In my case - these came from my sister's farm fields.  

They pick them up and throw them on a pile for their own uses.  

I asked - and they let us get a truck load one time.

They're red toned and have been a garden border for me for 

a number of years now.

 So while these photos are not real exciting 

(our back yard borders woods with leaves and sticks everywhere)... 

once things get blooming and more green - it will be prettier.

 Thanks - as always - for stopping by!

  ~Joyce

Our Simple Easter Dinner...

Our small family had our Easter dinner a few weeks ago.  

My starting point is often these sweet tulip dishes.  I purchased them 

to resell years ago - trusting the seller who told me they were in

 perfect condition.  Turns out they were not - so I kept them and

 have enjoyed using them for Spring events.

A quick stop at Dollar Tree yielded some faux wild flowers which I cut 

and divided into little bouquets.  I later added water to help the illusion...

The pink polka dot fabric is actually an old feedsack that has a lot

 of damage.  But folded this way - it looks complete and fine.
And gotta have candles; even if just a few votives on overturned sherberts.

And since lavender and pink seemed to be the colors.... this candle

 from my stash on a small pedestal will do.  I try to keep

 centerpieces low.  If too high - table conversation is awkward.  

It's no fun to dodge table decor to see who you're talking to.

I trust this coming Easter Sunday will be a special day for you.  

In the life of the Believer - it is everything!  Without the

 resurrection of Jesus - there would be no hope for an eternity with Him.  

If you've not abandoned your life to live His way- this week 

would be a good time to do so.  Would love to have you in the Family!  

~Joyce

Spring Sightings From My Yard Sale Morning...

It was another chilly Saturday - but community yard sales beckoned.  

And tho cold - the sights were fabulous.  Sharing just a few...

Spring has surely sprung on this event venue property. 
(They had a sale... I stopped - but came away empty.) 

Much of my morning was spent with glimpses of our Susquehanna River.  

Wish I would have taken more shots... but I was scurrying to all the sales...

 In addition to a $10 Japanese Maple Tree (so excited about that one) - 

these were my finds from the morning..

The Glass Float and Jadite Candle Holders will land in my shop.

And two things came from a free pile!

This Proverb will become wall decor at our summer cottage.  

It's a fitting reminder for each day.

The rest of this verse says 'And lean not on your own understanding.'  

Good counsel indeed!

Blessings on your Spring Day!  ~Joyce

Serving Others for Thrifty Thursday...

Lately - I have been feeling like way too much of my life is 

centered around 'me' with not nearly enough 'ministry' happening.  

What is ministry?  'Serving others in the name of Jesus' (my definition).  

Most folks do this through their church.  But I've been asking the Lord 

how I can serve Him more in my everyday life; from right here at home.  

 Turns out if you ask God such a question - you can expect an answer!  

My week began with an early little family Easter dinner.  

 We had ham - with plenty of leftovers.  Sometimes I send some

 home with my daughter.  But this time I had other plans.   

I became aware of a neighbor & friend whose child is in the hospital.  

I offered a casserole.  An egg dish is kid & budget friendly.  

I had some white chocolate chips on hand from a 'sale' find - so

 used them to make brownies.  Some for my neighbor and some for

 a lady at church who is not on her feet right now.  More ham went

 into a double batch of ham & bean soup for the lady at church.  

(My alterations: I cut chicken broth in half and didn't use a turnip or cumin)

My dear sister is on activity restrictions right now from a recent surgery. 

 I only had about an hour 1 day - but she lives fairly close.  

A quick store run met a 'grocery list' need for her and of course 

we had a sweet visit when I delivered it.

And now I wonder what next week will hold?

Ministry opps are all around us... but we need to invest some time -

 and yes, some money.

But God is good!  If we're willing to serve - He provides.  

I couldn't believe the way the ideas came to me when I needed them.

I'd love to hear how you 'minister' out of your home.  ~Joyce

Boho Occasional Barn Sale Near Hershey, PA - Saturday Sightings...

Move over cottage, shabby chic, primitive, farmhouse and

 whatever other current style trend there has been lately.  

There's a new look in town... literally!

  

Today I (w/a sweet friend) did my first garage sale run of the season. (brrrr!!) 

One was advertised as a barn sale - so I made it my first stop.  

I knew the address well - it's a local landmark and the 

family homestead of friends of ours...

But one step inside that door and I was blown away.  

This was obviously not your average 'garage sale'!  Oh my...

This barn was stuffed to the rafters with displays so amazing 

I couldn't begin to take it all in...

I mean - let's put a gorgeous set of pink roses china in a pile 

of straw why don't we?  And throw in a rope while we're at it?  :)

(My favorite display of the day...)

An industrial desk was full of lab currations and more...

Furniture - yes they had furniture - 

very awesome and unique furniture...

See that chunky sea green beauty beside the flags?  

Lots of nifty art too. 

And though not shown here,  some pieces were huge.  

Enough to fill - well - a barn wall!

  

The property has lots of goats and chickens.  

 'Lambie' here was rejected by his mother and is being bottle fed.  

At 1 month old; he ran among the shoppers as the barn sale mascot.

You can be sure I gave him some love.  Here he's with his 

surrogate mother and shop owner... 

  

They plan to be open every 6 weeks or so and call themselves

 'BohemiAntiques'.  Did you catch that?  They're all about

  Bohemian style... just the look that's been catching my heart lately.

Boho has cropped up in this post and this post and this post and even way back in this post.

Look out Anthropologie... there are are few local gals giving you a

 run for your money - and MUCH, much more affordably.  

Be sure to check out their website right here for the address and 

any upcoming sale dates.

And yes, I found stuff... here and at another great stop. 

But this post is long enough - so keep checking the shop.   They'll be new listings this week.

This overflowing creek on the property was our view as we left...

What a great start to the season.  Thanks for joining me!  ~Joyce