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