Under His Wings....

Isn't this a beautiful thought? Sort of like a cozy blanket that 

we can hide under when the storms of life are just too fierce to behold.  

I'm so thankful for Jesus who provides a refuge when I need it - 

sometimes daily!

This dear butterfly was found laying on the ground - sadly dying.
I had to take his photo to extend his life.  What intricate beauty.

First Christmas Vignette Of the Season...

We kinda have a surplus of Christmas goods at the thrift shop right now - 

so I decided to do a subtle preseason Holiday vignette...

 ...just one - in this red, silver and glassware theme...

How do you like that silver edged pillowcase?

The rest were appropriate-to-the-season Fall displays...

Guess which sold first?

Yep - that 'Christmas' stuff flew outta there!  Who da thunk?

Lesson learned.... Apparently the people want Christmas in October.

I also did this blue and white display in another room.  

 

 Apparently old ticking is a favorite of 'the people' too.

This display didn't last long either!

Mums and Cornstalks...

Pumpkins, mums and cornstalks seem to be the mainstays of fall decor.  

So here are 2 super simple ideas for you from my weekend wanderings....

Mums in galvanized tubs (or any container)! 
(Just so their plastic pots are covered.)

And this cornstalk tied post was strewn with orange lights for evening glow.  

A few pumpkins at the base completes the display.

(Our little secret - when I walked up to take this picture - I noticed the homeowner 

still had the tiny price tags on the pumpkins... $3 each.  Shhh - don't tell.)

Outdoor decor doesn't need to be elaborate - just simple and attractive.

Favorite Homemade Find...

Yesterday I found two of the neatest things at a garage sale....

 Look at all of those great bottle corks!  And they were 
already assembled into these wonderful bulletin boards.

I had no idea that boards such as these are getting upwards of $70 on Etsy!

Really?  My price?  Just $2 for both!

I gave the frames a bit of oiling and glazing to darken them.

They also needed a bit of hanger help.  

One board had no good wire on the back - 

the other looked like this...

Everything was in place to make these 'wall ready'.  I just redid it a bit...

But here's the rest of the story that the seller shared with me.   

These boards were obviously handmade and have a few imperfections. 

But dear David Parke - who appears to be the crafter...  had dementia!  

Yet somehow working with tools was still working for him.  

I love knowing that.  Thank you David!  

And thank you God for granting him this ability.

Thrift Display At Our Local Bank...

In an act of neighborly kindness - one of our local banks gives lobby table space 

to a local charity to showcase their organization for one whole month.  

Isn't that generous?  And guess what?   

They've given our thrift shop the month of October.

One of the store managers (above) asked me to help her with the display.

I considered it a an honor!
(But truth be told - the morning we were to put it all together - I was pretty nervous.)

We amassed a carload of donated fall themed goods to dress our table.  

And since we're a Christian organization - 

we put a vintage donated bible right there for all to see! 

What a neat opportunity to share Jesus with our community!

I know - a cat and a bible - seems like an odd combo - but it worked!

Yes - we really do get an amazing quality of merchandise - every day!

Black helps ground any display and give the eye a rest.  

We could have used a bit more black - but time get away from us.

One of the store employees made a sign about our thrift store 

and Mennonite Central Committee (the recipient of our store proceeds).

And our final table...

(Gotta love that chicken on the floor.)

Thank you Union Community Bank!  

What a good neighbor you are.