Birds, Toads and More Summer Fun

I am so excited for fall to start. Some of you may be under the mistaken idea that fall starts the day after Labor Day or maybe even not until the Autumnal Equinox. But to me, fall starts on September 1st. And this is my blog, so that is what I am sticking to.

But before summer is officially over, I wanted to update you on a couple of strange occurrences that have been happening around here this summer.

We have had a weird increase in the number of birds in our yard. We always had a lot, but it's almost like a scene out of Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds. Do you remember the birds attacking the kids in the schoolyard? Eeek!


Unfortunately, none of these birds are of the Purple Martins variety that we thought we would have. Since we have a Purple Martin house and all.

Hoarding Symptoms

I had not been to the thrift store for a long, long time. Generally, in the summer I concentrate on garage sales and in the winter I get my fix at the thrift stores. But garage sales are slowing down around here, so off to the local thrift store I went.

I saw this sitting on the top shelf in the brass section (even though it was just dirty, not brass) and I was drawn to it. Maybe it was the whole being "misidentified by outer appearances" thing that drew me in.


Or maybe because of this handle. OK, it was because of the handle. It looks like it's Bakelite.

The Week In Review

Wow, what a week it was last week!

Highly processed photo using textures by Kim Klassen Cafe (my bird and birdbath though)

Between

• Turning the big Five Oh
• My son starting school last week and us already having issues with the school district
• My husband throwing his back out mowing the yard (???)
• Me falling down a few steps and banging my butt up (that doesn't sound right, but just picture a bruise the size of a dinner plate on my butt)
• A possible case of poison ivy on my ankle
• And getting the wrong meal through the drive-thru at McDonald's (you know that's a big deal)

it was a bear of a week. Oh, so glad it's over and I can start out fresh with a new week.

Nope, no real point to this post other than me bitching and moaning. Hope this isn't the new me due to my age and all. I'll be back with a new, more uplifting post of garage sale finds later tonight. Enjoy what's left of your Monday!

Toolbox Planter

A few weeks ago I showed you the galvanized toolbox that I picked up at a garage sale


that I turned into a planter.

Another Brownie For The Collection

Thanks for all the Birthday wishes. I got through the day without too many breakdowns. Now it's on to the 2nd half of my life. People generally live to be 100 years old nowadays, don't they?

I ended up buying myself a birthday present at the antique mall.


A Kodak Brownie Flash Six-20 (manufactured from 1946 to 1955).

Yes, I know I have a few vintage cameras, but I thought this would be a cute addition to my collection.

It's sitting on my dining room table right now, but it will eventually sit with my other cameras on the shelf in my office.




Linking with Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for her Tabletop Tuesday.

Monogrammed chicken wire hanger from Erin's Etsy shop - Peony Wire Works.

Happy #&*@ Birthday To Me!

Forty-three years ago today, I turned 7. You do the math.

I was going to mark this half-century milestone by staying in bed all day watching Bewitched episodes on Hulu, but since it's also my son's first day of school this year, that plan was blown to heck.

So since I am already out of bed, I will spend this historic day doing a little shopping, having lunch with a friend and waiting for the day to be over.

BTW, this friend who I am having lunch with does not remember it is my birthday and I will not be bringing it up. Don't want any spontaneous outbursts of the Happy Birthday To You song to occur while I'm eating lunch. Why ruin a perfectly nice lunch like that?

Seriously though, I feel like I'm 35. Does your internal age (you know, how old you feel in your mind) ever catch up to your actual age? I mean, when I'm 90 will I feel like I'm 90?

Black Eyed Susan Vine Update

My Black Eyed Susan Vine is growing like nuts.


And eating the squirrel in the process.

Croquet Anyone?

Back in June I talked about a vintage croquet set that I had gone to a estate sale for and didn't get to buy.

So I have been looking for another one ever since. Sure I have seen some at antique stores, but they were never in that great of shape. Some missing some balls. Some missing the wickets. Some with broken mallets.

But good things come to those who wait. I found one in excellent shape for her age!!!

Niagara Falls Or Bust

This week we took a short trip to Niagara Falls for a little vacation time. I hadn't been since I was a kid.

I would advise anyone that hasn't been there lately to get up from your computer this very minute, jump in your car and go! We had a great time.

We forgot to get passports in time, so we did the American side only, but found that there was more than enough stuff to keep us busy. And the park area around the falls is gorgeous. Very clean, serene and kept in a natural state.


In case you go, there are a few things you need to know.

Cave Of The Winds - you climb around on wooden walkways perched precariously on the rocks at the bottom of the falls. They give you a free rain poncho and a pair of really spiffy sandals. You get wet anyhow.

Remington Quiet-Riter

Sometimes garage sale finds come in bunches.

You look forever for an item and then when you finally find that one specific item you are overjoyed. Ecstatic. Tickled pink.

Then the next week you find another one. And another one. Until you are at the point that you see this once coveted item ALL. THE. TIME.

I've got a feeling that typewriters are going to be like that for me.


A few weeks ago I found a vintage Number 10 Royal typewriter at an estate sale. I was thrilled. I named her Kate.

On Friday, I found a Remington Quiet-Riter at a church garage sale.

Bowling Ball Yard Art Number 2

Way back when I first started blogging, I showed you how to turn a garage sale bowling ball into a piece of yard art. In that case, a penny bowling ball.


I think bowling ball yard art has a sort of cult following, because that post is by far the most Googled of my posts and brings quite a few people to my blog.

This summer I decided to make a slightly different version of bowling ball yard art.

I picked up a bowling ball at my local thrift store. Bud's ball, to be exact.

Topsy Turvy Update

I have mixed reviews on the Topsy Turvy. Also known as that ugly thing hanging in front of my window.


It works, but I'm not seeing the huge benefit of growing a plant upside down.