Yesterday was my birthday and Rich took the day off. We had such a nice day together. We took our books to the diner but never touched them. We had plenty of things to talk about. I had wanted him to try the homemade corned beef hash and we both ordered it with eggs and toast. He liked it so much that he took me back for lunch so he could order it again. Between breakfast and lunch he ate half a dozen eggs (over medium) and lots of hash.
He told me stories about his wrestling team and at one point we noticed one of the youth wrestlers across the room eating with his grandma and Rich went over to shake his hand and say hello. During our meal he told me about a freshman who began the season so soft that he couldn’t do a pull up. He couldn’t do a sit up. But on Friday as they did conditioning Rich noticed him from across the room and he was easily doing pull ups on his own. “Hey how many of those could you do when you first began the season?” he called. “Zero, Coach!” was the happy answer. He told me that wrestling is hard work, hard practices, but one of the boys answers when Rich asks, “How’re ya feeling?” “Like a million bucks, Coach!” We’re both so proud of the team captain who was so shy she cried when she first started having to speak publicly for the team a few years ago. “She’s something else, Shan, she’s going to be something someday. She’s brave in her own way.” and he told me a story about wrestling tape and singlets and how she got things done. They aren’t perfect kids by any means, but they’ve been a pleasure for Rich to work with this year. States are on Saturday!
We left the diner and headed out to mail something to our son Jacob and then Rich said, “Where are we going? It’s your birthday we can do anything.” So I said, “Please please won’t you take me to the antique store in Sturbridge?” and he did. Happiness is going to an antique store that you haven’t visited in a very long time. We had plenty of time so I looked at every single thing in the store (two floors).
The first thing I studied (through the glass door) was stone fruit. I’ve noticed over the years that I always pause over fake fruit. How dumb. But I do not collect it. However, I was reading a magazine over Christmas and there was an article in it on “what is hot to collect next”‘. Stone fruit was on the list along with a picture. If you look at the fruit you would not think it was made of a solid stone, it looks lifelike, with bruises on the bananas and markings. I made the decision that I would keep my eyes open for stone fruit since now I know it’s not dumb—after all, the magazine said it was a hot collectors item for 2018! I didn’t buy any yesterday. I didn’t realize it was so pricey. But I believe I will come across it during some of my thrifting trips. . . . . . .
Dawn, of course I thought of you, and my mom, too. Vintage paper valentines!!!
This display case is done so beautifully!
Makes me want a display case in my own house that I can play with!
Rich walked over to me with a Valentine and told me to put it in our stack of purchases for the day. Inside it said:
Someday when I am older,
I think it would be fine
If you would be,
Sweetheart, to me
A loving Valentine
So many things brought tears to my eyes yesterday, I was deeply sentimental.
I went in for a hug about 7 times while we were browsing.
It was a love-connection day.
I took pictures of things that I thought were interesting but not interesting enough to purchase. One of the reasons that I love antiquing and thrift store shopping is it’s educational in a way, you get a sense of times past. You can see the things that were in style 100 years ago…old photos, postcards, jewelry, art. I love history.
69.00 Excellent Shape 🙂
This Cast Iron Amish Family tickled my fancy
Baby photography from time gone by….I LOVE THIS LAUGHING BABY in a basket!!!!
I collect HLC Fiestaware so I always always search for it. I found this little set of black fiesta which was interesting because you don’t really see black out in “the wild” much. The bowls were priced at 7 dollars each, the gravy boat was 14. The creamer was missing from the coffee set. I picked it up and looked it over but left it as I do have four small black fruit dishes already.
“There really isn’t anything much to look at over here,” he teased.
“Oh look! Gray! I hardly ever see gray!”
“Who on earth would want GRAY FIESTAWARE?”
“Take my picture!”
The mug and two bread plates were new, but the dinner plates were vintage gray so I bought one of them. I’ve always liked gray in combination with pink and I have lots of Rose fiesta.
The very bottom plate was a vintage Ivory chop plate in very good condition. I LOVE chop plates they are so big and make lovely platters.
**the most cheerful teacups** only 3 dollars said the sticker
Not fiesta ~ ~ and yet I took a photo because Springtime! Roses! Pink! Valentine’s Day!
One last picture before getting our totals added and seeing how much we spent!
It really wasn’t too bad.
And then……time to drive down the road to pick out my birthday cakes.
At my favorite bakery. . . .
I got a chocolate peanut butter and a carrot cake.
And then…..lunch. As we got out of the truck to walk in the diner I noticed some people looking at me through the window. “They must think I’m pretty or they can tell it’s my birthday”, I thought to myself. But when we went in and walked to an empty table the man called out to Rich, “Hey, we were just admiring your truck! That is one nice truck!” It was awesome. I simply love being humbled.
Generously buttered sour dough toast dipped in homemade clam chowder? Comfort food. Across the table from my very own husband of more than 20 years? Soul-comfort.
WHEN I GOT HOME THERE WAS A LITTLE PACKAGE and it was from my parents….a birthday check AND a homemade glorified dishcloth from MOM. She made it up as she went along with an idea she had in mind. I placed it on a scarlet cake plate to take a picture.
I love it.
When I asked him to take a picture of me with the dishcloth so I could send it to mom, he took this first.
My husband and my fiestaware. All very important to me. 🙂 I choose the middle.
My birthday gifts from the antique store:
- kitchen towel made from a flour sack with embroidery and three red and white doilies (MUCH less expensive than anthropologie!)
- betty crocker kitchen toy set (I LOVE)
- blue ceramic spoon (fiesta kitchen craft–a great find at 5 dollars!!!)
- snake book for Caleb
- Abe Lincoln book to read to the children
- and a Stereoscope viewer–Rich’s find, along with a stack of photos (very cool!)
The next time I bake Sarah and I will do some miniature baking. There are 2 cake pans, a muffin tin, a pie tin, a tiny cookie sheet, and mini cookie cutters. So darling.
Rich had a meeting at 5 and I spent time doing a puzzle and guess what? Another gift from God—SUNSHINE after days of gloom and rain. The cat agrees–sunshine is wonderful.
MY FRIEND HANNAH who is on vacation in Hawaii, sent me this photo!!
And Joanna called to sing Happy Birthday. We had the best little chat on the phone.
So many gratitude tears!
The other day this package came from brother Dave. He always remembers and he knows me so well. Thank you Dave! I got loving texts from my other 2 brothers and my sister and other family members throughout the day. And of course Facebook makes birthdays extra fun and I heard from so many people I love. So thankful to be on earth with all of you at this time.
Rich took the video but when he stopped it he said, “I’m so sorry but that was like the worse singing of happy birthday we’ve ever had.” I was thinking the same thing which is why I blew out the candles before the last note was finished. LOL
Good to be Home 