A Few Fun Birthday Weekend Finds

 Lately, THGGM and I have come to realize that we have TOO MUCH STUFF.  Actually, we came to realize that about twenty years ago when we moved, and then ten years ago when we moved again, and then - well - it IS helpful to move about every ten years.  But, since we are not planning to do that we are going to have to discover a NEW fun hobby that does not involve hunting down great finds.
But, after all, it WAS our 40th anniversary and my 60th birthday, so we let up just a wee bit on our scaling back plan.
Sort of.
Okay.  We TRIED.
But it's hard for some people!

Anyway.., THGGM found this framed tile piece at Pinky's Place. 
It's in Dutch, and the poem is about a baker making bread (as baker's are wont to do...).
One of my two thoroughly Dutch grandfathers was a dough mixer at Butternut Bread, so it seemed only fitting that this should presently be hanging in my kitchen!    This was in a booth for $5, but everything was half price!  Not a bad price for something with meaning - if one were to squint hard enough to rationalize a purchase, you know, like WE are wont to do. (i like that word "wont", i've decided to use it too much.)

 THGGM found the framed tiles.  I found this!
Two VERY large Thermos brand thermoses in a tartan plaid bag!
I must be very honest and tell you that I nearly swooned. 
Swooned, I tell you!  Nearly.
The last much smaller thermos that I purchased I thought was a deal at ten dollars. 
This was marked $8.50.
I brought THGGM over to see it (we do not shop together.  we drive places together and then go our separate ways.  i believe it is how our marriage has survived for 40 years.)
Anyway, he pointed out to me that this too was 50% off!
If you thought I swooned before...
My tartan plaid picnic collection is growing!
There is a slight possibility, or so I've been told, that I may have ancestors who were Scottish, just in case I need to justify this purchase.  (you know.., as i am wont to do...)

 This plate!  

The Three Bears!
With a sweet little poem.
This I found at the antique mall in Saugatuck on my birthday.
I had no intention of getting it, but my only other find there was something for less than $5.00, and between the two of us we only had four dollars in cash.
So, to use a credit card for that (something i needed for a gift i am making) I HAD to find something to bring the total purchase to ten.
So, for this I was just being HELPFUL.  I DO like to be HELPFUL. 

 A small pitcher on a plate with lovely pale green flowers.   Happy Birthday to me!

THGGM found this at Pinky's Place also.

We are looking for an old piece of barn wood to put the Dutch word "gezellig" on to hang there, but until we do, this is a sweet sentiment with which to remember our 40th anniversary. 

A bit closer look. 
Once we find/make what we are looking for to hang here, this will go great with the family pictures I keep meaning to frame.

THGGM has had his eye on these prints for a few months now.  They were $32.00 a piece when he first saw them.  When we went in this weekend they were marked down to $10.   Then he noticed that they were also a part of the 50% off at Pinky's Place.  (pinky is a local woman who suffers from dementia.  this place uses donations and proceeds to help those caring for a family member with dementia.)
Wow!  $5 a piece really seemed like a bargain.
But, we did not need them, and did not plan to get them.  Until the sweet lady working there sold all six of them to THGGM for $15 total.  My, how NICE they look here, wouldn't you agree?  THGGM is quite pleased! 

 This one is my favorite. 
For the past ten plus years we have spent this week in Traverse City.  This year, with all the crazy work changes it didn't work out.  THGGM only had to work his 4:00 AM - 8:30 AM shift, so we were still able to do a lot of fun stuff.  The thing I missed  most were the incredible sunsets.  The sun does set here too, it just isn't as beautiful watching it go down behind a clothesline strung with drying towels and bathing suits. I know, because I've watched a few (as i am wont to do...).