Woman in Real Life

Last week, I showed you the vintage books hidden away in my son's closet. I really enjoyed hearing about all of the classic stories that made an impression on you guys as children.

Some of you expressed an interest in knowing what books were hidden behind the books in the front rows of my son's bookshelves. So, here they are. I see why these ones were tucked in the back - because I've never read most of them! Many, like these ones above, are adventure stories - dare I call them boys' books?

Tucked into my son's closet, between his bath robe and his t-shirts, is one of my favourite collections -  the books I enjoyed as a child.

We put them on a bookshelf behind closet doors a few years ago. I didn't want to box them and forget about them. I wanted to share them with my kids when the time was right. But, we had to keep them out of sight for the most part because our kids tend to destroy everything in their paths.

This weekend, my family reminded me that I had yet to share a look at a couple of little treasures my mom gave to us. This antique child-sized rocking chair was my mom's chair when she was a little girl. With apologies to Mom, if my childhood stuff is now "vintage," Mom's childhood stuff is antique.

I have an adorable photo of my mom sitting in her chair as a child, but I can't recall where I stored it at the moment. My brain is in the vintage category too.

My friend Ruthie commented on a post I did in April asking me where I keep all of the treasures that I collect from thrift stores and my parents' house. Here is her comment:

Love that pizza dish! How cute! Great finds, all around. But you need to do a post on WHERE you keep your treasures. Because I, uh, need help.

As I told Ruthie then, I'm not sure I'm much help, because our house is overflowing with dishes. But, although (like most women) I'm working hard to get organized, I do believe in making a place for the things you love. Many of my dishes are from my mom and dad and I wouldn't think of parting with them. The others I have no excuse for. But I'm keeping 'em anyway!

Just when you think you have one of your clutter problems under control...

My husband built a whole bookshelf dedicated to movies and vinyl records. He painstakingly alphabetized the movies and then the records. Everything fit, with just enough wiggle room to get your fingers in between the albums. Life was good.

And then we visited my parents again and this happened...

In my "Small Town Shopping" post last week, I showed you a few of the treasures I found while browsing the thrift stores in the small town of Dunnville, Ontario. I have just a few more goodies to share.

My husband and I went shopping without the kids, much to my daughter's dismay. I promised I would bring her something back. I found this cute owl piggy bank, above, at the Salvation Army shop. When I brought it home, she said, "Is that all?" Well, I like it anyway.

I haven't done much thrift store shopping lately. The house is full up with dishes and stuff and any spare funds the last couple months went toward Christmas shopping.

Last week, my willpower faltered though when I got an email from the Salvation Army saying they were having a one dollar kids clothing sale this past Friday. The fact is, my kids don't need any clothing, but $1 for jeans? Why not?

Of course, I knew I wouldn't pass by the housewares aisle without having a peek. I loaded up on kids' jeans first. I even got each of the kids a coat for $1. Then I headed over to peruse the dishes.

Remember a few weeks ago when I went thrift "shopping" in my mom's basement? I came away with some vintage fabric, featuring a lovely dancing couple. I told you then that I planned to make dresses for my daughter's Maplelea (Canadian Girl) dolls.

I have never sewed more than one crooked line my whole life. I wasn't sure I could do it, to be honest.

Yesterday, I told you how the kids and I had fun on Friday making our first Christmas crafts of the year. On my last trip to my parents' house, when I was rooting around in the basement (as usual), I found some Christmas stamps that my siblings and I used as children. As I have said before, if I used it as a child, sadly that makes it vintage.

By the way, my mom also gave us the rosemary plant. She is handier than any store. And free!

Recently, my daughter asked me if granny might have some clip-on earrings for her to play with. She has pierced ears, but I guess she got it into her head that playing with costume jewelry would make for a good time. I knew that granny did have some brooches and baubles, because I used to root through her jewelry box as a child. I'm not a big jewelry fan (that's my sister) but I enjoyed looking just the same.

On our last visit to my parents' house, my mother had put together a package for my little girl. Above, a set of clip-on earrings and a matching pin. And more goodies. She said a couple of them might be real gold. And you are giving them to an 8-year-old? That shows you just how much she wants to clean house.

Last week, I talked about thrifting with my sister while visiting my parents in their small town. Besides the goodies I got at local thrift shops, I also came away with more vintage stuff from my mom.

But, first I want to show you some of the cool things my parents own that I haven't taken home...yet. 

My mom isn't going to be too happy to see the cobwebs in the photo, above, but the collection is up by the (high) ceiling and I didn't feel like dusting all these objects. My parents live by the lake, which means lots of spiders! This is just a part of my dad's collection of beer steins, etc. My favourite item is that little guy who pours shots. He actually moves. I loved it when I was a kid.