Out and About and a Little Junk Too

Boy you guys were SO nice about my post yesterday.  I don't know what came over me, but it was on my mind, so I wrote about it.  I have unfriended family and friends, taken people of my blog list and just ended friendships because of these things.  Not because of WHAT they believed in or did not believe in but HOW they presented those beliefs.  Yes, the Golden Rule is what I follow.  And be nice and behave and on and on and on.  

Today is my Mom's birthday.  We were supposed to have a little party and go out to eat, but my power went off for three hours in the middle of the day which left my house a mess and me in a state of ugliness.  I had just made a mental list of what I needed to do - make a grilled cheese sandwich, vacuum, turn on my curling iron, put on my make up and toss the clothes in the dryer.  Do you know how many of those things you CAN'T do without power?  All of those things.  So, I sat in the dark all ugly and realized the Christmas tree was not perfectly centered in the window, so I rearranged it.  My Mom decided to come over tomorrow and we will PARTY it up and have cake and then go out to eat. 

Once the power came back on (a tree fell on a line somewhere) I suddenly had a huge desire to go thrifting.  My favorite thrift for Christmas stuff was calling to me.  I realized that I hadn't even been there since November 21st.  I must have missed SO much stuff!  I bet the shelves would be practically empty!   

I was wrong.  The store was packed with Christmas.  This is only one of eight aisles of ALL CHRISTMAS - plus the whole store has random Christmas stuff like trees and decorations strung everywhere.  It is kind of overwhelming to see so much at once.  But, I get into my vintage trance and start at the top of one shelf and just work my way through it all - one item at a time.  It's funny how I can see nineteen Santa's on a shelf, but the vintage face pops out at me.  I was there about an hour looking at everything.  

Here are my finds:  Two Santa mugs  - they aren't the really old ones like I collect, but they aren't new either.  I will save them until next year to sell.  I found one little choir boy and thought there might be another.  I found the second one two aisles over.  Then I decided there must be a third and low and behold, I found that one on a different aisle.  The two small candle holders have the cutest little Santa's on them.  They have old Walmart stickers on them  - like from the 1960's.  The round thing is an ornament with the "Night Before Christmas" inside.  You click a knob at the top and the pages flip.  It was just enough vintage to make me happy.  I stopped at one more thrift on my way home  - one I rarely ever go to because they never have much.  I spotted the old gathering basket full of red velvet ribbons. I asked if I could buy the basket and they said I could have it for a dollar.  SOLD. Ten dollars out of pocket, a basket full of vintage and a short mental vacation = a good day.  

One my way to and from home, I stopped to take a few photos of some of the places around me to share with you.  

I went up to Mt. Nord to look at the historic homes.  

Notice the Christmas tree on the second story and up on the roof? 

I love the porch on this house.  I think I would spend all my time out there.  Except when it's the middle of an Arkansas summer.  Air you can wear, you know.  

This one is my favorite.  It is so beautiful.  These houses overlook the city and are some of most elaborate older homes in Fayetteville.  

From huge home to tiny stores.  

The Curious Book Shoppe is the most divine tiny store.  It's quite long but not very wide as you can see.  I need to go peruse in there someday.  

And then back up the street to a beautiful church on world famous Dickson Street.  Fayetteville is such a wonderful town full of old beautiful places.  I love wandering around in my very own back yard.