Welcome to Lincoln

The garage sale customer came back on Monday to deposit her earnings. During our conversation the week before, she learned I came to Lincoln because my husband started Dental College. It's a small world, of course, and it turns out she works on campus. We chatted, and she told me a little bit about her work. So Monday she came in with a gift bag- she called it a "Welcome to Lincoln" present:


How sweet! I absolutely love the pieces visually for my collection- but mostly it is nice to make a connection with a customer and start to build more relationships here. And every one of my sets in my tea collection has a story, including this one.

This could be dangerous...

A couple of weekends ago we went to Omaha on a Saturday. Ben and his dad went golfing to celebrate Ben's birthday and Father's Day. In the meantime, we girls spent some time together.

My mother-in-law and I stopped at a few garage sales en route to our main destinations. What a blast! Not all of them were winners, but at one of our last stops I found this teacup and saucer for JUST 25 CENTS!!! And Jan found a wall pocket for the same price.



This filled the one empty spot I had in my dining room.


25 CENTS!!!

You could say I was on a little bit of a high after that.

All because I like tea

I was so excited to purchase some new flavors of tea online from Teavana. Of course I saw the company has a fan page on Facebook. I liked the profile picture they had at the time:

www.facebook.com/teavana

Besides the design elements and the distressed look, I liked the shape of the picture, which allows the photo to take up more room on your Facebook page. This inspired me to do a Christmas Countdown series with the same size/shape:

...and also a birthday tribute to my Twin:

You are cordially invited...

More fall elements

I know several people who have set up their Christmas trees already, but I do have a few fall decorations I want to enjoy first. Most of them are decorate our dining room. I love rich browns, reds and other deep colors; they also happen to be perfect colors for fall!

The first turkey and the pumpkin element were part of the "loot" I found at our last trip to Tender Heart Treasures.

I stocked up on tea last week, when I thought I was getting sick. I love having all different flavors for whatever mood I am in. Sipping hot tea during dreary and snowy weather can make for a cozier fall/winter.

I may not be musical, but my teapot is

My teacup and general tea collection has rapidly been growing since we've moved, which is good timing since we now have more room for having items on display. My grandma (Skelton) gave me this teapot music box this last summer. I should double-check who it belonged to in the family, but my she was going to give it to my mother and Mom graciously let me add it to my collection.

What makes me giddy:

A co-worker found these little treasures for me at a customer's estate sale. I love them! What a thoughtful gift. Charlotte knows I collect tea items; and she is of Danish heritage and thought these would be a perfect find for me.

I have been trying to do some research on these teabag caddies, but have not found anything yet. I would like to know the Danish stories/tale, and I think one is the Princess and the Pea. Regardless, as we are getting ready to move, it was a nice surprise and very meaningful present.

Now I know how Heather Armstrong feels when she receives gifts from readers and gets to showcase them on her Daily Style.

Tea Party

Spent money I didn't have...it was so worth it!

This winter has lasted too long, and for months I have kept myself inside too much. When I am not working I like to just stay at home and keep myself as cozy as possible, wrapped in blankets and sipping hot chocolate.

Staying put at home has been productive--some of the time. This also has meant spending much time in front of the computer unnecessarily, and thus my creative juices have not been put to good use.

Yesterday and today I forced myself to get out of the house. I went to the Fremont Mall last night. It was a compete bust, but it was nice to get out and about. This afternoon, Ben and I went to the Goodwill in town for the first time together.

As we pulled into the parking lot, I reminded him that I bought our breadbox there last year. When he realized I paid only four dollars for it, he warned me, "Okay, this might be like the Dollar Tree all over again."

His first visit to the Dollar Tree is a whole different story, but let's just say that he is addicted to the place and is a regular shopper.

My intent was to find a suit jacket or two for work. While I did not meet my goal, I left fully satisfied. I found a treasure trove of dishes, and bought two different teacups; I purchased matching saucers and plates too. What a steal! I am so excited to add them to my collection. It was a successful trip for Ben, too. He was not as impressed with the store as he anticipated--until we reached the exit and he found 6 books he just had to have.

Hopefully tomorrow I will add pictures of the teacups. As soon as I saw them, I was inspired. Maybe I still have a little bit of Betty Crocker in me yet.