El Zorro

It really caught me by surprise.  I was catching up on reading some favorite blogs, and found this Animal Love: Fox post on Design Sponge.   The next thing I knew, I was entranced.  The first item that did it for me was the scarf.  Never mind that it was $85 (yes, was!  I just saw it finally went on sale- but is not available anymore.  Boo!).  Never mind that some of the other items were less than appealing.  My obsession with foxes began.

This is definitely something I wanted to keep quiet at first, for fear I might start receiving any and all fox items.  I honestly don't know how long this little obsession will last, but for now I am content with the two items I do have:

I absolutely could not resist buying this calendar set as a present to myself (Christmas money!).  I love the appropriate monthly illustrations and text.  The 4x6 card is on a magnet board right above the right compy so I can see it anytime from my seat.

 I found this little treat at Gingiber's Shop on Etsy.

Amanda gave me this towel for Christmas - and I literally shrieked when I opened it.  The copper color, the simple yet whimsical shape, the fact that I can hang it in my kitchen and see it all the time; I appreciate everything about it!  

Amanda purchased it at faces are funny on etsy.com.

Just a little spoiled

My family used to go to (come back to?) Nebraska every summer.  We always celebrated Jayme's August birthday before leaving.  Lucky Gerard and me- as the siblings we always got presents too!  Maybe it was because I tried stealing Jayme's, maybe not.  Regardless, I got used to it at a young age.  

In fact, on the Fourth I watched "The Music Man," my favorite musical (some of the songs were on our "Fourth of July" station at work this week).  This was a "birthday" gift from Bruce when I was younger.

So I thought it was fitting that I got to open a present on Ben's last birthday from my in-laws:

I'm not defensive- this is normal

Most of my books are on bookshelves throughout various rooms in the house, including the basement.  However, the books I am currently reading are all in the bedroom because I usually read in the evenings before I go to sleep.  Thirteen might seem a little excessive, but I have explanations for each and every one, I promise.

Books 1-9 are found on my nightstand.

1. Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer: I almost finished this Book Club book.  It is based on a true story and took awhile to get into.  I didn't make it to the discussion/movie, so I didn't make time to finish it.
2. Run by Ann Patchett: Borrowed from Amanda (BFA)- I started this Ann Patchett book months (maybe years?) ago and it just hasn't been as alluring as The Magician's Assistant or Bel Canto.  I am halfway through and will finish it someday!
3. The Bible: I think I've had this Bible since 7th grade.  New International Version was what we used in religion classes and my preferred version.  It is worn from years of travel between other books in my backpack.
4. Dare to Repair, Replace & Renovate by Julie Sussman & Stephanie Glakas-Tenet: R gave me this book for my last birthday.  Some parts are fun for now, and I look forward to using it more when we own a house.
5. Encyclopedia of the Exquisite by Jessica Kerwin Jenkins: Read 6.
6. Just My Type by Simon Garfield: Both 5 and 6 were gifts from Amanda, birthday presents from 2011 and 2012.  I haven't finished either, but have been making my way through each.  I think in each of the notes she wrote, part of the reason she picked the book for me was because of the cover.  I was completely giddy when I opened each one.
7. Writing Personal Notes & Letters by Jennifer Williams: I purchased this as a gift to myself.  I enjoy writing and receiving notes/letters and thought it would be a nice book to have around for looks.
8. Room by Emma Donahue: BFA- I've heard such great reviews about this book, and both R and Amanda have already read it.  I am only a few pages in, because right after I borrowed it, we found out our next Book Club book.  See 9.
9. The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean: I realized I don't really need to buy every Book Club book and decided it was time to give my wallet a rest.  Only a couple chapters in, but this library book is a fairly quick read so far.  I just need to remember to return it on time.
10. Running With Scissors by Augusten Burroughs: Last month's Book Club book.  I FINISHED THIS BOOK ON TIME.
11. Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne: BFA- the inspiration for Amanda's wedding invitations.  See other wedding posts.
12. A Year of Mornings by Maria Alexandra Vettese and Stephanie Congdon Barnes: I found this book when I was reorganizing the office a few weeks ago.  I actually had bought two copies- one for Amanda and one for myself.  The book is a compilation of photos that two women blogged back and forth.
13. The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory: Book Club book.  Didn't even start it.  Didn't watch the movie.  Someday.

 

Books 10-13 also serve as decoration on the shelf above the bedroom table.

Rambling

Image from harpercollinschildrens.com

I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all. - Laura Ingalls Wilder

Maybe I am just turning into an old married woman, but Valentine's Day the last few years has been perfect each year with quiet, low-key evenings. Last year was Ben's first year as a dental student, and he had to study that evening for a test the next day. Right now as I type this he is studying for a quiz; we had dinner out and watched an episode of Mad Men earlier. My gift to Ben was The Hunger Games Trilogy. (I direct you to good ol' Wikipedia for a quick review.) I was grateful for his genuine surprise and appreciation.

At dinner we talked about our love for reading when we were younger. Elementary school- I remember having to wait a whole week between school library visits, when we were limited to one book at a time. That was absolute torture. On the other hand, summer meant constant trips to the public libraries, and I loaded up on The Baby-Sitters Club, Sweet Valley Twins and any other kind of girly fiction I could get my hands on. Across the country- Ben read Goosebumps and Stephen King.

Image from littlhouse.wikia.com

I listed off my book series/collections to Ben and of course included the Little House series. These books had a place on the bookshelves in my headboard. I could reach for them easily at bedtime aka "wanting to stay up late and read time."

I remember the excitement each holiday as I unwrapped a new book from Grandma and Grandpa Skelton (my aunt Ree usually supplied me with BSC and American Girls) as the collection became more complete. Gifts were not limited to Christmas and birthdays. We would get gifts from Grandma and Grandpa for other holidays, including Valentine's Day. (Just a few years ago, Grandma gave me Valentine's socks.)

I'm rambling a bit, I know. I am happy for how a simple yet thoughtful gift (ie a book) can make such an impact. I am grateful for fond remembrances.

Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time. - Laura Ingalls Wilder

Moo-ve over, teacups!

So my salt and pepper shaker collection is rapidly growing.


My mother-in-law, cousin and Grandma Irma stopped by Aunt Judy's place before coming to the jewelry party yesterday.

(Judy owns storage units and has given us many items since we've moved to Lincoln- I've showcased some items here before.)

This time, Jan brought me three sets of salt and pepper shakers. Here is the first set.

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.

These singing bird salt and pepper shakers are from my in-laws for Easter. They found them in an antique store. I love the colors! What a perfect addition to my salt and pepper shaker collection.

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.