Peek at My Weeks (Oct. 18-31)

I'm running two weeks behind again. Technically, it's really just a week, but I've got two weeks to share with you. Since there's so much to cover, let's get to it!

On Sunday, the 18th, my eco-prints from the day before had dried and were beautiful!

We worked out in the yard some, trying to get an area clear before we had the shed moved. Pat picked up this shelf from the place where it had been since we moved it. I seriously thought it was just a section of a broken shelf. But, it turned out to be this. 

He called it a baker's drying rack where you slide in trays for the bread, doughnuts, pastries, etc. I can TOTALLY see painting it up real pretty and using it to store and dry papers. Can you see it?  I can't believe I've just left it sitting out in the yard for five years!

Pat's sister and her partner came over to help us move a few things with the help of the tractor. 

Then my silly sister-in-law got in the bucket of the tractor. I couldn't help but snap a quick photo of the two of them. 

Monday was all about running all the errands. I felt like I was busy all day long. Then, I got a happy surprise in the mail.

This was an amazing package from my friend, Ginger, who is currently in Japan. I knew she was sending me something, but this package of awesome just blew me away! Thank you, again, Ginger!!

On Tuesday, I worked general business-y tasks before pouring myself into an art journal page. 

And, our new TV was delivered!

In the afternoon, I helped Pat get prepared for the shed to be moved. 

This included taking apart our fire pit since it was in the direct path of where the shed would be traversing. 

After a busy business day on Wednesday and a new quote for the tree service that we're still waiting to have done, we had the shed moved. It was creepy and cool to watch two guys with a "mule" move it across the yard.

Thursday and Friday were spent with my niece in Mobile while my mom and step-dad went up to Birmingham for him to have a procedure. Meanwhile, my niece was running a slight fever as I freaked out that she might have the virus. After we got her a doctor's appointment for Monday, I spent much of Friday trying to find out where and how to get her a Covid test. Fortunately, that came back negative and my step-dad's procedure went well also. 

Saturday was my birthday. I really didn't do much. I had previously purchased some tube watercolors and spent part of the morning getting them into an organizer for easier use.

In the afternoon, we went to friends' to watch the Alabama football game before returning home for a little celebratory cake.

Tiramisu is my favorite!

On Sunday, it was back to yard and housework. While Pat fiddled with something on the tractor, I gathered a few found objects for a little assemblage.

Monday meant more errands almost all day. On Tuseday, apparently, I knocked out loads. However, I have no idea what that means, it's just what I told myself in my journal. I believe I also shared my Halloween lampshade on Instagram.

We had a delicious tofu ramen for dinner. I love that there's so many options for toppings!

We should have been prepping for Hurricane Zeta on Wednesday. But, I did my best to try to ignore the fact that another one was headed our way. Instead, I worked on getting my Gothic pieces finished and the blog ready to go in case we lost power. (We did lose power for about 11 hours) The storm was a lot of wind and rain, but definitely less scary than Sally. I hate that I had to send Pat out in it to pick up my niece from work, but fortunately, they both arrived home safely. 

On Thursday morning we assessed the storm damage. Fortunately, the only real damage was a large limb down.

While the power was off, we went ahead and started up the generator for the essentials.

Coffee and phone charging!

And, I did a little doodling to keep myself occupied.

The power was back in the late morning so I was able to get back on track before long. We did lose it again on Friday for about an hour and a half. After that, I ran out to Fairhope Brewing Co to pick up a treat for myself.

Thay had a special flavor release of my favorite Judge Roy Bean (Coffee Stout). In addition to the Tiramisu and Salted Caramel, there's a Thin Mint and a Cocoa and Cayenne. I knocked out the household chores when I got back to the house, keeping the beer as a reward. Once dinner was finished, I dipped into the the beers while we watched The Mandalorian. I tried the turamisu and cayenne ones and enjoyed them both. I'm looking forward to the other two as well. 

Saturday was Halloween, and I stayed busy all day, ending up at my mom's to watch the Bama game and help hand out candy to the few trick-or-treaters she had. And, that ended my last two weeks. The days have been busy while it seems I've accomplished nothing. Ah well, on to the next!

And, if you're looking for inspiration here's what I have for you. 

• These earrings from Moois Van Mie are stunning and sparkly. And, she shares how easily she made them too. 
• This list of Fall-inspired knitting and crochet patterns makes me long to know how to do either. Fortunately, there are links to learn too!
• I can't believe I've never thought about making rusty pumpkins before. Here's a tutorial on making a topiary of rusted pumpkins. 
• I cannot get over how adorable this assemblage Frankenstein's monster is. I love him!
• The use of jewelry bails to create these spoon windchines is a smart idea. 
• Oh, please get a dose of cute with these squirrel photos. 
• I can just imagine a ton of ideas with this drilled pumpkin light as the starter inspiration. 
• Lifehacker shared some tips on how to spark your creativity when you're in a rut. 
• I love most everything Jen at Epbot makes, so this dollar tree $5 cloche for Halloween caught my attention. 
• Julie Fie-Fen Balzer shared some video inspiration on Daily Practices and making time to create. 
• Here are ten tutorials on how to embroider letters. 
• These chaotic times have us all a little out of sorts. So, here's 5 Hobbies to Calm.
• And, here are three ways you can preserve fall leaves when you find some spectacular ones.  

Whew! I hope that's plenty to get you inspired for the week ahead. Here's hoping it's a good one. And, if you're in the states, make sure you get out and VOTE if you haven't already!!

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

An Ephemera Haul at the Library

If you've visited my blog a few times, you might recognize my penchant for found objects, thrifted finds, and ephemera. I've openly admitted my tendency to pick up items from the ground. I have a long list of posts under the tag thrift scores. With my new art journal obsession, I've more and more discovered the value of ephemera.

Shoot, before I was art journaling, I couldn't resist the pull of old papers. This particular compulsion swept over me completely as I was leaving the Fairhope Public Library the other day. Right in the lobby (outside the doors to the library and the book store) they have a couple of carts labeled "FREE BOOKS".

In addition to books, there are usually a few stacks of magazines and other paper materials. I always stop and take a gander at what's up for grabs. This week, I discovered a stack of ephemera and the price was so right. . .free!! I flipped through the stack hurriedly and saw that it was mostly maps. I scooped up the whole pile, balanced them on top of my library books, and precariously made my way to the car.

At home, I did a little more thorough sorting to discover a plethora of maps from National Geographic.

These seem to be dated from the 1960s-1980s and cover a variety of subjects: birds, space, water, and regions.

In addition to the NG maps, there were a few even older maps. On the outside of some of them are handwritten descriptions with a date. The earliest is dated 1906.

Lastly, there were also travel guides, old pamphlets, and road maps.

As with all the ephemera I tend to drag home, I have no idea exactly what I'll do with these treasures. However, I'm so glad I've given them a new home for the time being. Does your library or local bookstore have a free cart? What have you saved from the landfill?

Thrift Store Score - Family Story in Ephemera

Over the weekend, Pat and I  hit up a local thrift store that's going out of business.At first only these two tins caught my eye.

Pretty!

However, as I neared the check-out counter, I spotted an old book and started flipping through the pages to find a brittle, aged piece of notebook paper. The owner noticed my interest and asked me if I like old papers. I issued an enthusiastic "Yes", and she showed me to this box.

It was a bit more. . .overflowing when I first saw it.

I couldn't resist  the call of this ephemera and paid what I thought was a reasonable price. (Was $25 too much, tell me after you see what was in there.)

Back at home a few hours later, I sorted through the box to find this treasure trove.

These Workmen's Time Books took up much of the space at the top along with the Day Book. There were also several books of what I think are deposit slips.

Unfortunately, the Day Book is mostly ruined but I can maybe salvage some of the top and outside portions.

The Time Books are full of names, dates, and hours worked.

This is one of the earlier ones, dating back to 1920

There were also several old, ragged books in the box.

I found only these three photographs in there. The portrait is an autographed picture of George Wallace.

It seems the man of the house possibly had a concrete construction business of some kind (I think) and there are all kinds of typed business letters and a few blueprints.

Letters, cards, and other written material (a play, a poem, recipes) were scattered in with the business papers.

Then there was the rest: old newspapers, pamphlets, cook books, travel souvenirs, certificates, and more.

As I dug through the box, the history of a family unfolded before me. The husband's business correspondence and documentation, the wife's letters from friends and family, recipes and cookbook pamphlets, school papers and valentine cards of their daughter's as well as her engagement announcements, and the father's obituary. I was touched at the story that played before my eyes and amazed that it all fit into the one box.

I'm not quite sure what I'm going to do with all of it yet. I know some of it will find its way into my new mixed-media, art journal obsession and my jewelry (somehow). I'll likely make copies of some of the materials rather than tear them up, as well as share some with others interested in ephemera (let me know if you are), as that was my initial intention with getting the box. But, the history it holds now feels personal somehow. What would you do with a box of papers dating back to the early 1900s?

I'm sharing this post at:
Thrifty Things Friday at Melissa's Antiques
Treasure Hunt Thursday at From My Front Porch to Yours
Thrifter Share at Hey What's For Dinner Mom
Junkin Joe at The Cottage Market 
Show and Share at Coastal Charm
Thriftasaurus at Sir Thrift-a-lot
History and Home Party at We Call it Junkin
Let's Talk Vintage at Bella Rosa Antiques
Vintage Inspiration Link Party at My Salvaged Treasures 
What's it Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

Yard Sale Success, Now Not So Good

Unfortunately, this weekend is not going as un-planned as I had hoped. I awoke yesterday a little hung over before deciding to just get over it and go to some yard sales. I scored big with a jar of buttons, some button cards, and some wooden jewelry. Oh, I bought some other items but these were my favorites.










After shopping, I started to go through the jar of buttons and discovered that it was filled with other little treasures of ephemera - broken marbles, shells, rusted safety pins, sequins, charms, and more - Oh My!


However, the hangover headache was getting worse. LOML* and I decided to go on to lunch. By the time lunch was over both my head and my throat were irritated. I went home for a nap while he ran some errands. When I woke up, the headache was GONE! But my throat was killing me. We went on to a fiend's house for the rest of the afternoon/evening, but my throat continued to THROB. I collapsed into bed when we got home. I'm now awake, will a full fledged sore throat and need to head out in a few minutes to see my niece. Good thing she's already sick. My un-planned weekend has taken a turn to the dark side, dangit. I'm still going to eke out what enjoyment I can. I'll let you know how that goes.