On one hand it does not seem right to be concerned with everyday responsibilities, yet the distraction is also helpful in the healing process. We still have business to attend to, bills to pay, and household chores regardless of how we feel.

I suggest that we all be more patient with those we meet  as we go about our daily schedules. We have no way of knowing who is hurting and just going through the motions today because they have errands to run or paychecks to earn. May God bless all of us.

Time to keep on voting for the Duane Purvis Burger.

We have a local sandwich in the news because of a contest and a special ingredient – peanut butter. My husband and I sampled the sandwich, as our way of joining in on the hype, and loved it. Follow the link to read a bit more. Please join the fun and vote for our local burger!

Thank you for spreading the news, Blog Lafayette.

I saw a jar candle actually burst into flames while visiting in someone’s home over the weekend. The fire became large enough to do some minor damage to other items in the seconds that it took for me to cross the room. Luckily, no major damage was done and nobody was hurt.

The cause was a mystery until I picked up the blackened jar after it cooled. There were about two dozen matches in the bottom.  Mystery solved. The matches were used to light the candle each time it was used, then dropped inside. They accumulated in the bottom as the wax burned down. When the wax got low the flames ignited the matches…and an unbelievably large flame was created. The jar became hot enough to melt a hole through the place mat underneath and scorch papers that were not in direct contact.

Please, never drop your matches into jar candles. Those little bits of paper add up and become kindling – not something you want in your home decor. Stay safe!

Smashed Peas and Carrots: Crockpot Hot Chocolate-RECIPE.

This is at the top of my list of recipes to try this winter. If you like chocolate you will want to try it, too. I love the idea of having hot cocoa ready to drink when coming in from the cold! Thank you, Smashed Peas and Carrots

Josephine Wall is one of my favorite artists, so it will be a disappointment if there are any missing pieces.  I have my doubts because the pieces were not in a bag. Wish me luck!

You can find just about anything at this sale. One year I came across a candy vendor that had bags of the (at the time) rare Inside Out Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.  I bought all that he had and shipped most of the them to my daughter-in-law. Another year I found a favorite perfume that isn’t made anymore. And of course, I always find what I hope are good resale items.

This year I am on the lookout for fun children’s books, postcards, and some lids for some of my vintage Pyrex.

Maybe I will see you at the State Fairgrounds Saturday 9-6. This is a Garage Sale that you don’t want to miss! They are open Sunday 10-4, too.

You can find more info here at the Family Events site. I hope you can make it. Just be prepared to shop all day. I hear there will be over 600 vendors this year. Park close and wear your walking shoes!

This Crystals & Candlelight jigsaw puzzle has glitter highlights and many fun details. Josephine Wall is a wonderful fantasy and fairy artist. 

I like to offer opened boxes at bargain prices. I don’t offer puzzles unless I have reason to think they are complete. (I almost always sell factory sealed boxes.) These puzzle pieces are still in the sealed bag, so it is complete. Maybe one of you will enjoy putting this puzzle together this winter!

Call of the Sea

I will be doing the obvious, such as cleaning off my desk, reorganizing my home office, and calling my mother more often – but I want this year to be more. My resolutions involve both family and business, but none of my major goals are crystal clear yet.  I read a cartoon in today’s paper that pretty much sums up my mental state as I mull over the possibilities for this brand new 365 days that has already begun: “…this year I’m really gonna accomplish something. What should it be?”

We all have our soft spots, don’t we? No matter how much we bargain shop or how tight our budgets are, there are things we buy just because they remind us of our children.  Those of you with young kids take heed. It does not change just because they grow up and you grow old.

Once in a while something, like this deck of old cards, catches my eye and tugs at my heart-strings. They are worn and a little dirty. I didn’t even know if they were all in the box when I bought them. My son is in the Air Force so here I sit with a $6 box of playing cards. They will go nicely with my other vintage toys, many of which are police or Air Force themed because of my sons.

I know I am not the only one that shops this way. What have you collected with your kids in mind?