Paper trails

My grandmother devoted a lot of time over the last few decades to extensive genealogical research. Now, I am the caretaker of a large box filled with letters and documents, names and dates scribbled on scrap paper, several filled and half-filled family tree charts, newspaper clippings, etc. etc. There is so much more than what the above photo depicts. The thought of going through it all and I mean really going through it all is equal parts daunting and exciting. I have only scratched the surface, but am thankful for such an opportunity.



Today I made some time to write out a few notes. I had forgotten how much I enjoy doing so, especially when pretty stationery and stamps are involved. A few more have yet to be written, but I will save them for another day. It is always nice to have a little activity such as letter writing to look forward to, is it not?

Life Lately

 

1. A lovely and inspiring picture-text from a dear friend.
2. Indian take-out. That channa masala was hands-down delicious.
3. Spring pattern mixing. Polka dots and floral always on my mind.
4. Polish groceries. Pierogi and herbal tea, mm.
5. Dear Friend always gifts the best teas.
6. A relaxing and fun-filled visit to the coast (where the guest room appropriately provided some very New England literature).

Scenes from Christmas

Here are some quiet little scenes from Christmas. I really liked my outfit and thought I'd share it here before the clock ran out on 2012. I wore pretty much the same thing on Thanksgiving as I have the same dress in navy blue and matched it with navy tights. The sweater (that buckle!), locket, and shoes were all the same. I guess it became my easy, go-to, pretty outfit for the latter part of the year.

The tree greens in tea cups served as a quasi-centerpiece for our Christmas dinner table. I am hesitant to disassemble them and will probably leave them out for a while longer. This will placate any longings to leave the actual Christmas tree up, I think :)

I hope the new year is good to all of you.

A knack for knick-knacks

I have spent much of today enjoying the heat from the wood stove and the company of my four-legged critter friends. It has been a pleasant, unplanned day off spent at home. Yesterday I was asked to work later than my scheduled shift and nix working today. I welcomed the opportunity of a complete day to re-charge and not think about too many extra things (it has been a regular occurrence for me since the summer to work seven days in a row for a few weeks at a time). I have, though, saved a little extra brain space for blogging and decided to share my newest (and, honestly, completely unnecessary) little collection of vintage salt and pepper shakers. My sister will agree when she reads this that the last thing I needed to do was start up a new collection of something, but I couldn't resist these wee gems when I spotted them at various thrift stores and flea markets this past spring-summer-autumn. Could you?

My knick-knack loving heart is quite content with these four and I think I could resist any further acquisitions, unless that is I come across another pair of squirrels... or some little skunks!

Lately

1. I recently discovered another stash of well preserved family treasures including photographs, postcards and letters my great-grandfather wrote home to his sisters and sweetheart during World War I. I have delighted at this glimpse into my family's history and sorely wish I had taken a greater interest in it all while my grandmother was still alive. When I think about the conversations we could have had I can't quite tell if it makes me happy or sad. I end up resolving my feelings by knowing that she would have eagerly shared her wealth of memories and that, ultimately, is a comfort.
   
2. The majority of my January weekends have been spent making homemade soups and stews - the best winter meal, if you ask me. Pictured above is my second batch of mushroom barely stew. It's hearty, fragrant, savory (and flavored with thyme and cumin - mm!) and, most importantly, easy to make.
   
3. Maple sugar hard candies. Enough said.

Wallet-friendly Wednesday

It's been quite a long time since I shared a Wallet-friendly Wednesday post (or any type of regularly featured post, for that matter). On and off throughout 2009 and 2010 I would chronicle my Wednesday Salvation Army thrift store hauls (Wednesday being half price day). Even though I fell out of doing this, today's loot was too good not to share!

I was feeling good about today's thrift trip even before setting foot in the store, but really couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this green wool blazer. And in my size, too! I almost bought one from L.L.Bean last week, but didn't want to part with so many pennies. This one only set me back $2.50. Pictured next to it is the newest addition to my cardigan family: a slightly over-sized, tweedy merino-cashmere blended, elbow-patched specimen of coziness! I happily forked over a few dollars for it.

My dad has a nice collection of both blue and clear glass bottles and while he usually just finds them (in the ground, in old houses, at the dump, etc), I don't mind spending a little bit when I come across nice ones such as this. For 20 cents, I'll probably use it as a vase. What about those porcelain puppies, you ask?

One is a pencil holder and the other a pencil sharpener! 98 cents for the pair. I know, it takes a moment for the awesomeness to sink in.

Kitten time

When I first introduced our new kittens back in the fall this little love was named Molly. Over time it became clear that a girl's name wouldn't do as this little kitten is, in fact, a boy. So, Molly became Dexter. And yes, he was named after the title character from the TV series Dexter. It suits him well. If you are unfamiliar with the show, Dexter Morgan is both a police department bloodstain analyst and a serial killer. Hah! Let me tell you, this cat is a little terror. He jumps and bites and at times, I'm convinced, thinks he is a dog. I've also taken to calling him Fang because he always goes after the tops of my feet with his little razor-sharp teeth. Now, there isn't much skin on the top of one's foot to grab, but he manages. Oh, how he manages. That said, he can also be a sweet and loving little companion. He and his sister, Callie, are always getting into some kind of mischief (as all kittens do) from stealing peanuts and almonds from the counter-top to jumping inside the washing machine. They certainly are silly critters and supply daily laughter in ample dosage.

Good Tidings

I couldn't resist sharing this sweet inscription from inside one of my great-grandmother's books. A book she received for Christmas in 1898, no less! I only happened upon this just recently and apart from how delighted I was at the discovery, it was rather seasonally appropriate.

Merry Christmas, dear readers. I hope your celebrations are happy and joyful. To those who may not celebrate Christmas, I wish you joy and peace all the same. Good tidings to you!

This and That

     I thought I'd share a little assortment of some of my favorite things at the moment:

1. While searching for a misplaced trinket, I came across this crocheted lace and ribbon barrette tucked away in a box. Unworn and still in its packaging, I remembered buying it at H&M some 6 or 7 years ago when my hair was much shorter and unable to hold a barrette. Finding it was such a nice surprise considering I didn't find what I was originally looking for! Side note: I didn't realize how long my hair is until taking the above photo today. I have been thinking of lopping a few inches off...
2. I haven't quite gotten into the "Christmas mood" yet, but I think this CD will help me get there. I ordered it from Amazon last week and, to be honest, I was really giddy when it arrived yesterday. It is such a beautiful compilation. One listen was all it took for me to love it. As corny as this is going to sound, I can't wait to play it while sitting next to the wood stove and watching the snow fall. Cozy thoughts!
3. Sshh! Don't tell my other favorite teas that this is my new favorite. It is so good.

Tell me, what are some of your favorite things right now?

A thing of beauty is a joy for ever

I indulged a bit today and bought this Edwardian era blouse (although I really shouldn't have - what with trying to save money and all that) at an area antique mall. I just couldn't leave this beauty behind - again. I passed on it back in the spring for several practical and silly reasons, but told myself if it was still available on my next visit (I only go two or three times a year) I'd buy it. Well, it's easy to see from these photos that it was still there and that I did in fact bring it home. Hurray! It's in remarkably good condition considering its age. I have noticed only one or two spots, one or two holes and only one of its shell buttons is broken (don't worry about the grass and the concrete you see in the second photo. The blouse was photographed from the safety of my lap). I'm going to be a little dramatic now and say that its loveliness breaks my heart just a bit. I wish it was practical to have a wardrobe full of wearable antique elegance. Just look at that windowpane cotton and eyelet trim. Sigh.

On getting kittens to sit still and pose for pictures

Earlier this week my brother brought home a pair of kittens. Kittens! Needless to say, I've been extra jubilant since their arrival. A few years ago we endured the Tragic Cat Affair of 2006 (and 2007)* and afterward dad said no more cats. He seemed pretty serious even though I knew he'd cave eventually. And this past Tuesday was the day. Before I went to bed that night, he nonchalantly asked "have you talked to your brother today?" "No, why?" "He's brought home some kittens." KITTENS! I love the little critters, can you tell? So, obviously, I had to stay up until he came home with them (he and his girlfriend had taken them to her house for a while). They took charge and named them right off, which I found only fair because I've named plenty a-cat in my day. The little darlings are Callie (short for Calico) and Molly. I've already taken to calling them Callie Cat and Miss Molly.

Callie:

Molly:

*The Tragic Cat Affair of 2006 (and 2007) was as follows: first we lost my sweet baby Dinah who had just given birth to a litter of kittens. She went out one night and never came back. Although we tried caring for the babies, they did not survive. Not long after, the cat-love-of-my-life, Chloe (a big, overweight grey fluffball), went out one night and never returned. Dad thinks it likely that a fisher got them. Then in 2007, it got a little worse. Both my uncle's cat and my brother's cat met the same fate. I told you it was tragic.

I still think on it at times and am overcome by a fresh wave of sadness. These new little rascals have sure won us over, though. Love them. ♥

On glasses and birds

Blouse: Forever 21, Dress: Cynthia Rowley via TJ Maxx
Rings: H&M, Wedges: Anne Klein via TJ Maxx

  

Glasses?  Yep! They are my life-savers. I am a terrible squinter otherwise. And I generally choose not to include them in my photos because I like keeping them all to myself. I suppose a little sneak-peek every now and again is alright, though. I desperately want a pair of tortoise shell frames (been dreaming of a pair since '05), but whenever I'm due for new specs they are either a) unavailable or b) out of my budget. It's come to my attention that they can be obtained via the internet (yay), so perhaps at some point future Emily will have a pair.

In an attempt to make this post even more random (read: boring), I am going to ramble on about birds. Two very different species at that: the turkey and the hummingbird.

We've been seeing this flock of turkeys frequently (sometimes twice a day). They are usually either wandering through our field or poking across the road. In latter instances, beeping the car horn once or twice helps them along ;)

Hummingbird! I always get excited when I see these little beauties. Doesn't everyone? I was especially delighted to see this one today because I thought they had migrated south already.

In Good Company

This summer my brother and I created a weekend tradition for ourselves: going out for breakfast followed by visiting the local flea market. We've been doing this steadily (though not every weekend) since the end of May/early June. It's been rather nice, especially since he and I don't really hang out otherwise or spend a lot of time together. On top of that, the pickings at the flea market have been pretty good this year. Here are some of my favorite finds from the last few months. You'll notice a theme here as I tend to gravitate toward jewelry and accessories. I have to tell myself multiple times to stay away from the glassware and tea cups. Paper ephemera can be dangerous as well ;)

Trash to Treasure

This installment of Trash to Treasure comes to you in the form of ceramic donkey planters! I repeat: ceramic donkey planters! Yes, all exclamation points are necessary.

Aren't they darling? The one with the hat (!!!) is my mother's. We've loved this little guy for a few years now and have had plenty of laughs over him. As for the other, I pressured Mom into buying it (I haven't decided its gender yet, haha) on one of our thrift store trips. There it was sitting behind the glass case at the register looking forlorn and calling our names. I don't know anyone else who would even entertain the idea of collecting donkey planters. Perhaps it is a little odd, but I am okay with that.