Summer Travels and an Anniversary

I have been remiss in my blogging of late; I have been off and running with my boys (excuse me, young men) this last month and haven't stopped long enough to sit down and put two thoughts together.

My excessive wanderings have been prompted by the realization that this July is really the end of an era for my sons and I. Carefree summers with easy schedules are coming to a close.

By next summer we will probably all have jobs (in addition to the etsy shop) and sundry sports and Boy Scout activities that are already making way more black marks on my calendar than I care for...life flows on.

However, in all our activities of this last month - as I squeezed out as much fun and memories as I can possibly fit into this precious summertime -- you know I've made time for some pickin' too.

On our camping trip to New Hampshire, I found this great, hand-tooled leather briefcase in a thrift shop. It sold two-weeks after we got home.
A few weeks ago, I was able to go out in the van with Linda, her mom and my aunt to a tiny burg in south-eastern PA, their community center was having a fund raising sale. I found this, one of the prettiest pieces on Milk Glass I've ever come across...shaped like a bird's nest.
The boys have found a few nice things too on our travels. Will picked up this green, Russel Wright baking dish.

Evan found this fun 70's ice bucket.


And while I was off camping, my one-year "etsy anniversary" passed. On July 8th my etsy shop had been open 365-days, and I had sold 408 items...yay. My goal had been to average an item a day and feels very good to have passed that goal.

I do love etsy.



twoblondsandavan.blogspot.com

Fun Friday

Last Friday was one of my favorite days that comes but only four times a year, a fundraiser at a very nice retirement village called the "Treasure Sale"...and it usually is.

This time I was only able to run in the sale for about 45-minutes. Usually, the other blond, her mom, and anyone else that wants to hop in the van, spend a good two-hours there fighting the crowds and making sure no box has been left unexplored. Friday, however, the other blond had a dog emergency and I had an appointment in the afternoon.

So, as I checked my watch and made my way through the crowds of people, I wondered if it had been worth the fairly long drive down to get jostled around as I tried to sort through linens and poke around the housewares table.

I'm still not completely sure how to answer that question as I didn't find anything that blew me away as I have on past occasions - like the antique chenille bedspread, bright-blue mid century modern enameled casserole dish and 1970's green sewing basket -- but I managed to grab a few nice goodies to bring up to the retirees who tally your purchases by hand at check-out.

Here are a couple things I have added to my etsy.com shop from the Friday trip...