Thank you for finding That Old House amidst the chaos of the Internet. We are delighted that you are here.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Flowers and Bushes and Yes, Blue Balls

Please scroll to near the bottom of this post to find how to help a young cancer victim 
through the good efforts of the blogging community.  Thanks.


O Christmas Tree Shops,
O Christmas Tree Shops,
How tempting are your bargains!

So the other day I casually wandered into the local Domestic Emporium Crack House, also known as The Christmas Tree Shops, home of things from the sublime to the ridiculous.

I like to take a keeper, like Howard or my daughter Anne, who will conk me on the head and lead me out of the store,
dazed and muttering, "But I was still shopping . . . there's more, there's more . . . ." before I bankrupt us.

This time, Anne was shopping next door at Michael's, so I was left on my own to run amok.

You know those 3-inch round blue and white ceramic balls that crop up in home dec magazines?

They have them at CTS.  
I got 5 of them.
 I have seen them for sale online for $6.50 each, also for $42 for a half dozen.  These were a  buck apiece,
and they come in blue and white but also in red and white, green and white and black and white.
 No, not museum quality, but heck -- they are pretty much a fad, so who wants to spend a lot on them?
Not I.

Also at CTS, these:
 Scallop shell shaped appetizer plates.
 A beautiful iridescent blue glass, translucent.
 They even play well with turquoise.
They are destined for the beach house, which means we're going to have to start inviting people out there.

*******************************************
Now what is different at That Old House?
Last winter, if you looked out our dining room windows, you pretty much saw this, all the time:

Today, you see this out the dining room window, especially if it is raining:
 I had planned to go out and cut some flowers to put on the mantel, but it is still pouring rain.
We had several inches yesterday, and wouldn't you know it? 
Howard and I were in my mini van most of the day;
drove through some mighty impressive flood puddles.
I was very glad we were in a mini-van and not a low slung Ferrari.

Because you know, that was my choice when I got the new car:  Mini-van or Ferrari.  I chose wisely.

Anyway -- if Monet did the view out our dining room window,
and then needlepointed it in fuzzy worsted yarn, it might look like this:
 Lesson:  Use the clear glass, not the screened part, to shoot pictures when you are inside hiding from the rain

Meanwhile, on the other side of the house, winter often brought this stylish look to the arborvitae outside the sunroom:
 But sadly, installing a fence in June right slap up next to the bushes hasn't been a happy experience for one of them.
We started with three when we moved here, now we are down to one.
The Arborvitae Union has spread the word, and now these shrubs hide when we walk through a nursery.
 ******************************************
And what about tomorrow?  And Wednesday?  Glimpses, below.  Thrifty and gifty.
You can still snag buys on eBay.  And getting gifts is even better!

Before I list the Link Parties for today, I would like to encourage all of you to visit Between Naps On The Porch (click here) to help a very special project -- a Miracle Makeover to help a young cancer victim named Charlie Grady.  
 Your comment on Susan's blog, or any of the sponsoring blogs,
will mean another dollar for this project.  Comment often!
Susan also has the links to other blogs supporting this makeover, and all the information you need.  Please, visit and comment!  It's free to you, but it's priceless for this little boy.  Thanks -- Cass

Link Parties for Monday!

Visit Smiling Sally for Blue Monday, and leave Sally a comment please; she's
having major health issues and should know how many people are wishing her well.  Click here!

Susan's Metamorphosis Monday is on her Between Naps On The Porch blog.  Click here!

It's Mosaic Monday at Mary's Little Red House.  Click here!

At The House In The Roses, it's Show Off Your Cottage Monday.  Click here!


And a new one to me!  Mellow Yellow Monday, for our Black-Eyed Susans.  Click here!


My Photo



20 comments:

  1. Cass..
    I cannot believe I am the first to comment..
    love our visits..
    especially your QUIRKY sense of humor..
    (just like mine!!)
    love this post..
    but you should add one more party to your Monday list: Mellow Yellow Monday!!
    http://mellowyellowmonday.blogspot.com/
    so much FUN.. especially on a rainy day!!
    warmest hugs..
    Loui♥

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a buy! Wish I shopped where you did.
    Saw you on Metamorphosis Monday.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Nice deal on the orbs. Probably a good thing we don't have a CTS here. I have taken a few pictures thru the screen also - just did not work out. :D
    Have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Those are gorgeous!

    My Blue, hope you can drop by. Have a great week ahead!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Cass, I love your great finds! Thank you for your support for our Miracle Makeover Blog Party! Your dedicated post has won you a spot on our Facebook Wall of Fame. I will list your blog and ask all our facebook followers to visit.

    Embracing Hug,

    Sherry, The Design Gives Back Team

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love your shopping chops! I feel the same way

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh, how I love the CTS.... almost as much as peter hates it - lol ! And Jacob has declared it smells in there, so he won't go with me either... oh well, guess I'll have to do it alone - hahaha !

    Those balls are adorable - they would actually make great Christmas gifts for the secretaries... hmmmmmmmmm

    thanks for sharing the latest crack house crack !

    gena

    ReplyDelete
  8. Loved your pretty bargains!! What a beautiful view you have year round! Blessings,Kathleen

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great shots! These are all so lovely.

    My Blue Monday is here.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love those! Yes, I have also shopped at Christmas Tree Shop and got some amazing deals! You are right - why spend a lot on something trendy!...loving all this rain!
    -Shelley

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love the blue ceramic balls, very pretty. Yes and I would not want to pay a lot for them either. I sure they might chip. Have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
  12. It is awfully hard to think of Christmas in the heat we are having.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Cass, that snow looks pretty inviting this summer, for sure. Love your blues. Oh, have I ever done this with the screen ... ruined good pics at the moment. Your yard & gardens are gorgeous. I could sit forever at your table & chat away with you. TY for your support during our Makeover event.

    Hugs,
    TTFN ~
    Marydon

    ReplyDelete
  14. What a wonderful difference you experience throughout the seasons...and how beautiful your garden looks now. Oh...how I would love some rain. Have a great day!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Cass, I went to an antique shop this weekend and of course, I did not come home empty-handed. I need a wallet-guard with me lately too.

    Your finds are amazing, now I want to rush out to the store. Love the blue balls, lol, they are so pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I've had a big blue ball of those blue balls (say that fast twice!) on the table for years - put them away at Christmas time and then feel all springlike when I take them out again.

    ReplyDelete
  17. OK bloggers just so you know Cass is now officially out of control at CTS and Dollar Tree as well as Goodwill and ... well you get the picture. I knew about the plates because they are for the beach house. I found out about the blue orbs the same way you did. On the blog. It's not time yet but soon I may have to ask for help with an intervention.

    ReplyDelete
  18. OK bloggers -- just so you know, Howard is ONE LUCKY HUSBAND that I am not out of control at Prada, Hermes, and ... well, other places I never shop!

    And the only reason he didn't know about the blue orbs (or blue balls, as I prefer to call them) is that he walked right past the table they were on and never noticed.

    Sound like your hubby? They are lucky they are cute. :-)
    Cass

    ReplyDelete
  19. Great deal on the glass balls! I love your "Monet" picture of the garden- haha!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Love the blue balls! Im gonna get some and turn them into Christmas ornaments!

    LOL cant stop laughing at the comments you two put up hehehe

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting That Old House; it's always exciting to find new comments -- they are treasured! Because of increasing spam, I have reluctantly eliminated "Anonymous" commenting. Legitimate anonymous commenters, please forgive me! You might try using "Open ID" instead. Blogger's spam software worked for a good long time, but, sadly, no longer.