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!