With Lunch In Between

Yesterday, Lauren and I were able to hit a few thrift stores around Gainesville. It was a nice getting to spend some time with her. Here are some of my finds.

I don't exactly know what this is called. A condiment caddy? I know I have seen them in stores before. I need to buy some small spoons for it. I found it at the Salvation Army. I also bought an adjustable computer chair for my craft room (for $10.00). I had a coupon for the Salvation Army for half off my entire purchase. $1.29 - 50% = 65¢.

We also stopped by Treasure Box Thrift where I picked up this tri-compartment serving tray for $4.00. It is white ceramic and has "Whittier Potteries Calif #880" stamped on the back. The middle compartment is fitted with a lid. $4.00

I also picked up these two glass liquor decanters. The taller of the decanters has a glass top but a plastic stopper. It is a "Light & Music" straus decanter made by Luigi Bormioli in Italy. I found the same decanter selling for $20.00 online. The shorter of the two has a glass stopper (which is what I prefer). Unfortunately I did not notice the etching of a sailboat on the side of it. I will just face that side to the back. $2.00 each.

Goodwill was actually our first stop of the day. Lauren picked up this ceramic perfume bottle and was debating getting it. She decided she didn't want it, so I ended up getting it. 59¢.

Finally my favorite thrift of the day. I saw this crucifix sitting on the shelf at Goodwill.

I noticed it was awfully large and seemed to be hollow on the inside. So you slide back the wooden top to reveal,

a hidden compartment. It is a sick call set made by the Jeweled Cross Company. It contains two candles, a vial (for holy water) and an instruction manual for what to do for setting up last rites for the sick or dying. $1.99.

Book Stand

I picked up this fleur-de-lis book/display stand for $2.99 at Goodwill a few Saturdays ago. At first I wasn't sure if I wanted it. When I saw another lady eying it, I quickly grabbed it in hopes of making my decision by the end of my shopping trip. I dragged it all around the store with me as I looked through clothes and tried them on. At the end of the day I had a sore arm but I also had a new thrifting treasure.

Fairy Lights

This is something that I have been working on for a while. The pictures really don't do it justice on how peaceful it looks at night.

We hung up these icicle lights after Christmas was over because we wanted them up permanently on our porch. Unfortunately, any time I looked at them I was reminded of Christmas and it just made me feel "white trash" to still have Christmas lights up.

Solution: throw a few flowers up there and they are automatically "spring fairy lights".

(This was one of the first drafts. I ended up trimming the egg carton better in my later flowers. Unfortunately, I didn't take a picture of the pretty ones.)

I had to take the pictures at night with the flash on. Any time I turned the flash off, I ended up with these pictures (which I think look kinda cool).

Basically I took egg cartons and trimmed down each cup cross section to look like a flower. I wanted mine colored so I painted them with water and food coloring to get a muted effect. I mixed up different colors to get a variety. Using a hole punch and a really big sewing needle I made different patterns on some of the flowers and strung them up and around the icicle lights. Of course I have to give the warning that if you are going to do this, to use LED lights only.

Potato Soup

Potato Soup

3 cups of peeled diced potatoes (yukon gold, russet)
3 cups of chicken broth
3/4 cups of chopped green onion
1/4 teaspoon of garlic
pinch of black pepper
1 ½ cup of heavy whipping cream
3 tablespoons of corn starch (leveled)
1 cup of cheddar cheese
4 tablespoons of cold water
cooked bacon

Boil the potatoes in the chicken broth. Once it boils, lower it to a simmer and add in the garlic and black pepper. Cook for 30 minutes. Add green onions and heavy cream. Cook for additional 10-15 minutes. In a separate bowl, mix your cold water and corn starch together. Right before the 10-15 minutes are up, add your slurry to the soup. Add in the cheese. Crumble the bacon on top of the soup when you are ready to serve.

This recipe was given to me verbally by a friend. If for whatever reason, you do not understand the instructions just let me know. I like to also add in a little extra cheese and salt to taste.

Butterfly Rain Forest

Last Friday, I tagged along with Becky, her mom, and her brother to celebrate her mom's birthday at the Butterfly Rain Forest at the Florida Museum of Natural History.

I took my fair share of pictures. Beware.

and finally one of Becky's hand.