Thrifted Goodness

Yesterday, I drove all the way to Port Orchard, about 12 miles as the crow flies, and visited a favorite junk store. St. Vincents to be exact. And boy, did I score! If you are a "treasure hunter" like I am, than you can appreciate the tremendous joy that comes when you find something of value unexpectedly. I think the word for that is serendipity. Our God's goodness.

Anywho, check it out! I found the prefect pedestal bowl to make our Advent wreath with. I plan to make something on the lines of this one found at Homespun Living, but with some red berries collected from out doors.

I got a slew of Christmas cards to use for a holiday craft that I will be learning to make today with a friend.

I found one of those neat little candle shades made of punched tin. I bought it with the thought of giving it as a gift with a wonderfully scented candle, but now I think I may keep it.

But the most exciting thing is the three books I found to add to our Christmas book collection. The first is called Christmas in America, copy write 1969. It gives the chronological history of Christmas in America. It is written at a third to fourth grade level so it's perfect for O'dog to read out loud to us.

The second book is called Christmas Tales,( 1946). It is a collection of short stories, legends, poems and excerpts. Many are familar, such as The Gift of the Magi, by O. Henry, the Gospel according to Luke and Matthew, A Christmas Carol by Dickens, and some others. But this little gem is full of stories I have never read, by some our favorite authors.

And lastly is the story book, Noel for Jeanne-Marie by Francoice. It is a childrens book with the cutest illustrations. It is the story of Patapon, a sheep who belongs to a little French girl, worried because he has no wooden shoe to leave for Father Noel to fill with presents. It's just the right reading level for Miss. Livi and she is excited to share it with us all.