{ How many ways can I say I love Goodwill? }

First let me begin by saying that I feel like I have to clean out the cobwebs around this blog.

I've been quite the neglectful blogger haven't I? Though I've tried to keep up with my blog reading, I just have found myself with no time on my hands to write a little post, or there were some days where nothing came to mind, and I can't stand those, I mean, I should have something, anything to blog about right?

I've spent the past few days dealing with:

Kids who got sunburned last weekend
Kids last day of school
Hubby's birthday

And so forth and so on. It may not seem like a lot but for some reason, it tended to take over my days and by the time I slowed down to take a breath it was time to hit the sack.

Today, I've managed to slow down.

Took things slow and did not much at all, other than an afternoon trip to my local Goodwill.

Oh Goodwill, I love you so!

Here's a few of my finds, I didn't take pictures of everything because it's late and I'm tired and if I don't get into bed within 30 minutes I will turn into a pumpkin.

I found some more rolling pins for my collection

I love this little potpourri jar with the fairy lights inside

These Buffet Genius Trays are perfect for the summer.

Don't know yet what I'm going to do with these, but since I love Americana decor, I couldn't leave them behind.

Nothing on my stove top cover is new, but I kind of switched things around a bit and just wanted to show you. You have no idea how many people have seen it and commented on how much they love this idea.

Love this primitive electric candle, I was lucky to find it for 99c.

Got another great jar for my bathroom, it now holds all the cotton balls.

Added some taper candles to my bathroom counter shelf.

I found this lamp and just had to bring it home. It's red, white and blue and has the United States symbol. It's just perfect for Curt's Military Display cases.

Here's a closer look.

Also found this cute Flag and Eagle which also went on the display clases

This one I actually bought for Curt for his birthday yesterday. I love it and I think it's a great gift for a Military Soldier.

This shelf is in my living room and I got the two Prim candles and little metal rake, for $1.

I also found this cute sign today and it now hangs above the shelf.

I almost passed this picture today but caught it out of the corner of my eye. I love it. It sits above my computer armoire.

Who can say no to old flags? I mean, I just love them, I think they have so much character and are beautiful in a metal vase. You can't really see it but I'll try to take better picture.

I also found that bigger metal tub to the right and that one is heading outside to my front yard. It will also be filled with flags.

Remember the postcards from the Postcard Exchange? I was going to put them in a frame but then realized that this little area of the wall needed something.

I strung some white ribbon through the postcards and now they all hang there, you can just walk by and flip through them. I love it and so do my kids, they love going through the postcards.

And lastly, this wooden basket sits on my kitchen counter. It's filled with crochet goodies and some pip berries.

So there you go, just a few more of my Goodwill finds that have found a cozy corner in my home.

Next time you drive by one, make sure to drop in and see what treasures you can round up.

Thrift Store Shopping!

We set out in search of a Thrift Store yesterday. We don't know the area well and had no clue where they would be situated, but within a few minutes we had found a Goodwill AND it was having a 50% off sale. Yep, that's where we headed.

To say that it was chaotic inside, would be an understatement, but then again, everything was half off and what could you expect? We persevered and I got quite a few goodies, let me show you, but you may want to grab a cup of coffee or tea as I have a few pictures to share.

I got this bowl for $1, I had been looking for something similar and I'm so glad I found it yesterday.

These 3 square ones were $2 for the set. I mean, come on, that is just ridiculous and I love the pattern.

How adorable is this one? $ 0.50 is all I paid for it

And this huge baking dish was $1 as well. I love the green and the olive branches on it, I can already imagine lasagnas and casseroles coming out of there.

This picture/shadow box was just what I needed for my guest bathroom, everything in there has a nautical theme.....and it only cost 25c.

I couldn't believe how lucky I was to find these, I got two of them for my window sill. They are candle holders and go just perfectly with the rest of my red things in the kitchen. I paid $1 for both.

Another 25c for the cutest bird feeder ever. I'm using it as a decoration though, not a feeder.

Then I spotted a wall full of bags of yarn and I made a beeline for that area, I kept saying to the kids "hurry up, if anyone gets to that yarn before me I'll be one irritated mama" LOL

I got 3 bags of various yarn, different size balls etc. They were only 50 c for the 3 bags, I mean, come on how could I say no?

Do you know how happy I was to find The Kite Runner amongst the other books? I immediately grabbed it because I've read some great reviews on some of your blogs and I desperately want to read the book but it's always checked out at the library.

The other books are, The River Midnight by Lilian Nattel and The Magician's Assistant by Ann Patchett.

Underneath the books and the yarn is a beautiful blue knitted shawl that I can't wait to use around the house. I'll call it my Prayer Shawl for those moments when I'm doing my devotionals or reading the bible.

This little shelf is just what we needed for Nicholas room, it goes with his whole Car theme in there.

Now I start getting excited because I found this beautiful afghan for $3

After a quick wash, it smells heavenly and it feels super soft. Oh it was just pure bliss sleeping with it last night.

And if that wasn't enough, my eyes caught this beautiful crocheted afghan. And for another $2 I brought it home, washed it too and was able to snuggle underneath it on the couch this morning, with my book and my coffee. Yes, just what I wanted.

The book I just finished was "The Yada Yada Prayer Group" and I LOVED it, I couldn't put it down, I truly enjoyed this book and have already started the next one "The Yada Yada Prayer Group gets down".

What do you think? Did I make out like a bandit or not?

I know some people don't like thrift store shopping and I'll admit there are some things that I do NOT buy. Shoes and underwear and such LOL even clothes, they have to be almost new for me to even think twice about grabbing.

So tell me about your thrift store thoughts, do you love them as much as I do? Do you not like them? Have you ever found something that made you go "OH.MY.WORD that's just what I wanted"?

And what is the ONE thing you would never be caught buying from a Thrift Store?