4 hours ago
We are expecting an addition to our family! Baby #5 calculated to arrive in November!
Details coming next week!
All About Antique Malls And My Love For Them
Just in case you don't have an antique mall near you (which I'm sure you do, they are all over), a bunch of antique dealers can rent space in the mall to sell you their finds. Because of the range of sellers, you could literally find anything in an antique mall. You can never know what to expect, what you may find, or how much you may spend.
The very first time I ever entered an antique mall was with my grandma when I was perhaps eight years old. My grandma used to take each of her grandkids out for their birthday and buy them whatever they wanted for a gift, followed by a sleepover at her house. It was a great tradition, and one that my mom continues with her grandkids today.
This particular year, I wanted to find more Bobbsey Twins books. This was a great old series about four siblings, two sets of boy/girl twins, and their adventures. I had a couple of the books, but the additional titles listed in the back cover always intrigued me. With titles like "Bobbsey Twins On Blueberry Island" and "Bobbsey Twins In Tulip Land", my eight-year-old imagination was running wild. I had to read those books!
So my grandma took me to an antique mall to see if we could find any. After browsing for quite a while, I spotted not one, not two Bobbsey Twin books, but the entire series! In my haste to bend down and see the price tag, I failed to notice a broken ceramic washbasin, and sliced open my knee. My grandma whisked me out of the store, applied hydrogen peroxide, and I later got a stitch. I still have a scar.
And I never did get those Bobbsey Twins books.
How I Shop At Antique Stores Now
Still, that whole adventure seemed to attach the invisible thread that would draw me back to antique stores later in life, and when I grew up and went to the mall as a newlywed, I figured out that there are actually a bunch of other interesting things there besides Bobbsey Twins books. This is what I usually look for:
1. Unique teacups. All the china has a certain appeal to me, because they just don't make a lot of these things anymore! But teacups are so dainty, and also practical, so I find myself scanning the shelves for them most. My criteria for teacups is that they must be unusual and speak to me in some way. Even amidst the unique field of teacups, you'd be surprised how often a rose pattern shows up, and then all the rose patterns start to look the same, so I go for the unusual or even odd-looking ones. I'm also a happy camper if I can find one for less than $15. Over $15 is usually more than I'm willing to spend, unless it's something really special.
2. Old books. This cannot be just any old book, because with the advent of Amazon, you can find almost anything online. In order for me to buy it, it must be an unusual title that I know would be hard to find or cost a fortune online, or it must be a good price, or an edition of a classic that has a cool look to it.
3. Records. I keep asking for a record player for my birthday and Christmas, but so far no one has taken the hint! Still, I am convinced I will get one someday, so I keep my eyes peeled for any good old records. Especially if it's an Elvis record.
I definitely recommend going into the store with a few items that you want to hunt for - otherwise it can get overwhelming. The search is what makes it fun!
I definitely recommend going into the store with a few items that you want to hunt for - otherwise it can get overwhelming. The search is what makes it fun!
Antique Store Haul
My mom and sister and I had a lovely time browsing the shelves last Saturday, after my mom treated us to breakfast (thanks Mom!). There is so much in this antique store. We only made it through half the aisles! We decided we'll have to go again in a few months, and I'm already looking forward to it (and trying to remember to hold some money aside, because I always end up buying something).
(Doesn't everyone need a ceramic Robin Hood head?)
(My Beautiful Mama.)
(Haha, my sis. Can she strike a good pose or what?)
(Moi.)
This is what I ended up getting:
-Peach pearlized teacup.
-Delicate mint and pink daisy teacup.
-Green flower teacup.
-A book for my dad (which I won't specify here, in case he's reading).
-A hardcover copy of The Boxcar Children ($3!).
-A Peter, Paul, And Mary record ($2), which I will play someday on my future record player.
-Two pretty handkerchiefs (one from my mom). Why don't people carry hankies anymore? I guess because of the whole disposable tissues thing.
I'm most excited about the teacups and hankies, because they are so pretty. You can expect these to be making appearances when I have to stage photos for the blog. Can you believe I got all three of those teacups for $20? I thought that was a pretty good deal.
It was so fun to spend the morning with my mom and sister and find some treasures!
Have you ever been to an antique mall? What would/do you hunt for in antique shops?
I highly recommend making a trip to your local antique mall, for a few reasons.
1. It's amazing the amount of interesting things that can be packed into one building!
2. You never know what you will find, but you most likely will find something that speaks to you.
3. If you don't find something cool for yourself, teacups and old books make great gifts!
4. It really is a great outing for bonding with family or friends, especially if you go from someone of a different generation than you. It was so fun to hear all my mom's stories, keep an eye out for interesting items to swoon over or chuckle at, and see everyone's tastes! It's one of the best destinations I can think of for quality time, and definitely was a special day with my mom and sister.
1. It's amazing the amount of interesting things that can be packed into one building!
2. You never know what you will find, but you most likely will find something that speaks to you.
3. If you don't find something cool for yourself, teacups and old books make great gifts!
4. It really is a great outing for bonding with family or friends, especially if you go from someone of a different generation than you. It was so fun to hear all my mom's stories, keep an eye out for interesting items to swoon over or chuckle at, and see everyone's tastes! It's one of the best destinations I can think of for quality time, and definitely was a special day with my mom and sister.
Old School Blogger Shoutout
Last week I somehow snuck in quite a bit of blog reading time, and found a few new favorites! This week I thought I'd point you to Rachel at The Random Writings. I feel like Rachel's blog pretty much embodies everything good about the long-ago days of blogging, and she is also a wonderful social blogger who will return your comments. I am loving her blog and looking forward to getting to know her better!
What I'm Drinking: As you may have seen yesterday on Instagram, hot chocolate with Irish cream syrup. But as you are reading this today I am off to the Children's Museum and have probably picked up a white chocolate iced coffee (my on-the-go go-to).
If you are a Christian, read this book!
You might remember that the main goal I have chosen for this year is to reach out to those around me more. So when I say that a book on hospitality was up for review a couple months ago, I requested it immediately.
The Simplest Way To Change The World (affiliate link) discusses biblical hospitality, both in terms of biblical teachings on hospitality and in terms of practical way we can become hospitable people. I got so much out of this book.
What I really liked about this book was the way the authers discussed theological topics relating to hospitality, and alternated those chapters with practical suggestions.
On the theological side, they framed the gospel in terms of hospitality in one chapter, writing about how in Scripture God is a hospitable God, and I found that really interesting. They discussed the truth of the Gospel and what Jesus did in dying to save us, and expressed how that is what motivates us to reach out to those around us with biblical hospitality.
Some of the best chapters were definitely on the practical suggestions though. The authors know that opening your home and lives to those around you is hard in this culture, in which it is more normal to lock yourself behind closed doors to "relax" than to open the doors and invite people in. They gave so many practical and fun suggestions for starting to open your homes to other people. I loved how they encouraged you to incorporate hospitality into the regular rhythms of your life, and how they made it seem easy and desirable to become more hospitable (even while acknowledging the parts that are hard and sharing their own mistakes).
The end of the book includes a group study guide - I think this would make an amazing small group study.
Everything the authors had to say on how hospitality can be the most effective way to reach other people for Christ was spot-on. You don't have to preach from the sidewalk, give a "gospel presentation", travel to foreign countries, or do something "radical" to reach other for the Lord. Through simply being hospitable, we "share our lives" with people and naturally let them see how important Jesus is in our lives through words and actions - and God can use that to stir their hearts to know more.
Highly, highly recommend this book! Easy and enjoyable to read, convicting and motivating!
Note: I received a digital copy of this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for a review. This is my honest opinion.
I think this linkup is a bit of an exception to my general linkup dislike because you really can use the word prompt however you want, and the five minute timeline encourages honesty in a good way.
I'm going to join in, but you should know that I wrote for seven minutes, and I did add a few words here and there for clarity. Not exactly following the rules, but this is my blog, so I can do what I want! I might join in when the word is interesting, but if it's a stinker of a word, I will have no problems skipping it. Stay tuned, but for now, here is my first installment.
6:55 PM
It’s funny how one little word can take your mind on a whole new track. Purpose. A word that isn’t just a word, but seems to prompt a question.
"What is my purpose?"
That word and that question seems to come at an interesting time for me, because I have struggled with it. For the last couple years, I have lost sight not of my overall purpose, but my day-to-day purpose to a certain extent. I always have my overall purpose in mind because of the catechism our pastor’s wife taught us when I was a young teenager.
What is the purpose of man? To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
That is always my ultimate purpose, and the purpose of every human being if they are willing to look and find it through what Jesus did for us in dying on the cross. He enables us to live out our purpose, the one that the human race lost in Eden. He got it back for us.
But still, my day-to-day, personal purpose has been wanting. For a while I tried to find it in this blog. Writers all around me seemed to be striving and reaching much bigger things - writing books, earning money, building a ministry.
I tried for a bit too, but it all just came up empty. Like chasing the wind.
This year I’ve been slowing down and realizing that my personal purpose won’t come from “making something of myself”. I think my greatest purpose comes into my room at an ungodly hour every morning, and asks if it’s time for breakfast yet. And I’m learning to stop striving and reaching for something bigger than the four brown-haired-heads slurping Fruit Loops and spilling milk.
I was looking too hard for something different that wasn’t there.
My purpose is sitting right there, at my kitchen table.
7:02 PM
I was not aware until recently that PJ Masks is a new show, but in our house, we are all in. My kids know the theme song. They come up with PJ Masks stories to play out. Even Derek will sit down and watch an episode with them in the evenings and chuckle at it!
Last week was Wyatt's 6th birthday. I cannot believe that my baby is six years old! I still remember that surreal moment when he was born, with his tiny little cry, and the tears that were streaming down my face. This kiddo is something special, and I love him so much.
When I was a teenager, my sister and I had a couple groups of friends who like dot write stories. We would labor over those stories when we got together or between seeing each other, and then we'd read them to each other and laugh and laugh.
(Affiliate links below - you know, so I can buy more books.)
Behind The Scenes by Jen Turano reminded me of those stories, in the best possible way.
In this book, the main character, Permillia, is an official wallflower, relegated to the edges of all the exciting society events. However, that's just fine with her since she writes an anonymous society column for a local newspaper and is more interested in business than marrying well. However, on the night of a certain ball she not only makes better acquaintance with a gentlemen named Asher Rutherford, but she also learns of a murder plot with him as the target. She is determined to either figure out who is trying to murder Asher, or at the least make him take the threat seriously.
What I Liked
This is one of those books with over-the-top characters and situations, but done in a really fun and comical way - and I loved that! I love light-hearted historical fiction that avoids that "tragedy" formula and takes a comedy route instead. That was the part that reminded me of the stories I used to write with my friends, because I have always loved a story or book that can make me laugh, and this one delivered!
The ending of this book was nearly perfect too, with almost every loose end tied up in a nice bow. Some people don't appreciate that because they like their fiction to be more true to real life...I am not one of those people, and if you are, this is probably not your book! I loved everything that was slightly over-the-top, and I loved that everything came out alright in the end. It was just fun!
What I Didn't Like
Permillia's character was a little too ambitious for me at times, and it seemed she expected everyone else to recognize her value. She came off as lecturing other people when she really wasn't in a position to be lecturing. All this was framed within the context of the women's suffrage movement, since this story takes place during that time. However, Permillia did not come off as pursuing a good cause (like women's right to vote, etc.), but instead she just seemed arrogant, which is a character flaw not really addressed in this book. She seemed like a know-it-all in places. Despite that, I still liked her character overall.
The only other thing that I had a problem with was in the scene where Permillia learns her father and stepmother were really only married because they were using each other. Her stepmother used her father to escape financial ruin, and her father used her stepmother to help Permillia become more accepted in society. When this all officially comes out, there are tons of accusations and very hurtful words hurled between the parents, and between Permillia and her stepsister, with a couple of side characters even joining in with the verbal thrashing. It was probably meant to be amusing, but I did not find this scene funny. Even though this book wasn't meant to be realistic, even over-the-top fictional characters would have a hard time coming back from that.
In the end, this sad conflict with Permillia's family was the one loose end that wasn't tied up well. I wanted relationships to be repaired, especially in the marriage of Permillia's father and stepmother, because the careless words they flung at each other really seemed to bring down the whole view of marriage itself within this book. So I'm taking off a star for that.
Conclusions
Even though those last two books sound fairly bad when they're all typed out, just take my word for it that the book overall was fun and funny and lighthearted! Despite my couple of bones to pick, I really enjoyed reading it, and I'd still recommend it if you want some not-too-serious reading! It comes out in April if you want to check it out, or preorder here!
Note: I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
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