Treasure Box Wednesday: A Kindness to Treasure

So, I haven't really been hitting the thrift stores lately; time has been at a premium, and I just haven't needed anything. This weekend I am, however, headed down Route 30 for an antiquing/thrifting adventure with some friends, which should present the perfect opportunity to share new goodies with you all for next week's post. But today's post is about a treasure of a different kind I thought you all would appreciate.

Last week I was at the grocery store and there was an elderly lady in front of me with a number of bags of groceries. Initially, I wasn't paying it much mind, but soon it became clear there was something wrong with the debit card she was using, which I later learned was for foodstamps.

She swiped it a few times, then the cashier came to help her, and it was sounding like there was some sort of error with the account.

Well, the guy behind me in line realized the truth of the matter before I did. Apparently, because of the Columbus Day holiday, her new foodstamps money didn't make it into the account when it usually was there. And she was short about $30.

But this man, this complete stranger, diagnosed the issue in seconds and was there at her side like Superman swooping in to pay for the rest of this elderly lady's groceries.

She was astonished, hugging and smooching him up. I got all misty but I managed to tell the man what a lovely thing he'd done for her. He brushed it all off politely.

It got me thinking how one kind act like that appears like a shining ray of hope that everything isn't all anger and a lack of consideration for one's fellow man... or somebody's grandma.

Oh-- and one more thing before we go for today: I thought some of you reading fans out there might enjoy this interview that Karen Wodke, a Yahoo correspondent, had done with me regarding the recent launch of my novel, There Goes the Galaxy. We talk about inspiring writers, family support, the love of reading and more. It was a really fun experience! Click here to check that out.

Treasure Box Wednesday: Heavy Metals and Cool Containers

Admittedly I've been a busy bee lately, but I haven't let it keep me from my appointed thrifty rounds. But before we get into the treasures for this week, I wanted to thank everyone who participated in my There Goes the Galaxy book giveaway last week.

Folks can see the winners here: http://www.cabbagesnkings.net/2011/09/cabbages-there-goes-galaxy-book.html

And if you're still interested in getting your hands on a copy of the book in either paperback or ebook version, you can do that here: http://www.amazon.com/There-Goes-Galaxy-Jenn-Thorson/dp/0983804508

Okay-- that done, on to the thrifty fun! My first purchase of the week was this excellent little vintage Pyrex refrigerator container in blue... for one whopping buck.

But my second and favorite find of the week was actually spotted by my shopping buddy Scoobie, who recognized these early 1900s cast iron curtain tie backs....

 ...And recognized them as similar to these terrific curtain rods from the same era she had gotten me...

Now, I haven't put them up yet because I still need a bracket to fix them to above my pocket doors. But I had a little brainstorm the other day I think I might try; I'm wondering if they might work, if I slipped the end peg into one or two large eye screws? What do you folks think?  (You can see the end of one of them on the far left hand side of the photo.)

I haven't been able to find vintage hardware that would work with them. But I am open to ideas. They're lovely and will really work perfectly in my red and green arts-and-crafts influenced livingroom.

Anyway, that's this week's Treasure Box coming to a close. Hope this week is treating you well so far!

Treasure Box Wednesday: Lucky and Unlucky Breaks

I have some pastel pretties to share with you this week, but first, I wanted to mention I'm doing a giveaway on my humor blog, Of Cabbages and Kings, where participants have a chance to receive one of two free copies of my new humorous space fantasy novel, There Goes the Galaxy. I know that kind of reading isn't everybody's bag here, but I also know it is for a few of my readers. Plus, it's free. We all like free. It doesn't get more thrifty than free. So I figured I'd mention it. You can check out the There Goes the Galaxy giveaway fun by clicking here.

Okay, that said, back to the order of business! I wanted to show you photos of the little mantle decor I've been working on. The newest acquisitions here are the two green and pink vintage lamps, which I got at the Salvation Army Superstore a few weeks ago...

They needed rewiring and shades, and oddly I found a pair of perfect shades at TJ Maxx the day after I bought them. They match my mint-green Victorian fire tiles perfectly.

The second item that's new is the blue Hull vase in the center of the display. I got this at an antique mall not far from the Greater Pittsburgh Renaissance Faire. The Hull vases on the ends, if you remember back, were also from the Salvation Army Superstore.
Above, you can see the blue Hull tulip vase just a bit better.

And lastly, when trying to rewire a different old lamp I had an experience I've never had before in all the lamps I've redone...
THAT is the metal base which was apparently totally cracked and missing much of itself, and it was replaced at one time by some cork panels. As I was working with it, it simply began to crumble apart. I know spelter is a soft metal, but WOW. Sooooo, I will be searching for a boring vintage lamp with a similar base I can take apart and put on the vase of this one.

This lamp vase is gorgeous-- pale green with handpainted roses, so it's entirely worth the effort. I just figured you all would find it interesting to see when these projects take unexpected turns.

And at THIS turn, we must end this week's Treasure Box post. Wishing you happy days as we make our journey quickly into October.