A Funny

I found this picture in my stash and don't think that I posted it before...
This place is in Sperryville, VA. I've never stopped by, but may one day. ;o)

I'm SO not feeling sorry for myself....

...but I thought I'd share pictures of the last day of "The Porch". We've sold all of the furniture and only have a lil' bit left for me to put in boxes tomorrow. Doesn't she look sad?! Nope, no she doesn't. I think the booth is excited for the possibilities and hoping for somebody that can actually spend a lot of time on her. I did get a lil' welled up when I saw the signs "new dealer coming soon", but it's all good and I'm a lil' excited to see what changes she's in for. One day, "The Porch" will be back better than ever!

HEADLINE NEWS: Thrifty Cottage Dreams Abducted by Facebook for 2 Weeks

Ok, I'm sorry to leave my peeps hangin' and to all of you who have given up on me, COME BACK! (please, pretty please). I promise from this day forward I will keep up with my blogging and spend MUCH less time on Facebook. (And to make myself feel better I will add that I KNOW I'm not the only one who has been addicted to it...oh and I DID delete my Myspace account, so at least I won't be on there anymore.) I also KNEW that I wouldn't be able to keep my 1,353,583 New Year's resolutions, just for some reason...knew it. ALSO I will add that I am a procratinating perfectionist to the umteenth degree and I am PROMISING myself to do better this year. I have MANY pics and stories that I had to share with you and have never gotten them on here b/c of my need for perfectionism. I will put something off until it's LONG overdue just because I'm scared of it not looking or sounding perfect for my peeps (YOU). So, with all of this said, I will from this day forward (but not EVERY day I'm sure) keep on blogging and not worry about pictures not being perfect, words not sounding right, OR GRAMMAR. I hope you don't mind. And thanks for being my sounding board/therapist. I feel SO much better getting this off of my chest and onto my blog ;o) Here's to throwing caution to the wind...

Oh and since it IS winter and this IS my last week of having our BOOTH open (whaaaa), I will be more focused on couponing and store bargains...my new addiction....and less on making over furniture and yard sale/thrifting bargains. I just don't have anywhere else to put anything. Don't worry, though...I still have pics from months ago of furniture re-do's to post. And keep in mind that when yard sale season starts all that I've just said will probably go out the window because I can't help but take advantage of a good bargain!

Thanks for the support!

P.S. Just noticed that I'm over 10,500 views...thanks Mom! XO

Grosgrain: The Lunch Date Blouse GIVEAWAY!!!!

This is the most adorable outfit I've seen in a long time! I'm still looking for a vintage pair of cowboy boots, myself. Look at this blouse, ladies! It's handmade and ADORABLE! Click on the link below for a chance to WIN IT!
Grosgrain: The Lunch Date Blouse GIVEAWAY!!!!

Good luck!

The DREADED post....

It is with a heavy heart that Thrifty Cottage Mom and I have to "hang up the apron" on our lovely booth, THE PORCH. Unfortunately, we just don't have the time right now to do with it what we had planned. At least we hung in there for 8 months, right?! Even if we did profit...like...$1.07 when it's all said and done ;o) I absolutely do not regret giving it a go. I love Through the Garden Gate and it was fun having a project to share with TCM...just wish there was more time in a day!

So, for January, everything is 50% off! Maybe someday we'll be able to get back into it. Right now there is just too much going on with working while studying for my psyc. degree, the kids' activities and...well...life. Someday...

*sniff sniff getting tissues now*

A Happy and Thrifty New Year to you all!

I'm posting in 2009!! Hopefully I can stay dedicated to blogging at least once a week if not twice! Ok, so I'm starting off the new year with pictures of my house decorated for Christmas. I know, I'm a lil' late with this post, but better late than never, right?!

Our banister garland is full of handmade ornaments from the kiddos over the years. Remember, this had the fall decorations in it a couple of months ago?Here is our firefighter Christmas tree and some of our favorite ornaments from it...love the helmet topper.
And of course I can't forget my Christmasy (is that a word) apron collection:

and my very well loved vintage child's apron over my kitchen window...
Santa loved our cookies!

I have to tell you (because I know you will appreciate this) about my 10 year old's reaction Christmas morning. She had written Santa back in July & dropped it in the mail herself (in which she got a reply 2 weeks later from the North Pole!) to tell him that she wanted VINTAGE Barbie stuff for Christmas. Lo and behold he came through and when she woke up Christmas morning, there was the very first cardboard Barbie Dream House (not in mint condition, but it didn't make a difference!) along with a 1952 Midge and 1957 Skipper. She screamed and cried tears of joy (for the first time) and yelled "I can't believe this is happening, thank you Santa!" over and over! It couldn't have been a more awesome Christmas morning!

Happy New Year to you all and I promise more thriftiness to come in 2009!