what a wet day! Its been pouring most of the day and thats thwarted my gardening plans. We did have a brief spell of sunshine earlier, where, silly me, I hung the washing out, but the heavens soon spilled over again, and it came in wetter than it went out!! I did start to clear the garden, there's piles of raked- up leaves in several places waiting to be scooped into bags, but the rain really was too heavy to continue.I had a quick walk into town ealier, after hanging the washing out- the usual chore of bank and post office, followed by the usual reward of a quick browse in the charity shops. today's treasure was a cross sticth pattern which took my eye. Entitled christmas gentlemen, its a frieze of 5 different Santa/ Father christmas figures. Readers who have been with me for more than a year, or from the start of my blog, will remember my quest for santa figures wearing traditional green rather than the 20th century red garb. This pattern does include three who arent in red so it took caught my attention immediately! Only one looks like a modern santa too, which is fab! I happily handed over a pound for this, plus another pound for an american magazine simply called "santa claus, a special interest edition", from better homes and gardens magazine. its 140 pages long, and everything is about Santa- knitted, cross stitched, patchworked, painted, modelled... so many different crafts in here...
I bought one other item, in a different shop- it made me smile, and I parted with 49p...
"Macphersons natural cookbook of easy-to-make cat treat recipes" it came with a fish shaped cutter/press to cut out 20 small treats at a time! I already have a book of dog recipes and bonio shaped cutters so I had to have this too! :-)
these 3 purchases all made me smile, reason enough to bring them home. I've read comments recently in blogland and elsewhere against charity shop shopping. That its no different to any consumer shopping.
well, I disagree. I work hard, I support myself, I earn my own money, and if I choose to buy what I deem as useful items, but some bloggers etc berate as frivolous items, I will. Its no-one's business but mine at the end of the day. In my view, buying second-hand means further of the earths resources are not being used to manufacture new things for me, when many items still have years of use in them but have merely fallen out of (the general perception of) fashion. I try to choose second hand or recycled over new as much as possible. The charities benefit, the earth benefits, I benefit, so win-win-win. William Morris is oft quoted that things within the home should always be either useful or beautiful, and everything I buy does meet that criteria!
I noticed today that my recorded followers has reached 96!! only 4 more to that milestone of 100, thats amazing! the recorded hit counter is not far off 140,000 either. golly! To all my readers, a big thank you to you all for reading my blog regularly- each one of you is appreciated! :-)
a few pics now, that I didnt get around to posting this week. First, the stunning Full Moon. she was so beautiful, this huge orb in the night sky...(with and without flash here...)
I bought one other item, in a different shop- it made me smile, and I parted with 49p...
"Macphersons natural cookbook of easy-to-make cat treat recipes" it came with a fish shaped cutter/press to cut out 20 small treats at a time! I already have a book of dog recipes and bonio shaped cutters so I had to have this too! :-)
these 3 purchases all made me smile, reason enough to bring them home. I've read comments recently in blogland and elsewhere against charity shop shopping. That its no different to any consumer shopping.
well, I disagree. I work hard, I support myself, I earn my own money, and if I choose to buy what I deem as useful items, but some bloggers etc berate as frivolous items, I will. Its no-one's business but mine at the end of the day. In my view, buying second-hand means further of the earths resources are not being used to manufacture new things for me, when many items still have years of use in them but have merely fallen out of (the general perception of) fashion. I try to choose second hand or recycled over new as much as possible. The charities benefit, the earth benefits, I benefit, so win-win-win. William Morris is oft quoted that things within the home should always be either useful or beautiful, and everything I buy does meet that criteria!
I noticed today that my recorded followers has reached 96!! only 4 more to that milestone of 100, thats amazing! the recorded hit counter is not far off 140,000 either. golly! To all my readers, a big thank you to you all for reading my blog regularly- each one of you is appreciated! :-)
a few pics now, that I didnt get around to posting this week. First, the stunning Full Moon. she was so beautiful, this huge orb in the night sky...(with and without flash here...)
and finally, little George at play...
5 comments:
Leanne,
I can't imagine people berating you for buying from thrift shops. You are right - instead of buying something new and shoddily made in China, you are giving a forever home to an older treasure. As I have so many treasures already, I am de-cluttering, limiting my thrift shopping to clothes (which some people turn their nose up at), and books, which will always find forever homes with me. My favorite shop heretofore has been Seeds of Hope, which benefits abused women. Whenever I buy something there, I always think of the woman being benefitted. However, their prices have gotten outrageous, especially for books. One day I was there and spotted a vase and I thought, "I know Leanne would like that" (and it was made in England). But it was $9.99 and had a chip! Now we have a brand new thrift shop, Goodwill. My sis and I were there Saturday before last. I came home with three books that were very inexpensive, and (oops) a piece of blue and white china that I could not resist, for just $2.50.
Now when I see people buying at upscale stores, I think, how can they, in this economy? But, as you said, it is their money and they can spend it as they wish.
This has gotten long, but PS - I must go see who is George, and who is he living with?
I have bought things from second hand shops for many years--often of necessity and more recently because the habit of thrift continues. At one point I did decide that I was snatching up odds and ends of china and such which were going to become dust collectors, so I've managed to resist unless something really special turns up.
I feel that finding something we need, "gently used", is a blessing.
I'm a firm believer in charity shops which benefit others. We have a shop here called Ys Buys at the old YWCA, which supports a whole chain of homes for battered women. I take all of my gently used clothing there. It's just recycling and lending a hand, really. So pooh to the naysayers.
That one shot of George with just the one eye showing around the spindle is just too cute. What a muggins!
Tui
I don’t see a problem in buying things you love thoughtfully. You are the least person to waste money or resources.
I love second hand shops...I LOVE 'em. So bugger anyone else... you not a down and out and if you were you could come and live with me :o) But there's no shame at all in being careful, and what a joy when you find a bargain! I've just bought an all wood extending dining room/kitchen table for £20 and that included delivery! YEAH!
As for George...he reminds me so much of Dodger (my chav cat) butter wouldn't melt in his mouth either... hmmmm....George looks like one of those that will get up to mischief and then look you in the eyes, squnting as he does and says....wasn't me...it was them older cats....honest mum. lol. He looks a sweetie xxx
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