If only...

I haven't posted much lately because I haven't had much to post.  I was painting at The House of Goodwill last week; it was a week cut short by a need to return home for three days of doctor appointments.

I didn't complete any painting (or anything else) to show; I did manage to meet with a contractor who (I think) will be building our boat dock and outdoor area.  I am so looking forward to getting that part of the house started!

The contractor also told me he knew some people who could help me inside the house with patching the holes I found under the wallpaper in the entry and bathroom, and fixing some loose tiles.

I still haven't heard from these people (I was told I would this week), so I decided to remain this week at my home/house and work on some yard work and other little organization projects here that need doing.

Hopefully I will hear from the wall repair guy this week, so I can get back to work next week.

For now I am enjoying seeing my crabapple tree, quince, magnolia and some tulips blooming here.  I just love spring!  After some terrible storms this weekend, it is sunny and warm again.

Since I don't have much to post, I will just share some things I've seen lately when I've been at antique stores; things I just loved but didn't buy.  

Why?  Well, it's all stuff I didn't "need."  (To be honest, most stuff I buy I don't need, but since I'm usually in thrift stores I can talk myself into justifying spending $2 or $5 or $10.)  Considering that I don't need these things, they also cost more than I thought I should spend.

These are the "if onlys."  As in, if only I had unlimited funds...or, if only I had somewhere to put it... or, if only I needed another _______.

Really, I love just wandering antique stores and looking.  There's always something interesting that I've never seen before.  So here are a few of things I loved that I DIDN'T buy lately:

I love everything marble, but not only is this marble plant stand beautiful, it's really practical!

Since I seem to always be dripping water when I'm watering plants, this is perfect for underneath a plant.  At $144, I also didn't have a window to put it under, so I just admired it for it's elegant beauty.

This taller marble plant stand also came with a HUGE, lovely pot.

But I thought the other was more than I wanted to pay?

How about $850 for this one??

And here's the thing: even if I had $850 burning a hole in my pocket that I thought I should spend on a plant stand, I see the huge (very breakable) pot and think - this is just asking for someone to knock it over!

Again, I am a little obsessed with beautiful glass and cool planters, but this is why I only buy inexpensive ones.

I LOVE these beautiful glass sailboats, and couldn't stop thinking about how gorgeous they'd look on a sunny window of a lake house!  I forget the price, but I think the pair was over $100.  Not a good idea for a lake house rental.

Since I have started crocheting, I suddenly find myself noticing all things crochet.

I couldn't believe this BEAUTIFUL, perfect condition crochet blanket, that is big enough to be a twin bedspread.  I doubt it was ever used.

It was only only $65, which I didn't think was a lot, especially for such an amazing handmade piece.

I was SO CLOSE to buying it.

I don't think this picture does justice to this breathtaking lamp.  In person, the colors were so beautifully blended and translucent.  I loved the crystals, loved the hand painting, just loved it all.

The trouble is, I just don't NEED a lamp.  And this one, at $200 (discounted from $400) again would have me in fear of knocking it over.  But oh, how I loved it!

And here was one of my favorite things: a tall-ish marble topped table on casters.

A practical, perfectly sized side table (that you can roll to the side when vacuuming!).

At only $145, it was about half the price that I usually see these priced at.

I kept trying to think of where I could use it at The House of Goodwill, but until I start moving furniture in, I won't know for sure exactly what all I'll need, so I didn't buy it.

Walking around this antique store in the middle of nowhere (off the path in a tiny town between my home/house and The House of Goodwill), I couldn't help but overhear one of the most interesting conversations I'd heard in a long time, between two older ladies working there.

They were talking about everything Bible: endtimes and whether we're in them, what will happen in Jerusalem according to prophecy at the return of Christ and whether animals are going to Heaven, amongst many other things. 

But my favorite comment:  "My brother-in-law is a pastor, so I asked him what we'll be doing in Heaven.  I told him singing and playing the harp are not my thing."

Spending an hour walking around a rambling old building that smelled like mildew and listening to this?  It was a perfect hour in my day.