You Know It's Freezing When...

Even the kitties won't come out from under the covers. It's turned pretty chilly here.

And it snowed already. Just a dusting but still, I'm not ready. I mean look, I haven't even raked the leaves yet. The darned to-do list just keeps growing.

On Letting Go

I'm trying to help my mom rid her house of some massive auction clutter in time for Thanksgiving by loading up our Etsy shop as much as possible over the next few weeks. But now I'm having my own problems letting go of some of these vintage treasures. I mean who knew having tons of vintage costume jewelry to choose from could make getting ready for work so much more fun? It's like a whole new world has opened up to me.

Sorry Etsy, these necklaces are stayin' with me!

But that's not to say I'm keeping all the good stuff. I have managed to part with great finds too, which are available now at Two Cs in the Attic.


And even if this stuff doesn't tempt you, you're bound to find something to lust after at Etsy.

The Fall Garden

My garden helper and I took a stroll through the garden today on this lovely Indian summer weekend. Even though we've had a couple frosts, including a hard frost or two, a few tough perennials haven't given up for the year yet.

Clockwise from left:
Nigella, English primrose, Malvia, Irish Eyes Rudbeckia, Mums, Coreopsis

Gardeners, plant and nature lovers can join Green Thumb Sunday every Sunday, visit As the Garden Grows for more information.

When Boys Go Grocery Shopping...

You might just end up with 10 large boxes of pop tarts. TEN. BOXES. At least they were on sale. He's a bargain shopper, I'll give him that.

No-Cost Decorating

Like most everyone, I feel the need to curb unnecessary spending these days, despite a raging desire to improve, redo, and finish decorating the house. I hit a few thrift stores over the weekend, but as usual I completely struck out. Then I remembered the "rearrange and reuse what you have to freshen your decor without spending money" tip which I've read no less than five times this month. So I decided to try it to see if it would curb my shopping lust. The arrangement on my fireplace mantle is an example of something I've never quite gotten right, so it seemed like a good place to start.

The first problem I encountered is that anything I own and like is already on display. I confirmed this suspicion by going through all my boxes in the attic and basement and realizing that yup, there's nothing good hidden away that I forgot about.

First I tried removing the small items. I liked the clean look, but it was a little too minimal, even for me.


Then I tried adding some art that still hasn't made it on the wall in the three short years I've lived here. That felt like too much and was too symmetrical, another compulsion I struggle with.


Finally I tried just one picture, which is the look I settled on, for awhile at least, even though the boy doesn't like it. I think it's am improvement and even a small change like this does make the entire room feel a bit fresher.

The Summer That Wouldn't End

It's after 10 p.m. on a mid-October day and I'm sitting here in my living room in short sleeves and shorts, surrounded by open doors and windows and the ceiling fan going. Still, I am a little warm. Outside while the mums decorate the deck, the tomatoes are still growing. The zinnias in the side garden are still growing and some perennials are beginning to rebloom.

This weather is simply amazing! So amazing in fact that I had to officially note it here. So that I can remember this night in a few months when I'm sitting here in layers, shivering. But I also note it because it may never happen again. Or maybe with global warming this will be our new norm? Whatever the reason, I wish the weather would stay this perfect forever. Or at least through another weekend.

Beach Vacation

Last month the boy and I traveled south to Carolina Beach, North Carolina. Now that my camera has arrived home after being rudely abandoned in North Carolina by moi, I can show you a glimpse of just how lovely it was.

There are numerous beaches near Wilmington, NC:Wrightsville, Carolina, and Kure. We stayed just three blocks from Carolina Beach (thanks to the boy's sister putting up with us) and this little beach pier bar. But Kure Beach is even nicer and has cute little beach shops, restaurants, the arcade and the quaint Kure Beach pier. September was the perfect time to head to the beach. The weather was warm, but not unbearable and we missed the main tourist season.

So when's the next trip, honey?