What makes you happy?

Pin It Today is Saturday- I'm never sure if this marks the end of a week or the beginning of a weekend? I guess it depends on how your view the glass. My mother in law likes to say that I squeeze 10lbs of living into a 5lb sack, and she is right. But I wouldn't have it any other way.

To keep it in perspective, I don't have a single friend that isn't in the same boat. We are full time working mothers, some paid, some unpaid, working both in and outside of the home.  We try to squeeze every single minute out of every day.  Experience has taught me well that life is short and I won't miss any of it.

This week I made it a point to stop and really look around me.  I saw that I am surrounded by good people.  Smart, active, healthy, fun, socially responsible, like minded people who take pleasure out of living for every minute. It made me happy and it made me proud. Maybe it's our small beach community that attracts these types of people. People who are focused on taking care of their families, of their friends, of their communities. These are people who are a part of something and I am happy and proud to be included in this extended family.

I've got a lot to look forward to today. Tonight we will a celebrate milestone birthday with one of my sister-friends and tomorrow my family and I head to the Outerbanks for spring break.

My favorite yellow suitcase is sitting in front of me stuffed with nothing but ridiculous pink clothes, flip flops, and bathing suits and I can't wait hop into my super sexy mini van, put on the Zac Brown band and start driving down 95 to kick off an old school, Chevy Chase style- family vacation.

I intend to spend an entire week by the pool, steeping myself in home magazines while I compile my list of treasures to hunt for next month on my annual trip to the Brimfield Antiques Fair. http://www.brimfield.com/

If you haven't been and you like to treasure hunt you NEED to put this on your to do list.

Brimfield Massachusetts is the site of the largest outdoor antique show in New England, with over 5000 dealers from all over the country. The shows, a week each, happen three times a year, May, July, and September. This year's first show is May 8-13 and this is my Super Bowl!

Here are a few of my finds from last year... Glass buoys...

I'm still not sure what this little metal carousel was intended for, but it's a fantastic makeup caddy!

 One of my favorite booths, the guys who make frames out of reclaimed wood

 Of course black and white canisters to house my cotton balls and q-tips...

An antique pressed glass black owl ring caddy...

 

I haven't given much thought yet to this year's list, but I can't wait to start!!

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The Crow

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When I was younger I was running with a friend and she referred to me as a "Crow." 

I had never noticed it myself, but she quickly picked up on my penchant for seeking out shiny objects (even apparently while on the go).
Like the crow, I wasn't one to feather my nest with these items,
but they definitely caught my eye and drew me in for a closer look.

Today still, I am always looking around for objects with forms and textures that I can re-purpose to use in my home. 

A few months back I started keeping an eye on the shoreline for a sturdy and straight piece of driftwood to replace my stock handrails in my back staircase. I was lucky enough to pick up one small length after the last hurricane, but finding a 12' piece proved to be a greater challenge.

Good things come to those who wait and finally last week on that same jogging route I spotted this...

* Please excuse the pile of scrap lumber from another project

Like any good scavenger, I made a quick mental note of the mile marker and ran straight home to get my car. (I would have attempted running home with it, asking my friends to line up to carry it Viking style, but my running group is too new and I didn't want to frighten anyone off on one of our first days out)

With a few simple tools: skill saw, palm sander and using the existing brackets since they were already securely in the wall studs... I am now the proud owner of not one, but three driftwood handrails.

I love the weathered gray, the sturdiness of the hardened wood and the local character it lends an otherwise utilitarian back hall stairway.

 Before and After...

I'm hoping to pick up a great piece for this large wall at the Brimfield Antique Fair in May! What am I going to do with these circa 1976 baby photos of me and my sister?

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