Oh for the love of Thrifting. Sigh.

A few events took place today that led to a thrifting excursion.  I've been hating Dish network more and more lately.  The bill keeps going up, and channels I love keep disappearing from our plan, etc. (I need AMC people!).  And, event two,  I went mama bear cleaning in Coco's closet and decided she needed a new bookcase.

So, we switched to Direct TV, and the cable guy could not hook up the new cable to the TV in the bedroom.  Ok, in fairness to Direct TV,  I think it was my sister's TV from college.  It was old.

We set out to Lowe's for wood so Jojo could just whip up a bookcase (he is good that way), but we were unmotivated by the lumber section, and decided to go to the creepy thrift store across the street and look for an old bookcase.

We found a perfect tall cream bookcase for $4 (for coco), a small old cherry red bookcase for $3 (for me), and two embroidered pillows.  As we were getting ready to check out, Joe noticed the hand scribbled sign that said "all TV's $5."  "Hey, we need a TV!" he yelled over his shoulder as he ran back into the creepy basement where the TVs are.

It's one of those weird thrift stores where nothing has a price.  You have to wait for the lady with the peg leg (a.k.a., my arch thrifting nemesis see here), to come and haggle things out with you.  She is so authoritative, like she is taking you for everything you have.  I don't really care...just give me a price!

We hashed that out and she disappeared.  I was then left to deal with cashier #2.  The following events actually happened, and I was absolutely nice to her through the entire thing.

Me:  "My husband has a TV in the basement...he left it by the loading dock.  Can we just pick it up at the loading dock so he doesn't have to haul it up here?"

Her:  "No!  You cannot go into the loading dock!"  (panicked).

Joe:  "It's ok, I took it off the loading dock and set in on a couch down there."

Me:  "Um, alright.  It's just really heavy and that would be easier.  But ok - do you have someone that will lug it upstairs and out to the car then?"

Her:  "Yes we do!" in kind of a snippety I told you so sort of tone.  "Jerry!!"  she yelled.

*in comes Jerry, a thin and frail elderly gentleman*

Her:  "Jerry, there is a TV somewhere on a couch downstairs.  Can you take it out to their car?"

Jerry:  "No.  I'm making a sandwich right now.  Do you want a sandwich?"  (oblivious to our very existence).

Her:  "Jerry, can you help them when you are done?"

Jerry:  "I'll need to go put away all of my sandwich making materials.  I don't want the mice to get into them."  ....walks away.

By this point, Joe had already lugged the heavy ass TV out to the car, and I just wanted to pay and leave. My total for the two bookcases, two pillows, and one flat screen TV was $13.  The cashier was so busy saying "you know, she really should have charged you more for those pillows," that she only ran my card for $8.59 (totally random).  As she proceeded with the second transaction, I noticed a beautiful art deco print on the wall behind the counter.

Me - "How much is that painting?"

Her - "I've never seen that painting before in my life, but tomorrow everything is 30 % off.  Tomorrow really is a better day to shop here."

Sigh.  All for the love of thrifting!!

Apparently I need to go back tomorrow.

xoxo, e.

Northern Michigan Asylum for the Insane.

When Joe and I took our weekender to Traverse City in October, Joe said he wanted to visit the old state mental hospital.   He regaled tales of sneaking in as a teenager...climbing over and under barbed wire, lighting torches to see, creepy, dark, abandoned.  So, I assumed we'd be climbing over some fence and sneaking around.  But then, a few other people (people that had not climbed through the barbed wire) told me how lovely it was and that we should stop by.  Joe's auntie said that his great grandmother worked as a social worker there for many years.  And so we went.  And here is it's tale...

In the year 1885, the two state mental hospitals in Kalamazoo and Pontiac were getting full, and it was deemed necessary for a third to be built in Michigan.  Lumber baron Perry Hannah, the "father of Traverse City," secured the location in his home town.  The hospital grew and flourished over the next century, finally closing it's doors in 1989.

At the turn of the century, during a time when other state mental hospitals were employing horrifying methods of drug therapy, constraints, electroshock, and even lobotomies, the Northern Michigan Asylum for Insane was employing other methods.  The first superintendent, Dr. James Decker Munson, believed in "beauty as therapy."  Patients were treated with kindness and all comfort measures were administered.  Straight jackets were forbidden.  Greenhouses on premises grew flowers year round and each patient's room was beautifully adorned with fresh arrangements daily.  They also believed in "work as therapy" to encourage a sense of self fulfillment.  The asylum was completely self sufficient, housing its own animal, fruit, and vegetable farms, furniture making studios, canning and preserving operations - all patients encouraged to participate wherever their heart felt at home.  This warms a music therapist's heart!!!   Conventional medicine is not always the cure - music, art, compassion and kindness go a long way in this world.

After the hospital closed its doors in 1989, someone had the brilliant idea to develop the property - in a historically appropriate way.  "The Village at Grand Traverse Commons" was born.  There are posh restaurants, sweet little boutiques, coffee shops, bakeries, wineries...you name it.  The upper floors are apartments and condos, and all are beautiful stripped down to the original brickwork, the arches that separated room from room still intact down every corridor.

We strolled in on a Monday afternoon.  The air was warm and beautiful for late October.  There was a farmers market on the main green, and a lovely girl playing guitar and singing.  We found a winery and grabbed a tall glass of hard cider and piece of carrot cake from the bakery, and just took it all in.  This is the stuff that dreams are made of for me.  

And then...we wandered around the grounds and took pictures!!

Crate after crate of the Merlot harvest had just come in off of the trucks.  So beautiful!

The main buildings are renovated, but many are still in their original state.  What lovely architecture and details!  And, what a lovely day with my dear one.

xoxo, e.

Patience and Patients.

Some days, (most days), I have my own agenda.  I have a bunch of patients to see, in a particular order, all over the greater Michigan area.  In my head, every patient will be sitting in their room, smiling, and waiting for me to visit them.

Not even close.

Today, I had to be a patient little music therapist.  My patients were busy living life today, and I had to wait my turn to spend time with them.  I sat through the rosary, a communion service, a "four corners" and a "cover all" bingo...do you know how long a "cover all" takes in a nursing home?  ;)

It was a good thing that I had my school marm, or librarian, or "someone considering entering the convent" outfit on today.  (which is also appropriate because my first stop was indeed a convent!)  A solid peter pan collar and sensible shoes kept me grounded...and patient, all day.

Peter Pan Blouse:  thrifted

Cranberry Cardigan:  thrifted

Corduroy Duck Skirt:  best thrift of the week

Dansko Oxfords:  First purchase with first ever paycheck after college (wow these are old!)

Sensible shoes last forever people!

Chicken:  Dolly Parton, ran up to mom when I got out of the car, wanted to be held.

Wrapping up the work week with a "Cowboys and Campfires" party at a nursing home tomorrow 

(Yes to any excuse to wear cowboy boots to work!).  

xoxo, e.

A Small Town Christmas.

This past Saturday we kicked off one of my favorite holiday family traditions...a small town Christmas.  They will happen throughout the holiday season...different little towns and villages throughout Michigan...a Saturday here, or a Sunday there.  We will meet up with my parents, aunts and uncles, cousins...whomever is around, and shop, and eat, and love.  This weekend Coco and I met my mom,  Aunt, and Uncle in Tecumseh for it's Holiday Celebration.  The day ended in a Christmas light parade, but we were there for the shops, and the food, and the company.   I cherish these days lovingly spent browsing from shop to shop, laughing, enjoying each other's company.

Please, by all means, enjoy Thanksgiving first...but we can't hide from the fact that the Christmas "season" starts earlier and earlier each year.  Coco found the radio channel that is already playing Christmas music non-stop, and somehow I already feel behind in my shopping...

Which brings me to my soapbox for this post.  These small town celebrations are a perfect place to get your Christmas shopping done!  Support your small local businesses.  Keep the money in your own community, and get amazing, not your run-of-the-mill gifts.  Shop on Etsy for handmade or vintage goodies (you can change your search parameters to look for local artists and crafters on the site!)  It's a win win!   If you are in my neck of the woods, here are some upcoming events..

Christmas in the Village, Manchester, MI - November 17, Craft shows, horse drawn carriage rides, wreath sales, German bake sale!
Small Business Saturday - November 24, like them on FB for reminders to shop local :)

Dexter Home for the Holidays - December, 1 - A host of craft shows and all around holiday good times!..and a cookie walk!

Hometown Holiday - December 1-2, Chelsea, MI more of same :)

Christmas on the Farm - December 1-2, Waterloo Historical Farm...all kinds of Christmas farm goodness!

Coco and I tried on so many good hats! (said the mother whose child had lice last month...I know I know - But they were rabbit fur!) (note:  the lice is gone, but I should check us again after the hat parade...sigh).

Amy Lesser painting in the corner!!  I took a pic because it lovingly reminded me of you Amy :)

me - "Coco, whose hat is this?"

Coco - "Abe Lincoln's?"

me - "really?  not Frosty's?"

Love her.

Coco writing get well cards at the florist, and taking a reading break at the antique store, and just being cute little Coco.

These have been traveling around Facebook, and Oh How True!!

Remember what we learned today folks?...Make it a locavore Christmas!!

xoxoxo, e.

Greetings, from a Patriot..

While this is not a political blog, and in no way do I intend to use this as a political platform - or to alienate readers of any political persuasion, this is a blog about family...farming...resources...and about how we treat each other.  So here we go!!

I just cried a little while watching the recap of last evenings events on the Today Show.  (I cry easily, don't even get me started on the Les Mis preview!)  This morning, I am truly grateful to be an American.  I am truly grateful that I was able to vote for someone that I absolutely believed in, not just the lesser of the two evils.

It's all punches and blows...cheap shots and snarky comments...until the final draw.  And then we move on.  Concession. (though a little late in the evening, and I am a little sleepy ;).  And we see the other party wish the President luck, and vow to keep in him in his prayers.  So let's move on together.  All of us.  I will not get angry any more when you're party's posts show up on my FB page because you have "liked" him, and you will not have to endure my passive aggressive party comments.

Because we probably have the same beliefs, and most of the same core values.  So, what a perfect time to check in with our spouses, our families, and our children on what our role is as we move into the next four years.

There are so many issues that I consider out of my hands.  The government controls many of the decisions regarding my life...finances, women's rights, war, peace, etc, etc.  We vote for officials that we feel will fight for us regarding these issues, but there are things that we can do within our own families to keep this country the land of the free and the home of the brave - for our children, and for our children's children.

On a daily basis, we do have the power to control our consumption of resources...energy, gas.  Tighten that house up!  Turn the thermostat down one degree at a time and put on a frickin' sweater...you will be really surprised at what new low number is perfectly pleasant.  When we moved in here, the thermostat had a timer that upped the temp to 78' all day and all night.  We would think that we had fixed it, and then run down sweating and swearing in the middle of the night - or come home to an overly warm and toasty empty house.  My gut is to turn the heat up when family is coming over, but my mom and sister keep their thermostat's low too!!  (and everyone loves to cuddle under a big afghan).

Buy local.  Plant your own veg.  Raise your own meat.  Can, freeze, dry, preserve...fill the larder.  Save gas on food transportation.  Support your local farmers.  Save money and gain a sense of self fulfillment.

Reduce your consumption of stuff.  I don't just thrift because I'm cheap (though that's part of it), but because I just don't believe in buying another sweater from Old Navy when there are fifty at the thrift store.  This is quickly becoming an economy of used stuff....ebay, etsy, craig's list.  I know it's not for everyone, but the less crap we buy from China, the better we will be in the long run.  Try buying from or trading with each other.  New is not always better ;).

Finally, be good to each other.  Treat each other with respect.  Go out of your way to just do something really nice for someone else.  Be patient and kind.  And, most importantly, teach your children these same values.

Because we, and they, are the future of this great nation.  Let's do this together!

"I believe we can seize this future together because we are not as divided as our politics suggests. We’re not as cynical as the pundits believe. We are greater than the sum of our individual ambitions, and we remain more than a collection of red states and blue states. We are and forever will be the United States of America."   President Barack Obama

xoxo, e.

Saturday Evening Post.

Perhaps a blabbering on of a post, but my what a lovely Saturday it was!

The Morning...I don't frequent estate sales, but once in awhile I see something that I need.  I am well aware that hard core estate salers get there early, get a number, and quietly sip their coffee while visually intimidating their competition.

There were two things that I really wanted to get to this sale for...an old school cider press, and this lovely lady...

But, life happens.  I had stuff to do this morning and did not get there at sunrise with the die-hards.  So Joe, Coco, and I headed over after he got off work.  While I did not expect the dress form or the cider press to still be there, the following series of events made the whole situation just plain heart wrenching.

me:  Hi, I'll take this pile.
nice lady:  Okay, $1 apiece.
me:  Deal.  By the way, how much did the dress form go for?
nice lady:  Oh, there was this woman who got here before everyone and made sure she was first in line.  She made sure everyone knew she was here for the dress form - it was all she came for.
me:  For how much?
nice lady:  $50.  (really really stink in' cheap)

I did however, get three 1950's wool pencil skirts, one taupe eel skin purse, and a pair of dark teal Sperry tassel loafers, all in my size, all for $1..so it wasn't a total bust.

The Afternoon...I scored a collapsible massage table in the dingy basement of one of my favorite thrift stores today going for nothing (and Joe talked the woman with a peg leg down from that :).)  (And he found $20 in the back pocket of his dress pants that clearly went throughout the wash..so basically it was free.)  (And, I am not making fun of the woman for having a peg leg.  But, one time she told me that I couldn't shop in her dingy, dirty, warehouse of a thrift store with my morning coffee...in a spill proof travel mug I might add.  As if I might spill it on some junk and really make a mess.  I've been bitter towards her ever since.  A woman needs her morning thrifting coffee for God's sake!)

Side note, if you've never had a Jojo massage...you need one.  In fact, I know what all of you that I'm supposed to buy Christmas gifts for are getting...HA!!

The Evening...When we got home, Joe put a chicken and veg in the oven, and while that worked away we started working through the evening to-do list.  We had a bushel of apples that needed to go into the roaster for the last batch of overnight applesauce...and then there were the peppers.

A few weeks ago, on the morning before the first hard frost, I got the pepper call.  Once a year I get the green light from my sweet farmer friend to come and pick peppers till my heart's content before they pull all the plants.  They pick their fill for their restaurant, and when they just can't fit any more in the freezers...we pick.

She clearly warned me that intertwined with the sweet peppers, there were hot peppers that looked just like the sweet peppers but were a little longer and skinnier.  (Again, she warned me, so the following shenanigans are no one's fault but mine).  I was sure Joe would be able to tell the difference, so I just threw them all into the same bags.  Bushels and bushels of peppers have been glaring at me angrily from the dining room for weeks, and it was finally time tonight to process them.   Chopped for scrambled eggs, long slices for fajitas and stir fry - all off to the freezer.

Joe insisted that he had been using them for weeks an had not found one hot one.  I insisted that we taste every one before we bagged them.  And then we hit the hot ones.  The capsaicin spread over our hands.  Joe somehow touched both of his eyes.  I inhaled it into one nostril.  It was a hot mess.  Literally.  Luckily I was drinking a Kahlua and egg nog, so we started with the egg nog as an oil neutralizer.  After a few minutes I had a tissue soaked in heavy cream in one nostril to stop the burning.  

All the while I was yelling at Joe to keep processing peppers.

Coco and I had massage appointments this evening, and I took a nice hot bath first.  My hands are still burning from the hot pepper oil, and the hot water did nothing to help that.  But now the Cesarz girls are massaged and in their pj's, and "We Bought a Zoo" is on HBO.

Farm Fresh Family Life Baby.  xoxo, e