I've been extremely busy with preparing to leave for Europe, both at home and at work. There hasn't been much time for creative endeavors. Last weekend I did manage to squeeze in a trip to Kentucky to see my mom who I haven't seen since Thanksgiving. I also had the wonderful pleasure of visiting with my best friend from high school who I haven't seen in over 23 years. True friendships are amazing. We sat down to a 3+ hour lunch and caught up like it had only been a few months since we last saw each other. So much life has happened since high school. Three hours felt like 20 minutes, not near enough time. Just the first visit of many more to come!
While visiting with my mom, we always make our normal rounds about town. Zappo's Shoe Outlet is usually the first stop. My success there always dictates the remainder of the budget for the visit. Poor mom has to suffer through my hour plus of perusing every pair of shoes in my size. She loves me, so she just accepts it. I lucked out with a score of three pairs of great shoes for what I might have paid for just one. Love me some Zappo's. I treated mom to a nice sit down dinner afterwards, she deserved it after all that time waiting.
On Saturday we headed out to the indoor flea markets which abound around Louisville. My mom calls it "junking," my husband would probably agree to that term. We spent most of the day walking the isles looking for treasures. It's easy to walk, look and casually catch up at the same time. With mom's keen eye, we found some great stuff during this visit.
My favorites are old books. I love old books from the late 1800's through 1950 that contain illustrations. I also love anything Better Homes and Gardens, especially the instructional books they did in the 40"s and 50's. I have several old garden and decorating books and found a handyman's book this visit. I'll make copies of the pages and use them in my art works. Sometimes if the books are not in good shape, I'll tear them apart and use the covers and pages in my handmade journals.
Mom's eagle eye spotted this treasure under a pile of books. The illustrations are wonderful and it is full of page after page of music. I can't wait to use this in my papercrafting.
I also found a catalogue of antique advertisements.
And the grand-daddy of all books, this very large 1957 dictionary. The cover is embossed and is in excellent condition. It's about 8" thick and weighs a ton. It's so beautiful, I most likely won't have the heart to tear it apart. I have it sitting on the bookshelf in the living room.
And the coolest thing of all, not even really sure what is. I have a feeling it may have come over from Europe. The inside is made of paper, cut out and dimensional. I think it is so lovely and have it on the side table in the "blue room". It is in almost perfect condition. There is one small piece of trim missing around the edge but not a single spot or discoloration on the inside.
As always, it was a visit full of Kentucky love, dear old friends and time enjoyed with my family.
