Let’s take another trip down the 126, my favorite route. It wasn’t about antiques or history this time, though.
First stop was Cracker Barrel in Camarillo. It never ceases to amaze me, how cool, even wintery it can be at the beach when we are sizzling 40 miles away. After a great breakfast, I managed to start a stash of Halloween candy for the grandkids and found a funny Day of the Dead soap for the bathroom.
Then it was off to Fabric Town USA in Ventura. Now I need fabric like I need a hole in the head, but this is what life is like when you’re a fabric junky. I didn’t always have an appreciation for such vintagey fabric but the pink really spoke to me. I picked up the brown and blue from the same line. Not sure exactly what I’ll make but I’m leaning toward a table square for my dining room table for “normal” times of the year. After spending considerable time researching fancy borders to surround that stunning fabric, I’m pretty sure I need to add a couple of solids to the mix. Time for the next quilting run.
Our last stop of the day was back in Santa Clarita. The Assistance League has opened a bigger, better location very close to home. I heard it was fabulous—thanks for the tip, Denzel—so we took a look. The parking lot was full, strange for thrift shops to be so busy. What’s unusual about this one is not that the merchandise is particularly fabulous or pricy, but that it’s arranged like a regular store. Naturally, there were things I couldn’t resist.
I am an avid dissectologist—I learned a new word! That’s a person who likes to do puzzles. Puzzles featuring Charles Wysocki artwork are my favorites. How could I possibly go off and leave this beauty in a thrift store, especially when a competitive shopper was browsing the puzzle section? I have never bought a thrift store puzzle before and that is probably wise. There’s always the possibility a piece could be missing—they were all there. But what’s the harm in spending $4 for a good cause? What I didn’t expect was the musty smell when I opened the box. After dumping the pieces on the table, the box went to sit on the swing in the patio for a couple days. The pieces were another matter. I found that when I puzzled for any length of time, my fingers smelled like the pieces! Well, by the time I got it together, the smell was gone. It’s a keeper!
The thing about the late Mr. Wyscoki’s art is, it reminds me of homes from times past. Calm, peaceful and family-oriented. A time when parents didn’t run around depositing their children in structured activities. A time when everyone sat down to dinner together. A time when people knew their neighbors and enjoyed a friendly chat over the fence. I may not be good at relaxing, but I find escape and quiet when I work a puzzle.
On my way through the checkout line, I came up with two doilies I didn’t need. They were just so perfect. That second picture doesn’t do justice to the very fine needlework. I guess I’m going to have to overlap them in my Hull cabinet.
After arranging this whale basket for a family get-together, I sure enjoyed the flowers while I puzzled. Thought I’d share. Carnations last forever and they have a fragrance I enjoy.
I must admit it’s nice to do normal in these days of strange news and cataclysmic world events. I recommend it highly and need to take my own advice more regularly. Stay safe out there!