My Goodwill Finds

Is it just me, or does anyone else have a love affair with their local Goodwill store?  I tell ya....I just cannot seem to get enough of mine!  It has become an endless source of books, clothes, and home decor projects (if I can ever get started on them) to last me a lifetime.  :o)

Here's what makes mine so special....  (goodness, I'm taking far too much ownership here)  Not only is there a main store which has wonderful prices on all the things I shop for, there's also a side store called the Bargain Barn.  Yes, it is exactly what it sounds like.  No joke, clothes (and pretty much all other fabric-like items) are $1.45/lb.  I can't count how many times I've walked out of there with 4-6 shirts and paid less than $5.  You can't beat it!  Paperbacks cost 50 cents, and a hardback costs $1.  Cd's are cheap, too, if you can find one still with it's case and still in good condition.  Home decor stuff varies, but little things like picture frames and knick-knacks are around 50 cents to a dollar.  There's always a handful of furniture items, too, but I haven't bought anything that big too this point.  One of these days I'm hoping to score a nice piece that needs a little rehab and elbow grease.  :o)

To date, the best thing I ever scored at the Bargain Barn is the painting that you see on the right (click the picture to enlarge).  I kid you not...that thing called my name as soon as I walked in the door.  Hubby and I had just painted our bedroom maybe a week before I found it, too, which made it that much better.  :o)  Oh, and it was a steal at $6.

Not only do I have a very convenient Goodwill store, there's also a very nice (and new) Salvation Army store that's literally one minute away.  While their selection is not always quite as good, I have been known to find a few clothes there that have become mainstays to my wardrobe.  And guess what else?  There's yet another thrift store that's close by, too!  Whatever will I do with all these cheap places to shop?!?!?!  Dear me....

So, with all this success, I just can't keep it to myself any longer!  I'm actually thinking of turning this in to a regular post....hmmmm....  :o)

Let me show you what I picked up this past week:

I don't usually score this well on fabric-like items, but I'm not complaining!  I picked up two sheer drapery panels--one white and one blue.  I particularly am in love with blue one.  *happy sigh*  Me thinks I'm going to fashion some sort of pillow out of the both panels, but I haven't decided for sure.  I also snagged a decent piece of brown satin, as well as that pretty frame. 

I do believe I'm in love with this sweater, and I can only imagine what it would've actually cost brand new (it's Caché)!  It's got a two-way zipper (at least, I guess that's what it's called) and beadwork all over the collar, down the front and on the cuffs.  Oh, I just love it!

Here's a close up of the beadwork.  The cuffs need a little TLC as they're just a teeny bit frayed, and there's a few loose threads.  Nothing that I can't handle.  :o)

Total spent last week:  $4.43

So, what about you?  Do you have a love affair with your local thrift store?  Score any great finds lately?

CFBA Blog Tour: Hearts Aglow by Tracie Peterson

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Hearts Aglow Bethany House (March 1, 2011) by Tracie Peterson



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 85 novels.

She received her first book contract in November, 1992 and saw A Place To Belong published in February 1993 with Barbour Publishings' Heartsong Presents. She wrote exclusively with Heartsong for the next two years, receiving their readership's vote for Favorite Author of the Year for three years in a row.

In December, 1995 she signed a contract with Bethany House Publishers to co-write a series with author Judith Pella. Tracie now writes exclusively for Bethany House Publishers.

She teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research.

Tracie was awarded the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for 2007 Inspirational Fiction and her books have won numerous awards for favorite books in a variety of contests.

Making her home in Montana, this Kansas native enjoys spending time with family--especially her three grandchildren--Rainy, Fox and Max. She's active in her church as the Director of Women's Ministries, coordinates a yearly writer's retreat for published authors, and travels, as time permits, to research her books

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The future should be bright for Deborah Vandermark, who is now pursuing her interest in medicine alongside Dr. Christopher Clayton, who is courting her. But the lumber town is resistant to the idea of a woman physician, and she feels thwarted at every turn.

A more devastating blow occurs, however, when Christopher breaks off their relationship to return home to his troubled family. Despite her own love life going awry, Deborah is still intent to be a matchmaker for both her widowed mother and her brother, who has caught the eye of the spit-fire daughter of the local pastor.

But what will Deborah do when faced with the truth about Christopher's family? Is there hope for the two of them...or will Jake Wyeth's attentions finally catch Deborah's eye instead?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Hearts Aglow, go HERE.

CFBA Blog Tour: A Bond Never Broken by Judith Miller

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingA Bond Never BrokenBethany House (March 1, 2011)byJudith Miller



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A Word from Judith:

Most readers want to know how authors 'got started' writing. My first novel, Threads of Love, was conceived when I was commuting sixty miles to work each day. I wanted to tell the story of a pioneer girl coming to Kansas and the faith that sustained her as she adjusted to a new life. When the book was completed, I tucked it away. I had absolutely no idea how publication of a book occurred and had given no thought to the concept. However, through a co-worker, I was directed to Tracie Peterson who, at that time, worked down the hall from me. Having never met Tracie, I was totally unaware of her writing career, but God intervened. The rest is, as they say, history...

With a graciousness that continues to amaze me, Tracie agreed to read my story, directed me to a publisher, and gave me information on a Christian writers conference. Since that first encounter many years ago, I have been blessed with the publication of numerous books, novellas and a juvenile fiction book. Joyously, Tracie and I had the opportunity to develop a blessed friendship. In fact, we have co-authored several series together, including The Bells of Lowell, the Lights of Lowell and The Broadmoor Legacy. In addition, I have continued to write several solo series.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

For many years, Ilsa Redlich has helped her parents run a hotel in South Amana, but as the United States enters the Great War, she can feel her world changing. The residents of the towns surrounding the Amana Colonies used to be accepting of their quiet, peaceful neighbors, but with anti-German sentiment running high, the Amana villages are now plagued by vandalism, threats, and insults.

Things get even worse when Ilsa finds out her family won't be allowed to speak German in public--and that Garon, the childhood friend she's long been smitten with, has decided to join the army. Jutta Schmidt is shocked when several members of the Council of National Defense show up on her family's doorstep. Sure, the Schmidts once lived in the Amana Colonies, but that was years ago. She's even more surprised when the council demands that she travel to Amana and report back on any un-American activities.

Not daring to disobey the government agents, Jutta takes a job at the South Amana hotel, befriends the daughter of the owners, and begins to eavesdrop every chance she gets. When Jutta hears Ilsa making antiwar remarks and observes Garon assisting a suspicious outsider, she is torn at the prospect of betraying her new friends.

But what choice does she have? And when Garon is accused of something far worse than Jutta could imagine, can the Amana community come to his aid in time?

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Bond Never Broken, go HERE.

Book Review: Intervention by Terri Blackstock/5 Stars

About the book:

Barbara Covington has one more chance to save her daughter from a devastating addiction: staging an intervention. But when eighteen-year-old Emily disappears on the way to drug treatment and her interventionist is found dead at the airport, Barbara enters her darkest nightmare of all.

Barbara and her son set out to find Emily before Detective Kent Harlan arrests her for a crime he is sure she committed. Fearing for Emily's life, Barbara maintains her daughters innocence, but does she really know her anymore? Meanwhile, Kent has questions of his own. His gut tells him that this is a case of an addict killing for drugs. But as he gets to know Barbara, he begins to hope hes wrong about Emily.

Fear rises as the mysteries intensify: Did Emily's obsession with drugs lead her to commit murderer is she another victim of a cold-blooded killer?

In this gripping stand-alone novel of intrigue and suspense, bestselling fiction author Terri Blackstock delivers the up-all-night drama that readers around the world have come to expect from her.

My thoughts:

This was one of those books that just slapped me in the face with it's stark reality.  Sure, I watch the tv show Intervention.  I know there are people in this world that struggle with addiction.  Until this book, though, it never really sunk in how painful and difficult it really must be for people that struggle to get help for their family members.

In typical Terri Blackstock style, this was not just a novel that dealt with a major issue.  She had to get her bad guy in their somewhere!  In this story, though, she didn't hold out until the end of the book to reveal this crazy madman who was out to get revenge.  I liked that I was able to get a better understanding of his character before he really went off the deep end.

I also thought her portrayal of Barbara, Emily's mom, was very realistic.  I'm not a mother yet, but I know if I had a child that was in harm's way, I would be beating down the door to the police station every single day for them to get busy finding my child.  Her struggle to do whatever she could was constantly at war with Detective Kent Harlan who just wanted her to stay out of the way. 

And Lance!!!  Barbara's young son almost stole the show!  His inquistive personality was a lot of fun to read, as well as his desire to be the "man of the family" at 14 years old. 

What more is there to say?  I can't help but give 5 huge stars for this powerful novel.  It was such a fast read, and worth every second to learn the things that I did. This book challenged my thinking about what goes on in neighborhoods I don't drive through, and in families that keep their struggles hidden.  Highly recommended!

Southern?  Yes
Sass?  No