M.B.

“What? Another package from Avignon? Who can be sending these? I still haven’t found out who sent the one last month?! Shall I open it or stash it away in my trunk in the attic with the other one?”

These are the thoughts that ran through Mandy’s head as she fell asleep that hot July night. How could she ever open a package when she didn’t even know from whom it was sent? To whom would she thank for the mysterious gifts? Of course, first thing in the morning she would add this second delivery to that stored away trunk. Maybe the card got separated from the packages and soon she would have the answers.

When the third package arrived, then the fourth, and fifth, her trunk was so full she could not even close the top. Whatever shall she do? The gentleman on horseback who brought them each month was very tight-lipped. Working for The Pony Express did not mean he would know who actually sent these packages that always seemed to be scented of lavender. He would only smile and mumble a greeting in a whisper each time he came with one. He was no help in finding out where these were coming from.

 November came and Mandy went to school outside Paris. The very cold snowy winter prevented her letters from reaching her home in Provence. Have there been any more deliveries? Has that handsome man returned on horseback?

 She would write home weekly only for her letters to collect at the postal office. Oh what a long winter that year. She was still dying to know what those packages held!

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School let out and she was so happy that after one more year she would graduate. She had always wanted to be an interior decorator and especially loved shabby chic style. One more year and her dreams would come true.

                        

Upon returning home to Provence in May, Mandy’s little sister ran down the lane to greet her. “Mandy, after the snow melted in Paris, we got all of the letters you wrote. Guess what else came? You got six more packages…… delivered by that man on horseback," she giggled.

 Walking up the lane the two sisters held hands and shared stories of their time apart. Behind them they heard the sound of horses galloping. Turning around there was that man leading a white stallion with a package in his arms. “My, how handsome of a man!” Mandy whispered to her sister.

 

This time the man got off his horse, got down on his knee, and professed his love to Mandy.

“They’re from me……….all 10 of those packages.

You will get two more as my wedding gift to you……………..because I want to marry you!”

“Yes!” You are all I’ve thought about while I was away at school. I’ve had dreams that you were the one those packages were from. Tell me, what is in all these packages” as they made their way to that trunk in the attic to open them.

“Mandy Baker, that is what your name will be after you become my bride.” These are hand-embroidered chemises with the initials M. B.,” stated Mr. Baker. Once we get married you will have 12 so you can wear a different one
every month.....................

………..and they lived happily ever after!

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Now go over to

 My French Country Home

and see what this silliness is all about.

Swap Vintage Listing

I'm listing for the first time on SwapVintage.

Better Homes & Gardens

 Meals with a FOREIGN FLAIR

1963

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Up for grabs are these vintage cookbooks. 

 Would love to swap for vintage tablecloths or

 other linens, rhinestone jewelry....can be broken or have missing stones,

 old glass bottles, or any other surprises that may get listed.

Better Homes & Gardens

SALAD BOOK

1965 printing.....Originally published 1958

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Betty Crockers

MONEY-SAVING DINNERS

1973-1974

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Hamilton Beach

THE BLENDER WAY TO BETTER COOKING

1965

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Go visit Mitzi and see the awesome website she has developed.

And LET'S SWAP!!!!!

I See Sea Shells

Sea shells are abundant around my house. 

 Shells of all sizes, shapes and colors. 

 I can't walk on the beach without picking

 up the shells I see.
Their versatility is endless.

There's so many things you can do with shells.

(marthastewart.com)

Crafty things.............

(marthastewart.com)

Pretty things..........

(marthastewart.com)

Marry them with other pieces of nature.....

(marthastewart.com)

             Entertaining things......

(marthastewart.com)

Simple things.......

 (marthastewart.com)

(marthastewart.com) 

So many different things!

(marthastewart.com)

I even pick them up at yard sales. 

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What do you do with the seashells you see?

And pick up to treasure forever?

Busy Buyer.......

at yard Sales that is.  I've been loving the many summer yard sales and have even got Hubby to stop at them when we see one! 

  (Well, some of them anyway).

Let's look at all the loot I've brought home.

I got a shoe box full of shells and these sand dollars were wrapped in a 1984 newspaper and were found in the bottom of the box.  They had been bleached and were super fragile so I made an emulsion of Elmer's Glue and water and brushed on them to toughen them up.

Not sure what I will do with these yet.......couldn't pass them up for 50 cents.

They looked so pretty drying in my kitchen window sill.

Also found this terra cota canister set for $1.  Hubby drilled drainage holes in the bottom for me so I can use as flower pots.  So far only have one planted with rosemary and used some of the shells to cover the soil in it.

LOVE this pink picture frame that I found at a sale.  I can see it being re-purposed as either a mini chalkboard with some chalkboard paint or maybe a jewelry organizer. 

Next are some dishes...........an addiction of mine. 

The pink floral plate says 'Made in Occupied China' on the back.  The cream colored plates are Fiesta Ware and the white plates with the blue rims are metal ware.

I may sell these on Etsy or I may use as flower pot saucers.  I can see all 12 of the metal ware plates lined down the center of an old farm table with flowerpots with colorful blooms. 

Too bad there is no long farm table in my future!

More metal ware......a colander and large pot.

Some milk glass that will get cleaned up and listed on Etsy and some Spanish moss.  I love to use this moss to cover the soil in my flowerpots also.

 I've been looking for something to cover the hideous stripped fabric that came on my chaise cushion and picked up this sheet with crochet trim for $1.25.  I'm so happy with how it looks.  I double folded it so that the dreaded strips would not peak through and love how the crocheted trim drapes off  the end.

Books Galore!  I am also addicted to old books and have found so many lately.

Isn't this some garage salen GOODNESS!!!

Linking up to 

Debbie Doos Garage Salen Partay!
and
Southern Hospitality Thrifty Treasures
and
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm