Charming Glass Jar Bank

f you're like me, you're always discovering spare change in the couch cushions, under furniture, or in pockets while doing laundry. I've never really been quite organized enough to collect and save found coins in a sensible fashion like most folks do, I'm sure, but a couple of months ago I thought it would be fun to have a special place to "bank" any change that we find lying about the house. So with a glass jar, some scrapbooking paper, buttons, and little bit of decorative trim, I made a sweet little coin jar to keep in the kitchen. The kids love depositing money into it and I like feeling a little more organized!

It is that time of year again - "going back to school" time. This past week we were busy doing all of our school shopping and now I'm in the process of getting the house ready for the new school year...things like cleaning out the kids' dresser drawers and closets, culling old clothes, and cleaning out the laundry room and fridge and other areas that will stay quite "hopping" throughout the busy school year. With all the activity that homework, projects, and school events adds to our schedule, I like to get the school year off to a fresh start here at home. Also, (and many of you have been asking me), I do still plan to get my faux dessert business off the ground before December and feel like I am so close to being ready here. But home and family have always come first so I've been waiting until I feel like I can in good conscience move forward with the business without neglecting other duties...and I'm almost there. I have a lot of fun ideas that I'm really looking forward to trying...stay tuned!

I will probably be scarce here for the next couple of weeks as we get ready for the new school year and as we get accustomed to a new routine all over again. We've also all been sick here and I think between cleaning and organizaing, I'm going to try and rest up so I can fully recover. Poor hubs has a coughing fit every time he moves...but fortunately, the kids were the first to get sick and the first to recover, so they are now enjoying what's left of their summer break.

Before I sign off, I thought I'd post a few photos of some Goodwill finds... Goodwill hunting is SO much fun!

Mostly vintage cookbooks....



Baskets...(you can't tell from the photo, but the largest basket is BIG!)


Metal plant containers with text about gardening...


An oil painting (I'm not sure if I like the frame or not, but the painting itself is sweet!)



Thank you for your kind comments about the painted trivets and the chocolate chip cookies! I'm glad you enjoyed the photos! Until next time... Have a great rest of the summer!