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02 May, 2010

Fun Frenchy Finds...and...Some Staff Shenanigans!

IMG_1596 My Goodwill hunting this week didn’t net a lot of finds, but I do love what I got!  First, I found this faux  lavender topiary for $7.50…a little more than I like to pay, but its obvious frenchiness won me over! Doesn’t it just look like a little bit of Provence?


IMG_1600And look at the wonderful faux moss on the pot, too! The blooms look so real that the sales clerk checked to see if they had that lovely lavender fragrance! lol I think you might see what’s coming next…


IMG_1598 …but I am saving that job for our lovely co-hostess Kitty! She is excited to have a chance to fill in for Baby Kitty, who is otherwise occupied, as you will soon see!


page1 She wants to show you our bargain of the week…this set of French cheese plates for only $2.82! Woo hoo!


page2 I love the colors and the little frenchy designs…especially l’agneau dansant…the dancing lamb!


page3 Another recent flea market find is Mister Mouse, who became the star of the little vignette on my media cabinet. If you have known me very long, you know that all you have to do is put clothes on a mouse and I will buy it! lol He looks like he just stepped out of the pages of my favorite childhood book, The Wind in the Willows. I like the change he adds to this area! You might also notive a HUGE change if you remember that not too long ago, this was the spot for the world's oldest working console television...then the world's smallest television! Now I have a flat screen like the rest of the modern world! lol


IMG_1565 And now for an update on the corks that I placed around my transplanted faux olive tree…the staff hasn’t really bothered them very much…so far.


IMG_1605 Hey! Wait a minute, Isabella! What are you trying to hide?


IMG_1606 Hmmm…it appears that she has chosen one of the corks as her toy and added it to the staff’s toy basket! lol No kidding…I saw her do it! She fished a cork out of the planter and was playing with it when she saw me coming toward her. So...she picked it up in her mouth, ran to the basket and dropped it in! I guess this one is now officially a kitty toy! Smart girl, huh?


IMG_1620 As for Baby Kitty…he is preoccupied by our new backyard neighbor...a baby bunny! It seems that there will be no outdoor romps for the staff for a while! Perhaps our co-host will be ready to return to his duties next week. Until then, thanks for stopping by!

Please visit these wonderful ladies and their beautiful blogs to see what they are up to and to find a list of this week’s participants!
Mary at Little Red House for Mosaic Monday
Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Rhoda at Southern Hospitality for Today’s Thrifty Treasures
Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday
Linda at Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday
See you next time! A la prochaine!

67 comments:

  1. Baby Kitty is doing a wonderful job of guarding your home against invading rabbits :) Once again, you've found some great things. Love those cheese plates. And I guess cats are like kids - a whole basket of kitty toys and they want to play with a cork! Hope you're having a great weekend. Hugs, Kat

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  2. Oh Debbie, those plates are wonderful! I so badly want to go shopping at that GW store! Of course, I'd need to get there before you, because you'd buy the same things I want to buy. Your new topiary is so pretty. I love that you captured Baby Kitty looking at ther bunny through the window. laurie

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  3. Oh I so love your frenchy finds. the plates are wonderful, love the colors too. All your finds look wonderful in your home. Your staff are very cute too. Smiles, Marla

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  4. Fantastic finds on this outing, Debbie!! I LOVE the plates and the mouse is TOO cute!! The closeup of Isabella is beautiful...those green eyes!! I agree with Kathy, all those toys and they want the cork!!

    Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!!

    xoxo
    Janie

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  5. I looked at your post over and over this morning. So much colour, dishes and cats.....you had me once again. I love the plates, they are gorgeous. I can't believe how smart that Isabella is. Mine just make a mess, never clean up after themselves. I think she deserves the cork. Your cats are just precious and just add more beauty to your home. Hugs, Deb

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  6. Love those plates!! The colors are gorgeous in all their French-ness! Now you staff is one of my fav's in blogland and they are so entertaining as always. Love the cork story and baby kitty watching that bunny! Great post!

    Always,
    Linda

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  7. Debbie, I love your lavender topiary, how neat. I never find any plants at our GW. Your olive tree is fabulous too. The cheese plates are wonderful, so frenchy. Now the kitty's are just so much fun, they keep you entertained for sure. I love that sly look when Kitty was caught with the cork. Too funny. Hope you have a great week. Hugs, Marty

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  8. Hey Debbie, I always love seeing your kittys and what mischief they have been up to. Love all your finds but especially the little mouse...how cute! The plates are wonderful and what a deal you got.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

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  9. We missed you last night!

    Okay, the corkscrew story is a hoot!

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  10. OOOH those plates Debbie! What a deal, they are sooo charming too.
    Your kitties always delight me. That Isabella is one smart cookie! Enjoy your week and good luck treasure hunting!
    Cindy

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  11. You always find the best treasures! And, what smart kitties you have!

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  12. Hi Debbie, so much to enjoy in this post! I love the mischievous shennigans of your staff. Pls tell them kitty says HI! Oh, love your new TV!

    Bonnie

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  13. Those French plates are gorgeous Debbie. Great finds.I love your story about Isabella. Cats are so clever and of course your whole staff is. Love your collages too. Have a good week.

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  14. Wow, that lavender topiary really does look real! :) Great find!! The photo of Baby Kitty watching the bunny made me laugh. Hope he stays indoors for awhile! ;)

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  15. I love how you call the cats "the staff". So funny. And the little mouse in the suitjacket is fab. Very whimsical. He adds a lightheartedness to the house and the fact that he stands there so boldly with all the staff around is just perfect.
    Flatscreen t.v. means more space for things to delight the eye. Yeah.

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  16. Your kitties are so cute! Those plates are just too Frenchy gorgeous! LOL! We finally got a flat screen two months ago too. Our old tv had horizontal lines on the top for the longest time and tv prices seem to be pretty good right now so we too entered the modern world of tv's!

    Manuela

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  17. Fantastic finds, Debbie :) I love the cheese plates! You always find the fabulous, I never find such nice things!

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  18. I love the cheese plates! Very charming. The moment I saw the mouse I thought of Ratty - endeared to learn you loved Wind in the Willows - me too.

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  19. Mr. Mouse is just the cutest little guy! Great cheese plates. Your kitties are the best!

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  20. Oh, Debbie, what a cute post! I love your topiary and it does look like the real thing! Those plates are simply adorable! Now I'm just giggling my head off thinking of that pretty girl sneaking her out a little cork for her own! :)
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  21. Thank GOODNESS your home is protected by an Attack Cat; those Baby Bunnies can be pretty sneaky and dangerous!

    LOVE all your fabulous GW finds. Those plates? Adorable! I passed one of our local GWs today and remarked that I had not been there for a couple of weeks. That must be remedied, and soon!

    Cass

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  22. The picture of your cat looking at the bunny through the window is priceless. Love your thrifty finds!

    Smiles,
    Carol

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  23. What a neat cat, and I mean that litteraly. How did you train them to put their toys away? LOL! I can't even get my kids to do that.
    Hugs,
    Dawn

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  24. Debbie, what a great topiary - love it! And the plates are sooooo cute.....you need to hang them somewhere....love the colors. Oh, by B.K. some catnip! What a clown! Linda

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  25. I am laughing as Sue and I were at Goodwill last night before we went to the Classy Flea party and we were talking about you. All the items we picked up were a small fortune and we said your Goodwill has much better prices. We want to drive up and spend the day with you and go to your Goodwill store:) Hug that new baby for me.
    Joyce

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  26. I was LOLing....Love the topiary.

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  27. Great mosaics and wonderful photos! I hope that you have a lovely new week!
    Hugs...
    Bobbi

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  28. great finds....looks like Baby Kitty is having fun watching the bunny..

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  29. Your new plates are great..love the bright colors. The cats crack me up...I could have taken a picture of my Pixie looking out at a bunny in our yard too!

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  30. Love your new plates, and the topiary! Cute shot of the kittie and the bunny. My favorite is of the mouse.

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  31. I love seeing what you find at GW. Love the plates. Wind in the Willows is one of my favorites. Your kitties are great staff ... guard kitty and funny *grab that cork and hide it* kitty! Fun post.

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  32. Oh I am gonna take the cork idea and run with it. Been saving mine for awhile in a bottle but I like the placement on the flower and the flower. You did get at the thrift store. Cute, cute kitties. I love all your mosaics. Blessings
    QMM

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  33. Quelles jolies plaques! Et votre chat est tres intelligent!

    OK that's about the limit of my French. lol Thanks for sharing at MM. :)

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  34. Oh my gosh, the stolen cork is hysterical. Something my cats would do too. Cute plates!
    Dropping by from BNOTP.

    Allison
    Atticmag

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  35. Your kitty's are so adorable! You did good at GW! I love those plates :)

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  36. Yes I am here to confirm that we were talking about you last night while we were wandering the aisles of the local GW at nothing but a bunch of overpriced crap...we do need to take a road trip to your GW and other thrift stores...We are too overpriced done here....Oh and we are having a ladies tea at the tea house in Woodstock...mark your calendar for Friday June 25th.
    A few of us went a couple of weeks back and it'r really charming for lunch and the food was great....I hope you will be able to make it and bring along Linda too!!

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  37. Love your Frenchy finds. That mouse is too cute. I have an old brass candlestick that has a little mouse that is dressed for the base. Love the picture of your kitty watching the baby bunny.

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  38. Your collection of blue and white plates makes my heart beat faster. Love them! And Mr. Mousie is so fetching (just like Isabella).

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  39. Debbie, you are so good at putting a smile on my face between your dishes and your precious kitties. I always love to come by and see what you've found and what the staff is up to. Love you and your blog! :) :)

    Donna

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  40. Debbie, Of course I like your sweet bargain plates, but Mr. Mouse is just to die for, in my humble opinion. He is precious! As is Baby Kitty watching the little bunny. Glad you came by tonight. I have so missed blogging and connecting with friends these past weeks.
    hugs, Sue

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  41. You have the best priced GW store, Debbie. I cannot believe you got those plates for just over $2. This post is so cute and your cat is really smart!...Christine

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  42. Cute finds!!! I love everything and the cat too!

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  43. Would LOVE to have a Mister Mouse figure like that in my home. He's just adorable and yes.... looks as though he just stepped out of the pages of a book.. Great post today!

    Di
    The Blue Ridge Gal

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  44. Debbie, it is always fun to see what the staff is up to. Just this afternoon I was telling a friend about your staff and how Baby Kitty is now featured on Catatouille.
    Your new finds are terrific. I snagged a few GW finds myself this week, but was disappointed when one item I wanted was an "auction only" piece. I left a bid, but guess I wasn't high bidder. No phone call! :-(
    Does your GW have auctions? I'd rather they just put a price on it and let me decide.
    Hope you are enjoying beautiful spring weather.
    Hugs ~ Sarah

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  45. Hi Debbie!
    What a fun adventure with your STAFF :) I really think that cute mouse is something else.

    Always a pleasure to stop by ... sometime you will have to join us at Friday~~Finding Beauty.

    Hugs
    Claudia

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  46. Girl I ♥ those plates...you and Linda do fine the best stuff ever at GW...I wished we had one here...I pray all is well with your family my Dear friend...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

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  47. That is one smart kitty cat!

    I love your French plates and your new topiary is tres chic!

    Best wishes,
    Natasha.

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  48. Your new plates certainly fit in with your Provencal theme. Your kitty is very clever. I'd let her out to chase the rabbit though. They eat all my garden plants. Valerie

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  49. your cats are so adorable, and the hidden cork is just too cute.

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  50. Deb, you do the cutest posts! My DH was looking over my shoulder & was laughing at the kitty's antics. What a hoot!
    Fantastic plates you found...I wanna go GW hunting with YOU!! :D

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  51. Love Love Love the faux Lavender plant and Mr. Mouse!! LOVE HIM!!

    How funny Isabella picked out a cork! As a lover of cats myself, as I have FOUR, I can so totally relate!!

    Have a great week!

    Lou Cinda :)

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  52. Hi Debbie! SCA SCOREEEEE!!! I'd have played tug-o-war over both of your fab finds! Love the lavendar! Yes it does say "provence"! And I can't belive you got those plates for under $3! And I love Mr mousie too! That's too funny that Isabella put the cork right into the toy basket! Smart girl! Vanna

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  53. What a deal on those plates! I love the idea of the corks around the plant, but I think the beagle would be grabbing at those here.

    Sue

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  54. Tres chic! Love the topiary-your GW is definately better than mine. Thanks for sharing with us!

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  55. Mr Mouse and those plates were fantastic finds - you should be chuffed!

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  56. Wow those cheese plates are incredible and I love the lavender topiary too! Great finds!

    Miss Bloomers

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  57. Great finds, but I have to say I love the pic of the cork hiding in the toy basket! So funny! It's like the poor kitty is on Dateline or 20/20.

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  58. Good finds and congrats on getting a new tv. Now about that staff. You might want to get one of those video monitors for those little fellas! ;o) Not that they might do anything they shouldn't. Just sayin'.

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  59. Oh my gosh this is hilarious! I can't believe your kitties actually put their toys in the basket (I always have to pick up after Kramer:). Your finds are wonderful but as always your staff steals the show!

    Blessings,

    Kim

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  60. Debbie, I adore Isabella and the cork! LOL! What a hoot!

    Love your finds. You always, ALWAYS find the coolest deals, and you've inspired me to look at Goodwill (although ours is not nearly as groovy as yours is). I have found a few trinkets, but no great finds YET! I am intrepid so I persist in looking on a quasi-regular basis, and maybe someday I'll hit the mother lode! ;-)

    I sure wish you had been able to come with Claudie to St. Augustine. Maybe I can convince you to sneak away at some point and come visit. No news on the house, yet, but I'm okay with that.

    Sending you big hugs...

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  61. P.S. I just read your previous post which was DARLING! That Baby Kitty could truly be a cat star. I think you need to send pics of him in to cat food companies and let him be the next Morris! And I hope and pray he doesn't meet that precious little bunny next door. If Isabella met him, he would probably be in the toy basket! LOL!


    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  62. Hi Debbie,
    Love those beautiful plates...HAPPY NTT! Thanks for telling me about the corks at Target...I got me some:)

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  63. Had to know what you and your staff were up to!!! Love the little plates and of course the kitties make my day:)

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  64. Love the plates....REALLY love the lamb plate. Also love the mouse...Wind in the Willows is a favorite of mine as well. I have the same rooster planter and I hope it is ok with you if I "snitch" your cork idea.

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Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment! I appreciate my wonderful readers!... Debbie