Sunday, May 16, 2010

Blue Book for Monday














Have you ever wondered about my profile photo? It is a little black & white photo of a 3 year old little girl, yours truly, charming in my little frilly dress and sweater. In this photo, I am at my Uncle's store. I always thought it funny that it isn't the jewelry that I am pointing at but rather the silver trays. Always thinking about entertaining my guests in style, apparently at age 3, I was well on my way to wanting to be the "Hostess with the Mostest".


The photo is a favorite of mine. Coming from a family of 4, all of us really close in age, I don't have many photos of just me. Besides, I stopped being photogenic a long time ago. The other photo on my sidebar is a recent shot of me clutching my Blue Goodwill Bag in front of my favorite place to shop, but it is from a distance. Hey, I just wanted to get the store sign in the background and not hide away from a close-up, honest.



I was born to shop, but allow me to make clear, I am not a shopaholic. I am a "Thriftique Shopper". (Please see my post "If it walks like a duck, confessions of a
thriftique shopper", click here) In 1968, a much older cousin passed down a book to me, titled Sally Goes Shopping Alone, by Louise Eppenstein published in 1940. Little Sally is only 8 and she goes to the department store, 3 blocks away from her house, on a mission to buy a birthday present for her mommy. "Mummy looked at Sally. She looked at a little girl who was eight but wore size twelve, and who bathed herself without forgetting ears, and who made her own bed without a wrinkle and who knew her tables-of-tens." I was also 8, and the stores were about the same distance away, in the quiet little town of Gardiner, and I could make my bed, wash my ears and as for the tables-of-tens, well I have said it before, creativity and math do not go together, anyway I still couldn't walk downtown by myself until age 10.


Most children carry around a toy or two, I carried my little book collection. This book was a favorite, right along with Mike Mulligan and the Steam Shovel, and went with me on visits to Aunt Eva's house, or on other long road trips. All I have from my childhood are my barbies and a few books. I suppose the book might be valuable, it is in great shape for being 70 years old; however, I would never part with it. As I hold it in my hands, lovingly turning each page, a flood of memories rush back to me of a much happier and simpler time, when even though I had to wait until I was 10, I could go shopping alone. I wouldn't let my own daughter go to the Mall
with friends much less alone until she was 14. Yes, it was a simpler time.

Thank you for letting me share this childhood memory. Before I got ready to post, I was visiting some of my favorite blogs and found that my friend Melinda @ Alabaster Rose Designs
is doing her first blog party "I'm So Blue Monday's" and through Diann @ The Thrifty Groove, I found Sally @ Smiling Sally for "Blue Monday". What a nice surprise, my post today was meant to be. My little Blue Book is joining these 2 little parties. I hope that you stop by and see what everyone else is showing.

I Got It At Goodwill
Sherrie


21 comments:

craftyles said...

I love your shopping book-can't beat thrift stores. Thanks for sharing your memory.

AWJ said...

Thanks for sharing-- that photo of you when you were little is adorable! My mom and I were just talking about how much things have changed: I used to bike miles from my house when I was eleven... but I could never let my daughters do that. It's sad.

the teacher's pets said...

How reassuring to know there are other thrift store enthusiasts out here in the blogging world! I am not alone after all! I love that you were always looking for a bargain, a treasure, and unique gift for loved ones even at an early age! I grin every time I see the picture of you in front of the Goodwill store b/c most people would rather pose in front of a high-end store...but not you and I love that about you! I've said it before and I'll say it again...I love unique people so I guess that means I like myself too...heeeheee!

If you check out my blog you will find it is about pets and the adventures I have with them but what you don't know is I stop at thrift stores (and, yes, Goodwill, too) as a treat in between visits! I am thinking I'll have to reveal that guilty pleasure in my blog...why not? Love your blog! Wish I had more thrift stores than you seem to have in your neck of the woods! Lucky you!

the teacher's pets said...

Not sure if you know this but when I click on the recommended blogs I am brought to a dead-end...

Linda @ A La Carte said...

First of all I love that photo of you! How cute pointing to silver tryas!! I don't even have to tell you I am a shopaholic(thrifty one)! It is addictive. I love your little book, that is a treasure for sure. I love books and I also toted mine around when young always getting someone to read to me! Still love my books. Happy Blue Monday!

SmilingSally said...

What a special blue book, and I LOVE the name of the title character! Happy 1st Blue Monday, Sherrie.

Becky said...

Oh I LOVE that book! I used to read it at my grandmother's house and then would read it to my sister who is coincidentally named Sally. What a fun memory. And a GREAT choice for Blue Monday.

Mary Bergfeld said...

I really loved your post today, Sherrie. I suspect we are kindred spirits. I do hope you are having a great Blue Monday. Blessings...Mary

Anonymous said...

Hello my friend,
What a beautiful snippet from your childhood today! I wish I had memories such as these! I can't believe you still have that wonderful treasured book. I had all of my barbies too up until my 9th year of marriage and they were left behind in storage. I was devastated! Someone got some wonderful old barbies, with furniture, clothes and accessories! This is still a sore subject with my husband and I. At least I had boys and not girls.
Thank you so much for joining my 1st blog party, I so appreciate it!
Have a great week.
Sincerely,
Melinda

Anonymous said...

Hi Sherrie! Oh, I love these little olden books! I have quite a few from my childhood.
Thank you so much for popping in to see me today. You know what, there's nothing on the bottom of these little figurines! I have no idea about them.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Joyful said...

I love the title of the "blue book", Sally goes Shopping. It meant me smile and brought back memories of a best seller to schools back in the day...Dick and Jane ;-)

Decor To Adore said...

What a precious treasure your sweet book is.

My great grandfather, Lansford "James" and Charles were brothers. A very fun connection to Laura indeed.

Thank you for your kind comments on my blog. I am truly blessed because of it.

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

You were such a darling little girl.
Love you little book too. Such a sweet post.

hugs
Sissie

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

What a darling post! Isn't it nice to know that your love of shopping...er...thrifting was one you have developed from childhood! So no wonder, by now you seem like a pro!
Yvonne

Kathryn said...

Hi Sherrie! I arrived here through Smiling Sally/Blue Monday. Great site!!! You are a woman after my own heart (and probably the same age too!) I love thrift stores and getting great bargains, um, treasures. I do donate as well so I kinda think it all works out. I'll check back soon!
hugs!
kat

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Hi, Sherrie... I found your post through Blue Monday, and I enjoyed every word. I have just now discovered the joys of Goodwill, though I have been a thrifty shopper both in antique shops, charity rummage sales, and stores like Marshall's for many years. I had only bought a couple of things over the years from Goodwill and Salvation Army, but now I am seeing so many tempting things from my friends online that I am back looking! Three of my friends are avowed Goodwill shoppers, and they have found the most wonderful treasures for their homes from there.

I'm a book lover, too, and your book you have there is charming. Glad you shared it with us. I still have a few of my Little Golden Books as well as some other books that I treasure.

Happy Blue Monday!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Rose said...

LOVE hearing about story. I love old books with pics. Have a good day.

❀~Myrna~❀ said...

Very cute pic of you ! Wonderful book &I enjoyed your sharing about yourself .
Blessings,
~Myrna

Anonymous said...

Hi Sherrie! A kindred spirit! I, too, love the thrill of the treasure hunt... for my own stuff and for others. And thanks for a glimpse into your childhood.
~Karen

Stella said...

Nothing better than thrift stores. It's the thrill of the hunt for just the perfect little treasure. I have always loved books too. But as an army brat when we moved we left behind everything that wasn't necessary. It was to expensive to ship memories. Glad you have one of yours. Stella

Nishant said...

Thanks for sharing--
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