Chapter 28 - The Old Curiosity Shop

So last week I told you about some of the internal renovations going on at our house. We have also been reconsidering all the things we have acquired over the last 20 years. If you think this has been an easy thing to do, well it hasn't. It started with me cleaning out boxes stored in my office from when we cleared out my mother's house over 4 years ago. Then we redistributed some of the cooking toys like the warming tray, food vacuum saver apparatus, and the pasta maker (thank you friends and family). We combed through the book cases and jettisoned books that we don't need anymore like Golden Books and Childcraft books (grandchildren have aged out of these), fly fishing books (Dave's contribution) and other books I thought I should read at least once. (Note to self if you have not read a book in 20 years chances are you are not going to.) We also took a look at all the furniture to decide which stayed and which got kicked to the curb. This activity opened us up to all sorts of possibilities.

In addition to purging ourselves of items which no longer "spark joy" (thank you Marie Kondo) we are delving into acquiring things which are beautiful, useful, and have value. We have also been tuning into the British TV show Antique Road Trip and have learned a lot about antiques, vintage items, paintings, and their worth. So we've been searching for items we can use and enjoy and might be worth something to our children eventually.

Of course all this time in antique/thrift/consignment/ and other second hand shops just makes me think of the books which have been written about antiques, antique dealers, and people who frequent those types of stores.

Here are some suggestions for those of you who like that kind of book.

Looking For Me by Beth Hoffman - When Teddi Overman leaves her Kentucky roots to open an antique store in Charleston, South Carolina, she starts a life as quirky as the customers who frequent her store. Trying to put behind a past that includes the sudden disappearance of her brother Josh, Teddi finds herself drawn back to her hometown as signs of her brother reappear.

Savannah Blues by Mary Kay Andrews - Divorce has Eloise "Weezy" Foley living in the carriage house behind the lovely Savannah house she and her ex-husband bought together. She combs the streets and alleys of Savannah to pick up antiques which she then restores. An unauthorized sneak preview puts Weezy in the middle of a murder mystery. This is the first of a four book series.

The Little Shop of Found Things by Paula Brackston - Xanthe and her mother Flora take over an antique shop outside of London. While Xanthe has always had an affinity for antiques, at times even sensing the story behind them, when a silver chatelaine comes her way she is transported back to the 17th century to right an injustice which has been done. This is the first in a series.

The Antique Hunters Guide to Murder by C. L. Miller - This is a debut mystery which is quirky and fun. When Freya Lockwood finds out that her mentor has died under mysterious circumstances, she takes the letter she received from him just days before his death seriously. He has asked her to investigate some shady dealings for him. Taking her eccentric aunt along for support Freya may end up in more trouble than she bargained for.

The Gown by Jennifer Robson - A young Canadian woman loses her job right after her beloved grandmother's death. In going through her grandmother's possessions she comes across a piece of beautifully embroidered cloth and decides to find out why her grandmother had this keepsake for so many years.

After all our work, I'm taking a few weeks off to enjoy family and vacation. See you in mid-August!