Friday, October 14, 2011

Five Dollar Friday

In an attempt to find a better balance between work and home, I recently cut back to 30 hours a week at work, and as a result have Fridays off now. I love having more time at home, and hope that in the near future I can be home even more. Little steps!

Of course, that means I'm also going to have to watch my spending more carefully. I love wandering through antique stores and flea markets looking for vintage treasures, and can't imagine giving that up. So my solution is $5 Fridays! My challenge will be to find something that catches my eye, inspires me, or would be just perfect in my home for $5 or less.

Today I visited an antique mall in our town. I had limited time, and it seemed like the best option. In the future, I'll visit garage sales, auctions, secondhand stores, flea markets--anyplace I think I can snag a $5 vintage deal. I think this will be a really fun challenge. 

So here's my first $5 Friday find (it was actually only $4!). I collect vintage children's books, and this is one I have never seen. It's called My Sunday Book and was published in 1956 by C.R. Gibson and Co. I was taken in by the lovely subtle colors and charming illustrations, along with the message of the book. 








You and I know that it's not always possible to be happy all the day, every day. But trying to see the good in things, and having a positive attitude is worth striving for. And for me, singing and praying lift my spirits every time.

23 comments:

Mecky said...

That is so sweet. Is it Eloise Wilkins? I love her pictures. I would of had to of had that, too.

My DD and I took off to an antique mall today to kill time. We decided that we were not going to spend much. I spent a whole 6 dollars!!3 dollars for a vintage children's apron for my DGD. One dollar for a pattern for a shild's dress. 2.oo for 4 packages of jadite green bias tape!!
What we really wanted to buy was a vintage Dutch ladies hat for 65.00. Instead my DD bought two little dutch dolls for 2.00 each!
BTW, I am glad for you that you are going to get to stay home more!

Kris said...

What a fun idea! Happy you got to cut your hours back too!!! The illustrations are so cute in that book!!

camp and cottage living said...

Betsy Anne
What a great find! I wonder if you could find such a book today in any store other than a Christian bookstore. Oh, that's not very positive. The positive part of this story is you found it-and on the cheap!!

Hope said...

What a sweet little book and really cute illustrations. I have a big collection of Little Golden Books thanks to my hubby! I was actually looking for The Little Red Hen Golden Book (Smile) and told him to check when he was out. So every time he goes out anywhere and sees one he brings it home! I'm glad he and I have the same interests but we have accumulated a lot of stuff we don't need! What we do now when we see something we like is ask ourselves...Where would we put it?? That usually stops the sale or we agree to sell a piece to get one we love more! We are both junkaholics!

I like your $5 challenge! Maybe I can suggest that to hubby! Have a great weekend! :)

Sunny Simple Life said...

You sound so much like me. I am glad you have more time to be at home. That is where I am happiest too. I love your idea of setting a limit and seeing what you can get for it. You still have the fun of shopping without the big price tag.

Holly said...

Five dollar fridays sounds like a great idea! That book is adorable and I think I remember it from my grandmother's house. Have a great weekend.

Becky said...

I love vintage childrens books.That is soo cute,Thanks for sharing!

Shirley Hatfield said...

I love the $5 Friday idea! BTW I posted your cute laundry room...come and see! =D I have a question about Etsy...I know you haven't listed anything yet, but I want to help my sister set up an account to sell her vintage stuff (and aprons.) How did you create your banner? Do they have a design center or dashboard? Just wondering on a Sunny Saturday.

donna said...

Betsy what a cute book. I too love childerns books. I know how you feel about work. I am off on Fridays and every other Monday and I love it. But you get spoiled to the time off. I love it because I rarely have to take off work. Also we are not aloud to take off work without giving a reason why and then being scrutinized about it. Hope you are having a wonderful
Saturday.
Hugs
donna

Sandy aka Doris the Great said...

That's a perfect solution to your extra time and reduced money! $5 Fridays! I think I'll adopt your stance on thrift spending and challenge myself to stick to a set amount. Thanks Betsy Anne!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I've never seen this one either but isn't it precious! I'm so glad you posted pics of the pages! I looked through a few of my Golden books today! I love children's books! We have so much in common and I love your blog! I'm going to put in on my favorites list! Hugs! ♥

Melanie said...

Love the idea of $5 Fridays! Great idea! The book is precious, great find!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the story time! :)

I generally spent between $5.00-$7.00 when I go to the antique store, splurging with $20.00 purchases in the fall and winter when I'm not spending money on flowers!

Remember Dotty Hop Day tomorrow where I'll show my latest splurge! ♥

Unknown said...

wonderful post to start my day, and my week and what ever will be will be. Life is good

- KAT -

Lisa said...

Betsey,
I love your sweet book! What a great find! I think I had this book or one very similiar to it. It's just precious!
I love the 5 dollar Friday idea. I'm sure you'll find all kinds of loot now.:)
I love your adrable blog and am your newest follower.:)

Red Rose Alley said...

What a great book for $4. I really like old children's books too. I still have the books that I read to my kids when they were small. Their favorite was the "Berenstein Bears."
~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

Sewn With Grace said...

What a charming book! I would've snatched it up too!

GardenOfDaisies said...

What a very sweet little book. I like your $5 challenge!
Yes, a good attitude really makes a difference.

Debi said...

I think it is wonderful that you are able to cut your hours. I have been retired for some time now and stay plenty busy. Your $5 Friday is GREAT and your first pick is so cute. I think the vintage type story book pictures are very cute and pleasing. Have fun.

LV said...

You spent your money very wisely on this book. It definitely is very old. They just do not make children books like that anymore. You have a challenge in keeping to $5 spending. It is nice having a job these days, but all work and no play is not very god either. Enjoy your day off.

Rebecca said...

The illustrations look very much like Eloise Wilkins' style. (She is my all-time favorite children's book illustrator.) Any chance it WAS her?

mary from michigan said...

Very sweet book; I sure wish they would remake some of these older books again. And the story about Sundays and going to Sunday School; children and parents everywhere could learn how happy knowing God can make us all!

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

Oh, I love that book! I've never seen it either and will be on the hunt for a copy. Such heartwarming illustrations, and a positive message.