Finding Family Memories Through Thrift

How often do you thrift for things that you had growing up? I've psychoanalyzed the situation and I think that in some ways, I'm trying to preserve the happiest moments of my childhood.

My father, two sisters, and everyone on my dad's side of the family are Australian. Growing up, we were sent copious amounts of kitschy souvenirs from Down Under. I liked the goodies that were sent over, because I was a kid. My mother tended to shudder at all the tea towels. I found this Australian bamboo snack plate at Value Village for $1.49. I also bought this cheerful rolling pin for $1.99. I've got about six rolling pins in my collection now. They get used in my classroom when we're working with salt dough, etc.

Close-up of my Australia plate.

With throbbing arm (see my H1N1 needle story from the previous post), we went to St. Catharines yesterday to visit my folks. My parents took us out for lunch and on the way back to their house, we stopped at Goodwill. My mother and husband sat in the car, while my father, Duncan and I hit the store. I found this amazing vintage children's book of facts. It was so fascinating that I took it to bed last night. I learned a few things...

such as telling poisonous mushrooms from the edible ones...

and whether shock can cause grey hair.

I love the illustrations in the book. It cost $2.00 The book prices at Goodwill could be a little cheaper, but I was still pleased.
I also got this book for Duncan called Gluey about the friendship between a rabbit and a snail who goes around gluing things with his slime. I read it to Duncan and we both thought it was funny and beautifully illustrated.
Score! I got these vintage candlestick holders at Goodwill for $2.00 each. We had similar ones growing up. They were actually made in Toronto, so you know they're old.
Arty post-war Japanese double candlestick holder. I love the colour combination and the swirly pattern.

I think I paid $2.00 for it.

This little Christmas tree decoration isn't vintage, but for .50, I still had to have it.

Lastly, here's my song of the week #21 - David Sylvian's "September." Sylvian started out in a glammy/new wavey band called Japan. They were good. His solo music is even better. He writes music that is often dark, introspective and experimental. Not to everyone's taste, but to mine anyway. This is a short clip.