It is hot. Florida mostly is so this is no surprise. Still, my mind always goes to India when it's hot like this. It's the hottest place I've ever been. While I definitely remember the sweat, I can't help but also think about how bright and beautiful it can be. 

At a wedding in Bangalore

This awesome bag is from Seven Billion Buddhas.

Gorgeous photograph by LK Phipps available at their Etsy Shop

Isn't this mirrored and embroidered wall hanging versatile?! From Hunter Gatherer

Oh, how the fall busyness has come to roost! Part of me loves having so many fun things going on and part of me just wants to go stomp around outside and ignore anything resembling a schedule. 

I'm not the world's greatest photographer, but these paint a picture of how I'd like to spend an autumn day. They do feature items from TheRicharmedLife on Etsy, so you can click the captions to go to the listings.

 

Fresh foods on pretty china

A bottle of fragrant wine

A stroll through and out of a scenic town

Woodsy friends and finds

I love a good thrift store find. They are getting very rare for me though. Mostly because I haven't even gone to a thrift store in months- also because a lot more people are thrifting so the pickings are slim. I didn't plan to stop this morning, but I thought I might find another pair of uniform pants or shorts for Julian. In my calculations, I didn't factor in that he'd need a set of "accident" clothes. I ended up at a store that I don't even like that much. They price everything in anticipation of the one day a month when it's all half off. Anyway, I did find a pair of suitable pants for Juju and then a pair of shoes caught my eye. I have little feet and I can wear kids sizes. These fit perfectly! (I know, I know, thrift store shoes- ick, BUT for the right shoe, you can always throw in insoles and they're fine.) Here's my find:

Love the hand embroidering!

The last photo was artistic, this is a better view! They have hand stitched rag soles too.

Muhn-day!!! (Sep 10, 2012)- I felt that photographing a photography exhibit was plagiarist somehow so I didn't take any pictures of the most interesting part of my day. What was the second most interesting part? There wasn't one. I'm ready for a trip. I got this vintage Thai textile when I was there in 2005. I have a much larger piece in Julian's room, so I'm selling this one. I don't have a good place to put it.

Thai quilted block

Tuesday, September 4, 2012~

Still figuring out the camera. It's shooting very dark, but if I turn on the flash, it totally washes everything out. I just need to play with it. Of course, when Juju was at school this morning I had a million and one errands to run.  So later when I'm trying to hang a backdrop and figure out the new camera, he's running around talking non-stop. It was a frustrating afternoon to say the least. I just have to keep in mind that he isn't always going to be here so I need to be more patient and willing to stop what I'm doing and give him a little attention.

Playing cat in the midst of chaos. My just-hung backdrop is in the foreground. His sea creature bedroom stuff is next to him. That has to happen soon!

Sunday, September 2, 2012~
    
   My most most lucrative business venture is my Etsy shop. I have to  be able to photograph my jewelry and vintage pieces so I can list them. The photos have to be clear and detailed, so it's vital that I have a decent camera. Last year, prior to heading to Asia, I got a little Nikon Coolpix from a pawn store. It was brand new and I felt that is was sufficient. You may have read that it broke this weekend. It's a lens error. I investigated having it repaired and that was going to cost almost what I paid for the camera. I admit to feeling some despair over that.

   I have quite a few photographer friends so I went on Facebook and just asked if anyone had a good camera they'd graduated from that they'd be willing to sell. Then the phone rang.... my brother-in-law had seen my post. My sister-in-law is a very good photographer and she'd been given an amazing camera for Christmas. Her old, but good, one was just sitting in a closet, so they offered it to me. They won't let me give them any money for it. I feel a little weird about that. I'm going to offer to let my SIL pick a piece of jewelry from my shop and, of course, I'll babysit anytime. My BIL loves food, so I'm also thinking I can make a nice dinner for them too.
    So once again God provides for me. It's only September, but in my journal, I already have an entire page just filled with how our needs have been met this year- most of the time in very unexpected ways! I know a lot of people find belief in God to be ignorance, but I look at just the last 9 months and how we've been crazy blessed and my heart just knows that God deserves all the credit and thanks.
   Here's a few more Etsy listings I just posted!

Tyn Llan Celtic box from Wales

Old metal sake decanter

Trimont ware pedestal bowl