Christmas... winter... thanks for the reminder of cooler times, Cora! How about distracting your little diggers with something yummy to munch... away from the plants? I guess they don't bother my potteds cuz there are so many acorns all over the yard.

Then playing possum is real, not a myth! She sure looked dead in that picture. Was she trapped in the recycle bin or did you just startle her? I think I remember you finding one of her ancestors a few years ago in the same bin, although I don't remember it playing possum. I'm trying to imagine what it would be like to climb over a bunch of huge empty bottles and jars and cans - not the easiest ladder. Glad she's OK, if a bit histrionic. Claire

I wish they'd pick off my squirrels! I live next to a post office that constantly leaves the dumpster lid open, and naturally they throw all their breakfasts and lunches out, leaving a feast for the squirrels, most of which are huge! I have so many pics of them eating sandwiches, bagels & muffins out of the wrappers, as well as pizza crusts. Sigh. I caught this beauty feasting on it's lunch, only to find out later (dropped carcass) it was a rabbit. I love my rabbits :( I stood below it and watched it for about 20 minutes, constantly snapping pics. It didn't even seem too annoyed at my presence, luckily.

I'm glad all of you enjoyed the pictures and felt like you sort of got to come along with us. Trust me, you are always along on any shopping excursions--find myself constantly saying "Oh,so and so would really like this" or "Isn't this like what so and so collects?", etc. I do have to exercise restraint when I go on these shopping excursions. I see so darn many things that I like, but my little house is nearly bursting at the seams already and no matter how cute, I just really don't need much more! Also, my neighbor/friend and I had hit her favorite TS in a nearby town this week too. Here's pics of my finds that day, along with the little Campbell's soup mugs I got while with OA yesterday. My newest neighbor/friend has MS and just recently had to get leg braces. She is redoing her kitchen and has been looking for Campbell's soup kids items, so I was excited to find these things to gift to her and hopefully brighten her day. ;o) Punk, my gift from OA is wonderful--it is used in the top of a candle to cut out the hole so you can sit a votive inside. Can't wait to use it on my Fall and Christmas candles this year. Magpie, Upland used to be a fantastic place to find unique stores and antique/collectibles shops. Unfortunately, the economy hasn't been too good to those types of stores and many have gone out--only five or six left there now. Janet, I've visited the mountains of N.C., and loved it there as well as the outer banks too. We have family in the Raleigh area so will most likely head the motor home that way again one of these years. Both OA and I said we hate having our pictures taken, but we agreed to do it in spite of knowing we looked hot and wind blown, just for all you gals here. Jeanne, you're a sweetie, but trust me, we're NOT too young to be retired! LOL Here's my "treasures" for this week: These are for my neighbor/friend. There are two of the mugs. This little wooden bread box will get a coat of white paint and be used on my kitchen counter to hide some of the vitamins and medicine bottles. I hate having them in site. The spice bottles revolve and will be great for glitters, buttons, or whatever in my craft room. This little snowman plate was just too cute to leave on the shelf. I love snowmen, but I actually thought of Miss Karen when I saw this because of the cardinals.