A Piece of Americana!

During the long Memorial weekend, I had the pleasure of stepping back in time just a wee bit. The family decided to do a little recreational biking and ended one of our 17 mile rides at a piece of nostalgia. This little drive-in theatre was terrific! It is one of the few and certainly oldest outdoor theatres of its kind in the nation. This form of cinematic entertainment is slowly being replaced...but, never fear, the Moonlight Theatre was packed.

Advanced technology may provide beautiful, realistic images....surround sound....and delicious catered food....but, the Moonlight Theatre
provided family time....picnicing....and enjoyment of the outdoors. It was outstanding!

From the moment we stepped back in time by passing the neon entry sign above...the evening was filled with popcorn smells and entertainment. The owner of the theatre announced every detail about the history of its humble beginnings... all the way down to the fact the light bulb that projected the film had to cool off 12-14 minutes in between movies or it would "bust". He also formerly worked with Elvis, and serenaded the crowd prior to the movie trailers with "Love Me Tender". What better piece of Americana to celebrate on Memorial Day!


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Thank you to everyone that sent wonderful comments and the glorious emails. You never really know who is reading until occasions such as this. Thanks for marking my 100th post with such sweet sentiments! It has been fun! Below are the winners. All the names from comments and emails were put into a hat and drawn out at random. All five of you need to send me an email with your mailing address and off the prize will go to your front door! Email me at: alexalett@comcast.net

The winner of the art is: Karen B. of Recycled Rita. Just drop me an email with your mailing address and your walls receive a little garnish.










The fabulous papers go to Arlene! Just drop me an email with your mailing address for quick delivery!









The beautiful book goes to Kay! Just send me an email with your mailing address to receive this lovely literature.











The Domino Necklace goes to Karen Greenfield. Just drop me an email with your mailing address and I will quickly deliver this funky little piece of jewelry!

The vintage recycled necklace goes to Julie B. Just send me a quick email with your mailing address and off it will come to you!

The 100th Post!

Enter all Day Today (Wednesday)! This is the LAST Day!!!

Drawing is tonight!

It has finally arrived....the 100th Post!

Personal goals are very often plagued with..."I'll do it tomorrow"..."I don't have time today"...laziness...procrastination...but, my entree' into blogging came with a personal goal of reaching 100 posts before June 1, 2008. And with that knowledge I am sliding in right under the wire! This little writing and art journey has been a blast! It has often been my sanctuary of sanity! For those taking the ride in the side car with me....Thank you! Obviously, you are considered a beloved friend to endure the blah...blah...BLOG!

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In honor of this hallowed occasion...I have elected to give away treats! There will be five different items that will soon be delivered via mail to five wonderful readers. Each item reflects some focus of what I wanted to do in this blog. Art...the love of creation and words...books...funky jewelry...and vintage knick knacks and paper will each take center stage. To be the recipient of a treat, all you have to do is send in a comment at the end of this blog with your mailing address or drop me an email at: alexalett@comcast.net . No hassle, just the only way I know how to randomly pick from my group of buddies.

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The first treat is a little piece of art with my favorite quote! It's tiny (4"x4" canvas) but certainly the sentiment of many. Education can provide many things...and one of those being choice. Enjoy!

The second treat is one of my favorites. Being a guru of all things old...a purest about ephemera...this little bag of paper goodies is packed with originality. It includes: an original grocers receipt of 1908, a page of trading stamps, Quabaug Spring Water labels, original tobacco auction tags (from my Dads warehouse that closed about 10 years ago), vintage playing cards, Monopoly money dated 1936, Octagon soap labels, vintage slide cells, original cigar labels, and the most adorable foil bride and groom. Wonderful art adorned with any of these goodies can only be inspiring!

The third treat is a fabulous book! One of my little treasures from the church. Notice the embossed birds at the top of the cover, and of all wonderful ko-ink-a-dinks...it is titled..."Artzybasheff". The original was dated 1937, (this is a reprint) and the illustrations are absolutely yummy! To add a little artistic goodness it is wrapped in nine yards of delicious ribbon, paper flowers and a string of buttons.

Illustrations from inside....


The fourth treat is one of my funky little domino people necklaces. This is the same type art necklace represented in the Art-O-Mat cigarette machines at http://www.artomat.org/. If you have not read about this awesome art project...go to this site and enjoy!



The fifth treat is a funky one...a vintage necklace made from other vintage stuff. My salute to recycling via your personal garnish. Perfect for that person who does not want to see her necklace coming back at her on the neck of a friend or stranger. You will not find two of these....which could be a good thing....or it most certainly confirms your uniqueness.

No doubt this is my longest post...but, it certainly is my personal favorite. An accomplishment to be diligent with a task for myself...and the most incredible byproduct has been new and creative friends from all over the world. What a gift and wonder!

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This page will be up for a few days and the winners drawn on Wednesday! Thank you for such a fabulous creative experience. A new goal has been set...200 Posts before the end of the year! Woo hoo!

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"I would maintain that thanks

are the highest form of thought,

and that gratitude is happiness

doubled by wonder."

~G.K. Chesterton

Rich Beauty!

"There are only two ways to live your life.

One is as though nothing is a miracle.

The other is as though everything is a miracle."

-Albert Einstein

See the rich beauty of each bead and crucifix...the colors and symbolism were moving to me. I found these buried in a basket at a yard sale. Just a little thought...


Questions raised in my head:
1. Why did someone have so many?
2. Were they deeply religious?
3. Did they just see beauty in things?
4. How did they end up in a yard sale?

My opinion of the answers:
1. A true kindred spirit collector always believes "more is always more".
2. Perhaps they were Catholic...but, perhaps they had deep respect for all religions.
3. There is no doubt rich beauty was appreciated.
4. There comes a time when "things" are not always that important.

When you stumble upon interesting items, so vicariously slung into a yard sale...I always have to stop and ponder their history prior to this moment as I hold it in my hand. Every day is a miracle.

TOMORROW is the 100th POST!

Beauty and the Beast!

My horticultural skills are pretty non-existent! My green thumb is more the color of hot glue. But, for some unknown reason...my day lillies are beautiful this year. They are randomly scattered, and provide such a beautiful garnish to my yard. Obviously, their will to live is greater than my skill to nurture.

Do you ever wonder why some things happen? Why would such stunning color decide it's time to make the Lett household look better? Why would lillies need to flourish, but not require my aid? How could anything be this pretty today, after a monster hail storm yesterday? Why is "determination" so important?

“There is no chance, no destiny, no fate,

that can circumvent or hinder or control

the firm resolve of a determined soul.”

-Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Post Number 98!!!! 100 will soon be here!

Structure and Arrangement...

"All space and matter, organic or inorganic,

has some degree of life in it,

and matter/space is more alive or less alive

according to its structure and arrangement."
-Christopher Alexander

Beauty can be found in all things....the oddity of the images....the texture...and most certainly...the structure and arrangement!

POST NUMBER 97!!!

Only two days until the 100th post!

Check in for fun giveaways!!!!

New Favorite Quote!

Yes, yes, this is my new favorite quote!

"It is not education which makes

women less domestic, but wealth."

-Dr. Katharine Jeanee Gallagher

My husband even finds it respectable. My philosophy has always been..."I don't care who does the job, as long as someone does. If you can figure out a way to hire, barter, convince, live without...to get any type of job done, it doesn't matter to me...just as long as it gets done." Nothing more appropriate than the old cliche' "When there is a will...there is a way!"


Most everything on this piece of art is significant to domesticity. But the cap, gown and diploma are the most significant!

Dr. Gallagher we thank you for your wisdom!

This is post number 96.....

100 is only a few days away....

goodies to give away!

Strike Up The Band...

Strike up the band.....

Sometimes it takes a little "live with it" time to figure out what to do with certain obscure things purchased. This 12" x 4" printers stamp of a Drum Majorette was one of those such items. It certainly spoke to me from the bottom of a stamp box at a flea market, yet an immediate purpose was not calling out to me. A negotiated price was determined and we marched home. Now, after about eleven months, it has finally found a home.

The outline of the image was painted with a mixture of about four different colors....all layered and painted until you feel the "YES" moment. Then I added the fun little quote about music...added a chain and bow...and strike up the band...musical art!

FYI: Don't forget the 100th post

will happen next week!

Check in often to see the fun giveaways!!!

The "Art-ograph" Book!

On one of my treasure hunts earlier this year, this simple little autograph book was in a locked case at an antique store. FYI: I must be totally moved...or see a fantastic price, to bother and walk to the front, tell the store worker the case number and drudge back to the case and wait for someone to open it for further inspection. But, this little black book had snippets of artistic quality peeking out from its corners...so, I went that extra step and requested a closer inspection. Yahoo! My was I thrilled when I opened this innocent little autograph book.

I quickly learned it was formerly some one's "art-ograph" book. This person had obviously requested their special friends to leave a little piece of their artistic impression for history to hold. (Notice the date in the corner!)

The depth of different artistic talent was amazing. I had stumbled on to a treasure!!!!

Notice the detail of some of these pages...it is incredible. All collected in a simple little autograph book.

Needless to say, the case was closed and the autograph book was mine. Moral to the story....take the time to open cases and see what is in there...it could be an "Art-ograph Book"!

Beware: I am approaching my 100th post...it is going to be fun! Keep checking in for the surprise giveaways!!!

Sing Because You Have A Song!

"A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer,

it sings because it has a song."

-Maya Angelou

Seize Good Fortune!

“Only learn to seize good fortune,

for good fortune is always here.”

-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Yesterday was a day of good fortune! I received a telephone call from the secretary that works at one of my daughter's former schools. (Keep in mind, my daughter has not attended this school in over two years.) This special person obviously has the memory skills of the largest mega-mega hard drive known to man...and for some unknown reason she remembered that I loved old children's books. With this little piece of trivia tucked in the many folds of her brain, she dug up my telephone number and gave me a ringy dingy. She thought I was the lover of books, and wanted me to know the school and church library were being cleaned out and many, many books were going to be destroyed and/or given away, and they were currently on tables in the lobby for anyone to come and get for FREE!

Needless to say, my car was in drive in minimal time. In under 11 minutes the above pile of books was in my trunk. Some dated back to the early 50's. The illustrations and linen covers were awesome!

THE MORAL TO THE STORY: People do listen to what you say...your passion for the "whatever" is remembered by others, and there is always the possibility that this held knowledge by others will result in your good fortune!

To Think....

To think...art makes you smile in spite of yourself.

This weekend was all about swimming. The day starts early and seems like it can last forever. But, if your child has enough energy to do something fun...the afternoon holds about a 3-4 hour window open to explore the city hosting the meet. It happened to be a cool and rainy afternoon, so there was little question that a movie was our entertainment.

A comedy flick was the choice. This movie left my daughter and I crying with laughter at times...yet on the other hand, my husband obtained a small nap and volunteered to go get the popcorn replenished. We clearly viewed the humor in this movie differently. As someone who was guff-awing with tears rolling down her face...I found it most difficult to understand why he was not mutually amused. We all chit-chatted about the one liners....we re-enacted certain scenes...and have now incorporated particular phrases into our everyday vernacular...but, not my husband. He can barely remember the title...or that he was there.

While driving home I was reading the big ancient quote book (you know the one) and found this quote. I'm no longer laughing...but, I'm still thinking about portions of the movie...obviously, we like different kinds of humor....or it doesn't take much to make me think...

“The kind of humor I like is the thing

that makes me laugh for five seconds

and think for ten minutes.”

-William Davis

Vintage Was Once Brand New!

" It is easily overlooked

that what is now called vintage

was once brand new. "

-Tony Visconte

My favorite little thrift/junk/antique/discarded/trash store was open to the masses this past weekend. The hours are generally when the owner feels like opening the front door, and the inventory is also subject to the owner's whim. Many items are not my "cup of tea"...but, every once in a while...a little pocket of gems will service buried beneath a pile of miscellaneous "who knows what". The latest visit produced the brick-a-brack above...all equally wonderful treasures. Truly finding the unexpected is the rush of the hunt...the unknown diamond in the rough...the obscure doo-dad that you haven't seen in years...the thrill of realizing vintage was once brand new!

Fun Art!

"People rarely succed unless they have fun in what they are doing."

-Dale Carnegie