My Mom

So today is Mother's Day, and I'm a couple thousand miles away from mine. I just called her, though. I love technology!

My mom is one of the kindest people I know. She has a very tender heart. She is one of the few people I know who has seen a lot of the heartache in the world yet has not lost her innocence.

I love spending a day with my mom tooling around town. Neither one of us get bored with each other.


She also has a lot of "mom-isms" that my sister & I regularly find coming out of our own mouths. She has a song for everything. Vino says that I do, too. Must have picked that up from her. :) She will talk to anyone in line at the grocery store. It used to embarrass me, but I've grown out of that.

I have such good childhood memories, and most of them are because of her. I couldn't have picked a better mom for myself.


I love you, Mom! Happy Mother's Day!

Thriftin' Spanish Style

Ok. I can breathe.

I've been gone from this blog for ALMOST a month! We've had one thing after another, including two out-of-country trips, and I can finally get caught up - clean my house, organize, catch up on blogging.

So to celebrate my return to the blog, I'm participating in another Thrift Store Thursday over at Holly's Homebody blog! I'm glad I'm not the only one who takes pride in a great bargain. "You like this dress? Thanks! I got it for only $3 at a consignment store!" I have no shame. And I'm ok with it.



I've been wanting to show what I got the last time I went to Segundo Manos, my favorite store in our town. Of course, I didn't take my camera with me. One of these days I'll learn. But until then...


I found some painted ceramic pieces that I really like. They are simple, and one of the bowls has some chippy bits on the rim, but I still think they are charming.


I don't know if they are old or not. I can buy stuff similar to this in cities known for their ceramics - Toledo, Sevilla, Talavera - but these were much cheaper. :) It doesn't really matter to me if they are old or not. I just liked them.


I also picked up a small pitcher that was on the same shelf.


It will make a great water pitcher, and will look fabulous with my Fiestaware. This one is for sure from Toledo.


And here they all are on our kitchen table.

They go nicely with the little crackled pot that holds the miniature rose plant Vino bought for me, and with our Christmas tree. That's it in the white pot behind the walnuts. It didn't hold garland well, but we were in the States for Christmas, so I didn't go all out. The one gift I put "under" it was bigger than the tree.

So that's it! 2 Euros for two bowls and 2 Euros for the pitcher. Have you found any thrifty treasures lately? If so, you really should participate in Holly's party. All the cool kids are.

...And every knee to Him shall bow

Maker of the universe,
As Man for man was made a curse.

The claims of Law which He had made,
Unto the uttermost He paid.

His holy fingers made the bough,
Which grew the thorns that crowned His brow.

The nails that pierced His hands were mined
In secret places He designed.

He made the forest whence there sprung
The tree on which His body hung.

He died upon a cross of wood,
Yet made the hill on which it stood.

The sky that darkened o'er His head,
By Him above the earth was spread.

The sun that hid from Him it's face
By His decree was poised in space.

The spear which spilled His precious blood
Was tempered in the fires of God.

The grave in which His form was laid
Was hewn in rocks His hands had made.

The throne on which He now appears
Was His for everlasting years.

But a new glory crowns His brow
And every knee to Him shall bow.

-F.W. Pitt

I hope you had a happy & meaningful Easter!

Back to Romania: Tour of a Wooden Church in Bradet

It's me, Erin, the girl who used to post on this blog. I've been missing from blogtown for several days - and I have no excuse. I have been busier with work stuff and getting ready for our trip, but for some reason I just went through a short period of time where I lost interest. I'm even WAY behind on reading the blogs I subscribe to. I guess it's not a bad thing - I actually spent time away from my laptop and did human things. Like, Vino & I started the P90X workout. I INTENSELY DISLIKE IT. But I know I will be glad I did it when the 90 days are over and I'm in better health. We will be returning to the States around that time, and I am looking forward to being less...shall we say...fluffy.

Enough of that. This post is really about us being back in Romania. We're here for extended video editing training with the media students at the Bible school in Oradea. Vino is training this next week in Motion & LiveType, and I'm doing two Photoshop workshops. I'll post photos later of all that. Today I'm sharing a tour of one of the historic wooden churches that are scattered about this region of Eastern Europe.


This particular church is in Bradet, a town in a rural area south of Oradea. We visted here when we were in Romania last October. From what I've read, the wooden churches were commissioned in the 17th & 18th century by wealthy land owners and built by special church craftsmen who passed the craft on through the generations. The structures were made with no iron nails. This particular church was rebuilt in 1724 when the original was in "a state of demolition." The wooden church was rebuilt with the contributions of the parishioners. You can read more abut the wooden churches here, including the Bradet church.


Let's take a tour!


The church is on top of a hill that you have to climb to get to it. The hillside is covered in graves as the cemetery apparently was not big enough.


The original wood roof was at some point replaced with tin.


Rustic yet stunning hand carved detail. This church is known for its "torsioned rope" carved around the door.


Stepping inside, you enter the outer room. This is Ady. I introduced his family here.


This is what hangs on the wall above the entrance to the more sacred room.


The benches in the outer room have obviously seen a lot of use. I love how the rough wood is softened and polished by the touch of hands, legs & behinds over all those years. This church is still in use, as you can see by the rugs & cushions that cover the seats. This one was right inside the front door.


Walking into the inner sanctuary, it's almost overwhelming the layers & layers of color & texture. The painted wood walls, hand embroidered cloths, candelabra, chandelier, and that rug...that doesn't look quite old enough to be original.


Items on tables up front. The book was made in 1768, but we were allowed to look through it and touch the paper. I love the feel of old paper.

Painted wooden chandelier. Love the wooden chain links!


Doors that lead to a myster room...the holy of holies? I don't know enough about the Orthodox church to know what everything is for.


More detail of important stuff. Some women went to a lot of work hand weaving those blankets!


This is what the seating area opposite the altar area looked like. That's Vino & our friend Estera.


The back wall behind the chairs was full of these old painted wooden crosses.


Back in the outer room, there are stairs that lead to the steeple and the bell.


I could have rung the bell - the rope was right there and no one was watching - but I didn't think that would be a good thing!


Going back outside, here's the view of the front cemetery from the doorway.


So that's the tour. I hope you liked it! I'm always fascinated by the specific architecture, painting styles, linens, etc. that represent each culture so well. I hope that more can be done to preserve the old wooden churches like this one!

Second-Hand Spanish Wine Bottle

Today I'm participating in Holly's linky party over at her Homebody blog. I love the idea of sharing our thrifing treasures, and she has some great ones!

I haven't thrifted much while living in Spain. Thrift stores don't seem to be as popular here as they are in the States, but that doesn't mean we can't find them! My all-time favorite store in Alcala de Henares, the town we live by is called Segundo Manos, or Second Hand in English. I knew from first sight that I would be in love. Unfortunately, a lot of the items there that I'd like to own are large furniture pieces. Being here temporarily and having no car, I have restrained myself from buying anything I can't carry home on the bus.

One day when I was browsing with my Mom, I came across this wine bottle.


I had seen larger versions of this type of bottle at El Rastro in Madrid (Spain's oldest & largest flea market) but I didn't want to give my firstborn to pay for one, so I kept looking. This one is a bit smaller, but it was only 6 Euros ($8)! My mom persuaded me (easily) to get it. Part of the pursuasion was that she paid for it. I love shopping with my mom. :)


For a while it sat on my coffee table with various blooming branches or flowers in it, but I needed a lamp, so I attached a lampkit to it & bought a cheap shade.


It's hard to see in the photo, but the shade is more of an ecru color. The whole thing cost me about $12.


I need to take my camera next time I visit Segundo Manos so you all can see all the great stuff I can't buy!

Ooooh Ooooh Ooooh I want these!

"2 antique 30 drawer Apothecary cabinets for sale. Each has additional shelving unit for the top. The backing is pine. $500 each or BEST OFFER."


Oh, the bliss of having one of these. They are only $500 each, or best offer (and we all know that means I could snag one for less). I say "only", but $500 is not pocket change for me. However, I'd be willing to save up all my birthday & Christmas money & sell enough plasma to purchase just one of these lovelies.


I have nowhere to put one. I don't have a home. Well, I have a temporary home, but it's on the other side of the ocean and like I just said, it's temporary. But I'd find a place to put it. Notice they each have "additional shelving unit for the top". What does that mean? Something fabulous backed with original bead board?? Are there glass doors!? WHAT!!??!


Seriously, I need to stop looking at Craigslist while I'm living overseas. It's just not wise for my heart. So if you live in Nebraska, or anywhere near, and want to snatch these up before they're gone, then Run to the phone.


Run like the wind. John & Rick are waiting for your call. I'll just be sitting here. Crying.