Jennie and Paul came to town to see Mitchell in Jesus Christ Superstar, but we managed to work in a boozy brunch, some estate sales and a little thrift shopping as well. No surprise, but there were plenty of fabulous finds...

The book 'Cat People' is just about too much. Published in 1977, you would recognize many of the people photographed with their cats--a young Jane Pauley, a kerchiefed Louise Nevelson, Robert Indiana, Liz Smith and more. Accompanying each are few words from the sitter on why their cat is important to them. Several of the women are actually given the occupation of 'homemaker.' It is now officially on the top of one of the decorative stacks of books.*

This bottle/carafe was irresistible, with a little collar on it's neck for the hand and a double spout. It is perfect on the table for water or perhaps this summer with a chilled rosé?

The relish tray has been gone too long from the table! At one of the estate sales, there was a stack of relish trays high enough for me to send each of my dear readers a charming example to use while entertaining. I limited my acquisition to two, wonderful examples. The first has teardrop handles and a lovely swirling division; the second has geometric dividers and a beautiful fluted edge. I'll put both to good use, I promise.

Crackers. Crackers. Crackers. These plastic cracker troughs make arranging them simple; easy to serve along side your relish tray.

I do not need another set of salad servers--I have so many pair, I don't even know how many they number. Rest assured, if you are a regular diner at my table, you probably will not see the same set twice. This lovely set is stainless steel from Japan, diminutive and impossible to pass up.

Little jars? With decorative lids? And wooden spreaders? Jennie spotted these, but was kind enough to let me claim them. I'm not sure what I might serve in them, but I'll figure it out. Spreads? Condiments for sandwiches? Or I can exchange the spreaders for little spoon and fill them with olives or something. Do I have any little spoons? I'll have to check.

I do not think you can have enough trivets. Period. I already have one similar to this design with a gold rim and a crackled glass. Similar is not the same as matching, and whether I was making a claim for a set or diversity, I would still have gone home with it. They're perfect for the French press, Chemex coffee pot or teapot on the table.

It's been a while since we have spotted one of these weird little banks, but we nabbed this sad puppy to add to Mitchell's collection. The palette is so strange and happy in strong contrast to the big sad eyes of the little doggie.

Merry Christmas.

I love Quan Yin and this petite addition to the pantheon is precious.

I had to have the small plastic statuette of the American Indian girl (top picture, far right) and she helps balance the phalanx of saints that fill the medicine cabinet in the guest bath. I guess with the Pantry God and the small tee pee with children (bottom picture, wedged between the Virgins of Guadalupe), it's officially a collecting direction. Plastic American Indian figurines. Dotcom.

Finally, Jennie brought us this lovely white kitchen glass bowl with black swirlies on it as a housewarming gift. It's perfect for the table and would good with anything in it, but especially with a few little cuties thrown in, n'est-ce pas?

* There is more than one. "Books are awfully decorative, don't you think?"

Dedicated reader, it has been a while since I have posted and for that I apologize. But, in my defense, I must say that it isn't my fault. I have done a little bit of shopping around town, but just haven't found anything that was covet-able. When your home, closets and storage unit are filled to the brim with luscious finds, you begin to become more choosy. Or I do, I guess.

I remember when I would go to the thrift store and always find something that was pleasing to me. It didn't have to be by a well-known designer or worth more than the price on the sticker. I could easily find a small plate or a cup that struck an aesthetic chord in my person and go home completely pleased.

But now, I am spoiled. I look at things and think, "Is there even room on a shelf for it? And if there is, will it offend the sensibility of the other things already there? Is it cute enough to go next to the Russel Wright dishes? " It is difficult to find something that pleases me and also pleases the things I already own. Perhaps I go too far, but I come from high-hoarding people on both sides of my family and I am very naturally able to easily personify even the inanimate. And it doesn't bother me to do so, even though it may creep you out a little. But yes, I do think my things have personalities, likes and opinions. They just do.

ANYWAY, so that's my excuse and my sickness. But, last week I was at the Goodwill and I just felt like I was due something fabulous. Something wonderful. Something that would suit the members of my familie de objets. As always with the thrift store, expect to be surprised, because what I found wasn't an Eames chair, an Eva Zeisel bowl or a gold-plated berry server. It was something else entirely...

A circus tent, made from fiberboard and plastic and decorated with all manner of baroque designs. What? Yes. I think it was a display for perfume or some other cosmetics. And what would I do with it?

Cirque de la Saints, of course. It's perfect as an altar for some of the BVMs, Saints and Jesi from the collection, most of which also came from the thrift store. I love them and I love them in this circus tent. An aesthetic chord was definitely strummed with this one and there was absolutely no problem integrating it into the family.

Likewise, I missed this plastic swan on my first past, but quickly nabbed it as I made a final scan. What was it for? No clue. But, it is the perfect carriage for...