The Treasure Hunt of Coming Home

When you live thousands of miles from the place you grew up, it's a real treat to return. For almost two years, time and distance kept us from The Woodlands, Texas. Walking the ditch, eating Whataburger, gathering with First Baptist Church, hanging out in The Lamberts kitchen, & touring the Waterway had all morphed from weekly plans into fond memories. But stepping back on the paths of childhood as an adult can feel a bit strange. You find familiar footprints & old faces swirled together with new perspective & different Mexican restaurants in that one shopping center. "So long, Rico's..Hello, Torchy's Tacos!" You go away, realizing the place you come back to is the same in some ways, but different in others. You realize you are the same & different too.

Along with this philosophical treasure chest of personal insights, fortunately, I find tangible ones too! My mother is an antiquing guru, scouring thrift stores, yard sales, & antique malls to uncover the best of the best for the cheapest of the cheap! She is a seasoned garage saler, antique dealer, Ebay seller, & even has a booth in a nearby Antique Mall (photos below)!

Our entire house becomes my personal shop when I come home - I open drawers, peruse closets, & look through the landfill of it all (the garage), to see what goodies she's found that I might like : ) Thanks, mom!

Here's the loot I walked away with this year:

1. Christmas pillow that we had on our couch growing up

2. Jingle bells with ribbon to put on our front door

3. Tiny little jars with fake succulents for decor

4. Cute blue & white dress (to wear in Hawaii!?!)

5. Vintage artichoke art piece that I thought was cool

6. "Merry Christmas" hanging sign

7. LOFT striped shirt

8. Comfty patterned dress

9. Clock necklace

Feeling pirate cool, 

- SJW