A Pause For Thankfulness

We pulled an all-nighter to get there but once we did...wow...what a sunrise! Arriving in Destin, Florida to a gorgeous day was a nice reward after a long, 10 hour, night drive. This is the place we spent Thanksgiving, this year, and what a place it is. Thankful, thankful...beyond thankful.

Sugary white sands, crystal clear aqua seawater and balmy beautiful weather...sweet! The best part of this holiday, though, was being with family. Some of Wife Whisperer's side of the family met us there and we got to take Thing One, and his friend, with us. Unfortunately, Thing Two didn't get to make this trip. Culinary school is a demanding master and he just couldn't get away. But, Christmas is coming and he'll be with us then. I'm holding onto that.

One of my very favorite things about Destin is that one of my very favorite hunting grounds is located here. "Antiques on Holiday" is a fantastic melange of amazing treasures, like this cool skelly.

And, a multitude of vintage and antique dress forms, from France. The owners travel frequently and bring back some of the most unique things you've ever seen.

The design aesthetic here, really appeals to me...a clutter of strange and beautiful antiquities and oddities. If my brain was a room, this is what it would look like...

...complete with a bed of nails; good for those moments when penance is in order. ;)

I found my perfect workbench. Sadly, it wouldn't fit in the car...or my studio.

If you love religious things, this is the place to find them. These two reliquaries are gorgeous...and huge. They wouldn't fit in the car, either. But, I got some interesting shots of them...

I did actually find something that I could haul home. I've been looking for a child's dress form for a long, long time. This one was a terrific deal...I think because it's had a few repairs done. you can see one of them on the base of the stand. That just made me love it, all the more.

Also, there is a burn on the back shoulder where someone got a little frisky with an iron. You can see the shape of it and it looks like it was one of those heavy little antique irons. I love that...it's something I would do! I have weak ironing skills.

She's a beauty and someone loved her enough to keep fixing her and keep her going. What more could a girl ask for?

I also picked up these amazing reproduction Belgian, ex votos.

I had to look up the meaning of ex voto:

"a painting or other object left as an offering in fulfillment of a vow or in gratitude, as for recovery from an illness or injury."

I love these objects as reminders of gratitude and thankfulness.

There is so much that I'm thankful for but I just gotta tell y'all how thankful I am for you. Thank you for your incredible support for my blog, over these last 7 years (how did that much time slip by so fast?!) Thank you for following my antics on facebook, visting my pathetic little Etsy shop

re-pinning my many pins, and looking at my flickr and instagram photos. Thank you for being my students, and friends. I love you,  my little cyber community.

deryn xxoo

 

Comments

[Riki]

Beautiful post Deryn! We're thankful for you too. Xo. Riki

[JP Beth]

Hi Deryn, Happy holidays to you. Your photos are gorgeous. I want to go shopping in Destin - too bad I live on the other side of the county.

[patty]

Did you see the light fixture with the cranes? I love this shop.

[Barb aka Vivi Magoo]

Such a fun trip! Spending time with your family, traveling to a beautiful spot and finding such a fabulous antiques store! A home run, I'd say! Loving the child's dress form! Lucky you!

[Dana]

What great finds! I love the child's dress form and religious artifacts as well. Your pictures of the beach helped warm me up as it is cold here in the Northeast where I live. Thanks for sharing!

[CraftyHope]

Oh wow. What a wonderful way to spend Thanksgiving. I'll definitely have to check out that shop. We spend some time in Destin at least once, if not twice a year. . .Actually, we really prefer the slower pace of Fort Walton to the hustle of Destin but it's a really short drive between the two so who's counting. Thank you for the sharing your experience there!

[Jen Crossley]

Amazing Photos Deryn Im thankful for my family and friends.People sometimes forget the things that make us happiest.LIFE

[Jane Salley]

Hi Deryn,

Your blog post today is wonderful. You are the most amazing photographer - so talented in so many areas. Thank you for being my friend.

Jane

[Mary Beth Shaw]

Great store!! Love your comment, 'if my brain were a room' lol I get it.