Countdown to Christmas: 48 Days I Admit It! There is More to Christmas than Santa Claus

Some days I just get this feeling that there is something at Rolling Hills Ministry Thrift Shop that is meant for me. All I have to do is go search for it. 

Tuesday morning, I had a bit of time to kill and what better place than Rolling Hills, or as I call it, "New to Me". So, I was wandering the aisles with a couple of interesting items balanced in my arms. (if I get a buggy, I get a bit carried away) and I saw a shopping cart full of items any seasoned thrift shopper would envy. Beside it knelt a woman checking out stacks of dishes. I commented on her goodies, because Rolling Hills is one of those places where you can strike up conversations with total strangers, plus we're in The South...but I digress.

She responded to my comment by looking up at me with a big smile and proceeded to show me some of her goodies, but more important, upon meeting her, I knew she was that SOMETHING I was meant to find at Rolling Hills that day. 

Barbara and I are kindred spirits!

She told me her purpose for buying a buggy full of baskets, pieces of china, and other decorative items she had so carefully, and thoughtfully collected. She creates gift baskets to sell with the proceeds going to help her disabled son.

These aren't just any baskets, Barbara Ellis Durbin creates one of kind baskets that tell a story where the receiver is instantly transformed into the main character of their own romance novel. 

 Even though I find a lot of great things at Thrift Shops, many of Barbara's items appear to be from higher end antique stores and estates sales.

She also creates these instant vignettes just waiting on a table or shelf for which to be displayed. 

She told me she spends hours selecting the right combination of treasures and treats, but her "labor" is that of love and it really shows.

All of her work is securely shrink wrapped, but done so with elegance. Who knew shrink wrap and elegance could appear in the same sentence!

I could go on and on, but I'll let her photos tell the story.

Barbara's baskets can be found at

Vintage Bee

100 Main

Jonesboro, LA

And aren't we in luck!

They are having an open house Sunday afternoon on November 9!

But if you can't make it, you can always ask her if she ships. Imagine receiving one of these in the mail and taking a few moments (or hours) to enjoy the contents.

And remember, it may not be new, but it is new to you!