Usually in the evenings I pop a dvd in and hook until it’s time to fall asleep.
But the HH surprised me with the book; The Gardens of Bunny Mellon for Christmas and so for the past few nights I’ve been slowly making my way through its pages.
Not only was Bunny an avid gardener, but she was a big time collector as well. Some of the collections are things that I love as well; hooked rugs, baskets, stoneware and pretty much everything garden related just to name a few.
But the thing is… besides my 7 Sue Tirrell mugs, I don’t have a single thing I collect. {And really, is 7 of something you actively use considered a collection?}
And that got me thinking… Is that normal?
Do most people collect things? And what is the point of collecting something only to have it sit on a shelf or to be tucked away and only brought out every so often?
To me it all feels so heavy. So many things… weighing you down. To keep track of. To worry about.
Why do some people have this burning desire to accumulate certain things… and others of us don’t.
Do you collect anything? Or rather, if money or space wasn’t an issue, would you collect anything?
Still, after all these years, I honestly can’t think of a single thing I’d like to collect… just for the sake of collecting.
~Mavis
Bonnie from GA says
I am with you, Mavis. I have never had the desire to start collecting certain things. I am more on the practical side and not a “things” person. Now I think it could be fun if you want to decorate different rooms to have small collections to keep a theme for that purpose. That can be nice as long as you don’t let it get too cluttered.
Christy says
Some collections are about memories, either of things you did, places your visited, people from your life. I used to collect mugs from places I visited. There was a story with each which brought back fond memories. Christmas ornaments from places I visited, don’t display year round but they bring back memories when decorating the tree.
Jamie says
I very much agree with this comment. I think different people process memories in different ways, and one way is to have a physical representation of that memory. I collect uranium glass (aka Vaseline glass) pieces. It fits with my profession and, because I am utilitarian in nature, every item can and does get used at least once a year. I wont purchase a piece if I cannot use it or if it is a one time use item. In contrast, my partner collects tapestries which are purely decorative. He likes seeming them around the house to remind him of all the fun places we have visited over the years.
Brianna says
My mother is a collector, but I am not. I tried to collect baseball cards in the late 80s/early 90s and ended up with a good sized bin of them. I unfortunately still have them and have not a clue what to do with them other than use them for fire starter.
My mother over the years has gifted me a figurine here and there or a piece of China that coordinates with HER collection, although not from her collection. I am sure it is implying to get my interest going with her collection in hopes I will want her collections after she passes. It makes me roll my eyes as I am a minimalist when it comes to personal stuff and she know it.
Jennifer says
I have known so many women who got a collection by liking a particular thing and the family kept buying more for birthdays, Christmas, etc…
That being said, dh’s mom loved pineapples as they were the southern sign of hospitality. She had maybe 30 items and 2 were cross stitched by me. I inherited most of them, admittedly, some are still in boxes. I shudder what she’d think if she knew what they were a sign of now.
Personally, I’ve never found that item I want many versions of around my house.
Annette says
Okay, I had to Google the meaning of pineapples! Am I the only person who didn’t know?
Kay says
Pineapples…= Welcome Think of the South.. and Williamsburg… Charleston and Savannah… I guess we have a thing about welcoming folks.. friends relatives into our homes and entertaining them… even if it’s just for a glass of iced tea or homemade lemonade…with homemade cookies… I love old things and I have my both of grandmothers beautiful China… my mother’s mother’s Blue Willow which they ate on everyday (think 7 children and the parents) and my dads mother DeHaviland China with 14 carat gold rim on the plates and cups saucers etc……along with her lovely real “cut glass” that I use on special occasions… especially the lovely flower vases…remember you can’t sell plastic or IKEA junk but there’s always someone to buy vintage antique pieces…in case you ever need $$$$. In fact the real cut glass.. that I inherited is worth a lot of money. And yes Bunny Mellon home was beautiful and a lot of those ladies inherited China furniture, etc from family members and they were also collectors. She was from a different era… where a good piece of furniture you could hand down to your children and grandchildren… not rooms to go… but solid handmade real wood furniture.
NanciB says
No, you’re not. I didn’t know either. *blush*
Cynthia Parido says
Can offering to swap spouses be anymore warming and welcoming? What a bizarre thing.
Kim says
Wait! I hadn’t any idea until I just looked it up myself! It means you’re a “swinger” and are having a “party” if it’s displayed on your porch or mailbox? I must be a dinosaur. I’m so clueless, and quite frankly, I’m ok with that.
Tanya says
Pineapples have two different meanings. A pineapple right side up means exactly what Jennifer said in that they are a welcoming sign in the South. A pineapple displayed UPSIDE DOWN means something totally different as in the swinger lifestyle advertisement.
I work for Baptist Health South Florida and our logo is a pineapple………..of course right side up, still means the welcome to the South, our business.
Margaret G Hudgins says
Nope. I haven’t a clue.
Virginia says
No collecting here either. I have a Less-Is-More attitude and don’t find myself emotionally tied to objects. It’s the memory that’s most important for me, and that requires no physical storage space or cleaning. 😉
Tracy says
I have a collection of Looney Tunes glasses from the 70’s. They came from Carolls. When I was a kid we used to watch The Wild Kingdom and Disney every Sunday night, and my dad would pop popcorn and split 2 of the large green bottles of coke between the 4 of us in those glasses. My first glasses came from my grandma when she split her large collection up amongst the grandkids. They sit up on top of my cupboard out of the way but they bring back fond memories.
Karen A. says
I used to collect angels (mostly ceramic, but there were others), but that was a collection that started before I could remember it, when I was four. Apparently I went to an estate auction with my grandfather and wanted a small ceramic angel I saw on a table, and he got it for me. Family lore says I wanted it so much I cried! And then everyone just gave me angels for birthdays, Christmas…it got to the point where I had Hummels, Lladros, and there were over a hundred figurines and things. I was a very collecting sort of child–but when I had my first kid the collection felt unwieldy and dangerous–it was in a large glass-shelved curio case, and I worried about it tipping over. So I divested myself of the collection.
Now I do tend to collect some books–all the Miss Marple books, all the Miss Read Village School books–but my books all fit in one bookcase. And they are books, not figurines that do nothing!
Lesley says
I’m with you, Mavis. Don’t want the clutter stressing me out and weighing me down. That is why your space is so appealing … white walls, natural textures and colors, and lots of windows to let in the light.
Rosemary Calhoun says
I have a collection of teacups and Barbie dolls. I drink tea (usually from a mug, not a tiny teacup) but I think that teacups are so pretty. I bought a cup and saucer and somehow my friends thought I should have a collection. I have gotten most of my teacups as gifts and I have them displayed on shelves. The only tea set that I have a real affection for is my mom’s tea set (she passed away in 2002). I may eventually get rid of all the teacups except for my mom’s set.
The Barbie doll collection is my own doing. I had Barbies as a child, and they were my favorite thing to play with. I got rid of the Barbies when I grew up and boy, do I regret that as I had the original Barbie. I now have 7 Barbies (still in the box) and 1 Barbie that I use for size (in making doll blankets, etc). I have not added to this collection in a very long time, and I don’t plan on adding to it either.
As we get older, the way we see things changes. The teacups are pretty but dusting them is a chore. The Barbie dolls are pretty as well, but they take up space in the bookcase. I may do some more decluttering this year . . .
Julie says
My mom collected owls.. little paintings, figurines, and she had a taxidermy owl on a branch my uncle made for her. After a certain amount she stopped collecting and just enjoyed what she had.. so collecting doesn’t have to mean you have everything of something. I collect also. Right now I am collecting a certain brand of English china table setting pieces. I only buy when I can find it in good shape second hand at a good price. I collected porcelain tea cups and mugs for awhile, thrifted. And I use them. And I collected porcelain figurines for a time but both of those collections are closed now. And I do collect a certain type of green depression glass or crystal. I enjoy my stuff and the hunt, as most of it is thrifted. My aunt used to collect triptych and Christian religious figurines from her trips around.
Elle says
In a roundabout way yes. When we had reached the point we needed nothing, people wanted to know what I wanted for Christmas. I settled on snow people. Over the years, hundreds arrived as gifts. I could put them all out for December and then put them away. They have indeed stopped arriving for the most part and I’ve divested myself of many and will continue to do so each year as they come out (this year I only put out a dozen and sent 3 off to other homes).
I tend toward minimalism compared to most Americans but not compared to true minimalists.
I’m a quilter so I guess one could say I collect fabric but I have sewn up 21% more in 13 years than I have purchased.
Lynn Y says
What I collect has changed as I have aged. I currently collect vintage sewing items, vintage kitchenware from the 1950s and 1960s, and this year I discovered a love of anything vintage Christmas from the 1950s and 1960s. The vintage Christmas is very refreshing from all the farmhouse Christmas we have seen in past years, and the vintage kitchenware is very much usable (especially the Pyrex and linens). The vintage sewing, well, I use it mostly as decor for my sewing/craft room but do pull pieces out now and then to use for something special, like vintage lace or buttons (they don’t make buttons like they used to). Any collection, if curated well, becomes art in itself. Anything I tire of gets sold on Ebay for someone else to enjoy.
Wishing you a belated Merry Christmas!
Robin in WI says
When I was younger I collected things — lighthouses, shells, antique books, teacups, etc. I got tired of dusting the displayed stuff, and when I moved I realized how much of a pain in the ass stuff can be. And there were more important necessities I needed to buy. Never liked clutter anyway. So I went minimalist. Better for peace of mind, the wallet, etc. Every now and then I feel like collecting something, but have resisted so far. 😉
Linda says
I respectfully disagree! Your collection of Weck jars, although immensely useful, counts!
carrie says
I disagree. You wouldn’t say someone with a large amont f ball jars was collecting them if they have them for canning. If they collected antique ones or something they didn’t use it would be collecting.
There must be a distinction. Maybe the difference between buying to use or buying to have. Or searching out ones tou don’t have? I’m not sure where the line would camge from having many of an item to collecting. I have a pile of pasta in my pantry and buy it on sale but I wouldn’t say I “collect” pasta
Terry M. says
I used to collect dragons. Statues, plates, letter openers…. Anything that had a dragon, I was buying it. Then my life started to change. I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Disease (Arthritis), and Fibromyalgia. Over time, my love for these things decreased, and they became a burden to me. It was just something else that I didn’t have the energy to clean anymore. These things went to my son, who continues to collect them himself. Now, I enjoy my days collecting things that I can actually use, such as the Kitchenaid weighted handle cooking utensils my mother gave me for Christmas. If it says Kitchenaid and I can use it, I buy it.
Tammy says
I have a collection of houseplants. 😀 Otherwise, I don’t really collect anything.
Laura says
We lived in Japan for many years and I became a collector when we lived there – I’d get one of something and then want another and another and so forth. I collected porcelain, antique chests, iron tea pots, kimono, woodblock prints, and on and on. When we returned to the U.S. thirty years ago and got everything set up, I realized my home looked like a museum! It was too much. Friends found my collections fascinating, but I began slowly divesting myself of many of the items (I never bought them as an investment but I did make a tidy profit selling things over the years).
What I figured out about collecting was that as much as I loved the items I collected, I loved the act of collecting more and that it was always more about the hunt for an item, the discovery, that kept me collecting versus actually owning the things. I also figured out too that just because I loved something didn’t mean my children would someday love them too and want them. I have gotten rid of almost everything I collected (I have just a *very* few items now of the once many Japanese things we had) and I miss nothing I got rid of. And, once I understood why I got so into collecting, I have no desire to collect any more of anything. These days I admire things and that’s enough.
Sue S. says
Sounds good to me. At my age I realized who would want my loved things? Time to dispose of stuff so it’s not a chore for someone else.
Gwyn says
I agree that the hunt is usually the fun part, but since we are in transition and much of what we own is in storage, I have a strong desire to divest myself of some of the more ‘precious’ things. I do enjoy handmade and I have my collection of quilts that have been made by mostly family members. I also enjoy handmade pottery pieces that are useful plus, out at Christmas only is my small forest of handmade trees (mostly ceramic and wood). I display them with my hand painted Santa my mom made years ago.
Connie L says
I collect books, food storage, gardening supplies, plants and people (big family and lots of friends). 😉
I also collect single socks…but that’s not intentional.
I prefer my collections to be useful and beautifying. They fill my cup.
Emily says
I think it’s all in how you want to look at it. You might not be into knickknacks but you could certainly say you collect recipes.
Heather says
Stamps on my passport and memories to go with them. That’s my favorite collection Nice and light and don’t collect dust.
Mavis Butterfield says
I was so disapointed on my last trip to the UK that I didn’t get a single stamp in my passport. I didn’t get one when I landed in the USA either. 🙁
Glenda Rainbolt says
I don’t understand. You seemed to be thrilled with your trip to the UK with the girl and I thought you were already planning the next trip?
debbie in alaska says
I think she means she was disappointed that she didn’t get a stamp — not disappointed in the trip.
tia in boise says
I used to collect frogs (at home and in my classroom)–figurines, not real ones–the real ones smell and eat live insects. Once people know you collect something, they buy them for you. I didn’t love all of them and they just became dust collectors–so I got rid of almost all of them.
Now I only collect perfectly round, flat rocks that I find on my runs/walks. I make cairns out of them on my kitchen windowsill.
I also collect old world santas–but those are put away except in December…
Ranee says
I, like many other readers, used to collect various items. The first was turtles, then anything heart related , then teddy bears and a few other smaller collections that I can’t even recall anymore. They are all gone. Sold at garage sales or donated. When we went on various vacations, items were obtained that ended up being a collection all of its own and then we moved. Not a long distance, like you, but we packed up a townhouse of 20+ years of living and a lot of things didn’t make the cut. That’s when I realized I no longer wanted to be the keeper of collections because it is a lot of work and energy just to maintain. Any items obtained on vacation now, are only small or actual items to be used regularly. Having moved to a smaller rural community my decor has become more nature related and having 4 cats has reduced the amount of breakables to fewer and protected behind glass doors. I prefer much more simplicity and I appreciate your tastes in simplicity, also. Yes, collections get very heavy and one thing that has changed, that is different from the past, is many of the younger population have no desire to inherit and become the keeper of these collections. Having gone through 2 house clean outs of family members, I can verify, without a doubt, that most people have way too much stuff and a lot of it is just packed away and forgotten.
MEM says
My parents collected and sold antiques so I come by it honestly. Seven years ago my husband, adult children and I lost everything in a house fire. We lived in rentals while our house was being built and I enjoyed having the bare minimum of “stuff” – no room to store much. Our new home has 8 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 2 kitchens and 2 living/dining rooms. (It’s a two family) Lots of space and walk in closets. Of course, we have managed to fill the spaces. Now I am on a mission to sell or give away one half to one third of my collectibles – can’t touch DH books though. Regarding what I collect right now – Christmas ornaments from the 1940s-1960s – shiny brite and similar. Disney trading pins but only Dumbo, Stitch and Remy. Dept 56 Disney Christmas village buildings. DD26 collects Starbucks mugs but only from states she has visited, not cities. In DD case they are practical souvenirs. DS28 collects Disney villains funko pops, pins and tee shirts.
If collectors didn’t exist there would be no museums, no archives.
Randini says
I am actively working to de-collect things. A family member years ago decided I should collect Christmas snowglobes (I think she liked them). I’ve displayed (then stored) them each year. When I take Christmas down in the next week they are going to the donation bin. None of my kids want them either.
Now, if I could only convince HH that he needs to pare down his ‘collections’ (boats, ski gear, high school chemistry text books (ugh!!) and other ‘clutter’. We’d have some breathing room.
KC says
People have different aesthetics and different preferred environments and different things that make them feel “at home” – we feel most at home when there are bookcases full of books around, so I can imagine someone feeling more like they are in *their* home and not somewhere anonymous if they have a wall of glassware, or whatever.
Then there’s the memory-triggering object thing – some people have that happen, some don’t, and probably the two will never quite understand each other.
Then there’s the thrill of the chase, for some people. (although some people get a lot of thrill-of-the-chase by being ebay resellers or similar and don’t collect for themselves)
Then there’s the art aspect; being in an environment one feels to be beautiful; and there again, probably no one will understand people loving environments that to them feel oppressively crowded, or sterile, or cookie-cutter, or chaotic – but different people do just plain *like* different looks for things (in addition to social conditioning that tells us we *ought* to like [a minimalist look; a farmhouse look; a mid-century modern look] whether we do or not).
And some people get a dopamine hit for ordering and then receiving an object that makes them briefly happy, and then don’t have anything to do with the object afterwards.
And then there are functional or partly-functional collections – bundt pans, casserole dishes, jars, baskets, rugs, mugs, books, shoes/purses/clothing, craft tools, vintage kitchen stuff, furniture, plants, board games, etc.
So, eh, I really hate dusting and am not going to be starting any new collections (and I’m not 100% sure anything I have counts as a “collection” – although there are some authors like Anna Buchan where I will buy any books she has written that I don’t have yet!), but it’s nice having some beautiful things around, or things that remind you of good times. I don’t personally feel as comfortable in blank/minimalist spaces as I do in spaces that have more cushiness and houseplants to them, but some people do! So: as long as a collection isn’t negatively impacting someone’s life: go for it. And if you love the thrill of the chase but not the possession of items: ebay reselling! 🙂
Linda Sand says
I used to collect Reader’s Digest Condensed Books but my allergist suggested I stop. Dust allergies and collections do not go well together. Plus, I get overwhelmed by too much visual stimuli so I can’t stand houses full of collections. We have very few decorative items and those we do have all have special meaning to us.
Nancy D says
I seem to have been designated the family caregiver having helped my grandparents, uncle, brother, father and now mother and stepdad through the last stages of their lives. I’ve dug out and sorted and recycled and donated and organized each of their households. It’s exhausting emotionally and physically to go through collections of things that were once so cherished. How to respectfully handle everything. I’m 62 and I find myself so aware of most everything that comes into my house. I’ve asked people to just make memories with me with a lunch or coffee instead of gifts. I have four kids and My goal is to be as organized as possible for them.
Nancy D says
I do collect houseplants! 🙂
Beth says
I collect Penguins.
Melissa says
I come from a family of collectors. I love collecting when it’s things you use on a regular basis. I’m always cooking so I collect old kitchen things: Aluminum measuring spoons, wooden rolling pins (that I store in an old wire basket by the fireplace like logs), cookie and biscuit cutters, milk glass bowls, wooden bowls, pressed glass serving dishes, and really any kind of old mixing bowl. They bring me a lot of happiness when I use them.
Peggy says
❤️
Peggy says
If I had the room, I would collect, but use, beautiful kitchenware: tableware, dishes, mugs, seasonal sets. I would need a room to store and admire, but I would definitely use everything.
Judyyy says
I would like to learn to hook rugs. Do you sell kits with instructions?
Mavis Butterfield says
I sell kits online here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mavisButterfield?section_id=20916560 and provide a video link for begining hookers.
Kim says
The longer I live, the more this stuff makes me feel anxious and weighed down. I have about 15 or so quilts I have made. My daughters are not that interested in them and I do not want them to feel obligated to take my stuff. They have different decorating styles, etc. and it is lovely.
Sometimes I just want to throw away about half my stuff. I think it would feel wonderful.
I do agree with the thing about the dopamine hit we get from a purchase that is short lived.
Very interesting topic, Mavis.
Linda J says
True confession time – I’m not a hoarder, but liked having pretty things in a pretty home. We did a lot of entertaining and I had a bowl, platter, or dish set for every event.
In the last 6 months I’ve discovered the weight of having too much stuff and how freeing it is to make a change.
Looking towards our retirement years DH and I sold our home earlier this year and moved into our fifth wheel while we look for our next home. The fifth wheel has about 300 square feet of living space. Everything else is in two large, very full, storage units. (BTW – we thought we downsized before we moved – taking numerous loads to the local Habitat for Humanity store, Goodwill, and the dump.) While there are a few things I miss, mainly a slightly larger kitchen with enough room to do some baking, most things in the storage units are largely forgotten.
With the money we’ve saved from not having a house payment or space to buy anything that isn’t absolutely essential (food and toilet paper are allowed 😉 we took a 3 week trip to Europe this fall. It was better than anything in storage.
Our original plan to downsize to a smaller, one level home was a good start. Now we’re seriously considering ditching most of the stuff in storage and downsizing to a very modest home that we can pay cash for. This would allow us to continue traveling and exploring without the burden of a house payment and all that stuff.
If anyone knows of a cute little house in the Willamette Valley area of Oregon with enough space to park a fifth wheel…
Michelle S. says
I have collected vintage Christmas things from the 1940s and 1950s for years. I stopped a few years ago because we downsized to a smaller house and l kept what l truly love and have been slowly divesting myself of the excess items. We have a shed, so l have them boxed up by category and they come out for the last week in November through December and into the first week of January, before going away for the year. I just love them and they make me and my family happy.
sandyf says
I live in a 1915 Craftsman-so we collect Arts & Crafts furniture and pottery. It fills the home, and serves us-I use the Bauer pottery, the embroidered pillows, the old rockers, the old Pendleton blankets. I collect vintage Yosemite items, the china from the Ahwahnee hotel, and colorized Yosemite photos from 1900’s. We have had so much fun traveling all over the US in search of antiques. Brings joy, is an investment and when I am gone-the kids that don’t want them can auction them with an investment in their future. If it was all gone tomorrow -I would be fine, it is all about how we feel in our home, and creating comforting spaces.
Katherine says
I collect plants native to Georgia, seeds, antique and vintage watch faces, and vacated wasp nests that I display in a couple of old mason jars.
Ashley Bananas says
It seems that you downsized to a smaller house years ago, then worked on some minimalizing, and also moved a lot which probably pushed you to thin your items. You seem to keep a very tidy house and it shows. You don’t often post about letting go of things, but I imagine you do as not all things have moved with you that you have posted about finding for free on curbs or at recycling centers, or yard sales. There’s nothing wrong with that. Everyone is different.
Patti says
I didn’t think I was a collector until I read all these comments! I really don’t want to keep too much at this stage of my life after cleaning out my parent’s home this past summer. However, I have a LOT because I am “creative” – fabric, yarn, buttons, etc. I am cleaning out as I can and not bringing in anything if I can help it. We have a camper and, for some reason, everyone wants to buy us stuff with campers on it. I love my camper because it is the one place where simplicity reigns and I don’t have to work at cleaning it up. So the gifts really trigger negative emotions. Out the door with them!
Mary Neathway says
I collect coin banks… it started with a cast iron sheep that I bought second hand in Bangor, when I was 12. I’m much older now and it’s an antique (or maybe vintage) and survived a house fire. I have 20 or so different banks (including one shaped like a sperm) and yes,they are used. And they give me pleasure to look at them and think about where they came from. None are allowed into the collection now unless they are vintage or at least very unusual (like that sperm bank). and I guess you could say I collect fabric, but some day I’ll be sewing it all into beautiful things.
Charla says
I collect banks as well. I stopped to think about why a few years ago and realized it was because of something that happened in my childhood. One day at school our house was broken into and my piggy bank was stolen.
After all these years I think I was trying to get back what was lost.
I still love my banks but it was nice to figure out why I was pulled towards them.
Kippy says
Japanese glass floats. I use my grandparents Rosepoint flatware daily and would buy more pieces if it were affordable. Mom was a real minimalist . She inherited a lot of things from her parents and had been raised that heirlooms are to be treasured and displayed. Thankfully a few years before she passed she asked me which items I wanted (the flatware and a painting) and sold or donated the rest. I bought Mom a dated Hallmark ornament every Christmas for many years (the one thing she wanted to collect). We thought they might be worth something in the future. When she didn’t want them anymore we both were disappointed they were worth very little money, They all went to Goodwill.
Norma says
About the only thing I could say I collect is Scrapbooking and Card making supplies which I use. My collections are the photos I put in the scapbooks. I am not sure my kids will ever want them but it is my hobby to save our memories in scrapbooks. It is my relaxation besides gardening. If my kids save my books when I am gone good if they don’t good.
Mavis Butterfield says
I remember all those stamping parties!!!
Anne says
My mother and grandmother both were rug hookers so I have 30 plus pieces of theirs plus I rug hook and continue to. But I think this is more of a collection of heirlooms? Also delft blue pottery and cranberry glass are my things. Only beautiful inexpensive pieces, $10 or less. I am trying to get rid of things too! Christmas items I am really scaling back.
Natasha says
I collect canning jars to preserve food in. Thrift stores are my favourite place to buy them. And I do love a good cookbook.
Anna says
I had a pug during many of my single years and loved the bits out of her. best.dog.ever. Somehow that translated into an unintended collection of pug gifts over the years (mostly from friends and family) : figurines, mugs, framed pictures, clothing, etc. What is it about pugs? lol
debra says
I received this book for Christmas as well and I love it! I would like to visit her farm in Upperville, Virginia.
Elisabeth says
I was going to heartily agree with you, Mavis—no collections for me. And then I remembered . . . I collect ingredients! Cannot pass up an interesting spice or new brand of chocolate! Over time it IS a collection, except sometimes it things get too old and I have to throw them out.
Diane says
I love collecting! Over the years, I have collected Steiff miniatures, vintage mixing bowls, quilts, vintage books, vintage postcards/Christmas cards/calling cards
Do I have room for everything? Nope, but I still enjoy it!