Half Over ~

 

Well, September is already half over.  WOW!

Last week was such a productive week, but this week I seem to be spinning my wheels and going nowhere.  I did get my Halloween decorations out.  I don't have much "fall" stuff, but Halloween is another story.  Why does one person have 5 large plastic tubs and one large box of Halloween?  

Many comments were made about my list from my last post.  I am a list maker.  I have a daily list, a weekly list, plus sticky notes on my lists and more lists hanging from the kitchen cupboard.  Some lists are hanging for a VERY long time, but they are a constant reminder of things that eventually need to be accomplished.

A few weeks ago I bought this little wooden tote at an antique shop.  I didn't need it (but I always say what does need have to do with it?), but it was a great price.

I think my Halloween noisemakers look pretty good in it.

Yesterday I headed two hours south to meet up with my dear college friend Wink.  The city where we meet also has one of my favorite antique shops.  I found this largish papier mache turkey to add to my collection and I couldn't resist the patriotic Thanksgiving postcard.

Then I agonized over this wooden tote/caddy.  I've never seen one like it before.  The bottom and two sides are tin.  How could I not bring it home with me . . . lol?

This guy has visited me twice in the sweet potato vine.  I am assuming it is the same guy, but I suppose all praying mantids (plural for mantis .  . . you learn something new every day!) look alike 😁

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Gobble, Gobble~

 

I don't have many Thanksgiving decorations, but do have a couple flocks of turkeys.  These are wax, most of them candles, the majority made by Gurley.

My favorite turkeys are those made of papier mache, many stamped Germany. 

 

Here is a close up of some of them.  Most of them have flaking paint and quite a few were made as candy containers.

 

 

I think I show this guy every year.  Painted by my mom in 1989, it was one of her favorite pieces ~ and one of mine, too.

 

 

Tomorrow I am off to set up for my last show of the year, From Our Hands.  It is put on by Lori Ann Corelis (The Spotted Hare) and Rebekah L. Smith (Folk Artist).  Wish me luck!

 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

'Tis the Season ~

Thanksgiving is over ~ time to put the turkeys away.

 

  

Now the mad rush to Christmas begins.  Every year I am going to be organized and not stress.  Maybe next year . . . sigh.  At least Thanksgiving was early this year and the fact that I am retired (though I still don't believe it) should help.  My niece and family along with my grandson stayed with me for the holiday.  It was wonderful having them here, but I am back to peace and quiet and loving it.  I started hauling boxes down from the attic but then took a break to mow my lawn.  WTH?  It's almost December.  I find it easier to mow the leaves than to rake them.  Even though we've had a freeze or two, I have a few straggler flowers blooming.  No complaints from me.

 

I still plan to hook a few Christmas gifts, but I have not even started them.  I think I'd better get busy.  They will be smallish, but still . . .   Are you like me and wait until the last minute?  I also need to make an ornament for one of the hooking groups I recently joined, fill a pair of socks for this week's guild meeting, shop, wrap, write cards, mail packages, blah, blah, blah.  So what am I doing?  Spending time on this dang computer.  No one ever accused me of being too bright . . . lol. 

Will I simplify this year?  Probably not.  My decorating style is very eclectic.  A few primitive pieces, some antique/vintage, things my boys made when young, decorations received from friends/family over the years.  Upon opening the boxes, I just can't resist putting them on display.  Sure wish I could say all my boxes have been hauled down from the attic :)

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs :)
Lauren
 

Vacation Goodes ~

I can't believe it's taken me almost a week to take pictures of the goodies that came home with me.  Even though I no longer have a day job (woo hoo), there still aren't enough hours in the day.

 

The best thing that came home with me is my pincushion from Julie.  If you've ever been fortunate enough to acquire a piece of her work, you know it is perfection.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Julie.  It will reside in my hooking room where I spend most of my free time and can admire it daily.

 

I love pressed glass goblets.  A good ballpark date on them is the 1860's - 1880's.  They were made with a 3 part mold and you can see the mold marks on the bottom (but not in the picture).  I have way too many, but I use them for everyday wine glasses.  How could I pass them up for fifty cents each?

Giant stone fruit grapes on a white ironstone plate marked Meakin that I also bought.

Another spice cabinet that I needed like I need another hole in the head, but hey, it was a REALLY good deal, even though not as old as my others.  You can read about the others here.  Not sure where I can fit this in.  A terrible problem to have :)  Stoneware salt to add to my collection which now numbers four and the first with a lid.  Shouldn't things always be an odd number?  May have to find one more . . . lol!  OOPS!  My other 3 are stoneware butters.  This is my first salt.  The start of a new collection :)

I was so happy to find these paper mache turkeys at Greenwood Mercantile in Greenwood, MO.  The one in the center is a candy container marked US Zone Germany and the others are marked Germany.  My flock is growing and will come down from the attic next week.

 

 

Sweet little pin cube and decorative scissors that are really sharp, sitting on a piece of vintage velvet ~ also from Julie.

I have no idea what I will do with this (most likely tuck it in a drawer), but another one of those bargains ($1.00) that I just could not leave behind, dated 1948.

I also got a black darner and some silverplate spoons.  I gathered many rocks from the places we stopped and gave them to my grandson and he loved them.  Also brought home a branch with several large pinecones attached (thinking about the "C" season) and this . . .

Both my son and DSO gave me "the look" when I picked this up in the desert near an abandoned  mine my son was showing us.  Disbelief when I said I was going to take it home :)  Well, a few days later in an antique shop they had some nearly identical rusty springs just a bit bigger and they were asking $55.00 for them.  I have no idea if I will take it apart to use the springs or figure out some other use for it . . . or it just may end up in the garage with lots of other useless stuff (like the large broken insulator that also came home with me).

 

Thank you so much for following us on our travels and for all the sweet comments and emails.  Though blogging seems to be dying, you all make it worthwhile and for that I thank you :)

Pug hugs :)
Lauren