WHERE HAVE I BEEN?

I'm sure some of you have been wondering, "What's up with Sue?", as I haven't blogged since June 1st. No, I haven't died and fallen off the planet!

To be honest, I just haven't felt like it. No particular reason, but here I am! No vacations this summer, just staying home with my regular routine. My next-door neighbors put in a swimming pool . . . and a nice tall fence. They did all kinds of fancy stone work and, boy, am I glad that's done - the stone saw was killing us!

The weather here in mid-to-eastern Massachusetts was extremely dry all summer and cooler than normal, which was fine by me. Western MA, in particular, got all kinds of intense thunderstorms but not us. We're supposed to get some rain in a few days and I'll certainly be glad for it.

I'm just glad it's Fall and it's football season again!

I've been doing some thrifting. Here are a few selections. I'm not sure if this is a chocolate pot or not, it's about 8-1/2" tall, and it only cost $7.00! I love it.

I was so thrilled to find this footstool with a bowl of cherries on it!

This bowl is really cool, in my opinion. Love the flowers on the handles. Unfortunately, no lid came with it but that's okay. And, yes, it is Hall's!

The tall brownish vase in the center is my most recent acquisition. Another no-namer.

My father-in-law brought this dirty, cobwebby, ugly dresser up from Florida last month. I was about to tell him to chuck it in the dump when he showed me the drawer that turns into a desk!

He said it was store-bought, I thought hand-made. He was right, there's a plate inside the top drawer:

I looked it up online and found only a few pieces of furniture by them. Must have been a small company. I absolutely hate the drawer pulls and might replace them at some point, but saving the originals. Here's a full view of it, housing some of my craft supplies:

And there you have it. See you next time around!

YARD SALE + THRIFT STORE FINDS

Here are some recent finds while I was out poking around!

A nice sturdy vintage apron with an embroidered cook who looks like she's deranged or on happy pills or something, lol!

I love this gothic-arched display case from a yard sale.

Another red bunny cookie cutter to add to my Easter collection! The purple Wood and Sons, England plate now resides in my purple half-bath.

I don't know who made this blue vase, but I also have a yellow one just like it. The tin will get a makeover at some point.

A big basket to put annual primroses in on my shady porch, a Dickens Christmas Stories book, a wood cover for a scrapbook or craft, and a Mary Engelbreit address book!

This is the cake I made for my Becky's 18th birthday on the 22nd of May. The sticks are to keep the layers from sliding off. Becky had her last day of school on the 22nd also. She's now officially out of school; she will get a certificate of completion instead of a diploma. No idea what the future holds for her, but that's okay - I like having her at home!

Becky made the vase a few years ago in school, and the irises are 'Honorabile', an 1840 heirloom variety.

CUP FULL OF COZY

It's a chilly, dismal Friday morning. I'm warming up with a cup o' Joe in my recently thrifted Hallmark mug! Have a super fun weekend, everyone!

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS

I love my vintage Christmas decorations! Here are some of them displayed.

I moved my pretty white sideboard into the living room and brought the console table into the kitchen. I am so loving having the extra window "open". I only have four large windows and a french door in the kitchen so I have LOTS of light! So this table gets my egg nog set and extra egg nog mugs.

I like to line my kitchen window ledges (in the middle where the locks are) with my vintage tiny houses!

I love pulling out my vintage Christmas records each year! My favorite is the 78rpm of White Christmas.

A stack of vintage wrapping paper and greeting card boxes.

The hutch is all lined up with a variety of figurines:

Go, Santa! Get down with your bad self!

THRIFT SHOP STOP!

I haven't been to a thrift shop in a dog's age! Finally, I hit one yesterday before I went grocery shopping.

Any of you heard of the British author, Dick Francis? I've read a few of his books in some old Reader's Digest Condensed Books. They always have something to do with horse racing and they were very good stories. I found two hardbacks that I'm delighted with! Also, two strands of clear-ish beads.

In addition, I found a pretty Christmas plate made by Pickard China, U.S., a fun Christmas wind chimes that's double-sided and needs detangling, and two Ocean Water scented votives by Yankee Candle.

Also, a pretty Mason (England) Vista china tea cup, sans saucer. Three vintage hankies and a tablecloth (?) that's 24 inches square. I question it because it feels and looks like a men's handkerchief, but it's so large that it fits a small table. Who cares!

I haven't joined up with Rednesday in a while and this display is a perfect excuse to do so! Hi Melody!

SUMMER POSTCARDS

I have been putting up some of my summer decorations this past week, and was delighted to place my Summer Postcards around. A few years ago Elizabeth, of Creative Breathing, had a swap where you made a postcard of your state. That was one of my favorite swaps! So here are a few photos of some of the cards.

 (china: Homer Laughlin 'duBarry' pattern)

(my collection of red Restaurant Ware)

RECENT FINDS

First, I feel the need to apologize for not blogging much. I may have mentioned before that my 21-yr-old daughter has severe anxiety issues and doesn't work, so I let her use the computer most of the time.

Now, here are a few of my recent thrift store finds, along with a few nice freebies from down the street! I'll start with this very sturdy Bakelite handled utensil spoon.

Next is a pretty red teacup. A little bit beat up, but so beautiful! I'm in love with the inside rim. They just don't make 'em like they used to.

This grouping is just a few odds-and-ends. Sometimes the little things are the best!

Now, for the freebies: This nice wicker rocking chair was out with the trash just two doors down. I knocked and asked if it was broken or anything, and carted it on home!

This laundry sink was also out with the trash on another week, and about ten houses down. I'm thinking maybe I could use it gardening somehow. It was too good to just leave there so, of course, I made Mister drive down and retrieve it!

See the large light fixtures behind it? Mister brings these home from the plant he works at. When they go to replace them and throw them away, he asks for them. They'll probably spend a lifetime in the barn but, hey, they're free!

THRIFT SHOPPING

Mister had yesterday off from work, so we went over to one of our local thrift shops! I got some great vintage items - all with red, of course!

I couldn't believe these Red Riding Hood S&P's were there! Of course I had no intention of getting my hopes up that they're genuine. When I got home I looked up on line and discovered that because of their height and the size of the filling holes they are the reproductions. Who cares! They're adorable - real or repro! Might sell them, haven't decided yet; but, if anyone's interested, email me.

This figurine is so animated! I just want to hug it! It's in excellent condition. Look at the original price! Wish I could buy figurines for that price today, but I was lucky and got this for $6.00.

Couldn't resist this chic overnight bag. Has a few "dents" but, hey, I'm a dent-kinda-gal!

Last is this awesome Wilendur square tablecloth with four napkins. Needs a good cleaning and, again, not sure if I will keep or sell.

I think I hit the jackpot yesterday! Good stuff cheap!

ORGANIZING THE BASEMENT

Hey! I haven't been around here for a little bit. Just busy around the house. One thing I've been doing is slowly reorganizing my storage cabinets in the basement.

Candles, anyone? I'm always picking up candles and holders at thrift stores and yard sales, "just in case"!

Pitchers and milk jugs, vases and planters, and stuff:

Coffee mugs and demitasse cups:

It took me a few weeks, off and on, because there are two double-wide cabinets and our unfinished basement is cold! So yesterday I decided to warm up at the thrift store and came home with a basket of goodies!

Oh, my! I just realized that I need to make a new blog header!