It's the holiday season

The holiday season is now in full swing. My daughter and I went out shopping yesterday. And even though we did not crack the alarm clock, we still found some very good deals. DD mostly was able to whittle down her Christmas list.

Have you ever considered what is the difference between being thrifty and cheap? I love to find a bargain whether we are shopping at a thrift store or a department store. There are sales everywhere. And the mark down clearance aisle is always inviting. We commented yesterday how spoiled we were because we can find so many things at places like Ross, or T J Maax, for so much less then at the name brand department stores. Yet even at Macy's or Penney's, there are bargains to be had! We never had a big income when I was coming up, so we learned to shop the bargain basements of the big department stores in the big city. It is ingrained inside of me. So even when I can afford to buy something that is not on sale, I am not able to do it! Does anyone else have that problem?

I will close with this picture of my daughter's room. Because you see, fall is going out, and Christmas is on the way in :-)



Have a great weekend :-)

Thriftaholic VTT

I know, I know, I've got it bad.

Today while I had a few minutes waiting for my son, I happened upon a Goodwill store. I figured I could spend the 30 minute wait time looking around, just to see if there was anything that might be of interest.

And well, of course as I walked up and down the aisles, there were a few things that caught my eye.

These lovely Nikko plates looked so fallish. I thought they would make a great addition to the table setting in my dining room. What a shame that there were no cups to be found. So I only picked up 4 salad/dessert and two saucers. I will keep my eye out for some cups that might be a close match.

When I spied this large cake plate, I was amazed that it was only marked $2.

It is larger then a normal cake plate, which made me think that I could add another cake plate on top for a layered look. It is really a nice heavy piece of glass.

So then I picked up these -

and a couple of these -

and I have a plan...........

You see Holly over at Homebody had a very creative idea. I have seen the plates glued to the candles before, but she has taken this idea to a new level.



I just love how Holly expanded this idea and went for the gold (or maybe it was the peppermint). Please go over and take a look. She is doing a series of (Thrifty Gifty) posts on making gifts from thrifty treasures.

And while you are at it be sure to visit Colorado Lady because today is Vintage Thingies Thursday. You will want to take a look at all of the great vintage treasures being shared.

And one last thought. As we will be celebrating Thanksgiving on Thursday, I want to thank each and every one of you that stops by and visits me on this little blog. I've so enjoyed meeting new friends and some old ones too. Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving day.

Thanksgiving tea

I do have so much to be thankful for. I'd like to think that being thankful is not just a once a year event.

One special lady that I am thankful for is my hubby's dear aunt. She took me under her wing when my own Mother passed away, and sort of became a grandma to my children.

When we were packing up Auntie's house for her move to the ALF, we found this teapot in the top cabinet stuck way in the back. Auntie never drank tea, so it made me wonder if it might have been her mother's pot.

It's not the fanciest teapot, but to me it is beautiful. I know the picture looks a little green, but it is really a pale irridescent yellow on the sides. There are no markings.

So for today, I would love to invite you to a Thanksgiving tea. We can share what we are thankful for along with a spot of tea. I am most thankful for you dear reader. I am encouraged each day when I read comments that are left.

So let's sit down, pour the tea and visit a while.

And please join our lovely hostess Kim from Shabby Pink and Pretty and enjoy a spot of tea with all those who have signed up for Tea Things Tuesday!

Scissors for every occasion!

I posted this on my quilting blog, but I have several vintage scissors that I thought I would share it here too.

A quilting friend of mine has shared about her passion for scissors! Yep that's right, scissors. I don't think I have quite the collection of scissors as my friend has, but mine is pretty healthy.

You see it all started with this little one -

I was with my Mom once, when I was young, and we were shopping somewhere. I saw some kind of kit, and these little scissors were in it. I've had these scissors for over 40 years. They are marked JA Henckels/Germany. Of course at that time I had no idea what Henckels scissors were, but they are very high quality scissors.

This is a pair that belonged to my Mom.

And as time went on, I started picking up scissors here and there.

Assorted colors -

Thrift store finds -
The pair at the top of this picture has black handles. Do you remember back in school when the teacher had those black handle scissors?

Fiskars, which I love!

My official Fiskateers scissors -

Craft scissors -
(and don't even go there about how many scissors we have for scrapbooking. This is only a sampling :-)

So a pair of scissors for every occasion! Sewing, crafting, scrapbooking, card making........ cloth scissors, paper scissors, manicure scissors, hairdresser scissors, vintage scissors....the list could go on.

Do you have a scissor collection?

Sundae anyone? VTT

For several years I picked up Sundae glasses whenever I found them at a good price. I have a few in different sizes, some of which are up on the shelf in my kitchen. But here are a few.

I thought they would be fun to serve ice cream, but we just never used them for that purpose.

These Parfait glasses were given to me years ago by my hubby's aunt. We have used these to make a dessert with vanilla ice cream layered with orange sherbet. They are fun, pretty and not a huge size, which makes for a smaller portion.

I love these Ice Cream Soda glasses. They belonged to my Mom. We used to make Root Beer, and Coke Floats in them. I don't know how long she had them, but I figured they were from the 60's.

So now that I have dug these out of the cabinet, they are heading to the dishwasher for a good cleaning. Be sure to stop by Colorado Lady's Vintage Thingies Thursday blog and browse around at the other vintage goodies. There is always something fun and interesting to learn about when you visit the other blogs.

Happy thriftin'!

A taste of Tea

A couple of months ago we visited a very lovely tea house near Aberdeen NC. From the outside, you would never guess such loveliness as you are transformed just by entering over the threshold of Lady Bedford's Tea Parlour.



We had a lovely table by the window.

The service was excellent and the food was incredible!!
You could even eat the bowl :-)

Please stop by Shabby, Pink and Pretty and visit our hostess Kim, as we join the other ladies for a spot of tea for Tea Things Tuesday.

Treasures found

Have you found a treasure that every time you see it you just fall in love with all over again?? I have to say that this little table has been such a delight to me.

I was not planning on going to the Hospice Thrift store sale that day. I had just been there recently and felt that I had been through everything that would interest me. But I ended up on that end of town and had some time. It was a storewide 50% off sale, so you just never know what little treasure might pop up.

As I went back to the furniture section, I noticed that this little table had just been set down by one of the workers. I mosied on over to take a look. The price was astounding! Only $10, and with the 50% off, well you can do the math :-) I checked it over really well, and it was in pretty good condition. I hung on to the little table and headed to the check out, fearing that someone would snatch it out of my hands (they really don't do that in our area, BUT you never know). I brought that little baby home, and I have loved it ever since.

I love the little decorative shelf with all the scroll work. This table is put together with pegs, and with a good cleaning has been set up in my living room next to the couch.

So today I would like to invite you to spend a little time with me. Sitting here in my living room. We can mull over a cup of hot tea and chat about your day. You can fill me in on all of the treasures you have found.

I always love to spend some time with my friends :-)