Christmas memories

The days are drawing near. Christmas will be here in 25 days. When I think of Christmas past, I don't have a lot to draw on. For one reason, my parents were older when they had me, so we almost always were among their adult friends. We did have a Christmas tree, and of course there were presents under it. But as far as tradition goes, it was just Mom, Dad and me. No big family gatherings or religious traditions.

Since marrying my dear sweet husband, that all changed. He came from a family of 5 children, and his Mom was big on Christmas. She still is. So I was introduced to large family get togethers (sometimes as many as 75 with extended family members), lots of fun times and teasing. In the last few years as my mother in laws health has started to decline, the festivities have continued, but in-laws have other places to go, great grandchildren are tired and winey. But yet I am thankful to have been a part of what a family Christmas is about.

So starting tomorrow, I'd like to share 25 things that I am thankful for. I'd love to hear what special things you are thankful for this Christmas!

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.

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!

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 :-)

Virginia Rose - VTT

I have stated before how much I love made in USA china. I am always on the look out for some pieces to add to my collection. As I have been out of town for the last few days, I thought it would be a good idea to check out what was new at the Goodwill. My visit was a good one.

I first caught a glimpse of this lovely platter -

I loved the sweet flowers on the cream colored china. It is Homer Laughlin Virginia Rose. I've seen a few pieces here and there, but this was the first time I've seen the platter.

As I kept searching I came across a few more pieces.

Only two cups and saucers, so I picked them up and found two more dessert plates and small bowls. Wouldn't these be lovely for a special tea party for two??

And here is a lovely picture from my recent trip to Ohio Amish Country.

Isn't it pretty. I think it looks like a post card :-)

Now be sure to check out Colorado Lady's blog and visit the other great blogs on Vintage Thingie Thursday!

Happy Thriftin'!

Pink sherbet

I love pink. It's such a refreshing color to me. So when I came upon these lovely sherbet dishes, they made me stop to think - "do I really need these?"

I found these lovely dishes in the same shop where we found the famous egg scale. If you remember I did not buy the egg scale the first time visiting the shop, but went back for it the next day. Well on that next day I revisited these lovely pink sherbet dishes. There were eight of them, and low and behold, they were marked 50% off! So YES I do think I need these.

They actually still had the sticker on them Nortake "Provincial" Japan, so I don't think they have ever been used.

And while I am revisiting this Antique shop find, I would love to encourage anyone who lives near Florence SC to take a drive and visit the Classic Antiques shop. They are a multi dealer shop, so there is a nice selection of various types of antiques and collectables. The owner is Don Streett, and was very helpful and courteous. I would go back again in a heartbeat.

Have a happy thriftin' weekend!

Vintage Hankies VTT

I have had these hankies ever since I was a little child. I'm not sure you would actually call them vintage, but they are old to me :-)



I found this last hankie while I was shopping in a thrift store recently. It is in such very good condition. I'm not sure it is very old, but for 79c, I thought it was lovely enough to come home with me.


Please join Colorado Lady and visit all of the wonderful blogs sharing their vintage finds on Vintage Thingie Thursday.

A cup of tea on Tea Things Tuesday

There is a small thrift shop out in a rural area about 40 minutes from home. I've been in this thrift shop before, but it's not in my normal driving run. So as I was out in that area, I figured I would take the opportunity to take a quick look around as they usually have very reasonable prices. I was very happy that I did.

I saw this teacup right away in the glass case by the register. When I was checking out, I asked to see it. It was all wrapped up with tape, but it looked in good condition.

It does not have any markings on the plate or cup, but it resembles the style of German or Bavarian china. And for $2.89, I could not pass this one up.

It was just too lovely not to add to my collection :-)

Now please make yourself a cup of tea, and visit Kim's blog (Shabby, Pink and Pretty). You will enjoy visiting all the other lovely blogs who have signed up for Tea Things Tuesday.

Heritage

Do you have some heirloom pieces that were handed down to you as a part of your family heritage? I don't have many, but I cherish the ones that I do have.

This creamer belonged to my paternal grandmother. My mom had it and I got it when she passed away. I have no idea how old it is, but it is special because it belonged to a grandmother that I did not know.

This desk and chair belonged to my hubby's paternal grandmother. I was so thrilled when it was offered to us, and now lives in my daughter's room.

These pearls also belonged to hubby's grandmother. They are yellowed with age, but the beads are such a nice size.

This cup and saucer belonged to my hubby's maternal grandmother. She had a teacup collection, and when she passed away everyone was allowed to take a pick. As I am low on the totum pole, the older vintage cups were all gone. But I'm very happy to have this one that belonged to "Granny".

This vase was my Mom's. I can remember it being in our living room ever since I was a little child.
The marking on the bottom. Unfortunately, one day while I was dusting I accidently knocked it over after it came to live in my house. I tried to piece it back together, but as you can see, there is a huge boo-boo on it. I still love it though, because it was my Mom's.

And this watch belonged to my hubby's paternal grandfather. My hubby's Dad gave it to him one year as a gift. I found this display case, so it stays under glass.

What part of your family heritage do you have? I did not come from a big family. Both of my parents passed away when I was in my early 20's. But my hubby came from a large family that I have adopted as my own. My in laws have reached 88 and 90 years of age, and they are still very actively involved in the lives of their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Now THAT is a true family heritage.

Wishing you a wonderful thrifting week!