The Best of Luck Through the New Year

Well, another year has come and gone, what will the New Year bring? Plenty happened to us last year, and I can honestly say, I am ready for a brand New Year. Don't get me wrong, I have alot to be thankful for, but I don't like surprises, and the fear of the unknown sometimes --no---most times can get to me. So..., I've set some new goals and I'm really going to work on them. The only one I will share is that I am going to work on "Increasing my level of patience!!". You see, sharing my New Year's resolutions makes about as much sense as me saying I'm starting a diet. Then everytime I stick a piece something fattening in my mouth, some wise guy will say--"Is that On Your Diet?" or "Boy, I'm going to follow your diet?" Who needs it!!!!So, I will just work hard on my own resolutions and see if you can tell a difference! Now the "Patience" thing, any improvement is good for me because on a scale of 1 to 10, my patience comes in at about a -20. I'm not kidding!! I have some shots of some New Years postcards, not good pictures, but they'll do. A poem on a card I didn't show kind of says it all,

The Best of Luck Through the New Year

Here is wishing you the kind of year
You'd be selecting too,
If years were made to order and
The choice was up to you.

I'm going to work real hard to make this year seem like it was "Made to Order"

Happy New Year to all of you.

Until next time,

Pam

Antique Dolls

I just can't seem to part with this old girl! She has a metal head and cloth and leather body. I like her even with no clothes. I know I might have shown some of these dolls before, but they are worth looking at again.

Nothing like a hand-embroidered face, with yarn hair. She's not as old, but just as cute.

This old Raggedy Andy is so dirty, he is airing out before I am going to even attempt to clean him up. I love him, he's very old and handmade, but really needs a bath.

I have lots of dolls and doll parts. I was at an auction years ago where a doll collection was being sold. At one time I had boxes of parts. I think I still have alot in storage.

Some of the smallest dolls. I'm amazed that someone can make clothes for them. The little girl in the middle with the pink dress is only about 1 1/2 inches in length.

Sweet little faces!

An assortment of bisque dolls.

I'm thinking about empyting out the big glass case at the shop and putting nothing but dolls, doll dishes, clothes and accessories in it. That would be a nice change. If I decide to do it, I'll post the picture for you to see.

Better go for now,

Until next time,

Pam

Gary's First Christmas Pie!!! Merry Christmas to All

Well, it was a great day at the shop today---sold some really fun stuff to desperate shoppers. Then we went to my mom and dad's--of course my sisters, brother in law, nephews and niece were there. Fun time as always. We came home so that Gary could make his first pie. He has been talking about and so he finally did it. It is a pumpkin-banana pie. It has cracked on the top while it is cooling, but I don't think that will hurt. Besides he will cover it with whipped cream. It calls for meringue, but he is crazy about that. Didn't he do good!
I wish everyone the best Christmas ever.
Until next time,
Pam

All I Want For Christmas Is "Comfort and Joy"

Last minute gifts are always fun! Every year I put something together for one of my nephews. He needs 7 small gifts to give to his co-workers--al females! This year I wrapped pretty ribbon around the glycerin soap that has been really selling well. Thanks Sharon!!!

Glass ornaments are always a hit. We mostly have vintage and antique ornaments now. We haven't been going to the Merchandise Marts like we used too. I miss it, but I can't compete with all of the dollar stores. But I still love the ornaments.

Who doesn't love a big glass Santa Claus ornament. He is really pretty!

Teddy Bears are always a great seller!

This year, we will be going to my mom and dad's for both Christmas Eve and Christmas. She is recovering from back surgery and is not able to get out. Lucky for me, they live right behind me so all I have to do is walk across our back yards! But, also lucky for us....the snow storms are missing us. At least for right now. It's just rain. No white Christmas in the middle of Illinois, but I'm ready for it to go away the day after Christmas anyway! We might have flurries. The shop will be open for business until 2:00. You never know how business will be, because the shoppers that do come in are desperate! My favorite shoppers are the dad's that bring the 6 year olds with them and say---now show me what mommy was looking at! Duh!!! A lot of pressure for a kid don't you think! Better go for now. I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday. After this horrible cold, and the horrible economy this past year, all I want is COMFORT and JOY!!! Next year is going to be great---I just know it!

Merry Christmas,

Until next time,

Pam

Get Out Mom's Old Sunbeam Mixer

Well, just my luck, Gary and I have both been sick. Don't think it was the flu, just bad colds. During this time, my mom had back surgery, so then I was afraid to visit her. She certainly didn't need my cold germs. Saturday, my sissy's--Gay and Lori--and I met at mom's house to do some baking. We had a great laugh about mom's old aqua mixer! Even the ratty looking box. It's on it's last leg, but still worked. Aqua from when her kitchen appliances were aqua in the 70's! The funny thing is that dad is a gadget man. We spent many vacations at the fairs, etc. watching the slicer dicer, vega matic man do his demonstrations. I think I have the old vega-matic! We laughed and made fun of dad--something we do alot! He is an easy target.
It worked though. We got the baking done. The mixer smelled hot, but I think it survived.

The baking was too much for Annie girl. She fell asleep in her red satin dress.

One of my goals for the new year is to update my blog regularly. Sorry I've been sick and not up to it. Happy Holidays to everyone.!!!!

Until next time,

Pam

Give a Present From the Past!!

It's Interesting and fun, but yet difficult to figure out what people are looking for. At this time of year, are they buying for heirself or buying gifts? We have for years advertised to "Give a Present From the Past"! You see people looking, touching and smelling everything. I'm showing a few shots of different areas in the shop. Just for fun! Happy shopping!

Better go for now, it's been a crazy week for me, I'll update again soon.

Until next time,

Pam

How About Some Color On Your Table

Color is always nice! I love white and cream, but I must say that color is my thing. It's just more practical for the things we collect. I'm showing just a few shelves of color in our shop.
Of course starting with blue, I especially love the antique flo-blue plates and platters. I kinda collect them!

White enamel ware--great for a country farmhouse look.

A touch of aqua!

Amber Depression Glass( Sharon/Cabbage Rose Pattern)

Some nice deep Forest Green.

I have a thing for soup tureens. This has holly decorated on it.

I've got a lot more to show that that's all for now. Tomorrow I'll be redoing the display window. I think is will be all white and silver because I have a very nice big silver aluminum tree and a white tree, both from the 60's. I let you know how it looks.

Until next time,

Pam

The Christmas Season Is Open!

Well, it's time to get out the winter dishes! The Christmas Season is here. I took these pictures in a booth at Marburger Farm in Texas. I love platters anyway, but this one was beautiful.

Dishes to match the platter.

Who wouldn't love this collection of Santa's. I will be showing many more pictures of collections and booths in my shop so keep watching--or better yet, come on in and see it for real!
I'm trying to update this blog with the Paul McCartney special in the background, and sorry, but I gotta go and watch him!
Until next time,
Pam

I Love Marionettes!

If money was no object--this complete set of marionettes and the stage would be mine. Instead, I just stared in amazement of their beauty. I have collected puppets and marionettes for some time, but have never displayed them. They are all packed up--not sure what they are waiting for! I ran across a box of them today and it reminded me of this set that I saw in Texas. Wow. But it would have set me back a few thousand dollars and thats alot! Maybe someday.

I'm sure eveyone is busy getting ready for the holidays. Crazy huh! If I don't have another chance to tell you, have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Until next time,

Pam

Tis the Season---Too Act So Innocent!!

Well, we just completed our final Third Thursday Ladies Night Out of the Season. Last night my little niece--that would be Annie Girl came! She was a hit. Her sweater says it all.

Why is it we all can act so good when we want something!
The innocence of this little doggie! My whole family loves her.

She's a beggar!

And almost always wins!!!

She just about scored!!! Gary is a softie!She knows we love her! That's the way it should be. Right???!!!

Annie had never been to the shop before. We didn't know what she'd do. Her heart was absolutely pounding with excitement. She didn't bother a thing. No messes, no accidents--I guess she is perfect! I have more pictures to show of the Ladies Night Out. The shop looked very festive, lots of ladies, food, spiced cider and a surprise visit from our new friends from Dallas. I'll post more pictures soon. Just had to share these pictures of our mascot!

Until next time,

Pam

Come See Us in Alton, Illinois!! Open 7 days a Week.

Shots from inside Country Meadows! I'm always showing pictures of our booth, so I thought I'd share a few from inside the shop.

I'm really wanting to take home this gray painted hardware store piece. It would be great in our bedroom filled with stuff---then I can get rid of the dressers!

Some of these pieces have been sold, I wish I had a book filled with the hundreds of things we have sold over the last 23 years. It would be amazing!

This great trunk is also gone! We have sold many dozens of trunks. Gary loves boxes and trunks. The scrub top farm table is one of many we have had.

This is inside the storefront window. The Tiffany Style Lamp didn't last long.

This Rooster Weathervane is really awesome. It's one of those things that people him-haw around about wondering if it is really old. Well, I can tell you that Gary climbed up and took off of the barn when the farmer decided he would part with it. We got alot of great things from that farm.

Just one of the many showcases that is full of smalls.

I'll be taking more photos. I'm headed there tomorrow to redo and spruce up!

Better go for now,

Until next time,

Pam

Cane Bottoms and Baskets--A Treasure of the Past

You can't beat these children's chairs with blue paint and woven seats. I would love to have been able to buy them. Not just one but both. They are different but go well together. I believe they were high chairs. I spotted them at the Music Valley Antique Show in Nashville.

Look at the weaving on this basket. At first, you think it has breaks, but as you look more closely, I think it was made that way.
The different size of the weaving, very crudely done. A real treasure to be found.

An overall shot of the basket.

Baskets in good shape are getting harder to find. I love them. I collect them and find it hard to part with them. The market for antique baskets has really slowed up, I think because there are so many new baskets out there---but the new ones just don't have that look or patina! But, on that note, I have to admit that I have new ones too! Just like anything else, when they are tastefully mixed together they look just fine.

Better go for now,

Until next time,

Pam