Christmas Goodies

Is there anything better than all of the fancy cookies that are baked at the holidays? The phone rang and it was Beth from next door. She wanted to run something over! Okay. Gary wasn't home and I knew she was bringing something to thank him for mowing her yard, but she didn't care that he wasn't home, she brought him a gift and a joint gift for us--yummy! I think next to family,it is just as awesome to have great neighbors that look out for each other, help each other and LIKE each other!!! I always feel totally good when I'm gone that our home is looked after. By the way, I moved around some of the cookies so you couldn't tell I had already tied into those Italian wedding cookies--you know, the powdered sugar white cookies with nuts--they had my name all over them!

Bad weather headed our way for Christmas. But it will be a great one anyway. I am officially a Great Aunt, Haylee Marie was born on December 8th, 9 pounds, 21 inches, and perfect! I absolutely love her. Not having children of my own, I forgot how much you could love a child! I hope all of you that are fortunate enough to be able to have children of your own will take the time this holiday to not only love them, but tell them you love them. I know Haylee has brought a whole new feeling to my family. Her dad--Bob--who is my nephew---was the last little one in our family and he is now 27! So...it's been awhile and it's a GIRL!!!! I only had 2 nephews so now we get to buy the fun stuff. Did I say already that I love her???? I really do. She melts my heart. I'll take my camera Christmas day --weather permitting--and post pictures of her. I think you will agree....she is spectacular! Ha!

Until Next time,

Pam

Vintage Handmade Christmas

Remember the ornament kits we could buy with all of the beads, sequins, pearls--anything shiny and gaudy? How many did we start and not finish? Now they are all the rage. As I get older, I'm seeing more and more of these projects that really did require alot of work. Maybe that's why I was bad at finishing them!

Remember making these ceramic trees? In the 70's and 80's? I have one customer that collects these trees of all sizes and keeps them up in a designated room all year--around 80 of them! This is a small one, harder to find because they are normally about 15 inches tall.

Here is a tree skirt, probably also made from a kit--sequins, felt, ric-rac all nicely sewn together. It's fun to sell these to people that are actually going to use them. We have sold every silver aluminum tree and color wheel that has been brought in to the shop this season.

Everyone likes lace tablecloths, especially at the holidays. Talk about a lost art---how many ladies still take the time to crochet these beauties?

Hope your holiday season is a fun one--we got ice last night and it's like a deep freezer here!

Until next time,

Pam

It's Winter Wonderland Here! Brrrrr

Well, we got our first winter snow of the season. Not so much snow, but freezing cold temperatures. Everything is frozen. I remembered I had more pictures from Leftovers in Brenham Texas. Lots of glistening trees. Enjoy the pictures!

More winter magic!

Ed and Mike really know how to set the mood--and it was only September when I took these pictures.Lots of white and glitter!

I watched Christmas at the White House tonight on HGTV. The work and preparation is incredible, but anyone that has a shop, or works shows know how much preparation is involved to make displays look so beautiful. Hope everyone is having a Happy Holiday season!

Until next time,

Pam

An ANNA LEE Christmas

Christmas can always be found in Round Top, Texas--no matter if it's the spring or fall show. The Murphy's were setup next door to us at Marburger Farm at the Fall Show and I spotted this group of Anna Lee Dolls. I used to think they were so ugly that they were cute. Now, I love them! They are so detailed and colorful. As with all dolls, some are older than others--these I believe were some older ones. Terrific color and condition.

As the dealers in our shop were bringing in Christmas, Donna--who normally specializes in glassware, jewelry and textiles had recently found a collection of Anna Lee's. They are not as old, but very desireable. She nestled them in among her glassware and they are killer! The first picture is of Mr. and Mrs. Claus.
This couple is all decked out in blue. Sorry, it's not for sale anymore! It's mine!

A sweet little mouse--he's holding a candlestick--the full length picture was a blur--sorry!

A whole new look to "The Little Drummer Boy"!

A skater

The mailman!

An elf

An angel!

And last, but not least-- An angel in flight!

I told you they were cute. They kind of grow on you! Always smiling! Hope you enjoyed visiting with the ANNA LEE Family!

Until next time,

Pam

Sweet Ride!!!!

When leaving Warrenton Texas, we were getting gas at the old station and this "Have World Will Travel" outfit pulled away. I loved it! Gotta admire a woman that can drive and pull a any kind of trailer or camper! I sure can't do it. I would have loved to have seen the inside! Had to be great.

And away we go!
This sweet ride was sitting outside Royer's Cafe in Round Top TX. Can you imagine driving this down the road!

You never know what you will see. I wonder what the guys at the auto body shop say when you ask them to put all of this stuff on your car! Thought this might bring a smile to you-- today it's gloomy, windy, rainy and cold here in Illinois.

Until next time,

Pam

Christmas is Coming!

With Christmas comes cold and snow! It's hard to get that holiday feeling when it's in the 60's and 70's--at least it is in Illinois. We did have a sprinkle of snow on Thanksgiving day, right during the big dinner. It was really beautiful. But it didn't last, and it didn't stick. The shop is getting full of vintage Christmas and toys. The shots below are more pictures from Leftovers, a fabulous shop in Brenham Texas. They let me take all the pictures I wanted! I will have more to show but here are a few.

I can't begin to tell you how beautiful the displays are. They mix new and vintage and it looks terrific. I haven't gone to the Merchandise Marts for a couple of seasons. I really miss it, and nothing says I won't go again, but I can't seem to compete with all of the dollar stores in our area and so I stick with vintage and antique ornaments for right now. Hope your holiday season is getting off to a great start.

Until next time,

Pam

Get Out the Good Dishes--It's the Holidays!

Why do we think good dishes are only for the holidays? We all do it. The same with baking. It's just a mood I guess! These few photos were taken at Leftovers in Brenham Texas. Shelf after shelf of beauty!
Every color and every style you can imagine. I love them all, especially fun serving pieces.

After picking out the dishes, and getting them all shined up--it's time for a nap before the excitement all begins! The display below looks quite comfy! It's at Leftovers too!

I took a ton of photos at the shop--they were all ready for Christmas back in September when we were there. I'll be showing the photos in several blogs during this holiday season!

Until next time,

Pam

Here Comes Clarence!

When we were young kids, Grandma and Grandpa lived out in the country in Southern Illinois. They had a farm with neighboring farms up and down the old gravel road. It is all now a part of Rend Lake. We never lived in the country and we never had pets, so horses and buggies and wagons were a big deal to us. We'd be playing outside and all of a sudden, here comes Clarence Jones with his horse and wagon to give us a ride. We were so excited! When going to auction a couple of months ago, I saw a wagon--actually the second picture below--that reminded me of those fun days, I snapped a picture and then just saved it. Then, on our way home from Texas we made two stops at shops and both of them had wagons---like a collection of them. One in Texas and one in Missouri. I put them all together in this blog. Hope you enjoy them!

The wagon below is like the one I remember Clarence having. Nothing fancy, but sure fun.

This one is sad, even had an old coffin inside, but so rare, I had to take a picture

I guess now a days, kids wouldn't get so excited about a ride in the old wagon. But we sure did, something I'll never forget!

Until next time,

Pam

Hidey Ho Good Neighbor!

No, it's not Tim the Toolman Taylor, it's The Red Door Antiques--my next door neighbor at Marburger Farm in Round Top Texas! Tricia always has the best displays! I don't know how she does it, but she was setup at Marburger Farm, The Red Barn, and Rifle Hall. That's a tremendous amount of work. But she did it! The first picture is just some of the ironstone she offered. The pictures below are different shots from her booth. I couldn't get the whole booth because there were too many customers in the way! Hah, in the way---that's what we are there for. Thank goodness for the customers!

I told you it was great. I couldn't help myself...I bought several things myself including linens, a great chair ( I'm keeping it!) and a grill from a 1946 Hudson--great wall art! If you are ever in Eddyville Kentucky, stop in to see her. She is right off of Interstate 24, just past Paducah KY.

A big shop full of this wonderful stuff!

Until next time,

Pam

Vintage Toys a Hit in Nashville

At the last minute, I decided to take some of the toy collection to the Nashville show. I'm glad I did--the customers and dealers loved them. I sold a ton! Encouraging for me, because I have hundreds more. This is a close up of some the toys.

I decided to take enough toys to just fill up the 6 foot table, put a bench on top and fill it too. Some were older than others, lots of friction toys, wind-up toys and banks.

There's Gary in the background hanging his signs on the wall. He sold all but one sign. I'll show more pictures of the booth in another post.

We didn't know until close to the last minute that we were going to be able to make the show. Now that Gary's back at the refinery, our travels will be limited, for a while anyway. But you know, I always seem to back myself into a corner--I guess I work better under pressure!

Until next time,

Pam