Tag Archives: Holidays

Thrifting Thursday: A turtle and a gingerbread man walk into a bakery…

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What says Christmas more than a gingerbread man on a pretty plate, a glass turtle, one random Glade candle, and a dough bowl full of pumpkins and onions??

gingerbreadman

Not much I’d say. So far, this is my Christmas table. A little sad and so not very jolly, but at least there’s the lone gingerbread man. I named him Sam right before he met his fate with a glass of milk and my mouth. No, I didn’t bake him, I don’t have the kind of patience for gingerbread. I am still on the look out for a super easy and edible recipe. If you know of one, please share!

gingerbreadmanonpinkplate

But back to the cookie and the plate, mainly the plate. I love this plate, when I’m grabbing a snack I always grab for my pink ruffled plate. It kind of dresses up a not so fancy meal. Plus, it makes me happy.  Bubba picked the plate up at a nearby thrift store for less than a dollar, apparently it’s from Hazel Atlas and the pattern is called Pink Crinoline. This is the only piece I have from the collection, but if I ever come across more of the set, it’s certainly coming home with me.

anchorhockingturtle

And this turtle? My Bubba found him at the local Humane Society thrift store. He’s Anchor Hocking, and either from the late ’50’s or the late 70’s I couldn’t really tell from the patent I found online.

glassturtle

I think he’s meant to be a candy dish or similar, but I think he’d look cute as a trinket holder.

glassturtlebox

If I don’t get busy jolly-fying the house, I’ll be up chocolate creek without a popsicle stick! (Name that famous gingerbread man!)

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Tablesetting Tuesday:Christmas Edition

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With Christmas less than a week away, I am FINALLY in the mood to think about all things holiday. Which is odd for me, usually the tree is trimmed and most of my Christmas shopping is done the week after Thanksgiving. Not this year, I don’t have one present picked out and the tree has only been trimmed a couple of days. In fact, I’ve been tripping over a ridiculous number of those ugly red and green bins the past week in the hopes that having to walk around and over those things would force me to open them up and pull out all the sparkly goodness. The plan didn’t work, just a few minutes ago I pulled out the “special” items and  finally put the bins away. I guess the rest will have to wait for another year.

All that to say, I shot a Christmas themed table setting for you. It was a warm day outside, and I wasn’t up to moving the ugly red and green bins in the kitchen to make things a bit more presentable. So, how about a holiday meal in my backyard? Also, I realize it’s Wednesday, but Tablesetting Wednesday doesn’t quite have the same ring to it.

evergreeninmilkglass

The evergreen sprigs came from my Pinon tree out front, everything else I already had on hand. The vases I found at various thrift stores around town, the mercury glass candle holders came from a Joann’s that was shutting down, they were a quarter each. Now that’s something this sparkle loving cheapskate couldn’t resist.

christmasdinnerfortwoThe red and green plaid table cloth came from swanky Wal-Mart a few years ago after Christmas.

plaidchristmastableclothAgain, all dinnerware is pretty old, and came from several sources. I can’t really remember where it all came from. But I do remember the flatware and plates were Christmas gifts from my sweet Momma. Thanks Mom!

goldmercuryglassAnd another shot of my sparkle, also do you see someone photo bombing in the reflection? (How YOU doin’?)

So, how you fairing this holiday season? Is the tree up, have the stockings been hung with care?

Thanksgiving Recap

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So, here we are nearly a week after Thanksgiving and I haven’t provided a full and complete run down of my day of thanksgiving! Are you ready to be bombarded with too many pictures of pumpkin pie and faux gourds? No? Well sorry, you’re gonna have to endure this picture laden post, or not. This is the internet afterall, I can’t force you stay and watch my virtual slideshow as I detail each and every event that is documented within each and every photo. Maybe I should make some virtual queso so you’ll all stick around and listen to my babbling. (Can you name that Rotel commercial? Wait, I think I already did. Such a party pooper aren’t I?)

This Thanksgiving, much like every Thanksgiving, was spent at my mothers house. I got to pretty up the table.

I just used what Mom had around the house, nothing new here. The covered cake dish that I used for the base of my pumpkin extravaganza, was given to my mother for Christmas one year by me, her favorite child of course. The clear dishes have all been collected over the years from various garage sales and thrift stores. My mom has an even greater weakness for pretty glassware than I do.

The table linens were all purchased at Wal-Mart after the holidays many moon ago, at a pretty steep discount. That bargain hunting runs deep through my veins thanks to Momma. (Don’t you love how it’s all about me?)

And what Thanksgiving would be complete without the Thanksgiving fowl?  No, not the one in the oven, the fowl of the decor variety. The hen and rooster are usually floating around Mom’s kitchen somewhere, but that little turkey in the middle? She’s made her annual appearance for the past 4 or 5 years, no Thanksgiving is complete without her nearby.

And did I mention that Mom has a weakness for interesting and vintage glassware?? I love this piece, and it was in brand new condition. Apparently, it’s previous owner never used it. Mom was able to pick up a few pieces from the same household that were all equally unused, and in perfect condition. If only I had thought to take a picture of these stunning pieces, but alas, dinner was calling my name.

After we feasted on our roast beast and Who-pudding, it was the doggies turn for their Thanksgiving dinner. Let’s just say that didn’t sit around the table and talk about the things they were most grateful for before chowing down.

Pardon the fuzzy pictures, excited dogs are hard to photograph at dusk.

And the best part of this holiday, ya know, aside from the thankfulness and the spending time with family, the left overs.

Don’t they taste so much better the next day?

31 Days: Owls and Monkey Trays

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Friday already, aren’t we just chuggin’ along? I still can’t believe we are half way through the month of October, it won’t be long before Thanksgiving and Christmas are on the radar. Ya know, if you aren’t a major department store, in which case Halloween and Christmas have been going on since July. Apparently, Thanksgiving doesn’t exist within retail, I guess those dancing turkey leg hats aren’t a big seller.

Anywho, I thought it was time to pop in super quick before yet another day got away from me. This 31 Day series is seriously turning into another inconsistent venture for me. But darnit, I’m gonna get 31 posts up, they may not happen in 31 consecutive days but there will be 31 Days of Getting it Done. You just wait and see, take that inconsistency!!

Again, anywho, I’ve been busy doing small-ish projects around the house, and when I say small, I mean very small, like things that really aren’t considered a project. Kinda like switching out trays for my owl display.

And yes, I have collected enough owls now to warrant a “display” of them.

And this isn’t even all of my cherished owls, these are just the little guys. Here’s what I had before the tray switch:

Most of my owls in one spot, but the space was too small to accommodate such a large and wide-eyed lot. Actually, after looking at these photos and taking a mental inventory, I’ve come to the realization that my collection is growing, but my house is not. Maybe, I really should stick with my no-buying-of-old-stuff rule, and avoid the knick-knack section of my favorite thrift stores when I go window shopping.

But back to the titilating tale of tray talk, the smaller tray allows more room for a drink and is a lot easier to dust. Plus, this little wood tray brings in a much warmer texture, and it’s hand made.

I’ve recently broken my no-buying-of-old-stuff rule when it comes to really nice wood pieces like this. I know, collections are growing but the house is not, but  I loved the wood grain, and it don’s a hand numbered sticker on the back.

I don’t know if it means anything to have a hand signed sticker, but it seemed sorta special to me, so I decided it was worth the $3 and the space it would take up in my home.  Plus,how could I pass something up made from Monkey Pod Wood. I have no idea what that is but it makes me smile, because “monkey” is in the name. Weird I know, but it’s worth it since my little owls seems happy on their new perch, I mean tray.

New around here? Have no idea what I’m talking about when I mention a 31 Days series? Well, click here to read all about it, and to start reading the series from the beginning.