Christmas Is Almost Here

Bought this sweet Scottie dog at an estate sale and thought he looks perfect under the tree with his little Jack Russell Buddie :) The Scottie dog went to HQ to find a new home.

Kailee picked the reindeer to have painted on her face. Her and Papa waited in line for 1 hour to have this done...of course it was worth the wait and we could have snacks while waiting.

A couple of weeks ago, hubby's early morning job at UPS had their yearly Christmas Party and we took Kailee there. Lots of fun things for little ones. Besides the visit with Santa there was face painting, magic show, a real Pig act, food and prizes. She had a pretty good time.

On Thursday it was our annual decorating of the ginger bread house and Pearl suggested making "cone" trees to go along with the house. Thanks Pearl...don't they look great!!

Of course you have to eat some of the frosting during the decorating process :)

I think this is our best ever ginger bread house :) Last year our house fell apart.

Made a few cards with some of the paper goodies that Elizabeth sent. Thank you Elizabeth. Of course I need to make many more....

Saturday after working at HQ I had to run to see Kailee's performance in the "American Cheer", non-competitive competition...which means everyone wins a trophy and gets a ribbon. It's for ages 4-12 years old. The younger ones were so cute.

Like so many of your gals...it's a very busy time. The weekend has come and gone...and Christmas is 11 days away.

Tonight I was watching Extreme Home Makeover while posting...I cried...it was very touching to see how people help each other. That is what it's about...helping, loving, giving, sharing, praying for each other, putting other's needs before mine. I think those are going to be part of my 2010 goals.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

PEACE,

LOVE,

JOY,

are my wishes for you.

Warmly,

Deb :)

WHAT were we THINKING...

Sweet little elf on the shelf :) This is a crystal bowl of shinny things...

Okay...this is "my version" of what happened......Hubby was at the antique store a couple of weeks ago and this sweet couple came up to him and asked him if he bought things from private parties....YES....so we went to their home and they had this "Coke Collection"....which we weren't really interested in. We did buy a few smaller items and they said the WHOLE collection was a certain price...

hummmmmmmmmmm...............only that much...not a bad price.............hummm.............

for ALL of this......hummmmm.........SO WE BOUGHT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE don't collect coke items and really don't know about collecting newer items....

It was just too much of a "good deal" (WE HOPE) to pass up....so all that you see in the above pictures are now in our house and we are pricing them and will bring it out on Friday to the antique store and HOPE that it all sells...

See the sweet old table and chairs in the photo above is now in our family room. I have a THING for table and chairs...just ask hubby...of course when my taste changes, we can sell it.

The sad part of this story is the couple who are in their 70's we think, can no longer stay in their wonderful home that they built a few years ago. It was the home they wanted to stay in until they died...now they have to sell it and much of their lovely things. We also bought vintage children book, marbles, postcards, old high chair, wooden shoe forms and a few other things. They have a china cabinet that we would LOVE to purchase...at this time it's more than we are willing to pay. We have NEVER seen one like it. I wish I had taken a photo of it. It has a carved Indian head on it.

Okay....the weekend will be: Friday bring things out to the antique store, Sat from 9-1 work at HQ then off to see Kailee's cheer leading program, Sunday usher at church...then next week ME time...ha ha...finish shopping, mail greeting cards...you know...BAKING...and whatever else I want to do. Bible studies are done until next year so that give me 2 free mornings.

We have snow and it's very pretty...and it's COLD....so I'm staying in until I have to get Kailee from school this afternoon.

I know it's only Thursday...but I'm wishing you a ...

HAPPY WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!

PEACE, JOY and Merry Christmas....

Warmly,

Deb :)

A Little More Christmas Decor and Swap gifts

J O Y Is my favorite word and more so at Christmas!!! Last year I bought these letters from Brook at The Home That Love Built. She made them and also TEA that is in my china cabinet.

Peeks in the Christmas tree....

Old picture of us "girls" on Santa's lap. My baby sister made this ornament one year for us. I think it's very special.

Sharon at http://myvintagestudio.blogspot.com and I did a one on one swap. She makes many lovely altered paper crafts. She was very generous and sent all of these goodies!!!

She made the lovely altered cabinet card and Christmas tags. She sent many things that I can also create with, along with postcards, awesome house pot holder, Godiva Chocolate...YES it's all gone!!!

Vintage Christmas hanky, valentine, Santa cookie cutter and more...THANK YOU SHARON!!!

Love all the new treasures.

I went to HQ today to get my room ready and the camera's battery was dead...however I will go out Wednesday and bring out the poinsettias' that I'm going to sell and take a couple pics then.

I'm trying to enjoy the season and I hope you are too. Let's slow down and not worry if things don't get done. Let's take one day at a time.

Guess we are going to get some snow tomorrow afternoon. The first snow is so pretty...however us "Minnesotans forget how to drive in the snow"!!!!

I'll be back to show you what we did this weekend...a little fun with Kailee and the
I can't believe we did that" story....

Warmly,

Deb :)

A Bit More of Christmas ...

Here is my humble Christmas tree with the vintage ornaments on it along with poinsettias and white lights. The needlepoint Santa is also from my friend Carol...

Simple mantle. I've had these swans for years and this is their year for Christmas.
I'm thinking I should have taller candle stick holders on the left side of the mantle. I'll be checking out the thrift store.

I was in the Altered Christmas Cabinet card swap and my package came in this darling tin. My swap partner was Linda at Lambsworld. She is very talented. Thank You Linda!!! Loving my new treasures!

She made the sweet tags and you can't go wrong with Hankies and Button Cards!!! I found it very challenging to alter the cabinet card.

This is the cabinet card that I altered and sent to her.

I have a little more Christmas decor to share with you next week. I'm getting ready for the sale at HQ that starts on Thursday. Still need to get my room ready. Busy weekend ahead. I want to start my Christmas cards, wrap a few gifts and I have a cookie exchange to go to Monday evening. Fun, fun, fun.

Some of you gals know Kathy from Kat Collects. You can read her post. She is on my sidebar. She and her family need much prayer. Her husband is in the hospital with a serious infection that has left him unable to walk...at this time.... The doctors aren't sure if he will walk again. Please lift them up in prayer and ask God to completely heal her husband. God hears and answers! Thank you.

I am sorry that I'm not visiting as I would like to. After next weekend...I'm thinking time will be on my side...

We have a little snow. Not much to do about. It's getting cold here. I'm all bundled up! Hubby teases me because I wear so much inside. You would think with all my extra body weight, I wouldn't get so cold...

Have a great weekend.

Warmly,

Deb :)

Looking Like Christmas

Here is what you see when you walk into the house. Doesn't the vintage pitcher look nice with a little Christmas decor?! The needlepoint Santa is a gift from my BFF, Carol who made it for me a few years ago. :) She also made me a small pillow and a picture of Santa. All needlepoint, made with love.

A few vintage Santa treasures on top of the china cabinet and priceless photos of visits with Santa!

Sweet gifts from Marydon's giveaway that I won. I won 2 of hers... Thank You Marydon!

A little before and after project that is out of order....I used vintage reflectors and silver balls to make a new decoration. I saw this in blogland and totally forgot who's idea it is. You can call me a copy-cat!!!

I did put the Christmas tree up and will show you that and the mantle decor later this week.

I didn't put up many decorations. How's your decorating coming along?

Thanks for visiting me. Love your comments.

Warmly,

Deb :)

BUSY and Peeks of Vintage Christmas Decor

Some of my vintage Christmas treasures. The star is glass beads from Germany I think. I have 4 different ones and some garland. When I get out the rest of the decorations and I remember...I'll take a photo of them.

The sweet treasures about I won from Diane at Saturday Finds. Thank you Diane! The little treat cup I bought from her. She makes darling treasures.

These fall treasures I won from Debbie Kay at My Vintage Daydreams. Thank You Debbie. It was fun to have new fall treasures just in time for Thanksgiving.

Thank You Linda from Linda n Jake. I was 1 of 4 winners of her giveaway. Gifts from her recent vacation in Maui :) Yes..the candy is already gone. Between hubby and ME...sweets don't last long at this house!!!

I KNOW....I am just as surprised as you are that I won all these giveaways!!! I am very thankful for all the new treasures. :)

Before and after of a couple of pieces of small furniture for resell.

Wow..the week went by quickly and I did get a few projects done :) See the cards on the stand, they are for the card swap on Thursday. I made ATC cards for one swap, Christmas tags for another and an altered cabinet card for that swap, which I already sent out. BUSY, Busy, busy!!!

Today we went and cut our Christmas tree. I put up the lights tonight, white ones and will finish decorating tomorrow after I help decorate the church. Kailee is coming along and helping too!

We will be decorating the church after the last service. I'll try to remember to take my camera along and take photos.

Thanksgiving went well. 7 of us and 3 dogs. One of hubby's sons said he was coming and ended up a no show. I made the turkey, mashed potatoes, real gravy with Mom's help, corn, broccoli, cheesy potatoes, homemade cranberry relish and Mom made pumpkin and banana cream pies. Yummy!!!

I will also tell you that we did something very CRAZY and I'll share that with you later this week. I was caught up in the moment....stay tuned!!!

I went out Friday morning and did some shopping. Just picked up a few things and since I was out after 7:30 AM...I was in and out of the stores. Did anyone else do some shopping?

I still need to make a few Christmas cards, decorate, bake cookies for an exchange next week and finish up my shopping. How are you coming along?

The next sale at HQ starts the 10Th....so that means getting more things out to my space. The sales for November were nice!!! Of course that is Christmas money!!!

Warmly,

Deb :)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, Treasures and Winner

Wishing you ALL a Happy Thanksgiving. God has indeed blessed us all.

This pitcher and bowl I picked up 2nd day of an estate sale and paid 17.50 for it. Hubby looked up the marking on the bottom and found out it was made between 1852-1883....It's a Real Antique!!! Who Knew!!?? I'm pleased as punch and it's a keeper...for now. Hubby also looked on eBay for one like it and found one without the bowl...asking price 100.00...not bad!

The markings on the bottom of the pitcher.

The picture above and below are the finds from Friday and Saturday.I also bought a couple of small furniture pieces that I'm painting. I'll show the before and after soon. The toothpick holder is just like the one my Grandma had. The yellow bird is a flower frog! I just read about flower frogs in a magazine and ones like the bird are more unique.

I would LOVE to give you ALL a treasure because you are all little treasures to me! I am Thankful for my Blogging Gals. The First Name picked: Joycelyn at Just A Little Southern Hospitality and the Second name picked: Joy at Books and Life....gals email me with your address and the little gifts will be on their way!! I just couldn't pick one name...because of my "picking issue"... :)

I'll be away from blogging for the week. I must get a FEW things done around here. I'll say "Hi"...just won't post :)

Enjoy the holiday. God Bless.

Warmly,

Deb :)