Fall Has Arrived At Our Front Door~~~

Today I added a few orange flowers to our floral front door wreath.  This is how it looks now.  Next, the Halloween witch will take her *rightful* place there!

Also, my photo is a bit fuzzy, but this is our front courtyard.  I love the vintage wire furniture. 

It's a Drowning Day!

When our eldest grandson was little; he's 13 now, he referred to a rainy day, much like today, as a *drowning day*.  I thought that was quite clever and very funny for a three year old to say.  There have been so many little sayings that I wish I had written down.  Now we have four Grands and they all continue to amaze me with their words.  Recently, the youngest grandson said, after losing a tooth, I don't want the fairy coming into my room while I'm asleep!!!  From the mouthes of babes!!!

I had a fun morning visiting a *shabby chic event* and then a rummage sale.  Both were interesting and there were goodies to be purchased at both!  Someone, please tie me to a chair in my house!!  Ha!  Oh, I stopped at a really nice garage sale enroute home too~~~~all of this fun was had on a *drowning* day!!

Mid-Century Modern Patio Chairs~~~~

Are you seeing RED? 

I'm offering these four metal mid-century modern chairs for sale.  I listed them on Serenities at Etsy.com. 

Thought you might enjoy getting a *first peek*! 

Antiques are fine~~~~but so is chocolate!

Today I am going to share a recipe from a friend.  Her name is Rho and these cookies sound yummy!  Don't you agree!!

Rhos' Nutty Clusters




1 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1/2 cup raisins

2 tablespoons honey

Directions

1.  In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips; stir until smooth. Let cool a few minutes.

2.  Stir in the walnuts, raisins and honey.

3.  Drop by tablespoonfuls into 16 mounds onto a waxed paper-lined baking sheet.



Refrigerate until firm.

Ok~~~1-2-3~~~run to your kitchen and make these goodies!!  (send me one, please)

Selling Family Treasures Can Pull At The Heart strings~~~

Understand that it was my decision to sell our old Jelly Cupboard.  It's just that when it was being loaded into another's truck that all of the wonderful memories of having used it for so many years, came flooding by.  It sat in our kitchen's dining area and was the perfect spot for keeping the family's bills, and other papers, schedules, etc.  It also provided a showcase for our Daughters' pictures at different times of their lives~~~the pets too.  It was a lucious, warm pine and I kept it shining with bees wax applications.  An old friend, indeed.  But~~~now it will be elevated to the dining room of a wonderful farm house and I could tell that the new owner is going to love it too.  Good bye dear friend!

It's Antiques' Buying Time At The Flea Market On Tuesday~~~

I loaded my van and off I went with a lot of hopefullness, but a bit of apprehension too.  The economy, especially in my state, is at an all time low.  People are careful re: what they purchase.  I had decided the day before to sell antiques at market on Tuesday!

Well, I'd barely opened my van doors when I made my first sale to a picker~~~a 1920's mannequin, with half an ear, missing arms, and a skinned cheek.  He was happy to purchase and carry her away.  Later he returned and told me how good she looked sitting in the passenger seat, next to him, in his truck!  A good belly laugh followed that remark!!


Then my neighbor seller purchased two iron skillets~~~neither was a Griswald, (quite collectible) but they did have names and I think he loved my low price.  A sweet college bound young lady was elated when I sold her a shabby chic table for half off.  I remember when our two daughters went away to college, and how badly they wanted/needed furniture and accessories to decorate with.  Our oldest daughter took a gorgeous (gorgeous because her Daddy spent hours refinishing it) Mission Oak desk/table to Michigan State.  At the end of the year, some friends were helping her move out of her apartment.  They dropped the hours of work, the valued antique, the only desk DD had, down a flight of steps!!!  Bye Bye~~~Sobbing ensued!!

After the scurry of pickers/dealers went through the market, like locusts, the wait seemed endless, until the public showed up.  It was a cool, sunny day, so my hopes still lingered, until I realized that these weren't the same people who use to frequent the market, buying everything in sight.  These were cautiously, mindful buyers who were buying needful things, not frivolous decor.  My best lowly priced items quickly sold.  One lady went to find her husband and his wallet, as she desperately wanted my darling little Art Deco iron plant stand for her garden.  I waited and waited for her to return, but then I had to leave.  I hope she didn't come back.  Perhaps she was a B-backer.  (An antiquer's description of those who say they will return, but have no intentions of doing so.)  Where in the heck was her husband hanging out?  Most of the guys walking by were either carrying chains, (as in equipment dragging ones) bike seats, or bags of nuts and bolts~~~ Like the ones that one man kept trying to show to his non-responsive wife!!  Spare us!  I could see the wife thinking, *show me the money instead*!!

  Now, in support of the guys, one did buy my mannequin and another purchased antique jewelry display boxes.  Thanks guys!!!  Great choices!!! 

       
  

French Settee With Needlepoint~~~

Look at this lovely French settee.  I found it at an estate sale, and I can tell you that it was an exciting find.  I could see it being used in so many places in a home.  Place it at the foot of a bed or in a powder room.  It would make a lovely place to rest as you remove shoes in the entry foyer.  Put it in a hallway.  Wherever you use it, it will add an element of French beauty and class.