I am so grateful....

(image courtesy of The Graphics Fairy)


Happy Thanksgiving to all!

I wanted to take a few moments today to say a most sincere "thank you" to a few people who have graciously extended themselves to me through this great big world of blogging....

Anne of Fiona and Twig

Though we have never met and we live at opposite sides of the map, I feel like I have met a kindred spirit. Anne recently devoted an entire post on her blog about my blog. This sweet girl made such an impression on my heart through her words and kindness. She made me feel like a million bucks during a time that I was questioning my abilities. The economic climate has certainly hit home in the antiques and resale business, and it's been so hard to maintain that wow factor in my booth displays. Anne didn't know any of this. She didn't know me and had no idea that I was struggling with the decision to keep it all going or not. She doesn't realize it, but she helped lift me a little further out of the funk I had settled into. She encouraged me and inspired me to keep on keeping on. So, Anne, thank you! You have an infectious personality that shines through your writing on your blog. I just wish you could bottle up some of your effervescent energy and ship it to me, especially on those days that I feel like giving up! For those of you who may not have visited Anne's blog, please take a moment to do so. You will enjoy her adventures of finding the cutest stuff to sell in her booth and in her Etsy shop, and you will truly enjoy getting to know this girl who loves to junk, loves to write, and loves to share her "misadventures" with all of us!


Polly of Pollyann's

I've recently had the pleasure of connecting with another Polly! Not only do we share a name, but by the looks of her blog, we share a love for all things old and vintage. Yesterday, Polly left me a comment letting me know she had felt so inspired by the photos of our Christmas float that she had done a display she wanted me to check out! So, I went right to her blog and was so impressed with what she had pulled together! Thank you, Polly, for spotlighting my blog!


Angelique of Six in One Hand...Madness in The Other

A few weeks ago, Angelique nominated me for the Kreative Blogger award! I was on vacation at the time and was unable to do a post about this award she had passed along to me, but Angelique, please know that I didn't forget! I truly appreciate the award and want you to know that this expression of kindness means so much to me! Thank you, thank you, thank you!



This world of blogging has brought me such joy! I love to come home after a busy day and log on to see if comments have been left for me....do you all love comments as much as I do? It's like unwrapping a gift on Christmas morning! Each comment is a little gift from afar. The inspiration and camaraderie I have experienced through blogging these last few months has lifted me up and renewed my faith in myself. I am grateful for many things this Thanksgiving day including the connections I have made through blogging!

Floating away....

Lancaster's Christmas Parade kicked off the holiday season today! It was a very long parade lasting over 2 hours! We worked tirelessly this week pulling our float together, and we ended up receiving the first place award for "Best Homemade Float"! Yay!

Here's what she looked like....


The guys situated all the big pieces of furniture that we picked out including this VERY massive old cupboard with original mint green paint. Fortunately, it is two pieces, so it was easier to maneuver onto the wagon that way. Then they built a large wall for the back that the cupboard top screwed into. We filled it with vintage red Pyrex dishes, linens, and other little Christmas items.

This was our little primitive manly corner with a bright red saw, old red scales, and sandstone grinder.

This little cupboard got a fresh coat of white paint....aren't those original stencils in the glass just so kitschy?

We borrowed this cute white dresser from one of the vendors within The Olde Shoe Factory, and it fit perfectly in this corner in front of the old wrought iron bed.

I stood on a ladder in the middle of the street to take this photo of the bed. It is a gorgeous old wrought iron bed painted white and gold. We layered red and white gingham pillows, mint green and white damask euro pillows and red throw pillows for a bright pop of color. The bed is covered with a vintage white chenille bedspread.


A green cupboard at the other end of the bed set with some old child's size skis, a vintage Santa, and a vintage candy container.

A retro red and white enamelware table set with two ice cream chairs. This table is in great condition for it's age!


The amazing thing about this entire process is that, primarily, we used stuff that we found around the shop keeping our costs low. We did have to buy red and mint green ornaments, the red snowflake napkins that we used diagonally to add some color to the white skirting fashioned from old bedsheets, and two red tree skirts. Other than that, all of the furniture came from various booths in the Antique Mall, the linens and pillows we brought from home, and the pine came from a humongous wreath that would have taken 10 men to hang it on the building. The boss gave us the green light to rip it apart and use the pine and cypress garlands to use however we wished! That was a lifesaver!

I wish I had snapped a photo of the historic old truck that pulled the float! It was black with white lettering and all shined up for it's once-a-year debut! It was awesome!

I am going to rest , as it has been a busy and exhausting week. These old knees got quite a workout climbing on and off that wagon over and over! As the saying goes....."stick a fork in me, because I am done!" ~ wink wink ~ Seriously, though, goodnight all....I am really tired!

Until next time, let those sugarplums dance in your head as Christmas is just around the corner!

A sweet cottage Christmas....

Ok everyone, prepare to see cottage sweetness at it's best!!! A dear friend of mine shared photos of her home in it's festive holiday attire, and can I just say, this house is as sweet as they come! So cozy, so inviting, and decorated with quintessential vintage cottage panache! I am certain that you will enjoy a little peek into her nest as much as I did! Let the eye candy begin.....

















Isn't it just exquisite? Every nook and cranny, every corner, every vignette is just perfect down to the last detail! This house is a true reflection of this gal, who is also, as sweet as they come! A big shout-out to J of Open Market Style for opening your home to all of us in blogland who truly appreciate the inspiration you have provided!

White Wednesday

On Facebook, many of my friends have been counting down to Thanksgiving by sharing one thing they are thankful for each day until Thanksgiving. I have enjoyed hearing what others find important in their lives, and each day, as I read these status updates, I take a moment to reflect on what is important to me, and of course, what I'm most thankful for.....

~ my freedom ~
~ a husband who loves and gives unconditionally ~
~ my oldest and longest friend, who is always there when needed, even though our lives have gone in totally different directions ~
~ the hope that, just maybe, if it is meant to be, I'll be a momma someday ~
~ the opportunity I have been given to pursue my dream, albeit, on a small scale, but my dreams are being realized nonetheless ~
~ a few new relationships with gals that share common interests and goals; girls who "get" me and understand my insatiable desire to collect and rescue vintage wares ~
~ that tail-wagging ball of fur who fell into my life by chance and has left a forever paw print on my heart ~
~ a warm and comfortable home, a full dinner plate, and the love of family ~

Although I began my Christmas decorating a wee bit early this year, I did reserve one area for the sometimes overlooked Thanksgiving holiday....



I just received this vintage turkey planter from a dear friend for my birthday. He's a gem!

I found another old Anagrams game while on vacation that contains over 200 of these wooden letters! It's always a treat to open one of those old games with anticipation as to what color the tiles will be.

Please feel free to share what you're thankful for this holiday season! And, don't forget to visit Kathleen over at Faded Charm to see her White Wednesday holiday lovelies! There's a whole slew of White Wednesday participants offering beautiful photography, inspiring ideas, and glimpses of their white worlds!

Let the decorating begin!

For me, the countdown is on! We are having our first family Christmas the second weekend of December, so I only have a month to get ready. Instead of waiting too long and being totally stressed out that week, I started decorating today! It seemed so weird to start this early, but truly, I have no choice! This week, we will be busy working on the Christmas float that The Olde Shoe Factory Mall will have in the Christmas parade this Saturday, and then next week is Thanksgiving week, and then we're having our Christmas Open House at The Olde Shoe, so I will be busy, busy, busy!! Tis the season, huh girls?

I did get the dining room done and snapped a few photos......

I have seen these striped candles in magazines over the years and always wanted some, but I could never find any. When we were in Michigan, The Iron Grate store carried them. Tres chic!
The big silver vase was a lucky thrift store find for just $3.99. I layered burlap and black organza for a simple yet dramatic look.


In this corner, I just used one of those round plywood tables, added a burlap tablecloth and layered the damask table runner on top tied with a pretty bow.

I picked this glittery guy up at Target last year the day after Christmas. Target has the best deals on December 26th!
The diminutive bird under a cloche decoration is another day after Christmas Target purchase!


I found these two trees at a thrift store for $2.99 each. Originally from Bath and Body, the sugared trees are potted in lovely silver urns.

This plant stand came from one of my favorite "odds and ends mom and pop" stores. Just $2! I just set the crackly old ironstone bowl on top and filled it with some greens and several of my ornaments that I have collected over the years. I collect vintage white, green, and silver Shiny Brite ornaments. I love the ones with scenes or sayings the most, just like this one....



A couple bibles and a very old Sunday school hymnal nestled in an ironstone tureen....who says you have to put soup in your tureens?!?

I found this tree at The Olde Shoe Factory Antique Mall last week......it's a faux angel vine tree, and the container it was in was hideous! So, I "bought" this cement urn from my booth and just plopped it in there. The vintage green glass beaded garland came from Urban Farmhouse. Lisa's Christmas Open House was last Thursday, and let me just say, it was simply divine! I was tickled to finally find a few of these glass bead strands in green. I just finished up the cabinet today. It did look like this....

an ugly shade of yellow, very banged up, knobs falling off. It's amazing that a couple coats of primer and European white paint can completely transform a piece from 70's cast-off to elegant storage solution! I was going to add a layer of stain to antique it, but I decided not to. Who knows, I might change my mind tomorrow!

Well, all, I'm off to gussy up the foyer now. If I can cross these two areas off my list today, I will be a happy camper!

Hope everyone has a good start to their week! Until next time, take care!

Polly

If you're ever in Michigan.....

We went on a road trip up to Northern Michigan last week, and while I don't want to bore you with hundreds of vacation photos, I do want to share a few images that made a forever footprint on my heart, and quite possibly my soul.

We love veering off the beaten path and visiting forgotten little towns during our road trips. The homes and storefronts are always so thought provoking. These two houses were my favorites this trip....

The front door and other accents were kind of an apple green or chartreuse color. So quaint!



We lovingly dubbed this house "the wedding cake house"! The shape reminded me of a three tier wedding cake. That big porch has so much potential!

And, then there was the shopping! Ooh la la my friends! We didn't find a ton of great antique or thrift stores along the way, but the boutiques/specialty shops were simply sublime! I got a ton of Christmas shopping done! So, if you are ever road-tripping through Michigan, I highly recommend a few stopping points.....

Violets Blue in Bay City, Michigan

This old building was filled with french inspired gifts and decor, lots of garden items, and the wonderful Archipelago candle line. There was also a HUGE antique mall in Bay City. I think it was called Bay City Antiques. Lots of architectural salvage and fine old primitives.

Grandpa Shorters in Petoskey, Michigan

Petoskey was awesome and beautiful. A little city situated overlooking the water. Lots of unique and chic shops. Grandpa Shorters offered an assortment of new merchandise....holiday, cabin and lodge inspired, and some french inspired goods.

The Iron Grate in Fenton, MI

This place ROCKED IT! A nice mix of new and old. Truly european. Soaps, ironstone, natural elements, ruffles and burlap. I can't even begin to tell you how long I could have strolled through this place! It had two levels filled up with chic goodness. These gals really know how to display! This was over-the-top perfect for me! They don't have a blog, but they are on Facebook. You can check them out there to see interior pictures, because of course, I was so caught up in shopping, I didn't snap any photos inside!

We dined at this little gem in Fenton, Michigan.....the French Laundry.


A little french inspired cafe that was so quirky, you couldn't help but smile! Every chair was mismatched. Every table was vintage. The branding was well thought-out and executed. LOVED IT! Oh, and the food was good too!

Well, that's the thick of it! I hope you enjoyed my ramblings and photos today. Happy Wednesday all!

~ Our ever-after ~

Today marks our 8 year anniversary. We have been through a lot together, us two. We've weathered some storms, and we've soared through some happy highs. Together.

Thumbing through our wedding album this morning, we chose a few wedding photos to share...





I love this picture! Mr. Sassafras is not one to dance, but at our wedding, he danced many a slow song and even stood on the dance floor during a few fast numbers. Of course, he was serenaded by all the girls during the requested "Oh Mickey" by Toni Basil (his name is Mickey). He just LOVED that. No not really, but he was a good sport.

In 2001, Martha Stewart was BIG, and I took many of my decorating and entertaining cues from her. Although technology was not where it is today, I did what I could with what I had on a shoestring budget.....


I printed the wedding and reception programs myself using Corel Draw. The lavender ribbon was from Big Lots for .99 cents a spool. I even gave several spools to our florist so everything would match. The sweet phrase on the reception program was borrowed from Martha. My matron-of-honor and I hand tied all the ribbons.


We hired a photojournalist to take our wedding pictures, so it was not a typical situation where you get a leather bound photo album with your photos perfectly chronicled. Rather, our gal handed us a box covered in handmade paper filled with the many moments of our day. It was so fun digging through all the photos, still wrinkled up after being printed by hand in her dark room. I simply couldn't buy one of those stock photo albums to hold our memories. I found this handmade photo album at an arts festival, and thought it was perfect!


Our wedding was just like us......a little bit of elegance, a little bit of quirkiness, and very simple and casual. We opted out of a formal sit-down dinner, and had a wide variety of heavy appetizers which was prepared and ready for everyone to start eating before we even arrived. We just grabbed a plate after our grand entrance. We didn't throw bouquets or pull garters off. We honored my dad who had just celebrated 6 years cancer-free the day before, and we celebrated our flower girl's eighth birthday. We watched 91 year old sisters cut a rug on the dance floor as if they were at their senior prom! We thought the smoke alarms and emergency strobe lights were part of the DJ's show, but then learned that his "dry smoke" set off the alarms! And then, after a well planned day, we were sitting there resting in the empty ballroom, just us, at which point, I suddenly realized that we didn't have a ride home! We took the horse and carriage from the church to the reception and hadn't planted a car to get us home. Fortunately, the best man had just gone down to pull his car around, so we caught him before he took off.

Ahhhh, the memories! Sigh.

Happy Anniversary to my husband, by best friend. Thanks for being by my side through life's events thus far. I'm sure, there's much more to face. Together.

xoxo