OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS.....

As my family gathers to give thanks, we will be following traditions started many years ago, like many of you.

There will be four generations of our family at the table this year, ranging from age 4 to almost 94.  We'll all join in singing Over the River and Through the Woods, followed by the Doxology.  My brother (he and his wife are our most gracious host and hostess) will offer up a meaningful prayer.  And then it's time to dig in to that glorious feast!  We have all contributed our own specialties; the cornbread casserole, the home-made rolls, the sausage stuffing, the gorgeous turkey and gravy, the comb honey (it originally came from beehives on my grandparent's farm-now we find it at farm stands), the wonderful pies, cakes and decorated cookies and so much more.

There will be much talk of Thanksgivings past...the elder members recalling of time going to their grandparent's home in Wilsonville and crossing the Willamette River by ferry.  There will be updates of family geneology from my cousin, the historian in the group.  The younger family members like to hear tales of our ancestors arriving here in Oregon by wagon train.  There are pictures to be taken-and each year added to the photo albums of previous Thanksgivings.  What fun seeing how the kids have grown and clothing and hairstyles have changed!

And finally, it's time for the Silent Auction!  This was begun by my grandmother years ago.  After the able was cleared she would fill it with "treasures" that she wanted to share.  This was maybe a dried flower arrangement that she made, a bag of walnuts that Grandpa cracked, a piece of china to be handed down, old toys or games for the young ones.  We were all given 10 points and paper and pencil to place our silent bids under the items displayed, with the highest bidder winning the item.

It's a tradition that we continue to this day.  Everyone brings contributions for the Silent Auction Table.  What fun!  Come to think of it, maybe that's where my love of auctions began!!



We reluctantly end our day together knowing that we have honored the traditions of the past, and created more good family memories to be cherished and remembered for years to come.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

IT'S COMING TOGETHER

The new space is taking shape...two of my best buddies helped in hanging painter's drop cloth on the walls to create a neutral background.  We then moved in the heavy display pieces and larger furniture items for sale.  Thanks so much, gals.  I appreciate your willingness to help and your muscle.  I've been busy stocking the shelves and hanging fun stuff on the walls.  I am pleased and excited with the results, so far.  I hope that others like it too!

This first picture is an over-all view of the booth.

This is only the beginning-there is much more to come, so stay tuned. Thanks for stopping by. 





THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS

A week from today my second space at Splendid Antique Mall will become available to me.  I am soooo excited, but there is much to do.  I have been busily gathering treasures to offer.  This space, which is located directly across the aisle from my existing space, will have a little different merchandise mix.  I'm going for a bit more "girly" look, with lots of vintage pastels in both furniture and smalls.  I hope that you will like it too.  I envision it a little bit shabby, a little bit cottage, a tad bit of garden, with some flea market style thrown in.  You see, I like it all!  My existing space will continue to have some darker furniture and natural wood tones.  This, of course, is all dependant on what I find out there while on "treasure hunts".  What do you look for when hunting?

Here are some of the pieces going to my new space.  (This, providing I can get the pictures loaded in the right place.  Arghhhhh- I'm still trying to learn this blogging business!!!)

I LOVE this pink dresser-it's actually more of a chest on chest, with the top a separate piece.  The little boudoir lamps with purple shades and dotted swiss overlay were a fun find.

I'll be adding some pretty white petticoats, a sweet Victorian era white dress, and a charming little vintage child's ballet dress.  Oops, guess I didn't get pics of the petticoats or ballet dress!

This sweet Madonna yard ornament caught my eye.  She has just the right amount of chippy white paint, revealing a bit of blue and dark red underneath.  She's dated 1959.  She'd make a nice addition to your winter garden, or would be pretty alongside your Christmas tree.

Time now to turn my attention to booth preparation.  Let's see- fixtures and display pieces to consider, backdrop to ponder,  lighting to illuminate the "treasures" - all this to be finalized in my mind, before I start moving in!  I'll keep you posted on my progress.........



TAKING THE PLUNGE

For some time now, I have wanted to try my hand at blogging.  I am inspired by so
many people with their incredible posts, the fun things they find while out "junking"
and their willingness to share.  Could I do this?  What would I say?  Would anyone
read it? Would they come to my spaces at Stars & Splendid Antique Mall to see the
the things I've written about?  After much procrastination, I've decided to jump in with
both feet.  First, just let me say:  I'm a bit of a dinosaur technologically challenged,
so I'm hoping an old dog can learn new tricks.  Bear with me, won't you?  And did
I mention that I am not a photographer?  That said..

Here are some pictures of my most recent finds.  These will be going to my newest
space at Splendid around the first week of November.

Iron doorstop

Curved Iron Grape Panel

Thanks for stopping by.  I'm ready to push the publish button, so keep your fingers
crossed!  Thanks for stopping by.