A WINDMILL FOR ME!!!

I have had a fascination with windmills for as long as I can remember.  I've admired them in farmer's fields, alongside barns, clad in shingles, in paintings of Holland--you name it!  Knowing that I would not have room for a real working windmill, I would settle for one that was garden size. So you can imagine my delight when I saw that my favorite auction house was offering up a windmill.  Oh, I do love a good auction and the windmill was calling my name. 

Heart racing, I drove down to the auction to preview what I hoped would be mine.  It was perfect!
It stood a little over 8 feet tall (yes, it would fit in the back of the pickup), would look great in my space at Splendid with some other yard art for Spring/Summer presentation OR it would be a wonderful addition to my own backyard.  You can't see it in the picture, but one of the blades is curled up a bit.  Soooo cute!

So, I mentally determined what my top bid would be and sat back and watched to see who my competition might be in bidding.  Would it be the lady that was looking at it longingly?  Was she imagining it in her garden?  Or the man who was carefully examining it; would he be a competitor?
Maybe it was the guy who was looking at it nonchalantly.  Was he serious, but trying not to show his hand? 

The windmill was almost the last item on the long list of goodies to be auctioned.  Finally it came up and the bidding started briskly.  I was so caught up in my own strategy of winning, that I didn't even look around to see who my competition was!  Finally the auctioneer pounded his gavel and I WAS THE HIGH BIDDER!!!!!!  The windmill was mine!!

For now, it is nestled among the rhododendrons in my backyard and I have been thoroughly enjoying watching the blades go round in the wind.  It remains to be seen if it will actually end up in my booth at Splendid.  Perhaps, but I might need to enjoy it for awhile myself!

Oh, yes.  I do love a good auction!

CUTE LITTLE STORAGE BOX

I hope you are having a good week-end! 

 Just a quick post to show you

a little cutie that I took in to Splendid this week.  This would

 make a fun end table, a useful little coffee square

 in front  of the sofa, beside or at the foot

 of a bed or an accent in numerous other places. It has a lift top

 lid, and I papered the inside of the lid with a collage

of old newpaper clippings from The Household, September 1916.

There are lots of fun ads. 

 I can see this little piece being used

to store pillows, magazines, throws for these chilly nights..

it could hold all kinds of things.  You could

even leave the lid open, as I show in the picture!

I hope you like it too!

HAGGLE WITH THE DEALER SALE TOMORROW!!

The annual Haggle With the Dealer Sale starts tomorrow at Stars and Stars & Splendid Antique Malls, and will contiue through Monday the 16th.  Don't miss this big event and the chance to add to your collections or start a new collection!

Here are a few more goodies that are in my booth waiting for you!

This pretty little plate would look nice holding jewelry on your dresser, or soap in a bathroom.

 
I really like this little lamp.  It can hang on the wall (remove the shade) and has a swivel neck so the light can be directed wherever you need it.  Cute, huh?   I know, it's not a very good picture, but maybe you can get an idea of what it looks like.  The base is kind of a bronze colored metal.

Also new in the space is this unique old wire hanger, designed to hold not only a shirt or coat, but also belts and pants. 

I hope you will stop in to check out all of the bargains.  Have a great week-end.

RESTOCKED FOR THE HAGGLE SALE!!!!

I've restocked both booth spaces and they are FULL!!  Here is a peek at some of the goodies I've taken in.  I will be stocking more treasures through-out the sale.

This adorable little much loved doll is looking for a new home.  Is your home available?

And how about this sweet "This Little Piggy Went to Market" baby hot water bottle?

There is a lovely double wedding ring quilt in soft pastel shades.  This is a generous double size.

And some pretties for your nightstand or table......

 

I absolutely LOVE these old paneled cupboard doors.  I can just see these used on each side of a window, shutter style. 

Thanks for stopping by to visit.  I hope you like these old treasures. 

SUITCASE BONANZA

Vintage suitcases are a favorite of mine.  There are so many uses for these old relics, so I was thrilled to find several while out treasure hunting recently.  They are great for storing all sorts of things, like craft supplies, out of season clothing, extra bedding.  And while they are busy storing things for you, how about spiffing up a neglected corner of the room by creating a little vignette with the suitcases as the focal point and adding in a plant, some candle holders, or some other accessories. 

Or, maybe try a stack at the foot of the bed, to store extra bedding.

I'm sure you will find all sorts of fun things to do with one or more of these!  You'll find them in my space at Stars & Splendid. 

Don't forget to put the Haggle with the Dealers Sale on your calendar for January 14th, 15th and 16th at both of the Stars Antique Malls.  There will be some amazing deals to be had!!  I hope you will stop by.

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.