Sunday, November 30, 2008

The Teacup Tree

Being the good hubby that he is, the other day JD pulled some of our Christmas trees down from the attic. At one point he came down with a brand new one, still sealed in the box. I'd completely forgotten I bought it on clearance after Christmas last year. It is white (my first white one) and pre-lit with lights (a first there too).

I was delighted when he handed me the box. I set to work right away, putting it up in the dining room.

The problem is that I don't have ornaments, garland or even a star for it. At least, not the kind I want to put on it. And I'm short on time this holiday season, so I cannot dive into making the decorations I'd like to make for it.

I've been gathering little odds and ends from around the house to put on it. But then I had an idea. Since it sits in the dining room, why not hang some teacups on it? I gathered up a few of my favorite ones and -VOILA!-

My Teacup Tree















Saturday, November 22, 2008

The Garage Sale Jackpot


In some parts of the country, they're called Yard Sales. At least, that's what they were called when we lived in California. I hear they're called Tag Sales in other places. Around here, they're usually called Garage Sales, though they seldom occur in people's garages.

Our neighbor had one and I think I got the deal of the century.

I bought all these white dishes from her. I have no clue what I'll do with them or where I'll store them. For now, they're on the baker's rack in the kitchen until they can find a more permanent home. (Excuse the clutter on the wall. That's the Inspiration Wall for Kim's Someday Dream Kitchen)

There are five different types of dishes in the whole set.

These are my favorite. I wish there were more. They're from Mikasa's French Countryside collection. According to their website, one dinner plate alone costs $16.99.



Most of the dishes are Regency by Johnson Brothers. When I searched online, I found that nowadays they are made in China. But my set says it was made in Staffordshire, England. Perhaps they're vintage? (Well, I guess they can't be too vintage, since they also say on the bottom that they are "dishwasher and microwave safe.") At cyberattic.com, the dinner plate made in England is $18.00. Isn't this square cereal bowl interesting?


There are also several pieces of International Tableworks' Lattice Collection. According to Replacements.com, the dinner plate costs $15.99.

There are two little stoneware bowls that I cannot read the stamps on the bottoms, so I have no idea what kind they are. And there are several Corelle bowls, which are now Sportster and WildMan's cereal bowls.

In all, there are a total of 89 pieces. And you'll never guess how much I paid for them all.


$3.00

Yep, that's right. Three dollars for the whole kit-n-kaboodle.

It doesn't matter that I have no real "need" for them. Or that I have no proper place to store them. Or display them. Or that it's just 89 more things to have to dust and keep clean.

No, it doesn't matter.

Because I hit The Garage Sale Jackpot.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Happy Veterans Day!

To all those who have dedicated their lives to serving this great nation, I give you my sincerest, most heart-felt APPRECIATION.

Happy Veterans Day!

photo courtesy of Old Sgt's Backgrounds
click on image to enlarge to see all the details