LOOK WHAT I FOUND & I WON CAMI'S GIVEAWAY!!

Yesterday noon, the grand kids were fussing at each other; Uncle Mike, the teacher, was mediating; the noise level was just a tad above my tolerance level. I had this uncontrollable urge to escape! So, I announced, " I HAVE to go to the grocery store!" Men accept that as an emergency. I left the house, knowing full well I was headed to Goodwill to see if there were any bargains. As I entered the store, I spotted clear across the building some pink on the dish shelves. I quickly surveyed the competition - no one was fondling the plates, yet; but I better not dawdle. There was no time to untangle a shopping cart. I'm hoping that what I see will be the usual Goodwill price of $1 or less per dish. Oh my, my blood pressure is rising - could it be? Yes, it is pink transferware; and it's Johnson Bros. Old Britain Castles. There are 16 pieces; but, oh no, the price is $24 for the lot of 16. Still, that's a bargain price, isn't it?? Reconsider, Sally, do you really need them? Of course not, I already have service for 12 of this very pattern. Do I want them? Of course I do!! Did I buy them? Naturally. How could I leave them there? These beauties had already been abandoned by their former owner on the cold doorstep of Goodwill during the Christmas season. I couldn't just leave them there; they must come home with me to join their brothers and sisters.

P.S.: I did go to the grocery store and spent much more there than at Goodwill.


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I WON CAMI'S GIVEAWAY!

The first part of December, Cami at Creating Myself had a giveaway for a beautiful painting of pansies in a basket. And, I, who has never won anything, was the lucky winner. My friendly postman in his Santa hat delivered it to me on Christmas Eve. I was knee-deep in cooking green chile for Christmas Eve supper, but was so excited to receive this special gift from Cami!! It came all wrapped in red and green with a luscious white lace bow and with this Christmas Joy card.

And look how special this painting is with it's green hanging ribbon.

This is what my pansies looked like outside - poor things!

Now, I can have pansies year around.

Thank you, Cami, for this special gift!

BLUE MONDAY

It is Blue Monday once again hosted by Sally! Please check out SmilingSal for a list of more Blue Monday posts.

A few years ago, when our granddaughter, Caitlin, was first learning the 'paint' program on our computer; she drew this for me to use as a screen saver. I love the blue she chose for Joseph to wear, while Mary wears brown and purple. And, every angel should have a teal dress!! I've cherished it ever since, even though sometimes I have to dig deep into the computer to find it!!!!

DDDonD
Don't you just loDon't you just love children's art? - they get right to the point. It reminds me that things such as technology may change, but some things manage to remain the same.lly

VINTAGE VIGNETTE - #2

The simple vintage vignette I'm sharing this week includes an oil painting that was an estate auction buy. I waited all day to bid on it as I just loved the Fall trees and colors. BUT, the biggest estate auction buy of all time was the punch bowl in the foreground. My great-grandmother bought it at an estate auction in the 1920s for a dollar! It was hand painted in the famous Pickard studio of Chicago. She once told me that there were also matching punch cups, but she didn't win the bid on those. The painting of the currants and leaves with the gold tracery on the punch bowl is so exquisite, it takes my breath away each time I walk by it. Let's have a closer look!

I'm now the fourth generation in my family to be the caretaker of this beauty! It is my absolute favorite of all of the dishes I own.


Enjoy it with me,

Sally