IN LOVE!

It's no secret that we love wooden boxes around here.  And, among our favorites are small, handmade tool boxes---

 especially those with brass trim and great brass handles--

 and unique latch systems--

 and a brass escutcheon with patina--

 and neat nested interior trays to corral some of our antique tools.

 This little gem was discovered on our recent junking trip to Denver.

No question, this one had to come home with us!

I'm linking up to the following:

Vintage on a Dime for Welcome Home Wednesday

Primp for Primp Your Stuff Wednesday

No Minimalist Here for Thursday Open House

From My Front Porch to Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday

Homespun Happenings for Rustic Restorations Friday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special
The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Monday
Knick of Time for Knick of Time Tuesday
Cedar Hill Ranch for The Scoop Tuesday
Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

WHAT IS IT?

This past weekend we spent a couple of days in Denver doing our favorite things -- going to estate sales and antique malls; and meeting our son for his birthday lunch.  He grew up doing these things, and still loves going along to find some of the things that he collects.  This weekend he found some maps, vintage math books, and Japanese ephemera.  He is a high school math and science teacher, and loves to travel -- his favorite being Japan.  Happy Birthday, Mike -- it was a fun day!  I'm sure this year will be great for you with another excursion to Paris in May.

Bob and I also found a few things.  Among them was this contraption:

Do you know what it is?

  You can twist it to the right, or to the left.

 It's a nutcracker!

 Every household needs one, don't you think?

We found several things; which, I'm sure, will show up in future posts.  It was a good couple of days!

I'm linking up with the following:
From My Front Porch To Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
Common Ground for Be Inspired Friday
Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Creative Cain Cabin for Tuesday Budget Decorating Party
Vintage on a Dime for Welcome Home Wednesday
Ivy and Elephants for What's it Wednesday

GOODWILL FIND

I'm always on the search for wool garments at the thrift stores to use for various projects.  

Here's my latest Goodwill find.

That's right -- $1.87 for this Pendleton men's jacket.

After deconstructing the garment and a good wash and dry, I had enough Pendleton wool to make these two pillows.

I know all of you are decorating your homes for Spring, but this winter-loving soul is still playing with wool pillows.

I can't get enough of their warm, cozy feel.

Bring on the cold and snow -- I'm not through with winter, yet.
  I know --- Bah Humbug!!
(Yea! It's snowing as I type.)

I'm linking to:
The Vintage Farmhouse for Creative Things Thursday
The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursday
Common Ground for Be Inspired Friday
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special
Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Cozy Little House for Tweak It Tuesday
Vintage on a Dime for Welcome Home Wednesday
Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday

IRONSTONE/CHINA??

Bob recently went to an out-of-town auction in search of furniture that he could fix up and resell.  No luck there, but he called to say he had bought a white soup tureen for me.  I was thinking it would be ironstone.

I have read that ironstone is a pottery, usually English, produced as a harder, stronger alternative to porcelain.

This tureen, however, has a mark on the bottom indicating that it is from the Haviland factory and marked France.  The Kovel's Dictionary of Pottery and Porcelain Marks says that this particular mark is from 1876 for whiteware.

Wonderful ribbon details and in perfect condition!

So, is it ironstone or china?

When Bob told me over the phone he had paid $25 for it, I thought "Oh, My!! That's a little high."; but in doing some research on the mark later I discovered it could be worth 10 times that.  But then, an antique is only worth what someone is willing to pay.  When he got home with it, I definitely thought it was worth the $25 in beauty alone!

I'm linking up to the following:
From My Front Porch to Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
Common Ground for Be Inspired Friday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Monday
Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
A Stroll Thru Life for Table Top Tuesday
Vintage On A Dime for Welcome Home Wednesday
Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday