I VOTE FOR CHRISTMAS!

I knew that when we scored this treasure for a few dollars at an auction several months ago that it would be great to decorate for Christmas.  It is an old ballot box from our county previously used for elections.  Of course, it didn't look like this when we got it.  The main reason we did bid on it was because the glass part was still intact.  Bob then did his magic to restore the wooden parts.

I love this brass band that separates the two glass parts enabling access to the inside.

To decorate for Christmas, I first poured in a layer of Epsom Salts, then added some of our collection of vintage ornaments.

The huge green ball is from Belgium, measures 6" in diameter, and belonged to my mother.  The glass beads and most of the other ornaments also were inherited from my parents.

This big gold tree topper is a beauty from our vintage tree topper collection.

The wooden box under the table came in pieces with the glass ballot box.  Bob reassembled it and the whole thing fits together perfectly for storage.

Our local home tour is Sunday -- I think we are ready -- more pictures next week.

I'm joining the following:
Tea Time with Trina for Silver and Gold Christmas Blog Tour on Mon. Dec. 7th
Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Coastal Charm for Show and Share Tuesday
Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday
Common Ground for Christmas Open House on Dec. 9th

BALLOT BOX

At the silent auction of a neighboring town's museum recently, we put in a bid for a ballot box and won!  Apparently at one time, it was the law in Colorado that ballot boxes were to be glass so that the ballots could be seen at all times.  This ballot box was used here in Fremont County, Colorado until the 1970s for local elections.  BUT, this isn't what the ballot box and its carrying case looked like when we won the bid!

This is what we got for our $10 bid - a ballot box and its carrying case IN PIECES.  It was amazing to us that the glass parts were unbroken and, thus, the project was worth restoring.

Bob worked his magic - he loves projects like this!

Incised on the top piece of glass is "National Ballot Box - Pat. June 17, 1884"

"Mfg. by Amos Pettibone, Chicago"

You can see here the brass rings that hold the two glass pieces together to allow the ballots to be retrieved for counting.

This beauty will join our small collection of ballot boxes.  You can read about our Otero County, Colorado box here and our fraternal organization ballot box here.  

We keep thinking this has to stop as we are running out of room; but it's hard to resist a historical item like this for just $10.

I'm joining the following:
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Inspire Me Monday
Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Confessions of a Plate Addict for The Scoop Tuesday
Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday
Knick of Time for Knick of Time Vintage Tuesday
The Dedicated House for Before and After Wednesday
Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style for WOW Us Wednesdays
Green Willow Pond for What We Accomplished Wednesday
From My Front Porch To Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday

A GIANT CLOCHE

For 35 years in our antique travels, we have been looking for an early 1900s ballot box. The rare times we have spotted one, it was way out of our price range. In a recent discussion with a class mate that worked at our hometown court house, we found out that she had acquired several ballot boxes years ago when they became obsolete. At our recent class reunion, she brought one to give us. We were thrilled beyond belief. It was in "stored in a barn for years" condition and needed three pieces of glass replaced. Bob, of course, loves a challenge like that. This is what it looks like now.

He took it all apart, restored the original finish, and replaced the glass. It was like a giant puzzle putting it back together. It took our four hands and arms, two bungee cords, a belt, and a few well-chosen words to get the eight pieces of glass to fit back in their slots and grooves.

The top locks with three separate keys -- we assume for three different people to prevent tampering with the election process. If only our current election process was still this simple. The original printing is on the top door indicating that it came from a ballot box company in Denver.

All of the time we were working on it, I kept thinking this could be one GIANT cloche. It stands 25" high and is 17" square. The eight pieces of glass form an octogon within the square framework.

I'm sure I'll have fun thinking of things to put into my new "cloche" for the various seasons.

I always love when a decorative item also has meaning to our family. My grandfather was a popular elected official for years in the early 1900s. I like to imagine that many votes in his favor were cast in this very ballot box.

I'll be joining the following parties this week. Check these blogs out for a plethora of inspiration.

A Stroll Thru Life for the Fall Cloche Party on Tuesday

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday

Restore Interiors for Restored It Wednesday

The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursday

No Minimalist Here for Open House Party on Thursday

Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special