A GRADUATION STORY

May is the month of graduations, so I thought I would tell you a little graduation story.

My Dad graduated from high school in 1931; and as was the custom in small-town Colorado, the senior class went on a 

trip to the big city of Denver during graduation week.

Below is my Dad on the right pictured in his annual.  See his motto under his name -- "I love me, I love me, I love myself to death!"  He was quite full of himself!

 While the class was enjoying the sights and experiences of the big city, they stayed at the Shirley Savoy Hotel in downtown Denver.  

At that time not all hotel rooms had en suite bathrooms and the facilities were down the hall.  But the rooms were equipped with a chamber pot for those middle of the night needs.  Wouldn't you have hated being a hotel maid in those days - oh, my!

SOMEHOW the above chamber pot MANAGED to come home with my father from that trip.  He must have had a memorable trip because this pot was always around my parent's house.  Don't worry, my mother made sure it was thoroughly sterilized and sanitized.  She always used it to hold National Geographic magazines.

MORE VINTAGE EASTER

Last week I posted about my Victorian milk glass Easter eggs, so now I would like to show you a little more of my vintage Easter stuff.

Several years ago, Bob gave me this vintage paper-mache Easter Bunny. It has a hollow body, and was originally a candy container. He is kind of fragile; therefore, perfect for under a cloche.

The small 4" sand pail is not necessarily Easter; but I keep it with my Easter stuff as it is so cute with tiny eggs in it.

Part of our collection of antique postcards, this is one of my favorites. It is propped up in one of my mother's old metal flower frogs.

These two glass chicken on nests belonged to my Grandmother. They originally held tiny Easter egg candy. I remember playing with them as a child; so how they survived without a scratch, I don't know.

Please check out the following blog parties going on for more fun stuff.

Suzanne at Colorado Lady
for Vintage Thingies Thursday

Marty at A Stroll Thru Life
for the Spring cloche party

Cindy at My Romantic Home
for Show & Tell Friday

May you all have a joyous Easter.

Sally

A LITTLE VINTAGE EASTER

Below is my small collection of Victorian milk glass Easter eggs. Two of them were my great grandmother's; the other two were just accumulated.

These eggs are hand blown, and have a pontil mark. They are flat on one side so that they will sit and not roll away. I understand that they are usually cold-painted, so the paint has a tendency to flake off. Therefore, they are difficult to find in perfect condition, as you can tell from my eggs.

These examples range in size from 7" to 4" point to point.

I'm especially enjoying them this year displayed in the huge brown transferware wash bowl that I recently acquired from my great grandparent's homestead.

I'm joining with Suzanne at Colorado Lady
for Vintage Thingie Thursday
and
Cindy at My Romantic Home
for Show and Tell Friday.

20th CENTURY BROWN TRANSFERWARE

I'm usually on the lookout for 19th century brown transferware, but I'll occasionally buy 20th century pieces if they are inexpensive. Awhile ago, I bought a box for $10 at auction that contained all of the following pieces.

The flower pot and the little creamer are both from England, Royal Crownford, in the Charlotte pattern from the 1940s. The Charlotte pattern is often different on various pieces, but they are all Victorian basket designs.

These two barrel-shaped shakers are by Clarice Cliff in the Tonquin pattern from England, also from the 1940s. They currently list for about $60 EACH, making the $10 box a real bargain!

The two covered butter dishes are both Mason's English transferware. The one on the left is the Bow Bells pattern and the one on the right is the Stratford pattern.

I just love a good deal, especially if it is transferware!

Please check out the following parties to find more wonderful vintage, thrifty things:

Suzanne at Colorado Lady
for Vintage Thingies Thursday

Cindy at My Romantic Home
for Show and Tell Friday

Rhoda at Southern Hospitality
for Monday's Thrifty Treasures

MY EARLY CHRISTMAS PRESENT

I have been looking at these four antique apothecary jars for about two years. They have been at a local antique mall for so long, but NOW they are at home with us. I told Bob that I knew what I wanted for Christmas, but I wanted my present early. So, last week we went shopping. I remember these types of candy jars in the ice cream/ bakery/candy stores of my youth. I loved them then, and doubly love them now!

Three of the jars are matching with the tallest one about 12 inches with the smallest at 7 inches. For now, I have filled them with old, special ornaments from my parents. There is one orange ball that reminds me so much of my mother, as she loved anything orange. There also are a couple of balls that have cardboard hangers from the WWII era when all metal was going to the war effort.

The fourth jar is very similar to the others - just a little different. I put one of my vintage bottle-brush trees in it.

I just know that I'm going to enjoy this present on every holiday. What should I put in them for Valentine's Day?

There are so many parties going on, and I hate to miss a good party; so I'm linking to the following blogs. Be sure to stop by to check them out. You won't be disappointed with all of the wonderful ideas being displayed.


Home for the Holidays, hosted by Rhoda at SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY

Vintage Thingies Thursday, hosted by Suzanne at COLORADO LADY

Show and Tell Friday, hosted by Cindy at ROMANTIC HOME

VINTAGE THINGIES THURSDAY

As a child I was so thrilled when I learned to read. My Mother always read a lot; so I figured you were all grown up when you could read by yourself!

We went to the local library every week, plus my parents always gave me books as presents for my birthday and Christmas. Below are three of my favorites from my childhood. They all have copyright dates from the early 1940s, and two of them still have the price of $1.25 written in pencil on the inside cover.

Hansel and Gretel was a favorite not necessarily because of the story, but because the illustrations were so colorful and they had moving parts - an early pop-up book.

I loved my "The Story of Jesus" book because my Grandmother was always reading her bible and telling me stories from it. This way I could read about Jesus all by myself.

And finally -- "Sally Goes Shopping Alone"! I loved shopping with my Mother, so what little girl named Sally wouldn't have loved a book that seemed to be written just for her. I was definitely a 'shopper-in-training'!!

Suzanne at Colorado Lady is hosting Vintage Thingies Thursday today. Please check out her blog for a list of the participants showing off their vintage things.

And finally, we have had our heavy freeze in Colorado and the flowers are all gone for another season. I rushed out the night before in the dark and picked these. "The last roses of summer" are always so intense in color and as huge as a dinner plate.

VINTAGE THINGIES THURSDAY!

When my husband, Bob, was growing up; he began working in his family's grocery store at age 6 sorting potatoes and candling eggs. He has fond memories of stocking shelves, cutting meat, checking and carrying out groceries at the store when he was not in school or doing sports. He worked there until the week before we got married. We did a lot of courting over a bag of groceries being carried out to the car. My mother never had to beg me to run to the grocery store to pick up something!

We have several items that came out of the store, but a favorite is this old gum-ball machine with a patent date of 1923.

I'm sure that all of those growing-up years in the grocery store helped develop Bob's strong work ethic. To this day, in retirement, he still works everyday around the house, in the yard, and substitute teaching during the school year. Who says there is anything wrong with a little child labor?

Thanks to Suzanne at Colorado Lady for hosting Vintage Thingies Thursday and a chance to show off our old gum-ball machine.

TABLESCAPE & VINTAGE THURSDAY

I have set up my gate-leg table in the living room for coffee for two. Included is a vintage electric coffee percolator in china with matching creamer and sugar. My parents received it as a wedding present in 1937. It is complete with its coffee basket and stem inside plus the 1930's electric cord. As far as I know, it still perks; but I'm afraid to try it with its old electrical works. It is insulated, so it still makes a great server for coffee with its cute little spigot. It is marked "Royal Rochester Hand Decorated Royalite Electric Chinaware".

For a treat with our coffee today, we are having Madeleines, a French cookie.
The white plates, cups, and saucers are part of my great-grandmother's good dishes from Austria. The same great-grandmother embroidered the tea cloth and napkins.

Please check out the wonderful blog of Susan at Between Naps on the Porch
as she is hosting Tablescape Thursday today.

And, Suzanne at Colorado Lady
is hosting Vintage Thingies Thursday. Please check her blog out for a list of other vintage treasures.

Thanks for stopping by for coffee today.
Sally

THRIFT STORE SHOPPING

Suzanne at Colorado Lady
is hosting Vintage Thingies Thursday once again. Stop by her blog to check out all of the participants of this fun event.

The other day I was in The City to visit fellow blogger, Mary at Mary's Meanderings
while she was in the hospital recovering from a nasty, nasty rattlesnake bite.

I left the hospital so concerned and shocked by her condition, but something told me I needed to stop by the thrift store that Mary & I had shopped at previously together. Somehow, I just knew that Mary wanted me to stop. This is what I found.

Twenty-two pieces of Edwin Knowles China were just waiting for me to buy them at $8 for the set.

I'll forever think of them as my Mary dishes.

I'm so happy that Mary is now recovering at home. But she is home bound for awhile, so please stop by her blog and tell her hello to wish her well!

TABLESCAPE IN MINIATURE

What fun it is to participate in two Thursday parties this week. First, be sure to check out Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for all of the great tablescapes this week. Then, hop over to Suzanne's at Colorado Lady. She is hosting Vintage Thingies Thursday where everyone will be showcasing their vintage items.

Bob came home the other day from a yard sale with this adorable child's chair that he had purchased for $3. The couple selling were in their 50s, and the 'new' wife said that they had a picture of the husband's grandfather sitting in this little chair. I have no idea why they were selling it - guess they were getting rid of things from their previous lives. I always feel bad about buying anything like this little treasure for such a small amount of money; but I rationalize that it has found a good, new home.

The chair is only 15 inches high and the seat is 8 inches in diameter - the perfect size for a miniature tablescape of doll dishes.

I've always loved blue willow dishes and found this doll dish set of several place settings with teapot, creamer and sugar 40 years ago while junk hunting.

The little set of red bakelite silverware was a gift from my friend, Jan.

Thanks for stopping by, and now please check out the blogs of our two hostesses for these fun Thursday parties.



EDITED TO ADD: For those of you who follow Mary of Mary's Meanderings
know that she was bitten by a rattlesnake last Saturday while at her beehives. I was able to see her for a few moments today, as she is still in ICU in the Pueblo, CO hospital. She is very weak and in a lot of pain, but says she is making progress. She hopes to get moved to a regular room soon, and would appreciate your continued prayers for patience and healing.

Sally

VINTAGE THINGIES THURSDAY

Thanks to Suzanne of Colorado Lady for hosting Vintage Thingies Thursday once again. Be sure to stop by her blog for a list of those participating in this fun event.

I now realize that there is a theme to this week's event; but since I have a hard time following rules I am doing something different. It is Mother's Day week, so I decided to show you instead a bank that belongs to my husband, Bob. When his mother found out she was pregnant with him 71 years ago, she and his Dad started saving money in this bank to pay the doctor bill for when he was born.

The little metal airplane is a replica of the one Charles Lindberg made his solo flight in across the Atlantic ocean in 1927, just 11 years before Bob was born. On the top, it says, "Spirit of Saving" after the name of the plane, "Spirit of St. Louis".

It is in good condition except for the rubber on the wheels, which has hardened and is disintegrating.

Thanks for stopping by; now, please go by Suzanne's to check out all of the great vintage items.

Sally

VINTAGE THINGIES THURSDAY

It is time for Vintage Thingies Thursday again, a fun event hosted by Suzanne at Colorado Lady. Be sure to check out her blog to find a list of the participants showing off their vintage things.

Below is a picture of our Clark's "O.N.T." thread cabinet. I discovered this cabinet about 40 years ago in my Dad's shop on the farm with his vise mounted to the top of it. It must have been there when I was a child, but I have no recollection of it then. Guess my eyes weren't trained to see wonderful pieces of history as a kid! When I did find it, I asked my Dad if I could have it. He explained that it had come from an old mercantile store in our small town. After bringing it to my home, I checked with the Coats & Clark Co. in New York; and they verified that it was from 1887. The cabinets were given to dealers, free of charge, with orders for specified assortments of thread. On the bottom of one of the drawers, it is signed by the cabinet maker and dated July 30, 1887.

This started a whole new collecting field for me. I started finding wonderful trade cards advertising Clark's "O.N.T" thread from the 1880s & 1890s. So many of them have adorable children pictured with clever slogans. This one says, "Foreman of the Jury, Our unanimous verdict is that O.N.T. beats all others."

Starting in the upper left, this baby is "Born to be a Philosopher"; upper right is "Born to be a Musician"; lower left is "Born to be a Surgeon; and lower right is "Born to be an Editor".

More beautiful children selling thread.

This is a large trade card with the O.N.T. logo; quite beautiful with the Tower of London.

This is a little book and has several nursery rhymes in it.

More cute kids, plus a calendar from 1878.

These are the four little sewing boxes that I have found over the years. The one in the back row on the left is signed by the same maker as my cabinet.

Assorted thread boxes and thread.

I hope you enjoyed seeing my Clark's "O.N.T." collection. By the way, "O.N.T." stands for "Our New Thread".

Sally

VINTAGE THINGIES THURSDAY

Thanks to Suzanne at Colorado Lady for hosting Vintage Thingies Thursday. Stop by her blog for a list of the participants so that you can view all of the neat vintage items.

I have a small collection of vintage damask linens that I would like to share today. Over the years, I have picked these up at yard sales, thrift stores, and antique malls. I always look for different, colorful borders.

These hand towels have morning glory borders in red. The red color is elusive, unless I would be willing to pay a higher price at the more upscale antique venues.

This is one of my favorite hand towel patterns of sailing ships in blue.

Shamrocks!!

This tablecloth has this pretty blue floral border on only two sides.

A tablecloth with a rose design in yellow.

The border is on all four sides; and as is often the case, the hem has been machine hem-stitched.

I have quite a few napkin sets in blue with different patterns. Love the bird design!

A floral design.

Rose and geometric border.

And a different geometric design.

Thanks for stopping by to check out my vintage thingies!!
Sally