In Three Days........

If you have been following my blog for any length of time, you all know how I have a passion for vintage things. The old functional things in a home always hold a special charm as opposed to new and improved, at least that is the way it is for me. One of the older things in our home that has been a favorite since the day I came to live here was the main bathroom's bathtub. Now I am sure some of you are rolling your eyes, but hold on....hear me out!

We have done several remodels to our home and it is up to date on every thing we have in our home and it is in wonderful shape for the new owners. The one and only thing I NEVER touched was the 1940's cast iron bathtub in the main bath. I love the tiered design on the front of the tub, it has a lot of character when compared to a plain tub you see in most homes today. Below is a picture of a tub that is exactly like the one we have. You can giggle if you want, but I will miss that tub, probably more than I should admit!

The tub itself is over sized by today's size tubs and after Steve and I were first married, it was the perfect size for two....ahem.....

anyway....it was perfect for kids, dogs and blankets and pillows when storms were coming and tornado alarms were going off....My kids spent more times in that tub waiting for storms to pass while holding a little Yorkie than I care to admit. Out of all the places in my home, I knew that that tub would withstand most any thing and my precious kids and animals would be piled in there if I thought a tornado was possible in the area. My poor kids..what a memory!

I'll miss the big ole bubble baths after a hard day or when I needed a little time to myself and relax...oh, yes, I can do all of those things in my new beautiful tub at the new house, but there is something to be said about an old cast iron tub that holds special memories in your heart. I will miss that large tub....and if I was a little honest with myself, if I could take that with me, I certainly would.

Today was a long, tiring day and some sad news left me feeling a little worse for wear, but I came home, filled the tub with bubble bath and hot water and sunk down into the most relaxing reviving hot bath that the old bathtub could give.....and I totally feel better. I have made a plan to do that every night I have left and soak up all that relaxing the ole cast iron tub has to give.

I sure hope the new owners appreciate the value of older things.....but for now, for the next three days...that ole tub is still mine and I intend to enjoy it enough to last a long time!

In Seven Days.........

Selling a house is hard work.....selling a house when you have never sold one before is even harder. This journey has been one that I could have never believed possible. The ups and downs, the excitement and disappointment has been paramount to any thing I have experienced in my life thus far. I had no idea this journey would take the paths that it did. That being said, we have finally made it to the point we are almost to closing day.....in seven days.

I tend to jot my feelings down when my heart is heavy or not settled, and as you can imagine that is what brought me here today. Almost thirty two years ago, I fell in love with a man who owned a rather sparsely decorated bachelor pad on the east side of Ft. Worth. A small two bedroom house, built in the 1940's which had no updates, just the basics. The stand out decor included red carpet, bark-cloth curtains (which were dubs "thanksgiving day" curtains) a set of old salon style swing doors that separated the kitchen from the dining room and yellow Formica counter tops in the kitchen. It had a great size yard, with lots of trees but not much grass and not a flower one. It needed a little help, but once we were married, the little house on the east side of Ft. Worth transformed and grew to accommodate our family. It has always been home, a safe landing place from the world.

I think about the renovations we have done on this house over the years. When I step back and see every thing we have done here, I can't help but see a little bit of ourselves in all the renovations. It has been a evolution over time to get that little house where it is today. I hope the new owners love it as much as I do. It was a process and one that included a lot of love and attention over the years.

I decided to count down the last seven days of this journey, and remind myself of all the things I love the most about the house we are leaving. As I think about the things I will miss the most, it is a reminder of all the things I have loved about our house over the years. Recollections, reminders, memories. Today I am reminded that a house is really just the shelter for a family. The family is the home of that shelter. However, there have been times in my life that this very house was my safe place in the world. In the big scheme of things, and only briefly, the darkest days of my life happened while living here, and this little house on the east side of Fort Worth was my safe haven from the world. When things were hard to handle and deal with, I was always felt safe and secure inside the walls of this house. Even now, when things are so good in this life, it is behind that front door and inside the walls that bring me the most piece and comfort on a day to day basis. This house has been the shelter from all storms life as bestowed upon me. It is the memories that sustain us and we will carry as we leave.

A lady made the statement to me that I have not detached myself from the house and I am still very emotionally attached. No truer words have been spoken. It is so bittersweet to be looking forward to what is to come, but knowing how hard it will be to let all I have loved for so long slip away and ready my heart to grasp the next chapter of our lives.

In seven days....the little house on the east side of Fort Worth won't have my our names on it any more......the shelter that has weathered the storms of life and provided a safe place to land will be that same thing for a new family. I will miss my safe haven from the world, the walls that have held me close and kept me from feeling so lost when things were hard. I will miss all the projects we worked on over the years that make our home a place we enjoyed as our lived happened year after year.

We are almost to the door that will open to the next chapter of our lives, a new chapter and a new home we can put our stamp on. It too will be a safe haven from the world, even if it is hard to imagine how that will be, just yet. I find it difficult to imagine grasping the door handle to the new house when my hand is tightly holding on to the old one still in my heart....thankfully...I still have seven days!

Vintage Thingie Thursday: Vintage Chicken and Roosters

Welcome to this weeks segment of Vintage Thingies Thursday. Thursday is the day to showcase your vintage treasures and to share your special things with everyone. If you are visiting and would like to join us, please do. It is very easy!
To participate, all you have to do is:

* * * * Please everyone, follow these guidelines!

(1) do a post about something vintage.
(2) Visit all the participates and leave a comment.
(3) Link in with the link at the bottom of this post, please use a perma-link to link in with, that way, anyone can refer back to your post if they can not get to it on Thursday.
(4) Be sure to refer back to my blog so everyone can see who is participating today, and if you like include the VTT button in your post. Please be sure to have your post up before linking in.

Since I have been telling my stories that surround my new rooster and chicken, I decided to post this once again, it was posted right after I started my blog in 2008, but decided I would re-run it this week. Seems appropriate!


This week I have a couple of favorites of mine. The first one is a magnificent rooster that watches over my kitchen. This wonderful creation was done by my Aunt LaVoice. She made this years ago, she made one for herself and one for her sister Joyce. This is the rooster that was in my Aunt LaVoice's kitchen for years. I can remember being a little girl and walking into my aunt's kitchen, this rooster was the first thing I always saw. He hung over her kitchen table and I always was intrigued by it.


I loved the colors, the craftsmanship and the way this picture came together with beans, popcorn, and seeds. Just look at the detail. Pure talent at its best to create something so full of character. I have to admit....my Benny sorta looks like this!! Makes it even more special!!


Of all my prized possessions, this picture is high on my list. When I look at this masterpiece, I can almost smell fish frying, and fresh tomatoes sliced ready to eat when I see this picture. Oh, and I can not forget the homemade french fries. Man, I loved those homemade fries my aunt made. You see, they were not the frozen packaged fries, these were homemade, and special. Yummy.
Funny, how that is what I remember when I think about eating at my aunt's house. My Uncle Noah frying mouth watering fish and those fresh tomatoes from my aunt's little tomato garden she had in her backyard. Oh, and the fries. Now my Uncle Noah was a talented man, and there was not anything that he could not fix or repair. But nothing could top his fish frying. I always thought my Uncle Noah could fry the best darn fish in this city. Believe me when I say the meals we had at my aunt's house, although they were not frequent, they were special.

Now these are a favorite of mine as well. You see, my Aunt Joyce is the chicken queen in our family. She has a set similar this which sets on her hutch in her kitchen. I found these one day several years ago in a local antique mall and they reminded me of the set my sweet aunt has.
I had to have them. You see, they just go with my rooster picture. I always have had a fondness for chickens, they remind me of the country and a simple life. These two chicken items also remind me of two dear ladies in my life and the childhood memories I have of each one of them.
And that my friends is the very thing that turns ordinary items into family treasures.

Vintage Thingie Thursday ~ Adorable Dachshund Planter

Welcome to this weeks segment of Vintage Thingies Thursday. Thursday is the day to showcase your vintage treasures and to share your special things with everyone. If you are visiting and would like to join us, please do. It is very easy!
To participate, all you have to do is:

* * * * Please everyone, follow these guidelines!

(1) do a post about something vintage.
(2) Visit all the participates and leave a comment.
(3) Link in with the link at the bottom of this post, please use a perma-link to link in with, that way, anyone can refer back to your post if they can not get to it on Thursday.
(4) Be sure to refer back to my blog so everyone can see who is participating today, and if you like include the VTT button in your post. Please be sure to have your post up before linking in.

One of my long time friends found the sweetest planter at an estate sale. I had a fit over it when I saw it! Now, I go to lots of estate sales, and I have never seen one of these. She said it was there on the last day too. Oh. my.

She dropped by my house shortly after me seeing it and gave it to me as a gift. I was so excited, and thrilled she wanted me to have it. I adore it and am so thankful to have it!

It is stamped Japan on all of the four pieces. It is a wonderful addition to all my doxie treasures.

Here it is with all my other little dogs. No, your eyes are not playing tricks on you. Truth of the matter is, when I took the photo, I discovered a bit of dust on the back of the shelves, and did not want to retake the photo. Call it lazy....but I sure wanted to try and "hide" the dust. Truth. You will just have to use your imagination.

Here is my sweet Sophie.....exactly where she does not belong. On The Table. But I snapped a picture of her anyway...she just wanted to smell the flowers!

Happy Vintage Thingie Thursday!

Vintage Thingie Thursday: Vintage Cuties!

Welcome to this weeks segment of Vintage Thingies Thursday. Thursday is the day to showcase your vintage treasures and to share your special things with everyone. If you are visiting and would like to join us, please do. It is very easy!
To participate, all you have to do is:

* * * * Please everyone, follow these guidelines!

(1) do a post about something vintage.
(2) Visit all the participates and leave a comment.
(3) Link in with the link at the bottom of this post, please use a perma-link to link in with, that way, anyone can refer back to your post if they can not get to it on Thursday.
(4) Be sure to refer back to my blog so everyone can see who is participating today, and if you like include the VTT button in your post. Please be sure to have your post up before linking in.

It seems when I post about my Goodwill finds, I always get several comments on others wishing their local Goodwill had the sort of finds I happen to run across. I have to admit...I spend more time in Goodwill(s) and thrift stores than I do a regular mall. Seriously. . Be consistent, stop in more than once in a while, take a quick spin through the store...that is when I find most of my "good" finds.... when I am in a hurry.

Today, I want to share two figurines I happened to find at Goodwill......they are the sweetest little things.....

Now, when I saw this sweet little lady, with a puppy, well, I could not put her in my cart fast enough. She is just so very sweet. The sugar on top to this find was the label.........

A Josef Original.....I searched and searched on line to try and find one like her, but I never found anything close to this little lady. She could be a Calendar girl, but I really have no idea...I will keep looking and see if she turns up in my search. None the less...a real bargain at $2.00.

Now this is just so sweet. When I spotted this last year, I had to have it. You see, these little bluebirds remind me of the bluebirds we have at our cabin in Colorado. They had to come home with me, there was no doubt. I think their faces are so very sweet. This is a mint condition piece.

Here is the label on the birds....Again, I did a search, and did not find any like them. I did find however that these types of things made by this maker, varied so much in price and value. On ebay, some were listed for a mere .99 and well...then all the way to over a hundred dollars. These cute little birds only cost me $3.00 and I was happy to pay it.

Now this cutie is not mine. This was the closest thing I found on ebay that was remotely close to my bird figurine above. It is absolutely the sweetest thing....but it is listed for $95.00......WOW.....I often wonder what the value would be on the treasures I find and drag home.....but maybe it is better that I don't know, because I doubt I could part with them. If I pick something up and put it in my basket, it is because I love it and plan on keeping it......that is why I need a bigger house....in the worse kind of way!

Have a great weekend and a very Happy Vintage Thingie Thursday!!

Vintage Thingie Thursday ~ Vintage Framed Art

Welcome everyone to Vintage Thingies Thursday

If you have a love for vintage things, well....you have come to the right place. We have a really good time each and every week!!!
If you are new to this party, please take the time to read and follow the instructions for participating in Vintage Thingies Thursday, click HERE. I try and keep things fairly simple, so please make sure you follow the instructions. Please only ONE link per week. Lastly, if you link in, LINK back to my blog, so everyone can see all of the vintage goodies on display that day. If you don't link back here, they won't know who to visit......thanks so much. Lastly, try to make an effort to visit the other participants. I know myself, I get so behind and busy, but this year, I am going to do my best to visit each week.

As a rule, I have never paid much attention to vintage framed art when I am out and about looking at estate sales or thrift stores. For some reason, these types of things have been catching my eye lately.

I purchased a beautiful vintage piece at an estate sale in March, and then a few weeks ago, I found this piece at a thrift store.

Actually, there were two of these. One measures around a 11X14 and this smaller one is exactly like the larger one. I bought them both, as they were a set and the price was only $8.00 for both. I think the print is just as sweet as it can be. I have not taken the backs off of these yet, but when you look closely at both, the print really looks like it was printed on linen fabric. I have no idea how old these are, but they are certainly not modern day art by any means. I think they are cute!

Happy Vintage Thingie Thursday......sorry I am late at getting the link up....this week is flying by and I forgot it was Wednesday..... :-)

Vintage Thingie Thursday: Vintage Misfit China Ware

Welcome everyone to Vintage Thingies Thursday

If you have a love for vintage things, well....you have come to the right place. We have a really good time each and every week!!!
If you are new to this party, please take the time to read and follow the instructions for participating in Vintage Thingies Thursday, click HERE. I try and keep things fairly simple, so please make sure you follow the instructions. Please only ONE link per week. Lastly, if you link in, LINK back to my blog, so everyone can see all of the vintage goodies on display that day. If you don't link back here, they won't know who to visit......thanks so much. Lastly, try to make an effort to visit the other participants. I know myself, I get so behind and busy, but this year, I am going to do my best to visit each week.

I have a knack of  being drawn to small little misfit or mismatched china ware when I am browsing thrift shops.

One day, while stopping by my new favorite shop, I spotted a few things on a shelf and all of them were marked .25 cents. About the time I saw them, a lady came down the same isle, looked at the little goodies and looked at the price and stated she thought they might as well throw those types of things in the trash. She proclaimed no one would want them and at .25 cents, they were not worth the tag on the junk,  stuff. She quickly moved on with her buggy........

This little kangaroo salt and pepper shaker is far from being perfect. In fact, one of his ears has been reattached. He was all alone, and I know I have talked before about bringing home orphan salt and pepper shakers. He is cute...even if he is not in perfect condition.

This is a small toothpick holder. I don't know if this is supposed to be a goat, mule or a deer, but I am going to call it a deer for all practical purposes! It is cute and tiny and small. 

I also picked up a couple of other items that were perfect in color and design for something I am planning in the future. I simply love when that happens....can't show you today, but will in a few weeks.

Not bad for less than buck!! What happened to that other lady?? Well, as luck would have it, she ended up at the counter right BEHIND me when I was paying. I could see her raised eyebrow from the corner of my eye, but I refused to look her way. Wish I would have had a penny for her thoughts!!!

Happy Vintage Thingie Thursday!!

Vintage Thingie Thursday: Vintage Children's Reader

Welcome everyone to Vintage Thingies Thursday

If you have a love for vintage things, well....you have come to the right place. We have a really good time each and every week!!!
If you are new to this party, please take the time to read and follow the instructions for participating in Vintage Thingies Thursday, click HERE. I try and keep things fairly simple, so please make sure you follow the instructions. Please only ONE link per week. Lastly, if you link in, LINK back to my blog, so everyone can see all of the vintage goodies on display that day. If you don't link back here, they won't know who to visit......thanks so much. Lastly, try to make an effort to visit the other participants. I know myself, I get so behind and busy, but this year, I am going to do my best to visit each week.

I have acquired several vintage children's books lately. Some of them, I have not seen in years. They may end up in my Etsy shop but for now, I am enjoying looking through each one and I really love the graphics in the older books.

Tip and Mitten......I remember this book!!

'
Here is the inside of the front cover. I wonder if the new books at schools today still have the place to write your name when the book is assigned to you??

Such sweet graphics in this book!! I like them so much more than the new modern books of today. Happy Vintage Thingie Thursday~~

Vintage Thingie Thursday: Vintage 1920's Print ~ Estate Sale Find

Welcome everyone to Vintage Thingies Thursday

If you have a love for vintage things, well....you have come to the right place. We have a really good time each and every week!!!
If you are new to this party, please take the time to read and follow the instructions for participating in Vintage Thingies Thursday, click HERE. I try and keep things fairly simple, so please make sure you follow the instructions. Please only ONE link per week. Lastly, if you link in, LINK back to my blog, so everyone can see all of the vintage goodies on display that day. If you don't link back here, they won't know who to visit......thanks so much. Lastly, try to make an effort to visit the other participants. I know myself, I get so behind and busy, but this year, I am going to do my best to visit each week.

I have an affection for vintage prints and always try and keep an eye out for any at estate sales or thrift shops. I have not come across any in a long time. I have a great print that my aunt gave me and it is a mountain scene with a black bear. I love it as well. I talked about it HERE.

However, a couple of weeks ago, I was at an estate sale on half price day. I spotted this fantastic 1920's print and had to have it. I love the landscape prints like this. This was a super bargain for $8.00.

I was disappointed when I went to pay to notice a man in front of me with another great print that I had not seen beforehand. I guess it was not meant to come home with me. This one however, did.

The areas in the print itself seem to be raised a little instead of laying flat. It really is a beautiful piece of art.

This small print is one I picked up at the same estate sale. I truly think this is an old Christmas card which was framed. I have not taken it apart to see, but it looks like that is what it is in the frame. No matter, I liked it and at $2.00.....you just can't beat that!

Hope you have a great week!! And happy  Vintage Thingie Thursday to you all!

Vintage Thingie Thursday: Vintage China Cats

Welcome everyone to Vintage Thingies Thursday

If you have a love for vintage things, well....you have come to the right place. We have a really good time each and every week!!!
If you are new to this party, please take the time to read and follow the instructions for participating in Vintage Thingies Thursday, click HERE. I try and keep things fairly simple, so please make sure you follow the instructions. Please only ONE link per week. Lastly, if you link in, LINK back to my blog, so everyone can see all of the vintage goodies on display that day. If you don't link back here, they won't know who to visit......thanks so much. Lastly, try to make an effort to visit the other participants. I know myself, I get so behind and busy, but this year, I am going to do my best to visit each week.

As  you probably already know, I have a problem leaving little china animals behind when I find them sitting on shelves at thrift stores. I saw these one day while I was out and decided they were just too cute not to bring home. I know you also know I am not a cat person....no, there is nothing wrong with cats, I like them. They just don't do much for my body as I am VERY allergic to cats......thankfully, that is an isolated problem and it does not include dachshunds.

These measure about two inches tall, and I know they appear to be well loved, but they are cute, no matter a little paint wear.

Both of them are marked "Japan" on the bottom. I have not seen any others like these, and I am guessing they might have been in a dime store long ago when they were new. I think they are cute...and I like them.

Now the last photo does not have a thing to do with these cats.....but take a look...

Yes, a for sale sign....and a very interesting VINTAGE iron fence and old rock wall. What lies behind that old iron and rock fence consumes my every thought. When something like this grabs a hold of my mind and heart, well, lets just say it becomes an obsession......unfortunately, not an obtainable obsession.....but come back in a few days, I promise you.....you won't believe your eyes........and hopefully, you will see why I can't seem to this amazing find from my heart and mind.

Have a Happy Vintage Thingie Thursday.......what great treasures have you found this past week. I promise my most favorite one has something to do with this last photo.

Vintage Thingie Thursday: Vintage Telephone Timer

Welcome everyone to Vintage Thingies Thursday

If you have a love for vintage things, well....you have come to the right place. We have a really good time each and every week!!!
If you are new to this party, please take the time to read and follow the instructions for participating in Vintage Thingies Thursday, click HERE. I try and keep things fairly simple, so please make sure you follow the instructions. Please only ONE link per week. Lastly, if you link in, LINK back to my blog, so everyone can see all of the vintage goodies on display that day. If you don't link back here, they won't know who to visit......thanks so much. Lastly, try to make an effort to visit the other participants. I know myself, I get so behind and busy, but this year, I am going to do my best to visit each week.

Here is a real blast from the past...and I can't even believe I am saying that!! This is what our phone looked like in "the olden days" or for a more accurate date...the early 1980's. 

We had a phone just like this at a desk that was in our kitchen. The only difference was, it had one of those super long phone cords. Do you remember those?? The ones that would stretch so long that when you finally walked back to the phone it would get all tangled and curled up??  Oh, we had it rough!

Anyway, my mom had two of these little timers that she kept on that desk. In case you are too young to remember these, I think they were three minute timers. The sand would fall to the lower chamber and that was when time was up....or in my case....just flip it over and hope I could flip it again without getting caught by my mom.

I have no idea where my mom got hers, but she had one with yellow sand and one with beige sand. Yes, I remember them well, and with very vivid detail of how they looked. I don't have any idea what happened to the ones my mom had, but I feel sure she does not have them anymore.

I found this one at that fantastic estate sale I went to a couple of weeks ago and had to have it. I did not need it, but it was more of  a memory of fond times years ago. It evoked memories of hours spent on the phone with my friends, trying to solve the problems of the school and all the kids that went there.

I am sure the kids today, especially young ones would have no clue what this was or what the telephone itself was. For one thing, it does not look like a cell phone of today and that is all most young kids know. In fact, this old home phone so it is so outdated, we are getting to the point that the younger generation  coming up have never seen  these types of phones! 

Talk about feeling old.....this is now considered an "olden days" phone...one I used every. single. day. of my youth. I honestly don't know how we made it without cell phones, caller ID, or call waiting.....I guess I should consider myself lucky we never had a party line. ;-)

Happy Vintage Thingie Thursday!! Have a great week!