Happy New Year

May 2017 bring us Happiness, Health and Peace

My Grandmother sent this to her sister in 1908

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas to all of you!

Although in 2016 it seems more of my blogging friends have stopped posting and are on Facebook or Instagram. Many of you I miss hearing about what your up to and how your family is.

1960

Roots Department Store Terre Haute Indiana, my brother and I and one of my all time favorite pictures.

Here are some pictures around the house

My Grandma's spoon rack, filled with family spoons and holiday spoons.

I added some French postcards I got in Paris years ago.

Many years ago, getting a silver spoon for Christmas was common.

This one setting on my new found vintage tablecloth, is my GGGrandmothers.

It says Margaret 1908 Xmas.

blessed to have these family pieces

These beautiful little Christmas books belonged to my Grandparents

my Grandmothers little Carolers

Can you see the Carolers on the Mantle in 1960. And our picture with Santa too,

the elf on the left is Grandma's and I found the other at a estate sale.

Jasper is loving laying under the tree

had a little luncheon for my neighbors

cookies all done

oh no how did Greta get icing on her?

hope your Christmas is as exciting for you as mine was in 1960!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Vintage Christmas Finds

My first venture out, well of course it was a vintage Holiday Market with my SIL.

some of the booths were gorgeous and I was surprised of how many 

vintage Christmas finds there were.

Since I can not lift my Christmas boxes Mr has been good about bring them up from the basement for me. But.......where is my garland for the hutch? My staircase lights and garland? My candles and candle rings? Under other boxes I can't lift!

So yesterday I improvised and had a grand time.

My Vintage Postcards are my go to item for making anything look festive.

I don't have the stamina to really clean my silver, but the semi tarnished look is in.

I had plenty of greens, what can I add?

a reindeer that was Grandma's

$1 find he looks like either Snap, Crackle or Pop to me?

he was $1

$3 from the Vintage Market

but it needed something else? I had some mini lights I bought a Home Depot, little boots.

Improvisation can be good!

Oh and the other finds...........

My girls normally go on my tea cup shelf, but I did not want to pack things up so they will do find on top of the secretary with some vintage bottle brush trees.

I got this vintage box of snow for $3

In great shape.

My little elf from my Childhood looks grand with the Vintage Icicle box $2

I stuck greenery everywhere!

I also collect Vintage ornament hanger boxes. This was $1!

Mixed in with other vintage Christmas items

The Aluminum deer plate was a wedding gift to my Parents and I love using it at Christmas.

Vintage Santa seals, and a delicate Merry Christmas glass.

I can never pass up a vintage tea cup, I love the graphics

found this Swedish silver cup a few years ago.

And a few shiny bright ornaments.

I can put them in my bird tray with some greens and candles.

I think I got all of them for $2

Some times Improvisation with Vintage Finds make for some pretty 

vignettes. Hope you enjoyed!

Joining Jann today

Grandma's Cookies

If I get anything done this Christmas I still have to make sure I make my Grandma's sugar cookies.

Otherwise it just would not be Christmas.

Do you have something you HAVE to make for the Holidays?

I have been making them since I was 4.

It was Christmas 1963

My Maternal Grandparents lived across the street from Eastern IL University.

2 of my paternal cousins were attending college and lived in the dorm across from my Grandparents house.

The day Kennedy was assassinated everyone came to my Grandparents house, the had closed the University and my cousins were waiting to go home.

Knowing everyone needed to get their minds off of things Grandma had my cousins and myself make Christmas cookies. 

I do not remember it but my cousins do.

a simple little recipe from Gold Medal flour

But they were always there on her kitchen table.

My Mom and I made them every year.

I always use my Paternal Grandmother blue crock 

and my Maternal Grandmothers rolling pin.

we always made a mess. I think my Irish Setter Kelly usually ended up with icing on her head!

Many laughs about "oops that one broke, guess I will have to eat it!"

Did you notice I was still using my Pyrex back in 1995?

this was the first year in my house in 1995

After my Mom died I made them with cousin Mary just like I did in 1963.

Except we have been making them at 1515.

Just would not be Christmas!

glad I have my Grandma's cookie cutters at home

Since I am not going to 1515 this year I will be doing them by myself

But that is ok,

I have that wonderful old recipe

And I know Grandma and Mom will be with me in spirit

As long as it is made with love