Regifting...

We all do it - we get gifts that we don't need.  Or we've enjoyed them for a while and then what?...Regifting is one option.  Maybe not as the main gift - but as as little extra addition.  I like to pass along surprise gifts to my online customers when they purchase from me.  I'm thinking some of my silk scarves that I no longer use will make nice package inserts... Isn't that teal polka dot scarf pretty?

White Storage...

Just finished this little train suitcase project today.  

Gave it several coats of creamy white paint 

and topped it with some vintage sheet music - 

'In the Garden of Tomorrow'.

Here's the 'before' shot...

This idea is not quite original with me - check out  

this post at Fleur Cottage.  
This is her photo below...

And of course, I have to link to White Wednesday at Faded Charm.

Words...

I just listed this huge stack of phrase and word flash cards 
on my eBay site.  Aren't they fun? 

Pretty Yummies...

This was one of the desserts at my extended family's Christmas dinner this year.  Simple and oh so pretty...Just fresh pineapple, maraschino cherries and green grapes...

Encourage...

Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.  Everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.  I Cor. 14:1,3

My mother, aged 89, who still speaks into our lives.

Blessed Christmas To You...

My favorite Christmas card received this week!

The Christmas Star...

Somehow it happened...I have an assortment of treasures with a star motif...perfect for Christmas.  This is the current country Christmas vignette on my dining room table.  All the candle holders are from thrift shops.  The large star was an on-sale purchase at the general store of a Cracker Barrel Restaurant.  (There are tin stars on the wall behind the vignette - not visible in the photos.)

The little 'cookies' were a hostess gift from a neighbor (how did she know).  And the red plaid fabric panel is actually a pillowcase. 

The story of the Christmas star... 

'The star they (the Wise Men) had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.'  Matt. 2:9b-11

Christmas Blessings from our home to yours!

Linking to Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home.

Routines...(a thrifty tip)

(Warning:  A strange, lack of Christmas post ahead)

I'm not a lover of routines - you know the kind; 

the trash needs to be emptied every night, 

the fish need fed twice a day, etc.  

One routine I've eliminated is watering houseplants.  

I still water them - but not as a 'routine'.  

Most mornings when I wake up - I find half empty glasses of water scattered throughout the house from the evening before. 

I simply use these (when there are some) to water my plants - trying to keep in mind which ones I watered last.  The plants still all get watered regularly- but I don't have a 'plant watering routine'.  And, I'm saving lots of water.  Call me crazy - but this works for me!

Close-up of my Asparagus Fern (I think).

A New Calendar...

My 2011 Turkey Hill Ice Cream calendar just arrived - 

featuring some amazing Lancaster County photos... 

Turns out, Turkey Hill has a blog where they offer lots of  give-aways.  And coming in the Spring of 2011 - they are opening a new tourist attraction - The Turkey Hill Experience - which will be housed in an old silk mill located in Columbia, PA.  
Columbia is home to some of the best antique shops, 
thrift shops, museums and events in the area.

Burning Bridge Antique Market

Bridge Bust - an antiques and craft show on a 1 mile long old bridge.

If you need a vacation destination - 

I highly recommend Lancaster County, PA!

Free Gifts...

Just a glimpse of the 50 plus freebies we've collected to use for a gift-giving game we're planning for my extended family this year. 

What fun it has been to find them, clean them, paint them, etc.  

Here's hoping the game and the gifts are enjoyed!

I'll keep you posted.

Unwrapped...

It was a weekend of parties.  As a hostess/housewarming gift for a friend - I put together this old wooden box of goodies.  Some greens and newspaper shred filled in the gaps and negated the need for any wrapping.   I shopped my house and gift drawer for the goods - (she's a thrifter too)...  
Total cost - approx. $5 

The look on her face - priceless!

 

 As a bonus - the sheet music song title was 

'How Lovely Are Your Dwellings' - perfect for a  new home!

Linking to Cottage Instinct's Make it 4 Monday.  

There are great ideas over there for your perusal.

With Us

 "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" --which means, 

"God with us."  Matt. 1:23

A collection of vintage Christmas ephemera.

Jesus wants to be with you too - 

won't you invite Him and 

follow Him?

Sheet Music Ideas

I'm loving vintage sheet music these days... Here is some sweet inspiration for you... 

(many with tutorials!)

Rook No. 17

Honey Do.

Squidoo.com

Boxwood Cottage

Made It

Opulent Cottage

Not So Shabby

Country Living via Chapman Interiors

Living With Lindsay

Tattered Bliss

Give these sites a visit and give them a Christmas greeting!

Christmas Thrift...

There are a couple of things I've learned over the years about being thrifty.  One is to not desire immediate gratification.  It's amazing the wonderful things you can gather over time - for not much money - if you are patient.  Every year I add another ornament or 2 to my tree - all in keeping with my same colors and style.  I try not to bend to every new decorating trend or fad that comes along (another thrifty tip).  Be true to yourself... it'll save you tons of money and others will love it because it will be unique...

This year's 25 cent find.

Some finds from last year.

Dollar Tree snowflakes.

Today I'm linking to

at Bloggeritaville.

Christmas Birdbath

Just a bit of Christmas for my garden.  The chippy white cement birdbath deserved a little love...

Posted for White Wednesday at Faded Charm.  Lotsa White Love over there - check it out!

And for more white - these were just listed in my Etsy store.

 

Gift Ideas...

Joining Bella Rosa Antiques today for 2nd Chance Tuesday.  In keeping with their gift ideas theme - I have some 'second chance' suggestions for you from my Etsy Shop.

Does someone on your list like Flow Blue or pretty dishes?

This Victorian Lady Plate is available for just $9.99.

Do you have someone into antique paper ephemera?

How about this Victoriain Autograph Book for just $7.99?

And for the antique book collector...

This1927 Home Chat Children's Book is a delight for just $14.99.

Go Tell...

When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child.   And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. Luke 2:17-18

Dollar Tree figures for a beautiful reminder of that First Holy Night.

Touring

Went on a Holiday House Tour today.  Such fun!  Below are some of my favorite outside scenes...

First, two photos of my favorite porch - a log cabin home...

And my favorite back yard which included a shed made to look like a General Store - and check out the potting bench...

That's my sister to the right - the other girl is 'stuffed'.

And lastly - a beautifully decorated porch urn and some young musicians...

What a fantastic day!