Callie Magee Antiques

Happy Valentine's Day

2012-02-13T19:20:00.001-06:00

I found this picture below on the internet with the candy and card. Is this how you celebrate the Day?

Or perhaps a romantic book for your love?

Maybe a Teddy Bear?

Flowers?

Maybe jewels?
Whatever you do, do something!!!!
Lois (Please do not copy my header photo. It is my grandparents circa 1918 when they were
courting.)

Dallas Market

2012-02-05T20:44:00.000-06:00

In the later part of January we spent our usual 2 days at the Dallas Market with friends Diana and Garry.
As usual it was toooooooooooooooooooo much to see in such a short time but I managed to purchase a few things to be shipped to me.

This scene from Parkhill Collection.

Now I am anxious for the shipment to arrive.

A new thing this year at the Cash and Carry Market was the vintage sellers. I loved their booths and
met a few who I have followed in blog land. One was a favorite from MO. and they also show at
Roundtop. A few years ago I posted about their booth where they were then at La Bahia Show

and how it was my favorite of all the booths at any show. Yes, if you guessed, it is Seed Box Antiques.

I love their booths and their items they sell.

Their booth at the Dallas Market was just as interesting and I bought a few things fom them. I hope Dallas
Market will continue with this section.
I also ran into Skip to my Lou again with her found objects jewelry. She is so talented. I hope she did well.
She has bought from me before in my store.

Above the item she made with the antique belt buckle she bought from me. Be sure to look her up.

We stayed at the Renaissance Hotel and were there on the grounds of the Market which made it very
convenient.

Diana and Garry again celebrated year number 41 anniversary. It was fun and the men did not mind too much since they had each other to sit and visit with. Until next year, maybe we will do it all again.

Independence

2012-01-12T20:09:00.003-06:00

A few months ago we visited the little place called Independence Texas. At one time in the 1800's there was a college there. Ruins below in 2 pictures.

We enjoyed this trip back in time viewing the old houses and ruins in that area. Lots to see there.

The hero of Texas Independence, Sam Houston visited here often because his mother in law lived here in the community. His wife who died after himself was buried here.

Sam, himself is buried here in Huntsville. On his birthday each year, which is March 2, the same as the day that Texas delcared their independence from Mexico our local Historical Commission has many events
to celebrate with Houston decendants coming to participate. Check the Walker County Historical Commission web site to get this info which is being planned now. We met last evening to make these
plans.

I will also post more about this in the weeks to come. Perhaps pictures after the event.

My husband James is my model for these pictures. We enjoyed our little visit or stopover to see this old community near Brenham.

All this area is where Texas was planned and where our ancestors fought for the right to be the Republic of Texas, and later a state of the United States.

There is enough to see to warrant a stopover here in Independence.

There is so much more to see. You can roam around and peek in windows. Well, some of them. Not those that are lived in of course.

Totally natural landscape too

. My husband liked this old gas pump we saw.

Down the road is the famous Antique Rose Emporium.

Another lovely scene:

And more:

Remember this was in the springtime

Everywhere you looked there is another beautiful area to behold.

And this little house, I know you have seen it before when Theresa Cano did a post on it with her mother standing in the doorway. Has anyone ever said here what a nice lady her mother is?

I am sure they have.

So this concludes the visit to the Independence community near Brenham and not far from Roundtop and Warrenton if you are in the area.

Lois

New Year, New hopes

2012-01-10T16:14:00.000-06:00

Hello to all you in blogger land!!!
I have been away for a couple of months due to my son's botched surgery. He is healing finally but
the nerve damage in his hand has not gone. Please add him to your prayer list.
I am at the store now regularly again. He is staying now with his son who can pop in and out to check on him during the day. He sleeps allot at this point in his recovery. I have to run him to all his DR appts.
It seems strange after all we have been through to even think of decorating and antiques and anything trivial but now I am back at work most of the time, I am afraid I have to do so.
Thanks for all the good wishes and prayers.
Lois

Merry Christmas to all

2011-12-06T16:49:00.001-06:00

As many of you know this has been a bad month for my family. My son's back surgery went bad
and he had that failed surgery plus one a few days later to correct that but still has not had anything
done for his back.
It is so easy with all the care for him and the trips to and from the Dr. and trying to run the store with
others being paid to work for me, well it is more than I almost can bear.
But as usual, God gives comfort even in the most unusual places where this all had taken us.
My shopping for Christmas this year will likely be online. I am the one who always refuses to shop
anywhere but locally but this year may be different for me. Sorry all you local stores.
There are still the small ones to buy for, grandchildren, who won't understand that we have been
fighting all month for my son's life. They will expect those good things that come along at Christmas.
We may end up with a simple meal for Christmas this year but that does not hurt anyone.
But for all of us, the main thing this year and every year is the reason that we celebrate Christmas.
We celebrate Jesus' birth and there is no other reason. This is not a holiday season and I refuse to
say happy holidays. This is CHRISTMAS.
So to each of you who follow along with me, I hope things improve and can again post some things
soon. For now, please know I am sincere in wishing each of you and your families a very happy
CHRISTMAS.
Lois
PS: The picture on my header is one I got from free images on the internet and I certainly hope it does not belong to someone who does not want to share it but I was very careful in trying to find one with meaning that was not a snowman or bells or santas. That is why I specified that it said free images. If not, please notify me and I will be glad to remove it.

no posts recently

2011-11-22T20:51:00.000-06:00

I am sorry I have not had time to post recently.
My son went into the hospital for surgery on his back and ended up with two surgeries
and still not had his back fixed. He has had a fight for his life. We were at the hospital for over
2 weeks. I had others working the store for me, one was Bette who I hired to work and the other my sister Deb who worked days free for me. Without her help I could not have made it.
We appreciate any prayers in his behalf. His name is Larry.
Thank you,
Lois

Books Books Books

2011-11-02T16:39:00.000-05:00

I have always loved books!!!!
I remember books in childhood which were read to me. And then books in school. The bookmobile in
summer where we were allowed to check out only 2 books every two weeks when they came around again.

We lived in the country and our closest small town did not even have a library then.
I remember coaxing my younger sister into letting one of her selections go to me since she did not really
care to read anyway. I lived for reading then. So I would get to check out 3 every two weeks.

Later on there were plenty of books available to me and as a pre teen I read every Nancy Drew book ever written.
Did you see the Country Living article last month showing prices for some of these older ND books? I was floored!!! I have all of them here in the store.

Today I still love books and cannot imagine why anyone would choose a Kindle over a real life hold in your hands book.

I especially love antique books. In the store I have an extensive selection of antique rare and first edition books for sale.

When I sell one I know that the person who buys it is just like me and loves to hold

that old book and cherish it forever. It is just going on a new adventure to another's care.

Old eyeglasses

2011-10-14T11:33:00.000-05:00

Glasses have changed allot through the years.
I was looking at some items in the store here this morning and thinking this very thing.

The ones above are very old. They have silver rims and are in their original case.

These are almost rimless but still mostly silver.

Another old pair with an ad from the same era.

A glass eye cup and orignal box.

Cat's eye glasses of the 50's and 60's.

I found these items very interesting. Now I wear glasses too. One customer comes in and buys these
old glasses which he then takes to his optometrist to be fitted with his own prescription and wears them daily.
Recycling and much less expensive than the new frames.
Lois

Head vases

2011-10-08T14:41:00.001-05:00

Did anyone see the latest copy of Romantic Country and the article on head vases?
I did not think these were very pretty and we have many here in the store. I have

never liked them but apparently there is quite a following.

I will admit to them having a certain charm, I mean some look like old ladies who

paint their lipstick too big for their lips.

Their eyelashes remind me of a lady that
used to work with me who wore false eyelashes to work every day. Overdone

is what I would call them.

We have some that appear to be modeled after old movie stars. I do not see Jackie

Kennedy in these at all but who knows.

More like Lucille Ball. I am sorry but I hated
her television shows. I was never captivated by her problems which she brought on
herself. She was too unorganized in her thinking to suit or appeal to me.

I read in the article that they were used to place flowers which the florists delivered.
Did not know that. The value is more than I guessed they could ever be worth.
Let's just say though there are many here in this store, I did not personally value
them as much. There are also many new ones called Cameo ladies. We have some of those too but
I will not show them here except the header.

Just goes to show there are people who like all kinds of things. They may say the
same about my obsessions for white ironstone, rose painted plates and china,
Czech 1920's jewelry, apothecary items, bees, old books and who knows what
else. Anyway, here is my contribution toward the subject of head vases.

Lois

Happy September!!!!

2011-09-13T14:28:00.000-05:00

While we had a few days of Fall last week, it is gone again. No rain yet.
September is a month when I automatically re-evaluate my life. Not really, but
subconsciously I guess I do it.

I remember the Fall season as a small child, when cousins and I would
run and jump into the piles of leaves our parents had spent hours raking only a
short time before that. They never yelled at us over it so it continued each
Fall. Until we were too old to be so childish.

Those same days we would "borrow" one of my Mother's old quilts and
play roll the person in the quilt game. Each one had to take a turn being rolled
into the quilt then rolled across the lawn in it. It was fun for hours at a time.
Again, no trouble with the mothers over it.

Then we would traipse off into the woods and gather leaves and make garlands
or necklaces of them with twigs to hold them together. The girl cousins and
my sister and I always enjoyed this little past time. We pretended to be princesses
of the forest and ate mulberries and other berries. I heard a few years ago how they
were harmful to you to eat mulberries but they never hurt any of us.

When we returned home the mothers would have worn out their visiting and they were
ready to take the cousins home or time for a big meal which we all looked forward to.
At the end of the day we were worn out and went to bed easily.
I have shown several china items in the store with a fall theme as I wrote down these
memories of older times in my life.Happy FALL Ya'll.
Lois

Antique Belt Buckles

2011-08-30T18:12:00.000-05:00

Some of these are from my own collection and some are for sale in the store:

Above is a French belt buckle.

wonderful hand painted looks like peacock

This belt buckle set is glorious and colorful.

Several rhinestone buckles.

the one above is also from France

this set is gutta percha. It does not look as shiny as it does in real light.

Two brass buckles with stones.

here is a wonderful hand painted buckle. the roses are the prettiest ever

Take a look at this beauty.

Some others shown with the last one.

this set speaks for itself. 3 pieces with the original velvet belt

Another of my own collection above. 3 pcs.

Bakelite set.

this set is my favorite. Also I am showing the backs.

Hope you enjoyed seeing some of my belt buckles from the past. Some are for sale here.
Lois

Wisteria

2011-08-29T14:21:00.002-05:00

Two years ago we planted wisteria on our then new pergola. We have nurtured this plant, watched it grow in size and coverage, and hoped for a beautiful flower display "someday". I was told not to expect this for
2 or 3 years.

Now last week I happened to be in that area of the yard about something else and looked up and saw the wonderful burgundy blossoms of our wisteria vine. Well, was I surprised!!!!

First, I expected purple. When we purchased this vine we asked the nurseryman for purple, the most common color for wisteria.

Seondly, with all our drought I did not expect to even see it surviving as it has. The blooming has just began. I expect more.
I am now the proud mama of a flowering wisteria vine.
Lois

Roses everywhere

2011-08-13T18:21:00.003-05:00

I saw on another blog I follow how there was a shortage of beautiful rose floral pieces of china.

Seems no one checked with me as I have quite a selection and since the Replacemetns Ltd.

man has not come around for nearly 2 years,
guess I will have some on hand for some time,

even if a buyer came in tomorrow wanting 20 of these beautiful items.

I have many many floral, with roses mostly, cake plates, luncheon plates, and all around

cups and saucers, other items.

I have not done a post on this before but if there is still interest then I think I should.

There are all variations of roses on these many plates.

Some are from France, Prussia, Germany and England.

This one a little softer style of roses.

This is a luncheon set.

This one is not JUST roses but very lovely.

Coalport plate.

I have many more that are not shown.

And one more that is not pink. But a favorite anyway.

We are grateful for any who travel here to Huntsville to shop in the 7 antiques shop in the area.
We have 6 downtown and one on Highway 190. Make it a day and also see the local museums
while here and eat at some of our great restaurants.
The Huntsville Antique Show is coming up soon in Sept. so plan on being here for that. We are
sure there will be plenty to see there but after you do come on into the Downtown Courthouse Square and
see what the antiques stores have for you too. If you need more info call me or email.
The Fair on the Square is coming up the first Saturday in October which is 30 something years old.
Lots to do there. It will be cooler, we hope by then.
Lois

Summer Time and the living is HOT!!!! At least in Texas

2011-08-06T14:03:00.001-05:00

I was sitting here thinking of how hot it is and decided to do a post on things that used to cool us off
in our childhoods or our parents' childhoods. Lots has changed.

A long time ago in the early 1900's this is the type swimsuit they would wear and it is made of wool.
Can you imagine getting into the water and how heavy this would have been, not to mention the scratching

from the wool.

Most everyone would have loved a large glass of lemonade to while away the hours!!!

Sitting on the porch is another thing enjoyed during the warmer months:

The heavy old portable fan nearby.

Men wore their straw hats

Women wore their straw hats too with large brims for out in the sun.

Of course men wore their Hawaiian shirts.

Little girls in their frilly dresses.

And at night the minimum cotton night gown.

And lots or reading if you could find a cool place. I read so much in the summers to escape the heat and to be in exciting places.

I often wonder how people stood the extreme heat. Now we complain even with air conditioned cars and
homes and offices. I remember when I was a child we did not have air conditioning in home or car. And we made do with cooling off with a fan in the windows drawing the hot air out if I remember correctly.

Excelsior Hotel in Jefferson Texas

2011-08-01T18:04:00.001-05:00

On our recent trip to Eureka Springs Arkansas we returned through Little Rock to Texarkana and then on to Jefferson Texas. This used to be a riverboat town in early Texas history from the 1800's. Riverboats
would come up this way until the River rerouted and it was cut off.

Many homes and businesses still exist from the Riverboat era of Texas. The Excelsior Hotel is one such

and has been in this location since 1850. Here is the front lobby.

And the front door which has been receiving guests for all these years.

We have stayed here once before many years ago. It was very nice and the breakfasts in the dining room are huge and delicious. We could also choose the conservatory which we did. It ws full of sunshine and a view of the garden.

The main dining room is lovely and authenic.

Back to the lobby:

And here:
Ever since the Garden Club has taken over the operation and funding of the hotel, the gardens have constantly improved. Here is the main fountain:

Fountain in courtyard

Turtle that lives in the fountain

My husband while we had coffee in the garden. Myself also.

Some other shots of the garden: this indoor hall tree is used for a plant stand. They had 3 more.

I think we were so tired from all the driving/riding from Eureka Springs that we did not do much in
Jefferson this time but sleep and eat breakfast before leaving for home. Of all the places we stayed
home was best.

hacking

2011-07-29T19:15:00.001-05:00

I think someone has tried to hack into my blog. If you do not hear from me then that is why.
I may have to start a new one.
Do not know why people interfere with blogs who are so totally innocent and only enjoying themselves
by reading other people's blogs and writing one too.

A Little Time Away

2011-07-28T10:55:00.000-05:00

James and I were able to sneak away this past week for a few days in Eureka Springs Arkansas. I had never been that far north into Arkansas before.

We drove up through the eastern part of Oklahoma which was quite beautiful in places.
Hilly and green. I had never seen this side of OK. before. This is what in early pioneer days was referred to on maps as Indian Territory before Oklahoma became a state.

Then we crossed into Arkansas at Ft.Smith Arkansas. We spent the night there. My great grandfather had been there to fight in the Civil War. He fought at the Battle of Pea Ridge
about 200 miles away along with his brother James who was injured there. He was given permission to take his brother home to Texas. I suppose the surgeons knew he would not live.
They got as far as Ft.Smith when James died, John buried him there in a cemetery and continued on to Arkansas Post joining up with the remainder of his company. He then fought
at the Battle of Arkansas Post where he was captured. He was sent to ILLINOIS to a prisoner camp and later sent to City Point VA.

There he was paroled and made his way back to Memphis where his Mother was living at the old family homeplace. He had joined the Civil War with his older brother James from Texas where he was born and lived.
They were a part of Hood's Brigade. His family migrated to Texas in 1835 but never
gave up their home and land in Memphis. When his father died his mother Elizabeth returned to Memphis with an older daughter and her family and the two younger sisters. the two older children stayed in TX on the land grants.

PEA RIDGE NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD:

Some shots taken inside the Museum Building: First the Union soldier in the diorama

Next the Confederate soldier in same:

The Uniform Coat of General Curtis who served there in March 1862:

The film they showed was very sad, I ended up in tears. No winners in that war.

While there we drove around the park to sites on Pea Ridge National Battleground which consisted of about

4000 acres. At the Elkhorn Tavern,shown above, that is one of the sites on the Battlefield weere where one part of the battle occurred and it is here that
we met their interpreter in period dress and spent over an hour visiting with him and gleaning all the knowledge of that battle from him. He was so very knowledgeable. I have never before talked to a more intelligent person. Of course he did possess several PHD's and is a published author of many books.

The Elkhorn Tavern, shown in the first picture was used during the battle as a hospital. The building, now a museum is set up with one room as it was then used, a table for surgery, surgeon tools of that period, and medical bottles. Very realistic with even a fake sawed off arm all bloody. This volunteer was actually from a northern state himself but he took no sides in his presentation as he should not have. He presented us with all the information regarding the battle from both sides in the conflict. He did this very well.

The country there was absolutely beautiful, rugged and rocky. I could imagine from this man's interpretation how the battle occurred and felt a part of it all. He told us of the Stage routes in that time and where the nearest town was located which was destroyed when the US took over the site for a National Battlefield Park.

I should add here that although this side of my family fought for the South, there were other ancestors fighting on the side of the North. I do not condone slavery however, this Civil War was a part of our history and I have always been a student of history.

After this informative visit we went on to Eureka Springs and spent 3 days there. Our B&B
was Ridgeway House in the town of Eureka Springs. It is so rocky there. The old downtown buildings and the residential areas all were as they were in the Victorian era. The breakfasts at the B&B were nothing short of wonderful. I ate so much then napped allot too. I brought back as many of his recipes as I could talk him out of. The couple who ran the Inn divided the chores with Keith as the cook. I don't know how Gayla is as a cook, but I would say Keith was a good choice.

We attended the Passion Play one evening and all I can say is it was incredible. It was so real. It was a sight you

must see if you are near there. We were not allowed to use cameras once the play began. We could hear the cicadas singing their song along with the program. It is held outdoors. This stadium can hold 4100 people at one time. It is very large and this small picture does not give you an accurate idea of the grandeur. It was terribly hot.

On the same property is the CHRIST OF THE OZARKS statue which is 7 stories tall and looks out over the water below the mountain.

Then another night we went to a show at the Mountain Spring Theater. It was a variety show with all kinds of music. It was very entertaining. The performers were very talented and able to move from one music genre to another with ease.

The main reason for our trip was to celebrate our anniversary. We did that
and very much enjoyed our time away from the store and home and daily life.

On our way back we stopped in Jefferson TX which is also a Victorian town and stayed
at the old Excelsior Hotel there. We had been there once before. The breakfast there is very good so if you go don't miss it.
I will do another post later about Jefferson.
So now we are back home and back at work. I must say it is hard to get back into the habit of getting up at a certain time, preparing breakfast or any other meal, and going to the worksite, namely my store. The days this week since returning have dragged by and my
mind frequently escapes back to the rocky yet green slopes of Arkansas.

If you ever get a chance for a short getaway to Eureka Springs, it is worth the crooked curves to get there from the Ft.Smith/Fayetteville roads or the straighter route through
Little Rock. That is how I will go next time, but if I had I would have missed Pea Ridge.
I will never forget that.

Have a good week.
Lois

Old Store items

2011-07-16T20:30:00.000-05:00

In the store we have lots of old tins and packages from early day stores. There are tea and coffee tins, old medicine bottles, everyday things like blueing for clothes, unopened boxes of antique types of

laundry soap. So many things that were used in the late 1800's and early 1900's and would have been purchased at a general store.

Above a sign from a store that said to come again. The old bell that hung on a screen door in old days at the stores to alert them that customers had come in.

Different types of waxed butter containers. Above those is a sign for creamery butter. It is also old not a repro.

I have one customer that comes in every week to see what new items we have received. He has just retired
from his job and enjoys searching for unique decorating ideas.
He has bought many tins and cartons such as the old oatmeal container. He decorates the home he and his wife share. He sets up tableaux like I do in the store.

He has one corner with an antique school desk. Behind it is an old chalkboard he bought from me and
a large Raggedy Ann and Andy as his "students". There are antique slates and they had old Primers
with leather belts around them to carry to and from home.

Now he is building a new scene with an old chicken carrier of pine, a chicken feeder, a large stuffed
fake rooster and hen with some eggs in an old basket, and the old cardboard egg carton plus now
a box from a 1940's egg factory where they placed layers of eggs to go to the distributor. He also has
a egg grader he bought from me as well.

He and I have such fun when he comes in decorating his scenes at home with items he gains from me
and the store.
Now he is working on a new tableaux. This one is a laundry scene. He has double tubs and a washboard
for scrubbing the clothes. An old box of laundry soap, some lie soap, and a small clothesline with items to be decided on later. Oh yes, the bottle of blueing that was used to brighten the clothing on laundry day.
His wife has no interest in decorating and she is not quite retired from her job. He is planning a surprise for
her next, he has an old typewriter and is buying from me an antiquated adding machine, ledger book,
check writer and some other items to set up an old office for her when she is no longer working. She is a
CPA. Isn't that just he sweetest thing?
All this is part of the store which I love the most, meeting people and helping them with their dreams.
Lois

Missing Garden Antiques Vintage blog

2011-07-01T13:31:00.000-05:00

Are any of you like me and miss seeing Theresa's sweet smile and friendly way of blogging?
I must go several times a day to see if by any chance she posted even knowing she won't, yet.
We miss you Theresa.

For those who asked about my Barbola mirrors, the largest one sold already since I posted about
them but still have the other two for now. I can ship if you are also willing to pay for inurance.
They are large and fragile. See prior post to know what I am even talking about here.
Have a Happy July 4th.
Lois

Barbola Mirrors

2011-06-23T16:54:00.002-05:00

Recently I came into 3 different sized Barbola mirrors. I had seen these at Roundtop/Warrenton and in magazines and blogs before. These are for sale here in the store.

Here are the individual ones showing closer view of their decoration.

This one is about 9 1/2 inches by 14 inches.

This one is lovely and is sized 8 inches by 12 inches.

This one is 7 inches by 11 inches.

Note added in response to questions: As of July 1, 2011 there are still the two smaller ones available. Email me if interested at flossie123@sbcglobal.net I can ship with insurance.

Sheperd Hill has closed

2011-06-08T19:44:00.000-05:00

I was so sad today when a neighbor store owner told me that my favorite store, Shepherd Hill here in town had closed.

I have posted on it before. Here are some of the pictures I have shown through the time they were there. They had a great cafe, carried lots of decor items no one else in town carried.

Debbie has a great style. I have shopped with her for decorating items such as flowers, gifts,

and enjoyed her Cafe several times. I believe in supporting local business.

I got lots of ideas from her too.

She worked very hard in her store. She had a good chef in her kitchen for her Cafe.

I hate to say this but this is happening all over. Small businesses, no matter how good the decorating is,
cannot make it in the current market. We will be seeing more of this. We may be next, who knows.
Whatever they are doing in Wash. DC is not working. I try to not be political, but that is how I feel.
Dreams are being lost. Goodbye Debbie and Shepherd Hill. I will miss you.
Lois

French Linen

2011-05-28T15:38:00.001-05:00

Bonjour,
I am getting such an inventory of new old stock French linens that my friend Bea suggested I might change the name of the store to French Linens or something like that. We laughed at the time; however it is apparent it could be true now with all these wonderful un-used antique French linen pieces. I still have boxes to unpack. Since I spend some time with each box oohing and aahing as I unpack each wonderful item, it does take some time to get these items priced and displayed.

I will show you just some of the items:

Tea towels from 1930 that have been packed away for all these years.

Tablecloths, napkins, napkin holders.

Tablecloths, napkins, napkin holders

Many items done in red threads.

Vintage Art Deco towels still wrapped.

Sheets which have never been unpacked from their original ribboned packing.

Many items are also monogrammed such as the sheets to the right. For a trousseau for a wedding that never happened?

Most all these items came from Bea's wonderful collection she brought with her from France when she moved to the US.

Above in the cabinet are tablecloths, napkins and fabrics which have never been used. Cashmere, toiles, metis, pure linen. Yards of it.

Wonderful pillow shams or down cases of all different sizes and fabric
Beautiful pristine usused linen, cotton, or metis gowns, as well as a few silk.

Christening gowns for babies:

wonderful christening gowns for babies These are from different eras as early as 1800's.The needlework is amazing.

Laces of all types used in France:

Lingerie cases and boudoir cases where the ladies kept their personals, keepsakes, letters from their lover.

This is a lace blouse that was never worn. Wonderful workmanship.In the weeks to come I will show more of the lace pieces. Some are still packed.

French buttons, many mother of pearl. We have cards and cards of these.

Sewing trims and other items. Old spools.

Books from the 1800's to 1940's on needlework and embroidery.

A Dior hat.
So many other items to come. This is all I had time to take pictures of today. Added the little handmade bag from the French Alps.

Goodbye see you soon.

Wonderful days of Spring

2011-05-17T18:26:00.005-05:00

I hear from friends in other parts of the country who are having terrible problems with flooding. They are many of them evacuated from their homes. They don't know if they will have a home to go back to. I guess many of us take that for granted that we have a home to
go to after a trying day at work.

With all this coverage of the floods I tried to imagine what that would feel like to me if
there was no home to return to this afternoon after work. That old saying,
"Walk a day in their shoes." IT is easy to sit in our comfortable chairs in the evening and watch in horror as houses are shown almost completely underwater.

IT made me remember that when the Trinity River near here was dammed up in the 1960's that many
people had to sell their properties to the government under Eminent Domain laws.
These same houses are underwater now in the lake created with that action. My
great grandparents home sat near the river bank. It is somewhere under all that water.
All the days that were lived there are gone now as are the people who lived in the houses.

This same location is where my great grandparents had a store next door to their house.
They operated this for many years. My grandmother worked in the store and her mother shared that work with her. Her father and the brothers farmed their land. I have a picture of

all of them in 1910 that was taken shortly before my grandmother married.

She is the one in the picture who stands out because she is wearing a lovely white lawn dress with hat and the brothers are wearing their little short pants and shirts because they were called in from the fields when word was sent that a photographer was at the store.
Granny Allie's dress is a story in itself. While working in the store she met a good looking man who was working on the Lock and Dam being constructed in the river next to her home and the store. She told me she said the first day that the man, Frank was the most handsome man she had ever seen. He began to come to the store often and they met outside the store after work was over to talk and walk together. Before long he proposed to her and she accepted.

There was one problem for them because her father would not agree to her marriage to a man who had been married before. (His wife and 2 chilren had died a few years before of yellow fever) but still her father did not approve of him for this reason. She was 16 and he was 32.

Granny Allie at 16.

Grandpa Frank at age 32, wedding day.

Great grandfather offered to order her a new wardrobe as a bribe if she would not marry my grandfather. So she agreed. When the new clothes arrived she shortly after ran away and married him anyway. The picture is of one of those new outfits which she wore when she ran away. They were married and the parents forgave their only daughter and they were married for over 40 years before his death. They had 6 children together, one of which was my mother. All of them including my mother and her siblings are deceased now.
There is no way to know where that house and store were located now when you pass near in a boat. I remember it though as a child. It was large with a porch surrounding it. There were many live oak trees
in the yard and that is my little girl memory of it.

But to get back to the original idea here, that house where she lived and the store are
under the lake. People ski in the lake and swim and fish. Lake Livingston is a huge lake. They would never think of these houses which by now have rotted away for sure. That was a whole other lifetime before.
But under that lake there are stories that no one knows, such as the love story of my grandparents. It lives in my heart and memory only. I need to remember to tell my children of their love story and the old house which sits in the bottom of Lake Livingston where part of our ancestry began.

I leave you to ponder other stories such as this that will be lost in the flooding going on in our country.
This is America, we take care of our own, don't we? There will be homes and lives to be rebuilt after the water goes away. Let us pray for the people affected by this.

Wonderful visit with friends!!!!

2011-05-14T13:30:00.000-05:00

Beginning last Friday we have had such a wonderful visit with friends, Bea and Ralph.
They came from Illinois for a visit and house hunting trip combined. It was such fun
to spend some time together and laughing and getting to know them better.
Now they have gone but since they found a house here they will be returning in a few
months after Ralph's retirement. I will be counting the days until they are back in town to live.

(This picture taken at the Homestead Restaurant in Huntsville which is a 1850 Log Dogtrot cabin. Excellent food and we had excellent company.

Airing of the Quilts May 7, 2011 Saturday 9-4 Downtown Square Huntsville

2011-04-27T16:44:00.003-05:00

Remember if you come for the Airing, there are so many other things to do and see. Make a day of it or a weekend. There is an antique tractor and truck show, Farmers Market, tours of the Gibbs Powell House(c 1862) with lunch in the dining room there for

$ 8.00 including the tour. There are 6 antique stores around the Square, including mine, and there will be so many specials at each store. Some really neat speciality stores as well. Lunch also available at restaurants around the Square: The Texan c 1936, Farmhouse Sweets and Eats(soda fountain type), Stardust Room (bar and tavern food). Come and see what all we have here if you have never been or return again if you have.

H A P P Y E A S T E R

2011-04-23T11:15:00.000-05:00

Anderson Texas

2011-04-20T10:16:00.006-05:00

On the way back from the antiques shows in Roundtop/Warrenton we stopped in the little county seat of Grimes County in Anderson. This is the smallest town in the county but still holds on to the county seat and has a pretty little courthouse.

Many of the houses and buildings are from the 1850's. Anderson was a way station for the stage lines in early days and below is the old Inn which served in the 1850's. This is still a farming community.

The Inn is a State Museum now.

Another house below

There is one row of old houses along the edge of town that all seem to be similar and built about the same time.

Along that one street all these houses shared a design and most were falling down or being worked on slowly. The house above is the one where the fence comes from on my header today.

Below a Church:

Another wonderful and well kept house:

The old Anderson Hotel which is no longer a hotel as you can see, but an antique store open only on weekends.

A little building no longer used which sits directly across from the courthouse:

and below another former store that has seen better days:

There were many dilapidated buildings and houses. It looks like no one has "discovered" Anderson. It is a nice side trip when you are near Brenham and Navasota.

We once picnicked on the grounds of the little store across from the Courthouse on a business day and even though a small, very small town business at the courthouse was hopping.

Chippy old furniture

2011-04-12T13:51:00.001-05:00

I just love the old chippiness of this rack which I imagine hung over someone's sink for years.
For many years I did not get it with this old primitive farm furniture. I wanted more refined antiques in my own home. But for the past 5 years I have gravitated toward these scratched, slightly beaten looking items.

The one above came from a local estate along with another here in the store. I mostly use them for display but they are both for sale.

Above is a favorite that I bought at auction which sits on a drop leaf table in this display. It is all white with the proper scratches and old paint showing through.

I love this old Civil War era cabinet. A lady told me her great grandfather built it.
When I came upon it it was in an old barn and for sale so naturally I had to save it.
It has the old nails and hardware.

This is one of the pieces I reserve in the store which I use in my antique clothing room.
It is filled with 1800's lingerie.

Here is a counter or table and cabinet that I bought from Marion when she closed her booth at Sam Houston Antiques a few years ago. It has the look to me of belonging in an old store but I am not sure it's earlier uses.

Here is the walnut pie safe with tin doors.

A 1880's oak pump organ and swivel stool.

This oak buffet or sideboard.

One of my favorites is this jelly cupboard from Tennessee. Chippy and perfect as it is.

All this old furniture has its history and could tell many a story I am sure.

Thanks for looking today. Lois

A gift from a friend

2011-04-06T13:57:00.000-05:00

Today I received in the mail this lovely blue and white English plate from my friend Bea.
This was her grandmother's plate. She knew my love of blue and white. What a gift!!
To give one's own grandmother's plate to someone. I am overwhelmed and touched
by such a gift. I will treasure it forever all my days.

Thank you, my Friend. You touched my heart. You made a heartprint on it.
Lois

Roundtop Warrenton Antique Spring Shows

2011-04-01T11:24:00.008-05:00

We just returned from Roundtop/Warrenton. Today is my husband's birthday and he is so sweet to
use his birthday time to go with me to the shows. He knows how I love this time and he really tries
to enjoy it as well. He looks at all the things for sale and the displays with me.
We stayed at our favorite hotel in the area, The Ant Street Inn. We have stayed in about every room there.
This trip we had the Natchez room for about the 3rd time. It has a queen canopy bed and looks out over the front of the hotel.
Our room was very comfortable as always. That train that comes through Brenham at all hours does me in
since I am a light sleeper so if you have trouble with a little occasional noise better stay in a different room. I am a light sleeper.
My husband never hears it.
We were able to visit some with Theresa and her husband Cruz earlier in the day and returned for her blog
party at 6pm. She had a good turnout as always. The food was great and Cruz's guacamole was hot!!!!
I mean really hot. It was delicious. She had a lovely layout for the table with white lace tablecloths and
a big gallon jug with white flowers the centerpiece. It was lovely.
I met people from CA and FL and all over the US. People really do turn out for her parties. I did not get
pictures of her party. We got pretty busy then I had to leave
early because of a migraine I had fought off all day. It did not leave me until during the night.

Above is from a booth at La Bahia I believe.
I do not know how Theresa does it season after season. She works her heart out.
She makes it look like fun but we all know how hard it is. And she always has her smile on.
Only 2 or 3 of my pictures of her booth came out at all. I will start with other booths we had taken pics of before we reached her.

This one above is from one of the other shops. Sorry cannot give the name of the owner of the booth since they rarely posted that in their booths. I think this one had to be at La Bahia.

The one above is also from La Bahia show. I found that show very good this year.
Lots more of the booths were decorating their booths instead of just putting stuff in there.

This photo shows the European linens in the booth which I love to visit at La Bahia.

Sorry but you will have to wait for the hundreds Theresa will take. Here is one below that came through for me. Also my header is from her booth.

Above from Theresa's booth as well. So I did get 3 of all the pics I took there to work. I will add the others if I can make them transfer to my computer.
Here I will show a few I took at other venues before getting to Warrenton and Zapp Hall. I am still trying to download some more of Theresa's booth as well and will add them if I can do so.
Lois

Azaleas have bloomed!!!! As you can see from my header. My yard today.

2011-03-19T15:19:00.003-05:00

Baby Dishes

2011-03-18T11:36:00.000-05:00

One thing I always like to find are baby dishes from earlier times.

Here I will show you an assortment of those currently in the store.
Above the next to oldest we have, pre 1900 Harker.

c 1880 Tunstall England which is the oldest. Many had the alphabet around the outer rim as this one does.

This cute little one is unmarked.

The blue one also unmarked. Quite heavy with inserts for adding hot water to keep baby's food warm.

An a later 1950's type in original box. The graphics on the box are very colorful.
I enjoy seeing the different ones that are out there.
Lois

Bonjour. Comment allez-vous? (Hello, How are you doing?)

2011-03-16T10:22:00.002-05:00

Le soleil est la. (The Sunshine is here)
(I am learning French through my friend Bea. Today I received some issues of French magazines from her) Thanks Bea.

This morning is beautiful and sunny. It is where she lives as well. We are having an early spring here in Texas.
The inlaws were here on the weekend and we all enjoyed the quiet visit. We usually see them at Christmas when the entire extended families are there as well. This time just the
four of us.

It was great seeing my husband and his brother who are so much alike that my sis in law and I just sat and laughed.

The azaleas did not open in time for them to witness the wonderful scene but we all inspected the buds each morning first thing to see the progress. I predict about next Monday should do it.
We toured several places here they had not seen on their first trip over 5 years ago. We were actually in CA where my husband's family live a year ago Christmas. This past Christmas we skipped the family reunion there. We plan to go again this coming Christmas. We usually manage every other year.
It is good to be with family. Happy Spring.
Lois

Antique candy risers

2011-03-08T14:16:00.000-06:00

I wanted to do a post on these beautiful candy risers used in candy stores of long ago to display their creative items. I own 8 of these that I have collected through the years.

They are much harder to find now and very expensive.

They are not so useful except for candle holders. At least this is all the use so far that I have found. I still like to collect these whether useful or not. They are beautiful in my eyes.
Lois

iPhone stolen right off my desk at the store

2011-03-08T14:07:00.001-06:00

Today on one of the slowest days we have had in a few weeks my cell phone was taken off my desk here behind the counter while I was helping a customer in another part of the store. I did not know until about 10 minutes later so whoever took it got away totally. I have cancelled it with AT&T but they could not do a locate on it like I had been told when I bought this model. That was a real big disappointment since I was lead to believe the GPS would locate it anytime.
Just wanted to pass this info on for any of you who believed as I did.
Business is really bad but now this. I feel like calling it a day today. Are you ever low like I am today? No matter how hard you try it comes to something like this.
Oh well, can't go home anyway, have to stay until 5.
Lois

Bath sets in Victorian times

2011-03-03T15:23:00.000-06:00

Sometimes we forget how it was to live before running water and deep bathtubs to be used for relaxing after a long day. Our grandmothers had china bath sets which they
used to contain water for washing and soap and slop water afterwards as well as the
chamber pot. They did not have time for lounging in the tub. Today these sets are beautiful and haunting reminders of an earlier time.
Let me show you a few in my possession:

Old family piece above in white ironstone with gold lettering.

Another in white ironstone. Can you tell which I like best? Yes, white ironstone.

Ironstone chamber pot which is part of a bath set. With cup and other pieces from local estate.

Pink English set with the usual old markings

This one is quite beautiful. The colors are much nicer than you can see here.
And below a pretty ironstone set:

And the best one is this ivory and pink English set:

Spring Cleaning

2011-02-28T12:41:00.000-06:00

Today we went to the local plant places to find geraniums but guess I am rushing things a bit!!! Very few
geraniums out but I did buy 2 baskets full of blooms about to open. I am so anxious for springtime to arrive
that I want to decorate at once. The Redbud trees are in full bloom and I also noticed some saucer magnolias so the real stuff is soon to follow. I mainly speak of the azaleas.
We have company coming from CA. in 2 weeks so hoping they arrive to see the azaleas this time. Last visit we had from them they arrived just after the show when all the blooms were falling off the bushes.
Inside I am trying to get the house ready for guests. That is not nearly as much fun as the outside but it has to be done. The windows have yet to be washed since we do not do that during the winter months.

The blue guest bedroom is ready and the rose guest bedroom is almost ready for guests. I wanted to remove the down comforters and put them away in the cedar closet as well as change out the bedspreads for a lighter spring version.

Lots still to do and today is my day off. This spring cleaning does not work like it did when I was a kid and my Mom would have us all doing various chores and seems like to me it only took one day. Do you remember doing this? Of course, I had a stay at home Mom so maybe that is why.
Those nostalgic and wonderful days are gone except in memories.
My sister Joyce and I loved the job of beating the rugs and mattresses when they were hauled out to sit in the sun all day. I remember us running and jumping into the beds and Mom catching us and having to wipe those grins off our faces or face a little punishment. It was very hard to do without giggling.
Today brought out all these memories of earlier years in my life and how much fun we could have doing ordinary things like beating rugs.
I read somewhere that memories are all that can not be taken from you, however that is not true either for dementia or altzheimers patients.
But for today when I am still in my right mind, or as much as I have ever been, these memories are mine.
Lois

Flea Market Style magazine

2011-02-25T18:10:00.000-06:00

Congratulations to Theresa Cano of Garden Antiques Vintage blog. She was listed as one of the favorite blog sites in this spring/summer issue. I had a difficult time finding it but finally ordered it online. It arrived

in less than a week. None of the stores here seemed to carry it although I have bought the magazine here before.
Theresa goes everywhere to take pictures of stores, shows and house shows and supports each of those she writes about. Her energy is tireless, her husband a saint, and I have never met another person who sells at Warrenton or other shows just like her. She works harder than any one I know, she runs all over the state of Texas. She must keep the gasoline companies in the money with all the miles she travels. She is certainly a
roving ambassador for antiques in Texas. In addition she works full time at her "real" job and has a booth in an antique store all at the same time.
Each season she shows at Zapp Hall in Warrenton and hosts a blog party on Sunday night. Her hospitality is overwhelming. She never meets a stranger. No one else does more to promote blogging or antiquing than Theresa.
You will recognize her by her sweet smile.
Congratulations Theresa, and well deserved, Sister.
Lois

Signs of Springtime

2011-02-22T10:18:00.000-06:00

Yesterday when I was at the Gibbs Museum House for a meeting after work I saw the spirea(bridal wreath) shrub is starting to bud out. I picked a sprig or two to bring to the store and wanted to show you that here
in south east Texas we are getting ready to burst out in springtime. I can barely wait for the wonderful show!!!

Message for living

2011-02-20T18:15:00.000-06:00

Preparation for Spring

2011-02-16T19:43:00.001-06:00

Today I was scouting the store to see what the different booths are doing to prepare for Spring.
Here are some things I saw:
First one is this tablescape with very spring-like colors going on.

Who would have thought to use a curtain for the tablecloth?

Old Waverly Novels with architectural pieces on top.

The pieces of china and decor are
turquoise colored.

Very fresh.

This is the entrance to the antique clothing room showing a 1930's dress in yellow and brown with straw hat and a 1959 white prom dress with fur boa. (Will have to lose the boa when it actually gets warmer).

Then a smaller scene in there of the 1950's prom dresses in various colors:

And the 1950's crinolines or as we called them "can-cans".

and the antique boudoir doll

I have shown her to you before.

and above is a store cabinet with various chickens, hens on nests, scales and old tins and containers from an old store.

This old sign is from before 1940 and the empty cartons of butter from same period.

Speakers from old drive in theatre from the 50's. Anyone remember those?

Various 1940's to 50's table cloths.

We have many many more.

From the garden room, a display which is ongoing but only the items for sale change on it.

A sewing area with a wicker sewing chair and sewing box with old pattens and some early ads.
This is a sampling. There is more to come.
Thanks for looking,
Lois

After Valentine's Day there comes Spring????

2011-02-15T12:51:00.000-06:00

I know everyone can agree that we are ready for Spring this year. What a cold Winter this has been,
even here in the deep south. And let me say we are not used to this.
I am waiting for the daffodils to come out here, which is usually about February 19. My Dad was born

that day and my Grandmother always called him her Daffodil baby. He was her first child.
But I wait and wait for those daffodils and then for the redbud trees in the forests, then our azaleas
put on their own show. Their show is short but well worth it!!

So just sit along side me and let's wait for the Spring show. (Also the Antique show in Roundtop is right around the corner now). So many reasons to anticipate Spring.

Children's Books

2011-02-12T11:12:00.001-06:00

One item in the store that sells well is antique books. Many people come in looking for a certain book and if we do not have it we try to locate it for them. Many of our books are quite rare but then there are so many that are of the era when we were ourselves children. These are also good sellers.

The large book below "Big Story Book" dates to 1900 and the illustrations are just wonderful although in black and white.

Next is a series book and the heroine is Honey Bunch. These book are from 1929. I have had older ladies come in and say they read these books when they were quite young.

And the same with the Bunny Brown series below.

Unfortunately a few years ago many bought these books with the colorful covers to tear apart and use to make boxes with the cover only. So many were lost during that time.

Above are two other books from that era which have lovely covers.

And many were about pets:

Various ones for the younger child.

Of course all of us remember Bambi, which has stood the test of time.

And so many years there have been Little Golden Books.

An older edition of Robin Hood and a little 1900's book called Sahib's Birthday.

This old book is Robert Louis Stevenson Reader by Catherine Bryce and published by Charles Scribner. It is a first edition dated 1906. Stevenson was sick as a child and enjoyed make believe. His parents were very rich and his nurse was a kind soul who nurtured him and entertained him as well. He wrote all the poems in this book.

In later years boys all over the US became interested in baseball. There were entire series of books published to whet that interest. Above is one "Dave Parker" series.

Boys and girls loved Roy Rogers and his wife Dale Evans. I remember my Dad rushing home from work to catch the TV series about them when I was a child.

Another TV hero was Hopalong Cassidy.

When I was a child I did not know there were other movies other than westerns. That was all we were ever taken to see. My Dad loved them!!!

And for every good western you needed Indians:

Girls liked Heidi, Rebecca and of course Little Women.

Huckleberry Finn, Hardy Boys, Bobsey Twins

Boys also enjoyed during the 40's and 50's these series books:
Also girls loved Nancy Drew and Cherry Ames RN and Trixie Belden stories.

Then finally the Cat in the Hat series came along. My kids loved everything Cat in the Hat.
I did not show so many of the books we have such as Primers and that sort but only those
that I felt represented a sampling of what kids in the US have enjoyed over the years.
Lois

Be my Valentine?

2011-02-02T16:00:00.003-06:00

Time is approaching for that day when all hope to be recognized by our own special love. Valentine's Day goes way back but we have made it into another materialistic holiday. I hate to say this but it is so true.

How many really go to the trouble of making a Valentine card anymore? No one I know.

We are used to running to the store to buy the perfect card for the one we love. Everything is there for us to choose the one that is exactly the message we are hoping for to give to our special person.

A box of candy?

A nice book that speaks of love? ("An Old Sweetheart of Mine" by
James Whitcomb Riley. Or something from Elizabeth Barrett Browning?

A special antique piece of jewelry that you had hinted about? (Shown here is a 1920's Czech piece and another Czech piece with it )

Perhaps a faux fur (1940's vintage) that would wear wonderfully with that 1950's white prom dress for a dinner out at your favorite little restaurant?

Or did you decide on a weekend or night away at a great B & B?
(This one is the Ant Street Inn in Brenham where we stay each time we go to the Roundtop Antique Fair twice a year.)

Whatever you and your sweetheart choose, and we in US have lots of options, I wish you each and all a Happy Valentine's Day.
Lois

Happy Groundhog Day

2011-02-01T20:48:00.000-06:00

On the Way to Market

2011-01-30T18:29:00.000-06:00

Last weekend as I previously posted, we went to Dallas Market for two days. On the way we stopped in the small town of Fairfield and here was this same house I had oohed and ahhed over about 20 years ago
when making the trip to and from Dallas where I went to school. I stopped here that earlier time and this old

house was for sale to be moved. It is behind a Dairy Queen.
This trip the house was still there and apparently no one had bought it or saved it. It sat there so forlorn
and I could still dream of moving it away, renovating and saving it. I took some pictures and when back
in the car I told my husband the dream from years ago and he laughed right out loud at it.
I pretended to be hurt over that but in reality, we do not have the money or time to take on a challenge like this. I am posting in hopes that one of you will. This house has always been a landmark for me in between Huntsville and Dallas.
Here it is in all it's gloomy glory.

And last:

More Dallas Market Pictures

2011-01-29T15:03:00.000-06:00

I promised another post about the Dallas Market.
Here is a very formal store that used lots of neutrals. These first are of the AB Home store.

And below the mirror was wonderful. I have a stool like this one at home.

And another for AB Home:

This color on the bench was kind of silver or slate gray. Very dramatic.

Here is a store with a huge chandelier in their window display. Antique reproduction furniture.

And lastly this little store was cute and sold things for outdoor living.

We really enjoyed the Market this year as always. I have more pics of the trip there that will be next.
Lois

Dallas Market 2011

2011-01-27T10:26:00.004-06:00

I was able to take pictures of some displays at the market however some were fussy about that and
at one place I was told to not take pictures. They said their displays were copyrighted. I am not sure
about any of this, but if they said no then of course I would not.
Here is my favorite who allowed pictures, Parkhill. They are so fresh with their displays and used actual bulbs in some.
The scent was as wonderful as their displays.

The pic above is the entrance to their store on the 3rd floor of the World Trade Center in Dallas.
The floor was stained cement. Very inviting!!!

Look at this color. Green and zinc and yellow.

Old shutters and windows with a wreath.

And this one is of more flowers and some enamel ware in a cream and black.

A stone looking garden urn with more bulbs. It is very large.

These cylinder topiary stands are beautiful and appear old but of course are not. The black and white prints behind are on canvas and are made to copy old French farm prints.

This cabinet is unpainted wood. Trophy cups on top. The wreath is cotton bolls. There is no way to tell it is artificial.

A burlap bag with fake onions. They also carry an extensive inventory of burlap ribbon in several color schemes.

A beautiful stone looking statue in a wooden planter.

Another one.

And a huge inventory of bird houses of all sizes.

CHRISTMAS Decor:
Remember to Dallas Market shoppers now is not too soon to order for your own Christmas displays.

A flute playing cherub in a Christmas tree. The candles are huge.

The creche was very large and had the look of age, albeit was new.

Another Christmas display with deer, likewise very large.

The mantle showing off various options for small trees and garlands.

A different type garland with those same huge candles.

As I said before, this is my favorite company that displays at Dallas Market. There are many others
who are more dramatic and they would not allow pictures, but they are too over the top for me
to use any of their ideas anyway. Also might add they would be too expensive for my budget.
Parkhill is reasonably priced but in many items you must buy in bulk.

I have some more pictures coming from a few other booths. We had such fun running around this huge
place with three buildings and one of them is a high rise. The atrium is always decorated beautifully whatever the season.
Lois

Skip 2 My Lou

2011-01-25T11:38:00.002-06:00

2 weeks ago I had a visitor here at the store who bought some antique belt buckles. I never really expected to hear from her again or at least not for some time. Imagine my surprise at the Dallas Market this weekend when I found her there selling her jewelry creations that she makes from old pieces of found art, including the belt buckles.

Here she is at her booth in Dallas:

She agreed to me taking pictures of her jewelry creations and posting about her. She also sells at Marburger shows.

Here is the one she made from the antique Art Deco belt buckle she bought from me and is my favorite.

The belt buckle has a black cameo mounted into the center. She uses these antique sepia toned pictures for holders for the jewelry creations. This belt buckle is now a pendant.

another that appears to ask a question?????

Her displays are truly a work of art also and I do not say this lightly having just returned from the land of displays, Dallas Market.

She uses old brooches and belt buckles as well as parts of other necklaces that are no longer functional and turns them into these objects of art.

A few more:

This one made with a frozen Charlotte doll head.

To Market to Market

2011-01-22T13:32:00.000-06:00

I am away for a couple of days at Dallas Market. Hope I have lots of pictures when I return
to share what I see in trends for the coming year. Our friends, Diana and Garry will be along
enjoying their anniversary. This has become an annual tradition to celebrate it with them in
Dallas.
Lois

Dress for Valentine's

2011-01-15T16:32:00.002-06:00

Will your husband or guy take you out to dinner for Valentine's Day? My husband takes me generally
to the Homestead which is the best place in our little town. It is in a 1860's log dogtrot cabin. The chef
is excellent. The ambiance is just so.
So what will I be wearing? I went through the antique clothing boutique here at the store to see what
might be good and here are some selections I made with Valentine's colors in mind:

Let's start with the most recent in age: 1960's satin sleveless dress and coat in fuchia. So like Jackie Kennedy.

Then our 1950's bright red satin opera coat, 3/4 length to be worn over your formal dress and very
Breakfast at Tiffany's. Here the lights make it look more orange but it is bright red.

Then to the 1940's

this is a drop wasted velvet dress.

And another 1940's:

This is one of my favorites in the store, dark maroon velvet from the 1940's.

And below another dress which has it's slip with it. This looks really special on.

And here is shown a 1890 wonderful dress that speaks volumns of the lady that must have worn it for her own special "dinner date" evening.

And another of a deeper satin material that is so wonderful but so small: also from about 1900.

Now, not saying they would fit but which would you choose to step out on the town in on Valentine's Day evening?
Lois

WASH DAY, CLEANING DAY, MENDING DAY

2011-01-12T15:18:00.000-06:00

I was just looking at some very nice Days of the week towels here in the store and decided to post about them. We have 3 sets now which is a goodly number. What got me started was an article in Romantic Homes Kitchen special issue magazine a couple of years ago about these kitchen towels with VINTAGE APPEAL.

Below see one of the original patterns used to make them: This is the only pattern we have at this time.

And following some of the actual towels we have: I have taken from the 3 sets to show examples of each type but we have the entire sets here for sale.

and another

And from a different set here also:

This concludes my post on cleaning day towels. Hope you enjoyed going back to the days when ladies
embroderied during their small amount of leisure time.

Baby Kaimon

2011-01-11T13:11:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I became grandmother again, this time to baby Kaimon. He weighed 7 lbs. and 8 oz. and is the newest member of our family. I think he looks much older than a newborn but this picture was taken a few minutes after his birth and emailed to me by his other grandmother. I hope to see him very soon but they live in another state but maybe within the month.

Old Vanity items

2011-01-08T14:57:00.025-06:00

Do you wish for a more peaceful time when women spent time every morning at a vanity preparing their faces and hair for the day ahead? Maybe, maybe not.

This is a art deco dresser set in green with the usual pieces plus containers as well.

Old beaded bags with gloves and other accessories that might have graced her vanity.

Some shoe hooks that were a necessary for every lady's boots.

A french brush holder with old french ivory brush. Do you recognize this, my Friend Bea?

More french ivory mirrors in a hat box here at the store. And below some of my personal items:

and another part of that set: showing a hair receiver below.

Here is a Victorian vanity tray that is my own: with two shots of it: this is brass and glass and sterling and a work of art, if I may say so.

this also is my own mirror which is a family piece below

Head vases often graced the dressing table or vanity in those days.

A 1950's style dressing table with the little arms that swung away holding the skirt. And below a close up

of the items on top.

And all vanities held perfume bottles.

Some great powder items and the ever handy overnight or train case.

A little memory book, this one by Fanny Farmer.

Some beautiful vanity items with a trinket box and hat pin holder.

An old perfume bottle, autographed photo of Shirley Temple, and a book are items you might see.

An old standby from the 40's and 50's that was sold in every 5 and 10 cent store across the nation was
the Evening in Paris perfume. Nothing like Chanel believe me.

Not to be left out, the compacts that every well dressed and groomed woman had to have.

And a batch of greeting cards from friends and family. Sometimes these would have been tucked into the mirror frame on the dressing table.

I remember my great grandmother who had this type vanity in her bedroom and would allow me to sit there when I visisted her and experiment with cosmetics and her jewelry. I loved these visits with her. I was her oldest grand daughter and allowed this little privilege. This was as late as the late 50's.
This concludes our memory tour of the essential dressing table or vanity of days gone by.
Lois

Children's toys from times past

2010-12-29T11:50:00.002-06:00

Today I would like to show some items here in the store that are children's toys from past years, but can show only some since we have an extensive collection for sale.

The best of show I think is this small German stove which is very old. On top of it you will see the original
utensils of copper. I love this since I love blue and white. And next to it is a small iron kitchen scale from the
1920's. It is shown with some of the oven doors open.

Next is a group of cash registers:
1950's

At one time we had a person's whole collection of these but are now down to only 3 registers and this safe.
Note the pink one at the top.
And next is a pretty doll from the 40's or 50's:

Then another doll from same era:

Pretty hat!!!

And a set of 1950's Disney puppets: one is Peter Pan and the other is Tramp

I love old toys too and have quite a collection at home. My son and I collected most of them which makes them more special to me and in time they will go to him.

Next is a child's tea set. It is made by Villeroy and Boch and in original box. It is more a collectible than an actual toy I would guess. Unless you had a very careful child.

What made me think to do a post on old toys is for two reasons:

First of all, cleaning up after the gift opening at home on Christmas morning and seeing some photos of the grandkids opening theirs.
Then secondly, I was responsible for decorating under the Christmas tree at the
Museum House where I volunteer as a docent. They had quite a collection of rare old toys which I may later do a post on when I go on January 3 to un-decorate there. The Garden Club did the rest of the Christmas decorating in the house.

Next, a couple of Cowgirl suits and a Cowboy suit fromt he 50's also.

These were quite popular in the 50's because of all the Western movies. All boys wanted to be Roy Rogers, Hopalong Cassidy, Tex Ritter, Rocky Lane or others and girls wanted to be Annie Oakley or Dale Evans.

Some child's toy furniture next:

My grand daughter loves this little blue set of dresser and chest and plays with it when she comes to visit Gram in the store. She heads straight in that room and begins to prepare for a tea party for which I am the only guest.

The rubber cat on top of the dresser is old also. These were common for babies in the 50's and we also have a rabbit here.

Next another little yellow painted dresser which is not quite as large:

On it is a tin set of furniture actually made of tin cans.

We have here an old kaleidescope and trophy with original Primer book.

And another doll with a travel case which girls loved in the 40's and 50's. She was composition material.
And another view of the trunk alone:

And as little girls liked to have items for overnight trips to Grandma's or to visit a friend there is this little case:

Several other toys:

Small ships that were the toys of a boy with polio in 1941 when World War II began: His wife told me his parents bought him things he could play with while confined to bed.

Tom Thumb typewriter

A stuffed autograph hound which would have been for an older child in the 40's and 50's.

A small brown stove which I really wanted as a child, my Dad had played Santa to my aunt's kids who would have had nothing one year and I knew this. But when I saw my cousin with this stove I was jealous even though I had received plenty. Not a good thing to confess here but something I have always remembered and am sorry to have felt that jealousy when they had nothing and I had so much. I never did get one though. Dad thought it was a lesson I needed to learn and guess I did.

So here is the guilt that I see every time I pass the section where this dealer displays it.

I must admit to still liking it. But have grown less greedy I hope.

And next after the confession, paper dolls which I often received and loved. I have to tell though of my sister Joyce who never knew how to properly care for and play with paper dolls even though I told her many times. She would lick the tabs on and ruin them. Therefore she did not get her hands on mine unless I was away and she found them where I hid them in our shared room.

A globe savings bank was a popular gift in the 40's and 50's. We have two here in the store right now. My aunt had one of these.

Boys loved the tootsie toy cars like these.

A nice little push cart that looks quite old that one of our dealers brought in.

Here are a pair of 40's to 60's skate cases which some teen surely wanted for Christmas.

And to the finale which is another star of the show:

a 1930 doll house made for some little girl by her Daddy. It speaks to me. It shows such love by the builder for the child who received it.

This concludes my post on toys that children enjoyed receiving on Christmases past. Now this is also meant to provoke some thoughts and posts of your own about old toys and especially one you might have had that you remember well. I have confessed to my great obsession so let's hear yours on my comments.

Happy New Years.

Lois

Back to work

2010-12-28T15:39:00.000-06:00

So the time off has gone and we are back!!!
(Not willingly I must add.)
The Christmas days off were wonderful and restful at the same time. We are refreshed and ready to begin
the new year in a few days. The store has been busy today with lookers. There have been only 2 sales.
At least people are out and about which is encouraging.
I am partially un-decorating today. The greenery is shedding badly so I am taking some of it down.
I loved looking at it and smelling the fresh scent. But time has come to go back to without.

As I look around the store I came upon a display of old bottles and decided to post about those.
Here you see 3 bottles in a crystal bowl. One of them is a rat poison bottle and has an etched rat on the side.

Here is a close up of the bottle trying to capture the picture:

Kind of unusual I think. And some other old bottles around here:

And green:

Apothecary bottles

Are you ready for the new year?
Happy New Year.
Lois

Prince of Peace, Savior of the World

2010-12-24T19:11:00.001-06:00

Tonight on Christmas Eve I am sitting here thinking how good it is to remember why we are celebrating tomorrow.
Jesus is the reason. No amount of holiday greetings or signs or ads can hide the real
reason, Jesus' birth. No amount of gifts, food and company can offset why it is we are really here
and calling it Christmas. It is not happy holidays, it is happy Christmas. If we allow those who do not know our Lord to get away with making it a "holiday" then we are not spreading the word of the salvation that Jesus life and death and resurection offers us.

Our Creche:

Our

Next is a bronze of Jesus:

This bronze is very old and not seasonal, it stays on the front console table in our entry all year long.

A very old print entitled: Prince of Peace which is on the wall above the console and also a year around
presence in our home.

And next from the store shown above the 1850 mantle that I rescued from Virginia, is an old oil of Jesus and Joseph. It is not perfect but very beautiful.

Our decoration this year was not much compared to previous years. We have only a small tree and did not get to put up the larger one that we usually use. The small one is old and from our first Christmas together.
It is good for us. This year we have worked so hard at the store that we have sacrificed our time off. Next year this is not going to happen. I have decided to make a change there.

Tonight as we move toward the day we celebrate Jesus' birth, I would like very much to wish you each and every one a HAPPY CHRISTMAS.
A special hello to my new friend Bea. Joyeaux Noel.
Lois

Merry Christmas

2010-12-22T19:02:00.004-06:00

Found this old picture online of decades back with Christmas tree decorating. Lots of tinsel. Things have really changed.

Merry Christmas to each of you.

Books and family memories

2010-12-14T19:52:00.001-06:00

I love books.
I love to read them, collect them and just look at them.
I also have a varied interest in different types of books.
I will do a post later about the different books I love to read and collect but not today. This post is more about old memories and stories as told to me.

I liked books from the time I saw my Daddy reading and would climb into his lap hoping to share that time with him. Many times it was the Bible. My Mother did not read as much in my early life as Daddy did because she was flying around taking care of things, supper, cleanup and preparing us for bedtime, then she would hurry and read a story to us.

But mostly Daddy would tell us stories he made up at night. We loved these special stories which were mainly of him as a boy and his life during the 1920's and 30's.

The best stories which I passed on to my sons and they loved as well we called the PaPa stories. He would tell about walking 6 miles to school and exciting things that happened to him on the way.
One, a story of him having to sacrifice his lunch to a pack of wolves who he encountered at dawn at Ghost Hill. His family lived in a rural area. These were the Texas grey wolves. Very scary. Since it was before daylight when he left home for the long walk, he saw their eyes glowing first.

As they got close enough that he feared attack, he dropped his lunch in front of them and ran for all he was worth. It worked. They fought over the lunch and gave him time to flee.

My sisters and I loved this story and so did my Sons. There were about 5 PaPa stories in all.

Then, on Sunday afternoon after Church we would go for drives.
Mostly to places my parents had lived during their childhood or cemeteries where family members were buried. This was EVERY Sunday afternoon.

We would stop at various places like Ghost Hill or where he picked persimmons as a boy on the way to and from school and the tree was still there and producing the fruit.

We crossed the little bridge where some friends had waited for him one night on his way home from another friend's home and scared the daylights out of him with a apparatus they had made called a dumb bull. The best I can figure out is that it is made with a sheep or cow hide stretched over some type of frame and when it is pulled it sounds like a panther, which was an animal quite common around his neighborhood of the woods.

The above is a picture of the thing called a dumb bull. that I got from a newspaper article years ago here locally. Daddy always said it was a sound you would never forget.
The night his friends waited for him under the bridge with one, his father heard it over a mile away at their home and started out to meet Daddy knowing he would be afraid of this unknown sound. He said when Daddy came into sight of the house he was really moving.
They teased Daddy all his life saying this is why Daddy ran track in high school and broke a state record on the 220 dash. He got home early that night.

But not to bore you, these were exciting stories, especially to daughters which is all he and my Mom had.
My grandkids also love the stories and no one has nightmares after hearing them. By today's standards they are probably dull.
This time of year these old memories come back to me as I miss my parents. I kick the memories around some, then file them away to remember another time. And life goes on as it is.

For many of you who I follow faithfully on your blogs, I know this is not your cup of tea. This does not show a wonderful chipped piece of white ironstone or worn brown transferware or glass cloches, but bear with me as I travel down memory lane. We all should go there sometimes.

Happy Christmas to you and yours and make some memories for your children or grandchildren during our special season.
Lois
PS: The picture on my header is a picture of a Hair Wreath from the Gibbs house museum. Hair wreaths were done in the 1850's-1860's when people did not have access to portraits or paintings of their loved ones so they used hair from the deceased to make a wreath. This one was made from all the persons who lived on their street. This may sound a little gross to us today but it was common enough during that period of time.

Merry Christmas to all

2010-12-08T15:41:00.002-06:00

This is my last post before Christmas so wanted to get out an early Merry Christmas to all. I am going to be too busy to post and frankly need the time off. We get 3 days in a row off work at Christmas this year with Christmas falling on a Saturday.

So for now some pictures around the store here:

We are not going to visit James' family iin CA. this year so it will be less hectic than all that driving and flying and staying in hotels the first and last night in LA and the other nights in Paso Robles where it is held.

I think we are grinches this year as well, not having put up a tree or wreath at home, but of course there is
plenty of decorating at the store.

We will still be doing some at home decorating this coming Monday when we have a full day off.

Anyway, my wishes for you to have the best Christmas season ever is going out to you with this post.

Following some other shots I did of places here in the store for you to see:

Below the angel in the front main display window wearing a 1930 wedding gown and following after is the white floral display also in the same window. Today was a cloudy day and this is still the best picture I could get through the window.

And also from the garden room: Fir branches with the owl.

Some went all out and some played it down with decorating:

Some used new and blingey and some the old stand bys.

And a Santa or two:

While I prefer the quieter side of decorating, my friends do not.
So it takes allot to make up a village of antique booth owners.

An old 1950's oil cart from a service station dressed with fir greenery and poinsettias.

But this below is the real message of the Christmas Season and I wanted to pass it on to each of you wherever you are:

Merry Christmas to you all,
Lois

Christmas Season officially begins here

2010-12-05T15:05:00.002-06:00

Yesterday was the Christmas Fair on the Square in downtown. Many vendors set up booths and sold Christmas items and food items.

There were the usual food item vendors including the Root Beer Man
with his special booth designed by his grandfather and passed through his Father to him and has supported his family all these years, he is now 60 he told me. His son is now running one of the root beer booths which are so cute with a big barrel on top. Sorry no picture of this. Maybe when he returns for the next event.
He took time to show me some pictures of the progress of the greenhouse he is building his wife. They are getting into this raising their own food and solar and the works.

I tried to bribe him into talking my husband into building or having built since he has few building skills, a greenhouse/sunroom too. But you know how these men stick together.
We have known him now for about 12 years. He is here for all major events and for several years we worked next to his booth with a booth for a non-profit we were board members of and sold bar b q sandwiches each year. It was such fun and hard work. All our Board worked the booth for 3 days,
taking off from our real jobs to do it.

Now we look forward to finding where he has set up at each event here in town. So he has become a friend although one we see 2 or 3 times a year.

There are all kinds of friends. Some who we see each day and nurture through daily trials and hardships,
others who we see occasionally and share our lives in a hurry. Then there are the friends we have had for years, some from previous lives it seems when we lived other places.

Email is so terrific for this reason. You can still check in every so often and it is much easier than writing a letter or calling.

Last night we spent on the porch with others at the Gibbs house watching the parade, talking, and waving to people we knew and sharing wassail. It was a long parade
this time beginnning at 6 pm. I think it lasted an hour. The usual marching high school band and Santa, and in between all kinds of floats and groups and Shriners playing in their little cars, plus a real classic car show.
It was great, nothing like Macy's parade or the Rose parade, but it was our people showing their interests in our community.

The night before we had gone to the Fairgrounds where the Journey through Bethelem was playing.
This was interesting and put us in the middle of Bethelem at the time of Jesus' birth. We sampled food that the people of that time would have eaten, participated in a Jewish wedding of the time, danced, saw demonstrations of people making baskets and pottery. There were live animals; camels, donkeys and sheep. Costumed characters made it all so real.

There was snow trucked in and spread on the Courthouse lawn so kids were involved in snow fights which most of them had never done before, and a little train hauled them from the park where activities were to the snow and other events.

So here in our little town the Christmas season has begun.
Merry Christrmas to you all,
Lois

Old Photos

2010-12-02T13:30:00.000-06:00

Today when decorating I thought to do a post on old photographs. The idea came from this neat background I found. I have so many old photos and many are not labeled so I have no idea who they were. Just were in my grandmother's collection which came to me.
First I would love to show you a great photo of her prior to her marriage in 1918. This picture is of her
in 1916. The clothing she wore in the photo she made herself. She was very accomplished as I mentioned in the Thanksgiving memories post. she wrote on the bottom of the negative the following: "A lean on a post"

Next is the picture of her husband to be, my grandfather, Wiley. He is a 4th generation Texan, born in 1870.
His great grandparents came in 1835. Here he is prior to their marriage also. He was 32 when they married and she 16. He had served in World War I.

A group picture of my grandmother and her cousins on Easter Sunday 1915. She is in back row, second from right.

These are all from old negatives I inherited. It was difficult finding someone to develop them.

This next one is my Dad as a small child. He had cotton hair until older when it was more strawberry blond.
When he died at age 71 of cancer, he had no gray hair except in his beard if he did not shave yet that day.

This picture was about 1922 (long before the shaving years)

This next above is of my two great grandmothers Frances Armilde and Minnie Elvin in 1918 when their two children married.

And here is great great grandfather John Patton and his father George Patton. John married first Mary Ann and after she died he married her sister, my ancestor Arabella. He fought in the Civil War as a LT. He fathered 3 children by each of the sisters.

Hope you enjoyed a trip into the past. I am a great student of history. This is why I work as a docent at the Gibbs Powell House museum. My husband and I work\twice a month.

But don't get me wrong, I love living today. While I could go back in time to live in an antique home or wear antique clothing and jewelry, I still am glad to be living today.

Thanks for coming along on my trip back in time today. But please do not use my family pictures.
Lois

After Thanksgiving

2010-11-26T15:36:00.000-06:00

I had to do a follow-up to the last post where I talked about the red step stool that we sat on at my Grandmother's house on Thanksgivings past. Whoever that got to the dining room last of the kids
had to sit there and wash dishes afterward.
Here is a different story: My youngest grandson, Lane, found the stool that belonged to my husband's grandmother which is now ours and decided it was his. He sat there the whole time "helping" me prepare the Thanksgiving meal for all of us. He would not get down and we had to move it into the dining room for the meal. Since he is only 2 1/2 we did not impose the washing of dishes on him yet.

So not to play favorites here is his sister, my grand daughter, Jayleigh.

She is in the back yard. She had her favorite cousin Alyssa there all day and did not leave her side until she had to leave. Here they are together after running through the yard and on the golf course all afternoon.

They were wearing down. About 30 minutes later she was asleep.

It was a fine day with some rain earlier and later but during our get together it was perfect.

I had both of my sons there with me as well as most of the grandkids.

Almost perfect.

Lois

Thanksgiving Day

2010-11-20T09:52:00.003-06:00

Do you have memories of perfect childhood Thanksgivings?
I have several memories that come to mind.
One of being at my grandmother's house and she was a fantastic cook. She had prepared it all and no one brought a dish or anything. Somehow she managed to find a chair for everyone at the same table and all would eat at the same time.
I should say here that in some families it was still customary for the children to eat last, after all the grownups had finished. Our family did not seem to be one of those families for which I am still grateful. Children were given the same importance as the adults. We enjoyed the meal hot and the conversation included us as much as any of our parents. I knew of families where the children were not allowed to speak during a meal.
I had heard of it. Or maybe I was threatened with it!!!
Grandma Effie prepared a wonderful meal but it was strictly her menu and no one ever complained about her food. She was well known for her housewifey skills. Raising a vegetable garden and flower garden,
fruit trees, preserving these and never letting a thing go to waste. She worked long and hard but never complained. I can appreciate it all the more now as I look back.

Our Thanksgiving at her house seemed to me to be perfect in every way. Great pies were served for dessert as well as a cake, usually pineapple upside down cake. Always a favorite of mine.
As we sat at the table my grandfather, Wiley would make sure we were all quiet then begin the prayer or
"turning thanks" as I thought it was called. Now I know it was called "Returning Thanks" for the blessings and for the daily things God provided us.

After this no one began eating until Grandma said " Roy,(my Dad and the oldest of their children) would you have some turkey?", or "Frances,(my aunt the youngest of their children) would you pass the ham around?" or so on. Then as we began to fill our plates, with a serious look here and there from my mother, we all seemed to begin to eat at the same time.

Nothing sad or serious would be discussed at the table, ever. This time was spent in "nice" talk.
Then after the adults seemed to guage that we were all finished they would stand and take their plates to the sink. That was the time for the cleanup to begin.

Here, I should say the kids were totally in charge, as though we really wanted to be!!!! Those who had sat in the handmade rawhide bottomed chairs that were made by my great grandfather, Carrol, would have to clean up the counters and rake out any remaining food, and put away the leftovers. But the two who sat in the red kitchen step stool(see below) and the sewing chair had to wash and dry. So that is why it was important to go to the dining room table when first called.

After all the cleanup was done the adults would congregate in the living room or on the screened porch for some afternoon talking and visiting. At times Daddy would bring out his violin and we would have music. He could play any instrument that he had some time with. But his favorite was the violin. He would start off with a tune or two then start taking requests. I have to say here that to this day, I cannot hear a solo violin without going back in mind to those days.

The whole afternoon we kids would chase around in the yard and return for dessert afterward when our large meal had worn off. The yard was a wonderment in itself. Grandma had a beautiful yard with roses and flowers and trees. Some were so tall that you could hide behind from other cousins and the giggling was contagious. We loved being together. There were no hard feelings allowed there. The yard had something for us to do whatever the season.

Finally later in the evening after eating again, sleepy and tired, we would head to our individual homes. It was a lovely time and the time that I wish my kids had experienced in totality.

This is why I always bring out the china, crystal, silver with antique tablecloth. I am hoping to give them a piece of that which made wonderful memories for me as a child. Making memories is what a Grandmother does. Hopefully all good ones.

Have a good and memory making Thanksgiving, PS: Not sure whose picture the wonderful autumn wreath on my header belongs to but I hope they do not mind my using it. Saved it from some time back.
Lois

I am blue!!!!

2010-11-17T14:16:00.003-06:00

If you know me at all you know I love blue and white china. My kithen and breakfast room are decorated in this as well as one corner of the store here.

I have other china, yes, but my heart belongs to blue. I love the flow blue best of all.
It seemed to be somebody's mistake that turned out beautiful to me!!!

No matter where I go I still, with so many pieces in my ownership look out for this.

But I also like almost any blue and white transferware, such as this blue English Chippendale.

I really do not like to sell the blue and white since so many have ulterior motives in buying it. It cringes my soul when someone says to me, "Oh it is going to make a wonderful mosaic." I start trying to talk them out of buying this particular item.

I do only collect the Engish transferware or French. The above is English Adams and pattern is Shangri-La.

You cannot tell from this picture below but there are cows near a lake.

The name of the manufactor is Ashworth Bros. and the pattern is Hanley. It is English.

There is a man who comes every year to the Roundtop/Warrenton antique Fair that sells blue at the
La Bahia show. I stay there for hours looking and talking to him.

This pattern is Touraine by Alcock, English.

The large plate above is Barker & Sons Willow pattern. The other items, sugar bowl and bowls are Meakin Co. and pattern is Trellis. I have an entire set of this at home which came to me from my favorite aunt.
These pieces were not part of my set.

The little sign is so cute and evidently made for someone just like me. Come visit me again soon!!!
Lois

Cameos

2010-11-09T15:54:00.001-06:00

I love the look of the old cameos. We have many here in the store in the jewelry cabinets and they gather lots of attention.
I would like to show a few:

Here is a lovely Wedgwood cameo in a trinket box.

Several cameos one shown on faux pearl torsade.

This wonderful black cameo brooch. The light detracts from it's wonderful face.

Pink cameo on silver chain.

Next, a red cameo. Above. Lovely patina on setting.

And this lovely cameo lavelier: Very delicate and gold.

Another antique cameo

A group of antique cameos here in the box.

We have approximately 30 cameos.

My Birthday

2010-11-04T09:59:00.000-05:00

Today is my birthday and for the first time ever, my husband forgot.
He is so upset over that.
I received calls starting with one grandson at 7, then another grandson, my sister, one son and an email from my aunt. I consider that pretty good and it is a blessed day when that many remember you on your special day, all before 9 AM.
Makes me wise as an owl to realize this.

Founders Park

2010-10-30T15:26:00.000-05:00

I re-discovered a small pocket park here in town which is only a block and half from my store. I have been able to get over there 3 days for about 15 minutes each time. It is quiet and so far have not encountered another visitor.

There are 3 benches scattered over the area but only one near the water garden which is from a natural spring. This is the site of the founding of Huntsville and where the original trading post was where Pleasant Gray traded with the Indians in 1843.
I love the park and have benefited from having that quiet time when my husband can take over for me at the store for a few minutes out of the day. It is also a prayer place for me, not that you need a special place.

I wanted to show you some pictures of this tiny park.

Rusty and faded

2010-10-26T08:22:00.000-05:00

Do you ever feel rusted, faded and worn? I guess I am feeling that about now. WHY?
Business is slow here at the store. We have a few lookers coming by but not many serious
buyers. Not many lately, not like a couple of years ago. The downtown Courthouse Square is empty where people months ago were honking and pushing to get one of the few parking spaces.

We get up each morning and prepare in the same way for the opening each day at the store.
Then we get here and wait. Those who come in are usually travelers and are older and not really looking for something to buy but only out for entertainment and antiquing has become a big form of entertainment.

I have talked to a friend who sells on eBay and her business is hurting also.

The old print below is an example of my faded and rusted theme. It is puckered and torn and still one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. Many have told me, "You could have that fixed." and I just grin and say " really?" I don't want it "Fixed". I like it just like it is. I like it damaged. And I like it worn and faded. It is perfect as it is to me.
At least God does not throw us out when we become damaged, worn or hurt. Through His grace we can be made whole again.

The old faded portrait at right is done on tin.
We have 2 of these portraits of men and they were called Jesse and Frank James by the auctioneer who sold them. Who knows who they really are or were, but at this late date it does not really matter. "They" were lost,
but now they are found again. I treasure them.

When someone comes up to the counter and asks me, "Is the best price on this since it is damaged?"
I have to smile again. If it were perfect, how much would it be worth to them?
Probably the same price as it is damaged. The price that is on an item here reflects that damage.

Below is a faded oil painting of a boy with lamb. Is it perfect? No. Is it new? Not at all.
Is it beautiful and haunting? Yes very much so.

This economy has seriously hurt our small towns. If you can shop once a month with a small independent store owner it could save that business.
I am not whining but stating first hand how serious the economy is for us. At this time we are blessed to have other income and unlike many others do not depend on this to live. But there are many who do. Consider shopping with them when you are out and even a small sale can help keep these businesses going another month. Small businesses, which used to be the main type employer in the US are going away because of the bad economy.

A lady come in earlier who was trying to sell some family items to live on until she got a first check working as a waitress at her new job.
She was in her 50's, attractive and well dressed, and a casualty of Hurricane Ike, 2 years ago. She lived near the Gulf Coast then and lost everything including home and job.
For 2 years she has been on a special type unemployment income for people displaced from IKE and it ends this month. She has looked for almost the entire time for a job locally. She kept thinking she could go back home but now knows she won't. She worked as a manager of an apartment complex and lived there also since her divorce a few years ago.
It hurt me to see her so reduced to having to sell family things. And to think of a woman a little younger than myself having to work as a waitress, the only job she could find. $ 4.50 an hour and tips.
While we were talking, a customer came in who has been in many times and today was checking again on dimensions for a gentleman's chest/armoir I have. She overheard our conversation and offered her a job working for her home health agency. It was all worked out and she starts this weekend. Was it a miracle? We will wait and see. It is a hard job for her age, and starting over in something she knows nothing about.

But God directed her steps here and the owner of the business to be here at the same time. I do not believe this is a coincidence but that God directs our ways.

The lady decided before leaving that she could work as a waitress and work as the home health worker on weekends and maybe make nearly what she had been getting in unemployment benefits. But she wanted and needed to work. She was not afraid of work.

She was happy for this opportunity. I was happy for her. She still has her family items of jewelry in her little bag and maybe will not have to part with them YET. I pray not.
And was this today maybe a warning to me, that there except for the grace of God,
go I?
Lois

October Days

2010-10-18T20:02:00.000-05:00

We are having some of the best weather ever here. Not too hot anymore. Finally.
2 weeks ago we had the big Fair on the Square. There were several thousand people
here around the Square for that. They all seemed to be just like me and wanting to be out and about.

I seem to have writer's block in my blog but hopefully it will return someday soon.
Until then I want to assure you all that I am enjoying your blogs and posts.
Lois

Old Phone Equipment

2010-09-21T14:08:00.000-05:00

Do you ever think about the old phone equipment our mothers, fathers and grandparents used during their day?

To the right is a wall phone used in early days of telephone use.
They were crude compared to what we use today. But I know they were happy to have this one
since not many families did own one.

In the 1920's the phone below on the left was standard equipment. Of course then there was an operator who would answer soon after you picked up the receiver and ask you who you wanted her to connect you with.

Next came the bakelite phones of the 1940's

Then the princess phones of the 1950's-60's:

All the above phones are being sold here in the store.

Black and White

2010-09-10T12:11:00.000-05:00

Where would we be without our main colors of black and white? I seem to have some sort of magnet that draws me to it. When I shop no matter my intentions, I end up almost always with a black dress or whatever item of clothing.
I suppose they had that problem in the earlier days as well but maybe even more so. There were not as many colors available to most.

To the left is a pair of early women's boots and hardly seen crocheted bag.

Even the men wore lots of black.

This old beaver top hat is original.

Ready for the theatre:

To the left is an old corsage, a bow to the white violin (not shown), and old music. A painted architectural piece is on top of the music.

Below is an old Victorian ladies cape which she might have worn for an evening out at the theatre.

September, Autumn Leaves, and what?

2010-09-09T18:14:00.004-05:00

Here in East Texas we do not have a real autumn. Summer runs on into October and the only cool days
are when there is a hurricane in the Gulf. At least until November when it goes right to Winter. Or at least our version of Winter. I feel much more like cooking and this old apron from the store always reminds me of my grandmother who was never without hers.

Autumn leaves do fall here , oh boy do they!!! But it is nothing like the show in the New England states.

Of course, most of the trees in our yard are Live Oaks which lose some of their leaves all year long but are
enternally green. These are beautiful to see however their roots rmess up patios and the ground too around them for some distance. They do not turn colors. They are evergreen like our pines.

We do get some color from pumpkins and Fall decor.

The forests here in the southeastern part of Texas are full of change. In our neighborhood we are over run with deer that creep over from the National Forest just across the fence from our subdivision.
We have had twin baby deer born outside our breakfasst room windows. We were late to work on that day,
just could not pull ourselves away during this double birth.
I love long walks this time of year when the weather changes and the world starts to cool off along with us from our blasting 100 degree days.

So am I ready for Autumn? You betcha!!!! Sound like Sarah Palin?
I will post some pictures of our yard after the actual leaf falling occurs. I am anxiously awaiting some of you New England bloggers to post shots of your lovely trees when the leaves turn golden. Don't hold out on us now!!!

Time to pull out the brown transferware which I love to do.

A little time betwen this hot humid summer and the autumn that is coming.

My favorite family china, Reynolds Spode. I will be getting it out to use through Thanksgiving. We use this especially for Thanksgiving where all my family come together.

And more Autumn decorating compliments of Martha Stewart.

Shepard Hill Cafe and Bakery opening soon

2010-08-31T16:25:00.002-05:00

GOOD NEWS

They have finally received the go ahead from the City to open on Wednesday, September 8.

I was there this past Saturday and they are ready for the opening.

To get ready they had to rearrange all the other exhibits in the store.

Everything is looking good and I cannot wait to go have a taste of her new menu items at the Cafe.
Debbie had a Tea Room years ago here and the food there was great!!! I am expecting the same from her in this new place.

Her menu sounds wonderful and includes sandwiches, salads, soups, and 2 hot entrees daily.
There is also a bakery with fresh homemade pies, cakes, pastries and kolaches.

We have donut shops here in town but no real bakery. This will be a wonderful asset.

Some photos from around her shop that I took while there.

As you can see she has quite the touch with decorating with shabby old farmhouse items.
And this is how it looks during re-decorating for the new cafe. It will look even better when the new Cafe opens. There is a greenhouse or glasshouse in the middle of the place. Loved it.

She can make a worn out old cabinet look like a million.

Whatever she touches turns to cool.

So next time you are here in Huntsville stop in and see what
we are all talking about. Her web site is www.shepardhillcafe.com
Telephone is 936 295-3405.

Pumpkins and Western days at the lake house

2010-08-26T15:34:00.003-05:00

In the past few days I have been receiving magazines I subscribe to and they are all about Autumn.I love this time of the year almost as much as Spring. Almost.

Two favorite magazines

The following caught my eye since I am in the process of redecorating my lake house with the intent to sale.

This is what I would like to do or the theme I am going for, from Southern Lady this issue.

After all, this IS Texas.
I won't spoil the article for you by showing more of their wonderful western themed pages but go buy it for yourself. The table is set up for a bar b q in the barn.

The seat in the picture to the right is one like I have but mine is a double seat. This will fit in with my scheme very well. Of course we have ropes and boots here in Texas so no problem on that.

I have old pottery jugs and crocks which will be displayed.

There is a farm table with ladder back chairs for the dining area and a 1800's pie safe which can display
whatever china I choose to use there. Right now there is only white ironstone.

The bedrooms are kind of neat: 2 iron beds in one, a double Jenny Lind in one, and a brass bed in the main bedroom. I have armoirs and old dressers also in each bedroom for plenty of storage.

Everything in the house is now kind of cottagy but soon will start to move in some western or camp style things.

IF you have not tried this magazine you really must!!!!

And to get back to some pages from my ever dependable Romantic Homes:

This is exactly it!!! Now where do I find this horse?

I have the decoys and the old table. Or one similar to it. I can add this to my decorating of the lake house.

This type of decorating makes for great family get togethers which are now more likely for us in this part of the state with the weather a little bit cooler. My sons and the grandkids may want to come for a big weekend. Not too many in our family like to fish so it was not a good idea even when I bought the lake house over 30 years ago, thence exactly why it is going up for sale.
Lots of solace there on the lake.

We loaned it out to relatives from time to time who wanted the quiet of the lake and some even liked to fish.

I have already started to decorate in the camp theme with a antler chandelier and some rustic Old Hickory furniture. But it will all be so nice when finished I may not want to sell. (Oh yes, I think I will.)

I could go on and on about other pages in the magazines this month but you see what I mean on the front pages all in Autumn colors. I cannot wait to decorate the display windows and front of the store here at work.

Civil War era

2010-08-24T13:22:00.000-05:00

The Civil War era was a period of terrible losses on both sides of the war. The result was one that granted freedom to those who had been enslaved for so long and must have stopped believing it would ever be theirs. For that I am grateful. But for the loss of lives on both sides of this war, I hurt for those who lost their kin. I doubt any family was left whole after it.

I am very interested in the study of that period and admire the workmanship of items made by the ordinary people who lived then. The workmanship was beyond anything seen today.I am amazed so much is still here from the time. I feel almost reverent whenever I pick up something with that kind of age on it.

And of course one of my favorite movies ever made is Gone with the Wind. There were others that portrayed that time in history but that one has been tested and still can stand on it's own in Hollywood.

As for the style, well I can imagine wearing one of the costumes shown in the old Godey prints. They certainly looked great all dressed up in these costumes. Of course they did not generally own the extent of wardrobe we do today. I am sure the common woman possessed only a few good dresses. Sometimes only 2: one for mourning and one for not.
With the long periods of mourning which was customary then, one could almost be constantly in mourning with a large family and the deaths that occurred without the medical care that came with time.
Old black mourning dress:

But would I have wanted to lace up and cinch up enough to wear one of the wonderful dresses? I doubt it. Or get into one of these crinolines? Very difficult to get done all we do today wearing something like this.

Does the finished product make it worth it though??? Not sure of that.
I worked as a docent for the Folk Festival for years and I shed that hoop really fast. On our hot, humid Spring days when it is held you decide what you really need.

At left is a period dressed docent from our Folk Life Festival last year.

And below a group of the same.

Below an actual 1860 era dress in white. Imagine it with the crinolines beneath it.

Above are white ladies boots and overnight bag and in the next picture are some old white cotton nightgowns and camisoles from the period. Did they own any other color then? Probably not since this is an item that would have needed washing every laundry day.

Below is a wonderful old Civil War era perfume bottle. The owner who is in her 80's brought it to me
to sell. It was her grandmother's. She had no one to leave it to. It is sterling on the end caps which open.
Inside one end she kept her perfume and inside the other she kept brandy. Although most say it was used for smelling salts, this little lady did not need smelling salts, she had her brandy to bring her around if need be. I have 2 others that are similar; one the same ruby red as this one, another in green This is one item I would love to keep and not sell. They speak to me.

Next are 2 different mourning necklaces. One is made of pot metal. All were worn with mourning dress. Close-up of one.

And finally a beautiful item also from the era: A flue cover. Hand painted and haunting. Those he left behind?

I wonder if he returned.

I have sold many items here in the store that were from that time. I have shown before the 1850's ball gown that I own. I almost sold it once then changed my mind. It is mainly for display. If I ever find someone who would love it as much as I then I will sell it.

I wanted to show you items from the era that was one of the worst in American history. The cause was a just one. I had family members fighting for the Blue and some for the Gray. It was a terrible time in our history but it had to be. Did it teach us anything? I hope so. For those young lives lost, I really hope so.

" I saw two clouds at morning,
      Tinged bu the morning sun,
   And in the dawn they floated on
     And mingled into one;
   I thought that morning cloud was blest,
     It moved so sweetly to the west,
   Such be your gentle motion,
     Till life's last pulse shall beat,
   And you float on in joy to meet
     A calmer sea, where storms shall cease--
   A purer sky, where all is peace."
c 1884 Seven Hundred Album Verses

I hope you enjoy old things as much as I do.
Please do not copy my pictures. Many are family items and part of our lives and past.
Lois

Ballerinas

2010-08-21T12:48:00.000-05:00

Today I am off work and cleaning the guest rooms. In one I have this old ballerina print that is so hauntingly beautiful. It has a dreamy look that makes the ballerinas seem to float about the room.

Also there are my Dresden ballerinas performing here on the old writing case.
Also a Sitzendorf piece hanging around with them hoping to become a ballerina I guess.

If I could get done with the cleaning I could do something I like to do and cleaning is not it!!!!

I am writing a book about my family and while it is finished, I still have to do the re-write. I am devoting all my free time to that right now. Our family came to Texas before the war against Mexico for independence. I am doing this to preserve the family history, but hope to sell a few as well. It is historical with some fiction added in to create their daily lives.

So if I am a little negligent on posting that is why. Bear with me. Have a happy weekend.
Lois