...green Christmas leading to a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

...and I'm not talking about our 'snow' situation!

Just baby steps. But, it all begins with a step - right?

My family is not a group of 'self-proclaimed tree-huggers' by any means. Yes -my grandparents came through the Depression, and Yes - my grandparents and parents were all farmers; so I guess it runs in our genes to 'not waste' and 'to be frugal'... But, that's where it ends. Or, I should say, that's where it 'ended', UNTIL people started to realize that the only 'gifties' that REALLY put a smile on S-'s face and a sparkle in her eyes couldn't be bought in Big Box Stores!
Look at this BEAUTY of a sweater clip that Mom & Dad manage to find for me - and didn't Mom do an excellent job in her presentation/packaging?!!

DH gave me my 'newest favoritest' piece of Haeger - a mere 7 1/2" tall vase in yet another 'new-to-me' glaze . I researched the glaze ~ which I immediately knew I would be searching for MORE of!!~ Can you guess the name of it?? Oh, the 'name' just made it even cooler - as if possible! I will try to put the answer below in the labels, backwards!!

So, I guess it is true what they say about leading by 'example'!! I'm THRILLED with my GIFTIES - right down to the 'junk' boxes from my brother 8-)

I'm signing off for 2009. Have Happy and Safe NEW YEAR celebrations. HOPING that everyone has GOOD STUFFING KARMA in the coming YEAR!! 'Catch ya on the flip side' ;-)

...could it get much better??!?

My family Christmas was at our house this year. When my brother & his wife arrived from out of town, and he came in carrying an unwrapped packing box, topped with another loose box and asked "Do you want any JUNK?" All I could do was jump up and let out a SHINY BRITES! ... and let me tell you, 'Mr. Ultra NO CLUTTER-Stuff/knick-knack free' was WAY more than a little confused!!
Let me give a little background - my sister-inlaws' father died this past fall, they just sold his house in the middle of December and had to have it cleaned for the closing by the end of December. My sister-inlaw and her only sister are less of 'Stuff' people than my brother, and thus their idea of cleaning out this 1950's house, lived in Most of that time by their family, is filling three dumpsters (but I'm NOT allowing myself to think about those dumpster full of STUFF!!) They did ask me to come out and take anything I wanted, but right smack in the middle of the Holiday Chaos I could NOT squeeze in the 4hr each way trip, ~ and with our unpredictable Upstate NY weather it would have been just my luck to have gotten snowed in!!Anyways, it is putting it mildly to say that I was immensely impressed that either of them would have bothered to think anything was worth the effort to pack up and haul out to me!! Not to mention, with their ZERO knowledge of anything old, collectible or dusty - basing their selections only by what they knew of me (we're talking a much older brother who lives 3 hrs away, and a sister inlaw here folks!!) - they nailed it!-right there, on top... SHINY BRITE BOX!!

'There's more out in the car. Do you want them? Where?'

Four packing boxes in total! I'm sure you fellow 'stuffers' can appreciate how difficult it was to control the urge to escape the family chaos and dive into those boxes - especially after I explained to my brother and his wife what the statement 'SHINY BRITES' was in reference to and their response was 'Oh. I think there might be a couple of more boxes of them in there somewhere with some other Christmas junk.'

The next day, after everything was cleaned, laundered, exterior lights taken down, etc., etc., then, and only then did I get to dive in! Talk about a SERIOUS STUFF FIX!! Each and every item was spotlessly clean, No chips/cracks, carefully individually wrapped in layers of paper... This is just ONE box...

Crystal, and carnival glass, and pottery duck planters, and 50's cannister, and copper cookie cutters, and Libbey bar glasses, and vintage red transistor radio, and bar top ice crusher, and binoculars, and, and, and,...

Yes. A WHOLE box of MORE Christmas!!
Hmmmmmmmmm.... Could it Really be??

OH Yeh!

...and how!

...and it just kept getting better, and better...

I Know Christmas is over, but I'm still drooling over this particular box of POLAND ornaments - mostly pastel pinks and blues. I DON'T want to pack them away. I did have a brain storm that I would pack them seperately and use them at Easter on a White tree, since I am SO LACKING on Spring/Easter decor.... DH was rather distraught at this thought... What do you guys think??

(I mean look at those 'Springy' flowers!!)

(...and pastel centers! Looks more like Spring than Xmas to me!)

I WILL NOT THINK ABOUT THOSE 3 DUMPSTERS... I WILL NOT THINK ABOUT THOSE 3 DUMPSTERS... I WILL NOT THINK AOUT THOSE 3 DUMPSTERS... I WILL NOT THINK ABOUT THOSE 3 DUMPSTERS... I WILL NOT...

...MY HOLIDAY WISH FOR YOU

My Holiday wish for all of you... is that by now all of your final preparations are done,

so that you can relax,

destress,

enjoy your family and friends,

and just have FUN!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

...Merry 12 Days 'til Xmas to Me!

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas (If my math is right, that was Sunday 12-13... right?!)...

My true love took me to market, and between the two of us we came away with a Perfect Trifecta 8-)

...A Royal Haeger Panther ($2.50),

..A VERA Scarf (.25¢), and a

Sweater clip for only a dollar!

..."Life is Calling"

'They" say that Life isn't a Spectator Sport,

( and I would have to wholeheartedly agree.)

This years 'Do You Want To Go To The SeaSide' vignette, complete with shells from Sanibel, victorian fishbowl and of course VERA and HAEGER for good luck!!

"They" also say that Time passes slowly for those who are waiting,

(this also has proven to be true.)The 'construction barrels' in front of our house kind of fit in at Halloween, but not-so-much for Christmas!

"They" have prophetically made statements about How swiftly time passes for those with a purpose....My 'HAEGER pretties' all glitzed out with some toppers!

My question for 'They' is... how can I make time go as slowly as 'the days until my toes will be in warm sand again', yet not become a spectator?? Anyone?

'Birthday' Ballerina from DH is getting center stage this Xmas.

So what is this poor girl to do? It is barely over TWO WEEKS until CHRISTMAS! Sure I could cut back on my decorating & Holiday themed trees... come up with a few less 'hare-brained' ideas for projects 'to-do'... commit to a few less group functions... not make as many appetizers for the 'pre-work party' happy hour we are having this weekend at our house... nix the Xmas Card Mailing thing this year and do it via Email (yuk!!!!)... skip cookie baking with 'the crew'...

BUT!

These are the things that make the Holidays worthwhile to me!! They aren't things that I HAVE to do... they are ALL things that I want to do!! If I 'cut back'... then time will move more s.l.o.w.l.y. ... but then again won't I just be a spectator?!

You will never find time for anything. If you want time you must MAKE it.--Charles Buxton

time.

On a MUCH 'lighter' note... did anyone notice how their stocks increased this week???!?!

Well, that is anyone who has a stock of vintage Christmas ornaments (as I'm sure most of us are guilty!). I had a 'few' OOPS around the house while decorating. My boss, the ultimate lover/collector of antique ornaments tried to console me one day at work while I was 'crying over spilled milk' with the sentiment of "That's okay S-, the fewer there are, the more valuable that makes mine..."

...the planets are aligned...

I wish I were a real photographer.
This photo has nothing to do with my amazing encounter this morning (but what's a blog entry without a picture?!)
Now, close your eyes, and use your imagination....

You are driving to work on rolling country roads, 7:24 am - it's just getting light out. All is quiet and still, you seem to be alone on the roads. You notice the moon ahead of you on the horizon - a full moon! It's looking larger than life - crystal clear... no clouds... *NOTE TO SELF: must check calendar and see if it is 'actually' THE Full Moon... you round a curve, come up over a hill, and all of a sudden you are slightly blinded by the rising sun fully reflected in your rear-view mirror. Brilliant orange!! In the same gaze you can see the spectacular moon just inches to the left of the mirror in the same horizontal line.......

... then, just as quick, they BOTH vanish from site - but what a FANTASTIC way to start the day!

...ever so THANKFUL!

It IS a good life I have. FULL of Wonderful Family and Friends!

Wishing all of my Blog Friends a day that is surrounded with things that bring happiness to their hearts & souls!.

...''tis the season, for...

...mighty a lack-luster posting...

~GOT YOUR COFFEE IN HAND??? YOUR GONNA NEED IT!! ~

no stellar finds, 'wowser ETSY sales', a HAEGER or even a glint of a sweater clip to report this week....

I've been good. (Santa, I hope you are paying close attention!!)
I've been strong. (do you know how hard it is to reprogram a Trailblazer to go by those thrift shops?!)

No 'stuffing'. Just my yearly retail visit (with 30% off coupon in hand!) to Kohl's to restock my Winter necessities... TURTLENECKS! - White! Black! Blue! yes, yes, control your excitement, I DO live on the edge.

(o.k., so I did stop by the 90% off clearance rack and grabbed a couple of pairs of Halloween socks - that I NEEDED and a pair of 'glitzy' sandals for the Spring)

'What Not To Wear' would SOOO have a field day with my wardrobe, or rather 'daily uniform'!! Oct-Apr= Jeans/Khakis, and a turtleneck with either a big-bulky pullover sweater or a cardigan. Oh, and of course a bold pin or scarf!! I can hear Stacey now "Well, there is nothing wrong with your clothes if you're going out to milk goats in Vermont..." . What do you think they would recommend for somebody in the COLD NE that during the course of the SAME 8 hour day will be doing everything from working retail with customers to digging through literal piles-O-$#!% in dirty barns/basements/attics??? I have been known to metamorphis through the magic of washing my hands & face, dusting off my jeans, brushing my hair, taking off my scummy carhardt coat and re-tieing my scarf around my neck ~ been 'retail ready' in minutes!

Is your cup of coffee long gone?!

Can you tell I'm procrastinating? I must get stockings 'stuffed' (ie: candy made, and gifties wrapped) - stocking exchange with the parents is 11-27... less than SEVEN DAYS!!!!

...TIS THE SEASON!

...THAT'S what I'M talking about!

90... not just years of being alive, but of 'living'.

...he and his sweetheart of 64 yrs. just celebrated their Wedding anniversary in Oct.,

...they both still live unaided in their own house,

...he tends their gardens and mows their lawn,

...he actively participates in Rotary Club,

...he is in charge of donations to the local food pantry,

...takes his 'bride' for her weekly hair appointment

and

Every morning he stops by the store where I work to join us for a cup of joe/a baked goodie and share in local news / gossip from 9-9:45am (any later than 10am departure and 'the wife' is calling to check on him! Likewise, if he doesn't show up, WE are calling to check on him!!)HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

(PLEASE don't anyone submit my lame attempt at 'cake decorating to CAKE WRECKS - it's been a while since my Wilton cake decorating classes!!!)

...how bazaar ...how bazaar!

I normally avoid our local Church Fall/Holiday "Craft" shows/fairs like the plague!! They tend to only produce those really 'bad' 1970's Sr. Citizen craft projects... no offense to anyone, but...

~HOWEVER~

IF the forementioned show/fairs also boast 'bazaars' and/or 'rummage', I'm all over them!! Such was the case on Saturday morning. NUMEROUS Holiday Craft-Shows that I ignored, but there was one Annual Fall Church Bazaar that never lets me down!! Oh yes, they have the dutiful crocheted pot holders and air freshener dolls, but they also have T.H.E. MOST AMAZING quantities of vintage jewelry - tables & tables!!!!!!!!!! (and mostly .10¢, .25¢ and .50¢!!!) In the photo above you can see just a portion of what a $1.60 bought me (those two beaded necklaces on the left are each about 48"). Most of it is for ME - like I 'need' more jewelry. The silver-tone clip earrings (Trifari, Coro) are destined for Mom's stocking, and I'm sure I'll come up with some fun project for the red bead clip earrings and the blue/yellow/green bead clip earrings - Any ideas??

This particular Bazaar also has 3 or 4 'junk' tables which yielded this 'perfect for the Holidays' HAEGER bowl for a buck! Oh, they also had the requisite baked goods - pumpkin bread and fudge, but it is way too late for a photo of them!!!

I'm sure you are wondering about these 'Hottie' Pixie-fairy-princess-nymph earrings... well, with the image of some little old 'blue-haired' Church Lady wearing these proudly making me smile, I couldn't possibly leave them behind!!

...the best laid plans go a-GEIGER

As saling season came to an abrupt end in the NE (with a relapse, but then a quick return to 'nothingness'), my resolve to purge and clear-out became s-t-r-o-n-g!

During a 'needed fix' to a Thrift, scanning the jam-packed racks, I came across an unfamiliar name - GEIGER, AUSTRIA. I bought two pieces, brought them home to do a little research - my 'designer' knowledge extends about as far as ...VERA... yep, that's it!. It is beautiful 'stuff', and by the retail prices, I'd say HIGH QUALITY!

"With its timeless style, natural fibers and eco-friendly processes, which translate new trends into unique Walk creations, GEIGER has found admirers around the globe. No wonder, since GEIGER fashion connects the highest levels of creativity, natural fibers and high technology with stewardship for a healthy environment and a deep respect for the human rights of its workers.."

I also learned that Austrian size 36 converts to approximately US size 6 - NOT! I tried them on E-bay, they did okay. Knew that I had seen another piece with the same name, so a couple of weeks later, when I stopped by the same thrift, I checked to see if it was still there. It was. And it had multiplied! And the prices were so cheap I had to bring a bunch home - I was GOOD, I didn't buy ALL that they had, but I was still feeling mightly guilty! Our guest closet 'hanging rod' that had previously been empty now looks like this... In an effort to 'hopefully' pass them along quicker, I am putting them in my ETSY shop as fast as I can - Company is going to need that closet for the Holidays!!! If you are a size 6 -8-10 (variety of sizes) go take a peak!! Even if you aren't, go take a look and give me some advice on clothing!! GEIGER is new to me. ETSY is new to me. Selling clothing is new to me. I will gladly take all of the info and advice I can get!!

To ease my guilt 'a bit', I did clean out TWO large bags O'stuff from my own closet, which I took to donate on Friday - in exchange, I only came home with these two itty-bitty sweater clips 8-)!!

...Sunday splurge

Isn't she spectacular?!

...November resignation.

With the conclusion of October, I resigned myself to the fact that saling season had come to a close for another year.
Cold-weather time would now be spent...

...doing those procrastinated mundane indoor tasks of housework - cleaning, mending and the likes...
...completing projects from the 'someday to-do' list - like this wreath. NOT just any 'vintage ornament' wreath, but a Pittsburgh Steelers wreath! Okay, so maybe it started out life destined to be a Halloween / Autumn wreath that fell a bit behind, and was resurrected in the spirit of DH's favorite football team... (and yes, that 'wonky' bulb on the left side has been re-adjusted so it is more pleasingly aligned!).

...hitting the thrifts for desperate fixes (and if this conjurs the 'tame' image of a perfume-laden, community room run by church ladies - think again! - and read about my recent chance encounter with Barbara over at OODLES! (NOTE: for all you bloggers that covet Barbara's treasures... she works for them, trust me, you REALLY don't want to go to ALL of the places that she goes to hunt! and Barbara... It was wonderful to finally meet you! Personally I feel much safer on the second floor, of that fine venue, than in the basement, because my primary fear is not who may be lurking in the depths, but rather, the building collapsing on top of me!)

...and now is the time for the 'release' (of the 'catch and release' program) - loads of time to get stuff sorted, then shipped off for donation or listed on e-bay / etsy!!!

But, alas, just as I was settling in and getting the 'withdrawals' under control.....

My trailblazer made a sudden, unscheduled turn on my way to work Friday...

(In smaller print to the left 'FRI' was added in!!)


Bradford, PA Basket; Train case, hankies, mugs, new Holiday series Wade tea figures, VERA (solid grey?! but 100% silk!!); William-Sonoma Plate; Pampered Chef roller ....

Oh, I was a HAPPY CAMPER!

Then, I was glancing at the paper Friday night and saw that one of my favorite Church rummage sales was having their bag sale Saturday Morning! Am I dreaming?

...retro daisy cannister, green shiny-brites, Xmas pixs, bread pans, Italian coffee maker, lamp globes, vintage Christmas candles, salts dishes, junk jewelry, Syracuse China restaurant platter - 'Chez Greco', santa boots, red vintage savings bank, and ~yes~ a Royal Haeger 'Gold Tweed' ashtray... all for the price of ONE bag!!

I also picked these goodies up...

Folding solid wood shelf for storing Etsy stuff!! The exact black wool peacoat that I have been in search of (Old Navy, like new $2). Picnic basket (- it's a sickness, that's all I can say).

Now, I can start the withdrawal process all over again! I have to admit though, I am liking all that I have been getting accomplished the last few week without the regular Fri/Sat saling schedule! WHO JUST SAID THAT??!

Off to get some more goodies in Etsy!!

Isn't she a beauty? I generally end up with one in bloom for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Xmas, New Year and V-day!!

...leave it.

(From my PAGE-A-DAY online Green calendar)
"Eighteen percent of the waste produced by the average family in the U.S. comes from the yard and garden, according to the Environmental Defense Fund. Keep yard waste out of the landfill by composting, or give organic garden debris to your city for municipal composting. Start with your city’s website for more information. (And remember: no leaf blowers!)"

That is a WONDERFUL thought, but in our city's infinite wisdom, they have created a new policy for this Fall's leaf 'pick-up'.... They can no longer be raked to the curb, they must now be bagged in CLEAR PLASTIC bags for pick-up!
♦ Leaves may not be raked to the curb. All leaves must be bagged in an approved
bag and tied. Raking leaves to the curb is prohibited and may result in
fines or separate collection charges that will be billed to the property owner

How's that for making something that is completely biodegradable into Trash!?!!

Our 'leafing adventures' on Sunday did NOT include any Plastic, however it did include the lawnmower mulching the leaves. But Hey, I hand raked - no leafblower (I have the blisters to prove it!!), does that even things out?

Off my soap box ~ Happy Wednesday.

...treats!

It's barely 7:30pm, and I'm beat - must be that 'Daylight Savings' bit. Couldn't possibly have anything to do with getting up at 5am to work on listing goodies on ETSY (go check them out!) or the 2 1/2 hours spent outside this afternoon, soaking in the Fall Sun and raking leaves... nah!

After leaf-raking, I did take a break and run to JoAnn's to see what Halloween goodies they might have on clearance. Nothing earth-shattering, but I did grab some of these battery operated tealights. I saw them on Laura's blog this morning, and started dreaming of the Xmas decorating potential!!

My 'step off the beaten path' yesterday led me to a 'Garage Sale' held inside of a Dome - basically a flea market held once a year by the City of Rochester (NY). I had heard mention of it by a couple of people who were going to be setting up booths there, and I decided to check it out. DH and I were on the road by 7am to travel an hour to get there. Less than impressive, but it was a rainy day and we did find.............................

~drum roll please~

S.I.X. sweater clips (actually eight, but one I already had, and one I wouldn't pay the $$$ for!) and a 'Veresa' by VERA. This is a new one to me - the tag says it is 100% Polyester (?!) and Made in Japan (?!?!). ....hmmmm

Oh, I also picked up the little enamel Butterfly pin in the top photo - just 'cause the coloring was perfect for the day.

Anybody else venture off the beaten path?