Is it Really 12/31?

Well, I've done it again!  I've pushed my blog to the side and let life take over.  I have been reading everyone's posts (I actually read 300+ over the last few weeks- whew!), but haven't found the motivation to share my own words.  Is it too late to say "Merry Christmas"- yes, it is.  But, I'm right on time with a "Happy New Year" to all of you!

Before the Christmas decor comes down, here are a few pictures of my theme trees.  I am such an ornament hoarder that I've had to put up multiple trees to display all my treasures.  Mind you, this is not ALL my trees- just some of them.  I admit it- I have a Christmas "problem."

The "Woodland" tree is filled with forest animals, mushrooms, pinecones, etc... and a sneaky kitty hiding underneath.

New this year- the "Snowman" tree.  I just love how the bright colors look on the silver tree!

The "Patriotic" tree is covered in everything Americana.

The "Winter" tree holds mittens, ice skates, stockings, little gnomes, and more.

The "Santa" tree is filled with Santas of all shapes and sizes.

Also, new this year- a "Garden" tree.  It holds butterflies, garden tools, snails, and more.

One of my first theme trees- the "Bird" tree.  Birds and bird houses of all types.

Our "Cat" tree- in honor of our 2 kitties.  Topped with a cluster of little mice.

The "Under the Sea" tree.  Shells, fish, castles, seahorses, and many more ornaments.  The Santas underneath are part of another collection I have...

I take no credit at all for the BIG tree.  For the past 3 years, my daughter has trimmed the big tree for me.  She has designated it the "Shiny" tree- only shiny ornaments allowed!

Have you made any resolutions?  I hope to better organize my collectibles, start selling stuff, be more faithful to my blog (which, I hope will generate more followers), pick up my genealogy (after 2 years), and make more frequent trips to visit my daughter (in CA), and my parents (in NJ).  Here's hoping!!!  Wishing you a wonderful 2013! 

Saying goodbye to summer vacation

 It's been a busy past month (as evidenced by no post from me in 30 days).  Our extended vacation included a trip to Ann Arbor (Michigan), Canada (Toronto and Montreal), The 1000 Islands (NY), Saratoga Racetrack (NY), and finally NJ for our "Jersey Shore" vacation.  I came home with a Rubbermaid of thrifted treasures- which is still unopened and sitting on my dining room floor!  No sooner did we arrive home, then it was back to school for my son and back to work for me.  I can't wait to open that container and see what I bought.  Maybe, this weekend....

How Funny is This?

 
There'a a fine line between a GARAGE sale and a GARBAGE sale!  I bet we've been to alot of garbage sales in our search for treasures!

Thank you, Amy

 A BIG thank you to Amy at www.sointovintage.blogspot.com for answering all the questions I had about selling treasures online vs. in a store.  I appreciate Amy's willingness to help a "newbie" wrap her head about the pros and cons of the various options.  If anyone has anything to share on this topic, I'm all ears- thanks!

Let's Play, "What's in the Box?"

I decided to go through one of the many boxes in my garage.  I wonder what's in it?  Let's check it out together!

Before the archeological dig- just three visible treasures.

Vera scarf- chiffon, black/gray/brown/mustard, geometric squares, with ladybug logo

Ladies' gloves- nude, slight gather at the wrist, pucker design on front

Thermos- very tall, red/black, 1971 King-Seeley Co., unused

mint green, plastic?/lucite?, container with lid- I wonder if this was a sewing box or a box kept on a lady's dresser...

12-inch round, glass, divided relish tray, leaves and bubble design, unmarked

black glass tray, 8.75 x 6.75 inches 

front:  crisp graphics showing a spool of thread and usage over time

back:  Story of Thread (presenting an historical outline of thread usage).  

This piece commemorates Coats & Clark 1962 150th anniversary.

A great piece! 

bowl, off white/brown flecks, approx. 5 inches high, marked: 58 USA

footed planter, pea green/white flecks, unmarked

You know my affinity for green pottery, so this planter is in the KEEP pile!

woven look, unmarked, so pretty.

sweet little kitty planter!  unmarked

cream-colored planter, USA, small chip on back side :(

forgot to rotate- sorry!

tall, off-white vase, swan with feathers, unmarked

I wonder if this was part of a pair at one point?

  ashtray, white/goldish flecks, 8 spots for cigs, USA

ashtray, beige, plastic, Anholt-Ashtray (Willert Home Products, Inc.)

syrup pourer, pressed glass, star on bottom, 2 on bottom, off-white plastic top

Can you believe ALL this stuff was in 1 box? Me, neither!

Hiding in my Garage!

Despite the near 100 degree heat in the Midwest, I ventured into my too-cluttered garage to find some Pyrex treasures.  So much fun to see these beauties again!

Does anyone know the name of this casserole?

Medium blue with gold floral design, no lid, #043, 1 1/2 quart

"Early American", white on light brown, #0503, 1 1/2 quart refrigerator dish/lid

"Early American", brown on white, oblong, #0502, 1 1/2 pint refrigerator dish/no lid

"Early American", white on brown, #501 B, 1 1/2 cup refrigerator dishes (2)/no lids

"Daisy" Cinderella, orange-yellow, #475-B, 2 1/2 quart casserole/no lid

"Daisy" Cinderella- 3 of 4 bowls of 440-39 set (missing the patterned #444/4 quart bowl)

deep yellow, #441, 1 1/2 pint

orange bowl with deep yellow daisies, #442, 1 1/2 quart

deep yellow, #443, 2 1/2 quart

Keeping my eyes peeled for the largest bowl!

lime green 8-inch cake pan, #222, rounded corners

Happy 4th of July!

Pyrex Collective blogs

 Happy 4th of July to my American blogger friends!  

I am now a member-contributor (that sounds so important!) of the Pyrex Collective III blog.  If you are a Pyrex fanatic collector, be sure to check out this blog!  In addition, there are two other Pyrex blogs: Pyrex Collective I and Pyrex Collective II.  These three blogs are a great source of information for Pyrex specifics.

If you know any Pyrex (or hankies, pottery, Derby glasses, Christmas) fans, send them my way!  I'm a social butterfly and I could use some more followers to "talk" to and exchange ideas, comments, and compliments!  Thanks!!!

Flea Market Finds

My trip to the flea market was semi-successful.  I arrived bright and early (before 8am) to avoid the predicted heat.  By 9am, it was already sticky and the sun was intense.  Unfortunately, my favorite vendor wasn't there.  This seller sets up boxes and boxes and boxes of assorted stuff.  You dig and dig, set aside your goodies, and get a one-price-for-all your treasures.  Oh well, next month...

However, I did find 4 Derby glasses for $10- that's a good price!  Hope your weekend was full of fun finds!      

130th Kentucky Derby (2004)- winner: Smarty Jones

133rd Kentucky Derby (2007)- winner: Street Sense

Both these glasses have the official Churchill Downs hologram sticker on the glass bottom

122nd Kentucky Derby (1996)- winner: Grindstone

129th Kentucky Derby (2003)- winner: Funny Cide

Pottery Pictures

I finally got my "rear in gear" and dug through 4 large boxes of pottery.  It was like a treasure hunt!  I re-discovered pottery that I bought months ago.  Some pieces I will keep, others will be sold, and Goodwill will become the recipient of some not-so-great pieces.

Hope you enjoy looking at these pictures, as much as I enjoyed seeing the pottery again!

Keeping these:

green/blue, Hull?, 456 USA

green/blue, Hull?, no markings

medium green, footed, no markings

medium green, approx. 5 inches tall, USA on bottom

medium green, bark-like with mushrooms growing, no markings,

Ben Franklin price tag still inside

LOVE this piece!  

medium green with an adorable zebra

matching bookends, medium green, no markings

off-white, approx. 8 inches, smooth finish, no markings

off-white, 8 flared sides on pedestal, 425-USA

large, off-white, New England Pottery, made in the USA

creamy white, small Dutch shoe, no markings

creamy white, planter with attached saucer, scalloped design, USA

tall, creamy white, 510 Brush USA

creamy white, footed planter, 606 USA

creamy white, 3-footed egg on stand, no markings

off-white, faint name on bottom beginning with "S", USA

adorable turtle, no markings

small, round Haeger with label, USA

tall, white, concentric circles, no markings

white, like cabbage leaves, no markings

Selling these:

light medium green, approx. 3-4 inches high, 413- 8 USA

off-white, Floraline, USA 460

creamy white, planter with attached saucer, scalloped design, USA

white/tan, planter with attached saucer, wavy design with 1/2 flowers at lip

off white, fish, no markings

creamy white, genie bottle, no markings

long, medium green, speckled, Imperial, F72-USA

shades of green, flared bottom, starburst(?) designs on top half, approx. 8 inches

medium green (not as light as picture), UP CO, USA, 107- 10"

dark green, Hull, USA F83

off-white, vase with handles, flat finish, no markings

creamy white, Haeger (with tag) urn, no markings

This is only the beginning.  I have a whole garage FULL of treasures- PYREX, linens, barware, more pottery, glassware, trays, so many things to unearth!  I'll keep you posted.