Fussing About

Yesterday we picked up our new solid brass Baldwin front door handle and lock fixtures. While there I bought a bunch of plate wall hangers.

I love this vintage windmill blue and white plate and have a special spot selected to hang it in our family room.

The little marble lamp here was my Mom's and I have a photo of it sitting on my childhood bedroom dresser back in the 1950s.

When I started my Rainbow Scrap Afghan last October I had no idea that it would one day match beautifully with our new chairs and decor in our family room.

It's not finished yet still working on the last two sections but I couldn't resist draping it on the arm of our new power recliner.

I think it has found its home.

I'm still fussing about and having fun rearranging furniture, lighting and all the decor stuff.  

I have more china plates to hang too.

Now I have to research the internet to find someone to re-upholster our old leather wingback chair and ottoman.  

It's a special chair because it belonged to my dear deceased brother.    

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

An Apple a Day

Hubby and I went to Camping World this morning and stopped at Cracker Barrel for lunch. 

 I love Cracker Barrel - especially their grilled rainbow trout and pancakes.

Because I'm counting my daily calories I have to watch meals out as they can be loaded with calories. Cracker Barrel has a kids menu for "kids of all ages". 

I hate restaurants that limit their smaller portion meals (usually their kid menu) to age 12 and under. Cracker realizes not just kids want or require smaller portion meals.

Anyway I like to order one pancake - I keep the calories down and satisfy my taste for breakfast food.

As you know Cracker has a gift shop loaded with cute stuff. When I saw this cute red apple cup and plate I couldn't resist it.

After all my goal is to bring pops of red into my home!

Speaking of red...Isn't this red, white and blue bed cute? 

 Wish it was mine.

I want to go camping! 

Hubby says its too hot! 

 If this heat wave breaks I want to go to Cape May, NJ then take the ferry over to Lewes, DE. 

 We can't go next week we're getting our carpets cleaned. I'm getting restless which is strange because usual hubby is the one who wants to go.

I'm crazy about this iPhone app called "Tiny Towers". 

 It's addictive and very fun to play. 

 One of the better free apps.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

IKEA Billy Bookcases

Going to get our IKEA Billy Bookcases!

Tuesday morning we got up fairly early for us so we could arrive at the IKEA store a little after opening at 10:00 AM.

We drove our one ton Ford F350 pick up truck so we could load and bring home any bookcases we purchased.

We decided on a total of five Billy units, three of what we call double bookcases, and two single bookcases in birch veneer.

Let me tell you these bookcase units were HEAVY!

There isn't much customer service at IKEA - I guess it's to keep costs down.  You have to select the items you want and carefully write down the item, aisle and bin number.

On the way to check out we grabbed a loading cart and found the items in the pick up area ourselves.

The only checkouts were self service too.

I don't know but I would hope that someone could assist you if you needed help because as a woman there was no way I could lift any of the packages by myself.  But I don't know if that is true as there were no signs telling you to ask for assistance if you needed it.  

At least we didn't have to worry about the weight with our one ton pick up truck!

At first we were only going to put one of the single units downstairs for my Christmas china but after putting one in place we decided two together balanced out better on the wall.

  Hubby assembled both single units and even attached them to the wall.

We bought an extension so the unit would go to the ceiling but then we realized we couldn't use it in our living room with the crown molding.  

We only have one glass door and we need two so next week we will return to IKEA.

This whole project started because we needed to add a wall of bookcases in our upstairs paperback library so we could move some of our hardcover books upstairs.

When we got the units home I thought wouldn't it be wonderful if we used one of the single units in the living room for my Christmas china.  So that's how two single units ended up there instead of upstairs.

I had so much fun gathering all our Christmas china together last night and putting it in one display.

Read about my Christmas China Pattern (here).

I'm assisting Hubby with assembling the double units for upstairs.

We'll have to buy two more single units to go with the three double units to make a full wall of bookcases 9 feet in length for the library room.  We may buy extensions for all the upstairs bookcases.  I think some doors would look nice too and help to control the dust.

Have you visited IKEA yet?  

The price is good - for five Billy Bookcase units, one extension and one glass door - the total was just under $500.  We're trying to control our collections and clutter one step at a time.

You'll have to wait to see the upstairs library units installed in a future post.

Join me for:

Cindy's Show & Tell Friday

Our Vintage Bunnykins Set

"Visiting The Cottage"
Royal Doulton "Bunnykins" 

If you look at my sidebar you can see a listing of my most popular postings.  

I'm always surprised that the post with the most hits is 

Vintage Royal Doulton "Bunnykins" signed by Barbara Vernon

I shot the photos for that posting in natural light on my dining room table.  I thought I would see if the china would  photograph better using our new light box and lamps.

This cute set was passed down from Hubby's Mom.  I can only assume they were his as a baby.   

"The Proposal"

Awwwww....so romantic!

The Kiss

The cup, "The Proposal,"  above shows Mr. Bunnykins kissing his fiancee after his proposal.

The backstamp for the cup with the lion coloured brown is c1937-1953.

Our Mismatched Royal Doulton Bunnykins Set
Signature by Barbara Vernon

After some research on the internet I discovered the bowl, "Visiting the Cottage," is a different subject than the cup.

 "Bunnykins" backstamp for the bowl is c1934 - 1937.

Even the backstamps are cute as can be!

Do you have a "Bunnykins"?

I'm glad we do because I love bunnies!



Join me for:

Cindy's Show & Tell Friday

Handpainted Deft Polychrome Teapot Set

While living in the Chicago area many years ago we liked to take a weekend and go camping to the east side of Lake Michigan in the state of Michigan.  

The shore line scenery was magnificent and the small towns along the lake were quaint and fun to visit. 

On one of our road trips to Holland, Michigan, we bought this adorable hand painted Deft Polychrome Teacup and Teapot set. 

Back View

This is a very small teapot...just five inches tall. 

It's a one cup teapot. 

I fell in love with the vivid colors in the deft hand-painted floral design.

Back View

Isn't it cute the way the teacup nestles on top of the teapot?

Top View

I'm still experimenting with our new EZ Light Box and the various setting on my camera.

Back Mark

Holland, Michigan is also famous for their massive and beautiful tulip displays in May.

Side View

Front View

Please join me for:

Kathy~  http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/
Victoria - A Return to Loveliness

Martha~  http://www.marthasfavorites.com/ 
Teacup Tuesday 
Terri~  http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/ 
Teacup Tuesday

Wanda Lee~  http://silkenpurse.blogspot.com/ 
Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday 
Pam~  http://breathoffreshair-paperbutterfly.blogspot.com/ 
Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday 
Wanda Lee~  http://theplumedpen.blogspot.com/ 
Tea For Two and Wednesday Tea For Me and Thee

Trisha~  http://sweetology101.blogspot.com/ 
Tea Party Tuesday

Lady Katherine~  http://ladykatherineteaparlor.blogspot.com/ 
Teatime Tuesday

Sandi  ~  http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com

Teatime Tuesday 

Teacup Day

Source: polliblog.com via Teacup Lane on Pinterest

I haven't blogged about teacups for awhile.  

I love this photo.  

These aren't mine, but I have the teacup in front with the poke a dots and one in the back too.   I blogged about them (here). 

Source: stipje.blogspot.com via Teacup Lane on Pinterest

Blue and white teacups...this is soooo stunning!

I love that the plates and cups are mixed all up.

Source: anthropologie.eu via Teacup Lane on Pinterest

Black and white and A, B, Cs.  It doesn't get any better than this.

Source: re-nest.com via Teacup Lane on Pinterest

 Teacups as a light fixture.  Yes!

Source: amandafactor.blogspot.com via Teacup Lane on Pinterest

Another interesting way to use teacups....as food dishes for your kitty.

Source: flickr.com via Teacup Lane on Pinterest

Pink floral teacups...all stacked prettily.

Source: thesoho.blogspot.com via Teacup Lane on Pinterest

Adorable, teeny, tiny Teacup rings!  Who would have thought?

Source: google.com.au via Teacup Lane on Pinterest

And lastly four beautifully stacked teacups for your enjoyment!

I haven't bought any new teacups since our trip to Alaska last summer.  I don't like to let any collection get too large.  And unfortunately I've no place to display anymore at this time.   

But I can still admirer the ones I have and drool over these.

And I'm joining  Terri at Artful Affirmations (here) Tea Cup Tuesdays!   

Minky

Say "Hello" to Minky.  

 "Minky" is made out of an old mink stole that belonged to my dear MIL.  One of my BIL's wife's took the mink and had it made into three teddy bears for each of the three DILs.  She surprised us one Christmas with our beautiful teddies.  Every time I look at it I think of my sweet MIL and my thoughtful BIL's wife.  I am so lucky to be part of such a wonderful family.

I have such fond memories of the dishes here.  The cranberry edged one and frosted pink one were my Mother's and she always used these on holidays and Sunday dinners.  It had a smaller matching pink one that, unfortunately, I broke accidentally a few years ago.  

My hubby and I eat in our dining room once a year - if we are lucky.  My Mother made a fancy Sunday dinner EVERY Sunday and she worked outside the home!  I don't know how she did it.  And we dressed up!  I remember putting on an apron to protect our "good" outfits when cleaning the kitchen up.  LOL!  How times have changed.

Please join our sweet host, Cindy, at My Romantic Home, (here) for more Show and Tell Friday.

And have yourself a lovely weekend.

Sandy at Teacup Lane

Pink Rose Plate

It's "Show and Tell" Friday.  
I discovered this pretty pink rose plate while unpacking some things that were passed down from my in-laws.  I don't remember my MIL having this dish out but I thought it would look nice hanging in our guest bedroom where I have rose pattern curtains hanging.  

I couldn't find a plate hanger in gold so I bought a black one and spray painted it gold.  I hope to take a better photo of it one of these days.  This one is a little fuzzy because I didn't use a tripod.  

I've just participated in my first "Show and Tell" and you can find other fantastic "Show and Tell" posts sponsored by Cindy @ My Romantic Home (here). 

My Collection & 100th Post

In celebration of my 100th post I thought I would share with you my collection of miniature china pitchers - many vintage.  

This collection was started by my paternal Grandmother, added to by pieces passed down by my MIL..and enhanced with others that I collected on various trips over the years.  

It hangs proudly in my dining room where I can view it easily and often.  Each piece either holds fond memories of loved ones no longer here or memories of trips enjoyed with my beloved hubby over the years. 

Do you have a collection that is dear to you?

Change is Good

I was busy rearranging and moving these yellow tulips from a basket to this hand blown glass vase last week while I was cleaning up all the Christmas decorations.  The clear glass vase is an anniversary gift from my hubby.  It was hand blown at a local artisan shop.  It is nice to have a change and I like how the tulips look on my fireplace mantel.  The teapot was my Mother's - a find of hers in her retirement years (update:  I realized my Mom had some other dishes marked "Hall" so now I think she may have had this teapot from the 1940s).  The framed landscape belonged to my in-laws. 

Here's the legend on the bottom of the teapot - nice to see something made in the good, old U.S. of A.!

Sometimes CHANGE is good (especially when I can control it)!