Old Town Shop Discovery

Oh friends, I hope you understand why I am so elated today!!!  There was a new shop that went in down in Old Town and the sign reads; Apricot Lane~ New and used Home Furnishings.  I would see a wooden table and a chair in the window along with an end stand or a lamp in the window as I would pass by. Nothing to really catch my attention.  Until one day, this fall, I bagan to see other smaller things in the window that may be interesting enough to check out.  So I took some of my Christmas money and headed over there to see what was in the store.   It took me all of 5 seconds to realize that the sign didn't mean just "used home furnishings" but ANTIQUE and VINTAGE home furnishings!!!!!  She had the store set up like a furniture store would with living room settings and kitchen settings with antiques as accents.  It was wonderful.  I felt like I was walking around someone's house and everything was for sale!!!!  I was going to cry.  Really, there is no where in my area to shop for the things I love.  I usually have to sift through GW hoping to find something or head to an antique dealer where I can't afford anything.  Not so with this store. She has crocks, and washboards, and rolling pins, and buckets, and barrels, and all sorts of glass bottles, quilts, and books, and kitchen gadgets, and on, and on, and on.  But, the prices are right.  Either she knows no one in town can afford the actual price of these antiques or she doesn't know what she has.  So, I picked up a couple of things and made a mental shopping list of the others that I wanted and headed to Real Deals with the rest of my money.  Here is what I ended up with.  Oh, and thanks for letting me unleash my happiness on you.

 This is what I got at Apricote Lane~ a creamer and tea pot

 Spice Drawers (I have wanted for a long time) and vintage bath soap bottle from~ Real Deals

A reprint of "The Old Mill at Sunset" by Billy Jacobs and a grunged up book from~ Real Deals

Thanks for sticking with this long post. There is not a friend or family member I can call to tell that would understand as much as most of you all would.  It's nice to have someone understand me:)

Christmas Mouse Crap

Ok.....so.....my DH and I had just been opeining the floor to the crawl space and stashing gifts for the kids in there until Christmas.  On Christmas Eve at around 9:00 we finally were ready to wrap (procrastination).  It didn't take to long to realize we had mice running around on top and under and through everything.  Ahhhhh mouse crap and pee were everywhere.  I was just about in tears and puking by the time we got it all hauled up.  The little (inseart swear word here) had chewed up a pair of pajamas, had eaten almost all the chocolates and candy canes, and had crawled into one of the boxes of toys and chewed it up and crapped in the box.  I had to wash all the new clothes, Clorox all the boxes of toys, and well.....there were no Christmas chocolates and candy canes this year.  I would show you a picture of the two very dead mice we trapped under there but,......tooooo gross. Ewe, ewe, ewe. It all turned out ok though, but next year there will be a new hiding place.

This is the tree Christmas morning.

 Here are the gifts for the girls.

We took a trip to Bear Lake on Christmas day and the kids were so excited to see snow.  We haven't even had a dusting since Halloween.  The climate is very mild here.  In fact, when we left our house, it was 54 degrees.

 I love this photo.  She is examining the crystals (and I think taking a bite too). 

 Baby was beside herself.  She doesn't remember the snow from last year so this was a great experience for her.

The kids are still home......my house is still a wreck.......we are still trying to eat all the left over Christmas treats.......and I am still trying to finish "The Hunger Games".  Only a few more days left in the year.  Time to think about those goals. 

Take Care.......

Christmas Vacation Has Begun

Today is a half day of school.  Then my kiddos are out until January 3rd.  It's a Christmas gift to me in a sense that I can stay in my p.j's until noon and don't have to rush around finding shoes and socks and coats and gloves (I love that).  But then again, I have 8 extra hours to break up fights, clean up messes, bust boredom, and try not to go completely crazy:)
The excitement level is rapidly rising here and I feel that the kids can barely contain themselves.  I admit I am nearly bursting myself.  I can't wait to go visit my parents tomorrow and then return home for Christmas eve.  The Christmas preparations are finished and now it's time to sit back and enjoy the few days left.  Here are some photos of the things that are going on around here.

 Hense the excitement.  The tree is filling up quickly and the kids are besides themselves.  "Where will Santa put his gifts?"  they ask. 

 We have no where to eat.  The girls have taken over the kitchen table with their crafts.  I just cleaned up the huge mess of fabric, and glue, and notions they spread all over my bedroom floor.  Now they have moved to the dining room.  I wonder where they get it from?

 Making and baking.  This is my latest creation for the class parties I am doing for their classes.  I got the idea from Pinterest.  HO HO HO......

 Neighbor treats.  My DH makes a mean mix of homemade caramel popcorn and toffee. 

Last but not least, my friend Tara made me a very special gift.  It is Mary and Joseph and Baby Jesus.  I love it so much.  Thanks Tara.  

In the mix of it all I wonder if I will have time to post again before the New Year!!!  I have a small blogging addiction......as many of you understand yourselves:)  I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful Christmas and New Year.  See ya in..... 2012........until next time.....

Better Not Pout~Virginia's Moving In

No pouting here!!!  Just some major shouting of HOORAY!!!  I am so excited I think I might forget to breathe....... (in... out...in...out...).  I just found out that Virginia is coming to live with me.  I couldn't be more excited.  I love, love, love primitive dolls and had fallen in love with OLM's designs the minute I saw them.  Oh, see how cute she is.  Oh my, Oh my.  I need to run around the house shouting hooray to get some excitement out.  Thanks OLM for having such a great giveaway.

Merry Christmas........

The Real Reason ~ The Christmas Story

Merry Christmas everyone!!!  I can't believe how fast this Season has come upon me.  For some reason I keep thinking we have at leas two weeks until Christmas Day, but no.  It's only just 10.

I have been really trying hard this past week to remember and keep in my heart the real reason for Christmas.  It is so hard when we have things that get in the way such as: parties, shopping, Santa Claus,  etc.  I wanted to share with you a song and the Christmas story as told in the Bible.  This song is special to me because it is a story from the view point of one of the Shepherds on the night Christ was born.  It helps me remember that just because I wasn't there on that special night, it doesn't mean that I can't believe that it really happened.   I hope you enjoy this very special post.  

 St. Luke 1: 26-27 ~ And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

 St Luke 1: 30-32 ~ And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.  And, behold, thou shalt  concieve in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.  He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the Throne of his father David.  

 St Luke 2:1,3~ And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.  And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

 St. Luke 2:4-5~ And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem;
(because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

(Beloved donkey; thou art good to carry Mary to Bethlehem).

Luke 2:7~ And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger;

because there was no room for them in the inn.

 St Luke 2:8-11~ And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field keeping watch over their flock by night.

 St Luke 2:9-14~ And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

St.  Matthew 2:1-2 ~ Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem.

St Luke 2:2~ Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews?  for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

Luke 2:19,40~ But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. And the child grew, and waxed strong in the spirit , filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

-All pictures are borrowed from the Internet.  Thanks to all who share their talents and pictures-

Shine On~ Little Nativity

When I was a girl my mother made a bread dough nativity that we cherished throughout the years.  She would wrap each piece in a paper towel and tuck them into the box her checks came in.  ( Yeah remember check books?)  I loved the smoothness of each piece and the colors and shapes of the people.   I loved the bumpy sheep made from tiny balls of dough.  The round pink cheeks made me smile.  Every year we would carefully unwrap them and arrange them on the glass table that encompassed the standing lamp.  Every year since I can remember ......until..... the dog ate Mary and one of the wise men a couple of years ago.  Poor Mom was beyond upset as she says. 

 I thought my children needed that same Nativity to cherish (we don't have any dogs so I thought it would be safe enough).  The Internet is an amazing thing.  It allowed me to find the recipe and pattern for the exact Nativity my mother made over 30 years ago.  Three hours of shaping disgusting bread dough, 3 days of air drying, and 8 hours of painting and glossing left me with this wonderful display.

Oh my!!!  I could almost cry.  They turned out way better than I had expected.  Just like from my childhood.  The same colors, the same soft smooth texture, the same pink cheeks, and the same bumpy sheep.  And yes, very shiny.  My kids love them.  I hope that they get saved for years to come and not get eaten by a future family dog!!!  

Merry Christmas.

Joyfully Accepting

A gracious gift from Tammy~ A Primitive Place

 Tammy was having a wonderful giveaway for 3 lucky ladies.  I was chosen as the third winner.  A big Christmas Hooray!!!  What adorable stockings.  The funny thing is, the day before I found out I was to win these stockings, I was at DT looking for the the socks to make them myself.  I really wanted them:)  I love all of Tammy's ideas. They are lovingly hung on a star hook down my hallway.

Tammy was also kind enough to throw in the baby.  I may or may not have been coveting these prim ornaments from the other ladies I have seen adorn them. 

Thank you Tammy for having a giveaway.  

Merry Christmas!!!

My First Primitive Christmas

I have noticed that a few of you are starting to post pictures of your Christmas decor.  Everyone's homes look so cozy and inviting.  I wanted to wait until I was totally done to take pictures of my home, but I don't think it will ever quite be "done".  I will always be adding or moving things around throughout the season.  I still can't figure out how to take a decent picture of something dimly lit and some of them are fuzzy.  But, that's ok.  I love the way the soft white lights make the home feel and the smell of the Christmas candle makes everything so inviting.  

This is my entryway.  See the white pumpkins?  I was going to through them out after Thanksgiving but thought they might look nice still.  

The paper ornaments are homemade with a pattern from Tammy's

 A Primitive Place and the star garland is from Linda.  I love that Santa's in his pajamas.

I love these little gingerbread men staring out at me.  I made them this summer.  Chestnuts from Linda.

The sign says "The Simple Things" which just about ties it all up.  I love the simple things in life.

This is the "family"tree full of ornaments for the kids and past ones from my childhood. My DH chopped it down from the forest.

"And the stockings were hung by the chimney with care in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there"

I am just starting my village collection.  It sits on my mantle.

This Santa is not primitive but you have to admit, He's pretty neat.  I love the scene etched onto his robes.

My primitive tree on the kitchen table is full of wooden and tin ornaments all the way around.

It's Christmas for prairie doll too.  I wrapped up a box with a paper bag and grunged it with shoe polish and cinnamon.  The string is coffee dyed too.  It's really a lot cuter in person.

Last but not least.  My tree upstairs is filled with vintage ornaments from my Grandmother Bean.

~Thanks for looking at my "simple"primitive Christmas.  I love looking at everyone else's homes too.  You are all so inspiring to me.  Without you, I wouldn't know how things were to look or how to make them.  There is a little part of everyone in my house this year.