The holiday season begins...

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and I have a grocery list waiting on me to fulfill.  This is my favorite holiday because it's just family and good food.  A simple celebration of giving thanks to the One who created us and for all the many blessings He has given us.  So simple, yet so profound!  Thanks be to God!

Speaking of feasting I came upon this butter mold not long ago.  How much fun would it be to make little pats of butter with this cherry design, something special to add to the festive table.  It is in my shop, just waiting for that special someone to love it and use it.

I love glasses, pretty ones, tall ones, short ones and eclectic ones.  These juice glasses make me think of Florida or San Juan, Puerto Rico, where my daughter and son-in-law live, and where the sun shines year round.

We always have a huge Christmas brunch, with oyster stew, egg casseroles, Moravian sugar cake and lots of fresh orange juice.  It's my favorite meal of the year.  We read the Christmas story of Jesus' birth from the Bible, then we all pile into the den to attack those long awaited gifts under the tree!
These adorable glasses are also in my shop.

Going to auctions

On my birthday, February 1, we went to our first auction in years.  And it was a lot of fun.  Before we had kids, Hart and I would go frequently.  We acquired our pie safe that way and numerous other antiques.  When Lauren was a toddler she went with us and once I gave her my tape measure to play with while we perused the items for sale.  I looked back at her and there she was measuring a man's spacious back side that was bending over in front of  her!  Quickly I grabbed her hand and the tape measure...before he noticed!!  Needless to say with five kids we didn't go to auctions, but now with my vintage Etsy shop, and grown children,we've rediscovered our love for them.  Nan, my 17 year old went with us and bought a leather bound book of Byron's poetry.  Now she wouldn't let me sell that...

  I love this china pattern that I got--

                          Olde English Countryside Johnson Bros. 

                          Vintage Rose Blooms Teacups and Saucers

Dainty tea cups and saucers, trimmed in gold and sprinkled with lovely pink rose blooms.

I'm looking forward to attending more auctions this Spring and going to yard sales too!!

Look at this beauty!  A Norma Originals doll from the 1950's, her name is China Doll.  She is lives in a Southern mansion, where she often thinks of her ancestors.  But she is very proud to be an American.  She comes with her own educational story.  Such an interesting find!!

The Doll with an Educational Story


Check her out at my Etsy shop here.

Jack in the box

I just listed a 1960's Jack in the box, minus Jack.  It's a great colorful metal box, perfect for a conversational piece or as decorative artwork in a child's room.  What a fun piece!  See details here.

I'm still working on those vintage ornaments...Posting soon..

                                                                                                                             
Autumn is truly in North Carolina today.  It's a cool 39 degrees in Stoneville where I live.   And it's November, which means the holiday season is about to begin.  My thoughts turn to turkey, pumpkins and family gatherings, warm fires, apple cider and long walks through crunchy paths.  It's time to hike and enjoy God's beauty in the red, oranges and yellow leaves of the forest.  It's also time to find those Christmas treasures so I can list them in my shop.  I did have such luck in a little second hand store in downtown Madison, NC last Friday.  There on the back table was a basket of lovely mercury glass ornaments, in silver and gold tones.  I was fortunate to be able to buy the entire lot, including the darling basket!  Keep an eye out because I will be listing them soon.  I am happy with the Christmas items I listed yesterday...check them out here

You can see them at Peony Expressions, here

                                                                                                                               

My weekend was spent in Norfolk with folk I love, my sisters and their husbands.  My youngest sister, Jane and her husband, Steve, have recently moved to this interesting spot in Virginina.  It is one area that I was not familiar with and I had a great time exploring the area with everyone.  They live in historical Ghent, in an old, restored three story house.  It was a quaint home with big ceilings and lots of fireplaces and just plain character.  We walked to the museum to watch an amazing glass blowing demonstration, to the wine bar for lunch and to an old fashion movie theater for the afternoon matinee.  We walked to the harbor to look at the ships.  We cooked and ate gourmet meals, talked, played games and just enjoyed our time together.  On Saturday we did stumble across a church yard sale and my husband found a book that he is enjoying.  But I did not come across any unusual or great treasures for Peony.  I still have many items to photograph and list, including those ornaments.  So I leave you here with some pictures below and  I will go get busy.

Another view of USS Missouri

Battleship USS Missouri

German three masted ship built in 1914.

Good luck today!

I ventured back to the second hand store today in Madison and found a great find!  There in the back of the store in its original box was a Norma Originals doll. She is dressed in a red Chinese outfit and holds a cute little paper fan.  I am researching her origins.  I'm thinking she dates back to the '40's or '50's.  Such an unique doll.  A picture will be coming soon.  I have found that Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the best days to browse these kind of shops.  They have been restocked from the weekend.  How was your day?