Vintage Red Reindeer

I haven't had much luck lately finding old christmas items(not that I'm doing any decorating anyway), but I picked up this little guy on Tuesday.

I'm joining Vintage Thingie Thursday at http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/ and Rednesday at http://suelovescherries.blogspot.com/

Rescue Me Clifford

I walked in the house the other day and saw this on the counter. Someone he knew was selling them for $25 to raise money for the Rescue Me Clifford organization. Inside is a cute Furry Friends towel and some shampoo. I got on their website and learned this....

Our sweet inspiration

Clifford was in a gas chamber to die. The kill shelter that had him does not exist any longer. Had it not been for a wonderful woman who banged on the chamber to stop him from being "put to sleep," Marilyn would not have had her friend for the 5 years that she had him. Our pets love us unconditionally, are happy to see us when we get home at the end of a long day, and are there with us during good times and bad. Those of us who have "rescued" pets know that for all that we might do for them, what they give back to us is many times greater. For this reason, we want to give back to them by rescuing others--people and animals both.

Rescue ME Clifford is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to saving the lives of dogs in rural communities who have a high probability of being euthanized. Once a dog is identified as being at risk, Rescue ME Clifford will use its best efforts to tend to the dog's medical needs, ensure that the dog is up-to-date on its shots, and place the dog in a suitable foster home until a permanent home has been found for the dog. Rescue ME Clifford will work with urban rescue organizations in order to achieve as much success as possible. Efforts will be primarily focused in East Central, Illinois.

I think this is a wonderful way to give-to save an animal life is such a great joy-all our animals are rescue!

DONATE.

Rescue ME Clifford accepts tax-deductible donations to help pay for the costs of veterinary care, food, and transport of dogs. You can donate securely online by clicking on the PayPal button below, or, if you prefer, send a check or money order to Rescue Me Clifford, 435 W. Court. St., Paris, Il 61944.
There are a variety of ways to donate.
Sponsor a dog: Would you like to sponsor a dog? We'll email you the dogs pictures, provide you with updates, and let you know when the dog finds his or her forever home.
Tribute: Remember a beloved pet that has crossed over the rainbow bridge through a donation made in his or her name.
Gift: Celebrate a friend's birthday or holiday by giving the gift of a donation to Rescue ME Clifford in his or her name.

Go to their website to learn about the many wonderful stories they have of saving animals lives!

Decorating the Barn 2002 Part II

Decorating the Barn in 2002

I came across some pictures the other day of when I used to decorate the barn for Christmas. I don't think I've done that since 2002. It just gets so cold out there(no heat and all!).

I had an enormous amount of angels then! My BF Tete has these houses now! The place wasn't as packed as it is now either!

I'll post some more tomorrow-kinda fun for me to see how things have changed! Hope you had a great weekend!

Day After Thanksgiving Craziness

Well, I roped my parents into being door greeters yesterday where I worked(does that mean I was their boss for the day since I'm one of the managers?). Everyone in the store got to wear jeans and holiday shirts -so my parents joined in the fun(don't they look cute!). They both did a fantastic job! Me-I was so exhausted after a 16 hour shift on my feet-I went in at 3:15am and got off at 8pm that I could hardly walk. Late shift today and a visit with a friend from high school -and the start of 6 day work weeks-I'm looking forward to Christmas being over!

Thanksgiving Day Fun

Playing board games-which I love to do, but never have anyone to play with! We played Clue and Sorry-I lost both times! The two girls decided they would pull the wishbone-who do you think won? All the kids love my ipad-we had fun looking at Pinterest together!

My dad lets my littlest niece stand on the counter so she can see what she wants from the cupboard-is she spoiled or what?

And at the end of the day, I gave the twins an early Christmas present-two Christmas shirts. Her's says-Be Naughty-Save Santa the Trip and his says -Save Time and skip my sister!

The littlest one nabbed onto my silver shiny Christmas hat! Hope you all had a great day with family!

Unusual Picture

Found this unusual picture yesterday while looking for items to decorate the historic home with. I don't know what Never Again stands for, but the lady looks like she is wearing a santa suit? Any ideas?
I'm joining Vintage Thingie Thursday at http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/

Ella Mae's Thanksgiving Dinner

Went to see my Grams last nite(her husband, my Mom, her sister, Ann) for their Thanksgiving dinner where they invite the family. They had karaoke music and I think she enjoyed that!

Decorating the Rutherford House

Well I'm about finished. Still feel like I should do more, but trying to keep is simple. This is the red room. The hallway

The piano in the music room The entry to the music room

The tree-even though they wouldn't have had one in the 1850's-I wanted a simply decorated one

It's way more difficult to go simple for me-I like to really embellish things-as most of my friends know. It really feels great to have a simple Christmas though-especially when all around us it's commercial. The event is December 10th from 3-7 at the Rutherford house in Oakland, IL. There will be activities from the mid 1800's to see and the cost is $5 a person-children free.

Come if you can!

Getting Ready to Decorate the Rutherford Home

I'm looking thru old photos to get some ideas to decorate the Rutherford House this year. Because they are doing an 1850's Christmas, I plan to keep it pretty simple.

Mostly greens-they wouldn't have had a tree yet-but I will probably use this small cedar like one. Only a few gifts will be used. I'll let you know how it turns out!

Are these old?

I bought these yesterday at a garage sale for $1.00 but I can't tell if they're old-any ideas on how to decide?

The Stand off

It's been an interesting day and nite here-getting acquainted with the new dog. Petie just wants to follow him around and growl and Maggie just barks and stares. It will get better..... We Hope!!!

Dream Life

I love collecting old books with great titles to display in my home or at the historical Rutherford house. I thought this one dated 1893 was a great addition to my collection! I may have to read it this winter!

Ladies Home Journal 1890

I love decorating with old items the best. This is one of my favorite things to display in our parlor at Christmas. I'm joining Rednesday at http://suelovescherries.blogspot.com/

Hedge Apples

My husband brought me home these hedge apples-you don't see very many of them because there are less and less hedge trees. I'm joining Outdoor Wednesday at http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/

We've Been Approved

It's official-we've been approved!!! Taking the hubby over to meet him and make arrangements to have the little guy fixed.

Can't wait to bring him home!

I'm joining White Wednesday at http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/

Blue Table and 2 Chairs

I'm starting to try something different at the antique mall where I have a booth. I'm going to try and take more furniture in. I have a lot of cabinets for smalls that aren't for sale, but after selling a washstand I'd had for a few years at the barn in the mall after just a couple of weeks and the barn being closed-I'm on a new mission. Take more furniture in to sell so the booth will start looking different all the time. So I took this set in yesterday and plan to move some more things out and some new things in.
This little blue set(it could be repainted) is a perfect set for a small kitchen. I like how the two chairs are slightly different-yet still similar-like a mans/women's chair.

I'm joining Blue Monday at http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/

The Closing of the Potting Shed

Some friends of ours-Doug and Greg invited us over last nite for the closing of their potting shed for the winter party. I hadn't seen their garage turned potting shed and it was amazing!!! It really should be in a magazine. So many wonderful details

Doors all around to let in light and breezes

Perfect for relaxing or eating-did I mention the food-soooo good. Soup and cheese sandwiches were so yummy!

A perfect little getaway

Relaxing and Visiting

A great evening with friends!

Meet Lucky

Well, we may have found our new child! I was on my lunch hour and was headed to Dollar Tree when I saw this little black and white dog at PetSmart. I decided I had to go over and see if it was a Rat Terrier. Sure enough and it was the little guy that we had seen over a month ago on their facebook page. My husband wasn't sure about the long tail at the time(but it's so cute and wags all the time!). He's right in between the size of our two other dogs and is about 7 months old. Some one abandoned him in a mobile home trailer and he was there all alone for over a week. What kind of a person does that! I'd like to get my hands around there neck(or better yet-leave them alond in a house without food for a week!).

I think will be a perfect fit for our family and I'm hoping that after my husband sees him-he'll fall in love to and we'll get to bring him home!

Vintage Thermostat

I picked up this unique thermostat at a garage sale last Saturday-don't know what I'll do with it-but it is different shaped!

I'm joining Vintage Thingie Thursday at http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/

Stick Bugs

These have always facinated me-God sure does have a sense of humor! I'm joining Outdoor Wednesday at http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/

Vintage Plastic Santa in Sleigh

I don't know if this is very old-the Santa is very faded, but I liked it and it had the tinest, little bottle brush tree in the sleigh. Couldn't pass it up for the price I paid! I'm joining White Wednesday at http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/