It's a Day of Thanksgiving!

Let us celebrate God's goodness to us! 

 We have so much to be thankful for!

Just for fun, I like to play with my little seasonal vintage knick-knacks,
like these cute little squirrrels!   Old Salt and Pepper Shakers from my shop,
hanging out with my pretty new white pumpkin.

I am thankful for my small business,  Vintage Treasures, which is so enjoyable.
   Thank you to my dear customers for your patronage!

I am thankful that I get to work at something I enjoy so much,
sharing pieces of the past, and bringing so much pleasure to others. 
It's the little things  that  really are the big things.  

  Pie time!  My grandkids gave me these new potholders!
I am thankful that they are such thoughtful young people.
I am so thankful for the abundant foods we can all enjoy.
I'm forever thankful that my Mom baked and taught me to bake!

I am thankful for my cozy home and all my pretty things.

I mix up all my autumn dishes, using similar transferware patterns 

Homer Laughlin china and novelty pieces too.

  A happy jumble of pretty things,  even if I only have a few of each.

 I  especially love this turkey plate!   



A souvenir from my new friend Yvonne's  fabulous shop in 
 Cayce, South Carolina.
Click on turkey to visit their unique store!

 Subway art from a fellow blogger lists my favorite fall blessings.

  



Grandma didn't forget kid-friendly fall decorations too!

"How wonderful it would be if we could help our children and grandchildren
 to learn thanksgiving at an early age.  Thanksgiving opens the doors. 
  It changes a child's personality. A child is resentful, negative,    or thankful. 
  Thankful children want to give---  they radiate happiness, they draw people."
                                                                                    Sir John Templeton

I am so thankful  that God has blessed me with my sweet grandchildren.

"Thank you for the food before us,
the friends beside us,
 and the love between us."
Denise's Window Box

I am thankful for the brave and dedicated military personel,
 who sacrifice so much to keep America free!

 For All We Have

                                                                               by Roger J. Robicheau

A table with chairs, that welcome sight

Our family, our friends, pure delight.

A caring kiss with a gentle smile

Each tender hug lasts that country mile.

The presence of love so fills the air

This gift of God brings our hearts so near

Reflections of past bring nurtured thoughts

Great visions come by, what life has taught

In thankful ways we embrace this day

And often think of loved ones away

Those serving us proud are often gone

But their spirit remains, closely drawn

Our nation should praise each special one

For all we have's through what they've done.

The freedom to have Thanksgiving Day

Keeps certain plates bare, please truly pray.

In 1863, Abraham Lincoln declared the last Thursday of November

 to be a national Day of Thanksgiving.

 

May your hearts and homes be filled with

 the warmth of Thanksgiving.

Love, Linda

Fall Antiques at Women's Club

 A local antiques show took a lot of my time last week, but I thoroughly

 enjoyed selling my vintage treasures with the other  ladies and their great displays. 

Gail, who once had a tea shop,  had oodles of teapots and lovely china. 

 My little grandson came to visit in his Halloween costume 

 and immediately found a rocking horse in the foyer. 

China at Stacy's booth matches mine, from Czechoslovakia. 

Super talented Nancy showed me a charm quilt.  Every single piece is a different fabric. 

 This miniature umbrella quilt is designed by  Tina Gravatt, author, collector, and lecturer.

 

Lovingly pieced and  hand quilted

by Nancy Steelman

Nancy is also making a table runner with yo-yos.

Here's a nifty gadget, from Clover to help make the yo-yos easier. 

It is sold in fabric and needlecraft stores.

 My granddaughter, Amber came to visit with her friends and found some vintage CareBears,
and we giggled as each girl picked the one that matches her personality!

A real treat!  Hans, a retired violinist from the Louisiana Philharmonic strolled around the room playing tunes from Fiddler On The Roof and other Broadway hits.
  It was incredible, you could walk around shopping for presents and hear these glorious songs!

 He seemed to play so effortlessly, and thrilled us with great music!

A  friendly customer stopped to chat, and I spotted her wonderful

tote bag, made of vintage barkcloth.

 Shows you what  amazing things you could do with some  remnants

of some nice old coordinating fabrics and a nifty button.

Here's another  piece of barkcloth that is similar!

 "Wouldn't it make a nice bag?"

Joan always has the most gorgeous linens!

These lovely pillowcases were hand embroidered in the '40s or '50s.

 Here's an unusual piece of depression glass, wouldn't it be pretty with pickles

 and olives on your Thanksgiving table?

Such a sweet teacup and saucer!

Marion makes lots of fabulous seasonal silk flower arangements!

 
 Ah, my cynicism is showing.  I suppose everyone is relieved that the election is over.
I am praying for this great country and our leaders, and that America, the land that I love, will continue to be free and prosperous, and  I am reminding myself that God is in control. 

 A cute clip art piece I grabbed and edited,  from a 50's Sears Paint brochure.

Then,  after all that fun playing with my vintage treasures and seeing all my friend's
 fine displays at the Women's Club Antiques Sale,  I had to get back to more serious work,
painting and making the world more beautiful, one room at a time!

If it doesn't move, paint it! 

 -Robin Kent (and others)

Love, Linda

Safe and Peaceful!

Good Grief!  I just returned from a somewhat relaxing business trip to the genteel, mild-weathered South in time for  the Northeast's  frightening Frankenstorm!

Hurricane Sandy, sounded very scary! 

  First I took down and stowed all my outdoor decorations and brought

in my plants and trash cans. Then I went straightaway to my daughter's

 house to  stay with Tommy and wait out the storm.  It was pretty scary

 last night, but I stayed calm, because of these  words, God's words,

  my blogger  friend Kathy gave me.                                                     

 www.thewritersreverie.blogspot.com/2012/10/in-diy-of-storm.html 

   Such comfort is ours,  if we only trust Him! 

Visit Kathy's blog, www.thewritersreverie.blogspot.com
 and read more inspiring thoughts. and good news.

   Thank God, my family and I  were safe from harm, but many not too far away lost loved ones and had homes and businesses destroyed.  We must pray for the many who are grieving and dealing with the devastation and grueling clean-up efforts over the next few weeks and months. We are grateful for those who served to rescue and save others, and  those who will work to restore  the utilities and roads, and rebuild.

The news today was full of heartbreaking stories of Hurricane Sandy's devastation. 
Our famous Atlantic City, and other  beloved seashore resorts and communities are hit bad!

    So blessed to  simply spend the day with my grandchild , who is eager to play outside once again.




Rain, rain, go away... Little Tommy wants to play!

Oh, and I like the 4th verse too!
  "Always be full of joy in the Lord, ........"


Just happy tonight to be safe and peaceful.   I can tell you about my trip later.

Love, Linda 

Autumn Joy

Well, it's time to bring in the tropical plants- banana tree,
bougainvillea, and mandevilla, before a frost nips them.
  They'll winter once again,  crowded in my bedroom's bay window,
"my little jungle" , until spring returns and they'll go back to the patio.

 This amazing blossom on a hanging houseplant surprised me last week,
 and then several more appeared, one-a-day, on this Christmas-Cactus-type
 plant in my kitchen window.  First time it ever bloomed, and I've had it for several years!
A sweet gift, just as I was lamenting the summer flower's dying in my garden!

Does anyone kow what this plant is?

I love the name of this sedum, an easy-to-grow plant that looks good most of the year. .
  

"Autumn Joy"


"How beautifully leaves grow old.
How full of light and color are their last days"
- John Burroughs

Fall brings school activities, reunions, sports and homecomings.
Homecoming at Rutgers University was great, but I couldn't go this year.  At least my grandkids got to go with their Aunt Amy, who's a law student there.  It just thrills me to see my daughters together with my grandchildren.  I especially like the teenage kids to participate in some campus life and start thinking about planning their own not-too-distant  future college days.

 My granddaughter  Amber and I had tea and pumpkin pie after school Monday,

 After homework, that is.  I'm so proud of her! 

She has started the school year off right,  by doing her homework as soon

 as she gets home, before anything else,  and  without any reminding from me!

"Oh, how we love pumpkin season. 

 You did know this gourd-ish squash has it's own season, right? Winter, Spring, Summer, Pumpkin...

 We anxiously await it every year."

                       -Trader Joe's Fearless Flyer, October 2010

Easy no-bake Jello  pumpkin pie

   I cheated, and made this quick no-bake pie.  Pretty good, in a pinch to have

 this inexpensive mix on the shelf, if you don't have eggs or evaporated milk.

  Mix the crumbs with a softened stick of butter, wisk the filling mix with milk.

 Then just press the graham cracker crust into a pie pan,  pour the filling in

and chill.  It costs about $3.00, and  only takes 1/2 hour.

This gorgeous teapot is on my Etsy!

I love using this  vintage Hall teapot in the fall.  I just listed it on my Etsy shop.

Easy pumpkin waffles for breakfast with a mix!

Pumpkin  pancakes or waffles are an easy breakfast treat.

 Try mixing 1/3 cup pumpkin puree  and 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice

into the complete pancake/waffle mix  batter. for two servings. 

 "Vegetables are a must on a diet. 

I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread,

and pumpkin pie."

- Jim Davis

 

October is Fire Prevention Month

Area fire departments had an exciting muster in a Lowe's parking lot

 so  families and local kids could meet and greet the firefighters,

 EMTs and D.A.R.E. police officers.  We got a rare up-close look

at all kinds of fire apparatus and great big  ladders extended high into the sky!

   Children were given coloring books, fire hats, rubber bracelets,

  and all sorts of  fire prevention and safety information.

A big thank you to our firemen, police officers,  and rescue  workers,

 for sharing this special night with us!

I copied these important tips from South Jersey Mom Magazine, October 2012

Fire Safety Tips   

•  Make sure your alarms are working.  When you change your clocks, change your batteries.
• 1 alarm on each floor, plus 1 per bedroom is recommended.
•  Designate  a meeting place.  Teach children how to escape and practice.
• Have a flashlight or a bell in kid's room, because they are often frightened and hide.
• Don't forget Carbon Monoxide detectors too!

 Click herehttp://issuu.com/atnich/docs/oct12issue  page 26, for more detailed information

by Fire Prevention Specialsist Mike D'Orizia

Fall has been lots of fun so far for my family and now we're

 planning costumes and hayrides, and visits to the pumpkin patch!

 

Hope you are having lots of  fall fun too!

Love, Linda

I joined the Time Travel Thursday Party at www.thebrambleberrycottage.com 

The Cottage Garden Party at www.etsycottagestyle.blogspot.com

 Wow Us Wednesday at www.familyhomeandlife.blogspot.com.

More the Merrier Monday at http://diyhshp.blogspot.com

and Potpourri Friday at http://twenty-eight-0-five.com.