Toys

I love to fill up boxes and suitcases with toys.

Some of these toys belonged to THGGM, some to my kids, and that white polar bear with the red collar is Baby Boy's. I made it.

I just love how they look all snuggled up together.

The games and puzzles still have all of their pieces.

I think the small bear might be a Steiff. THGGM remembers that at one time it had something in it's ear. Oh, yes. I think I remember that too. I took it off.

I bought the tiny sock monkey ornament for Baby Boy.

I lined the bottom of the suitcase with a quilt top that THGGM's grandmother made.

I will be tweaking these right up until the day I put them away until next year.

Finishing Touches

From the picture below, I got the idea that I wanted to start collecting vintage pinecone ornaments.

That was before I discovered them in the antique malls for between $8 -$12 a piece!

Well. I can't do that.

So, I mentioned it to Daughter, who graciously gave me her plastic glittery gold pinecones.

They didn't cost me anything.

And, I must admit that I do like how they look.

I still hope to stumble upon some of the vintage ones at some point, but I'm in no hurry.

This book by Lynette Jensen is one of my favorites.

If I could, I would decorate every room in my house in her style.

Corners of My Aunt's Home, 14

Wow. It's hard to believe that these pictures were taken a month ago!

These pictures are from the kitchen.

Besides a 'plethora' of Dutch themed kitchen items, there is a nice collection of chicken things also.

When my aunt and uncle moved here they raised chickens. When Daughter first visited my aunt and uncle with us one year they still had two remaining chickens.

My aunt recalls hearing Daughter tell the cats "Now children, don't be afraid of the cock-a-doodle-doos!"

I love whatever this is in the creamer. Rose hips, maybe?

My cousin picked these up for his mother while visiting in France.

Egg cups!

Vintage cookbooks, tea towels, pottery bowls and a rolling pin.

So appealing!

I'm feeling a bit sad now. I want to go back. We visited once at Christmas time and, oh! how beautiful that was!

As I'm sure it will be this Christmas also.

Corners of My Aunt's Home, 13

A shelf of children's dishes on a wall in the dining area.

The plate on the left, which I did not get a good picture of, was used by my cousin Tom, who is now 50. I guess that makes both him and his baby plate antiques in their own right.

I love the graphics on children's plates!

They tended to represent scenes from childhood, instead of the present day scenes from movies.

I find it so surprising that china baby plates survived childhood!

My aunt found the two figures on the right and bought them because they reminded her of her two youngest grandchildren, who delighted in 'dressing up' when they were younger.

Her daughter-in-law, Edie, found the two on the left and gave them to her, knowing how much she loved them!

Weather Vane

I love this!

My uncle added it to his garage a few years back.

Corners of My Aunt's Home, 12

All of these pictures are from the west living room wall.

This wall's major focal points are the beautiful quilt, a hall tree which was originally in my aunt's (and my mom's) childhood home, and a white shelf filled with treasure.

The hall tree seat has another ivory inlaid tray from India. This was before the use of ivory was prohibited. The 'other' sister of my mom and my aunt was a missionary in India.





Notice the sailboat picture above the white shelf. My uncle took this picture while they were traveling in The Netherlands. I wish I had gotten a better picture of the picture, as it is really beautiful!

See no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil. I remember these monkeys from my grandma's house.

I once saw a group of four. The fourth one said 'have no fun'!

Corners of My Aunt's Home, 11

Everything in this post is what you see reflected in this hall tree mirror.

It is all on or above the piano keyboard.

Isn't this a cute pitcher? I believe it is Kate Greenaway, but I'm not sure.

I cropped this picture a bit to short. The pitcher is sitting on "The Bird's Christmas Carol", a delightful Christmas story about Carol Bird.

Try to find a copy and read it to your family!


Fabulous picture!

I'm crazy about the candle holders. I had never seen anything like them before.

It's no surprise that I love the Dutch skaters.

A Treasure!

My aunt found this Palmer Cox Brownie book in an antique mall in Door County, WI.

These are getting almost impossible to find.

It is in WONDERFUL condition!

And she got it for $2.oo.

Someone did not know what they had.

And, as an added bonus, it has a beautiful spine.

A Few Great Post Cards

Little Dutch Girl

Now do you believe me?

It is impossible to have too many Dutch pictures.

I think this girl looks like she would be interesting to know.

She hangs on the east facing wall in the living room.

Corners of My Aunt's Home, 10

These pictures are all of the south facing wall in the living room.

My aunt and uncle had the heirloom rocker for years. Recently they had it restored. It is TRULY a thing of beauty and a joy to behold!

Notice the afghan on the rocker. It is a 'prayer shawl'. My uncle had surgery a year ago, and someone from their church lovingly knitted this for him - and as she knitted, she prayed for him.

The black shelf by the front door holds a Palmer Cox "Brownie" plate and cup.

I know I am over using the word 'charming', but it IS charming! There is no other word to describe it!!

And, since a home can never have too much 'Dutch' in it, here are my dad and mom.

My aunt and uncle's beloved dog, Duke, is keeping an eye on them.

Corners of My Aunt's Home, 9

This gorgeous picture hangs over the loveseat in the living room.

It is such a peaceful pastoral scene.

This is what can actually be seen out the window which the loveseat faces.

It is also a peaceful pastoral scene.

THGGM certainly did get his rest on this vacation!

A close-up of the picture.

Sigh...