Veterans Day

I usually babysit our Otto on Wednesday, but it's Veterans Day and my daughter has the day off. We did have the little guy yesterday. He is growing up and talking up a storm now.

I find myself thinking about my uncles today. My dad was not in the service. He was too young for WWII and he wasn't called for the Korean War as he was married and I was a baby. But my Uncle Joe and Uncle Ed were in WWII and my Uncle Rich and Uncle Ray were in the Korean War. Only my Uncle Ray is still alive. I never thanked these brave men for their service. I don't think I realized what they had done for me when I was young. I wish I could say thank you to them now. 

That Old Bean Pot!

Jim was digging around in the garage at an Estate Sale recently, and came across this wonderful brown bean pot! We both fell in love with it...great color and great look!.

After our fabulous summer trip to New England, we are both just so fascinated with the region and the things that we find out here in the West. I wonder how thing migrate out here from so far away. I actually found this recipe book at the bins when LaVonne was visiting. I had good intentions of selling it in Jim's booth, but once I got it home and was able to read though it, I couldn't part with it!
The cover is wood and has a paper recipe booklet inside from the 1960's.

 Love this opening page about NEW ENGLAND with it's charming vintage print. I know, a bit corny but I just soak it up.

I was hoping to find a recipe for Boston Baked Beans. Yes, there was one waiting. I have looked online too and they are pretty much the same. I haven't had a chance to bake up some beans yet, but think it would be great fun to give it a try in the bean pot!.

In the mean time, the little brown pot just likes it new home...living with the brown butter churn.
It would be interesting to chat with someone who has actually baked up a pot of beans in this type of old bean pot. Happy cooking. 

Sunday Thoughts

Just something to think about today. Thanksgiving is just around the corner...do you have a Thankful Heart? Happy Sunday.

Tea Time #94 and Paper Place Cards

It's getting dark outside already. It's been a gloomy day with very little sunshine today. My many maple trees are shedding their leaves now, as you can certainly see in this photo. Most of our fall "color" where I live in Oregon is gold and yellow and brown. You have to go up into the hills to get more red tones.

I do love this time of the evening...dusk. I like to turn the little candles on and enjoy the flicker and just look at the fall china in my hutch.  My photos may be a bit dark today, but I like the look. I never tire of decorating my hutch for the different seasons.

This is my teacup for Tea Time Thursday. It's a Johnson Brother's piece called WILD TURKEYS Native American Windsor Ware. It is made in England. Years ago I was able to collect dinner plates, cup and saucers, a large platter and soup bowls. It really is fun to mix and match Johnson Brother's as the browns all just go together nicely.

I have been featuring this teapot in several Face Book posting and blog postings. I have had it for about 25 years and sold them at my gift shoppe. It's just a nice teapot and I cherish it.

You will also see a vintage turkey place card in from of the teapot. I  adore old paper items and pick up place card whenever I find them.

This one is graced with a lovely turkey and a name was never added to this one.

I have a set of eight of these and all are "addressed". I think they are even more charming with names from the past.

This is one of about 5 little cards. Each has a poem added by the maker!

This sweet mug mat is fabric and was given to my last year by one of my tea Pen Pals. I have never seen this fabric, but it sure is cute.

I am thrilled when I find old stickers in the little boxes. I came across this one last summer at an outdoor flea market. It has 5 unused turkeys inside.

I only have one of this place card. Don't you like the printing on this one?

Someone spent a lot of time making these turkeys. You can tell they are handmade and hand colored.

These dessert sized square plates are also made by Johnson Brothers. It is called His Majesty. I think it is still being produced. Mine are marked Made in England.

I fixed a nice pot of vegetable soup for dinner tonight. I do need to clean out the woodstove right now. It's chilly and time for a nice warm and cozy fire. Happy Tea Time Thursday and Happy November. 

Sweet Patsy Joan...An Act of Kindness

Last Saturday, this sweet little doll came home to our house with Jimmy. He was at an estate sale and the lady had it in a brown paper bag, waiting for him! A few weeks ago, we saw this little miss at a sale and I was tempted to buy her. She was just a little spendy for her condition for resale. I really hesitated and hated to let her leave her behind, but I had to walk away.

The owner of the sale remembered that I really liked the doll and she didn't want it to end up at a Goodwill, so she saved it for me as a gift. I was really thrilled and surprised!

She is so sweet, even in her condition. I am very happy to add her to my dolly family. Her name is Patsy Joan and she was made by the Effanbee company in the 1930's. She is a composition doll, her eyes open and shut, she has eyelashes and is 16 inches tall.

She still has her little identification bracelet. You can see her bad little thumb in this photo.

Baby needs some new shoes! Here's have seen better days!  She could use a new dress too.

I found this photo of an Patsy Joan in an original box with her original outfit. Mine has brown eyes, but this one has green eyes.

This Patsy Joan has quite the wardrobe...all original outfits.

I did find a lady who sells patterns that would be so charming. I may have to get this.

I still am so amazed to have been given this sweet little doll. She is a charming little miss. 

Welcome November

A quick hello, Happy Monday and Hello November on this dark morning. I am waiting for my coffee before I jump into a very busy day and a hectic week. I do love the month of November! It is always the calm before the storm for me. December is so full of birthday and Christmas events and activities.
I love the muted colors of November and am excited to decorate today with all my turkeys.
Have a great week.

Sunday Thoughts

Good morning blogger friends. After a very stormy Saturday, the day promises to be calm and a bit dryer. I came across this quote by Mother Teresa and it really hit me. I love to smile~it makes me happy. I have been pondering these words...a simple smile. I worked in retail for so many years so I understand the impact that a smile can have. When I'm out shopping, I have many opportunities to share a smile with someone. How about that tired mom with the crying baby? That grumpy old man could benefit from your kind smile! I might bring a smile to a busy working mom or that business man who is late! My favorite person to engage is the checker. I always ask how their day is going and try to strike up a conversation. It's like a game to get that checker to smile.

We welcome a new month today. November is a great month to focus on being thankful. Share that smile this week! Have a great week.