More Cabin Sweet Cabin

David added a shelf above the kitchen window so we could have much needed storage.  The vintage bowls are and a coffee grinder are at home there.  

One morning our cabin neighbor, Judy, was cleaning out.  She kindly offered us this cool doorstop.  We speculate about how the driver lost his head.

Someone along the line stenciled "fire water" onto this old jug.  The fireplace seems a fitting spot for it.  

Unfortunately, the photo doesn't do this needlepoint justice.  It is special to us because we took it from our old Wisconsin cabin.  Our mom worked the needlepoint and our dad made the frame from salvaged wood.  We love it.

Cabin Sweet Cabin

When we bought our cabin nine years ago, my husband said, "What are we going to do to fill it up?"  I laughed aloud thinking that I had been squirreling away flea market finds for the three years we were looking for a cabin. 

At a garage sale we found an old shipping crate that we thought would look much better as an end table.  The original mailing labels are still pretty much in tact.  The antique fishing reel was a garage sale find.  The ink well is from a friend and the feathers were kindly donated by local birds.  We have oodles of rainy days at the cabin, so having a multitude of board games, like Scrabble,  is a life saver!

The antique toy phone is a garage sale find as well.  No child can resist the "Boyce's Bear" puzzle.  It's a favorite (and a challenge).  Cindy and I pick up RCMP memorabilia for David.  The small figurine was a recent purchase from an estate sale.   

We love this great tin coffee can.  A $10 find at a flea market near one of our favorite vacation spots.

No log cabin would be complete without a fishing creel.  We left the original old string which was holding it together, then added a lucky lure!

Weekend Fun

We didn't have much luck on vintage items this weekend, but I did find a dala horse for my friend Sherry's collection.  

This pot holder is much too beautiful to use.  We pick these up because we cannot imagine the work, time, and creativity that went into everyday pieces like this.  I wish the detail showed up better in the photo.

Inspiration from Sherry, Guest Contributor

Whenever I need inspiration, or just a fun afternoon of gabbing about a few of our favorite things, I head over to Sherry's house.  I love it when she says two things, "I'm weeding out.  Do you want to have a look before I have a garage sale?" and "I'm reorganizing.  Let's play with the L.S." (little stuff). 

Someday Country Living magazine should interview Sherry and let the readers in on some really special, unique collections.

This is Sherry's display of garden collectibles on a child's toy cupboard.  The wheelbarrow is filled with odds and ends, including pin-back buttons with a "growing theme".  The garden markers were from years ago when she planted an ABC garden with her kids.  Flower frogs were part of her mother's collection for displaying arrangements.  When I asked Sherry about the brass hose nozzles, she replied, "I don't know when or why I started collecting them.  I just like them."

Sherry and I started a long conversation about seed packages.  She has quite an assortment displayed in a Red Wing spongeware bowl.  

She especially likes the graphics on vintage sweet pea packages. I wish I had taken a photo of the zinnia packages.  The photos on the front of the zinnia packages were taken of her mother's real zinnias at Farmers Market.  The seed company asked Lou's permission to publish the photos on their zinnia packages for the following year.  How cool is that?!

My favorites! Gotta love the 1950's.

Sherry also collects trophies.  This display is part of her larger collection.  They represent her favorites and they all tell a story. Wow, everything from figure skating to state fair hogs.  Hmmmm... I don't see Mark's favorite there.

Weekend Treasures - Let the season begin!

Cindy found this great Red Wing Pottery pitcher at an estate sale on Saturday.  Although it's not in perfect condition, the price was right since it will be used as a beautiful vase or as a conversation piece.  (This is also the prime reason why it's torture to treasure hunt with a sibling, relative, or good friend.  I'm trying to be a good sport but it's tough to miss something you'd really like to have.  She'd be wise to keep an eye on it or check my bag before I leave her house the next time.)

We've collected Shiny Brite ornaments for years.   This little drum was sitting in a pile of misc. ornaments.  Since I don't have this one, I snatched it up.  I'll probably add the top piece from a broken one I have. 

We have purchased Monarch spice tins and cocoa tins, but the garlic salt and celery salt shakers are new to us.  

Who can resist a Red Wing beater jar?  At first we thought it was a reproduction.  After looking at the bottom and the smooth, rounded inside, we are convinced it's the real thing.

Triple B - Beautiful Beaded Bracelet

At a sale last weekend I purchased this intricate bracelet.  The gently worn soft suede shows that this piece was worn and yet well taken care of.  

Only someone who has tried to bead can truly appreciate the workmanship in this.

Coffee Anyone?