Thrifting and Junking

I picked up a few things at a thrift store and the funky junk store a few months ago and thought I'd show them to you. When I see things I love that cost next to nothing, I just can't resist. This is why I try to stay out of those kinds of stores most of the time. Its hard not to, since they are within walking distance of my office, but the winter weather keeps me inside most of the time. The only thing is that in North Carolina, there are a few warm days in the 70s in the dead of winter. Its a shame not to get out and walk on those days (wink, wink). LOL

One of my favorites is this old cream with a navy stripe bowl.  Its small and so cute.  I love it.

I have a small collection of white pitchers.  Here's one.

This one is sitting in an old stoneware bowl,  The bowl was at the thrift store for about 50 cents I think!  The pitcher and all the others in this post came from the junk store.

This one is in the corner cabinet in the dining room.

Another 50 cent purchase from the thrift store.  Its a Fire King with the candle glow design baking dish.  I had this idea that at Christmas I'd give some vintage items as gifts.  I even bought these matching kitchen towels to go with the baking dish.

 But in the end, I decided to keep this dish because, 1.  I wasn't sure the recipients would understand why I was giving them a used gift and 2.  I kind of wanted to keep the baking dish for myself!.  I love dishes and especially vintage ones like this.

This is another white pitcher used for storing some kitchen utensils.

I found two galvanized metal watering cans with flower designs on them.  They were cheap and I couldn't resist the sunflower one....

or the Zinnias! This one is on top of a wooden cabinet in the sewing room. That's a sewing box beside it that contains cross stitching supplies. I picked up the spring artificial flowers to make a cheerful little corner.

A Few More Dishes

I really love odds and ends of dishes that I pick up here and there.

This single cup:



A couple more chicken plates:



A bowl with a chip or two:



Close ups of the newest chickens:




I am planning to replace the Christmas dishes that are usually on display in the china cabinet with the some of my dish collection finds. Hope to show you soon.

Afternoon Tea, Anyone?

This is a set of five teacups and saucers given to me by my sweet sister in law. Aren't they beautiful?!! I love them. My sister in law and her husband received them as a wedding gift over 50 years ago. Since she knows I like tea cups, she thought I would enjoy them.

The name of the pattern on the bottom of the cups is "Old Foley", James Kent Ltd, Staffordshire, Made in England, 5440 and there is a hand written "11" on each cup and saucer.









My thanks go to my Sister in law!

White Dishes and Other Things I Like

I have noticed that the beginnings of a collection of certain things happens without my even realizing it. Then I will take the idea and run with it. These are the humble beginnings of a collection of white dishes.

This interesting looking dish was found at a flea market/junk store type place recently for $2.00. I like the design and its cute to serve cookies, a small cake or other foods on. I thought about hanging it on the wall, but its kind of heavy, so I think I'll just display it on a shelf and use it for a serving piece.



My 82 year old aunt who lives in another state, far, far away, (Illinois), sent me this white bowl as a house warming gift. It looks pretty sitting on the table and can hold fruit and other things.



This leaf shaped bowl was given to me by a good friend who passed away a couple of years ago. I always think of her when I use it. It, too, has a very unique design.



This plate is very old and adds a sort of shabby chic looking touch to the dining room. I like it with the thrift store picture. The shape of the dish mimics the design of the dishes in the picture.



Other things I like that I may or may not collect are: chicken stuff, sunflower stuff, cookbooks, plants of all kinds, FABRIC (!), cup and saucer sets, wind chimes, rocks for flower beds, quilting books, unique thrift store plates, and more!

You have to be careful not to let collections take over in the house! It does help though if the collection is something you can actually use, like these white dishes. I do not need another collection to dust around. All of these will go into the dishwasher when they are dusty!