Snow, Snow, Snow

Wow did it snow!  Unbelievable for the first snowfall of the season.  I'm guessing well over 12 inches in my yard.  The boys and I thought we had enough time to get home from Peoria yesterday (since the snow was forecast to start around 9pm).  Boy was I in for a surprise when I hit Rockford,  It was horrible. The snow had started before 6pm.  How can something so beautiful be so dangerous in the dark?  We made it home safely, but I was way too stressed after that.

This morning, it was beautiful with the trees covered in snow.  I love the snow when I'm home safe and can enjoy it.  It was a good day to stay home and get things done.

The Holiday Open House at Carriage House Antiques is this weekend.  I worked on Thursday and it was soooo crowded.  It was so much fun to see the happiness on everyone's face when they found a vintage Christmas treasure.  Tomorrow the store is open from 12-3.

I can't wait to decorate my house for Christmas.  I love vintage Christmas treasures and just love to open the boxes where the ornaments are stored.  Every year is like finding something new!

A few sales are still popping up.  Happy treasure hunting!

So Many Ideas

I have been gathering ideas/pictures for different Christmas/holiday displays when I finally starting putting it all together.  I have soooo many pots/containers and recently found small trees.  So, I decided to put them together after I gathered other "stuff" that I seem to accumulate.  It sure came in handy this time.

I had two great green boxes that I filled with pinecones and a tree for a simple quick display. Yesterday I found a really cool cheese box and decided to fill it with a tree, sparkly ornaments and a gold glitter deer that I did last year.  The deer was red but was missing color in patches all over its body so I didn't feel bad covering it.  This display came out cute with some bling.

I also love buckets, which I have many.  So, I just added fake trees with pinecones to a sap bucket and red/white enamel bucket.  Love the look!

While I was creating with small vintage trucks, I came across a vintage Santa that I have always loved and didn't want to part with.  I just added him to a truck, filled it with an evergreen pick and added some trim around the truck.  It's a keeper!

This past summer I found a chippy green stand that I knew would be great as a stand for a wreath.  So simple to tie a wreath to it.  I chose a red berry wreath so both would stand out.

This morning I had some extra time, so I finished putting two bottlebrush trees (one is vintage) onto vintage wooden blocks and then added some trim.  A hot glue gun really comes in handy this time of year.  They will be cute to add a little extra something in a display.  I love to use vintage items as often as possible.  I have been saving vintage wood blocks and I'm glad that I did.  They give the trees so much more character.

I just wanted to share some ideas for simple holiday displays.  I'm off to a few estate sales today where I'm sure to find more treasures.  

Happy treasure hunting!

Life With an Almost Nonexistent Internet Service

Where I live, our internet service is almost nonexistent.  (I have blogged and complained about it often.) We use a satellite service for most of our needs plus another phone service so the boys can play their video games.  Well, we used up all of them a few weeks ago and have been struggling to keep going.  So, I have unfortunately not been able to even view my blog until today.  It's so sad and with no remedy anytime soon.

The good news is that I have been to a few Holiday Open Houses recently.  I love this time of year and try to get to as many as I can.  I stopped by one in Woodstock on Friday at the American Barn.
I love the shed in their yard.

That night, my neighbor Jan and I went to Christmas on the Farm in Belvidere hosted by Ann from Nellie's Barn Sale.  We had such a nice time and I got some great crafting ideas that I had to try out as soon as I got home.

Today was Mistletoe Magic at Grace Lutheran Church in Woodstock.  They have crafts, vintage jewelry and soooo many homemade goodies.  Ethan met me there (he loves the cookies by the pound).  It was nice to see so many friends that I only see a few times a year.  We did buy way too many goodies, but I freeze them (after we eat our share) to bring out during the holidays. 

I found some really great rusty and vintage metal toy trucks and followed an inspiration on Pinterest to create a holiday scene.  I just love the red trucks!  I have been stocking up on small Christmas decorations.  They came in handy with this project.  This idea with vintage trucks is showing up a lot lately that I had to try it for myself.  I am pleased with how they turned out.

Wednesday, November 11, the Pink Geranium on Route 14 in Barrington and the stores on Pepper Road will be having their open houses from 4-8.  On Friday, November 13 (Thursday with a $10 entry fee) starting at 4pm is the Algonquin Library Book Sale.  One of our favorite book sales!

November 19-22 is our open house at the Carriage House.  I have been busy going through my vintage Christmas and boy do I have the vintage Christmas treasures.  It's hard to believe but in one week I'll be setting up for the open house.  I'll be there on Thursday.  Here is your invitation:

There are still sales here and there.  I was at a fun estate sale in Crystal Lake.  I found really great bark cloth drapes in a bold brown floral pattern.  Love them!  Once again, I bought lots of vintage linens.  I have to be careful to stop keeping them for my own collection.

Enjoy this wonderful season.  Happy treasure hunting!