Nursery Rhyme Baby Bottle

 As you may know, I collect anything related to The Little Red Hen. Recently I was on ebay scrolling through listings, looking for books I don't have, when I discovered the bottle below.

I did some research, and discovered that it's a Samuel Callet nursing bottle. Starting in 1947, Samuel Callet contracted with the Knox Glass Company in Parker, PA to make a line of nursery rhyme nursing bottles. There were many designs through the 1950s and 1960s, but obviously this one is my favorite! I have never seen one before, and am so happy to have it in my collection. Just for fun, I took a photo of it with my favorite Little Red Hen book and my polka-dot apron, which matches the one worn by the hen in my blog header.           



Today I'm linking up with Holly at Cutie Pie Cottage for Dotty Hop Day and Sue at It's a Very Cherry World for Rednesday.

Utter Clutter...and my very first giveaway!

Winter has finally hit here; snow is on the ground, and swirling around the corners of the house. With the exception of a trip to the library, I'm cozying in and watching it out the windows of my sunroom. I think I'll make a cup of tea and grab one of those books I picked out this morning. Sounds like a relaxing way to spend the afternoon right? Well here's a picture of what my sunroom (which is also my craft/sewing room) looks like right now. 

There is no way I can relax in this room. Here's another angle:

I didn't move a thing for this picture. And here's a close up of my desk:

Have you ever seen such a disorganized mess?

So for 2012, I've chosen a theme word:

CREATE

And to start with, I'm going to create space. Peaceful space. Space where I can relax, think, read, sew and well...create!

Here's the book I've been reading since the beginning of the year. I read it for the first time years ago and thought it was motivating and inspiring, and boy do I need some motivation and inspiration right now.

To celebrate the start of a new year, I'm giving away a new copy of this book to one of you! To win, all you have to do is make a comment on this post. Where do you need to clear clutter in your home or life? My guess is we all have certain areas that continue to give us trouble! I'm starting in my sun room and will keep a count of how many things I throw/give away (and I'm starting with this book!). It's amazing how freeing it can be!

If you know someone else that might be motivated by this book, let them know to stop by and make a comment. I'll randomly draw the winning name next Friday, January 20. Be sure to leave an e-mail address so I can contact you if you're the winner. 

I'll update you on my progress as I create peaceful space in this room. I want to give it a complete makeover--on a budget of course! But for now, I'm going to ignore the clutter, grab that cup of tea and watch the snow fall.

The Launch of Sing and Don't Be Silent!

I had every intention of posting something really inspiring yesterday, but instead ended up with a bad virus on my computer, so it's on its way to the Geek Squad as we speak. Not how I thought I'd be starting 2012, but it can only get better from here, right?

I hopped on my daughter's computer to let you know that she has launched her new blog, Sing and Don't Be Silent!

 Introducing Sarah!

I hope you'll stop by and pay her a visit.

And check back here for that inspiring post I had planned!

 

Happy New Year!

The passing of one year, and the beginning of a new one, is always a time of reflection for me. The new year brings a fresh start, new possibilities, and potential opportunities. My greatest hope for 2012 is that I find the courage to act on the many dreams I have harbored for so long. What George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans) said many years ago is still true today.

"It is never too late to be who you might have been."

Happy New Year! Blessings to you and yours in 2012. May this be the year we discover who we might have been.

My Special Christmas Gift

Christmas is over. All the anticipation and waiting is past. Today I will take down all the decorations, and the trees we so carefully chose will go to the curb. That always seems so sad to me. They look so lonely out there, after being so beautifully garbed, standing as the focal points of our home for over a month.

Before moving on, I wanted to share a very special gift I received from my youngest daughter. She used some fabric I had stashed away, and embroidered my blog header, adding buttons to match the theme. 

I was so surprised and touched by her thoughtfulness and creativity. Isn't it cute? I plan to put it in a shadow box frame and display it proudly.

I call her my Chicken Little, and she will start sharing her thoughts and creativity on her own blog on January 1. I'll send you the link once she puts up her first post. I think you'll enjoy it!

Let the Countdown Begin!

Only 3 days until Christmas, and boy do I have a lot to get accomplished before then! So tonight I thought I'd just share some random pictures of Christmas decorations in our home. 

My daughter made the collage with vintage cards





My kids made these when they were younger

From our house to yours,



A Very Vintage Christmas

It may be a little late for this year, but if you want to take a nostalgic look at Christmases past, you should look for Susan Waggoner's vintage-inspired books.

It's a Wonderful Christmas celebrates Christmas traditions from 1940 to 1965.

Under the Tree focuses on toys and gifts from 1930 to 1970 (Easy Bake Oven, anyone? I sure wish I still had mine!).

And Christmas Memories presents holiday styles from the 1920s to1960s.

Her newest book is Have Yourself a Very Vintage Christmas. It just came out in November, so I don't have a picture of it (in other words, I haven't been able to buy it yet!). I did check it out from our library, and it's a fun book full of vintage-inspired Christmas crafts.

Looking through these books, which are filled with wonderful, old-fashioned images, takes me back to a simpler time. If you like A Christmas Story, It's a Wonderful Life, and White Christmas, these books are for you! Put on your favorite Bing Crosby Christmas CD and let the memories begin.