Spring Break

Winter Woes..., with Spring Hopes..., that is what we've been experiencing since we are now able to get into the Barn and move about. This winter did us NO favors. From Atlas to Maximus onto Titan and Zenia, the storms got the upper hand wreaking havoc on much of our paint, stain, and primer inventory.  So sad, as many of these lovely colored hues were full cans.  And even though they were stored in a thermal lined case, the constant sub-zero weather proved too much.   AND SO..., we're taking a break for awhile - at least through spring and summer while we can reassess what may need repaired or replaced, and to let everything thaw in the warm sunshine - at least we HOPE we get some of THAT real soon.


gloppy mess of paint

curdled looking stain

 

Check back this fall to see where we are with everything. In the mean time, we'll still be stopping by our favorite Auctions - wouldn't miss them or YOU our restoring friends - we've made such great acquaintances there.  And STILL - stop by, the coffee's probably on and there's usually some sweet treat in the cupboard - even while we rest up a bit - we're always up for a good chat about antiques, the weather and local happenings..

Seeing Shadows

Rime Ice and Hoar Frost
 

 

Here's a photo of the window screen on the "sunny-side" of the Barn.

...., and so fellow antiquers weathering the winter Polar Vortex that has descended on our Barn, we watch the snow flakes fall, and the Rime Ice form on the windows. After the key re-freezes in the lock after finally getting the door open - you KNOW it's cold outside.  Doesn't look like ANY work will be getting done until Spring thaws.

So put on the tea kettle, steep a cup of your favorite blend and grab a good book - it's going to be at least six more weeks - or so sayeth Phil. 

All's Old is New Again

Greetings fellow antiquarians and I welcome the deltiologist in this new year as well as the ephemorite - are you scratching your head yet?   Well, those of you who collect "postcards"  and a hodge-podge of discarded items of days gone by know to whom I speak - and the really inspirational thing is that we all met over a box of what some would call "junk".  I however prefer the term " slightly used and eclectic".  

Actually if the truth be-known, a local Estate Sale harbored several storied rooms of an old cir. 1830 Greek Revival home where the sale was held just prior to Christmas (really kind of sad).  In a room just off of the Conservatory, there were tables laid from one end to the other with boxes of odds-n-ends. Of course you would be bidding on the entire box, even if it were only one or two items you might be interested in. Alas, myself, and two other interested parties hovered over the same box; returning to it time and again, trying not to draw an inordinate amount of attention to any of our interest in it. 

When finally after having passed by one another several times the deltiologist had the fortitude to speak up - saying " I am only interested in the postcards from this box, so if any of you might delight in a friendly cooperative and mutual bid, we all may come out the better for it".  The two ephemerites chimed in with " well, we really had our eye on the antique drawer pulls, and maybe the quill pen-set".   I listened, knowing that none of these items mentioned were of interest to me, and considered that I had never endeavored with such a business proposition, figured I had little to loose.  My response to the three of them was " I favored the tea cozies and the strainers so it looks like none of us are interested in the same things".

 

And there in lay the making of new associates and the sharing of unique ideas that each had for their spied items.  I was able to share my blog and the Florida table (May 2013 - Not Your Average End Table) repurposed last year using antique postcards and how the drawer pulls could adorn several items we'd previously completed. Lively conversation ensued with exchanges of business cards and invites to come visit our shops.

It was a truly unique and charming way to make bidding different - and I didn't feel quite so sad to remove the belongings of the former deceased residents personal possessions - I felt like they got three good homes.

 Happy New Year to you all - and may 2014 bring more great antique finds and new associates to you all.

Antiques, Traditions & Friends

The Holidays.       Those two words invoke so many memories.  Like cherished antiques often hold memories too.  The extra dining table leafs that are only placed when family gathers around the table for the holiday meal.  And isn't unwrapping the delicate ornaments from days long past such a special a memory maker - the handmade grade-school ones; those that survived the move across country.  The special occasion ones. YES, these are antiques too.

Often in the restoring of antique furniture we can remind ourselves that the piece we are reviving will be placed in a home or office and it will most likely display something or be used for a special purpose. With this in mind, I look around our own home and rekindle the memories of furniture pieces and the collectibles we display.

This year our Christmas wish for you our antiquing friends and associates is that you will also take a moment amid the hurried holiday happenings and think about the history and tradition all around you in your own home.  And so....................., a wonderful early surprise Christmas present arrived this year from a dear friend, and it has stirred quite the lively conversation that naturally brings forth the re-telling of  a German Christmas tradition  - some of you may know of it                                         
 

THE LEGEND of the CHRISTMAS PICKLE.

Long ago in Germany the pickle legend began. The where's and why's are unknown  - perhaps it represented the three Wisemen's search for the baby Jesus -  for now, it is a tradition passed down generation to generation and enjoyed by the entire family. The last ornament placed on the tree is a small green pickle ornament and is done after the children are tucked in bed. It is hung with care and is hidden amongst the other ornaments tucked within the tree.  The search begins on Christmas morning as anxious eyes search through all ornaments gazing again on ones handmade, as gifts given, those marking anniversaries or travels and the ones lovingly handed down by parents and grandparents in the search for the lone pickle.

 The lucky person to find the pickle ornament can get a special treat. Perhaps they can be first to open a present or get the place of honor at the Christmas table.

- thank you Suzan, Merry Christmas

So what was this gift that sparked such lively conversation (?) 
An antique Pickle Castor from a dear, dear friend.


And as noted earlier - among our prized and cherished gifts ; memories, traditions, family and friends. And as with all Christmas's past, the most precious gift -  a selfless act of LOVE from ABOVE.

Merry Christmas to each and every one of you !

November's Disappearance

Daylight savings time is now the first Sunday in November - should be no big deal since it only advanced one week from when it used to be the last Sunday in October. But it seemed that overnight the morning was still in darkness, and I was taking the dogs out using my flashlight. It also seemed that the evenings were growing shorter - in just a day's time - and thus it was then that the Barn winterization began a little earlier, and the projects that lay waiting the "next step" began to get stored up for the cold that was encroaching on the horizon.  And  then the c-c-c-o-o-l-d descended upon us.

In one brisk gust of wind, Halloween night blew in with temperatures dropping into the 20's; hammering rains, and impending SNOW.  Yes, snow for Halloween !  

So you ask, I assume, what does this all have to do with November !   Well, my apologies to you dear faithful antiquated reader - because for the first time in several years, we were unprepared for the rapid change of weather. The Barn was in a disarray for what seemed like the whole month of November.  We scurried to move the paint and varnishes to warmer locations. Soiled rags were sent to the bonfire because they had frozen stiff and were beyond cleaning.  The whole scene looked like a morgue of dismembered wooden legs (table legs that is) and droplets of cherry stain could have easily been mistaken for a  late October  All Hallows Eve Vampiric visit.

Thus, November disappeared between two turns of the calendar page - October and December.  Thank goodness the harvest decorations that adorned the walkway leading up to the Barn sufficed through the month, that is, until the deer started nibbling on our pumpkins - yep - right up to the Barn doors they came, apparently also caught off guard by the rapid temperature drops and approaching hunting season.

As I write this post, the antiques are all covered. Disassembled pieces have been numbered and stored. Tools have been oiled and shuttered. Supplies shelved and wood shavings swept into the burn bin. All is quiet and still.

And yet, I still wonder - where did November disappear to?  Perhaps it knew before we did to hunker down and ready itself for a long winters nap.