Curious

This Christmas gift came to me all the way from Maine.

It was dug out from the bottom of a basket full of letter balls found at an antique store.

Another T for my collection.

But we are all stumped, including the lovely that spent time digging until she found a T!

Does anyone out there have an idea what its original purpose might have been?

UPDATE: I think we may have our answer. My first hunch, based on the weight and feel and the chips on one side, was that it was some sort of a game or lottery ball. Then Debbie left a comment telling us that she is sure that it is a "Carpet Bowl". I have done some searching online, and have yet to find a carpet bowl with letters on it, but everything else about it seems to fit the description. So, for now, I am the proud owner of a "Letter T Carpet Bowl". If anyone else finds more information, please let me know!

UPDATE UPDATE: Well, now it is growing clear... my beloved "Letter T Carpet Bowl" appears to be a reproduction, possibly made by Ballard Designs, Pottery Barn, or Coldwater Creek. All three had sets for sale a few years ago. They look fabulous all gathered together. But I think I'll keep mine just the way it is. Regardless of whether mine is original or a copy, I love having it as part of my mantle arrangement.

What I Got for Christmas

Old pin cushion and old-style scissors...

I can't stop admiring the pin cushion... its pretty fragile, and certainly has been used, but that just makes it better, don't you think?

My baby brother and his wife found this cute little retro sewing box for me...

Made from wood and leather to look like a book... this will be my current-project box to help me keep my jumble of threads organized.

And I now have an additional 2 letter Ts to add to my collection. The little red vintage game tile,

and a tie clip, which is darn cute when I wear it with a v-neck sweater or cardigan.

There are some other things too... wool boot socks to wear with my forty dollar boots, a retro-inspired apron that matches my kitchen, and this book, which I'll possibly review here at a later date.

But you all know that I usually save my gift from the Mister for last right? And this Christmas was no exception. You'll recall that he gave me the gift of laundry for my Birthday this year.

For Christmas, he gave me the Gift of Organization.

A Gift that I have been craving for a very, very long time.

You see, when my sweet baby girl was born, I had to give up the rights to the remaining free room in the house. And to make it even worse, I had nowhere at all to store my supplies, which means the poor girl has had to sleep with my piles of stash teetering around the perimeters of her room for nearly 3 years.

If you've been reading my blog for awhile, you may remember this birthday present, made by my talented husband. For Christmas, I got its twin.

These are the "After the Before, but Before the After" pictures...


Ugh. Yeah... literally piles. Ugly metal garage sale bookshelf from college, baskets, boxes, plastic drawer-totes, and piles. Very un-inspiring, if you ask me.

Well, after a full day and a half of PLAYING, these are the much-more-inspiring vignettes you will find in our shared girl-room...






I'm not sure yet if I'm proud or embarrassed, but here is my entire fabric stash:









The best part about my Gift of Organization? It didn't cost one cent. The shelf was made using materials already on-hand, and all of my boxes and baskets and bins were a perfect fit for the shelving. All I "had" to do was cover a few ugly thrifted hat boxes with fabric and paper from my stash. And that is what I call good, cheap, fun!

Christmas Celebrations

We were blessed this year to be able to spend time with both sides of the family and still get a travel-free Christmas Day at home. And the best part? It was a WHITE Christmas at Hillside Farm! Here is a photo recap of the festivities:

Whittaker celebration in Junction City:
Stockings hung with care:


Lots of presents:


Playing with Auntie Jo and Uncle Tim:


Twist celebration:
Reading with Cousin Savvy:


Baby Girl on the move!


More presents:




A White Christmas at home:

Waking to snow Christmas morning:


Playing with Daddy and new toys:


Sledding!

A Wonderful Gift

My darling husband gave me the best gift this year for my birthday, something I have wanted for years- predating my relationship with him even!

First, I will preface the revelation with the poem he greeted me with on my birthday morning:

Today is your birthday and I made you a present,
I didn't spend a penny cause you married a peasant.
No flashy gold earrings or diamonds that shine,
So if that is what you wanted, please do not whine.
Instead I thought of you, oh what does my dear need?
I even asked Jack, but he could not give me a lead.
Perhaps a new car, more shoes, or new clothes?
But all the above could bring lack of money woes.
So from out of my stash of the odds and the ends,
And the this and the that and nails with no bends
I soon found some stuff, old and neglected,
And in very short time had your present erected.
I hope that it fits your needs and your treasures,
And brings you delight in very short measure.
You deserve all the best and this is yet another,
Hand crafted birthday present for my loving wife and kids mother!

Being that my birthday fell on a Sunday this year, we then rushed off to church, and it wasn't until we returned home that he led me to his shop where he showed me what his resourcefulness and talent had created. I neglected to photograph it then, but yesterday, after spending a good amount of time getting it situated, bolted to the wall, and filled with what it was made to be filled with, the end result was this:


I now have my very own library in a corner of my bedroom, and I am in love with it! It perfectly matches the four-posted bed that he made for my wedding gift, and the bed stand that he created for last year's birthday. I told him he could make a tradition out of making furniture for me each year until our house is filled with all the right pieces. I am blessed to be attached to this gifted and thoughtful man for the rest of my life!

Incidentally, the little table was also built by him, as well as several other pieces in our house. Someday maybe I'll get them all photographed and into a blog.