Christmas time doesn't need to be costly or stressful if you plan ahead, after all Christmas arrives on December 25th every year! So lets take a quick garage sale recap in room number one. The Hitchcock Limited Edition Christmas chair was purchased at a garage sale last spring for $20.00, the decanter set was purchased at a flea market for $25.00, the coffee table was $25.00 from a second hand furniture store, the leather sofa for $100.00 from Craigslist, the rug was $15.00 from a garage sale.
In the kitchen the maple table was $5.00 at a church rummage sale, the lamp was $10.00 from a summer garage sale, the white linen table cloth was purchased at an estate sale for $10.00 and the large silver punch bowl was bought at an outdoor flea market for $20.00 and was complete with silver cups! I made the Christmas tree centerpiece out of construction paper and crayons.
In the dining room this beautiful maple Hitchcock dining room set complete with 6 chairs and a large hutch was purchased for $250.00, the cake plate is made by M.Z. Austria and was about $25.00, the small green glass bowl was .50 from a garage sale, the gorgeous hand tatted linen was $5.00 from a local antique shop, the sculpture and watering can in the background were also garage sale items. The Lemon Cake was made by my son and it's priceless.So don't break the bank but do celebrate this blessed day with ease! Merry Christmas!
My family has passed down recipes from one generation to the next, I am sharing a poppy seed cake recipe from my aunt.Poppy Seed Cake 1 1/2 c poppy seeds, 1 1/2 c milk, 3/4 c butter, 1 1/2 c sugar, 3 eggs seperated, 2 5/8 c flour, 1 1/2 tsp vanilla, 1 1/2 baking powder Soak poppy seed in milk overnight. Cream butter & sugar. Add beaten egg yolks. Then alternately add flour and baking powder, sifted together and milk with poppy seed. Fold in beaten egg whites. Add 1 tsp vanilla. Bake in layers. Serve with cream custard icing. (If you can't purchase fresh poppy seed replace with canned) Icing: Cook 1 pkg vanilla pudding in 1 c milk. Cream 1/4 c sweet butter, 5 TBSP conf. sugar. Add 1 TBSP pudding at a time. Let pudding cool before adding butter mixture.
Sometimes it's nice to be old enough to be able to say, "I remember back in the day when Paul Evans worked with my husband". My husband worked for a very contemporary furniture manufacturer as a catalog designer and photographer. Paul was one of the main designers and frequented the company often. It was a sad day for the company when Paul passed away. I remember that day very well. His designs will always be remembered for their sculptural appearance. His work has gained in popularity over the years and so has the price point. So if you were lucky enough to purchase a piece of Paul Evans furniture be happy.
It's that time of year when we say goodbye to our summer cabin and hunker down in city limits for the winter. I will so miss the serenity of the woods and our tiny urban chic woodland retreat. No more painting until next summer and no more garage sales until March 2011. Yes there will be posts and trips to antique malls but garage sale season is finally over.Our cabin is completely furnished in Danish Modern via garage sales. It seems to match the many windows filled with the woods and its wildlife.
Let the snow begin!
We'll begin with this Homecrest Swivel Rocker with matching ottoman circa the 1960s and 70s is located in the small town of Butler, IN near Fort Wayne. They are asking $165.00. Homecrest is still in business and was founded in 1953 and headquartered in Wadena, MN.
Next stop is the home of the Wolverines in Ann Arbor, MI. This is a newly upholstered teak framed sofa with the asking price of $570.00. 
In Grand Rapids, MI we find a very nice set of black end tables with a matching coffee table for $200.00.
Last stop Cleveland, Ohio for this great retro fireplace! A great price for $85.00. I might be interested in this one. :)
