Silver Sunday-Found Treasures

What fun I have had with Silver Sunday!  I have learned about the history of some the pieces I have (thanks to my son who was able to identify markings) and I found a few new pieces in an antique shop that complimented my collection.

Antique shop finds

  

I even got so inspired I changed out my decor on the side table featuring silver in my dining room after removing Christmas decorations.  

I found this tiny little spoon in my mil's collection, maybe it is for sprinkling salt?? I have no idea,  so I bought  a tiny cloche to display it in so I could enjoy it.  I tucked in some special acorns I collected in Sonoma Valley from a very old olive orchard, a bird feather and some eggs.   

I love this covered butter dish...I don't think it is very old but I like how ornate it is.

Finally this long handled spoon's history  was a big surprise to us.  After an intensive search on the internet my son identified this spoon as being from England in the 18th century.  The sterling silver markings actually matched with earlier pieces from the 17th century but he found this style of spoon with this family crest was also produced a century later. So we really think it's about  150-200 years old!

We were so suprised because it just looks like an everyday ordinary serving spoon, although it is very heavy.   I'm glad I didn't  leave this  for the estate sale! 

 

A closer view of the family crest on the handle

So check those silver drawers carefully..you never know what found treasures you may have!

Happy Silver Sunday!

Pretty and Pink Baby Shower Tea

My best friend is having a sweet baby girl next month and  I can hardly wait till she gets here!  I'm playing with tablescapes and teapots in preparation of a
baby shower and tea
later this month.
Here is a peek at the pink. ..

I found the teapot in an antique store and loved the dainty flowers and shape.   (I left my Christmas tree up on purpose and this weekend I'm decorating it with tussie mussies I'm making from paper doilies and pink ribbon- for a later post)   

The teapot was priced very reasonably with the sugar and creamer included so I couldn't resist.

It is from Poland and is in perfect condition.

  I think I need to get a pink girly flowerpot to put the topiary in. 

The BABY tin sign came from a craft mall and I thought it would look pretty at the back of  my buffet table and then I would give it to her for the  baby's room.   

Lace, doilies, teapots, candles and pink...the perfect combination for a baby shower don't you think? 

Happy Pink Saturday!   

Hope everyone enjoys their day and visting Beverly at How Sweet the Sound.  

Window Box Shopping in Napa Valley-Fertilizer Friday

Thanks to Tootsie for being our hostess on this frigid Friday.  I have nothing that is alive outside blooming right now but will share more of my pictures from a recent trip to Napa Valley this past fall.  

                     Great shop in St. Helena

  

 I love shopping in Napa Valley, not just because of the wonderful shops and beautiful items to buy, but I love the window boxes and landscaping along the streets and storefronts.   The climate is perfect for growing anything!   

I love the bold colors in this fabulous window box.  The black box is so elegant with the medallions and all the vibrant hot colors just pop out.  

Here is another view...makes me feel the warmth of the sun!  It's only 4 degrees in Oklahoma tonight!

Hope everyone stays safe and warm.

Silver Sunday

Several different silver patterns

(My favorite is the Tiffany Holly Mistletoe hors d'oeuvre 7-tined fork) 

What a fun idea for a blog party at Gypsy Fish and a great opportunity to get out my silver that usually occupies the drawers of the china cabinet almost the entire year.  I was fortunate to have been given my mother-in-law's silver collection last year.  Most of it hasn't been used in decades and I am of the opinion not to save things for "somedays" or  "special occasions" but to use and enjoy them since we never know when those "somedays"  will come.     I am determined this year to use special things a lot more often and make everyday special!

This is a wonderful chaffing dish and I need to find an insert since I plan on using it for a baby shower later this month.

She had two lovely candy dishes, one with engravings in the bottom and the other plain.  I think they are just beautiful.

"Santa"  brought me the runner for Christmas..I guess I was a good girl this year.  I love the silver contrasted against the black silk.   

This spoon is fairly large and very ornate...it has a woman in an iris design that I've never seen before.

The cake knife/server is engraved beautifully and I will definitely be using this at the baby shower.

Lastly, she also had a set of Oneida the King Cedric pattern that is so elegant.  

This was so much fun getting out silver treasures and family heirlooms.  Hope you enjoy  Silver Sunday and I can't wait to see what everyone has to share!

Pink Saturday and the New Year-Is it Spring Yet?

It's been so cold and now that the holidays are past...I can't wait for spring to arrive.  I know I should be patient and realize that God has given me January and February to organize and get ready for spring but I miss being out in my garden.   Gardening is so much more therapeutic for me than housework.  Go figure?

 I've seen little daffodil tips emerging from the ground  and hope they will not freeze before they have a chance to bloom in  March.  At the moment my yard is covered in snow and I long for green grass!

Beverly at How Sweet the Sound suggested we show a project we want to finish this year.  So here's one of mine..I want to continue landscaping in front of our latest addition to our yard last year..the garden gate and arbor.  This is now the entrance to my garden and it definitely needs some greenery.   I did manage last year to plant two climbing rose bushes on each side of the gate in hopes they would quickly climb the trellis.  One rose grew several feet and the other lagged behind, so now they are uneven!  I also planted two Nikko blue hydrangeas on each side of the gate as well.  This spring I want to re-evaluate and see how they are doing and add some clematis vines or other colorful vines that I can control.  I did plant some morning glories and as much as I love them - they got a little out of hand for this area. 

I'll repost an "after" picture  this summer when things are growing and in bloom.

   Here's to finishing those projects..I have a whole list at my house.  I also dream of taking old windows and making a greenhouse out of them...wish me luck!

Hope everyone has a great Pink Saturday and prosperous New Year!