Treasures From My Father

My father was a NYC sanitation worker for 25 years.  He always said that he loved garbage ... And he did.  In those years he came across so many things.  Some were useful like maybe a working radio or piece of furniture, some was really what it was intended to be - garbage but some were things you might see at antique stores - vintage lamps, antique radios and cameras, furniture, old irons, vintage fans, clocks, jewelry just to name a few.  My father liked to collect things and there was no convincing him otherwise.  Now that he's gone, the task is ours to sift through everything.  It's a big job, but occasionally, we have come across some interesting things.  Here are a few ...

Addams Family books - not in the best condition, but with their dust jackets.  One is from 1947, and the other is from 1950.

 A cigarette case and matching lighter.  Both are in very good condition.  It's funny because I searched for a cigarette case to use as a business card holder for a while and eventually gave up because they can be quite pricey.  Who knew he had one the whole time.

 Christmas sheet music.

 I'm not sure what I can do with this, but I know they might come in handy for crafts so I thought I'd keep it.

 This last piece is something I've admired for years.  An old typewriter that's been around forever.  I'm not sure of the year, but it's somewhere in the early 1900s.

There's also an old vintage phone that I forgot to take.  Next time.

It's been a trying task going through an entire home of memories.  We laugh at times, we remember him at others and we miss him always.  

Bedroom Bargain!

I went to visit my parents in Delaware and when I walked into the guest room, I was surprised by what I saw.  First a few things about the room.  I picked out the curtains (Ikea) and pale blue color on the walls.  I loved the magnolia lamps at a local antique store so my mom went back and purchased them.  The mirror over the bed was a thrift store find that I painted.  The comforter is so old but its also so soft and warm for that reason.  I like the blue and white pattern on it and it actually reminds me of coral. 

So, what surprised me?  The bed.  The last time I was here a few weeks ago, there was a black platform bed in the room that I was never a fan of.

I loved the new bed but wondered what small fortune my mom spent on it.  When mom got back from work, she gave me the shocking news ... $59!  On a whim, my dad asked her if they could go to one of our favorite thrft stores in the area, and there it was.  What a deal!

Life has been busy lately and its been ages since I've participated in a party, but I had to share this one so I'm participating in Today's Thrifty Treasure on Southern Hospitality.

Chairs, chairs, chairs ...

When I walked into my parents house over the weekend, I saw these chairs. We had come upon these chairs while shopping in one my favorite stores in Delaware and I mentioned how great the turquoise fabric on them was. We took a look at the price and it was on the high side, so we left. At some point, my parents went back for them and they had dropped the price so they bought them. This isn't my house, but I picked out the curtains, sea picture (another "junk" find), wall color, and even the hardwood color! Its fun decorating someone else's house. And, check out that incredible jade plant. My dad has probably had that plant for over 25 years. I kill indoor plants including several jade babies that came from this plant.

Speaking of chairs, I picked this one up last year and its been in my parents house ever since. Its not exactly the color I want but I have plans for that.

I love all the wood carving detail and the nailhead trim ...

I haven't brought it home because I'm sure it will cost half as much to reupholster where my parents live.

So, when I saw this chair in the thrift store, I snatched it up because colors like this were what I had in mind ..

(Photo: Layla Grace)

I was thinking of painting the frame blue, but I might go pale grey instead since its more neutral. I didn't think the white fabric was a good idea, but I came across a blog post (can't remember where!) of someone using outdoor fabric to reupholster a chair to make it stain resistant. Great idea!

Hopefully, I can get this done sometime soon!

More on my Parents Dining Room

This isn't my home, but I've always wanted to share it. You saw the corner cabinet my dad refinished for me yesterday (that I WILL be getting back!).

My parents bought their small home in Delaware recently. I love that they're closer to me now and my girls love going there. I have to admit that treasure hunting there is pretty fun too! Anyway, this is my parents dining room shortly after they moved in. I helped them pick out the chandelier and it lived with me for a while until they moved into their house so I got to admire it often. My mom loves English made blue and white dishes so I picked out the toile curtains for her. However, the dining room set needed help. Its not very evident here, but the pieces are very soft pine and both the tabletop and the hutch were in terrible shape with a ton of deep scratches to the surfaces. I finally convinced them to paint it after showing them pictures of how these things can look new simply by painting.

Look at it now! My dad worked so hard on this. Because of all the damage, he had a lot of sanding to do. (By the way, the shadows on the table are just that from the chandelier.) I saw those copper molds at a great junk store that we love to shop at and told mom that they would look great on their wall. They were originally intended for another location but ...


... after my parents found the horse, the location of the molds was changed for obvious reasons. I think it all looks great here. I told them to search for a horse because their development and all the streets there are horse names. They hunted for a while and finally found the copper one. Funny how the molds ended up being the perfect compliment! I also got mom quite a few of those dishes for Mother's Day (etsy!), but couldn't post them on my blog because I didn't want her to see them! (Sorry for the blurry picture. I meant to take a better shot before I left but I forgot.)


There's also a little breakfast area on the other side of the kitchen with the same curtains and a bench purchased at an antique store made from an old bed. My grandmother made the cushion.



So, as you can see, I inherited the painting gene from my dad and the treasure hunting gene from my mom!

What a weekend ...

We left bright and early Saturday headed to Delaware. It really was a great day despite the dreary weather. Unfortunately, I was so preoccupied with not forgetting sippy cups and diapers that I forgot my camera! I helped my parents put together a table they got for their breakfast nook and suggested they get a cabinet for a little area against the wall. So, we headed out to a great store near their house that sells all kinds of old things. We had been there before and loved it. I wish I could share the cobalt blue cabinet my mom ended up getting. Next time!

I, on the other hand, scored a few things I can share. First, I got the bowl and pitcher I was looking for! I wanted it for the top of the armoir in our bedroom. I looked all over the flea market for one of these last week and couldn't find anything white. Also everything I saw was over $100. I got this one for $30!




When I went to wash it, I saw that it is a Homer Laughlin piece (famous for Fiestaware). So, I'm guessing its from the early 1900s. Cool! I love it regardless.


I also got a creamer and sugar milk glass set for $1.50 and was so happy with that deal. Unfortunately, the Wild one got her hands on the bag and threw it on the floor breaking one of them. Superglue mended it, but it won't be the same. Oh well. At least it wasn't the pitcher!



Last, I got these old fairy books from the 1920s. I passed them up the last time I was there and regretted it. This time, I picked them up immediately.






I also have been thinking of getting a corner cabinet for my dining room and I saw one at the store but after I thought about it, it was more than I wanted to spend. I'll keep looking.

After my girls were in bed for the night, Mr. T and I decided to head over to a small casino close to where my parents are. Boy, is it pitch black out there at night! Anyway, we played some slots and I won $250!!!! After that, we had some dessert at a great restaurant they have in the casino before heading back. We have no family near us so it was a really nice mini-date. We don't get time alone often.

We headed home this morning and on the way back we saw a HUGE antique store. It was raining and we didn't want to wake up the girls sleeping in the car. Next time! Back home sweet home now.

Searching for a horse ...

Over the weekend, my parents were looking for a horse weathervane at the flea market since their development has a horse theme. We came across a couple, but for $400-600! Ouch! I just found this picture that I'd saved from Country Living and there it is! The same kind of horse they were looking at.

Really though, they aren't even looking for an antique, just a simple horse for the top of their china cabinet that doesn't cost a fortune. This must exist somewhere.

Frame ...

This is my parents wedding picture. Nice frame, but a little 1970s ornate. (Check the sideburns on Dad!)


Mom asked me to paint it so that it would match her new bedroom better. Here's the result!

Much better! For some reason the entire frame got cracks all around it. Likely it was from the cold temps outside. I know I shouldn't be painting when its in the 30s, but I actually like it!


The picture is fading and I suggested that mom get it restored (black and white would be nice too) and made one size smaller so she could put a mat around the picture in the frame. I think that would look much better, but considering their house is a mess of boxes and furniture at the moment, its not high priority.

I lied ... sorta.

I said that today I would post pictures of my parents new house. That's not gonna happen.

Let me start at the beginning. I had plans to leave super early to go to my parents new house in Delaware. Well, the rugrats slept so I decided to as well. Hey, its the weekend! I finally managed to get out of the house after 9AM with the Wild One hysterical at the door. She broke my heart. I made an ATM and gas stop near the highway and called Mom to tell her I was on my way and relayed the drama I left behind. Rather than tell me that the Wild One would be fine once I was gone, she told me to GO BACK FOR HER. And, I DID. Mr. T thought I was insane, but the Wild One was thrilled to be going out with Mommy. We finally left at 10AM. Once I got to Delaware, Mr T told me that after I'd left, the Happy One dissolved into tears seeing not only her Mom but her sister leave. That broke my heart all over again, but I was now 2 hours away and too far to go back for her. Mr. T was smart to keep that from me till I was too far to return home again! So, I admit. I, the one who judged people that can't leave their kids just because they cry, coudn't leave my kids because they cried.

ANYWAY, I thought my parents would handle a move the way I always have. I pack in an organized fashion, direct the movers to put things in some sort of order to minimize the amount of moving I will have to do and I'm usually pretty settled in within a couple of days.

Not the case with the 'rents.

Chaos and disorder pretty much describe the scene. Stuff everywhere. Looking for something? Good luck. For example, we all had to shower minus a shower curtain because we couldn't find the rod to hang the curtain! Unpacking was crazy. Neither of my parents want to get rid of anything so there are appliances from the 70s, thousands of glasses and nowhere to put any of this stuff. My brother, the electronics expert focused on connecting the TV and computer systems and he was leaving to go party in NYC later that night (after driving back from Delaware!). Helping my bro also dominated Pop's time which left me and mom to do the rest of the house. Needless to say, very little got done but I did what I could while I was there. The living room was mostly set up as was the kitchen when I left this AM and I'd managed to hang blinds in the living room. SO, this disarray wasn't something I wanted to capture in pictures. I did, however, take a picture of the outside even though it was starting to rain. There is no driveway as of yet because of some problem with the asphalt people but it will be there at some point.

Their cottage isn't old or white. Its new construction with modern conveniences and a modern layout but the style is cottagey and I think its adorable. My parents were looking for a place to retire and as much as they love beautiful old things, it wasn't what they needed at this point in their lives. So, here it is! (Hi Wild One! She had a great time.) If you click on the first picture, you can see more detail such as the stone porch.

I love this little scallop detail.


I'm sure in the coming weeks, I'll be heading over again, so pictures of the inside will come eventually.

Busy Mommy ... and a big day tomorrow.

I am in charge of snacks for the Wild One's preschool class today. Thank goodness for Allrecipes.com that helped me produce these ...



They're pretty good! Here's the recipe ...

Banana Oat Muffins

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup mashed bananas

Directions:
1. Combine flour, oats, sugar, baking powder, soda, and salt.
2. In a large bowl, beat the egg lightly. Stir in the milk, oil, and vanilla. Add the mashed banana, and combine thoroughly. Stir the flour mixture into the banana mixture until just combined. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper bake cups, and divide the batter among them.
3. Bake at 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) for 18 to 20 minutes.

Tomorrow is a big day, not for me but for my parents. In April 2007, my parents decided to sell their house in NY. By then, the housing market was already in a decline. They were tired of the expensive cost of living and the high taxes and were looking for a slower pace. Dad is retired and mom works at home so there was no reason for them to stay in NY. My brother lives there still (and always will) and with me in VA, they thought Delaware would be a good midpoint. In May 2007, I went with my mom to DE to look at properties. We started in the north and headed south. Nothing panned out. We stopped for lunch somewhat defeated and planned to head home and consider what to do next. On the way back not far from where we'd stopped to eat, we came across a cute little development and made a split-second decision to check it out. I remember slamming on my brakes to stop. The homes were new construction, but adorable. Not huge McMansions, but open airy cottages. They were like the small single level homes I've seen a lot of in places like Florida. The area is a combination of farmland (which my dad loves) but modern convenience (which is what appeals to mom). It really was the PERFECT place for them and mom fell in love.

The following weekend, my parents went back together. Shortly thereafter, they signed a contract contingent on the sale of their house. Of course, with the housing market the way it is, the house did not sell despite all efforts. The builder wanted to sell the lot my parents chose, but the wonderful man who ran the sales office fought for them and they got to keep the lot. In September 2008, they FINALLY sold the NY house. It certainly wasn't a smooth sale, but it got done. After that, they bounced back and forth between my house, my brother's house, a rental in VT (where they have an awesome rustic cabin) and finally decided to rent close to the under construction house until the house was done. Well, the house is finally done and they are so excited to move in this weekend. I will be leaving my girls with Mr. T to go help them move. I've never been away from my girls overnight so I know I'm going to miss them to death but I'm also excited for my parents. They've sacrificed a lot and worked hard and deserve this. I wish I could post a picture of the new house, but all I have is a shutterfly slideshow that won't allow me to do it. I'll post pictures upon my return.

Have a good weekend!