I love ironstone.....

I think of all my collections, ironstone is my favorite. In the last few days I've been putting away my dark crocks and spongeware that I love to have out in fall and winter. It just seems that when spring comes the house seems too dark and that's when the whites come out -- mainly ironstone. Below are some of my pitchers. I've accumulated quite a few and I use them all the time -- mainly for flowers.
Several of my plates hang on my kitchen wall. I prefer to hang them backwards so their stamp shows. I love the stamp on the back of ironstone.
These are some of my smaller pieces. They're so great all grouped together.
I got the single cupcake holder from sister Judy. I'd love to find one more so when the twin girls have a birthday, they can each have one for their cupcakes. I also have a collection of silver napkin rings. Most are monogrammed.
The living room is slowly transitioning to white. Carol Ussery is going to make an off-white slipcover for my old camelback couch. Can't wait!!!! I'll show you the updates as I complete them. It's so refreshing.

Happy St. Patty's day.....

Happy St. Patrick's Day to you.....  My family is kind of a Heinz 57 family -- you name it & we've got a little of that flowing through our veins so we do have a little Irish blood.  It seems to me that most people are Irish on St. Pat's day.

I had to take my car into the shop today and leave it since that scary light "check engine" came on yesterday so I'm virtually a prisoner at home.  It's cold & damp again today so again, I will attempt to get my taxes done -- yuck!!!!

Yesterday, while out and about, I took some pictures to post.  It's the time of year that I get in the mood to make some changes in the house.  These are a few things that brought me inspiration.  What do you think?

I'm so glad to see blues coming back.

OK, I'm inspired, if I can just get these darn taxes done.  Wish me luck!

Lunch at Springcreek Antiques & Tearoom

I haven't had time for months to go to Springcreek for lunch or shopping so Judy & our friend Jane & I had lunch there today. The line is usually quite long so we had plenty of time to shop. If you're ever in Ozark MO at lunch time, you have to eat here. We had a wonderful sandwich & salad but there desserts are to die for. We had coconut cream pie & we practically licked the plate. Nobody makes desserts like Brenda at Springcreek.

Here are a few of the things that were in the shop. I loved this little pine chair & handmade doll.
This is Mandy's booth & I've forgotten her blog name but I'll list it later & link to it on my blog. She has the cutest space with wonderful things for a child's room. My friend, Jane, collects sock monkeys & she's found several in this booth. She does want the world to know that she has her limit of sock monkeys now & unless she finds a really special one, she's not adding anymore to her collection. Yeah, sure!!!!

Love this ironstone! The pitchers were grazed & stained. That's my favorite.

Does this not look like a treasure trove! Vintage ornaments are selling like hotcakes right now. Don't you wonder where people keep finding them. Probably at all those garage sales I miss. I had a hard time finding many this year but some of the girls had tons. Guess I need to get up earlier on garage sale days.

Is this not the cutest Mrs. Claus suit!!!! I tell you if I had a body this small, it would have gone home with me. Can't you just see it with a pair of Danskin Leggings? OK, get your minds out of the gutter; I know what you all were thinking. Like that's going to happen -- especially since it's about 10 sizes too small. Oh, well, maybe next year I will have lost 85 lbs -- don't hold your breath!

Beautiful little cabinet

Linda just brought this little cabinet in to Leola's and it is so cute. I can just see it filled with small collectibles for Halloween or decorated for Christmas. It's just a great piece & great to photograph. That's some of my dried lavender from my garden. Wish I could plant my whole back yard in it because it smells so good.

Hot time in the old town!!!!

It was such a hot, sultry weekend but still beautiful and green. We've had lots of rain this year so things are growing like crazy -- including the weeds. My hydrangeas are gorgeous this summer. Last year the late freeze killed the blossoms so they're making up for it this summer. I cut some on Friday & they're already dry. They're the most beautiful shades of blue & green.

I had to put a picture of these white butter pats & doll dishes that I had. There's something about stacking a whole bunch of white together that I love. My sisters & I took a trip once & raced into every flea market we went by in Iowa to see who could find the most white ironstone tiny dishes. It's one of my favorite collections.