Dutch – LILLIAN'S CUPBOARD

The Last Thing I Needed Was Another Swan, but….

The last thing I needed was another swan, but I couldn’t resist these beauties at the Broadway Antique Mall in Lebanon, Ohio (near Cincinnati).

After all, my collection didn’t include a piece in blue and here were two little examples. One is such a gorgeous color ….

…and the other is an unusual example with a cork in the opening. There is a very light fragrance, so I’m assuming it held perfume at one time.

The large set with the candle holders is also in a color that I haven’t seen before and will be so pretty in autumn arrangements. My daughter discovered this set and gave them to me as a surprise gift – no occasion, just a gift.

I also found a unique piece to add to my Dutch collection.

What a fun day at the antique mall!

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Heart of Ohio Antique Mall – Springfield, Ohio

Because of back problems the past two years, I haven’t been able to travel too far and my daughter and I have taken one day a week during the month of September for a “staycation” day in an area that doesn’t require too much driving. We enjoyed our last day of this year’s staycation traveling about 1-1/2 hours to Springfield, Ohio. We pass through the charming town of Yellow Springs and love to have lunch at Young’s plus a stop on the way back home for one of their renowned Bull Shakes made with cream from their own Jersey cows.

It’s about 30 minutes from Yellow Springs to a huge antique mall called “Heart of Ohio” with 650 dealers. I found a treasure -a handmade book rack that I would date to the 1940s with my favorite Scottie theme. I imagine it was made from a kit and includes flaws like the very visible screws and holes drilled in the wrong place, but that made it more lovable to me.

When we got in the car, my daughter handed me something she had bought as a remembrance of our trip.

It’s Roseville and the chips (which I don’t mind) made it very affordable. I love the little dog lapping up the spilled milk.

On the way home, I was telling my daughter I had seen a small “Made in Japan” Dutch planter which I talked myself out of buying. Later that evening, she came out with another package that she was going to save as a Christmas gift – the planter I wished I had picked up.

This was a very successful day.

One week of our staycation we went to a favorite restaurant (Grand Finale in Glendale, Ohio) and our favorite local antique mall (Ohio Valley Antiques in Fairfield, Ohio). We’re at these two places so often, I didn’t think about taking pictures.

Last week we visited an Adams County, Ohio, store.

The first week we stayed local with lunch at our favorite barbecue restaurant (Eli’s in the East End of Cincinnati) ….

…Stopped off at Avoca Park in Terrace Park …

…and did some antique store browsing in Milford, Ohio.

I’m beginning to really love this staycation idea.

Collectibles of the Week–Tiny Bisque Dolls

I have so many wonderful collectibles acquired over the last 80+ years. Some were gifts, some were part of my life growing up, some were inherited, some were purchased at antique malls, gift shops or thrift stores – all are precious to me. Some items are kept up year-around while others are brought out seasonally and on holidays. Unfortunately, many priceless-to-me objects go undisplayed and unseen for years, so each week, I’m going to pull out an item and post a COLLECTIBLE OF THE WEEK.

I have a small assortment of little bisque dolls (2-3 inches tall), all gifts from my older daughter. I love the tiny bride and groom in their late 1920s clothes. The groom wears gold-rimmed glasses and has a wonderful coat with tails.

These two little girls might be standing outside the church watching the newlyweds come through the doors.

This is a wonderful collection of Dutch figures.

Dutch items always go up in my kitchen in January when I’ve taken down the Christmas decorations and the other little cuties are in other spots in the house throughout the year.

Bargain Day at the Thrift Store

About 30 years ago, my oldest daughter gave me a beautiful set for Christmas that included a tiered plate, a basket, two candle holders and 4 mugs. They were purchased at Lazarus department store in downtown Cincinnati and I have loved them and used them every Christmas.

On Saturday, we visited a lovely thrift/consignment shop (Vintage Market & Thrift, Loveland, Ohio) and saw eight dessert plates to this set on display. The original price was reasonable, but there was also 75% off on Christmas items, so I snatched them up. They were still in their original boxes which were in mint condition and still had the remnants of a Lazarus label on the side.

I also picked up a plaque to add to my Dutch collection …

…and a Homer Laughlin platter.

The total cost was $14.95. Now, that’s a bargain.

From the archives – January 4, 2011

Black Bean Soup

Two New Collectibles

I received two new collectibles as Easter gifts. One is a set of salt and pepper shakers marked “Japan”. I particularly like the chubby birds that were made in the late 1930s. They remind me of the inexpensive dime-store items that my mother, grandmothers and aunts had in their homes at that time.

The second collectible is a good addition to my Dutch items. This is a tiny calendar with some of the pages still in the holder. It is marked “Souvenir of Holland”.

My January Kitchen Goes Dutch

As soon as the Christmas decorations are packed and stored, it’s time to bring out my Dutch collectibles. I enjoy having these cheery, colorful, happy pieces arranged around my January kitchen. They span many years and come from many different sources. Most were gifts from my oldest daughter – some were brought home from her trip to Holland such as the wooden windmill mold ….