Barware and cocktail party gear are always in vogue and offer a fun way to celebrate with friends. Vintage cocktail shakers add a touch of elegance to making a drink and also are a conversation starter. Cocktail stemware, wine glasses and novelty glasses are endless and easy to find at ...
Our Dad had a saying that he declared at the conclusion of every July Fourth backyard picnic. His words were most often greeted with shouts and boos from his brood. Just before going in for the night – after entertaining us with his magic tricks and grilling feats – he would announce, “Well, summer is over.” And then he would go into the house, leaving us to groan a bit more. Summer is over? Of course, he was wrong and the calendar proved it. There were still plenty of sunshine-filled days and evening summer thunderstorms ahead through August. There were still days to spend at ...
Is there any novelty item more popular to collect than salt n’ peppers? Salt and pepper shakers are found on just about every kitchen table but in the home of a collector, they do more than season food — they provide spice to decor and are at the heart of an entertaining hobby. Novelty shakers are found in all sorts of shapes and themes. Produced as advertising pieces or in shapes like birds, fish and animals, there are thousands of shakers found in this broad category. Some collectors get into salt n’ peppers because they are great souvenirs, easily picked up while traveling ...
What better day to celebrate the past than the Fourth of July? Antique enthusiasts love a good story with provenance so the past is always in the present when enjoying a finely crafted piece of Federal furniture, a flag from the Civil War battlefield or the many examples of Americana treasures that date to the 19th and 20th century. My most patriotic collectible is displayed in my entrance hall right now. It’s a plaster statue or bust of George Washington. The story behind this treasure is how I obtained it. I bought it for about a dollar in the early 1980s, when I worked for a ...
Every time I think I’m done with my parish’s annual rummage sale, there is a sweet smiling lady who draws me back in. I just can’t say no to Miss Gretchen. For years, my mother, and sisters and I were among the helpers who worked to get the sale ready each year. In its earlier years, the sale was held in the old gymnasium at St. Michael Church “out the pike.” Then the pastor felt sorry for us working in the summer heat in the non-air-conditioned gym and allowed the sale to be held in the school hall. Each time the sale moved locations, it grew bigger and more work ...
The smell of the old canvas tent never leaves my senses. Even if it has been decades since we spent a weekend camping out, that distinct scent lingers in my mind. Our son recently asked if we still had a camping tent that he could “borrow” for a trial backyard campout with our two young grandchildren. A quick look in the basement and the answer was yes. The neatly rolled up tent was delivered with some hardy good luck sentiments. It is a generous-sized tent that probably could house two adults and a handful of kids. I have a feeling when our son erects this addition to his ...
