My Christmas tree is a fake, this is a first for me.

         This year I thought I might try out a fake Christmas tree. My husband wanted a real one like we always have had, but then I got a deal on one that I couldn't resist. I was out and stopped in for a peek at the American Cancer Society thrift store last week. There were so many people there I asked one of the clerks what was going on and she said we are having a 50 percent off store wide sale. Yaaa.

    I walked around and bumped into a long large box sitting on the ground. The writing on the box said 7 and a half foot Christmas tree. The picture of the tree looked really nice and full...but, what was the tree really like inside of the box. One of the clerks opened up the box for me and to my amazement this tree looked new if ever used. I looked at the price and it was $30.00. Wait, did she say 50 percent off store wide? Did this mean the fake tree to? Yep. I got it for $15.00. I am in love with this tree just like the picture on the box it is nice and full. Here is the tree decorated. What do you think?

 Here is the best part about a fake tree
1]You can bend the branches in the direction that you need them to. Can't do that with a real one.
2]They don't need to be watered.
3]You don't need a tree holder.
4]The needles don't fall out.

Here is the bad part about a fake tree.
1]They don't have that nice pine smell.

Absent way to long/getting my sister's things.

    Absent way to long, but I am back. Life sometimes throws you unexpected curves when you think what else could go wrong. Last year was a major over load for me. Anyone of these life curves would not of been so hard to handle, but there were way to many. I am not going to write about them, but only to say I am blessed that none of them were a divorce or a death in the family. When it is your adult children that need your undivided attention...you give it. I have kept up with reading blog posts just not posting myself.

   Now, for what my brother in law gave me that belonged to my sister who passed away. Read prior post [This is going to be hard.] for more information on my last post on my sister's things. After six years from when my sister died I was given her things from her husband. I am very grateful for all that he gave me. Below is what I was given.

  Here is an antique French console table that was my sister's for a long time. The color looks black, but it really has a dark patina. Sorry for the bad pictures.



                             The details on the front of  the table. Below is the legs of the table.

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My sister used this table for pictures of the family under a long window. I am using it for my desk in my office/ foofoo room. I love touching it knowing her hands touched it.



Here is the most comfortable rocker ever that was my sister's. Rocking in it gives me comfort and peace.
  



He also gave me some of her costume jewelry. Rings, necklaces, broaches, clip on earrings, cameos, and chains.





This is a tiny little beaded purse that was hers. Is it not sweet. I collect vintage beaded purses. So this was special.



Dark grey beads.



Gold and amber cameo.





Some of her pearls.





A pearl broch





A close up of the tiny little gold beaded purse...so sweet.





A crystal beaded necklace.



Her antique bed. This in my guess room and it will be done in French blue.





This is the details in the head board.



He gave me the best gift of all ...her bible. Well, what do you think? I think I was well blessed to receive so many of her things.

Thank you for looking at my Humble Abode



Going to get some of my Sister's things tomorrow, this is going to be hard!!!

My sister Nancy passed away six years ago this October after three years with liver decease (she needed a transplant). I know what your thinking she drank...that could not be further from the truth. This women didn't drink, unless you want to count having a cup of tea. The doctors couldn't find a reason for her liver to just stop functioning. My brother in law was so strong during her illness and I thank God for him. When she first passed away he asked me if I wanted any of her things, but I wasn't ready for them just yet so, I told him not know, maybe later. So here it is LATER. He is getting married again and I'm okay with that. My sister would not want him to be lonely.  Now, I need to go over to his house and pick up some of her things. I haven't been over there for some time now. He pulled away from the family shortly after her death, and I think we were to much of a reminder for him to handle. So, I emailed him that I wanted some of  her things and he emailed back to come over tomorrow and pick them up. This is going to be a really hard day for the both of us. I look a lot like my sister only I'm seven years younger. We were the best of friends. She was my confidant and the wiser one of us. I miss having a cup of tea, and the great conversations we shared together. Sorry that this is so sad of a post, but I need  prayers for closure. What do I ask for, what do I want, and what will he let me have? These are the questions that are going around in my head. Did I mention that his wife to be her name is NANCY soooo strange !!! This bothered me the most. Well, this is longer than I wanted to write, but I'm starting to feel a little bit better now. My eyes are telling me that I'm out of tears for now. Has anyone gone through this with a sister that has passed away, and what did you do about her things? Let me know. I found a sister poem that fits my sister. A sister smiles when one tells one's stories - for she knows where the decorations has been added. Don't you just love that? The tears have stopped now and I'm going to make me a cup of tea. Call your sisters today and tell them that you love them. Here is a funny thing that my sister did to me a long time ago. I had two lamp shades that really needed to be replaced and Nancy kept telling me to replace them or she was going to take them down and stomp on them and make me replace them nag,nag,nag. Finally I bought new ones and as I laid the old ones down on the floor she gave me a funny little smile and started to stomp the heck out of them. Nancy, said " now they look better". lol with tears in my eyes Thanks for reading my post. Cindy

How do you make your smoothies?

      Okay, so, how do I make my smoothies?

This is how.

                                                     

 

                                               
                                                   First I take out my old, trusty, glass blender

  Wash and cut up  12 medium, ripe strawberries

                                                      
       Don't you just love summer time when strawberries are in season?  I freeze my         
strawberries,  bananas and blueberries ect. so I can have them when I'm in the mood for smoothies. This is why your seeing brown bananas, oh, and I like to let my bananas go brown before I freeze them in a baggy with there peals still on. Just not if your going to peal and eat one. lol

     Next step add one ripe pealed banana, chopped up with cut up strawberries place in blender. Blend until smooth. Don't over blend!!!

Add four -five scoops of vanilla ice cream (or you can add yogurt) to blender and blend altogether. Don't over blend!!!       

 Yuuuummmy!!!!! Enjoy

So, how do you make your smoothies? Warning!!!   These can become addictive 

Humble Abode's Booth items for sale.

Do you hate to sale your items that you buy for resale? But, know that is why you have a booth? My husband is good at reminding me by saying  "isn't that why you bought it  in the first place" and "don't you have enough stuff of your own"? Okay, I love the hunt and buy part, it is the sale part that I have a problem with. How about you?

Like this lovely french style clock $25.00 with raised details. Works, battery not included

Side view

Back view

Front view

Angel clock $20.00 a lot of detail, could be repainted any color you want.

Poem at the bottom of wings. Works, battery not included.

 $20.00 This clock is going to be painted antique white a light dry brush stain for a destressed look. Works, battery not included.  

$15.00 the pair of resin fleur de lis hanging planters. They also will be painted  an antique white with a little dry brush staining.   

 Candle holder antique white $15.00 24in. tall

$25.00 Tall blue shell vase with handles 24 in. tall

This lovely cream gold statue of a woman with a glass beaded lamp shade.  $50.00

I'm going to cry when she sales. Thank you for looking  Decor. Lady

French style clock. Paint this or leave it alone?

                           What would you do paint this frenchy looking clock or leave it alone?

                    This has raised details and would look great painted with some light staining

                                                Look even the sides and back has raised details

 Well, let me know what you think paint or not to paint? Oh, did I mention that I only paid 1 dollar for this lovely little clock!!!

Just a few new Salvation Army and garage sale finds.

Got this large, almost 24in. tall, beauty for a cool 2 dollars...sweet. It is made of some kind of metal with great details and patina.

                                          Love this clock...maybe painting it cream and age it a bit.
                                         

Some books from a church sale 3dollars a bag full

                Great covers and lettering. These will look fabulous on a book shelf with some decor. items.