Thrifty Christmas Finds!

I casually stopped in to see what the thrifts were offering and I came home with this 

vintage metal lantern.  It has a pot of ivy glued to the bottom. 

But lo and behold the bottom came off .  It seems only peeling paint was holding it on.  I like it this way best!

$2.99 their price and .99 on a sticker on the bottom.  They gave it to me for the .99!  

 I wasn't going to buy another mug.  But who could resist? Aqua, snowflake and such a cute saying

inside!  It was only $.79 but I should have hardened my heart.  It is hard to drink from, see how the lip turns in? I felt like I was drinking upside down.   Eagle eyes better than mine will also see the hairline crack.  

I'm pouting.

This cute tin Santa with the swinging legs was a prize!  He is on my mantel now.   

The little bough of greenery has scrolls of music and holly berries, too cute!  

I added lights to a golden star basket I thrifted some time ago and they twinkle in five colors.  

 This little primitive stocking hangs very sweetly on the bookcase.  $.10 and it was mine.

Sharing with
Thrifty Things Friday
Simple and Sweet Friday

My Santa Themed Mantel

Simple and sweet this year

Some of my favorite Santas

The painting is an oil reproduction of Monterey California, where it rains instead of snows at Christmas

 The windmill Santa on the end is not going to go round and round on the mantel like it does outdoors

but it's getting too old to be outside anymore.

I painted these many years ago.  I never realized that when we got "old" my husband (see banner) would actually look like Santa!  That was 2011.  This year he is clean shaven and has very short hair!  Who knows what next year will bring.  These two didn't make it onto the mantel, but cozied up in the foyer.

 The Victorian Santa this year in the sleigh resides side by side with the modern tin Santa that has swinging legs and hung from our tree for many years.

 I love Decembre! 

Sharing at

Ivy and Elephants

Must Love Junk

What We Accomplished Wednesday

Happy Ruby Tuesday

I have a few days in between traveling and wanted to jump in and post.  I have so many things to show and tell!  

How cute is this?  We went to Mount Dora in central Florida as part of a extended weekend and I spotted this trolley just as we were leaving.  The train was under renovation and so we will be going back when it's back in service.  Now this cute trolley will be on the list of things to do! 

Mickey's Christmas Party was one of our destination's. 

The whole Magic Kingdom was lit up festively!  All the trees in the park were lit up red and green!

These were in Tomorrowland.  

The Grand Floridian needs no decorating as it's already Christmassy with the red accents and green lawns and trees but the masses of poinsettias everywhere were simply beautiful!  

 Our trip ended with lovely fireworks seen from the Grand Floridian across the lake.  See the tiny purple dot?  That is Cinderella's Castle!  We were surprised to see how far away the fireworks were from the castle.  We had almost as good a view as we did in the park.  

Sharing with
Ruby Tuesday
Ivy & Elephants

Art in the City

The Wall Mural in Tarpon Springs, Florida

Beautifully designed and built  by The Garden Fairies of Tarpon Springs

Please enlarge some of the more detailed photographs by clicking on them.

Every section is a work of art.

The beautiful face was calming overlooking the city

The details in the mural were fascinating

 She was holding a lovely bouquet

 The background tiles were amazing

Many pieces were in relief.  

A fishing community

Put it all together and 

you find this gorgeous and colorful 

tile mural

A labor of love!  

The sign next to it indicates all those involved in the design and construction of this 

lovely mural.

Next time you come to Tarpon Springs, don't just visit the dock area, the city itself has much to offer.

Linking to

Sundays in my City
Monday Mellow Yellows
Blue Monday
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Ruby Tuesday2 
Ivy & Elephants
Share Your Cup Thursday

Some Thrift Bonanzas and Some Regrets

I had just finished watching the entire series of eleven seasons of Frazier

when I spotted this cup

Now I can't believe I talked myself out of it

Regret!

I know I can't have every coffee cup I want but talking myself out of

two cups I really liked in one day?  

Regret!!! 

Tea Time Tuesday has beautiful tea cups and saucers but I'm a mug person through and through!

So I'm sharing these two mugs with them today!

Yet I picked up this vintage pottery planter which is yellow and green, not blue.  I love

old pottery and I can use it on my front porch.  

Halloween is over, but I couldn't resist this little Jack O'Lantern

It's ceramic and has a foil label marked "F" from Korea

I love the rakish tilt and the witches hat.  

Bonanza!

 Swanky Swigs?  I didn't think so. Didn't buy, no regrets  

 Cute picture...left it.  No regrets.

Bonanza!

  Every house needs a spot of color in the winter!  

Jean takes an African Violet from the kitchen and puts it in the living room for a spot of color..

Jean and Johnny by Beverly Cleary

It's always fun to thrift!

Linking to 

Sir Thrift A Lot
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Ivy & Elephants
Tea Time Tuesday

It's Begun!

The Christmas season is here!  

Even the Flamingos are dancing! 

The photo was taken at Busch Gardens, Tampa early in November on my last visit and I couldn't resist a little editing on this first day of the Christmas Season!   

Linking to

Pink Saturday

Junkin Joe

Masterpiece Monday

Beautiful Sunday

The Florals at Busch Gardens in November

The flowers are beautiful!  

This draping orange orchid was stunning to see in person! 

The white dot on the read leaf is actually a long white stamen growing out of a red lily! 

 Varieties of orchids are tumbling over each other in this bed

 Christmas decorations and flowers together

Everywhere there were masses of flowers

These Cladium's were so thick and beautiful as a border.

I "spotted" these and later found out they are called Eyeballs!  

The cactus was even blooming in this dry gulch town

Some sort of bottle brush bloom

 Shrubs were blooming

And this ray of sunshine!  Yellow and gold Marigold's

Any time of year is beautiful in Busch Gardens!

Linking to:

Ruby Tuesday Too
Mandarin Orange Tuesday
Wow Us Wednesday
Ivy and Elephants
What We Accomplished Wed
Share Your Cup Thursday