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Thursday, December 29, 2011

Back to the serious business of thrifting ~

But first the diversion of late blooming roses and a December sunset ...


75% off at Snowline Hospice for Christmas items meant the Hallmark tin ornament, the Shoebox cards and the blue santa cap all for less than $1.50!




Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Pearls!


At the top of my wish list for years have been a strand of big fat pearls!  Went commando shopping at the mall for those after-Christmas Day deals and just happened to end up at the fine jewelry counter at Macy's ... the clerk had these pearls in her hand and mentioned a gentlemen had just returned them because his wife said they didn't match her pearl earrings.  Lucky for me, I snapped these beauties (A+ grade) right up and at 70% off the normal price - they are mine, all mine!

Sunday, December 25, 2011

The day is finally here!


Merry Christmas, fellow bloggers and followers, I started my blog late this year and have been having a blast with it! 

Since we’ve done all of our shopping,


and baking,


and have worn our ugly Christmas sweaters,


and attended Christmas parties ....


It is time to enjoy!  Seasons Greetings to All ~

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Two turtle doves ~ song "Dream A Dream"


Wishing you and yours a peaceful holiday.



What I am listening to Dream A Dream by Charlotte Church.  


Commando Countdown to Christmas Day 1

Friday, December 23, 2011

Christmas Greeting Card ~ song "The Christmas Blues"


Here is the Christmas card I sent to a few of my friends - I love the artwork!  I don't know when these cards were printed but they have that "retro" look.  

Thrift Shop Commando cheap tip ~ use a soft opera glove as an android phone cover. 



I am listening to Season's Greetings Dean Martin, "The Christmas Blues."  

The jingle bells are jingling
The streets are white with snow
The happy crowds are mingling
But there's no one that I know

I'm sure that you'll forgive me
If I don't enthuse
I guess I've got the Christmas blues

I've done my window shopping
There's not a store I've missed
But what's the use of stopping
When there's no one on your list
You'll know the way I'm feeling
When you love and you lose
I guess I've got the Christmas blues

When somebody wants you
Somebody needs you
Christmas is a joy of joy
But friends when you're lonely
You'll find that it's only
A thing for little girls and little boys

May all your days be merry
Your seasons full of cheer
But 'til it's January
I'll just go and disappear
Oh Santa may have brought you some stars for your shoes
But Santa only brought me the blues
Those brightly packaged tinsel covered Christmas blues

Oh Santa may have brought you some stars for your shoes
But Santa only brought me the blues
Those brightly packaged tinsel covered Christmas blues

I'll be on the lookout for this CD of his, A Winter Romance, cool cover art.  

Commando Countdown to Christmas Day 2

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Christmas kitty ~ song "Ave Maria", Schubert, sung by Andrea Bocelli

These are two newbie Christmas ornament rescues, metal sled and ceramic kitty from Japan:


What I am listening to Andrea Bocelli Sacred Arias, "Ave Marie" (Shubert) version.  






Speedee and Stella




Commando Countdown to Christmas Day 3

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

The Usual Suspects - Christmas Mooses ~ song "Do You Know Who He Is?"


Here is the lot of the usual suspect Christmas mooses - shown as a collection.

And just when you think you've won the war of the Battle of the Bulge, a vendor brings by these ....















Snapped the picture of the purple coleus at my hair salon ~















What I am listening to The Soul of Christmas, fav tune being "Do You Know Who He Is?" sung by Edwin Hawkins.


Commando Countdown to Christmas Day 4

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Angel holding baby ~ song "Is Est Ne Divin Enfant"


Angel deserved a post all her own ...

I neglected this Christmas cactus all year long and it still blessed me with blooms ...














What I am listening to Christmas Classics, "Il Es Ne Le Divin Enfant" featuring Jean Pierre Rampal.


Commando Countdown to Christmas Day 5

Monday, December 19, 2011

Christmas Airstream ~ song "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree"


This ceramic is one of my all time favorite Christmas decorations.  I can't remember where I got it and have long since lost the box.












Looks like I'll have to find the lights,


AND, the inflatable!


















What I am listening to A Brenda Lee Christmas, In the New Old-Fashioned Way, my favorite tune being Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree.


Commando Countdown to Christmas Day 6

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Hallmark bear and ugly Christmas sweater ~ song "Christmas In Jail"


Both of these items were previous thrift shop finds.  I picked up the sweater vest as an ugly Christmas sweater.  The bear is marked as Manufactured for Hallmark.  I found her underneath a Christmas tree at an antique shop in Jackson, California.  She looks loved and worn and has a weight and heft to her that makes her totally huggable!

What I am listening to Home for the Holidays, loving the tune "Christmas in Jail" by Prairie Oyster.




Commando Countdown to Christmas Day 7

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Angel bells ~ song "Jingle My Bells"


Adopted these darling angel bells ($3.25/pr.) from the Goodwill on 16th Street in Sacramento.  It is obvious they were loved and well cared of, there are no chips, cracks and even though some paint is missing in spots, they are intact, including the original bell.  I like to think about this item's previous owner, how many other little girls before me held these angel bells in their hands?

I also picked up Sparkle Spa's Mini Manicure Makerover (.99, retail stickered as $5.50), perfect for one of my young nieces.


What I am listening to Have Yourself A Tractors Christmas, Jingle My Bells (the kids would always crack up when this song came on).  The lyrics by Walt Richmond are:

Jingle My Bells It's Christmas in the USA
Come on and jingle my bells It's Christmas in the USA
It Won't Be Long 'til we're Wakin' Up On Christmas Day
Go Shoppin' in the Mornin' to buy a Christmas Tree
I can't afford the tinsel but that's alright with me
The Weather's lookin' snowy so Santa won't be late
If you're good I know he should be
Flyin' through your gate ...


Commando Countdown to Christmas Day 8

Friday, December 16, 2011

Crafter's ornament, Thrift Town to the Rescue! ~ song "Mary Did You Know?"


This crafter's ornament was a TSF last month at the Cameron Park Snowline Hospice Thrift Shop and the kerchief from a remnant bag.  The lady I have in mind as a recipient is a skilled knitter and a frequent visitor to ravelry.com.

I needed to pick up 4 Christmas stockings and a few more decorations - Thrift Town on El Camino Avenue in Sacramento had just what I was looking for .... white stocking ($2.99), red stocking ($1.49), and mini Beanie Baby of the Jingle Beanies Collection (.49).


















A green and gold table runner ($1.99), tree tie ($1.99), mauve stocking ($2.99) and angel stocking ($1.99)


Lastly, the gold-toned silk flower arrangement ($5.99), that coordinated perfectly with the gold-toned poinsettias as table pieces for the company Christmas party.




Bonus - that I used my coupon (purchase $15, receive $5 off) to obtain two of the stockings as freebies!

What I am listening to Michael Crawford A Christmas Album.  LOVE his voice (think original Phantom of the Opera), "Mary Did You Know?" is enchanting.


Commando Countdown to Christmas Day 9

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Santa in his sleigh ~ song "Greensleeves"


The third of my itty bitty Christmas ceramics is santa in his sleigh.  The bottom of the sleigh opens up but I am not quite sure why.

What I am listening to Lynyrd Skynyrd Christmas Time Again, "Greensleeves" of all things, one of my Top Ten Christmas favorites.


Commando Countdown to Christmas Day 10

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Winter Wonderland ~ song "Waltz of the Flowers"


This darling is one of my favorites of the small ceramics.  She was also a previous TSF from last year.  She makes me smile!

Looks like Agnes D. is it!  This will be the second year I have Been a Santa to a Senior through Home Instead Senior Care.  I've got a wonderful lap quilt and a lotion set to give to her.


















What I am listening to Arthur Fiedler's Christmas Pops, Excerpts from The Nutcracker, Op. 71 (Tchaikovsky), "Waltz of the Flowers."


Commando Countdown to Christmas Day 11

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Vintage Santa, blast from the past ~ song "Wear A Smile At Christmas"


This small santa ceramic was a previous TSF last year.  I love the character and darling faces of these vintage pieces.  Here is a 1961 photo of me peeking around a tabletop Christmas tree.  A couple of years ago I converted boxes and boxes of 35 mm slides to digital images.  It was worth every moment of the effort.



This is my absolute favorite Christmas CD - it is so unusual, the photograph of the group and the tone of the music is a Salvation Army Band style, "Wear A Smile At Christmas" ...

Commando Countdown to Christmas Day 12
















Monday, December 12, 2011

Canadian moose ~ song "Run Run Rudolph"


This moose came home with me from Montreal, Canada.  He didn't come with the bomber jacket, I added that accessory and it just seemed to fit.

















Rather than have one big tree, I have three little decorated trees.  This fake one decorated pink and blue, an outdoor one with a couple of hanging ornaments, and my Charlie Brown tree to showcase my favorite ornaments.


What I am listening to Dwight Yoakam Come On Christmas, to the tune "Run Run Rudolph."


Commando Countdown to Christmas Day 13