Merry Christmas from the Orcutt's!

I have always found joy and comfort in certain song lyrics. Today, I would like to share some lyrics with you all that are especially wonderful...especially when sung by Elvis...I highly recommend his Christmas album. We hope you and your family are safe, warm and happy. Take a few extra minutes to stand together with your tree all aglow. Listen to the silence. Embrace each other, and give thanks. Merry Christmas!

"On a Snowy Christmas Night" (Stanley J. Gelber)

"Midnight prayers so softly whispered
In a cathedral's candlelight
Bring the message of the Holidays
On a snowy Christmas night
Holly wreaths and hidden mistletoe
Symbols of the season's might
Joyful faces everywhere you go
On a snowy Christmas night
Give thanks for all you've been blessed with
And hold your loved ones tight
For you know the Lord's been good to you
On a snowy Christmas night
Mother nature wears a bridal gown
For the world is dressed in white
There's a silent glow that fills the earth
On a snowy Christmas night
Give thanks for all you've been blessed with
And hold your loved one's tight
For you know the Lord's been good you
On a snowy Christmas night
For you know the Lord's been good to you
On a snowy Christmas night."

Cameron's First Antique Trip!

We antiqued our way "North" on Thursday, Friday and then back home on Saturday. Cameron had the "smooth ride" thru all the malls and venues we visited...either pushed by a happy Daddy or by yours truly. Note he is asleep...I guess antiques aren't overly fascinating at 11 weeks! We had a delightful time and found many treasures! My haul includes several gorgeous cut glass necklaces from the 40's, bakelite buttons on their original cards, lots and lots of miscellaneous buttons (I am on a button kick right now...), a truly amazing pink crystal Crown Trifari brooch that I will just have to keep, porcelain figurines, and various and sundry other items. Darby scored several old books including a beautiful leather-bound edition, as well as a metal book rack from the early 20th Century. We even ran into Elvis himself Friday night at a downtown celebration and listened to him sing several Christmas songs. He even "thanked us...thanked us very much" before we left! We were a tad nervous about having Cameron, but he did great, and we now feel that our Florida trip is going to be "do-able." I snapped a few photos to share of some vignettes I found pleasing in different places, including a very silly one of me trying on a wonderful vintage hat with the greatest feather plume. I had to have it, even though orange isn't my favorite color...the feathers spoke to me. So, this funky little find is now awaiting tagging in my inventory.

At the end of our trip, Cameron (our greatest treasure ever) was oh so very happy to get back to Raleigh and try out his "Bumbo Baby Sitter" chair...it is pretty cool; a blue soft plastic foamy thing...he felt like a big boy sitting all by himself! (and isn't his Santa onesie CUTE?)

Far, Far Away.....

I ran across this card a few days ago and immediately wanted to jump into the image. I have always loved being near bodies of water; especially the ocean. This girl looks dreamy and peaceful; her hair is blowing in the wind and she is dressed the way I try to: comfortable yet dressy and always with a piece of jewelry! I yearn to be standing on a dock or pier and feel the salty air swirling around me. When I was younger my friends used to get a kick out of my saying that feeling the wind blow made me want to write poetry. Though my inner poet has been silent for a while now, I still love a windy day; especially on the coast. Life seems to slow down and problems seem easier to tackle. I have been having a hard time this month, so this image reminded me that the beach is only 3 hours down the road...always there, eternal, soothing and constant ebb and flow. If you look carefully, you can find treasures anywhere: the shifting reflection of the moon on the water; a sand piper's footprints in the sand, the shrimp boats cruising by on the horizon, porpoise jumping in joy, a broken sand dollar piece that makes you want to keep hunting for a whole one, and the tangy, salty air on your skin as you sit on the beach with a good book (or, in the case of our girl in the card, a sandwich!), a cold beverage and a friendly companion. And if I get there anytime soon, bring out the Jimmy Buffet, send me straight to Margaritaville - cause baby, my flip flops have blown out!

"Weiss"

Most jewelry connoisseurs have at least seen the famous "Weiss" signature; and most will own at least one piece. After all, it only takes one time wearing one of their truly amazing rhinestone pieces and preening at the compliments you will receive to become a devotee. The "Weiss" company was founded in 1942 by Albert Weiss and ceased operations in 1971. The company is well known for their use of high quality Austrian rhinestones, ensuring the best flash and sparkle. I see a fair amount of of "Weiss" jewelry on the secondary market, but only a few pieces that I consider outstanding enough or in good enough condition to add to my collection. Don't get me wrong; most of what I pass up are fabulous jewelry designs, but I like dramatic and unusual pieces. For example, I would rather have a brooch with lots of different colored stones than a necklace made of clear rhinestones. I consider "Weiss" jewelry a must-have for any jewelry collection. The designs are elegant and can still be worn with today's fashions. The necklace and bracelet set pictured at the top is housed in my "favorites cabinet" (see my post from 8/12/08). I would love to find the matching earrings and brooch! The multi-colored square brooch pictured here looks GREAT on a turtleneck. The bracelet is an unusual color and the emerald green brooch with clear rhinestones has so much sparkle I couldn't NOT buy it. The red earrings with the inset clear rhinestones were manufactured in several different colors, as well as in a neutral base with mult-color rhinstones and are considered highly collectible. These are also extremely difficult to find with the stones in good condition. The green stone earrings also come in a variety of colors; in fact, I sold a pair of these in another color just last month in my Gresham Lake Antique Mall booth. The yellow flower pin was part of a series of flowers the company did and many collectors endeavor to collect all the different designs. (how fun would that be...and what a beautiful display it would make!) The blue and green pin is one of my favorites...it absolutely POPS when worn. Incredible fire and flash! I call designs like this "snowflake pins" because of the shape. I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season so far...stay warm and happy...and remember to add a big, sparkly rhinestone brooch to your turtle neck or coat lapel or purse...or hang it on a necklace like my friends over at SuzAnna's Antiques have started doing!