Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Leaf Looking

Judging by the pictures you would think fall had come; instead the high for Thursday is supposed to be somewhere around 99 with a very high dew point making if FEEL like 104.  I don't mind, really, because you see, I don't like winter and living in a state where we get a lot of it, I can wait.  

Still, I love the Back to School time of year, the excitement of new pencils and backpacks and chalkboards...
The date on this little easel desk and chalk board says 1913; Mr. Wonderful's Grandma had it for her days teaching in a one room school house in Iowa.  A stoic Norwegian if ever there was one, Grandma lived to be 107 and died on the farm where she was born.  Good stock those Scandinavians!  This treasure came home from the last trip to Iowa  two weeks ago; the roller still works like a charm with lots of pictures including the solar system and 'teaching the calf to drink'.  
My Big Grama was a school teacher too, starting her career teaching in a one room schoolhouse as well.  My Grama taught eight grades in southern Minnesota.  These two books called  Prose & Poetry The Sunshine Book and The Emerald Book were from her storeroom of all things academic.  I put them on top of my mantle with the little figurine that I found at the thrift store for $ 1.75 a few years ago.  
I love to decorate for the season and fall colors are so beautiful, even when the bounty is artificial.  I weave a garland alongside the books and pile of pumpkins and gourds.  The runner is one I sewed about five years ago; Jo Ann has such an awesome collection of autumn prints, sigh...
I haven't taken my vintage turquoise and yellow print tablecloth off the dining room table yet, it looks so cute with my turquoise Fiesta dishes, bright colored napkins and striped tumblers.   I bought two of these English patterned plates; another thrift store save that cost me $ 1.30 for both of them!  I like to buy two dinner plates and change out my dishes.  Since it's just us empty nesters, I have lots of sets of two, well, I have lots of sets of more than two but we won't go there!

11 comments:

  1. Like the post, my parents were school teachers. And I use to kid my Mom because she taught in a one room school house, and LOVED it, her favorite teaching job ever!

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  2. What special chalkboard! What a great idea for the dishes!! I think that is one I just might borrow!!

    hugs chris

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  3. Love your pretty fall decorations! The chalkboard is so neat!! I am eager to get out my pumpkins and things! xo Heather

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  4. Love, love the chalkboard. So unique looking, and would look good in any room, too.
    Maureen

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  5. Love your fall decorations...especially your chalkboard. My mother has one that is similar in her studio. The girls love to look at it when they visit. I can't imagine not working in Education. I get excited and tired at the start of each new semester.

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  6. Love your chalkboard! Can you believe they don't even make them anymore! Signs of the Times!

    My Pumpkins and fall stuff is coming out of the attic this weekend! While I dread dragging everything out, I am looking forward to the changing of the seasons...

    Linda

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  7. That is the cutest blackboard ever...you are so lucky. Um..my Sweedish MIL was a teacher in a one room school house too....another coincidence. She has the original set of Dick and Jane books...Great vignettes as usual...smiles..Renee

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  8. Tammy, That blackboard is awesome!. And even better that it's a family heirloom. I love all your fall and c=school decor. I'm getting psyched up for fall too-but we don't get much of a winter here. I have lots of sets of 2 plates. They are so much easier to find then 4. Lucky for us!

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  9. Hi! Is your little figurine a Hummel? If not, it is definitely one of the better imitations! Does it say Goeble or Germany on the bottom? I have a small collection from my Germany days and she is really cute!

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  10. I'm excited to start getting out my fall things too! Your decorations are cute! Loving that chalk board too!! Happy Thursday sweet friend! xo Holly

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  11. It's hard for me to even imagine that Fall is starting to show anywhere out there since our temperatures are still so hot and the humidity has been like a wet blanket over everything. Just walking up the stairs feels heavy on the chest even in a healthy person with good lungs. That chalkboard is priceless and those books are so very pretty in their color and design. I love the idea of plates of two and mixing/matching. Have a great day. Tammy

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