December 2025. Black & White Cats Favored! Yes, My Siamese Knows. Vintage Ornaments!

 

I bought these (bigger) black and white cat ornaments at a thrift store probably 20 years ago. When I was waiting to pay, another customer begged me for half of them. I always had black & white cats but no Christmas ornaments. I was hesitant but I guess it was one of my nicer moments so I split them with her. I always think of that time when I put these on the tree.

Fast forward, I was at another thrift store buying a blouse. Again another customer wanted that blouse. She could see the size and looked at me. In my imagination, she wanted to say something. I said no and paid for it. The lady followed me down the street wanting to buy it from me -- for the same price I paid for it. That one was easy.

Other than the tree, not very Christmas-y.

What ever tradition you celebrate, ________________ (you complete the rest of the sentence).

The Best from Monah,

Gracious Cottage 2025

Visit me: https://graciouscottage.etsy.com

Happy Thanksgiving 2025! See the Cast of Vintage Characters!

These are the reoccurring characters in the annual Thanksgiving play. They have been performing for decades! TY for your service.

The thought this month is old but it still works for me: Is your glass half empty or half full?

October but online it looks the way December used to look (Christmacy). I have some Italy Angels & Cherubs to share with you!

All are marked Italy. Musician figurines. Vintage polymer (repose) resin (I am not an expert). The attention to detail is noteworthy.

I found these in an unlikely place, and they are ready to view in my Etsy shop.

https://graciouscottage.etsy.com

Bucket List: Popular with some people, long for others, exotic even. Mine is simple and just recently acquired.

#1: Be a bell ringer at Christmas for the Salvation Army which I plan on doing this year.

#2: Probably odd. I want to become friends with a horse. I don't want to ride it, or sit on it or be responsible for it. I just want the social aspect. I have always underestimated horses even though I like animals. A co-worker pointed this out to me 20 years ago. She had a horse with a sense of humor. That piqued my interest. So I am working on that one...

 

September already! This month showing you Easy Mis Match!

It doesn't get any easier than this. Of course, everything is Vintage. The plates are like snack trays (made in Japan). They just don't have an indentation for a cup. These work so well with a pastry and a cup of coffee for breakfast or for a snack. I have four plates, good for a small coffee klatch. (klatsch)

Usually, it is a good idea to stick to the same weight or type of china but I even threw in a tea cup for contrast. Melmac works too. I find it fun to shop from my own cupboard.

Before you pass up that orphan cup or saucer or any lone item, think creatively and how you could set a table with mismatch. Many years ago, I first saw that type of table setting in a Tea Book. Later, I saw it in practice at a tea place in Old Downtown Orange, CA. It was called Someplace in Time located in the window of an antique store.

If you have a FAVORITE, leave a comment.

The Thought this month is: 

Keep changing insecure thoughts to secure thoughts. It really makes a difference.

Visit me at: https://graciouscottage.etsy.com

Thank you for visiting. 

Let's Look at the Color Green. Meaning Vintage Green. Sometimes, Green is Hard to Find in Home & Clothes Items.

Tin Can Doll Furniture

Homemade Small Reversible Quilt

Green Rosette: Off of Something

Green & White Bavaria Soap Dish

To find out more, Visit me at:

 https://graciouscottage.etsy.com

The THOUGHT this month is:

One of my brother's favorite expressions: You can't get there from here