Getting ready for spring.

    Spring here in Missouri is coming a little slow. I am beginning to wonder if we are going to have one? We had a few nice days and the jonquils made an appearance, Then we had bad wind and 3 inches of rain and most of them are on the ground. I should have picked some, but I had no plans for company and I  just adore them in the garden, I have so many varieties and they are such a welcome sight when they appear. Now the red buds and other flowering trees are starting to show signs of life and it has turned cold and we had a frost last night. I am hoping it did not hurt the trees. It is to warm up again today. Let's hope for the best, My neighbor has a new saucier magnolia tree she planted last year and it is just over loaded with big pink blooms. It is right outside my kitchen window and it is such a joy to watch it blossom into life.
   I turned the heat off for the last time now till fall. If it gets cold Sissy and I will just have to suffer. That big old house is a cave when it comes to heating it. I so much enjoy this time and fall when we need no heat or air conditioning. Seems like those days are few and far between as it has turned hot  or cold over night theses days.

   I went to my antique mall this morning and thought it needed a touch of spring. I have a empty booth, waiting for a new dealer to move in, so I made a little spring display. That is what I'd like to share with you today. For some reason, wicker furniture always reminds me of spring, the porch and the garden. I just happened to have a few pieces on hand, so I gathered them for this display. The tea cart is fresh from my screen porch this morning. I want to put a white cabinet out there with a small TV set and I had to make room. Something had to go. I thought the tea cart was the best item as I never use it and it is just there taking up room. I do love it and I hope someday soon, some one else will love it as well.
   My little antique mall is located on the riverfront of my Historic home town of Clarksville,Mo. I call it the Downtown Antique mall as there is another mall at the edge of town. I have 7 dealers beside my self. They are all great dealers and do a good job of display, which  makes my job much easier. We are about 70 miles from St.Louis and in the middle of no where. We depend on tourist and some times we have a lot and others only a few. I am hoping this spring day, that the weather man has promised, well bring a few and they have money in there pockets and are willing to spend it.
    I hope you enjoy the tour. Come anytime for a real one. I will always leave the lights on and open up anytime. Sissy and I only live 2 blocks away. She will always meet you with a jump and a kiss. Come shop and get something new for your porch!

Couldn't resist, this car just went past the shop window. I want one, how about you all?

My Turn To Host Dinner Club, A Vision in Pink..

   I belong to a wonderful group of friends and we call ourselves the ,"Hill Group." Mainly because they all, except me, live on a hill, in the next town up from me ,here in Clarksville,Mo.. That little town is Louisiana, Mo., sometimes referred as,"Natchez of the North." This is because this little town of less that 4000 people, on the Mississippi River, has an abundance of beautiful old mansions and Ante Bellum homes. One of my friends, lives on that  hill and is single. I guess,I  was pared up with her, as I am single too and we are both antique dealers and great friends.  Well. what ever, I am so thrilled to be part of this group. We meet once a month to celebrate birthdays. Who's ever it might be that month. Some times we dine out, but usually, we meet at one of the members house in Louisiana. She is such a gracious host, loves doing it and has the room for us all to gather. This month is her birthday, so I wanted to do something special for her.  So I have offered to host the party. Having her  numerous parties to live up to, I wanted to go all out.

My dining room ready for the party. A vision in pink.

A collection of Victorian Lusters and art glass tumblers with fresh flowers make the centerpiece.

    I wanted it to feel like spring, as we have had a long and drawn out winter. I wanted the table to be extra special ,so I have put some effort into that. I did not want it to look like a child's birthday party with the usual hats and streamers. I wanted it to be upscale, fun, different, colorful and unusual. I tried many things I have around the house. I have a few collections to pick from. I first wanted to use my bisque figures. I love them most of all. My family called them ,"The Others," as they are all over the house. One great niece calls them the little people. I have been known more than once to gather them in groups under the  Christmas Trees and on the piano. I carried  a few to the dining room table and they just didn't seem to work. The big ones were too big and the small ones did not get the effect I was after.I wanted to use some candle light. What dinner party is not perfect with out candles? I then had the ideal to use my Lusters. A Victorian Luster, is a name given to a glass  vase like, candle holder with prisms. I have always loved anything with prisms. I guess it is a Polly Anna thing?! Well I love Lusters and have a few. A walk about the house and they were gathered and placed on the table. I knew in an instant, this was the effect I was after.

   Having a formal dinner party is a lot of work. First I had to bring the table leaves down from the second floor closet. 5 were needed and that meant 5 trips up and down the stairs. Have you ever tried to open and close a big old dining room table all by yourself? Well I had to lay on the floor, under the table, and use my arms and legs to push it apart. When the leaves were in, I had to push it up against the buffet to close it. Next came the table cover. Did you know the Victorians called the dining room table a board? And thus the the name we have given to the sideboard, buffet or side table. Just a little Victorian history in there. I used a pink sheet us an underlay. It was wrinkled, so I washed and ironed it. That was not so easy either, as I have no ironing board. Don't ask. I don't often use my wonderful old hand made linen table cloths. They are so hard to do up, so delicate and well, you know. But I just knew a pink sheet would never do. So off the roll it came and I spot ironed it on the table. I know, I used a bath town underneath, so I would not hurt the table.
   The lusters were placed. I loved it. But I still wanted a little more. The solution was some flowers. If I filled the lusters with flowers, where would the candles go. I thought the lusters would best do for the candles as the light would hit the prisms and throw lusters of color about the room. Yes, that is why lusters are called lusters. My flower solution was solved by using a collection of art glass water tumblers as vases. I looked the table and luster arrangement over and felt that 6 was needed. Having a pink theme in mind , I chose lusters and tumblers in pinks, red and white. The flowers would follow suite. It is not always easy living in a small town in the middle of now where. It is 9 miles to the nearest bigger town. I had to go there to find a florist. Of course there is no grocery store in my town or that town, so I had to go 13 miles, one way, the other direction, to shop for food. Can you see what is involved in this dinner party.

The jonquils are from my garden. I know the color is off, but it added a little spring to the setting.

Makes me feel like spring is in the air. 

Cranberry  hob nail tumbler

Hand pained cranberry tumbler.

    I have to work in my shop on Saturday, the day of the party. So things have to be done and arranged in the days before the party. I started a couple of weeks before, cleaning the house, getting out china that has not been used in years, washing it, ironing napkins and so on and so forth. I make a list and mark things off as they get done. I shop for flowers several days in advance, make the arrangements and place them in the ice box to keep them fresh till needed. I turn the water  glasses upside down till used, this keeps them from getting dust in them. The plates and all dishes needed are counted and put on the kitchen island and covered. The food is all done the night before, I only have to prepare the main dish. I am having chicken breast with rice and a three cheese sauce. It can be made all the night before and put in the oven one hour before serving time.

I chose this china called"Rose Meade"  , pink   napkins and burgundy  flat ware.

Hand made antique linen table cloth has baskets of flowers and fruit and lovers all hand stitched .

Imagine the work that went into this.

Mary Todd Lincoln used this same pattern of antique cut glass goblets at the White House.

    I am trying something new this time. It seems that every time I host a party, everyone is in the kitchen. It makes it a little hard to work. I want every one to enjoy my beautiful parlors. So, I am shutting the dining room and kitchen doors until time to eat. When my guest arrive with there dishes, I will take them into the kitchen and shut the door behind me. The beautiful dining room table will be kept a surprise, till time to eat. The glasses will be full, flowers in place and the candles lite.
   I can see why in the last century people had many servants to help run there house holds. There is a lot of work in having a party like this. This one is one a rather small scale, only 12 people. I can see why it is not done often. I love doing it, but the work, I forget from time to time. It does make it all worth while when you see your guest faces as they enter the beautifully decorated dinning room. I hope this is the fact, coming in just 2 days. And then, when the guest are gone, all the work starts all over again, cleaning up and putting it all away.
   I wanted to share this experience with you. I know most of you can not be here in person, I so wish you could. I'd love to throw beautiful party for you. Just give me a few weeks warning. The lights will always be on and Sissy dog will be at the door with a jump and a kiss. From My Blog to  Yours, I send you best party wishes.Richard

My guest will not only enjoy a beautiful table but other beautiful pieces as well in my dining room.

Happy Easter from My Blog to Yours!

    For many years I have collected these old hand blown glass Easter Eggs.They were mostly produced and sold in the last part of the 1800's. They were given before plastic eggs were discovered. People would keep them, treasure them and display them from year to year. I have done several post about them in the past few years, but this year I have been lazy. I did mange to buy this one egg this year, couldn't resist as it was only $8.00. Love the painting, especially the bird. I added it to my others. I have a whole bushel  basket full. Do you think I have enough?? I doubt it. Hope you all have a great Easter, it is snowing here today and is going to tomorrow. What can I say, hope the Easter Bunny doesn't freeze. I am going to my dear sisters house tomorrow, so my Victorian  eggs have been neglected this year. I usually get them out and do my dining room table all up. But with no company coming, Sissy and I can resist all the temptation and work. I think I am still cleaning up Easter grass from last year,
   I hope you all have a great and beautiful day. I am invited to my sisters where there will be about 33. That is  my close family. So many nieces,nephews,  there  husbands and wives and then there is great and great greats.  My sister lives in a very small  house, so the food is spread all over the kitchen counter, we fill our plates and eat about the house. She makes the ham and we all bring a dish. The food will be wonderful, country cooks you know. I am excited  and I hope there will be left overs and they will feel sorry for there old bachelor uncle , brother, cousin and send a big bunch home with me.
   Nothing fancy for our Easter. We will use paper plates and plastic cups, so many you know.  The men, besides me, wear there baseball caps and cowboy boots. There is lots of kids from several months on up. They run and scream, throw eggs and get womped up on candy. Sissy Dog is invited. I won't go otherwise. See  is scared of all that noise and hides under my chair and shakes. She is still happier there with me, than at home by herself. Believe me, so am I. When I set, she jumps in my lap,and  ever now and then, a kid comes and pulls her ears or hits her in the head with a toy. She minds, but takes it with grace. To her favorite family members, she gives a lot of kisses.
   All the teenagers are busy on there cell phones  sending and getting messages and pushing there finger back and forth. What ever it is they do, I have no cell phone. I would never allow them at the table while we are eating. I am sure that is why they don't come to my house.
   After dinner most of them leave. I usually stay and help my sister clean up. It is not a lot of work. Most things go home with everybody. There is left over ham to deal with and a few dishes to wash. Tables  and chairs to put away and candy messes to clean up. After this is done, Sissy and I head home. When we get there, I will retreat to my room. get under the covers, hug her and settle in. This is my favorite thing. Even if we had not gone to my sisters and had such a nice dinner and visit with my extended family, I would have had a great Easter,because I've got Sissy Dog and she's got me. That is a lot to be thankful for.
   I hope you all have a wonderful Easter. Great food and family all around. I know there will be lots of beautifully decorated table out there, I have seen some already on others blogs. I'd love them and appreciate them, but my family's Easter  will be a blessing for me. HAPPY EASTER!!!!! Richard and Sissy Dog
   If you would like to see the blogs about my eggs, try this: my old historic house, what comes first chicken or the egg.   or   my old historic house Easter dinner and a flood.

One More Time!

  Well it is officially Spring, but some how some one forgot to tell Mother Nature ,here in Missouri, We are getting it good and hard. Started a couple of hours ago and already about 6 inches of heavy snow. Come down steady and fast.  I am over it. The poor jonquils are having such a hard time. They are up and have had several snow blankets on them in the past few weeks. I hope this does not mean we will not have our beautiful spring. I look so forward to it. But, what can we do? Smile and get out the snow shovel. You all come when you can. I'll leave the lights on and Sissy will always meet you with a jump and a kiss. Richard from My Old Historic House.

Unwanted Gift!

Started snowing at 11:00 am

   Well, ever get a gift and ask, why would some one give me that??? That's what happened to me yesterday.  10 inches of snow with a thin covering of ice on top. It started out with all the weather reports saying it was coming. Then on Facebook friends would say, It's snowing here and I would say not here. Then in about an hour it started. And boy did it ever come down. I could hardly see the river across the street from my shop. We got it all, 10 inches in just a few hours. When I walked home, poor Sissy was in over her head. Then latter when we went out for the last bath room walk, poor little short girl, was over whelmed. There was a thin coating of ice on top the 10 inches of snow. When we walked it went crunch, crunch. Sissy just was beside herself and looked at me as to say, what am I  to do. Well after a trip or two around the yard, snow up to my knees and over Sissy's head, we gave up. I warned her, I wanted no tear drops on the rugs. She was  good, at least I never  felt anything warm on my sock feet. When we came to work this morning, we were forced to walk down the middle of the street, they had been cleaned by our road people. Thanks to them it wasn't at all bad.
    The sun has been shining today and is above freezing, so some of it has started to melt. I guess when the  it gets colder tonight it will freeze again. What happened to the Ground Hog? I thought he said we were to have an early spring? Maybe we should have ground hog season ?.I just worry about all the jonquils that were popping up all over the garden. I guess under a snow blanket, they will be fine. I sure hope so,
    It was beautiful, I love a fresh fallen snow.Last night when Sissy and I  went out, it just glistened like diamonds, with the ice on top. But we soon took care of that ,as we plowed our way through. Maybe this will be Mother Natures last gift. I sure hope so, cause even though we have had a mild winter, I for one, have had enough. Come one spring and warm weather. I long for the flowers, spring is my favorite. I can smell the lilac as I type.
   You all come visit me any time. I will leave the lights on and Sissy Dog will always meet you with a jump and a kiss. The walks are clean and so is the parking lot.Be safe and be warm and pray for spring and pretty flowers. Richard

Middle afternoon, river is beyond the sign and gazebo roof, where did it go!

10 inches when I went home at 5:00.

Coming in May.

 



  When you live in a very small town, kind of in the middle of no where, you have to create some excitement to get people to come. We try and have a least one major event a month. Some work better than others.We depend very much on tourist. The one I am posting about today is a new one. I wish I could take credit for it, but I am afraid I can not.

   Clarksville is a very small historic town, founded in 1817 and located right on the banks of the Mississippi River. When I  grew up here, many years ago, it was an active town with  several grocery stores, clothing stores and other retail shops. Like many a small town ,the changing times have taken it's tole on Clarksville. But, unlike many other small river towns of it's size and age, Clarksville is alive and open daily.  Large box stores, like Walmart, have killed many of theses small towns. Mom and pop shops can no longer complete. Clarksville no longer is  full of clothing stores and grocery stores, but it is full of antique shops, art gallery and fun other gift type shops. Great efforts have been used to  fill and keep the shops open. The shop owners are a tireless group that works together to promote and keep  Clarksville alive. With just a pinch over 400 in population, we are proud to have some thirteen shops and 3 great places to eat. Clarksville has one of the biggest antique mall is this part of Missouri. There is over 40,00 square feet of treasures and things just waiting to be found. We also have one of the smallest antique malls in Missouri. That would be my shop, Downtown Antique Mall. While  I only have 7 dealers plus myself, they are special hand picked dealers, all of which do a beautiful job of display. Treasures changes often and we have to have good prices to complete. If you are looking for something special, odds are, you will find it in Clarksville.

   Clarksville not only is lucky to have wonderful hard working shop owners, we also have one of the greatest Mayors a small town could ever wish for. She works endless hours and devotes many resources to doing for us here in Clarksville. I am sure any town would be thrilled to have such a smart, talented, energetic and thoughtful Mayor as Clarksville does. Not only is she the Mayor, she and her husband have the most wonderful old fashion storefront antique shop around. Beautiful displayed with real antiques, it is a delight and a real treasure for our town. Our Mayor and her husband are the ones that have put our latest event together. It is called ,"Clarksville Antique Ramble," designed to bring shoppers to town and see what we have to offer here. There house , a charming old stone cottage, as well as My Old Historic House, will be open for tours during this event. My house is open most often, but this will be a first for there home. It is full of beautiful Victorian and early Federal pieces. Great lighting and wonderful things all available for the first time ever for public viewing. There is a small price of $10.00 for both homes. Other wise the event is free. Along with the shops full of stuff, we all are going to go all out and do extra displays of antique and vintage cloths and linens. Some for sale, others just for looking. We are in the early stages of this event. We are hoping for some outside vendors as well. I am working with the next town down the road, Louisiana, Mo. and there Historic Museum, to maybe share there large vintage hat collection. I'm hoping they will be on display at city hall.I am planning antique dresses laid on all my beds. My windows will be displayed as well with vintage linens, I already have the most wonderful old lace curtains.

   I am posting this early, so you can hopefully get this date on your calender. I know a lot of you all are far away, but please, try and make an effort. This would be a good time for tours, shopping and down home fun. Make your reservations in advance and if enough of you sign up, I'll throw a big blog party. Honest, for real!!
   Come anytime for a tour. I will always leave the lights on and Sissy Dog will meet you with a jump and a kiss. Happy blogging. Richard and Sissy Dog in Clarksville,Mo.