Rattan Season!?

Yep it is ... It's always Rattan Season somewhere!

Travelin' days!

Not much to write this week except this important news flash.

I am going out of town next week (flying on an airplane - which frightens me), so mom, dad and mostly Duncan will be minding the shop.

If you stop in this weekend, you may be able to get a really good deal on some furniture - as I will be busy self medicating, reviewing pilot experience and selecting a mini-suit case for my flight next week!

Your friend - the not so great traveler ... Jennifer

Duncan will be your host next week ... ready, willing and able!

Sligh Bed Frame

Old style, cute lines and in excellent condition --- need I say more!!

Clever Office Suite!

... one real office chair ($68), one sturdy home-made table/desk ($75) and one bushel basket trash can ($3) Can't beat it for stylish and practical!

Six cane chairs seek table!

Looking for a match!

Vintage Hooked Rug!

Is there anything that signifies January better than a vintage hooked rug?

Barbed Wire Sweethearts!

This week, I’ve been thinking about the ladies of Nine Mile.

I spent my Junior and Senior year living out at the Nine Mile Ranger Station. During that time, of course, I was an obstinate teenager and didn’t much care for anything - or anybody, and I especially didn’t give a second thought to ANY of my mom’s friends.

There is a small group of them who have been together now for 30 or 40 years. They don’t claim to be anything special or out of the ordinary. They haven’t been featured in books, fundraising calendars, Oprah, or any other recognizable source. What they have done is taught sunday school, attended school functions, stayed politically astute, joined book clubs, quilted, participated in the annual Nine Mile School House Christmas Market, had parties, climbed Squaw Peak, ice skated, laughed together, cried together, and cared about each other.

This year - when I opened my shop ... each and every one of them has made the voyage to find me, bring me stuff to sell, buy each others stuff, use my bathroom and leave their kind words of encouragement hanging in the air as they gather up their recycled purchases and drive away. Once again ... nothing particularly notable, but it means the world to me to know that they are all out there like mother hens - just caring.

This week, I received a shipment of these barbed wire hearts - appropriately named “Heartware” by their creator. For some reason - they remind me of my mentors from Nine Mile. - This unconventional collection of “Montana Valentines” epitomize their matchless style. To me they seem both charming and tough, simplistic, quirky and eclectic in their detail. Each of them unique, lovely and one of a kind.

Here is to the ladies of Nine Mile. The sweetest of all valentines!

Happy Birthday, Shirley!

Dining with dogs!

No dogs allowed at dining room tables. Apparently Duncan didn't get the memo.

For all you Mid Century Fans!

I just got in the beautiful Krohler dresser!

2010 cleaning project!

Here we are, eight days into the new year. Time to let go of the New Years eve party and get on with slicking up the house. This time around, not only are we welcoming a new year, but also a new decade so I’m going to make an extra effort to get organized and de-clutter even the deepest darkest corners. You know ... that hidden spot that we call “under the steps” ... that place.

Here is the plan ...

This year, because of the new decade and all, everything will get a double dose of scrutiny. If it has not been useful in the past two years, then off it goes. Three choices ...

Landfill for the broken useless “stuff”.

Back to the original owner for all the “stuff” that has aimlessly found it’s way to my house (in other words - Moms stuff)

Or ... for those super fun, one of a kind interesting unique items that still have life left in them, but that may have outgrown their charm in my house --- off to the shop to find a new home!

Shipments of this great stuff will begin arriving at my shop on Tuesday. After you have de-cluttered, organized and done the same at your house - swing by and see if you can find a new “precious item” to take home and brighten up the new year .. or ... I mean ... decade!

Remember - Green is the new black! (I read it on a tee shirt!)

Antique British Armoir

This interesting, intricate piece is full of personality and British details. Each shelf has a permanent plastic label including a hat shelf, a shirt shelf, a "pyjama" shelf and an underwear shelf. There is a "sundry" drawer, a tie rack and a rail for your shoes on the bottom.

A very distinctive piece, but also a giggle when you open the doors! What a fun way to start out the new year!

Montana Style Dinner!

Eat at your very own blue stained pine table. Handcrafted from a tree killed in a fire in the Nine Mile Valley. Complete with worm holes!

Glass Coffee Table

Kick up your feet and kick in the new year with a new, used coffee table! This one is super NEAT!