Florida Harvest

I adore living in Florida but I must share that I do miss the color explosion of fall.  There is something magical about leaves changing their colors, pumpkins in funny shapes and sizes  and in a range of pastel colors, crisp apples fresh from the trees and hot cider donuts fresh from the fat to the plate.  The best that I can do is make the cider donuts and decorate with faux pumpkins and then enjoy a Florida harvest of finds at my local haunts.

These vintage stacked pumpkins with the lights inside were 1980s decorating favorites.  This one still has the bright florescent orange paint.

Everyone loves the popular, Lefton turkeys that were salt and pepper shakers, planters and napkin holders.  I now have my mother's set and use at Thanksgiving, but I love it when I find these Lefton pieces to share in my booth space.  This Tom actually looks pretty happy sitting in a mid century pedestal compote.

This late Victorian, wool jacket with tails is a great steampunk for costumes and cosplay.  

Whenever I find quality silverplate or pewter I always think of my Atlanta, antique gal pal, Rose, who always finds/sells the prettiest silver for her space called Silver Glory.  I do miss her lovely spaces as I always found a treasure or two.  I acquired this set of four, Woodbury Pewter plates at my local thrift store.  Made in the USA, they are known for their high quality.  Perfect for setting your Thanksgiving table.   

This Victorian smelling salts/vinaigrette is the first I have ever found.  Sterling cap, it is missing the screw cap at the other end.  Lovely cut crystal, this is a marvelous find and I will keep if for a while.  I would love to find a cap for the other end so that hunt now begins.  The p of smelling salts are to around consciousness and are centuries old with found documentation as early as the Romans using them.  They are meant to help revive those that are faint of nerves or those that need some extra oxygen flow to help with breathing.

Haven't come across a vintage Halloween noisemaker in many, many years and this happy pumpkin is a sweetheart.  Vintage Halloween items still bring in high dollars.  

Found a charming quad plate creamer and three, mid century sequined Santa boot ornaments for the tree. 

I have a weak spot for early Windsor chairs and this is beautifully stenciled with bronzing powders and has its original red paint.  Definitely a keeper for me.

In no particular order, these were Goodwill finds, a teeny tiny vintage, oil can and a charming, souvenir cup and saucer in a Scottish thistle design.  Most likely imported from Germany.

and  finally, I actually harvested a pumpkin....well, not a pumpkin but a huge, dried gourd shaped like a pumpkin.  This is the only decorative pumpkin I can use in our hot and humid weather without the pumpkin imploding in three days. LOL.  

So to my friends who are enjoying the Indian Summer and stepping into fall, I wish you good harvest in your treasure hunts and to all, blessings to you and those you love.  Sea Witch

November???

Boy this year has flown by.  I'm still feeling like its July even though we are actually only 57 days until 2019.  Daylight Savings Time has kicked in and the evenings are now dark by 6:00 pm in North Florida.    It's been a good summer, busy with my "main job"...lots of fun with my antiquing and my spaces at the Lyon's Head Antique Mall, visits with my sister and working on and around the house.  All in all, life has been good to me and for that I am grateful.  I know I have been here nearly two years but I am still downsizing as I give up more clothing that is not suited for my new life and that goes for stuff I brought with me for the house.  I just don't use it or need it here so I filled the car with donations to several local hospices and the rest went to my local Goodwill.

As long as I was at my Goodwill, it couldn't hurt to look around, right?  Well, it was a good decision because I found a few great pieces last week and then again this week.

Charming set of four English teacups and saucers in the prettiest of ice cream colors.

These just make having tea delightful.

Marvelous antique Germany, Simon Peter Gerz humidor canister.  This heavy incised stoneware has a few chips around the lip from use, but Gerz pieces are highly sought after.  Circa 1920s.

When kitchen stoves needed matches to light the flames, you kept a ceramic match holder nearby.  This wallpocket match holder has the pretty sampler cross stitch pattern on it.  Made in Japan and circa 1940s.

Stunning American Brilliant Cut Glass server.  This is now in my personal collection.

This charming, mid century ceramic turkey and pewter napkin rings are already in my booth space and ready for the Thanksgiving holiday.

More vintage pewter goblets and salt and pepper shakers from the 1970s are now also in my space. 

 1930s brass bow light may be missing the burner at the top but it holds a votive candler or battery operating one to throw off that light.

Lovely 1900s poetry books.

Early primer and a book about Christmas carols.

Pretty little ruby flashed EAPG souvenir cup with olive branch of peace.

Large Early American Pressed Glass (EAPG) bowl.  Marvelous condition for something from the late 1890s.

Pair of satin, milk glass lamp shades.  Circa 1900s

Finally, this gorgeous engraved decanter.  Doing a lot of research on this piece as it has the look and feel of an 18th century piece, beautifully engraved on two sides, blown bubbles throughout and a pontil on the base.  

It shows the wear you expect to see on the bottom of a piece with age.  Still, this may be a 20th century piece but it is still marvelous.  Once I learn more about it I will followup and share the info.

I hope to post more frequently as this year comes to an end and if lucky, more nifty finds to share like these.  Wishing everyone a gentle week and blessings to you and those you love. SeaWitch