alL dIsHEs 30% OfF

Please pass the . . .

Our beloved Cathie Cox wrote:

When Grandma got older, she started giving her life's "things" to her descendents. She wasn't going to need them much for much longer. A sophisticated lady, she had many lovely things to offer us grandchildren.

. . . I was one of her's and Granddaddy's favorites, so I was pretty lucky to get first dibs. So many choices. . . jewelry, figurines, paintings. Nope, silly me, I went for the soap saver (an old metal kitchen utensil, like a little cage that you put slivers of soap in. Not very valuable). Always wish I had gotten the dachsaund paper holder (long silly looking ceramic dog with a springy thing in the middle). I did take a few Royal Doulton because it made her happy. And I begged for the dishes.Not the china --- the dishes. The Johnson Bros. Windsor Ware, Garden Bouquet pattern, service for a family gathering with chips in at least a third of them. Why did I want the dishes? Because I knew that every time I would use them I would remember my grandparents. Thanksgiving dinners of years past would flood my mind on days when the kids were acting way too much like kids, and all of a sudden things would seem better.

Nowadays, having Cream of Wheat in a Garden Bouquet bowl transports me back to a pea green Michigan dining room on a crisp and sunny fall morning, watching my granddaddy eat his bowl of Cream of Wheat with his large, loving, little-bit hairy hands. Those breakfasts were special to we two. . . oh how I loved him. I adore these old, chippy dishes for all the joyful memories they have given me. . . .

Think of the dishes you recall - what memories do they evoke?

Build new memories at abode - all dishes, glasses, bar ware, and utensils - 30% off through Saturday 11/7!

Hot dogs in soup

When I was a kid, the most exciting excursion prior to the start of school each year was the trip to choose a lunch pail! Would I be Barbie, the Banana Splits or Jane of the Jungle this year? AND would my mom drop a hot dog into steaming Lipton noodle soup in my thermos to cook until lunchtime?

Check these out!

Snap crackle pop

I love fireplaces - warm and romantic. Check out this mantle with detailed carving at $149 it won't last long!

secret supper

for over 30 years my family has carried the tradition of a Halloween secret supper! What, you might ask, is a secret supper?

All come to dinner at my mom's house, some in costume, bearing food, drink or dessert. the secret is that no one can know what others are bringing . . .all is left to chance.

One year we had all desserts (OK, it sounds good but, not really), other years no dessert. Last year, newly married, I whipped up a truly horrifying and extremely HOT Indian meat dish - ick. Even the hot foodies in my family couldn't tolerate it. This year will be better but of course, I'm not telling what I'm bringing.

After dinner we present something halloweenie, a story, a song or a shy little wail (for those who don't want to be coerced into performing).

This is HALLOWEEN!

I dedicate this post to our dear friend Diane Nielson - she was one of the original secret supperers and now she watches us from on high - love and miss you Diane

Tea Time

kettle on? check.
chamomile tea bag ready? check.
honey bear out? check.
darling vintage tea cup and saucer?
time to head over to abode!!!

in british tea culture a lovely cup and saucer is a must!
(and i do agree that i feel like the queen
while sipping from one...pinky up of course)

not much of a tea fan?

don't worry,
you can still put these dainty treasures
to good use,
check out this simple diy project
courtesy of design sponge:

teacup candles!!

wouldn't these make a great gift?

i love projects that find new
uses for vintage goodies.

(click here for full instructions)


come see our selection
and be sure to bring your
english accents...
tea and crumpets anyone?

STrIKe a PoSE & SAve 30%

It's fashion week at abode!

All clothing and accessories 30% off

We're talking VinTage here

Dress to impress - Audrey Hepburn, anyone?

abode style Unforgettable

Multi-talented hardly does justice to Sande. She is a designer, a memory maker, a cultivator an inspiration and a dear friend. Her blog is as delicious as her sense of style! Her home inspires memories and secrets of the past.

Her fusion of family and function makes her style Unforgettable!

What's your style?

geT yOuR gHoST On

guess what we're up to here at abode? to signal in the bewitching hour we're holding a pumpkin carving contest!! entries must be submitted by October 30th and the winner will receive a $20 gift certificate to your favorite fun, funky functional shop - abode!!

Construction chic

Dress for excess! Wear the hottest color! Match I80 decor!

Thanks to the bail out road construction will become the 2000 Olympics of 2009-2011 - be the first to sport road cone orange to your next event. C'mon, you know you want to!

and the goblins'll getcha if you don't watch out!

once there was a little boy who wouldn't say his prayers

and when he went to bed at night a waaay upstairs, his mammy heard him holler and his pappy heard him bawl and when they turnt the kivvers down, he wasn't there at all and the goblins'll getcha if you don't watch out!!

in honor of Halloween and the dark and scary nights all things black - 30% off this week!