Big Albert is in the House

I'm excited to share a special 

new addition to the Ozark Collection:

 The Big Al Tiki Mug!

Originally released at Walt Disney World in July 2022,

this mug was created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the original 

Country Bear Jamboree –

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a classic, and long-running animatronic show

that has been delighting park guest for generations.

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The mug was beautifully designed by the creative duo, 

Kevin Kidney and Jody Daily, 

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capturing all the charm of Big Al,

one of the show's most beloved characters,

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Big Al was originally imagined by Disney legend

and Imagineer Marc Davis in the late 1960's,

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Here's Davis's original concept sketch of Big Al,

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and here's something fun: Davis modeled the 

character after his friend and fellow animator, Al Bertino.  

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Here's a couple of great photos of Al acting out a scene with Marc 

as they "imagineered" these characters to life for the show

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Big Al became known for his somber but humorous, off-key rendition of 

"Blood on the Saddle", originally voiced by Tex Ritter.

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Today, in the latest version of the show, 

Country Bear Musical Jamboree

 Big Al – now voiced by Mac McAnally –

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tugs at heartstrings with an emotional 

and humorous rendition of Remember Me 

from the movie Coco. 

He gets so caught up in the song that he begins to 

cry unable to finish before the curtain closes.

It's a perfect example of Disney magic: a character who 

can make you laugh and feel something all at once

For me, Big Al holds a special place in my heart–

He became my favorite character after 

my mother purchased a Big Al storybook for me

while on our trip to Walt Disney World in '73!

source • Hear the story here

I've been following Kevin and Jody's work for a long time,

Not long ago they had a question on their Instagram page,

They posted a pic of an in-progress sculpt and asked followers 

to guess what it had turned out to be in 2022.

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Lots of guesses rolled in, and a few folks got it right.

When they revealed the finished sculpt the next day,

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I was intrigued.

I loved how it looked like carved wood.

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the hat was designed as a removable lid.

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I thought, What a wonderful mug!

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At the time, in 2022 it was selling for $49.99, but I 

completely missed out on getting one new. 

That Instagram post ignited my interest, though, and 

after a quick search online, I found a few for sale.

I ended up buying one from a seller on 

Wal-Mart.com for $44.50 and Free Shipping!

Get one here while they're still available!

If you're a lucky hunter, I've found proof on the web, they've shown up 

in the Disney Character Warehouse for as low as $19.99,

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 but, due to distance, I won't be going there anytime soon.

Never the less, It feels great to finally 

have this mug in the collection. 

It's more than just a collectable – it's a reminder 

of Disney creativity, nostalgia from my childhood, and 

reminds me of how these stories and characters continue 

to evolve while still touching our hearts.

Thanks for stopping by

and happy hunting!

 

Apples, Apples Everywhere & Strawberries

After the whirlwind of holiday festivities and 

3 monthly transformations of the hutch buffet

from October to December, it is finally at rest-

at least until Easter.

For the winter season, we bring out the 

blue and white checked fabric covered

in apples and apple blossoms.

A valance, pillows, placemats 

and a runner.

The abundance of apples inspired us to

acquire several apple-themed serving

pieces, including this lovely new

addition from 2021.

 From the "Apple Blossom Honey" Series

It's the Granny Smith cookie jar

Designed by Susan Winget

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Exclusively for Cracker Barrel Old County Store

sometime before 2009.

I stumbled across her on eBay 

and thought she'd be perfect.

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 Positioned next to Granny Smith, 

here's where the strawberries come in,

we find a strawberry basket.

This piece is from the Metlox baskets line,

known as "Basket with the Strawberry Lid" item #060.

I discovered it on eBay in July 2025 

for $29, with an additional $11.30 for shipping.

It was the highlight of the hutch buffet 

during the Pioneer Woman Summer display.

Though many strawberry baskets on eBay

share a similar appearance, many are from

"The House of Webster Ceramics", 

like the one below.

with a maker's mark stamp on the bottom.

My basket, however, is lucky enough to still have 

the official "Poppytrail by Metlox" sticker attached

as well as the incised maker's mark 

on the bottom.

"Made In Poppytrail Calif"

Metlox also released a lemon basket.

Nowadays not quite as common a sight on eBay

and I couldn't find any copycats.

The strawberries go well with 

the chocolate cake, cake safe

with the strawberry handle.

It was made in Portugal.

In the top shelf we spy another basket of apples

and a jug of apple cider.

they are a sugar and creamer set

from Chestnut Creek Circa 2004.

An eBay find complete with very old tea bags

I love that little barn scene on the jug.

Over on the dry goods pantry  

we find some more apples

I've had this apple cookie jar 

from Mervin's for many years

But this Apple Pie Dish is brand new from 

this past Thanksgiving 2024.

Sold at Target as part of the 

John Derian Thanksgiving Collection

find it here

The Pie Dish was only $10! 

How cool is that?

We round off the apple tour

with a trip to the floor,

where we find little Lena enjoying a rest on

the apple-themed throw rug in front of the sink.

Thanks for stopping by

and happy hunting!