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

source

Exclusively for Cracker Barrel Old County Store

sometime before 2009.

I stumbled across her on eBay 

and thought she'd be perfect.

eBay Image

 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 engraved 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!

Red Chandelier Shades For Christmas

I've replaced the orange autumnal

lampshades for the new 

festive red ones for the holidays!

 

I found a pack of 6 on 

Amazon for $35.01

get them here

They're slightly narrower

than the orange shades,

which I like better!

Even so, I'm happy with the orange

ones, considering how difficult

they were to find.

I finally have an opportunity to 

decorate the chandelier.

I hung some "claydough" 

cookie ornaments from the arms 

to compliment the baking theme on 

the hutch buffet,

 as well as my overall cookie jar theme 

I've always loved.

This year I ordered these 

ornament-shaped cookie ornaments

from Amazon for $21.99.

get them here

I've had the snowflake cookies

for some years now.

Don't they just make you 

want to take a nibble?

The red shades bring a warm, festive

glow to the holiday season.

Thanks for stopping by

Merry Christmas

and happy hunting.

Christmas House Hunting

Mackenzie Childs has an adorable new 

gingerbread house cookie jar this year!

source

From their Bakeshop Gingerbread line.

Their description reads:

"Bake holiday spirits bright with this 

hand-painted gingerbread house cookie

jar.  Made of ceramic, It's decorated just like

a gingerbread house with all the sweet details.

Makes a great gift, too, especially when filled

with tasty treats."

This little baby runs $199.00

0_0

It's only 9"tall x 5.25''wide and 5.75"deep 

so, not a large piece.

While admiring the house, 

I noticed the sweet little figures

off to the left.

Those fellows are the 

Bake Shop Gingerbread Santa & Snowman

Cupcake Boxes.

Their description reads:

"Bake holiday spirits bright with this set of two hand-painted 

ceramic cupcake boxes.  Featuring Santa and a snowman, 

they're trimmed with gold lustre.  The top lifts off to

store treats inside."

get one here

Sold as a set for $149.00.

They run 6"tall x 4"wide

I simply flipped out over the next 

picture!

The Bake Shop Gingerbread Man and Deer

Cupcake boxes!

get one here

I adore that deer!

The gingerbread man ain't bad either.

This Bake Shop Gingerbread Candle Holder 

is nice but runs $99.00  

get one here

Candle not included.

Also made out of resin.

Maybe I'll see if the prices are any better

after Christmas.  This really is a beautiful

line, just a bit too pricey for my budget.

Thanks for stopping by

and happy hunting!