Big Headed Radko Santa

Look what I ordered this week...

get one here

He's a Radko "Sleepytime Santa" salt and pepper set,
from the retired 2006 "Home for the Holidays" line.
 The cool thing about this set is
Radko's inspiration came from a 1959 design
by Holt-Howard

eBay image

eBay image

The Holt-Howard set is magnetic,

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see the little magnet on Santa's sack?

He has a magnet on his elbow as well.

Get this one on ETSY for $222.40
Radko's is not magnetic, plus he didn't 

keep the sack.  

He opted for stacked presents,

eBay image
which adds a lot more color and interest
with all the detailed gift wrap.

That idea came from another 

Holt-Howard magnetic

salt and pepper set

Get this one on ETSY for only $342.40

Santa sitting on gift wrapped presents.

This time he is awake 

and handing out gifts.

The gift wrap has a bit of detail, 

but still not a lot of color.

See the little magnet on Santa's bottom?

Still a cool design.

I can see why Radko chose this design

to recreate.

Whether vintage...

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or brand new

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This big headed Santa
sure packs on the charm.

Radko didn't stop with just a salt and 

pepper shaker,
he designed a cookie jar too

image source
with even a bigger head!

Then there's the "Sweets Platter",

get one here

It's just a massive head!

They're both very delightful...very 60's retro,

But I'm just going for the salt and pepper set.

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I can hardly wait till this little guy is napping

in my Christmas hutch.

The END!

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Thanks for visiting!

Happy Hunting!

UPDATE:

I was right!  He looks right at home

snoozing away on my shelf

Shhhhhhhh!  Do not disturb Santa,

he's got a busy night ahead of him.
Merry Christmas!

Christmas Tree Envy

Here's a decorated Christmas tree that

Pottery Barn is using to highlight some of their

2012 "Jewel Tone" ornament selection.

image source

So beautiful!

I can only imagine

they must have been inspired by

Steve's blog An Urban Cottage.

Here is his tree from last year...

image source

Simply magical!

I love the layered branches,

and the way the ornaments

have space to dangle.

Steve did a lot of research to find
the type of tree he was seeking.
A "Silvertip Fir".

In Pottery Barn's Blog 
they explain that they went straight

to the source, Silvertip Tree Farm, to get
their 10 to 12 foot beauties.

image source

Located in the heart of

the Sierra Nevada mountains,

The farm is just south of

Yosemite National Park.

Their tree stand is in North Fork, California.

The Farm's website states that Silver tips were

once the tree of choice

during the mid-twentieth century,

but are a rare find today.

After seeing Steve's tree

and

Pottery Barn's catalog,

I think that will soon change!

Talk about Tree Envy.

Here's Pottery Barn's "Gold Holiday"

Pottery Barn Blog

and Pottery Barn

Their "Nostalgia" tree is simply charming.

Pottery Barn

Their "Travel" tree,

Magnifique!

Pottery Barn

And their "Arctic Holiday"...

Enchanting!

Pottery Barn

I bet it won't be long before

you'll be able to find an

artificial Silver tip!

UPDATE 2014: Here is a place that sells

an artificial Silver Tip!!

Have a Great December!

Thanks for popping in!

Happy Hunting!

Hanging the BIG Christmas Wreath, a Brown Bat, and Snow

This is our BIG Christmas wreath

Every year I climb a much too short ladder

and hoist this heavy wreath

up to a couple of waiting hooks

under the overhang.

 

 I balance on the last rung of the little ladder,

holding the wreath in one hand and
hanging on to the roof
for dear life with the other.

 

 

Sam and I are compelled to redesign the wreath

every three or four years because of fading

caused by the unrelenting Vegas sun.
 

This is our candy cane colored addition.
 

The little reindeer is the only ornament

that has been on every version.

When he was new he was shiny gold,

he has since faded to silver 
and still fits in perfectly.

 

This is our other wreath...
It's much easier to hang.

Once in 2006 I had to delay hanging the wreath
till our little tenant moved out...

A little brown bat had taken up
residence by day
right at the peak of the overhang.

Can you see his little nose?

He would fly around at night catching bugs
and return the next morning.
One evening, as I was getting the mail,
he swooped down and flew around my head a few times
 then flew away never to return.

I hung the wreath the next day.

Here's our big wreath during the
blizzard of 2008.

Yes, It occasionally snows in Vegas.

May all your decorating be merry and bright!

Thanks for stopping by.
 

 

A Gingerbread House Cookie Jar for Christmas

December is here and

my Christmas hutch/buffet is ready!

 

I will admit, it looks much the same as last year,
HERE

but there are a few changes.

 

I've added a gingerbread house cookie jar

to the ensemble.

As many of you know

I had quite a time getting this last year.

HERE is the post.

I could never catch the sale price.

 

But the morning after Christmas,

Sam and I hightailed it down to Dillard's

and fought the crowds to get one

of the only two they had left.

get one here

And at HALF PRICE too!

Sam grabbed a place in line as I came running up

with the box.

She asked if I checked it over.

I said "No, I'm sure it's fine...."

However standing there in line

it started to weigh on me.

 

 

We were next to check out and I figured I had

just better take a peek.

Well, it's a good thing I did,

the entire side of the house was cracked in two.

Just then the cashier said "Next".

I handed the box to the lady to use to ring up

while I sprinted back to the last cookie jar.

Sam stayed there to explain my madness.

I inspected the last one right there on the floor.

It was perfect!

I ran back to Sam and the cashier

and slipped it into the waiting bag.

 

Okay... sort of a non story now that I tell it,

but at the time I was totally happy I got the thing

at HALF PRICE.

 

 Did anyone notice the other addition?

 

If you said "Mini Santa"

you are correct! 

Sam and I were browsing a local antique mall

when she spotted this little guy.
 

She said "it looks like your Radko cookie jar."

I said Radko based his cookie jar on this little

1960's "made in Japan" Santa Saver bank.

eBay image
I just love his spaghetti trim...
 

It was a good price, so we picked it up.

Hope you're having a great December!

Happy Hunting! 

 

I'm linking up with
 

Reindeer Games from Dept 56

Years ago now I was searching on Google

for Christmas ceramic serveware,

and this popped on the screen...

 

It's a Dept 56 "Reindeer Games"

Chip and Dip server.

circa 2005.

At the time I thought it looked ridiculous,

but over time, it started to grow on me,

and before long I was hooked.

This little whimsical chip and dip bowl

 had to be mine!

 

Such cute details.

I'm glad to this day I ordered it,

I haven't ever seen it for sale since.

 

The little 3D ladder looks like a prop

but it's attached as one piece to the bowl

as is the reindeer.

 

The only part that's separate

is the half an ornament dip bowl.

 It's held in place by a strong magnet.

 

There are other items in

the "Reindeer Games" series.

Here's a few images

I found on the web.

A cracker server with speaders, a candy dish,

candle holders,
get the cracker limo and candy dish here

the candle holders are from eBay.

 

a serving platter, and luncheon plates.

It's quite a festive line.

 

I only have the chip and dip server,

 

After all, who could resist that sweet little smile

from such a helpful reindeer?

 

Thanks for stopping in.

Have a great December.