My favorite purchases and an apology.

First, I have to give an apology.  For all these months, I didn't think anyone was commenting on my posts.  I must admit, I was a little disappointed, but it really wasn't a biggie.  However, as I was going to create this new post, I stumbled on the fact that I had 42 comments waiting for 'moderation'.  I didn't even realize I had that setting set up.  Now I get to go back and read through them all!!!  It's like Christmas all over again.  And I have the blog set up so that the comments show up automatically now.

I don't have any new crafts on the go, because I have to finish the refinishing of the pieces I am doing for my mom.  Just priming them up a bit, but it seems to be taking me a lot longer than it really should.  Hopefully by next week mom! (I know she's reading. LOL)  So I thought I'd share a few pictures of some goodies I've purchased in the last few months.

I bought this rake at an antique store, for much less than I was really willing to pay.  I'm torn on whether to hang anything(s) from the pegs.  Would you?  I'm open to suggestions.

This is an orchard ladder that I bought at an antique barn is Shipshewana, IN. on our road trip in November.  During the holidays, I used it to display my Christmas Cards.  It worked perfectly.

Now that the Christmas decorations are put away, although I'm still running across things I've forgotten to pack up, I'm redecorating the mantel.  When we moved into this house, the previous owners left behind a dozen or so, old ball canning jars!  The gourd is from my Mother In-laws farm.  I've got 12 more drying in the garage! I've got this set up on one end of the mantel.  The rest is empty. It's a work in progress.

I bought a big bunch of Sweet Annie on our road trip as well.  It smells so good!  I'm looking into growing some this year.

And last, but not least, the bin I had posted here.  I cleaned it up and left it as is.  I do believe it is a feed bin.  I am not using it as a blanket box.  I was unsuccessful at getting all the newspaper removed from inside and I got tired of trying.  The lantern on top was a gift from my mother for Christmas and the pantry cake I made myself.