Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Vintage Pottery in Orange

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As I was exploring Old Towne Orange, I came across an antique shop that had a treasure trove of vintage pottery.


This showcase was full of Bauer Pottery – one of the great California Pottery companies. Bauer used colors that were in the same range as Fiesta. You can see the famous Bauer rings on some of the pieces. Fiesta also had rings but they were sharper, more angular. One of Don’s friends here in San Diego has a big collection of Bauer Pottery.


Brown Eyed Susan by Vernon Kilns. I include this photo because these are the dishes my Mom used every day when we were kids. I am always delighted when I see a set. I spoke to a man working in the shop and he said they were getting harder and harder to find.


Some Fiesta and Harlequin. I used to have an extension collection of vintage Fiesta in the original colors. I eventually sold all but a few pieces as my taste changed. I still love to see it, though.


Some Fiesta, some Bauer and some Roseville.


Be still my heart – a beautiful Featherweight. I’ve written before about how much I want one of these beauties.


I had to take a photo of this beautiful vintage stove. Love the colors, of course, but I really love it because my husband’s last name is Sparks! Now wouldn’t this be perfect in our cottage?

Only bought one little thing – this vintage tin:


This is a 91st anniversary tin issued by Avon in 1977, honoring its start as the California Perfume Company. I don’t collect Avon products, but I’ve seen tins like this on a few blogs. I love the graphics and the colors are my favorites. So when I saw this, I snapped it up. It may go in the studio when I get home.

I have lots of suggestions for the Koala’s name…I’ll share them with you next week. I saw him twice today.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Meeting Dogs & Naming the Koala

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You know how much I miss my two babies:


I even miss their demanding ways. They called me on Mother’s Day, you know. Riley barked and Scout howled and Don assured me they were saying “Happy Mother’s Day.”

San Diego has always been dog happy. There are dogs everywhere. There are dog beaches, dog parks, dog washes….you name it. We partook of it all when we lived here. I’ve always been the type to stop and talk to dogs and their owners. Can’t help it. Now that I am seriously dog-deprived, I have to stop and chat with every dog I see. I’ve met two Boston Terriers named Dot and Dash, a little dog that had just been adopted 2 hours earlier and was giving her new owner a run for her money, a sweet, elderly dog with 3 legs who travels in a stroller, and many more.

These little encounters help me in this prolonged period away from my babies. I get my ‘fix’ and meet some wonderful dogs and their owners. I always leave each meeting with a smile on my face and a lighter heart.


I saw my little Koala twice today. On the way home, I saw him/her stand and stretch but I couldn’t get my camera out quickly enough to snap a photo. Instead: sleeping. I think we should think of a name for this little one. I can’t think of one (I think I have too many Shakespearean words in my head) so will you leave your suggestions? I’ll post all your ideas and then I’ll pick one. Thanks in advance, my friends!

Antiquing in Orange, Part 2

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Hello friends – I thought I would continue our little trip to Country Roads Antiques.

Fabulous urns, pots and mantel.

This was the most fabulous industrial-look space. And more lockers!


Slightly blurry photo from when my camera was on the wrong setting – but I fell in love with the colors on this globe. It was on a floor stand. Gorgeous.


Marsha, this mantel setting reminds me of you!


Lots of fun, big things in this space. The statue had a rosary around her neck. I love the organ pipes on top of the white cabinet. Wouldn’t they make a wonderful decorating statement?


There were 2 of these chairs. I wanted them. Badly. Wouldn’t they look just perfect on the porch at Mockingbird Hill Cottage? Love the design, the metal, the chippy paint – everything.


This huge piece came out of an old post office. I bet all of you with studios would love this amount of great storage.


I took a picture of this china because the design reminded me of the china I bought recently. It is a different pattern, but the blue color, the gold trim and the flowers are very much like my set.

If you are ever in the area, you should definitely make a visit to this shop. You will love the incredible variety of vintage items. The prices seemed a bit high to me. Everything I looked at seemed to be priced a minimum of $10 – $15 more than I would see similar items priced elsewhere, including San Diego. I know pricing varies regionally (remember the huge mark-up I found on McCoy in the wealthy area of Long Island?) However, like many of you, I’ve been collecting for years and know a great deal about certain vintage pieces. I know what they are worth…and I just can’t spend more than that. Of course, if I was independently wealthy, it would be another story!

For example, do you remember this piece I bought a few months back?


I can’t remember exactly what I paid, but it was no more than $12. The same little spice rack was in a booth with a price of $32. I’m on a budget this year so I ended up buying only one thing and I found it in another shop (more photos in the next day or two.)

Koala update: I’ve seen my little friend a couple more times. He’s usually snoozing early in the morning or in the early evening. Today, I didn’t see him. I was disappointed!

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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