I seem to be treating myself to little presents. And it’s not even Christmas yet! In the mail yesterday:
This edition is very old, but it’s in great condition.
Take a moment to look at that dress and the hat – Ms. Drew is very, very stylish here. And stop with that tiny waist! Love, love this cover by Russell H. Tandy. The gentleman crouching behind the door looks like he’s up to no good.
I now have an even 10 of these vintage Nancy Drews. I have my eye on another, even as I write this. I can’t help it. I’m addicted.
Also in the mail, something I had on my want list on Etsy for over a year and a half. I don’t know why I didn’t buy it long ago, it was less than twenty dollars. Actually, I’m lucky it was still there when I decided to click ‘buy.’ Though I rarely buy egg cups anymore, you’ll immediately see why I wanted this one.
Yes. Those little critters are groundhogs! This souvenir egg cup is from the Chambéry region of France, which is in the Alps. The little guys are gazing upon the beautiful view, including a chalet.
How could I not buy an egg cup decorated with groundhogs? Don said, “It’s Henry!” or, more accurately, “Henri” which is the way Don likes it spelled and which, I’ll admit, goes better with this particular egg cup.
And finally, I picked up this little $3 tree from Target:
I’ve been thinking that I needed some sort of Christmas tree for the apartment in Hartford, simply because I’m going to be away the week before Christmas and the week before New Year’s. I’m not altogether happy about that, but I have no control over the rehearsal schedule. So, adding a little tree will help to make everything a bit more festive.
Actually, I was looking for something bigger, closer to the one we have up in the living room. But they’re hard to find right now and some of the trees I saw were horrid looking. I think if you’re going to go artificial the tree has to have style – either very realistic looking, or flocked as the downstairs tree is, or downright tinsel-y, like this little tree. If it just looks cheap…well, no.
I’ll still keep looking. I bought a few more little Shiny Brites the other day at a local antique shop. I’d love the excuse to buy a few more, just to decorate the perfect little tree.
I’m getting my hair trimmed today. It’s way too long, but I held off getting it cut for longer than usual. You might remember that Dawn, the woman who cuts my hair, had kidney surgery. She was unable to work for a while and Don and I ran a campaign to raise money for her living expenses while she was recuperating. She’s much, much better now and back to work.
Happy Friday.
I am in love with the covers of these Nancy Drew books! Oh I can see why you had to have that egg cup. Henri of course, says mais oui! I’m so glad you got that little tree. I’m going to put up the little pink one I got at the thrift shop. I went over and watched the Grands decorate their tree last night. CRAZY! Tiger gets so excited and this was Scout’s first year of ‘helping’ and she was loving it. After the tree was decorated she thought then we take them all off…no baby girl…it’s a learning curve!! I had work done on my car ($$$$) but it was needed, so I’m good for the winter for sure. Hoping to take some photos and blog later. Hugs!
I bet it was such fun watching the grands decorate!! Sorry about the car expense but we have to keep those darned cars working!
I never asked…but I assumed ‘Henri’ is pronounced with a french accent?? Cute tree…and perfect for Hartford! Yes…of course, you have to have a tree….tis the season, after all! My personal opinion, is its ok to give yourself gifts…you deserve them. Especially that egg cup…perfect! ;)
Well, I would pronounce it that way – if I used ‘Henri’ as my particular spelling! But I don’t, so it’s Henry to me. And Don says Henry as well, unless he wants to put the French spin on it. And he does that, as well!
I couldn’t resist the egg cup (though I did so for a year and a half!)
The cover of The Sign of the Twisted Candles is fabulous! That dress!!! I love the vintage graphics.
Love,
Susan and Bentley
I do, too. I’m crazy about vintage graphics anyway, and these covers are perfectly vintage!
The Nancy Drew cover is priceless! And a great idea to have a tree in Hartford. Have fun decorating it. And, Happy Weekend (finally)!
Yes, to the weekend, though it means only a week until I leave. Sob. Ah, well. Work is work!
Love all your treasures today! Lovely book cover, very unique egg cup…and I’d wondered as it crossed my mind if you should have some holiday decor when you’re working far from home but, see, you’d already been thinking of how to live ‘on the road’ so to speak.
I think small treats are good. I bought two sweet-faced, glittery, paper mache-y style, holiday-retro deer (like I need another Christmas deer!), oh, back in October or so; have had them sitting on a bookcase where I see them every day…and, every day, they make me smile, which is important! I get pleasure from material objects, so sue me!!
So do I, Vicki, so do I!
Yes, I started thinking about a whole week in the apartment when Christmas was still a week away. And then I thought about another week between Christmas and New Year’s – and then I knew I had to get a little tree.
Yes, Nancy is TRES stylish on this cover. First thing I thought when I saw it – wow, Nancy is a 1930s fashion plate in this illustration! Made me think of Jean Harlow. PS – isn’t having your hair back to its accustomed length just the best? Always makes me feel so much better. I hate it when I delay making an appointment & mine gets too long. Even something as minor as an extra inch or even half-inch can make me crazy, as I suspect it does for most women. Weird, huh? ⭐️
Yes, definitely Jean Harlow! I had 3 inches taken off my hair, Janet! It had been 6 months since I’d had it done, a combination of my forgetting about getting it trimmed, and also a chunk of time there when Dawn was unavailable.
I can relate. For 35 years, my hairdresser was my sister’s best friend. She worked at home – her husband is a musician & very handy – so he fixed up a nice shop for her in their basement. I watched her get married, be pregnant, raise her kids etc etc – her whole life. Had the same appointment every 4 weeks. First Saturday of the month at 7 am. It was great & my hair always looked at least tidy. Then a few years ago her husband got a teaching job at a college about 50 miles away and I had to find a new hairdresser. This was about a year before I retired and I haven’t actually done it yet. Now that I don’t go out every day, I find that I keep putting off haircuts until I literally can’t stand it anymore, and then I go to Supercuts because you can just walk in. I miss Kathy desperately but the last girl who cut my hair at Supercuts did a great job. Am planning on asking for her again. So cross your fingers, maybe I finally have a new hairdresser!
Fingers are definitely crossed, Janet!
I love the teal ? tree. It looks good as is, but I’m sure you will dress it well.
You are a hard worker and you deserve to treat yourself.
Enjoy!
Monica
It’s actually turquoise/aqua, though that photo makes it look teal!
No tree for us this year. The kitties are just too rambunctious and curious. I can just see it toppling over with two clinging to the branches and one pushing at it from the bottom. Nice treats for yourself!
Oh, I imagine those kitties would love nothing more than to play with a Christmas tree, Wendy!
I love that Nancy Drew cover. The tree from Target is a bargain. That egg cup is priceless. Thanks for sharing.
Marilyn
You’re welcome, Marilyn!
I too have been treating myself to a few pieces of McCoy pottery! It’s your fault Claudia -you’ve re-invigorated my desire to collect based on your collection! In fact I have a piece coming in a couple of days! I LOVE coming home from work and seeing a package on my doorstep!! You and I have a few of the same pieces ( I swear I’m not cyber stalking you…LOL!) and I have a few saved to my ETSY wish list.
Oh, there’s nothing better than seeing a package on the doorstep, is there? Yay for you! Enjoy your McCoy, Chris!
Love the cover of your Nancy Drew book! I bought myself a couple of presents, too – books, of course. One was the new Pat Conroy book (which I’m 3/4 way through) and the other is the new Mary Oliver book. Great idea to bring a little Christmas tree to Hartford with you.
I haven’t started the Pat Conroy book yet, Melanie. I’m going to put the Mary Oliver book on my Christmas list!
Love the “Claudia Blue” tree. So sweet. Since you are working on the show that Noble is also doing in Hartford after Christmas Carol, I will be there when you are there. I bought a small tree when I was there last week for opening and brought up 3 boxes of “Hartford Xmas” decorations. I do red and green plaid decorations and you do turquoise. Maybe we can have a Tiny Xmas Tree play date. And you can finally meet Petey! Is Don coming to Hartford for Xmas or are you going home?
No, I’m going home, Tina. I think we’re off for Christmas Eve and Christmas day and the same for the New Year. Can’t wait to meet Petey!
Sweet egg cup!! Now, about that Nancy Drew book…… I have been a voracious reader since I was about 8 years old ~~ however, I never read Nancy Drew. So, for all of these many many years, I always thought Nancy Drew was a teenager solving the mysteries. She looks like she was much older than I envisioned. Hmmmm….
The tree is cute. I saw those at Target today. Will you put some fairy (tiny) lights and ornaments on it?
We have winter storm warnings for tomorrow into Sunday for 6-10 inches. My hope is that when we wake up in the morning they will tell us it has moved 75 miles south or north of us. If only!!!!!!
She was definitely a teenager, but remember teenagers looked more sophisticated then….
I will put tiny ornaments on it, for sure, Chris. Lights…maybe.
Yes, we have snow coming as well on Sunday night into Monday. And Don has to get into NYC on Monday, so this will be a pain in the tush.
I am loving that you share your new Nancy Drew editions with us, Claudia. Your posts bring back memories from when I was about 10 years old. Above the garage we had an attic. I was a little shy and quiet and felt really content with being alone. I found that by climbing this rickety old ladder up int this dark, dirty and probably spider ridden attic, I could read the Nancy Drew books that were packed away after my older sisters had read them. I must have had some sort of light from below but I do remember that it was stifling hot. I wonder why I never asked my mother or father to bring them down for me…
I love your little tree. It will be perfect when you personalize it with your ornaments.
Happy Holidays to you and Don!
Jane
What a lovely memory, Jane! Sneaking up into the attic to read a Nancy Drew book sounds like something right out of a novel. Lovely!
Happy Holidays to you and yours, Jane!
Nancy looks so gorgeous on this cover…excellent idea to have a happy little tree with you…How could you not after all it’s Christmas in Connecticut…lol…love the egg cup!
Yes, Christmas in Connecticut – sort of – but I’m bound and determined to spend the actual day here at the cottage!
Well, at least it is the Christmas season in Connecticut…lol…I want you to go home too, you would be miserable without Don!
I spent one Christmas apart from him – that’s enough!