Mother's Day Thrift Gift

If you haven't already gotten your mum something for Mother's Day, I highly suggest you run out and thrift something.  Many beautiful things are to be had, from clothes to collectibles.  Since I live in Minneapolis, I celebrated Mother's Day early while I was home (in WI) for Easter.  Outside of spending some girl time together, and enjoying a yummy margarita and dinner out at La Chimenea, I was extremely excited to give her her gift.

You see, ever since I can remember, my mom has had the Christopher Collection on display in a tall glass curio in her living room.  Throughout the years, I  have now and then stumbled upon a Christopher she does not have while perusing antique malls and thrift stores.  Every time I find one I am completely surprised - I mean, the woman has a TON of these little Christopher boys and girls, how many more could possibly be out there? Additionally, they are not easy to find; despite my mom having a ton of them, there aren't tons of them waiting for me at every turn. They are a rarity.

What makes the Christopher Collection so valuable is that they make my mom smile.

And they remind me of my childhood.

Her label name is "Priscilla"

I have found two in the past that she did not have but they were broken, so I left them behind. One was a girl posed with a squirrel and the other was on a swing. So, at least I know I am still on the hunt!

The Christopher I found for Mother's Day, however, she is perfect!  When I found her, I practically started jumping up and down; she is in excellent condition! And as if that wasn't enough, she has special meaning, too.  This last year, my good friend Andrea taught me how to cross stitch (Thanks, Andrea!).  Most of my other friends only find this amusing, and make granny jokes (haha), but my mom knew I was excited to learn a new hobby, and she was always the one asking me how my cross stitch project was coming along.

Which is why I just love this precious addition to my mom's Christopher Collection.

The floral pattern on her apron matches what she is stitching

Christophers always stand out in a thrift crowd for me, somehow their clean, pastel colors make them extremely eye-catching. Without looking at the bottom, I can always be certain I have found a Christopher by their soft, sienna brown eyes...they really are the sweetest little figurines.

Not only did I thrift her figurine, but I also thrifted her card. Can you believe how perfectly suiting that card is?! It all came together quite well, which is why I really couldn't wait to give it to my mom.

The perfect thrifrted pair!

Best part is, she loved it as much as I do and she even got teary eyed!

I absolutely heart the floral pattern, her little shoes, and how even the back of her chair is detailed

A gift only needs to be meaningful...where you bought it or how much it cost, just doesn't matter.

Hope all you mom's out there have a meaningful weekend with the ones you love most!
Happy Early Mother's Day to you, too!!

All pictures presented in this post were taken by my by mom! Thanks mom, I love you.

Thrift Attic to Basement: 1931 Certificate

I'm an avid reader and lover of books. Given the right story, I can get lost for hours.  So when I was digging around in the basement and came across this certificate, I couldn't help but smile.

It is my Grandpa James Jones' First Grade Reading Certificate, dated for the 1931-1932 school year.

The photo doesn't show as clearly on blogger as I would like, but it reads:

Wisconsin Young People's Reading Circle

Primary Certificate

for the school year 1931-1932

This certifies that James Jones, a pupil in 1st. Grade, Bryant Graded School, Langlade County, Wisconsin, has satisfactorily read the following books, which are on the list of books of the Wisconsin Young People's Reading Circle for the school year above named, and is therefore entitled to this TESTIMONIAL of MERIT.

The ten books my Grandpa read are listed in his teachers cursive hand:

"Surprise Stories"                                            "In Toyland"

"Happy Children l"                                            "Boys & Girls at Work and Play"

"                       " ll"                                            Can't decipher...something "Boys"

"Wag and Puff"                                                "At the Farm"

"Book of Pets"                                                  "Toy Town"

Given at Antigo, Wisconsin, this 6th day of March, 1932.

It is then signed by his teacher Helen and principle Maud.

One of his listed books

Many of these books have really simplistic titles, so I'd have to do a bit of research to figure out the precise ones he read. I keep wishing they had listed author names, too, but that's getting a bit thorough for a first grader I suppose....although, this plaque is pretty serious! It's certainly the most formal 1st grade certificate I've ever seen.  I especially love the line, "for the school year above named" and the way "TESTIMONIAL of MERIT" is in all important caps. My young, first grade Grandpa must have felt prepared to go read aloud to a king after receiving a certificate like this!

It would be something to go back in time and tell little boy James, that in March 2011 someone will be writing a public blog on his March 1932 certificate, wouldn't it? That's the way you get a kid to read ten books weekly! If not for the future publicity, the poor thing would research for years trying to learn what a blog is....one of these books must know! Or, more likely, he'd just shrug--Mom's gonna frame this, I'm good for the month!

I liked learning that he went to school in Antigo. When I was growing up my Grandpa and Grandma had a beautiful home in the woods of Pickeral, WI and we used to go out to dinner and run errands in Antigo.  My Grandpa traveled around a lot, lived in Rio for awhile, brought my mom and her two brothers up in Milwaukee, WI. But, I like that the town he went to school in corresponds with the thoughts I've always had of "Grandpa's house." James Jones, Antigo, WI...like he was always right where all my memories are.

Framed Photo also found in Basement

My Grandpa is a bit older than 1st grade here, 5th perhaps?  He lived on a farm when he was young and often needed to get up at about 4 am to do his chores before walking the miles to school.  In this photo he has sleepy eyes, and I can just imagine what a struggle it was to focus in class each day.  He was extremely cute though, and was a handsome man his whole life.  I'm the only one who was lucky enough to get his bright blue eyes, the rest of my family has hazel or brown. 

I lost my Grandpa Jones to a car accident when I was in 4th grade.  My brother and I were very close to him, and learned a lot from him in that short time.  He had an unbeatable charisma about him, and a childlike heart.  I will miss him always...

It makes me smile to come across these things; he's still telling me stories.
I plan on hanging this plaque by my bookshelf.

Have you ever uncovered something of sentimental value in an attic or basement, something you hadn't known was there?