Wednesday, April 8, 2009

My Jim Shore Chinese Checker board arrived today!



Jim Shore came out with some great new pieces that are card boxes, Chinese Checkers, a gorgeous cuckoo clock, and a beautiful chess set.
I love the clock, the card box is practical because we play Rummy with the kids all the time, and the Chinese Checkers are a piece of art that looks beautiful too. You don't always get to buy something related to your obsession that is also practical which is why I love these new items.
I used to play Chinese Checkers with my Grandma. We called her Mom Schmitz. When I would go to her house to spend the night I would sit on the front porch swing with her and we would eat grapes and watch the cars go by. Sometimes in the afternoon, we would get cleaned up, put on fresh clothes and walk downtown, and if I was good, we might go to the dimestore. In the evening we would sometimes play Chinese Checkers. When I think of Mom Schmitz, I think of Chinese Checkers and grapes. She passed away when she was 64. I was only 10. When you are 10 and think about being 64, it seems really old. Now that I am 55...I realize how young she really was.
The Chinese Checker board is a beautiful piece from Jim Shore. I like it because you can put it on a table or you can hang it on a wall. It is much bigger than I thought it would be and I am so excited to finally have it.
The picture is my board on the wall. The other picture is my mom,(who is beautiful inside and out) with her mom. Mom Schmitz

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Easter Decorations



I have several Jim Shore Easter Baskets. I have been collecting them for about 5 years. I have tried really hard not to buy something besides the Spring Angel but I just keep getting discount codes in my email box and I may not be able to resist.
I found this adorable bunny in the Florist at Schnucks (the local grocery store) and had to have him. The pictures don't do him justice. This is my Dining Room Cabinet with my rabbit and Jim Shore Easter Baskets. Be sure to click on the photo so you can see the close up.
The other photo is my Entryway. I found this little bunny at Tuesday Morning with a broken ear. I love both of them, and my favorite 10 year old helped me with the decorations.