A Beak, A Peek, And A Tweak

Disclaimer: I wrote this post late at night, too late at night, and I need to offer my apologies to Big Chickie.  I believe that She is really a He.  As in, a rooster.  Maybe it's the pastel colors that have lulled me into thinking of her -- umm, him -- as a chicken. Perhaps it is the proud, impressive bosom. Or, maybe he just likes it that way.  I ain't judging.  But for today, he's a she.  Big Chickie it is.

Big Chickie welcomes you.

 Some years ago, my sister Peggy and I gave this big chicken to our Mom,

who collected all things rooster and chicken.  Big Chickie is temporarily roosting in my kitchen,

on the old jam cupboard, where she can admire herself in a big mirror.  She likes that.

 She invites you to take a peek out of a window in the study.

This is my peek, from the window to the right of my computer.

I love seeing who comes up on the front porch.

I always hope they are bringing me presents, but mostly . . . they are not.

Big Chickie and I both thought this evening sky, from last week, was particularly lovely.

We have new neighbors in that sweet white cottage on the corner.

I should bring them a present.  On their front porch.

Big Chickie has gotten me looking at little spaces here and there in That Old House.

Like, the coat closet under the front hall stairs.

The door is old wide beadboard, but what is sweetest about it is its knob.

 You turn the round knob, and the little lever on the left lifts up and voila! you are in the closet!

The lever part is iron.  I think the knob is bronze.  Like, really old bronze.

 Ah, in this shot you can see the dent in the round knobby.

Someone was impatient to get a coat once upon a time.

Above the closet is something I rarely notice.  And never dust.

See those two wood thing-a-ma-jigs hanging down?

 They are the bottoms of the stairway posts, the one at the top of the first and longer flight,

and then the one at the top of the short landing flight.

 I don't recall seeing the bottoms of stair posts in other houses.

I assume this was done on purpose, and not just a boo-boo on the part of some 19th century carpenter.

A moment of random noticing:

I just like how those turquoise and gold glasses look on the kitchen cupboard shelf.

That little bit of mid-century bling in the middle of all the ironstone.

*************************************************

 And speaking of milk glass. . . .

(Yes, I know we weren't speaking of milk glass, but let's play pretend.)

About 2-1/2 years ago I was browsing eBay and found an old table lamp.

It looked interesting.  It had no harp or shade, and it needed rewiring.

I bid $10 and got it.

 Then the seller emailed, to tell me that as she was packing it for shipment, it fell apart.

"It's more like a lamp kit now," she said.  "I can't get it back together."

"Send it anyway," said I.

I mean, really . . . what would you do?

My vintage lamp kit arrived, a box of random parts, and I took it to my Dad.

Who could always fix anything.

He surveyed the parts, we went to the hardware store and got what he needed,

and in a few days . . . That Old House had a new resident lamp.

Yay, Dad!

But there's more -- a little more -- to this story.

One night, late, I was watching The Divine Secrets of The  .... yeah, you know the rest ...

and in the scene that takes place in Whatsername's mother's bedroom, the scene with the ring ... 

c'mon you know the scene ... right on her mother's nightstand is . . . my lamp!

This lamp!  One and the same.  Only, of course, not this lamp,

but a glamorous Hollywood twin of this lamp.

I backed up the movie to make sure.  Yes, the same.
Right on the nightstand of that poor bat-poo-crazy lady.

I have since promoted her from the study to the parlor,

where she is happily hobnobbing with my Imari porcelain lamp from Craigslist.

And preparing for her closeup, Mr. DeMille.

She is asking for a new lampshade, though, and I can't blame her.
Just can't seem to find the right shape and size!
Maybe I should put "Divine Secrets yada yada yada" in my Netflix queue, and see what crazy lady used on her lamp.


Thursday, and some links ....

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville hosts Thrifty Thursday.  My kind of gal!  Click here!
At The Shabby Chic Cottage, join Gina for Transformation Thursday.  Click here!
Suzanne at Colorado Lady is hosting Vintage Thingies Thursday; she has doggies!  Click here!

Enjoy your Thursday!
I've been scarce -- my Dad was in the hospital again, but he's back home now.
Then, I got sick on Tuesday (you don't want to know) but thankfully am feeling much better.
And we just received another 8 inches or so from Mother Nature's over-achieving Snow Factory.  Snowcones anyone? -- Cass