A busy little place

 
Well, hello there! It's been a while, hasn't it? I had no intention of taking a blog break. But there was one event that put me behind a couple of days, and then another, and another, and pretty soon the Oodles household was completely out of control. Nothing bad, just busy. Too busy. And after that, I needed a few days to regroup. And today I went to some sales. All's right with the world. More or less. Young Mr. Oodles returns to college tomorrow. Everybody told me that they were thrilled to see their kid leave for their sophomore year. I'm not.

I've been offering him bribes to stay. I even offered a car and no curfew. He said, and I quote, "Mother, you know that would just lead to me making poor choices." I'm missing him already.

 
I know I can't fill that empty space in my heart with things, but I'm certainly going to give it a try. All of today's pictures are courtesy of a yard sale that sounded too good to pass up: something along the lines of "I cleaned out my mother's attic and I'm not putting anything back in it." A couple of antique dealers already were checking out with enormous piles of stuff when I got there, so I averted my eyes. I hate seeing what I missed.

 
And if I'm feeling busy, I should try trading places with this guy, who has a whole farm to tend.

 
Not even running water. But there is a working well. (The little crank on the left lifts and lowers the bucket on a chain. Too much fun for the easily amused.)

 
There are lots of ducks to feed.

 
Not to mention the chicken.

 
And the rooster.

 
And all of these folks to worry about, too.

 
I need to do a little research on these pieces, because I don't know anything about them. They're marked "Germany," and they're old. A young man at the yard sale said it was an old nativity scene, but there aren't any nativity figures. I'm thinking Putz village figures and animals - how about you?

 
And it's little: the whole set fits neatly on a deck rail.

Much as I would like to spend the rest of the day playing with it, I must go. I have more stuff in the car. I have a cake to bake. I'm planning to post the recipe and title the post "The Cake that Took Ten Years and Two Weeks to Make." I also need to post a picture that illustrates a shining example of blog-world generosity.

Anyway, to all of you who e-mailed and wondered where the heck I was, thanks. (The link to the Etsy shop will be back soon, for those of you who asked about that.) It's nice to be back.

 




 
 

Comments

[Tina]

Whew! I am glad things are OK at the Oodles household! I was beginning to worry! Don't you love it when the youngsters turn our words back on us? Priceless!

And, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that farm set!

[Mary Ann]

The house looks very similar to the farmhouse that my Grandmother used to put in the village under her Christmas tree every year.

[Carol @ Old Glory Cottage]

Hey Lady! Glad you're back! Yes, cute things do go a long way towards filling the empty spaces in one's heart. But be careful. Those townsfolk look a little eerie. . . .

[HeidiAnn]

Glad you're back, too!
I LOVE your little set of cast iron figures!

[LiLi M.]

Great to see you too again in blogland. When I was in the States visiting an antique mall I thought of you, I loved the vignettes. And I love this famers' set too, I have never seen anything like it. Have fun playing and relax!

[pam]

so glad all is ok. I really got worried when you didn't show up for a while and your Etsy shop was gone!
That has to be the cutest village ever.
Glad you are back with us! pam

[Mary Ellen]

So happy to hear from you again. Re; back to college - it's ironic that the pay-off for raising your child well is that they are emotionally equipped to leave you.

[Maureen]

I know whenever I come by here, I'm in for a good laugh. I just love how you inflect you humour into your posts. You bring a sometimes much needed smile to my face, and it is appreciated. Not to mention, I get to see all of your wonderful purchases. This farm family being one of them. I can see me twirling that water bucket round and round! ;)
Maureen

[Amy]

Honestly, you find the best stuff! I didn't comment on the last post (linens), but they were just wonderful. Will you be keeping your little farm village?

Amy

[Kay]

I believe it is a German Putz. They used farm animals and structures in their Nativity scenes.

http://www.victoriana.com/christmas/putz.htm

I wish I could find Finds like this.

[Lisa W.]

What a wonderful farm set !! It is so great to have you back !!!

[Beth]

Whew! Was worried that you'd gotten trapped in an attic under a box of vintage Christmas ornaments during an estate sale feeding frenzy! So glad all is well and that you're in one piece! You -- and your delightful sense of humor -- have been missed.

[Janelle]

Glad you're back! That little farm set is precious, I almost want to feed the chickens and milk the cow (almost...!)

[laurie mapgie ethel]

I believe that when you averted your eyes from the piles of stuff that the dealers had...that you found a pretty awesome find yourself. It is adorable!
I hope my son says wise things like your son someday. Right now I am giving him a daily hug and telling him "I will miss you when you go away"...he does the eye roll and sometimes hugs me back. I figure I should do it daily as part of my motherly duties...he will miss that hug when he is gone.

[Lavender Dreams]

What sweet little characters! I know you were happy to find such a treasure! Have a wonderful weekend! ♥

[arlene]

I've missed you! But what a treat your miniatures were to see this morning. I love them! You found something totally wonderful.

[Martha]

I think this is one of the best finds ever -- every figure is completely adorable. Good work, Barbara!

[Into Vintage]

I can't ever recall seeing a nativity scene that involved lederhosen and an Airedale terrier but that doesn't mean anything. I don't get out much.

[Lena]

These figures are wonderful, and I think I have heard them referred to as part of Putz scenes too, but I'm not sure. It has been awhile since I've seen any. Your collection is a true treasure. So many pieces, and each of them as charming as the next.

Having been through it, I know how hard it can be to see your son back to school. I think we are the lucky ones though, feeling the way that we do.

I'm thinking of you. Take care.

Lena

[Angie]

Glad you are back...and I totally agree with your observation on children going back to college. My daughter left on the 18th for her sophomore year and it has been harder than last year...it was nice to have her around this summer.