Hello Vixens!!!  Hope you are all enjoying the after-the-holidays lull and the cold winter weather.  OK, maybe it’s just me and a select few who enjoy this season.  But I do.  I love everything about winter:  rosy cheeks, scarves, gloves, sweaters, snow, big pots of stew, hot chocolate with whipped cream, cuddling, how alive I feel when I am outside in the cold and how blessed I feel when I walk into my apartment and feel the warmth of the heat.  I find the entire season invigorating!!!

Another reason why I love the winter so much is because I would much rather go to an estate sale with my coat on because of the cold rather than dying from the heat and the intense musty smell of a house that was closed up for years.

True, there are not as many sales this time of year, but they are enough out there to keep me busy.  It also helps that I do not mind traveling (within reason), especially now that gas is a lot less expensive (YAY)!!!

The sale I hit today had some wonderful items:  a lot of pottery, clothes, bric-a-brac, ephemera, linens and other items.  I enjoyed looking but since I am still downsizing, I did not feel the need to buy anything…..until I came across an old metal picnic basket exactly like the one my parents had.  I do not know what happened to the one they owned, but I knew I had to purchase this replica of some of the best memories of my childhood.

I did a little research on the internet since the name of the company is stamped inside the lid.  My best guess is this is a mid-century model, and it is in great shape.  A smidge of rust here and there on the bottom rim but other than that it is clean.

Because it has such sentimental meaning, I did not want to just stick the basket it in a closet until I find a way to use it, other than its intended purpose.  Then I remembered my Christmas tree was still on the curb outside waiting to be recycled, so I cut off a few branches, grabbed one of my snowmen and made a little winter scene.

I threw it together quickly, but I think it’s cute.  I was thinking I could pick up some of those white birch branches from Michael’s, and some twigs and pine cones from outside to fill it in more, but for now I wanted to show you the general idea.

What do you think?  I would love to read your suggestions.

Until next time, fellow Vixens, happy digging!!!