Thursday, December 31, 2015


THANK YOU for a great 2015 we appreciate your business!

Friday, December 25, 2015

Come on down for a new treasure. 
Lots of cute Christmas left. 

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Lots of milk bottles

We have some very collectable milk bottles in the shop right now. 
The big cow sign is perfect to go in a county kitchen or family room. 

Thursday, December 17, 2015

 
 
Oh My    I'm lovin' this!
Made out of plastic bottle bottoms.
No directions but how hard could it be?
Hmmmm wonder if I would get in
trouble if I decorated a pole in Niles.
LOL!
I may try some of these for store Spring window

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

If you still need some fun gifts it's "time" to come to My Friends and I.  We can help you find that special something. 

Saturday, December 5, 2015

 
 
 
What a cute idea.........
 
I happen to have some of these flat plastic bulbs.
 
Thought I'd make one for kids and Grandkids with a
picture of our house where the kids were raised and Grandkids
spent a lot of time.
 
I'm sure if you want to do this you can find them at a Craft Store.
 

Tuesday, November 24, 2015


It's parade time in Niles it starts at 6:00 p.m. this Friday the 27th
 
I always tell folks to come early and set up some chairs on sidewalk then shop and eat in Niles.
 
Saturday is Shop Small business Friday but honestly we need your business all year long.
It's you our loyal customers that make it possible for MY FRIENDS AND I to remain open
for these past 33 years (yep! 33 years)  We LOVE you!
 
 

Friday, November 20, 2015

Posting this again from a 2008 blog post
 
Ever hear of Swankyswigs?
Well I bet you did and just didn't know it.
Sometimes things sit in our kitchen cabinets for so long, they gradually age into collectibles. If you have a few colorful character glasses stuck way back in one of your cubbies, it's time to get them out and look them over. You might just have a Swanky or two. They are VERY collectible. There's even a book on just Swanky Swigs.



The predecessor to today's character glasses actually came on the scene during the Depression-era. Collectors call these little glasses "swanky swigs" referring to swanky decals featuring colorful flowers, stars, and animals, themes, decorating them.
These juice-sized tumblers originally held Kraft cheese products and were premiums distributed over many years. Occasionally collectors will run across a swanky swig with an original lid bearing the Kraft name still intact or, even more rarely, with the cheese product still in the jar.
Big selection of these cute little gems in the store now
COME AND GET THEM!

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Just made this cake.  Every time I make it I can't believe how easy and GOOD it is.
You don't even have to peel the apples!
Try it you won't be sorry and if you do comment me on what you think of the recipe.


RITA’S APPLE CAKE

4 cups chopped apples*
2 tsp baking soda
1 cup canola oil**
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs
2 tsp cinnamon
2 cups flour
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups sugar
1 cup chopped nuts

Add ingredients as listed. Pour into ungreased 11- x 13-inch pan and bake @ 350° for an hour or until caked is nice and brown in color and middle of cake is done.

* DO NOT peel apples
** You might want to reduce amount of oil as a matter of preference (perhaps 3/4 cup for a touch drier cake)

Recipe courtesy:
Rita Emma
March 18, 2011

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Gift certificate winner

Saturday, October 17, 2015

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Happy First Day of Fall!

It's time to switch seasons and My Friends and I and Tyme For Tea and Co. are doing a little switching too.
 
When you make a purchase at My Friends and I and say you saw this on Facebook  in an email or on our blog now until Oct. 11th you will be entered in a drawing to win a Victorian Tea for two at Tyme For Tea and Co!
 
Now for the switch. when you make a purchase at Tyme For Tea and Co. and say you saw it on Facebook or in an email now until Oct 11th you will be entered in a drawing for a $50.00 Gift Certificate good for any purchase at My Friends and I!
 
Hope to see you soon and remember you must say where you saw this to be entered.
 
(Watch for other fun contests and giveaways)

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Ok. For a few days it was cool and we all were thinkings FALL!  Now it's hot again. 
Here's something to remind you it's coming. 

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Happy September 1st.  Saw this on my walk today. Trees turning already. 


Cute halloween in shop. 





Thursday, August 27, 2015






How true this is. 

Tuesday, August 25, 2015


Fun stuff coming in daily. Come check it out. 

Quote of the day. 


Sunday, August 23, 2015

Todays book page a picture from shop

Glitter is My Friends and I middle name. We love the stuff. Still finding it around from last Christmas. 


Saturday, August 22, 2015

Cheerful cherub quote

This one is so true. 

I'm getting a real kick out of pictures of food. So fun!

Friday, August 21, 2015

Just found a book that I sold a long time ago. I'm keeping this one!  (For a while anyway)
Here are 3 pictures of it. 
It's full of darling quotes and drawings
and I will try and post one each day. So keep checking back. 

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Fall goodies in show now. 

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Going to make some of these soon.  Go here for recipe   http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/frozen-jell-o-fruit-pops-175265.aspx?cm_mmc=Social-_-Pinterest-_-BetaTestQ22014-_-PlutoPlumbBombs&pp=0
They sound so good.

Yippee fall is coming!

It's my favorite time of year. How about you?
Here's silly Halloween food idea for you. 
By the way some Halloween and fall items are already showing up in the shop. 


Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Toys for Dad

Some really cool old toy cars and trucks in space #85

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Look what's just in

My collection of Spooners, celery holder and I suppose some are vases. I used them all as spooners. Not all I brought in are pictured. .... Yes REALLY

Saturday, June 6, 2015

Perfect sign

This is a good sign for times 

Sunday, April 12, 2015

oh my gosh!
Just found this site
very  useful and entertaining.


Sunday, April 5, 2015

 
Wishing you the best (and rainiest I hope!) Easter ever!


Saturday, March 14, 2015

Remember today is the first day of our
Spring Open House
Hope to see you here!
(fan of Twinkies and Marshmellow bunnies?)
check this out!  Fun
 
 


Wednesday, March 4, 2015

 
Hope you can make it!
Bring friends!!

Monday, March 2, 2015

Where the heck did Jan. and Feb. go???

It's time to start thinking about Spring. 
This little Bee fellow is a watering can and sitting by him
is a clock that doesn't work.
Clocks are a big decorator, collector item right now.
We have a pretty good selection in the shop.
 


Wednesday, February 25, 2015


 Sign in the shop?  Isn't it cute?   
All it needs is this cake
 

Go here for recipe   
 


Monday, February 16, 2015

 
Little birds in the shop and
a vintage poem to read


Sunday, February 8, 2015


It's almost Valentines Day
Get out that heart cookie cutter.
 

If you cut brownies into shapes, this is how. Don't waste ANY space! :)

Saturday, February 7, 2015

 
Ever want to cut a recipe in half?  This will help you do it.

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

 
How long has it been since you've been to MY FRIENDS AND I?
We are getting in new merchandise daily.  Isn't it time to come and see what's new?
Hope to see you soon!

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

This is one of my all time favorite artists.  Here's a link if you want to see some more of her work.

http://www.pinterest.com/daisywren/agnes-richardson/