Update on Christmas Sale

All Christmas items are now 60 % OFF!

Hurry in to see some really cute stuff at great prices. It's up to each dealer how long they will keep it in the shop, some will be taking it out after this next weekend, so don't delay. Hours are
10:00 to 5:00 Mon - Sat. and 11:00 to 5:00 on Sunday. Remember even though a lot of stores in Niles are closed on Monday and Tuesday, we are always open on those days!

Have a safe Happy New Years!

CHRISTMAS SALE

Christmas sale starts tomorrow December 24th at

MY FRIENDS AND I

We usually do a discount on Christmas items the day after Christmas, but this year we are starting the sale early. All Christmas will be 40% off original price starting tomorrow. The SALE is for anyone who shops tomorrow, but we didn't advertise it. This is the first announcement. We will be open till 3:00 tomorrow which of course is Christmas Eve maybe longer if we are busy. Call before you come and then you'll know for sure we're still in town. The day after Christmas we will open 9:00 - 6:00 and then back to our regular hours, Mon - Sat 10 - 5 Sun.11-5

Have a WONDERFUL Christmas everyone!

Swankyswigs

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.

A few swanky's we have in the shop

Yipes!

As you can see from the Santa Countdown to the right, Christmas is almost here. We still can help you find that perfect gift.

Check out the cute handmade pin cushions. They are all made in a little vintage containers. Don't you know someone who'd love one of these?

Christmas Home Tour

Sat. was the Niles Main Street's Annual Christmas Home Tour.
I got out to just a few of the houses before they closed, and snapped some pictures. I heard from several ladies who attended that all the homes were beautiful. If you didn't come this year, you'll want to try and make it next year. Stay tuned to the blog all year long for event updates.
The last 2 pictures need a comment or two.
Ed who lives here in town has over 300 Nativity Scenes that he displays each year during the tour. Pictured is only one of his sets and it's displayed on a trunk in front of a very pretty quilt. His collection was something to see.
The next picture is of some customers who came in shop and all I can say is WOW! They looked beautiful. Thank you ladies for letting me take this photo.

A Pretty Site in Niles

When I closed the store this evening, it was just getting dark. I happened to look down the street and the sun was just hitting the flagpole and trees. The picture doesn't do it justice, but it was sure pretty. Even though the stores aren't open at night, you might want to just come over and drive the town, Niles Blvd. and back in the residental area. The town is all lite up and sure looks pretty

Front Window at My Friends and I

More things to collect

Ok in the last post I told you about the Valentines I just put in, today I put in lots of Salt and Pepper sets. These are just a few of them. Do you know a collector? A gift of one of these sets would make some collector very happy. It would be such a thoughtful gift for someone on your Christmas list.

No I don't have the wrong holiday!

Well after you see the pictures below, you might think I do have the wrong holiday!

I found tons of cute Valentines on my trip and thought about saving them till after Christmas. Then I thought, why not take them in now. They would make a perfect gift for someone who loves old paper items, and of course there are lots of Valentine collectors out there, you might even know one.
Then the more I looked at them, the more I loved them, and thought I'd use some for Christmas gift tags just to be a little different. I cut paper into a tag then used photo corners to attach the valentine to it. (see second picture.)
If you like to see them in all their cuteness, come in and take a look.

And the Winner is.....

Winner of the $25.00 gift certificate is Joan B. from Santa Clara. Thanks to all of you who read our blog and came in shopping this last Fri. Sat. and Sun. We are going to be doing lots more of these blog contests, so check back often.

Come to Niles

Forget the malls after Thanksgiving, come on over to Niles and shop "My Friends and I" for Christmas. I've been busy the last few days adding new finds to the inventory, come and see.
Remember Friday is the big CHRISTMAS LIGHT PARADE. The streets are closed to parking or trafic at 4:00 pm. and the parade starts at 6:00 pm. Come early, find a place to park and put your chairs on the sidewalk. Then go shopping! We will be open right up to the start of the parade and will open back up after it's over.
We are having a $25.00 gift certificate drawing for all you blog readers who come to My Friends and I this Fri., Sat. or Sun. after Thanksgiving. Tell us you " saw the contest on the blog" and we'll put your name in the drawing. Who couldn't use $25.00 to spend in the shop.

All of us at My Friends and I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.

I was shopping in Albuquerque NM today and look what's coming home to Ca with me. These little babies are so cute, and if your wondering, they will make their way to the shop soon. I took the picture here in our camper in close quarters, but I think you can see how cute they are. The little red chair they are on is going to be in the shop too.

Heading home tomorrow

The pictures below are of a wonderful quilt top that I just picked up yesterday. It's made with one inch postage stamp size pieces of fabric, that I'm sure is old feed sack material.

The history that must be in this quilt. I consider it a work of art! When looking at it I like to think about the lady who made it and what her life was like at the time. Was she rich? Poor? Young? Old? We really don't know, but I know one thing, she must have been very proud of her work and loved what she was doing. It's a beauty.

We are starting for home tomorrow and I will post when I get back and start putting the new "vintage" stuff I've picked up in the shop. So keep checking.

Don't forget Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is on the way. Make sure to visit Niles the day after for shopping, and parade of lights in the evening. It's a fun event for the whole family.
For really cute clipart go to this site and get your own. For Christmas too.

Counting the days till Christmas

You might notice the Christmas countdown I added to the blog. Thought it was so cute. I don't want you to panic, but times a slipping away. Check out MY FRIENDS AND I for fun, unique, gift and decor ideals. Lots of vintage fun stuff to choose from. Come in with your list and let the friendly girls at MY FRIENDS AND I help you find something special for your friends and family.

We're in IL.

We have arrived in beautiful IL. The great weather we were having has ended! It is COLD! We are so spoiled in California. I swear I will never complain about rain or wind again. (right!)
The pictures below is of another old movie house. Maybe I'll write a book about them some day.

The next pictures are of things I took before I left. Can't guarantee the stuff is still there, but why not go in and see!

Hope your all enjoying my adventures across America. I will be having a blog contest for a vinture treasure when I get back, so keep watching.

Still on Trip

I know a lot of you check the blog often for updates, but since I've been traveling it has been hard to post. There was no computer or Wifi in Ark. where I was visiting for the last week! BUT don't give up on me, I will update as much as possible. As I told you in one of my last posts, I'm really taken with old Movie houses. Here's another one we discovered on our trek. So much history and real beauty in these old buildings. I'm doing well shopping all along the way and I've bought some really cute stuff that will be in the shop when I get home the end of the month. Keep watching for posts!

Hi From Kansas!

Yep that's right I'm in Kansas. Dodge City to be precise. It's got a little old down town area we may explore tomorrow, any way I hope there are a few Antique stores I can check out.
Speaking of checking out, look at this movie theater we passed in La Junta CO. I made my husband turn around so I could take a picture of it. I think they are so cool, so that's what I'm going to be looking for in the little towns we visit. By the way it's a warm 79 degrees here this evening.
The next picture is of some Christmas goodies I took in the shop before I left. Look for more pictures of my travels in the next few weeks. Feel free to drop comment any time you'd like on this blog.
Hope you enjoy visiting it.

Another freebie for you

Here's a site that offers free Gooseberry Patch recipe booklets. Go here
http://www2.gooseberrypatch.com/gooseberry/affiliates.nsf/f.sunmaid?OpenForm&action=initial and fill out the form. I just did it and it was easy.
Isn't the Internet wonderful? Full of all kinds of fun stuff.
Don't forget to scroll down for all the lastest posts. And if your new to the blog scroll all the way to the bottom and click on older posts to see all the posts from the beginning.
ENJOY!

HALLOWEEN CRAFTS

Go here for some great Halloween crafts.
It's coming!

http://www.hp.com/hho/hp_create/themes_holidays_halloween.html?jumpid=em_r11260_us/en/hho/IPG/ipg20_cpt_em_hhosnl&hhosnl=hpn_1428745843AF9DEE1307058F268498D53F66851E13730EDA7B65CE61EA

WONDERFUL RECIPE

As I've been telling you, I'm in CO. at my daughter's house visiting. We were checking out blogs on the web and came across this recipe. We ran to the store to get everything we needed to try it. All I can say is WOW! It's easy, and delicious. Thought I'd share it with all of you.
ENJOY!

Apple Dewies

2 cans refr. crescent rolls
2 large apples
1.5 stick butter
1.5 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp. cinnamon
6 oz. Mt.Dew beverage
Peel and cut the apples into wedges.
Roll each wedge into a crescent dough triangle.
Arrange in a greased 9x13 dish.
Melt butter and add sugar. Don't stir too much.
Add vanilla.
Pour over apple crescents.
Sprinkle cinnamon and 1 tsp. sugar over top.
Pour Mt. Dew between apple crescents.
Bake @ 350 for 35-40 min.
It will seem soupy. It's supposed to!
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream. Drizzle 'soupy stuff'
over both.

JUST A FEW THINGS

Sorry the picture isn't that great, but it's a few things I have picked up so far.

I'm on vacation, after that great open house I need it!!
I'm in Colorado now and will head for Ark. and IL. before returning home.
I took lots of pictures of shop Christmas merchandise so I could keep posting while on my trip. These Santa's are just too cute.
We are going Antiqueing tomorrow and I will post pictures of my finds. I'm hoping that the shops I like here in CO. are still in business.
We stopped at some of my favorite places on the way here and unfortunatly all but one were closed and out of business. It's sad that so many people are finding it hard right now.

Open House

We'd like to thank each and every one of you who came to our 26th open house. If you missed it, we still have lots of Christmas. Our customers really have fun shopping the sale and here is a Mother and Daughter team who had a blast. Francis (the mom) has been coming in for years and has missed very few Open Houses. We hope you all had as much fun as they did!

Just another teaser!

Another peek

Santa is coming to town!

Here's your first sneak preview picture. Everything is still messy, but coming together for Sat.

Open House

Boy, if you could see the shop today after we started decorating for the open house, you'd say "they are never going to be ready!"
It's a mess right now, but every year by Friday night we are done and ready to open the doors at 10:00 Sat. morning.
From what I could see of some of the stuff the girls are putting out, your not going to be disappointed. I will snap some pictures tomorrow and post some every day till the open house.
They will be a sneak preview of wonderful things to come.

Stuff, lots of stuff

This is just a little bit of what I've been getting ready for the Open House . This is our 26th!! I have boxes every where! I'm not alone, everyone in the shop is over -loaded with boxes too. We're so excited! This next Monday is when we close to get the shop ready. Hope your planning to come on Sat. the 18th or Sunday the 19th 10:00 to 6:00 both days. You won't be disappointed.

Smile for the Day

How's your Monday? Doesn't Maxine crack you up? Some Mondays are like this. Don't you love her? I think we all want to secretly be just like her when we grow up. HAVE A GOOD DAY!

The excitement is building

Now that Oct. is here we are really getting excited about our Open House on October 18 and 19. We're counting down the days till we close the store (13th thru the 17th) to get ready for the big event. If you've ever been to one of MY FRIENDS AND I open house's you know we really do the store up for the holidays. This year will be no exception.

Here is this month's calendar from Miss Mary's. Go to http://freecollagesheets.com/other-printables/calendar-pages/october-page-features-vintage-halloween-art/60to print it out. Remember to circle the 18th and 19th on it.

Check out this site

I love to share information with you all. I just went to this neat site that came from Country Living. I haven't explored it all yet, but looks like a lot of fun information. Hope you enjoy it.
http://www.delish.com/?src=nl&mag=del&list=dem

Fall has arrived

Even though fall has arrived in Niles, the weather feels more like summer (aren't we lucky!?)
If you want to get in the mood for the fall season take a ride to Half Moon Bay. Punkin's every where.

Half Moon Bay

Of course you can also get in the mood at My Friends and I. We have lots of fall and Halloween decorations. Like this silly scarecrow sitting on a pumpkin. He's so cute. Doesn't he look like he belongs on someone's porch? hint, hint!
Also just in for the chilly weather we know is coming, are these cute thick socks. Pick up a pair for wearing around the house on those cold fall nights. We have other designs, not just halloween. Come in and check them all out. They are so cute!

Random photos

Comments from all of you are for more pictures. Here are some I took in the shop today.

All this in space # 3

Space # 7

Space # 2

September National Sewing Month

That's right, September is National Sewing Month.
We have some pretty neat vintage thimbles and other sewing items in the shop, why not add to or start a collection of sewing items.
The picture below reminds me of watching my Mom sew, I'm sure a lot of you have those memories.
Did you know that we have a beautiful fabric store in Niles? The name is Color me Quilts and More. Go to http://www.colormequiltsandmore.com/ to check out their Web Page. Stop in and say hello to the owner Diane next time your in town and say "you heard about her quilt shop while on My FRIENDS AND I blog". She has a beautiful selection of fabric and also a nice selection of yarn and sewing items.

September as arrived

This year has just flown by and fall is right around the corner. It's just a little over 6 weeks till our Christmas Open House. The excitement is already building for this years event. See the picture of our magnet on the right with the dates. If you haven't got your magnet yet, we still have them available at the store.

http://freecollagesheets.com/ is the place to go and download the Sept. calendar page from Miss Mary's. If your new to the blog, there is a new page each month at this site. Check it out.

Only 2 more days!

That's right, Sunday is the big day. It's hard to believe that it's the 44th annual. Even harder to believe that we've been in 26 of them! Yep, this is our 26th year. MY FRIENDS AND I owe it all to you our loyal customers. By the way we consider all of you the FRIENDS in MY FRIENDS AND I!! Come by and say hello if your in town.

Antique Faire reminder

Sunday the 31st is our BIG Antique Faire in down town Niles. It's been going on for years. For more info. about the event go to the link for Niles Main Street Assoc.
Here are some more pictures of Halloween stuff that's in the store.
Hope you see you in town on Sunday!

Halloween goodies