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Monday, August 4, 2014

A MANTEL CELEBRATING THE RETURN TO SCHOOL

In some places, young people are starting back to school.  It hasn't happened here yet, but it will soon. Each year, I host a back-to-school dinner for my grands.  Today, I'm re-sharing the mantel decor from last year's dinner.
Bargain Hunting with Laurie-Back to School
I love vintage school books, and I have many of my Mother’s and mine.  I have displayed a LOT of them on the mantel.
Bargain Hunting with Laurie-Back to School
I also have a lot of apples for the teachers, because it never hurts to butter up the teacher.  I was never the “teacher’s pet”.  Were you?
Bargain Hunting with Laurie-Back to School
My vintage pencil box is a favorite of mine.  Bargain Hunting with Laurie-Back to School
Bargain Hunting with Laurie-Back to School
The A-B-C’s are prominently displayed.
Bargain Hunting with Laurie-Back to School
Bargain Hunting with Laurie-Back to School
Vintage globes for Geography lessons.
Bargain Hunting with Laurie-Back to School
Of course, we can’t forget Math.  (When I was in school, I wished somebody would forget Math, but it was there every year.)
Bargain Hunting with Laurie-School Mantel
I guess my mantel is more a reflection of my school days than of my grandchildren’s school days.  Today, it would probably be more appropriate to fill my mantel with computers for a back to school celebration.
Bargain Hunting with Laurie-Back to School
But I love my vintage school memorabilia, and maybe it will remind my grandchildren that there really are ways to learn, other than the computer – at least there used to be other ways (back in the olden days!).
Bargain Hutning with Larie-Back to School
Have your children/grands started back to school yet?  Mine have another week of freedom before school begins.  I have asked my four  school-aged grands if they are ready for school to start.  Surprisingly, all four answered “yes”!  I think if he were able to answer, our fifth grandchild, Cooper, who is eight and one-half months old, would say he wasn’t ready.  I’m afraid he’s going to miss his big sisters, who keep him entertained all day.
A-B-C-D-E-F-G, Tell me what you think of me.  (Just kidding – don’t really tell me what you think of me!)  I’m so glad you stopped in at my blog.  laurie

I'm linking to Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch, Blue Monday at Smiling Sally, and Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

11 comments:

SmilingSally said...

Hi Laurie,

School begins Aug. 18th. I have no children attending, but I do have a granddaughter teaching 3rd grade! (I'm so proud of her!)

Yes, I was the teacher's pet--almost every year, but remember, I have a twin brother, so we stood out from the crowd. I loved school! That might be why I became a teacher.

Thanks for sharing.

Have a Happy Blue Monday!

ellen b. said...

Wow...Cooper is 8-1/2 months already. What a blessing. Fun mantel. It's always a shock to me to see the back to school displays at the end of July!

Sweet Bee Cottage said...

Well I'm going to tell you what I think of you! I think you're fabulous! Love this display! I'm a teacher so I'm not super excited about going back but that's because I procrastinated on things and now I'm running out of time. I have a small collection of vintage school supplies/decor that I pull out in September. I can't believe some schools across the country are already starting! I thought we were going back early! (I start on the 14th but my students don't come until the 21st.) Glad to know the kiddos are looking forward to school starting! (And don't worry, I will get excited about the new school year after I finish beating myself up over all the things I should have done!)

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I think you're the cutest...and smart, too! I don't have my old school books from my childhood but I try to find them and buy them if they are priced low. I love children's books and always loved for school to start. How sweet to have a fun dinner for the grands! Hugs, Diane

Glenda/MidSouth said...

2 of my Grands go back tomorrow and 1 on Thursday - all to soon.
Your school supplies, books, etc. look like more my era.LOL
Summer has flown by.

Ginger said...

Cute post. Doesn't seem possible that the kids are going back to school already. I think it's the end of August or right after Labor day for our town.

Sarah said...

School here begins in a couple of weeks. Glad I'm not headed back to the classroom. ;-)
I like your vintage school memorabilia, Laurie.

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh Laurie, you always, always have the most fabulous decorations for any theme. I love this one, so fun. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me.

Ivy and Elephants said...

What a cute mantel! Love the theme as I'm a teacher and I'm starting back next week. I think it is so cool that you have yours and your mom's books. Thanks for giving me a great send off to a new school year!
Hugs,
Patti

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Laurie, Love your school books and your mantel display. I have some vintage books from my mother and her brothers. Love decorating with them too.
Can you believe school is nearly back in session once again. The summer flew by. Wish winter would have done the same.

Have a great week.
Hugs

Debbie said...

I really love that mantel. I have always had such a love for old school books and old school things. I guess it's because from the time I was a very little girl, I knew that I wanted to be a teacher. I recently found my old first grade reader on EBAY and am considering a bid on it. It's not much, but I am trying to be a bit tighter this month.

As for being the teacher's pet?
Well, of course I was. I guess I was a little suck up or something. wink.