My Little Orange Kitchen

Vintage Sweetness

I've been finding a lot of mod pattern vintage gift wrap lately, but today while putting it away, it was the old fashioned sweet wraps that caught my eye.

I went to farmer's market this morning and scored pea shoots for only $1.00 a bunch. If you've never had pea shoots, you must try them at once! If you have a local Hmong community as we do, you will usually find bunches of pea shoots tucked away on the side of their vendor tables because they are not in high demand and usually sold to one another...get in on this...really...ask for them. The internet is loaded with recipes and nutritional information, but you'll have to rely on me to tell you how delicious they.

Selkie and I are on our own today....heading out to garden in a minute or two and then it's back inside to shell peas, wash new veggies and hull strawberries. I hope you have a peaceful Saturday.

Thrift Share

This is my overdue contribution to Selena's Thrift Share Monday post. She does this every week and it's a great chance to check out other people's finds and sometimes fall over in a dead faint from envy. Like I did when I saw the Bounty Huntress and her set of steel drawers for a mere $5.00. :)

While I'm a big fan of the muted shades of vintage linens and the dusty pinks of dried roses, I have a soft place in my heart for the avocado greens, blue/teals and oranges of the late 60's and 70's. When I saw this ice bucket at our local St. Vincent's I was in a mad swoon of "must have, please be cheap" and got very lucky. Two dollars.

Our new kitchen is in a rehabbed warehouse apartment and only 66 square feet. The one appliance that stands out the most is the avocado green refrigerator. It's something to contend with in a small kitchen that has yellow walls (haven't received permission to paint yet), but I find myself going relaxing into it and now I can see the charm. 

The ice bucket will stay in the kitchen for now, but I've considered using it as a purse or a jewelry box. The real question is, will Mark go anywhere with me if I carry an ice bucket as a purse? :)

The blue glass refrigerator boxes were a gift from Mark a few Christmases ago.

I was just in the middle of a kitchen "re-org" and stepped out to run an errand. When I came home I fully expected to walk into the disaster I'd left behind, but as I did, my perspective changed. I didn't see the mess or clutter, I just saw a tiny kitchen filled with many of my favorite thrifted things.  I've been collecting the tins that I HAVE on the stove ever since my mother gave me my first one about 12 years ago. Sometimes it pays to make a bread run.

I've been collecting the tins that I HAVE on the stove ever since my mother gave me my first one about 12 years ago.

psst...you can find more of my thrift finds here .

A Sign Of Things To Come

I'm a little closer to finishing a project I plan to share with you soon and in preparation I was playing around with some fresh flowers and look what I came up with: 

A rose petal throne for Buddha. Peachy!

I've written on facebook of how I want to start a pledge process for a "No New Wrapping Paper In 2011" holiday season.  I plan to create another page on this blog  and post regularly with thrifted or handmade alternatives to store bought new gift wrap.

I love pretty paper more than most people, but the amount of wasted wrapping paper tossed into dumpsters on December 26th depresses me.

I don't use many gift boxes, but every now and then I have a gift that calls for a box or is too easily identified without one (books and DVDs in this household).  It's early in the year, but I can't resist sharing one of my favorite types of gift boxes:

Vintage puzzle boxes.

Vintage Peter Max Puzzle by Do Not Destroy On etsy

I'm not suggesting you race out and spend a fortune on old puzzles, but keep your eyes open when thrifting.  Puzzles seem to be the last item people get excited about so it isn't unusual to find cool puzzles for under a $1.00. Though, finding vintage puzzles in clean boxes with all of the pieces can be a challenge, but in this case we don't care about having all of the pieces. 

If a rare puzzle is missing pieces I have no qualms about using the box. If you do find a puzzle in good condition with all of the pieces, you may want to price it on ebay or etsy before using it...just to be safe.  Some do sell for hundreds of dollars.

You can use the puzzle pieces in other creative projects (or as gift tags). If you know for sure that the puzzle is totally complete, but you are falling all over yourself because you really want to use the box, take a picture of it, print it on recycled paper and put the pieces in an old, but clean zip-lock or tin and donate it to a senior or community center.

Here are some examples of boxes that would make especially nice gift boxes (in my humble opinion). I use puzzle boxes to store art supplies and paper scraps and love it when someone gives me a gift in one. 

Unless the box has a unique design element I usually wrap it with recycled paper. I can't tell you how many times my friends have gotten almost as big a kick* from the gift box as they did from the gift.

I love the squirrel graphics:

I Love You More on etsy

When I see circular puzzles (usually 60's Springboc) I flip out! Be sure to price check these first...they can be valuable.

Apricot Vintage on etsy

Interesting graphics on this one:

Betty And Dot on etsy

Nick and Nessies on etsy

Don't forget old board game boxes:

Windy Lou Vintage on etsy

You can always find puzzles or games with themes your friends will be interested in. I tend to choose vintage puzzles because I like the graphics and because I do use the pieces (they're thicker and make better jewelry than newer ones). However, don't limit yourself. I was at a garage sale few years ago and the host was selling newer puzzles for ten cents each!

If you have suggestions for ways to reuse other boxes please share. I want to collect as many ideas as possible so we can get others excited about not buying new too!

* I realize that using the word "kick" to describe my friend's reactions to neat boxes dates them terribly. :)

Dye Jobs

OK, this is the big day. The day I begin my full force load-up for arti-gras. I will post this evening with what my work day yielded. However, until then, I have a few things to share.

I've done two things recently. Dyed my hair and dyed a vintage slip. Both were successes.  I can give Tamera and Rossemary (correct spelling) over at Dessange Paris  credit for my hair color and Brazilian keratin treatment. My hair is super curly and has gotten more so as I get older. In fact, one would be hard pressed to believe that I actually had a few spiral perms in my time, but now the natural curl can be so intense that it winds up frizzing. You fellow curly-headed girls know all about frizz halos. I am pleased with the results. I can now go wavy or super straight without a hassle.  It was an investment, but after a year of hair disasters and bottles of Nutrisse, I feel like I am back on track. Plus, we just made some serious adjustments to our budget and 2010 is going to be a year with no extras, so this was kind of my last chance.

Now, about the slip. I love the dyed and embellished vintage slips I see on etsy, but they rarely come in my size or price range. I've been collecting a few larger ones from various thrift stores and finally took the plunge and dyed one yesterday. DELIGHT!

Before:

The after is at the top.

I used grocery store dye and let it soak for about 30 minutes. It isn't the deep eggplant purple I was hoping for, but I am still impressed with the before and afters.

I plan to add more embellishments, but am still calling this a win. I love the idea of wearing it around the house in the summer or seeing the bottom peeping out of a skirt and tights this winter.

It's a full slip, but I have a few half slips to work with and will share the results. It was easy and I'm hooked. I did it in a plastic dishpan with a little less hot water than suggested and I agitated the mix with disposable wood chopsticks--perfect since I hate throwing them away. 

I noticed that the slip and shoulder straps are nylon and took the dye 100%, but the trim on the bottom must be polyester and didn't take it at all, which makes for a pretty contrast. The box suggests adding salt if you want polyester to take the color.

OK...I'll be back tonight with proof of work! Keep me accountable!

p.s. If you need fishnet (all sizes) visit this lifesaver. 51 colors!

Little Pink Houses

You may remember from a post last year that I love using vintage puzzle boxes as gift boxes during the holidays. It gave me such a thrill to find this one for a mere fifty-nine cents (thirty cents more than marked so many years ago) and imagine it filled with handmade treasures and tied off with hot pink or teal bias tape. As I look at it, I realize it may be harder to give up than I thought.  I do hope you will click on the top picture and look at the detail in  the background....the pine trees, the orchard and of course...the hot pink chimney!

I've been making some puzzle pendants and magnets for Art Street using scraps of paper, vintage stamps and paint, but there were a few pieces in this one that I thought might be able to stand alone. Do not judge them as they are now...they are not glued together, varnished or sanded and the bails are not really attached...this is just a "look-see", but I think there's a possibility at least a few pieces will remain unadorned and will just be high-gloss varnished as is. Book pages look nice too.

Lately I've had some humbling experiences...Facebook can be a problem for me.

I don't understand why people who didn't like me in eighth grade "friend me" now. I've ignored some requests because I saw little point, but one of my more mature friends said that not everyone remembers the details like I do and that most of the time, it's simply a case of "Hey! We were in eighth grade together! Remember how cute Mario so and so was? Watchya been up to?".  Yet for me, it's not like that at all. I mean, I have no old "enemies" or people I've wanted to prove something to, but at the same time, I have no desire to shoot the Facebook breeze with someone who I know for a fact spread a false rumor about me. "Hey, remember when you told everyone that I took my top off at a party...only I didn't? Yeah? Cool! McPherson Elementary School Rocks!!!"  Right.

I recently decided to be more relaxed about these things and finally start responding to a few friend requests and even sending back some hearts, pots of strawberries, badges, vampire bites etc (you have to be on facebook to know what I mean), but then one of the people who I friended back even though we barely knew one another de-friended me a few days later! She sent me a note that she was having a hard time keeping track of all her friends on FB and needed to clear some out.  Yep. WTF? So of course, I feel like I'm thirteen all over again. Like somehow I got one-upped in a game I never wanted to play anyway. So, the moral is..."friend" your friends, but stay away from the "hugs and margaritas" (another FB reference) from people who made fun of your messy handwriting and blue glitter nail polish 27 years ago.

Now, if I could always feel as self-assured as this wallet woman looks, I'd be a happy camper. I think she's stunning. Her expression inspires me and I love the dress.

Light My Fire

I found these vintage matches here a few months ago. Please indulge me and click on the photos for more detail...

They're a brilliant example of one of my favorite types of illustration...I like the colors and how even with detail they still look simple. They're inspired by San Francisco architecture and even though they're decidedly  60's (1966), they make me think of one of my all-time favorite PBS series...Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City.  Oh how I fantasized about living in Mrs. Madrigal's funky apartment house.  Which was called Barberry Lane, but was inspired by the real Macondray Lane. What? You haven't seen it? Rent the episodes immediately! I have the novels, but admit it's the series I like more. The first season (special) is the best. 

I'm betting this place has an orange kitchen...

Please patronize small businesses or little shops like this one might close their doors! Where would I go for my fruits and vegetables? It's not everywhere that you can find acid blue pears!

They came in their own box...an ornament! It's definitely a best of the best of $10.00 and under vintage finds! 

I'm still working on that gift for my mother...ignore the Modge Podge all over my freshly painted pieces...not to self...paper first, paint later.

Tip-Toeing Through The Tulips

No doubt...this towel wouldn't be for everyone. Actually, it isn't really a towel...it's a huge piece of vintage terrycloth. I found it while thrifting and like the last huge terrycloth thrifting find, it will be used as a camping towel.

I like worn threadbare towels when I camp...they dry quickly and aren't heavy if they get wet. I could always use chamois, but that's and investment of more than a few dollars and the piece pictured above was a quarter. Yep, a quarter.

I did make that navy bean soup yesterday and instead of corn muffins I baked some fruit (apples and raspberries).  Tonight it's spaghetti over here.

I am excited because this weekend...maybe Sunday, you'll get to see (at the same time as me) if the new photographer and I are going to be an amazing duo.

Busy weekend ahead and then...Urban Frog & Petal Pusher will fully stocked on Monday and Tuesday.

Here is a video of the spot on Amy Hanten's Living. I was a little reluctant to post it because I feel like my weight gain is shocking, but I'm trying to be kind to myself. Plus, it wasn't planned and I had literally 5 minutes notice, so thank God it was a relatively good hair day...I had blown it out in the morning hence the lack of curls.  I am just so happy people love the wallets and pleased with any attention they garner! the video plays fine for me, but my friend found that it was slow loading...hope it works.

Little Orange Kitchen At Farmer's Market Take One

YES, I said "yep" in the video...just call me "folksy"...yikes! ;)

Happy Day

I'm still using old photos and hoping to get a new camera soon...I was so upset that I only had four camping photos to share with you the other day...but the other ones were all streaky and blurry which is what happens with most of the pictures I take using my old one.

This tin tray is one of my thrift finds. I love it and even though a few years ago the flowers would have turned me off and it would have seemed old ladyish....I'm all over it today!

Today is a navy bean soup and corn muffin day. I just have to get motivated to make the muffins!

It's All In The Box

Just a quick post to share this cool thermometer box I found at Goodwill. There're a few handmade holiday gifts I'm making that I'd like to put in boxes, but there's no way I'm using new ones.

I got the idea to use puzzle boxes and children's game boxes when I saw a bunch at a lawn sale for a quarter apiece. Most of them are missing pieces (many pieces), but the boxes are intact. I'll use the game pieces as bases for magnets and the boxes to wrap my gifts.

The thermometer box was a real find...vintage, pretty cool in its design, clean and....blue. I've got a thing for retro blue fifties Christmas ornaments. I used to think blue was super tacky on a tree or even on a card, but a few years ago that changed. And I love Hanukkah cards and wrapping paper which are usually blue and white.

I'm starting to become super excited about gift making this year and hope to share a few projects soon.

Oh...for those of you who're new and wondering about my last post and our living arrangements, let me assure you...Mark and I are still married! Mark took a job with the same firm, but in a city three hours away. He's moved ahead of me and I'll move when our condo sells. In the meantime, he's home on the weekends and sometimes during the week. The joke is that he's still home too much for me because as regular readers know...I'm an Aquarius and we need and love our alone time.  My mom and I got a kick out of how I didn't even think twice about it when I titled the picture of the moving van "So Long".  Poor Mark, but he knew when he married me that I wouldn't get weepy about time spent apart. Thank you to Brenda for making me aware that I haven't been clear in case I have new readers.

OK...don't kill me, I know its early, but in honor of my blue box and Mark's absence (agahaahahaha...Just teasing you Mark!):

An Apple A Day...

My latest thrifting find was sixty-nine cents and worth every penny. I love it...perfect for tea and toast! I've gone a little off of bright colors, but this one pulled me back in big time.

Big news...Mark's two month sublet is up and he's finally in his new place.  He signed a six month lease because even if we sell the condo by then, there is no way we can both live there for long. It's a cute, but tiny two bedroom and I mean tiny.  It's just outside of Eau Claire and Amish buggies abound...so do wolves and deer (both were spotted by us last week!). 

   
Mark's office stuff had been in storage and that was the first stop...I love moving and can't understand how Mark is OK with actually working in Eau Claire (where he was born), but doesn't get the least bit excited over things like this:

I won't comment on towels, but I'm a huge fan of line dried sheets and pillowcases. We don't have a clothesline here, so I was excited and asked Mark if he was excited to hang his linens on the lines.

You can imagine...there wasn't much of a response. :)

I'll visit and he'll still come home on the weekends, but now that he has a new place that's his and not a sublet, I'm thinking that my"marriage sabbatical" may stand a chance of actually happening! Sorry Mark, but it has to be said. I like my alone time!

I've been doing my dry brushing and water, but am a little lax lately with meditation and bellydancing...Today, I have special orders to get cracking on and then maybe I'll get to it. I hope you have a great day and for those of you in the way of hurricanes, we're all crossing our fingers for you over here.

Under $2.00 Thrift

We're holding tight to our pennies right now, so I've been keeping my thrifting to a minimum. I usually boycott Goodwill because of the super high prices (sometimes just a tiny bit below retail), but I always stop in when I'm on the west side of town just to see if they have any vintage children's books on sale.  Today I found a couple that will soon be turned into wallets or gift tags, but the real deal was just a few aisles over in the linens....

$1.99 for a large tablecloth that had to come home with me.

 













I came home so happy that I made a very low sugar (almost no sugar) baked organic apple dessert on a single pie crust. Sooooo good.  Here it was mid-process.














Tomorrow all winners will be announced!

Can any Typepad users tell me what the heck I'm doing wrong with my pics and the new format? 
 

I'm Ready For My Close-Up

I want to post some close-ups of my thrifting finds, but first I want to show you the "Breathe" rock I found at Botanical Indulgence. 

I was looking at flower essences and glanced down to see a whole scattering of rocks on the floor and they all said breathe.  Since I've been returning to meditation and breathwork lately, it seemed like a given that I had to have one. 

(For the locals): I like Botanical Indulgence much more than I used to to. The mood has shifted a great deal. It used to seem kind of dreary and heavy and now it seems so light and airy.  I commented about this and the saleswoman told me that everyone likes the way they've rearranged and that many people have said the same thing.   

Today is day ten of my fast!  I broke fast last night with a little French onion broth and today I made a nutritious bean soup. Technically, I was supposed to wait until tomorrow for the broth, but after nine days of not eating and feeling incredibly good, I began to feel crappy. It was time to eat. I'm so glad I did this. It helped me switch some gears and made me realize how often I eat with my mind and not my body.  I use my mind to make "good" choices (or not) rather than keying into what my body needs.  The fast helped me get back in tune. 

I had relatively few detox symptoms other than my skin being extra pinkish and a little broken out..dry cheeks etc. It was good and I slept well too.  I sat though Easter dinner at my in-laws without touching a thing and my mother in-law was so nice to invite us back over next Sunday so she could basically remake the meal and I could partake.  I will...with the exception of sugar...it doesn't feel right at the moment and my body still needs a break.

OK...On to the thrifty things:

A tart pan:

Gorgeous glasses with turquoise dots!

A Pyrex mixing bowl...so much bigger than it looks.

Buttons to use when making pouches or gifts...

More buttons...love the blue with the red.

Mugs that I would have died and gone to hell before buying a few years ago, but which for some odd reason have my attention now.

This melamine bowl was something my mother in-law thrifted and then gifted to me! I think someone should host a Thrift & Gift swap!

I also picked up these seeds...I'm hoping to harvest enough poppy seeds to make my favorite noodles.

Little Orange Kitchen Poppy Seed Noodles:

• Any amount of cooked wavy egg noodles you feel like making.
• Enough butter to coat your noodles
• 1 tsp. poppy seeds for every two cups of noodles
• Salt to taste (salt enhances this dish because it develops the flavor of the poppy seeds so don't be too skimpy)

Toss together, serve right away...grate some Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese over each serving with a tiny bit of balsamic vinegar if you want to dress the noodles up a bit.  So good.

OK...I can't close without mentioning Ambika's comment  on my Easter post. It's true! 

Spanking and vodka? Somebody buy me a ticket!!!! :)  Yikes!   

Thrifting/Red Radish/Swap Preview

We spent that day in Neenah and I even though I had to pass up my favorite Thai food and enormous Easter cut-out cookies, we had a great time. I found loads of deals while thrifting and will share more pictures next week.

For the first time in history...I missed a deadline...a swap deadline, but it did go out! More on that later too!

Happy Easter to all who celebrate, Happy Naw Ruz to those who celebrated yesterday and Happy Equinox to those who celebrated on the 20th.   Here's a reminder of where you can find a great Italian Easter bread recipe.    

This is for Christine...I love this guy!

Back To Normal

I'm so happy to be able to post tonight. Why? Because I feel like it's one of my normal posts...extra wordy, over-italicized and all over the place. Lucky you.  Ha!

I haven't been thrifting in ages...and I mean ages. I took ten dollars and went to Goodwill. Goodwill is my least favorite place to shop because they seriously inflate prices, which sounds hilarious considering things are still fairly inexpensive. However, it seems they've developed a new strategy of pricing just below retail. It's always a shock to turn an item over and see a T.J. Maxx sticker with $12.00 on it and note that Goodwill priced the donated item at $9.00.  I know it's for a good cause, but there needs to be a better balance.

Fortunately, I found two items the Goodwill Price Auditors must have overlooked. First, was the purse you see above. When I was a pre-teen and visited my grandmother in the summers, she always had some complaint about what I was wearing. To be fair, I usually took the time spent away from my parents to wear all the forbidden stuff I'd secretly stockpiled at various garage sales. Things like the famous espadrilles with four and half inch heels with the criss-cross ribbon straps that wound up to my knees! Adam and I often rode Greyhound to see her and eight states after I boarded, I'd step off the bus in full "grown-up" regalia...which included make-up and blue satin short-shorts with white piping. 

To give my grandmother some credit, she was a fashion savvy woman in her day and liked that I was fearless about my "look", but she felt it was her duty to try to reel me in a little. Usually this meant being covered up with something from her closet and while now I'd die to fit into her things from the 30's, 40's and 50's, at eleven I thought my fashion sense was highly developed and none of her things could compete with my almost completely see-through purple disco halter top.  There were tears of protest on my part and lies that my mom really did know about my crocheted bikini, but in the end Grandma Gloria usually won and I'd sulk, but eventually get over it and enjoy the trip.

If you're wondering what the heck any of this has to with the price of rhubarb, the reason I bring it up is because the purse above is an example of something I like now, but would have been horrified by even just a few years ago. My taste changes frequently and I often find myself falling in love with things the eleven year old in me would have died and gone to hell before being seen in. I miss her though, she was so brave.

As I wandered Goodwill, I saw the purse hanging on a rack and was drawn to it immediately. I reached for it and and knew it was silk right away. Then I realized it had a familiar look and remembered I'd something like it in a museum magazine a few years ago. I looked inside and sure enough, it was a Pineda Covalin. I'm not a designer purse-hound, but I got a little kick that I was holding a three hundred dollar purse priced at only $7.00 and more importantly...I loved it.  It went in the cart. 

Then I found this vintage Steelmaster (late 40's early 50's) file for $2.99!

I don't write about my playwriting often, but it's still a major goal. I keep all my ideas on index cards and file them away for future reference. Now I have the perfect place to keep them! I may have to change the subject cards, but who knows? Maybe I'll get an idea for a play about Wall Street and the card will be ready!  By the way...visit this site if you want to weep with longing. 

OK. The Food Project.  It was a success and I didn't buy groceries, but we still ate out more than we should have towards the end of the month. I learned a few important things:

• We do not eat enough fruits and vegetables. I thought we were pretty good before I started this, but realized early on that we eat much less than I thought. The reason I end up throwing produce away is probably due to under-eating rather than over-buying.  It was a shock to realize how little fruit we consume in a week and I'd thought we were getting well over five servings a day...try hardly two.
• I use the grocery store for inspiration and creativity. I wander the aisles picking up things for spur of the moment meals and without these trips, I felt a little uninspired. I found myself staring at the cabinets and everything seemed boring. Though, I made a lot of good meals for us with what we had.
• We eat too much food at night. We snack and when the easy snacks ran out the first week or so, I ended up making us popcorn a lot. Then, we'd end up with grilled cheese or French Toast...as a snack. Pretty soon, I didn't feel like making much and Mark was not inclined, so we just fantasized about what we'd eat in the future....Sad, because you guys saw the ample food list. Mark was desperate for toast...we ran out of bread and I wasn't in baking mode.

In summary: It was an eye-opener, I used up a lot of what we had, we saved money and I felt more appreciative and vowed to be more mindful when we could shop again. I also appreciated the little things, like knowing I could grate organic chocolate into hot almond milk and be happy even without a cookie on the side or that my tea with honey seemed so much sweeter since there wasn't candy around (I did buy some candy the other day and got a pounding headache after eating it). I didn't lose any weight though. Do you think the popcorn and Gluten-free brownies at two a.m. had anything to do with it?      

The future plan: Well, this is the month to be extra mindful of how I handle a return to shopping.  I decided that even though we could probably go another month on the project with just the food we have, that instead, I'd look at what we have before shopping and only buy items that complement things in the cabinet.  And I also want to make sure to include more fruits and vegetables in our diet. I'm stunned at how little we eat and here I'd truly thought we were practically vegan for crying out loud!

In March we may do a restaurant ban, but first we're going to practice simply being more balanced in February. Mark really felt the pinch since he isn't the cook around here and relied on me to be creative when it came to snacks...but, he got to eat out more because of his job which annoyed me to no end. 

I'm doing well on the 2008 book buying ban too, but since it was my birthday, Mark gave me some books...Remember, Mark thinks book buying is a small pleasure and he will not give it up, so it's just me on that one. I have to say I was appreciative when I opened this one though:

I was never a short story fan until my friend Kelly gave me Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri.  It blew me to  pieces and I've been afraid to read anything else of hers for fear it won't live up. Mark thought it was time to get over it and picked up The Namesake as a birthday gift. I read the first two pages and I'm in like Flynn. Sigh. What a relief. Sorry I doubted you Jhumpa.

Last, but not least...I wanted you to see this. I want it soooo much. I can just see my goldfish bowl atop of it. It's a mere $975.00 over here. Oh well...someday.

   

Sweet dreams!    

Foodstuffs & Thriftstuffs

Hello All.  Surprise! I have lots to say! First, I never made it to Naked Foods the other day. I suddenly remembered how the management annoys me (not the staff) and decided to go to the always friendly and well managed Terry Naturally.  I can thank my friend Kelly for my latest obsession...Sahale Snacks (allowed on my current food plan, in moderation).  This is the most unusual snack mix in the world. Nuts, fruits, seeds, peppers, spices and sweet syrups all combine to make an absolutely addictive treat. Please try some, it's good for you and so unusual. I guess the term unusual isn't exactly a win you over term when it comes to food, but there's no other way to describe it!         

Yesterday I made my way back to Trader Joe's and picked up some staples.

Mark's new favorite...high in protein, spicy and delicious:

These lentils which are amazing. Yes, I know lentils are easy to make, but sometimes it's nice just to have some on hand for impulse cooking. I like them cold with a vinaigrette, some chopped onion and yellow tomatoes!

Some dry cured bacon with no nitrates...

Fresh mozzarella, basil and strawberries which I combined with some balsamic vinegar and oil to to make a beautiful salad. Strawberries and vinegar may not seem like perfect bedfellows, but trust me...they combine perfectly.

Balsamic vinegar can be fairly pricey (anywhere from $5 to $50.00 per bottle) and normally you'd expect the pricey stuff to be better.  Surprise! I've had the good stuff and I must say this $3.95 bottle from Trader's Joe's comes in second, but a close second. It's very sweet and will do for salads, though probably not when added by the shot to sparkling lemonade (a delicious summer drink by the way). 

Sweet treats! I'm not a true baked meringue fan, but these little numbers are better than most.

OK, so that does it for the foodstuffs. Now onto the thriftstuffs!

The Salvation Army had its fifty percent off sale and I took full advantage! However, I have some new rules:

1. No purchases unless they have a specific use and place to go.
2. No picking up something just because it's a good deal and it could be worth something if I got around to selling it on Ebay.
3. No more fabric until I use what I have.

So here's what I ended up with...

This (still unwashed) glass baking dish with an unusual top:

These childhood favorites of mine.  Please tell me some of you remember Judy Blume. What about Forever?  I was 10 or 11 and absorbed every page! Hard to believe it was banned in some places when today it seems so tame.  After reading Then Again Maybe I Won't, I told my little brother Adam ( I was 10, he was 9) all about  "nocturnal emissions", he didn't believe me, so when we (him, me, my mom and my dad) were in our tiny rowboat coming back from dinner ashore, I chose the perfect moment to ask my dad what a wet dream was.  AGAGAHHAHAHAAHAHA!!! Of course, my parents didn't realize that I already knew and was asking just to prove to my brother that I was sooooo in the know.  I give my dad credit. He calmly explained what one was and my mother nodded in agreement.  You gotta love Judy Blume!            

This 1953 vintage children's book. "Daddy" couldn't go to work because of a blizzard. It's not politically correct anymore, but still a good story.

These large spice jars (almost like apothecary jars) which will be perfect for filling with my homemade fizzing bath salts at Christmas.

50 iridescent stars (for $2.00!) which can be used to adorn gifts for years to come!

And this kooky melange of vintage ornaments:

All for $6.00!!!!

Today, I saw a book at the thrift store called Meditations for Women Who Do Too Much. I had to laugh. What about a book called Meditations for Women Who Do Too Little?  I work a lot of hours for a part-timer, but nothing compared to the friends I have who work full time yet manage to get all their household things done, creative impulses satisfied and maintain their friendships. I'm not sure why, but it seems like I allow myself to put energy into places it doesn't belong.  It's one thing to take time out to read and relax (I do), but another to begin organizing a shelf only to get distracted looking through old photos and suddenly realize half the day is gone. No one would ever call me lazy, and most people wouldn't consider me unorganized...I have good methods. However, lately it just seems like I've lost some focus.  It could be because of all the extra hours, but I'm not sure. 

I did finally get my essay for the free tent in and that feels good, though I am well aware of the fact it could be better.  I've had a lot of creative impulses, but not a whole lot of follow through lately. We shall see, maybe the tide is turning. Mark offered to sit down with me and help me prioritize my wants and needs and figure out what the deal is.  I may take him up on it in a few days.

I sent out a message to my friends tonight asking to borrow (and take good care of) any camping equipment they may have sitting around. I already heard back from one and the lanterns and extra tarp are taken care of! My normal method would be to buy out the entire LL Bean catalog, but this time I want to play it smart and not get gear crazy until I am sure I want to spend more time alone in the woods. I have some equipment, but am planning to borrow everything else.

If any of you reading this are regular campers and have suggestions of out of the ordinary things you find helpful, please let me know!            

OK everyone! Off to bed and it's full days of work through Saturday...H. asked if I would work a full day  tomorrow and I said yes.  I want the extra cash for Christmas thrifting!         

Arriving On The Scene!

When I first started this blog, I hoped that my friends and family would visit and that once in awhile a non-relative would find me! A few weeks ago I was tagged by Apron Thrift Girl and I felt like I hit a big milestone, then I signed up for my first swap and now......I'm a nominee for Rockin' Girl Blogger !!!!!!!!!!!!!  Woo--hoo! Thanks to Pandora's Button Box!

OK...so  part of the  deal is that I nominate three bloggers too. I read about 12 bloggers (still don't like the term) fairly regularly and some of them have been blogging for a long time, but since Amanda nominated me as a new kid on the block, I feel like I should do the same for two of my fellow newbies...

First, I nominate Emicat over at Java Jibber. What could be wrong with a woman who likes Harry Potter, Northern Exposure, bakes, chooses awesome colors for her knit socks and loves lavender to boot?  Second, I nominate Michelle at Vanilla Icing. I don't write a lot about parenting because I don't have children, but Michelle enjoys her kids and she's a fun parent.  Her kids are lucky. I like reading about her daily life and her will-power when it comes to exercise.  Plus, she bakes and is a writer too!  Thirdly, I nominate Felicia over at Fluffy Flowers because of her love of Harry Potter and well, because of this post. You've got to love someone who sees the true possibilities in a labyrinth and who isn't ashamed to take pictures! She's not exactly new, but I wanted to share her blog with anyone unfamiliar to it.  All three post fairly often, which is kind of the key to getting me hooked! OK gals...if you want to...get to nominating!   

I thought I'd show you a few of my recent St. Vincent's finds...

These skirts were only a few dollars and the two on the left are soft cotton. They are a bit small, but I took them because larger sized clothing is a rarity at any thrift store I've been to. Oh, unless you count all the black sweatshirts covered in the sequined parrots designed to draw the attention away from the extra pounds.  I like large sized clothing that is the same as small sized except larger. The scale is moving down a bit, but no more specifics until I get under 200. Hopefully it'll be soon.  It's been hard because I've been doing all the right things and progress feels slow.

I've always loved these kitschy gold ornaments...

And two of these fifteen-centers!

Tonight Nancy and I had the 5th and 6th Munay-Ki rites. One through four were rough for me, but I have a feeling these will be easier...I'm no energetic lightweight, but these affected me more than Reiki.  I feel peaceful tonight and am grateful. It's important to me that everyone understand that Munay-Ki is not a religion, but more of a practice...it's spiritual no doubt, but not in a way that conflicts with any chosen religion. I have to laugh, because I'm not jaded or defensive about these things and can understand that to some people this will sound kooky and I'll look a little nutty.  Oh well.  I'm good enough, I'm smart enough and Doggone it..., I'm Rockin' Girl Blogger Nominee!  Aghahahahaha! :)   

Sweet dreams everyone!

A Little Less Conversation A Little More Action...

Janet has mentioned Saint Vincent's thrift store to me on more than one occasion. Once she even mentioned they have fabric and another time she mentioned that their prices are a lot better than Goodwill. I always listened and sometimes commented, but it never really sunk in. I've lived here for 8 years and regularly complain that we don't have "good thrift stores" like the Brown Elephant in Chicago. I've commented that Fox Valley and the Salvation Army are about as good as it gets, so you'd think I would have hightailed it over to St. Vincent's a long time ago. Nope.  I finally made it over yesterday.... 

My trip to Chicago was good and the visit went well, but I had a bad driving experience on Michigan Avenue. I made a minor driving mistake and even though I was immediately apologetic and raised my hands and mouthed, "I'm sorry! My bad!" a man in a van totally and completely lost it.  He was such a pea-brained clod that he had to hold up traffic further, block my car from moving and berate me! I have never (and I mean never) been yelled at by another driver.  I've only been driving for three years, but still...no one has ever gone ballistic on me. Plus, I had two 85 year old women in the car with me singing along to Candi Stanton and Neko Case. How dare he ruin our good time!

It shook my confidence a great deal and while I made the four hour drive home just fine yesterday, I was still feeling a little bad about it. I decided that since I've been doing so well on both my diet and my "spend less money" plans, that I would treat myself to a pick me up at a thrift store. I was near where Janet had said St. Vincent's is, so I decided to give it a whirl.

OH. MY. GOD.

How could I not have visited sooner?  It's huge, cheap, well organized and filled with rows upon rows of good stuff.  So this is where all the "good stuff" goes?  I was weak and staggering from the shock, plus I was so overwhelmed by the size and choices that when one of the volunteers spotted me, she came over to ask me if I was OK!!! She said I was "peaked and didn't look well" !!!Agagagaagagagaagagagaagha! I'm not kidding. I was just blown away by the linens, fabric, ornaments, kitchenwares, office supplies, books and well, everything!! I spent $12.00 and they had to give me a big box to carry my stuff out!

I called Janet and told her I finally checked it out and couldn't believe it took me so long!  She just laughed and said she understood.  She'd had the same experience when she finally went on craigslist to see the Free section after I had been telling her about it for a year!! Maybe we both needed the extra time to prepare ourselves for the shock and awe of it all.

Here are some of my finds...minus a few items that are Christmas gifts. Speaking of which, I love those vintage glass ornaments that have wire or pipe cleaner around the stem so you can wrap it around the tree branch instead of hanging it...I found a ton!

Last year I would have made fun of this hokey jewelry box I got for a quarter, but this year I just love it! It still plays music and the ballerina still spins!

I'm not a huge fan of mixed patterned quilt blocks, but found a whole bag of them for $1.00 and plan to use them for potholders.  Someone already did most of the work by sewing all the scraps together.    

Then, when I got home with haul, my soap from Pandora's Button Box was waiting for me! It smells so good and she included extras which I didn't get a picture of. I love the tag!

My day closed well and the jerk from yesterday was almost forgotten. I've learned that when it comes to deals...less talking and more doing is the name of the game!

Plus, I'm doing my very first blog swap! More on that tomorrow!

A Few Of My Favorite Things

This is another glimpse of the vintage tablecloth I've been raving about. I love the colors and the patterns within patterns. I had an armful of vintage aprons the day I saw it at Somewhere In Time and I put them all back in favor of this absolutely "perfect for me" tablecloth.

Here are a few more close-ups. 

Then there's this antique lace tablecloth I bought several years ago. It's huge and while you can see it needs some repair, it's over 100  years old and in great shape for its age and heavy use in both my home and as a display cloth when I owned Mico Femina.

Then, there's this crushed velvet with its mossy green, gold and crimson gorgeousness. Pictures do not do it justice. I love the totally sheer background and as with the lace above, it looks beautiful with other colors underneath it.    

This is a beautiful cloth that was a housewarming present from Janet. The thing is, in real life it has a more faded earthy look, but you already know whose picture taking skills have been apologized for more than once this week!   

This is one of my all time favorites. It was made in India, but I got it in France.  I was totally unaware that it wasn't actually made in France and pompously referred to it as my French table linen until a friend pointed out the Made in India tag! Aghahaahahahaha!!!!!Good grief! I don't care...I was humbled, but I still love it.

The two vintage bowls are from my mother-in-law. She's been giving me a few pieces a year from her overly well-stocked china cabinet...more of this please! 

I found this cast iron bird feeder on my very first trip to an antique/junk mall with my friend Janice.  She taught me to offer less than the price marked and to ask for a cash discount.  You always save at least 10%.  I love keeping my stones in it.  I don't know if I ever posted about my love of rocks and crystals. All the stones in the feeder are natural...even the purple (sugalite) isn't the result of dye. I'm always blown away by the fact that so many gorgeous veins of color lie beneath our feet.

This mini altar is on top of our downstairs thermostat. The nesting doll set is only 1/2 an inch high and opens to reveal eight teeny tiny dolls...the smallest is no bigger than a caraway seed and you need a magnifying glass to see that yes...it's fully painted!!!!!! Kelly bought me a set of meditation cards when she was in India. The Health card is one of my favorites.  I thought it would make a great addition to the altar since it's located in the heart of our home (according to feng shui principles).

Thanks for letting me share. This weekend was very busy and yet I feel like I didn't get much done. I tried making some potholders, but bombed out big-time.  I decided potholders were way too complicated and that a tote bag might be easier (?). You can only imagine the end result.  Not good.  Plus, um...Note to Self: Never use gorgeous iron-on transfers on fabric to make hot potholders.  What was I thinking?

In less than seven hours I have to take the car in for an oil change, get my hair cut, make some birthday presents for my grandmother, work and then I'm headed for Chicago. Though, before I go, I hope to post some pictures of my organic tomato plants! I'm off to bed!

Hmm...this post feels rather lackluster...I really miss posting desserts! Have a great day Kitchenettes! 

An Embarrassment of Riches!

With friends like mine, who needs the mall? Kelly just gave me some books, Janet gave me a ton of rock roses and white primroses to plant in my garden, H. gave me Amish bread starter, and tonight Jill gave me the plates in the middle of the picture above and in trade for a reading a few weeks ago, I got a super deal/gift from her of all these skin and body care products. The dishes match perfectly with a bowl I found thrifting a few weeks ago. She saw the bowl and remembered that her father had given her some of the same pattern and she was ready to part with them.  Lucky me! What's a girl to do, but say, "More of this please!"  Hey, I just realized you can see part of the tablecloth I've been talking about for weeks! Oops!  Wait until you see the whole thing!

I had my first sewing lesson yesterday. I showed up at P.'s house and was totally blown away by her quilting wall. It turns out that she's multi-talented. She also knits and makes greeting cards.  Her granddaughters are three and six and could not hide their bewilderment at how I was just learning how to sew.  All the women in their family sew, and I guess this strange non-sewing woman in their house was some sort of freaky-cukoo novelty.  P. gave them a look, which I interpreted as a warning to be nice and not make me feel bad. Then she (P.) clapped her hands when I sewed my first semi-straight line on practice material (I'm actually good at hand stitching, but sewing machines elude me).

Anyway, when P. clapped, the three year old said that she could sew a straight line too.  I told her I was really impressed in semi sarcastic "don't steal my thunder kid" tone (I happened to like P.'s applause...I'm easily encouraged).  She (the three year old) must have sensed that I needed extra approval, so she quickly said, "I can sew, but I can't even button my own shirt!" then she got close to me and stuck her little chest out with its open blouse and gave me the opportunity to prove that I could do something better than her. Of course I took it, buttoned it up and accepted more applause when I was done.  I'm a shameless glutton for approval!!! 

I think I won both girls over when I noticed they were taking advantage of their distracted grandma and drinking pancake syrup from the bottle and I said nothing (I'm dieting, so I was just grateful to smell the syrup). I also noticed that the bird's food dish got refilled several times when P. was using a seam ripper to pull out all my less than straight stitches on a potholder.  I ignored all their trips back and forth from the cage to the seed box in the kitchen, though Hansel & Gretel might never have gotten lost in the woods if they had left that thick a trail.  The only time I felt I had to speak up was when the three year old suddenly re-appeared in her pajamas. Hey! I didn't take my time with those six buttons for nothing! When my potholder was complete, the girls were very encouraging (through their giggling). 

I'm going back in a week and decided to make the girls some beaded necklaces...I can't wait to get started. I figure if I come bearing gifts, they'll go easy on me!

Ok, that's all. I cleaned my bathroom today and am off for a warm soak with a bath bomb and some Harry Potter!

Here's a close up of the plates! Goodnight all!
                           

Up Against A Brick Wallet

I had big dreams, I wanted fame. Well, fame costs and right here's where I started paying...in sweat.  I'm my own Lydia Grant today. Good grief. I made some awesome wallets this afternoon and after the third one was done, I realized I'd forgotten the most important feature in all of them...the right fold that holds them together. They can't be salvaged without ruining the paper.  The one pictured is the only quality one I have to show for all my labor.  Hell's bells.  I have a friend who once used the term "getting f*&%$#d in the wallet" to describe the frustration of being ripped off by a car dealership.  I wasn't ripped off, but I was frustrated and the term went through my head many times today! Though, I do love my wallets very much.

I love visiting this blog and she puts all my thrift finds to shame.  I saw this bowl on her blog a few weeks ago and fell in love. She got it for fifty cents.  I was stunned to see one just like it at Goodwill. Her picture is much better, but I love that blue on the inside! I was thrilled and paid $2.99 for it.  Sometimes you just have to splurge.

I had planned a post of all my favorite tablecloths and some of Christine's, but neither one of us got our pictures taken.  So, you'll just have to wait to see the one I've been bragging about. I hope it won't seem anti-climactic when I finally do post it.    

Root beer barrel candy is a creativity booster to me for some reason. The crazy part is that it isn't even a favorite! However, whenever I feel especially motivated to be creative, I pick up a bag and usually have a few pieces while I work.  I was looking at all my little root beer barrel ladies (named because I drew them the night I accidentally discovered the power of the barrel) and I have to say that this one is still my all time favorite.   

   

Goodnight Kitchenettes! I work tomorrow, but hope to get in wallet making action at some point this week!

P.S. I was just reading blogger archives from December and a common theme was that many of them made beautiful and practical things for friends and family members for Christmas and were disappointed that people seemed to think they took the easy or cheap way out.  Many women wrote that they felt obligated to get out and pick up real gifts at stores to supplement the gifts they made...this feeling seemed to increase as Christmas drew closer.  I understand, but it's sad really...that the values are so messed up when it comes to the masses.  I hate to think about these women, who make gorgeous things looking at their creations and deciding that they weren't good enough to stand as gifts alone. l've decided that all gifts this year will be handmade by me or someone else, baked by me or thrifted. Of course, I'll make a point to keep the recipient's tastes in mind and I think I'll do just fine.  There's something out there for everyone. 

Speaking of which...look at what Janet dropped off at work for me! I came in and saw this little spool of thread purse on my desk! I'm going to use it to hold my buttons!  Thanks Janet!

OK...I'm finally almost done ...for real...Just in case anyone thinks I sit in my magical little perfect studio creating wonderful things, sipping tea and breezing around in effortless organization...take a look at this!

$13.71

This is my third post today.  My name is Laura and I have a problem.  The sad part is that I'll never run out of things to post about! Learning to drive at 35, my love of aprons, children's books collecting, playwriting, my first official public cooking humiliation...the list goes on and on. Sad, but true.  Speaking of sad...      

I'm back to work tomorrow, and have spent the past few days organizing this place. I decided to take an hour or so off and head on over to the Salvation Army's half off sale. I spent $13.71 and look at the riches! I apologize for the crappy pictures and lack of artistic display! I just pulled stuff out of the bags and started snapping away. Hey! That rhymed! The children's books must be rubbing off on me.

A set of Melmac dishes for 2.50! They look better in person.

Two tablecloths...this and a turquoise one! I love fringe! By the way, I still haven't posted the best tablecloth find of the year...I'm waiting until Sunday.    

These pillowcases for .25 each:

Three yards of this fabric for fifty cents, which some people might consider a real rip-off, but I think it's a steal! 

And this:

This teeny casserole!

These canning jars which are unique because the lids press down instead of twisting. Perfect for my beads.

This planter:

This nutty handmade apron (More on my apron collection in a future post...Just call me Donna Reed!)

10 Children's books, most vintage, but a few contemporary. I think I need these two the most! I'm going to give them to my nephew for Christmas. He can drive us all crazy with card tricks the way I drive Mark crazy with my endless supply of made up, but lamer than lame knock-knock jokes.       

1962...I like these illustrations...

And these:

I found this pretty little bowl for .50

This bag of ribbon and trim:

These grapevine thingys:

This scarf (a future potholder):

A free copy (they have a bookshelf of freebies) of one of my favorite plays (and movies) of all time; A Man For All Seasons:

And last, but not least ...in one of the contemporary children's books...it looks like Zoe and I would become fast friends "toodleing around" over at Finder's Keepers Thrift Store. 

ALL FOR $13.71!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Trip To Bountiful...Before & After

Ready for minimal processing...

Minimally processed...

I braved the Bellin Run traffic to get to Farmer's Market before work this morning. The market is looking good this year and I was happy to see more vendors.  I'm hoping the atmosphere begins to feel more festive and upbeat.  When we lived in Madison I was able to get to the Dane County Farmer's Market at the Capital quite a few times and miss it.  Fruits, vegetables, crafts, jewelry, ethnic foods, cheesecake, music, baked good and tons of plants...a good time was had by all.  I loved the excitement I felt and picked up from other people as we made our way through the crowds.  In Green Bay, the crowds are less (a plus) but it lacks the celebratory atmosphere I associate with Farmer's Markets.  However, this year we're off to a good start...more crafters, plant and prepared food vendors for sure.

Before I opened my old store (Mico Femina) I had a small space in a shop directly across from the Farmer's Market lot. I assumed our traffic would be unusually heavy on Saturdays and was disappointed when it wasn't. I'd walk through the market passing out soap samples and pointing out the shop across the street and while everyone was nice, it was clear I wasn't getting with the program; swoop in, pick out your vegetables and get the hell out of the "dangerous downtown area". There aren't even any picnic tables to encourage coffee drinking/muffin sharing/people watching.  I remember telling my mom that the people in Green Bay were "a bunch of duds!!!!!!!!."  No hate mail please...I'm a convert, but it was how I felt at the time.  Things have changed and with the number of vendors this early in the season I'm optimistic. 

On the way home I stopped at a garage sale.  I guess the guy who owned the overloaded house enlisted his male friends to help him lighten his load (he was clearly quite a collector/hoarder).  None of these guys looked like they'd ever seen easy times and to be honest, some looked fairly rough/roughed up.  However, they were pleasant and I was very touched by the idea that these scratchy faced toughies in the "dangerous downtown area" would put bubble wrap around my vintage items (all for $12.00...not exactly the deal of the century, but a pretty good one!)

I love that old fashioned glass refrigerator storage dish so much better than the plastic stuff.  I try to get them cheap whenever I can. 

Goodnight all! 

Babes In The Woods...

I found this 1973-74 pillow case at the Salvation Army today for 49 cents. It's a present for Mark. Why? Well, because my nickname for him is Brown Bear, (Brownie for short).  We have all sorts of nicknames for one another and they range from the absolutely obscenely unprintable to the puke all over yourself from sugar overload sweet. Brown Bear is in the middle, though Mark might keel over when he sees this post.  Lately my posts have generated some heated discussions around here and they usually end with me citing the First Amendment! My public demands the truth!! Ha-ha!  OK, no more nickname posts for a year.

Anyway, before I move on, let me show you this adorable Smokey the Bear poster:

I wish I'd had it when I posted about hanging out in the forest preserve as a teenager! Aghaahahahaaha! Anyway, I like the 70's Smokey campaign best of all, it appealed to our concern for cute baby animals and these posters are the best.  Though, they kind of remind me of that awful (Umm..I watched it twice) Woodland Critters Christmas special on South Park. You'll have to Google to find out what they chanted.  I'm not putting here because it might stick in your mind the way it did mine and it makes it hard to go back to Hey Shiva Shankara. I'm seriously afraid I might call it out at Kirtan some night and be forever banned! BTW, I also got a sheet for $1.99. It will make a great picnic tablecloth or camping tote. Cuz, well, you know, I'm always out there camping around.   

I love fabric scraps and these were in a bag stuffed chock full for only $2.50:

Look at this adorable children's fabric, it's titled Rainbow Rascals!

I can't wait for the holidays because these are perfect for tiny candy giveaways! They were .99 cents each.

I also found this enormous framed print for $6.99.  I'm not showing the full view until I get it hung. It is more aqua in the background than it looks here and I love the flowers. It's titled La Porte Candlelight and the photo does not do the unusual lines justice.

So, I spent $11.96 out of my spending money (We are back to old fashioned budgeting) and that's not bad...especially because the bag of fabric has at least 100 pieces!

I had a good day in the garden, seeing Julie B and making a slew of these:

My day off is over and now it's time for bed...back to the old grind tomorrow. Sleep tight Kitchenettes! (Or good morning if you were already in bed when I posted!)         

Hulk Smash!

Well, yesterday did not go as planned. I worked very late on Friday, and had to go in early Saturday morning to get caught up on paperwork. I knew I'd miss going to my year long awaited Astor Park rummage sale extravaganza in the morning, but hoped to get there by late afternoon. 

I worked alone in the office and it was hectic to say the least. However, during a lull, I realized that I'd never make it out in time to get to any of the Astor Park sales and was feeling rather sorry for myself.  A customer came in and while I cannot say his name (for confidentiality reasons) I have to tell you about him. I'll call him Luis.

Luis is a strikingly good looking older man.  He has coppery skin that glows (I'm serious), his hair is white, he has warm brown eyes, a great smile, a good sense of humor and is really something to look at, but mostly because he radiates this warmth that I cannot describe. He usually says hello to me when he comes in, but doesn't know me well so he chit-chats with H. on his visits.  Today, since H. was gone, I processed his transaction.  I noticed his wife's beautiful name (which again, I cannot share...hint: in Spanish it means "help") on his account record.  I commented on it and pronounced it correctly (which surprised him) and his face lit up. I asked him if her name matched her personality; if it suited her.  He looked at me, a little surprised at my question and told me that in bibles written in Spanish, wherever someone prays to the lord for help, her name appears.  Again, I asked him..."Yes, Luis, but does it suit her? Does she have a helpful nature or does she need other people to help her?  Does she carry the name (good or bad?)?

Luis smiled at his own hesitation to answer my question.  His eyes twinkled as he said, "Well, she is a very good person and is kind to other people." We both laughed and then his whole energy shifted as he told me that he'd been put in an orphanage/group home when he was fifteen and had been lonely for about a year before his wife arrived (also without family). They fell in love instantly and when they turned seventeen they were baptized together. At eighteen they got married.  I commented on how I thought it was neat they'd shared a major life ritual (the baptism was clearly important to him)together and then from that shared another major life ritual (the wedding).

Then he told me they had children and said they'd been told on their wedding day they'd have three; two boys and a girl. He said they'd had a boy and ten months later (whew) had another one. Twenty years passed and still no girl.  They hadn't thought about it and considered themselves "done" with the childrearing stage of their lives. Surprise! Along came a girl. 

We chatted for a few more minutes and then I couldn't help but point out that when you're fifteen and lonely in an orphanage and a girl appears who shares your love of God and who wants what you want out of life, that the gift is pretty big.  Her name seemed perfect for at least that situation. Luis agreed and then I had to answer the phone so we said goodbye and he left.

I realized that both our conversation and Luis had changed my outlook...I no longer felt that I was missing  something by being stuck in the office and not out having a thrift extravaganza. It felt like an honor to hear his story and reminded me that everyone has one.  It was comforting. I felt so much better.  However, just so you don't think I'm getting sickeningly reflective, I will confess that later, another customer came in (a rude one) and when he left, I muttered something about the majority of the population being absolute f--kheads. I turn on a dime.

Speaking of dimes...I did stop at a sale and found the pictured pair of Hulk Hands. I'm 5'1 and the advantage of having a tall husband is that no matter how much I've widened over the years, I'm still a little thing to him. He has all kind of nicknames for me related to my height...Baby Sasquatch, Keebler (an elf reference), short-stuff, and his favorite; Pocket Hulk, which I'm called because of an early in the marriage temper tantrum that led to an attempt to rip a door off the hinges (I've settled down considerably). I don't like these nicknames as much as I like his main nickname for me (Sparkles McCullough).  However, I accept them as part of us and our own history good or bad.

A few years ago "Hulk Hands" came on the market and he begged me to get some and wear them (some men beg their wives to wear lingerie...I'm begged to put on battery operated hands). Anyway, I refused in a big way, because I wasn't about to spend $18.00 only to have to don my "hands" and run around pretending to smash things for his entertainment.  He was disappointed, but managed to cope until last year when "The Thing" (another comic book character) hands were released (It's Clobberin Time!). We didn't even discuss it, but he made several longing references to them which I ignored.

However, when I saw the "Hulk Hands" at the rummage sale, I knew I had to get them and yes, the price paid would be higher than the .25 cents they were marked, but I was feeling generous.  When I got home, I put on my fists and tested out the sound (every time you hit something they say "HULK SMASH!!")... I crept upstairs to his office and turned corner in my best Hulk stance and beat my fists together making all kinds of noise.  My God, you would have thought I'd brought home a winning lottery ticket and presented it to him wearing nothing but panties and holding a pizza box!! His face lit up and jumped out of his chair!   

He was in high heaven and after about ten minutes of performing under his direction ("No babe, Hulk lifts his arms higher than that")...he took over the gloves and began hitting me in the arm!! Then he started attacking all the intruders coming in through um, ...our walls. It looks like all the talk about wanting to see me look cute, adorable and tiny in my extra large "Hulk Hands" was a ruse...and guess who bought it?

OK kitchenettes, I'm off to make potholders with my mother in-law. I hope everyone is having a good weekend!

    

Wish You Were Here!

OK, first I apologize for the blurry picture ... I tried but couldn't get a better one. My camera wouldn't focus and perhaps that's symbolic of my life lately. I'm having a hard time focusing on much and who knows? Maybe it's a good thing.  I've had a terrible few days and probably need to turn my attention to better things...   

I love old postcards and usually choose them for the pictures not for what's written on the back, but I found a stack at Somewhere in Time this morning and began reading through them. Most were fairly boring and rather formal. Apparently people sent out cards just to say "give mother and father my best."  Few were newsy, no one wished anyone was there and none held my attention until I read the back of the one shown above.

It was written in 1938 by a woman named Helen and sent from Springfield, MA to the wild west...Oconto, WI. It reads:

Hello out west--I'm certainly progressing by leaps and bounds--if not financially, at least geographically! Moving north again on Tues. Hope you're well, say hello to mom! Love, Helen   

She's a woman traveling alone in 1938 and she clearly has a sense of humor. Plus, I get the feeling Mrs. C.R. Keith was not impressed. Helen's card, when held in your hand, gives off the energy of one who is thrilled to be on an adventure and is pretending not to realize the people at home don't approve. This made my day.

Then I found some thrifter's gold...linen that is, vintage and over a yard!! Perfect for some throw pillows and maybe small bag for Farmer's Market. Nancy? Will you help me sew?

Later, I turned away from my computer and saw my small painting/drawing/crafting corner with new eyes...tiny and messy, but homey and me.

Then sight of my Bleeding Hearts made me keel over in awe! This was a 4 inch plant two weeks ago!!! If you look closely, you'll see I'm not the only one who was knocked out!

   

My garden is coming up all on it's own!!! I love perennials!

Then I made a key lime pie, had a great phone call with a friend, and am going to bed in about 15 minutes. I have tomorrow off and only a few chores to do around here.  Really, in spite of all my recent inner angst, the outside of my life is actually looking pretty good.  So, what can I say, but more of this please.

Hey, would anyone be offended if referred to my blog readers (all 12) as my Kitchenettes?  AGHAHAAHAHAAHAHAHAAHA!
Goodnight all.       

Don't Forget To Bring A Towel!

My blog doesn't really stem from total self absorbtion, but from my need to remind myself that in spite of a lot of change in my life right now, I'm still really enchanted by small things and love and appreciate so much of what I see (or think about) in a day.  My new job is not a career job and at my advanced age :) and experience, it's daunting.  Plus extra income right now isn't really a choice and as you all know...I like choices...So, maybe I am a little self absorbed...which brings me to the towels!

I love second hand towels (something many people think is just plain disgusting).  Seriously, they're super soft and have been washed enough that any chemical and dye residue is gone and they are usually lint free.  I always wash them throughly before using them and for anyone who still thinks this is gross, do not even get me started on how gross towels from luxury hotels can be...there's a reason even the Ritz uses industrial strength detergents. 

This one has been "in the family" for over 65 years. It was part of a wedding present set my grandparents received.  The set was considered "the good towels" and was not used much.  Does every family have "good towels"?  Mark once yelled at me for "hogging all the good towels" and now he has one that's off limits to me, he even named it...."Bluey" (it's blue).  Anyway, when my grandmother died, my mother took her towels and ceremoniously presented my brother and me with one each. You can see that towels are important if they are actually bequeathed in this family!

This one was a great find at the thrift store...so girlie and pretty.

And this is actually a 5x4 piece of vintage terrycloth, used as a towel and never even hemmed at the edges.  This is the only towel in the household that I can actually wrap around me! I love it...so soft. 

   

Guess who my favorite two-dimensional South Park Character is? 

"I have no idea what's going on."

         http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Towelie

Thrift & Gift

Well, the day started rather disastrously when my surprise cookies for Janet bombed out big time.  They were gritty, gross, gastronomical gravel balls and not at all the crumbly melt in your mouth and make new friends texture I imagined they'd be.  Hmmph! I clarified butter and made a base sugar syrup of rosewater and lime (Two hours down the tubes!!!!). I’ll skip sharing the recipe until I have it perfected…

I showed up at Janet’s job with some cupcakes and just a few of the cookies so she could confirm they were as bad as I thought.  Janet agreed they were unusual.  She said they reminded her of that sandy toothpaste dentists polish your teeth with, but she said she may eat a few anyway (?). Then she presented me with a prettily wrapped gift!!!! Cicely Mary Barker’s Flower Fairy Journal filled with all kinds of wonders…which, if you read my post from yesterday, you’ll agree is very apropos! She picked it up for me a week ago! Thanks Janet!

After I left Janet's, I went to the Fox Valley Thrift Store and found this lovely chaise for only $19.00!!!!!!!!!! WOWWOWOWWOW! It only smells a little bit and who cares about the odd looking brownish red stain the size of a dinner plate right in the center of the cushion.  Aghahahahaha! Just kidding!!!! It's in great shape and I'm so glad my husband is out of town or he would have found some reason it should not be brought into the house.  Now he'll walk in and just be amazed at how it almost matches a pillow I found at the Salvation Army a few months ago for the amazing price of $1.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's a $20.00 ensemble (which I like to pronounce onsom) and I have the perfect book to read while sitting in it!  Notice how the pilow really does seem to match!  It will be moved upstairs to my office soon.