A Nod to the Coming Season

Haven't felt like doing much for weeks now. This week, I just had to get things in gear or else St. Pat's, Easter, and spring itself might get away from me. Just popping in a few photos of the little changes I've made from winter's decor.

I never thought to use the cocoa pot for spring and summer decor before because it is, after all, a cocoa pot. 

The shamrock tea cup is one of my nods to St. Patrick's Day. I only started celebrating a little when I learned that I have a few ancestors from Ireland. Don't we all? The other is a birthday gift mug from Sam my grandson. 

Seems that Sam and his mom enjoyed a leisurely shopping experience at the local flea market that just opened in town. Sam may even have been bitten by the flea market bug. Someday, I'll take you on a tour. It's in a refurbished chicken barn.

While reading at Jane's this week, she mentioned how her husband fixed her bunny banner. I really liked it. You can find hers *here* along with other sweet spring decor.

*leaping rabbits*

~↑not my house↑~

The view just outside the dining room window. (I do love my neighbors and their house!) Spring has truly arrived early, which is very rare indeed for my corner. Is spring early in your corner, too? (Hope that mention of this does not mean an imminent snowstorm.)

The vintage photo on display this month and probably through summer. No, I have zero idea who these adorable sisters are. They remind me of my nieces. I love the 1940s outfits and hairdos. Most of all, I love the clasped hands and the obvious differences in their personalities.

It's funny, but certain faces seem to go in and out of style. You look at old photographs and everybody has a certain look to them, almost as if they're related. Look at pictures from ten years later and you can see that there's a new kind of face starting to predominate, and that the old faces are fading away and vanishing, never to be seen again.

~Alan Moore 

Personally, I think these sweet faces will never go out of style!

If all goes well today, I hope to catch up with many of you in Blogdom. I am well aware that I have been remiss. 

 

Saying Goodbye to Turkeys

It has been an interesting time figuring everything out all over again. One of the things that dismays me most is the quality of the photos or lack thereof. So I apologize in advance. I may have to use words to describe things, which will be another challenge. I am learning that I really like to be in control and I like things to be the way I want them. Oh my. That is just not often possible if we are completely honest with ourselves. Some day I shall learn the proverb: Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be broken. The sooner the better!  

 There's something of a marriage between Thanksgiving and Christmas going on at the haven. The stag is staying for Christmas. He was a heavily discounted item at Hobby Lobby...a couple of dollars...I came home and covered everything except his antlers in birch bark. (No tree was harmed in the process. I save birch bark whenever I find it.)

I was delighted to find the red transferware tea cup yesterday at a new flea market that has opened  in town. I checked the price before really looking at it...$5. Then I looked at it closely in the dim light and saw that it was a commemorative tea cup made in England for the gift shop at Plymouth Rock. On  the saucer is a picture of the Mayflower and on the tea cup is a representation of John and Priscilla Alden. Be still my heart. (I should have left up my Pilgrim Story so you'd know why I was thrilled, but trust me, I was.) So the tea cup will stay through Christmas. It is red transferware and all. It does have a few minor problems so I'll not be drinking this wonderful tea from its bowl. 

The Maple Earl Grey Tea is a gift from my son and daughter-in-law. They purchased it in Canada and gifted me Thanksgiving day. It is delicious! It's staying for Christmas, too. 

.

 One of my chores today is the rounding up of all turkeys. They are not staying for Christmas. The gingerbread boy hangs out there all year round.

Yes, the tree is up, not decorated. It is *leaning toward Sawyer's and so John is going to tie a string around it and send it out the window and allow the window to hold the string. I hope that this is very clever and not foolhardy. The good thing about artificial trees is that they can go up early and stay up late. After all the effort, I must have it around for a good long while. I'm ready for quiet times by the tree. 
Have a happy week!
ツ
*Do you use this idiom? Is it understandable?

Hi

Lorrie and I have a method to use when I comment at her place. I start with a simple "Hi" thereby establishing my footprint in hopes that my computer will not skitz off in another direction as it is wont to do, especially there. Course if you find me saying "hi" you'll know that I am having trouble at your place as well. Today, I'm having trouble at my own.
  It's another hodge podge day here, though not the real Hodge Podge. Blogging twice a week doesn't work on all levels. One of the levels it does not work on is having a concise post about one or two things. 

This is for BJ who is confused about French Horns. Okay. Now that I have found French Creme Horns in the Bakery section at Wal*Mart, I see that there's no "French" on them. BJ is a delightful hostess who shares a lot of wonderful tips and beautiful food with us. Sometimes she needs a little something~something to fill out her table and I suggested these. BJ was intrigued. I messed it all up by tossing French in there. 

 

Anyway, when we gals in Maine need a little something~something to look pretty and help fill out the party table, we might use this trick. Slice the French  vanilla creme horns at the handy-dandy sections and use maraschino cherries to garnish, plate on something vintage and lovely (those pretty paper plates are fine), and Bob's your uncle!

~French?~

Yesterday, I made a Madeira Cake. It was very easy to do and pleasant to eat. It reminded me ever so slightly of a lemon loaf because it is flavored with lemon; technically, it's a British sponge cake. The glaze was made the usual way with the addition of a small bit of melted butter and lemon juice and confectioner's sugar.  Hmmm... I'll pop *the cake recipe* in here soon as I can find it. John took the plate to his Bible study yesterday and so I know that it received many thumbs up.

 On our day out, we found ourselves at the flea market as we used to do often. I think I have been highly influenced by Diane because I came home with not only four red-checkered napkins, but also a vintage dolly blanket. It was only $1 and very dirty. It washed up beautifully and I feel good about rescuing someone's hard work. It's handstitched. The vintage, turns out, is only 1991 made by a Kathleen from Norway, Maine. (there was a handstitched tag on the bottom of the backing.)

 ~Front~

 ~Back~

That about does it except to say that I have been having such fun tucking one of the tea cup coasters in greeting cards and sending them off. It's like the old lady way of sending a piece of gum...just a little something~something to say hi and hope that you are doing well. Stephanie has had an influence on me, too!
Showing more progress here...a bare lawn! Naked in all its glory!

Amen!

Vintage Wash

Sorry, Mister. I thought it was called Vintage Wash. It isn't. It's called *Vintage Textile Soak.*

What's this all about? It's about my guilty conscience and sending some poor guy who was going to buy this linen (if only he thought he could get the stain out)

to the internet looking for Vintage Wash. Does any of this make any sense? No? Fine. Well, welcome to my world where I am guilty of everything including driving people nuts by sending them on long goose chases. Just to make me feel better, I'm tossing in a helpful article on washing vintage linens *here.*

This is my first toast rack. It's all the Downton Abbey and British tv I watch. I felt that I simply could not carry on without having one and when I found one yesterday at the flea market, I snagged it. John isn't sure what the difference is exactly between "American" toast and British toast, though I will remedy that some day when we can have toast again (maybe in a year or two). I'm sure that British toast is far superior, though I really have no clue. So how is toast for a crowd served at your house?

Can we talk about Downton Abbey? Just a titch? We can't. Sigh. I did have to laugh when I read a forum's threads in England discussing the program at some point last fall. One of the topics of discussion concerned the prison scenes with Mr. Bates. One commenter said that she used those scenes to check on her kidney souffle. This amused me greatly (because it doesn't take much to amuse me greatly) and I have used the line whenever I leave off tv viewing. "I must go check the kidney souffle," I say. So you're quite certain that we shouldn't discuss last week? Oh my. I was glad that I could discuss it with my daughter-in-law. John doesn't watch and I have no one to discuss it with and it seems as if I
will explode if I can't chat with someone. Email me.

A lovely day to you...


Edited to Add: And thanks to Karen, I learn the connection to Kidney Souffle.

As you recall last week there were terrible kitchen tragedies which rattled both experienced and novice cooks alike.  I am still a bit shaken, quite frankly.  But this week we see the healing process begin.  Human nature is such that we while we need time to grieve for the burnt kidney souffle, we have to pick ourselves up and carry on.  We can blame whomever we wish, but in the end when we seek solace, comfort and instruction from those around us, we can re-build our lives.

What a fun site called Downton Abbey Cooks.

Thanksgiving Party Tomorrow!

Really, really, wasn't going to post today. (You do believe me, don't you?) Have spent a relaxing morning sipping my coffee and enjoying the mosaics without commenting (for the most part). Every now and then it is pleasant to treat my dear blogging friends' blogs as if they are magazines only. So despicable of me!

Anyway, as I was saying, I wasn't going to post today and then looked at my sidebar and gasped. Tomorrow is Debbie's Thanksgiving Party! See it? That little button there with Debbie's cute picture? I had planned to chat about it long before this. Time is slipping away so quickly these days. So tomorrow I'll be participating. Perhaps I'll share a tablescape...I've only ever done it once before...and some Thanksgiving recipes and some terrific links to blogs that are doing so well with Thanksgiving planning. I hope to make it all very attractive, too. Just like the big gals do! < insert chuckle >

Today, I'm sharing a flea market find and a new wreath. I have been looking for a youth chair to pull up to the table for one of the grands. Maybe I'll stick my daughter in it! We need more room at the table so I'm hoping that this works.

Does your kitchen have a corner? My grandparents' kitchen did and every morning my grandfather would tuck himself into the corner and listen to the news on his radio and have his first cup of coffee while Nan made breakfast. This is mine and this is the new youth chair.

It's red, it's solid as in strong, and I could afford it!

Correct! Seventeen dollars and fifty cents brought this home to the Haven. = )

The youth chair's price was about the same I paid for the wreath up there on my
finally-finished-with-the-painting door. I asked John what he thought and he said, "It's falling apart." Men! They do not get it. I think it'll work for all seasons with very minor adjustments.

Hope to see you tomorrow...

Vintage Stove Top

Oh it is a wonderful thing that I really like old and shabby. For one thing, I can sometimes afford old and shabby. When I saw this vintage stovetop at the flea market late Sunday, I nearly swooned. What did I like? Everything. I liked the scale, the warming oven, the wheat motif on the doors. I decided that if it were there the next day it would be mine.

However, the next day Molly fell ill with extreme itching and off we went to see the vet where we left him $151 and something cents. Ai yi yi. No vintage stovetop. By Monday evening, while watching Dancing With the Stars, I was getting kind of twitchy myself just thinking about the stovetop and wondering if some other gal had snagged it.

By eight in the morning, we were at our favorite breakfast restaurant only to discover that a pipe had burst and they were not open. Fine. Straight to the flea market without breakfast. Nothing like doing business on an empty stomach. The owner said, "I can tell when people are on a mission." John did some dickering and got the piece for ten per cent less. (It was already marked down.) Perfect! Even more perfect was that it fit into the trunk. =D

Off for a leisurely breakfast without worrying about whether the stovetop would be there. Funny thing is that on the way back home, I think I saw the base of this stove sitting on the side of the road. I don't want the base preferring a more cobbled look, but still...'twas interesting.

Here it is waiting for its scrubbing.

And here it is in place...

And here it is side by side with the photoshopped stovetop seen in yesterday's post...

The photoshopping really did help me decide that it would work and that I would like it. I stole the stovetop for photoshopping from this picture.

Isn't she sweet? Six thousand dollars sweet. You can check it out right *here.*

This is what happened to the platters that switched places with my former cookbook nook.

I don't know if you can tell, but the faux leaves are held on the branches by those itty-bitty clothespins available in craft stores. Love them!

Now all I have to do is tidy up the place. Funny how bringing something new into the house creates so much of a mess.

So tell me, what was the last thing you dragged home?

A New Tablecloth and Experimenting with Light and Camera Settings

These titles are getting longer and longer!

Yesterday, I showed you the photograph that my mother gave me. Today, I'm showing you the sweet little tea tablecloth (possibly Bridge tablecloth) that she found while shopping at a flea market up in her corner and then gave to me. And I'm tossing in my amateur experiments with camera settings for good measure.

So here is the new tablecloth. What? You can hardly see it? So typical of me! My setting was on Av F2.7 for this one, if that means anything for you. I liked how it came out. Composition is wonky, but that's just how it goes when I take a picture. I mean, how many different flower colors can I get into one shot? Ha!


Super Macro details above and below...


This was also taken on Av F2.7. I was intrigued by the light on the flowers, on the tag by Miss Sandy, and on the sofa back.

And I liked how dark the surroundings around this little sunlit bird really help him stand out. "Let's walk in the light" as John always likes to say.

Oh, please see the new giveaway button on my sidebar. Liane at Tender-Hearted Daisy is celebrating her daughter's 17th birthday with a giveaway. She doesn't say what the gift will be, which makes it just that much more fun. Go ahead! Visit and sign up!

A great Thursday to you...

Just How Important is a Laugh?

Tuesday dawned bright and beautiful, but with temperatures that had dropped nearly thirty degrees...brrrr. It does make my header look cold as one commenter said. Funny, though, that on warm days, it looks warm to me. Oh well, this is my life in my corner.

Since my mother was receiving another treatment and was therefore fifteen miles closer than usual, I went in to pick her up following her therapy and brought her home with me. Well, not before we had made a little sidetrip to Joann's at her suggestion. I shared what that sidetrip would likely mean...accusations and glares when we arrived home. Yes, we have a mutual Attila the Little Hun. Mother said that she really didn't care as she needed something and she was a big girl now.

While there, Mother pointed out a little plaque that read "It's Difficult to Love a Person With Whom You've Never Laughed." I nodded. Seems about right these days. I thought of purchasing it, but opted instead for some pretty Easter eggs.



After a lovely lunch provided by my mom, John and I were off again for the afternoon giving the ladies a chance to catch up once again and us a chance for a breather.

We drove up to the lake and watched the brave ice fishermen either actually fishing or getting their gear off the lake. The ice is beginning to go out and there are large spots of deep, deep blue water. It looked very cold indeed. We rode along the ridge high above the lake looking at all the beautiful homes and the scene below. No camera! Never a camera for these trips of mine. I'm scatterbrained as I can be.

On our return home, we popped into the flea market to saunter around for a bit. I'd already decided on a simple tea with raspberry clafouti for supper since we'd had such a nice, but late lunch.

We used to walk through hand in hand, but now that we're old married folks, we've given up that habit. I was looking at linens in one booth and John was looking at furniture in another. I could watch him through the shelves and I saw that if he took too many steps backward he'd have an encounter with a mounted moose head. And so he did. He turned and said, "Bullwinkle! What are you doing here?!" Cracked me up.

I can never match quip for quip with him, but just then I saw an old photograph of a baby who qualifies for the "So homely he's kyoot" award. I said, "Winston! What are you doing here?! Winston came home with me, though we left Bullwinkle behind.



Yup, the words on that plaque are true, which is why, when putting Attila to bed last night, I tickled her feet. She laughed; I laughed. We laughed!

Edited to Add: It dawns on me that I could share my little Winston with anyone who needs a baby with some character for an art project. Here he (she?) is in a scanned format. Feel free to snag!

Flea Market Finds...Again

In spite of the weekend's busyness, we still did our flea market rounds adding a new one to the mix. Sadly, the "new" one is going out of business as even the flea markets feel the pinch of the times. Our state levies particularly heavy taxes on businesses and many are not able to hold on. (I won't launch into political commentary here, but I could and how.)

So we found two very large BALL jars (I'll be using them in the sewing room), another teacup and saucer, vintage hankies, two doilies, and this wonderful old frame! I'm in love with that vintage frame made of cherry. Shhhh, don't tell John.

This is what I'm going to do with the frame:

photo courtesy of Dawn at The Feathered Nest

If you do a search of "old window project" at Dawn's, you'll come up with all the posts referrring to this project.

Oh, the first photo was taken in the corner where I will hang the project below the clock and where the branches will provide a natural veiling of sorts. I hope it turns out well, but either way, I'll show you.

In the same way that I missed Mosaic Monday with Mary, I have been missing out on "Thrifty Treasures" at Southern Hospitality. Hope that I may connect one of these days. You may visit Rhoda right

*Here.*

Wednesday...enjoy it!

Ready for the *Tin Man

(*photo deleted)

Another sweet little haul from the local flea market this week...a book, a spatula, and an oil can. Funny how these things delight us so.

The oil can is a vintage Singer made in the U.S.A. I love a "made in the U.S.A." label.



Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot tells the story...oh I'll just pop in another picture...



Perhaps many are familiar with this quote: He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. ~Jim Elliot

The thing about this is that John has been talking about this story a lot in recent weeks so to find this book on top of a stack of others for a pittance was almost providential. Further, it has a little provenance as there is a bookplate inside that says that a copy of this book was placed in a certain church library in memory of a loved one. That church happens to be in my dad's hometown. Whom has John been discussing this story with? My dad. Father's Day coming up next month... Hmmm... We'll see. Gotta love God breezes.

Look at this fantastic spatula. I have nothing like it and have always wanted one to frost cakes with because I frost cakes all.the.time. once or twice a year.

I was planning to bake Mary Todd Lincoln's Almond White Cake posted by Suzanne on May 8, but found that I had no almonds. Figures. Anyway, I had to make it up to the man somehow. Have you ever seen a man's face fall when he's expecting cake and realizes that it isn't going to happen? Sad...very. I remedied it this way...Crumb Cake for breakfast.



Crumb Cake Receipt (An Old Family Recipe)

2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
¾ cup shortening (I use butter)

Make the above ingredients into crumbs. Save 1 cup for topping.

1 cup sour milk (add 1 TBS white vinegar to fresh milk)
1 tsp soda
1 tsp cloves (I used a half teaspoon of nutmeg...no ground cloves in this house either)
1 tsp cinnamon
1 egg

Add to the crumb mixture, beat well, cover with crumbs.
Pour into an 8x8 pan.
Bake at 350° for approximately 35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Create yourselves a wonderful Tuesday...

An Odd Assortment

I've an odd assortment for you this morning...


Shopping at the flea market is a couple of hours of "cheap entertainment" as John says. "Cheap" being the operative word. I found an old beat-up knife with a monogram (echoes of Little Red House) for a mere seventy-five cents and a beautiful doily for fifty cents. The knife is giving us a lot of fun as we've decided that it's worth a lot of money being an "authentic" Paul Revere. ;> The knife needs some burr removal, which John is undertaking today, but it cleaned up beautifully.



Then this delicate little cup decorated with maidenhair ferns and yellow flowers was such a bargain for fifty cents. It was badly stained on the interior, but after a night of soaking, it has also cleaned up well. I had thought I would use it as a scoop, but instead will display it under my make-shift cloche.



The cup is nothing special, but I always wonder about markings. Perhaps I'll be able to find out something about my knife *here* and something about what I now recognize as "Germany C.T." with a green Phoenix and a red fleur-de-lis pattern *here.* Ahhh, the thrill of the hunt even if nothing turns up and all for a fifty-cent cup. (Edited to Add: Thank you, Robin, for all your sleuthing! That proved very interesting. Readers can find what Robin discovered by reading comments.)



Now this sheet music was the thrill of my afternoon and the most expensive splurge. Five dollars, but I have looked for this 1949 song from the movie by the same name (My Foolish Heart) for years. I could have bought it online for the same amount of money, but I would've been using my own paper and ink and I would've missed out on this great picture of two of my favorites...Dana Andrews and Susan Hayward. Anyone remember seeing this movie? It was a real tear-jerker.

A happy Monday to you...