A Black Tie Affair

Are you ready for a fabulous New Year's Eve party? This just might give you some good ideas!



My "other self" put this together but I wanted to share here because there are a number of vintage items in the treasury. Enjoy!

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Today's Rednesday!!

It's Rednesday over on Magnolia Surprise!!

I usually post my Rednesday here, but decided to mix it up every now and then and post over on my other blog, Magnolia Surprise! 

So head over there and check out the super-duper lighted trees!

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Two Special Santas

Today, being Rednesday, I wanted to share these two very special Santas. They were made by my aunt many, many years ago.

I remember this jolly Santa sitting out every year -- she always told me that I could look at it, but not pick it up... I'm glad she did because, after I grew up, she gave it to me! And I could pick it up all I wanted! I've always been very careful with my special Santa, because so many happy memories are associated with him.

My aunt would occasionally spruce him up with a bit of paint here and there where needed -- no sprucing needed on my account I can tell you!! But I have chosen to leave him just as he is -- the little chippy areas just make him all the more special. I don't know his real birthday, but he's at least 60 something... or he could be in his 70s or 80s for all I know, depending on when she painted  him!

Side view -- isn't his tummy the best? Or, in his case, I believe that roundness might be officially called a "belly"!! He's made of plaster and is quite heavy, probably because of all those cookies he eats each year!


This cutie ceramic Santa is a bit newer -- my aunt only signed her name on the bottom but did not date him.  But she probably made him in the 60s. She gave him to me in the mid-80s.

Sometimes he carries Christmas cards in his pouch, sometimes candy canes, sometimes poinsettias -- you just can't ever tell what Santa will have in his bag!

I love his blue eyes -- and his cute bald head! Did you know that Santa was bald on top? Why else would he wear that hat all the time? And you know that every picture of him in his jammies shows him with a nightcap on. Bald, for sure!!


Linking up my special Santas to Rednesday on It's a Very Cherry World. Be sure to stop by and check out more reds!

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Old World Santas

I love the look of Old World Santas. They have so much character and charm, and the ones from other countries give a peek into other traditions and history.

That's not to say that the "jolly ho-ho-ho" Santa that the kids love isn't cool too, but you see the old guy everywhere! Maybe a mall Santa should dress in old world garb for a little something different.... OK, the kids probably wouldn't recognize him, so the round guy with the fluffy white beard stays! (And, I do have a bunch of his likeness around my house at Christmastime!)

Anyway.....

I used to do ceramics, even had my own kiln. Back in the 80s or early 90s one of the mold companies came out with Old World Santas, and I fell in love! I only painted two and wished I had done more!

During the Christmas season, these guys reside on my piano, along with an assortment of old Christmas music booklets sent out by businesses during the holidays.

There is also a book of "A Christmas Carol" sent out by a family and the solid red one has Christmas traditions from all over the world. They are all old but, unfortunately, none are dated. They may have originally belonged to my hubby's grandmother. I'll have to do a bit of research on them!

Linking my Santas to Rednesday hosted by It's a Very Cherry World. Link your something red  and read about other reds too!

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A Red Vintage Christmas and some candy canes too!

Good grief! My last post was a Rednesday post too!! And it was more than a month ago! Sorry 'bout that but I think I'm back in blogland again...

This Rednesday I want to share a few vintage Christmas goodies that are just now listed in my Etsy shop. I love finding little treasures like these in thrift stores! (PS - click on the pics and you'll be whisked away to my shops!!)

I love this mug -- happy reindeer with bows on their antlers are just the best! And a great place to stash your candy canes (you know who you are, storing them in the back of the pantry where no one will see!)  So quit hiding them and let them experience a little Christmas cheer!

I found this red and white granny square pot holder in a tiny thrift shop but didn't get it. Then I found the green pitcher one a few days later in another shop -- went back to get the red one 'cause I thought they'd make a cute Christmas pair. Yay! it was there! The green one is so unique -- it's crocheted in the round so that it's open like an oven mitt. Wouldn't it look cute sitting on your bakers rack with some of those candy canes in it?

These cool Christmas ribbons are from the 80s (the RN number on the holly one indicates it might be from the 70s, but I'm not sure). Anyway, they'd be perfect for Christmas crafts or gift wrapping!

OK, no candy canes here -- but you could use the red and green patchwork ribbon to tie up a bundle of the peppermint yummies to give to your sweet-tooth neighbor....

Linking up my candy canes : ) to Rednesday over at It's a Very Cherry World. Find more red goodness there!
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Shaking it up in red!

Years ago, when my in-laws were moving and held a big garage sale, my mother-in-law said for us to take whatever we wanted, in addition to things she wanted us and the kids to have. Which was awfully sweet of her!

For some reason, my hubby focused on these red salt and pepper shakers. I thought they were awful. My daughter thought they were cool. My son had no opinion one way or the other. Hubby and daughter won out, and home they came.

I resisted using them for the longest time, until one day Hubs says "Remember those red salt and pepper shakers? Where are they anyway?" OK, well I couldn't lie and say they were lost, so out they came. And he used them to the exclusion of all others. And loved them.

And you know what? Now I use them to the exclusion of all others. 

Go figure. 

But they remind me of my in-laws every time, and that is nice.

I'm linking these red salt and pepper shakers to Rednesday hosted by It's a Very Cherry World. Grab your something red and link up too! And read about other reds while you're there!

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Something Red for Johnny Appleseed

Johnny Appleseed Day was coming up and the first graders were going to celebrate in style -- bobbing for apples, making applesauce, singing apple songs, to name just a few apple activities. And, of course, they were to wear red.

They even got their pictures in the newspaper!

That's Stephanie in her red dress! Check out the apples on the red shirt on the kid with the apple in his mouth! Oops...the apple bobber forgot his red shirt! (Excuse the photo, but it is 21 years old and unfortunately creased in the middle...)

I had made Stephanie's dress for the first day of school -- and it just happened to be RED!! I still have it -- I also saved the ones I made for her first day of Kindergarten and second grade. BTW, Stephanie just turned 28, so those are definitely vintage dresses!!

It's a jumper with a blouse underneath, complete with ruffles (she wouldn't be caught dead in ruffles now!) down the front of the jumper. And on the pockets. And on the collar. Hearts and bows all over that dress! And, of course, the cutie heart buttons! Oh my....

I'm linking Stephanie's red dress to a fun meme I recently discovered -- Rednesday hosted by It's a Very Cherry World. Grab your something red and link up too! And read about other reds while you're there!

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Sweet Potato Casserole - Yummy in the Tummy!

Since this blog is devoted to vintage stuff, I thought that vintage recipes would qualify..... sooo, from time to time I'll post some yummy recipes handed down from various relatives, or from ancient (not really ancient, but definitely OLD!) cookbooks that I have.

And what better way to begin than by participating in the EtsyBloggers Blog Carnival with the topic choice of a favorite fall recipe!

When the weather turns cool, my thoughts turn to sweet potatoes -- I like them baked and served with just butter (lots of butter) on them. And sweet potato French fries are delicious! The two following recipes are ones that I make every year, especially as Thanksgiving approaches.

This one was the casserole of choice of my kids -- probably because it is sweeter and has those cute little marshmallows on top! The recipe comes from "River Road Recipes" which was published by the Junior League of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The one I have was published in September, 1969 and is the  22nd printing. It's full of wonderful Southern recipes! This is one of my favorite cookbooks, and the splatters on the pages prove it!

Baked Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows (contributed by Mrs. A. J. Noland)
(info in parentheses is my own addition)

8 medium size sweet potatoes                      1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup milk                                                    Few dashes of nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla                                        1 tablespoon orange juice
3 tablespoons sugar                                     Marshmallows (I use the small ones)                                    
1/2 stick butter

Bake sweet potatoes in 350 degree oven until done. Peel hot potatoes and put through ricer until mashed.
(Note: instead of this, I cook the potatoes until tender in water to cover, let cool, and then peel and mash with a potato masher.) Scald milk and add vanilla, sugar and butter. (Note: I scald the milk in a 2 cup Pyrex measuring cup in the microwave and then add the vanilla, sugar and butter.)

To mashed potatoes add cinnamon, nutmeg and orange juice. Stir. Add milk mixture to potatoes and stir.

In a large casserole dish (3 quart or two smaller dishes) layer potatoes, then a layer of marshmallows. Repeat layers ending with potatoes.

Bake at 350 until very hot. Add a layer of marshmallows and brown.
Serves 8 to 10.
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Totally yum! And it reheats well just in the microwave!

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The other one was made by my husband's Aunt Hat for Thanksgiving 1993. 

She gave me this dated recipe card!

Sweet Potato Casserole (from Aunt Hat)

3 cups cooked, mashed sweet potatoes             1 stick butter
1 cup sugar                                                       1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs, beaten                                                   4 oz coconut (optional)

Mix together and bake 20 minutes or longer at 350 until it separates.

Topping:
1 cup brown sugar
1 stick butter
1/2 cup flour
1 cup chopped pecans

Melt butter and stir in other ingredients. Pour over baked potatoes and bake 20 minutes until crusty.

From the backside of the card --
"If you double recipe, do not double topping. This freezes great."
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Absolutely luscious! But if you're on a diet, beware!!!

This yummy recipe memory is part of the EtsyBloggers Blog Carnival which is being hosted by Random Creative.  One of the topics to choose from was to post about a favorite fall recipe. I immediately thought of these two family faves!  What are yours?

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Get out from that kitchen!! Treasury fun!

Just had to show you this awesome treasury! My tea kettle leads the way!! (blush blush)


I love it! Especially the aprons! I just love vintage aprons, but not to wear! For some reason I've never been an apron wearer, but I sure do like them! I do have one that has a dog holding a kettle with a kitty in it that I wear for messy work (for Pete's sake, don't tell Oliver -- I don't know what he'd do if a dog put him in a kettle. Probably Mr. Dog would be in his own kettle soon enough!!)

Oliver says, "I'll give that dog the evil eye and he'd for sure high tail it outta here"   

♥   >^.^<   ♥   >^.^<   ♥

And the Tupperware funnel! I've got one somewhere; I'll have to hunt it down. Have you ever made a giant Hershey's Kiss using that funnel? I have, lots of fun! Wrapped it in aluminum foil.

Every now and then I'll post a treasury that I especially like or one that I've created. I do so enjoy them and want to pass on the fun to you!

This treasury was made by gingerakesler2 who has a terrific vintage shop on Etsy. Here's the direct link to the treasury or you can just click on the title up there on the treasury!

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and

Remember When ~ Mama's Candy Dish

This  candy dish is sitting on my "listed" shelves and I got to looking at it and thinking about the memories it brings back.

Glass Candy Dish

My mother had one just like it -- when I found it at a garage sale, I just knew I had to have it! It belonged to the "garage sale lady's" mother too and we reminisced a bit about our moms.

It was always on the coffee table filled with different candies. I had to be very careful when taking the top off -- I didn't want to drop it! I remember that I would always line up the scallops so that they fit together perfectly -- even at an early age I couldn't stand for something to be out of line. I've had to work very hard on not having everything perfectly symmetrical in my life!

Have you ever run across something that brings back special memories? Leave a comment and let me know!

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Remember When ~ Summer Vacations at the Grandparents

When I was a kid, every summer vacation was spent with both sets of grandparents. Occasionally, there was an additional side trip to the beach or to visit friends of my parents. But mostly we went to visit the grandparents.

I have lots of good memories associated with these visits -- long walks in the woods, going to "the country" to see (really old) relatives, playing with my cousins, swinging in the hammock, going to the outhouse (at one grandparent's; the other had indoor plumbing, and a very scary basement).

But that's for another time, today I'm talking about getting there.

I grew up in Louisiana; my grandparents on my mother's side lived in Alabama (in Tuscaloosa where that tornado hit -- but the house is OK) and my grandparents on my father's side lived in a tiny town called Bascom in Florida. Its claim-to-fame is that Faye Dunaway was born there -- her grandmother and my grandmother tried to get Faye and my brother together (he's 12 years older than me) but it never worked out. Whew!! I hope you followed all of that!

So, every summer it was Alabama and Florida.

We would leave very early in the morning because we would drive all the way through to Alabama. I don't think my mother ever drove -- my dad was a real "50's kind of guy" and it would never do to have the little woman drive.....  Anyway, there would be a thermos full of coffee and another with water.

Retro Thermos Collection by Inspired Salvage.

My mother always packed a picnic lunch to eat at the roadside tables. We didn't have a McDonalds on every corner like now, or those signs that say "Food, Gas, Lodging." This was back in the dark ages of the mid-50s, you see.

Traveling Family Photo by Vintage Warehouse.

I can tell you this -- my mother would have been in a dress and my dad would NEVER wear a tie!!

I would play in the backseat with my cars, racing them over the hump that was part of the floor board. No seat belts back then -- how on earth did we ever survive??! If it rained I would race raindrops -- pick out one and watch it all the way down the window, seeing how many others it would gobble up in its path to the bottom of the window.

The main thing I remember on these trips is The Boat.  We would go through the tunnel at Mobile, Alabama -- it was big and round and silver. It made a weird scream as you drove through. I was never comfortable with that tunnel! Either before or after the tunnel (I don't remember which) we would look for The Boat.

Retired Fishing Boat by Michael Prior Photography.

Every year we would look for that boat. Every year it would look more and more beat up. Every year it would sink lower and lower. Until one year, it just wasn't there. I was so disappointed. I really looked forward to seeing The Boat .....

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You Crack Me Up -- The Sometimes Humorous Side of Crackers...

OK, I'm finally getting my toes wet! Just made my very first Etsy treasury!!
I hope you'll take a look, click and comment!



I had a super good time creating this one -- think I'll be doing more!!

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Mushrooms Galore!

I don't usually blog about treasuries I'm in for either of my shops, feeling that it's a lot of "toot your own horn" syndrome. But I got to thinking about that, and it is promoting all the other shops featured in the treasury -- so I think I will share them from time to time : )

I've always thought mushrooms were so cool -- from the 60s and 70s kitsch to the cute felted and sewn ones for gnomes and fairies to sit upon. When we moved into our present home, there were a couple of mushroom plaques left behind -- one painted and one made from decoupaged 3D card cutouts. At the time, I did not want them so my kids took one each to decorate their rooms. (My daughter, especially, is a throwback to earlier times!) And, alas, when they moved out to being on their own, they took their mushrooms with them!!

So I was more than pleased to be included in this cute mushroomy treasury created by Refindlings. You can also see her mushrooms in her shop! To see the actual treasury, just click on the title, and you can also click on the individual photos to go to each shop. And leave a comment if you'd like!



See the trivet? It's mine (well, in my shop!). I also found a mushroom mug which goes with it. They are part of the "Merry Mushroom" line which was a Sears exclusive from 1970 to 1985.

Of course, now this has again sparked my interest in mushrooms so I'll be on the lookout for them at garage sales, etc. I started crocheting real looking mushrooms as part of my food line in Magnolia Surprise, but they fell to my "I'm bored with this, think I'll start something new" habit. I think I'll just have to dig them out and finish the little fungi!!

And I'll be sure to show you more treasuries every now and then -- and not just to "toot my own horn" either! Please be sure to visit that cute mushroomy treasury and check out the mushroomy shops!

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Sunday Sneak Peek

It seems that my vintage hunting has leaned toward the kitchen lately. Hmmm, maybe somebody's trying to tell me something -- like cook something sometime, why don't ya!!

These are some little goodies that should show up pretty soon in my shop (if I can ever get out of the kitchen, that is......all that cooking you know!!)

I fell in love with this little enamelware coffee pot as soon as I saw it! I just think it's precious! Of course, I can't say that I'd trade it for my coffeemaker, but it would be great for camping....if I camped anymore, that is!

And this sweet enamelware tea kettle! It's so bright and cheery; I love the colors! It would definitely look charming sitting on my stove. It's by M. Kamenstein and was manufactured in 1983.

A tea pot -- this one Corning Ware in the Wildflower design which was manufactured from 1977 to 1986. The really cool part is that it has an aluminum lid and not a plastic one! I had a teapot like this except in the Cornflower design. I wonder whatever happened to it -- maybe gave it to a kid or other. Hmmm, I'll have to look for it!

And the best -- a Sunbeam electric hand mixer! And it works!! I had one similar to this one, maybe a bit newer. But the same Harvest Gold color -- everything was Harvest Gold and Avocado Green in the 70s, including my kitchen!!

So there you go -- my latest kitchen finds! Now I'd better go cook.....

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