Blue Monday

It's not what you think. I'm not all sad and hanging around all down in the mouth. But, instead celebrating more blue that entered my house. I have a definite sumpin, sumpin for blue and then if it is glass or breakable in any manner, it seems to find it's way home with me.
My dear grandmother gave me a set of dishes in this pattern as a wedding gift many years ago. I have managed to slowly deplete a few of the pieces through daily use. I was doing a happy dance when I saw a box full of these pieces for a price that would make you sing. I will still be searching for the dinner plates.

Since we are talking tableware, I'll pass on our etiquette tip for today:

• Never tip a plate or a glass to obtain the last atom of its contents.
• Avoid looking over the top or rim of cup or glass while drinking, and do not gulp a beverage down as though famished. The lips should be carefully wiped before drinking to avoid leaving the marks of greasy lips on the rim of glass or goblet. Wipe the lips after drinking milk, cocoa, or chocolate. So, I see smoothies and coffee are exempt?

(obtained from a handbook published by the Association of Women Students and Self-Governing Association of Texas Technological College,1938)

Aprons at attention

More booty from a great sale has made it's way out of a box. There are aprons everywhere now. Starch and sizing and a super hot steam iron made a few of these beauties stand to attention. Ironing is definitely not my most fav pastime, but is sorta relaxing in a mundane way. I had flashbacks to the 60's when my mother ironed all evening during tv time.
Expecting to just have a dozen total, I was shocked when the final count was 29! A few were old skirts that had been re-fitted into new duty and then flour sack fabrics and other misc. goodness. The majority were definitely work aprons and had seen their share of it. There were only 2 full aprons and one of those was for a child with the cutest raggedy ann and andy print. The pink roses is a sweet one and fits very nicely. It may stay in my kitchen for a while.

The cutest one of the lot was the red stripe with the adorable pockets. They say it ALL folks!!

BEFORE the kids and chores she had time to gussy up a bit and I am sure Mr. Husband always brought home a bouquet of flowers!.....and, oh my....is that a box of CHOCOLATES??

AFTER.....this tells it like it is.

I can imagine she is greeting him at the door in DESPERATION! You've got to hand it to him though....he is still smiling and bringing her goodies,

even if it is the groceries.

Excerpt from 'As We Like It' for accepted social usage at the table.

Do not employ both hands in eating. Keep one hand or the other in the lap a good part of the time. Ummmmm, really?

Do not gesticulate with the silver. OK, I'm out with that one! haha, I thought a fork was to help orchestrate the conversation! How many demerits would I have collected?!

Silver and other wild things

It is looking like a zoo of wild animal prints everywhere in the sweatshop! A friend ordered these cute little pillows for a show in Amarillo. They say Dear Santa and have a pocket to stash a letter to Santa.
And if cheetah isn't your cat's meow....here is some zebra. These would be so cute tucked into the tree at Christmas. They could hold $$$ or gift cards also. If you are thinking you need one, check things out with Missy at Redford Ranch Style. She is setting up a booth for a Christmas show and then the World Ranch Rodeo Finals in Amarillo. Her shop in Benjamin has tons of cute items. If you are ever through that part of Texas, just stop in and browse all her goodies.

For the garage sale fun in my life...this is only a very small portion of a terrific haul I made recently. I am such a sucker for silver and then if you throw in some cobalt blue...SOLD!!! I also scored on a box full of vintage aprons. They are presently in the wash and I'll share them a bit later. They sooooo do not appreciate being photographed all wet and drippy!

There were also sack fulls of vintage kitchen items, dishes, holiday decor.....Hmmmm. I think I need to keep unpacking and taking some more pics to share.

Tricky Treat

Here's a treat for you! It was a shock for me though. The whole story...this is the first coconut pie I have ever made from scratch...Totally bare bones, do it all myself. I used my dear grand-mother's recipe and it came out perfectly. I did forget to prick my crust and it shrunk. The other one I did remember, but the DH and my dad inhaled it before I thought to get a pic.

My grandmother used to make a coconut pie for my dad every time he made a touchdown in high school. She baked a LOT of pies.

Enjoy this Halloween and be careful of the goblins.

Garden Goodies

A study in green today for all of you. The green beans are doing well and this is my morning chore and will be for several days.

This day ended up being ALL green and I couldn't resist the pic of all the yumminess and richness of the same color.Recently, I came across an old booklet of 'suggestions' for the new Texas Tech coed. We must keep in mind this booklet was published in the 1930's. There are suggestions about personal appearance, courtesy, and the house rules of the dormitories among other tidbits of information for the well-rounded young lady. I'm not talking about a gal who's been eating too many Twinkies either! I will try to remember to add a couple of these tidbits to my blog occasionally for an added chuckle...or two.
The first page even starts off with a bang letting the gal know that what she needs to bring for a COMPLETE wardrobe is 2 skirts, 3 sweaters and 2 or 3 'wash' blouses. I've never heard that term before, but I can bet the sales clerk at the boutique would do a double take if I go in and ask to see their 'wash' blouses!! It goes on to let you know to use your discretion and get these in colors that will harmonize as to create several different costumes. OK, now I know I'll need a party hat NOW!! In the first place I can't see girls today taking so few items! Another tidbit of info that hasn't changed at all is the head's up about Lubbock weather. It states clearly that the changes in Lubbock weather are swift and you may find it necessary to carry a heavy coat to put on before the game is over. That nails it on the head for sure. I've always laughed at how we wear our coats over a layer of shorts and tank tops around here!

1st birthday yumminess

I will share some cuteness with everyone. The Sweet One just had a birthday and wanted to share some smiles. You can trust me to share that those attentive eyes are looking at that camera and figuring just how to get it out of Mommy's hands AND how to use it.
And since you stopped by for a chit chat, she'll share some of her mooshed cupcake with you!

Thanks for coming to the party and hope to see ya soon!

Lurking pays off

I was lurking around blogland today and came across the neatest blog. I don't do scrapbooking per se, but you wouldn't know it by looking at my supplies! I have a LOT and constantly accumulate more...anyway...I digress here to send you to Keepsakes by Melissa. She has a lot of inspiration to get the creative juices flowing. Enjoy.

P.S. - I forgot the most important part! There is an awesome giveaway also!

Good Finds

My dear Sister in Law came for a visit and we toured the area for some general antiquing. We both found some great deals at an antiques mall. I fell in love with the cruet set. The silver base is really nice and I am going to find some new liners or something to fit in them. The original bottles are chipped and the stoppers aren't original, but they are still useable in another life. It will eventually hold smalls on my worktable.

The black amethyst pieces were my horray, happy dance purchase. All of them were super good prices and I found them all in the same mall. That is a real shocker, because these pieces are getting harder for me to find . The silver ice bucket was a real score also and the original glass liner was still intact and in terrific condition. I actually may use it too. I love the little sugar bowl and I think I have a small juice pitcher that will match it. Now to find the creamer...another junkin trip around the corner perhaps!

As I was trying to escape without another handful of stuff, I spied this little vinegar and oil set. It tied my white milk glass collection and my black amethyst together quite well. We definitely closed down the place that afternoon and had a terrific time.

Way back last fall, I was soooo lucky and I won a contest at Junk Camp. This little beauty was my entry for re-purposed goodies. Ki Nausauer awarded me a gift certificate to spend at Junk Revolution. After much nail-biting and hem-hawing, I could no longer resist the messenger bag and the book, Decorating Junk Market Style.

I also picked up a typewriter key with my initial that I forgot to put in the photo...so quit looking at the photo with your magnifying glass!! I love it and intend to add a couple of other goodies to the necklace to keep it company. OH,oh,oh...and I also purchased one of the t-shirts. I almost forgot about that one only because I am sitting here wearing it as I type. DOH!! It is so soft and comfy. Loving it tons.

It just goes to show..you never know when LUCK will cross your path. Ain't I the lucky dog. You must jump over to visit Ki at her blog and check things out.

yummy to the tummy

Come on over for a slice of birthday cake. All I can say though is....you had better hurry. This cake is going, going......almost gone! What would we do without birthdays to justify making a yummy cake, AND eating it all up. This year the DH had a few guests to share his chocolate cake and it wasn't just the two of us. Thank Goodness.
Other goodness that you can share in, but you had better hurry on this one also...The Polka Dot Barn is having a terrific giveaway. Go throw your name in the comment section for a chance at a really cute banner. Git on over there now, ya here. But don't forget to come on back here for a chit chat occasionally. I promise I will blog more often....PROMISE.