peas porridge

On Cooking and Hearths

2010-09-22T11:05:00.000-07:00

It's not that I dislike cooking, but that I dislike it as a leisure art. I think it's wasteful to put so much energy into just one meal. If I'm going to make a mess of the kitchen, I want to make it worth my time. I like making multiple dishes I can freeze for later or eat for lunches. I don't like eating the same thing two days in a row either.

When my ma had to cook for a family, especially on Sundays during the fall and winter, she'd keep a bowl of scraps like onion rinds, tops of celery and carrots, bones of chickens or roasts...basically all the unedible tough bits, and boil them in a pot to make broth. I do this too. When it comes to a boil, add bay leaves and whole spices like mustard and caraway seeds. I put in dill, parsley, and sage. Let it simmer for a few hours and drain. Perfect broth for making soup, rice, cous cous or whatever.

Now let me tell you what I recently wanted to make with this broth. Behold!

A vintage casserole dish as haevy and hearty as the Le Crueset kind and just as clean on the inside. No mystery stains or burnt riff-raff at the bottom. Perfection. David purchased it without me at an estate sale. I was at the book sale for the Cat Care Society, but knew he'd find something cool.

Here's what I made in it. I made notes on what I did this time. It turned out delicious. I ended up not having enough home made broth and instead used Swansons which I think is very good.

Wild Rice Caserole

1 c Minnesota wild rice (or mixed rice or brown)
3 c Swansons vegetable broth
dash of salt

Combine all these in a rice cooker and turn it on. Preheat the oven to 375.

In a large saucepan, pour 4 tsp olive oil.
Let that sit on low-med heat for awhile.

Then add
2-3 cloves garlic chopped fine
1/2 c yellow onion chopped
Stir and watch until garlic and onion are brown and clear.

Now add
2 stalks celery chopped
1/2 c frozen corn*
1/2 c frozen spinach*
1 c butternut squash cut into small cubes**
1 can of pinto beans rinsed first
1 can diced tomatoes
2 tsp paprika
1 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp celery seed
1 tsp parsley
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp black peper

Put the lid on the pan and leave it alone. You can give it a stir every 2 minutes or so.

Now the rice is ready. If you used wild rice, the rice cooker probably left some hard kernals in there. No prob.

Get your casserole dish and oil the inside well with olive oil. Put the wild rice on the bottom and add few tbsps water. Stick in the oven with the cover on.

After the vegetable mixture has been in the pan maybe 15 minutes, spoon in into the casserole dish. Sprinkle 1 cup chedder on top and continue to bake the casserole with the lid off. Bake until cheese starts to brown - about 30 minutes.

Serve with sour cream and hot sauce

*most of my veggies are frozen because we live in a food desert. I never thaw them first or squeeze out water or manhandle them in any way. I stick them in, wait for them to thaw and cook and the water just evaporates away. It has never had a negative effect on my cooking.

**to get to your butternut squash easily (or any squash, really) I stick a few holes in it and put it in my oven whie it's preheating. After 5-10 minutes, the squash is softer and easier to cut up. If it;s too hot, just run it under cold water for a second. It will remain soft.

Also, like I said, there was a book sale where we found some wonderful vintage volumes. I actually will read Peyton Place, I think.

We also scored this beautiful hearth piece. It was very heavy but obviously old and only $20! I love the brick design on it. It really matches everything in our home. I'm very proud of it. D and I also bought a chimnea in great shape for $10. I can't wait to fire it up for s'mores

Busby Chair

2010-09-20T15:06:00.000-07:00

I've always been a bit of an Anglophile. Because my family are British? No. My ancestors can be traced to the Mayflower? The American Revolution? Hardly. I don't even think they were aware of America at the time. There were animals to tend to and cheese to make for God's sake! Maybe a long lost English true love? Nope, I married my true love (I'm a lucky duck, I know).

So there's no real reason for me to be attracted to England. But I love it. I went to London when I was 18 and had a great time. The highlights of which were seeing the Rosetta Stone and going to a real rave in an abandoned tube station complete with famous DJs, fog lights and ecstasy (give me a break - I was 18!)

My desires to visit England now are a bit more conservative, but just as interesting in my book. If anyone is the least bit interested in the following, well, let's plan a trip!

In no particular order:

1) The Cheapside hoard. 'Nuf said.

2) Busby chair - This is on display at the Thirsk Museum. Made in the 18th century, the chair is old but not unusual looking. What is unusual is the chair's history. Thomas Busby, a condemned murderer asked to have a pint in his favorite pub before going to the gallows. After finishing his drink, he cursed the chair and anyone who sat in it afterwards dies shortly after his/her pub crawl. There was a military base near Thirsk during WW II and the soldiers were very enthusiastic about the chair and it's creepy curse. It became apparent that "Those who sat, didn't come back". In 1967, a pair of Royal Air Force soldiers did sit in the chair after many pints and a dare. They hit a tree on their way home. Maybe a DUI coincidence? In any case, I'm glad it's out of the pub and in a museum where I won't accidentally rest my rump. There were other reports of perfectly sober people resting awhile and regretting it.

3)John Snow Pub

Photo from UCLA website.

John Snow is considered the father of public health. An obstetric anesthesiologist by trade, he wondered why all his neighbors were getting cholera. He traced the outbreak to a certain pump where everyone was getting their drinking water and pulled off the pump's handle. This ended the outbreak and John Snow was a hero worthy of his own pub.

4) The Roman Baths at Bath

Oh, how I would love to go to Bath. D and I love natural hot springs and this is the grand-daddy of them all. Used since Roman times, it's attracted tourists for centuries. (Picture is from Wikipedia.)

2010-06-28T10:05:00.000-07:00

Wow, it's been a long time! So much to share! Where to start? How about thrift shop finds from the thrift I volunteer at:

Here's an old tablecloth with a cute Mexican print. Very worn, thin fabric but no holes or stains. 2 bucks.

Now, I've been looking for a good spoon rest for a long time. I even have looked on ebay! Found this guy just hanging out a few weeks ago and almost went into a seizure. Perfect! Perfect! Cute, cheery, vintage and totally usable! $1.50

I bought these cute hand towels even though they were slightly discolored because the embroidery was so well done and so dated! Who washes pantyhose in the sink anymore?

Kinda funny, when I went to take a pic of them hanging in our bathroom, this is how they were hanging:

Hmmm...

I actually own this book now, but haven't read it. Supposed too be good, though.

In other news, we finally went camping! D pitched the tent, I made dinner, complete with a good bottle of red - just because you're camping doesn't mean you have to rough it, you know!

Roasting marshmallows

You probably can't see this, but that big black blob is our moose visitor. I spotted him first, but misidentified him as a "horsey".

Well, D and I are off to get sammiches and then go for a hike. If it's good, I'll post pics. The place I want to go is known for it's wild flowers!

We

New Jewelry

2010-04-02T17:19:00.000-07:00

Latest finds displayed on a vintage crocheted bag from Mom C:

Below are my new blue monster earrings. They look heavy, but are actually plastic and light. I wore them all day today. $2.00 at an estate sale in the 'hood.

I picked up this dangling pair. Same sale, same price. They are actually kind of heavy. The beads must be glass.

Next to a terrific pair of orange earrings that used to belong to D's grandmother, check out this shell pendant! It's huge. About as big as a Chips Ahoy cookie.
Pricey at $6.00, but it was at the shop I volunteer at and all the $ goes to help kitties so I feel okay about it!

First Garden Photos!

2010-04-01T14:48:00.001-07:00

D and I just got back from visiting family and look what I found!

I think this is some old Sedum.

I planted daffodils, but it looks like I might be getting some tulips, too! I didn't plant this fella:

Our snowball bush has buds, too!

This is my favorite, though:

Our front walk is lined with croci patches!

Monotremes

2010-02-23T16:42:00.001-08:00

Well, hello there!

And you - it's nice to see you, too!

These are photos of a spiny ant eater and 2 platypus (care of discovery.com)
They are two of three types of animals that are in the family of Monotreme. Never heard of a monotreme? Me neither until today when I went to the natural history museum.

Monotremes have fur and nurse their young. They don't have nipples. The young just know where the milk glands are and suck on the skin nearby. Also, they lay leathery soft eggs.

And I thought there were mammals and not mammals. Period. Nope. We have Monotremes. A mix of both worlds, all be it a tiny one. You can only find them in Australia and New Guinea...maybe at a zoo, too.

winter decor

2010-02-17T11:52:00.000-08:00

This time of year has always been a kind of standstill in decorating. The holiday decor is boxed up and put away. Winter seems to drag on cold and wet. I decided to try and embrace these few months of winter weather we have left. I made a winter display in my front room.

The light is just terrible to see the whole effect. Here are some of my favorite doo-dads that cheer up the winter gloom:

Conversation hearts in my blue McCoy bowl. In the background are old love notes my husband gave me framed in a pretty glass frame with pressed flowers. My cat looks at them admiringly.

Paperwhite bulbs blooming with delicate flowers. Such a pretty light fragrance they have!

I forced one in an old glass cream bottle. I love the way the roots look.

In other news, I've had a few good finds at my thrift store lately. Here's one of my faves:

A set of small stiching guides - each 50 cents.

Hot Sulphur Springs

2010-02-07T20:46:00.000-08:00

D and I have wanted to get away for awhile now. with family obligations, school and work, it's been an impossible schedule. This weekend, it turned out I had no work and he had no school. Perfect. The only problem was that I had (still have) a nasty head cold. You know when you walk around in a state of mid-sneeze all day long and only one nostril works? That's me. The dry air burns my throat, my brain feels too big for my skull and my eyes itch. If we were going away, I wanted it to be relaxing. No igloo camping or ice fishing or jumping off snowy cliffs in skis. I wanted a hot spring, a good book and some quiet.

We decided on Hot Sulphur Springs. It has a long history as a spa and has mostly adult guests. There are about twenty different pools and a lot of them are just big enough for two people so it's very private. It was wonderful soaking in the mineral-laden waters while snow gently on my eye lids and hair. I'd get out for awhile to cool off and hop back in again.

Right now I'm reading The Sword of Truth novels by Terry Goodkind. They were the inspiration for the show the Legend of the Seeker, which I'm hooked on. It's so good. And you can watch the whole season one instantly on Netflix. Definitely worth checking out. Just a great story.

We were very lucky in our travels to stop in Grand Lake, where they were hosting a winter olympic festival. I'm not too into sports or the olympics, but it was nice to see a crowd of people out and about on a very cold day. And, because of the festivities, a lot of businesses that would ordinarily not be open, were open. Including the Kauffman House Museum. What a great place that was! There were enthusiastic docents, hot cider and homemade cookies. Also, some of the most beautiful handcrafts made by the Kauffman women:

Now this quilt is really something Though I am well past my crazy for crazy quilts phase, I was intrigued by this quilt, made form scraps of the finest silks, satins and velvets. I first thought it to be a reproduction because the colors were so vivid. But it's the real deal. Preserved due to the dry conditions up there. Stitches are rarely repeated and the intricate Colorado motifs are really amazing.

Something I really admire about these small town Victorian families I hear about is their apparently infinite imagination and industry. To use every scrap of fabric. To make something beautiful and useable out of what we would consider waste.

Very impressive.

We had such a nice time:

So nice to be blogging again. I've finished up some projects since my last post and would love to post them soon. I have a hard time taking nice pictures if it's a cloudy kind of day and my days off have been cloudy, I'm afraid. But that can only last so long. Hope everyone has a great week!

FANTASTIC MR FOX IS FANTASTIC!!!!

2009-12-08T07:35:00.001-08:00

It's really the best film I've seen in a long,long time. I recommend it highly. It gets five big glittery stars.

Also, ma just got back from her 2 week trip to Egypt.

So glad she's home safe.

Thankful to the thrift store gods

2009-11-26T08:09:00.000-08:00

After several weeks of abysmal estate sales and dead end thrift store visits, I have been blessed with a haul of treasures. A booty of vintage. Arg.

Yesterday, being Wednesday, I set off at 8AM for 99 cent clothing day at the Salvation Army. Every Wednesday every item of clothing from coats to cocktail frocks is a mere 99 cents regardless of original stated price. That is not to say Wednesdays mean easy pickins' for all. Hardly. You must get there early and then you must be ready to fend off tiny grandmothers who become as strong and aggressive as football players. Also, there are the stylish young mothers with toddlers it toe. They wouldn't be difficult, I hear you say, Not with children they need to look after. You must remember these "children", though cute and innocent looking enough are crafty distractions very capable of blocking your path to designer jeans. You maneuver around them, careful not to step on tiny toes, look up and realize those DKNYs are long gone.

I don't have super luck at 99 cent clothing day. I usually can find some scrubs for work, maybe a cute little top. Which is fine. I'm not as much into thrift store clothes as I am thrift store knick-knacks, bric-a-brac and miscellaneous. And this, friends, is where I struck gold. Arg.

First off, the lovely sea green vintage aluminum tray. This was 45 cents. A good price. I had a pink one similar to it once that I put in the dishwasher. NEVER PUT THESE IN THE DISHWASHER!!!!! All the paint will peel off and you will be sad, sad, sad. I realize after I took the picture there is a beverage ring in one corner. I can take this off with a plastic scrubby and dish soap. Easy sleazy.

Look at my ancient vase:

Found in the rubbles of Pompeii? Made by an ancient Greek craftsman? Nope. Written in the base, it proudly announced it was made in Japan. That doesn't stop my cat, Emma, from admiring it -

and who can blame her? A few cheery mums or daises would be right at home in here. And at $1.50, it was just right.

Small bowl and saucer. These were each 45 cents.

I usually only buy one dish with a certain pattern but I just fell in love with these. The back says Steubenville IVORY. I love the thick yellowed glaze. I like to have small plates and bowls. I can never have too many. They are so useful for condiments or as spoon rests or dainty reciprocals for tea bags or pistachio shells.

And finally, my true love:

This tile was pulled from a wall somewhere, I think. Look at the back:

It still has plaster on it! I love the sweet little cottage scene. The glaze is cloudy white, like the icing on oatmeal cookies. It reminds me of Van Briggle.

Have I spoke of Van Briggle before? Oh! Van Briggle! I never heard of it until I moved to Colorado. It's like McCoy or Roseville. The glazes are creamy and the hues illuminated pastel blues and pinks that blend with yellows and oranges like mini sunsets. They're still in business and still make lovely pieces. I can't really justify buying anything from them right now. The pieces I really love command at least a hundred dollars. Someday, though...

No one understands my VanBriggle love. I took Mom C to their studio when she was in town once and, while she said the building was cool, the pieces in the showroom illicit ed a simple shrug of the shoulders and a wandering to the bathroom. My husband is the same way. After looking at my new tile, turning it over in his hands a few times as if looking for a switch or knob on it that would turn it in to something cool, he issued his verdict: "This looks like that dull Briggle stuff you like. I don't get it. It's not even that shiny."

No, it isn't shiny. Nor bright colored, nor glittery, which is the theme to much of my home decor. I can't explain my attraction. But someday I hope to have a wall of these tiles.

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving. We are off to M&Ls. D is making special cheesy dips he found in a vintage cookbook. The cover has a artful display of deviled eggs and celery sticks stuffed with cream cheese and topped with a couple black olive slices. "Why don't we make those?," I asked, pointing to the celery. He shook is head and took the book away. I guess I do not understand his vintage appetizer love anymore that he understands my Van Briggle love. That's okay.

Changes in Scenery

2009-11-16T11:44:00.000-08:00

Well, it's been a long time since my last post. My grandfather passed away recently and I've had to do lots of traveling. When I'd get home, I wouldn't feel up for doing much of anything. I guess that's only natural.

But today, with a chunk of the ICU looking like a ghost town and outside looking like this -

- I asked to be on call. Snuggling up in my craft room with a piping hot cup of Joe, I got into some of the projects I had planned for this winter.

I started my rag rug*:

Worked on piecing my clam shell cushions:

And kept knitting away at this purple hat:

Here's D in the hat** I made him. It's alpaca and warm, but very lightweight. I just love how it turned out.

So new rug on the floor, new hat on D, new cushions on the chairs, and new snow on the ground. Changes all around. And to add to it all, on November 30th I start a new position as a staff ICU RN in Neuro/Trauma at St. Anthony Central Hospital on Colfax.

I'm very excited to join this hospital because it has a higher acuity and also because the whole staff interviewed me and hired me. It makes me feel less nervous. I will still need to come armed with baked goods on my first day, however, which won't be so hard as I intend on baking up a storm very soon.

This cookie cutter I got at my other new job here:

Yes, I started volunteering at a thrift shop for the Cat Care Society and I just LOVE it. I price donations and work the register. Right now the whole place is decked out for Christmas. If you like Christmas decorations and live nearby, I suggest stopping by. We've got TONS and all reasonably priced. If you go online first, there's a coupon you can print out.

December 4-5 is the Santa Paws event which, if you are a cat lover, is not to be missed. This is where my gingerbread men will be sporting their finest duds of royal icing, M&Ms and colored sprinkles. There will be a big bake sale, specials at the thrift shop and refreshments.

*To make your own rag rug, take fabric scraps and cut into strips about 1/2" wide. They can vary in length. Sew them end-to-end or just tie them together securely. Wind into a ball. Take a large crochet hook (like a Q) and chain 8. Join to form a loop. Into the 1st ch1,sc1. Into the 2nd ch, sc2. *sc1,sc2. Repeat from * until rug is as big as you want it. Press rug flat with an iron. Snip off any fuzzies or unruly fabric bits.

**To make D's hat you will need a nice, long set of double points. I used #6 Brittany 4.0mm. My alpaca yarn is slightly thinner that a sport weight. Cast on 75 and divide onto 3 needles. K4,P4 in the round. Continue until your hat is about 8 or 9" tall/long. This will ensure a good brim.
Time to decrease:
Round 1: K2tog,P2 all the way around.
Round 2:K1,P2.
Round 3: K1,P2tog.
Round 4: K1,P1

Repeat rounds 1-4 until there are about 5 stiches on each needle. Bind off stiches. Turn hat inside out. Sew top shut with yarn needle.

2009-10-22T10:35:00.000-07:00

Last week, D and I went to Miller Farms. As previously stated, I love...love...LOVE PUMPKINS!!! And anything to do with pumpkins and squashes and gourds and fall. I begged D to go to a pumpkin patch with me. I do this every year. Begging starts around September 20th or so, after D's birthday but well before it's appropriate to pick a pumpkin. When I got the okay this year, I had my place picked out and everything.

Miller Farms. How excellent. For $15.00 a person, you are transported over hundreds of acres via hay wagon and given six large plastic potato sacks to fill with whatever is in season at that time. For us, that meant potatoes, ornamental corn, red potatoes, cabbage and pumpkins.

Here is my collection of weird little carrots friends:

What does one do with bags of pumpkins and corn? Well...

I was so excited to decorate my house with ample fall! I already had this wreath I bought for $1.00 at an estate sale:

I spruced it up with glass owls from my ma and a few glittery fruits.

And D gave me the go ahead to put up the cobweb, so I was in business. Ready for tricker-treaters!

And after Halloween, I was going to take down the web and rearrange my fall goodies in the window boxes to look just like a Martha Stewert cover. But then...

Oh, the devastation!

The heartless destruction!

Pure horror!

I must look away!

Who could have been so foul?, I hear you gasp. Was it D?

Sure he was a bit miffed having to carry his weight in pumpkins, even after being injured by a ferociously stubborn carrot (got under his nail so deep the doctor had to take it out!). But no, vandalism is not his style.

Was it the Pru? A feline so terrifying all beetles and crickets run as soon as the back door opens?

Couldn't be. Pru hates veggies. Well what about our other cat, Emma?

No. She couldn't be bothered with anything so labor intensive.

Then, I caught a glimpse of the culprit in the act. I ran for my camera but the scourdral had made his escape. No matter. You are all familiar with him - Tamiasciurus douglasii. Evil squirrel.

No garden is safe. No decoration pristine while he's around doing his dirty work. Let this blogpost be a tale of caution. Beware!

Also, I finished D's hat! I wanted to post a picture of it but he wore it to school. I guess he likes it. Hooray!

*tshirt pic from Zazzle.com

Cozy-ing up by the computer

2009-10-21T07:42:00.000-07:00

I have been working on some quilted cushions to put on the rocking chair I refinished this summer. I decided to use a clam shell pattern. Here's an example pic from www.quiltersmuse.com:

The pattern originated in the 1830s, if I remember correctly, and can be difficult because it's all curves. I decided to piece to tops by hand and it's going well so far.

I love to sew and watch a good movie or something. Add a great cup of tea and it's pure bliss. I just watched Craft In America, which I give no less that a billion stars to. It's a PBS series that explains the history of crafts in this country with interviews from furniture makers, blacksmiths, quilters and jewelry makers. It's so fantastic! And you can see the whole series for free right here.

All of the artists were great. My favorite was Jan Yager. She's a jewelry maker (imagine that) working in Philadelphia. She uses objects she finds in her neighborhood for inspiration. She had a bone necklace similar to this picture, which I found here:

Except hers had several strands and was ancient. She was looking at it, as she explains in her interview in Craft in America, and thought that the maker of the necklace had collected bones, perhaps the bones of his dinner, and made them into a necklace for no real practical purpose. Just a desire to adorn ourselves that human beings apparently always had. She started looking around her immediate environment for things to make jewelry out of and made this:

At first glance, it looks like it could be a bone necklace or at least a tribal necklace of some sort. It's made from vials crack/cocaine in bought in that Yager found around her block. I think it's just fascinating.

Also, I have been watching Jim Henson's The Storyteller, an old series from 1987 where folktales are acted out using fantastic muppets or "creatures from the creature shop" as the credits say.

I'm so happy Netflix has these streaming online!

Giveaway Details

2009-10-17T08:45:00.000-07:00

Okay, now we're in business! After a bit of trouble with my camera, I can now explain the giveaway. First, please download the button to your blog if you enter. It's the first button I've ever made! (See left margin)

If 10 people enter the giveaway, this will be given to one lucky winner whose name will be drawn at random:

Of course, most everything is vintage. I call this the emerald package. Green fabric scraps, the cutest quilted block, buttons, trims, etc. A few surprises will also be sent.

If 20 people enter, I will also give away this:

A sewing bonanza! Lots of vintage cloth, some quite old. Good yardage, too. And also a selection of my favorite trims:

Great stuff, truly. Perfect crafting supplies for when one must hunker down for movies and hot cocoa in the cold weather to come.

To enter, just respond to this post. I'll put all names in a hat and draw one on November 10.

If 30 people respond, another gift package will be added so tell your friends!

Good luck!

Giveaway

2009-10-14T14:21:00.001-07:00

Last Week's Finds

2009-10-07T17:08:00.000-07:00

I went to a happy little estate sale last week. A tiny little house in an old neigborhood where 4 girls were raised - sharing one bedroom! The house was full of girly things. Pretty plastic dolls with handmade outfits, cake decorating supplies, old board games, puzzles with pretty castles and gardens, tea sets and luncheon plates... I was in heaven!

First, I snagged a bag of plastic fall veggies and little Indian chiefs to enhance my pumpkin collection. I think they were meant for fall cupcakes long ago. The whole lot was $2.00!

Next up, a nice aqua plastic sewing organizer for $1.00 and a printed vintage tablecloth for $3.00

A tiny bouquet of the tiniest flowers. What can I use these for?

Old plastic flowers. These were all in the same $3.00 bag. What to use them for? I don't know. They were all so sweet, I couldn't pass them up. Mom C and I have talked about decorating bird houses, so maybe I could use them for that.

Then there are these fellows. A whole army that were in the same bag as the flowers.

Finally, my new aviary.

See the bees? My ma gave me a bunch of these when we decorated bird houses last year and I had them buzzing all over mine which I painted light blue and yellow with vitage brown buttons glued to the sides. Buttons and Bees. Such a good combo.

That's not all. Next post will have the first PEAS PORRIGE GIVEAWAY!!! Keep your eyes peeled. It's a good one!

The Cheapside Hoard

2009-09-29T20:10:00.001-07:00

In 1912, workmen in a tenement in London hacked through floor boards and uncovered the largest selection on 16th century jewelry ever found. Experts speculate it was the property of a jeweler or goldsmith to the middle classes. Most pieces were inexpensive and made for the merchant class, but the stones and metals were of high quality.

Why the hoard was hidden and who exactly owned it remains a mystery.

You can read more about it here.

All photos and more great pieces to drool over can be found at the Museum of London website

The collection is scattered through several London museums which makes me want to plan a field trip to England to try and see the whole hoard.

Anyone game?

Happy Fall to All

2009-09-22T17:55:00.001-07:00

Just set up my pumpkin collection:

This is my latest acquisition. Leafy pumpkin from Mom C:

Little sparkly:

Little shiny:

HAPPY FALL!!!!

Getaway to Glenwood Springs!

2009-09-20T18:30:00.000-07:00

Birthdays are a big deal for me. I like to go on an adventure and do something I don't normally do. Usually, every year D plans something spectacular for my birthday and I plan something spectacular for his. Our birthday celebrations have taken us everywhere.

Last year, we went to Leadville, CO's Pioneer Day Parade.

We stayed in a yurt.

We bathed in healing waters.

Climbed up mountains of sand.

Visited a ghost town.

This year, we did a joint celebration weekend. We just got back. What a wonderful time!

We decided to go to Glenwood Springs. I had always wanted to visit their Fairy Cave.

One of the first families to settle in the area happened upon these large caverns. When they brought lanterns down to take a look, one of the little girls saw the light reflecting off the millions of water droplets covering the cave formations and remarked that it looked as if fairies lived there. The name stuck. The family started conducting tours of the caves and this grew into what is now a large ordeal with rides, pizza, and an olde timey photo booth.

I wanted to go to a cave. We hadn't toured a cave since we got engaged in one two years ago. I love caves, especially wet ones with formations that are still growing so I was pretty excited to get to Glenwood.

To get to the caves, you buy a lift ticket and sit in a big tilt-a-whirl type sphere that is suspended on a thick wire that pulls you up to the top of a mountain, much like a ski lift. This was the view from our sphere.

The cave itself was pretty good. Most of it was dry, which can be expected after 100 years of picnicing families.

After we left the tour, it started to rain. The whole day had been warm and sunny up to then. Now it was rainy and cold. We had inteded to go the Glenwood Springs pool after the cave, but the rain and the crowds were a bit much. I then remembered that a nursing student at work told me there were vapor caves I should look into. I googled them when I got home that day and it appeared to be under some hair salon. Not very impressed, I cut and pasted the info into an email to D and forgot about it.

We decided to drive by and take a peak, for curiousity's sake. We even went in to inquire about prices. It was then I got an idea of how truly cool these caves were.

There is a salon and spa on the top level with Aveda products and everything is modernly furnished with pleasing music being piped in and large, glass water coolers brimming with ice and lemon slices. There is a main room called "The solarium" with a fountain and tropical plants where you can lie about and relax.

There is nothing modern about the caves themselves. They have been treasured for their medicinal vapors for thousands of years. You can read about them here.

You descend a long, narrow staircase and a gust of humidity immediately hits you, leaving droplets of moisture all over your body. Inside, the cave has been carved out like catacombs. There are several small rooms linked together by a long, meandering hallway. Each room has a moat-like gutter carved around it where hot water flows from the rocks. There's a faucet with cool well water that one can fill a basin with to take into his/her little hiding spot. The benches are made of worn, smooth stones.

You can spend all day going from the caves to the solarium for a mere $12.00. Cave visits are also included in any spa service and I GOT A SPA SERVICE!!!

You see, they had reasonably priced body wraps. I always, always wanted to be given a mud bath and it looked like a good opportunity. Though D had no interest in joining me, he told me to go and have fun. I was SOOO happy. It was like crossing something off the bucket list, you know?

Anyhow, this is how it works. You're escorted into a tiny room and told to strip to nada. They give you small towels to put over your private areas and you lie atop a mountain of blankets and a plastic sheet. A warm mixture of clay and herbs is painted on you and they you're wrapped up like a burrito with a warm neck wrap added for extra comfort. They turn off the lights, close the door and leave you in this cocoon-like state for about 40 minutes, give or take. Then you're escourted to a shower to rinse off, you put on a cotton robe and walk away feeling high as a kite. It was worth every penny. I can't wait to get another one.

After the cave, it was off to the bed and breakfast we booked. We tossed our stuff in our room and went for a stroll outside. I was still feeling super from my mud wrap and very affectionate.

I love this guy. And I love my shawl. And I love this guy in my shawl.

We woke up early for what we hoped was to be a long day of hiking. Well, D woke early. And then woke me early.

We stopped at Four Mile Creek, a bed and breakfast that D wanted to stay at, but they didn't have any good rooms left. I still wanted to poke around it because I heard they had a little merchantile set up with folk art and crafts.

As soon as we turned in, I screamed "STOP THE CAR!! I gotta get out!" D obliged.

Kitties. Everywhere. The owner came up and explained that their barn cat had a litter a few months ago. Most of them were cute orange stripeys. He said we could have one. He even offered to give us a carrier. D said no. I wanted to take home at least one, but was contented with a bar of sweet smelling herbal soap from the merchantile. We got along great with the owner, a retired Denver fire fighter with a love for antiques. He had restored the barn himself and made it into a beautiful guest house. There were log cabins, too. The main house had a cozy common area filled with collections of buttons, toys, books, bullets- you name it! His wife was clearing away the breakfast dishes and was really nice, too. We told them we would stay there as soon as we could get away next!

Then it was off to hiking. We didn't get to do the hike we wanted because the weather had turned dark. We were able to get in a good hike and admire the Aspen changing colors.

Driving home was awful. There was road construction, traffic, pouring rain....and then it started to SNOW! Wowee! After a few hours of this, we decided to stop at Beau Joe's for our favorite Colorado pizza. We earned it!

Swap!

2009-09-15T19:51:00.000-07:00

Hooray! When I got home I had a HUGE package waiting for me from my swap buddy!!

I was so excited. The "I love pink and aqua" swap was the 1st swap I ever participated in. The rules stated to include at least one craft supply, one thing you made and spend about $15 not including shipping. I really agonized over what to get my swap partner. I scoured her website looking for clues on what she might like. I searched thrift shops, estate sales, garage sales. I asked anyone who was around to look at the package I was assembling to give me an honest opinion. I sent the package priority mail and crossed my fingers...

And I got an email back saying it was received AND LOVED!!!! Hooray! And then I got my package soon afterward and love,love,love the contents!

Here's what I got:

Can you see the adorable pink and aqua plates and cups? They remind me of lunchroom trays in a cafeteria. I can't wait to use them for TV dinners with D. In the back there's a velvet jewelry box - something I always have a use for.

And check out the paper goodies - big pink hearts to string on a garland maybe, cards she made, envelopes and places for tiny notes. Also, lots of embroidery floss in shades of aqua and pink.

Funky patterned fabric quarters to use in the cushions I'm making for the rocking chair I refinished this summer!

She made me these tiny notebooks! I use notebooks all the time at work and always look for cute ones like this.

Pretty vintage pin. Love the pearls!

Fancy star boxes with lots of pink and aqua buttons.

Needless to say, my cat was impressed.

Cute little cupcake that grows in water. So sweet!

Here's a closeup of one of the cards she made. They're the perfect size for sending recipes or short thankyous. The cookie book is a find, too. Great recipes to try!

I also got a fun tin of candy scented lip gloss that for some reason I didn't get a photo of. I know I immediately used it so maybe I didn't put it back on the table afterwards! Speaking of missed photo ops, when I opened the package, everything was wrapped separately in little pink and aqua tissue papper bundles. It looked so pretty. I wish I had been able to control my excitement. But being me, I tore into it squealing with glee and just made a terrible mess of it. Oh well.

Here's the package I sent her:

I knew she quilted, so I tried to get a sewing theme going. I found this little wicker sewing basket and glued sequins to the top.

The inside was pink gingham. All my collected treasures fit snuggly inside.

I found a vintage pattern and embroidered it all in aqua. If you can't tell, it's two busy bees working hard at sewing. One has a needle and one has a thimble. I then appliqued my embroidery to a potholder made of vintage fabric.

Here's a closeup of the pin I included. I also gave her a bit of the fabric I used for the potholder. I just loved that fabric. If you look closely, you'll see there are tiny deer hidden in the print.

Pink buttons, pink plastic glittery bells and a little girl's apron with pink and blue flowers.

Vintage trims and ultra fine glitter.

Well, I've just GOT to get to bed or I'll be a zombie for my patients in the morning.

Take care!

Going Home

2009-09-13T12:46:00.000-07:00

So I went home to Chicago for the weekend to visit my sister and ma. It was a quick jaunt. Got in Thurs night and left today in the wee hours of the morn so I didn't have a chance to hang out with old buddies or go to all my favorite shops. I mostly went home to see this:

Do you remember Mystery Science Theatre 3000? It's those guys. Minus Mike. Joel's there. So's TV's Frank and Pearl and they're all very funny. Totally worth it.

And before the show, we went here. This was by far the best Renegade I've been to. It was huge and people came from everywhere! Tons of really neat jewelry and clothes. Not just the usual felt stuffed animals and knitted scarves, but real cool pieces that took a lot of time and effort. (Don't worry, you can still score a silkscreened t-shirt with an octopus or cartoon sushi).

So I wanted to treat myself to something cool and I was immediately drawn to the jewelry booths and this girl in particular:

I love how her pieces tell a story. Her compositions are original and thoughtful. Some have vintage or antique parts, some have casts she made of antiques.

This necklace was for sale as just the ring. It's a Slavic engagment ring from the 16th century, excavated in the Baltics.

Every piece is a curiousity. Looking at her wares was like reading Smithsonian magazine. All these little nooks of history and experience the world has to offer and I have yet to explore!

I almost bought this:

Made from a cast of a wax seal, I was drawn to the nautical theme. I love nautical things. Especially ones with Victorian sentiment attached. I always have. Later in life, after jaunts on ferries and whale watching, it is apparent I have no sea legs whatsoever. Boo.

***All the above jewelry photos were taken from Erica Weiner Jewelry's website. Please contact her for purchasing info.

This is what I did buy:

Vertebrae were made into a mold and cast in brass. It was pricey for me but I just fell in love with it. And I don't really mind doling out a bit more to have an interesting piece from a good artist.

Best Friends - Old and New

2009-09-08T16:44:00.000-07:00

This afternoon I went to the post office to send off my swap partner's package for the "I Love Pink and Aqua". I was pretty happy with the results, I must say. When she gets the package, I'll post pictures of what I sent.

When I started collecting for the swap, I first went to my jewelry stash to look for a good piece to either give to her or get inspiration from. No swap package made by me would be complete without some lovely bauble, bangle, or bead.

I found this, which, when bought for $2.00 at an estate sale, became my favorite necklace for a good two months.

The adjustable length and rhinestone/pearl combo made it perfect with every outfit. And the price was astounding.

I looked for blue and found the following:

Oh, how I adore this broach! I just couldn't part with it. Especially after losing a rhinestone and finding the perfect replacement in my stash. Can YOU spot the repair? Of course not. This guy had a $2.00 price tag as well, incidentally.

Now this is a beauty I really thought of including. Really, really, truly.

This I got at my favorite new thrift shop, Cajun's Closet. It is the thrift shop that supports the Cat Care Society. Here's their web page.

If you live in Denver, PLEASE GO TO THIS STORE. It's for your own good! Incredibly well organized, cute displays, good prices and daily discounts. One day a week, if you bring in a can of cat food, you get 10% off an item. You can bring up to 5 cans for a savings of 50% off one item. There are also student discount and senior citizen discount days. And if you're up to it after a great shopping spree, cross the parking lot and go to the shelter. It's a clean, modern building with very friendly staff. Just tell them you want to pet the kitties and they'll be OVERJOYED! Seriously! I'm an animal lover and love just spending time with cats and dogs, but most shelters are wary of strangers coming in, especially ones with no intention of finding a pet to take home. It's understandable. They want to do what they think is best for the animals. But it's still a bummer to encounter these folks.

This shelter is probably the best I've ever been to. The animals are all healthy and obviously well taken care of. They are separated into small groups of 4-6 in small rooms, each equipped with a screened in balcony accessible by cat door and loads of toys, beds and ledges to climb on. It's also very clean. There's a little shop area in the front that sells pet toys and kitty knick knacks.

Anyhow, back to the bracelet:

I just love the clasp. It is decorated with little stars each with a tiny pearl in the center. Such detail! A good score for $3.00. I ended up not including it because of the beads - some were purple and some of the pearl beads were worn. Also, it's a very tiny bracelet.

And here's another piece that didn't make the cut:

More royal than aqua. Cute, though. And great on a sweater. With sweater weather coming up, I'm glad to have it in my drawer.

So, I'm dying to show what I DID include, but will have to wait. Instead, let's talk about my new treasures. Last week, my in-laws (aka mom and dad c.) were visiting. This left little time for garage sales. Mom C. and I did shop, shop, shop which was great though. Being new to Denver and low on girlfriends, I rarely go to boutiques and loved having a fellow shopper around. I've spoken of Mom C. before. She's got a great sense of style and a stash of killer costume jewelry so shopping with her is always great fun.

Mom and Dad C stayed with Mom C's cousins, M&L. M&L are the closest family we have in Denver and are awesome, to say the least. Smart, funny and with an open door policy - I'm a big M&L fan. L is a doctor with a wealth of experience and always a good word of advice. M is a professional organizer (have you seen the new A&E show hoarders? She helps people like that). M also has a cool sense of style and blends old with new flawlessly. She knows where to find great antiques and also owns modern art and somehow everything fits seamlessly.

Anyhow, the last night Mom and Dad C. were here, we went to M&L's for dinner. M made a great birthday cake celebrating the birthdays of me, D and probably Dad C., since his b-day is around mine, although he let us blow out the candles. D made homemade ice cream. What a feast!

At the end of the meal, M gave me a sandwich baggie filled with goodies from cleaning out a client's mess. She knows I love jewelry and asked if I had any interest in the bag's contents. Here's what was in the bag:

First, bits and pieces. Little broken bracelets and single earings. All precious and useful. I love this earing especially:

I so wish I had the pair! It's like a piece of stardust. This picture doesn't do it justice. I've got to figure out a way to use it.

Little blue flowers that were once a bracelet or necklace. Also no plans yet for this, but who can resist their charm?

Here's an autumn set with amber rhinestones and gold leaves. One earring is missing a leaf, but the pin is perfect and I'll be sporting it soon.

Here's an interesting pin. It's missing a few stones. The back is marked sterling, so when I get a chance, I'll give it a good cleaning and see what I get. I'll also straighten out some prongs and post the result.

Lastly, a bracelet and necklace set.

The necklace is broken, unfortunately. At the dinner table, I discussed these pieces with M and Mom C and we were all interested in them because they were so heavy and well made. At home, I examined them further and found the name Trifari on the clasp of ther bracelet. Apparently, this was a very well known costume jewelry company. Started in 1918, many pieces command a high price and there are many collectors eager for pieces that brandish the Trifari crown logo. Though my set is probably not worth much, it's still an interesting history.

Well, that's it for now!

Bringing In The Harvest

2009-08-29T18:41:00.000-07:00

So since we moved into our little home, I've been obsessed with gardening. Not just my own little Eden, but growing things in general. I guess it's the next step in embracing the pioneer lifestyle. When D wanted to move out west, we packed up our little Hondas and, with our fathers along for the ride, we were a modern day wagon train of sorts. We even had the cats with us - like modern day oxen! Except, they don't haul anything or make themselves useful in any way.

Cute though.

I got very into making things for our new homestead. I always loved making things, but now, after nursing school and wedding plans were a thing of the past, I could craft in full force. I refinished furniture, made plant hangers, embroidered linens, knit like a fiend. And I planned how I would start my little garden, own chickens and alpacas, spin yarn and collect eggs in a hand woven basket.

Little by little, I achieve these goals. My garden is wonderful. However, I get a little sad when I read about other people's gardens and how they are pickling and canning and freezing and dehydrating. Have you seen this woman?

Check out her vids at www.maryjanesfarm.org

So I picked up her mag at my grocery store after a recommend. I like her. In a lot of ways I agree with her. She ties on that apron and insulates her house and if the world ended tomorrow, she'd have enough dehydrated lentil soup to feed her town for several months. That's just great. But what about MY dehydrated lentil soup? What about Denver? How will I feed Denver?

**At this point I take a few deep breaths and say out loud "baby steps, now. Remember - baby steps make a garden, baby steps will make a harvest... things go
slow..."**

And if you are like me and read Mary Jane's Farm, you know that for the farm girls who harvest only 1 cucumber (and it was a nice cucumber) MJ's sells her food or you can shell out more clams to go to her farm in Idaho and pick apples or whatever.

In MJ's mag, it seems like a consolation prize. Like saying "Well, tough tushies. Try again next year." And I would if it wasn't for this publication I stumbled upon:

I love this mag. I LOVE IT!!!!!!! Sorry for all you guys that live at sea level! This mag tells it like it is for up high altitude folk. And how it is includes:

1) It's hard to grow anything here

2) Don't try growing fruit up here

and most importantly...

3) Real pioneers always utilized whatever resources were available

Hooray!

What does that mean?

Well, for pioneers of old, that meant waiting around for different peddlers to come knocking with peaches or apples or whatever they had. You'd buy loads and then can or, later with the invention of refrigeration, freeze different preparations for later use. Among us mountain folk it's the way of the world. Process someone else's harvest because it's impossible to harvest your own due to natural phenomena you cannot control!

So, as tomatoes drop from $1.99 lb to 66 cents lb and I glance out my window at the tomato plants I own struggling with their tiny green fruits, I sigh with a smirk and toss another store bought 'mater into the food processor. The pureed goodness grown by someone I'll never meet, will soon be part of a large slow cooked marinara that would make my nona proud and will feed this homestead for many months to come.

Sorry this post had no vintage finds! You had to listen to me rant about gardening 2 weeks in a row! Bummer! It won't happen again. And, as a consolation, let me give you my nona's recipe for a nice red sauce.

Now this is exactly as my nona told me so all of you who like things like "measurements" or "exact amounts", beware!

To start, you toss something like 20 or 25 tomatoes into the food processor. Or whatever you got. Make sure to cut off those ugly tops because no one wants to see those. Okay, now you've got a food processor full of tomatoes (*in nona speak, this means full to the brim or at least 4 cups of pure tomato puree) all smooshed up. Good.

NOW - take a couple cloves of garlic. A COUPLE MEANS TWO!! Two cloves. Make sure they're fat. Or you can use 3 but that's it. Cut 'em up real fine. Put 'em in a pot with a little olive oil (*in nona speak, this means 3-4 tbsp) and put it on low heat. You can put a little onion in if you want (* nona translation - Use about 1 c sweet yellow onion chopped fine) and wait for everything to turn clear. Now you add your tomatoes, maybe some spices (*nona speak again. Translation: 1 tsp dried oregano, 2 tsp dried basil, 1 tsp dried parsley, 1/2 tsp dried rosemary, 2 tsp black pepper and 2 tsp salt). Keep everything going on low heat. Stir every once in awhile. (For extra authenticity, keep wooden spoon on a ceramic spoon rest with "Miami" or something scrolled on it next to stove and use to stir sauce). Do your laundry or whatever you do. In about 12 hours, you gotta nice sauce. Freeze it.

See ya next week!

Plate Picnic in the Garden!

2009-08-22T16:44:00.000-07:00

I feel like it's been ages since my last post! I've been busy, busy, busy lately but my days off this week were full of housekeeping and crafting. It was so relaxing! I don't think I've used my little craft room more than twice since we moved here but this week I actually embroidered for hours in there watching TV. It was wonderful.

This "I Love Pink and Aqua" swap I'm doing requires participants to make an item for their partner so I spent a few hours going through my treasures. When we moved in, I organized as best I could and actually labeled all my tins and boxes as to what was inside. Wow, what a help. I used to think "What do I need labels for? I can remember where I put my buttons and where the rick-rack is." I realize now I was lying to myself. In the jungle that is the craft room, there is no rhyme or reason one can follow. And there is certainly no remembering the contents of one tiny sewing basket to the next. I am now a labeler. And I encourage you to be one, too.

Enough digression, on with the post!

This above photo is of my garden. I always wanted/never had a garden of my own. When we were looking for a house, I pretty much let David pick it. As long as I could have a garden, I was happy. Our second day here, I planted. Since we don't own this house, I felt I shouldn't remove the landscaping rocks and whatnot. I'm sure my landlord would've said I could. They are very nice and gardeners themselves, but I felt like just experimenting this year and using a lot of containers.

These containers I found at the Dollar Tree. They're cute and look like metal but are really made of thin,cheap plastic. I poked a few holes at the bottom and planted lettuce and spinach, which have shallow roots. I also have pots of Rainbow Swiss Chard, Rainbow Carrots and kale.

I did most planting about a week ago, but it's an ongoing process. Basically, whenever a yard sale or thrift shop has a pot for pretty cheap I buy it and then immediately plant something in it. I just got about 10 pots for $3.00 from a neighbors moving sale. D helped me bring them home and said something like "Well that'll do it, right? I mean, if you find a vintage, cool looking pot that's okay. But we're pretty much done planting stuff, right?" Hmmmmmm...maybe.....

But then I see this:

And I feel like there's so much more I can plant!!

I recently had my first harvest:

The apron in this pic I'm wearing is gorgeous, by the way. A birthday gift from my siblings-in-law who are both awesome. When I first opened the box I thought "What a gorgeous apron! What in the world am I going to do with it? It's too nice to wear while I'm working!" I've had these thoughts before about aprons I own but I've never had such a nice one as this. First of all, it covers your whole front. Second, it has deep pockets. Third, it's well made. So after having it draped decoratively over a chair for a week or so, I said "What the heck, aprons were meant for work so I'm going to use it!" I slipped it over my head, tied it in the back and cleaned my house. Then I weeded the garden and picked my cuke.

My conclusion? Aprons are great. They keep you clothes clean and give your extra pockets for supplies and what nots.They SHOULD be used and used thoroughly. When ratty and in need of a new one, make or buy a new one. I don't see the point in buying vintage aprons or any cute aprons and just looking at them. Especially when it is an item that really helps one complete domestic chores efficiently. After using my birthday apron religiously this week, I must say I am pro-apron. Thanks, sibs!

On with the show. Having such a great time in the garden, I decided to bring out my stash of newly acquired plates and have a plate picnic. This idea was seconded by my cat:

Who never seems to want to go inside anymore. I hope she's not turning feral. Well, she's already a wee bit feral if you ask me.

Let's start with this one that D found:

And the back, of course:

D found this for $1.00 at an estate sale. It looks like it has never been used. The flowers are so fresh and glossy. I tried looking up the pattern, which is called "Linda" with no results. At the same sale, I found this:

And D for some reason LOVED it. I only got it after looking at the back and seeing that the pattern was called "Arctic Night." I like that name. It makes those plain blue daisies intriguing. Like they're covered in ice and very far away and used eskimo weddings and only bloom at night so they're hard to spot...

I digress. Next plate!

Not much to say about that plate. I got it for cheap at the Goodwill. It's okay. If it breaks, it won't be the end of the world. If someone emails me that they think it's the most beautiful plate in the world and gives them heart palpitations just looking at it, I'll gladly send it to them. We can swap. You send me a cool vintage plant pot (with drainage holes) and you get the plate. Deal?

These last 2 I got by myself exploring a Salvation Army off the highway I had never been to but always wanted to visit. They were 45 cents each!

When I got home, D was on the couch doing his teacher-homework. I told him I went to a new thrift and he wanted to see the goods. I gave him the two plates. "Cool" he said and immediately turned them over to examine the backs. "Very cool. Did you look up these patterns yet?"

And this is why I love my husband. If you're going to get married, marry your true love. If you can't find your true love, keep looking. I'm telling you, it's worth it. Turning over plates to inspect the backs, always being up for a trip to the ice cream shop, driving miles to surprise me with a festival or carnival or whatever...these are just a few reasons I love my husband. Maybe it's the newlywed in me talking (it's only been 2 years), but hot dog do I love that man!

I'll end this post with a chair update. I finished sanding and ended up with this:

Next time, I'll post what it looks like after a coat of dark walnut stain.

Until then, keep rummaging for those treasures!

Some People Have All The Luck

2009-08-08T18:16:00.000-07:00

And I am not "some people" this week. I usually hit the estate sales on Friday but was out of town. I went to a few this morning. I got a free cowboy sculpture which is pretty rad and now on my front porch. I also scored a Pyrex bowl to replace the one "the cat" broke. But I don't think either of these really merit a photo op. Especially after seeing these on Nifty Thrift (http://www.flickr.com/groups/niftythrift/)

Love these glasses. I'm a sucker for any tumblers with gold printed images. It's actually a bad thing because I can't do dishes by hand. I hate it. I'm not good at it. Everything in the dishwasher. Even my glasses. That means pretty gold details crossing my thresh hold are soon obliterated. Good thing I wasn't the one to find these lovelies. Not so for this plate though:

When I got married 2 years ago, I refused to register for dishes. I had my dishes, as far as I was concerned. Meticulously collected from thrift stores, rummage sales, etc. A vintage goldmine where no one dines off the same pattern. My table is a rainbow of colors, patterns and eras when I host a dinner party (I also have a penchant for 1950s-1960s appetizers, but I'll save that for another day). This plate is just too cute. I wish I could see the back. I love plates with maker's marks. The tramp stamp of crockery attracting all kinds of vintage junkies.

Well, that's all for now. Thanks for stopping by!

Crafty Stock-ups

2009-07-31T17:36:00.000-07:00

Today I had quite a bit of luck in the craft department as far as the estate sale haul. It was super fun digging through all the fabric and sewing notions with my ma. She caught some things I would've missed.

Like this:

A dresser scarf half finished with such a pretty peacock. I got another one just like it that hasn't been worked on. At this particular garage sale, the lady was selling fabric - and this included those scarves - by the bag. Price of bag? $1.00!

At another sale I got the crewel kit that's keeping the fabric company for $1.00. It includes a zipper and a lining and instructions. I've never done crewel before, but this looks like a lovely project. I like having a stash of little project kits. Especially come winter when going out thrifting is not so pleasant. Nothing like a little project, an old movie and a long afternoon free.

We also came across these:

They all came together in a bag and we waited until we got home to separate them all out and divide them between us. What fun! And I found a few treasures for the I Heart Pink and Aqua Swap I joined.

For $2.50, I scored a Weave It at another sale

It makes the cutest little square coasters. I was thinking of making some to border a small square hooked rug did a few years ago. We'll see what happens. I'm still working on that chair and D's (my husband's) hat. I've been itching to make a rug though lately. Ever since D decided to make a little office in our basement, I've wanted to make him a rug. Just to make the place a little more comfy. He has said he likes the austere, light bulb dangling from a cord, no nonsense atmosphere of the basement because it helps him concentrate. All I can think is cold tootsies!

Other finds were all for the garden. I've been looking for garden statues since we moved in. They are scarce and the ones I do find are in boutiques for prices I can't even pay for indoor bric-a-brac. These were all $1.00-$2.00 a piece.

D has been having good luck with finds, too. Check out our new fish plate:

And our new artwork. It tells a story I find inspirational.

So, that's all for now. Time to enjoy my fam. I leave you with pics of earings purchased at Classic Facets from the costume jewelry drawers. The fine jewelry I'd give my teeth for, but they don't take teeth for payment. Just gobs of cash I do not have. I wish they'd hurry up and put pieces for sale on the web.

My new earings

Ma's new earings

Fantasy Friends

2009-07-30T10:12:00.000-07:00

Still on the subject of jewelry, check out these lovelies:

The Carmen Lucia Ruby

A gorgeous emerald cameo

Both are from our national collection at the Smithsonian. I was lucky enough to see all the lovelies in person!

That's me and the Hope Diamond. The largest blue diamond, I believe, in the world.

Gorgeous, isn't it? Probably would look great with my newly thrifted jean shorts and a white cotton tank top. You know, everyday wear.

You can see more of our national gem and mineral collection here:
http://mineralsciences.si.edu/collections.htm

Or, you can get the guide. I have it and it was a great purchase. It has tons of closeup shots and histories for most pieces.

http://www.smithsonianstore.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=15547&parentCategoryId=3302&categoryId=3306

Time to pick up ma for a trip to Classic Facets. If I splurge (or she splurges) I'll post the pics.

A Girl's Best Friends

2009-07-29T06:56:00.000-07:00

My mother is visiting right now. My sister-in-law was here last week and together we scoped out the best boutiques in Denver and Boulder. My mother will now get to enjoy all our hard work and simply waltz into the best of the best. One stop I'm very excited to go to is an antique jewelry store in Boulder.

http://www.classicfacets.com/Welcome.html

I had been there a year or so before but this time I noticed a wall of old drawers. I inquired as to what was in them. Costume jewelry was the answer. Organized by time period, color...

I started to have palpitations. I am a BIG jewelry fan. Fine, costume, candy - you name it, I wear it. Would you like a peak into my collection?

Here are a few of my pins. All vintage. The parrot on the far left was a gift from my mother-in-law who shares my love of vintage jewelry and came across a cache of fabulous treasures from my husband's aunt or grandmother on his Dad's side. I can't remember which. I spent a few hours in May labeling old photos of his family taken in the 1930s and 1940s and I can tell you that both women had impressive wardrobes complete with accessories to die for (sigh).

The three tiny buttons for Liberty Loans, Pacific Mutual, and Hoover came in a miscellaneous bag of buttons and notions I bought years ago at a thrift store. I probably only paid $1.00. The circular rhinestone broach was a gift from my mother. The large rhinestone flower was a gift from my mother-in-law from an estate sale. The two colorful flowers were $2.00 a piece at an estate sale. Finally, my little friend pressed against the side was 50 cents at a garage sale. It belonged to an eccentric aunt, I was told. It's a sweater pin. The head has a pin on the back and so does the tail-like part. You wear them one on each side of a sweater as a type of closure.

I have a very stupid, stupid allergy. I can't wear earrings. None. Not gold ones, not hypo-allergenic, not titanium. Nothing goes in the holes in my ears. Sometimes I do try and within a few hours my glands swell and my ears get red and it's just not a pretty site. I can wear clip ons, however, and have amassed quite a collection of screw backs as well as clips. Some are very old. I get them relatively cheap since most modern women do not enjoy clip ons or screw backs. Here are just a few pairs.

The gold pairs with the aqua colored rhinestones were $1.00 a pair at a rummage sale. The shell ones were 50 cents. The pink flowers were $2.00 at an estate sale.

The blue tiles with the seagulls are probably my favorites. They are from the same cache of awesomeness the parrot pin came from. I was taking a second look with my husband's aunt. She was the one to find them. "Look at these!", she said. I glanced over and shrugged. No, no, no, she insisted. I should take them, too. "They're unusual", she said. She was right. I love them and never wear them without getting a compliment. Especially if I wear them to an antique show. The dealers go ga-ga. I married into a very smart family. Lucky girl am I.

Oh, and that tiny silver ring? It has the smallest of acorns on it. A gift from my husband who bought it on the sly from a garage sale.

So, now I'm off to the gym while mommy has a conference call. Then, we shop. Oh, do we shop!

Dirty Panda, Dirty Chair, Dirty Me

2009-07-25T17:33:00.000-07:00

This was the grungiest of conquests I have had in a long time. Meet my new friends:

The little green circular sticker reads $10.00. What a steal for what must be an antique rocking chair. Look at that lovely dark wood -

Oh, wait a minute, what's this?

It appears I can easily write my name in this dark wood. Why, it's not the color of the wood at all that I'm seeing but decades and decades of dirt and dust. And if it's covered in dirt and dust, then it can only mean one thing -

IT'S A TREASURE!!!!

Just like my other pal here

That little red dot means he was 25 cents. This is because he's missing an ear. But who could resist a face like this?

So, after my garage sales and what nots on Friday, I had a lot of work to do.

And after a good scrub, Panda was ready to dry in the sun, nestled in his new garden home.

The chair, however, was a different story.

Now what to do? I could paint it I guess. Or maybe paint the cushion (which is ugly). I could sand it down to a more even, natural color. Whatever I do, I now have a project. I really thought all I needed to do was hose this baby off and I'd be rockin' by dinnertime. No such luck.

Today was a perfect day to hike about in the mountains. The wonderful thing about living in Denver is that you're never but 20 minutes by car to a beautiful mountain trail with loads of interesting rock formations, sunny meadows, cool shady nooks and (my favorite) bunches of colorful native wildflowers. A couple bottles of water and a quick slathering of sunscreen and you're set for exploring nature at it's best.

Bee Balm grove

Indian Paintbrush

Does anyone know what this is?

Such a pretty hike.

And when we got home, there were projects a plenty to work on. I sanded down the chair. So now it looks like this:

One more job sanding and then comes the stain.

And for bedtime, there's always my husband's hat to work on

(yawn) And I think it's about that time now. Goodnight to all!

picnics, pin cushions and pretties

2009-07-18T18:15:00.000-07:00

What a nice few days off last week. Went to a few estate sales and garage sales but didn't come across the motherlode I was (and always am) hoping for.

Pretty tablecloth with matching napkins. Garage sale purchase. The lady had many lovely linens but this set was priced just right at $5.00

Makes a nice background for some great buttons I found at another garage sale. They were all in a sewing table drawer. I think I bought the lot for less than $5.00 including the curious eye glass.

And I finally finished winding some soft alpaca yarn into a ball. I love alpaca and I bought this bit at an alpaca store in a little mountain town on my first wedding anniversary, telling my husband it would someday be a snugglt hat for him on our snow shoeing adventures.

Oh no.

Nothing is safe in this house. Especially yarn.

One can control the situation with button force.

I also bought a very nice and long set of double points. They are made of pine and so smooth! Just a pleasure to knit with. I love working with double points and prefer it to circulars. With circulars, I always have ones that are too long. The wire reminds me of some painful catheter-like object that wants to poke me in the eye at work (RNs know what I mean). It's hard to find good, long double points. I was very happy to come across these. I was also happy to come across this practical little info on double point hats:
http://www.ehow.com/how_4762176_knit-hat-double-pointed-needles.html
Just a nice bit of info to use as a spring board for your own patterns and yarn. I love patterns but hate having to use the yarn the author chose and fool around with gauges. I am resistant. This stubborness is responsible for many 75% finished projects that are hanging up in little individual tote bags in my craft room closet. Like a small yarn graveyard perfectly arranged for my mother to tsk at (she's a knitting teacher, you know). I'll have to do a post on this sad little corner of my house. Maybe even given these away to new homes that will finish and cherish them. But that's for another time.

I close with pictures of a wonderful garden I went to with my husband. I woke up early on Saturday and made my way to the Highlands area of Denver where, after a good cuppa, I went to this cheese monger:
http://www.stkilianscheeseshop.com/

I bought some nice cheeses and crackers. Then I woke up hubby, dusted off a picnic set we received after our engagement, packed up some choice condiments and went here:

http://www.hudsongardens.org/

What a nice day for a picnic!

Just love these pin cushion flowers! I wish I had them in my little garden.

Recent Finds

2009-07-16T17:25:00.000-07:00

I want to share some recent finds. Tomorrow, I'm going to many estate and garage sales and will probably be to intrigued by my new pretties to post the pics I've already taken of past treasures.

Here is a tin I bought last week at an estate sale for $3.00:

So pretty! I have no idea how old this tin is. I think it's worth more than $3.00 though. Apparently, so did the former owner - she glued tiny squares of felt to each corner of the box.

I love this little bug in the picture:

The only mark on it is a little "made in England" stamp. I wish I knew more about it.

When we moved into our house, I found this mirror in the basement:

I asked my landlord about it and she said it must've been there since they bought the house and that I could have it. The gilded woodwork is broken off on one side, but the mirror has aged so beautifully.

Finally, I found these fruit crates at another sale and bought them both for $5.00:

They were already painted white except for the tops that were left with the original labels:

Well, I hope I find a treasure tomorrow.

2009-07-15T19:24:00.001-07:00

I am finally starting a blog. A place to chronicle things I make, ideas I have, adventures I go on. Hooray!

I'd like to introduce myself. From a very early age, I liked to be independent and self sufficient. I wanted to someday live in a house I built, eating food I grew off dishes I made in clothes I had sewn. My favorite books included a cook book from the depression by a woman named Miriam B. Loo.

I liked how she detailed meals you could make out of nothing. Also, Free Stuff For Kids. I still find myself addressing general inquiries as "Dear Sir or Madame:"

Fast forward. In high school, I was a punky kid, spending as much time as I could painting, drawing and thrifting. These turned into life long loves. Here's a picutre of a washstand in my studio. I got it for $60.00 at an estate sale. A hefty price for me, but I loved the hardware and the fact all the drawers were lined with old newspapers. On the very top of the bookshelf are two red figurines of Chinese children made in 1950. This was one of my first vintage buys. Not worth much, but they've been my good pals for a decade.

College rolled around and I insisted on going as well as paying my own way and majoring in art. I worked at a little independent bookstore and racked up insane student loans I have yet to make a dent in. I learned how to make stuff I always wanted to make. At graduation, I could sew, bind my own books, draw really well, cook decently, knit, crochet, embroider, batik, silkscreen, etch on metal, stretch canvas, paint a fresco and at the tail end, refinish furniture. Pretty good haul of tricks, I'd say. Here's a picture of a Lane Cedar chest I refinished recently. I got it for $20.00. It was painted with an ugly, very dated cream paint with flecks of dirty looking gold. Like something for a little girl's room circa 1960s. Not good. I wish I had a before picture. But here's the result - great coffee table with an arts and crafts era feel and storage for all my holiday decor.

Lane, I believe, stll makes these heavy duty cedar chests and they are not that pricey. An old one can be had easily for less than $50. If you have patience and furniture stripper, you get a great piece of furniture. Honestly, I don't know why more people haven't discovered these things. I can't wait to happen upon another. A side note, you can find out how old your Lane chest is by examining the lock, among other things. Seems like many a year ago, too many children were getting locked inside these chests and suffocating or whatever and they replaced their old locks with push button locks that require no key. Mine is of the push button variety as you can see here:

Fast forward again. I met a wonderful. wonderful guy and got married. We both share a love of vitage collectables and odd ball adventures. At our wedding, our center pieces were constructed out of vitage bud vases we would find for a dollar or less at thrift shops, estate sales, garage sales, etc. They were filled with peonies and lotus buds. We let whoever expressed an interest in them to take them, not wanting to lug them home (there were over 300 I think). My wonderful mother did happen to snatch up one of the best ones as a keepsake for me.

On the bottom is a fancy old sticker that reads "Slaugh's Price, Utah" It adds a sweet vintage flavor to our display of wedding gift finery.

We just moved into our first house with my first ever garden. I'm very into gardening right now and survey my tiny tomato plants every morning while brushing my teeth. I also splurged on this magazine "Grow" which I read cover to cover in the parking lot of my gym shortly after purchase. I recommend it to anyone thinking about a garden. Patti Moreno is just amazing.

Here is their website where there is a lot of garden know-how. http://www.vegetablegardener.com/grow

I'm always doing something new, learning new tidbits. And now I have a place to put them. Right here. As I said before - Hooray!