Why Am I Watching Old Cartoons?

This morning I started singing the theme song to an old cartoon called "The Funny Company".  I probably haven't seen or even given thought to this show in about 40 years.  Why it came to mind today, I am still trying to figure out.  Due to the magic of computers, I didn't have to rack my brain much.  It was a quick google and click onto the YouTube link.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rx3iOuLf-3Q

A bunch of kids and other characters hiding out in a clubhouse.  I remember a character named "Shrinking Violet" who disappeared whenever she was embarrassed.  At least that's what I remember.  Thanks to the internet and it's promotion of instant gratification, I didn't have to call anyone or go to the library.  Or think.  I just googled it and found clips, the theme song, and everything else that I had forgotten about.  I even remembered most of the words.  This led me to another long, lost, but not forgotten show, "Tennessee Tuxedo".   Best part of the show?  When they went to see Mr. Whipple, who could answer any question with his chalkboard diagrams that came to life.  Mind you, I was watching all of this in Black and White.  I remember getting total enjoyment out of a 12" bubble front t.v. in gray scale.  Things have really changed.

Once again, I fell asleep last night without finishing my post.  What you see above is actually what I wrote last night...now, for the life of me, I can't remember why it was so important!  But anyway, I just had my son watch an episode with me (5 min.) and he said "why is this so boring?" in response to an educational segment (which I'd forgotten about) inserted in the middle of the cartoon.  I remember now...a micro-mini, filmed documentary was part of the show.  My response?  "That's why I'm so smart!"

I was very excited to receive a request from a potential customer, asking for a specific accessory for her home.  It didn't take me long to find it, even though I had to trek to the other side of town to get it.  If she decides not to buy it, I'll have it for another time.  It's good to have people take my "finding" skills seriously!  It's a cool piece, and I will have to post pics once I redo it.  It's gonna be great...but no more hints...it's a surprise!

I received more paint in the mail today, and that can only mean one thing.  Shoes!  I'm itching to paint another pair.  The colors are crazy bright so shades will be required for viewing.

Still excited about this find...a vintage batik print on velvet velour  heck, I don't know what surface this is.  It's very soft--and is super clean.  I can't wait to find a spot to hang it.  I have found nothing about this artist, Marilyn Kayton, so if you have any information to share, I would be most appreciative!  It is definitely time to redecorate something because I'm back to lying awake at night, rearranging furniture and mixing paint in my head.  The colors above will play a big part, perhaps providing the inspiration for someone's bedroom redo.  Will it be you?  

I'm still trying to figure out how to put this all together.  My love for writing, finding, decorating, cooking, gardening and making people laugh.  Maybe I should be the set designer on a sitcom about a chef in the 60's--who grows all the food he cooks. That should pretty much cover it.  Well, up early tomorrow for a house clean-out, so I guess I should close before I fall asleep, in which case I'll close anyway.  But I would have no control over what I might write.  And that could be bad.  

Food, Fun, Family...not necessarily in that order!

I tend to do my best thinking when I'm driving which means I can't write any of it down.  If my kids are with me, I always have them write things down for me.  Yesterday I had them write three things:  Clouds (a project I thought up while driving north after 7p.)  The sky always looks amazing out of my drivers' side window and Sunday was no different.  Clear blue, fluffy yet orderly white clouds, and that really cool hole that's created when the evening sun decides to shine through and touch the ground one last time before disappearing. (No pics, sad face, but I thought of a way to preserve them!)  Also, Student Driver.  This is something I thought of because my son is learning to drive and I can just feel the other drivers glaring at us when he's being more careful than they'd like.  A Student Driver sign would likely soften most people's hearts.  I was just going to print one out, but there are (of course there are!) lots of them to be purchased.  Why didn't I think of this before?  The third thing on the list was batteries.  I have had so much luck finding really (really) great vintage the past couple of weeks and I had no pictures other than the less than mediocre ones that my phone takes.  I am so glad to have my camera back!  It pretty much eats batteries, but it takes good pictures, which is important when you have no photography skills.  So with the batteries bought and the sign ordered, it just leaves my cloud project which I may need another creative mind to brainstorm with me on.

I keep going back and forth on the "distressing" issue.  I think I'm going to go for it.  It looks a little too perfect and clean (and boring) this way.  Never one to embrace the "chippy" movement, even I can see that this piece needs some character.

Look at this rusty little beauty!  I can't wait to paint it and recover the seat.  Color ideas, anyone?  Most any color would look good...tough decision but never a wrong one.

This one was easy.  Ribs were already on the menu.  Cornbread just seemed right, and with temps in the 70's, I didn't mind turning on the oven.  No black eyed peas in the house and I didn't want to make a trip to the store.  Black beans were available so...guess what I made?  And a salad is always on the menu.  The iced tea is a total cheat.  I drove through McDonald's and bought a giant $1 sweet tea.  At home I added some lemon slices, a little honey and poured it into this vintage carafe.  Everything turned out great--pretty to look at and delicious!  Our "staycation" started today so I am committed to making it special.  A little time on the beach on this cool day rounded it out. 

So let's review:

Beach

Paint

Dinner

Family

Creative and Successful Day!

YAY!

On The Road Again...Again.

I was dreading the drive today, but my daughter told her landlord that she'd have all her stuff out today.  We still need to make another trip, but we got the bulk of it done.  But as much as I like to drive, I just knew today would feel more like a chore.

I didn't sleep well at all.  The parking lot here at my place was scheduled to be repaved today and the warning was that if your car wasn't moved by 8a, it would be towed.  I kept an eye on the clock all night, afraid that I would oversleep.  My cellphone alarm hasn't been very dependable, and this was no different.  It never rang!  But my hourly checks worked out well even though I could never fall into a deep sleep.  I got up at 7 and moved to the street but never got back to sleep.  By 10:30 I was on my way to Indiana to pick up my son from a friend's house, where he'd spent the night.  Next up, I had to get my sleepy self down to Springfield.  The beginning of a migraine, tired, burning eyes and the anticipation of three hours of forced alertness had me less than excited.  But, on we went!  My son volunteered to drive, but he's only a permit driver and he has a long way to go before I let him on the expressway, especially when I just might fall asleep.  The usual singing and talking kept me going for about an hour, but right after "Don't Stop Believin'" I started to droop.  We'd stopped to eat, and that kept me alert for a very short time.  Before we reached I-74 I was really struggling.  I was shaking my arms, my head, my legs...the kids even put ice down my back.  I was sleepier than I thought!  We stopped at a 7-11 (or something like it) and my daughter went in to get me what I described as "whatever will wake me up!"

While I waited in the car a lady in the next car struck up a conversation.  While we were talking something occurred to me.  We'd stopped at Arby's before we hit the highway and I (being sensible...) ordered a turkey sandwich.  It was the least I could do since I'd also ordered a milkshake.  Now I don't know how much milk really goes into a fast food milkshake, but I do know that turkey is a NARCOTIC!  It's full of tryptophan, which induces relaxation and sleep.  And all these years everyone thought that we fell asleep after Thanksgiving dinner due to the sheer amount of food we ate.  Nope, turkey can actually make you sleepy!  So in my zeal to make a healthy choice to go with my decidedly unhealthy one, I took the equivalent of a sleeping pill for someone who is already sleep deprived.  Not a good scenario, but I have to say that the energy drink worked.  Note to self:  let go of your aversion to energy drinks and order one up with your next turkey sandwich, especially if you have a 3-hour drive ahead of you. Better yet, go ahead and order the red meat.

About ten minutes after starting the drink, I could feel myself becoming more alert and the rest of the trip was easy.  Back to singing...we heard some Bon Jovi and Bob Marley before the country music kicked in.  Out of maybe six possible stations, six of them were country.  Good thing we're not picky!  Country can make for some good driving music.  The rest of the drive consisted of discussing other long drives we've taken and what country songs were on the radio during each of those trips.  It seems that no matter where you are in this country, if no other stations have decent reception, you can always find a country music station that comes in clear as a bell.  Tons of road trips over the years mean that my kids have developed quite the country repertoire.  I've been a fan since high school, when after school my brother would turn on the kitchen radio and tune in to WMAQ here in Chicago.  They ran a promotion which paid you money if they randomly called  your house and you answered "WMAQ's gonna make me rich!"  For months, anyone calling our house got this greeting if I answered, which I always tried to make sure I did.  My mother warned me to knock it off---too many callers were hanging up, thinking they'd gotten the wrong house.  I kept it up for awhile, just not quite as loudly.  It was kind of funny and I don't think that my mom would have minded one bit if I won that $10,000 but I never did.  What I did get was a good working knowledge of country music, it's singers and songwriters, it's humor, and it's stories.  Whitney Houston's version of "I Will Always Love You" was beautiful, but I remember Dolly Parton singing it back in the 70's.  I think a lot of people are still surprised that it's Dolly's song.  BTW, I heard her once talking about the crazy amount of royalties she gets from that song because of Whitney's incredibly popular cover.  Take my song, please!  And with that, I guess I just aged myself again because if you aren't familiar with Henny Youngman, that last comment probably was more confusing than funny.

Would you believe that after all my efforts to not oversleep, which resulted in my malaise this morning, the parking lot wasn't done?  With overcast skies, they chickened out, afraid that it would rain.  It's been rescheduled to Thursday.  And no, it never did rain today.  I guess I'll be doing this again later in the week.  I'll make sure that I have a working alarm so that I don't have to worry.  I have about six or seven vintage alarm clocks.  I think I'll set them all.

Lining Up (more) Projects

I spent my Saturday looking at houses, painting an umbrella stand and watching two very cute and extremely entertaining little boys.  Intent on staying up until their parents returned home, I convinced them of the merits of taking early baths and getting into their pajamas BEFORE we did the popcorn and movie thing.  They liked the idea!  They picked the movie, The Last Airbender (?) and though it was predictable, it was age-appropriate and completely appealing to a creative and imaginative set of brothers.  I liked it too!

So about the umbrella stand...I picked it up at a garage sale for $2 a few days ago.  It's brass and in excellent condition, save a few spots of rust.  I decided to go for an off-white, while preserving the gold twine-wrapped handle.  After I sprayed it I realized that I hadn't cleaned it.  Oops...you know how dirt, hair and cobwebs look after they've been spray painted?  Yes you do!  I took the steel wool out to do what I should have done at the outset, rinsed it off and got ready to apply another coat.  But wait!  I'm kinda digging this distressed look!  I'm not too fond of the "chippy" thing, but the rubbed off paint really gave this an aged look that looked very authentic.  I ended up applying another coat anyway, but I am going to get the steel wool out again, this time being more deliberate with where I use it.  Another piece that I love and will probably sell, but won't want to.  I need a much bigger place.  Sigh.

My lucite bar cart needs a little repair, but it's still an amazing find.  Maybe my best yet.  The brass cart is ready to go.  I would love to keep it, but it seems unfair when so many people are out there looking for one that are actually going to use it for it's intended purpose.  I would repurpose it no doubt, since I rarely entertain, and it would be a shame to turn this fantastic find into a craft cart. I am completely stoked for the next few vintage markets.  I have stuff...good stuff...and lots of it.

Add in about five tables, several chairs and a dresser and I'm thinking I need a power sprayer.  But no, I'm going to get out the brush and the chalk paint and do it right.  If anyone is interested in a marathon DIY session, send me a message.  A full day of sun, low humidity and wind, and we could hammer this stuff out.  Truth is, I really don't know where to start, but the umbrella stand gave me a sense of accomplishment for today.

What I Found on Friday~!

Call it foreshadowing...a premonition...an inkling...an educated guess...

Thursday was a great day for finding things that I love, and today was better.  Always on the lookout for vintage barware, the past two days have pretty  much exceeded any expectations (which I didn't really have) and fantasies.  

First off, I found Tiki mugs.  I never gave much thought to Tiki anything until recently.  I have learned just in this past week that Mid-Century Hawaiiana, Surfabilia, Tiki Culture and Polynesia are all really "hot" and "haute" right now.  I was pleased to learn this, since they are also reminiscent of my childhood, when Don Ho, South Pacific and Beach Movies were all the rage.  Fun times...which is why they're so popular.  Fun times, especially those fun times when life was a lot simpler, are luring a lot of people.  Simplicity and fun should go together, right?  I think that a lot of us are always stressing out in the back of our minds, even when we appear to be having fun.  I really get a kick out of watching how the younger set embraces my childhood.  At least they've got good taste. 

Armed with just my phone, which takes awful pictures, I won't even bother.  But the Libbey Tiki mugs were incredibly popular.  They came in a variety of designs and colors:

I had no idea!  I bought a total of 16 of these gigantic and heavy mugs.  Some to keep and some to sell!

I also bought the crazy brass owls that I showed you yesterday.  BTW, "The Brass Owl" sounds like a great name for a shop, now doesn't it?  The estate sale lady was great--she started throwing in little "extras" once I told her that my brother was in a Polka band.  She mentioned that she was going to a Polish parade, and was totally impressed that my brother was in a band AND lives in Iowa.  She's from Iowa, she's Polish...so she just had to give me some extras.  I told her that all this time I'd been thinking that my brother was useless!  Who knew that his weird side gig would come in handy for me?  

So I returned home with a bunch of Tiki mugs, a blue-eyed brass owl, and a couple of amazing chairs retrieved during an impromptu dumpster dive.  Don't judge me!  Wait until you see them!  

I was out house hunting today too and I am happy to report that I didn't fall down any stairs...

It just keeps getting better.

What I Found on Thursday.

Now I had it all planned out.  I was going to the estate sale with all the Hollywood Regency stuff today.  If I did nothing else, I was doing THAT.  A friend had called me earlier in the day to tell me she'd seen a bar cart at a resale shop and she knew I was looking for one.  When I asked why she didn't just get it for me, she said that it was "a little rickety".  Every vintage bar cart I've seen, by the way, is a little rickety.  Wobbles and wiggles are the norm.  Nothing some new screws won't take care of.  Since "Mad Men" came on the air, there's a huge interest in all things Mid Century, especially barware.  Personally, I've never seen the show, but I understand they do a lot of drinking.  I figured the cart would probably be gone, or she was misreading the price, because it was ridiculously low.  She said that she'd sent me a picture, but I never got it.  I went to bed thinking that it probably was a mistake of some sort.  Either it wasn't really a bar cart, it was not just rickety, but raggedy, or some passerby stuck a price tag on it for a joke. Besides which, I had been in pain all evening and didn't feel like getting out early, figuring to hit the estate sale around noon.

 At exactly 5:54 a.m., I heard the familiar beep, signaling the receipt of a new text message.  At exactly 9:30, I actually read it saw it.  It was unbelievable.  It looked amazing and I suddenly felt great--energized, pain free and lusting after that cart.  By 10:45 I was in the store, nearly 30 minutes away.  It was a fantastic place, filled from floor to ceiling with STUFF from the miscellaneous to the random.  But no bar cart.  I perused the place, getting caught up in some great vintage Fire-King dishes but I kept my eye out for the cart.  After about 15 minutes I didn't see it, so as I had assumed, it was gone before I got there.  I asked at the counter whether they had any and was told that yes, they get them, but they typically sell immediately so no, none today.  I showed them the picture on my phone and the two guys working there looked at each other puzzled.  When was this taken?  Yesterday?  Well, that certainly looks like our store, but we don't recognize the cart.  One of them took me around the store to check out the end caps, and voila!  There it was, covered with so much merchandise that even they forgot that it was for sale.  Most shoppers must have thought it was simply there for display and didn't bother asking if it was for sale, and didn't even notice the tag.  Lucky for me my friend was nosy enough to move a few items aside.

I only had my phone with me today and it takes really bad pictures.  Tomorrow I'll be in full show-off mode.  On the way home I passed at least 15 yard sales, but you will be so proud of me.  I only stopped at two.  My favorite yard sale find was this wrought iron plant stand for the garden.

I'm thinking a coat of yellow paint.  What do you think?  It's about 30" tall and much cuter in person.

Also found was this vintage Milk of Magnesia bottle.  Who doesn't like cobalt blue?  Anyone?  

 Finally, my Peptenzyme bottle has company.  I am SO loving these!

 And can you stand the cuteness?  Vintage Blendo chip 'n' dip set.  Blendo--I love that word.  Blendo! Blendo! Blendo!

To keep or not to keep?  It's very cool and I would actually use it.  Such a practical piece of home decor that went the way of the Veg-o-Matic. And the VitaMaster home steamer weight loss machine. ( What, you thought that was an urban legend?)

Yes, it works!  No, I didn't buy it.  

This was a great day to be out.  Cooler temps made me less miserable.  In fact, I was downright comfortable.  If this keeps up, I'll have to post "What I Found on Friday".  

All That Glitters.

If the weather holds out and stays as cool as it was today, then I must get at least one painting project done.  The weather, being cool and dry, is perfect.  Not only does the paint love it, but I love it.  I generate enough heat by just sitting and staring at the air conditioner.

Now if I decide to paint, I'll be turning down an invitation to one of the biggest social events of the season.  The Grand Opening of Salvation Army Thrift Store, Lincoln Park.  And then there's that estate sale where Goldfinger apparently lived-- http://www.estatesales.net/estate-sales/463770.aspx

Whoo-hoo!  Gold, glass, brass, crystal...that's a lot going on on one lamp.  I like it!

Fainting couch...in case of the "vapors". 

NBC can keep their colorful peacock.  I want a gold one.

Brass owls staring at brass dog.  The dog looks uncomfortable.  Well maybe if those rude owls would stop staring!  Geez!

Just a whole lotta gaudy goin' on!

I do love me some Hollywood Regency but all this GOLD in one house?  I need to see this.

My picture uploader went nuts today, so I uninstalled it.  I have pictures to show you!  I found vintage Vera Neumann all over the place today and I couldn't be happier.  Target tried to bring her designs back this spring, but I don't think it went over too well.  https://corporate.target.com/discover/article/Vera-Neumann-s-bold-brilliant-designs-come-to-Targ

I haven't seen one in a store, and haven't seen anyone wearing one.  The real deal is the best deal and I have 'em.  But of course, I can't show you because my picture uploader...  

I can however, show you one more "gilded" furniture pic.  Fit for a queen!

I've been wondering what to get my friend Kate (you know, the Duchess of Cambridge) as a "New Mom" gift.  I think I've found it. Now to find a matching one for little John Philip Arthur Alexander George Charles William Seth Michael Aloysius LeRoy Midas.  He can sit in it and count his money. 

A Kohlrabi Story.

It started with my daughter bringing this thing home.  She insisted it was a turnip.  I wasn't familiar with it so of course, it couldn't be.  A few days later, still staring at this alien thing, I did what any serious researcher would do.  I asked my friends on Facebook.

Notice the resemblance?

I was quickly informed by several people who obviously have a higher veggie IQ than I do that my mystery veggie was kohlrabi.  Described as "like a radish, taste-wise" to "a cross between a cabbage and a potato", it sounded like something I would like.  Most people reported eating it raw, but a quick internet search supplied tons of recipes from mashed kohlrabi and potatoes to kohlrabi fritters.  Of course, I've heard of it, and probably have eaten it, but I don't recall ever seeing it before.  But I knew this was no turnip.  I know a root vegetable when I see one!

I decided I would try something with phyllo dough, onions, kale and potatoes, which I had on hand.  I messaged a college kid that I know, who's a culinary student in New York.  I asked about using cheese and he said definitely yes, just make sure the cheese can hold it's own, otherwise the flavor might get lost.  I made a trip to the store for goat cheese, which is what I was "feeling".  I thought it was probably too subtle, but I just had a taste for goat cheese, and since I rarely follow directions on anything, I went with my gut.  Two things happened:  the dough needed to thaw--completely--before using.  Something else I haven't used before.  More importantly, after boiling this thing for at least an hour, then cooling it, cutting it into chunks, then boiling it again, it was still pretty tough.  Turnips cook much faster.  

With no dough, and me worried that it might burn long before the kohlrabi was tender enough to eat anyway, I decided to shelve that idea for another time when another alien vegetable was available.  I mixed about 2 cups of kohlrabi chunks, 1/2 cup of diced potatoes (I only had one on hand, and it was a little one...), two cups of kale (which I buy pre-washed in the bag, then freeze because it's so easy to crush it into smaller pieces while frozen) one cup of chopped vidalia onion (I love onions!) and lemon pepper, sea salt, a generous drizzle of olive oil and a handful of crystallized ginger and a half cup of goat cheese on top.  

I winged it good!  I must apologize for the last two pictures, taken in that darned artificial light.  It's just never a good look.  The dish was good...really good.  Very mild and sweet, with the occasional bite of ginger.  Winning!  My daughter is a veggie lover and will totally love this.  I love root veggies in a cassserole.  I combine potatoes, turnips, squash, parsnips, etc. like this a lot, with salt, pepper, olive oil, fresh parsley, and whatever other herbs I have on hand.  Never exactly the same, but always good.  

You may have caught that I just referred to the alien as being a root vegetable.  That's because my chef friend says that "kohlrabi" means "German turnip".  Oops...I guess my daughter was right.  I hate when that happens!

The Unfinished Line...

I was as tired last night as I recall having ever been.  I started blogging late, as I usually do.  When I woke up this morning, this is what was on my computer:


Can every bone in your body really hurt?  If so, then my heart goes out to everyone who feels this kind of pain.  I know that my feet, my toes and my toenails hurt.  I know that my head hurts.  I know that my knees and ankles hurt, but not every bone.  I do have enough of a "sampling" of pain in various parts of my body that it truly is head to toe, though not every bone, or muscle or organ.  The headache is nothing new--I take a steady diet of Excedrin which I have to live without for a week prior to my August eye surgery.  The knees...I know what the problem is there.  Ankle?  Probably from missing that step while house hunting last weekend.  Feet?  I've been on them all day.  Toenails?  I do need a pedicure and I don't want to do anything to my feet so the manicurist can earn her keep.  Add to that under an hour of sleep last night and a 12-hour work day and I'm feeling bad.  I'm falling asleep at the computer, so if you read some gibberish, that's me nodding off.  

That's as far as I got last night before I dozed off and made no effort to wake myself.  I do give myself credit for being so mindful of spelling and grammar while only partially conscious...

What I would have said last night was that although it was a long and hard day, I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Vintage Garage Chicago.  I made quite a few sales and met a ton of great people who made the day big time fun.  My son returned from his two week vacation with his Dad and I was so happy to see him.  I now have both my babies here and we can enjoy the rest of the summer together.

I found this adorable, brightly colored box at a thrift store last weekend.  It was $3, so I bought it, thinking that I could store sewing or craft supplies in it, or pretty much any of the things I own which need to be contained.  To my surprise and delight, inside was a vintage hairpiece.  I'm now hearing that they're coming back in style and wig makers are making these elaborate pieces again.  It appears to be brand new with nary a hair out of place.  What on earth do I need with this?  Hardly the point...

Cool, however impractical, find.  

This mid-day blogging is weird for me.  I am used to this being my last activity before bed but  unfortunately my routine is way off.  Hopefully after today I'll be back on track.  I'd hate to wake up in the morning and find that I've written whatever I was dreaming about during the night.  And that I'd pressed "publish".  Sounds like a good premise for a movie...

Now THAT would be a rude awakening!

And with that thought, I'm finished with yesterday's blog post.  Are you as confused as I am?

Very Vintage!

Everyone knows I love vintage--home decor, clothing, accessories, even movies.  I remember most of what I love from my own childhood, so for me it's no fad.  It's my life and everything that I recall about growing up that made, and still makes me happy.  Imagine my excitement when I found a load of great vintage clothing at one of my favorite stores.  I loaded up my cart, knowing that none of it would fit me.  I knew however that my daughter might like some of it, and I hoped that I could turn some of it into sales.  She indulged me again today and tried on piece after piece, posing for pictures for my blog, my online store and my facebook page.  Here are a few of my faves:

She wasn't interested in wearing any of these, but she did pick out a couple of shirts that she'll keep.  What she really wants is a floor length Hawaiian dress that I have up for sale. I don't want to give it to her!   Am I terrible?  Actually, I told her that if she has some specific occasion to wear it, I may give in, but I certainly don't want to see her lounging in it while she Skypes her friends.  It's a pricey dress!

With all this lovely vintage piled up around me I was at a loss for something to try on myself.  Plus Size and Vintage are two words that don't appear together very often.  The maxi dress you see her in here is sized 14 and a half.  I blogged some time ago about how sizes have changed--http://14thstreetvintage.blogspot.com/2013/06/a-ghost-story.html, which explains why she, at a modern-day size 10, fits this dress just fine.  With the exception of a little extra room in the boobies, it looks good on her!  I finally came up with a Gap skirt that I bought yesterday (not vintage, but thrifted for $2!) and one of my favorite vintage purses:

Oh yeah, the glasses and the jewelry, as always, is Very Vintage!  

Randomizing

I am keenly aware of the fact that I didn't post yesterday.  I feel awful.  But, I have good stuff today so let's just say that yesterday I was in the middle of my research. 

I hit one thrift store and four garage sales today.  I didn't buy much at any of them, but what I found was GGGRRRREEEEAT!

                                                    That was way too easy.

I found some great vintage dresses--not my size, of course.  But, I will have my daughter modeling them for me tomorrow since the dress form is in the garage.  Hopefully she won't fall in love with any of them because they are for sale!  I think if she keeps wearing my inventory, I should sew a big tag on the back (and front) of everything, stating "My mom found this for me...and she can find one for you too!"  With my phone number and website.  

My sister sent me part of the bounty...a friend of hers picked these gorgeous veggies from her garden and she shared them with me.  So pretty!

They look amazingly delicious.  No bruises or blemishes.  Organic.  Free.  I'm happy.

My daughter came in with what she says is a remedy for sore throat.  She wants me to make it for her.  See it here: 

According to her, this is how they treat a sore throat in Guatemala and she was on this stuff for six days.  (Why does she still need it if it's a cure?  IJS.)  Anyway, she says to boil the Coke, and add two cups of marshmallows.  When they melt, drink it.  Yuck.  I'm a big believer in home remedies, but I don't buy this one.  Sounds like she got the recipe from this guy, who happens to be my favorite find of the day:

Oo-ee-oo-ah-ah!

I'm wondering if I should be scared.  He was pretty scary looking in the store, but I brought him home anyway.  He makes me laugh, which is good if he's supposed to be funny, but I kinda doubt it.  I think he's mad at me.  I have a penchant for laughing at things that aren't supposed to be funny.  No, I'm not laughing because a have a weird laughing twitch.  I just see the humor in a lot of things that others may not.  Take Russell Crowe's singing in Les Miserables, which I finally got around to watching last night. In arguably the saddest story ever written, I found comic relief in the Gladiator's attempt to sing his dialogue.  I know he's in a band.  That legitimizes his singing, right?  Right?  I'm sorry, but I laughed every time.  But the movie was great and the acting was great and Hugh Jackman was great, but I'm biased. 

And while I'm randomizing, I just have to post this picture.  I have come to realize that food photography really is an art form.  Case in point:  This dish looked so good in my kitchen and it tasted SO GOOD!  So much so that I just had to show you!

The picture doesn't do it justice.  I have absolutely no skills when it comes to plating or food photography.  Just trust me on the taste though.  Lettuce shreds, saffron rice, crab cakes and that ginger miso dressing that you see in the background.  Washed down with some ginger beer.  When Hugh gets here, I'll probably make it again. 

(BTW, I did take that veggie picture up there.  I couldn't get my crab cake pic to look as good.)

Well look at the time.  I'm sitting here talking to you guys when Hugh is on his way over.  I gotta go.  Ting Tang Walla Walla Bing Bang! 

Stop, Drop, and Decorate!

I had a plan.  For the most part, I stuck to it.  The shoes were not part of the plan. 

I had to drive downtown Chicago today for a doctor's appointment.  On the way home, since I would already be in the area, I decided to go to Whole Foods.  My eye surgery has been scheduled for August 7, and I decided that I should try to improve my health to some degree before then.  Good thing I was already going to the ultimate healthy food market.  I bought lots of seafood, produce and some green rice whose name escapes me.  I assumed it cooked like any other rice.  I was wrong--it cooks much faster.  I ended up with a soft, green mush.  It was edible, but definitely overcooked.  What I really liked though, was the color.  I think I'll plan a space around that color.  It was lovely.  Sorry, I didn't take a picture, but I will do before and after pictures of my "green rice room" whenever that happens.  And in addition to all the healthy food I bought, I picked up a 5-pack of those big, delicious butter cookies they sell at the pharmacy while I was picking up my prescription.  Oops...

Also in my plans was to finally tackle the tornado that came in when my daughter returned home.  She's still dressing out of her suitcases and my laundry pile has grown exponentially.  I made good progress, and probably would have made more if it wasn't for those darned shoes.  See, what happened was...

I've had these gold Naturalizers for awhile.  Of course I found them at a thrift store.  My size, nice heel, gold.  'Nuff said...I'll take 'em!  They're comfy and cute, but I could tell  that they used to have some sort of adornment, a chain perhaps, because there are two loops on the front of each.  I do have some yardage of gold chain, but I had another idea.  

I have a collection of beads.  I have beading tools.  I have beading books.  What I don't have is anything that I've actually made from beads. ( It was a brief obsession but I still think I'll get into it one day, so I keep them.) I was switching back and forth between organizing the bead box and putting away the dozen or so pairs of shoes that line my foyer.  That's when I came upon my gold shoes and got this idea.  Of course it couldn't wait until I'd finished cleaning because I just don't work like that.  I stop, drop and decorate.


I decided on this pretty blue bead with copper trim.  Each bead is about an inch long, so two fit perfectly into the gap on my shoes.  I strung them with copper wire, and threaded each end through one of the loops.  Then I brought each end to the opposite side and threaded them through again.  I did this a few times, then took the ends in one hand and twirled the shoe with the other.  This made the ends of the wire nice and tight.  I tucked the twisted wire between the two beads and wound it around the middle until it made a little knot.  Then, just a squeeze to make it skinny enough for the two beads to come together over the knot. And that's it.  They look really nice and I can't wait to wear them!

I was so busy admiring my shoes that I never did get back to cleaning.  I did however make some lovely, mushy green rice. And yes, the cookies were divine.

 I found this great set of vintage leather suitcases.  They immediately got me to thinking as to whether I should sell or keep.  I'm into repurposing some things, but items like this make me want to use them as they were intended.  My dad had a fantastic old leather Samsonite suitcase that I always loved.  It was understated, classy and durable.  These are equally so.  I don't want to make them into a side table or a doggie bed.  I want to go on a long trip to someplace I've never been, and have strangers admire my beautiful luggage.  Strangers that I hope can appreciate the craftsmanship and homage to the mid-century era in which they were created and used.  What should I pack?

There are still luggage tags attached, from Calumet City Travel.  The tags are definitely from the 60's and a quick Google check reveals that the travel agency hasn't been in business recently enough to show up on a search.  History...I love it.  Is it just me, or does everyone get goosebumps when they find something that has existed longer than they've lived?

Coming up again this weekend is the Vintage Garage Chicago.  If you're in the area, you should check it out.  I'm going to try it again, selling things that I hate to part with.  I'll bet there's a name for my condition.  Why do I torture myself?  Actually, it's great to keep things for awhile and to be ABLE to let them go. Holding onto everything? I know there's a name for that and I think there's a t.v. show that I might be a candidate for.  But I love passing them on to new owners and a new home.  I'm sure these suitcases will find someone who loves them as much as I do.  

I've been listening to the hi-fi more this summer than I think I ever have.  I inherited about 400 pieces of vinyl recently, maybe more.  The cover art alone is mind-boggling and so much fun to look at.  The music however, is mind-blowing.  You already know how much I love that fuzzy, fizzy, muted sound.  On tap for this week: 

 Roy Ayers (My life, my life, my life, my life, in the sunshine!  Everybody loves the sunshine!)  You could really get away with 10 or 12 words as the sum total of all your lyrics, as long as the feeling was 

Bill Withers (who still looks MAH-velous, by the way),

It's gonna be a lovely DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!  

And what I want to hear, but can't find...Sly and the Family Stone.

I'm working on it!

I decided that for someone who loves music as much as I do, I don't listen to it nearly enough.  The driving music is limited by my not very comprehensive CD collection and a crappy sound system.  I'm committed to listening to what I love, in the format that I love.  So Roy, Bill (and hopefully Sly) it is this week.  Drive by my place and you just may hear the hi-fi cranked up and thumping.  And if you look up, you just may see me cutting an osteoarthritic rug.  Dance to the music, dance to the music!  My knees hurt just thinking about it.  At Bettie's 14th Street Dance Club, the special of the day is Joint Juice Cocktails.  Wow, who knew there were so many creaky joint jokes to be made?  And my son says I'm not funny...

ChaChaChaChaChanges!

Well, the girl child is home and my once-neat apartment has been turned upside down.  Between the suitcases, dirty clothes, electronics and souvenirs, it's kind of a mess.  It's my fault, actually.  My plan was to have EVERYTHING else completely organized so that the only mess I'd have to deal with was hers.  Unfortunately, I had a few little messes of my own to begin with.  Still, we're having fun in the chaos.  A ton of great pictures and videos assure me that she had a wonderful time and for that, I'm glad.  She told me not to post any videos of her taking salsa and merengue lessons, but I never actually agreed.  I don't think she knows that.  Tee Hee.

It's in the 90's here, and I can't stand it.  Why does heat feel hotter when you're older?  Aside from the "personal summer" issue, of course.  I lived right here on 14th Street when I was growing up and stayed outside for most of the day in the summers.  We also had no air conditioning.  I don't even think we had a fan in every room and I don't remember suffering.  I remember late night baths, cotton pajamas, and cute short sets and "scooter skirts".  I remember homemade popsicles (if I brought a host of friends home with me, or if we were playing in my yard, my Mom never gave me any such treat unless she had enough for everyone), water from the garden hose, and Kool-Aid.  We hated the pre-sweetened stuff--saccharin--not a good taste.  Nope, tons and tons of pure cane sugar went into that pitcher, and promptly sank to the bottom.  That called for more sugar.  Eventually, with vigorous stirring, it was sweet enough to drink.  Come to think of it, I don't think my kids have ever had Kool-Aid.  Gotta add that to the list of things to do.  Anyway, all of the above contributed to a significant cooling off, and if that didn't work, we went into the basement where it was always cool, if not a bit sticky.  Why does heat and humidity make me so crazy now?  Seriously, I can't stand it. Kool-Aid and staying cool.  Great childhood memories that I try my best to conjure up as often as I possibly can.  If I imagine hard enough, maybe my temp, if not the weather, will drop a few degrees.

Change of subject--trying to decide what to do with this vintage candleabra.  Spray it, embellish it, or leave it as is?  Will being in a new setting be enough of a change?

Kind of a "Dark Shadows" vibe.  Me likey!

 Change will happen, of that we can be sure.  You can either roll with it, or get rolled over by it.  You can try to run away, or turn and face it. Whether my internal temperature, the climate, living with another child in the house, or just repurposing a cool and creepy candleabra, we have to embrace and learn to love the changes.

It's Official!

Yes, after five days of whining, my daughter is returning home from Guatemala.  I got a sweet little text about a week ago saying "can you or Grandma send me a little money so I can stay two more weeks??"  Uh...NO.  She then decided that she would take the rest of her spending and emergency money and pay the $200 to change her flight and boarding for the two weeks.  What emergency could possibly arise?  I haven't heard from her since I strongly suggested she get back here so I wasn't sure.  I finally got a call this afternoon that she will indeed be coming in tonight.  SO...I'm blogging early so I can get to the airport.  She has a summer job all ready and waiting for her, the news of which did not seem to make her any less upset that she had to end her vacation.  Real Life...

I spent a few hours in the E/R today because that's what you do at the E/R, right?  It took me nearly three hours to find out that I'm fine.  No fractures, just a sprain and a bruised ego.

For the second week in a row, there was a huge breakfast at church.  Some people there just love to cook, so they do!  Amazing and much appreciated.

I'm still in search of the elusive lime shake from Don's.  I found Don's, but not in it's original state.  A sad impostor actually.  I wrote about it a few weeks ago, and all I did was conjure up that taste--now I can't forget about it!  I want that lime shake!  Time to start searching for a recipe, I guess.  If anyone knows where I can get a lime shake--a really great one--please let me know.

On my way in a little while to the Big Confusing Maze, otherwise known as O'Hare International Airport.

Can't wait to see the kid!

Why Me?

I often refer to myself as the runt.  Not because I'm small or weak, but because my body behaves as if I am!  As the youngest of six reasonably healthy children, I am the one with the issues--asthma, hypertension, this stupid eye thing and now??  Oh, I'll get to that in a minute!

My friend chauffeured me around today because I'm still not seeing 100%.  Or 90%...

She took me to register my son for school, hit a few yard sales, and looking at a few houses.  I found a great little vanity seat that I can't wait to makeover.  I think another swap is in the works.

All was well until the last house that we visited.  I'd been up and down a flight of stairs in one house, so I was "loosened up" when we got to house number 3, a tiny but very cute ranch.  No stairs.  Well, there was ONE stair.  Apparently the back part of the house is an addition.  Why that addition couldn't be on the same level as the rest of the house is a question I can't answer, but I'm sure there's an excellent reason.  The problem is, by coming in on that higher level, I didn't know to step down when I went into the "original" house.  It's a short little step, probably rises about 4 or 5 inches, but it was enough to trip me when I stepped forward and ended up stepping down.  My ankle turned completely over, but I sucked it up because I didn't want to be a baby and of course, I was embarrassed.  Sitting here now, I just know that tomorrow isn't going to be good.  Painfully speaking, that is.  The runt just can't catch a break.

I did find that cute but rusty little seat.  I also bought these cute jars from a cute kid sitting in front of a cute house.  I think they're empty candle jars, but incredibly useful.  I immediately thought terrarium because they were large, clear, tightly covered, and sweating like crazy out in the hot Chicago Heights sun.  Sweat is good if you're a terrarium.

One little piece broke off of the plant, so I grabbed one of my vintage lab jars.  I love these things--especially Pyrex.  If they're old, they'll have a glass stopper, not plastic.  I use them for my medicines.  Since I take aspirin so often (migraines!) it makes the early morning trip to the kitchen just a tiny bit more pleasant.  I did say tiny.  Anyway, some meds need to be out of the light, thus the brown medicine bottles, so be careful if you decide to do this, and please LABEL your bottles.  I made a little five inch bottle terrarium!  I would have been more creative, but in true runt form, I had another mishap.  The power went out for no apparent reason, so I had to hurry and get these done and take pics with the little bit of daylight I had left.  They turned out terribly, so I used the flash.  Still not so great, but you get the idea, right?

I guess you have to take the good with the bad.  Good finds, hot day, great friend, bad step, errands done, pain ensues.  Still, I'll be happy to get back at it again tomorrow!