Vintage Thingies Thursday - Kitchen Gadgets

First let me say thanks to all who left a message on last week's post regarding my Barbie Dolls - you gals are too funny! I really don't know why I thought about my 4th Grade teacher and the mummy story and I am sorry I disappointed so many of you who thought that I had mummified my Barbies! That just cracked me up! I did however pierce their ears with straight pins and put Skipper's head on Barbie's body occasionally if that helps.

I love visiting every one's Vintage Thingies Thursday Post. You ladies have some beautiful keepsakes.

Here are a few old kitchen gadgets that have found their way to me over the years.

Can you tell I am really into red?

My grandmother's biscuit cutters and a doggie cookie cutter.

A few of my childhood kitchen toys. The little beater was my favorite.

You can see it is child size in my hand.

I love the old red-handled kitchen gadgets and most of these are from either

my grandmother, my aunt, or MDH's grandmother.

I occasionally still use my grandmother's rolling pin.

My grandmother crocheted these "dress" pot holders and the little iron skillet is child size. These are very special to me in that I never knew my grandmother. She died about two years before I was born but I inherited her love of kitchen things.

Thanks for visiting with me. For more Vintage Thingies Thursday visit The Colorado Lady. You will find a variety of vintage thingies there. It is like browsing through an antique store, only in your pajamas with a hot cup of coffee.

Oscar says, "Hello all you happy people, I'm Droopy.
Thanks for reading, Rosie."

Works-For-Me-Wednesday - Rice Bag

My friend Dar stopped by my house Saturday and dropped off a sweet gift. Dar is one of my Friday Morning Cheap Therapy Friend Breakfast Girls. (FMCTFBG). She battled and won the fight against breast cancer two years ago. She is the only woman I know who can pull off a baldhead and still look hot. She is brave, strong, full of Faith and a little bit crazy just like me. She is always surprising me with thoughtful little things. “Little Happies” she calls these gifts. When she stopped by on Saturday, she brought me a rice bag. This is not to be confused with a bag of rice. I had heard of rice bags but had never experienced their soothing comfort. Dar was given a stunning pink warrior scarf during her breast cancer battle. She cut this scarf into large squares, sewed it up, filled it with loose, dry rice, and secured the end. (Pictures Below) This can be used as either a cold pack or hot pack. You place it in the refrigerator to keep it cold and use it for aches and pains, bruises and bumps, sprains and breaks, etc. On the other hand and what I like best, you can pop it into the microwave, heat it for about three minutes, and use it as a warm pack. It stays warm for a long time. The loose rice in the bag forms to your body and surrounds it with warmth or cold. My feet are always cold in the evening despite my wearing two pair of socks and slippers. I have been heating my bag before bedtime and placing it at the foot of my bed. Cozy! This makes an easy, practical and thoughtful gift for someone, and it means so much to me that Dar made mine using her warrior scarf. She said the warrior material represented her friends being prayer warriors for her during her battle. How sweet is that? It will remind me to do my self-breast exam every month. I think I am going to make my mom and my sister-in-love one in bright pink as a reminder too. It is great and it works for me. Now head on over to Rocks In My Dryer for more Works-For-Me-Wednesday ideas.

While you are here you might want to check out what I have for sale at this time. It will be on the right side bar or you can click here for more details.


Thanks for reading, Rosie.

Flirty Skirt Apron

Love is in the air! Valentine's Day is quickly approaching. Although this beauty is not exclusively a Valentine apron it would make a nice gift or a flirty ensemble while preparing your special someone a romantic dinner on February 14th. Add some red stilettos, a push up bra and well...I could keep going down this path until you and I both blush, so I'll just stop now.

This flirty skirt is available for purchase at $28.00 including S/H. That is a real bargain! You will not find an apron in a department store this well made (even if you did it would be Made in China.) If you purchase it as a gift for Valentine's Day (needs to be purchased by February 7th to be received before the 14th), let me know and I'll wrap it up beautifully ready to present to your special someone ---- I'll even personalize it with a name tag if you want.

I only have one - so when it is gone, it is gone! Click on the "Buy Now" button to purchase. It is over here ----------------------------> and feel secure because it is through Pay Pal. Also feel free to e-mail me at RosieReads@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Here are a few photos:

Thanks for reading, Rosie.

1970's Retro Bubble Print Reversible Apron - For Sale

I've been sewing! The salespeople know me on a first name basis at the local Hobby Lobby! "Here comes Rosie! Whip out the new fabic - she can't resist!" Actually, I find it overwhelming what to purchase most of the time because I love it all. ALL. OF. IT. I dream in bold geometric colors (especially after eating mushrooms) and see visions like the photos below. Also, in my dreams I have unlimited cash and can purchase one-yard of fabic from each bolt/roll. It is a wonderful dream - although fleeting. Reality is I usually only purchase two-yards at a pop and then only when it is discounted 30% - but see what I can do with two-yards!

My sweet sister-in-love works in retail and found me a mannequin torso that was no longer being used. The mannequin makes displaying and photographing my aprons much easier plus my apron model (Big C) was not liking this business and beginning to ask for commission to pay his college expenses. I can't afford him.

This 1970's retro print apron is reversible. The print side has a double pocket, meaning one large pocket with a smaller pocket on top. The solid print side has one pocket. You can't tell it by these pictures but the pockets have a frayed edge that adds to the retro look. Also, there is a smily face button on the solid side. Hippie cool! This can easily achieve the bohemian look by adding jewelry, along with a of couple layers underneath. Or not.

The necklace was a Christmas gift and is not included with the apron. This is just to show you it can be dressed up a bit for special gatherings and it looks nice. The extra long waste tie can be tied in front or back with a bow or knot. It looks good either way. I kind of liked the knot with this particular print. I could totally see myself wearing this with brown high heeled leg boots! Except that MDH wouldn't allow me to leave the house. The old fuddy-duddy!

This apron is "For Sale" and you can conveniently purchase it for $25.00 through Pay Pal. You would easily pay twice this amount at a department store and it would be Made in China.
I only made one - so you had better hurry if you want this baby!

SOLD!

Remember Valentine's Day is coming soon! This would make a great gift for a new bride, an old bride, a friend, a wife, a mother, a sister, a fourth cousin twice removed, a teacher, a preacher, a butcher, a baker, or a candlestick maker. Yourself maybe even!

Thanks for reading, Rosie.

Vintage Thingies Thursday - Dolls

I am a product of the 70’s. In 1975, I was ten years old and in Mrs. Thomas' fourth grade class. Her husband was a Methodist minister and they had been on a trip to Egypt the summer prior to the school year. She showed us slides of their trip and told us how the Egyptians mummified bodies by pulling their brains out through their nose with long curved tweezers. I have a phobia regarding long, sharp, pointy objects. I also lived in the age of Sesame Street before anyone believed that Big Bird could actually see Snuffalufagus. This was long before the giggling antics of Elmo. None of this information has anything to do with this post other than confirm I am vintage. I lived in the Malibu Barbie and Dawn Doll decade. Oh Yeah!

Malibu Barbie and Ken. It's cold here so they are not in their swimsuits.

Francis with the wirey hair that was permed too many times. Ken with the Warren Beatty look. Malibu Francis in the cool poncho and Skipper, who I tried to give the Dorothy Hamill hair cut.

The Sunshine Family!

Dawn dolls! Each about 6" tall. Their clothes were very detailed. This is Denise and Gary. Gary is one of only three guys that were produced. Kit has the majorette costume and Longlocks is in the mini skirt and vest. Dawn's wedding dress is on the dress dummy.

Maureen in the gold chiffon, Gloria in the blue mini (she has red hair). I received her from a boy named Quentin at our fourth grade Christmas party. I have seventeen of these cutie beauties and have somehow managed to hold on to several tiny purses, shoes and the miniture vinyl record player.

Oscar singing "Just An Old Fashioned Love Song" by Three Dog Night.

Thanks for visiting. Be sure to visit The Colorado Lady for more Vintage Thingies Thursday!

Rosie

Works For Me Wednesday - Easy Window Treatment

Last summer I decided to redecorated our master bedroom. I stumbled across a gorgeous jacquard comforter set on clearance which I immediately purchased. I wanted window toppers to match but had no luck finding something that worked. Then I had a brain storm! The pillow shams that came with the set were the perfect width. I hung my rods and simply laid the sham over the rod. Easy window treatment. When they get dusty, I simple yank them off the rod, take them outside and give them a good shaking. It worked for me! Find more great Works-For-Me Wednesday ideas at Rocks In My Dryer.

Thanks for reading, Rosie.

Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen

I desperately need sunshine! These gray winter days are hard on me mentally and physically. Ever seen the movie "The Shining" where Jack Nicholson goes stark-raving-mad from being snowed in a haunted hotel all winter? --- I'm just saying!

On top of that, I have not had my Friday Friend Breakfast Therapy Session since before Christmas. A girls gotta have her a little girl talk occasionally to keep her sanity.

I also need a date night with MDH whom I have not talked to without interruption from the phone, boys, dog, work, school and a host of other reasons for two months. Not that we can remember how to have a conversation without interruption. I can think of one-hundred things I want to talk about until it gets quiet, then my mind goes blank.

My calendar is full for the next several weeks. I do not like a full calendar. It makes my tummy hurt and causes me to get cold sores on my lip.

I am not focusing clearly. MDH was looking for two left-over sausage biscuits which should have been in the refrigerator, but were not to be found there because I had put them in the pantry.

My house is dirty. Who wants a clean house when everything seems dirty and bleak?!

The only book I have on my night stand is "While I Lay Dying" by William Faulkner. I work at a library for goodness sake. Could I have picked a more depressing book?

Creative Writing class today was Haikus.



Winter blues my heart

from the sunshine of yellow

to deep indigo

Math class was Probabilities. What is the probability that the sun will shine tomorrow when the weather man predicts 100% chance of precipitation? Write your answer as a ratio and put it in lowest terms.

One of our spelling words today was improbability.

We talked about noun complements today in Language. "Mother seems depressed." Mother = depressed.

Big I played "Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen" on his guitar.

MDH had to go into work an hour early this morning on slick roads.

Big C had a headache and a large zit.

Oscar ate his poop.

My twin sister showed up. I hate her!

Life at our house is sweeeeeet! How is winter treating you?



Thanks for reading, Rosie.

Monday Musings - Old Man Winter Is Playing Tricks

My guys took a trip with our church youth group on Saturday to Beech Mountain Ski Resort. Despite the fact that the temperature registered -6 degrees (that is not factoring in wind chill), Big I snowboarded and Big C tubed. MDH, who has wised up the last few winters, stayed in the lodge and watched out the window. Exactly where I would have been had I dragged my non-athletic body along. I stayed home and enjoyed updates by phone. My intention was to sew all day but a funny thing occurred - I found that without football noise in the background, I had no motivation to sew! I spent the whole day listening to the quiet. No music, no X-Box, no TV, no sports; rare in my home.

My guys arrived home around 7:00 p.m. worn out. Big C immediately got into the shower stating he was going straight to bed. Then Miss M called and wanted him to meet her to see a movie. You have never seen a young man recuperate so fast! Out the door Big C went and to bed went MDH and Big I leaving good old mom to keep vigil. None of us were aware that a black ice warning had been issued.

When your phone rings at midnight, and you have a child on the road, it is never a good omen.

"Hello."

"Mom?"

"Oh my goodness, are you OK?" (I could hear it in his voice when he said Mom)

"I'm okay, but I don't think I can make it home."

"What's wrong?"

"I left the mall and it started raining ice. My car is covered in ice, the roads are ice, I fished-tailed down the highway. I made it in the Wal-Greens parking lot and am trying to thaw the ice off my windshield so I can see. It is a total mess out here."

"Lock your doors, sit tight, I'll wake your Dad."

MDH sweetly talks Big C through what he needs to do and dresses to go out in the ice storm to get him. But first we pray! By the time we finish praying, Big C calls back and says his car is thawed out, he can see through the windshield and he thinks he can make it. "BE VERY CAREFUL!" We pray again. In about thirty minutes we see his car headlights coming up the driveway. We pray and give thanks!

He arrived home safe, shaken up a bit, declaring he will never leave the house again (even for a girl) when it is below 30 degrees and threatening rain. A valuable lesson learned and a bit more confident that he can handle an emergency on his own. One step closer to adult independence. I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

He did text Miss M to make sure she made it home. She was fine and thanked him for checking.

Thanks for reading, Rosie.

Sunday Rest Stop

Triumph in Tragedy
by Max Lucado

What do you say we have a chat about graveclothes? Sound like fun? Sound like a cheery topic? Hardly. Make a list of depressing subjects, and burial garments is somewhere between IRS audits and long-term dental care.

No one likes graveclothes. No one discusses graveclothes. Have you ever spiced up dinner-table chat with the question, “What are you planning to wear in your casket?”Most folks don’t discuss graveclothes.

The apostle John, however, was an exception. Ask him, and he’ll tell you how he came to see burial garments as a symbol of triumph. He didn’t always see them that way. A tangible reminder of the death of his best friend, Jesus, they used to seem like a symbol of tragedy. But on the first Easter Sunday, God took clothing of death and made it a symbol of life.
Could he do the same for you?

Could he take what today is a token of tragedy and turn it into a symbol of triumph?

We all face tragedy. What’s more, we’ve all received the symbols of tragedy. Yours might be a telegram from the war department, an ID bracelet from the hospital, a scar, or a court subpoena. We don’t like these symbols, nor do we want these symbols. Like wrecked cars in a junkyard, they clutter up our hearts with memories of bad days.

But could God use such things for something good? How far can we go with verses like Romans 8:28 that says, “In everything God works for the good of those who love him”? Does “everything” include tumors and tests and tempers and terminations? John would answer yes. John would tell you that God can turn any tragedy into a triumph, if only you will wait and watch.

Could I challenge you with a little exercise? Remove the word everything from Romans 8:28 and replace it with the symbol of your own tragedy. For the apostle John, the verse would read: “In burial clothing God works for the good of those who love him.” How would Romans 8:28 read in your life?

In hospital stays God works for the good.

In divorce papers God works for the good.

In a prison term God works for the good.

If God can change John’s life through a tragedy, could it be he will use a tragedy to change yours?

From He Chose the Nails Copyright 2000, Max Lucado

Vintage Thingies Thursday - Trays

The best thing about blogging are the people that you meet. I have met some great folks and want to thank The Colorado Lady for hosting this linkup. You'll want to visit her site for more Vintage Thingies Thursday.

There is a plethora (love that word) of avenues you can travel in the blog world, but Vintage Thingies Thursday might be my fave thus far. While I could take up space telling you about what we ate for supper, a fantastic buy I found on toilet paper, or more embarrassing stories about myself, I find it much more fun to share my vintage kitchen thingies. I don't know why I like vintage kitchen thingies but I do. Most of my things have been given to me from older relatives and I especially cherish those and will be sharing them with you in the coming weeks, months, years, etc. but today I have metal serving trays. They are colorful, quaint and useful.

Somehow I ended up with this tray when I worked at a church several years ago. This one normally sets behind my stove as a back splash.

This one came from an aunt and I honestly do not remember when I received it. I just remember it appearing one day and I have loved it ever since. It is really old. See all the dings and dents. Well loved and used.

I found this cutie at an antique store in Kentucky. Can't you just visualize a roller skating waitress serving cold sodas on this.

This is a TV tray and somehow I have three of this particular tray. I must have purchased them as a set for cheap.

This one is newer than the others by several years. I actually bought this at Disney World in the Mexico pavilion at EPCOT in 1994. Even though it would not be considered vintage nor is it metal, so as not to hurts its feelings, I included it.

Only recently have I spotted these little coasters in antique stores. They are old, metal and adorable. It is odd that I don't really go looking for them, they seem to find their way to me. Actually, I have noticed the rectangular ones in diners before with loose change.

Thanks for joining me. I can't wait to see what others post.

Rosie

Oscar's advice for today: "The best way to stay warm on cold winter days is to burrow into a fresh load of warm towels straight from the dryer."

Works For Me Wednesday - Homeschool Helper

I like "ye ole English" and I love Shakespeare. As a homeschooling parent it is my job to make sure Big I encounters good books. His reading level is high, but Shakespeare, even for adults, can be daunting. Then I heard about the Shakespeare Can Be Fun! series by Lois Burdett and righteth awayeth you better knoweth I put in a quicketh requesteth (say that three times fasteth) at the library where I work to order a few of these jewels! Beautifully written and beautifully illustrated (art work by children), these books are a delight to the eyes and ears. This is a great way to introduce younger children to Shakespeare so that when they are older Sir William will not seem as intimidating. I read them aloud to Big I and we talk about the plot as we go along. Shakespeare would be so proud!

Then there is this treasure! The Dangerous Book For Boys. I saw this and had to purchase a copy for our bookshelf. Beautifully bound, gorgeous illustrations and perfect for boys ages 5 to 105. If you want your son to read, here is the answer. I catch Big I reading our copy under his covers with a penlight. From knot typing, to rabbit hunting and many "how to" chapters between, my boy can not seem to put this book down. The Daring Book For Girls is also available, but not having a daughter, I have not glanced through it.

These have worked-for-me! You can find more "Works-For-Me Wednesday" ideas at Rocks In My Dryer. Give Shannon a visit. You'll be glad you did!

Thanks for reading, Rosie.

Monday Musings: Boston Celtics Vs. Charlotte Bobcats

For Christmas we bought ourselves tickets to a NBA game. We have been to several University of Tennessee basketball games but never the NBA. Tennessee does have an NBA team, the Memphis Grizzlies, but Memphis is eight hours from Northeast Tennessee. Atlanta is a bit closer, but too crowded; therefore, we settled for Charlotte, North Carolina, home of the Charlotte Bobcats, to see our first live NBA game.

Charlotte is only three hours away but we chose to spend the night because it was an evening game. We made reservations at a downtown hotel adjacent to the Time Warner Cable Arena so we could park our car for the evening and walk to the stadium. Very nice and convenient. The hotel recently remodeled their decor. What dimwit came up with the idea of placing the sink basin on top of the counter rather than recessing? While it did made a lovely presentation setting atop the granite counter and looked very modern, it was obviously designed for tall people (maybe the NBA players). I am 5'4" and the sink came to my chin. I had to tiptoe to brush my teeth. My dilemma caused ample hilarity for my guys, who offered to give me a boost, the smart-alacks!

Anyway, the guys are fans of the Boston Celtics. I don't know why. We ordered the tickets several months in advance and received under the goal, feel the blood, sweat and tears seats. We wanted to see the players up-close and personal. Big dudes! The Celtics won the NBA playoffs last season, so they were favored to win this game. Personally, I am not into sports, but when I have to be dragged kicking and screaming to a sporting event, basketball would be my "torture" choice. Watching those guys dunk the ball was awesome! Better yet, I found the whole rhythm in the stadium to be entertaining. It was as if I was in a jungle hearing the natives beat their war drums getting ready for attack. I do not like rap music, but in this venue it became enjoyable and addicting. Watching the players was like watching a well-choreographed dance routine. They are artistic, graceful and run like gazelles which probably explains why some of the players admit to taking ballet lessons. (My guys tell me to please not talk like this because it ruins the whole experience for them.) I find basketball to be a much more civilized sport than the barbaric game of football. Maybe that is why I had a fantastic time and want to go again!

My guys forgot to inform me that Michael Jordon owns the Charlotte Bobcats team. Just one of the many trivial items they do not mention to me. They probably didn't think I knew who MJ was. But I knew! And as I sat there under the goal, glancing around at the crowd, cheering for the Celtics, playing with my Ipod touch, low and behold who do you think I spot sitting about twenty feet from me? Yes, Michael Jordon! I then proceeded to punch Big C and Big I and say Look! Look! Just like your typical star-struck idiot! I was so close, the sparkle from the diamonds on his bracelet nearly blinded me.

It was at that point I began cheering for the Charlotte Bobcats! And do you know that they whooped-up on the Celtics in overtime and won? Big C says it was because MJ was on the bench giving them pep talks but I choose to believe it was because of my cheering.

Thanks for reading, Rosie.