I WON SUE AND MISS SOPHIE'S GIVEAWAY!

Sue along with her adorable granddaughter, Miss Sophie, recently had a giveaway and I was fortunate enough to win! If you are a regular reader of Sue's blog, Rue Mouffetard, you may remember the darling calendar starring Miss Sophie as movie heroes/heroines. The giveaway was a DVD of one of the movies portrayed by Sophie in the calendar. We chose "Dr. Zhivago", so I was expecting a padded envelope with the DVD. I was so surprised to get this huge box in the mail with all of these goodies in it for a great movie night at home.

Check this out! Boxes of candy, popcorn, hot chocolate mix with marshmallows, and, of course, the movie were enclosed

Plus, there were this popcorn salt shaker from Williams-Sonoma and two pairs of cuddly socks to keep my feet warm while watching the movie.

How great is all of that? Thanks Sue and Sophie! Please go by Rue-Mouffetard; Sue is always cooking up something good.

Thanks for stopping by,
Sally

NAIL HEAD TRIM

I love nail head trim on furniture. Are you familiar with the above product that makes it so easy to add nail heads to a project?

It comes in a strip like this with a hole every 5 nail heads. You just take a tack and nail it in the hole through to your piece of furniture. You get a nice, straight even line of nail heads!

I recently bought this little twig stool at an auction, but it really needed a new upholstery job. Sorry, I don't have any before pictures. I just wasn't thinking!! Here it is with its new plaid top and nail head trim.

I have a hard time deciding in my home decor if I want sophistication or rustic; so, I just combine the two. Hope the design police don't show up to tell me otherwise!!!

Thanks for stopping by,

Sally

WE HAVE A WINNER!!!

In celebration of my 100th post, I'm giving away today this apron and potholder that I made just for this occasion, plus this transferware cup/saucer. I will also include a couple of surprises in the box from the great state of Colorado. And no, Gloria it isn't Coors beer. (Wouldn't that be illegal to send across state lines!!!) At any rate, I so enjoyed reading all of the comments about this giveaway. But, more importantly, I have appreciated your friendship over the last few months as I embarked on this blogging journey.

So, without further discussion, I have put all of the names of those that have commented on my last two posts in this blue bowl.

My two charming grandkids stopped by after school today and drew the name of:

Yes, you may have to click on the picture to see that the giveaway goes to NIKKI of Blah, Blah, Blah blog! And wouldn't you know, Nikki is a notorious non-cook, but said in the comment that her husband would be so excited to see her in an apron. Here you go, Nikki, email me at salmagundiss(at)yahoo(dot)com with your mailing address, and I'll get the package right out to you. Then, of course, we want to see a picture of you in the apron in front of that big metal box that heats up and cooks food!

Thanks to everyone who participated. I'm always thrilled when you comment on my posts and I read everyone of them!

Sally

TABLESCAPE TUESDAY & A GIVEAWAY REMINDER

Once again it is Tablescape Tuesday hosted by Susan of Between Naps on the Porch. My favorite place to eat lunch when I am home alone is at the computer. So, today I've fixed a tray so I can share my lunch time with you, my blogging friends!

The menu today is simple - some salad, creamed cheese & almonds on whole grain bread, a tangelo, and a chocolate brownie.

The glass and salad bowl are Fostoria in the Argus pattern. The larger plate is "Liberty Blue" which was part of a dinner set sold inexpensively in 1976 to celebrate the U. S.'s bicentennial. The Liberty Bell plate is also from 1976 produced by Wedgwood as a special edition award exclusively to Avon Representatives. I found it at a yard sale years ago.

Thanks for sharing lunch with me!


A REMINDER!!

On my previous post, I announced a giveaway to celebrate my 100th post. All of the commenters on the previous post and this post will receive a chance to win this apron, potholder, the transferware cup/saucer, and a couple of surprises. So, it is not too late to throw your name in the bowl!! The drawing will be held on January 28th.

Thanks for stopping by and please go by Susan's to find all of the other Tablescape Tuesday participants.


Sally

A GIVEAWAY FOR MY 100TH POST!!!

My 100th post is coming up, so naturally I wanted to have a giveaway to thank everyone who has been so kind to me during the last few months. I've been doing a little sewing just for you. I made an apron just like I use to make back in the 1950s when I was first married. No respectable cook should be without one - just ask June Cleaver!! Then I made a potholder with a transferware cup on it - all of my friends are getting potholders this year from me, and I wanted to include you, my blog friends.

Now, you all know how I love my transferware. So, in my giveaway, I'm including a cup and saucer, in order that we may share a cup of something hot to drink across the miles. This cup/saucer is from the W. H. Grindley & Co. Ltd., England in the 'Homeland' pattern.

I will also include a couple of surprises in the package - a little something from the great state of Colorado. (I promise I won't send you any snow!)

And now, the rules: You will receive a chance to win for commenting on this post and also on my next post. So, if you comment on both posts, you will receive two chances to win. Then, I have a charming grandchild waiting in the wings to draw the winning name on January 28th. If you do not have a blog, please leave me an email address when you comment, so that I can reach you if you do win. Also, sorry but I must limit this to those of you in the Continental U.S. - you know how high postage rates are getting!

Good luck everyone; and thanks again for supporting me during my blog journey!!

Sally

"THE TRUCK"

The above picture was taken in the early 1970s of our bright red 1971 Chevrolet Suburban. Yes, we bought that huge hunk of metal, gas guzzling vehicle brand new in January 1971. We had to wait 6 months after we ordered it for it to arrive from Detroit. We were so excited that when the transport came in we went to the dealership in the dark and watched it being unloaded. Bob said that night that he was never going to sell the beauty! Well, guess what?, we still own that Suburban, fondly known around here as "The Truck".

At the time, we had a two year old, and thought that all of that steel would protect our precious cargo. We strapped him in the middle seat with the lap belt (no shoulder seat belts in those days). When we adopted our daughter at three weeks old, we brought her to her new home in this hunk of steel just in my arms - no baby car seats in those days either. It makes you wonder how everyone survived, but luckily "The Truck" has never been in an accident.


The kids grew up, and they learned to drive "The Truck", which was not an easy chore. There is no power steering, no power brakes, no automatic transmission, and no air conditioning. They loved taking it to school, however, as it would hold a whole bunch of kids to go out to lunch. We never worried too much thinking all that steel would protect them.

"The Truck" was our only vehicle for a number of years, and served as the work truck for our engineering business. It has been on back roads, up and over mountains, through mud, snow and ice; it has been on family vacations, to the grocery store, and to church. It has hauled so many pieces of furniture; wood, etc. from the lumber yard; appliances; and has been known to be a temporary storage room for something that wouldn't fit in the house, garage, or shed at the moment! The back end has a wooden floor big enough for a 5-year old's dance recital. It has been very faithful to us!

Finally, a year ago, Bob decided it was time to reward "The Truck". It had grown rusty, lost its hubcaps, and had oxidized to an orange color. Pretty sad!!

And now, here it is with its new paint job and hubcaps. Isn't it a beauty once again? It still runs like a top and guzzles gas like there is no tomorrow, but we love it.

Happy 38th Birthday, "Truck"!!!

PACK RAT OR COLLECTOR??

Am I a pack rat or a collector?

A pack rat is defined as a rodent of the Rocky Mountain area. Well, my in laws may think of me as a rodent sometimes, and I do live in the Rocky Mountains.
A pack rat has well developed cheek pouches. Mine are pretty chubby!
A pack rat will drop what they are carrying, and exchange it for something else they see and want. That is definitely me in an antique mall.
A pack rat is particularly fond of shiny objects. I love my German lustre dishes.
They hoard miscellaneous & unneeded objects. Just how many different dishes does a person really need?

Now, a collector of objects is said to:
SEEK. I'm definitely out there looking.
LOCATE. There is no problem finding an object of desire.
ACQUIRE. It appears I buy plenty.
ORGANIZE. Well, I guess that is questionable.
CATALOG. Never, I don't want to know how many dishes I have!
DISPLAY: That I do.
STORE: Obviously.
MAINTAIN: I adore my dishes (isn't that maintenance?). Plus, if I ever need to have a sit down dinner for 120 people, I'm ready!!

So, what do you think? Am I a pack rat or a collector? (I purposely only opened the doors on just two of several cupboards holding my dishes. I didn't want to cloud your judgment of my obsession!!)

Thanks for stopping by,
Sally

MET MONDAY

It is the very first Metamorphosis Monday hosted by Susan at

Between Naps on the Porch. I have chosen a recent project of my husbands to share today. I've mentioned before that Bob loves to find a box of wooden parts at an auction for a dollar or two. Then, he sorts them to figure out just what he has. This chair came in pieces in one of those boxes. Once he had it laid out, there were only a couple of rungs missing. Sorry, I don't have a picture of all of the pieces; but this is what it looked like all assembled and still unfinished with the new rungs he made.

Early 20th century pressed-back chairs have always been a favorite of mine.

Here it is finished with its new seat.

I'm using the chair at my desk, so I had to make a cushion for comfort!!

Thanks for stopping by, now go and visit Susan for more wonderful makeovers.

Sally

VINTAGE VIGNETTE #8

The bird print with glorious colors and bamboo frame was recently found at Goodwill for $2.00. I have a small collection of vases made by Lee & Bonnie Wollard of West Coast Pottery in Burbank, California in the 1940s. They are all quite fluid and organic in style - this is my favorite with its green to brown glaze.

Under the dome is a hummingbird nest. When my children were young, they enjoyed watching the mother and baby hummingbirds in this nest in the eaves of my parent's carport for about four consecutive years. Then the nest was inactive for at least 10 years. When I sold my parent's house after their deaths, the last thing I did was cut this nest down. The nest was balanced between two wires. It is fluffy inside, but the outside is made of tiny paint chips gathered from the green colored house next door. Now, my grandchildren are fascinated with the nest.

Thanks for stopping by,
Sally

MY ROLE MODEL FOR GROWING OLD

I was going through some old pictures and came across the above picture. This is my mother on the left and her cousin, Louise, on the right. The picture was taken in about 1923. They were adorable in their hats and my mother with her hankie and Louise with her little purse. Everyone in the family has always called my mother's cousin, "Pete". It seems that when she was a kid, she fell in the irrigation ditch and came out all covered in peat moss; so a great-uncle started calling her Pete.

Pete was my mother's first cousin - just four months younger than my mother. Both sets of their parents were divorced when they were young. This was pretty unusual for 1920s-1930s; so, they were raised together more like sisters on their grandparent's farm. In addition to being cousins/sisters, they were also best friends for more than 70 years from birth till the day my mother died. They hardly lived much more than a mile from each other their whole lives, and visited back and forth continually. Therefore, Pete has always been a part of my life. This is a picture of Pete and me taken in 1939.

Pete is the only person living that remembers the day I was born. That must mean that both of us are getting old!! Well, Pete is 89 years old this month and is my role model for aging.

She is sharp as a tack; always tells it like it is, but never is judgmental or complains. Her kids adore her, and she still takes as good care of them as they do of her. This last summer, Pete buried her middle son - he was only 51 years old. It must be terrible to bury one of your children; but Pete was so full of faith and grace, she made it easier for everyone else.

Pete and I live 90 miles from each other, but we regularly telephone and see one another occasionally. She always is interested in everything I'm up to, asking about my family, etc. and always wants to know what I'm cooking for supper. Her grandmother (my great-grandmother) was a great cook; but was terrible at cleaning up afterwards, as she thought that was what kids were for. Pete and I always laugh about Grandmother and her ways. Pete has lots of memories to share and is my link to my ancestors.

Here is Pete recently - we were looking and laughing at some old photos.

I'm sure Pete will never read this, as "computer" is not in her vocabulary; but I needed to write down how important she has been to me. Guess I had better go call her. Anyway ---- I want to ask her if I sucked my thumb as a baby. For some unknown reason, I want to find that out!!!

TABLESCAPE TUESDAY

It is Tablescape Tuesday once again hosted by Susan at Between Naps on the Porch.

In the winter, we eat a lot of soups and stews for our main dish. So, today, I have set the table for two using some of my brown transferware.

The soup bowl is from the 19th century aesthetic period manufactured by W. H. Grindley and Co., England. I have several pieces of this pattern with its charming birds and asymmetrical Oriental banding. The 'manly' soup spoon and butter knife are from my great-grandmother's monogrammed silver. The bread plate at this setting is 19th Century, 'Stag' pattern from C.S. & Sons, England.

For an under plate, I have used a pair of 20th century brown transferware plates in the Tonquin pattern by Alfred Meakin, England.


The glassware is Fostoria, and the bread plate in the foreground is 19th century, in the 'Perak' pattern.


The two larger candle holders were made by Bob's grandfather from apple wood from his backyard. The smaller holder was made by my father from one of the original walnut trees planted by pioneers in the small town we grew up in.

Thanks for stopping by, and now head over to Susan's to check out all of the other great tablescapes!!!

Sally

I WON ANOTHER GIVEAWAY!!

Myrna at Heirlooms had a giveaway recently of one of her art pieces - in this case a charming mirror! I was thrilled to be the winner. It came with this cute tag that had the cutest pleated fringe on the bottom. The mirror is decorated with beautiful papers and sheet music then embellished with lace. I love it!! So did my 12-year old granddaughter. She said, "Oh, I want that!" We'll see - but for now it is quite at home in my sewing room. Thanks, Myrna.

AN AWARD AND POTHOLDERS

Susan at A Southern Daydreamer has bestowed upon me the Proximidade award just for being an encouraging commenter in her first month of blogging. How special is that? Thank you, Susan, for thinking of me. (see my sidebar for the beautiful award) The award comes with the following explanation:

"This award focuses on the friendships that blossom here in blog land.

Blogs who receive this award are 'exceedingly charming' say its authors. This blog invests and believes in the PROXIMITY-nearness in space, time and relationships. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

I am privileged to be a part of this blogging community, and cherish all of you! If you have not received this award, please accept it from me!!


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I've been making potholders again from Irene Berry's (an editor at Quilter Newsletter
Magazine) paper piecing patterns. This time they are for a friend's birthday.

We have shared many cups of coffee over the last 20-plus years, so I made her a cup on one of the potholders. It is blue because we both have blue willow everyday dishes!


Susan has a very elusive cat that is black with a tuft of white hair under her chin. The cat runs and hides every time our Wednesday a.m. coffee group meets at her house!! I think this is what the cat looks like since I rarely see it.

Thanks for stopping by,
Sally

VINTAGE VIGNETTE #7

After unloading my little cupboard of its Christmas stuff, I couldn't figure out what to put in there for January. It is a little too early to put in my antique valentines. Then, I decided that New Years was for looking back in TIME in addition to looking forward. So I gathered up some photos of Bob's & my grandparents and great grandparents and added their pocket watches, other jewelry, one of their old razors, and a pair of glasses that belonged to one of them.

We are enjoying looking back in TIME. Hope you enjoy it, too.

Sally

2008 TOP FOUR PROJECTS

Rhoda at Southern Hospitality is hosting a 2008 Top 10 Projects party. I came up with four projects around the Salmagundi house that are my favorites for 2008 (in reverse order)!!

NUMBER FOUR

Our guest bathroom paint job and update.

Before: Not bad, but needed repainted, crown molding, and a new counter top.

After: New shower curtain; a richer taupe color on the walls; mirror frame & cupboard repainted black; new lighter counter top; and not visible in picture - base cupboard painted and pictures of family's homesteads framed in black.

NUMBER THREE

Jelly Cupboard.

Before: One of my husband's hobbies is to buy old furniture that is in pieces, and restore it to its former glory. Here is a jelly cupboard he found in pieces laid out in his workshop.

He's figured it out and it is now back together again (almost).

And now, it is all finished and ready for resale. I wanted to keep this one, but it was sold in a flash!!

NUMBER TWO

Our computer room paint job and update.

Before: Nothing much had been done in here for 10 years. Time for a redo!

After: New crown molding, darker paint color on the walls, and all of the bookcases and the computer desk repainted in black.

AND NUMBER ONE

The kitchen paint job and update.

Before: We put this wallpaper & border up 11 years ago - time to let go!! In this picture, the border was starting to be stripped off; we had already replaced the old blue counter top with this lighter one; installed several new recessed light fixtures; replaced four of the upper cabinet doors with glass; and we had installed the hardwood floor. The kitchen was always so dark - only one window that looks out on our screened-in porch. The oak builder-grade cupboards from the 1980s were worn and dreary.

After: The crown molding is installed, the cupboards and walls have been repainted, and a new micro hood is installed over the stove. It is so much lighter and pleasant in the kitchen now.

When I talk about projects, I always say we; but in reality, it is Bob who does all of the painting and carpentry work. I am so fortunate, all I do is think things up; and he does it! I am part of the clean-up, shopping, and furniture moving crew, however.

Hope you enjoyed seeing our top four projects for 2008. Now go visit
Southern Hospitality
to see all of the other great projects listed.

Thanks for stopping by,
Sally