VINTAGE VIGNETTE

If you follow my blog even a little (and I thank you!), you know that I have been "keeping house" for a good many years. We have always been on a budget, so consequently we have done yard sales, auctions, antique and thrift stores to fill our home with things we enjoy. Plus, since 1988; we have assimilated four households of our parents and grandparents belongings into ours. We consider ourselves very fortunate to have been able to decorate our home with things of meaning to us.

With so many antique and vintage items available, I am able to change out the vignettes around our home quite frequently. I thought I would share some of these with you in the future on a weekly basis.

I love old boxes, totes, anything hand-made for utilitarian use. This little box of drawers was probably used in some one's workshop to hold nuts and bolts. The little round handles are each made from half of a thread spool. The green pitcher is not marked, but I got it at an estate auction one day cheap as no one bid against me. That doesn't happen often! The tin tray is a recent yard sale find. I love the colors in it. The table topper is a quilt I made several years ago and is called "Time Woven In".

Thanks for viewing my vintage vignette,

Sally

LONDON COLOR

Before a recent trip to London, England, we were told to expect gray skies, dreary facades, and a lack of color. What we found were beautiful blue skies, flowers, interesting buildings, and plenty of color for inspiration!!

Hope you enjoyed a short trip to colorful London!

Thanks for going along,

Sally

TABLESCAPE TUESDAY

Once again it is Tablescape Tuesday hosted by Susan at Between Naps on the Porch. Check out her blog for a list of delicious tablescapes!It is November and time for a simple harvest soup supper for just the two of us.
These are my everyday Blue Willow dishes which I purchased at the grocery store several years ago. You know - get a place setting for $1 with the purchase of a certain amount of groceries! Plus, you could purchase serving pieces at a reduced rate. Being a dish lover, I couldn't pass that up!! I'm so glad I bought them - they have been wonderful - so durable and never chip or break. They are marked "Churchill, made in England".

I've paired them with my 1960s red Fostoria in the Argus pattern.


The table topper is a small quilt I made in 1997 to illustrate a magazine article. The quilt is called "Migration". Can you see those birds migrating south for the winter?


Now, back to the harvest soup supper. I'm so fortunate to have Bob who loves to garden in the summer and provides bags of fresh vegetables in the freezer for me to make soup throughout the winter.

So, a handful of this and a handful of that with some cubed meat all thrown into the crock-pot; we have harvest soup. Served with bread sticks from our favorite bakery, we have a warm and fulfilling supper.

Then to top it off, how about a taste of pumpkin dessert!!

It sure tasted good on a cool, Colorado evening!

Thanks for stopping by,

Sally

OVERWHELMED WITH PAPER!!

Blue Monday is hosted by Sally at Smiling Sal. Check out her blog for a list of those participating in a variety of blue on a Monday!

I submit the following for Blue Monday in hopes that my new pretty blue magazine holders qualify!!

While Bob has been toiling away putting up crown molding and painting in our computer room; I've been trying to make some sense of a bunch of paper stuff that was stored in the room. I believe the fancy name of this stuff is called ephemera! You see both Bob and I grew up in this "Happy Days" small town in Colorado. Both sides of my family had lived in "Happy Days" since the 1870s - we still have relatives there!

My family were Savers (with a capital S). They saved every type of paper: checks, letters, postcards, bills, photos, etc. And somehow, a lot of it seemed to have landed in a cupboard in our computer room. Plus, I must admit, Bob and I have such fond memories of "Happy Days", we have added to the pile of paper by buying postcards, etc. of our then idealistic little town. I've been wanting to move that cupboard to the back porch for storage of cushions, etc. for over the winter. So, you guessed it, I had to deal with all of the paper stuff. It was time to sort it out!! So for two days, I've been OVERWHELMED WITH PAPER. This is what my guest bedroom has looked like.

I really am trying to make some sense out of it.
I found 97 different picture postcards of "Happy Days" dating from 1897 to the 1980s; pictures of the schools, churches, farms, ranches, street scenes, and celebrations.

There are over 100 statements of accounts at a variety of businesses including cancelled checks and letterheads dating from the 1800s. There is a check written by one of my grandfathers to my other grandfather on the other side of my family paid in full for sheep. There are checks that my mother wrote at Bob's family grocery store.

I just can't make myself dispose of this slice of history! It is sad, really, because the town of "Happy Days" has deteriorated and is wasting away. There are very few businesses anymore, population has declined.

So I organized it as best as I could in notebooks and pretty blue magazine holders so it will fit on a couple of shelves in the bookcases. Someday, maybe we will donate this ephemera to the little museum in "Happy Days". I was feeling pretty good about accomplishing this task, when Bob reminded me that there are still several trunks in the shed to be gone through. I guess I'm still behind on my paper work. Oh, well, another time!!

See my pretty blue magazine holders.

When I was feeling overwhelmed, I thought of this picture I had taken of a gas station in "Happy Days". This desk has been in this condition for about 10 years. Do you suppose the owner feels just a little BLUE and overwhelmed? Sorry, about the quality of the picture; but this desk was just too good (or bad?) not to share.

So, when you get behind on your paper work, just remember someone is further behind than you!!!



Thanks for stopping by,
Sally

ANNA PETERS CHINA

This is my small collection of hand painted china by Anna Peters. I have tried to find out something about the talented Ms. Peters, but keep coming to a dead end. Does anyone out there in blog land know anything about her?She is a master at painting realistic roses.

The large blue handled plate with the pale roses belonged to my mother, and I know she had it in the 1940-1950s.


Three of the scalloped plates I purchased in an antique store in the 1970s. The rest of the pieces I have acquired over the years. They are all signed either with "Anna Peters" or just "Peters".




I would love to know more about this talented china painter!!!!

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As you can tell, it never occurred to me to do a Halloween post. I'm just not into Halloween, I guess; as I haven't even bought the candy yet. I better get to Wal-mart. My little goblins will be here in a few hours wondering what Grammy has for them!!! Happy Halloween to all of you, my blogging goblins!!!

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Carrie of Oak Rise Cottage was able to find some information on Ms. Anna R. Peters, the talented china painter of my dishes. Ms. Peters had a china painting studio in Denver, Colorado from 1905 - 1907. RubyLane.com has a couple of her plates for sale - one of the smaller size of Colorado's state flower, the columbine, for $60 and a larger plate of roses similar to mine for $100. WOW! I had no idea my plates could be this old or this expensive. Mine were purchased at bargain prices! I'll certainly be on the lookout for more, now. Thanks, Carrie, for searching out this information for me.

Thanks for stopping by,
Sally

An Award, A Tag and Potholders

Sheila at Note Songs, in all of her diva-ness has bestowed upon me this award. I'm truly honored, Sheila, to accept this from you. You were the very first commenter on my very first post!!! Thank you for being such a faithful blogging sister!

Brettinsky at The Hostess with the Mostess has also given me this award. She is a young blogger with amazing organizational skills. Check out her blog for some great tips.

Along with the award came the tag to list six things I value and six things that I don't value. So here goes:

Things I value:

1. My relationship with God.

2. My family - 50 wonderful years of marriage to Bob with 2 great all grown up kids, Mike and Jenni, and of course, 2 of the most adorable grand kids in this universe, Caitlin and Wyatt.

3. My home.

4. Education and a thirst for knowledge.

5. Is it o.k. to value my dishes?? To me, they are a symbol of hospitality to others and a link to my ancestors.

6. The opportunities provided by this country and our freedom.

Things I don't value:

1. Abuse to anyone or anything in any manner.

2. People that are so wrapped up in themselves that you can't get a word in a conversation.

3. Brussel sprouts

4. Constantly whiny and grouchy people - at least pretend to be happy for the sake of others. Solve your problems and get on with it!

5. The current political climate - Didn't the candidates learn in kindergarten to work together to solve problems and that it wasn't nice to say nasty things about someone else????

6. Did I mention Brussel sprouts?

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I'm making potholders again from the paper pieced patterns of Irene Berry, an editor at Quilter's Newsletter Magazine.

This time they are for the birthday of my bird-watching friend, Jan.

First, a blue bird!

Then, a robin red breast!


If you are a quilter, please check out Quilter's Newsletter Magazine for wonderful projects.

Thanks for stopping by,
Sally

RECIPE PARTY BY SANTAMAKER!

A SANTAMAKER'S JOURNEY is hosting a party Monday showcasing simple go-to recipes. Please check her blog out for a list of those participating. Look at her previous posts, also, as she is an amazing talent with a beautiful home!!!

A simple, go-to recipe for me almost always involves the crock-pot. The following recipe is good for when I'm gone all afternoon, and we are going to need a quick supper. The grandkids love this on a bun for lunch, also. PLUS, it is good to take to a potluck or serve on a buffet table as an appetizer.

BBQ SMOKED SAUSAGE

Cut smoked sausage or kielbasa into 1" pieces to serve at a potluck or as an appetizer. Cut into 4" pieces to serve on a bun.

Mix together for a BBQ sauce:

1/2 cup catsup

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 tablespoon vinegar

1 tablespoon soy sauce

Put sausage into crock pot; add sauce over sausage and cook on low for 4 hours.

And what is a post without a picture!! Here I am in 1958 as a 19-year old new bride. I knew nothing about cooking; but look out June Cleaver, here I come with my house dress and apron.

And look at those shiny, new pans and utensils!

Thanks for stopping by,

Sally

A RECIPE AND "WORDS FROM MY SOAPBOX"

Do you have a surplus of green tomatoes in your garden?If you like fried green tomatoes, you'll like this casserole!

This is what you need:

3 cups of coarse bread crumbs (I make my own out of leftover ends of various breads)

1 tablespoon sugar (either white or brown)

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

4-5 medium green tomatoes, cut into 1/4 inch slices

1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

2 tablespoons butter, broken into pieces

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease a 6-cup casserole. Combine sugar, salt and pepper in a small bowl.

Arrange 1/3 of the tomato slices in the bottom of dish. Sprinkle 1/3 of the sugar mixture, 1/3 of the breadcrumbs and 1/3 of the cheese over the tomatoes in a layer.

Repeat with a second layer of tomatoes, sugar mixture, bread crumbs, and cheese.

For a third layer, add remaining tomatoes, sugar mixture and bread crumbs.

Dot with butter.

Cover casserole and bake 1 hour. Uncover and sprinkle remaining cheese on top. Bake 5 minutes longer. Remove from oven and let stand 15 minutes before serving.


Makes a good side dish to enjoy with meat.






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That's the recipe, now for some "Words from my Soapbox!!"


Please refer to my previous post about learning to read with Dick and Jane.


I am so amazed when I go into a first grade classroom today. It is as different as night and day from my experiences as a first grader. Even the physical aspect of the room is different. It seems so dark, the ceilings are low, and the room appears so crowded. Some kids are seated at round tables in a social enclave with their backs to the teacher, and some are lounging on the carpeted floors. The room is filled with interest centers where you can feed the fish, pet the gerbil, play house, finger paint, play on the computer, etc. etc. There are educational toys and games, lots of books, art projects hanging from the ceiling, bulletin boards loaded with calendars, pictures, and learning aids. There are jars of reward candy; sometimes even breakfast is being served. There are literacy aides helping kids, with other children going in and out of the classroom to other special classes. I've seen coffee pots, microwaves, refrigerators plus CD players and lights that can be dimmed for atmosphere in the classroom.


Oh my!!!! Even though I am an adult, I sometimes feel overwhelmed and unable to focus in this situation. Do the kids feel that way, too, I wonder?


In spite of all of these resources and the fact that the majority have been to preschool and kindergarten; there are too many children who are unable to read and are lacking any self-discipline. I know all too well that the schools are not solely the problem or the solution. I'm well aware of what teachers are faced with today, as my son is a high school teacher and my husband substitute teaches in the elementary schools. Discussion at our dinner table is often about this subject and the huge numbers of emotionally-needy kids out there. My hope is that every child can experience a joyful thirst for knowledge followed by the inner reward of learning. But, it appears to me that this is becoming a rare thought process in the children of the 21st century.


I certainly don't have the answer; I'm not even sure of the question!! Any comments?



Thanks for stopping by,


Sally

DICK AND JANE (PLUS SALLY)

I learned to read from the series of books entitled "Dick and Jane". Educators, writers, illustrators and editors produced these books that taught millions of children to read from 1930 through 1960.

Dick and Jane (plus others including little sister, Sally) lived in a wonderful world where the fun never stopped. For those of us that were depression or World War II children, it was perhaps a fantasy world; but one that we could aspire to live in to achieve the American dream.

Below are three original pages from Dick and Jane that I have found over the years. The first one is 16" x 20" and is from a teacher's table display.
"Mother Makes Something" is from one of the student books.

And my favorite: Sally CAN work!!!!



I remember how exciting it was to learn to read, and how proud I was that one of the characters in the books shared my name.

Even though my mother read constantly, my first real reading experience began with my first grade teacher, Miss LaShier. She was the same first grade teacher in the same classroom that my father experienced, and she was very knowledgeable about first graders. Some of us were still only five years old, and the room seemed huge to us with 33 wooden desks in rows and columns all facing Miss LaShier's desk. There were six large windows letting in lots of light and a third wall with a blackboard.

We knew from day one that we were there for one purpose and that was to learn to read, write, and do math. That was our job, and there was no messing around. Miss LaShier had on her desk a wooden ruler that we knew was not for a mathematical exercise. I never knew her to use it on a child, but we knew that we were responsible for the consequences of our actions. Even with all of this seriousness, it was fun to be at school.

We soon learned that acquiring knowledge and learning to read was a reward in of itself! Our deviation from the rows and columns of our desks in the classroom was to circle up on little wooden chairs while Miss LaShier read to us each day from Dick and Jane, other story books and even the encyclopedia. She instilled in us the desire for knowledge about the world beyond our door through reading.

Here is a picture of my first grade class minus one (I got angry with one boy and cut his picture out. I regret that, now!). We all came from different backgrounds; for some English was a second language; some had ribbons in their hair while some felt fortunate to have shoes on their feet; and none of us had been to preschool or kindergarten. That was not an option in 1944.

Miss LaShier managed with the help of Dick and Jane to teach all 33 of us to read during that first year of school. I graduated from high school with almost all of those same kids; and we all continued to read, learn, and excel in school and beyond.

Thank you Dick, Jane, and Miss LaShier. (Oh yes, and Sally, too)

Thanks for stopping by,

Sally

COMPUTER ROOM MESS!!!

Yesterday I was madly cleaning house, when my husband, Bob, said don't bother with the computer room as I'm ready to start work in there!!! We always have a list going of upcoming projects; one of which has been the computer room. It has been neglected and not painted for 10 years. Bob loves a project and always has to have one going, but I let him set his own schedule. So, when he says go, I go with it!!!!!

The first two pictures were yesterday - he was moving right along removing wallpaper, and dismantling the bookcases.

Now today, he started to put up the new crown molding!!!
I'm excited; but look at the computer all squashed up with a mess of wires!!!

The point of this post is that as fast as he is moving, at anytime I may not be able to access the computer. Therefore, I may be a bad blogger for a few days. I do have some posts prescheduled. Just bear with us as we are going to paint the bookcases, etc. etc. in addition to the crown molding and new paint on the walls. Hopefully, I'll have a refreshed room to blog about when we are done.

Till then,

Sally