Thursday, May 30, 2013

Sweet Reminders of Simpler Times

 I'm not sure exactly what it is that endears me to these vintage kitchen  items.  In this case it might have been the simple child-sized mixer that " operates on a flashlight battery"
or
perhaps it was the charming graphics on the box portraying a mother and daughter happily baking together in the kitchen... oh, the fact that they are dressed in blue and yellow may have helped too.
But, then again, those words
"Like Mother's"
well, let's just say they also charmed me.

"Happy Family" baking powder.
Despite the rust and other signs of age, it called my name rather loudly on a recent antique shop visit.


 It seemed to make Mother and Son smile once upon a time :-).
Now it sits in my kitchen making me smile :-)


 I think my "Little Lady" toy stove
and the "Like Mother's" toy mixer
were both made in the 1940s.
When I watch old movies from that time period, the kitchens always look so clean and bright.  Despite the fact that the movies are in black and white, the kitchens seem happy.  Why even the "Little Lady" stove seems to be smiling.



I guess when people were drinking milk from bottles that said
"Yes Sir!  It's good for GROWN-UPS TOO!
they probably weren't all that fazed by the adorable graphics, not to mention fonts on their milk bottle ;-).  


This book, published in 1947, once helped to teach young girls
the basics of cooking.

Hands washed... nails cleaned... apron on

 Let the cooking begin!
This looks just like a kitchen from those 1940s movies.
Love her pinafore and the sugar canister.

 Kitchens have come a long way since the 1940s, but their sweet simplicity holds a special place in my heart.





Monday, May 27, 2013

Memorial Day


** Around the yard on Memorial Day 2013 **
 
When I was growing up, our holidays were usually shared with our large extended family in Michigan.  As time went on and family members moved away it became a challenge to keep up with one another at holiday time.  With everyone's different schedules and time zones, phone calls often came at inopportune moments.  So, somewhere along the line we made an unwritten rule that no matter what was going on, at 4:00 we would pause to remember and think of one another.  From then on, it was common for Christmas cards to include the line "we'll be thinking of you at 4:00".  While it wasn't quite the same as being together, it felt good to know that we were still together in thought.




 Today, as we in America celebrate Memorial Day, it is my hope that as we go about our day we take time to remember the huge sacrifices that have been made by the men and women who have fought and lost their lives while serving our country.
Yes, between parades and swimming pools, barbecues and get-togethers, it can be a busy day.  But, even in the midst of all the busyness, there's a way to take a moment to reflect on the true meaning of the Memorial Day holiday.  Today at 3:00, take one minute to observe silence, remember our true heroes and listen to Taps being played.  By doing this you will be participating in the National Moment of Remembrance
(click to learn more)

When I read about this it brought to mind our family 4:00 rule.
It always felt good to know that so many family members were forming a united front of happy family memories all at the same time.

  I'm envisioning a similar united front of Americans today at 3:00.
I'd like to think we can set aside our political differences and honor our heroes and their families by remembering the sacrifices they made for us all.

 





Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Announcing the Shabby Apple Giveaway Winner

Thanks to all who entered the
Shabby Apple Giveaway
I put all of your names in the hat
and
look who popped out ...  



Congratulations to Domestic Diva!
I will be forwarding your e-mail address to Shabby Apple and you will receive your $50 gift certificate shortly.
 
Thanks again to Shabby Apple for making this giveaway possible.

 I'll be back to regular blogging (whatever that is :) soon.
Enjoy your day!





Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Shabby Apple Giveaway


It's no secret that this is a busy time of year.
Along with  keeping up with the household chores & the work and school schedules,  we're now adding a long list of outdoor activities to the schedule... lawns to mow, flowers to plant, weeds to pull.
 
  
 Along with the never-ending list of chores to be accomplished, this time of year finds us busy attending graduation parties, showers, weddings, etc.
 Yes, it's a busy time, but also a time for fun and memory making.

Trying to keep up with our busy schedules and also find time to shop for the outfits we want to wear to these fun and memory making events can be a challenge.  

 
 So, when I was recently given the opportunity to offer one of my readers a generous $50 gift certificate to Shabby Apple, I was thrilled to do so.  If you aren't familiar with Shabby Apple, they specialize in vintage clothing.  All of the pictures above are from their site.  I had a lot of fun looking through the pretty things they offerEverything is so feminine and has such a fun vintage flair.  

  
 I love this.
It reminds me of the way I used to dress my Barbie doll.
 Definitely vintage and feminine.

Now, about that giveaway,  one lucky winner will be chosen to receive a $50 gift certificate to Shabby Apple.  Please click this link vintage clothing    and take a look at what they have to offer.  If you're interested all you have to do is leave a comment on this post.
Winner will be announced on May 22nd.
Sorry, giveaway is open to readers in the USA only.
Good luck and thanks to Shabby Apple for making this giveaway possible! 

 


 

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Oh What a Beautiful Morning


Our recent rains have given way to a fresh, clean landscape.
The pollen has been washed away, our dreaded humidity hasn't surfaced yet and this morning was as close to perfect as it gets, in my humble opinion.

So, with camera in hand, I took an early morning stroll through the garden taking note of the wonders of nature.  The peonies are loaded with buds just waiting to open.  I'm making a mental note to find an ideal vase for them.  I'll leave most of them outside, but I can't resist bringing in at least one bouquet.

 The hostas are emerging from their winter homes.
They look so fresh and healthy now before the summer heat and little critters get to them.

I picked up this container at Walmart recently.
I love this combination of colors.

 Speaking of containers, I tried a new-to-me color combination on the patio this year.  I wouldn't have thought to mix these plants together.  The idea is loosely based on a photo I took at a garden walk a few years ago.  I love the inspiration that can be found at the local garden walks.  Sadly, I just learned that the one I've enjoyed for several years is going to be discontinued.  Boo Hoo!

 For the center of the patio table I bought a hanging basket filled with these mini petunias (I think they're called Supertunias).  I then removed them from the hanging basket and put them into my existing glazed pot.  This turned out to be less expensive than buying several individual plants and much easier too.

 
The cost of flowers can add up fast, so I cut corners where I can.
For instance, our Lowe's always has plants in the very back of the garden center that have been reduced to clearance prices.  Some of them look like they're not long for this world, but others are just a bit ragged.  Nothing a bit of TLC can't cure.  The gerbera daisies pictured above were all reduced to $2.50 per pot.  I honestly couldn't see anything wrong with them.  I also purchased two hanging baskets filled with begonias for $2.50.  I plan to separate them to line the edge of my herb bed.

  
On a final note, I took a picture of my one and only iris.
The year before last we divided our big clump of them.
It had been growing in the same spot for 8 years and wasn't producing as many flowers as I thought it should have.  I read that they needed to be divided every few years.
Last year we didn't get any blooms, which I think is to be expected.
This year we have several healthy looking clumps scattered about the garden.  However, only one big bloom and another bud getting ready to bloom.  Oh well, it's a mighty pretty bloom and there's always next year.  

Thank you for sharing this beautiful morning with me.   



 

Thursday, May 2, 2013

May Flowers


~ My daily trip to the mailbox just got prettier ~


So far I am loving these May flowers.
Thank you, April showers.