A Little Bit of Everything

My Grandmother Would Be 100 Today!

2012-02-25T15:06:00.000-05:00

Today my Grandmother would have been 100 years old!! She passed away 9 years ago - it doesn't really seem like 9 years ago - so much has happened since then!! My name for her was "Ma Weise" - to tell you the truth I don't even really know how to spell that - I always just wrote - M. Louise, her name was Louise.
My grandparents lived right across the road from us - I probably saw her just about every day of my life until I was about 20- and now that I'm looking for pictures of her with me, there don't seem to be many - here she is gazing at me.....I was 5 months old....I was the only grandchild they had.

I remember trying to get her to teach me how to make her porridge - it was so creamy and smooth - I had a special bowl that I always used with stripes on it - I have the bowl but I sure don't know how to make the oatmeal - oh, to taste that porridge again....

She was a great baker -her thick molasses cookies - so good - I remember my grandfather spreading butter on them. I have all her recipes written in her own hand, I think I really should try a few but I know nothing I make will taste as good as her baking did!

Ma Weise became Great Mom when my children came along - they loved going over there to have lunch - usually Kraft Dinner, eat in the livingroom and watch "The Price is Right"

I've been transferring Dad's slides to my computer - just wanted to include a couple of neat ones that I found...

My grandparents - Carl and Louise

I have the beads that she's wearing.. And, I hate to say it, but we still have this old blanket - Darcy has it in his truck right now!

I think they were in a motel room in this picture - she was acting the fool!

I have this great old picture of them - this would have been prior to 1936 - taken at a beach in Prince Edward Island - their home.

I may be far away from the little fishing village where I grew up, but my Ma Weise is not far away in my thoughts...

Eloise Wilkin and her Illustrations

2012-02-22T15:17:00.001-05:00

Just about every time I go on Pinterest I see something that I remember from my childhood or that my children had - after seeing many many Golden Books that were illustrated by Eloise Wilkin - I wanted to get the containers out and see just what we did have - her illustrations are just beautiful - especially the babies and toddlers. I found five books that belonged to Carla and Darcy - back then I didn't take any stock of Eloise Wilkin - the books were just ones we liked. The bottom one is a book of poems and not a Golden Book, Mom and Dad gave it to Carla for her first Christmas in 1982. The artwork is so unique - the inside pics are from "We Help Mommy", they just take you back to another time.... If you want to see more Golden Books and other great old children's books, I have a Pinterest board - Beautiful Children's Books - I'm finding new ones every day.... And, because it's Rednesday, I'm linking up to Rednesday at Sue Loves Cherries - drop on over and visit Sue. While you're browsing around - check out Vintage Thingie Thursday too - always a few interesting things to read about over there...

Aren't they just so cute? Do you have any Eloise Wilkin books at your home??

I Found Something I Wanted!!

2012-02-21T15:14:00.000-05:00

I didn't hold out much hope of finding anything on Sunday when I walked into Value Village, it was half an hour before closing but I did and it was something I wanted - a syrup dispenser. I spotted a set in this great book I received for Christmas and it was just took my eye. I really don't expect to ever find the other pieces of the set - the batter dispenser and a pitcher. According to the book, it was made by Anchor Hocking, I only paid $2.99, there are no markings on it, that is probably the only reason I got it for so cheap - the Value Village people didn't know what a little gem it was!

I had three sales over the weekend - two on Ebay and one on Etsy - it's slow going but it's better than no sales - I just started listing a few vintage items again - if only postage wasn't so expensive, I might be mailing out packages every day. I did find a few new items to list though....

Mug by Federal

Glasbake Orange Soup Bowl

Love is...letting him have the last sip of your wine. Remember the "Love Is" line from the 70's?

Every time my daughter and I see the Tom and Jerry set, we want it, we don't know why, but we just do!!! I was browsing on Ebay last week, I didn't hesitate to click the "buy it now" button, the bowl was only $5.99, no cups, but it's really the bowl I wanted anyway, even with the postage, it was way less then we usually see them for. There are no markings on it, I wonder if it's Anchor Hocking or Hazel Atlas? All I know is that I'm glad to have it and I love it!!

I'm linking up with Sophie - Thrift Share Monday at Her Library Adventures andThrift Share Tuesday at Apron Thrift Girl - I've discovered many new blogs that I started following after linking up, check some of them out..

Pyrex - Made in Canada

2012-02-16T15:08:00.000-05:00

A couple of weeks ago I found a few pieces of "Delphite" - the blue Pyrex - which was made in Canada. That day this little shop also had three white cups, which I've been thinking about ever since, I went back yesterday and bought them, thinking they might be good for resale - changed my mind, not selling them!! I started researching them when I got home, they're stamped "Corex" - I had never heard of them before. According to an article on The Corelle Corner (check it out, it's really interesting) this ivory piecrust design was made in Canada and maybe not produced after 1949 - these little mugs could be at least 63 years old!! I paid $1.50 for each one.

So, that got me to thinking about my other Canadian made Pyrex - I always call the blue "Delphite", in the Corelle Corner article they refer to it as Pastel Blue Pyrex - here's what I've collected so far, every piece has been dirt cheap - like a few cents for a cup!!

I have one large serving plate, two supper plates, seven side plates, one bowl (six plates and one bowl, never used, still with Pyrex sticker), cream and sugar, five cups and now my three new Corex ivory white cups.

How could I forget my fridgies - they were all given to me!!!!

That little plant in Leaside, Ontario must have been a busy one - just think of all that lovely Pyrex that was being made right here - where is it all now??? I went through the cupboards looking for more Canadian pieces, I have more than I thought...

These two divided dishes are not Canadian pieces, $2.99 for the Town and Country and $1 for the Compass - I already have that one so it's going to Carla

Today I'm linking up to Vintage Thingie Thursday, Flea Market Finds and Thrift Share Monday - there are just so many goodies to check out on these great blogs!

Happy Birthday, Mom

2012-02-14T17:17:00.000-05:00

Mom - age 17

I think this might have been Mom's first Christmas as a married lady

Mom and Dad

Mom and I

Tomorrow is Mom's 75th birthday, I am thousands of miles away but there is not a day that I don't think about her. Mom has been waiting in hospital for a nursing home bed since June, I hope each day that the phone will ring and she will have her bed.... It's such a long wait....

Happy Birthday, Mom!

My Little 80's Valentine!

2012-02-14T08:28:00.000-05:00

Dad made this special Valentine for Carla one year, I found it going through some of his pictures last night - love it - she was stylish that day with her plaid vest and skirt set. And, of course, just like now she needed some jewellery-her Popple heart pin is proudly worn, now she would be wearing probably at least five broaches at a time!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Linking up with Rednesday

My One Valentine Decoration and It's Old!

2012-02-09T10:57:00.000-05:00

I don't do much decorating for Valentine's Day, I used to when Carla and Darcy were small but now I just put out this lone decoration.

An elderly lady I know quite well gave me this a few years ago, before Christmas she gave me some vintage cookbooks which I blogged about as well. This is the sweetest old honeycomb Valentine, it stands about 9 inches high and was made in Germany, it's getting a little faded and I have to put tape on it to hold it together when I put it out but it's standing the test of time. Wouldn't it be nice to go out and purchase a Valentine like this for your special someone... The Valentine wish is on the little slip of paper stuck on the honeycomb. I'm going to link up with Vintage Thingie Thursday - hope you check it out, I just bet there will be a few more Valentine posts this week..

To My Valentine
Muse bid the morn awake
Sad winter now declines
Each bird doth choose a mate
This day's St. Valentines.

Some Pyrex, Some Vera and Some Other Stuff

2012-02-06T15:47:00.000-05:00

I think it's about time I sit down and share what I thrifted last week. We started kitchen renovations here on the weekend, it's hard to concentrate on composing, taking pics and all that stuff when there's saws and hammers making a lot of noise, and well, let's not even talk about the dust!!

I was so lucky at Value Village last week - I haven't found a casserole of any type in there for quite a while, I turned the corner to housewares and started walking fast at that point - here's why..

I'm going to call this Kelly Green - it wasn't quite so bright when I brought it home and when I look at the picture closely, I can still see some areas that I need to scour a little bit more. It's a 024 - 2 qt. casserole - I see one in the Pyrex Guide with a Jetson like warmer but the lid is different -I wonder if this one goes with that?? I paid $4.99.

I said I wasn't going to buy Cinderella bowls but guess I can't help myself and for a $1 each, what's a person to do?? But, I really can't buy any more 444's - they just take up too much room.

Today was a great mail day - my blue Dots 403 arrived all the way from sunny Florida - thanks Sharon, for the great trade!!

Now onto my thrifted scarves - I was lucky enough to find a couple of Vera's, which I'm keeping for myself, the others are going to my Etsy shop. The first Vera is huge - about 27 x 27 - way bigger than any of the other ones I have..

I found some other odds and ends too - a couple of old games for $1 each - we tried "Ginny-O" on the weekend - it wasn't too bad, we'll definitely play it again. " Pit" is a commodity trading game with the cutest orange bell - we'll be waiting for Carla and her Darcy to come home to play that one!!

Carla will probably be getting this cookbook for her collection too - but not before I go through it first. I paid 50 cents. Don't the recipes always look so elaborate in these old cookbooks?

I linking up to these great blogs -Flea Market Finds, Apron Thrift Girl, and Home Maker on a Dime - check them out if you're interested in thrifty living!

A Steal on Chocolate Chips!!

2012-02-01T11:12:00.000-05:00

Do you ever buy something at the store, get home and check your sales receipt and realize that something is priced very wrong, but it's in your favor - that happened to me yesterday when I picked up a pack of chocolate chips at one of my local stores - the tag on the shelf said $2.97 - someone has made a mistake, they're coming up on the cash register at 73 cents!! Notice I got a whopping 3 cents off my order for using my own reusable bag too!!! A few months ago the same store had the same kind of error going on with pure maple syrup, I was stocking up every time I went in - it was about half price and you know how expensive that stuff is!!!

I went right back and bought ten bags this morning - they don't expire until Sept. 2013 - they'll be used! These are good quality chocolate chips too, made by Kraft Canada!! I'm proud of my deal!!!

Always check your receipt!!

I'm linking up to Sue over at Rednesday because this is a red post, after all!!

Just Some Pyrex

2012-01-29T17:14:00.000-05:00

Spring Blossom 475-B - paid $5.75

Autumn Harvest 472-B - I already has this one-a good dish for trading or resale

I'm starting to like Old Orchard a bit more - I said I would never buy it, but never say never, I guess - this little 401 was $3.75

Who isn't always on the lookout for Delphite?? I think $1.50 for each piece was quite a good price!!!!

I had no luck at my usual thrifts last week so I paid a visit to this elderly gentleman that runs an antique shop, I only go every three months or so, the stock doesn't seem to change much, guess he put some new things out - I bought all of the above pieces there. He said he just put the "blue dishes" out last week, they were in a box out back for a couple of years.!! Don't worry, I asked - no more, so he said!!!

I'm including these, they're not Pyrex but I got them at the same shop. You can't really tell but this is a pink stripe on these little vases - I thought they were way too special to pass up...

I love the Friendship pattern - but then, who doesn't? I was browsing one day on Etsy, found this 473 casserole with lid, for such a great price and the postage was even reasonable - it's just the cutest little thing!!

I'm linking up to Flea Market Finds and Sunday's Best - check them both out.

Some More Vera Scarves

2012-01-27T15:59:00.000-05:00

I rummaged through a drawer of scarves yesterday at the Saint Vincent de Paul and found these two vintage Vera scarves - haven't found one with the lucky ladybug yet - I will find one someday! I bought two other small articles and paid a whopping $2 for everything!!

I received a nice piece of mail today - this Vera from Jeannie Marie in Florida - she read my blog post about Vera scarves and set out to find some for herself - well, look what she found - the lucky ladybug was really on her side that day! She was so very kind to share one of the scarves with me - thank you very much, I love it!!

I'm linking up today to Thrifty Things Friday over at The Thrifty Groove - check out the posts!

And, while you're browsing around, check out The Penny Worthy Project

Thrifting Finds from a Weekend Away

2012-01-24T15:11:00.000-05:00

It's nice to get away for a weekend in the winter - it breaks up the month of January, that's for sure... I checked out the goodies at a couple of antique markets - some stuff is just crazy expensive - but I did pick up a couple of pieces of Pyrex at very reasonable prices. Carla and I went around to a few thrift shops - we both got a Pyrex juice carafe for 99 cents, we saw the very exact one later at the antique market for $20- who is going to want one of those that badly???

More Pyrex....

Town and Country 043

Snowflake Blue 475 - B

Spring Blossom 403, also known as Crazy Daisy

I was lucky enough to find a couple of Vera scarves, priced at $1.99 each..

These glasses were 69 cents each..

Retro 70's Rack-O game, we have a newer one but this box is way better and even has a card dispenser..

I blogged about the Grace Kelly exhibit yesterday - it was beautiful - then I found this book for $1 the next day-I'm anxious to start it!!

I'm linking up to Flea Market Finds, Thrift Share Monday at Apron Thrift Girl and for the first time - Homemaker on a Dime.

Grace Kelly Exhibit - TIFF Bell Lightbox, Toronto, Ontario

2012-01-23T18:59:00.000-05:00

My daughter and I checked out the Grace Kelly Exhibit at the TIFF Bell Lightbox in Toronto on the weekend - the exhibit has been there since November, this was the last weekend - we so enjoyed it! I have to be honest and say that I didn't really know that much about Grace Kelly, I have never seen a movie that she made(she starred in eleven movies before she married and became Princess Grace) - I only knew her through the many photographs printed of her - but now I want to read about her life!

There were no photos allowed inside the exhibition - online images really don't do the exhibit justice - I am only including two - her handbag and her wedding gown. It took over an hour to view everything - correspondence, gowns, jewels, it was wonderful. I'm so glad we went.....

The Hermes handbag which became known as "The Kelly Bag"

This wedding gown is not the original one she wore on her wedding day.

It was a beautiful dress!

Prince Rainier and Princess Grace

Dad's Red Sleigh

2012-01-18T12:18:00.000-05:00

Red for Rednesday - It snowed here yesterday, it looks nice with Dad's old red sleigh and his snowshoes which also have a speck of red - those are my skates and here I am on a pond with Dad - I have been converting all the old slides to the computer - pretty well my whole childhood is on these slides - it's an emotional thing to do but great fun to see the old pictures.

Take time to visit over at Rednesday - I'm going to have a browse right now.... And, while you're browsing around, check out Vintage Thingie Thursday

Etsy Shop is Open

2012-01-15T00:09:00.000-05:00

I've been working on it a few days and finally, my new Etsy shop is opened for business - just getting a store name took a lot of trys - every name I typed in was already taken - I never imagined it would be so time consuming just to come up with a store name!!

I've listed a few vintage items with more to come - hope all my followers will come on over and take a browse in TheNewShop - it's a brand new experience for me after selling vintage postcards on Ebay for quite a few years, I gave that up after sales fell off - we'll see how this goes....

Unexpected Treasures

2012-01-11T16:37:00.000-05:00

I had a great afternoon yesterday - I went to four thrift shops and that was it - it was so nice not to have to think about Christmas shopping - it was the best day - because I found some great items for myself and some to list on Etsy, which I hope to get started on by the end of the week.

My one big splurge was this complete set of Colonial Mist Cinderella Bowls at Value Village, I don't think I've ever bought a complete set like this all at once, but I couldn't leave it there, it's was just too pretty and in the best of shape. I have Mom's set of three Colonial Mist bowls but the color lineup is different than the Cinderella's and I get the larger bowl with this set.

Isn't it a beautiful set??

$4 for this Snowflake Blue Divided Dish - I have one - it's going to Sharon, who doesn't have this one. It's just in perfect shape too.

A nice 403 for $1

Spring Blossom platter, dinner and supper plates - I bought a few items at the Salvation Army including these and it only came to $5

Most of these other items I'll be listing - another customer commented on my basket full of goodies, he said I had some very "retro" items and a " good eye" - I don't know about that but I think we were on the same kind of hunt, because I saw him later at another shop. This is the set he was really eyeing...

Termocrisa Mugs and Bowls

Nippon Bowl

This book is from 1971

I remember these back in the 70's

We always had slides at home but I've never seen this type of case before..

A never used Expo '67 tea towel

Today I'm linking up to Flea Market Finds ,Thrift Share Monday and Vintage Thingie Thursday

Thrifty Finds

2012-01-05T14:21:00.000-05:00

It was so busy before Christmas I never did get time to post some of my thrifting finds, so this post is going to be a combination - pre-Christmas and post-Christmas. We'll get the Pyrex out of the way first.....

Butterfly Gold 401, purchased at Value Village for $3.99

Homestead 045 bought at Value Village for $5.99 - I have a snowflake charcoal one as well, they're the best size for a roast or chicken.

Another Spice of Life canister

I blogged about my Christmas treasures and forgot this lovely 402 Dots bowl that my good friend, Sharon from Florida sent me - I did blog about it on The Pyrex Collective though - she sent me such a fun package - I loved everything and thank you very much, Sharon!!

I found this old tin toy at the Salvation Army - price - 25 cents!!! It twirls around - I tried to show the back of it, that's why the picture is sort of sideways!

The original price is still on this box of muffin cups - 19 cents - I paid $3 for a box of goodies including this at Saint Vincent de Paul.

It was 75 cents for these three old Christmas albums - love the Snoopy one!!

This is the second Vera scarf I've found - price - $1.99. It's a Verasheer!! No ladybug by the signature name though, but I'll keep looking, will it be me to get a ladybug first or Carol out in Alberta? I ordered this book to find out about all things Vera - it's so nice....

Vera - The Art and Life of an Icon

I purchased a bunch of other goodies too, I signed up for an Etsy Shop today so I'm going to start researching, listing and hopefully, selling a few things. So many bloggers are selling on Etsy, I think it's about time I give it a try.

I'm linking up for Thrift Share Monday , Flea Market Finds at Her Library Adventures and Vintage Thingie Thursday

Easy Ham and Corn Chowder

2012-01-04T12:48:00.000-05:00

Easy Ham and Corn Chowder

We had a ham on New Year's Day - I bought the very smallest one I could but still had lots of leftovers - I also got a new crock pot for Christmas - what could be better - a chowder made in a crock pot - it's so easy and so delicious - a great winter meal.

I recommend it - check out the recipe here - you won't be disappointed!

I'm linking up to Strut Your Stuff Saturday

Vintage and New for Christmas!

2011-12-29T14:35:00.000-05:00

Hope Santa was good to everyone out there that reads my blog - hopefully he left you some great new items and of course, some old vintage goodies as well. Here's a few of my new treasures....

My son Darcy knows what I like - he found a Friendship 403 bowl - my very first fridgie was Friendship from VV and that's the only piece I owned until now -he also gave me this great book Antique Trader - Antiques & Collectibles 2012 Price Guide - it's full of color pictures - great for identification.

I've never seen one of these platters before - my friend Susan found this for me - I've been researching it, I saw it called Pink Leaves but I don't know if that's the correct name or not -there is also a cake pan with the same pattern. It's a huge platter - measuring about 12 inches across. It's so pretty and just in pristine condition!!

Every time I go to the antique markets I'm wanting a ball jug - why I've never purchased one, I don't know but now I have two - Gary sneaked one out last time we were there and Carla purchased one as well - lucky me!!

A few weeks ago I found my first Vera scarf after reading about them on various blogs My good friend, Carol from Alberta sent it to me- but now has become interested in the Vera scarves too - wonder if I should send it back??? I don't think I will!!

Santa brought me some great books - many hours will be spent going through these....

A few days before Christmas an elderly lady I know gave me these old cookbooks - she said there was nobody in her family that would be interested in them or want them so I might as well enjoy them. All of the books belonged to her late husband's mother - the oldest one is the Five Roses Cookbook, copyright 1915. She had also written some recipes in the back few pages - in the recipe for "Peanuts Crisp" - she writes - " put sugar in pan over hot fire and stir until melted." This is an old book!! The other books are both covered in plastic -you don't see many books protected like that anymore!! One is The Victory Cook Book compiled by the Women's Institute of Carlton County, New Brunswick, 1943. There's lots of old advertisements from the area in this one. The other book is also a wartime book, 1945 - The Maine Rebekahs Cookbook. I know it's easy to find recipes on the internet and there's lots of great ones, but I'll always love looking through cookbooks - whether they're old or new.

I have much catching up to do - guess I should start over at Vintage Thingie Thursday - as always lots of goodies to check out... Hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday - and best wishes for the New Year!!

Darcy's Elf Slippers

2011-12-22T07:21:00.000-05:00

In 1995 Santa had an elf with him on his journey and the elf left took off in such a hurry, he jumped right out of his elf slippers and left them for Darcy. Darcy was seven that year....

A year later and this is what the slippers looked like...

So, the next Christmas Darcy thought he better leave the slippers out for Santa so the elf could see how much he loved them - maybe, he would bring him another pair - he didn't but he left this letter. Click on it and you should be able to read it

We've kept the slippers all this time, packed away in a plastic bag with the Christmas stuff - Darcy is 23 now - he's hoping for a new pair of slippers again this year!!

The Lights Outside

2011-12-19T23:02:00.000-05:00

I took a few pictures outside of the lights at our house and here they are!!!

Santa's on the top of the clothesline pole. We've had this guy for years - never knew until this year that it was a "blow mold"

My new Santa that I paid $4 for and snowman from Liquidation World.

I bought this bare wreath and a bag of these wooden ornaments at the thrift shop - glued them on and I have a cute wreath!

I found Charlie Brown and his friends the other day for half price, they're just too cute. We put them on the deck so we can see them out the kitchen window.

Snoopy's on the back deck too

We have lights across the front of the house and in a tree too but it's pretty hard to get a nice picture at night - hopefully, we get a bit of snow just to make it white for Christmas!!

Try to make time to drop over to Rednesday - it'll be the last of the Christmas reds for this year!

Christmas at Our House - Part 2

2011-12-18T08:08:00.000-05:00

These shelves are great to put a bunch of decorations on!

I keep this house out all year - I like it so it stays out for Christmas!

More Christmas!

More Christmas in the Kitchen

Always have a tart burning or a jar candle!

One of my old light boxes

Carla gave me this Christmas card box - it's so cute! And anothe old light box to the side.

Hallmark Snoopy - in the basemnt

We love the Charlie Brown gang!

Our little basement tree - that's three trees this year!

A Ceramic Tree and A Santa Blow Mold!!! Lucky Me!!

2011-12-15T17:14:00.000-05:00

I've been wanting a ceramic Christmas tree and now I have one!! My husband was out Christmas shopping, he called me from Value Village - thought it was a ceramic tree sitting on the floor - I said " buy it." Mydaughter Carla and I have been remembering that someone had but we don't know who.... This one doesn't have a very nice base but I think I'll cover it up with some fabric - the base looks like a crude attempt at ceramics but there's nothing wrong with the tree. It's mismatched lights - they're different sizes and some are shaped like birds - it's missing about five but nobody will see the back of it.

Yesterday I was at the Salvation Army looking through the kitchen items, I looked to the side and look what I saw... a Santa blow mold - it was $4 - sold!!! He's SO cute!!!!

I don't think I've ever seen vintage wrapping paper for sale either - 3 sheets for 10 cents - I think I'll put it in a frame.

I found a few linen items too - usually anything I see is too faded or too ugly - these aren't so bad - a large napkin, tea towel and an apron. I also picked up a neat set of lights that are pretty cute too!

I guess not many people are cleaning out their cupboards this time of the year - there doesn't seem to be much Pyrex to find these days. I did get this cute little 4 inch carafe that's missing the lid. These Glasbake mugs took my eye - they're just in perfect condition.

And - just for a laugh - here's something that is not pretty at all - it was still in the box at Value Village - ready to hit the shelf - I wonder if anybody bought it today???

I'm linking up to Flea Market Finds , Vintage Thingie Thursday,Thrift Share Monday and The Penny Worthy Project - there's just so many wonderful vintage things to see and read about on these blogs - pay them a visit.

Some Christmas at Our House - Part 1

2011-12-13T17:09:00.000-05:00

I found this old tin at the Salvation Army the other day for 50 cents!

An old candy tin I bought at an antique mall

Love this sign!

This pair is so cute!

I think this belonged to my great aunt - I just had it sent to me, thank goodness Santa made it in one piece!

My husband bought Santa in his long johns a few years ago.

These lights aren't orange - they're red!

A bowl of Christmas fixins'

I'm so glad I bought this bowl!!

Our tree!

I'm linking up to Rednesday at It's A Very Cherry World - you'll find lots of great posts with all kinds of red goodies over there - check it out...

Love these Christmas Songs from 60's Artists!

2011-12-12T17:00:00.000-05:00

These are a couple of my very favorite versions of popular Christmas songs - I could listen to them over and over again and I do!! I couldn't find Dion on YouTube anywhere singing Merry Christmas Baby but at least you can listen to it - check it out here- my daughter's beau downloaded this song on a Christmas CD a few years ago - I've loved it ever since - so much so that I bought Dion's Christmas CD - and that might be the last CD I've ever purchased!!

We'll be tuning in to the David Letterman show again this year to hear the great Darlene Love belt out "Baby Please Come Home" - it's been a Christmas tradition since the 80's - nobody sings this song better than Darlene Love!!

Still Time for Thrifting

2011-12-08T08:24:00.000-05:00

Wouldn't that tray of sweets be nice to have?? That neat old pic came from this vintage Better Homes and Gardens cookbook, I don't have a clue what year it's from but it's a nice book and I only paid 50 cents.. Cookbooks are the best deal, especially when you find a new one like this Taste of Home cookbook, I don't think it was ever used - it was 50 cents too and the novel was only 25 cents.

I bought four bags of buttons which I've started using already!

They had quite a few of these plates at the Salvation Army - with different years and different colors - I had to buy 1958!! The plate is by Pebbleford and manufactured by Taylor-Smith-Taylor. It must be a high quality item, it was priced at $1.99.

I bought this bowl because I may never find a Pyrex Dots bowl and this might be the next best thing. I thought it was an Anchor Hocking bowl but after looking at some comments on Flickr and looking at it closer, I realize now that it's a Hazel Atlas bowl, I've seen pics of similar bowls but they're not frosted like this one. It's cute adn I only paid $1.

This is a cute little bowl too - there isn't any marking on it at all - it could be used as a cereal bowl - it was only 50 cents too.

It seems like I haven't found any Pyrex in a while, I picked up this 402 Spring Blossom bowl at Value Village, prices seemed to be up this week, I paid $4.99 - wonder if they raised their prices for Christmas!! I bought this little carafe too for $2.99. It's only about 6 inches high.

There's always time for thrifting even when you're Christmas shopping!!!!

Christmas Red

2011-12-07T14:18:00.000-05:00

Isn't this red elf shoe cute? I paid 50 cents for it at a thrift store - it's ceramic, I don't know if it's a handmade one or not, it has W65 and Canada on the side.

I paid $2 for this bag of wooden ornaments - I'm going to put them on a wreath.

When the snow comes to stay, we'll be able to measure it! I paid $1 for Mr. Snowman.

I bought this postcard on Etsy - it came all the way from Belgium - I love it!

I haven't bought a tin of cookies in years - two things made me buy them - the tin and the name McVitie's sounded so familiar, now I know where I read the name in the past few months - Prince William had McVitie's make the grooms cake for his wedding. The cookies are made in the UK and they're quite tasty!

I've never seen tiny little napkins like this before, they're 6 x 6 and made by Hallmark. I hate to open them - I paid a whopping 25 cents for them.

Do they even make these kind of Christmas tags anymore? They came in the cardboard box and were made by Regal. I used to sell from the Regal catalogue when I was twelve - maybe I sold a box like this to someone - way back when.. I've used a couple of them already..

This is about the ugliest ornament I've ever seen - can you imagine hanging that up?? I bought it for the elf - I've since thrown everything but the elf away, he's sitting on my Memory Tree now - I blogged about it here.

This is a true red post - every picture has a speck of red in it. Check out everything red at Rednesday. I'm also linking up to Oasis Accents for the first time - check it out. And, of course Flea Market Finds - always so many neat things to check out from so many thrifters.

My Tree of Memories

2011-12-04T14:45:00.000-05:00

I went out and bought a new little 4 ft tree yesterday - I wanted one for my old ornaments that are mostly Mom and Dad's and also some that belonged to my grandmother - along with some goodies that I've found lately. I couldn't get a regular green tree - so I came home with this tinsel tree, I wasn't sure of it but it looks pretty nice!

I can feel my eyes welling up just writing about this because I am the only one that has the memories of putting these ornaments on the tree - first I would go across the road to my grandmother and help over there then we put up our tree. We took out the magnifying glass out to inspect some old Christmas pictures - I can see some of these ornaments - I remember putting them on the tree every year. My grandparents passed away a while ago, my father four years ago, my mother is locked in a sad state of dementia and I have no brothers or sisters, but I am thankful every day for a wonderful husband and two great kids!!!!

Old ornaments are such fun - hope you like looking at the pictures... I used my slightly creepy angel that I found this week for the topper. And, I used my Mickey Mouse lights that I found at Value Village - they look pretty nice on the tree! You might notice the silver bells, I remember Dad making those out of egg cartons and he also did the walnut shells - we always had to crack the walnuts carefully, so they'd be good for an ornament! You can always click on the picture for a closer look..

And here's a picture of me at age 3 - standing beside the tree - which looked pretty sparse - lots of tinsel and icicles but not a whole lot of ornaments. I guess that's just the way it was back then, all trees looked the same....

I'm linking up with My Place and Yours: The Christmas Party - hosted by Vic - I love all things Christmas, don't you??? And, of course - Vintage Thingy Thursday is a great blog to check out every week. Now I better think about getting our big tree up and decorated - that'll be for another day....

Some Elves, an Angel, Some Shiny Brites........

2011-11-30T16:39:00.000-05:00

I think I might be the only one in my family that is liking the elves - my 29 year old daughter isn't sure of them - that's pretty well guaranteed that she doesn't like them and my 23 year old son thinks they look evil!! My husband doesn't seem to have an opinion one way or the other - but I like them - I never had an elf before and now I've found five in a week. These cute ones were $2.99 at Value Village.

The Christmas racks were full at VV yesterday - you just never know what you're going to find in those bags - there's a lot of junk but if you look carefully there might be something great - like these Mickey Mouse lights or some Shiny Brites - two boxes of gold and one red box. The lights were $1.99 and the tiny shiny brites were 99 cents for three boxes - the lights work and only one ornament is broken. It's a miracle they are even in that good of shape, they were made in Japan so they're old and the way the bags fall off the racks at VV - it's just a shame to see the shattered ornaments on the floor.

I hope someday to have enough old vintage ornaments for a shelf - I have a way to go yet though! This angel has kind of a strange expression on her face, but she's still cute. She has a made in Japan sticker on the cardboard base, I paid 79 cents for her at the Salvation Army.

I scooped these glasses up right away at the St. Vincent de Paul - the girl said they had just come in - lucky for me!! The glasses came from North Pole, NY - Home of Santa's Workshop - they're frosted and just so nice - $2. Does anybody know a website for identifying letters on glassware? I've been on there before but can't find it now - there's a faint letter on the bottom of each glass.

I know there's going to be lots of great red Christmas posts over at Rednesday and just as many great treasures at Flea Market Finds - I'm going to check them out - you should too..... And while you're at it - check out Vintage Thingie Thursday.

I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas

2011-11-25T15:05:00.000-05:00

I can't get this song out of my head - if it's going to be in there until Christmas, I will definitely know all the words. I was listening to Christmas music on the satellite radio the other day and now I can't stop singing it!! Last year it was Dominick the Donkey now it's Gayla Peevy singing I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas. Just in case you wanted to know, the song was performed in 1953 by 10 year old Gayla from Ponca City, Oklahoma. Click on the video and give it a listen - I bet it's going to stay in your head too!!

Christmas Red and a Bit More

2011-11-24T11:46:00.000-05:00

I went on a road trip yesterday to visit a friend - we had a great day - chatting, lunch out and shopping. I probably should have been Christmas shopping but I didn't get one thing - but I did find a few neat Christmas items and some other things too..

I picked this up as soon as I saw it - it's just too cute - of course there was only one but I'll use it for a decoration anyway. It was made in Japan - bought it at a real vintage price - 49 cents!!

The old Christmas lights are the best - I love the colors and the packages are always so unique too. Price of these great old lights was $2.99

I've never seen one of these before - I bought it for the tinsel - what a great idea for a little tree. Why don't they make things like this anymore? Price for this was $1.75 - it was never opened.

My day was even better when I found a couple of pieces of Pyrex - this lime green cake pan - now I have three pieces of lime green

I don't see that much JAJ Pyrex - Pyrex that is made in England - and what I do see I don't care for it anyway, but this Toledo pattern is nice, I have one other piece and I use it all the time. I paid $2.50 for each piece.

I'm linking up to Rednesday at Sue Loves Cherries and Vintage Thingie Thursday - always lots of neat posts on those great blogs - check them out!

The Husband's Getting Crafty!

2011-11-19T13:08:00.000-05:00

Ever wonder what to do with all those old wine corks that you think you have to save? Finally, Gary did something with them and made this picture which is going in the game room - he bought the old frame for a whopping 50 cents, trimmed some of the corks to fit and now we have something that's pretty unique!

I'm linking up with Strut Your Stuff Saturday - there are so many great blog posts there to check out - crafts, recipes - lots of neat stuff....

I Found a Knee Hugger

2011-11-17T14:42:00.000-05:00

If I would have seen that heading a few weeks ago, I wouldn't have known what it was - but if you're browsing Christmas items on Flickr or Pinterest - you probably knew what they were - now I know and I want to find more!! Yesterday I spotted one in a bag with three other ugly ornaments which are quickly going to be donated back The bag was $1.99. How cute is he???
I think if he had stayed outside any longer he might have gotten a tad cold - it feels like it might snow... I'm so happy to find a knee hugger!!!

I found these cute Charlie Brown ornaments in another bag for $1.99 - the same pattern is on both sides, even with using a magnifying glass the year is not that clear on them, it looks like 1962.

Another item that I've seen mentioned more than once on blogs is the Vera scarf - never saw one, never even heard of one before - but, it seemed like something to look for - yesterday I found this one at the Salvation Army for $1.99 - I looked through thirty five pages of items on Etsy - didn't see not one like this listed. I can't believe the range in price for these scarves - from $10 to $80!!!!

I'm linking up to Vintage Thingie Thursday - check it out and see what some other thrifters have found this week. I have a speck of red here so linking up with Rednesday at Sue Loves Cherries - if you like red, that's the blog to check out! There's also a very nice thrifting party at Thrifty Things Friday - even more stories of great thrift finds over there.. check it out....

And, last but not least I'm linking up to Flea Market Finds - lots of thrifty goodness on that blog!

Friday Finds

2011-11-14T14:55:00.000-05:00

I don't drink coffee but that doesn't matter when something looks so retro as this neat old coffee pot and the price of it is only $1.99 - it's just so cute!! I've been trying to find out who the maker is but had no success yet - thre is a "G" inside of a wreath on the bottom, along with Japan. Anybody know anything about it??

It's great now all the Christmas decorations are coming out at the thrifts - hopefully the assortment gets better because it's not very good right now - a lot of it looks like it came from the buck store - don't get me wrong, I buy at the buck store but that's just not what I'm looking for in the line of Christmas . I was going through a bin of Christmas stuff, it was all just thrown together and I spotted three of these Peanuts Hallmark ornaments, from 1993, $1 each - I took all three. I found this pack of Christmas bells for 50 cents, ribbon for $1.99 and another bag of buttons for $3.99

As I've said before, used books are one of the greatest deals - paying less than $10 for three books is such a great price!

I know that anyone out there that loved Nancy Drew will notice the book on the top of the pile, Nancy Drew books were just the best!! This is a journal that I found in a pile of discount books at Zellers, price only $2.98. I just love the cover of it!!!!

I got a great deal on some Pyrex too - I said I wouldn't be buying any Old Orchard but look what I bought but it came about in an odd way...

This is what I spotted first - a Snowflake 443 with an Old Orchard lid taped to it - for $2.00 - of course, I wanted the bowl but didn't really care about the lid - I looked on another shelf and there was the bottom of the 475 casserole for $1 - so I took it - it doesn't look so bad!!!

These canisters are so handy for storage - I have two which I use for cocoa and brown sugar,and this one is in way better shape than those two - paid $1.99.

Today I'm linking up to Flea Market Finds and for the first time The Penny Worthy Project - check them out for lots of interesting finds....

I Made a Button Wreath

2011-11-13T14:53:00.000-05:00

I've had a bunch of buttons for awhile from home and lately I've been on the lookout for them at the thrift stores - a bag of vintage buttons for around $3.99 is a pretty reasonable price - you never know what's going to be in there - some are so neat, others are just plain old buttons.. I needed to find something to do with the buttons....

I've been browsing lots of boards over at Pinterest - it's SO addicting - there is no end to the neat things that are there! So, I decided on this button wreath for my first attempt at a button craft - easy but it does take time - I used a wreath form but cut it in half to make it flatter, I also wrapped a wide ribbon all around the wreath and then started gluing - as many buttons as I could get on. I used a ribbon for hanging but no ribbon would work just as well.

I'm linking up to Strut Your Stuff Saturday at Six Sisters Stuff - check out all the recipes, craft ideas and just plain fun posts - I just discovered it this week - I'm a follower now!

Great Weekend for Thriftin' and Pickin'

2011-11-08T15:23:00.000-05:00

Back home after a great weekend away visiting with our daughter and her beau - we had the greatest time - thriftin' and pickin' - from early morning 'til into the evening. I don't think I've ever seen so much glassware and everything vintage - it was such fun!! Pyrex was purchased by both Carla and I - she has already blogged about her purchases here - pop on over and see what goodies she found!

Before I even got to Carla's - we stopped at a Value Village - some one must have been getting rid of their Pyrex - there were more pieces to be had there too but I left them for someone else...

The orange and Autumn Harvest 402's were both $3.99 and the set of Homestead bowls added up to $8.97.

I also got this cute retro snack set - I thought that the set was missing three lids but I found the same set online and now I don't think so - they just stack - paid $2.99

This Corning Spring Blossom pitcher was bought at another Value Village for $2.99

Things were looking pretty bleak at this one warehouse and then we spotted a huge display - all the Pyrex was on the floor and it was cheap - compared to every other booth!!

I found some Butterprint, the 403 was $6.95 and the little 403 casserole was $4.95. I traded with my Pyrex buddy Sharon and got the Ivy 441 little bowl - part of the chip and dip set - she said she could never find the larger bowl to go with it - my weekend trip yielded this bowl at the cheap booth - $8.95 - I saw it again later for twice that much - guess I'll be ordering the bracket soon from Carpenter Don.

I have never seen the Heinz Promotional dish before and didn't figure I'd see it anytime soon, so I bought it for $11. I read online that Heinz and Pyrex had a promotion going that you would send in Heinz labels and get this cute little pan - it's such a different shade from any other piece.

My last Pyrex purchase of the weekend was also my favorite and it might be nearly my all time favorite piece right now - I can't believe I found this Golden Leaf bowl for $14.00 and with a lid!!!! Isn't it pretty??

I found a few other treasures as well.....

A BoneyM Christmas album for 50 cents, a vintage set of Christmas lights - bought more for the box than the lights and this Ontario license plate from 1958 - my husband was born in Ontario in 1958 - I'm putting this away for Christmas - it's a bit rusty but beggars can't be choosers when you're looking for a certain year!!

The weekend was great - can't wait to do it again but not for a little while!!!

Sophie from Flea Market Finds is hosting a Pyrex Party - since I have my new favorite Pyrex piece right here in this post, I'm linking up.

Also linking up with Suzanne at Vintage Thingie Thursday again this week - always lots of treasures to check out there as well.

Fruits, Veggies and More at St. Jacobs

2011-11-07T16:29:00.000-05:00

We took a weekend trip to visit our daughter and her beau - our first stop on Saturday was the Farmer's Market at St. Jacobs - our arms were laden down with goodies - there's just so much and everything looks soooo good!!

How's this for cabbage?

Purple broccoli. zucchini, candy cane beets which I've never tried before, garlic - what a treat to get fresh garlic - it's sad that you can only find garlic from China in the stores right now - why???? The onions are bigger than the turnip. Fresh yellow string beans and the carrots - everything looks so tasty!!

Honey Crisp Apples and Bosc Pears - yummm!!

Carla gets Maria's Noodles every time we go - I'm trying them for the first time and I'm sure they won't disappoint!. I also got a bag of yellow eye beans for homemade beans - our favorite kind!!

Once you've had a Montreal style bagel, you wouldn't want a store bought one - so, this is definitely a treat - there is just no comparison!

No trip to St. Jacobs would be complete without a bag of kettle corn!!

Favorite Flea Market Find of the Year

2011-11-07T15:09:00.000-05:00

Sophie from Her Library Adventures is hosting Favorite Flea Market Find of the Year - I just read all the entries so far - everyone is proud of something different... my favorite flea market find of the year is this great retro juke box radio - bought for the small sum of $15 - a great find, I think!! Click on Sophie`s link and see what our fellow bloggers are excited about and vote for your favorite.

Ornaments with Hair

2011-11-02T13:22:00.000-04:00

The little girl on the phone was always on the shelf in my bedroom, I think my grandmother gave it to me - I dug it out and brought it home with me a few years ago - that was it, had to start collecting more - the frenzy of that collection wore off but I still bring out a few at Christmas . Most of them are Napco ornaments, made in Japan, they were a big hit in the 50's and 60's. When I opened the box today, a couple of the girls had breakage and had to be glued - guess I better do a better packing job when I pack them back up!

They're cute, aren't they?

I'm linking up to Rednesday because I have lots of red items in my blog today -and there's lots more over there - check it out!

I'm also linking up to Vintage Thingie Thursday again this week.

$5 Spent!

2011-10-28T13:18:00.000-04:00

Cheap stuff is good - good stuff for cheap is even better. Here's what I found yesterday...

I think used books and magazines are some of the best deals out there - this stack includes four magazines and one cookbook - the cookbook alone retails for $30 and we all know how much magazines cost - there are two in the pile that are listed at $9.99 each - that's just crazy!! I don't care that they're a few years old - they're new to me.. And with the little Butterfly Gold 401 bowl - it was even better - I paid $3 total at St. Vincent de Paul.

Stuff was pretty cheap at the Salvation Army - $2.20 for the spoon rest, two scarves, and two vintage cookbooks. I didn't have a spoon rest, now I do - this is a cute old one that was made in Japan. The cookbooks are from 1950 and 1958 - I haven't had time to go through any of the books yet - lots of neat recipes, I'm sure. Salvation Army is the place to go for scarves - they had so many to pick from and notice one is a Liz Clairborne - fancy!!!!!

Vintage Thingie Thursday and Flea Market Finds at Her Library Adventures have some great thrifting finds - click on the link and check them out! I'm also linking up to Cap Creations for the first time - lots of goodies to check out there too!

Mom's Hankies

2011-10-26T15:32:00.000-04:00

That's a basket of four hundred and seventy five hankies - my Mom's collection - there's everything - children's, hand painted, ones with intricate crochet work, Christmas - there are just so many different styles. .... It makes you think about this history behind each one...

Hankies have been around for thousands of years - they fell out of favor when Kleenex was invented in the 1920's but had a revival during World War II - not for practical use but they served more as a fashion accessory. I just read that in this book that I also bought for Mom

These were my day of the week hankies and this was my hankie case - just what every young girl needed back in the 60's!!

The hankies in this box have never been used, the embroidery on them is so delicate. They were made in Northern Ireland.

I took so many pictures of the hankies it was hard to select which ones to post - I picked out some that I think are sort of unique. I like to go over all the hankies every so often - Mom always loved to pick up a hankie at an antique shop or a yard sale - and then I started buying them for her - the collection took off - I guess I should get a nice box for them and pack them away..

Pyrex and More

2011-10-20T13:16:00.000-04:00

I decided I am going to start listing on Ebay again, I sold postcards and a few collectibles for years and actually did quite well - but the postcard market kind of fell on hard times so I'm going to try again with a few thrifted items - now to get them listed.....

Aren't these turtle coasters cute? I bet someone else will like them too.

I've read on different blogs that people collect Kathie Winkle dishes - this serving platter is in the Renaissance pattern.

Anything with Tiki on it always sold for me before - this tumbler made by Daga is from the Kon Tiki Restaurant in Waikiki, Hawaii

I found these sweet little reindeer in a basket of Christmas ornaments, they're vintage for sure - I bought them with the intention to sell, I don't think so - they're too cute!!

A bag of old lights comes in handy - I like to fill jars with them at Christmas.

I paid $3.00 for all those goodies - not bad!!!

Buttons, buttons, everywhere - and this is not all I have but I have big ideas to start using them - now just to get started!

I'm going to end off with some Pyrex finds....

I found this little 473 Forest Fancies for $2.

I didn't really realize there were two different sizes of these little red bowls - it sure would be nice to find the red Hostess bowl - I bought these on Ebay for $1.05 - now I have two of the larger ones in red and two in yellow..

This nice Constellation Divided dish came from a trade with Cecillia - thanks - I'll take good care of it!

If you are wanting to check out more treasures, check out Flea Market Finds at Her Library Adventures and Thrift Share Monday at Apron Thrift Girl

Homemade Fish 'n Chips

2011-10-17T15:12:00.000-04:00

There is no need to go out to a restaurant for fish 'n chips, once you give these recipes a try I bet you will feel the same way! We had it on Saturday night - with some broccoli slaw and a nice glass of white wine - so good!!!

We've been making this oven fry recipe for a few years - we used to use the deep fryer - but oven fries are just so much better - follow the recipe as written and you won't be disappointed - crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. The recipe is from The America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook - http://www.food.com/recipe/oven-fries-127757

The fish recipe is from The Company's Coming Lunch Cookbook - I buy a pound package of frozen haddock.

2 eggs, beaten

3/4 c. fine dry breadcrumbs or Panko

Cut fish fillets into easy to handle pieces - nugget size. Pat dry with paper towels.

Dip fish in egg and coat with crumbs.

Drop into hot fat (375 degrees) about 3 minutes to cook and brown both sides. Keep hot in 325 oven until all is deep fried. Serve with tartar sauce.

Give them a try!!

Time to Get Out the Halloween Decorations

2011-10-15T15:38:00.000-04:00

Halloween is just around the corner so I thought a blog post on some of my favorite Halloween decorations would be a good thing to do today - it's cool and rainy here - a real fall day and just a day to stay inside and - get out some Halloween decorations. After getting a Halloween card in the mail yesterday from my good friend, Carol, I thought I just better get busy!!

I bought this print on Ebay a few years ago - and it's still one of my favorites - I never get tired of it. Do you have any Blossom Bucket ornaments? They are so cute - the Candy Corn one is a Blossom Bucket.

This is the only vintage ornament that I own - it's a Lefton - also bought on Ebay - wish I had more!!

Carla tried to get her hands on this double trouble box last weekend - I wasn't giving it up - got it on clearance a few years ago at HomeSense.

I like the gel clings - they stick so much better than the flat clings...

This old girl sits in this chair all year, well, except for Christmas - I tip her hat back and you'd never know she was a witch!

My husband bought me this Jim Shore - Mr. Creepy!

Another Blossom Bucket.

You can click on any picture and get a closer view..

Come over to My Place and Yours to see What's on The Shelf

A Bunch of Treasures

2011-10-05T16:46:00.000-04:00

This post is going to be heavy on pictures - treasures that I brought from home and things that we bought along the way.... Take a look....

My grandmother always had this hanging in her kitchen - not a very politically correct item in these modern times, is it? - I've never seen one of these in a shop - it's a souvenir from Long Beach,CA - how it ended up in Prince Edward Island, I don't know..

This old croquet set has been around forever - I remember my grandfather won it on a punchboard - in the little store next door - does anybody remember a punchboard?

Dad had this neat old sign in the basement - don't know where that came from either.....

My old tin top has seen better days, I must have played with it a lot!! It was made in Germany.

Some neat old Christmas ornaments from home.... Mom used to get craft kits every month - the three in the back came from those..

My husband picked up these things - the checker box is neat but his favorite purchase was the Trap Shot Bagetelle game that he bought at an antique shop in Vermont - what a great old game!!! We love to play!! When you start looking for 6 inch rulers, they are very, very hard to find and sometimes really expensive - he has plans to make a frame with them.

I paid 60 cents for the retro vase. I found a piece of seaglass that was from the bottom of a Javex bottle - I don't remember when Javex was in a glass bottle - I found a bottle - paid $2. And this little ink bottle still had the ink in it, but that was just a mess waiting to happen so got rid of that. I bought this at the 70 mile yard sale - the seller had the price on tape, right across the front label -so that was pretty much the end of that- guess I shouldn't complain, only paid 25 cents.

I love to go through the books at Value Village - it's not very often that I will buy a new book - and you buy three books there, you get one free, it's a great deal!! I know there's 5 books there - got the Dessert Lovers cookbook for $1 at another shop.

If you're interested, I also blogged over at The Pyrex Collective about some nice Pyrex.

Apron Thrift Girl has lots of neat treasures from many bloggers, check it out.

I Want Another Lobster Roll!

2011-09-30T15:27:00.000-04:00

I want another lobster roll, not just any lobster roll but one from Red's Eats. I don't think that's going to happen anytime soon - I'm in Ontario and not planning on heading down Route 1 in Maine. If you're lucky enough to be going that way, a stop at the little lobster shack on the side of the road in Wiscasset is very important. Don't be put off by the long lines - it'll be well worth it when you have that lobster roll in front of you...

We were there just after Labor Day - it took us about 45 minutes to get to the window. That's me in the flowered top - edging ever so close.....

I've had lobster rolls before but nothing compares to this - first off, all lobster rolls should be on a top slice bun - hamburger buns or kaisers just aren't the same. I've never seen anything like this - they advertise a pound of lobster in each roll, I believe it - my goodness - it's crazy - it was so big you had to eat it with a fork and knife. Lobster rolls usually have mayo, not this one, it was pure meat - claws, tails, yummmm!! And a little dish of melted butter!!! We also tried the onion rings, which were homemade and oh, so good!!! I wanted to try the clam cakes - we ordered two - they were tasty too!!

We're spoiled now - no lobster roll will ever compare!!!

Deals at the 70 Mile Yard Sale

2011-09-28T14:06:00.000-04:00

Our vacation was just about over but our last day on Prince Edward Island was sure a fun one - it was the 70 Mile Yard Sale Weekend - deals everywhere and a fair amount of junk too, I have to say!!! I was hopful for Pyrex - I wasn't disappointed.

You know how you feel when you find something so cheap, you just want to get out of there, well, that happened to me - I just wanted to take the goods and get back to the car.

Is it any wonder I wanted to get to the car? There are six side plates and one bowl - every piece still has the original sticker - yard sale price of $3.... I spotted them as soon as I walked into the yard and grabbed them with lightening speed!! I was all ready to pay and I spotted these ramekins - 75 cents for 3 - my day was starting out in the best way and it was only 8 am.

More Pyrex, more deals - I already have this cookie jar and I paid $10 for mine - this one was $1 - I know Carla will take this off my hands... A Pyrex Carafe for 50 cents.. And the yellow and red fridgies were sold together, price $2 - the lids I bought earlier in the trip.

But, it wasn't all Pyrex - picked up a few other treasures too....

This is one heavy duty thermos!! $5

Aren't these the sweetest Winnie the Pooh bookends? Not the usual thing I would buy, but when I saw the date on them, had to purchase and for $3 - you couldn't go wrong!

$2 for a like new dart board for the game room.

I've started to pick up some old red handled utensils - yard sale purchases are the beater on the left and the sifter - $3 for the two. The lifter is from home, the other two I bought on the way to the Island. I'll have more in another post on some goodies we picked up there.. Meantime, I will be going over to The Pyrex Collective and blogging about my non yard sale Pyrex purchases.

I've linked up to Apron Thrift Girl - there's lots of neat stuff over there...

Old Recipes Galore

2011-09-01T14:58:00.000-04:00

Pork Pickle, Cheapskate Cookies, Clara Kirby Molasses Cookies - these are some old time recipes that are in my grandmothers recipe box - pork pickle calls for 100 pounds of pork - can you imagine making that? And - Clara Kirby's Molasses Cookies calls for 2/3 c. fat - does that sound like a cookie you might want to bite into?

These old tin recipes boxes belonged to my Mom and my two Grandmothers - they're all full of recipe cards and scraps of paper with writing on them that I remember so well. I'd love to have one of my grandmother's molasses cookies right now or a Lottie's Special.....

I consider myself lucky to even have one of these boxes - I found my paternal grandmother's recipe box quite a few years ago at a collectible shop when I was home visiting Prince Edward Island. My eyes went right to the red plaid box because it was the same as Mom's - I opened it up and recognized the writing as my grandmother's - I would have bought that for any price. It had been sold at auction(that's a real long story) - and ended up in this little shop within walking distance of my home!! It's funny the way things work out sometimes....

These old recipe books are also from Prince Edward Island - The Women's Institute Book cost 25 cents and has a wartime section - it tells ways of saving sugar, substitutes for sugar and just about two pages on fat - uses of fats and drippings, deflavorizing fat, fat substitutions - not something you would ever find in a modern cookbook!! Thank goodness for that!!

The other old cookbook is from Kings County Hospital in Montague, Prince Edward Island - this belonged to my great aunt - she has written extra recipes all over the book, it must have been well used, it is tied together with twine And - as a side note - I was born in this hospital! It's a walk back in time to see some of the old local ads - not many of these local establishments are still operating today.

I'll treasure these boxes and books always!!

Pyrex, Federal and a Mystery Bowl??

2011-08-29T15:50:00.000-04:00

This post isn't about flowers - but it's my blog and it's about everything so I'm putting my snapdragons on!!! Snapdragons are so pretty!

I bought a green bowl and I don't have a clue as to what brand it could be. On the inside of the bowl it reads cups, 3 1/4 and ounces, 28. There are markings on the bottom - even with the magnifying glass, I can't make them out - does anyone know what it could be? I placed it beside a Pyrex 401 to compare the size.

I've been wanting a batter bowl for a while - now I can get rid of some plastic ones that we use for pancakes - this was put into use already - the plastic pancake bowl is definitely on the way out!! It would have been nice to have a patterned one but for $2.50 - what a great price for a nice piece of Federal. The old red handled utensils only cost 50 cents each.

It turned out to be a Pyrex kind of day too - I couldn't believe it when I saw this Royal Wheat divided dish at the Salvation Army - $2.50 for a promotional, a great deal - I think the divided dishes are so neat!!! Another red fridgie, is that all there is out there? It was $1.99 at Value Village. My daughter collects the 403 bowls, which can be very hard to find - this Shenadoah is going her way - found it in a church basement sale for $2.00.

I'm linking up to Thrift Share Monday and Flea Market Finds - there's lots of great thrifting goodies over there....

My Dad - Edison Horton, Oct. 31, 1935 - Aug. 25, 2007

2011-08-25T12:56:00.000-04:00

Today, four years ago my Dad passed away - I miss him every day! It has not been easy without him - my mother was not able to cope - she spent one winter in the house with home care, then I had to move her to a community care facility, now she sits in the hospital waiting for a nursing home bed - dementia has taken over my Mom's life - she is only 74 - it is very sad.

We used to talk often on the phone and then started using instant messenger on the computer - of course, his main topic would always be Carla and Darcy. Every summer we went home to Prince Edward Island - those are the best memories.

Dad was always puttering around in the basement - he took up wood working - and did such beautiful work - besides wood turning of bowls, plates and the like he started doing other things, like these car models

Then he got into building model boats, he did three of these - this one is the tug Glenlivet that he used to work on - the case measures over three feet -it's such an impressive piece of work!

Dad also got really interested in genealogy - researching the Horton's back to when they arrived from Scotland, he also did work on other family groups - Sharam's and Nicholson's - he also had some of my mother's history on the go as well.

Dad was a closet musician - he had great talent but he hardly ever showed his skill. He could play the piano and accordian by ear, he took up the guitar in later years too. When he retired he started fiddle lessons - I found this great picture - it might be the only one of him taken ever playing an instrument.

Dad loved the old time gospel hymns - he picked this one for his funeral - it's not the greatest version but the best I could find http://youtu.be/m2iQRKjHGqc

Some Dishes, a Thermos, a Clock, a Tin and Some Cookie Cutters

2011-08-22T14:56:00.000-04:00

I went to quite a few yard sales on Saturday - junk, junk and more junk, except for the very first one - they had some neat things - for dirt cheap. Look at these three items I got for $2.50 total...

I grabbed the retro alarm clock as soon as I saw it - never expected it to work, it does - and does it ever tick loudly!

The thermos is missing the inside stopper, I didn't care as I was just getting it for a decoration. It's a neat old thermos - made in Germany.

I just thought the Pepsodent Tooth Powder tin was something different - something else that will look good on a shelf!

I got some neat things at Value Village last week - I didn't buy it for the cookie cutters, it was the decorative box that caught my eye - there are five cookie cutters to make Santa and his sleigh cookies. Copyright on the box is 1981. I paid $2.99

I'm really liking this size of casserole, the 475-B - I've used it twice already for mixing vegetables for the BBQ - there was no lid on this piece of Woodland - price was $3.99

I found this at Sainte Vincent de Paul - I knew I would have no trouble trading it and I did right away - I aleady have one which I paid more than what this one cost - $3. I'm anxious to get my traded item - a Constellation Divided Dish! This was the best kind of trade as no postage was involved - it travelled down Hwy 69 by car!

This is a Federal utility dish - we're going to use it as a candy tray for the game room. Price - $2.00

There were quite a few pieces of Spring Blossom at VV - someone must have been cleaning out all they owned - I bought the 2 qt serving bowl, gravy boat with tray - I didn't even really realize at the time that the cream and sugar weren't Pyrex, they're Gemco - a company that made similar versions of Pyrex patterns - this is a big set - they measure about 12 inches around.

So, that's it for my thrift purchases last week - not too shabby!!!

I'm linking up to Thrift Share Monday and Flea Market Finds

Colonial Mist at Christmas

2011-08-19T12:40:00.000-04:00

This is my Mom's set of Colonial Mist but now I own it. Yesterday I was going through a box of family pictures and I found this great old picture - probably 1985 or '86 - it was Christmas dinner - the two blue bowls are on the table and the white one is on the counter. You can click the pic for a closer view. It's not often that you find a picture like this!! And, yes, that's me - wtih the great big glasses and permed hair!!

Lobster Dishes and Dessert Dishes

2011-08-15T12:21:00.000-04:00

I never have much luck at Value Village on the weekend - not much new merchandise seems to be brought out, not when I'm ever there anyway! I ran in quickly yesterday and actually came out with three items - according to the tags, all three have been sitting on the shelves for a few days. I don't really know why anybody would have passed by these dessert or sherbet dishes(whatever you want to call them) - they're in perfect shape - made by Federal glass -what a great deal - the price was $2.99 for 4 - I just saw an avocado set of 4 online for $29.

The seafood theme took over on my other two purchases - got this great old tin tray with not a scratch - also for $2.99 - it's made in Hong Kong - which means it's not new at all! This other cute little dish is just the right size for odds and ends - it comes from my homeland - Canada's East Coast - made in England - paid $1.99.

Join everyone at Her Library Adventures for more tales of thrifting.

My Own Blueberry Pie

2011-08-12T14:09:00.000-04:00

Last week I bought a blueberry pie from a Mennonite market - it was about the worst blueberry pie I've ever had! I expected a fresh tasting blueberry pie made out of local blueberries, not the case, it was a gooey mess of pie filling and hardly a blueberry to be seen! It ended up in the garbage

I picked blueberries this week - even though I used a frozen pie shell, this pie looks WAY better than the one I bought - it looks and smells like a blueberry pie should. There is no top crust - it'll be good with a dollop of vanilla ice cream. I used my Mom's old Pyrex Flavor Saver pie plate.

This is the fourth pie I've made out of Taste of Home Pies Recipe Cards mini digest - these little magazines have great recipes - each one I've made has turned out perfectly. If you're interested,here's the recipe .

My Pie

Sea Glass

2011-08-10T15:13:00.000-04:00

Beaches change every day with the tides - every day is a new day for a sea glass hunter. I caught the sea glass bug when I was in Prince Edward Island on my last visit - but I didn't start collecting until the last week so you can be sure I'll be out every day next time I'm there. When I was a little girl, we used to gather it on the shore - probably just for something to do and because it was pretty - I remember using itas a game piece to play hopscotch. People that love the ocean can relate to a shiny piece of sea glass - it makes you wonder how long has that piece been tumbling around in the ocean, where it came from and what item it came from...

This is the sea glass that I found in Prince Edward Island and a few pieces that I found on Lake Huron, not too bad of a selection for just starting. White, green and brown are the easiest to find - orange, red, turquoise, yellow, darkest green known as "black glass", teal and gray are the most rare. Blue is hard to find too - but I did manage to find a few pieces - remember the old Noxzema jars, Vicks and Milk of Magnesia - that's where all that blue sea glass comes from...

I displayed some more in these vintage Pyrex salt and pepper shakers.

I found this piece of red sea glass on Lake Huron the other weekend - it's a beautiful piece - not really sure what it came from....

I also bought some sea glass items when I was in Prince Edward Island -

Necklaces from Red Sand Cottage

Earrings from Wild Fire Jewellery & Gifts in Souris

Earrings by Edna in Murray Harbour

I had a little ocean themed shelf in the downstairs bathroom - but my new picture made out of sea glass really adds to it. I found this, by chance, in Beach Point - Brenda makes these wonderful pictures - it is just so cute - I love it!! I ended up walking out of her little shop with three pictures - which I gave to my son and daughter.

I will be back to the ocean again soon - people all over the world are collecting sea glass - I can count myself one of them....

Strawberry Jam, Raspberry Jam, Blueberry Jam

2011-08-05T15:38:00.000-04:00

It's berry season and that means jam making time!! Making jam is so easy and it tastes so much better than that store bought kind. Matter of fact, it's so easy - this year my husband made two batches of strawberry jam - I was away for 6 weeks - he didn't want to miss out on strawberry jam - so he just decided to do it himself - our son's girlfriend picked him a basket of berries, then he was ready to start jam making - it turned out just perfect!! I think that is pretty impressive - he did a great job!!

Last week I went picking raspberries - this is only the second year I've made raspberry and I think it might be our new favorite!! It's just so fresh and good!!

I've been out picking blueberries this week - in preparation for the blueberry jam

Crushing the berries

Cooked berries

The finished product!

I would really like to try peach jam but it seems like you would have to buy a lot of peaches for a batch, the peaches I've had so far are so small...

I like to have a good stock of jam on hand to share and give out at Christmas - who doesn't like to get something homemade that tastes just so delicious?

My Old Toys

2011-07-29T14:07:00.000-04:00

My parents saved a lot of things - a lot of neat things - including some of my old toys, but I'm no different, I've saved quite a few toys that my children had too - you just have to do that!!!!

I don't remember the tin top or the duck which was for the bath but I do remember the electric iron, I imagine I liked ironing way more back than than I do now!

I always wanted a doll house - why did Santa bring me this barn??? I liked it well enough, with the plastic animals but I wanted that dollhouse!!!

If anybody was over at night, I had to get out my Disney movie projector - it's still all intact - you don't see these anymore....

My cash register came with cardboard coins - I got tired of that and starting using real coins and then it would jam up!

Remember the little cards that came in Red Rose Tea? You'd send away to get the book - I have a whole stack of them - animals, birds, etc...

I think this was my most favorite game that I had - it's the neatest game, it even has little tin cars - I've never seen another one of these. I loved the Nancy Drew books - I remember saving up and sending away to the Sears catalogue for the first three books in the series - hardcovers back then. I saved them and my daughter got the same enjoyment out of them as I did. I can remember having Hands Down and Tip It - but this Nancy Drew game is special.

Of course, I also had Barbies - I saved up for my first Barbie too and sent away to the catalogue for that too. I had no shortage of Barbie clothing - Mom used to sew and knit them for me - Barbie was pretty fashionable!! Those were passed down to my daughter too - I might have had a couple - she had about twenty!!!

Do you have a favorite old toy???

PEI Pyrex

2011-07-27T18:54:00.000-04:00

Six weeks away from blogging is a long time - but I'm back - I came back to Ontario with lots of goodies - lots of Pyrex goodies. You know it's not a good situation when you have to buy an extra bag to carry on your Pyrex bounty.

This was full of Pyrex, I had more in my suitcase and more in another carry on bag - good thing I had these two extra bags, because my suitcase was 7 lbs over - that's the first time I ever had to rearrange my suitcase - in the airport - but got it down to exactly 50 lbs!! And I only had to leave one thing behind - two Spice of Life canisters - found at Value Village - $2.50 for both pieces. I'm glad I left them there - the glass is pretty fragile on them, they would have broken for sure.

I've never even seen these before!!

Just after I arrived there, I saw an ad in the newspaper for a half price off everything sale at Robin's Nest - I made the trek - I'm glad I did - it was a really cute little shop - lots of neat stuff. These were the most reasonably priced pieces, I paid $15 for the two.

My first piece of Daisy - and it's in perfect shape.

Snowflake Garland - divided dish, love it!!

In my little fishing village there is a shop called Blue Moon Treasures - it's nice to have a collectible shop within walking distance but very dangerous - I think I went there three times - they had quite a bit of Pyrex - here's a piece that I didn't buy - I wanted it - but wouldn't pay $30 for one piece of Pyrex - wonder if it'll still be sitting there next time I go..

I took this picture in the shop - I didn't buy it the first day - I didn't realize it was a promotional dish called Compass - it was sitting on a stand. I don't know if that stand an original to the dish or not. I paid $8 for it which I thought was reasonable for a collectible shop.

My favorite purchase was this lime green baking pan - I've used it already for a batch of Rice Krispie Squares - just the right size pan. I have the lime green square pan and pie plate - now I'm on the lookout for a loaf pan.

I bought this Spice of Life cream and sugar at the same shop - they were priced individually which is kind of silly, the clerk didn't notice until it was too late so she gave them to me for $2.75 - good price!!!

Gooseberry in two colors - how lucky was that!! The 442 bowl was $8 - they must like that price at Blue Moon! The 474 casserole is a great size - this is so pretty! I bought it at a huge indoor yard sale which advertised over 150 vendors, I don't think so - I don't know if there were 50. And, I think this piece was the only Pyrex in the place - price of that was $10 - I had to bargain for that price!

I didn't even really take stock of this casserole -it didn't look like Pyrex - but it is , another promotional called Floral, the price, once again, $8.

The color on this sure didn't turn out very good but it is Delphite, blue top and bottom, made in Canada. I was talking Pyrex to my mother's friend-she got up and presented me with this fridgie. I couldn't believe it! You never know who might have hidden Pyrex - you should always bring it up in conversation!

That's it for my PEI Pyrex - I have other treasures to blog about, I'll leave that for another day....

Still in Prince Edward Island

2011-07-12T13:43:00.000-04:00

I am still in PEI - never expected to be here so long but one added bonus was getting to see William and Kate last week - we were in the front row and got some great pictures. I've been taking a lot of neat pics so will have some great ideas for blogging when I get home. I haven't been spending all my time at the hospital with my Mom, I've been out and about - finding some great treasures - including Pyrex - this must be Gooseberry country, I've found two nice pieces. But, why is some of the Pyrex priced so high, I found a promotional casserole, priced at $30 - way too expensive and I told her so!! I better soon get back to Ontario - if I keep finding great things - how am I going to get them all home???

Can't Blog

2011-06-21T09:51:00.000-04:00

I wish I could be blogging but I had to make an emergency trip from my home in Ontario to Prince Edward Island to tend to my mother, who is in the hospital - with no regular computer access and only my Blackberry, I am limited!!! I think I'm having Pyrex withdrawal - I did get to some yard sales on Saturday - not a piece of Pyrex for me - my one purchase was an owl ornament - and not one thing at Value Village - there must be some Pyrex waiting just for me in Prince Edward Island!

Finally Got Some Rhubarb!

2011-06-08T11:16:00.000-04:00

I've been on the hunt for rhubarb - I looked at a couple of stores - one had nothing, the other only had US - no sense in buying that when there must be fresh Ontario rhubarb somewhere. I didn't have to wait long - my neighbour poked his head over the fence and offered me some - no hesitation - I wanted rhubarb!!

I made Strawberry Rhubarb Meringue Pie and it's delicious!

This is what it looked like when I cooked the fruit mixture - it looks good even without the meringue. I'm not very good at pie crusts - I have no problem using a store bought one!! And - doesn't it look nice in pretty pink Pyrex?

The meringue turned out so nice!!

We loved it - definitely will make this again!!

Now I've planted my own rhubarb plant - I'll be harvesting my own next year!

Yard Sale Treasures

2011-06-06T15:19:00.000-04:00

Do you remember these stools? I do - I remember sitting on a stool just like this and talking on the phone - I could just pull the foot rest down whenever I wanted, relax and chat with my friends! I found this great old stool on Saturday at a yard sale - the past two Saturday's its been rainy here - but by the looks of the people that were out and about - it didn't matter..

The lady told me that lard came in these containers. Her mother in law had owned them - she had a piece of masking tape on each one - one was for dates, another for raisins - that tape has been there a long time - no amount of Goo Gone will take it off. These are so cute - the colors are so bright, there's no rust inside either.

These other goodies are resting on the stool - a 403 Pyrex bowl - it's an old one - it doesn't even say 403 - that's going to my daughter - she only needs the red bowl for the complete primary set. I also got a miniature pie plate and two Termocrisa bowls - they're a great size for a small bowl of cereal. I paid $7 for those items, including the stool - the stool alone was worth way more than that!

My next sale was a huge outdoor church fundraiser - it didn't start on time because of the rain - it was well worth it for me - I got some cute things - I paid $10 for the box of goodies.

A nice pair of Forest Fancies bowls

I'm adding to my Delphite collection - I found 2 larger plates and one side plate - they were hidden away in a box.

This little fridgie is a bit weathered but the price was surely right.

This is an Anchor Hocking gravy boat - I guess it isn't old, but it took my eye. I found a nice Pyrex measuring cup - the one I use all the time is Fire King - it'll be good to have extra. I also found some custard cups - two different sizes - I'm sharing with my daughter.

One man stopped me and said I had a good jar - I don't know if that is true or not, I bought them because I love old jars - for decoration or putting things in. One has a green tinge to it - it's a Crown jar, the other is Canadian Jewel - the old glass lids make them really unique.

I love this seafood bowl!!

You can't tell by looking at this - but this little Thermos is about 5 inches tall and it's an Avon bottle - how cute is that??? It's one of my favorite purchases from the day!

I linked to Thrift Share Monday at Apron Thrift Girl

Thrifting Happiness!

2011-06-03T17:01:00.000-04:00

I had a great thrifting day yesterday - I found the neatest thing and also hit the motherlode of Pyrex - a happy day for me!!

Look at this!! It's a retro juke box, disguised as a radio! I never look in the electronic section - I spotted this and wanted it for our basement game room - what a cute decoration - I was sure surprised when the clerk said it worked and it was a radio! You can turn the juke box selection lever so the pages move. My husband shined it up last night - I don't think it's going to make it to the basement - it's in the kitchen and looking quite retro!! I paid $15 - saw the very same one online - price $99 - what a deal!!!

My motherlode of Pyrex came from Value Village - I have been jealous of other bloggers finding numerous pieces all at once - well, it happened to me yesterday - I left there with one casserole and seven bowls!

These were stacked together - I never imagined they might be part of a set but after checking them out in my trusty Pyrex Guide - it looks like they might be - all that's missing is the red 402.

Pink and blue look nice together - but this pink one is definitely part of a pink set - I have the 401. The blue one belongs to the primary set and it's going to my daughter.

I don't care for the Old Orchard pattern but this plain one is ok.

This is a nice Woodland bowl for serving...

This Forest Fancies casserole looks like it belongs right there on that stump. There was no lid but I found one later in the day for $1 - and it fits my Spring Blossom casserole that I found the other week.

My Pyrex purchases cost me $30 - not bad for all those glorious colors!

Okabashi - Dishwasher Flip Flops

2011-05-29T12:23:00.000-04:00

Have you ever heard of washing footwear in the dishwasher? Well, that is the way you can wash Okabashi flip flops - not that I've tried it - the sink is good enough for me. I bought my first pair last year - they are just about the best flip flop you could ever find, nothing like the flat ones that are available just about everywhere - they have an arch support, massage beads for the insole - they are just so comfortable! I have 3 pairs now and I love them!! We Canadians are limited as to where we can purchase these great summer shoes - Zellers is the main distributor, Shoppers Drug Mart is also supposed to carrry them - I've never checked them out there. I bet if you try a pair of Okabashi's, you'll be wanting to wear them all the time too!!!

I Didn't Realize....

2011-05-26T14:39:00.000-04:00

It just dawned on me that I have just about a complete set of the Original Fridgie Set - I'm missing lids for the blue and a red one - I borrowed from other ones for the picture. Fridgies are so pretty, so stackable in the cupboards and usable - I love them.

My fridgie collection is growing.....

On to something else - I had a few great finds in the past week - take a look..

This old Fire-King pie plate was purchased at a yard sale last weekend - it's different to see a pie plate with a pattern, some of the pattern was lined in black but it's starting to wear off.

This vintage Federal bowl is a pretty one - but don't know if I will keep it or not - if anyone is looking for this bowl and willing to trade - let me know. I bought this at the same sale as the pie plate and also the blue Pyrex bowl that I used as a planter - not a bad haul there - for less than $5.

I also got these fish plates at the same sale - I couldn't believe my luck - I bought the fish platter the weekend before - what's the chance of that happening? I've seen this type of plate in restaurants and always been partial to them - we eat a fair amount of fish - so, they're going to be used!

What's the chance of finding two Snoopy related items on the same day at the same place(Salavation Army Thrift Store)? Charlie Brown has always been big at our house - my husband still has to watch The Great Pumpkin every Halloween and Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without watching the Christmas special. I've never seen a plate like this before - Snoopy Feels Free - isn't it cute? The cookbook is different too - colored pictures on one side and fun recipes on the other side - it was published in 1981. The recipes all have fall or Halloween titles - Great Pumpkin Cookies, Good Ol' Charlie's Brownies - lots of neat ones. I also bought a magazine - grand total for the three items - $1.35 - kitchen goods were half price.

I've been sort of lucky lately finding some different things but not a whole lot of Pyrex out there in these parts.....

Bowls for Flowers

2011-05-22T15:14:00.000-04:00

Gerbera Daisies are so pretty and they look so nice in these vintage bowls. The two Fire-King bowls are not in the best of shape and neither is the blue Pyrex one - I just picked up the blue one yesterday at a yard sale - I already have this bowl but bought another one with the plan to use it as a planter - it works very well, don't you think?

Love my Apron!

2011-05-20T12:45:00.000-04:00

Finally - I have an apron from http://www.etsy.com/shop/DearEdna?ref=seller_info to call my own - I have been hinting for one since Christmas when I bought one as a gift - Carla came through for Mother's Day!

Erin is Carla's dear friend - she is the talented young woman that makes all these great aprons (for men and women), monogram bags and if you're a tea drinker, she makes a neat tea cosy. The material is top notch - so soft and the apron fits just perfect - love it!!! Check out her Dear Edna shop on Etsy.

Listening to K-Tel Records and The Partridge Family

2011-05-15T15:01:00.000-04:00

My daughter and I found two Sunday yard sales, this is an oddity here - surely not the crowds of a Saturday sale. We found a big box of record albums - 25 cents each - we came away with $3 worth of albums, to divide between the two of us. Remember the old K-Tel records - full of original hits - those are the greatest with all the different artists. I'm listening to one right now..

The yard sale seller must have loved The Partridge Family as much as I did - back in the 70's - but her infatuation must have lasted longer than mine - because she had later albums that I never had - but now I do - I bought three of those. I loved that show so much - I belonged to the David Cassidy fan club, bought all the magazines like Tiger Beat, 16 - I cut them up just as soon as I got them, I had scrapbooks galore. I wasn't allowed to hang posters on my walls, only my doors and I couldn't cover them up either. Around that time, I had a penpal from Hollywood,CA that won a contest to go on the set of The Partridge Family - my life in a little fishing village in Prince Edward Island was a completely different world from the world of movie sets - I wanted to be her!!!! So, now I can think of that time again with my new Partridge Family albums - maybe I better watch an episode or two of the show!!!!

Saturday Specials

2011-05-15T14:44:00.002-04:00

I hadn't been out to yard sales in a couple of years, but since I got the Pyrex bug last September, I was anxious to start the hunt for Pyrex or anything interesting in general. Since I've been away the past two weekends, yesterday was my first time out - of course, there are the usual sales that are just pure and simple junk but thankfully, I found a few great things and to make it even better - some deals. At my first stop I found this great clock that is already hanging on our new basement game room, the Home Sense price tag was still on it for $12.99. I paid $5.

Remember paper straws? I thought this was a real exciting find - it's a box of 100 - with only one missing - Sweetheart Straws - manufactured by The Imperial Cone Company, London, Ontario. This is going up top of my kitchen cupboards - I just love the box, never mind about the straws inside.

This little picture just took my eye - the verse is so cute.

Second hand magazines are the best bargains around - I picked up two Reminisce Extra issues, I just discovered this one - there's some great old pictures in them, also got a 2000 issue of Country Collectibles plus two old Five Roses Christmas Baking Booklets. And, I also brought home this old tin grater - it's going on top of my cupboards - with my other old baking items.

I only bought one thing at the next sale - I have always loved these fish platters and now I have one of my own - I paid $3 - and put it into use last night.

I didn't want to come home - I was finding some great things, so I drove out of town as I had seen a poster for this sale - I was the only one there - this is where I found the Pyrex bargains - I couldn't believe my luck - a blue fridgie for 10 cents - I was just happy to get that, then I realized there was more in the garage - including this Spring Blossom 2.5 l. casserole - it's in great shape. The elderly gentleman told me his wife had passed away, he was moving and trying to get rid of some stuff - I gladly took it off his hands. I also purchased a Corelle Vegetables small saucepan, he said he would throw in the frying pan, I already have one but I took it anyway - maybe I should trade it? Total price for these goodies - $2.50 - I think that is my biggest Pyrex bargain yet!

My Pyrex Travels Air Canada

2011-05-13T20:46:00.000-04:00

I've been off visiting family in Prince Edward Island over the past couple of weeks - and look what came back on the plane with me - I had to carry it on as my suitcase had more precious cargo of Pyrex - and it was just about at the limit for weight - 47 pounds! My very good friend gave me this bowl as part of my belated birthday gift and look what else she gave me

I couldn't believe it - Delphite fridgies and also a little red one - they belonged to her grandmother - I am so lucky - thank you, Susan - I'll take very good care of them!

Before I started on my journey, I made one purchase at an antique market - this medium Butterprint fridgie - $5.00 - on sale. It was probably the most reasonable priced piece of Pyrex in the shop - some of the prices are so crazy!

This pie plate belonged to my mother - I see that it's called a "Flavor Saver" Pie Plate - it's really nice with the handles.

On the way home, we stopped at a Value Village - the prices were higher than my regular VV - this plate was $7.99 - a silly price really, for Value Village - but I have the square pan to match and had to have it!

I also got to stop at an antique market on the way home - one that was new to me - there were quite a few pieces of Pyrex there and quite a few that were priced way too high. I spotted this neat casserole on a bottom shelf, no lid but I have one to fit - the cradle really adds to it! This was a 1967 promotional item - called Golden Wreath. I paid $10 which I thought was quite reasonable.

I just picked this up from my daughter, she found it a while ago at a Salvation Army shop. It's Flameware - but I think it's a double boiler - how I will find the other piece, I don't know! I don't know if I would ever use it but it's great to have!

I can't believe I came home with all these great pieces - it made up for being scooped on a Tuquoise Snowflake Casserole at VV - the clerk was just putting it on the shelf and another lady swooped in and grabbed it. I followed her for a few minutes with the hope that she would put it down, but she didn't - guess it wasn't meant to be!

The Royal Wedding

2011-04-28T09:42:00.000-04:00

I guess my interest in The Royal Family goes back to the wedding of Charles and Diana -we were both married the same year and both had our first child the same year - I was living in Fredericton,New Brunswick at the time, my roommate and I both set our alarms for way before daybreak and then we must have gone to work after it was over - kind of crazy, but had to see that wedding!! I followed Diana through her ups and downs - I even caught a glimpse of her when she and Charles visited Sudbury,Ontario -why did they have to drive past so quickly?The night she died - I was up again - watching those same clips, over and over - the days following were so sad - my son had a soccer tournament the day of the funeral - like I wanted to go to that after watching tv from the early hours! A few years later I was able to see the Diana Dress Exhibit - many of the gowns that were auctioned for charity, the biggest draw was her wedding gown, even her wedding shoes were there - it was unbelievable - everyone was in awe - it was so quiet in the exhibit hall! I won't ever forget that!

Now it is 2011 and William and Kate's big day is tomorrow. A person doesn't have to get up at that silly hour to watch - we do have a PVR, can watch it anytime I want, first I was going to get up, next I was setting it to record, now that the day is just about here - I know I'll be getting up - I see CBC coverage starts at 2 - you could be asleep by the time the wedding actually starts - I think 5 might be a respectable time to get up and settle in. Hope it doesn't rain on the happy couple and they do look happy!! Best of luck to them! And here's a fun video to check out....

http://youtu.be/Kav0FEhtLug

The Worst Ham looks Good in Homestead

2011-04-25T08:13:00.000-04:00

I always have great luck with a pork picnic shoulder - but this one was not good!! It looks nice enough in the picture - the glaze and fruit makes it so pretty - honey, brown sugar, flour and ground mustard but underneath that nice glaze is a mess - the ham was way too fat - and that kind of just turns you off the whole thing! I guess we will struggle through eating the fatty ham again tonight and I'll make some scalloped potatoes with it - maybe they will taste better than the ham! I finally got a chance to use this Homestead baker that my daughter found at a Salvation Army - in the original box with instruction card - it is a big dish that I don't have a lot of use for so I keep it on display on top of my cupboards. Did anyone else have an Easter meal that didn't turn out so great?

Mildred Pierce

2011-04-21T19:27:00.000-04:00

I watched the Mildred Pierce mini-series on HBO and loved it - I have never seen the original movie with Joan Crawford - that's next on my list. I just finished the book,which was first published in 1941 - it is so true to the series, I've read that more liberties were taken with the movie, we'll see what I think when I've watched it. The story is set in the 1930's in California and revolves around Mildred, her male acquaintances and her undying devotion to her daughter, Veda. I also watched The Making of Mildred Pierce, it was amazing to see how a series like that is shot - the work involved in the sets - it's mind boggling! Next up is another novel by James M. Cain - The Postman Always Rings Twice - hope it's as great as Mildred Pierce!

Shades of Yellow and Green

2011-04-19T17:33:00.000-04:00

On Sunday, my husband and I checked out an auction - I had seen it online and Pyrex was listed - I wanted to go!! It was already underway for an hour by the time we got there - and there were two seats right at the front - what a great view of all the action!! The auctioneer brought the Pyrex up, I got nervous, I bid first, how dare somebody else bid too - but I was the successful one - $12 - for a 402 green bowl and 401 yellow with a green tinge - I think they're from the Verde bowl set - also included was a 1 qt. casserole, it also has the green tinge to it -I'm not really sure what it belongs to -maybe another Verde set? My husband bid on an old ruler and level in one - but he wasn't as lucky as me!! I think I could sit there all day - I found the prices were very reasonable - FireKing pieces were going CHEAP - $5 and less.

Today I had another donation for Value Village - it doesn't really make much sense to unload bags and boxes and then go in and look for more to buy - I was quickly disappointed - no Pyrex - but I did pick up these cute little Federal bowls - I love them!! They were 99 cents each.

I went there early in the morning so thought I'd drop in again before I went home - you just never know what can happen in a few hours - luck was on my side - two Shenandoah casseroles - I don't think they would have set there for long, they're in perfect condition. There were no lids on them, I took the customary stroll around and went back - scrounged around and there were the lids - priced separately - why do they do that? I asked the cashier that very thing - she said it was a very good question and she called the manager - she said they were probably not in the same box - I didn't really like that answer and she would not budge on the price either - each lid was $1.99, the casseroles - $3.99 and $2.99, I knew I was taking them regardless. Shenandoah is not a pattern you see that often, I also have the 401 bowl - it's really a pretty one!

Last week I picked up this Corelle Woodland serving platter - I think it'll come in handy for BBQ season!!

Pyrex Yellow - Fire King Wheat

2011-04-16T13:39:00.000-04:00

My husband was away for most of the week and look what he brought home - a yellow 401 bowl and a Fire King Wheat loaf pan - price of the bowl - $1.99 - the loaf pan was $2.99 - both from Value Village. I have a clear Pyrex loaf pan but I really want a colored one, so until then, this Fire King one will do. I consider myself pretty lucky!!

Birds and Owls for the Garden

2011-04-14T17:07:00.000-04:00

Have you checked out your local dollar store for all things spring? You must pay a visit - the assortment is quite nice and of course, the price is right! If and when spring really happens, I will be ready for the garden - the cute little birds were $2 each. I just had to pick up the owl - I seem to have developed a love for owls lately - isn't he sweet? The price for this guy was also $2.

Spring was still just a dream away when I picked up this owl with the haunting eyes - he is heavier than the dollar store items, Mr. Owl is from The Precious Treasures Line, price - $3.99 at Value Village - he's just like brand new and is going to look great outside - I'm getting ready for nice weather, are you?