Tuesday, December 2, 2014

A LITTLE VINTAGE NEVER HURT ANYONE


Anyway, this couple in this little neighborhood sell their vintage finds from their home (front porch and garage) and Emily has the goods on their advertisements.  So it was the second time for us and we had a ball as usual.  I love seeing bloggers have, those who collect vintage pieces.  I personally love a little bit of old and chippy, but I lean toward the rustic as opposed to vintage.  Well, sometimes you just have something speak to you and you just don't care if it's a part of your repertoire, it's the beauty of feeling something in your heart and soul.  I'll share a few items later...the lady was quite negotiable and we were pleasantly surprised with our loot for the amount we paid.  We each got one of these windows for ten buckaroos.  And me, vowing to never get another window!  They are just so fun to dress up for the seasons and holidays.




I'll also give links (in care any of you are expecting the stork). 

We are planning a small party (25-30 ladies) here in my home.  Since space is at a minimum. we are not having a sit-down luncheon...more like a finger food/cocktail party.  Some savory and sweet offerings; some bought, some make by moi.  A signature drink or punch and a bit of wine.  Coffee and tea.    Just intimate and fun.  I'll definitely keep you posted.  And yes, in addition to Christmas, my mind is reeling in a few directions.  But I have to be used to this by now. 

 


M is a self taught fashion stylist, one of the many "hats" she wears, and works at a consignment shop in her little downtown area.  She helps the ladies dress stylishly with the clothes offered...many of them looking or wanting to dress nicely for employment.  If you look closely at this picture or enlarge it...all of the boxes are from Marshall Fields, that iconic Chicago mainstay until about 10 years ago.  In fact, the square box in the lower right corner held her late mother's wedding dress.  Yes, it was a vintage day and gave me a whole new perspective on the treasures we can find from the past.  



Turkey Teterazinni has never been very appealing to me.  I've made it and found it really tasteless. Sort of bland and dry.   However, on Monday night I was especially wanting to get rid of those ugly plastic bags and I have a huge conscious about wasting perfectly good food.  I searched and found a recipe at Daily Waffle and I'm sharing the link.  But...you have to jazz this dish up or it tastes like...well, tasteless.  Here's my take in addition to the recipe:

Dot the first layer of noodles with butter and a lot of salt.  A tablespoon of herbs won't hurt.  You choose.  

Salt the next layer of shredded turkey (use half dark meat, it's the juiciest and even if you don't like the dark meat, you'll never notice).  Give that a few dots of butter.    

I layered a few handfuls of fresh baby spinach on the next layer, it adds color and makes you feel like this is a healthier dish. lol!! 

 You will make a white sauce to pour over.  Be liberal with the herbs of your choice.  And a traditional white sauce has nutmeg...this recipe forgot that.  Don't you.
After you top the whole thing with bread crumbs and Parmesan (and be liberal, don't measure), dot with butter again.  

Salt, salt, salt and more salt...or a substitute.  The worst thing about this dish is that it is dull.  I think my tips will take it to the next level.  My family loved it.  You may just find yourself going out for one of those rotisserie chickens.  Face it, you only make this meal when you have leftover cooked meat, and this rarely happens.  There might never be another occasion, and before I gave you these swift ideas, you never wanted one. 



 The Husband deposited the "Christmas Funds" for me to get started on shopping.  Remember the Christmas Club (was there another word for it?) your bank had 40 years ago?  You made a deposit of about $5.00 a month and lo and behold, in December you had your Christmas funds!  I loved that.  And how precious that you could do it within that amount!  My ever frugal guy sets a budget and I find it a challenge to stay within it (I have very little budgeting talents at all and I'm grateful, not resentful, that The Husband takes charge of this...lest I seem to sound pathetic)  And Ooh la la, if I stay under, guess who benefits?!! :)  Hope you are off to a good start with your gift shopping and if you are finished and sitting in front of a roaring fire with your favorite beverage in hand...don't tell me. ;-D

An update on the happily engaged couple, son Jeff and fiancee, Deirdre.  They have made plans to get married this August.  Tell me how I'll survive with a new granddaughter coming in February and a wedding for 400, yes 400 guests in 8 1/2 months?  But as my daughter, Abigail, pointed out, it's not about me.  I hate this younger generation,  they have quite a way with words.  So, full steam ahead with trying to lose the weight, dress fittings,  wedding showers and dinners, travel arrangements (yes, they chose a place 5 hours away in a harbor town along Lake Michigan).  I keep chanting. "Glass half full, glass half full."

I'm setting the alarm for early, getting some shopping and wrapping done, bringing up some decorations, and maybe at least getting the mantel pretty.  Glass half full...glass half full.  :)

Jane xx


52 comments:

Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage said...

Oh my gosh...that scale is just too cute!!!

Vel Criste said...

Love that scale! you know as a peds doc, that is one vintage item I would love to have in my clinic. Anyways, you've been busy, hope your feeling much better dear with everything that's happening all around you! Congratulations on you GB coming and the wedding! Don't worry too much, knowing you, you all will pull thru very nicely!!! Enjoy shopping, luckily done with mine, now set on finishing up Sophias Baptism and party this weekend! Wish me luck! :-)

Sonia said...

Oh those windows and scale caught my eye right away! Your shopping trip sounded like so much fun! Hope you get your decorations on the mantel done. I'm still looking for one more thing to put in the center of mine and then I'm calling it good.
Miss Bloomers

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Long time, no see!

I am back in the land of the living, and I saw that you had posted. Loved reading this, Janie. The scales and the stork theme are so neat! And yes, I came by stork as well. LOL

And another wedding??? You are going to be a busy, busy bee, my friend.

Loved seeing all of the vintage, and the cute bike vignette as well as the Marshall Fields boxes.

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving. I have been MIA since September because I have been pretty ill. Better now.

Love ya,

Sheila :-)

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

That scale is adorable, Jane! What a great piece to use for a baby shower. I love your theme.

I'm sure you'll manage the decorating just fine. I went very simple this year and 75% of my decorations went right back up in the attic. I should have you over to help me organize those bins and figure out what to get rid of. : )

Julie Marie said...

Hello Jane... so happy you are getting the "vintage" bug and buying a few old pieces... I will always choose old over new, you know me... those whispers from the past... the wonderful stories these precious old pieces have to tell... love the stork theme for the baby shower and that scale, wow!... it looks like 40's to 50's to me for sure... that all sounds like so much fun!... wish I lived close enough to go shopping with you and Emily... you must have such a good time together!... xoxo... Julie Marie

Theresa said...

Love those windows:) We are welcoming my Nephew's baby boy in April and his Twin Sister is getting married in May! BUSY days ahead for us too, but it's fun:) Enjoy your day dear friend, happy shopping!

Vicki @ lifeinmyemptynest said...

Another busy year for you, but can't wait to hear all the details about it all! I feel the same way about all those leftover containers and can't wait until they are gone. Enjoy your week Jane :-)

Karen (Back Road Journal) said...

Yes a glass half full is the way to get through the holiday season and beyond. Your shopping trip sounds fun…the two of you would have had a great time at my barn sale this past fall. Love the theme for the baby shower. Be mindful of your hands as you decorate for the holidays.

Susan Shull said...

You are being blessed beyond measure in this season-a new baby and a new daughter in law! Woohoo! I'd love to visit your vintage place with you. Want to? Love that bike and scale!

Susie said...

Awwwwwkkkk Blondie, There honey, I let out a scream for you. That is so much stacking up. Christmas, baby, wedding, I am going to be thinking of you. Thank goodness you got those surgeries over with. I love those pictures of going junking. My Doctor used vintage medical cabinets and things in her office and exam rooms for decorating. Wishing you a wonderful ladies party. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

Kathleen Grace said...

It sounds like you had such a great time shopping vintage with your daughter! Those windows are perfect and the baby scale? What a serendipitous find! So perfect for a shower theme! Don't worry about the wedding, everything will workout and you KNOW you will have fun with it :>)

Terri Steffes said...

Such fun you are having! I ordered that book! I love holiday reads! I love old windows. I don't have any in my house, but when I see them, I always think I want that!

Lulu said...

I always enjoy my morning chats with you. You are so wonderfully entertaining. About Thanksgiving leftovers, this year we had so many people there was hardly anything left and I really miss them. The stork theme idea is very clever and I'm sure you're going to pull it off beautifully.

Primitive Stars said...

Morning Jane, oh Ya,vintage owns my heart. Love the old window and that scale is dear. I love to read old holiday stories too,curl up with that tree lights twinkling, candle aglow, ahhhhh, perfect winter evening.Blessings Francine.

Beth said...

The coming year will be very exciting for you, Jane! Congratulations! Good luck on taking down fall and putting up Christmas - I am still working on this as well!
Hugs, Beth

Sherry @ Thrift My House said...

Jane, that scale is perfect! And YES, I've wanted to write "something" when I'm feeling like life is NOT a bowl of cherries but then I remember just how blessed I really am. Wow! You stay really busy... maybe a staycation is in order? A day wrapped up in a blanket, some movies and take out :)
Missed being here.. I wish you had follow by email on here...hint hint.

June said...

Don't our kids have a way of keeping us in line Jane??? :))) Mine all have an opinion or two when I complain, that's for sure. You really do have a lot of things on your plate this coming year sweetie.I love your ideas for the baby shower. I love the idea of the vintage stork theme!!! Your shopping trip with your daughter sounds much like the ones Em and I have. We always have a great time.
Have a wonderful Wed!
sending hugs...

Art and Sand said...

Love the stork scale and what a cute baby shower theme.

Our son is getting married July 18. The wedding will be in Los Angeles, not because anyone lives there, but they love the venue. We have to make a drive to LA soon to check out possible spots for the rehearsal dinner. We are hoping it can be at Union Station because the Art Deco design is amazing and it ties in with the wedding venue.

I must check out the book. We have dear friends of nearly 40 years who are now divorced after he sent the wrong email. The one going to his mistress of 35 years + went to his wife instead.

Marigene said...

Jane, did you buy that green table...I am so jealous! That looks like a great sized window, not too big or too little.
You will have fun doing the baby shower...will it be before or after the baby arrives?
That book sounds like my life at the moment...I am upset over a few things I have no control over...I hate that feeling.
Hope you have a wonderful rest of the week.

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Jane, 521 lakes treat blog just listed some vintage toys. You might find something!

podso said...

That scale is amazing. What a a find and perfect to set off your thinking and theme for the shower. It sounds like it will be a really fun time with all your good planning.

Lisa @ Texas Decor said...

You got such a great price on that window!!! And that vintage scale, LOVE it!! Oh my, that book sounds good! I love curling up with a good book in the winter.

Carla from The River said...

A fun post. Thank you for sharing all the fun finds.

I will be praying for all the busy days ahead for you.

xx oo
Carla

Deb said...

Love the vintage baby scale and your shower theme!

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

Sounds like your one busy lady. The Vintage Baby Shower sounds so fun.
So glad that your surgery went well and that you are not having problems.
My house looks like a BOMB went off in it with all the Christmas stuff sitting around. Slowly it is coming together. To many labs and Dr appointments.
Happy Shopping.
Mary

doreen@househoneys said...

And here I thought I was unique being delivered by a stork! Foiled again!

The scale is fabulous. Me wanty :).

Can't believe another wedding is on the horizon. And stop fretting about the decorating! You're gonna rock it.

And really, is there ever a dull moment in the Blondie household?

Betsy Brock said...

Well, you KNOW I love the scale! :)

Row homes and Cobblestones said...

Hi Jane,
Looks like such a fun day and you came across so many treasures. Love the scale and find your Stork theme adorable. I'll be back to reread this post at my leisure tomorrow. I've been busy working on a special post for Friday but I finally completed it and all that needs to be done is to hit the publish button. So now I have the time to finish our Christmas decorations and enjoy my favorite blogs.
xoxox

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Hey Jane,
Love the scale..your right, very 60's I think. So much going on this time of year. But it sounds like you have a good handle on it.
I can't believe how quickly these babies will be coming. Oh my. The shower should be so much fun! I know you will do a beautiful job with it.
Katie is due end of March but she is looking pregos I think already. I went shopping Black Friday and got good deals but what a zoo. I got my hair cut yesterday and the stylist grew up in Galena. I was telling her about our Christmas trip there and how much fun we had at that Victorian Inn. Gosh we need to do that again!! Oh and I had bad dreams and here I am wide awake reading blogs...mainly yours. Big Hugs friend,
Cindy

deb @ frugal little bungalow said...

Grandbaby and Wedding all in one year ! :)

Love the stork / vintage theme idea. You are going to have so much fun! And we will have fun seeing it afterwards :)

Unknown said...

Love the vintage scale!! Sounds like you are busy, busy!! We have an upcoming wedding, probably late March or April. They haven't picked an exact date. (my grandson, Blake and his fiancee, Rachel). I have some of my shopping done, nothing wrapped! Several more gifts to buy. I'm through decorating, didn't do too much this time. Have a great day!! Kathy

Privet and Holly said...

Hi Jane! I was
visiting Sylvia and
saw that you'd won
her lovely cards --
congrats!

What a very fun idea
for the baby shower.
I have a sterling frame
with a similar stork
engraved on it, that
my grandma gave to
me when my daughter
was born. It had once
held my own mom's
baby pic!

Love the book rec. I
always look for a fun
holiday book to read
this time of year, once
I've finished my shopping
and wrapping : )

Enjoy all of the festive
days ahead with your
beautiful family!

xo Suzanne

Anonymous said...

Hi Jane,
I love storks, too! I keep them on display all year with my vintage baby dishes. That scale would be a score if I found one. I am more in love with graphics than anything, I think. They can take me to another world like any other type of art. Congratulations on all the fun changes in your life. It isn't dull!
Ginene

Stonecropsister said...

Hi Jane, I laughed out loud at you repackaging the turkey leftovers. And thank you for the book suggestion. I had to give my Christmas book suggestions to someone today and was having a hard time coming up with anything, but this one sounds great. xx Nancy (Stonecropsister)

Traci said...

A baby & a wedding will be fabulous!! All the food sounds good. We did good this year & didn't have a ton of leftovers. It sounds like y'all had a great shopping trip. Have a wonderful weekend!

Unknown said...

You are so much fun 'Blondie'! Your schedule sounds incredibly busy for the next number of months. You are up for it, I just know it! It will take some real organization I thinking. I tried the Southbeach Diet and lost 10 lbs in 2 weeks. I've kept it off even through Thanksgiving (and you can drink wine again in phase two!). I'm sold on it being a great tool to lose some lbs. in a healthy way. I did a post on my tips in early fall about it on Stylemindchic Lifestyle. Merry, merry to you today!
xx, Heather

Debbie said...

The retro idea for the baby shower sounds like fun!
I still haven't decorated my porch for Christmas...or finished the inside of the house yet. I don't know what the problem is this year?
2015 sounds like an exciting year for you Jane! That hook up we talked about might not happen until Fall..lol.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Debbie
xo

Bluebird49 said...

I love hearing about your "escapades and expeditions with Emily", Jane. I'd love to hear the conversation and giggles going on!
Have been busy since our return from our son & family's home for Thanksgiving! (Busy having x-rays, an ultrasound and more blood drawn, but won't expect to hear more until next Weds. or so.) I've almost gotten my Christmas shopping finished--just a couple more things. Know you're happy to have someone to budget for Christmas! I loved the "Christmas Club" our bank used to offer--a great idea! :)
Have a good weekend, Jane!

bj said...

Hi, Blondie...so glad you came by to see me.
I am so tired of T'giving foods that I just freeze the left overs, then sometime later, when we are hungry for it again, we enjoy it.
I love your cute idea for the baby shower...and the scales are priceless.
Hope you have a wonderful Christmas.

Lori said...

Everything will come together ~ you more than likely got lots done since you wrote this post. That scale is sweet ~ what a fun shower theme. Mother of the groom carries less responsibilities ~ you will be fine. xo

Melanie said...

I remember you going to this woman's house before (where you got the window and adorable stork scale). How cool that this lady has a business selling her things from her home! Love the bike all decorated for Christmas. I agree that Turkey Tetrazzini can be dull, but I like how you jazzed yours up with the spinach. That book sounds really good; I put it on my amazon wish list. I've read a couple of her other books.

Julie Marie said...

Hi again... just checking to see if blogger added that "prove you're not a robot" thing to your comments too... looks like we ALL got it, like it or not!... xoxo... Julie Marie

Bliss said...

The scale, oh yeah that is awesome!

farmhouse-story said...

you can never have too many old windows:) love the scales--congrats on the new grand, jane:) and another wedding! have a fun time shopping and wrapping--it will all be over before we know it!

Anonymous said...

Your sure going to be a busy lady!! It all sounds wonderful. A wedding and a new grandchild.It can't get any better then that. I love the scale.

Kathy

Anonymous said...

Your sure going to be a busy lady!! It all sounds wonderful. A wedding and a new grandchild.It can't get any better then that. I love the scale.

Kathy

Janean said...

Are you sure you didn't get those old windows off my old cottage???? Hello, dear one! I too have a scale I got at an auction about three years ago. Adore it! Hugs.

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Jane, so nice to catch up with you. Thank you for stopping by and your kind comment. I have missed you and hope all is going well since your surgery.

Love the shopping trip you had and the fun items you found for the upcoming shower. Love the scale and I too remember the stork growing up. Too cute and perfect for your theme.

I also remember those Christmas savings funds. I think my mom did that when I was growing up.

The upcoming wedding of 400 will keep you very busy. WOW that's a big wedding and I am sure it will be wonderful with your talent for creating the theme and decorating.

Wishing you a wonderful day and fun decorating.
Hugs and Blessings

Karen said...

That vintage scale is perfect, it will be so cute decorating a baby shower. I'm loving the idea of a vintage themed shower. We just finished all of our Thanksgiving leftovers. We went away the day after Thanksgiving so we froze the leftovers until we returned.

Rhondi said...

Hi Jane Thanks for taking us along on your shopping trip. What interesting places! I love the scale and the Aqua bike! I'm always looking for a new author so I'm going to see if our library has that book. It sounds like a good story.

Anonymous said...

wow, you have so much going on, busy busy and everything is lovely, as always,