Typical DAY of Thrifting

A week does not go by when I don't find SOMETHING WONDERFUL at a thrift store. I jokingly call my addiction "treasure-hunting". And those of you who are not afflicted simply cannot understand it...Which is why I get emails and questions all the time asking what I consider "treasure"...?? So -- here you go. Most of this stuff was acquired during the course of a typical week...

By the time I take the bags out of my trunk -- I barely remember what was in them...

Oh, yeah -- the Donvier Ice Cream Maker for $3.45. $60 on Amazon, people (never mind I already have one...which I haven't used in five years...)

I am ALWAYS a sucker for clothespins...(and, yes, I would have to live to be 200 years old before I used all the clothespins I already own)

Any time you can read a Bill Bryson book -- JUST DO IT...

And you can never have enough winter hats for a two year old...

Mary Mulari and I are working up a new seminar -- and we might need some new samples...

I think I could make this fringe out of recycled t-shirts...??

Who could pass on this much sparkle for 90 cents??

A $2.00 Halloween T-shirt with sequined black cats is some serious Ritaluck...

A second winter coat for Warren. (One for my house, one for his)...

The usual assortment of clothes for Warren and Lilly...pajamas, pants, shirts, jackets, etc.

Lillian now has two animal print sweaters. One beige and one black...

That is a pretty good representation of a normal week for me. And, on SO MANY LEVELS I know it's crazy.  It looks like a lot of junk to most people...and they can't understand why I want a huge bin of sparkly, glitter shoes and boots Lillian can wear for the next three years....

But I enjoy the hunt, and the rush I get when I find something SO PERFECT...like this...

This was special. I bought it at the Antique Show in Cedar Rapids last month. It is a beautiful embroidery, and the words say, "My Mother taught me how to sew; And at the time I did not know; That with every stitch I now complete; with every row I do so neat; My mother's heart is there with me; Guiding my hand for all to see. Sarah 1893

Of course, I immediately hung it in a place of honor on my Sampler Wall.

Cooking: Scratch vs. Other

Lillian has been "baking cakes" with me since she was able to knee-stand on a chair...

Duncan Hines, Betty Crocker, generic store brand...we are not one bit picky...

With Thanksgiving just around the corner -- a whole week of mega-cooking -- I want to comment about WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD we live in.

We have so many things available to us that are delicious and convenient. As a matter of fact, there are many things that are so good -- they have become my NEW standard.

Think about this. I'm trying to make something from scratch -- and it might take me hours, and I'll have a big mess to clean up besides. Then, I realize my ACTUAL GOAL is that it should taste as good as the convenient mix/frozen/refrigerated version. Tell me again -- why should I bother?? AND WHAT IS THE POINT??

For example -- pie crust. I have often made pie crust from scratch. I have made DELICIOUS pie crust. But I've also made pie crust that falls apart, or is too tough to roll out. So, one of the things I ALWAYS HAVE in my refrigerator is a box of rolled up pie crusts.

The local store brand saves me 50 cents..and they are PERFECT every time...

Lilly and I can make pies ON A MOMENT'S NOTICE

Another thing I ALWAYS have in my refrigerator are tubes of biscuits. Sure, I could make biscuits from scratch -- but if my measure of success is whether or not they are as good as the canned biscuits -- tell me again why am I making this big mess?? And what could be QUICKER and more fun than whacking a tube of biscuits on the counter and having all that doughy goodness squish out?? The kids in my life have ALWAYS loved cooking and playing with refrigerator biscuits...

Here is my personal list of THINGS I COULD MAKE FROM SCRATCH -- but a prepared-tube-or-box-mix is better -- so WHY BOTHER??

• Cake Mix (Thank you, Betty Crocker!)
• Pie Crust (MY PERSONAL GO-TO PRODUCT.)
• Pasta (I mean -- really??  Who makes this from scratch??)
• Egg Noodles (Reames frozen)
• Refrigerator Biscuits (Any brand is wonderful -- I like the buttery GRAND size)
• Corn Muffins (the little box mixes )
• Frosting (Lilly LOVES to frost things -- a can costs about $1.00)
• Spaghetti Sauce (Prego or Ragu)
• Stovetop Stuffing (John likes the scratch version -- but my boys are disappointed if it doesn't taste just like Stovetop)
• Puff Pastry (even my "I-cooked-with-Julia-Child-friend-Pat-Leslie" keeps this in her freezer!)
• Rhodes frozen rolls

  

  Honestly -- Rhodes does this better than I ever could!!

• Kraft Macaroni and Cheese (every mother knows what I'm saying...)
• Any kind of jelly or jam...

Holy Cow. I CANNOT TELL You how quickly I typed that list. I didn't realize how much I depend on these culinary "assists."  Our grandchildren already think the things on this list ARE "cooking from scratch." That's because they eat most of their meals in restaurants or they get carry-out.

I'm not going to analyze this too much.

The holidays are coming. I'm just going to be grateful...

Rita's Apron Chronicle

Seeing this basket of aprons at the Grout Museum -- part of the Apron Chronicles exhibit -- brought back many memories.

This basket is overflowing with aprons. The sign encourages museum visitors to tie one on!!

Rita Farro's Apron Chronicle:

Aprons have long held a fascination for me. But I didn't become a serious collector until 1997, when my mother was dying of cancer. Hospice was coming to the house everyday, and we'd situated Mom's hospital bed in the living room. It was an overwhelming and sad time for our family. Every day was full of tears and pain and stress...

One day, I was walking around downtown Clinton, Iowa -- putting off going back for my shift with Mom. At a cramped antique mall, I found a basket of colorful gingham aprons. There were five of them -- $1 each -- all embroidered with chicken scratch designs.

Looking at those aprons, I was snapped back to growing up on a farm in McCausland, Iowa.  The year I was 12, Mom sewed Easter dresses for me and my four sisters. (Rita, Ronda, Debbie, Deena and Wendy). She made five red and white gingham dresses with big puffy sleeves. Our mother's mother -- Grandma Dodds -- did chicken scratch embroidery around the bottom of each dress.  In my mind's eye, I could see the five of us, marching down the center aisle of the Zion Lutheran Church on Easter morning...

I bought the aprons and took them to Mom's house. Although I always talked to her, at that point, she was asleep most of the time, and very non-responsive.  Sitting next to her bed, I held the aprons and started talking about my memories of those look-alike dresses she made 40 years ago...

When I got to the part where the five of us were marching down the aisle.....Mom whispered (without opening her eyes)..."Only yours was red, Rita."

I couldn't believe Mom was talking.  Stunned -- I leaned in and said, "What, Mom?"  after a pause, she said,   "Only your dress was red.  Ronda's was turquoise, Debbie's was yellow, Deena's was green and Wendy Ann's was pink."

That was an amazing moment.  First of all -- that Mom spoke at all was a shock.  For weeks, we couldn't understand the few words she did attempt.  I was equally as amazed that I remembered those dresses as all being red.  The minute Mom spoke, I knew she was right.  It was the first time I realized my child memories could be WRONG.

Of course -- the biggest thing about that moment was knowing Mom heard every word I said.

I looked down and really saw the five gingham aprons I was holding in my lap.  They were red, turquoise, yellow, green and pink...

Waterloo #5: Apron Chronicles

This will be my last post about my trip to Waterloo, Iowa to meet with EllynAnne Geisel. I think I forgot to say that my mission was to interview her for Inspired To Sew magazine. (click here to see the archived issues)

Inspired To Sew magazine comes out every month -- and it is my complete pleasure to interview people and tell their stories. It is always so interesting to find out what inspired somebody else to sew.

The magazine is distributed via fabric stores, quilt shops, sewing machine dealers, etc. IF YOU ARE NOT RECEIVING it -- you should go into your favorite shop and tell them to CONTACT RHONDA PIERCE (rpierce@euronotions.com), the Marketing Director for Schmetz Needles.

You know how I love a good shoe shot.  EllynAnne, me, and Linda

EllynAnne has an impressive collection of children's aprons

This apron was no doubt for a special occasion.  Made out of pink organdy, with silk ribbon embroidery...

The Grout Museum was completely decked out with ALL KIDS OF APRONS.  Some framed, many hanging fron clotheslines.  The stories that went with the aprons were so touching...

After the Saturday presentation, Linda and I were escorted to the BOARD ROOM...

We were looking forward to a little private time with EllynAnne.

The actual Board Room was very, very impressive...we felt quite posh.

The boardroom overlooks the large public space where we had dinner on our first night -- see the plane hanging from the ceiling.

It was such a delight to meet EllynAnne and listen to her stories...

There are many gingham aprons in the exhibit...and that brought back so many memories for me. My own collection began with Gingham Aprons...

Aprons are like snowflakes. No two are alike. I think it is amazing. I have never seen two aprons that were THE SAME. Everybody has their own idea of the PERFECT apron. Just like husbands, houses and purses, eh? We all have a different notion of what we need from an apron...

Before I close the blog book on Waterloo -- I'd like to write up my own personal Apron Chronicle...

tomorrow, I think....

A Day in the Life: Warren

We see Warren at least two days a week, and he sleeps over at Grandma's house every Wednesday night. Of course, for all my friends who are Grandmothers, you already know what I'm going to say. I cannot imagine our lives without this little guy...he lights up a room...

He wakes up, I change his diaper, and he runs to the high chair, chanting, "num-num?  num-num?"  One of his favorite foods is pancakes.   I make them, freeze them...so it's a 2 minute prep time!!

His special job in the house is taking ALL THE POLITICAL CALLS. We live in Iowa, so for the last two months, this has been a full time job. With call waiting, we can tell it's a robo-call.  So we say, "Warren -- it's for you." He gleefully takes the phone and says, 'ALLO?? ALLO??"

To keep him from becoming a complete Republican, Uncle Ross gives him his daily motorcycle sit...

Even a Super-Kid needs a little blanky-fix every coupla hours...

By November 4th (election day) -- there have been THOUSANDS of phone calls...we are all whipped....even Warren is losing his enthusiasm...

When he leaves -- we look around the house and see the destruction, of course. There are books and toys everywhere, and gates and clothes and puzzle pieces, and scraps of food, crackers...well, you know what I mean.

But, mostly, what we notice is the silence.  It's like all the energy has been sucked out of the house...

Laundry Monday: The Magic of Vinegar

Last week, one woman wrote and said I mostly told her how NOT to use her clothes dryer...lol...

I USE MY CLOTHES DRYER every day. Just not in the way the manufacturer recommends...

And, I inspired at least three women to hang clotheslines in their basement...and they have already thanked me. Everything will last longer with my method -- your laundry AND your dryer!!

Writing laundry blogs every Monday makes me feel like we are sharing THIS....

Janet wrote to tell me she's waiting for me to write about laundry soaps, detergent, etc.

Surprisingly -- I don't have a strong opinion about the actual products. I believe everybody has made their choice for a reason. What works for me (Cheer) may not necessarily work for you...or maybe somebody is allergic, or you love the smell of Tide.

I have no way to test these products against one another...so anything I tell you is simply one woman's opinion.  Although I have a strong opinion on just about everything -- I believe the manufacturers have spent millions to develop their products and your reasons for choosing one over another are personal and valid. 


But, for today -- here's the take-away. Anna Moseley wrote about the use of vinegar in her blog -- and I agree with everything she said. I also like her whitening idea -- and intend to try that myself.

Fabric Softener
To soften clothes, and prevent lint from sticking to them, add 1 cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle.
Odor Remover
To remove odors from clothes add 1 cup of vinegar to the load of laundry
Stain Remover
To remove preexisting stains preteat with a mixture of 3 TBS white vinegar, 2 TBS liquid detergent and 4 cups of warm water. Rub the mixture into the stain, and then wash as normal.
Prevent Color Fading
To prevent color fading add 1 cup of white vinegar to the wash cycle.
Prevent Color Bleeding
To prevent new clothes from bleeding, soak it in a few cups of undiluted white vinegar for 10-15 minutes and then wash as normal.
Whitener
To whiten dingy whites add 1 cup of white vinegar to 5 cups of water. Bring to a boil, remove it from the heat and add your dingy white clothes to it. Soak them over night and then wash them as normal.
Re-shape Shrunken Clothes
To reshape, or resize shrunken wool clothes, soak shrunken clothes in a solution of 1 part vinegar and 2 parts water for 25 minutes. After 25 minutes resize the item of clothing and then let it air dry.
Anti-Bacterial
To kill bacteria in the laundry add 1 cup of vinegar to the wash cycle.

Here's a link to her blog:  Ask Anna

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This week, we'll be getting ready for winter.Ugh. I have never enjoyed my clotheslines more...which means I'll miss them more, too

My days are full of children right now....

And I KNOW WHAT A BLESSING that is....

Cellphone Pictures

In my never-ending quest to get rid of my smart phone -- (still under contract) -- one of the challenges is to GET THE PICTURES off the phone, and on to my laptop. Where at least I can see them. Occasionally.

I tried to categorize them....however, that was clearly going to be a gigantic waste of time.  So, I made a big file that says "Random Phone Pics". And if it weren't for this blog, nobody would ever see them...EVER..

These particular pictures are about our Saturday auction days with Bert.  A couple of years ago, when my house was clearly overwhelmed by my non-stop treasure-hunting -- I developed this new strategy.  Instead of bidding -- I take a picture.  I don't get quite the same adrenaline rush -- but it was simply not possible to BUY every treasure I see....

This little glass jar went for $50...I thought that was a lot...

I'm pretty sure I took this picture because the whole set went maybe $80?? I thought that was too little...

And Bert and I ALWAYS have an ugly lamp moment. They usually sell for $1....

IF I WAS STARTING OVER -- I'd buy this set. These were the colors of my wedding...

I cannot tell you how many Saturdays Bert and I spend doing THIS...(we are most likely doing this today, because it is a Saturday)

My sister Ronda collects both nativity scenes AND Precious Moments...

My nephew Cory has a horse farm -- can you see this table made out of welded horseshoes??

THIS is how we start our Saturdays!! My favorite meal to eat OUT -- BREAKFAST!! (see those portions?  Welcome to Iowa -- now you understand why we are fat).

As much as I loved this fabric -- and the whole box went for $1 -- I took the picture and moved on...

More random pictures of stuff piled on tables...

I HAVE NO IDEA why I took most of these pictures...like so many things in a life -- it just seemed like a good idea at the time...

I took this picture of a sewing machine with my phone, to send to my friend Linda, who was in the market at the time...

I LOVED this fabulous sofa!!  I was very happy for the girl who was furnishing her first apartment. I'll bet it makes her smile every time she walks in the door...

SO MANY BOOKS at all these auctions. But I long ago ran out of room for books...so it's an easy resist for me. With the help of this here picture...

As great as it is to be able to photos with your cellphone -- it makes me think about REAL value. Because it is so EASY, and there is no cost involved -- you take pictures without even thinking about it.  And maybe the easy availability (and overabundance?) diminishes the value...

In the old days, you had to PAY money to have every photo developed.  So they were valuable for two big reasons.  First of all -- it required a lot of effort and time to take a picture.  Secondly, there was an investment in the camera, the film AND most of all, the developing.

Cellphone pictures are no more valuable than a Kleenex or a ziplock baggie.  Meant for a one-time use...then you throw them away. When I was going through the hundreds of pictures on my phone, I realized they were taken on the spur of the moment...and if nobody EVER saw them....well -- the world would go on spinning....

Then, (too bad for you) I remembered I have this blog...so I could show YOU the pictures before I push the delete key...