Happy Birthday Baby Girl – Meet Olivia!

Whenever one of my daughters’ birthdays rolls around, I find myself in deep reflection.  Thinking back to the day that they were born.  Little Miss Olivia Emily was only due on January 7th but since I had never made it to my due date before, I had my doubts.  My only concern was making it through Christmas morning so that I would be there for her older sisters to open their gifts from Santa.  Lindsay Erin was 4 and Chelsea Erica was 5 1/2 so I didn’t want to miss that!  Well Santa honored my request and let me go until the wee hours of December 29th although not without a little fanfare.   Being that it was during the Christmas holidays they were short staffed, no doctor to deliver, yada, yada.  We made out OK though.

Ohhhhh…..”It’s my birthday?”  (Age 10 months)

And then before you know it, they’re starting school!

And then they grow and grow and grow.  And turn green!  Haha!

Halloween 2009

So hard to believe……time flies.

My First Grand……. Turkey!

I had a marvelous Christmas and hope all of you did too.  (I can’t believe I said that – like I have an audience – lol!)  Moving on….

I thought it might be a bit of a sad Christmas because for the first time ever, my oldest daughter, Chelsea, would not be coming home this year.  There is a reason (which I will talk about later) but the bottom line was that she was going to be on her own for the holidays.   Back home in Montreal.  Now there are people who would wallow in self-pity.  And there are those who choose not to.  Thankfully, Chelsea falls in the latter group.

A couple of days before Christmas we were chatting online and she decided that she was going to make her first turkey.   So the interrogation began.  “Mum, how do I make stuffing?”.    “Well Chel, this is not like baking.   Not an exact science.  So I can tell you what I put in, but no measurements.  I just eyeball it.  And taste.”.     That was good enough for her.  She picked up what she needed for dinner and was set to go on Christmas day.

Around 11 am on Christmas morning, the phone rings.  It’s Chelsea.  “Mum – I’ve been pacing around and you need to help me.  It has a neck and I’m freaking out.  I DON’T want to break it’s neck!”.    I explained to her that she did not have to break it’s neck but rather run some cold water in the cavity until it loosened and then pull it out.  “Mum – I have a new appreciation for what people go through to put dinner on the table.  Especially a turkey!” - “Ok – let me go try this, I’ll talk to you later.”.  “ Call me if you need me.  I’ll be here.”, I said.

Later on when dinner was done and most had gone to bed for the night, I checked in on my computer.  My “Messenger” bar was flashing.  Click, click.  “Mamadukes?”.  “Yes” I typed.   “It was awesome!  Perfectly browned!  Delicious!”. 

Mothering goes on for much longer than I ever imagined.  But that’s OK.  I liked holding her hand.  A right of passage I think.  And now I have a grand-turkey!   Haha!   And I don't even have to babysit!   I know, I know - I'm silly.

Do You Freecycle?

I think just about everybody and his brother knows about Craigslist but there’s another kid in town.

Freecycle!   It is not nearly as well known but it’s equally awesome.  And always, always….free!    I have gotten a few things myself (such a the perfect refrigerator in my garage) but even better, I have given away a ton of stuff.   Printers, cables, craft supplies, you name it!  It seems that someone is always looking for what you are looking to pass along.  One man's trash is another man's treasure.

At this time of year when you might have an abundance of say, toys, this is a great way to simplify.  Win-win situation all around.  You get rid of something.  Someone gets something they need.  One less thing in a landfill!  So Simple. 

Give it a try by clicking here!

Christmas 1958 – Sears Wishbook - Vintage Thingies Thursday

One final post before Santa comes.    I wasn't sure if there would be a Vintage Thingies Thursday this week but with Suzanne being the trooper that she is, let the festivities begin!

These are some of the things you might be wearing, or expect to find around your house, or under your tree in 1958.

What a beautiful cover!

Old catalogs are so telling.   You know what was in style when, and just how much it cost.

How scrumptious!

This one just….surprises me.

So risque.

Little angels, all puffy and fluffy.

Winter warmth.

Innovative!

Oh!   Ribbon candy!  It still tickles my fancy as much now as it did when I was a child.   All colorful and curly.  I don’t think I have ever eaten a piece.  Too pretty!

  

On the other hand…..  this.  It was a staple in our house at Christmas and I never, ever liked it.  I kind of thought it should be used as a door stop.  It was so heavy.  That all changed a few years ago when someone who I sold a lot of dinnerware to on ebay sent me a fruitcake that he had made himself.  Although I appreciated the gesture, I was skeptical.  He promised that it was the best ever.  He was right!  So different than the brick blocks that I had tried in the past.

Oh.my.goodness!  I was mesmerized by these service stations when I was a kid.  With a car lift that took the cars to the upper level!

Ballerinas and Shirley Temple?  What’s more girly than that?

Revlon dolls are highly prized and collectible today.   They were even a little pricey then.

 

The next two are kind of funny.  Such a different time.

 

Well that’s it for this week.

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas.  And don't forget to visit Suzanne!

A White Christmas It Is…..

A lot of people dream of them.  Even Bing Crosby.  Me, not so much.  I’ve seen more than my fair share of snow and the novelty wore off decades years ago.  After all I grew up in Canada and only migrated south in midlife.  To New England no less.  Bright move, huh?

So without further ado, for those of you who long for snow at Christmas, this is for you.

Down at the creek.  (I am so grateful for zoom lenses!)

This next little guy is one of my favorites.  Talk about troopers.  They don’t even show up until the weather turns cold!   Dark-Eyed Juncos are ground feeders and hop around under the feeders to pick up seeds.  In case you’re interested, you can learn more about Juncos here.

 

With a friend.

Rummaging for seed.

Busy, busy feeders.

My neighbor’s roof!

And that was Mother Nature’s gift to us!  Thanks Mom!

Attention EBAY Sellers – Your Opinion

I know that a many fellow bloggers also sell on ebay and I wanted to get your opinions on something.
 
I have a listing for a vintage toy right now.   I purposely did a 5 day listing so that it ends on Monday.  My thinking was that it could be received in time for Christmas.    Yesterday I had a buyer send an email asking if I would list with a “Buy It Now” option.  This is how I responded:

“Dear XXXXX,

Hello - First, I don't think that Buy It Now can be added after there is a bid.

Also, I have had this asked before and in all fairness to others who are interested in it, I would feel uncomfortable changing the listing now. There are other watchers and I just feel it would not be fair.

Since the listing finishes on Monday afternoon it is possible to have it before Christmas. If paid immediately. You can choose Priority Mail (as used in the listing)and it is supposed to arrive in 2-3 business days. OR I can send it overnight by UPS or USPS Express Mail which is supposed to be overnight. The increased cost would be at your expense. You can calculate it yourself if you like. My zip code is XXXXX and the weight is 3-4 lbs. Or you can send me your zip code and I will get the rate for you.”

Has this happened to you before?  Is this how you would have handled it? 

Oh..Oh..Oh! The Best Show of the Year!

Have you seen NBC’s new show “The Sing Off”?   IT.IS.FANTASTIC!  Allllllll acapella!  Not a single instrument on stage!  Give yourself a little gift – watch it!  Such a feel good show.

The groups are great.  The judges are awesome.  Constructive criticism without nastiness (like Simon!).  Do yourself a favor.  Check it out.  4 days only.  December 14-17. 

Pink Cadillac – Retro Tuesday & Vintage Thingies Thursday

I’ve been a little preoccupied this week and haven’t had a lot of time for picture taking so I took a quick peek through the pictures that I already have on my computer.   I knew I would come up with something!

Pull out your poodle skirts!

Dick Clark is in the house!

Isn’t it cool!

A pink Cadillac radio / cassette player!  In mint condition!   And it works!

I bought this several years ago and had it for a while.   When I started simplifying and downsizing my life about two years ago, this was one of the things to go.   I figured someone else would love it and use it so I sold it on ebay .  I have no regrets.  It’s much easier to store a photo than it was to store this beauty.

So that is my contribution for this week.  Now do yourself a favour and pop on over to see more blasts from the past @ Retro Tuesday and Vintage Thingies Thursday.

And just in case I don’t make it here next week…

From the Mouths of Babes!

I just found something that I had to share.  As I continue to purge my life of all things unnecessary I keep coming across things from the past.  

From the time my girls were itty bitties, each year I would by them a collectible Barbie.  To this day there are in their original boxes and stored away in containers.  A few days ago I opened one of the containers and found an old composition written by my youngest daughter, Olivia.   She was 10 at the time.

 

 Talk about an active imagination!  Haha! 

 

 

I love finding these things!  Brings me back……  I have yet to figure out why time flies so quickly when you have kids.  If anyone knows, I would appreciate that information.

Vintage Christmas Photos – Retro Tuesday and Vintage Thingie Thursday

 

I spent this morning going through a box of old photos and came across a few “vintage” people.  Myself being one of them.  I thought I would share.

My First Christmas.

I believe this is 1963 so I would have been 4 1/2 and my sister, Colleen, was 3.  What a great Santa!  I think we were both looking to Mum for security!

 

Meet my brother D’Arcy.  Merry First Christmas brother!
Mom marked the back of this picture so I know the date for sure.

Colleen with a cute page boy haircut!

The Three Musketeers.  Including me with an attitude.  And my brother sporting a pompadour!   If there is something my family isn’t lacking, it’s hair!  When my sister’s twins were little, they slept over at my house one night.  When I woke up and they saw me with my wild hair they looked at me and nonchalantly told me “Auntie Mau – you look like a buffalo head!”.   "Well thank you sweetheart."   Hahaha!

Ok – now we’re liking Santa.  Unlike last year!  Maybe he remembers that there were things under the tree for him.  Dunno?

Like every true Canadian, you have to play hockey!   My brother with his first hockey game.  

(P.S.  Note the television on the left.  Definitely vintage.)

 

Now these lovelies I do not know.  I believe that they must have been mum’s teenage friends.  I love these.  The picture on the left looks like it was hand coloured.

And that dear ladies is my story for today.  Please visit Tracey’s Retro Tuesday (FREE apron pattern this week!)  and Suzanne’s Vintage Thingies Thursday.  Always fun!

Vintage Washboard Spiff Up – Met Monday & Making It For Monday #3

It that time again – Metamorphosis Monday and Make It For Monday!   I have no shortage of projects going on right now.  Ahhhhh -  Tis the season!

A week or so ago, I bought myself a little gift.  I posted about my new Cricut here.  Which, incidentally, I keep referring to as a cry-cut instead of cricket.    Maybe they should have spelled it “crickut” and I would get it.  Whatever.

So I’ve been playing with it.  Mostly wasting cheap paper.  I also decided to try some contact paper (free since I already had it here) instead of using the expensive vinyl that they sell expressly for the Cricut (expensive!  2 – 12x24 sheets $9.99).  

After playing with some of the settings, the contact paper worked well!  And it sticks well too!

So I decided to spiff up an old washboard.  You can get these a dime a dozen at antique malls. 

Before….

After cleaning with a damp cloth, I decided to whitewash it.  A little white paint, some water and and old sock.

I liked it but thought I would whitewash the glass too.   Easier than taking it out of all the ridges around the wood.

  Added some lettering from the Cricut and ta-da!

One other thing with the Cricut is that the cartridges are really expensive.   I‘ve read somewhere that there is a program that will work with the Cricut and you can use all the fonts you have on your computer.  I’ll have to look into that.

Thanks for visiting and don’t forget to stop by Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch and Make It For Monday at Cottage Instincts.  Always interesting Stuff.