Impromptu Picnic All Because of a Ham

A ham that was on sale and needed to be cooked and a beautiful day caused an impromptu picnic in my backyard.

I was going to have everyone sit, on the deck, to eat, but remembered that the tables from the rummage sale were still in my garage. I set up two tables in the shade and decided to put some of my thrifted tablecloths on, they were all mismatched, but added to the charm of the evening. The wind kept blowing my tablecloths off, so I grabbed two mason jars that had candles in them that I had previously used from the garage, my daughter added the pot of geraniums to the adults table. It was six o'clock in the evening with the summer sun still shining down from the west, but we still lit the candles.

A third table was set up to place the food on, my Polish pottery held the cucumber salad, potato salad, and corn on the cob. My vintage pitchers held lemonade along with the obligatory store bought bottle of Juicy Juice. A thrifted wooden basket held all of the necessary, eating utensils.

The children ate their meal quickly, and were up and playing in the yard while the adults were able to sit and enjoy their food, and each others company.

No picnic is complete if a watermelon isn't served, it was sweet and juicy. I let my seven year old grandson pick out the watermelon, I would stand of several minutes doing a thump test to the watermelon trying to find a good one. I now know just let your grandchild pick out the best one.

Harrison invited a few friends for dessert.

The obligatory photo of a silly face. 

I sat for a few moments and looked around the yard at the mismatched tablecloths and chairs, the children playing so nicely, and my children and their husbands chatting with each other, I realized it was a magical moment that memories were being made all from a last minute picnic on the lawn.

My Thrift Purchase ~ The Pits

The weather seems to be a hot topic for the midwest with a so-called Derecho weather pattern in the Midwest that could produce severe windstorms in areas with gusts as strong as 100 mph. I of course have dead batteries in my portable radio and flashlights so off to the store I went.

Coupons in hand I headed to my local grocery store who was offering double coupons today. I grabbed all of the items on my list, but today I decided to deviate from my list and treat myself to a bag of plump, deep dark red cherries.

Right across the street from the grocery store is a Goodwill, and I decided to take a quick look around. This Goodwill store is in the process of remodeling, and is taking on the appearance of other GW stores in the area, so items are being shelved in strange places. While walking down the Christmas, yes they have a Christmas isle and an isle that shares Halloween, Easter and Valentine's items, I found something I don't need or ever thought I wanted.

A cherry pitter, hey I said to myself you just purchased cherries, so for 99¢ I bought it.

A total impulse purchase, but it's so much fun to use! Have you had any impulse purchases lately?

By the way, the cherries are juicy, sweet, and a wonderful treat.

Thrift Share

I'm signing about Pyrex

Just holding my Pyrex

What a glorious feeling

To find some Pyrex

Pyrex has been illusive on my thrifting adventures, on rare occasions I find a piece that has an imperfection, like a large chip out of the rim. Who buys chipped Pyrex? Oh, that would be me in my early days of Pyrex collecting, but I have learned from my mistakes, or I like to think I do.

Early American oval casserole with a lid.

Along with a three piece round casserole set.

While I was walking around the rummage sale, I saw the Pyrex sitting on the table, I gasped and grabbed my prize, Pyrex. No price tags, turning to the lady, who was around my age, I asked the price. I got those for a wedding gift, she replied, but you can't use them in the microwave because of the gold on the brown bowls. You can have them all for three dollars.

I figure the lady was in her early 60's so she must have married in late 1960's or early 1970's. These bowls weren't used much, so the condition was excellent.

Brittany Blue shallow baking pan #486.

This baking pan also doubles as a lid for the Pyrex #485 casserole. This Pyrex casserole is not on my items I'd like to find.

Pyrex rectangular pan in the Friendship pattern.

Both of the baking pans were purchased at a church rummage sale for one dollar each.

I have already used this round 4 quart Spring Blossom casserole

for a pot luck dinner, and my potato salad not only tasted great,

but it look so pretty inside my $2.99 Pyrex from the 1970's.

This Pyrex #471 was only priced at $1.00 

and is a perfect size to hold leftover.

I have no idea whom the maker of this fun covered dish is, but I thought the shape was delightful, and the graphic of the flowers were irresistible to me.

It appears that my Pyrex is over, and that is why I'm Singin' about my Pyrex.

I'm often found at these link parties;

 Apron Thrift Girl for Thrift Share Monday

Sir Thrift A lot for Thriftasaurs

A Living Space for The Nifty Thrifty

Hey, Mom What's for Dinner for The Penny Worth Project

Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrify Tuesday

Thrifty Groove for Thrift Thing Friday

Dinosaur Dessert Table

Children's birthday parties have become themed events, it starts with the invitations and carries through to the food being served.

I have memories of my children's birthday celebrations, when I used a Wilton cake pan, and a star tip on a pastry bag to decorate a Big Bird cake while adding some primary colored balloons for decorations. How excited they would get waiting for relatives to arrive to start the celebration. I thought I was hosting such a clever and exciting birthday party.

Today children's birthday parties are elaborate and fun. I was invited to a friends grandsons 2nd birthday party. When the invitation arrived with dinosaurs framing the clever wording inviting me to help celebrate Max's special day and have a dino-mite time. I got the idea the theme of the party would be dinosaurs.

When I arrived for the celebrations I was not disappointed, it was indeed a dinosaur themed party. The parents both had on tee shirts with dinosaurs exclaiming they were celebrating Max's birthday and Max had on a dinosaur shirt telling everyone he was the birthday boy.

The food was plentiful and delicious, children were served dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets along with  other delicious foods, adults were treated to smoked bar-b-que ribs, but what impressed me was the dessert table.

When I saw the dessert table I was blown away, the display was fantastic. I exclaimed, "They bought special plaques for the wall just for this themed party?" I was told to take a closer look at the plaques.

They are square brown paper plates with shapes of different dinosaurs cut from green construction paper. They look expensive and help complete the theme of the dessert table.

Cocoa Krispies were formed into nests 

with yogurt covered raisin used as eggs.

Mini valcano cakes

Plastic cups filled with Gorp to resemble stones and rocks had a 

plastic dinosaur roaming inside the cup that thrilled the children.

Two dinosaur nests filled with donut holes dipped in 

melted chocolate added color and height on each end of  table.

It was a fun birthday celebration for Max, and you know what I enjoyed myself too. 

Thrift Share

Before I started my blog, which just celebrated it's two year anniversary the end of May, I shopped thrift stores for my apron collection, dish towel collection, and my vintage slip collection. I'd run in check the racks for any good finds in those specific categories and leave.

After I started my blog a whole new world of collecting opened up to me, I found the blog of Sir Thrift A Lot, who introduced me to Pyrex and pop culture memorabilia. He hosts a weekly link party titled Thriftasaurus, click over and join his fun party.

Jill from the blog A Little Bit of Everything, enthusiasm for Vera scarves has started my newest collection.

There are many blogs that have inspired and educated me on different subjects that are now a part of my daily reading routine. Bloggers thank you for taking the time to sit down and write your blogs that have touched my heart, made me laugh, taught me a skill, be it cooking, sewing, or crafting. I appreciate each and every one of you.

This weeks thrift finds were inspired by the two bloggers I mentioned earlier, Sir Thrift A Lot and Jill.

The theme for my grandsons fifth birthday party was super heroes, so of course, I purchased the Ninja Turtles lunch bags to use as party bags. They were perfect and affordable.

I couldn't resist this Portland pattern pitcher! Look at the handle and the rim of this heavy pitcher, beautiful. The look of lemonade inside the pitcher is provided by a Vera tea towel, cute, cute, cute.

Notice Vera's signature lady bug on the right lemon?

Cute graphics surround a Lemon Meringue Pie 

recipe on this Vera tea towel.

I found a few Vera scarves that caught my eye at an estate sale. I am looking forward to Valentines day when I can use the red and white heart scarf, it's my favorite one.

I'm often found at these link parties;

 Apron Thrift Girl for Thrift Share Monday

Sir Thrift A lot for Thriftasaurs

A Living Space for The Nifty Thrifty

Hey, Mom What's for Dinner for The Penny Worth Project

Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrify Tuesday

Thrifty Groove for Thrift Thing Friday

Serenity on Saturday Morning

Preschool graduation, soccer games, mass of remembrance for a friend, and baby sitting are on today's agenda, before I start this fun filled day I took a moment and found peace and joy in my backyard.

 

In the midst of your busy day, I hope you too will find some moments of peace and joy.

How I Clean My Vintage Treasues

After returning home from a thrift store, rummage sale or an estate sale with all of my vintage treasures, they are usually cleaned immediately if I don't have the time they are stored in my garage until I can clean them up.

Because I don't want to bring in any unwanted pests, or their eggs into my home, I never have my fragile purchases wrapped in paper or let the cashier put my treasures in a bag.  I opt to stack the items and carefully carry them out to my car and place them inside a basket and wrap them with some old towels that I leave in the basket. I usually don't purchase that many items, but on that rare occasion I push the cart to my car to unload my treasures. I always return the cart either to the cart corral or back inside the store.

After I purchase ephemera these are the steps I take;

When I purchase books, I will clean the covers and the inside cover pages with rubbing alcohol. Pour rubbing alcohol onto a cotton ball, squeeze out excess moisture and wipe the spine, front cover, and back cover. Using a dry cotton ball wipe off any moisture that remains on the book cover. I will assess the inside cover pages of the book to see if they are sturdy enough for a gentle wiping with a cotton ball that has been wrung out of most of its moisture. You will be amazed at how dirty the cotton balls are after the cleaning process.

I then put the books inside a gallon size Ziploc bag and place it inside the freezer for 48 hours. After I remove the books from the freezer, I gently shake the book to remove and dust and small particles that are hiding in between the pages.

I use this method to remove musty orders from the books and to kill any dust mites that may be lurking inside.

Anything glass or china is placed into hot soapy water for a soak and rinsed in hot water and bleach. Magic Erasers and Bar Keepers Friend help me to remove tough stains without scratching any of my treasures.

I will run a small load of my treasures through my dishwasher, but I will NEVER put my Pyrex in the dishwasher, it can dull the shine on the bowl.

For my pounded aluminium tray, I use SOS pads along, with an old toothbrush and Bar Keepers Friend. I just stand back and smile when I see the shine on the tray after it's cleaned.

When no other cleaning method worked, on my cast iron skillet, I used oven cleaner.  After days of using the oven cleaner to remove the black grease build up, I was able to clean and season the iron skillet. I will never buy another cast iron skillet, cleaning that one was hard work, and one skillet is all I need.

I recently bought two packages of vintage plastic spoons. Each bag contained twelve spoons, they were heavy plastic spoons that have a Santa face on the tip of the handle and Season's Greetings down the handle. I thought they were cute and that the grand children would enjoy using them while drinking hot chocolate or desserts during the holiday season.

The spoons were inside a plastic bag but had a film of grime and dirt on them. So into a sink of hot soapy water the went. I washed each spoon from the tip of the handle down to the bowl. They were placed in a hot water rinse with bleach, but I still felt like the spoons needed a trip through the dishwasher.

WAH -WAH, not such a great idea.

I forgot to push the energy saver button that turns the heating element off during the drying process.

I will now add plastic Santa spoons to the list of what shouldn't go into the dishwasher.

Do you have any tried and true cleaning methods that you use for your vintage treasures?  I would love to hear your tips and tricks on this subject.