My friend had her annual Valentine making party. Wine, French music and yummy eats complimented a table covered with stamps, ink, paper punchers, gorgeous sheets of paper and even an embossing kit among other inspiring supplies. We should have pulled an all nighter, the food and supplies were there.
As always it was a most lovely time and when I leave I really can't wait until next year.
It seems that all of us vintage lovers heard the same NPR story about this Korean television set. It also seems we were all so uber excited with it that we are all blogging about it. I hope we get this in the US soon because I have the perfect place for this set!
The mid-century aesthetic is really getting a lot of love. I recently found a computer styled to look like a Predicta attached to a vintage typrwriter keyboard. I don't know if I am 100% into the look but I can see how it might look nice on a Heywood-Wakefield desk. I think there should be more a merge between the new technology and old aesthetics. I'm not too crazy about the whole steampunk look though. I'm talking about what they quite frequently do in the UK.
Actually, I wouldn't mind a rotary Princess phone sans any upgrades sitting on my desk. Rotary phones gave you a few more seconds to think of what your going to say. I loved hearing the sound the dial would make as it ran over all the numbers. There was a heaviness to the dial.
Yesterday, as I was driving, it occurred to me that my husband and I had John Lennon until we were nine years old. It's weird to think of all those born after he passed. There is something really poignant about having been able to live in a world that still had John Lennon if only for the first nine years of our lives.
All those beautiful Tony Sarg books need to be re-published. They are too beautiful to be left only in the hands of collectors, never finding their way to a child's bookshelf today. Tony Sarg made several mechanical books and from what I can find online, they are all works of art. I have been lucky enough to have been given The Tony Sarg's Treasure Book, printed in 1942. It is a super deluxe mechanical book containing Alice in Wonderland, Rip Van Winkle and Treasure Island.
We just got a brand new desk and chair from Furniture in the Raw. It's a nice, sturdy desk with clean lines and we are fighting over who get's to sit in the matching chair and hang out at the new desk. New desks are like clean slates. I can remember several new desks growing up. The fun for me was first getting it all organized and then getting started on work. A new desk always made homework more fun and inspired stories. I would just write and write to stay at the desk. In college whatever writer's block I had was easily cleared by just moving on to a new desk in the library or sitting at my roomates desk instead of mine while she was working at the library. Mr C seems to feel the same away and is really amped about sitting here at our new desk to begin his projects. Eventually the new desk luster wears off and the ideas stop coming as fast as they did but not for a long, long time because this desk is awesome and it faces the window. Now I must go because someone would like to sit here, man, I had no time to even upload a pic.....
Tomorrow is my last skating lesson for awhile. I begin again in the Spring. I do love my coach, he is really an awesome and enthusiastic skater. What I truly appreciate is his other worldly patience for someone like me who couldn't do anything except skate round and round in the most boring way possible and was afraid to fall. His ability to teach skating is really a skill. Now I'm doing ribbons, skating on one leg, going backwards and doing cross-overs. I do need work on spinning and turning and I could also practice the switching leg thing. Now I just practice, practice, practice. I still don't come close to looking as good as the regulars on Tuesday night. Not even. Since the rink won't be open to me like it was during lessons, I'll be at the tennis and basketball courts taking spills.
It's been years since I picked up something like this. When I was in ballet, there were lessons five days a week, bloody toes and practice was after school where I had a full hour of running and jumping rope, sit-ups and chin ups. I continued being athletic on some level through college but it all came to a screeching halt when I turned 26 or 27 because all of a sudden I felt old. What was I thinking?! I should have kept it all up. It had something to do with being around other late twentysomethings who felt old.
It feels good to be involved in some sort of sport again. It took awhile to work up the enthusiasm for a more active lifestyle. It was finding the right gym a few years ago that put me back on track. Skating practice has been three hours of non-stop movement three days a week and that is nothing compared to the speed skaters I see practicing or the roller derby girls. Now that it's up to me to practice, I feel the need to really push it. I would like to be able to skate every day for at least two hours.
When I skate I am using all my concentration because it's all new, so there is no room in my head for anything else. My coach has said a few things regarding how to attack skating and skating form that I find myself thinking of when I am not in the rink like always chin up, never look down, then there is stay flexible, bend those knees because stiffness causes falls and he is always reminding me of the constant trust I have to have in myself and in what I can do. For all those people who spend money on life coaches, taking up a sport keeps you nice and fit and you get plenty of life coaching, teehee.
Goodbye Conan, We'll be tuning in for the last time. How we will miss you after the news. We were always loyal fans. On the bright side, I guess it will be easier to get up in the mornings for work and we won't bave dark circles under our eyes. XO, The Crains PS: Loved seeing Pee Wee again!
We found these cool board games at a toy show in San Antonio. They were priced at only $1 and $3, not what I expected but I think it's because the boxes are slightly marked or we just found the most reasonable dealer there. Otherwise, both games were in really great shape and complete, including instructions. We had fun playing while listening to the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack late on a Sunday night and into early Monday morning. Even Mona was really into it.
After a long, tedious week nothing could cheer me up more than driving to San Antonio. Being at El Mercado and dining on mole enchiladas at Mi Tierra was just what I needed. Mr. C. bought me a beautifully embroidered Mexican shirt and paid for a Mariachi to sing my favorite song.
I love finding new blogs or websites with photos of things that just make me happy. I usually come upon them during those moments when I am in most need of a distraction or visual pick-me-up.
Thank you El Phicks for all your help! I can always count on the PFTP blog to turn my frowns upside down and send me soaring in directions far from dullsville. Working girls need these cyber cigarette breaks or they'd all go mad.
Oooh and how could I not mention Girard....delicious!
Going back to September 7, 1966 using KHJ 930 AM in Los Angeles. I have an hour and twenty minutes to soak it in. Been doing some time travel at the rink and the Mini Max too, they are pretty reliable portals. C-ya!
Oh the gluttony....after this weekend's binge at Chuy's Panaderia I think we are done for awhile. Um, let's say a long while. That's three layers of pan de dulce. I am sharing our addiction with you in the hopes that we will be embarrassed and forced to stop. Boy, have we ever slipped.
At the time of this photo everything looked so delicious and beautiful. Now, it's just excessive and ugly. It was only $8 but still, que feo, as my Grandmother would say. It took us three days to plow through this but we both suffered sugar poisoning. You know, when you can't even bare to eat a potato or a carrot. I just want meat and leafy greens for awhile, thanks.
I blame the cold and our recent loss for this. It did make us happy. It was most fun while watching World's Greatest Dad. So... if I want Lent to really sting this year I can give up Chuy's or Mexican hot chocolate, if I want a mild, easy Lent I'll give up chocolate candy. That is easy. We'll see.
It is 15 outside this morning. According to our outdoor thermometer it is 15. The chicken's water froze solid and it took boiling water to break it apart. I meant to empty it last night before bed but forgot. Glad it's a galvanized waterer. I don't go for plastics. I got an egg this morning too and quickly took it from under Fuzztop before it froze too. Although, under Fuzztop, it would have a hard time freezing, the hens have their own lil heating systems going on. I have to remind friends (and myself) who worry about them in this weather that they are not mammals. They are sheltered, have a heat lamp and corn so they are okay.
I am surprisingly okay as well because I discovered a perfectly warm ensemble that allows me to linger outdoors longer than I ever thought possible. It's leather over wool over wool over cashmere over thermal, a wool hat, scarf, jeans and double socks. The leather coat was originally Cecil's and she got it when she was in high school. It's a classic motorcycle jacket, a good looking jacket and extremely warm. Warmer than any leather coat I have ever had. I traded my mint, vintage Pendleton 49er for this jacket. At the time I wasn't sure I was making the right decision. It was not easy to finally find a 49er in excellent condition and then have it fit me so well. I may look silly stepping out of a car in this but it's the warmest thing I own so I love it. I never feel the cold in it and to think I nearly took it to Buffalo Exchange in September thinking I would never need it.
Today I am thankful that I collect warm things. Today I am not a crazy Texan who wastes her money on wool clothing. I am so loving my collection of cowichans and uber fuzzy alpaca sweaters. Today I feel so smart that I didn't pass on the opportunity to purchase a wool robe a few years back. It's so cozy, it's just sooooooooo cozy! I'll also confess that I own a small collection of vintage Pendleton shirts that I just adore. I collected all these things because they were cute and very well made and a bit exotic since this is Austin,TX. Sure the 104 degree days of this past summer had me piling all my woolies into bags to haul down to Goodwill. I was really going to do it but Mr C. convinced me to hold on to them. I am glad he did and I am glad I listened because now that El Nino has returned, I can finally wear them again! Even if it's for just for a few hours. I'll take what I can get to rationalize my collection of warm things. So uh, yeah, call me if you need some errands done because I feel like a polar bear.
Is it still Mac Brown's UT? I guess the plans for the giant, flashing neon sign that said , "Welcome to Mac Brown's UT", that was to be erected on the West Mall is no more. It was an unfortunate game. It had it's moments but alas, 37-21.
Oh, and what does it mean when you get, not one, but two baby Jesus in your Rosca de Reyes? I'm guessing they cancel each other out. This year we shared the cake just between the two of us. But once again, Chuy's Panaderia nailed it! The cake this year was not dry, had nuts and real dried fruit. In fact, Chuy's has replaced Mrs Johnson's Donuts, well, just until we choke on pan de dulce.
Oh, I was just thinking...Being intrinsically motivated in second jobs results in me happily working harder for less money in positions that actually utilize my best skills. However, the day job motivates me extrinsically simply because of the benefits. Is there a way to make workplaces more creative and intrinsically motivating by assigning people to job duties that utilize their best skills? Outcome? Perhaps happier and more efficient workers?
I just discovered longboard skateboarding and now I want to try one out. I have been told I have great balance (in the rink) and I don't take many spills, not unless I am trying something new. I never did trip up rock climbing. There is a curiosity with the whole skateboarding thing. The longboards seem really cool and I've watched Dogtown and Z-Boys so many times I think I've acquired the Zephyr ego and confidence through osmosis, so I'm up for this. Stay tuned for that outcome, it might not be pretty.
Still very green and these little buds are sprouting new growth. How lovely are thy branches. My Grandparents swear you can replant a Christmas tree and that they were successful at it. I don't know, I keep reading it's impossible.
Over the holidays I had to go to the emergency room due to an injury sustained doing nothing more than holding one of these Crate and Barrel casserole dishes. It was used to make stuffed mushrooms on Christmas Eve, it cooled to room temperature, it was washed by hand in lukewarm water and placed on a dry rack to dry. When I picked it up to store, several hours later, the left handle suddenly broke in my hand and the dish fell into my left thumb. It resulted in a lot of pain and three stitches. Not what I expected from stoneware but then again, anything shaped like a spear can hurt you. When the handle broke it created a spear shaped edged to what was left and OUCH! Perhaps a freak accident but completely the result of a shoddy product.This item should have never fallen apart this way but it was the second dish of this set to just break for no apparent reason. I threw out the third and last remaining dish.
The first one broke in half and was less of a hazard when it did. None of these dishes got used much. The set is dishwasher, microwave, oven and freezer safe. Since I received the set they had not been dropped or sustained any sort of impact. Maybe something happened in shipping. Maybe it's where they come from and the way they were manufactured, Made in China. I don't buy things made in China but this set was a gift. I do feel badly about that because I know the gift giver would hate that the gift was not a quality product. But I know for a fact they will never see this entry.
I am posting this because stores like Crate and Barrel never post negative reviews on their web sites. Since this casserole set is tres cute and sort of retro looking I know they will be popular among a certain group that reads this blog. Just be careful and beware of products made in China. Even our vet went on a tirade about giving animals anything made in China and boycotts made in China items. Sadly Crate and Barrel is almost exclusively made in China.
Monty Cat was always William's cat, his loyal friend for thirteen years. He liked me and accepted me but he could be found sitting on William's side of the couch. He accepted me from day one and made me remember how sweet it is to have a pet cat.
He really was a very dignified kitty. Monty was always very serious and carried himself in such a way that seems almost regal, but he wasn't aloof or self-important. Monty always wanted his cheek scratched and had the most kittenish meows I had ever heard. For being such a large cat and a male, the first time I met him I nearly melted with his unexpected little, baby meows. I thought I would hear a powerful growl come out of him and couldn't help but laugh. Every morning there was a series of these baby meows until he was fed.
When Mona found us and we introduced the two, for three days they had us stressed over the fact that they were not getting along. I guess I just thought they would since Mona was a teenie version of Monty, same exact coloring. They did finally get along and were best buddies after that. Whenever Mona gets hugged she lets out a kitty sqeal that must be some sort of SOS cry because Monty would come running from wherever he was to check things out. He'd sniff her and look at us with scolding eyes. Monty took care of Mona.
These last few weeks it was Mona who was loyaly by his side during his marathon naps. She would do whatever Monty wanted to do and if he was going to sleep, she would be there by his side sleeping as well. There were many kitty kisses from Mona to Monty. She would always kiss him on the forehead when he'd return from one of his overnight vet visits. I know she expects him shortly and it's heartbreaking to see her waiting.
On the eve before his passing on, Monty and Mona played chase for awhile. We were surprised at Monty's energy and figured he was getting better. The next morning there was more play before breakfast. He was a sweet and tender little guy who will be forever in our hearts.
When I was a kid I was fascinated with the black and white film stars. I got my first film picture books for Christmas when I was ten, I still have them. I'd spend hours going through every page looking at the glamour shots and movie stills. I can't recall what I was thinking every time I opened one of the books or what would put me in the mood for that sort of thing.
There was only one time I remember going through the pages trying to find someone I looked like (wanted to look like). I do remember being convinced that if photographed in black and white I could possibly look like Ava Gardner or Ingrid Bergman, it was all a matter of tilting my head right and getting the shadows to fall in a certain way. My Abuelita in Mexico must have seen what I was thinking at that moment because she said to me, in Spanish, that if I did my eyebrows just right, I'd look just like Ingrid Bergman. She said it so convincingly I remember closing the book and feeling really glamorous for the rest of the day. I didn't seek out a mirror to challenge what she had said. I didn't try to make my eyebrows look like Ms Bergman's, I only knew my Grandmother made me feel good because she understood me. We then went for a walk.
And how I have just about always spent it since I was a kid. There was a time between the ages of 21-29 when I did the party thing. I can't say I was very comfortable with spending my NYE at a big party but I thought it's what you did. Now I am happiest in front of the TV with Mr C. or with Mr C. and our extended family in front of the TV nibbling on snacks and drinking champagne.
I do love the first day of the new year and that is when I become inspired and excited about the clean slate. NYE is just a whole other thing. It's when I become melancholic and pensive and a bit depressed. The passing of time mostly. Some people are bummed at Christmas. For me it's NYE. Even as a lil kid I found the occasion sadly nostalgic and uncomfortable. I have 45 minutes of myself at the age of nine speaking into a tape recorder sharing my views on the passing of time and how things change and how I hate change and so on all with the idea that this was a moment to preserve for the future, should I forget how to be a melancholic and a bore on NYE. There is also the idea of the holiday break coming to an end. From kindergarten through college I had those two weeks off for the holidays (more in college). I happen to get a job that observes this same schedule so lucky me, but again, NYE marks the closing of the holiday break.
The Christmas tree is as green as can be and just started to release that citrusy, piney scent....things have just begun to slow down and we sit and sip chocolate and enjoy our decorations and now I have to box up all the decor and drag the still green tree to the curb? While the outdoor decor will come down tomorrow, we'll be keeping up the lit tree until the 6th. It's five more days of the holiday season for us. Perhaps more... I like to ease into the start of the year.
Over the holidays I watched a lot of Katie Brown and made these recipes. Yumsville!
Pear Salad
Ingredients
8-9 radishes, halved sliced thin
6 Bosc pears, sliced thin
2 whole jicama, peeled and grated (or cut into thin matchsticks)
2 stalks celery, peeled and sliced thin
Zest of 3 limes
2 lemons, juiced
¼ cup Olive oil
1 tablespoon of honey
Salt and black pepper to taste
Mix all ingredients in a mixing bowl and serve. Make sure to cut the pear last, as it will oxidize.
Spinach and Cheese Strata
Ingredients
3 tablespoons butter
1 large onion, chopped
10 ounce package of froze spinach, thawed and squeezed
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
Pinch of nutmeg
½ cup prosciutto, chopped
3 cups gruyere, grated
8 cups sourdough bread, cut into 1 inch cubes
9 eggs
2 ¾ cups milk
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
Salt and Pepper
Preheat oven to 350º F.
Heat butter in a large sauté pan on high, add onion, and reduce heat to medium. Sauté the onions until translucent, about 5 minutes.
Add the spinach to the pan and season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. Then add in the chopped prosciutto.
In a casserole dish, arrange half of the bread cubes, and layer on half of the spinach mixture, followed by half of your cheese. Repeat with the remaining ingredients, pushing down the layers if necessary.
In a bowl, thoroughly combine the eggs, milk, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Slowly pour the egg mixture over the strata layers, allowing time for the bread to absorb the liquid.
Bake for 45 – 55 minutes, or until a knife comes out clean.
