Thanks Everyone!

Well, it's been a while hasn't it?

I have been extremely busy with my new job as an antiques appraiser for a local non-profit store in my area. I also had a very bad flare up of a previous neck injury that left me unable to sit at the computer for more than 15 minutes or so at a time.

Now that I am back on a regular schedule, I am going back to blogging. Only not here.  When I first decided to blog, I originally wanted to do a Halloween specific site.  As much as I love all aspects of DIY, homemaking and decorating --my true passion lies with all things Halloween.  So I have decided to devote what free time I have for writing on my new Halloween blog: "Crow & Cauldron: A (Mostly) Vintage Halloween Blog"


I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for following my blog this last year or so. I have had a lot of fun. I hope some of you will continue to follow me at:

http://crowandcauldronvintagehalloween.blogspot.com/

Thanks for stopping by

Stacy

Thrifty Thursday

Welcome to Pyrex-palooza!  I had some amazing Pyrex finds this week!

This Spring Blossom Green 4QT casserole was mint and $12 at Goodwill.  Initially, I hesitated on getting it because I thought that was a little steep for Goodwill.  Honestly, this Goodwill has their Pyrex priced pretty high.  There was another common,  small bowl there that was beat to heck and they were asking $7 for it!

But , seriously, I had never seen a Pyrex casserole that big before.  I figured, shoot...you'd pay more than $12 for a casserole dish that large anywhere else and I am a sucker for that pattern anyway.  So , naturally, I talked myself into it.
I later found out that this particular casserole dish is a hard- to -find size.  When I checked Ebay and Etsy  there wasn't even one for sale.  There were a couple of this size in other patterns, and they were priced quite a bit more than $12, so I feel like I got a fair price after all.

These 401 & 404 Pyrex bowls are from the Friendship pattern 4 pc. mixing bowl set.  I found these at a local thrift store and paid $9 for the big one and $4 for the small one.  I love the Friendship pattern.  I am already thinking of using that orange bowl for Halloween candy!

I also found the 401 & 404 bowls from the Verde set at the same thrift store. Same prices too.  Can I just say that I am smitten with avocado lately?  I can't explain it...I just am.

All four of these bowls are in excellent condition.  Bright and shiny Pyrex goodness!  Interesting that the 2 middle bowls are missing from both sets.  I wonder if those were the ones the previous owner used the most?

I am trying to keep my Pyrex obsession in check... But there are very few patterns I don't like...and too many that I LOVE!   When you start dreaming about finding it--which, sadly, I have--you know you're in deep!

My final bit of thrifty fun is this vintage strawberry crewelwork...

It was beautifully done and marked for just 75cents!  It had "Handstiched by Betty--'85" written on the back.  Awwwww... I love that!!
I immediately knew right where it was going to go.
After a new paint job that is...

I think the coat of red acrylic paint on the frame really makes it "pop".

The yellow color of my beloved "Bewitched bowl" ties in to the flowers on the strawberries.  I just love how they look together.  My kitchen is definitely starting to look more Spring/Summer. We've had some nice sunny days these last few days too.  It makes me want to start my spring cleaning and get the rest of the Spring/Summer decor out.  It's easy to forget that we were completely covered in snow just a few days ago.


I hope you all found some great thrifty finds this week too!

Thanks for stopping by...

Stacy

Happy Birthday George Washington!--A Retro Recipe

Happy Birthday George Washington!

Last year, in honor of George Washington's birthday,  I took you on a virtual tour of his beautiful home--Mount Vernon.  

This year, I thought I would share a retro recipe. 

 My Mom recently gave me her vintage  Betty Crocker Recipe Card Library.   Yay!

Here it is in all it's 70's avocado glory...

I have seen them on ebay in white, red, and yellow too---but I am diggin' my groovy green!

Ahh...I loved when she would get a new pack of recipe cards in the mail!  I always got to open them!
Each set of cards had a theme...Men's Favorites, Come For Coffee,  Seasonal Favorites, etc...

But my favorite pack of cards was called Children's Parties. 

Just check out the divider card...

Those fabulous creations only hinted at the culinary treasure trove waiting for you inside that pack of cards!  

I wanted to make everything!

I probably drove my Mom crazy with that one.  

So, by now I am sure you are wondering what the heck all this has to do with George Washington...

Well,  since I have the recipe library now,  I've decided to make all the recipes I never got to as a kid.

Starting with this one...

Are those adorable, or what?  

Click picture to enlarge

In reality, there is no actual recipe for the little log cakes.  As you can see from the back of the card, they are made by taking two cupcakes and placing them end to end.  Then you frost them with chocolate frosting and use a fork to draw the lines to make it look like bark. Finally, cut your axes from red card stock and garnish with maraschino cherries.

Easy right?

Vintage Pyrex --of course!

I did use a cake mix, as the card suggests---  only I had yellow, not white.

However, I draw the line at canned frosting.  Real frosting tastes better and is so easy to make.

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

3C Powdered Sugar
1/3C Butter (softened)
1/3 C Baking Cocoa
2 Tsp. Vanilla
2-3 Tbls. Milk

Cream all ingredients except milk in a medium bowl with electric mixer.  Gradually add milk until frosting is the consistency you prefer.

I had so much fun making those little log cakes!  The only thing missing was having my Mom in the kitchen with me.  She lives about 5 hours away, dang it.



Hope you all have a great weekend!

Thanks for stopping by...

Stacy

Thrifty Thursday

I had another great week of thrift store shopping!  Remember my fabulous vintage pink cake stand from 2 weeks ago?  The one that turned out to be a rare Fenton Art Glass piece from the 50's?  With a replacement value of about $200?  Well, while I was researching the history of that particular Fenton line, I discovered that there was an equally lovely heart-shaped "relish" dish that matched the cake stand.
Now, I don't normally go for glass--at all--it is something I can appreciate and admire, but not something I choose to display or collect.
But there is an allure to that delicate cotton candy pink that I can't seem to resist.
So, naturally, the hunt was on for the dish!

After checking Ebay and Etsy for it,  I found it ranged in price from around  $50-$200!  Too rich for my blood.  I mean,  C'mon!  I only paid $7 for that cake stand!  Granted...that was the deal of the year...but I hoped my luck would hold out and  I could find the heart dish for a song too.

A little more searching and digging ..and..voila!

I  only paid $15 for it.  Twice as much as the cake stand, yes, but still a bargain price.
I didn't get it in time for my Bluebird Valentine party--dang it--but it would have been a perfect fit don't you think?

I can never get enough of my sweet little Lefton bluebird!  Sometimes I just walk by and pat her on the head.  I am doing my best to resist the urge to get the rest of the collection.  It is usually so expensive!  Obviously, if I found one at a thrift or yard sale,  it would be coming home with me for sure!

My other thrifty score this week was a  vintage, mint-condition Pyrex bowl to add to my ever growing collection.  I only paid $6 for it.  

 I am crazy about vintage Pyrex!  Obsessed would be a better word actually.

When I walked in and saw this beauty on the shelf... " Oh my stars!"...I hightailed it over there and snatched it right up!  

To other vintage Pyrex collectors, this is a Yellow Pyrex #404.  In my world,  it is called the "Bewitched" bowl.  Seriously.  I called my dear husband afterward, excitedly saying " I got the Bewitched bowl!  I got the Bewitched bowl!" and he knew exactly what I was talking about. 

He is very patient with my...shall we say.... "charming eccentricities"...

Now, this bowl is not rare by any means. If I wanted to spend the money, I could have bought it on Ebay quite easily.  But where's the fun in that?  Half the fun is the "thrill of the chase" and finding your vintage beauties "in the wild"...not to mention for bargain basement prices, if possible.

Oh how I love "Bewitched"!! If I ever win the lotto, you can all come visit me at my replica of the "Bewitched House".  

During the show, Samantha had/used a variety of Pyrex pieces in her fabulous kitchen.  I am on a personal mission to obtain them all.  

Here is the "Bewitched bowl" sitting next to Samantha's amazing Flair oven...

You can see her Pyrex coffee carafe in the background too.  That will be mine too...oh yes...it will be.

There is a great site that has Samantha and Darrin's furnishings identified with pictures and brand names. You can find it here.

Hope you found some great thrifty finds this week as well!

Thanks for stopping by...

Stacy

Vintage Bluebird Valentine Tea Party

Happy Valentine's Day!  Welcome to my Vintage Bluebird Valentine tea party!  Come on in and have a seat...

Let me pour you a cup of tea...and let's talk bluebirds!

I've written about my love for bluebirds and my Grandma's vintage bluebird china before.  So naturally,  when it comes to vintage valentines, the ones that feature bluebirds are some of my favorites to collect.  I just find them so irresistibly sweet and charming.

For quite a while now I have wanted a vintage Lefton bluebird, but I just couldn't justify the prices.  A few weeks back,  my luck changed.  I was able to get the piece I wanted--the sugar bowl--for $10 on ebay!

If this precious, cheerful little bird can't put a smile on your face...then your heart is two sizes too small.
Seriously...how can you resist her?  Even my husband was charmed by her.

Would you like some cake?  I made it myself...just a simple layer cake with delicious, creamy pink buttercream frosting.  My new vintage pink cake stand adds that extra special touch.

The pink heart tea cakes were brought by my friend, Little Debbie...(wink, wink)

Of course, no Valentine's Day would be complete without a heart shaped box of chocolates...

It was easy and inexpensive to get one that matched the theme of my party.  Take a little $1 box of chocolates from Walmart,  some scrap paper, some fabric trim and a little flower...throw in a little glue...and voila!  Instant heirloom!

Here is the valentine if you want to make one too...

I painted an old frame I had laying around with some red craft paint and used it to frame a copy of one of my favorite vintage bluebird valentines.  Cute..and free!

Thanks for  coming to my Valentine's Day tea party! I hope you have w wonderful day!

Thanks for stopping by...

Stacy