Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Enamelware

Two Balloons Blue

When I see some of the gorgeous Scandinavian enamelware on other thrifting blogs, I wonder why I see so little of it on my outings. Don't know if it's the area I live in or that I'm not going to the right sales. I could go to Etsy or eBay to find it, but the thrifter in me wants to score it for a pittance somewhere. Perhaps a reality check is in order? For now, at least I can look. Here is a variety of enamelware for you to peruse. Don't forget to click on the links, some of these sites are really good sources of information.

Just A Modern Guy

Object of Beauty

A Collection A Day

Finding the Grail

Modern Findings

Vertigo Home

Wood Jungle Store

Tandem Antiques

Bonafide Vintage


Is it wrong if I want everything in this photo?

Cafe Cartolina

Tandem Antiques

Modern Findings


How about you? Do you have a enamelware score to brag about? I love to hear about your conquests!


This post is part of Flaunt it Friday with Chic on a Shoestring Decorating

Monday, June 6, 2011

Quick Meal for a Hungry Thrifter

I've become rather lazy about cooking. Don't know what it is, but lately the easier, the better. Rather than berate myself, I'm taking this as a opportunity to eat more simply. When even a sandwich sounds like too much work, I'll have cheese and triscuits (like the tomato/olive oil ones) with fruit. Another favorite (you gotta try this) is cottage cheese, strawberries, sliced almonds sprinkled with a teaspoon of raw sugar. Marscapone cheese with blueberries and a light sprinkle of raw sugar is the bomb! Lest you think I'm miss healthy, I confess a serious weakness for sweets, especially chocolate. 


Last Saturday after going to a book sale and a couple garage sales I made the Yakisoba soy sauce flavored noodles by Maruchan (sorry I don't have the package to show). This is the brand that makes the ramen noodles, but these are supposed to be Japanese noodles. It comes in it's own container that you microwave it in and two packets, one with a minute amount of dried vegetables and the other a seasoning packet.  I was hungry and broke my rule about not microwaving in plastic, but next time I won't. Anywho, after cooking the noodles I added my own culinary twist: a few squeezes of juice from a lime and chopped peanuts. Voila! It was good, easy and cheap. 



Nutrition facts were not as pretty, I'd like to find a little healthier version of it. This post is a part of hey what's for dinner mom?

Thrifting Finds, Thrift Share Monday 6/06

This past weekend was pretty busy. I managed to score some thrift finds and did a ton of yard work.It felt good to be outside, we've waited for summer since, well, last summer. On to the pics!



I went to a library sale on Saturday and bought most of these books there. I'm always on the lookout for children's picture books that have good art in them. I use them for my other blog, The Art of Children's Picture Books. My recent post shows one of the books I got at the library sale.


I found a pair of nice curved spoons with wood handles for .50 at a garage sale. They will be nice in the crate and barrel bowls (one shown on left, previous thrift find) that I like to use for salsa or guacamole. Stainless steel bowl in middle has groovy round feet on it. Bowl on right is a pantone bowl, thought it looked summery.


At Goodwill I found this bar set to put in my bar cabinet - to see previous post about this, click hereAlso found a nice set of 8 contemporary wood handles. Not sure what I'm going to put them one, but they will be nice for adding contemporary style.


Two nice metal boxes to add to my collection


My favorite find of the weekend are these mid century candle holders. Need to get candles to fit.


This owl picture is a little out of my comfort zone and different from any other pictures I have. Beautifully done and that's why I got it. Will probably get a different frame for it.


Closer view, the details are incredible. Artist is Simon Calburn, print has date of 1975 with signature. This print may be signed, but I can't tell for sure until I take the glass off.


Close up of moth in owl picture. Another thing I liked about this picture is that there is information on the back about the artist, which is always nice.


Just trying out the owl picture here, it would have to go more to the left if I kept it here.It is not faded/reflected as it looks in pic. Bought this mid century dresser last fall at an estate sale and paid $50 for it. Label inside drawer says Phoenix Chair Co. of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. I like the smoky candle holders on it. I bought the galvanized tray at the UW-Madison swap shop. Lamp bought a goodwill last year, it was shiny black and scuffed. I spray painted it a gray matte. Found the burlap shade and round black finial thrifting too.


The picture is not hanging straight, need to add wire, sawtooth hangers don't do the job. So what do you think, is this picture a aye or nay here? I'm starting to think something abstract would be nice with a pop of color.

I'll be showing more thrift finds this week. This post is a part of Thrift Share Monday with Apron Thrift Girl


My baby is 17 today. This picture is from last summer when we took a family trip to the Alabama coast and drove there from Wisconsin. John and my grandson Grayson, (John's nephew) sat in the back. They both look pretty psyched for our trip to the ocean.


Unfortunately there wasn't enough of this


And a lot of this


It was a long trip


John was much happier when we arrived at our destination. Here with sister Patti.