Fantastic Estate Sale

This Saturday, my husband and I stumbled across an unadvertised estate sale.  It was day 2...I can't imagine what they must have had on day 1!  There wasn't much left in the house, but I picked up a few things and then I realized that my husband was gone.  I figured he went to the car and I'd better hurry.  Then I stepped out into the shop in the back and there he was, like a kid in a candy store, holding on to this very primitive screw driver.  I just started to laugh.  He likes vintage, but typically I'm the crazy one.

"I've never seen so many old tools before."  Then I began to dig.  Oh my goodness...we were in there for an hour.  So many cool things.  The former owner had to be in his 80's and some of the tools had to be his fathers.  Very old, amazing stuff.  It was just so fun.  We opened old chests and drawers and just looked in awe on the past.  I started picking some things up and everything seemed to be $1 or less.  The man's son even gave me some things for free.  My husband, though mesmerized by the tools said he didn't know what he would do with them, he wasn't a tool person.

"Well, I said.  I became the Vintage Pyrex person by starting.  You could become the old tool person."  In any case, I talked him in to getting the screw driver for $2.

It was only a few hours later that my husband Jim started talking about the tools again.  "I think I want to go back!"

We had to wait until he was done with work on Sunday, and then we went back, this time with the kids.  My son Ben and Jim spent another hour in the shop, while Emily and I went back inside.  They must have cleaned out some more closets, and I grabbed the milk glass candy dish, a Pyrex dish, a slide rule, glitter (Such cute old packaging), a pitcher, and Emily got a purse with a wallet and a mug...plus the guy threw in some Tupperware for $6. 

Jim decided to become "the tool guy" and got a few more things.  Now we have to think of a way to display them and a place that would work in a small house.

So....here's what we found!


Pyrex Early American Divided dish...I think I'm selling this.

  $3 for all.  I LOVE the labels on these old cans.  They'll look great on the vintage cart outside.

The whole bowl of vintage ornaments $1.  My daughter took the bowl and I took the ornaments!

How cute is this...in the original packaging!

 I researched this.  Looks like 1930's Candy Dish.  Possibly Fenton.

This doesn't look like much, but it's a 1950's metal folding camp table for $2.  Jim's going to paint it. 

 Vintage Thermometer....for Free!!!

 Here's Jim's tools...$4 for all this.


I don't think I realised until now how much cheap fun an Estate Sale could be for the whole family!

 

Cleansing, Eatting Right and Cold Season

I do mini cleanses throughout the year.  It kind of helps regulate my body, keeps me on a healthy track, and keeps the body and mind function well.  I realized the other day when the weather warranted jeans and mine (which have been in the closet for the summer) were REALLY tight, that is one of the signals that it's time for a cleanse to get things back on track.  My hormones from perimentapause have been in full swing this summer, and though I've been really active, I think my  hormones are affecting metabolism...oh, and too much vacation food could be a factor too ;)  I also just like to use these cleanses to keep good habits.  It's easy for me to let your veggie intake slip and let the portion sizes get bigger.  I DO NOT believe in dieting.  I think balance is key and these little cleanses help restore it.  Changing habits and then keeping them is where it's at.

I've done different things, including the cleanse in "It's All Good without Gluten" which my Naturopath put me on when I was healing from gluten damage.  The one I'm doing now is a little of this and a little of that.

Here's what I'm doing:

1) Drinking "Tom's Medicine Chest Smoothies" from the Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook.  Here's what's in them.

2) When I'm craving a treat, I have one of these:

Mine aren't so pretty...I was in a hurry making them...but they taste great!

My Mom gave me the recipe...they are so good and give you a burst of energy.  The rest of the recipe is stir the honey, vanilla and almond butter together, then add the oat mix, cherries and chocolate chips.  Refrigerate for 1/2 hour.  Roll into Tbl. balls and store in the fridge. Don't forget to use certified gluten free oats if you are gluten free.

3) I drink Dandelion Root tea which detoxes the liver and helps get rid of the bad stuff.  I also load up on Organic green tea, but I always do that.  I'm a tea junkie.

4) I increase the time on my daily workout, to get stuff burnin'.

5) I DO NOT get on a scale.  I don't believe in them.  I think they are a tool of guilt and fear.  The numbers don't matter.  How I feel matters, and how my jeans that I like the way I look in fit matters.  The scale has been dangerous for me in the past, and though I've never had an eating disorder, I think I have that personality.  I OBSESS about the numbers.  So I don't use scales.  It's to easy to compare numbers, and guess what, our bodies are so different two women can wear the same size and be 20 lbs. different in weight.  Numbers aren't important. 

6) I'm gonna list some of the other new stuff I've been eating alot of and will use on this cleanse.  Some of those not pictured are Nancy's Organic Low fat Cultured Cottage Cheese, raw snap peas, veggies and fruit, brown rice tortilla wrap with turkey, lettuce and tomato, lots of water.

This is my dinner last night.  I ate the same, but cut the brown rice past amount in half, and doubled the brocollini and sauteed squash.

I live off this stuff, and will use it cleansing.  This big bag is at COSTCO, and if you've heard anything about the info on American rice and the levels of Arsenic in it, you might want to switch from rice to this for awhile.  That's what I'm doing.  I don't have alot of confidence in the FDA.  You have to make choices for your own body.  What goes in it will affect it.

Love this stuff, I add it to everything.

These "Crushers" come in lots of flavors at Trader Joe's (how I love that place!) and they are great for kid lunches, as is the Stonyfield Farm organic yogurt, which  I love too.

Kids and Cold Season:

I don't know what happened to my son this year.  Last year he got the perfect attendance award since he was never sick...this year, he got a cold right away.  This is what I do, and it really works.  Everything is over VERY quickly...especially if you add this to organic, healthy eating.

My kids are old enough for the full dose.  I do this 3-4 times a day when they are sick.  I give it to them when they are run down as well.

This stuff is amazing.  My Naturopath recommends it.  I put about 15 drops in the Emergen-C, then you can't taste it.  Again, 3-4 times a day while sick

For the cough.  I put three drops of this tincture under the tongue 4 times a day.  So many people do cough syrup and over the counter cold medicine.  That stops everything, but prolongs it.  You want the stuff to come out, that's how you get rid of it.  If it stays in you will end up on antibiotics.

Any of these products are found at health food stores, or on Vitacost.com.

Well, here's hoping my health journey will help yours!

A Vintage Utility Cart Restoration Tale

It all started in August at an Estate Sale, where my husband spotted this very sad vintage utility cart.
"It's only 2 bucks.  I'll get it and restore it for you!" said Hubby.
I brightened, so excited for the transformation of something I've wanted on the front porch for a long time.  We went on 20% off day to the local hardware and I picked out paint, knobs and Hubby got the new hardware, and sand paper.
"This will be really cheap!" I said, thinking of the other $40-60 carts I'd seen.

Early September:

Hubby sats up a work table on our downward sloping driveway.  He fires up the sander and realized this thing is WAY more rusty than he thought.  He gets in the truck to get a heavier sand paper, only when the car moves, it upsets the paint cans on the table and they roll down the drive without Hubby knowing it...until a cream colored explosion happens all over the drive and the truck.  Oh my.  The paint dries VERY fast.  I run in the house and grab wet towels and Bon Ami.  To my amazement, it takes the paint off the car without scratching it!  The driveway....that's another story.

Mid September:

More paint, this time not on sale.  More sandpaper.  And now something to fill in the holes from the rust.  $$$$$$  Lots and lots of sanding and sighing.  Poor Hubby.

Late September:

Hubby gets a second wind.  "I want this thing done so I never have to think about it again!"  He goes into turbo drive and gets the thing painted and put together.  He is the greatest and here is my adorable cart!!!!!!!

Here it is decked out for Fall :

It Finally Feels Like Fall

Today is the first day that it actually feels like Fall.  It's raining outside and I can't believe how excited I am to see it.  (The Hot Flashes I've been having MAY have something to do with it!).  I've been in the mood for Fall gluten free baking and decorating and of course thrifting. 

I converted this recipe from Martha Stewart's latest magazine issue and took it to MOPS.  It turned out great!  Here is the GF converted recipe:

Apple Brownies


* Use a Brownie pan...is that 9X9?
Preheat oven to 350


1 stick organic butter, melted
1/2 cup Brown rice flour
1/2 cup Potato starch
1 teaspoon xanthan gum
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup organic sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 large organic Fuji apples, chopped

Whisk together the flour, xanthan, cinnamon, baking power, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl.
In a separate bowl, beat together butter, sugar, and egg with a mixer for 2 minutes.
Add apples stirring by hand.  Don't over mix.
Add flour and stir to combine.
Spread batter into the pan and bake about 35 minutes.
Let it cool and cut into squares.


I went thrifting with a friend yesterday.  Here's what I found.  I have been looking for a Chalkware hanging forever.  They are either dead, expensive or ugly.  I couldn't believe the mint condition of this one.  And it's perfect in my dining room where the colors are bright.  The mug rack I paid more than usual for, but I have all these cute mugs and no mug racks out there!  I thought it wasn't a bad deal considering I saw another for $16.  Watch, I will go into a thrift soon and find one for $1.


Juice Jar $2 at VV, Chalkware wall hanging $3 GW, Mug rack $7 at an antique store



The mug rack in use!  I can't wait until Christmas to put om my Tom and Jerry's mugs.

A cute gourd

Just an idea for Pyrex fans.  It's hard to find the original ads and when you do they are expensive!  My hubby had a great idea.  Find high resolution photo's of the ads on Google, and then send them to Costco to blow them up.  I did this ad for $1.49 I think, and the frame was in a pack of two at Target for $5.  That makes it about $4 for Pyrex art!

Visit "Vintage Values, Modern Times" Facebook page!

 

PUMPKIN BREAD! 

 

From "It's All Good Without Gluten!" Made and served on Vintage kitchenware

 

 

FALL PUMPKIN BREAD

 

½ cup organic butter, melted

1 ½ cup evaporated can juice (organic sugar)

1 ¼ cup canned organic pumpkin

¼ cup unsweetened organic apple sauce

5 tablespoons each sour cream and organic milk

2 free range egg whites

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon xanthan gum

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

½ teaspoon sea salt

½ cup brown rice flour

½ cup white rice flour

½ cup tapioca flour

½ cup potato starch

 

 

1)      Preheat oven to 350

2)    Spray 2 mini loaf pans with canola spray (mini loaf pans have 4 sections for each pan)

3)    Cream butter and sugar together in a large bowl

4)    Add pumpkin, applesauce, sour cream, milk and egg whites to the butter mixture.

5)    In a separate medium bowl, mix all the remaining dry ingredients together.

6)    Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture.

7)    Spread evenly between the sections (about half full)

8)    Bake for about 30 minutes until a toothpick in the center comes out clean.

  

My son had a sick day, so His snack was warm pumpkin bread with black tea on this little tray.  He appreciates vintage ;)

 

 Visit "It's All Good Without Gluten!" Facebook page

 



Oh how I love Autumn!

My Dad found the empty nest, added some fall goodies to it!

Found these unusual Pyrex mugs for .25 cents.  These are to sell, not my colors.

Someone said I should post this idea, so here it is.  For the first day of MOPS.

Back to School Week

Well, I always take the first few days of back to school and mostly have fun and unwind...and get some of the things done I couldn't during summer.  I got to go out with my best friend for lunch and thrifting, went yard saling and got a little crafty.  It's always so weird the first week back.  It's pleasure in the routine and quiet mixed with sadness at the realization that the kids are gone and that they are growing up.  I always feel a bit of anxiety at letting go.  I have to pray and give God control and whisper, "They're Yours" hourly.  It's always good to have a few days to reflect, enjoy some quiet and gear up for full on fall.

Here's what I found:

After I dropped my son off I went to the local thrift shop I haven't been to all summer.  I had a $5 reward so this Verde divided dish was on .95 cents!

Also got this recipe box for 1/2 price...and the cow for 40 cents at another thrift store.  I have some kind of thing for tin recipe boxes from the 50s and 60s and cow creamers.  The recipe box is my second with recipes in the box.  I gotta start trying them!

I was so excited to score these babies at Goodwill for $5 total.  I was going to use them to serve, but decided there was a wall space that was boring.  I am a "Getter done" DIY person without alot of patience.  What I had was paper clips, a rubber band, and a hot glue gun.  I made hangers on the backs out of that and hung them up!

I am blessed with sweet and thoughtful friends.  Two of them dropped off "First day of school gifts"  This is from one.  Love this old picture with the verse.

Another friend dropped off a set a beautiful little towels.

Another recipe box for fall and a funky cracker and cheese tray.

Yard sale find for $2.  The lady was so happy I was giving it a good home.  Shenandoah pattern was not a real hit until I saw it in mint condition. 

Yard sale collage frame .50cents.  I've been wanting to frame the Santa sketch my dad did when he was around 15.  I put it in with some postcards and old stickers to hang at Christmas.

OK, I know this will all be rotten in a month, but I couldn't wait! 

I love Fall!

Vintage Back to School!

Time to change it up for Fall!

Found this 1970's Toy Tupperware at the Swap Meet!

I've been saving this for along time...now it's a back to school display!

Happy Fall!

Autumn Pyrex and goodies

Emily, first day of 8th grade

Ben, first day of 5th grade


Enjoy the season!