Zetta's Aprons

Daisy, Daisy!

2012-02-22T15:09:00.000-07:00

What's in a Name?

After we lost Jack, our golden retriever, I sadly took the name letters down from the shelf in the mud room...leaving an empty space on the shelf and in our hearts. Then Daisy came! She is so bright and pretty...

...and always in motion. As sunny as a daisy in springtime is our baby. This week I felt it was time for Daisy to take her place upon the high shelf. So with some paper mache letters from Hobby Lobby, October Afternoon paper and 3Dimensional daisy stickers...our mud room is now a brighter and sunnier space.

Close-up of D and A

Close-up of I S Y.

The letters look so bright and vintage-y.

Not a great pic...there are no windows in this room off the garage.

But I was able to find a cute daisy cannister to help brighten things up.

This is just a short post...still working on the next posts for my granddaughters. They are coming down tonight for a quick (un-expected) stay...a cousin on their Dad's side is getting married tomorrow. Gotta go get a few things ready.

When I Was Your Age...Madison!

2012-02-20T10:01:00.000-07:00

To My Granddaughters...
I've watched you grow up...eight beautiful girls! I think I know you pretty well...but perhaps not as well as I should. But here is a question...How well do you know me? Like you, I grew up with two loving grandmothers, but I really didn't know what they were like when they were young. Where did they go to school? What kind of music did they like? What were their hobbies and other favorite things? Who were their friends? I sure wish I knew!

So...I got this great idea...I will tell each of you what I was like when I was your age. Madison...you are the oldest, the first grandchild. We were so excited to be grandparents! I cannot believe you will be in high school this fall. Yikes!

When I was Madison's Age...

I was born in 1955. It was a VERY good year! Disneyland opened for the very first time that long ago summer. Now you know why I love Disneyland so very much...and why I will never get too old to have fun!

Eighth and Ninth Grades...

This is a picture from my ninth grade yearbook. Not my best hair day...lol! When I was in the eighth and ninth grades I loved to write and enter speech and poetry contests...I was pretty good. I learned to sew and made all my own school clothes. In ninth grade I was on the yearbook staff and wrote for the school newspaper.

I wore my hair long and in a "flip" like Marlo Thomas in "That Girl,"a TV series that I liked a lot. Sometimes the boys would tease me and call me "Marlo." I didn't like being teased...but there are worse things in life than being compared to a pretty actress. My big dream back then, was to go to BYU, major in Drama...and be a stage actress.

You know how much you love your ipod? I loved my transistor radio. I had an earbud...it wasn't stereo...and sometimes I would put it under my pillow and listen to my favorite station...KCPX...all night long. (They hadn't invented ipod pillows yet) Sometimes in the middle of the night I would get a station playing the Wolfman Jack show...but that was only when the weather was clear. My favorite group when I was in junior high was...

The Monkees! Yay!

The Monkees were THE boy band of my day...before NSYNC or New Kids on the Block...or the Jonas Brothers. I also listened to Sonny and Cher and The Rolling Stones...the Stones have been around since the Stone Age...pun not intended. =D

Beauty and Fashion...

Twiggy was the Super Model when I was your age. She wore the cutest clothes, but was so skinny that she was controversial. Here she is on the cover of Seventeen Magazine. I adored Seventeen, but I couldn't afford it...so I went to the library to read it. Sometimes for kicks and giggles I would go down to the basement of the library and read the back issues from the decade before and laugh at the outdated styles.

Our dresses were either very, very short or long "Granny Dresses." If you were lucky, you could afford a pair of...Go Go Boots! The coolest boots ever! I wasn't lucky enough to own a pair, but I did get some fishnet stockings...which we held up with garter belts since panty hose hadn't been invented yet. I wasn't "allowed" to wear makeup, but I was sneaky and bought some of this...

...with my babysitting money (25 cents per hour of torture). When my mother caught me with it...I told her I needed the brush to get the tangles out of my eyelashes. I once had very long eyelashes like you and your sisters. Later I bought...

...Great Lash Mascara...the best mascara in the world...and I still use it to this day. But my eyelashes are no longer so long or full as they used to be.

You have blowdryers, curling irons and crimper/straighteners to style your hair. I had this portable hair dryer with a bonnet to put on over my rollers...it took forever to dry. Sometimes I would iron my hair like the hippie girls to make it stick straight. But it was a losing battle.

An Exciting Era...

The late 60's was an exciting time to be alive. Everything was progessing so swiftly...the modern age was upon us! I was so intrigued by the thought of space travel. I watched the rockets as they were launched into space...and I was glued to the radio in my parents' car on the day that Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon. I have always loved science fiction...I admit I am a bit of a nerd...and the most handsome man in the world to me at the time was...

Captain Kirk!

It tickles my funny bone to see how science today is gradually creating the scientific wonders found on Star Trek...especially communicators. Cell phones! Who would have thought it? One day...if you are very, very good...you will quit losing your Ipod Touch and may even have a cell phone of your own.

The Impossible Dream...

In ninth grade I wrote a poem about the moon landing for Americanism Week and won first place! It's pretty cheesy...but cut me some slack...I was only 14 when I wrote it.

The Impossible Dream

On alien soil lie the prints

Of strangers from a planet far.

A dream fulfilled since first mankind

Hitched his wagon to a star.

In silence tense, a world awaits,

And counts each second ticking by.

Rockets burst! The glowing flame

Lights the early morning sky.

The missle gleaming in the sun,

Soon swallowed up among the clouds,

Leaves a wisp of smokey trail

For the watchful, earth-bound crowds.

The mighty "Eagle" landed

On a vast and barren sea.

Neil Armstrong took mankinds' first step

On the Base of Tranquility.

Gone now, but something left behind

Remains to tell the story.

Planted firm in lunar soil,

Stand proud and free "Old Glory."

Well, Madison...

That was me in a nutshell. I could probably tell you more...and I would love to share stories with you sometime. I wish you lived closer so we could spend more time together. I love you and...

Love, Grandma Shirley

Out of This World!

2012-02-15T17:37:00.000-07:00

Packing our Bags...
The mister and I are packing our bags and getting ready to leave tomorrow for other lands...Adventure Land, Frontier Land, Fantasy Land and especially Tomorrow Land. After all the happy wedding chaos, it's nice to have a chance to unwind. I still have not had a chance to work on some of my after-Christmas goals...I hope I can return on Monday with a new lease on life and renewed ambition. The 70 degree sunny weather will help a lot!

See you soon!

Lovely Dotty Swap Gifts!

2012-02-14T12:50:00.000-07:00

Going Dotty!
I couldn't wait to unwrap the dotty tissue paper to see what my swap partner Betsy fromThe Little Red Hen at Home had sent me. Look at all the red and aqua happiness! I've been loving that color combination lately...as my endless Pinboards will attest...and sweet Betsy picked up on it. All her gifts were handmade...I feel so special! I wish I could say I made all of Betsy's gifts myself...but I didn't even remember to take a picture, so excited was I to get them in the mail.

What Betsy made...

The Dear Dotty Apron.

I've decided there must always be an apron in this spot on the kitchen wall.

Sweet Coordinating Potholder

It has joined the apron on the kitchen wall...too cute to be separated!

Pincushion Notion Jar

I've pinned several of these because I love them so much...

...for now it joins my Zetta Letters in my office!

Thank You, Dear Betsy!

And thanks to Holly of Cutie Pie Cottage for hosting such a fun swap!

Well done!

Cute Dotty Cherry Mugs...

Cutest Enamelware Mugs!

I picked these up at the D.I. thrift store for 50 cents each!

Could make cute Valentines gifts next year.

The Wedding is over at last...

I intended to post pictures of the wedding decorations...but in the happy chaos I forgot to take my camera! Fortunately the photographer graciously photographed all my decor...but I haven't received a picture disk yet...when I do I will be excited to show you how nice everything looked. It was a lovely evening!

Happy Valentines Day!

Send in the Clowns!

2012-02-08T09:10:00.000-07:00

Don't bother...they're here...
Left is another entry in the parade of dress form people I have been having fun with. I have a wedding in three days and I should be concentrating on the endless list of chores that need to be done...instead I have been practicing creative avoidance. My list of characters keeps getting longer and longer. I had to go back to Popalicious Too the Etsy shop, and order a few more. There are so many projects I want to do...but when inspiration strikes...one has to act while the iron is hot!

One inspiration for a future DFP came from Pinterest...the coolest, wickedest looking witch. I'm sure mine will be radically different when I'm done...but isn't she cool! I will be looking out for the perfect paper to use for her dress.

She is a creation of...

Hudson's Holidays Etsy Shop

A little bit of a closeup.

I found the cute wee redbird in a box of random vintage Christmas doo-dads.

Some Random Shower Pics....

The Cupcakes! Red Velvet from Dippidee. So yummy!

More Door Prizes...the prettiest mugs ever from the Disney Store.

My sweet Amber at the party.

Thank you for letting me share some of my projects and ideas. I've gotten so much inspiration from all of you!

Dress Form Fun!

2012-02-05T17:30:00.000-07:00

Project for a Lazy Sunday...

I wanted to show Andrea of The Cottage Market what I made with one of the fun dress form kits she sent me. I couldn't think of a good name for this piece...Angel of Music or Time Flies, perhaps? I just know that I had a fun time playing with it. I will make another soon with butterfly wings...a friend for Tinkerbell...or a rival! =D The wings were from The Graphics Fairy. Thank you, Andrea, for the inspiration. Stop by and visit her cute Etsy shops!

"We the People"...Mel's Replies!

2012-02-04T13:53:00.001-07:00

In His Own Words...
My dear husband brought to my attention that my last post about The Lost Plane was sadly lacking. He said "I enjoyed reading about the invitation from "We the People" radio program...but you only posted the questions they asked Grandpa Mel...not his answers. I wanted to read it in his own words." So I will repost the questions from the "We the People" letter of January 1938...and Mel's handwritten replies.

"Dear Mr. Bass..."
Yes, I am willing to come to New York and appear on your program, if all my expenses are paid. As far as I know now, I could make the trip any time within the next month or so.

The Western Air Express passenger plane was lost Dec. 15, 1936, but wasn't found until June 6, 1937--nearly 6 months later. I will try to answer the questions to the best of my ability.

Q. What were you doing on December 15th?
A. I live up Fort Canyon, 3 miles north of Alpine, Utah, and almost at the foot of Lone Peak. Alpine is about 8 miles east of the regular Los Angeles-Salt Lake air route. On Dec. 15, 1936, at about 3:30 a.m. we were awakened by our boy's coughing. About 4:05 we hadn't gone back to sleep.

Q. Did you notice the plane in the air?
A. No, I did not see the plane in the air, but at 4:10 or just before, we heard it coming. We knew it was off the route. As it roared past, we jumped to the window to see it, but snow was falling. The window rattled it was so loud. The all of a sudden the sound was cut off. All was silence.

Q. When did you first hear of or see the wreck?

A. About 12:30 p.m. that day, a large plane came around the mountain, flying just under the clouds. We wondered then if the plane we had heard had not reached Salt Lake City. I went to Alpine and reported hearing it at the store about 1 p.m. Returning to the store at 5 p.m., I was informed by Sheriff Durnell of Utah County about the plane being lost. But I didn't see the wreck itself until June 11, 1937.

Q. Exactly when did you first reach the plane?

A. I saw parts of the plane at the scene of the crash about 8 a.m. June 6, 1937, when I first reached the crash.

Q. What first met your eyes?

A. Letters, found by Frank Bateman and Will Healey of Alpine [on] May 25, 1937, localized the search in the Lone Peak area. I had spent 20 days since Feb. 13 searching. On the morning of June 6, Emory Andrews and I left my home at 5 o'clock to continue looking. We proceeded up the mountain, until we reached the region where it was thought the plane would be found. Andrews climbed one ridge, while I took another. As I was climbing, I noticed a piece of metal shining in the sun. Upon arriving at the spot, I tore a piece off the fuselage, which was buried in the snow. This was about 8 a.m. Mail, pieces of landing gear, and part of one propeller were lying scattered around.

Q. Were there any survivors?

A. There were no survivors.

Q. Give us a full description of the wreck.

A. The plane had crashed within 15 ft. of the top of the mountain near Lone Peak and had toppled over to drop 1000 ft. to rest in Hoagum [sic] Canyon on the north side of the mountain. There it was covered by the snow that day and all of the winter's snow. The main body ws located June 9, 1937 and dug out of the snow on June 11. There were no bodies found in the cabin as the floor of the plane was torn out by the crash. The bodies were thrown clear of the wreakage [sic]. The motors were later found about 2000 ft. from the spot where the plane hit the floor of the canyon. One wing was still intact. The other was lying parallel with the main body. The tail was broken off next to the baggage compartment. The tires were found withing 100 ft. of the plane. One body was found about 200 ft. from the scene of the crash and the others were found within 100 ft. Mail was scattered as far as three miles.

Old newspaper photos show crew members above. Below is Hogum Basin...where the plane ended up.

Q. How many persons were killed?

A. There were 7 persons killed--a crew of three and four passengers.

Q. How many people were in your party?

A. I was given a job helping dig out the wreakage [sic], carrying out the mail, and bodies. The first body was recovered July 3, 1937, and the last was removed August 11, 1937. To remove all of the bodies and mail, etc. was no easy task. We were in constant danger of rock and snow slides. Everything had to be lifted out of Hoagum [sic] Canyon, over the pass which was 500 ft. above, and carried down the steep mountain side to the horses, a distance of two miles. They were then placed on pack horses and carried down mountain to the Alpine power house, a distances of about 5 miles. As the snow melted back it became very hazzardious [sic] to carry the stretchers over the piles of granite boulders [which varied] from rocks the size of water buckets to huge boulders the size of houses. We had to step or jump over huge holes not knowing how sure our footing would be. There were ususally 8 or 9 men in the parties when the bodies were carried out.

Q. Where did you take the victims?

A. The victims were removed from the Alpine power house to Salt Lake City by the Joseph William Taylor Mortuary.

Q. What was done with the wreckage?

A. The radios, carborators [sic], instruments and propellers were removed to the offices of the Wester Air Express Company in Salt Lake City for inspection. The rest of the wreckage is still in Hoagum [sic] Canyon.

Q. Were you the first person to reach the scene?

A. I was the first person to reach the scene of the crash.

Q. What are you doing now?

A. I am unemployed and looking for work at the present time.

More to Come...

So far I have presented the story from three different perspectives...Grandma Zetta's scrapbook, my father Tad's recollections, and now my Grandpa Mel's account. When writing of historical events, there may be many different view points...but added all together...they often tell one heck of a story. There are even more stories to be told pertaining to this adventure...many questions to be asked. For instance...did Amelia Earhart give up on the Lost Plane after failing to find it in December of 1936? And another important question...would "Pigeon Post" aid in the recovery efforts and would it revolutionize the newspaper business? Tune in another day to find out!

The Lost Plane Chapter 3..."We The People!"

2012-01-28T18:17:00.002-07:00

A Letter Arrives From New York City...
According to my dad, the publicity Grandpa Mel received for locating the crash site, and the "hub-bub" which followed the lawsuit over the reward, made him a minor celebrity in the tiny town of Alpine, Utah. The reward money, and the salary he received while working for the Airline on body recovery was enough for the family to live a little better than they had in the previous few years.

If you recall, Grandpa was able to buy a radio so he could listen to the news without having to leave Fort Canyon to get the news at the local store. Radio was the main entertainment for people all over the country...with soap operas, game shows and sporting events along with news and weather.

All in all, life was getting back to normal for the Devey family...until January 1938 when the letter from "We The People" arrived in the mail.

"We The People..."
One of the most popular radio shows of the day was called "We The People." It was a talk show from Phillips H. Lord Inc. Radio Productions. Mr. Lord is the gentleman on the left. The program billed itself as "truly a cross-section of American Life." All races and ages appreared on We The People...some examples:

A 91 year old Negro slave.
An eyewitness to the Chicago fire.
Indian Chiefs.
The granddaughter of Charles Dickens.
Mary and her little lamb. (I am not making this up)
The man who owns the universe.
Casey Jones's fireman.
A man who assisted Pasteur in the first innoculation against rabies.

The list goes on and on. Would Grandpa Mel be next on the list?

"Dear Mr. Devey," read the letter, "Would you be willing to come to New York and appear on the radio with us, if all your expenses were paid?" The letter explains a little bit about the radio show, then continues, "We would like to know whether you would be available for a possible broadcast some Thursday night in the very near future necessitating your arrival the preceding Tuesday." They then asked him a lot of questions about the Lost Plane and asked him to send them the information as soon as possible:

What were you doing on December 15th?
Did you notice the plane in the air?
When did you first hear of or see the wreck?
Exactly when did you first reach the plane?
What first met your eyes?
Were there any survivors?
Give us a full description of the wreck.
How many persons were killed?
How many people were in your party?
Where did you take the victims?
What was done with the wreckage?
Were you the first person to reach the wreck?
What are you doing now?

Since the Radio people had kindly sent Grandpa a self-addressed stamped envelope for his reply, Grandpa sat down with a pencil and paper and painstakingly answered the questions. I can picturing him giving the pencil lead a lick to get started, then getting to work, bent over the paper in the dim light of a single bulb hanging from the ceiling. But I can't help wondering, since I have those handwritten answers in front of me now...did he send them in? Maybe he made another (more legible) copy to send to "We The People." I am sure he was excited about the opportunity...to get his own bite of the Big Apple. But life is a funny thing sometimes...

The Glitch...
Here's the problem...one of the sponsors of "We The People" was Western Air Express...the very airline who owned the doomed aircraft that crashed on Lone Peak. He would be flying in the same type of plane and Grandpa Mel's expenses would be paid if full if he were to fly to New York on Western Air Express.

But Grandpa had gotten his fill of airplanes, working at the crash site. He knew what burned and twisted metal looked like. Could he please travel by train? After some negotiations, the sponsor backed out and Grandpa did not get his trip to New York. He would have nothing to do with flying for many years.

There is still more of this story to tell. Tune in again...same time...same station.

As an old-time radio announcer might say...

"This, then, is the program which Mr. Lord has originated. It is truly the heartbeat of America, for there is more drama, more action, more startling stories in real life than in all the fiction of the world combined...when WE THE PEOPLE speak!"

More Things For the Shower!

2012-01-23T08:27:00.000-07:00

Getting Things Ready...
Amber's shower isn't until Saturday, but I have things piled up on the table to make sure I haven't forgotten anything. I found the cute red and white tree at Hobby Lobby for 90% off...$2. It was in their collection of Christmas decorations for sports fans. I'm excited to now have a Valentines tree!

Treat Boxes...

I love painting and decorating papier mache boxes.

The pink ones above were in Target's dollar bins...already pink!

These will be filled with chocolates and small trinkets.

I'm doing door prizes...I hate stupid shower games.

The red boxes are also for door prizes.

Favors are Sweethearts boxes (not shown) decorated with a cute valentine tag on the front.

I'm making smaller versions of the treat boxes for the little girls who'll be there.

Valentine Garland...

The beauty of a Valentines theme is that I get my house decorated for the holiday at the same time.

A quick and easy garland with printed valentines and aqua rick-rack.

I added a few heart-shaped buttons.

A close up of some of the cards. They are about 8" in length.

I have to say again...I am so glad that Valentines Day is a "red" holiday!

I will be so glad to back to blogging more regularly. Do you ever feel that you have lost your "Blogging Mojo?" I'm doing a lot of crafting...but not a lot of what I would like to do...my head is bursting with ideas, but I have to get this wedding thing over with. It's all good, though. I can't wait to see my daughter happily settled down with the right person this time.

Go check out Hobby Lobby for those trees.

Ours had a lot of red/white ones left a few days ago.

Aunt Jane's Valentines!

2012-01-20T09:11:00.001-07:00

The Scrapbook...
Aunt Jane is my dad's only sister. She also lived in the old farm house in Fort Canyon. When she was in grade school she kept a scrapbook full of the things she loved the most...post cards from exotic places, small sketches, and pictures of puppy dogs. She must have wanted a dog of her own...even the cover is a picture of a noble collie.

She loved dogs, but most of the pages of her precious scrapbook were filled with valentines from her class mates. It was the 1940's when she got these cards and I have been in love with them from the first moment I got the book. I found it in Grandma Zetta's things when we cleaned out her house. I tried to give the book back to Jane, but she said I could have it. So I have had years of fun using the cards and images in my Valentines crafts.

These framed cards are one of my first projects.

I've given many of the cards away to friends and family...especially Jane's girls so they would have one of their mother's cards. I have scanned a few to share with you...

I hope you will enjoy them as much as I do.

Haven't posted much lately...some family dramas and traumas...you all know how it is!

Have a Lovely Friday!

Blog Book and More Wedding Projects!

2012-01-14T17:13:00.001-07:00

Finished at last!...
My goal for today was to finish printing my blog and putting it in the binder. I had only been blogging for 4 and a half months at year's end, so I was able to fit my entire blog in a 3" three-ring binder. I like the ones with the clear pockets on the outside so I can decorate it how I like.

Divider Pages...

I made some divider pages for each month. This year...I will make fancier ones since I will be printing the blog posts from each month as it ends. Since this was an experiment, I don't think it looks too bad. Everything is neat and tidy in page protectors.

August

September

October

November

December

I kind of lost interest in embellishing December. (My grandkids came over.)

Wedding Projects...

The picture on the left is something I pinned on Pinterest. It's found on Scrapbook.com. I'm working on this for Amber's wedding on February 11. It's been fun doing the decorations. It's just a small affair, since Amber has been married before.

My version...

It looks a little busy up against the book case...but I'm liking it a lot.

Thank you, Christmas tag swaps, for teaching me a few tag techniques. Lol!

A few closeups of tags...

The frame and letters are white glitter cardstock.

I painted the little clothespins and sprinkled them with glitter.

I'm making scrapbook pages to sign...rather than a guest book.

She can put the pages in her book.

We're having a Valentine's Day theme for the shower. I'll post more of the decorations, etc. in another post. Thank you for letting me share some of the projects I've been working on.

Finding The Lost Plane...My Father's Account!

2012-01-10T10:22:00.000-07:00

Tad's Story...
When I wrote about the Lost Plane a few months ago, I was writing the story for my grandchildren to read. My information came mostly from newspaper accounts, my grandmother's scrapbook and stories Grandpa Mel told me. My father, Thomas A. Devey (TAD) was only a toddler at the time of the crash. A few years ago, he sat down and began writing his personal history which included a chapter on the Lost Plane. We had never talked about the crash...I would have liked to have heard his version of what happened. Here are some excerpts from his account:

"...like a Hollywood drama..."
Tad writes, "...After several weeks and still no sightings, the crash was beginning to play out like a Hollywood drama, complete with romance, suspense and mystery. The stewardess had recently been involved in a romantic triangle, some of the passengers were socialites and the plane was rumored to have carried a very valuable package in its cargo of mail. And on top of all of this, the plane seemed to vanish into thin air.

Thin air is an appropriate term. The actual crash site was at about 11,000 feet in elevation. The plane hit the top of a granite ridge, only a few feet below the summit. The force of the impact destroyed the plane and most of the parts bounced over the top and down into Hogum Canyon, a distance of about 500 feet. There it was immediately covered with several feet of new snow.

Sounds in the night...
My family was living at the top of Fort Canyon above Alpine [Utah]. In those days most rural houses were not equipped with indoor plumbing and ours was no exception. My father, Albert Melvin Devey, was making his nightly trip to the outhouse when he heard a plane fly over. It was overcast and he could see no lights. It was not unusual for a plane to fly directly over what we called the North Mountain [Lone Peak], however in those days it usually happened during the day. Dad had noticed that when a plane flew over the top of the mountain, the sound of the engines gradually faded. In this case, the noise ended abruptly...[it appeared]to be coming from slightly east of the house in Fort Canyon.

After returning to the house, he told my mother what he had heard. The next day, the newspapers reported that the airplane was missing. When the plane had not been found within a few days, Dad became curious [about] the plane he had heard. He had a chance to talk to several other people who also claimed to have heard the plane fly over and he became more convinced that the plane he had heard and the missing plane were one and the same.

The picture, from Zetta's scrapbook, is of Will Healey and Frank Bateman who found some mail from the plane.

Tad continues...
"...With the arrival of early spring, searchers made their way up Dry Creek Canyon to an area where many springs surfaced forming a bog. Traces of oil were found floating on the water in the bog, [bringing] renewed interest in the area. [Unfortunately] the traces of oil proved to be naturally occurring vegetable oil which is found on the water in swamps every where. The increased interest did pay off however. Two men from Alpine were searching in Dry Creek Canyon when they came upon letters which obviously had been carried aboard the plane...[proving] the wreck was in the general area.

Now the search began in earnest. The airline set up camp in upper Dry Creek. They hired men and horses to carry supplies and to conduct a complete search, even going to the extent of having lines of men armed with long metal poles probing the snow banks of the area.

Dad and his friend Emery Andrews were both farming on their respective properties in Fort Canyon. As the trail got hotter, their interest grew. They decided they would pool their knowlege of the area and of the circumstances surrounding the crash. They would each go on the mountain on opposite days, reporting where they had been and what they had seen...After a few weeks of looking into all the nooks and crannies of the lower elevation...they came to the conclusion that the wreck had occurred high on the mountain.

Dad went over the published reports of the accounts of witnesses and he talked to several local people who claimed to have heard the plane...and came to the conclusion that the crash mush have occurred somewhere around Lake Hardy.

Panoramic shot of Lake Hardy taken by Nathan Terry.

The wreckage is found...

"It was the first of June and most of the snow had melted from the lower areas. Lying in bed, he decided that when he went back on the mountain, he would search the mountain above Lake Hardy. Two days later, he arrived at the summit of the ridge north of Lake Hardy. On the top of the mountain was a scar where the plane had hit, and some small pieces of metal showing through the snow cover. He picked up a piece of metal and proceeded down into Dry Creek where he located an airline official. They returned back up the mountain. On the way they met another man from Alpine. He also was carrying a piece of metal from the plane.

When they reached the summit, the airline official confirmed that the area was definitely the crash site and that Dad had been the one to discover it. This was important, because there was a posted reward of $1000 to whoever could locate the wreck.

Lawsuit!...
"Now $1000 does not sound like much, but in 1937 it was a fortune! Dad decided that he would split the reward four ways...equal amounts to the two men who had found the letters, to Emery Andrews, and to himself. This may have sounded like a good plan, but someone else had other ideas. The other man who had found the piece of wreckage the same day, claimed to have be the first one to find the plane. It took a court hearing to determine that the other man was employed by the airline and that employees of the airline were specifically excluded from sharing in the reward."

To be continued...
My father's account continues with recovery efforts and life after the discovery of the wreckage. I will continue his story in another chapter. I'm so glad my father took the time to write down his stories. I can't wait to share more of them with you. I was prompted to post this today because two bloggers I follow, A Vintage Chic and 521 Lake Street have inspired me this week with their family stories.

Thank you!

Valentine and Bridal Shower Projects!

2012-01-08T19:08:00.000-07:00

Blue Bird Candy House...
Amber's bridal shower will be held at our house on January 28. I'm working on a Vintage Bride theme for the wedding dinner, but I decided to go with Vintage Valentines for the shower. That way I can craft to my heart's content and still be ready for the party. Yesterday I finally finished the first project...a pink and blue Valentine house decorated with blue birds and candy hearts.

This was fun! I usually make these into gingerbread houses.

If I were to do this again, I would use red glitter glue around the windows.

They look better than the picture shows, though.

I've always believed that the back of a house should be just as cute as the front.

(I wish some of the people in town had thought of that...I hate boring expanses of stucco!)

Blue Bird Invitations...

Yes, I know these aren't Valentines per se...but I did stick to the blue bird theme.

Since I've been learning to make tags...I decided to make tag-like invitations.

The papers are loosely layered, though.

Blog Books...

I liked the idea of having a blog book printed...but when I saw it would be almost $100 just to print 4 1/2 months of blog...I am making my own. I just cut and paste the posts to Word. It keeps the format and looks pretty much like what you get in the Blog Book. I've been making individual folders on Word for each month. When a month's worth is pasted, I print it...put the pages in sheet protectors...then put them in a 3" three ring binder. I am making cute divider pages for each month and decorating the outside of the binder as well. Once I am finished with 2011...I will simply print each month as it comes...easy peasy! I got this idea from another blogger...I sure wish I remembered which one, so I could thank her personally.

Thank you, Bloggers-I-Follow, for the inspiration you give me every day.

I want you all to know that I (try to) read every one of your posts!

Provident Living...Emergency Car Kits!

2012-01-07T11:32:00.000-07:00

On the road...
Disasters can happen any time. We've all been taught to have disaster and evacuation kits prepared. We've learned how to deal with prolonged power failures and what to do in the event of an earthquake or devastating storm. But what about when you are away from home...on the road somewhere? I've read stories where people were stuck in snow storms or stranded in the desert when their cars broke down. Many of the stories had tragic endings which could have been prevented by having an emergency car kit.

Having a well-stocked car will give you a lot more peace of mind and help you to stay calm and focus on what needs to be done. Prepare your car now, by keeping your gas tank above half-full, check the weather and road conditions before a trip and keep up on the car's maintenance. You may not have the chance to return home for your 72 hour evacuation kits...so you may want to keep a smaller version in the trunk of each of your vehicles. I started with a medium size duffle and a couple of milk crates that will fit across the back of the cargo area of my SUV. The car kit pictured is from Emergency Essentials

Car Kits might include...

Emergency car tool kit which includes battery cables and a small air compressor.
Road atlas
First aid kit.
Windup radio/cell phone recharger.
Flashlights, headlamp and extra batteries.
Auto Buddy tool...this is a light, flasher, window breaker and seat belt cutter. I keep this in the driver's side door.
Folding shovel, window scrapers, lock de-icers.
Jack, lug wrench, tire gauge and a fix-a-flat product.
Gallon each of windshield washer fluid and anti-freeze.
Bottled water and 3600 calorie food bars. (Coast Guard ones are good)
For warmth: hand and foot warmers, 10 hour heat candles, water proof matches, extra hats, gloves, and ear warmers.
For rain: umbrella, rain jackets.
Quilts or blankets. I have a heavy denim one.
Extra cash (small bills and coins).

This is just a basic list...what I started with. I am sure there are other things to consider...like if you are traveling with children. It's hard to prepare for everything...but you can prepare for the most likely.

Don't let this be your next family vacation! =D

"Prepared...Not Scared."

My new motto for provident living.

Christmas Door Becomes Winter Door!

2012-01-05T14:52:00.000-07:00

Time for a change...
Today I swapped the Christmas Candy for Snowmen and Hearts. The porch was the last of the holiday to be put away. The plastic Santas and Snowmen are snug in their tubs in the garage. The wreaths and sleighs are finally gone. This door should hold me until mid-February...I hope!

We got home from our trip last night. Now my life feels disorganized...it will take days to catch up. Time to get back to work. So many projects and resolutions waiting for me to get back on track.

Details and Some Valentine Decor...

A Cute Snow Couple...

Added some hearts and buckets of snowballs...

These fine fellows have brightened many a Winter's day...

I'm so glad that Valentines are red. Red and White = Happiness!

Not the most interesting arrangement...I need to rethink a few things.

I'm just glad to be home. I feel uneasy when I haven't posted for awhile. I got a new camera for Christmas...and it's forcing me to relearn some things. But I'm excited that it works in low light and I don't get the all the flash glare that has been plaguing me lately. It was a wonderful holiday all in all!

My Top Five Posts For 2011!

2011-12-28T07:43:00.000-07:00

Happy New Year!...
Zetta's Aprons has been a real learning experience for me. I used to read a few crafty blogs and loved being inspired to do new things. In August I decided it was time to try a blog on my own. It's been a fun and creative outlet for me. I've become more organized with my time...I don't waste so much of it now...at least until I discovered Pinterest!
I'm going to share with you my Top Five Posts of 2011. After only 4 1/2 months...5 is a good number to start with.

#5...The Lost Plane!

Amelia Earhart joins the search for the lost plane.

The Lost Plane!

#4 Mary Pulley's Hill!

Mary Pulley's Christmas display charmed generations of children!

Mary Pulley's Hill!

#3 Halloween Table Runner!

Rag piecing is easy for beginners!

Halloween Table Runner!

#2 Collecting Santa Face Mugs & Pitchers!

There are so many ways to decorate with these cheerful Santas!

Santa Face Mugs & Pitchers!

Finally...#1 Fun Christmas Table Setting!

This was so much fun to put together. Our real family parties use paper plates...lol!

Fun Christmas Table Setting!

Thank you, Friends!...

I really appreciate the support and friendship I have found through this blog. It's just a small thing...I don't really promote it very much. No Linky Parties...yet! I am still figuring out how to do things. When I do...watch out! =D

Happy New Year!

Our Bestest Present!

2011-12-26T15:13:00.000-07:00

Vivienne Knows the Secret...
And frankly...she was shocked! Grandma and Grandpa are way too OLD to have a new baby. But there was a strange hustle and bustle about the Old Hatfield Place. Things were being built...other things were being rearranged. There was nesting going on for goodness sake! Grandpa was whistling happily as he worked. Grandma was getting that hassled and overworked look again. It was as busy at the grandparent's house as Santa's North Pole. Would they be ready on time? A new arrival needs so many things...

A New Baby Needs...

A New Crib...

A Baby Gate...

Baby Food...

Something Pretty to Wear For Pictures on Christmas Day...

Welcome to the Family, Daisy!

She's 8 months old and the prettiest, softest thing you ever saw. She already loves George most of all!

Hope Your Christmas Day Was Merry & Bright...

Merry Christmas From Zetta!

2011-12-24T10:25:00.001-07:00

Merry Christmas one and all!

Mel, Zetta, and the strangest Santa I've ever seen!

I just found this pic today and had to share!

The Best Christmas Present Ever!

2011-12-23T08:50:00.000-07:00

I Can't Wait!
If all goes well today...George and I will be picking up our gift to each other. Please, please, please, Santa! I am having the hardest time keeping the secret, but I will be back on Monday to share a bit of our Christmas celebration.

Merry Christmas, dear friends. May the holiday bring you joy, peace, and a time of reflection.

A Lovely Surprise!

2011-12-19T14:47:00.000-07:00

Vintage Christmas Apron...
I don't get many surprises at Christmas...when you're doing Santa Duty you don't. But I found a sweet surprise in my mail this afternoon from Betsy of The Little Red Hen at Home. It was the cutest vintage Christmas apron ever! She told me that she and her daughter found it at the local antique mall. I can't wait to wear it on Christmas Eve. Until then...it has found a cute spot on my kitchen wall. I will treasure it always!

Thank you, dear Betsy!

More Disney Christmas!

2011-12-19T08:27:00.000-07:00

Another Christmas Tradition...
Once the kids have grown, sometimes the empty-nester parents make a few new Christmas traditions of their own. For the last few years, George and I have made an after-Christmas trip to Disneyland. First stop is Las Vegas for New Years Eve. We ring in the New Year on the Strip.

The busy Las Vegas Boulevard is closed to traffic and revelers can party in the street while awaiting the fireworks spectacular. It's a lot of fun! If you can't be on Times Square...this is the next best thing! My only complaint is that midnight Vegas time is 1:00 a.m. Utah time. But we never have to worry about getting a hotel room. A few years ago, we were able to buy a condo in Henderson for a really low price. That is one of the reasons we are able to go to Disneyland so often...we have a base of operations.

Christmas in Disneyland...

Big Thunder Ranch...Where Santa stables his Reindeer.

Donald...Red and White Happiness!

Christmas Cheer on Main Street...

Mickey Wreaths...

Window Shopping...

Huggable Pluto!

A Merry Mickey Mouse!

One of the colorful "Small World" wreaths...

Ginormous Christmas Tree in the Town Square.

We'll be there New Years Day...I can't wait!

Mountain River Ranch...a Favorite Christmas Tradition!

2011-12-18T12:48:00.000-07:00

Christmas Dinner Show and Wagon Ride...
Each year, the weekend before Christmas, we drive north to Idaho Falls to visit our daughter Missy's family and deliver the Christmas booty. While we're there, George and I love to treat Matt and Missy with an evening at Mountain River Ranch. If you love the Old West...this is about as Cowboy Christmas as it gets. The Ranch is located near the Snake River in Ririe, Idaho.

We checked in at the Bunkhouse, located in the cutest miniature "western town." Outside, people gather around wood burning in fire pits, sipping on spiced cider and waiting for the horse-drawn wagons to arrive to take us across the ranch to the Dinner Theatre. When there is sufficient snow, the horses would be drawing large sleighs instead. We listen to hear the rhythmic jingle of the sleighbells as they approach. The air is so crisp and cold that the hooves of the draft horses make a crunchy crackle.

The horses came in three sizes...giant, enormous, and ginormous!

Oh, What Fun it is to Ride...

The winter nights are so very, very dark and cold at the Ranch. Even the stars are freezing pin-pricks of light. The trip to the Dinner Theatre takes us through woods and pasture. Colored lights on the fences line the road and lighted Christmas vignettes are set among barns, cabins and other outbuildings. My favorite kind of drive-through light display!

Missy and Matt are the young couple in the center.

Trails end...we unwrap a precious bundle!

Mckinley's 5 sisters could not be trusted to babysit her...lol!

Fiddles and Fun...

What better accompaniment to dinner than a Country-Western show! The food was served on huge platters...slabs of ranch-grown prime rib so huge they could feed a small family. Thank goodness for doggy bags!

Silent Night...

The Last Christmas Tree...

The show ended with the story of "The Last Christmas Tree"... a pioneer family has only one tree remaining in the grove near their remote cabin. Instead of cutting it down...they decorate it...and in the morning, open their gifts beneath its branches. After the story, we all sang "Silent Night," before boarding the wagons for the return journey. Christmas can come now...my spirit is renewed.

Merry Christmas and a Blessed Sunday,

My Nightmare Before Christmas!

2011-12-14T16:08:00.001-07:00

A Recurring Nightmare...
I've been having this dream for years...it's Christmas Eve and I haven't decorated the house or purchased any presents. It's 5:30 p.m. and Wal*Mart closes at 6:00. I race around the store trying to find a pair of pink Hello Kitty pajamas that will fit my youngest daughter, but there are no pajamas to be found. I can't find anything for my husband or little boy Greg. I'm desperate! I go home and try to decorate the tree. Nothing works. I wake up covered in sweat and drowning in guilt. I don't know why I dream this...I've always been prepared...sometimes weeks in advance. But I still have this fear of having to buy all my gifts at a convenience store. A few years ago I wrote a poem about it in the hopes of driving the dream away.

My Nightmare Before Christmas...

"Twas the night before Christmas and all through the town

Merchants were closing their little shops down.

The K-Mart employees were snug in their beds

While visions of clearance sales danced in their heads.

As George snored on the couch (It's a Wonderful Life!)

I assembled the toys like a dutiful wife.

When inside my head there arose such a clatter,

George stirred in his sleep, mumbling "Hey, what's the matter?"

Away to the bedroom I flew like a flash,

Grabbing my coat and my car keys and cash.

Because what to my wondering eyes did appear?

"All the presents I bought for the In-laws aren't here!"

I knew I had better provide for them quick,

Since my husband has never been known as "St. Nick."

More rapid than eagles my Minivan came,

And I sobbed and I shouted and called them by name.

Convenience Store Gift Ideas:

Little Tree Fresheners are Festive!

"Now K-Mart! Now Kohlers! Now dear old Fred Meyer!

On A-1 Appliance where I once bought a dryer!"

From the end of the town to the end of the mall,

I dashed away, dashed away, checking them all.

Like a psychic who sees her own doom from afar,

When I meet with an accident...got out of my car.

I had parked on the asphalt in front of the door

Of the only open convenience store.

And then in a twinkling I heard from the back,
A voice bellow "Shut up yer barkin', Jack!"
As I opened the door and was looking around,
From the backroom a humanoid came with a bound.

He was dressed all in black from his head to his foot,
And I swear that a knife had been stuck in his boot.
Two six-packs of Coors was what he was packing,
And he looked like a biker with I.Q. points lacking.

Tasty and Individually Wrapped for Stocking Stuffing Convenience.

His eyes, they were bleary. He didn't have dimples.

His cheeks were quite grimy, his nose covered with pimples.

His mean little mouth was drawn up in a sneer.

And the beard on his chin wasn't shaved in a year.

The butt of a cigar was clenched tight in his teeth,

And the smoke smelled just like an old outhouse...Good Grief!

He had six tattoos and a protruding belly

That jiggled obscenely. My word was he smelly!

The gift you can only rent...not buy!

George likes these in his stocking.

He was surly and mean, not a jolly old elf.

And I shook when I saw him, in spite of myself.

A wink of his eye and a twitch of his head,

Soon made me suspect I had plenty to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went back to his work,

Stocking the cigarettes, then turned with a jerk.

(I'll try to finish as fast as I can...)

Grabbing my stuff, out the door I ran.

Jack?

He sprang to his feet, to his dog gave a whistle.

It was too busy gnawing a deer leg with gristle.

Yet I heard him exclaim ere I sped out of sight,

"It was just a bad dream! Merry Christmas! Goodnight!"

I've been feeling unprepared...those lost sick days! LOL!

Note: Pictures courtesy of Google Images

Christmas Memories...Mary Pulley's Hill!

2011-12-12T12:01:00.004-07:00

American Fork circa 50's-60's...
This story is for all the children who grew up in and around American Fork, Utah during the Mary Pulley years. I have many happy Christmas memories, but there is one I share with thousands of others. This was long before modern drive-by light displays, electronically controlled spectaculars with lights flashing to the rhythm of "Party Rock." or something by Mannheim Steamroller. This light display was something to behold in our low-tech lives. Trees bedecked with countless strands of colored lights surrounded a peaceful nativity scene, carefully painted wooden backdrops large enough in scale to be seen from the street.

Mary Pulley...

Before I continue I want to say a few words about the woman behind the display. Mary Pulley was one of those wonderful women every town should be blessed with. Her long life was filled with service to the community beginning in 1929 when she represented American Fork as our first "Poultry Day" Queen. She presided over the picnic, parade, ball game, races, carnival, program and dance...a very full day indeed. She kept her poise even when a young server at the banquet spilled hot cocoa on her white satin gown. She simply blotted it up and went on with the festivities. Her later photos show a woman of graceful stature and serene demeanor.

A Beloved Tradition Begins...

Miss Pulley began her traditional Christmas display in 1942 as a gift to the children and it continued until her death. Her home was situated at the bottom of a hill on several acres of graceful lawns planted with large trees...the perfect site for a large display. People could easily drive by to see the lights. She brought in Santa Claus to stand at the gate at the end of her driveway and hand out candy-canes and oranges to carloads of children. This gift was considered extraordinarily generous...because this was during that period of war rationing. In the picture above, a local family and Santa are standing next to the sleigh from the Santa display...you can see how large the scale needed to be. I wish there were more pictures. I would love to have one of the display to show you. All I have is my memory...and we know those are unreliable! If anyone wants to share their memories in the comments...I would love that!

A more modern Santa.

A few years ago, some well-meaning folks tried to revive the tradition.

Some things you can't bring back.

A Memory Movie...

I know it's not possible that there was snow every year...but in my memories our car moves slowly in the endless line of vehicles waiting to pass by the display. I can hear the crunch of tires on packed snow...that is...I could if my little brothers and sisters would just settle down for a bit. They bounce about in the old station wagon like balls in a pinball game...getting on Dad's last nerve.

Finally, just as Dad has bluffed for the last time about getting out of line and going home...we pass the last house and trees that conceal the magic. There's plenty of time...in the slow lane...to admire the manger scene. To "ooh and ahh" over the lights and enjoy the tinny blast of "Rudolph the Rednose Reindeer" coming through the speakers nailed to trees and power poles. When the vignette of Santa's Sleigh moves into view we grow more and more excited. Santa is there! He's waiting at the end of the drive with treats for each of us. I'm hoping for a candy cane or maybe a small Hershey Bar.

Dad tells us to open our windows. We do so and the frigid air pours into the car. Santa is stamping his frozen feet and steam from his breath "encircles his head like a wreath." We yell out our Christmas wishes like one chaotic fast-food order and receive our long-awaited treat of chocolate marshmallow Santas. I hate marshmallow Santas, but I would never be ungracious to the Big Guy. With a "Merry Christmas" he waved us on.

Downtown...

I still have dreams of the downtown stores and businesses of my childhood. My favorites memories of Christmas include the decorations that hung across Main Street

The Christmas Train!

Santa's Sleigh and Tiny Reindeer!

I so wish I could see them again...hometown mainstreets were magical in those days. Still...after a fun family drive to see the lights...we all wanted to end up here...

The Hi-Spot Drive Inn!

When little brother Tommy learned to read...Hi-Spot was his first word! We were so proud! This was not our only family favorite, but I love this picture.

Christmas is coming! Yikes!

I'm glad I felt well enough to get this written. Hubby finally made me see a doctor this morning. I have a lovely case of tonsilitis...huh? Anyway...glad it's not strep but I still feel lousy. I have so much to do and Grandkids in Idaho that need visiting this weekend. Pray for the meds to work.

Note: most of the pictures are from the book American Fork City: The Growing Years by Betty G. Spencer.

Please Stand By!

2011-12-08T07:41:00.000-07:00

We interrupt this blog to inform you that Shirley of Zetta's Aprons is too doggone sick to care about anything for a few days. We will return when her throat stops feeling like it's embedded with broken glass and the fever goes away. At that time we will return to your regular programming.

Christmas Village Houses!

2011-12-06T09:09:00.000-07:00

Little Putz Houses...
I love finding those little Japanese carboard, snowflocked houses. These became increasingly popular after WWII, but were not as fancy as the German ones. My Christmas collector guide book shows several different styles, but most had mica snow, cellophane windows and little bottle brush trees. Many included a round opening on the back to insert a Christmas light to illuminate the windows. The little house on the left was an orphan that I "refurbished" for Rick-Rack and Gingham's ornament swap. It's only 2 1/2" tall. I love rescuing the less-than-perfect houses because I can get them for a dollar or two. If perfect, that same little house would be worth $15-$25, according to the guide.

Decorating with Village Houses...

Hanging from a garland

A village on a shelf in the hallway.

The church is recent. The houses are larger than most and I needed a bigger church.

Shelf Detail.

Mantel Christmas Village.

Mantel detail.

The houses are new, but I used vintage pinecone and spun cotton people...and Rudolph.

Used in a shadow box.

This house looked like it was made of logs...perfect for a rustic look.

Two More Shadow Boxes...

Rudolph's New Home.

(Sorry about the lighting)

Modern German-style wooden buildings and game piece letters.

I have a real German set of small village buildings that I plan to put in a shadow box at some future date.

When I went through my tubs this year, I couldn't believe how many little orphan houses I had "adopted" over the years. Some new snow and a few little trees and toys and they could brighten Christmases for many years to come. So come on, dear friends...open your hearts and your homes to these sweet little houses.

My Christmas Secret!

2011-12-03T16:54:00.001-07:00

Shhhhh!...
When I was growing up. I had a Christmas secret that always made me smile. Not the I-can't-wait grin of anticipation, but the cat-with-whiskers-full-of-cream variety. You see...I believed I had an "in" with the Big Guy Up North...a connection no other child possessed. My very own grandmother was an official North Pole employee with the title "Santa's Helper." Her name was Patta Gray.

Patta and Richard Gray on their 50th Anniversary

Santa's Helper at Work...

She confided this to me when I was very young, and I believed her. Why wouldn't I? Her house was filled with dolls and toys all year long! Not to mention she excelled in making gingerbread cakes and cookies with brown sugar topping. And she was soft and pink and smelled delicious...just like Mrs. Santa Claus must.

Shirley, Mike and little sister Patti on a visit to Grandma Patta's.

Sometimes I got to visit for a few days. Grandma Patta and I spent the time up to our elbows in fabric scraps and patterns. The bodice of grandma's dress was studded with straight pins in lieu of a pincushion, keeping her hands free to cut and stitch the tiny clothes for all of Santa's dolls. With my awkward "help" she made designer outfits for Barbie, chic Chanel-style suits with real mink collars...just like Jackie Kennedy wore. Ruffled dresses for Chatty Cathy were next on the list, adorned with yards and yards of lace trimming. Even G.I. Joe got a new uniform or two! (Grandma hated Joe's big floppy feet...it made him hard to dress.)

Chatty Cathy...I didn't like her for some reason...she looked kind of bratty.

In the evenings, Grandpa Rich would get out his tools and work on the Barbie-size furniture he designed. He made four-poster beds and pink vanities with little gold knobs. The closet had sliding doors and rods filled with little pink hangers. With a hammer and wee brass tacks, he patiently upholstered miniature sofas and chairs. I was lucky enough to receive some of his furniture for Christmas one year.

My first Barbie looked like this one.

My first Ken had this fuzzy hair that came off if he got wet.

A Test of Faith...

I felt so special being let in on such an important secret. There were times I was tempted to brag about Grandma's unique job. But the kids I played with were starting to say awful things about Santa...that he didn't exist! Grandma had a saying...something about pearls before swine. Her secret was too precious to waste on non-believers.

As the years went by, it became more difficult to keep the faith. The pressure was on from friends and siblings to admit that Santa Claus was a hoax. But I stubbornly clung to the hope that they were wrong. One Christmas Eve I lined my dolls up on the couch so Santa could see that I took good care of my toys. My brother Mike teased me for being such a baby. "There's no such thing as Santa," he snickered.

Patti Play Pal.

I found out the hard way one Christmas morning that Grandma Zetta's lipstick is forever!

Poor Patti Play Pal!

A few minutes later, Mom came into the room and told us to get ready to go to Grandma's. It was almost time for Santa to come and pick up the doll clothes and take them back to the North Pole. He was a bit behind schedule and the elves needed to get the dolls dressed. I smirked when I saw the startled expression on Mike's face. He'd see!

Still...something deep inside nagged at me all the way to Lehi, where my grandparents lived. "He's not coming," the voice of doubt informed me. "He's not real." I remembered everything my friends had told me. They said it was all a big lie...our parents bought the toys and pretended to be Santa.

Miss Revlon had pierced ears!

Waiting and Waiting...

While the adults visited at Grandma's, I squirmed on the sofa. Anticipation and dread played tag in my stomach and I couldn't eat the cookies grandma had made. When you are a child, minutes seem like hours, and waiting is torture. He's not coming.

As I squeezed my eyes shut and focused all my faith into a wish...I heard the silver tinkle of sleigh bells. I knew that if I opened my eyes, the magic wouldn't work. But the sound of boots on the front porch stamping off the snow seemed real enough. Grandma hurried to the door.

How I remember Santa...so many years ago.

"Merry Christmas!" a hearty voice boomed. When I opened my eyes, a man in red stood in the doorway shaking snow off his whiskers. I watched in awe as Santa reached into his sack and pulled out a candy cane for each of us. My little sisters danced about with excitement and forgot to say thank you. But I remembered! He winked at me, restoring my faith for another year.

Grandma made doll clothes for many years after that, taking orders from neighbors and friends. Even when I was finally too old to believe in Santa Claus, she still personified the Spirit of Christmas. I wish my own children could have known her.

Cute little brother Tommy and sister Lisa came along some years after this story.

Look at their sweet little faces. I miss these little kids.

"May your days be merry and bright,

And may all your Christmases be white..."

Happy Discovery...Grandma Patta's Christmas Card!

2011-12-01T17:34:00.000-07:00

Grandma Patta's Card...
I found it quite by happenstance in an old scrapbook that belonged to Grandma Patta. It's just a small and simple card...but I was thrilled to find it tucked inside with a belated birthday card that had come to her from Grandma Zetta.

It's so much fun to scan these cards...and use them over and over again in my crafting. I have enjoyed the many cards and graphics that some of the other bloggers have shared. Please feel free to use this little card if you like.

The sweet little boys inside the card.

Some New Tags...

Finding the card made me want to make tags today!

After all the tag swaps...I thought the well had run dry.

How cute the little choir boys look!

This is a different color palette for me.

I will be using a lot of cream and aqua for my daughter Amber's wedding decor.

It will be a Valentine's wedding...so a cheery cherry red will be used (sparingly) as an accent.

I can't wait to share some of my ideas.

Have a cozy evening,

Pink and Silver Bedroom tree...and a Tag Swap!

2011-11-29T09:08:00.000-07:00

Pink and Silver...

Although I love my vintage Christmas to be as Red and White as possible...there is just something about vintage Pink and Silver. There is a kind of 60's elegance about the color combination that is hard to resist. So a few years ago I began decorating my bedroom with pink and silver decorations.

My bigger tree.

Most of the glass ornaments are vintage, but I used a lot of sparkly Wal*mart snowflakes...

And a few aqua Shiny-Brites as accent.

What started the whole pink and silver thing...

...Two pretty pink and silver corsages.

I use these for the tree toppers.

Half of my dresser. I love birds and nests.

The little nest is in a top hat

Second half of dresser.

I added blue birds and painted a sparkly blue house to accent the pink.

My night stand is a little blurry.

I used 3 boxes of tiny Shiny-Brite balls on the two-foot silver tree.

The downside of trees in your bedroom...falling asleep with the lights on...

then fumbling for the plugs at 2:00 a.m. =D

A Very Cherry Tag Swap...

This year I participated in the Christmas Tag swap at It's A Very Cherry World!

My swap partner was Toni from Blue Mountain Rise .

Side one of the tag I made for Toni.

It's hanging on my kitchen Candy Tree...

next to my favorite ornie...a sparkly Diet Coke can.

Side two.

The cute and yummy goodies I received from Toni!

(Some of the hand-wrapped chocolate didn't make it until the picture...lol!)

This has been such a fun experience.

I've really enjoyed meeting new bloggers this way.

Thanks again, Sue, for the opportunity to participate and meet Toni.

It's a crispy blue morning on the Wasatch Front.

Enjoy your morning where ever you may be.

Christmas at Disneyland...the Parade!

2011-11-28T08:20:00.000-07:00

A Christmas Tradition...
Every other year our children desert our nest at Thanksgiving to fly to the in-laws. We worked it that way so we could all be together when it is our year. On the off-year George and I have made it our tradition to take a trip to Disneyland. I love Disneyland at Christmas! I bring my shopping list for the Granddaughters along. There are no Black Friday sales but my annual pass nets me 20% off all my purchases...which to me is as good as a sale.

The weather was perfect...warm and sunny. Since we missed the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade...here are some pics from the "Christmas Fantasy" parade.

The Parade...

A parade needs a marching band.

We snagged a pretty good spot for photos this time.

Mrs. Claus reads the Children's letters to Santa

Tigger and Pooh!

This Tigger is for McKenzie...who loves him.

Dancing Snowflakes

Gingerbread Men always make me happy!

Building a Gingerbread House

Still Striving for Attention

Isn't she pretty?

I only count six dwarves...who's missing?

Who else...Dopey!

Building the Toys!

Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen....Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen

Oops! Didn't get them all in the shot.

This shot should be Santa. Just as we went to take his picture...the camera said "Memory Card Full."

I know...a Christmas Parade without Santa is like Thanksgiving dinner without pumpkin pie...

Merry Christmas anyway!

I hope your holiday was filled with love and laughter,

Liebster Blog Award...My Picks!

2011-11-22T12:06:00.002-07:00

Liebster Blog...
My new friend Toni of Blue Mountain Rise has chosen me to be one of her picks for the Liebster Blog. This award is to showcase up and coming blogs with less than 200 followers. I feel happy to think that someone who reads my blog liked it enough to make me one of her picks. Thank you so much, Toni. I am so glad to have made your acquaintance this fall.

The rules are to copy and post the award pic to your blog; thank and link back to the person who gave you the award. Then pick 5 more blogs and leave them a comment. I love my picks! They have been my most faithful readers and commenters...as well as new friends.

You ladies have such wonderful, fun blogs and I always read and look forward to your new posts. This will be my last post until after the weekend. Thank you for supporting my blog!

Pilgrims and Pioneers...Family History at Thanksgiving!

2011-11-21T09:45:00.003-07:00

Thanksgiving in old Alpine, Utah...
Autumn brings with it the desire to put away food, fuel, warm clothing and bedding, along with feed for livestock against the harshness of winter.

The days shorten and feelings of urgency grow stronger. There are no longer enough hours of daylight to get everything done. Many hands make for lighter work. If everyone in the village helps out, there will be plenty for all. When the work is done, there will be time for fun and celebrations. A time of Thanksgiving.

The hardy settlers of Alpine and Highland, Utah found ways to mix work and fun during harvest time. When the fruit trees in Alpine started to produce, those with orchards shared with others. The ladies came with paring knives and pans and worked for hours preparing fruit to be dried. It would be placed on clean cloths upon the roofs, slabs on sawhorses, or whatever else was handy.

The men brought their husking pegs and shucked corn while the ladies did fruit. The children enjoyed these occasions and anxiously waited for the piles of corn shucks to increase, as they had several games they liked to play among them: hide-and-seek, run-my-sheepie-run, and tag. At the end of the day, a delicious dinner would be served under the apple trees on tables made of boards laid on sawhorses.

Note: Turkeys in Alpine were raised by the Watkins family. Hertha, left, is admiring that year's fine flock.

Other autumn activities which combined work and recreation were quilting bees and "rug-rag bees." No materials were wasted. If the cloth wasn't too worn it was patched into quilt tops. What wasn't good enough for quilts was torn into rug-rags and the remaining scraps were clipped into small pieces to stuff bed ticks, pillows or cushions.

I remember some old quilts Grandma Zetta had from the time when her family raised fruit in Fort Canyon. In those days whenever a quilt began to wear out, she simply recovered it in another layer of fabric. Women like my grandmother definitely followed Brigham Young's counsel to "make it do, or do without." They were born recyclers! Those quilts were extremely heavy, though, as well as damp and musty.

When Thanksgiving Day came in Alpine, it was generally celebrated rather quietly. People spent the day at home with their families. Later they added an afternoon dance for the children. An adult dance and ball game was held in the evening.

The Pilgrim...
Going back even further in time, I learned the First Thanksgiving in Plymouth, Massachusetts, was a traditional English harvest festival to which the colonists invited Massasoit who was the most important sachem (leader) among the Wamapanoag Indians.

The festival was celebrated in response to "God's favorable Providence" in times of plentiful game and bountiful harvest...with no little thanks to the Indians, who had introduced the settlers to native food plants and animals, and deserve much of the credit for keeping the Pilgrims from starving.

Among those gathered at the feast in 1621 was a man named Francis Cooke and his 14-year-old son John. Francis' wife, Hester, was still in England. She would follow in 1623 on the Anne with her three other children, Jacob, Jane, and Hester.

There isn't anything particularly remarkable about this family. If Francis and John had not sailed on the Mayflower in 1620, no one would have remembered them at all, except maybe their descendents. But this is where it gets interesting.

The Pioneer...
One of Cooke's direct descendents was a Mormon pioneer named John Joshua Tanner who came to Utah in 1851 and settled in South Cottonwood in the Salt Lake Valley. The family of John Joshua Tanner now numbers in the thousands...hundreds of which live here in northern Utah County. He is my ancestor as well.

Both men...Tanner and Cooke...were men of conscience and conviction, a remarkable family pattern to hold up over such a long stretch of time. The Pilgrims were refugees from religious persecution in England, just as the Mormon pioneers traveled west to practice their faith in peace more than two centuries later.

I became a member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers in 2003. Since then I have learned many things about my pioneer ancestors. Because of what I have learned, Thanksgiving has a special meaning for me. Family history is kind of like an archealogical dig. Among the dirt and stones a single golden nugget of information could be hiding. Discovering my family genealogy is a blessing for which I am eternally grateful.

At the top of my list of things for which I am grateful this season, I am placing the names of Francis Cooke and John Joshua Tanner...the Pilgrim and the Pioneer.

Blessings to you and your families this Thanksgiving.

Vintage Christmas Snow Domes!

2011-11-19T16:39:00.000-07:00

The Kitschier the Better...
One of the things I loved about Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion was the "Finders Keepers" feature in each issue. One December article was about plastic snow domes (or globes.) Plastic snow domes became popular in the 1950's, made in Japan or Hong Kong. Some of them are so cheesy and cheap looking that you can often find one at the thrift store for less than $1. Seen together...in a collection...they are colorful and very, very fun!

My Small Collection...

Five Figural Snow Domes

I had already started a small collection of figural snow domes before the magazine article came out. I was please to find out that figure-shaped domes are hard to find. Some shapes, like an elf with a gnome and mushroom in its tummy is really rare. I have a Santa with a Nativity scene in his tummy...how tacky is that? The tipsy Santa hanging on a light pole is really a funny one. I don't think any of my little guys are particularly valuable to anyone but me. I don't always display them, so it's fun to post them here.

Sorry this is so short, but I didn't want the weekend to go by without a post.

I'm grateful for the joy of watching the little birds at my feeders...their sweet feathers all fluffed up in the cold.

Fun Christmas Table Setting...and a Winner!

2011-11-16T10:37:00.000-07:00

Vintage Table Decor...
I have always loved how Mary Engelbreit decorated tables for Christmas. The picture on the left is from her 2002 book Here Comes Santa Claus. I can't find the picture of the one I love most...but they are all so much fun! I have the same glasses and plates she shows here. I thought it would be fun to put together a table setting to honor ME. I was amazed at what I had accumulated over the years.

My Christmas Table

A Closer View

I love the red-stripe Hazel Atlas tumblers.

The old spool is now a place-card holder.

Finally...a chance to display the darling napkins I found so long ago.

Gingerbread House Winner is...

...Comment #12 Kris Thompson! Yay, Kris!

I am so grateful for my life and the beautiful morning.

The oranges have faded to browns and rusts...so many combinations of colors and textures to be found.

Have a Thankful Day.

Collecting Pinecone and Other Elves!

2011-11-13T14:01:00.001-07:00

Cute and Quirky...
Whereas many of America's favorite vintage ornaments were made in Japan...Pinecone People and a whole host of little characters originated in Germany, West Germany and Italy. Martha Stewart's magazine did a whole layout on these ornaments last Christmas. Unfortunately, Japan was quick to copy the German designs...so all my quirky little characters say "Japan." They are almost identical.

Pinecone Snowmen

Assorted Elves.

Clowns and Cute Baby Elf

Batting Mr. & Mrs. Claus

I found them still in their little box.

Angels.

Elf Musicians. Remind me of Lucy.

Unusual Pipe Cleaner Elves.

They spell "XMAS"...not my preferred spelling of Christmas!

Hope you liked my little characters!

Today I am sharing a dinner date with my husband...it's our anniversary.

1975 to 2011...36 years of adventure!

For these years of happiness, I am particularly grateful.

Happy Veterans Day!

2011-11-11T10:37:00.004-07:00

Gratitude for Freedom...
Today is Veterans Day, when we honor those who have served in the Armed Forces and those who have fought and died to protect the very liberties we enjoy today. This is a day to kneel in prayer and thank God for this country.

My husband, George, is a veteran. He was a Captain in the Army Air Defense Artillery. We were stationed in Germany for a little over three years and then in El Paso, Texas. I am grateful to him for his desire to serve his country. The picture is of George and me at the ROTC Military Ball at Brigham Young University. The Vietnam War had just ended when we got married. I cannot believe how young we were.

George's Father...
George's father, Blaine Hatfield, was a veteran of World War II. He served in the South Seas, was decorated several times...including the Bronze Star. But we really don't know what he went through or what battles he fought. When he came home...he was a changed man. He never spoke about his experiences. He is the young man on the left. He looks a lot like my son Geoff in this picture. How young he was!

Never Forget...
Today is 11-11-11. This date will never come again in our lifetimes. Honor and thank the Vets in your life...they aren't just old men at the VFW. My daughter mentioned a woman she knows who will put on her uniform today for a school assembly...she's only in her early 30's. Today my husband and his buddy Bruce are going to lunch and exchange "war stories"...apparently Texas Roadhouse is giving free lunches to vets today. How will you remember?

Little Christmas Houses!

2011-11-10T07:14:00.000-07:00

Christmas House Ornament Swap!

This holiday season I am participating in several "swaps." Many crafty bloggers organize groups of like-minded friends and swap tags, cards, or ornaments. It's a lot of fun, but if you are a newbie...like myself...it can be a little daunting. What if my creations aren't good enough? Will I be invited back?

We don't grow if we don't take chances. So I am sharing with you my contributions to Cindy's Neighborhood Ornament Swap. Cindy hosts Rick-Rack and Gingham where she shares stories about her life in Texas. The assignment was to make an ornament that is shaped like a house or trailer. My theme was "'Fixer-uppers." I have quite a collection of those little made-in-Japan paper houses that were popular in the 40s and 50s. I thought it might be fun to transform them into little Christmas candy houses.

House #1.

Reverse side.

House #2

Reverse side.

House #3

House #4

Reverse side.

House #5

Reverse side.

House #6

Reverse side.

The houses were upgraded with new snow, some new windows and doors (if needed), glitter, vintage buttons and graphics and lot's of tiny candies and gingerbread. The landscaping was also upgraded to include new trees and tiny little snowmen or toys. I sure hope the new owners like them.

Gratitude...

I am grateful that my husband encourages me in my creative endeavors. He cuts wood and drills holes and gets things down from really high places. He tells me that Christmas would never be the same without me. I can't imagine a Christmas without him. I am the lucky one.

Don't forget to leave a comment on the Gingerbread post!

Gingerbread House Giveaway!

2011-11-09T08:06:00.001-07:00

Get in the Holiday Spirit...
Nothing boosts my spirit like a little gingerbread man...so imagine a whole town...or maybe just a neighborhood...of gingerbread.
To help my friends get in the holiday spirit, I am giving away one of my gingerbread houses. There are no hoops to jump through...no "likes" or "follows" involved...simply post a comment on this blog post.

One week from today...November 16...I will randomly pick a winner from those comments.

Here is a side view of the house. It's 9" tall to the top of the chimney. I am including two battery-powered flicker tealights to make it homey inside. I forgot to add that these houses are made from papier mache...not real gingerbread!

I hope you will enter and make a place for my little house somewhere in your cosy Christmas home. If you are comfortable with it...please include your email address. If not...please check in next Wednesday to see if you've won.

My anniversary is this weekend and I want to use my "gratitudes" for the next few days to express how much I love my husband and the cute ways he makes my life happy. Today...it's silly I know...I am grateful for the yummy cheese and mushroom omelets he makes me for breakfast every morning. How did I get so lucky?

It's a Lovely Indian Summer Morning,

Collecting Santa Face Mugs and Pitchers!

2011-11-07T20:31:00.000-07:00

Here Comes Santa Claus!
I've posted this picture before...my newest set of Santa Face mugs. I cannot resist them...they are so much fun. This set of mugs if still in the box would sell for about $35. I got these for $4.

Holt-Howard...
During the 1950s, Holt-Howard started designing Santa Claus coffee mugs and pitchers. The company was started by John and Robert Howard and their friend, Grant Holt. They were college students at the time and started their company with a $9,000 loan from their families.

At first they focused on Christmas items, then branched into kitchen items as well. These mugs were so popular that they started creating coffee mugs for everyday use. They are now credited with pioneering the coffee mug as we know it today.

The mugs on the right are very small...only about two inches tall. I found them in a box of six. They are so cute!

Decorating with Mugs...
The picture on the left is from Country Sampler November 2004. I was already collecting the Santa mugs when this article came out, but I decided that I was going to:
1. Buy this sink...
2. Decorate just like this.

You can't see it in this picture, but I eventually got that sink! I'm probably the only person I know who would buy a sink just because it looks cute with Santa Mugs. I love this Santa pitcher the most, because it has red and white stripes.

More Mugs...

The handles of these mugs spell "Noel."

These pug-nosed mugs are newer, made in Taiwan by the Price Company.

Santa Pitchers...

This pitcher and matching mugs are made by Wales.

The red cold paint is flaking off these.

Cold paint isn't fired on.

These two pitchers have the jolliest faces of all.

This page of ideas from Country Sampler shows how versatile these little guys can be.

I've hung them from garlands and around my front door.

I've made them into gifts for my neighbors and friends.

I'm planning to make a wreath this year...if I get around to it.

They're Merry...

They're Bright...

And they're inexpensive!

If you come across their cute little faces...take them home.

I'm Thankful...
I wish to express how grateful I am to be a member of this blogging community. I never realized what a diverse and fascinating world it is. I have met so many new people through Zetta's Aprons...more than I ever expected. My fellow bloggers are delightful women who paint such charming scenes of their lives and the parts of the country they call home. Thank you for welcoming me to your neighborhood. I'll return the cookie plate when I've washed it...

Bless you all...

Tea Sets and Violets

2011-11-06T07:37:00.002-07:00

Memories of Mother
"Sweet Violets
Sweeter than the Roses
Covered all over from head to toe
Covered all over with Sweet Violets"

I cannot hear this song, or smell the sweet scent of violets without thinking of my mother. Violets were her special symbol, chosen when she was a young girl. They were her Young Women's flower and painted on delicate china cups and saucers stored lovingly in her cedar chest with her wedding gown and treasures.

She was like a violet herself then, small and delicate with the dark eyes of a fawn. I can see in my mind the sepia photograph of her as a lovely young girl of 12, gazing serenely into the camera's lens.

She was a pretty child and the darling of her family; the lone girl in a pack of boisterous brothers who alternately spoiled her or teased her mercilessly. And boy could they tease!

When I was very small, Mother gave into my care the remaining plates of a green Depression Glass tea set. This tea set had been her most cherished possession when she was pre-school age. One day, as she carefully carried her little dishes into the living room, one of her brothers sneaked up behind her and yelled in her ear. With an earsplitting crash, the little tea set was dashed to the floor. Tearfully, she gathered up the plates that remained unbroken. Somehow through the years, those plates survived. How they survived my childhood is another miracle.

I was about five years old when she gave them to me and told me how special they were to her. I am still amazed that she trusted me to care for them. True to my stewardship, I kept the little plates carefully wrapped in newspaper and stored in a small box. It was such a treat to occasionally unwrapped those treasures and imagine playing "tea party" with the pretty little girl from the Depression.

When Mother was a girl, Grandma and Grandpa made for her a wooden treasure box covered in pretty wallpaper that matched her bedroom. As the oldest granddaughter, I inherited that box. Inside were special dolls and toys that I kept at Grandma Patta's, safe from my boisterous brothers and sisters. Only I could play with the things in that box.

When I visited my grandparents I spent many sunny hours playing under a tree in the backyard, or on the upstairs landing on rainy days. My favorite game at the time was to imagine that my mother was still a little girl, just my age, and that we were friends. We played for hours, her in an old-fashioned dress from the 30's and me in shorts and a tee-shirt, reading old issues of Children's Friend and designing our dream houses with pictures cut from Better Homes and Gardens. Sometimes she watched me make Barbie clothes from the bag of sewing scraps that Grandma saved for me. She only watched...because Mom could not sew worth a lick!

My grown-up mom was not on friendly terms with her old sewing machine. Any sewing project made her so stressed-out that we kids used to hide whenever she put in a zipper! It's kind of funny, because her mother made beautiful gowns for antique porcelain dolls and I've made quilts most of my life. I guess some things skip a generation.

But she loved collecting dolls almost as much as Grandma Patta did. And the countless gifts of dolls from her children and grandchildren gave her a lot of pleasure. Especially during those last years...that endless stretch of time when she couldn't go out, but could only sit in her doll room surrounded by memories.

I have many warm memories of my mother, but I always like to think of her as the small girl whose unsteady little legs carried her and her tea set into Grandma's living room. And that memory is always accompanied by the scent of violets.

In Memory of Rhea Lee Gray Devey

April 7, 1935-November 6, 2006

I wish to acknowledge my sister Lisa, who designed the little memory pages. She made each of the sisters a beautiful miniature scrapbook. So much love and effort was put into them. I will always treasure mine.

I am grateful today for the love of my Father in Heaven.

"I am a child of God

And he has sent me here

Has given me an earthly home

With parents kind and dear..."

A Change in the Weather...A Change on the Front Porch!

2011-11-04T13:30:00.000-06:00

It had to happen eventually...
They say the weather is going to change for the worse this weekend. I can see the clouds already creeping in. I've enjoyed the seemingly endless sunny Autumn days, but I now I have had to bump up my front porch decorating schedule...much to the amusement of my neighbors. But who in their right minds wants to work outside in the freezing cold attempting to jolly up the place? Another rhetorical question.

I've used this wreath a few too many times. I may make a new one...but for now this looks good with the snowflakes and candy. I love how happy red and white makes me feel. I've mentioned it more than once today.

Warning! Kitsch Alert!
Now before you mock...let me direct you to the picture to the left. It's from the Sundance Catalog...the Robert Redford guide to all things cool. A quote: "So over-the-top tacky that he scores a 10 on the retro-hip coolness scale..." Now that you have dear Bob's word on it...I will show you my kitschy little collection.

My score on the retro-hip coolness scale must be Ginormous!

Bob will sell you one of his snowmen for $58. But wait...there's more!

If you buy 3 or more...they are only $48 each.

I know I never spent $48 for the whole collection.

I think $2 was the most expensive.

Evil Santa Clone Army on the March!

He's from Walmart...he doesn't count on the retro-hip coolness scale.

You remember those extremely cheap tacky plastic decorations?

I used to have them wired to wreaths...but have replaced them with giant candy pieces.

Okay...I admit to falling for Redford's siren song.

I bought him last year from the evil Christmas Catalog.

Apparently this guy sets "the holiday mood-ometer at over-the-top jolly..."

I sure hope I didn't pay $58...but I probably did.

He looks different this year...Bob must have found a newer, "greener" supplier.

Bless you Robert Redford for saving our planet!

(...and not including the lightbulb)

I may not sound like it, but I am thankful for Sundance. I live near the mouth of a canyon that if you follow the road...called "The Alpine Loop"...it will take you up over the mountain and down into another canyon. Sundance is located on the other side of the mountain. It's a beautiful resort and ski area. We love to eat at the Foundry Grill...outside on the patio by a little waterfall...then ride the ski lift to the top of the mountain.

It can snow now...Front Porch is done!

Collecting Vintage Christmas Ceramic Figures!

2011-11-03T07:37:00.001-06:00

Cheerful Christmas Ceramics...
When my husband built the new kitchen addition, he added this pretty built-in knick-knack shelf. The mirror in the back doubles my collection but can make it hard to get a photo.

I love cute vintage Christmas figurines. The shiny red and white catches my eye the minute I enter the store. Most of my little figures were from thrift stores. Some have chips and dings...but that doesn't matter to me...it's the cuteness that attracts me. I love turning the item over to find the "made in Japan" sticker. It used to signify something cheap, but to me it says "vintage" usually pre-60's. "Cheap" is the crappy resin that is being used today.

The one that started it all...
The cute little girl on the right is the very first figure I ever bought. I've had her for at least 20 years. She's not too small...about 7" tall. Most of my collection are Inarco, Napco, Joseph, Lefton, Holt Howard...to name a few.

Salt and Pepper Shakers...

Cutest Mr. and Mrs. ever!

More Mr. and Mrs. Claus

Santa's Boots

Santa's Boots were a popular theme.

Candle Holders...

Candle Holders. The little girls spell "Noel."

I have a few sets that are missing letters, but I still like them.

Sweet Little Noel Angels.

I gave my sister Patti a set where the little girls looked just like her.

Cute Children...

Singing Children and Girls with Gifts and Trees.

Novelties...

This Chunky Santa is about 7" tall.

His rough trim is called "flocking."

Two fun pieces.

When I bought the vase on the left I thought it was broken.

Look at the little reindeer...he's taken a bite out of it.

The deer shaker is kind of Deco looking.

Super fun D.I. purchase.

This cookie jar has three faces.

Under the lid is a wind-up music box that plays "Jingle Bells."

I never grow tired of looking for vintage ceramics. I don't think I've paid more than a few dollars for any of my treasures. Some were less than $1. I hope when you see a cute little orphan "pepper" who is missing his "salt," that you'll consider taking him home for Christmas.

I am thankful that my husband, children and grandchildren are happy and in good health.

I look forward to spending the holidays with them.

Have a Happy November Morning,

The Kitsch-iest Wreath in the West!

2011-11-01T07:18:00.000-06:00

Could It Be Any Tackier?
You know, it probably could. I spent the morning out in my craft workshop working on this wreath. It was already covered in vintage Christmas ornaments...I made it some years back after seeing one in Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion. But that was before my collection of kitschy doo-dads spun out of control. Today I threw out the old "less is more" adage and went for the overkill.

The picture on the right illustrates just how much crap you can glue and wire in a small space. I had closeups of other sections, but they didn't work out as well as I'd hoped. A few of the ornaments were ones my Grandma Patta put on her tree every year. There are a couple of wee stockings and two Disney Dwarves that were hers. I have it hanging on the inside of my kitchen door this year on a red wreath hanger that I polkie-dotted myself. The theme in the kitchen is going to be Peppermints and Polkadots to show off my vintage decorations. Goodbye, Gingerbread Man!

Update on Zetta's Cards...
You can see that I'm getting my supplies in order. I found another wooden organizer to paint...so now I have a new tool caddy. I printed my favorites of Zetta's cards, embellished them with glitter and glued them on to red rick-rack to make garlands for my office windows. It's still Halloween as I write, but my windows scream "CHRISTMAS!"

I added some buttons as well. I think they look cute, but something is missing.

Maybe I'll paint some wooden spools and make some kind of tassel on the ends of the greenery.

What I'm Thankful For Today...

My darling daughter Sascha, dressed as Sailor Moon, has been answering the door to Treat the Trickers. It's so cute how she compliments them on their costumes...and coaches them to say "Thank you." Isn't it a blessing to live in a place where our children can be a part of such fun traditions? When I hear their sweet voices piping "Trick or Treat!"...it makes me feel like a kid again. I kind of miss the little family Halloween parties we had...the chili and doughnuts after making the rounds of the neighborhood. But I'm content to be Grandma Shirley to a new crop of youngsters.

Bring on the Mistletoe and Boughs of Holly,

A Merry Scary Halloween!

2011-10-31T14:48:00.000-06:00

Halloween Greetings from Zetta's Aprons!

Sweet Kitty Alice!

"Soft Kitty, Warm Kitty,

Little Ball of Fur..."

The Real Kitty Alice!

"Evil Kitty, Hissy Fitty

Lucy-fur!"

Happy Halloween!

I am thankful for another glorious blue-sky day!

Vintage Christmas Cards Pt.2...Zetta's Cards!

2011-10-29T10:27:00.000-06:00

Zetta's Cards!
My dear little sister Lisa just wrote me to remind me that she had tucked a couple of CDs in a package she had sent me. On one of the discs was a collection of Christmas and other greeting cards that had belonged to Grandma Zetta. I had forgotten all about it. I was so excited to see how many adorable cards my sister had patiently scanned to send to me. This illustrates another thing for which I am grateful...that friends and loved ones will forgive me for my carelessness and forgetfulness. I don't mean to be inconsiderate, but I hope that when I catch myself I can make up for it somehow..

Thank you, Lisa, for these wonderful images!

I am posting just a few of my favorites.

This card says "For Jane." Jane is my aunt..my father's only sibling.

I can't help it...this kitten is just so precious I could cry.

I am so thankful for the blessing of family. My grandmother Zetta wasn't the sentimental type and yet she saved these cards. I don't know who sent them, but they meant enough to her to keep them and I am so grateful she did. I miss her so much today.

Autumn day

Bright and Gay

God gives richest gifts today...

Vintage Christmas Cards!

2011-10-28T20:55:00.001-06:00

Is It Time Yet?

I'm just itching to start putting away the Spookables and decking my halls with Boughs of Jolley. Until Tuesday morning at dark o'clock I have to amuse myself by getting my craft supplies stocked and ready. I was going to make two Christmas card garlands for my office windows, but I couldn't bear to glue the vintage cards to the rick-rack. So I've been scanning those cards into my computer. It's taken longer than I expected, because I keep playing with the cute little graphics that sometimes are included in the insides of the cards and even on the backs. I don't know why I didn't do this years ago. I could have been using the fun graphics in my crafts in addition to the bazillions of files I have already.

Cute Cards...

You might as well snag these little cuties...I would!

I love cards with windows or doors.

Windows open!

This snowman looks as sweet as his candy cane.

The inside is just as cute!

What's cuter than a kitten? Two kittens!

Sweet Little Miss (front of card)

Little Miss (back of card)

A Silly Miss! Reminds me of Olive Oyle.

A few of these cards came from one of my favorite thrifting finds ever.

Salesman's Card Sample Book...Winter of 1954.

$1 at D.I. in Ogden.

Talk about fun! It was filled with unused cards.

A Merry Snow Couple

Inside of Card

Beautiful Blue Bells

And finally...

Darling Santa Sample Card with Personalization

Even cuter on the inside!

That's all I was able to get done today! I had to take a break from some of my more manic crafting. Instead of cutting and pasting, I kidnapped my sister and forced her to go to 5 Guys Burgers and Fries. Later my hubby and I went to see that weird movie about the future where Justin Timberlake has a timeclock on his arm and he's out of time. Is it called "Out of Time?" I can't remember. Oh, well....

I just want to say how grateful I am for the times my husband George and I spend together. We like so many of the same things. He was my high school sweetie. He's a fun date and my best boyfriend ever!

Have a fun...not too frightening...Halloween Weekend!

Provident Living...Canning Butter for a Rainy Day!

2011-10-27T08:55:00.006-06:00

Guest Post...How to Bottle Butter!

My good friend Sheryl posted some wonderful information yesterday on her blog Larry and Sheryl Fowler's Fabulous Family. I have been wanting to can my own butter for shelf storage ever since I heard about it. Now Sheryl has posted the instructions and has graciously allowed me to repost them here! On her blog, Sheryl is writing to her children.

Sheryl Writes...

Dad [Larry] and I canned our own butter last year. Generally I freeze my butter or margarine, but that does take up quite a bit of room if you are trying to store for long term. Now I will have some margarine in the freezer, but butter on my fruitroom shelf.

Dad and I needed some butter last Sunday and rather than go to the store, I grabbed a jar off the shelf. I have found this is easy to do and would make a great family home evening and working on your food storage at the same time. NOTE: you need to use real butter, not margarine. I am going to try to grab some everytime I go to Costco for a while so I can stock it up.

How it Works...

Heat pint jars (without bands) in a 250 degree oven for 20 minutes. (A dripper pan works well for this.) One pound of butter slightly more than fills one pint jar, so if you melt 11 pounds of butter, heat 12 pint jars. While the jars are heating, melt the butter slowly (in a large kettle) until it comes to a slow boil. Using a large spatula, stir the bottom of the pot often to prevent scorching. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Place the jar lids in a small pot and bring to a boil, leaving to simmer until needed.

Stirring the melted butter from the bottom to the top with [the spatula and using] a measuring cup with spout and handle, pour the melted butter carefully into heated jars through a canning funnel. Leave 3/4" of head space in the jar.

Wipe the tops of the jars, then place on hot lids and screw on the bands tightly. Lids will seal as the jars cool. The butter will separate into three layers: foam, oil and milk solids. Once the lids "pop" and seal, shake the jars to mix your butter. Do this every 15 minutes or so, until the butter retains more consistency throughout the jar. (This may take up to an hour our longer.) When just slightly warm, move jars to the refrigerator for an hour.

Canned butter should store for 3 years or longer on a cool dark shelf. Note: It does not need to be refrigerated onceopened, if used within a reasonable amount of time.

Hope this is something you will do in your family to help with your food storage.

Love,

Mom

Thank you so much, Sheryl, for sharing this information. I know I will be stopping at Costco this weekend. Right now they have a much better price on butter than Walmart. If anyone knows where some killer butter deals are...please share!

It's a chilly Trix colored morning here in Highland.

The leaves are falling from the maples now.

I am so blessed to live in the shadow of these beautiful mountains.

Each season paints its colors on their foothills.

Aspens glinting golden below the granite crags are of more value to me than any jeweled crown.

My heritage lies at their feet and in their canyons.

I am grateful for the Wasatch.

Attitude of Gratitude...Sisters!

2011-10-26T07:54:00.001-06:00

30 Days of Gratitude...
As the Holiday Season approaches...and it is coming fast...I've been thinking about my life. Am I the person I thought I would grow up to be? Would my grandmothers be proud of me? Deep thoughts, I know.

Thanksgiving is 30 days away and I have decided to work on being thankful...and to express gratitude for the many blessings and talents that God has given me. For the next 30 days...and possibly more...I will write something I am thankful for somewhere in my post.

Today I spent the day with two of my sisters, Patti and Sandy. We went to Gardner Village for lunch and shopping. Gardner Village is a restored flour mill from the early days of Salt Lake City. The mill sits in the midst of a quaint rustic "village" of small renovated houses that are now craft and gift shops. It's especially fun around the holidays. The outing was an early birthday treat for Sandy. Needless to say we had a great time together. The only thing that would have made it better was if Lisa could have been with us. But she lives far away in the old Nevada mining town of Tonopah..."200 miles from anything", she says.

Sisters...

When I think of sisters, I think of the Haynes Sisters in "White Christmas" and the song they sing...

"Sisters, Sisters,

There were never such devoted sisters.

Never had to have a chaperone 'No, sir'

I'm there to keep my eye on her..."

Shirley

Unlike the Haynes Sisters, we weren't close as children. My little sisters were simply nuisances I endured. I was superior...in my mind...in age, beauty, and intellect. I am the oldest of the four Devey girls. Patti is 4 years younger than I, followed by Sandy at 5 years and our baby sister Lisa who is 10 years my junior. There were also two brothers in the mix, but this is a sister story. I chose pictures of us as grade schoolers. When I saw my sisters' sweet little faces, I wanted to weep for our lost childhood years. I wanted to go back and play with those little girls.

Patti

"Caring, Sharing

Every little thing that we are wearing

When a certain gentleman arrived from Rome

She wore the dress and I stayed home..."

One of the disadvantages of little sisters...especially my little sisters is they liked to "borrow" my things...especially my favorite "pristine" white kneesocks...which I wore in the mistaken belief that they made my skinny calves look fuller. I remember catching Sandy wearing a pair and chasing her outside...in her stocking feet...where she danced in the dirt and taunted me. Is nothing sacred?

Sandy

"All kinds of weather

We stick together

The same in the rain and sun

Two [four] diff'rent faces

But in tight places

We think and we act as one..."

Have you ever sat down with your family members to talk about old times and you start to tell a story of something that happened years ago...one of your siblings will inevitably say "It didn't happen like that...here is what I remember...?" We each see the events of our lives through an individual looking glass. I can be telling a story and Patti will say, "I remember that!" She doesn't realize that it may have taken place before she was born or when she was too small to have experienced it. But she does remember it...she's heard the story before!

Lisa

"Those who've seen us

Know that not a thing could come between us..."

That's where I'll stop the song. Things did come between us...marriages, financial circumstances...and in my case, an ocean. But like the tides are influenced by the pull of our moon's gravity, we as siblings are drawn to each other even as the years of our lives wane. I'm not saying that we are aging...but the years are surely speeding by.

The past few years since our mother passed away, we as sisters seem to be gravitating closer to each other. We need each other. Both of our brothers have died...our father feels their loss most keenly. He has remarried and travels a lot...taking those journeys that our mother's bad health prevented for so many years. One of the blessings of the Internet and social networking sites is that my sisters...especially Lisa...are only a few clicks away. I can have daily contact about their everyday lives. That's a good thing!

It is a blessing to reconnect with my sisters. I am so grateful for them.

A Project Completed At Last!

2011-10-24T08:12:00.000-06:00

Creative Breathing Inspired Card Frame...
I tried so hard to get a good photo of this cute little Christmas item. I wanted something to hang in my office to lift my pre-Christmas spirits. I saw a similar one on one of my (many) visits to Creative Breathing. Elizabeth is such an inspiration to me in many ways...not just creatively. I've grown to admire her spirit and the stories she shares about her family. I hope to share more of my own family stories in the future.

The little card frames are available in craft and scrapbook stores. It's quite small...only 12" square. Each little section measures 2.5" by 3.5". I believe they are used to display Tag Swap treasures. As a matter of fact, I am participating in Elizabeth's Christmas Tag Swap. I am having so much fun! It gives me a chance to be as creative as possible on a very small scale. I've noticed that many bloggers are hosting various card, tag and ornament swaps. What a fun way to connect with crafters all over the country! I'll be sure to post my tags after the Swap is over.

It's yet another beautiful morning in Highland.

It may freeze soon.

Until then, I will rejoice in the gold of Autumn!

This Week's Thrifting Finds!

2011-10-22T18:14:00.000-06:00

Christmas Finds...
I'm sharing this weeks thrifting with you because I hate to let the weekend go by without posting something. This week I've been to two D.I. thrift stores and an antique mall in SLC that I can never remember the name of...they keep changing it. I bought the fun wooden ornament at D.I. You can't see the roof, but it's polka dotted...yay! 50 cents! The two candy boxes were a steal at $3.50 each. They are pretty old...anywhere from the 30's to the 50's. My Christmas book didn't show this design.

I usually go to that antique mall before the holidays. I can usually find some vintage craft supplies like the Santa picks and angel package decorations on the right. I was told I was a little too early for the best selection. So I guess I'll be going back in a few weeks. I also picked up a couple of shabby Japanese houses. They were fixer-uppers that I'm going to turn into ornies for an ornament swap.

Bluebird of Happiness!
The best thing I found at the antique mall was the Lefton Bluebird pitcher. I had a small collection of bluebird items that I displayed on the windowsill of my downstairs kitchen. One dark day...tempted by a partially opened window...three very bad cats decided to make a run for it. Needless to say, only my cute reproductions survived. The beastly beasties were curiously unmoved by my sorrow.

This pretty little lady is so sweet! She is holding a laundry basket. Wouldn't she make the cutest pin cushion? Maybe I can find some fabric with little blue forget-me-nots. She was only 75 cents at D.I.

Another pink and pretty porcelain miss. She was also only 75 cents. I love it when the volunteers at the thrift store under-price things.

I found these German Easter baskets on the same shelf as the lady with the laundry basket. They were in almost perfect condition for 50 cents each.

This last find wasn't from an antique store or a thrift store. I bought it on Etsy. I love the shabby decals on the bottles. The seller only asked $16 for it. I can't wait to fill the jars with buttons and other odds and ends. I found a few more odds and ends on my quest, but these were the most interesting...I thought...of my treasures.

Keep looking for your own Bluebird of Happiness,

Provident Living...Adventures in Dry Pack Canning!

2011-10-21T08:00:00.000-06:00

150 lbs. of Sugar in 45 Minutes!
I've been trying to convince my neighbors and church ladies how easy it is to package bulk foods in #10 cans. So today I am going to show everyone just how simple it is.

We purchased 150 lbs. of sugar at Costco, joking about it being used as future currency when the country collapses. (If Glenn Beck says it...it must be so.) We plan to buy another 150 lbs. next week.

Lindon Home Storage Center
We went to the home storage center to get the cans, lids and boxes. We figure we will need 48 cans and lids and 8 boxes...each holds 6 cans. The friendly workers loaded them on a cart for us and we were on our way. So far, so good.

This is a dry pack canner for #10 cans, which hold about a gallon in volume. We have our own, but the Lindon Home Storage Center lends them out for no charge. They also sell bulk foods like sugar, wheat, beans, nonfat dry milk...several dozen different items. We bought the canner last year when we decided to help our married children with their emergency food storage. It's available to any of my neighbors, relatives and friends who want to use it. It waits patiently on a table in the downstairs kitchen.

Canning the Sugar...
George fills the cans. One 25 lb. bag of sugar fills 4 cans. Sugar doesn't require the use of an oxygen absorber, so it is the fastest and easiest item to package. After the cans are filled, the metal lids are put in place.

Our canner is manual, but there are also electric canners to use at the home storage center. The can is put onto the machine and with only a few turns of the wheel the can is sealed. Sugar will store for at least 30 years. We label and date the cans, then box them up and put them in the store room. I enjoy seeing the cases of different foods filling up the shelves. Another time we'll do a post on organizing a store room...it'll make me do a better job on mine.

Cannery Info for Highland 12th Ward...
The four cans on the right took less than 10 minutes to do. I know you have bags of bulk things sitting in your pantries needing to be packaged. Here are some things you should know.

The Lindon Home Storage Center is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
You can check out a canner, or do it at the center. No appointment is needed. First come, first served.
Canners checked out on Tuesday are returned Thursday...but if you check one out on Thursday, you can use it all weekend!
Most of the canners go out on Thursday.
If you are in the Highland 12th Ward (or one of my relatives) you can borrow my canner.
The address of the Lindon Home Storage Center is 940 W. Center Street in Lindon, Utah.
Phone is 801-785-0997
For bulk items pricing and ordering cans, you can print an order form at providentliving.org

Wasn't this fun and easy? Yes...it is a rhetorical question. Have another beautful Fall day!

All is safely gathered in,

Ere the Winter storms begin.

Getting Ready For Christmas Crafting!

2011-10-19T10:15:00.001-06:00

Get Ready...Get Set...
I've been waiting for Halloween to get over so I can begin readying the house for Christmas. A few of the crafty bloggers I read are already getting prepared for Christmas crafting. So I am shamelessly starting my preparations as well! The first thing to do is:
Take Inventory. I'm looking at my boxes (oh, so many of them!) of Christmas decor, craft supplies, fabric, etc, to remind myself why I need to get rid of a few things...to make room for new things. Isn't it fun to find those things you bought at those post Christmas sales...then forgot about?

Next...Go Thrifting!
I love to start the season by going to thrift stores and antique malls to look for vintage christmas items before the vendors do their displays and raise their prices. I found the four Santa mugs the other day for 99 cents each at Savers. I have a large collection of them, but they are fun to put on wreaths and around my doors on garlands. I've made neighbor gifts with them. I'll be doing a whole post on them later on.

Start Crafting!
Getting an early start on Christmas crafting gives me the luxury to make things for fun. I've already started on my neighbor and friend gifts...and I'm one of those annoying people who starts Christmas shopping in July. But the closer one gets to the holiday, the less time you get to craft for fun. Yesterday I made the funky little placecard holders to the left. They'll be used in a future post. I used vintage wooden spools and buttons. I inherited a huge box of wooden spools from Grandma Patta. They used them to make Barbie furniture.

The Christmas card organizer was a desk mail organizer I found at D.I. for $1. I painted it white and modge-podged vintage christmas images and some vintage stickers from my collection. I'll use it to organize some of my craft supplies.

Since I'm not one of those classy people who believes "less is more," I also decorated the back!

I'm going to be re-thinking my kitchen decor a bit this year. It has been a gingerbread theme. But this year I'm thinking about "Peppermints and Polka Dots!" to show off more of my vintage Christmas collection.

Have a Holly Jolly Crafting Season!

If you want you can wait until after "Trunk or Treat!" =D

Cute From Z to A!

2011-10-18T07:27:00.000-06:00

Fun From Z to A!
I promised myself, night before last, that if I got all my chores done before I went to bed, I could spend all day crafting something cute...but not necessarily useful. I had so much fun making the tiny aprons! Grandma Zetta would probably shake her head at the lack of practicality.

Creative Breathing
Someone who would understand is Elizabeth of Creative Breathing...after all her work was my inspiration. If you ever visited Elizabeth's blog you would have her in your "favorite places" within minutes. I go there whenever I want to escape to a peaceful place of fun and fantasy. I can be a child again...in Grandma Patta's doll room watching her make a gown for a china doll. Elizabeth creates for the joy of it...no practicality allowed.

These are a couple of close-ups of the letters. I used paper mache letters from Hobby Lobby. Vintage buttons were used, and cute blue bird graphics. The little aprons are on red and white striped string from a vintage package of Christmas card hangers. The tiny clothes pins were part of the kit.

Happy chaos when the Blue Birds come to visit!

May the Blue Bird of Happiness be with you today!

Provident Living...Freezable Foods!

2011-10-17T07:28:00.000-06:00

Freezable Foods...
Are you emulating the little squirrels, busily storing nuts for winter? We've been bottling food this fall, but I know a lot of you like to fill your freezers with the fruits of your labors. I came across a website called Simple Organized Living. Andrea, the author, has a list of freezable foods. She says, "While I don't claim to be a "Freezable Foods Expert", I have frozen more than my share of foods over the last few years; and I've taught classes on freezing, drying and canning. So with that said..."

Andrea's List...
She's personally had success freezing everything listed below:

1. Baked Goods.

Brownies and Cookies...resealable bags or storage containers.
Breads, Buns, Muffins and Rolls...double bag to prevent freezer burn and they should be fine for several months.
Cupcakes and Cakes...You can frost cakes before or after freezing, but if you use store-bought frosting, wait until you defrost the cake.
Granola...freeze in mason jars or zip-top bags.
Pies...freeze before baking.

2. Baking Supplies
"I freeze many of my baking supplies in shoe boxes in our freezer."

Chocolate..."I store all my baking chocolates in the freezer because I think they keep for much longer this way and taste fresher."
Nuts...Store nuts in the freezer to keep the oils from going rancid. She got this tip from Rachel Ray..."so it must be true!"

Flour and Sugar...I've frozen whole wheat flour, but never considered freezing sugar.

3. Dairy
Most dairy products should keep at least 6 months.

Butter/Margerine...just stick the whole package in the freezer. I date my butter so I can rotate it better.
Block Cheese...Remember to slice or shred before freezing or it may crumble.
Cream Cheese...it may be a bit "lumpy" after defrosting, but it stll tastes the same.
Milk...a good idea if you're leaving on vacation. Just remember to remove a cup of milk first, because it expands.

Yogurt...yogurt can be frozen for a delicious, healthy treat.

4. Fruits and Vegetables
Most of the following tips pertain to fruits. Andrea has put together a list of 20 vegetables and how to freeze them. Vegetable Freezing Chart Herbs can be frozen in ice-cube trays. Fruit: wash, dry and divide fruit into small portions...this makes it easy to grab what you need. Fruit should keep for up to a year if properly sealed.

All Fruits...You can pretty much freeze any fruit you plan to use in smoothies. It will probably be too soggy to just eat when defrosted.
Berries...Freeze all kinds of berries for pancakes and smoothies. Keep 2-cup containers of crushed berries for making jam, ice-cream toppings or for berry shortcake.
Bananas...peel your over-ripe bananas and put 4 in a bag or freezer container. Most recipes call for 3-5 bananas...so you're probably good with 4.
Jams and Jellies...the quickest and easiest way to make jam.

5. Meals
If you make double batches of your favorite foods, you'll always have something ready to defrost for busy days.

Soups, Stews and Broths...Divide these into 1 or 2 cup portions to defrost quicker.
Casseroles...you can freeze everything from lasagna, fajitas, enchiladas, chicken dishes and more. Just make sure the dishes are fully cooked before freezing.
Pasta Sauce...Freeze leftover pasta sauce and save for the next meal.

Meat...Freeze any meat, fresh or cooked. Just make sure it's properly sealed to prevent freezer burn. Andrea had a well-wrapped turkey in the freezer for 18 months and it was "delicious!"

A Blast of Cold Air From the Past!
Remember when the freezer would get so choked with frost that it looked like the picture on the left? Whenever I had to "defrost" the "Fridgidaire" the air would be blue with naughty cuss words. You had to pry everything out...if you could...and turn the knob to "defrost." What an exercise in misery! We tried to hurry the process with bowls of hot water...and a hammer and chisel!

I was still defrosting in the 80's. Do you mean to tell me I could have had a frost-free Westinghouse? Grandma Zetta's "Fridgidaire" (her term for all refrigerators) had only a tiny freezer compartment, about the size of a cereal box. She never froze her left-overs...she gave them to us!

Have a Frosty Freezy Day!

If you know any more tips for freezing food, please tell us in the Comments section!