Vintage Thingies Thursday: Overload And I Am Not Foolin'

Welcome to this weeks segment of Vintage Thingies Thursday. Thursday is the day to showcase your vintage treasures and to share your special things with everyone. If you are visiting and would like to join us, please do. It is very easy!
To participate, all you have to do is:

* * * * Please everyone, follow these guidelines!

(1) do a post about something vintage.
(2) Visit all the participates and leave a comment.
(3) Link in with the link at the bottom of this post, please use a perma-link to link in with, that way, anyone can refer back to your post if they can not get to it on Thursday.
(4) Be sure to refer back to my blog so everyone can see who is participating today, and if you like include the VTT button in your post. Please be sure to have your post up before linking in.

REMINDER: We have several new friends linking in for Vintage Thingie Thursday. I want to remind everyone that the link for VTT goes up on Wednesday evening and will run through Friday morning (early) then the link will be closed. I know it is hard to get in the habit of posting earlier than later, but try and get your link in before early Friday morning. I have to close the link to keep spam out of the link. Thanks!! And I know Wednesday is not Thursday, here...but it is Thursday for our friends who live on the other side of the globe!!

I know I am a bit late today, sorry about that folks, I have been busy, busy, busy today and just realized what time it was.....and I had not even started my post yet!

Then, I just remembered tomorrow is April Fools Day.....sorry, I was not fooling you into thinking I was not going to have a post up....Really!

Now, why have I been so busy? Well first off, this morning I decided to go visit a brand new Goodwill on the west side of town. Let's just say, it was one great shopping trip.

Just look at this stack of lovely dishes......the white ones are not vintage, but I had to have them. They were a dollar a piece. There were five white flower plates, and they just seemed perfect for spring and an Easter table setting. This is really a first for me, because I really only like and buy vintage dishes. But there is more to this story.

Take a look at this plate! I already had a buggy full of treasures, and was about to leave. However, I noticed the sales clerk was bringing out more goodies to stock on the shelves. I noticed he was setting a stack of dishes on one of the top shelves, so I quickly went to see what they were.....here are the beautiful dishes. My. Oh. My. I had to have them.

Now, I forgot my glasses this morning and I really could not see the marking. However, a little lady decided she wanted these too, and informed me that "Surely I was not going to by all of those dishes." I quickly informed her, " I surely was!" She wanted to know the mark, and I squinted at the back of the plate, and I kid you not, my breath caught in my throat. Once I told here what they were, she shook her head and said, "Someone did not know what they had....."
I could not say anything other than, I agree, and try and find room in my already crowded buggy to put these plates so they did not get broken!

The price of the 10 dinner plates were $1.50 each. The 5 dessert plates were $1.00 each.

And look how wonderful these look with my not so vintage white flower dishes....I am really loving this!!



According to Wiki, At the end of World War II, Japan was occupied by the Allied Powers, led by the United States with contributions also from Australia, India, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. This foreign presence marked the first time in its history that the island nation had been occupied by a foreign power.[1] The San Francisco Peace Treaty, signed on September 8, 1951, marked the end of the Allied occupation, and subsequent to its coming into force on April 28, 1952, Japan was once again an independent country.

Occupied Japan was printed on pottery, porcelain, toys, and other goods made during the American occupation of Japan after World War II, from 1945 to 1952. Collectors now search for these pieces. The items were made for export. These pieces marked Occupied Japan are very sought after and are very collectible in today's market.

Remember I told you my buggy was full?...I was not kidding....OVERLOAD! What a fun morning this was! I hope everyone has a great Easter weekend, enjoy your family and great food! See you next week!

Quick, Easy, Delish: Enchilada Casserole

With spring just at our doorsteps, I find myself wanting to stay outdoors and out of the kitchen as much as possible. But funny thing, my husband seems to like to spend time at the dinner table every evening....with a home cooked meal. Imagine that! This is a great dish that can be put together ahead of time, and then baked and served in a jiffy...not only is it easy, it is really good and tasty.


What you will need: 2 lbs. ground round, onion, taco sauce, cream of mushroom soup, enchilada sauce, 32 count of corn tortillas, cheese, sour cream.

First, slice and dice onion. Save about 1/4 for finishing off recipe.

Brown ground beef and onions in a large skillet. Drain off fat. You could use ground turkey instead of ground beef if you would like. It works well either way.

Don't forget to save some for the finishing part of this recipe...just save in a cute bowl or on the cutting board if you want.

While meat is browning, I cut off the edges of all the tortillas like so. This helps them sit better in the pan. Not necessary, but I like to do this. You can save the trimmed edges to add to eggs for breakfast or make tortilla strips for chicken tortilla soup.....save the good stuff...I'm all about that.

Once meat has been drained, add taco sauce, cream of mushroom soup and enchilada sauce and simmer for about 15-20 minutes.

I usually use the packaged cheese, but I also like to grate some colby jack or sharp cheddar to add to the cheese mixture. Just grate and leave in a bowl or a cute plate.

Layer as follows: A little bit of meat, tortillas, meat mixture, then cheese.

I use a thin layer of meat because for me, the more layers of corn tortillas, the better. Layer the meat as thick or as thin as to your liking.

I don't skimp on the cheese......but if you like, you certainly can....I just love the cheese.

Finish with a layer of tortillas, top with cheese and top with reserved onions. At this point, you can cover with foil and refrigerate until ready to bake. This works well if you need a dish to take somewhere and want to make it up ahead of time. Just pull out and bake when you are ready.

This is really so good and the best thing of all, it is so easy. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. Let sit for 10-15 minutes before cutting. This is a great dish to make ahead of time and take somewhere, it makes a lot, very filling and very good.

Top with sour cream and salsa.....serve with beans and rice, at least that is how we do it around here......would you like a bite???

Enchilada Casserole

Ingredients:
2 lbs. ground beef
1 onion chopped, reserve 1/4 for top
1 jar taco sauce (8 oz)
1 can cream of mushroom soup (10.75 oz)
1 can of enchilada sauce (19 oz.) { I used two smaller cans because I did not have a large, just watch ounces}
1 package corn tortillas (32 count or more)
4 cups of Mexican blend cheese - {I add sharp cheddar to mine} equals about 4 1/2 cups

How to:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook ground meat and onions together until brown, drain fat. Add taco sauce, soup, enchilada sauce and let simmer about 15-20 minutes. Cut tortillas if desired. Layer as follows: meat, tortillas, ground meat, cheese, repeat. Top with tortillas, cheese and onion. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. Let rest 10-15 minuted before cutting. Serve with sour cream and favorite salsa. Serves 8 - 10.

Enjoy!!

A Tale of Birthday Wishes

Last Sunday, was my Birthday, and as much as I would like the day to pass without much fanfare, sometimes it just does not happen like that. This year, was full of surprises, and some of the best gifts I have ever received....and I don't say that lightly. I don't measure a gift by monetary value, sometimes, it is the things that cost very little or no monies at all that mean the most. I want to write about how wonderful this year was so in case my mind fails me in the years to come, I won't forget......because for me, it has been that special.

I have never had a Birthday cake for my birthday that was my favorite flavor. Some years, there was no cake at all, and others there was a chocolate cake....because that is what most of my family prefers. I am a white cake kind of girl, and this year, my husband made me the most perfect white cake...I told him Cake Boss better watch out!! Seriously, my husband does not bake....a thing.....and well, this was most special. Every year I secretly wish for a white birthday cake, and this year...that is exactly what I got. I am still smiling at the thought behind my cake!

We all know about my computer issues and whining of late....well, my husband and kids decided enough was enough....they purchased a new computer for me, and well, if this is not fancy.....you can view two web pages at once....my blog and facebook....now, if I can only remember how to use it! This is way high-tech for my taste.....I was using a computer from the stone ages, my son says. If I had picked one out, I would have been so much more frugal, and tried to find something similar to what I had....but it is fast becoming a friend that I don't want to live without!! This year, being on facebook was extra special, with all the Birthday wishes from friends and family, it really made my day.

Lots of vintage goodies that have fast become a favorite of mine....look at these great needle cards...love.

These vintage hankies are waiting to be turned into a quilt. I just need to order the book on how to do this and I should be set after I buy a few more. Have you noticed how expensive these are now, seems like lots of folks are looking to buy these now.

This is the table set with my vintage tablecloth and dishes. It was a surprise when I got home from work, that my daughter and husband went to so much trouble.

But perhaps the best gift of all, was the story told to me by my friend....and of course it involves Goodwill. It also involves her daughter and shopping for my gift....it is such a delightful story, I don't want to ever forget how it made my heart smile....I hope you enjoy it as much as I did......

The week before my Birthday was Spring Break, and my friend and her daughter were planning their shopping trip that week. On their way home one afternoon, my friend tells her daughter she wants to stop in this store and look around.

Mom: "I have one more stop to make, I want to stop at this store and look around."

Daughter: looks around and frowns: "What store?"

Mom: "This Goodwill store....."

Daughter: " Huh????"

My friend pulls into the parking lot to park, all the while her daughter is looking around wondering what is going on......

Daughter: "Can I stay in the car?"

Mom: "No.......come with me, it won't take long."

Reluctantly, my friend's daughter gets out of the car and looks around the parking lot, eyeballing the potential Goodwill customers. Wondering just what exactly her mom is up to......


Daughter: "Mom, are we poor?"

Mom: "What did you say?"

Daughter: "Are we poor?"

Mom: "No, we aren't poor! I am here to look for treasures for Suzanne's Birthday."

Daughter: "Are you going to buy your friend a gift from Goodwill?!"

Mom: "Well, if I find a treasure I am."

This is about the time the daughter looks at her mom like she is crazy. Just as they were approaching the glass doors, the daughter turns to her mom and exclaims.....

Daughter: "Oh, my gosh, mom....are we really going in here?" Then once inside, very quickly, states, "Oh, my gosh, it smells...... OLD.....I can't breathe.......there is nothing in here, let's go."

My friend, bless her heart, was on a mission and tried to stay focused and not laugh at her daughter as she combed the isles of trinkets in the housewares department. She said she tried to remember markings and what types of things I had posted about on my blog.....she was intent on finding the perfect treasure. A gift she was sure I'd love.

In the middle of this treasure hunt, my friends young teenage daughter became the object of much unwanted attention by a group of....shall we say....latino young men. Oh, I remember those days when Alisha started noticing the stares from...shall we say.....latino young men. It does not matter that the young girl is pretty and that these young guys can not help but stare, even if it is a bit rude.....Those unwanted stares do make a young girl feel so uncomfortable...and throw in the fact the pretty girl is not comfortable combing the isles of Goodwill on top of it all. Let's just say, she told her mom, "it was time to go, that there was nothing there they were going to buy.....and they needed to go!"

My friend having drawn the conclusion that there were no treasures to be found this day, and while making their way to the door, she spots a sign that states that they sell gift certificates...and makes a statement to her daughter of that fact.

Daughter: "You are NOT going to buy your friend a gift certificate to Goodwill.....seriously.....what kind of a gift is that?"

Mom: As she is exiting the store this mom tells her daughter, "Well, I bet Suzanne would think that was a good gift."

And with that, they leave through the glass doors with a little faster pace then how they entered them just a short while ago.

Now, I have to tell you I laughed at this story of the gift shopping experience they had. I asked my friend, had they never been to Goodwill? Oh, she said they went to Goodwill to drop things off at the donation line, never to go inside. Never go inside???? unimaginable to me!

I was floored that they had never gone there to look around, to buy clothes for dress up days at school, just to go......my friend said, "no, we have not gone there..." I can not imagine that myself....but most of all.....I can not imagine what my friend's daughter must think about me.....I might be a little scary to her now! And let me remind you, this is the same friend I wrote about reconnecting with after all these years apart, so her sweet daughter really only knows me briefly......you get the picture!

And just to clear things up, (for my friend's daughters sake) I did get a gift certificate for my Birthday, and it has already been spent....Please, don't think I am scary!

Yes, I got some of the most amazing gifts this year, but the gift of laughter over this shopping outing, really tops it all. I smile every time I envision my friend walking into Goodwill, not knowing what to look for, but determined to find a treasure, only to leave empty handed and with a daughter wanting to run for her life......man, I tell ya'.....that is the good stuff.

I feel so blessed that so many people went to so much trouble to make my day special.....they certainly did make it most special. Thank you!

Do You Have It???

"It's spring fever. That's what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - Oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!"
~Mark Twain

Well....there you go....at least there is a name for wanting to play hookie from work, leave dirty laundry in the laundry room, dirty dishes in the sink, turn the other way when you see dust everywhere. Forget that you do not have a maid to do the housework.

I am glad to know it is not an illness that causes me to want to forget about all my responsibilities and dream of being in the bright sunshine, buy flowers for the beds and vegetables for the garden. I am glad there is a reason for me wanting to design a new flower bed that is bordered by vintage plates....yikes! For a minute there, I thought I was coming down with something....I guess I am.....Spring Fever!!! Yes, I have it in a bad way......What about you???

Vintage Thingies Thursday: History in a Tin Box

Welcome to this weeks segment of Vintage Thingies Thursday. Thursday is the day to showcase your vintage treasures and to share your special things with everyone. If you are visiting and would like to join us, please do. It is very easy!
To participate, all you have to do is:

* * * * Please everyone, follow these guidelines!

(1) do a post about something vintage.
(2) Visit all the participates and leave a comment.
(3) Link in with the link at the bottom of this post, please use a perma-link to link in with, that way, anyone can refer back to your post if they can not get to it on Thursday.
(4) Be sure to refer back to my blog so everyone can see who is participating today, and if you like include the VTT button in your post. Please be sure to have your post up before linking in.

REMINDER: We have several new friends linking in for Vintage Thingie Thursday. I want to remind everyone that the link for VTT goes up on Wednesday evening and will run through Friday morning (early) then the link will be closed. I know it is hard to get in the habit of posting earlier than later, but try and get your link in before early Friday morning. I have to close the link to keep spam out of the link. Thanks!! And I know Wednesday is not Thursday, here...but it is Thursday for our friends who live on the other side of the globe!!

A few weeks ago, I went to an estate sale, and as I was browsing the kitchen for dishes that I might need...ahem.....I noticed this little box in the kitchen cabinet. I was a little surprised it was still sitting on the shelf waiting for someone to take notice. I noticed, and I immediately loved the colors in this tin box.......



The graphics were just too cute for words....I picked this up, turned it over, glanced at the price sticker that said $3.00, and thought, this is a good buy, the box is so cute....but when I opened the lid, my breath caught in my throat and my heart skipped a beat........Oh, my....was all I could think of.......

One quick glance was all it took for me to know this had to come home with me. I am sure you are thinking that this is just a regular ole' recipe box, but I am here to tell you, that for me, it was so much more....you see, the lady who owned this box DATED all the recipes she added to the box. I was giddy over this little fact, just giddy.

Most of the recipes even have the name of the person she received the recipe from......and again....dated! Oh, joy!

I can only imagine, that these candy recipes must have really impressed the original owner. They are from the same lady, and have the same date....maybe she went to a Christmas party, or a gathering of friends or family. Maybe it was a pot luck party, and this was a must have recipe by one of the owners friends...yes, I have a wild imagination.....but it is possible.... If you stop and look closely you can see that things do have a history and a story to tell, even if it a made up story in my mind.....just sayin'

I'd say by the title alone on this candy recipe that it must be good, and dated 1945 at that.

Some are typed on recipe cards, others hand written, the ones I paid extra attention to are the very discolored ones...that tells me that these were used often and must be good if they were used and stained a lot....funny, to judge something by that on thing...but that is just how I am. When I look in vintage cookbooks, I always pay close attention to the pages that are the most discolored....that tells me something on that page has been made often...don't ask how I know that to be true....but true it is..... ahem......

Look at this one, it is dated on the back 1942.....no mention of whom she might have gotten this recipe from, but look at the use of "4x #2 Cans".....honestly, I don't even know what a #2 can is.....but this recipe makes me want to figure out what they are......and look, the card is a bit dirty....remember that is a good thing.....to me!

Finally, in the back of the box was a package of recipe cards, unused. How cute are these? And look at the price....Oh, I was so glad to find this package of cards.....so cute!

I myself, can not imagine why the family did not keep this box, it is packed with history, names and obviously, well loved recipes. It is a treasure trove of goodness to me and I have had a grand time reading the recipes in this box. Makes me wonder about the owner, and about her friends she got the recipes from. Makes me wonder if she did a lot of entertaining or just loved to cook for her family. I tell you, I could spin a tale around this one little box. A tale of a cook who loved being in the kitchen, and who preserved the history of her recipes in a little tin box.

If you noticed the napkin the box is sitting on, that too came from the same sale. There was only one, and it was stained. So I brought it home, soaked it and it is good as new.....they sorta go together well.....at least I think they do!!!

Have a great week and a wonderful Vintage Thingie Thursday!!! I am looking for sunshine around here, I am tired of the cold and rain! Hope you have great spring like weather where every you are this weekend.

Sneak Peak

I promised you I'd show you the quilting on my latest quilt.....here is a sneak peak of the quilting.

Love these 9-patches!

Here is a peak at the back of the quilt.


Another look at the front. I am working on adding the binding, then I will post one more picture. I'm sure you are thinking enough is enough!!