Vintage Thingie Thursday: Happy Thanksgiving Greetings

Welcome everyone to Vintage Thingies Thursday

If you have a love for vintage things, well....you have come to the right place. We have a really good time each and every week!!!
If you are new to this party, please take the time to read and follow the instructions for participating in Vintage Thingies Thursday, click HERE. I try and keep things fairly simple, so please make sure you follow the instructions. Please only ONE link per week. Lastly, if you link in, LINK back to my blog, so everyone can see all of the vintage goodies on display that day. If you don't link back here, they won't know who to visit......thanks so much.

This week, I have a couple of vintage post cards and greeting cards to wish you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving.

Wherever the road leads you on Thanksgiving, I hope you have safe travels! It is a good day at my house, all my kids are home and under one roof...it has been way too long in my honest opinion. Blessings. They are abundant.

I hope you enjoy good food and lots of family or friends to share your day with. I know at my house...my four doxies are hoping for someone to spill something on the floor so they can clean it right up!

Have a great holiday, and make it a great day no matter what you find yourself doing. Happy Vintage Thingie Thursday.

Kicked Up Potato Soup ~ Zuppa Toscana

Cold weather calls for warm food! I don't know if you saw this recipe floating around facebook last week. It did catch my attention as I love a good potato soup. I have a staple potato soup recipe and I love that version a lot, but thought since this recipe is made in the crock-pot, I'd give it a try.

But, Sunday, I decided to try my hand with the soup recipe I had seen on facebook. I tweaked the original recipe a bit to add a bit more flavor to the soup. The one thing I loved about this recipe is the fact it can be made in the crock-pot and that makes for an easy dinner with little work. I tried to find the original source for this recipe, but every link I clicked took me to a page that shared the recipe. So....if this is your original recipe, just let me know and I will be happy to give you credit.

Zuppa Toscana ~  KICKED UP POTATO SOUP

1 lb. Italian sausages (Mild or spicy)
4-6 russet potatoes, chopped ( I left skins on)
1 onion, chopped
1/4 c. REAL bacon pieces (optional)
2 Tbsp minced garlic (about 3-4 cloves)
32 oz. chicken broth
1 c. kale chopped
1 c. heavy whipping cream
2 Tbsp flour
1/2 Tablespoon Fresh Thyme

1. Brown sausage links in a sauté pan
2. Cut links in half lengthwise, then cut slices.
3. Place sausage, chicken broth, garlic, potatoes and onion in slow cooker. Add just enough water to cover the vegetables and meat.
4. Cook on high 3-4 hours (low 5-6 hours) until potatoes are soft.

30 minutes before serving:
5. Mix flour into cream removing lumps.
6. Add cream, bacon bits, fresh thyme and kale to the crock pot, stir.
7. Cook on high 30 minutes or until broth thickens slightly.
8. Add salt, pepper, and cayenne to taste.

Make yourself a batch of cornbread cooked in an iron skillet and supper is served! This was really good and very easy to make. I love the sausage in this soup, and the bacon is a nice touch too. The soup is flavorful, but not too overpowering. I will be making this one again, it is good and makes a great tasteful, filling meal.

You could use turkey sausage instead of the Italian sausage, or vegetarian sausage and leave out the bacon. You possibly could substitute vegetable broth in place of the chicken broth if you wanted to do that, I don't think it would make that much difference in the taste.

Vintage Thingie Thursday: Vintage Inspired Toys ~ Christmas Gifts From Marshall's

Welcome everyone to Vintage Thingies Thursday

If you have a love for vintage things, well....you have come to the right place. We have a really good time each and every week!!!
If you are new to this party, please take the time to read and follow the instructions for participating in Vintage Thingies Thursday, click HERE. I try and keep things fairly simple, so please make sure you follow the instructions. Please only ONE link per week. Lastly, if you link in, LINK back to my blog, so everyone can see all of the vintage goodies on display that day. If you don't link back here, they won't know who to visit......thanks so much.

Okay, folks, I know I have just skipped all the way over Thanksgiving and went straight to Christmas this year. Guess I have joined the retail world in that regards. I will tell you however, on facebook, I am doing the 30 day challenge of posting once a day something I am thankful for, so I really did not skip Thanksgiving all together, just here on the blog!

Anyway, I wanted to share these great vintage inspired toys that are at our local Marshall's. I love that store. Marshall's always has cute and unique things for any gift giving occasion. Along with some awesome vintage inspired Christmas decor this year, they also have some neat toys this year.

Look at this cute Balloon kit...love the packaging! As a kid, I know I would have been intrigued by this toy, but I have always been a little scared of balloons popping. But I know as a kid, I would have wanted to learn to make these figures....heck, I wish I knew how today at my age!

All of these toys are from Lucky Lad, and this magic trick would totally been right up my alley. I always loved magic tricks. I asked for a magic trick set one  year for Christmas, and I know I got one and wonder if it was something like this one. You know why I was so interested in a magic trick set??

Okay, I will tell you.....my family was invited to dinner once to my dad's bosses house. Of course we were lectured on how to act, mind your manners and all that spill we  remember well our parents saying from our childhoods. My dad's philosophy was "Children are meant to be seen and not heard"  Seriously, I wish I had a dollar for every time I heard that. 

Anyway.....after dinner and before we were to leave, the boss's daughter, who was maybe my age had a table set up and she put on a magic show. The thing that stuck with me the most was my dad sat there even after he announced we were leaving, he laughed, he acted engaged and he acted like he really enjoyed that magic show. I took note of that because if it had been myself wanting to put on a magic show, it would have never happened. I was too young to realize at the time he did not really care about seeing that magic show at all. Instead, he was putting on a show for his boss, forty five years later it makes sense.

Likewise, I did get a magic set that year for Christmas, but the only ones who enjoyed the  magic show I desperately wanted to preform, were my stuffed animals. Dad never had the time to see that magic show I wanted to give. Mainly, because there were no bosses to impress at our house....he was the boss. It's sorta strange what triggers memories....this silly magic trick toy brought that to the front of my mind today as I touched the box sitting on the shelf. It was strange that after all this time, the memory still brought a sting of disappointment.

Anyway, moving right along, I also had Jacks....but the jacks I had came in little packages that were displayed on spinning display racks at the corner grocery store. I know that because my memaw bought many a Jacks set for me from the corner store. I love the box these came in.

Look at the adorable box these magic rings come in! I am thinking these would be so cute underneath a little tree. I have decided I won't buy them for myself, but I have been tempted as I thought about these today after seeing them.

Joke books were also something I enjoyed as a young kid. These practical joke gadgets are things I know I had at one time in my childhood. I remember the nail in the finger most of all!

If there is someone on your Christmas list who enjoys these types of toys, these really bring back a lot of memories...some good, some not so good, but memories of long ago just the same! I think they would make great stocking stuffers!

Happy Vintage Thingie Thursday......and in case you are wondering....Marshall's only knows me for handing over wads of cash...nothing more! I just wanted to share these today, I thought they were really a blast from the past.

I Have Always Loved KMart.......Check out their Christmas Ad for Joe Boxer ~ Show Your Joe

We don't have a Kmart in our area anymore.......

My husband and I always talk about the fact we hate that there is not a Kmart close to us here in Ft. Worth. We miss shopping there at times.

When we went to Colorado a couple of weekends ago, we made it a point to stop into the local Kmart in Loveland Colorado. It was just like the Kmart that used to be close to us and we had a good time going down memory lane and when the kids were small, as we walked down the isles.

This Christmas ad for Joe Boxer is just what I needed to put a smile on my face this morning! Very clever indeed Kmart......go ahead, turn your speakers up and enjoy a little Christmas music......Joe Boxer Style!!

Vintage Thingie Thursday: Vintage Treasures....of Various Sorts

Welcome everyone to Vintage Thingies Thursday

If you have a love for vintage things, well....you have come to the right place. We have a really good time each and every week!!!
If you are new to this party, please take the time to read and follow the instructions for participating in Vintage Thingies Thursday, click HERE. I try and keep things fairly simple, so please make sure you follow the instructions. Please only ONE link per week. Lastly, if you link in, LINK back to my blog, so everyone can see all of the vintage goodies on display that day. If you don't link back here, they won't know who to visit......thanks so much.

I found a cute little tea towel not long ago and I love the feel of a french market this one has! I really can't claim to know much about this type of vintage linens, but I do know enough to know I think it is really cute!

Here is a close up of the street market on the towel, and if you look closely, you will notice the first name of the maker.......yes.....Suzanne......another plus!!

This week was Veteran's Day, and I posted a picture of my favorite Veteran, my grandfather with my grandmother on facebook. My grandfather was in the army during WWII and this photo is a very young papaw and memaw.  

The most extraordinary thing happened after I posted this photo. One of my memaw's nieces, whom I am friends with on facebook, tagged herself in this photo. I got a message from a second cousin of mine, her grandmother was my grandmother's sister, and I remember her will from childhood, she had seen the photo. Come to find out, she lives right down the road, nearby from where I live and I am thinking a reunion of all of the relatives living in the area is a must. I have discovered there are some living less than 15 miles from me and most likely have been all along. The internet is really a wonderful tool....and finding lost connections is really amazing.

Happy Vintage Thingie Thursday everyone!! Hope your week is going great and all is well in your neck of the woods!!

Information on Another Fun Swap......Christmas Ornament Swap

Hey everyone....I wanted to give you all a heads up on another fun swap hosted by Sue, from It's a Very Cherry World. She is hosting an ornament swap, and her information and rules are pretty simple and not so ridged like my swap...ahem.

I have never participated in one of these ornament swaps, and wondered just how "cute" my ornament would be, but I decided I'd participate and stretch my abilities a bit and produce a cute ornament for my partner. This should be fun and I don't want to miss out!!

Think about it...and it this sounds appealing....stop by and sign up. Believe me...if I can make one...so can you!

Vintage Thingie Thursday: Vintage Christmas Bulb Wreath

Welcome everyone to Vintage Thingies Thursday

If you have a love for vintage things, well....you have come to the right place. We have a really good time each and every week!!!
If you are new to this party, please take the time to read and follow the instructions for participating in Vintage Thingies Thursday, click HERE. I try and keep things fairly simple, so please make sure you follow the instructions. Please only ONE link per week. Lastly, if you link in, LINK back to my blog, so everyone can see all of the vintage goodies on display that day. If you don't link back here, they won't know who to visit......thanks so much.

I have tons of things to blog about....but no time to get the pictures edited and on a blog post....and it is time for Vintage Thingie Thursday again .....and well, I had to scramble for something this week.

This is a wreath I want to try and make hopefully this year. I found the image on  pinterest, but could not follow the link to the original post. Am I the only one that has that problem with pinterest?

I am on the look out for more of these types of vintage bulbs. I remember my mom and grandma had worlds of these and how I wish I had them now....I have found a few when out and about looking at thrift stores and estate sales, but not nearly enough to make one of these beautiful wreaths.....but after all, the real fun is in the hunt..right??

Have a Happy Vintage Thingie Thursday!!

Secret Santa Soiree ~ I've Made The List.....And Checked It Twice......No....Four Times...............

I am happy to report, everyone has been swapped. I have compiled all the emails, checked them four times for accuracy....AND......they will be in your INBOX today. The number in the subject matter of the email was for my purposes only, it kept it a bit easier when checking and triple checking!

Please remember to REPLY back to me on that email, that way I know you received your information.

** Side note, when I checked and double checked my work, I happened to notice some swappers are paired up with folks very different from themselves. It happens like that because I truly RANDOMLY assign partners. It is a wonderful way to get to know someone new, and someone different from yourselves. It really is fun to think outside the box on someone very different from yourself. I HOPE you all have a wonderful time shopping for your partner. IF you need any additional help, or questions answered from the person you are assigned, just email me and I will be happy to ask the questions for you and let you know. Do not email your partner directly. Let's keep it all a secret until the reveal in December.

*** Remember, THE PERSON who has YOUR name....IS NOT the person assigned to you. Please shop for your partner as you would want someone shopping for you.

Lastly, International swappers.....I tried to swap you within your country, if that was not possible, I tried to swap you with someone who was not on the other side of the globe as to try and keep shipping cost down for you all. I hope that works out well for all of you! I am so glad so many international swappers joined in this year. 

*****Once you ship, send me your tracking information (international will be a bit different)

*****Blog about your gifts when you receive them, and email me when your blog post is up!

Now.....go check your emails.....and have a great time!

Secret Santa Soiree - I need your help.....

Please check your emails this morning, I am TRYING to finish up all my emails about the swap and your partner information.

For some reason, I am missing address for some of you. Some of you, your links are not working to your blogs on the main link. I have emailed the ones this morning that I am missing address, or need the correct link to your blog.

I know this may sound redundant, but it is so confusing trying to match up names, blog names and addresses when all three don't always match.....

Hang in there a bit longer....I am almost ready to TRIPLE check everything before sending....I try so HARD not to make any mistakes, but it always seems like there is a snafu each year.....

Thanks guys!!

Secret Santa Soiree - Update

Good news! I have everyone swapped and I am in the process now, of drafting up all the emails to send out. I was lucky enough to get this all done this weekend while on an airplane. So when I say.....everyone was assigned randomly, that is truly what I mean. I had everyone written on a sheet of paper, and swapped by luck of the draw. I did manage to check my past list to make sure you all would not have the same swap partner twice. That was more of a daunting task than I could have imagined, but alas, it is done.

Please READ the email in its entirety when you get it. You will need to hit REPLY to that email and send it to me. That will let me know you received your swap partner information. If I don't get that reply back from you.....I will bug you until I know you received your information!

If you have a partner that is not in the same country as you, please, PLEASE try and send your package off as soon as you possibly can. Many countries mail flow backs up tremendously during the holidays and can take up to six weeks or longer to get a package to someone. I know this because the first year, one swapper did not get their gifts until Valentines day.....and the package was mailed at the deadline, not earlier. International mailings need more time, that is just the way it is.

You will need to spend at least $20.00 but you can spend more on your swap person, not including shipping. Shop with much thought and kindness. With a little creativity, you'd be amazed at the wonderful packages that are sent each year by our swappers. It is a wonderful feeling to bring a little joy to someone you may otherwise never have met.

***If after reading your email and you still have some questions about your swap partner, please email me your questions, and I will do the investigating for you so your partner does not know who you are...remember this is a surprise!! Don't tell your partner who you are. They will find out in December when I post the list of who had who. Likewise, when you mail your package, you do not have to include your real name in the return address label. You can use initials, but do include your real address. I usually do something like this....

From: Santa's Elf
**9 Winnie St
Ft. Worth, Tx *****

I am still waiting on a couple of questionnaires to be forwarded to me, once I get those and I finish up the email bundle, I will email all the swappers their information......it should be within a couple of days!

I hope you are getting excited!! I am.......it is a lot of fun for me to watch how this unfolds each year!!

Secret Santa Soiree - Huge Thank You!!

The swap will close this evening.....I left it up just one more day.....just in case someone missed it.....I know I said I would not do that, but......I am.........someone ALWAYS emails me after it is closed and wants to join.......and that makes me feel bad to turn them away.  Go HERE to sign up if you have not done so.

I wanted to give a HUGE thank you to everyone who signed up.....you guys really did a fantastic job getting me all the returned emails with your questionnaires filled out and right on time. I think some of the errors were not on you guys part at all, but for some reason some of your emails went into my old email address and I found them last night. :-)

Everyone who has signed up has everything back to me I need!! THANK YOU ALL AGAIN.....makes it so much easier for me!

I know you are wondering....when will I know who my swap person is????

I will work on swapping everyone this weekend. I have the records from the previous two years still, and I want to make sure everyone is swapped with someone different than the past. That is a huge part of what this swap is about, meeting someone new and someone you may not know. I don't know exactly how much more work that will be....but I will have everyone swapped by the 7th of November. My goal is BEFORE that....possibly in a couple of days.

Watch here and I will have a post up when I have emailed everyone's information about their person!!

Have a great weekend......and thanks again for keeping this so easy for me this year!