Salt Cellar

I didn't know this was a salt cellar until I saw one just like it in Eddie Ross' Etsy store. Of course, the one he has pictured doesn't have any chips !! The only thing I ever saw Mom use this for was as an ashtray when a smoker happened to be visiting in our home. It is actually in pretty good condition for the life it led !! It originally had little "feet" and a couple of those have broken off. It has been around as long as I can remember. This 2"x 2 1/2" piece has found a home in my china cabinet because it brings memories of my South Dakota uncles and their visits to our house when I was a kid.

Pressed Glass Pitcher

I picked this beauty up at an antique mall a few years back. If I remember right, I paid $18 for it, thinking that it was a fairly good buy. When I set the pitcher from the auction next to it on top of the refrigerator, you can certainly tell the difference in cut versus pressed glass !! When I was growing up and all those big meals were being served to farmers, relatives, or friends, a pitcher full of lemonade, iced tea or coffee, or water with ice, was always set on the table along with all the bowls and platters full of wonderful food. I think maybe I used to set a pitcher of iced tea on the table at meal time. Your Dad always loved his iced tea in the summer time !! Strange, how little things like that are something a person forgets about or doesn't think about. Then, some memory button is pushed and it seems almost as plain as if it happened yesterday !!!

ATC Storage

Why did I have just a lid to a box ?? Who knows why we keep particular things and not others ? I went through the box of scrap papers and covered the box lid, inside and out. It was the perfect size for storing the ATC's that I have created while following the techniques in Bernie Berlin's book, "Artist Trading Card Workshop". Some of my cards, I really love -- some, I am not so proud of, but, they are all good to refer back to when I need some inspiration.

Hoover Dam Tour

I have visitors in town from Iowa. They have a "time share" so have a really nice place to stay for the week. Wayne and Dawn have never been to Las Vegas, so first-timers must always make a trip to see Hoover Dam which is about 35 miles south of the city. I hadn't been there in many years, so it was time for me to see it again, too. A new road and bridge is in the process of being built, where eventually, driving across the top of the dam will be limited. The white "bathtub ring" on the mountain side in the background is a sign of how low the water level of Lake Mead has dropped. A new visitor center has been built since I was last there and the tour prices have increased. All in all, it was a good day -- look at the beautiful blue of the sky !!

Another Auction Buy

Did I say I found my Saturday pastime ? This past Saturday, I again went to the auction house for their weekly sale. This time, my friend, Sharon went with me and she is "hooked", too. Next week, our mutual friend, Lana, wants to go along. There are still a few pieces left from Willa's estate that have yet to be auctioned and a couple of those pieces, I would like to have. This week, I purchased this 9" tall, cut glass pitcher - I believe it is probably Waterford crystal, although I am no expert in that field. It is certainly a beauty and I could not believe my bid of $7.50 was the winning bid. Hopefully, next week, no one will want that vase that I have my eye on !!

Birthday Gifts

Today is my birthday and as usually happens, I get to have more than one party. Between family and friends, celebrations happen all week long. Special thanks to my creative girls, you, Tamera, (and Bob) for this LOVELY quilted heart (and the punch and stamps), and, Hilery, (and Adem) my dear grand-daughter, for the altered mini-jar with "fun money" inside. I have art hanging in my computer cubicle, so the heart will find a home there. My friend, Sharon and I, attended the auction yesterday. On my way home, I stopped to play my favorite poker machine with my "fun money" and luck was with me a little bit !! The $20 is now $200, so now, I have even more fun money !!! Thursday evening, the family treated me to dinner at Memphis Barbecue -- tonight, my girlfriends are treating me to Italian fare at a restaurant that overlooks the city. I will see if I can figure out something more to do in the next few days to continue my celebration. Please, just no one remind me of how old I am !!!

Lottie's China

This is a dinner plate from the set of china we inherited from your Great G'ma Lottie. The pattern is called Harvest Gold and is by Sango of Japan. I could not find any history on this company, but, found many of their items for sale. From what I recall, this set of dishes was purchased a few pieces at a time as a grocery store premium. I haven't seen this kind of offer in a number of years, but, grocers used to offer dinnerware, pots and pans, and other kitchen items at premium prices when you shopped with them. This is a lovely set that she used every day. It was used at the first meal I ever had in her home before I became part of the family in 1958, so it is well over 50 years old. There are more than 12 pieces of each dinnerware piece, plus several different serving pieces and accessories. I used the dinnerware for special occasions only, for many years, but, now have it in the kitchen cabinets for everyday use. A fairly simple design, but, elegant and always a reminder of golden times !!