Little Vases

I was going through and cleaning out the storage part of my china cabinet and found many things I had forgotten about.  Out of sight, out of mind, it seems !! These two sweet little 4" tall Lefton bisque china vases were part of the collection on those shelves.  I'm not sure about the origin - I just know they were among my Mom's treasures in the colonnade cabinets in that big old farm house -- not antique, but, date back to the 70's or 80's.  I made room for them on one of the glass shelves -- I couldn't hide them back in the dark.

Antique Snuff Bottle

This antique Asian snuff bottle mysteriously showed up in my china cabinet !!  I don't know the history of the bottle, but, it is in perfect condition.  My brother had been here from Iowa for a visit.  A couple of weeks after he left, I was looking at the collection of things I have in that cabinet, saw this and wondered "what in the world is that" ?? Anyway, I gave him a call to thank him as I knew that was where it came from.  His response was "you just now seeing it"?  Donald is one to surprise a person every so often with his generosity.

One of Many

A dreaded job was finished today !!! I haven't cleaned all of the collectibles or the glass shelves and mirrored backs in my china cabinet in what seems like forever.  Fortunately, furniture and "knick-knacks in my house don't accumulate a lot of dust !!  While I was in the process, I took photos of items that still needed an explanation !!  Before I started cleaning, I thought I might not put everything back -- maybe even dispose of a few items !! That was a fleeting thought !!!  As I took each thing off the shelves, memories of why they were special took over.  There was no way anything was going into a charity box !!  This plate was one I purchased in 1979 on my first trip to Germany when you and Bob were in Heidelberg.   It is just a pretty collectible that I fell in love with when I saw it.  Back on the shelf it went !!

First Trip to Las Vegas

Going through some "old" things, I ran across this post card that I purchased when your Dad and I made our first trip to Las Vegas as tourists in 1971. What a great time we had !! The best thing for me was seeing Elvis Presley up close and personal on stage in the big showroom. Those were the days when you largely tipped the maitre' de to get a seat close to the stage. There was no assigned seating as there is this day and age. I don't know how much the tip was, your Dad would never tell me, but, there was one person at the table between me and the stage !! I wasn't lucky enough to get one of his scarves he threw into the audience, (Boo Hoo), but, I was happy just the same ! We also went to see Redd Foxx and Bobby Vinton who were in smaller show rooms there at the International Hilton. Our last night, I was bored with the slot machines so checked the box office and was able to get balcony seating to see Elvis a second time. Today, the hotel is known only as the Hilton and is twice, if not more, as large as it was then. The last time I was in their casino, the beautiful crystal chandeliers were still hanging. I guess I should take a drive down memory lane one day soon and see what is happening there these days.

Springtime at The Bellagio

Hilery and I made our seasonal trip to the Bellagio a couple of weeks ago and as always, the Conservatory was another beautiful display of flowers for the season, plus other attractions. The daffodils in the spring are always my most favorite of all the flowers. Hilery, always photogenic, struck this pose along the sidewalk lined with California poppies. Another lovely day of Gramma/Grand-daughter bonding !!!

Baking Bread

As I was FINALLY baking the pumpkin bread this morning that I usually make before Christmas, I realized this set of aluminum measuring spoons was almost as old as I am !!! They were a wedding shower gift, along with a set of aluminum measuring cups, a flour sifter and a set of mixing bowls back in 1958. These and one large red Pyrex bowl are all I have left. Through the years, bowls have gotten broken and and the measuring cups were replaced with Tupperware. The flour sifter ?? Not sure what happened to that. I wonder how many teaspoons and tablespoons of ingredients this set of spoons have measured in all these years !! Mmmmm -- pumpkin bread !!! I can smell it baking !! The recipe is one of my favorites to use any time of the year. It is from a dear friend that used to give me a loaf of hers at Christmas time. The spoons will go back into the kitchen drawer from whence they came !

A Ducky Welcoming Committee

These three ducks sit in my front entry way welcoming all who come to visit, each one having their own story to tell if you stop long enough to listen ! The multi-colored one once sat on a shelf in your G'ma and G'pa Johnson's basement family room. The ironwood one is super heavy and was purchased at a store in Naha, Okinawa. The brass one was another purchase while we were in Okinawa. It's back is hinged and opens to hold whatever one might like to put inside, although, originally meant to empty ashes into when emptying the ashtrays. I love my ducks !!