Wee Furniture for the Wee Folks

I chanced upon an estate sale a few weeks ago, of course, my van took over and drove down the street to the sale. I have been looking for a small table for my grandbabies, so they could eat or craft or color at their level. All the table sets that I have seen either are too cheaply built or just not appealing or too pricey for my pocketbook. However, I found several pieces of furniture for the grandbabies at this sale!

1. A very sturdy red round table, which I added the three vintage metal child size folding chairs I had already purchase at a yard sale last year. $8.00
2. A 60s vintage wooden doll highchair. $5.00
3. A 60s vintage white doll cradle. $5.00
4. A 60’s vintage green mod chair. $2.00
5. A vintage woven basket with lid. $1.00

Wee Folk Furniture

 

Vintage Doll Cradle

Recently purchased a scrap of pink quilted material (.25 cents) which I will use to make a doll quilt for the cradle. I plan on making a tie-quilt mattress and a pillow, maybe using pink flannel.

Pink Quilted Scrap

I purchased 4 $1.00 coloring books and a plastic pencil case for crayons and markers to put into the woven basket.

Coloring Book & Crayons Storage Basket

 $21.00 bought quite a few treasures for the grandbabies! Compared to the price and quality of new children’s furniture that I could have purchased, these things were fantastic bargains. I know that many of you have thrifted pieces of child’s furniture, etc. and fashioned children’s play space so leave a comment with a link to the great ideas.

 

1960s Mod Chair

 

Old Junque Art Gardening

Hen & Chicks in Old Enamel Pot

I love using old pieces of the past in my gardening. I often plant perennial succulents or annuals in old chipped enameled pieces. Be sure and punch a few holes in the bottom before planting or the rain can stand in the pots and cause rotting to occur. Sometimes you can use a big nail and hammer or use a drill with a sharp drill bit to punch holes, this depends upon the condition of the enameled pot.  These old enamel pots and pans can be found in flea markets, antique stores or yard sales. The price can range from WOW to very cheap (a $1 per pot), just shop for those bargains. Gardening Notes: 1. Keep moist in winter. 2. If the temperature drops 20 degrees or below put the pots in a protected place, like a garage or shed.

Perennial Succulent in Green/Beige Enamel Pot

I look for unusual items to place in my landscape to add interest and detail. In my new butterfly garden  I put a vintage hand driven cultivator and a red and white enamel dish pan. The cultivator adds some ambiance from the past and provides for a trellis for the recent planted Passion Vine. The dish pan provides water for the birds and butterflies, it needs a unique rock or something for the butterflies to land on to drink.

Butterfly Garden with Cultivator and Dish Pan

Old rusty iron pieces have a special appeal to me, the bits and pieces remind me of days gone by when they were used by the farmer out in the field or by the farmers wife in the milk house. I have combined a rusty piece (milk separator??) with a vintage tin watering can; both pieces have drought resistant annuals planted in them because of the intense heat of Oklahoma Summers. The rusty planter displays bright pink rose moss and the tin watering can displays multi-colored periwinkles (vinca minor); both are heat and drought tolerant.

My Junque Art

Old junque art pieces not only add interest to a garden but it also recycles odd bits and pieces that would otherwise end in the trash pile. Our small towns have an abundance of junque art in the yards and gardens. I love to drive around and look at all the ingenuity of fellow gardeners. What a great one day trip! Just go to small towns and look for junque art, take pictures and enjoy lunch at a restaurant with local cuisine. I might just have to take a day trip soon! I know that there are many of you out there that also have found unique pieces of junque art and have used the great finds in creative ways. Please comment and leave a link so we can all share in this joy of junking.

Rose Moss

Multi-Color Periwinkle

My Passion for Coffee and Starbucks!

While it is not my usual spendthrift self to spend $5.00 on a cup of coffee, I do love Starbucks! Occasionally, I treat myself to a $5.00 mixed cup of java of the gods, but usually it is just a venti cup of the regular joe. Right now I am sitting in the local Starbucks writing this post and enjoying a lemon tart (Can I hear an amen!) and a venti pikes peak blend. Huge corporations are mostly evil in my view of a perfect world, not all, however, Starbucks seems to be trying to buck the norm. One of the things Starbuck’s offer is big sacks of FREE coffee grounds, which by the way are great for your soil. I try to pick up a sack every week. The bags at my local Starbucks are located by the pick-up area in a bronze bucket. This is great recycling of what comes from the earth going back to the earth.

Lemon Tart

 On May 11, 2009, Starbucks announced a comprehensive summit to attain their goal of 100% recyclable of all their single-use cup by 2012 in all the communities where the stores are located. There are many other environmental aspects to Starbucks vision, visit their site:

http://starbucks.com/sharedplanet/

Local Starbucks

BTW, Starbucks have not endorsed my blog or given me money to advertise for them. However, if someone from Starbucks reads this blog entry and wants to send a few coupons my way, that’s okay with me!  I am just trying to share a little of my passion for coffee!! Often when it is my turn to take and pick up Alex at her pre-school, which is twenty miles one way from my house, I spend a couple of hours at Starbucks on the computer. I use the Wi-Fi there to blog, write, answer email, ebaying, etc.

See everyone at Starbucks soon! Until then have a blessed week.

Love Those Great Old Classic Movies? I do!

You do not have to have Netflix to watch movies online, although, I do lub my Netflix! I watch many of the classic movies on two fantastic FREE sites.

http:/classiccinemaonline.com

This site has a huge number of every genre of movie, such as family, comedy, drama, and of course my two favorites, horror and sci-fi. I like both old and new sci-fi, however, I rarely like the newer horror movies. I think the newer horror movies take the genre it to a whole new level of sadistic evil horror. The older horror movies are great entertainment without all the gross dark nature of human beings. Wonder what that says for our society!?

Our reality is so scary that our nightmares have to be scarier. A great topic for a Ph.D Candidate’s thesis.

Anyhow, back to those great classics.

http://monsterpiecetheater.blogspot.com

This site shows many of the monster/alien oldies but goodies.

Last Friday night my husband and I were watching the new “The Day the Earth Stood Still”. During one scene, I said “Don’t they realize that our weapons wouldn’t hurt such an advance alien race weapons!”, my husband replied, “Yeah, didn’t they watch the 1950’s movie!”  We had a good laugh over that one!

Hope you enjoy the movies.

(Jiffy Mix) Corn Casserole

Beat Eggs First

Jiffy Mix Corn Casserole

1. 1 Can whole kernal corn, drained
2. 1 can creaned corn2 eggs, beaten
3. 1 box of jiffy corn muffin mix (I use Aldi’s corn muffin mix)
4. 1 stick butter, melted
5. 1 cup sour cream
6. 1 small can of green chilies
7. Salt & Pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Use one bowl to mix ingredients. Put eggs into a medium bowl and beat, then add the rest of the ingredients. Bake in a greased casserole dish or a 9×13 inch baking dish for 30 to 40 minutes or until fully cooked in center and well browned.

A Cast of Characters

This easy but delicious side casserole goes great with Grilled Steak or Pork Chops or Chicken. I usually add a green salad with all the extras, like croutons, bacon bits and shredded cheese. In the summer, I add sliced homegrown tomatos to round out the meal.

Ready to Go Into The Oven

A nice ending to the meal, fix a easy jell-o dessert (we often use sugar-free) and pour it into pretty glasses and top off with whipped cream or make a yummy Strawberry Cake.

Easy Jell-o Ideas

1. Cherry Jello with Mini-Marshmallows On Top
2. Orange Jello with Mandarin Oranges 
3. Strawberry Jello/whipping cream whipped in a mixer; pour into the glass and layers will form

Strawberry Cake

• 1 Box White Cake Mix
• 3 T Flour
• 1 Box Strawberry Jello
• 1 Cup Oil
• 1/2 Cup Water
• 4 eggs
• 3/4 Box (10 oz) Frozen Strawberries

Icing:

• 1 Box of Powdered Sugar
• 1/4 Remaining Box of Strawberries
• Dash of Salt
• 1 T Butter

Grease and flour 13 x 9 pan. Combine cake ingredients. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes. Ice the cake when cooled.

 

Jiffy Corn Casserole

I hope you enjoy this recipe and menu ideas!

 

 

Keepin’ It Real!!

Urban Dictionary: Keeping It Real     Staying true to yourself, your faith, your life and constantly seeking the truth. You are keeping it real as long as you do not harm yourself or anyone around you physically mentally or spiritually. You try to benefit the environment and society that surrounds you and eventually serving humanity for the greater good. By keeping it real you are authentic and do not follow the geopolitical or corporate economic norm, but you strive to develop a norm that is centered on peace, truth, and unity.

Love Life, Live Life, After Life

My Garage

I am keepin’ it real here on my little acre! It’s Spring! Right? Time for Spring cleaning! Right? Two years ago I set this garage up for my flea market business (12 years) and have not really touch it since that time. My time was spent on other activites and thus, this is what you see.  Are you ready?? Sure?? OK, brace yourself!

OMG!!!!! Where Do I Begin?!

However, I am no longer in the flea market business but have decided to open up an eBay Store, so I need to sort and clean and make hard decisions about what to keep, etc. A garage sale is in the very near future, like in about two to three weeks. I helped open and operate an eBay Store a few years ago and in the process became a Ebay Education Specialist. My fibromyalgia and chronic arthritis make for good days and bad days, thus it is hard to work any full or even part time job for anyone, where someone depends on you being there to help them. Imagine that!! I can eBay in my pajamas and fit it in between taking care of Alex and all the other little things I do.

An Acre of Oklahoma Ebay Store is an extension of my philosophy on living the good life. I sell books, vintage household items, craft patterns, crochet/kniting patterns, children’s clothes, and much more.

I have alot of plans for the store, such as:

1. Small Craft Kits
2. A Series of Children’s Books
3. How-To Pamplets
4. Cookbooklets (is that a word?)

Paul Marshall Vintage Paper Mache'

http://www.stores.ebay.com/An-Acre-of-Oklahoma

A Paul Marshall Proper Lady Pincushion and the Peasant Lady Lipstick Holder will be listed on eBay soon. The early 1960’s the Japanese introduced paper mache’ products into our culture, like piggy banks in shapes of animals, clowns, etc. They took “flower power” to a whole different level. I have a whole paper mache’ zoo in a box, just waiting for me to find and list.

Wish me luck with this terrible, awful mess! Who put all this junk in my garage?? I am going to put out a bounty out on their head! The Dog will be hunting and putting a smack down on them! If you have a garage or room or basement that looks like mine, you are not alone in your junk disfunction.

Easter Fun & Homegrown Mother’s Day Out

Blue Bird Eggs

Both of my granddaughters go to a church sponsored Mother’s Day Out Program to give their mamas and nanny a break to do errands, work, clean, etc. However, both programs are in a town 20 miles away, which can be a problem, depending on who is doing what, going where and can be a day spent in town trying to find something to do until 3:00 o’clock. We have decided not to enroll the girls in the Summer Program but still give everyone a break. One girl will go to her aunt’s house to spend the day with her cousin and one day both will come to nanny’s house.

So I have made some plans for both girls on the days they are at my house and I thought I would share the plans with my friends.

Fun Things

Homemade Playdough

• 1 cup flour
• 1 Tbsp. cooking oil
• 2 tsp. cream of tartar
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup salt
• few drops of food coloring

1. Mix all ingredients in a medium saucepan.
2. Cook over medium heat until a dough forms a ball. Stirring constantly.
3. Remove from heat and put on wax paper and knead until smooth.
4. Will keep for a long time in a plastic container.
5. Make several different colors.

Find cookie cutters, small wooden rolling pin and other items to have fun with the playdough. I have bought both girls a themed (I let them choose the theme; their choice; no fussing, etc.) plastic placemat for rolling out the playdough. Here is another recipe for playdough which would be fun to eat (only when fresh!)

Peanut Butter Playdough

• 1 cup peanut butter
• 2/3 to 1 cup non-fat dry milk
• 2 tbsp. honey

1. Mix all ingredients.
2. Add enough powdered milk to make playdough dry enough to handle.
3. Shape into balls.
4. Use chocolate chips, raisins, dry cranberries, seasonal sprinkles for decorating.
5. Easter: Stir in chow main noodles for bird’s nest and use small jelly beans for the eggs.

Floppy

 

Fun Food

Using the small refrigerated biscuits.

Mini-Pizzas

• 1 can Refrigerated Biscuits
• 1 jar Pizza Sauce
• Pepperoni Slices
• Mozzarella Cheese

1. Flatten biscuits, either by hand or a small rolling pin.
2. Spread sauce on top.
3. Put a layer of pepperoni.
4. Cover with the cheese.
5. Bake at 425 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes.

Pigs in a Blanket

• 1 10-count refrigerated biscuits
• 5 hot dogs
• 5 slices of cheese

1. Flatten out biscuits.
2. Cut hot dogs and cheese in half.
3. Cut a slit in the hod dog and insert a piece of cheese.
4. Place the hot dog in the middle of the biscuit and then wrap the biscuit around it.
5. Bake at 350 degrees until biscuits are browned.
6. Must haves: ketchup and honey mustard for dipping.

 Peanut Butter n’ Jelly Hot Pockets

• 1 can of large biscuits
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 8 tsp of jelly (your choice)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Flatten biscuits into a round circle.
3. On the center place 1 tbsp of peanut butter and 1 tsp jelly.
4. Fold the biscuit over and use a fork to crimp the edges.
5. Place on a lightly greased cookie sheet and bake for about 15 minutes or until browned.
6. Let biscuits cool slightly (8to 10 minutes) before eating, we do not want any burned tongues!

Fruit Juice Popsicles

1. Buy a set of  freezer popsicles forms; these can usually be found in the “summer” section of the discount stores or $1 shops.
2. Pour fruit juice into the forms and put in freezer until frozen. Great for a hot afternoon outside, less mess.

Bunny Salad

• 1 can of halved pears
• red hot candies
• raisins
• slivered almonds
• cottage cheese

1. On a small plate put one of the pear halves upside down.
2. Make very small slits for a red hot candy for a nose, raisins for eyes and almonds for ears.
3. Put a small dip of cottage cheese at the large end of the pear for the bunny’s tail.

Just a few of the plans for a fun and active summer for two little girls. I will keep you updated on the exciting home-grown Mother’s Day Out that will be starting in late May! I hope the weather is warmer! It is a cold and sunny April day!

Sweet Baby Bird

Plastic Bottles……hmmm!

Call it a little nutty, call it alot of crazy but every time I throw a plastic bottle in the trash, I think I need to recycle that bottle! EVERY single dang  time! So I have decided that I will either recycle every plastic bottle I can or make something useful from it. I flashback to  the Indian on the horse by the littered highway with a single tear in his eye! I can’t take it any more! Therefore,

I have researched the topic and have come up with some great ideas for 1 and 2 Liter Pop Bottles:

1. Make bird feeders next winter from 2 liter pop bottles. There is actually a metal or plastic adapter that will make this extremely easy.
2. A foot warmer: fill bottle with warm water and roll it back and forth with your feet; that would help my foot cramps also. When the water cools down water your plants.
3. Make a plastic bag holder or string dispenser from a 2-liter bottle. Cut off the bottom and the top of the bottle and then mount the bottle upside-down with screws (use a washer under the plastic so the screws will not pull through the plastic) inside your cabinet or closet door. Put the plastic bags in the top and pull out the bottom. For a string holder-do not cut off the top and save the lid. Drill a hole in the lid to pull string through the bottle.
4. Boot & Shoe Dryers: Fill an even number of 2-liter bottles half full of sand (I am a half-full kinda of gal) then put them on either a layer of newspapers or a plastic boot tray by your back door for those muddy, wet boots to dry. And no mess on the rest of your floors.
5. Shop funnels: A really easy and economic funnel for a variety of uses, such as, filling a car’s radiator or gas tanks on lawn mowers or leftover paint into a smaller glass jar.
6. Summer fun for the kids: make 3 small (1 1/2 inch) slits in one side of the bottle and attach to the hose for a cool activity on those hot summer days. Attach the bottle to the hose with duct tape or an adapter for hoses.
7. Save the tops to make a really neat finger pin cushion. The pin cushions make a little extra something for gift giving to those that sew. I will put up the tutorial up in the next several weeks. Very easy!
8. There is a vintage crochet pattern for making small purses from butter tubs. The same pattern might work for the bottoms of some types of pop bottles, which have smooth tops. I will look for the pattern and share it with those who crochet. Not me!

And please BE CAREFUL when cutting the pop bottles! A rotary cutter is the safest but still very sharp. These suggestions are not for children but adults and only those adults who do not have to have other adult supervision for such crafty work. Leaves me out.

Now how about some more suggestions from those creative and green thinking individuals out there?

I can now sleep at night and my soul can find rest, not having to suffer from guilt for adding to the plastic pop bottle stack that will not decompose in a million, trillion years.

An Acre of Oklahoma Spring Weather and Cookin’ Fest

When you live in Oklahoma, March can bring severe thunderstorm warnings  and winter weather warnings all within 24 hours! The forecast for tomorrow is anywhere from 4 to 8 inches of snow. SNOW!

Cold & Wet march Day

Well, that means a stew and chili cookin’ fest for this acre!

Chili & Stew Cookin' Fest

In each pot I put approximately 1 tablespoon of EVOO (Thanks, Rach!) and then chopped 1 large onion and divided it between the pots. I then chopped several big stalks of celery for the stew pot.  Cooked each pot about 5-6 minutes to brown the veggies. Next, I divided 1# of ground turkey and 1# of ground beef (95/05) in the pots and browned. I use a potatoe masher to “mash up” the meat.

Browned Meat & Potatoe Masher

I peeled the potatoes and carrots for the hamburger stew. I cut both veggies into big chunks and put the carrots in to cook first for about 30 minutes; then the potatoes. I also add 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 can crushed tomatoes, bouillon and a variety of spices (I just look in the spice cabinet and make a few choices, like basil).

Chunky Carrots

 The veggie peelings go into the compost heap.

Compost Heap

In the Chili Pot goes 2 cans of mexican beans, 1 can kidney beans, 1 can of chili ready tomatoes, 1 cube beef bouillon and chili seasonings. I try to have corn chips, crackers and grated sharp cheddar cheese on hand for either Corn Chip Chili Pie or good old Chili with crackers. We like the golden round crackers at our house.

Chili

This is the vintage coffee can that I keep all my bouillon cubes stored in and I buy most of my bouillon from the “Hispanic” section of the grocery store. I like the large soft cubes and the large variety in the section. 

Vintage Coffee Can

Now my family will be well fed for the snowy weekend when we snuggle down in the house until the storm blows over, which will be Sunday. Sunday forecasts 55 for the high, bye, bye snow! Thank goodness!

Saturday SNOW Piling UP!

Well, I hope the weather is warmer where you are but if not, stay warm and safe. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone in Fargo, ND for they have far worse weather conditions than here in Oklahoma.

A Tribute to Mrs. Young

Vintage Tablecloth

When I see vintage tablecloths it takes me back to my neighbor’s house when I was a young girl.  She lived across the street of my childhood home, she was a childless widow, probably mid-80’s, Mrs. Young.  I was taught to respect my elders so when she answered her door (always with a smile) I would say “Hi, Mrs. Young can I come in to visit?.”  I never had to ask my Mom if I could go to her house and I was always welcomed to knock at the old frosted glass-pane door.  She let me play with her doll and gave me lemonade and cookies and we would just quietly talk about whatever was on my mind. Her house had a “baked bread” smell. I never questioned why she always had lemonade and cookies, now I am sure they were just for me. I think I was the only child in the neighborhood who cared to go spend hours with a “old lady” just talking. I often wish I could just go to her house today to just talk about whatever was on my mind and she would just listen and assure me that all was right with the world. I very fortunate I was to have such a friend.

Well, back to vintage tablecloths, there was always one freshly ironed tablecloth on her kitchen table. Great memories! This one up for give-away is a luncheon size and is in relatively good condition (considering it’s age). It could be used as a tablecloth or kitchen curtains or pillows or hand towels or whatever. I hope the winner tells us her plans or better show us her handiwork!

Sweet! Sweet!

Now, how to be the lucky recipient of this tablecloth, just leave a comment about any memories or thoughts about vintage tablecloths you may have.  Contest closes at 4:00pm  March 25th, 2009. I will put your name in a basket and have my granddaughter draw out the winner!

Warm Sunshine!

Here is to all the nice old ladies that have given the little girls (or boys) in their neighborhood lemonade and cookies!  Break! I just had to dance with Alex to Pebbles’ Girlfriend!

OK! Leave those comments! The winner can privately email her address. GOOD LUCK!