A Toast to Toasters!

    When we were building our house, we met often with the architect who modified the plans for our house.  We were happy with most of the plans, except for the kitchen.  For some unknown reason, the architect kept erasing the lines on my kitchen cabinets and making the cabinets extend to the ceiling.  I did not want that.  I wanted a space between the top of my cabinets and the ceiling for “something”.  I didn’t know what, but something.  A collection of plants?  A collection of – what?  I didn’t know then, but I got what I wanted.

    What could I display on top of the cabinets?  It didn’t take long until I was attracted to the old enamel or porcelain ware that was white trimmed in red.  I found many pieces at flea markets, garage sales or antique shops.  Of course, the garage sales and flea markets had the most pieces at the lowest prices.  And the dirtiest! 

    I found large bowls, platters, a bucket, coffee pot, plates, ladle, to name a few.  It was very easy to clean these pieces.  I just used a little warm water, a very mild cleaning product, a soft cloth and some TLC.  And voila!  The dirt and grime and rust just melted away to reveal a beautiful piece of kitchenware from decades ago.  The red-trimmed ware went well with the color scheme of my kitchen since I had a lot of red in it.  But after a while, I just needed “something” else.

    One day while antiquing, I came across an old toaster and I said, “That’s it.”  And so began my collection of old toasters.  Toasters were originally invented in Scotland in 1893 and have continued to be improved over the years.  The toaster is one of the most common household appliances.  Toasters have been refined over the years and are now included as one of the most elite food processors on most kitchen counters.  Toasters may be taken for granted, but we probably use them daily.  

    I found toasters at garage sales for $.50; at flea markets (dirty, of course) for $1.00; at the Thrift Shop on the base for $2.00.  At antique stores, it was a bit different.  Those items were on consignment from a vendor, so the price was often higher, yet not exorbitant. 

    All of the toasters have the original cords and most do work, although I doubt I’d try to make toast in them today.  None of the toasters are alike.  Each one is different and most have been identified by either the logo on the side, or by the brand name on the bottom of the toaster.  Most are American, but some are British made.

                                                   (This is a 1942 Sunbeam Model T-9)

    My favorite is the one slice toaster that “pops” the piece of bread up when it is finished.  It reminds me of the TV show, “I Love Lucy”, where Lucy is making Ricky breakfast.  He is reading the paper and she puts bread in the toaster.  When it’s ready, it “pops” up and he catches it. 

  

            (This toaster was manufactured in England; an Easipower LTD, Model B, Tip Toaster) 

           The oldest toaster was found in Pennsylvania and dates back to around 1900, a rare find.  I love the way the sides pull out and then flips around to “toast” the other side of the bread.   

                             (This is a Universal by Landers Fraby R. Clark, New Britain, CT)

     I remember when banks used to give away toasters or small appliances for opening a new account.  I think toasters have often been maligned.  They can be colorful, a good size, can be used for many food items, and aren’t too expensive.

    Time and Time Again, when I’m out and about antiquing, or just browsing at a flea market, I’ll look under tables at the clutter beneath and hope to find a unique toaster – a piece of history that somebody just threw away.  I wonder if Lucy and Ricky owned one of these toasters?  Hm…..

    

Memorial Day - 2015

    When I was a little girl, I remember walking home from school in Royersford, Pennsylvania,  and noticing the Blue Star or Gold Star banners hung in the windows of several homes.  I asked my parents what that meant.  Dad said, “The Blue Star means that the family has someone serving in the Armed Forces in a war or hostility.  The Gold Star means that the family lost a member ".

    Years later, as a member of our high school marching band, I was proud to march on Memorial Day, down Main Street, then across 7^th Avenue, and up Walnut Street to Fernwood Cemetery.  Along with the Boy Scouts waving their little flags, the local fire companies, and other organizations, I helped honor those who had served their nation.  The Boy Scouts put an American flag on the gravesite of every American soldier from the Revolutionary War to the current day. 

    Then the ceremony would start, hands would cover hearts and eventually taps would echo throughout the cemetery.  Tears would slip down the faces of many of the attendees.   After the ceremony, the band would march out of the cemetery silently, to the cadence of a single snare drum.  When we returned to the site of where the parade began, I remember Nelson’s Dairy would provide ice cream “Dixie cups” with little wooden spoons for everyone.

    A few years ago my sister, Kathy Savage and I were visiting New Holland in Lancaster County. We noticed banners hanging from the light poles on the main street.  The banners contained the faces, names and dates of veterans of their town, past and present.  What a wonderful way to honor their veterans!  As far as you could see, up and down the street, the faces of people from every military service, every war, every conflict, were on banners for all to see.  Kathy and I said to each other, wouldn’t that be great if Royersford had a similar program for the veterans in our hometown? 

     Earlier this year, I was in my hometown.  Kathy took me to see the banners  adopted by the Royersford Borough Council.  It was heartwarming to see not only my Dad’s face on a banner, but so many local heroes, as well.

  

                                   (Our Dad, Tech Sgt William W. Randall, WWII, US Army)

    My sister had paid a fee to have Dad’s photo on the banner for a specified period of time.  I was happy to see that she had honored Dad in this way.  Now everyone could see the man we loved and have been so proud of all these years.   Dad would have been proud, too, to see so many comrades honored in this way.

    There were other “faces” on the banners that I recognized and I hope that other families will look into this program and support it.  I think it would be wonderful if every town, every city in America would have a similar program and honor its veterans, past and present in this manner.  Seeing these faces every day makes their sacrifices a bit more real. 

    I now live in “military city USA”, San Antonio, Texas.  Memorial Day, as well as every day is special in our city for our military members.  The young military greet the old veterans; Vietnam Vets hug each other and say, “welcome back, Brother”.  Boy Scouts and military members put flags on the graves at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.  There will be parades to honor those surviving members of World War II and other wars.  Time and time again taps will be played and tears will flow for the loss of those we love and will never forget.  Because, after all, it is Memorial Day. 

    NOTE:    This year I would like to give a special thanks to the brother of a classmate at Spring-Ford Senior High School.  Daniel Dolby was in my graduating class.  His brother, SP4 David C. Dolby was awarded the Medal of Honor for service in South Vietnam on May 21, 1966.  To David, our heartfelt gratitude.  To David’s family, no words can thank you enough for his sacrifice.

   

    

The "Other" Margaritaville

    Adare Drive, Fairfax, Virginia, from 1983-1986 was where it was happening.  Truly one of the best addresses we have ever owned.  We resided on a "pipe stem" which was different from a cul-de-sac.  The pipe stem shared a mutual driveway (down a slight hill), then branched off to five separate driveways to five homes, just like fingers on your hand.  Think of your palm as the “common area” in our little neighborhood.

    There was always something going on – something fun!  Five houses, nine people, a few dogs, and we all got along.  It was a new development, and as one couple moved in, they were properly welcomed and invited to a BBQ with libations or iced tea, and then the gatherings began to grow, until all five homes were occupied.  There was a book publisher, a dentist, a gas/oil executive, a retirement planner, several military officers, a school teacher, and a budget analyst.  

    We celebrated birthdays, 4^th of Julys, promotions, new car purchases, wine tastings, NFL games, NASCAR races, and gathered for a Kentucky Derby party.  One of the neighbors graduated from the University of Kentucky, so of course he hosted a Kentucky Derby party, complete with mint juleps, and a betting sheet.  What fun!  

    Progressive dinners were one of our favorite neighborhood pastimes.  We would start at one home for drinks, move to the next home for hors d’oeuvres, on to the next home for the salad, the next home for the entrée, then the final home for dessert.  One evening we stayed at the hosts’ home and played Trivial Pursuit until 3 o’clock in the morning!  You could not play with your spouse or significant other and that made the teams much more exciting. 

    Other neighbors up on the main streets looked down on our pipe stem with curiosity and amazement and wondered what all the partying was about and why couldn’t they participate?!  Well, they didn’t “belong” to the pipe stem.  We were special.  They had their neighbors to the right and left of them and across the street.  We had our little group and we liked it just fine.

    And from this wild, wacky, wonderful group of friends developed over a 3 year period, was born Jay’s frozen margarita.  He is now known world-wide for this delectable treat.  The recipe is still well kept, except for a few close friends, who finagled the ingredients.    

    The housewarming party at Christmas was amusing as folks who never drank margaritas were finally convinced to try one.  Once they sipped that frozen concoction, well, they were easily won over.  And they asked for seconds, and thirds…..The best part was that Jay made two different varieties for Christmas – pitchers of red margaritas and pitchers of green margaritas, both with the exact recipe.  But, you guessed it!  After several drinks, the guests decided the green margaritas tasted better than the “unnaturally” colored red margaritas. 

    The frozen margaritas became the “house” drink for every family celebration, every neighborhood party.  “Where are Jay’s frozen margaritas?”  the gang would ask.  “Don’t worry,” I’d say.  “There are pitchers in the freezer and the cooler”. 

    When Jay received his military orders for his final assignment before retiring in San Antonio, the pipe stem gang threw us a farewell party.  And it was over the top.  One of the fellows had small rockets that he shot into the sky, we had the traditional more-than-one-could-eat selections of food, and of course, Jay’s frozen margaritas.  Thanks to our gang, they invited my parents and sister and her sons from Pennsylvania to attend.  So it was a happy, but sad farewell.  And the “margaritaville” banner stretched across the volleyball net – priceless. 

  

    (My Mom is front row, left side; Dad is in the middle of the Margaritaville banner, with Carl Savage between his legs; Kathy Savage is standing at the far right behind me and Jay, with Mark Savage on my lap).

    For the first few years after we relocated, we kept in touch with the neighborhood until the couples  finally moved away (several were military and got re-assigned), but we still are in touch with our favorite neighbor who is also a Dallas Cowboys fan.  He and Jay drank a few pitchers of frozen margaritas one evening during Monday Night Football.  The drinks were so smooth, you didn’t know what hit you – until the next morning.  I remember buying lots of aspirin while we lived there….

    To this day, we have never had the camaraderie in any neighborhood like we did in the “other Margaritaville”.  Time and time again, we’ve had some neighborhood gatherings, but there were lots of little children, the homes were not close together (country development), and large age differences.  On Adare Drive, at that time, at that place, there was that dynamic combination that only comes once in a lifetime, and boy, did we make the most of it. 

    When we tell friends about the “pipe stem”, and all the great memories we have there, I wonder if they really believe us.  That’s okay.  We have priceless memories, and photos.

     Oh, yes, and there was one Saturday we all pitched in and sealed our driveways – together.  The girls stirred big five gallon buckets of sealer while the guys spread the gooey black liquid with huge squeegees.  One of the pipe stem gang was enroute to a wedding, in tuxedo, but he stopped for a few minutes and squeegeed along with the guys.  We all stopped and waved at the folks on the upper road, slowly driving by, wondering what that crazy “pipe stem” gang was up to now?  And yes, there were frozen margaritas at the end of the day. 

Welcome to MY March Madness.....

    “March Madness” usually evokes thoughts of college basketball playoffs – the elimination brackets, the “Sweet Sixteen”, the “Elite Eight” and the “Final Four”.  My March madness is the culmination of a year’s worth of collecting, sorting, organizing, and then pricing scores of items for my women’s club annual garage sale.  And then there’s the set up and take down of the table and items not sold.  Welcome to my March madness!

    It starts in February, and the panic sets in as not all of the items have been priced.  I’ve only been gathering items since last April! The items are placed on my table for the sale which starts promptly at 8:30am.  The anticipation grows as the doors swing open wide and the crowd hurries through.  And so the annual garage sale begins again! 

   The Garden Ridge Women’s Club sponsors an annual garage sale where I purchase a table and can sell just about anything that fits on or around the table.  Of course I find things in the house and our garage and store them just for this occasion.  It’s amazing what I find and plan to sell, hoping that someone will see my “treasures” and just have to have them.  I do quite well and often sell out of everything that I bring for sale.

    I include a rack of clothing items and mark them at reasonable prices so those items sell quickly.  Purses, shoes, baseball caps with familiar logos also sell well.  It depends on what the buyers are seeking each year.  Sometimes the buyers are looking for particular household items like small kitchen appliances for a college student, linens or books.  One year I sold 6 antique dining room chairs.  You just never know!

    My “someday” items are included this year.  You know, those items that you hold onto, that you plan to use “someday”.  But somehow, “someday” never comes, and the item sits in a cabinet or cupboard. One day you find the item and think when did I buy this?   Why am I saving it?  The “someday” item.  And so it becomes part of this year’s garage sale inventory. 

    

   Of course I have 364 days to prepare for the next garage sale, but seem to procrastinate until February and begin the process of marking the items for sale.  I know how I want to price the items, it’s just actually doing it.  And then I run out of the pre-marked stickers, have to get in the car and drive 12 miles to the nearest Walmart for more pre-marked stickers.  But at least it’s a pleasant break from taking the items from the plastic tub, deciding on a fair price (at least one that I think is fair), putting it back in the tub, and moving on to the next item. 

     I am fortunate to have secured a good location for my table.  I have requested the exact table for the past 6 or 7 years as it has proven successful for me.  Although it is in front of the room’s air conditioning vent, I just wear a sweater if necessary.  The location does provide a bit more room for my clothing rack. A girlfriend and I usually request tables next to each other.  We help each other and adjust our tables just a bit if either of us requires a bit more room.

    Shoppers look for my table as my prices are fair and they get to know me and the type of items I traditionally sell.  And I like that.  I recognize familiar faces each year.  People that I know or have worked with, friends in the community, all stop by to chat, but sometimes the sales are so brisk that it’s hard to chat.  Sales come first! 

    I’ve already “found” a few items in the house to put in the sale for next year, March 2016.  Although the sale is a year away, I will be collecting things all year.  

    Time and time again, as I find things, they will be added to the plastic tub and await their turn at the annual garage sale.  Who knows?  They may just be the “treasure” that someone has been searching for all year.  Oh, no! March madness has already started for next year!

   

   

Christmas Morning with a Lionel Girl's Train

    Christmas morning protocol was not set in stone, but we adhered to it.  We wanted to make sure that Santa had eaten his cookies and drank his milk, and that Mom and Dad were sufficiently awake to navigate through any presents that Santa may have left.  Years later we knew that Christmas protocol was really for Mom and Dad to enjoy a cup of hot coffee and some Christmas cookies or toast before the opening of presents and all the screaming that accompanied that tradition!

    We had to wait until “Santa” and his “helper” had arranged the gifts properly by name, the tree lights were turned on, the stockings were checked for last minute additions, and that everything was ready for the onslaught of three little girls to follow.  Dad would call, “Ready”! and we would come running down 23 stairs from the second floor to the first, barely hanging on to the railing, our feet flying over the steps.

     We could not see the tree because of its location in a bay window on the side of the house.  The bay window was the perfect place to showcase the Christmas tree.  With windows on 3 sides, we could close any of the blinds at night or open them for anyone outside to see.  The windows were almost floor to ceiling.  The wooden platform that the Christmas tree sat on fit perfectly into the bay window area on two saw horses.  The platform was then covered with paper that resembled a brick wall, typical of the paper of those times. 

    One Christmas morning was a bit different from the others.  This is the Christmas morning I remember with the most fond memories.  This is the Christmas morning that I overlooked the presents while dashing down the staircase to find the most gorgeous train ever under our Christmas tree.  It had  a pink engine that puffed little poofs of smoke!  The coal car was lavender, box cars were yellow and aqua, a passenger car was dark pink, and the caboose was blue!  Perfect pastel colors for girls.  I had never seen anything quite like this.  None of my other girlfriends had anything like this under their Christmas trees.  Wait until they saw this! 

    Dad let my sisters and me take turns dropping  the little pill into the engine to ignite the puffs of smoke.  Oh, it was just the most fascinating train I had ever seen, or would ever see again!  I would sit for hours and just watch the most beautifully colored train run round and round under our Christmas tree – puffing and tooting.  

    Years later, after I was married and moved several times during my career, at Christmastime my thoughts returned to my childhood home and the Lionel Girls Train.  I wondered what had happened to the train set.   My folks sold the train set after they sold their three story home and moved to an apartment after all three daughters married and moved to their own homes.  I don’t know who bought the train set, but they are very lucky people.  I hope they have taken good care of this exquisite Christmas treasure.    

    In 1957, the Lionel train company decided to produce a train set for girls.  The original set cost $49.95 so that was quite a big outlay of cash for my parents at the time.   I am more than grateful that they purchased such a wonderful memory.  Today that same train set may be worth several thousand dollars.  That’s okay.  Time and time again, when Christmas rolls around, nobody can take away the memory of waiting for the signal to run down the stairs, be surprised at the wonderful train set under the Christmas tree and remember all the puffs and pastel colors of that beautiful train set.   Those memories are priceless.    

A Girl Friend's Getaway at The Nutcracker Market

    For months, Linda and I anticipated the Houston Ballet’s Nutcracker Market, one of the largest Christmas markets in the United States.  Held every November, vendors from all over the country bring their best items to sell.  By mid-November,  our waiting came to an end.

    Both of us packed enough clothes to last a week, although we were only staying a few days.   We had sufficient food and drink items to sustain us for the almost direct route from San Antonio to Houston, TX on I-10, a quick 3 hour drive by car.  Traffic was not a problem, so we arrived ready to shop.  We didn’t bother unpacking our luggage, we wanted to shop, so we requested a taxi, which proved to be the most expedient way to arrive at the event center. 

    Upon arrival, we entered the Wells Fargo Event Center doors,  and our mouths dropped.  We looked at each other and our eyes just widened in sheer anticipation.  As far as the eye could see, north, south, east, west – were vendor booths, nutcracker signs directing us this way or that, food signs, bar signs, it was amazing.  Linda decided that she would look at an ornament booth as one particular ornament caught her eye.  It was a good thing that she purchased the item, as it was no longer available after she bought it! 

    I placed a quick telephone call, and a few minutes later, three members of the Quacker Factory (clothing line) Design Team and a guest, met us at the front of the event.  We had fun discussing what to do, where to go, and which aisles were less crowded.  It is always nice to meet “seasoned pros” at such a shopping extravaganza.  Thank you to Susan Bramley, Leslie McKeough Barham, Colleen Quinn Ginsberg for the photo and to Leslie’s Mom, Linda, for meeting us.  Your seasoned advice was helpful as we navigated through the aisles of fantastic shopping!

(Susan, Leslie, Karen, Linda)

    We were still awed at the size of the swags and beautiful wreaths adorning so many of the booths.  The prices were quite high, and we wondered who would buy these glorious decorations – probably businesses or those living in mansions, because they were far too large for a normal mantel or home.  But somebody was buying them!  After about 6 hours of shopping on Day 1, we decided it was time to have a nice dinner and relax for Friday’s main event – the Macy’s fashion show. 

   Friday morning we called a taxi and arrived early at the event center.  Upon arrival, we were surprised to see so many ladies in a huge line waiting to either purchase their daily ticket or enter the show.  As we already had our tickets, we were permitted to immediately enter the shopping area.  It was nice to walk up and down uncrowded aisles this time.  We were able to view many of the booths we had not seen earlier, noting those we wanted to return to.  Tasting every food item that was offered to us, it was difficult to decide which ones to buy, but we bought a few goodies. 

    At 10:30, we were called upstairs to one of the ballrooms for the Macy’s fashion show.  The room was beautifully and tastefully decorated.  The tables had a little Macy’s gift bag at each place setting.  The appetizer dish and dessert dish were already set out.  It was hard not to sample the dessert!  Wine was opened by the wait staff and everybody toasted each other at our table.  The hawaiian chicken entree was served and the fashion show began.   

    The runway was designed in a zigzag pattern, so that everyone’s tables at the sold out event had a chance to see the models, both male and female.  Even a miniature poodle was dressed and scampered along the runway.  The models smiled the entire time which was a nice touch from what one sees on television.  The fashions were appropriate for all sized women.  And the fashion colors were gorgeous!  Of course the music was pop and I was ready to get up on the stage and dance along! 

    More shopping ensued after the luncheon, so by late evening, we decided that we had probably seen and purchased those things that we wanted.  Friday’s crowd was extremely heavy, so we made a plan to return in 2015 and how to maneuver the event center.  The mimosas were a nice break in the afternoon and we will always have our nutcracker collector’s glass to remind us of a special weekend.

    Time and time again when November rolls around, when Christmas markets begin, when I see the word “nutcracker” advertised in newspapers and brochures, I will remember the fantastic weekend Linda Leonard and I shared getting to know each other better.  We learned that we travel well together; we like the same food; we enjoyed the same decorations; we learned more about each other; and our friendship became stronger.   The Nutcracker Market has become our November tradition and I can hardly wait for it to come around again. 

   

   

   

    

Life Savors

    Life has many precious moments.  Times that make us relish each moment and “savor” every morsel of memory like a fine wine, a delicious cheesecake, or a plate of escargot.  These are times when we look back and remember events, people, or situations from our past,  or perhaps recognize something that happened recently.  We recall them with a smile, with joy, with sorrow sometimes, but always with heartfelt comfort, at least I do.  Here is a list of “life savors” that warm my heart. 

    Arriving home after a trip of any length.  Home always looks best!

    Clean sheets any time – the smell, the feel, it’s just the most relaxing, comfortable way to fall asleep.

    Receiving an unexpected call/card/email from someone you haven’t heard from in awhile.  What an unexpected delight!

    Watching kittens or puppies roll around and play with each other – priceless!

    Enjoying a sunset or sunrise from your kitchen window or front porch as the colors change from pale to vibrant and then back to pale shades – the palettes are endless.

    Hugs and "I love you's" -  they are seasonless, and always welcome.

    Flipping channels on your television, finding a favorite movie is about to begin and you have several hours to just sit and enjoy.

    No plans for the day but to get comfortable in your favorite chair, with a favorite beverage and read that book you’ve been dying to start.

    Knowing that if you ask for prayer, you have an uncountable number of “friends”, thanks to the new social medias.

    Dining out and selecting the most sinful dessert - enjoying every mouthful of it, without guilt.

    Finding that perfect little gift for someone, even when it’s not their birthday or anniversary, just because you like them.

    Finding flowers from your husband,  partner, significant other in the house when you return – “just because”.

    Sitting on the front steps, porch, or patio and looking up at the sky, searching the clouds and imagining you see faces, creating characters and stories, like we did as children.

    Old photographs – letting precious memories wash over you and if tears bath your cheeks, let them flow. 

    Attending a wedding and waiting for the “I do” – then feeling your spouse squeeze your hand and smile at you.

    Waiting for an important diagnostic or final test result, then hear the doctor say, “Negative” or “benign”, or “all is well”.

    Raindrops on a metal roof – very soothing – raindrops any time here in Texas!

    Remembering past seasons that are special to me  - particularly my annual fall girl’s parties and all the fun and friendships we've shared.

    Thinking of dear friends, far away, and reliving wonderful adventures with them that are forever etched in the pages of my memory book.

    Receiving a text photo from my niece or sister-in-law regarding our great-nephew who is just precious; seeing his wonderful little smile and wave.  How I wish I could reach through the mobile phone and touch his sweet face.

    Knowing that I live in a free country and can do whatever I want, whenever I want – what a wonderful feeling!

    Having your name announced (individually, or in a group) as a champion, winning first place.  I remember when my high school band was awarded first place in a Cavalcade of Bands competition – what a great feeling that all of our hard work paid off.  I will never forget that feeling as long as I live. 

    Retirement day – all the years of working, moving across country/world, competing for  promotions, work experience, skill sets, team work, recruiting, everything I worked for culminated in one special day where I received many accolades that made me proud.  The government has a special ceremony and luncheon with a set protocol which honors the retiree, their spouse and family.  I’m sure everyone must feel this way after a lifetime of hard work.  Kudos to all retirees!

    Time and time again as I think about those things that bring me peace, comfort, joy and happiness, I will savor those special times and people.   I’m sure you have special life savors, as well.  I would love to know what moments you savor in life.