Wednesday, 12/12/12 (!!!)

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas! and Meow!

Tuesday

We've been busy, the days go by so fast...we got our tree up in the dining room, away from baby curiosity...I put it on round table in the corner of the room. The house looks rather festive now.

This has been an incredibly tight month for us. One realtor (our main one, in fact) was late on payments but came through yesterday thankfully. Then on the way home, we got in a fender bender with a truck..not hurt but the car is a mess. Front end crumbled. We didn't realize the extent of the damage until we got home..oh, my...it looks terrible but still runs fine...the truck was undamaged..but it had a trailer hitch that made mud pie out of our hood and front bumper. Sometimes I wish we had a big heavy truck instead of a little Honda, but we do get excellent gas mileage! We are very thankful for no injuries.

This will be Jayden's (our grandson) second Christmas with us...he was so little last year, only 5 months old but  his year, he's 16 months so can open his own presents. He knows something is going on but doesn't yet understand. Jayden loves all the lights and calls the ornaments "balls". He knows somethings are "pretty" and not to be touched, although its hard to remember sometimes. I found a simple basic Christmas stocking for him to use this holiday and a friend sent me a wonderful kit to embroider for the future ones. I just haven't found the time this year to do everything.
When the boys were little, I made each of them their own stockings which they still use today...happily, the fire didn't get to them as it did so many of our Christmas things.

Ebay Sales

All ornaments that I listed on Ebay sold..every single one! It really helped us this month and am want to thank those who bid. I was able to put gas in the car, buy a few groceries and a few presents to make this a better holiday. I again have listed a few more Campbell Soup Kid ornaments..these makes the last of my extensive collection. These were bought back in the 90s directly from Campbells Soup Company. You sent in soup can labels and some change for them....

Here are a few photos...most of these are dated also.    Sold! thanks so much!

This was put out for the companies 100th birthday.

This Kid is enjoying his puppy and a cup of split pea soup....M'mM'm Good! These are just a few..I believe I have about 9 listed. You can see them all here.. they are collectable.

3rd of December

There has been a recent study that suggests that people are getting..well...more stupid than in the past. I don't know if that's true or not. Guess it depends on who you talk to but if these examples (and they're supposed to be true) are any indication this study could be onto something.

Darwin Awards of 2012 

The top winner

1. When his 38 caliber revolver failed to fire at his intended victim during a hold-up in Long Beach , California , would-be robber James Elliot did something that can only inspire wonder. He peered down the barrel and tried the trigger again. This time it worked.

The Runner Ups

2. The chef at a hotel in Switzerland lost a finger in a meat cutting machine and after a little shopping around, submitted a claim to his insurance company. The company, expecting negligence, sent out one of its men to have a look for himself. He tried the machine and he also lost a finger. The chef's claim was approved.

 3. A man who shoveled snow for an hour to clear a space for his car during a blizzard in Chicago returned with his vehicle to find a woman had taken the space.. Understandably, he shot her.

4. After stopping for drinks at an illegal bar, a Zimbabwean bus driver found that the 20 mental patients he was supposed to be transporting from Harare to Bulawayo had escaped. Not wanting to admit his incompetence, the driver went to a nearby bus stop and offered everyone waiting there a free ride. He then delivered the passengers to the mental hospital, telling the staff that the patients were very excitable and prone to bizarre fantasies.. The deception wasn't discovered for 3 days.

 
5. An American teenager was in the hospital recovering from serious head wounds received from an oncoming train. When asked how he received the injuries, the lad told police that he was simply trying to see how close he could get his head to a moving train before he was hit.

6. A man walked into a Louisiana Circle-K, put a $20 bill on the counter, and asked for change. When the clerk opened the cash drawer, the man pulled a gun and asked for all the cash in the register, which the clerk promptly provided. The man took the cash from the clerk and fled, leaving the $20 bill on the counter. The total amount of cash he got from the drawer... $15. [If someone points a gun at you ..then gives you money, has a crime been committed?] 

 7. Seems an Arkansas guy wanted some beer pretty badly.. He decided that he'd just throw a cinder block through a liquor store window, grab some booze, and run. So he lifted the cinder block and heaved it over his head at the window. The cinder block bounced back and hit the would-be thief on the head, knocking him unconscious. The liquor store window was made of Plexiglas. The whole event was caught on videotape...

 8. As a female shopper exited a New York convenience store, a man grabbed her purse and ran. The clerk called 911 immediately, and the woman was able to give them a detailed description of the snatcher. Within minutes, the police apprehended the snatcher.. They put him in the car and drove back to the store. The thief was then taken out of the car and told to stand there for a positive ID. To which he replied, "Yes, officer, that's her. That's the lady I stole the purse from."

 9.. The Ann Arbor News crime column reported that a man walked into a Burger King in Ypsilanti , Michigan at 5 A.M., flashed a gun, and demanded cash. The clerk turned him down because he said he couldn't open the cash register without a food order. When the man ordered onion rings, the clerk said they weren't available for breakfast... The man, frustrated, walked away. [*A 5-STAR STUPIDITY AWARD winner!]

10. When a man attempted to siphon gasoline from a motor home parked on a Seattle street by sucking on a hose, he got much more than he bargained for.. Police arrived at the scene to find a very sick man curled up next to a motor home near spilled sewage. A police spokesman said that the man admitted to trying to steal gasoline, but he plugged his siphon hose into the motor home's sewage tank by mistake. The owner of the vehicle declined to press charges saying that it was the best laugh he'd ever had. 

Thank you, Sherri for sending this to me...couldn't resist not posting it!
 

 

2nd of December

We got up early this morning and headed up to the county hospital pharmacy to get refills on our prescriptions. We both figured Sunday mornings would be a good time to go as the lines wouldn't be too long as they usually are during the week. If you've read my blog for some time, we didn't have insurance and finally were able to get some through the county. They explained it as a precursor of Obamacare and had been funded early. Its been both a blessing and a curse.

When we arrived, we were relieved to see only 4 people in line to drop off the prescriptions. Normally during the week, there are 30 or so in line. However, because of individual complications in the ordering process of the 4 people, we were in line for about 45 minutes. We then had to wait an hour to get the medications (or as Alan says, his drugs)...so we went into the clinic area to wait, watching TV news. After about 50 minutes, we headed over to get into the line to pick up the prescriptions. There were about 10 people in line and this took about another 50 minutes or so. We were happy  as normally it takes most of a day to get prescriptions filled, and longer wait times...normally it takes about 4 -6 hours in line.

Its the time of year again when everyone is getting ready for the holidays. I wanted to mention a great website for all types of holiday recipes..is the That's My Home Sugar Plum Shop...with the price of everything going up (and up!) we've decided to make our own candy this year and will be using some of these recipes. My mom always made fudge and divinity for the most part. Her divinity was heaven sent but she never used a recipe. You will find divinity recipes here as well as alot more. Everything from peanut brittle to snow white fudge. Yum!
Another site that is equally good and you can find the link on the Sugar Plum shop is Razzle Dazzle recipes which have all types of holiday and party recipes. So if you are doing a cooky exchange or a office or church party, you might want to check out these two sites as they are excellent.

1st Day of December

 

Today was our 39th wedding anniversary...and as usual, we didn't celebrate much..neither of us goes in for alot of ceremony or fuss. We spent the day doing what we also do..catching up on housework, raking leaves, and enjoying a nice Saturday. We did go out for dinner, for a fast food burger. But its always been that way for the most part..on our honeymoon, 39 years ago (on a Saturday also) our first meal together as a married couple was lunch at KFC...back when the Colonel was still at the helm and the chicken tasted like chicken. That same day for dinner, it was sub sandwiches from a deli. Everything tasted wonderful though...and here we are...39 years later, doing what we always do and happy together. Thanks, Honey, for a wonderful 39 years!

Though one may be overpowered,
    two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:12

The Lost Thanksgiving dinner and Ebay auctions

Wow....sorry I haven't posted in some time. The entire family got hit with the rotavirus about a week before Thanksgiving. First the baby got it and then, like dominoes, everyone else, one by one fell to the sickness. Including us, Grandpa and Grandma. I got it the day before Thanksgiving.
Poor little Jayden is getting over it now but it took him the longest to recover, almost 10 days. Alan had gotten the flu shot too but the rota virus ran roughshod over that. I don't think I've been that sick in years. Both Alan and I lost weight, each about 6 lbs.

Needless to say, our Thanksgiving this year was a bust for the most part...at least the meal as none of us could handle eating for a few days, other than soup and scrambled eggs.
Thanking the Lord that we're all recovered or recovering, including the little one....here is a latest photo of our grandson...

He's 16 months now, growing like a weed, and talking up a storm. I  think he looks cute in his little jeans and plaid shirt.

 Sold!

I have listed some Campbells Soup Kid ornaments on Ebay...these were put out by the Danbury Mint back in the 90s. I had the entire set and just have 10 left so if you'd like some, they are up for auction. Very cute, very cute resin figures of the kids....

This one is called "Peak a Boo"  Sold!

I just love their cute faces and the details are amazing.. I already listed one batch of 13 and sold every one of them. This is the last of them. When they're gone, they're gone. Here's the link ....China Lake Auctions

hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and can't believe it will be Christmas so soon..where has the year gone?

Cupboard Door Giveaway

I wasn't going to post today but just enjoy reading some of my favorite blogs, get caught up with everyones doings...when I ran into this giveaway and thought I'd better tell you about it.
Wila is a etsy artist and has her own shop, plus her blog, The Old Cupboard Door is always fun to read.
She is giving away this painted breadboard....

so get on over to the Cupboard door and sign up!

Deviled Eggs

One of our traditions at Thanksgiving are deviled eggs..why? I don't really know but my mom would always have them, as well as relishes, pickles, and olives heaped in little dishes and plates. Somewhere back in the family, I am thinking my German grandmother, the "seven sours and seven sweets" must have made a showing and hence we have deviled eggs today. There are many recipes for deviled eggs so I won't bore you with mine. Its just a smidge of this and that..mainly a little mayonnaise, dry mustard, and a hint of horseradish.
I ran into this darling deviled egg dish and have it in my Etsy shop for sale. Its unusual in that there is an embossed design in the center of a poinsettia. I've never seen one like it.
The lucky person who buys it will also get for free, this cute little dish that could be used for those olives, pickles or relishes.

I'm not sure where I got this, it just appeared in the china cabinet one day. But I think its rather cute...I like the handles...

If you'd like this set, please order it soon as Thanksgiving is coming fast it seems. You'll find the egg platter in my shop, Inspiration Memories...let me know that you read about it here and I will be sure to add the second plate at no cost. This is only for my blog readers.

Saturday Chat

Last week we did a locksmith job in Santee, California. Alan noticed a little shop as we were leaving and we stopped in. The man who owned the shop, Tom McCoy refurbishes old radios and makes them new again. He had quite a selection in the shop, "Mantiques" and sells them very reasonably. Alan surprised me and bought this wonderful old radio which gets great reception in our dining room. I just love it and cried  with happy as we hadn't gotten anything for ourselves in years. Its a reproduction from the 90s of a 1930 radio...isn't it great? Most of his radios are originals and I'd love to get a second one in the future so both our sons will one day have one. He also has other vintage items and furniture. Hope you will stop by if you're in the area...its a delightful shop.

 The election is over and I was terribly upset by the outcome as were 50% of Americans. I don't think people who voted for the President realize what will happen. Already there have been thousands of layoffs which are not being reported by most newspapers and the media. As this is not a political blog, I will not go into it further, however, our next door neighbor has been laid off, and says she won't look for work. She plans on living on unemployment for the next 99 months.
However, I know that God is in control and He will provide so am giving it all to Him who is the final authority.

Now that cooler weather is here, I've started baking again. Made a mile high apple pie the other day which is over half gone now.....decorated the top with pastry leaves...and it was yum (as our grandson would say) The crock pot in the background was full of roast beef, with baby carrots, potatoes and onions. The house smelled really good that day!

I've gotten the embroidery on the  baby quilt almost done and ready to be sent to Nancy who has volunteered to complete it for me. Says she's one of Jayden's grandmas which is wonderful..there can never be too many people to love. Time is going by so fast now so have to get all our projects done before Christmas comes! I promised her I'd embroider a towel for her daughter so that's what's next. Hopefully it won't take me near as long as this quilt has...its hard to embroider with a 15th month old baby exploring the world. We did get baby gates which is making it easier. He's talking up a storm and the other day, actually called us Grandma and Grandpa clearly. Delightful!

Pre Election Day Funnies

Tomorrow is Election Day...so in view of that, I've decided to post some funnies......lighten things up a bit......by now, most people have decided who to vote for and what propositions they are for and against in the various states..

Happy Halloween

Wishing you a wonderful Halloween

China, Ebay and Family

I've been busy listing some items on Ebay, I decided to list some of this beautiful Haviland china that I inherited from my dear grandmother. I got it over 40 years ago but have never used it. The kids are not interested in it either.
The set was originally for 12. However, when I got it, many of the pieces were broken. As it was a big set, there are still enough for a service of 8. It includes 8 beautiful dinner plates, a casserole with lid, 6 soup bowls, 4 teacups with saucers, a gravy bowl and 3 platters, increasing in size to a turkey platter. Also 12 butter pats which are darling.
Haviland is one of those china sets that has increased in value over the years while others have declined.
Grandpa and Grandma lived during the Great Depression. Grandma bought this set piece by piece from a neighbor during that time so I'm not sure what the real age is for these.

They are all in beautiful condition. So far I've listed a tea cup and butter pat. So delicate and pretty. Below is one of the butter pats...darling huh? They are only about 2 inches across. I have the pink Depression glass glasses that Grandma teamed with the set but I'm keeping them at this time.

The above vintage photo is of my grandmother...She was German, the daughter of German immigrants. She grew up in Ottumwa, Iowa on a farm outside of town. Her and her siblings went to "English" school during the week, and German school on Saturdays. They were staunch Baptists, attended church and Sunday School.

Here she is with her Sunday school class..pretty lady in the bottom middle. It was a  large class too...

 I was fortunate enough to get a few of these old photos...Grandpa took my mother and I into the basement. He had a trunk full of old photos like this that he went through. Gave us a few of them. We found out later that after he passed..my aunt took the photos and gave them to the thrift shop. Sadness. She thought no one would be interested in them. So happy we got a few anyway.
I am rambling and will post this now...if you are interested in the china....here is the link to my Ebay sales....China Lake Auctions

Applesauce Thoughts

We've both been busy the last few days. We traveled up to apple country and came home with two bushels of apples, Jonagold and Winesap. Yesterday and today we made and canned applesauce. Wow! is it good?! We now have 15 qts and 14 pints of sauce for the winter.
Our weather here in California is getting cooler. We don't have the dramatic change of seasons like you do in other parts of the country but we do have seasons. The days are in the 70s and nights in the low 60s. Later in the winter, it does get down to freezing at night.

We did our voting also. We vote absentee. As Republicans, we know our vote won't count for the most part but will on some of the propositions. Our governor seems to think we will all vote to raise (temporarily, if you can believe that) to help the schools. I've been voting in every election since I was 18 and there is always some proposition that supposedly will save the schools. Its why our state lottery was approved.The lottery was said to save us from ever having to worry about the schools again. How did that work out? Thank you, Governor Brown, but no. Guess I'm just cynical.
I will be glad when this election is over and hopefully we have a new President. We need someone who understands business, and economics. The old President has never really held down a real job and no one on his staff (and I mean no one) has ever had a job in the private sector.  It was especially obvious in the first debate.

I've been working on and off on a cross stitched monkey quilt for Jayden. Hope to get it completed soon.

Nancy Huggins will be binding and finishing it for me so got it get the 12 squares finished. It will have a flannel backing so will be warm and comfy this winter. Its difficult to embroider with the little guy around but it is possible!

I've also started selling on Ebay again! I used to, years ago but took the plunge again this month.  My name on Ebay is ChinaLake Auctions mostly selling things we find at estate sales...I have a beautiful butter dish that we found at an estate sale about a week ago. The lady had been a avid collector of glass....
its such a pretty dish, almost didn't want to part with it!

This sold, thank you!

Inspiring!

  I wanted to share also with you one of my favorite artists,,,this is Jon McNaughton's work...you can find him on Facebook...he's a talented artist as you can see. His work is very inspiring. This work is about the second coming....Every warrior from every time period kneels before Him.

 Jon also has many other subject matters, many political and he also does lovely landscapes.

 Here is the link to his website...McNaughton Fine Art....just looking at the art on his site is like walking through a fine art gallery.

A Wonderful Giveaway!

Brenda from the Rusty Thimble is hosting a wonderful giveaway and I wanted to share this with my readers. There will be 24 winners..yes, 24 winners as 24 different craftspeople have donated wonderful Christmas items for this giveaway....I will post a button on my side bar for this and hope you will sign up.
I can't post all the wonderful things but here are a few...

A Christmas Mouse from Buttermilk Creek Farm

A Rolling Pin Rack from the CrackerJack Kid

and a 

 Primitive Santa Hat from

My Stitches to Treasure..

Please sign up and also on Brenda's blog, The Rusty Thimble..there are links to many of the crafters blogs........

Saturday News

In spite of it being a little chaotic around here with our grandson being a active 14 month old, I got a little bit of fall decorating. I bought a primitive pumpkin from Brenda (the Rusty Thimble), you can see it above and I trimmed with some faux berries, leaves and flowers....the faithful crow keeps watch.

Jayden walks quite well now. He's talking more and more. He's just discovered books and loves them. His parents got him a set of 12 board books and they are quickly been well worn. He points to our book shelves and says "book, book" but we can't trust him yet with the real thing as he tends to chew the books as much as he loves to be read to!.

The other day, I tried to take some pictures but he was moving so much...this is the best I could do. At least his upper half is in focus.! They grow up so fast, don't they?

More Depression Glass and Thoughts

We were able to get a different device and get photos downloaded again...Yay!...I listed many more pieces of Depression glass into my Etsy shop...here is just a small sample.
I have four Cherry Blossom dinner plates...

I know its hard to see the pattern but they are in perfect condition. According to my book, these go normally for around $30.00 a piece but I'm selling them for much less.
I thought I had Cherry Blossom sugar and creamer, however, on checking, they turned out to be the pattern Poinsettia which I really like..

I not only have pink glass but also some pretty cut glass...

I inherited way too much and feel the compulsion to lighten up. Much of it was from my mothers second husbands estate. His children didn't want any of it so it fell to me. The proceeds will go to get a new computer.

Fall is starting here, cooler nights which are so welcome after our hot hot summer. September hasn't been a good month for our business. Very few calls. We do have one tomorrow but all in all a bad month. Our realtor friends tell us there is a light at the end of the tunnel so hopefully things will pick up soon.

We were supposed to get our solar panels in this week. However, a mistake was made and they have to go back to the drawing board. Evidently, they thought we had a smaller electrical box but on closer inspection, realized differently. Instead of 17 panels, we will be getting 30. Much better for us as most of our energy needs will be through solar and not the electric company. Our neighbor who already has his panels says its so cool to see the electric meter going backwards! It will be a few more weeks wait but well worth it.

I know you're probably getting tired of all the political stuff right now...rather a ugly campaign this time around. Alan and I just finished listening to a great book by Mark Levin called "Ameritopia" and we highly recommend it. It really goes into alot of detail and
history to explain how we've gotten to  the place we are right now as a country. A rather scary place actually. Many people don't realize how close we are to the brink of diaster.
Amazon has it, both in paper and hardback and also a Kindle version.

Pray! 2 Chronicles 7:13-15
if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.