Vintage Thingie Thursday: Vintage Telephone Timer

Welcome everyone to Vintage Thingies Thursday

If you have a love for vintage things, well....you have come to the right place. We have a really good time each and every week!!!
If you are new to this party, please take the time to read and follow the instructions for participating in Vintage Thingies Thursday, click HERE. I try and keep things fairly simple, so please make sure you follow the instructions. Please only ONE link per week. Lastly, if you link in, LINK back to my blog, so everyone can see all of the vintage goodies on display that day. If you don't link back here, they won't know who to visit......thanks so much. Lastly, try to make an effort to visit the other participants. I know myself, I get so behind and busy, but this year, I am going to do my best to visit each week.

Here is a real blast from the past...and I can't even believe I am saying that!! This is what our phone looked like in "the olden days" or for a more accurate date...the early 1980's. 

We had a phone just like this at a desk that was in our kitchen. The only difference was, it had one of those super long phone cords. Do you remember those?? The ones that would stretch so long that when you finally walked back to the phone it would get all tangled and curled up??  Oh, we had it rough!

Anyway, my mom had two of these little timers that she kept on that desk. In case you are too young to remember these, I think they were three minute timers. The sand would fall to the lower chamber and that was when time was up....or in my case....just flip it over and hope I could flip it again without getting caught by my mom.

I have no idea where my mom got hers, but she had one with yellow sand and one with beige sand. Yes, I remember them well, and with very vivid detail of how they looked. I don't have any idea what happened to the ones my mom had, but I feel sure she does not have them anymore.

I found this one at that fantastic estate sale I went to a couple of weeks ago and had to have it. I did not need it, but it was more of  a memory of fond times years ago. It evoked memories of hours spent on the phone with my friends, trying to solve the problems of the school and all the kids that went there.

I am sure the kids today, especially young ones would have no clue what this was or what the telephone itself was. For one thing, it does not look like a cell phone of today and that is all most young kids know. In fact, this old home phone so it is so outdated, we are getting to the point that the younger generation  coming up have never seen  these types of phones! 

Talk about feeling old.....this is now considered an "olden days" phone...one I used every. single. day. of my youth. I honestly don't know how we made it without cell phones, caller ID, or call waiting.....I guess I should consider myself lucky we never had a party line. ;-)

Happy Vintage Thingie Thursday!! Have a great week!

Looking Ahead for Twenty-Fourteen and Fondly Saying Goodbye to Twenty-Thirteen

Saying goodbye to twenty-thirteen is kinda bittersweet. It was a year of first on a lot of levels, some good, others not so good. One thing it did provide was a new outlook on things in my life and a new found gratitude for the things I often take for granted.

Both my husband and I had minor issues with our health, but that being said, he was in ICU the beginning of the year and I had surgery in the summer, and if that wasn't enough, we finished December with another minor surgery for my husband. I learned a lot from all of these health experiences. The major ones were neither he or myself make a great patient and we are both about as chicken as chicken can be. If you could only imagine the sights of the two of us trying to take care of the other.....I like to rule with the iron fist when I am the nurse taking care of the patient and I like to rule with a iron fist when I am the patient, and not too sure the nurse is competent. Yes....it's all about lessons learned.

Above all the lessons learned this year, the one of taking care of your health is first and foremost. I took that lesson seriously, and decided to try and lose some weight this fall. I was able to drop 21 pounds, but then the hustle and bustle of the holidays rolled around, and I sorta just stopped obsessing about losing any more weight. I decided to hop on the scale the other day and was thrilled I had not gained any of that lost weight back, so I am confident to jump back on the band wagon and keep working towards my goal.

I learned that its ok to not be able to do all I think I should be doing, whether it be housework, cooking, cleaning, sewing or just surviving the day. I may need to work on not being so lenient with myself in 2014 as I am thinking my word for the new year will be "simplify." I seriously have come to a point where I am sure less is totally more....and this next year, I plan on trying to downsize and pass on some of the things I have told myself I have to keep for so many years. I know it will be a challenge, but I am up for it.

I also learned, that the most amazing experiences can turn into moments you will never forget. This fall, I casually mentioned to my brother of an event in Dallas coming up and I had thought about going. I never dreamed he would have taken that to heart, but he did. He purchased tickets for us to go. I could hardly believe it. I don't recall ever in my adult life spending an evening with my brother..just me and him. It truly, in all it could be, was the highlight of twenty-thirteen from start to finish.

He picked me up and we were off to Dallas to see Theresa from Long Island Medium. I could hardly contain myself as I expected that show to be the highlight of the evening. I expected a reading and to hear from a family member who is no longer here. Sadly, it was sort of a let down when that did not happen, but in all actuality, that was not the lasting memory of the evening.

True to Dallas fashion, the traffic was starting to back up as we made our way into Dallas, so my brother got off the freeway and took an alternate route, which happened to take us over the new Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, which of course I had never seen or been on......Dallas and myself are not often two words in the same sentence!  I expected the road across that bridge to be packed with cars, but the most amazing thing was, there was no cars AT ALL on that bridge but one. As we started across the bridge, we noticed a car stopped on the side of the road. There was a girl standing beside the car and a guy on one knee, and he obviously had just proposed to his girlfriend, and we saw the tail end of that event. My brother honked his horn and said they would always remember someone honking at them at that very moment, I have to agree, I believe they surly will.  It was sort of a magical moment to the start the evening.

We had plenty of time before we needed to be at SMU for the event, so my brother drove me to where Klyde Warren Park sets over a busy freeway in Dallas. I have heard about this park and always wanted to go, but had no idea where it was. My husband and I have talked about going there, but as things go, we just never had done it. The park was enchanting and I really enjoyed that part of Dallas and all the buildings surrounding that area. It was amazing seeing a part of Dallas I had no idea even existed, I loved it.

Once we made it to SMU and parked, we still had plenty of time and we walked across the road and ate tacos from a little taco place called Diggs Taco Shop. It was good and I enjoyed our meal....I enjoyed it so much I almost choked on my taco, but that is another story!

It was truly an enjoyable evening spent with my brother. I never would have thought it would have been marked as my most memorable moment from the year, but it was. I will always treasure that evening...even if I did not get the reading from Teresa that I was so sure I was going to get. The event was exactly what Teresa said it would be at the beginning, which was that it was entertainment, she was enchanting and funny just as you see her on television. Some of the things she talked about have stuck with me and I won't soon forget them. I appreciate the fact my brother wanted to take me to see her, as words can never really explain how much that has and does mean to me. I am so glad that it was in the other things we did that night that proved to be the front runner of the evening as far as memories go.  It was a enchanting night from start to finish.

Twenty-thirteen provided an opportunity to reconnect with family members whom I have not seen or heard from in all of my adult life. Once again, facebook provides a great outlet for that very thing. It has been heartwarming to reconnect with people I remember so fondly from my childhood and whom are still around to share bits of my life with and share bits of theirs. Family is family no matter how old we get or how long it has been since we looked at each other face to face. I am grateful for "finding" my relatives this year, they add a lot to my every day life and I am thankful for that.

I don't know what twenty-fourteen holds, but I am looking forward to whatever it may be. I plan on simplifying so many things this next year, I have a list of things I want to get done, and plan to check them off the list one by one.

Quilting will still be a front runner, and as this year starts, I am already staring behind the ball on several things that need to be finished or started. I try and not put so much pressure on myself, but it is a hard thing for me to do. I have set goals for my family, and intend to see them met. I pray I have the patience to deal with any adversity that may come in the process of meeting these said goals.

May we all find peace within ourselves, find joy in every day things, be optimistic about the future and get as much enjoyment as we can out of the new year. May we learn to appreciate the things we often take for granted and never forget we could lose it all in a blink of an eye.

Wishing us all peace and happiness for twenty-fourteen.

 Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday.
- John Wayne

Quick and Easy Last Minute Gifts ~ Original Recipe ~ Hand Lotion

 This is pretty much an original post I did in November 2009. I know for a fact, no one ever had posted this recipe before as it was given to me by a lady who had made it for years. I had someone email me a couple of years ago informing me that people all over blog land were posting this as THEIR own original recipe. It did not take long to discover that yes, indeed that was true and had happened.

 Now, with the use of pinterest, it is all over there too, and no one for the most part took the courtesy to link back to my blog. One person told me I should email these folks and demand they link back here, or have them take the post down all together. Friends, I don't have time for that...and besides, how can anyone be sure that NO ONE has ever seen or been given the same recipe before? 

Anyway, I am running this again....we are in the countdown to Christmas and you just might need a quick, easy and inexpensive little gift. This fits the bill all the way around!

 With the holiday season upon us, and I know lots of folks are strapped for extra cash, I decided to share this recipe for the most wonderful moisturizer you will ever use...and you can tell those expensive cosmetic counters at the department store goodbye...

These make great shower favors (which I use at every shower I give, just change the theme on the container), stocking stuffers, co-workers gifts, or just extra gifts to have on hand during the holiday season....something small...but says a lot!

Now, this is easy as can be.....and ANYONE whom I have ever given this gift to, simply raves about this lotion....they think I am a genius, super girl, the whole kit and caboodle....it has been fun riding that wave of genius for so long, but now I want you to have a turn too.....ready? Let's begin.....

All you need are three ingredients: From DOLLAR GENERAL.....Shhhhhhh, yes, I did just say Dollar General. You will need one large baby lotion, I used the Shea and coco butter today, the pink is great if you are doing a girl baby shower, the lotion will be pink. Next, a large jar of Petroleum Jelly, and finally, a jar of the vitamin E skin cream.....simple...three things that is all...now, lets get started.

See, here is the Shea and cocoa butter label......but the pink baby lotion will work too.

First, empty the jar of vitamin E cream in a large mixing bowl, get all the goods out of the jar. Now, I save these jars, they are plastic, and the labels peel right off with no effort, and they can be washed and to store the final lotion product back in the container....Recycle made easy!

Next, add the Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline).....sorry, I'll try to keep it simple.

Make sure you get all the good stuff.....I have had no luck at recycling these containers...so I toss them.

Lastly, pour in the lotion....all of it.....

I was not joking....ALL of it. I slice the side open, and using a spatula, get the rest out of the container...can't recycle this except inside the recycle bin.

Now, get your hand mixer out and begin to whip all of this together.......

whip, whip, whip..........don't stop....I said, whip, whip, whip.......

When all is mixed really well...it will be light and fluffy....almost like icing.....see, how pretty is this?

Next: fill your containers. I used recycled baby food jars. I had to really work at taking all the glue and labels off the jars, but these jars are a good size for a small gift, so totally makes a little effort on your part worth it.

Fill to the top......just like so.......

once again...don't waste a single drop.......

I used Mod-Podge to add some scrapbook paper on the spray painted lids, and embellished with vintage lace, buttons and rhinestones....


What do you think?????


Now, top off with some vintage rick-rack or ribbon...and there you go. See what a little creative work will turn an ordinary baby food jar into something really cute....

If you are making a big batch, then just do the same process with however many of each ingredient you think you might need. One of each will fill about 6-7 baby food jars. I have made big batches of this using about 9 of each.....works just the same.....

Once you have tried this, you will be sold....this is all I use. I use it as a face cream, hand and foot cream and all over body cream.....it is wonderful. I will tell you this, all my co-workers ask me for it without fail....I always get "When are you going to make me some more lotion?...Christmas is coming!"

They think I am a Rock Star......LOL

Here is a photo from a baby shower, used the same jars, had a little round sticker with shower theme printed and stuck on top of lid, and presented inside a organza bag.

Same lotion for a wedding shower, used containers from the container store, glued rhinestone on top for some pizazz and printed a tag and attached that to a little bag. I used the pink lotion here as this was a pink themed shower.

Tip: If you do not have access to baby food jars, (like I did not) place an ad on Craigslist under the "wanted" section...your email will be flooded with wonderful folks wanting to give these to you for free.....how economical is that????

And if you want to keep this recipe your secret....go right ahead.....you can be a Rock Star with your friends too!!!!

Secret Santa Gifts

Secret Santa gifts are making their way all across the globe. Some of you are getting more than one package....so just know that may happen. Many missed the day to mail by a couple of days, but know all have notified me that their packages are on the way.

My secret Santa package came last week, and I am a bit tardy on getting my post up. With the busy work of running the swap itself, and making sure all were on top of the shipping, and working a full time job, and packaging Etsy goods to ship, I have been scrambling for extra time. Lame excuse...but it is all true!

My Secret Santa sent me a fantastic package...in fact, I was just stunned when it came, everything was perfectly selected and I was and still am just THRILLED.

Look at the box...packed with all kinds of treasures. The first package had two quilting books and wonderful, beautiful fabric!!

Notice the note..."can fabric scraps really be a gift"....oh, yes indeed....perfect gifts! My secret Santa did not forget the Doxies....they were most thrilled when they heard the crinkle of the packaging on these treats....which by the way, was wrapped in this adorable vintage towel.

This package was a cute little basket with an adorable, beautiful, lovely vintage tablecloth! Oh, the colors and pattern are just dreamy!! I was head over heals!!! Lovely S&P shakers too, I love these colors, and the pattern is perfect with collection of pink rose china!

Wonderful euphoria and hand made tags, I love these!! In fact, I have already used some of them in another gift I just mailed off. They came at the perfect time! Look at the beautiful hankie and that is a dachshund necklace. I absolutely love it and the length of the chain is perfect!

This was just too much.....a vintage sewing basket, and I think my mom had a similar one when I was growing up, but hers was pink. Inside, vintage buttons, threads, trims, lace, fabric and a fantastic Christmas pin and hanky. Oh, what a glorious gift!

These two little boxes were packed with vintage treasures.....LOVE! the bottom right photo shows the little girl and Mr. and Mrs Santa already in my Christmas decor! Loved it all!

Two sweet vanilla soaps were included in my box as well. Vanilla is one of my favorite scents, and these are displayed in my guest bathroom, the packaging matches my bathroom perfectly.

Also in my box was a wonderful blue apron, and a beautiful runner in pinks, blues and greens, It is just amazing, and these are all my favorite colors for vintage linens. This was an amazing package and I will treasure each and every thing that was chosen for me! I can't tell you how much fun I had with my box....I was beside myself for sure!

It is always so fun to see what someone picks for you and takes the time to try and make you smile...my Secret Santa did that very thing. I am in awe at how special she made me feel and can not thank her enough!!

I am looking forward to seeing all of your lovely gifts...that is the most fun for me, seeing what everyone got!! Looking forward to all the boxes arriving...and your post!

Something About The Rain

Here in Texas, we are as dry as a bone. We need rain in a bad way, and some parts of our country it is flooding and they can't catch a break. It seems to me that there should be a balance in the powers that be and spread all of that much needed water to the places that need it most and give the areas that can't catch a break from all the moisture. I am sure someday, someone will figure out a way to manipulate the weather and everyone will be happy. Ahem......

Click photo to get a great shot of this.

After the rain, there is always a promise of hope and renewal. Pray for the people of the great state of Colorado who are experiencing devastating flooding. The weather in the mountains can be catastrophic and it comes sometimes without much notice and quickly.  

My husband and my brother are at our cabin in Colorado. They have had some rain but nothing like what other parts of the state are experiencing. Last night, my brother sent me these photos they took while on their way to dinner. 

I always love to take photos of the rainbows in Colorado, and my husband sometimes gets annoyed because I will have him stop a hundred times for me to get the "right" shot. I am sure he was relieved that my brother just took the photos from the car and with his phone. Not bad....but I would have stopped and snapped several shots because that is just how I do it!  This is on the highway by our cabin, if you look closely on the edges of the main rainbow, you will see the double rainbow on top. Very pretty.....wish I had been there to see it in person.

At the foot of those hills, is the road that leads to our place.  This is the place that calms my soul, the place where we recharge and detach ourselves from the rest of the world. A real treasure. I am most thankful we share this little piece of  Heaven. Please remember the folks struggling with disaster and pray the rains move on. The one thing about the rain, even if it's flooding...if you look up, you will always find the rainbow and the message of hope in the end.

“Gratitude is the real treasure God wants us to find, because it isn't the pot of gold but the rainbow that colors our world.”
~ Richelle E. Goodrich

Favorite Thing Christmas Gift Idea ~ Christmas Bear

                                                                     Photo from Mad Man Knitting Blog

This time of year, I keep my eyes open for unique gifts. Sometimes, I find unique gifts that I want for myself. This is absolutely one of my all time favorite gift ideas that I have come across in a long time. At first glance, this Christmas bear really does not look much difference than any other ordinary Christmas bear.....but when you look closer, and read the story...it certainly will touch your heart, at least it did mine...and my husband is ordering me one for Christmas!!

I really don't have a clue how I found the website, or much less the facebook page, but below is the exert from Mad Man Knitting's Facebook page...and I know it will stir some interest to dig a little deeper as it did for me

Mad Man Knitting: A year ago I lost everything and had to find a way to feed myself. Somehow, I fell back on my old hobby of knitting to survive. What was a born was a teddy bear that has grown in popularity and adoration.

I quickly discovered not only the Facebook page but also a blog...and well, you know how we all love to find a new blog! There on the blog you will find a link to all of his wonderful bears.

Mad Man Knitting has set a goal for himself to only make 100 of these Christmas bears. I am assuming they are made by order, but only 100 will be made. They are very inexpensive and there is a link here and here to the blog post that talk about the Christmas Bears. How inspirational to read about someone who decided not to feel sorry for himself and put forth a plan to make it one way or another.

                                                                       Photo from Mad Man Knitting Blog

So as we head into the holiday season, this is the first on my list of Favorite Things, from me, The Coloradolady.

Stop by and have a look around, you will be inspired I am sure as I really felt inspired and touched as I read about this incredible man. Oh, and just to be clear, Mad Man Knitting has no idea who I am, has never heard of me, and has no idea I am putting his bear on my favorite thing list this holiday season. But, that bear is clearly one of my favorite things...as well as the man and story behind its creation!