House of Hawthornes

Maple Syrup part 2

2012-02-18T22:58:00.002-05:00

Since finding the vintage maple syrup tin, I've been looking around on etsy to see what other maple syrup containers are out there.

And I found one seller who sells quite a bit of vintage maple syrup stuff - Sea Glass Primitives.

Look at the fun graphics on these things!

source Sea Glass Primitives

sourceSea Glass Primitives on Bonanza
Or this one which is appealing to me in its simplicity. We can't all be dressed to the nines.

source Sea Glass Primitives
What about a wooden sap bucket?

source Sea Glass Primitives
I'm sort of becoming addicted to maple syrup collectibles. I'm even dreaming about syrup now. Maybe it has something to do with my sugar free diet?

Jeff was nice enough to let me borrow the photos of his syrup items, so check him out if you are falling in love with this stuff as much as I am. In full disclosure, I do not know this guy, have never met this guy, just found his stuff and wanted to share the link to his site. I'm nice like that!

Vintage Syrup Tins

2012-02-17T08:23:00.001-05:00

While rummaging around an antique store the other day, I found a new thing to collect that I didn't even know existed.

Vintage maple syrup tins.

Or at least I think this one is vintage. It has vintage-ish graphics on it and doesn't have ingredients listed on the can nor a bar code, so I'm calling it vintage.

Notice the huge leaf beside the tin. Just a coincidence that it's there, but I think it may be a maple leaf?

Our neighbor has some maple trees, so it may have just blown into out yard. But still, it's a tiny bit Twilight Zone-ish that it just happens to be sitting where I plopped the can down.

The tin has a slightly different graphic on the other side (which I didn't notice until after I had finished taking the first photos, taken my coat and boots off and put my camera away), so I quickly ran it back outside in a completely different locale to take this photo. No spooky maple leaf this time.

Makes me want to curl up by the fire at a ski lodge with a good Kindle book and a waffle.

Linking with Thrifty Thursday at Tales From Bloggeritaville, Open House Thursday at No Minimalist Here, Home & Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life, Treasure Hunt Thursday at From My Front Porch To Yours, Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground, Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage, Saturday Night Special at Funky Junk Interiors.

Valentine's Day

2012-02-14T16:50:00.006-05:00

Hope you are having a happy Valentine's Day.

(roll mouse over photo to see original photo SOOC)
My son and I are eating some Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate & Caramel Squares and are in a sugar coma. I tell you, those things melt in your mouth like butter!

For my photo effects above, I used one layer of Kim Klassen's Love texture in Soft Light at 100% opacity. You can roll over the photo to see what it looked like straight out of the camera (SOOC).

Speaking of textures, I am always torn between adding a texture to a photo to give it a little artistic interest or leaving the photo as is. I mean, I try to take the best photo that I can with my still-in-the-learning-stages photography skills. Then I muss up all that so called "perfection" by adding the texture on top of it. I guess I may be a traditionalist at heart.

But just know that I always let you know when I use a texture. I don't want you to think that the photo just magically popped out of my camera looking like that.

Do you like the use of textures or is too far from the original photo for you?

But, They Really Are Beautiful

2012-02-13T16:30:00.002-05:00

On the way back from Cleveland on Friday, I stopped off at a Goodwill store about 1 1/2 hours north of here. I've probably only been there a good handful of times, since it's only a trip that would make sense if I am passing by that exit already, but for some reason I have the best luck at this store. I have run across vintage picnic baskets there, a McCoy vase and all sorts of neat vintage furniture. I have never walked out of that particular Goodwill store empty handed.

And Friday was no exception.

When I walked down the aisle and spotted this china, I stopped dead in my tracks. The blue on the plates was mesmerizing. Really, I stood there for a few minutes just thinking how much I loved the color.

You don't need any plates, Pam.

But, they really are beautiful.

You won't use them that often.

But, they really are beautiful.

You didn't come here with any thought whatsoever in your pretty little head that you were going to buy plates.

But, they really are beautiful. And thanks for calling our head pretty, but we really do need to touch up our roots.

So before I talked myself out of it, I plopped the plates into my cart and ran to the checkout line.

$10 for 4 dinner plates, 4 coffee cups, 4 saucers and 4 salad plates. If you're counting, that's $2.50 a place setting.

And they really are beautiful!

Linking with:
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm
Thrift Share Monday at Apron Thrift Girl
Flea Market Finds at Her Library Adventures
Twice Owned Tuesday at House of Grace

Valentine's Day Centerpiece

2012-02-12T12:16:00.004-05:00

Thank you all for your wonderful comments on my son's birthday. He had a fabulous day and we all ate way too much of the Angry Bird cake. Note to self - lemon cake with lemon icing may be a bit too much lemon going on all at the same time.

I think I'm a little late on the Valentine's Day decorating train. I just looked at the calendar and realized that Tuesday is Valentine's Day. What happened to the first half of February?

So, I thought I'd better show you my kitchen table centerpiece before it's St. Patrick's Day. I used my bottle carrier with pinecones in it that I have had sitting here.

I traded out the napkin underneath it (which I never actually ever use as a napkin) for a piece of red and white ticking fabric that I had left over from making one of the dogs a bandana for Christmas (just ironed the raw ends down).

And put a few Valentine items around it.

I wish I could say that I made the felt heart, but I got it as a gift a few years ago. I would love to be that talented of a sewer.

This is one of my faux postcards. I just printed the image from The Graphics Fairy onto card stock, cut it out and added a little bit of white glitter to make all sparkly and festive.

Doesn't get simpler than that.

In other news, I added my Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest buttons to the bottom of my new posts. Just trying something new. I have a few other new things up my sleeve for later this week, if I get around to finishing them.

Now get out there and buy your sweetie a Valentine's Day card or something. And if you don't have a sweetie, buy something for yourself.

Linking with The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sunday, The Graphics Fairy for Brag Monday, Between Naps On The Porch for Metamorphosis Monday, My 1929 Charmer's Sunday's Best, Dear Lillie's Valentine Party and A Stroll Thru Life for Table Top Tuesday.

A Teenager? Really?

2012-02-08T16:50:00.001-05:00

Today is my son's 13th Birthday.

Where did the time go?

I am not old enough to have a teenager, by the way. I guess if you want to get technical and be picky about it and sit there and count the years or something, I am actually old enough to have a grandchild. But still, I don't feel that old in my mind.

I baked a cake this year, instead of opting for the easy way out and buying a store bought one. Gave me a chance to use my aluminum cake carrier.

Totally off topic, but I love the handle on this thing. Something so Donna Reed about it.

I'm into minimalistic cakes. Or I ran out of red icing. Both work for me.

These are pencil toppers. I stuffed vanilla Tootsie Rolls into their behinds, so I could plant then on the cake without getting icing all over them.

So now you know why these birds are so angry!

You probably won't see me for a couple days. Have some projects to finish and have to go out of town on Friday (please don't rob my house). If I don't see you before then, have a great weekend!

A Little Snowflake Discovery

2012-02-06T20:36:00.001-05:00

I do this every year.

I put away my Christmas stuff some time around New Year's Day. And then a month or so later, start spotting things I've missed.

Like my snow-out-of-a-can snowflakes that I had sprayed onto my kitchen windows.

If I didn't walk past these windows about 40 times a day, I would probably have an excuse for not noticing them before.

Nothing a little Windex won't solve.

Do you have any remnants of Christmas lurking in your house? Stale red and green M&Ms in your candy dish? Aunt Lucy's fruitcake in the back of your fridge? Your Christmas tree standing in the middle of the living room?

Crafting Gone Bad Part 2

2012-02-05T17:29:00.003-05:00

Here's where my craft failure from Friday ended up.

I would really love to show photos of my office some day. It's just so hard to get good shots up there, since it's a little windowless loft area above my bedroom. The light is so wonky that I have a 4 desk lamps going plus the ceiling light and it's still a little on the dark side.

Uh, oh. I was trying to rush to take photos before the sun goes down and the Mod Podge isn't even dry yet on my second try at this project. BTW, I let this one dry out before I added the top coat and it made no difference. Still wrinkly.

Enjoy the football game tonight, if you are so inclined. I'll be watching, but since the Browns didn't make it into the game (surprise, surprise) it's more about fun and festivities rather than the game to me.

Crafting Gone Bad

2012-02-03T07:21:00.001-05:00

What do you do when you have a bazillion calendars from years passed? They have lots of cute images on them and you don't want to just throw these babies away.

Well, I ran to Big Lots and bought a $5.00 canvas board and painted the sides black.

There was a moment there when I was painting the sides black when I thought to myself "I wonder if the paint will stick to this?" It's a painter's canvas, Pam. Yes, it will accept paint!

I proceeded to Mod Podge one of the calendar images to it.

Oh, so badly.

Wow, this puts a wrinkle on my calendar page turned piece of art idea!

I have a feeling that I should have allowed the project to dry between me adhering the page to the canvas and my coating the top.

Shoot! (blogging term for $#*@!)

I may just hang this one in my cave of an office where it's so dark you won't be able to tell it is less than perfect.

Can you believe I have not picked out my new cell phone yet? My son was off school for two days because he was sick and now I have the dreaded crud, so that has thrown a wrench in my shopping plans. I may go back to bed right now and skip my Friday estate sale shopping plans also. Ugh! Who has time for being sick?

One Ringy Dingy

2012-01-31T09:44:00.002-05:00

I bought a cute little vintage toy phone at the antique store for $6.00 this weekend.

(roll mouse over photo to see original photo SOOC)
From the photos it looks like a full size vintage phone, but it's only 5" long by 3" tall. Very petite for a toy phone, I think.

It almost looks like the phone I grew up with. Black with rotary dial.

Please tell me I wasn't the only person that used to get their fingers caught in the holes in the rotary dial. Maybe I just had pudgy fingers?

I'm shopping for a new cell phone today and the decisions are endless. Am I an iPhone person? Am I am Android person? Do I stay with Blackberry? Who has cooler apps? Which carrier has the better plan? Just buy the darn phone already!

Back in this phone's time you had one choice. Black. AT&T. Take it or leave it, lady!

Do you live and die by your cell phone or could you just as easily survive without it?

For my photo effects, I used Pioneer Woman's Action Set - Boost at 100% opacity, Kim Klassen's Pumpkin Grunge texture in Soft Light at 100% opacity and her Simplicity texture in Multiply at 40% opacity for all these photos.

Linking with Texture Tuesday at Kim Klassen Cafe, Tabletop Tuesday at A Stoll Thru Life, Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm and Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style.

Kindle Covers On Etsy

2012-01-30T09:46:00.001-05:00

I've been a little enamored of my Kindle since I got it in December, so of course I was looking on etsy for some cooler than the normal run of the mill covers for it.

Who can resist a sock monkey?

source HanksDesign on etsy

I loved the traditional covers of these, plus there is something so "me" about putting my Kindle inside of an old book.

source ReAuthored on etsy

The texture of the coffee bean bag cover was calling to me.

souce SewUpcycle on etsy

And this would be perfect for the crochet lover in your life.

source AngelsWingsCreations on etsy

For those that like a nice sturdy indestructible material, what about wood?

source jjkraai on etsy

These are very cute and remind me of my Grandmother's change purse.

source AngelaKayDesigns on etsy

A Nancy Drew book would be very cute and probably be a conversation starter when I'm out and about with the Kindle. Someone out there in blogland that I know has one of these, I just can't remember who. Is it you?

source RokkiHandbags on etsy

My niece would love this frenchy one.

source FreeMoment on etsy

Please feel free to grab one of these if are in the market for a cover. I don't make decisions easily, so it may take me a month or two to find the ultimate cover of my dreams. That's the downfall of being an overthinker, I guess.

BTW, I linked to the etsy store owners' main page just in case these have sold since I looked at them last. For instance, I know that the coffee bag one has sold, but she has other cute coffee bag designs listed.

I'm off to check out a few thrift stores today and maybe, just maybe, do some laundry (how exciting).

Circus Peanuts Anyone?

2012-01-27T10:25:00.008-05:00

Circus Peanuts.

I always think of K-Mart when I see these. Don't get me wrong, I love the little buggers, but it's one of those things you pick up on a whim in the check-out line. I'm not sure anyone has ever gone to the store for the sole purpose of buying a bag of Circus Peanuts.

Did you know they are banana flavored?

I did not. I was shocked to learn that fact, because after many years of eating these things I never once thought Hey, these taste like bananas.

Any other Circus Peanut fans out there? I have an idea there aren't many. When I plugged it into Pinterest there were only two photos that popped up. And that tells you something right there.

Why am I writing about Circus Peanuts? It was my Mom's favorite candy and today is the 2nd anniversary of her death (if there is such thing as an anniversary for dying?). So, this year instead of an ode to my Mom, I thought I would commemorate the day with her favorite candy.

So, here's to banana flavored orange peanuts!

And if you are in the mood to be adventurous, try out this recipe that I found on the Spangler Candy site. As much as I like a good Circus Peanut, I don't think I can go down this sugary path.

Circus Peanut Jello Recipe

1 6oz package of orange flavored jello
1 16oz can of mandarin oranges
2 cups boiling water
2 cups whipped topping
1 3/4 cups mandarin orange syrup mixed with water
30 circus peanuts

Boil water and dissolve the jello
Cut peanuts into smaller slices and add to the jello mixture, stir until dissolved
Drain the syrup from the mandarin oranges and add enough water to the syrup to make 1 3/4 cups liquid
Add to the jello and chill until partially set
Stir together the mandarin oranges and whipped topping, fold into jello mixture
Pour into a 13x9 pan and refrigerate until firm
Eat and enjoy

A Stripey Dollar Store Find

2012-01-25T13:26:00.003-05:00

I was at the Dollar Tree today and ran across these vintage looking striped glasses. It was love at first sight. My first thought was that they would go perfectly with my Fiesta Dinnerware!

And guess how much they were? $1.00 each.

I'd show you the animal crackers I bought also, but you probably know what those look like (they were $1.00 too, just in case you were wondering). What did I ever do before they invented dollar stores?

Linking with No Minimalist Here's Open House Thursday, From My Front Porch To Yours' Treasure Hunt Thursday and Savvy City Farmer's Thrift'n On A Thursday.

The Weather It Is A Changin'

2012-01-24T09:42:00.002-05:00

I have been totally spoiled by this warmer weather we have had this winter. Up until recently, it was more like fall than winter.

We got a bit of the more traditional cold and snow last week.

Followed by 60 degree weather on Monday. Bye-bye snow.

I am not normally a snow lover. Actually, I would be happy it if only snowed on Christmas Eve. But I'm not sure I will fully appreciate spring when it comes, if I don't have some really bone chilling cold days and a few feet of snow at some point this winter.

OK, now I just jinxed it. Cue the Blizzard of 2012.

My daffodils had better hunker on down again, just in case that blizzard is on its way.

Yes, that photo was taken yesterday. No, I didn't rake the leaves this year. I was too busy blogging.

BTW, I finished The Help yesterday. LOVED IT!!! I've been humming Bob Dylan's song, Times They Are A Changin', all day (hence the questionable grammar in my post's title).

Croquet Box Anyone?

2012-01-19T18:19:00.002-05:00

In August, I expressed my love for a vintage croquet set that I found.

Since buying the croquet set, I have only played it a few times. It's actually hard to find people who want to dress up in white ankle length dresses and tap a ball around the yard on a hot summer day, but it has proved to be a nice summer decor item for the porch.

So, when I was out at a local antique shop and caught sight of this guy out of the corner of my eye, I started to hyperventilate. Could it be? Why, yes it is. A croquet box (cue the sun shining down and the angels singing).

Now, it doesn't even come close to having the whole set inside the box, it only has a few mallet shafts.

But who cares? Look at that writing on the box!

And as far as boxes go, it is actually quite useful. The top is hinged in a way that it sort of rolls back behind the box itself.

So, it makes a perfect trough area to fill with summer plants or flower filled Ball jars or just about anything in the whole wide world.

For right now, I have it on top of my kitchen cabinets (all of you painted kitchen cabinet lovers may want to avert your eyes).

I was actually going to paint a sign and put it in this very same spot. You know, one that says EAT or maybe KITCHEN (real original ideas there, Pam). But the Croquet company's logo actually fits my style a little better.

Do you find yourself attracted to a good box? If so, is it the signage on the outside that attracts you or the box itself?

Linking with Thrifty Thursday at Tales From Bloggeritaville, Junker Newbie's Would You Buy It Wednesday, Vintage Thingie Thursday at Colorado Lady, Farmhouse Friday at LaurieAnna's Vintage Home.