Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Hiatus

"I'll find time to compose a post tomorrow" has stretched out into two weeks of tomorrows and no new posts so I think it's time to admit I'm taking a break over the holidays. I'm also going to take this time to give some though to where I want to go with this blog. One change I have decided on is to start using my husband's and son's real names. 

We're having a lovely time. Sam (the Sprog) is on winter break and we've taken advantage of the time to do an assortment of projects in the kitchen. He's becoming quite adept at making caramel. Here's his latest creation which we've dubbed "All wheel drive caramel."  (Because it's like rocky road.)  It has mini marshmallows and pecans in it and a layer of chocolate one top.  It's a bit sticky but very yummy! 


We're currently in California with Steve's (Hubby) family celebrating a late Christmas overlapped with New Years.  The drive down yesterday was nicely uneventful and we're settling in nicely with his parents, brother, and sister-in-law.  The third brother and his fiancĂ© arrive later today. That will make nine of us in a house with two bathrooms. I'm thinking a sign-up sheet might be necessary! 


Angus thought he was coming too. 

I intend to enjoy the next few days lazing around, reading, knitting, socializing, and generally slacking off.  Have a lovely New Year and I'll "see" you all in 2015!  

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Happy Chanukah

Last night was the first night of Chanukah and thanks to a little last minute scurrying, everything was ready.  The Sprog lit the candles and he and I said the prayers together in Hebrew. Lighting the menorah with my son always takes me back to when I was a kid lighting the menorah with my parents. 


The bag of tennis ball are for Giant Dog, she loves them (literally) to pieces. 

Chanukah celebrates the victory of the Maccabees (Jewish rebels) over the Greek king Antiochus who had conquered Jeruselem, outlawed Jewish observances, and sacked the temple. After freeing Jeruselem, the Temple was purified and the wicks of the menorah (a ritual lamp kept lit at all times) miraculously burned for eight days, even though there was only enough sacred oil for one day's lighting.  Because of this the Chanukah (which means "dedication") lasts 8 days, candles (or small oil lamps) are lit each day, and foods fried in oil are eaten (yum!)

Latkes are fried potato pancakes and are delicious with applesauce!
From a religious perspective Chanukah is a minor holiday, celebrating a military victory. However, because of its proximity to Christmas it has gained prominence and is celebrated by many Jews as a major gift giving holiday.

Life has gotten busy (as it does this time of year) so I expect posts to be scarce for the next few weeks but I'll do my best to remember to take some pictures and check in now and then. 

But for now I'll leave you with a Chanukah giggle.  Happy Chanukah, y'all!

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Grandma and Dr Who

I'm having a super busy week so this will be a quickie, but I couldn't pass up the chance to get in on Tardis Tuesday!  My grandmother was a big Dr Who fan in the 70s and 80's.  She was also a knitter.  Logically, this means that both my brother and I ended up with Dr Who scarves!  



I didn't like Dr Who when I was a kid ( think the aliens freaked me out) but I'm really into it in it's latest round. 

Tom Baker as the 4th Doctor in his scarf.

 

 And me in mine.



Who wore it better?



I'm a little ashamed to admit that I didn't appreciate it at the time but I do cherish this scarf now.  The rest of the outfit is all stuff you've seen before.  I've been pretty much living in this cardigan since I got it last week.

 

And because I can, I'm using a plastic Tyrannosaurus pin to hold the sweater closed as a reference to the Dinosaurs on a spaceship episode!

















Thursday, December 4, 2014

Mellowness and Cookies

It's been one of those weeks where nothing really special one way or another happens.  The days have gone mostly as planned with no particular events to note.  I mostly spent this week ticking off things from my around the house to-do list (I reorganized my sock drawer - crazy, I know!) and kitting a sweater for the Sprog.  I did make it out to a couple of thrift stores too.

Here's a happy coincidence.  On Monday I found the long cardigan, on Tuesday I found the skirt, and on Wednesday I put them together with one of my absolutely favorite pairs of shoes!



Cardigan (CB Designs) - thrifted
Skirt (John Paul Richard) - thrifted
Tights (Target) - New but by way of Goodwill.
Camisole (Old Navy) - Thrifted
The clothing cost a total of $24.
And that's why I can afford the extravagantly priced Fluevog shoes I'm loving so much!

I also found a few goodies for the etsy shop.  You can still get 20% off (any purchase over $10) with coupon code VINTAGEHOLIDAYS.



Vintage Christmas ornaments still in their original package.

 

Vibrantly pink MuMu!  Who want to go to Hawaii?



Perfectly 70s dress.

It's kinda nice to have this quiet time after the flurry of activity last week for Thanksgiving.  I'm hoping for a couple of more mellow weeks before winter break and holiday craziness starts.

But the week hasn't been dull either.  Get this, it's National Cookie Day!  Seriously, go look it up.  To celebrate I made pumpkin cookies with pumpkin form my garden.  They're delicious.  Here's the recipe.  There's a glaze to go on top but I think they're perfect without.



And lastly I leave you with this bit of cookie related whimsey from my childhood.  Enjoy!

Monday, December 1, 2014

Baby, It's Cold Outside

We woke up to sub-freezing temperatures this morning which gave a perfect excuse to show off one of my best thrift store finds from last year.



Halston 100% wool full length coat with velvet lined hood and velvet buttons.  I paid $25 for it and I'll confess that I do gloat a little every time I put it on. 

 

I think the black leather gloves (also a thrift store bargain) add an elegant touch.   The hat was a gift from Hubby from Simply Vintage and I added the bakelite hatpin from ebay.  Linking up to the Style Crone's Hat Attack.



The outfit underneath (which I braved the cold to show you - you're welcome) is based around last week's thrift store find.  I think Giant Dog approves.



My ongoing attempts to add more color and pattern into my wardrobe resulted in this long rayon dress.  It's a serious departure from my usual palette but it blends nicely with the burgundy I'm so comfortable wearing so it works.  It's a summer dress so I had to really layer it up for winter.  The pale blue is definitely a new color for me and works with this week's 52 Pick-me-up: Morning Glory!



My squee of the week is this pair of bright yellow bakelite bangles I got for $2 each.  (The mustard bakelite bangle is a $1 find from earlier in the fall.)



These Fluevogs are turning into my go to shoes.  I'm really digging the burgundy and mustard together.  Linking to Patti's Visible Monday with this color combo!