Revisiting the $5.00 Box of Photos...

Light snow is falling outside my window today, so it seemed a good day to stay indoors and revisit the $5.00 box of vintage photos that I bought back in aught-nine... 2009, that is.

As I was wandered through time in a box, I came across these photos....

I do believe they are photos of Miss CherryBubbles and her faithful canine companion, Mr. Lucky, in a past life.

And here's Miss CherryBubbles and Mr. Lucky in their present day "past life."

I'm often amazed to come across photographs, prints, or illustrations in thrift and antique shops that could be me and my puppy dog somewhere back in time. And I usually feel compelled to add them to my growing collection...

Have you ever found vintage photos of yourself and your pet in a past life?

A Bevy of Beautiful Blondes in My Grandparents' House...

My family always referred to the light-colored, beautifully-streamlined, modern-looking furniture in my Grandpa Bud and Grandma Elverna's mid-1950s-built house as "The Blonde Furniture." To me, as a child, it always seemed extra-special and somehow more than just an ordinary table, chair, or desk.

While you will most likely recognize it right away as Heywood-Wakefield, I was an adult before I ever heard the name mentioned in relation to my grandparents' Blonde Furniture.

I thought you might like to come along on my trip down memory lane and see some photos I took last fall at the house. At some point in the near future, all this furniture will be headed to auction.

Let's start with the china cabinet... full of the Franciscan Desert Rose dinnerware that I fondly recall my Grandma Elverna using for many a family dinner...


And here's the buffet... I always loved the sliding door on the one side...


One of six chairs for the dining room table - four armless and two with arms... my grandfather always occupied an arm chair at the head of the table (well, actually the end closest to the kitchen)...


The table ends fold down and the "legs" are three arches of wood... my grandmother always used a tablecloth for dinners - often one that she had embroidered or cross-stitched herself...


End tables and coffee table in the living room... my grandmother used to have lady-head vases on each of the end tables...


My grandmother's dresser... the mirror always seemed so huge to me...


My grandfather's dresser... complete with a green Roseville "Hyde Park" monogrammed ashtray that doesn't look as if Grandpa Bud ever used it (even though he was a pipe and cigar smoker at one time)...


The headboard with sliding door compartments... the quilt rack next to the bed was made by my Grandpa Bud...


And, last, but not least, the awesome desk in front of an oft-sunny window where I remember my grandparents taking care of their bookkeeping and paperwork...


I hope you enjoyed meeting this bevy of beautiful blondes! I know I will always associate "The Blonde Furniture" with fond memories of my Grandpa Bud and Grandma Elverna.

What stirs happy family memories for you?

Skating on the Pond...

(Illustration from The Household Magazine, January 1935)

This time of year always brings to mind those happy winter days of my childhood spent ice skating on the neighbor's pond.

Of course, before any skating could be done, Dad (or someone responsible enough to use an axe) had to chop a hole in the ice to make sure it was thick enough. We certainly didn't want to replay the "falling through thin ice" scene from It's a Wonderful Life!

I usually had to wear good ol' thermal long underwear underneath my jeans and sweater and winter coat, along with two pairs of socks - it seems like it was colder in those days. But I always preferred to imagine I was wearing a lovely red or blue velvet skating costume with furry trim... you know, á la Sonja Henie... with matching skates. Or maybe just a little something like these lovely ladies are wearing...

(Photo from Woman's Home Companion, December 1940)

Or maybe even something in a green velvet, like this Chesterfield lady...

(Advertisement from The Household Magazine, January 1935)

Sure, a skirt isn't the most practical when skating in the great out-of-doors in single-digit-January temperatures, but it looks real swell whilst twirling and spinning on the ice. And even when sitting prettily and enjoying a cup of hot chocolate.

Just for fun, I had a look-around on Etsy and was amazed to find this terrific 1940s red velvet skating costume from AdelinesAttic:

Lovely, don't you think?

And this fabulous 40s ice skating costume sewing pattern from TheVintageDesignShop:

How I wish I could sew well enough to make something like this!

I also found this neat little 1940s embroidery-trimmed skating skirt from Bombshell1939:

So adorable!


Well, I'd probably take a spill and break a hip, but I sure feel like some good old-fashioned ice skating after writing this post! Now, where'd I put those ice skates?

Hmm, maybe I'll just settle for a steaming mug of hot chocolate.


What outdoor winter fun do you remember from your childhood?