Vintage Chicks

A Squirrel,The Tree Man and One Cheese Danish

Before we even start this conversation I want all of you arborists out there to know that I realize this is not a healthy tree.  In fact, this Fall I had my tree man come out to work on this specimen.  He said, "So you want it taken down to the ground,right?" and I said, "No, I just want it trimmed." " Well, you know, lady this tree needs to be removed." "Yes, I do, but not on my watch, it is the squirrel tree." "I know that it is half dead and an eyesore to the neighborhood but that is where the squirrels live."  He kind of gave me that look and then agreed to trim it if I promised not to tell anyone it was his company that did the deed.  And then he kind of backed up to his truck like he was looking at a crazy woman.  It was a fun day.  We have limited entertainment here and the daily show starring the squirrel family ranks right up there with "Pawn Stars" on the history channel.  Today the squirrel is eating a piece of burnt whole wheat toast.  The piece of toast is as big as his little body.  When we see something this cute we run for the camera and capture the moment.  I also have to mention that we have some of the best fed squirrels around.  They get seeds and nuts, fruit and what ever bread product we over buy and do not use.  I am not the only one who has the squirrel obsession.  My sister lives down the street and in our family we celebrate our "crazy".  She is always buying big packages of pastry at Costco and then never eats it all.  It is not uncommon to look out the window and see a squirrel with a perfectly nice croissant in his little mitt.  Last Sunday I swear he had an entire cheese danish.  It looked pretty good and all I could think was how nice it would have gone with my cup of coffee. Anyone out there ever wrestle a squirrel?  Some days I think I could take him.

Lunchtime in Shoshone

Linda and I will be heading to Shoshone on Saturday to take some items to our booth at the Whistle Stop.  It is located about thirty miles away and is right across the street from the main rail line that runs straight through the town.  It was originally a shipping destination in the early days of Idaho business and still remains the only major rail line in our area.  It is always exciting to get there around noon because the train goes through and you just can't help but stop and watch the rail cars whizzing past.  After we get done "fluffing" the booth we always head over to The Manhattan Cafe for a good old greasy cheeseburger.  It is the best place in town for people watching and if you are real lucky some of the "real" cowboys from the neighboring ranches will stop in for lunch.  We see these guys all the time but it is fun to watch the tourists gawk when a man walks in with chaps and spurs on, covered with a little mud and cow dung  and bellies up to the counter.  The atmosphere is straight out of the fifties and the ambiance makes you want to linger over a piece of home made pie and maybe just one more cup of coffee.  I think we have our junk in that store because it gives us an excuse to go there and have lunch.  I can't wait.

The Dreaded Groan Zone

It seems that about this time every year the thought of one more day of Winter is just too much to endure.  I always think of it as the Groan Zone.  Christmas is over.  Valentines Day is over.  Easter is only a mere glimmer in the distance.  Where I live we have had on again, off again crappy weather and just when you begin to hope for Spring it snows again.  I am in the need of a pink and yellow, happy daffodils and bonbons kind of day.  I did find these items at one of my local haunts the other day and they all just seemed like a little breath of fresh air. I noticed that the Easter items are beginning to appear and all the stashes of Spring decor are being dragged out of the seasonal dungeon and displayed once again.  I love the little poodle cup.  I know it is for a toddler but I swear that if I could drink my morning coffee out of it without recriminations I would do it.  He just seems so light and happy.I think I will take this candy tin and sort some of my Spring colored buttons.  Maybe it will inspire me to get busy and make something for the upcoming March flea.  Nothing like a good dose of crafting to save you from cabin fever and help you get past the doldrums of another dreary day in the groan zone.  

No Spring Chicken

About a year ago Linda and I found this chicken at a thrift store.  We were getting ready for our Summer Sale and we thought it would be a cute mascot for our check-out table.  For the last little while we have taken him to the flea market and put him by our Vintage Chicks sign.  He is a real crowd pleaser and his can do attitude always delights our customers.  (It all sounds normal so far but I will now proceed to the wacko side of the story).  During last months flea market I took a little break and went shopping at one of our fellow vendors spaces.  She always has great little items.  She had some vintage doll clothes that just called my name.  The problem is, I'm not really a doll person, never have been. "What could I do with these darling little doll clothes?"  The answer was...Put them on the chicken.  I bought this little romper/old timey swim suit and returned to our booth.  "I just bought some clothes for our chicken."  I told Linda.  She is use to me doing wacky things and I have to give her credit because she never blinks an eye.  She put the outfit on the chicken.  It fit like a glove.  "Do they have anything else?" she asked.  "Yes, they have some really cute dresses."  "Well, she said, You do know this is really a rooster and not a chicken."  "Yes, I said, but at this point I don't think we need to get too specific, after all we just dressed a stuffed chicken."  I went down and bought the dress, which Linda calls the Easter dress and it too fit the chicken like a little glove. Now he/she sits on a shelf in the laundry room waiting for next months flea market where she can debut her new outfit.  I think she looks much nicer dressed in a proper garment instead of her Tyson cape.  She is no longer a corporate stooge but a real member of The Vintage Chicks society. Viva la difference!!

Perfect Father's Day Gift

For the Father who has everything.........B.B.Q Apron for the unwilling cook.  I suspect it is from the sixties when the Cocktail was king.

Green Spring Bling

Linda's birthday is very, very close to St. Patrick's day so I am always on the look out for new and different things to surprise her with.  I found the two shamrock pins and I just thought they were sweet,especially the one with the heart.  I also picked up the green bug for me.  It has a sweet enameled body and a little collar of turquoise beads with little blue eyes. I bought a new/old pink jacket for Spring and it will look great on the collar.  They are definitely green in color but as all junkers know we are also Green in our outlook for re purposing and reusing good stuff.  Every old thing we use again is one less thing purchased in a big box store and one less thing in the land-fill a year later.  If you can go Green and still enjoy a little bling then it is truly a win/win situation.

Sew Happy

Athletes experience it all the time.  That quick pump of adrenaline that makes you feel so darn good.  The same thing can happen when you are junking.  You know what I mean.  You see something across a crowded room and your heart starts beating a little faster, it becomes very quiet, you reach out and the object of your desire is in your hand.  What a rush!  It doesn't hurt when the price is great too.  Saturday I did a little shopping and it was pretty lean...until I made my final stop.  This store always has a great selection of doilies, napkins, sewing supplies and today I hit the Mother Lode.  There, setting on a shelf,was an entire shoe box full of sewing treasures.  It looked like someone had donated their collection of vintage needle books.  Some of the graphics are amazing.  These are my three favorites.  One is from Occupied Japan and the horse themed book is from Czechoslovakia.  The colors are still amazing and they are in great shape.  I will probably try to sell some of them but these three will definitely stay with me.  I got a bunch of other sewing stuff including a pink tracing wheel that I believe has a bake-lite handle.  This little box of domestic bliss just made me sew happy. 

Magic Catalog/Wish Book

I have found the magic catalog!  No longer will we have to spend our time and energy hunting and seeking out our beloved junk. We can just order it. This is a Rena-Ware distributor catalog from 1954 that I found while I was out junking this week. It has so many wonderful things, some of which, I already own and other things I would love to be able to place an order for." Perplexed about what to buy little Billy for his birthday?"  Why not a new space cruiser.It's a real bargain at only $25.95 with your special club discount.  Thinking of your Mother-in-laws birthday?  "Why not a six piece color-glo beverage set for only $5.56."  I spent months piecing together a set of these aluminum glasses in good enough shape for Summer entertaining. This is the item I wish I could order.  A nine section spice cabinet for only $6.95.  I see these every once in a while at an auction or sale but they are always cracked or in really rotten condition.  I would love to own this.  I understand why the old timers waited with anticipation for the Sears Roebuck catalog to arrive.  A good wish book can really make your day. 

And The Winner Is............

I decided that such a festive event as the 100th blog give a way deserved an equally festive outfit worn by moi.  I do admit I was a little punchy considering the weekend we just had but anyway, let the random picking begin...Notice the terribly official ballot papers.  They are left over guest checks from the now de-funct "Chicken Feed."  Some bloggers choose to use a computer generated draw, but  The Vintage Chicks believe in doing things the old-fashioned way. Drum roll please.......... And the winner is Sonya at www.dimestorethrift.blogspot.com.  I read her blog everyday and am so glad that she reads mine.  She is truly the "Queen of Glitter."  I enjoy her enthusiasm and am looking forward to finding her some goodies for her collection.  I do want to thank everyone who entered and took the time to comment.  The best part of blogging is connecting with people who share the same interests if not the same geography.  Here's to 100 more.

Flea Market Mayhem

This is a picture from last week ends flea market. Everything you see displayed is now gone.  For some reason we had a run on anything ballerina and other girly stuff.  I think it was a reaction to the gun show next door.  All the ladies were feeling like balancing their husband's purchases with a little something feminine.  We are still buried in our stuff and we have frantically tried to get everything organized since Sunday.  It was our last month to do the food booth and we had lots of extra equipment to dispose of and try to find a suitable place for.  Tonight we will go through all of our entries for the 100 blog give-away and put the names in a hat.  I will post the winning entry tomorrow.  Sorry I am a little behind in my blogging duties but I will make up for it this week.  Thanks to all of you who entered.