On Vacation

Taking a little break...can't wait to relax...!  I will be on vacation for a couple of weeks.  And if all goes as planned, I will take you all on a field trip or two when I return.

See you back here in August! 

Image found via Google.com image search.

Fortunate Finds: Vintage View-Master Collection

Just so you know, I've decided to combine all vintage collections / thrifting posts by using the "Fortunate Finds" tag.  I'll still be participating in Vintage Thingies Thursday, but I also want to participate in other link parties as well!

Did you love your View-Master when you were a kid?  I really loved mine. So imagine my happiness when I stumbled over this vintage View-Master and my husband gave me the accompanying vintage reels as a gift:

The putty colored View-Master (it has seen better days) was produced and distributed by Sawyer and it is a Model G, which is the first series to be made of plastic rather than Bakelite.  Although the box has no date, it probably dates to a three-year span of 1962- 1965. 

I have two different Cinderella sets, one of which was produced for Disney in 1965 and features animation cells from the movie.

The single disk in the photo is much older, as the tiny blue accompanying booklet has a copyright date of 1946.  It is entitled, "Cinderella and the Glass Slipper"  and has only seven images. I love its uniqueness: the figures in the scenes are molded out of clay!

(Forgive the fuzziness of the following images.  I actually took the photos by holding my camera lens up to my modern View-Master so you could see a few of the actual images on the disks).

"Preparation for the Ball"

"Cinderella Dances with the Prince"

The other disk set features images of Paris and Montmartre by day and night.  It was produced by Sawyers but was marketed by Sawyer's Europe, and the language on the disks and the jacket is French.  It's possible that it may have been a souvenir for an American tourist.  It also dates from 1965:

"La Facade et La Place Du Parvis"  (Facade of Notre Dame)

This romantic image is entitled "Repas en Plein Air, Place Du Tertre" (outdoor dining)

I have a few modern reels as well, but this is the extent of my vintage collection so far.  So how many of you, dear readers, still have a View-Master?  I'm keeping mine forever!

Madison Avenue Monday: Fabulosa!

I wish someone would knit this dress for me.

From Vogue Knitting, Spring-Summer 1965

Summer Recipe: Santa Fe Salad

I've spent the last week updating the shop so I've been pretty busy (I modified the look and feel a bit too...you can check it out here). And the weather has been hot. I mean HOT. When it is so hot that cooking over a stove sounds like cruel and unusual punishment, I make Santa Fe Salad, adapted from the recipe in Mary Englebreit's Queen of the Kitchen Cookbook. 

Image from the aforementioned cookbook.

2 cups cooked black beans, drained and rinsed if canned
1 1/2 cups sweet cherry tomatoes, homegrown if possible, halved
  (option: use a mix of red and yellow tomatoes)
1 cup fresh, thawed frozen, or drained canned sweet corn kernels
  (option:  use frozen roasted corn kernels)
4 green onions (scallions), minced
1 jalapeno chile (for mild heat remove seeds and ribs), minced
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro (or more to taste)
2-4 small garlic cloves, minced
2 Tbs. fruity olive oil
Juice from one lime
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste, or for more heat, use cayenne pepper to taste
1 avocado, cubed (optional)

In a large bowl, combine everything and toss well until mixed.  Add avocado cubes, if using, and toss lightly.

Serve with tortilla chips for dipping or over salad greens.  Serves 2-3 as a main salad course.

Enjoy!

Madison Avenue Monday: 4th of July Edition

The Great American Crafts Revolution!  From McCall's Needlework and Crafts, Spring - Summer 1972

 For those who are celebrating, have a safe and happy 4th of July!