A Charming Cookbook

Lori found the cutest cookbook at a thrift store on one of her visits here to Sonora. and the illustrations inside by Barbara Corrigan are so charming that I just wanted to share some of them with you today.
The title of the vintage (1953) cookbook is "Early American Recipes", and it was written by Heloise Frost.
First up, for  "Chowders, Soups And Stews", we see the lady of the house getting the large soup tureen down from the top of her hutch:

 (I love the framed silhouettes on either side in that one.)
Just look at all the kitty cats clamoring for some of her
"Fish And Sea Foods", below:

"Cakes 'N' Cookies" are next, and all I have to say is  "Yes, please; I would also like to sit in that nice big red wing chair,  a sweet kitty by my side, with a nice book in MY lap and help myself to some of those cookies, as well!"
I mean, there's even a footstool on which to place my feet:

It appears that this rising bread may have gotten a bit out of control, here in the illustration for the chapter on Breads, Biscuits, and Muffins:

Bringing a nice pot of "Vegetables" to the table, here:

(Don't step on any of those sleeping puppies or their Mama!)

We also have Jams, Jellies and Relishes  - ready for a nice slice of toast, anyone?
Looks like Fido is ready, willing AND able to help Junior out with his, any time!

"Fillin" Dishes" ( including a big turkey on the table) are precisely what you need to have ready and waiting when you are expecting company, who just happen to have been traveling over the river and through the woods - and snow - to reach your house.....

Early American Recipes that are "Smackin' Good":

Hope you enjoyed seeing the illustrations!

What's Penny Wearing? #147 A Colorful Embroidered Vintage Skirt

Today, Penny is wearing an absolutely gorgeous vintage skirt that I got at a thrift store in Washington.

 I can't say that I "found" it, because my friend Kari actually spotted it first and pointed it out to me;

It's a stunner, isn't it?

 Embroidery with mirrors - I'm pretty sure I had at least one item of clothing back in the 70's that was made from embroidered fabric like this.

 Unbelievably colorful and fabulous!

 Gratuitous close-up....

 And here's a shot so that you can see the underside:

 With the skirt, Penny is modeling a vintage blouse I've had since the 70's:

 White cotton, Made In India - a light and pretty little thing!

 (As opposed to the skirt, which is REALLY heavy!)

And yet together, Penny and I think they make a pretty good pairing!

Seattle, And A Long-Awaited Visit With My Dear Friend Patsy

Lori and I got to go to Seattle, too, when we were on our trip!

Neither of us had ever been there before, but I have a good friend who moved there two years ago to be closer to her daughter and her family, who live in Gig Harbor, Washington.
We were able to stay with her for two nights and we had such a wonderful time!

That's Patsy on the left, above - and me.
 (We don't know the other guy.)
Lori took the picture.
Patsy and I worked together at the Stagecoach Inn restaurant in Columbia, California 35 years ago, and I also used to babysit her kids back then, as well.
She has a lovely place; it's all her own and she was able to decorate it precisely how she pleased, and I am SO happy for her!
I do wish she wasn't so far away, though......

Don't you just LOVE it when you get to see girlfriends again after way too long apart?
I do.
Lori and I were thrilled to be there - Patsy is simply a delight to be around!
Patsy is a fabulous hostess and she took us around to see as much as we could in our limited time there.
We went home the first evening and watched "Sleepless In Seattle".
Of course, we have seen it before (and loved it!), but I hadn't seen it in quite a while, and it was so fun to watch it again - in Seattle!
She had made some fantastic homemade chili that we got to eat for dinner one evening, too.
Yum - wish I had some right now. I mean, it's June 11th and it is 63 degrees outside right now.
VERY unusual for this time of year - but I am loving it.
The picture below was taken while we were having a great lunch at Doc's Marina Grill on Bainbridge Island:

We had a drink at Ivar's one afternoon:

We went on a ferry:

We went to Pike Place Market and had some delicious clam chowder:

They weren't throwing fish around while we were there, but the fish counters were certainly impressive!

And there were some gorgeous flowers, too!

Love you, Patsy!
And I'm ready to come back - any time!
(But it will have to wait a while, unfortunately.)
I'd come tomorrow, if I could!

Blogger Meet-Up: A Special Day In Portland!

Lori and I took a road trip up the Oregon coast and into Washington, and I am going to do a number of posts about our trip.
We got to meet Alicia Paulson of  Posie Gets Cozy and Laurie Romanaggi of Magpie Ethel on the same day, and we could not have been more delighted!
It was Alicia's blog that introduced me to the world of blogging, and inspired me to try and begin one of my own.
First we met Alicia and her adorable daughter Amelia at
Monticello Antique Marketplace and had a lovely lunch with them at Monti's Cafe:

After having shopped at Monticello and having enjoyed their company, we got to go see the famous Magpie Ethel Studio!
You know - where all the Magpie Ethel Magic happens?!

I snapped a few photos.
So much to see, I  think we were mesmerized by it all.
Surrounded by vintage delights and bits and bobs in every little nook and cranny.
And it was so much fun to meet Laurie!
Lori took this picture of us:

Thanks to Lori AND Laurie for the nice pic!

 (Can you tell I was happy to be there?)
I have always enjoyed seeing all of the pictures Laurie posts on her blog, but being there in person was pretty spectacular!

I wish I had gotten more photos.

We felt truly lucky, indeed, to have had the opportunity to meet both of these nice, talented, creative and inspirational women!
(Oh - and and I wanted to say also that getting to meet Amelia was an extra-special bonus - because we were hoping she was coming, too - but we didn't know until we saw them arrive whether she would be there!)