WHAT HAPPENED TO GLOBAL WARMIN’

EVEN ATLANTA HAS ICE A SHOWIN’

Baby it’s cold out there—well we’re damp and ONLY very chilly here but…

Have a quiz for you today:

What was the original Twinkie filling flavor

1. Chocolate
2. Strawberry
3. Banana

and the answer: Banana, the flavor was changed to vanilla during World War II due to rationing issues and never changed back. (Thanks to Fox News for that one)

Favorites today as promised: Snow theme. I have some Boyd Bear snowmen.

Murphy McFrost Fire and Ice: A firesnowmam, tall and so cute with fire hose and crystal water drops falling from it.

Slurp and the Snow Cone Stand

Snowmom the Nanny: I love this tall snowmom carrying two snowbabies. She’s in her cap and robe, secured shut for modesty with safety pins.

Jack and Frost: Another tall one with a Christmas tree and two snowkids one at the base holding snow flakes and another one climbing in the tree with a basket of snowballs.

Windy With Book: (book says “thou shalt not frown”) is seated wearing an impossibly tall, twisted, knit cap

Half Pipe the Hot Dogger: And his skate board. Also seated and reading a book. This books says “Speeds of 100 MPH not recommended…But yuh never know dude.”

I.B. Coldman…Ice is Nice: A fisherman complete with a fishing rod, a small companion, tackle box and a fish looking up from his hole in the frozen pond

and finally Jingle and Son with Wreath.

Each piece has edition and number on the bottom
Each piece also has a quote (In dreams and in love there are no impossibilities– Janis Arany on the bottom of Windy) or a proverb (Fall seven times, stand up 8–Japanese–on the base of Half Pipe).

For more information on Boyd Bears company: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boyds_Bears

Had a great day off yesterday. Just didn’t get to blog. Sorry about that.

I will wind up favorite week tomorrow between Yard Sale chores.

Happy birthday to Phil Collins who is 62 today.

My Thursday adventures is cleaning out the garage. Who knows who what’s hiding in the corners!!!

As for you–Today is all about you–If you can please only one person pick you today. You deserve it. And if you have choices for the day: Pick an adventure. You also deserve that as well.

Until tomorrow, the mess in my garage is calling.

THRU THE FOG WARMLY

It has warmed up enough here to get me back walking–hurray. Florida was foggy but warm this morning which I can deal with on a walk–driving not so much.

Favorite of the day is a Hayasi Fine China Kutani tea set complete with a a Geisha visible at the bottom of the tea cups. This china is so delicate and so finely done that it amazes me that it’s made for something so crude as eating and drinking.

Kutani by the way means Nine Valleys and is the name of an area as well as a village. All ceramics marked Kutani were decorated in this area, but can come from a multitude of artists and companies. Kutani is also a style and can be done in different areas of Japan but will not be marked Kutani but the area where its done at. HUH????

My husband picked these up at a friend’s yard sale. The friend was stationed in Occupied Japan which makes this set late 40’s or early 50’s. Its a beautiful pattern with gold trimmed hand painted scenes and the Geisha at the bottom of the cup never fails to amuse me. I’m still researching this as the exact pattern hasn’t shown up on any of the sites, however the trademark and by the history I believe these are very authentic.

The next couple of days are gonna be crazy, I’m working on my “store” all day today and tonight I continue research for our trip to Europe. Wed. is my best friend (and traveling companion) Susi’s birthday, which means wandering about to where ever the spirit takes us. Thurs, Fri and Sat I’m working on a yard sale and Sunday I’m relaxing till it all starts again on Mon. I will try to keep this up too but if I miss a day or two you’ll know why.

More favorites tomorrow. Given the weather in most of the country how about something with a snow theme!

Try finding an adventure out there–eat some place new, do something different. Step out of the box, turn off the TV and read a book. Turn off the computer and really TALK TO SOMEONE FACE-TO-FACE. You’re never too old to go out and play. TRUST me I don’t just stop to smell the roses, I’ve been known to get lost in the garden for days-on-end.

Until the next time…ENJOY.

MONDAY ISN’T BUT THIS WEEK WE WILL

Look at some of my favorite things that will be included on my web site (coming in March hopefully) and my store front (by Sept. I hope).

Hi, so how was your weekend? Come on—somebody must have something fun or adventurous to share. I got my nails and toes done—nothing kinky unless you think manicures and pedis are weird—course the toes and nails are now tipped in green so a little strange (unless you know me and then you wander why so conservative).

The favorite item to start the day is a Christmas Polar Bear from Coke. He’s plush and wears a nice Christmas hat. I also have Oreo brand cookie Christmas tins and a Coke one as well.

Holiday collectibles have been around for ever it seems and not all of them are product logos. At Christmas for instance nutcrackers are very in lately. These seem to have been popular since the 4th century at least with an Italian bronze one being the oldest known to exist. If your budget isn’t quite up to that the Italians have also made ones from the 1700’s (Groden Valley) with some popular ones from the 1920’s (Anri firm) to name a few. There are also many others from all over Europe, with the German ones being a particular favorite.

After Christmas one of the favorite holidays for collectibles is Halloween. One item which has became popular are the old hand made and vintage children’s Halloween costumes. For example Ben Cooper Halloween Costumes from the 1970s in their original boxes are something that might be particularly interesting. My Halloween collectibles include four M&M character ceramic candy jars.

One of the holidays that seemed a bit short changed is Thanksgiving. Coming between Halloween and Christmas it just doesn’t seem to have the decorative spark the other two have. However the turkey is alive and strutting his stuff.
The British, with an attitude of if we can’t beat them we’ll take their money instead, began producing plates and platters and other items in the late 1800’s for the American market. Spode, Royal Doulton and Wedgewood, were all major producers of Thanksgiving decorative pieces in the the late 1800 and early 1900’s. One of these pieces might well go for over $1,000 in today’s market.

What do you have tucked away that might be WORTH LOOKING AT?

UNTIL TUESDAY KEEP ADVENTURING.

MAY ALL YOUR WEEKENDS BE A LITTLE WEIRD–BUT SUNNY

HERE WE ARE AT FRIDAY—FINALLY.

The last of the weird for the last of the week.

My late husband was from New York State–Old Forge. He had a thing for Utica Club beer and their two animated characters Dooley and Schultz. While wandering the antique shops in Sanford (Fl)a few years ago; I came across a set of bar lights with the characters on them.

For those of you that aren’t real up on New York beers Utica Club was produced by the former West End Brewing Company (Utica) 1888. The name Utica Club (replaced brewing name) came from a line of soft drinks the company produced during Prohibition when their beer production had been shut down. After Probation ended they kept the name and during the 50’s and 60’s it was promoted by Dooley and Schultz (Jonathan Winters did the voices). The brewery later returned to its West End name.

Brewing has been around as long as mankind and its civilization and has been found in hieroglyphics. It was a craft in Africa, Egypt and Sumeria with 6,000 year old records confirming this. The Sumerians even had a goddess of brewing: Ninkasi. They are also believed to be the first civilized culture to brew beer which they called the “Divine Drink.”

Some beer fact:

2000 BC Egypt–First record of drunk driving. The impaired charioteer ran over a vestal virgin and was crucified on the door of the tavern that sold him the beer.

Beer contains major minerals and was a staple in the European diet during the Middle Ages.

George Washington had his own brew house on the grounds of Mt Vernon

1814 London, a huge vat (388,000 gallon) of beer ruptured and flooded sections of London, there was property damage and lives lost

There are 400 types of beer with Belgium having the most.

The Czech Republic drinks the most beer per person with China’s consumption showing the most increase. The US ranks two by total amount consumed, but only 11th per persons consuming.

Beside the lights my beer-related inventory includes a Miller Lite Rusty Wallace pool table light, multiple other NASCAR beer sponsored items and several Budweiser Christmas mugs.

So do you have any beer collectibles–the Bud can your husband crushed on his forehead head doesn’t count.

YOU WERE MEANT FOR SUNNY DAYS—MAKE THE WEEKEND AN ADVENTURE.

Sites for more beer facts:
http://www.factslides.com/s-Beer
http://theoatmeal.com/comics/beer
http://gizmodo.com/5992543/24-things-you-didnt-know-about-beer

THE WEIRD GOES SOUTH

Good day–its even colder—BURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Today’s weird item is one of my most weird and is from Peru. I picked this up in a consignment–or resale shops years ago.. It ‘s brass figure with a huge headdress and the word Peru at its feet and a shovel type base. The back is featureless except for a ring for hanging.

So I did some sleuthing and found that it’s an “Incan, Sun God, souvenir, wall plaque,” According to Wikipedia it is considered good luck to hang it in the home and it is a national symbol of Peru.

But I was sure that wasn’t all the story: So more look-ups. According to About.com the Incan religion was very complicated and had many gods, one the most important of which was the Sun God Inti, who was second only to the creator god. I further learned according to Windows on the Universe he was married to Pachamama, the Earth goddess. The inca royal family traced their line down directly from Inti. His main celebration was held on June 20 or 21–the summer solstice.

NOW we know who and what he was but what was the instrument originally used for? So back to Wikipedia: “The Tumi is a sacrificial ceremonial ax distinctly characterized by a semi-circular blade, made of either bronze, copper, gold-alloy etc… During this important religious ceremony (Inti’s June celebration), the High Priest would sacrifice a completely black or white llama. Using a tumi, he would open the animal’s chest and with his hands pull out its” vital organs and “observing those elements he could foretell the future.” Reading further I found that they became a staple for burial objects for important Incans and have been found in many graves. So like a lot of things they evolved into something else. It makes a nice wall hanging and I hope that someone will find it decorative and lucky. PS the hanging is very dull edged–so no danger to any Ilamas out there.

Do you have any interesting objects in your home you’d like to know the history of? I could help.

So that’s my weird object of the day. Stay tuned for one more tomorrow.

LOOKING BACK AT EARLY WEIRD

Last week (1/16) Russel Johnson died at age 89 in Washington Ste. That’s a long way from Gilligan’s Island.
For those of you old enough to remember the original show (which continues in reruns) Gilligan’s Island was a 1/2 hr. comedy about a captain, his bungling first mate (Gilligan), a rich couple, movie star, girl next door and the Professor. It only was on for 3 years (1964-1967) but it still has a fan club (www.gilligansisle.com/‎). Johnson played the Professor (his name was actually Roy Henkley) and he could make anything, except a patch for the wrecked boat. Of note: there are two members of the shipwrecked party still surviving: Ginger and Mary Ann.

OK keeping in the TV mode I continue with my weird collectibles that will be offered on my web site: A Grandpa Munster doll–that show started the same year as Gillian (started in 1964 but only lasted until 1966). It was about a family of Monsters–including the wife’s father Grandpa who was a Dracula type character. My doll is probably late 90’s rather than 60’s but he’s still in good shape and I’ll have him listed when I get the web up.

When I did a quick search on the internet for 60’s TV collectibles I found everything from a signed publicity shot for Petticoat Junction to several Batman themed items including a Batman car and a Barbie Doll in Cat Woman mode. My favorite was a Munsters salt and pepper shaker with Grandpa and Herman Munster figures. As far as weird: a 7×9 B&W photo of Jack Palace in his character as Mr. Hyde in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Original CBS TV show that aired 46 years ago this month.

SO if anybody out there has TV vintage items they’d like to sell or put on my web site (I research the value and best price to sell) as a consignment let me know.

OK gotta get a little work done today as this afternoon I’m picking up some items and tonight I have a class on bookkeeping and insurance—boring but very necessary. Oh and I have to cover the plants again. Down to freeing tonight….

Show kindness today: consider others feelings and then try your best to respect them.

THE WEIRD LOOKS AT WORSE

Tell me it’s not true First a Velveeta Shortage and now a Velveeta Recall—the world may never be the same.
Did you know that Velveeta was developed in 1928 by Kraft and according to Delesh.com was approved by the AMA in 1931 and released in 1937. Oh by the way there was a shortage the year it was released TOO–in Germany–where it was, I’m told, in great demand. Original Kraft’s serving suggestions included melting 1/2 lb of the product with 1/4 a cup of milk and serving it “over toasted sandwiches of peanut butter and sweet pickle relish”. And it still survived—amazing.

I checked for Velveeta collectibles and found a few. These included 2003 Kurt Bush and Jeff Burton (NASCAR drivers for the non-fan) Velveeta Tins (something I missed in my collection) My favorite is the Kraft Velveeta 110 camera (described as very rare–I can believe that) in a Velveeta Shell Cheese Dinner box. Honest: check out e-bay if you don’t believe me. The most expensive (under $20) was a Tupperware Velveeta 2 lb. cheese keeper with knife. No idea on the year that was produced. Even Amazon is in on the Velveeta thing with a trading card of Jeff Burton Velveeta Driver no less.

OK I promised to review some of my weird inclusions. First I thought the Snicker’s Ghost shaped Halloween candy container, but then I spied the Godzilla 1998 cup holder. These were given out as toys (not for use with hot drinks is clearly printed in the inside) by Taco Bell. All part of the promotion for the Godzilla movie released in 1998 (one of a long line of movies either about or inspired by the original 1954 Japanese conceived monster who’s original name seems to have meant something like gorilla whale?) starring Matthew Broderick which was poorly received by critics and viewers alike, though it still shows up on TV from time to time.

OK enough weird for the day, which includes me. Plan to work on organizing again. Don’t forget to let others know I’m out here and I’m looking for participants. Will feature more weirdness—I’m the Dragon Lady what else could I do—from the world and my collection alike–tomorrow.

Today is a new day–begin it well, keep you spirits high and your old burdens subdued and make the most of what the universe gives you. Oh and stay weird of course, the world would be so boring if everyone was NORMAL.

and Mondays always

Happy Martin Luther King Day.

Hey I’m back, lucky reader. The Dragon lady is draggin’ this morning, don’t know why. Did the deeds I need done on Friday and ended the day munching with friends. Sat. was slow as one friend who hasn’t been well cancelled out on a movie (She wanted to see Ride Along, which I understand is #1 movie for the weekend.) but I did meet some friends for dinner–OK more food, and drink–I see a trend here. Sunday found me in front of the TV watching football. Thought Denver game was interesting–I wasn’t sure if New Eng;and was going to show up for that one. The Sea Hawks and San Fran showed up, but neither seemed to ever develop any rhythm and the game seemed a bit disjointed to me. I pick Denver in Super Bowl.

Last week I mentioned getting an Avon music box. I did some research and was shocked to find that Avon has been in business since 1886 (who knew?) in New York City-but with the name California Perfume Company (why not New York, maybe not exotic enough?). In 1906 they put out the first color brochure and had 10,000 representatives out there selling the product. “California Perfume Company Calling” just doesn’t have the same ring to it.

Now given they’ve been around so long it’s not a surprise they’re collectible. My 1985 music box (which didn’t make the most collectible item list) is just a baby compared with what might be out there waiting to be discovered. Oh by the way according to the “Official” Avon list of collectibles/best sellers are:
6. Steins
5. Ornaments
4. Collector plates
3. Plush products
2. Dolls
and the most popular—drum roll please
1. Figurines

Avon offers collectibles through the company that include “Exclusive” or “first-on-the-market, which often come with certificates of authenticity.

Unfortunately Avon collectible products usually do not bring high prices which for a dealer like me isn’t great, but on the other hand if you’re a collector it’s obviously a good thing.

Please note that I am interested in hearing from people who

1. Have item they might want included in consignment either on line or later with my store.
2. Artist that have jewelry or other small items that you might want to add to a co-op program either on line or when I open my store.
3. Anyone who has items that they might be interested in selling outright.
Please note that I am not selling on line yet only working on it at the moment.

OK tomorrow we can discuss some of my most weird finds. Until then I’ll spend my time wishing for warmer weather.

Stay warm and follow your dreams.
Remember if you don’t chase them, you’ll never catch them.

TGIF

FRIDAYS ARE my lazy days. After I complete this I’m running away from work for awhile. I have to do banking, go to my favorite book store to get one of Katie McAllistar’ books—a paranormal dragon romance (what else) and then meet friends for drinks. It’s my effort to get me in the mood for the weekend (as if I need a reason).

OK I promised that I would give you an update on my venture into second hand/resale this last weekend.

I think the cutest things I found is the Golden Dreams Porcelain Music Box which is a 1985 Avon collectible The music still plays but I am not able to identify the song.

There was also an Itty Bitty “Star Glory” angel Christmas tree decoration and 4 Sebring Pottery: Serenade design 22 K gold decorated bowls (4 A-50 I-K-S518)

I thought the most interesting items though were the 3 collector plates of Rockwell’s paintings.

I found that Norman Rockwell was born in NY state in 1894. By 14 he had enrolled in art class and two years later he left high school to study art full time. He in fact received his first commission at age 16 to do Christmas cards.

In 1916 he did his first cover for The Saturday Evening Post and he continued doing covers for them for 47 years and 321 cover. It was his Greatest “show window in America.” In 1961 he changed to doing covers for Look magazine and continued with them till 1971.

Though once felt to be too sentimental by the art community he did become more popular in his later years and has been described as encapsulating “life in 20th century America.” Over a life time he produced over 4,000 paintings.

The plates I found were the first three of Rockwell’s Rediscovered Women collection which are numbered and were produced in a limited edition (limited to one hundred firing days) and certified as a “True Rockwell Classic” by the Rockwell Society of America. They were produced by Knowles of W. Virginia. The ones I was able to secure were Dreaming in the Attic, Waiting on the Shore and Pondering the Porch. All charming depictions of American women in an earlier age and life style.

The plate thing seems to be a reoccurring item with me as the last time I went out buying i found 3 Wizard of Oz plates (1992) also by Knowles.

So I guess I have taken enough of your time for today. Thanks for stopping by and seeing me again Please come back to share my efforts in retail and life in general.

It’s Friday—get out there and have an ADVENTURE THIS WEEKEND. I’ll update you on mine on Monday.

FINALLY

OK we’re finally up and I’m getting the hang of this project.

Since I worked on my last blog I’ve been continuing on my vintage jewelry review and I’m almost done. The latest item I looked at was a religious medal with the inscription “Heart of Jesus, Be my Love, Pope Leo XIII.” Since I’m not a Catholic I looked all this up and discovered Pope Leo XIII (Pope from 1878-1903) was noted for his attempts to define the position of the Catholic Church with regard to modern thinking (Not exactly sure what that means but sounds interesting). He was called the “Rosary Pope” because he promoted the use of the rosary and the scapular (sacrament worn by Roman Catholics and some Lutherans). He was the first Pope to have a sound recording made and the first to be captured in motion pictures.

The metal itself is silver with the previous inscription on the back and the baby Jesus on the front. I have found several on line, but all the ones on line include: “300 Days Once a day” and then “May 21, 1892 Vatican Rome Italy”. Mine does not. I understand that the metals I looked at on line were indulgences: which is a granting of full or partial remission of temporal punishment for sins, after granted confession and absolution. That’s for those other non-Catholics out there. I was wondering if anyone knew if there was another metal issued or if mine is in error or what? I understand these were popular in the 1960s, if that’s any help.

It’s cold and getting colder. But since I’m in Florida and we probably won’t get below 38 degrees tonight I don’t expect any sympathy from the rest of you. I grew up in Michigan and have seen much worse temperatures. But after living here since the 70’s that’s cold weather for us Floridians.

Tomorrow I will tell you about what I found on my exploring yard sales and resale shops (remember when we called them second hand stores) this weekend, it’s an interesting way to spend your Saturday. Any way: Have a good day and stay warm.