My bedside reading looks like the drop off to a recycle center, with stacks of magazines and catalogs awaiting my attention. I have favorites, like Johnnie Boden, from which I will order baby gifts for two sets of newly arrived twins, and for me, a brightly patterned skirt and a pink sweater, as proof positive and spirit lifter that spring is but a few months away.
New catalogs arrive several times a week, and their delivery elicits genuine excitement. From the way I behave, you’d think the year was 1930, I lived a rural existence, and Montgomery Ward’s “Wish Book” had just arrived.
And if one was in the market to upgrade an appliance, this was the time to buy. $59.95 during the sale, double the amount come September 1.
The 1930 MW catalog is one of many in my collection of vintage publications. I’ve been working on a piece about the old catalogs and had recently looked through this particular edition, which is why this item in the February Country Living really got my attention.
I just knew I’d seen it advertised in the MW catalog, and sure enough. Valued today at $2000.00, the original was featured in the 1930 summer sale catalog for $48.45!
The Windsor of 1930 would have been purchased when women knew how to use it up, wear it out, make do or do without. And what they did own was carefully tended.
The value of this immaculate antique stove in today’s market would flabbergast the original owner. Were she here to see her Windsor featured in CL and appraised at 40 times what she paid in 1930, her reaction would be one of those glorious Antiques Roadshow moments, and absolutely priceless.
Last week I received a ring a ling from a columnist with a big, BIG national newspaper. She wished to interview me for a Mother’s Day article…if I was available. A two second pause on my end as I gleefully cleared my mental calendar of all domestic duties. We chatted like old friends…always the sign of a great interviewer.
Our last bit of conversation was about inspiration and as I described my creative space, she suggested I supply a photograph that might accompany the article. Sitting on my balance ball, phone to ear, I looked out at the mess I’d given up trying to tame. Definitely not the picture the reporter was envisioning.
I began to slump as I took in what a total lack of control-over-chaos now wrought, when I was inexplicably galvanized by a surge of optimism that I could, and I would, put the room to picture-perfect rights.
Two days later, the room is staged and photographed by David Foxhoven, the most obliging spouse of good friend Irene Rawlings (author of my Sisters on the Fly 2-Winner Giveaway). Through the south window, light filtered through budding leaves and sunshine sprinkled the room. The yellow walls turned a hue in sync with the surrounding vintage palette. Picture perfect.
With National Tie One On Day almost at the doorstep, I wanted to share upclose a few ideas for easy baked goods and even easier packaging.
This photo is from my girlfriend gathering – such a jumble, I labeled things to make it easier viewing. Or tried to, anyway. The text is a little small – what you’re looking at is a spread of old Jell-o molds, cups, plates and jars. And in the back, a fabric covered bake bean can. The baked goods include egg nog cookies, mini pound cakes and little muffins. In the lower right is an egg holder that I filled with candied ginger slices. Emptied, it’s a perfect ring holder.
Last year, I filled cups with individual slices of quick breads, wrapped those in plastic and delivered on a plate that was wrapped in a tea towel.
This Wednesday, I’m delivering a loaf of Cranberry Almond Bread to someone who’s been more down than up lately. I wanted the presentation to be really standout, so I’m first wrapping the bread in a cheery hand towel and setting that on a soft “bed” of another vintage towel. The tote is a wire basket of some sort – maybe from a freezer. In the space that’s still available, I’m adding a bouquet of flowers, specialty teas and a lavender-scented sleep mask. The note is on plain card stock, prettied up with some stretchy gold cording.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour 9×5 loaf pan (or prepare mini muffin/little tart/small loaf pans & fill halfway with batter).
In a large bowl, blend the flour, sugar, baking power and salt.
In another bowl, combine the milk, melted butter, egg, zest and almond extract.
Add wet ingredients to dry and stir until thoroughly moistened. Fold in the cranberries & nuts.
Pour this better into prepared pan(s) and spread evenly.
Bake for 70 minutes (for the large loaf). For the smaller portions, check for doneness at 20 minutes.
Cool 5 minutes or so in the pan, then turn out onto a cookie rack to cool completely.
Of course, make extra for you and yours!
· The packaging should be usable by the recipient, or at least recyclable.
** Utilizing what is old to package what is new is especially appropriate as we seek to reduce expenditures but not our giving nature.
· Browse secondhand shops for unique containers and wrappings, like a glass candy dish, silver tray, and china serving bowls. Glass plates are my favorite to snap up and dress up: affix a circle of vintage fabric to the plate’s bottom with decoupage glue.
· A gravy boat can later be used as a vase, a jewelry holder or filled to the brim with M&Ms.
· Line a gelatin mold with a sweet hankie.
· An embroidered Damask dinner napkin will later be a lovely guest hand towel.
· Vintage dish towels have years of good service left.
· Wrap an empty can with fabric and fill with a selection of baked goods.
· Purchase bars of gourmet chocolate, loaves of specialty sweet bread, brownie bites, bakery muffins, mini cinnamon buns and cookies; then package individually as slices and nibbles in a selection of vintage cups. The cups will make good loose change/key/jewelry holders.
· A handwritten sentiment to a purchased card is the defining homemade touch.
**Note card may be downloaded. Compliments of Apron Memories®.
My every day life is quite basic and without much distraction. So when I am struck with inspiration, the details are very clear and stay so. For instance, I can describe the exact moment when I considered that aprons held the voices and spirit of the women who’d worn them. So, too, can I recall the second of spontaneity that, in a gesture, became Tie One On Day.
It is that win-win for participant and receiver that Geisel is promoting through her National Tie One On DayTM.. Celebrated on November 25, 2009, Tie One On Day is an opportunity for people throughout the country to put the “give” back in Thanksgiving.
Geisel’s lemon quick bread recipe can be made in advance, wrapped and kept fresh in the refrigerator for Tie One On Day delivery.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
In a large bowl, mix the butter with the sugar, lemon extract and eggs.
In a separate bowl, sift the flour with the baking powder and salt.
Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating flour mixture with the milk, stirring each addition just enough to blend.
Fold in the lemon peel.
Pour the batter into the loaf pan and bake for 1 hour or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Use a spatula around the four sides to loosen the loaf from the pan. Remove loaf from the pan onto a cooling rack. With the wooden pick, poke holes in the loaf top.
Additional information about National Tie One On Day can be found on Geisel’s web site, www.apronmemories.com.
Recognized by Chases Calendar of Events, National Tie One On Day™ is sponsored by Mom Bloggers Club, American Sewing Guild, The Women’s Museum, McCall’s Pattern Company, Stampington & Company, Aunt Martha’s Colonial Patterns, Inc., Simplicity Pattern Company, National Association of Baby Boomer Women, Creative Machine Embroidery, SewNews, Apron-iCity and The Fabric Shop Network.
Easy Entry for National Tie One On Day’s Goodie Bag Giveaway here! Thank you for sharing National Tie One On Day through chit chat, blogging, tweeting, facebooking…the more who participate, the more who will receive.