Sleet in the dark...scary

 Did you all survive the ice and snowstorm?  The sun is out and everything looks beautiful. Not so during the night and early this morning.  UPS was closed today because of this storm for the first time since the blizzard of '78. I think '78 was worse than this one although the ice storm in the dark of night was bizarre.

My second and last shot was yesterday and other than a sore arm, I felt great.  I slept so well last night and woke up with not one pain. Just like old times.

I didn't cook today but I made that catch-all Italian anti-pasta salad and now have to get to the Amish for supplies.  Their Jake and Amos or Amos and Jake pickled vegetables are delicious.  I enjoy putting the salad together with the pickled juice from the baby corn or cauliflower jars. I start with those two and then add whatever I can find: baby beets, okra, garbanzo beans or regular great northern beans, artichoke hearts, broccoli, squares of cheese,  sausage squares...well, you get the idea. Just put in what you like and pour the juice from either the baby corn or the cauliflower over the entire salad.  Don't drown it, but make sure each bite gets hit. Then, a shot of sriracha for a little kick and Bob's your uncle. Even Andy likes it...go figure.  You can't get him to taste a mushroom, but he likes this concoction.

Beth was fearless this morning she was on the road at a little after seven and can drive like a pro.  It is getting so Andy and I drive less and Mike and Beth picked up the slack.

Hello to my fellow Italy travelers, we are so lucky to have made the two-week trip before all hell broke loose.  I do think we are on the mend, however, and may travel again...but when? Until then, I am content to stay put.  I like it here.

Warm and safe in Columbus

 Well, I had my second shot this morning and I am still alive and well. I was there and out in twenty minutes. The Wexner OSU group is efficient and well trained. I think the weather threw some old people off and they stayed home, but it was not necessary today.

I just made a lovely pot of wild rice chicken soup.  This is so welcome on a day like this. JD says it really snowed in Austin and even his electricity is out--and he is working from his apartment. It is always something. You just feel your ducks are in order and wham, something else hits you.  My phone was dead for three days and now it "woke" by itself.  It was kind of nice not having a phone--it is not my favorite thing, but electricity is.

We have not had any more in house squirrels in the last few days.  I still mince around feeling one will jump out and demand acorns. But maybe the other squirrels heard of his demise and decided to stay out in the cold rather than risk the fate of squirrel one.

I have no real news but want to keep in touch. Stay warm and safe.

Having fun, are we?

 Long story short, the squirrel is dead and out of the house and it only cost $250.! I am trying to justify this in my head, but, we couldn't do it and it is a business, and they were kind and efficient and they got the job done.  We are simply going to have to watch what we are doing in this squirrel, coyote, deer riddled property. If they would only stay put and not try to join the family it would not be so costly, and they are pretty, and it is nature.  There, I have convinced myself.

Andy is leaving now to get his second shot. I hope it all goes as well as the first shot.  I go on Monday.

Preparing for old age, the chair lift goes in next week. They wanted to do it today, but we have so much happening right now. And, we are not in a hurry for that thing which is wonderful but not pretty. I am grateful that we can do it, but that does not make it pretty.

My shepherd's pie yesterday was not as good as the one a couple of weeks ago. But, it will have to do. I am not concocting today.

I wonder what you are doing today? Are you having as much fun as I am?

Squirrel Hill

 We welcome Monday with a squirrel roaming at will, in the house,  a plugged sink in the master bathroom, below zero temperatures...yet I am happy because when we finish with February spring will be coming around the bend. I could add a fridge full of food needing attention and few mouths to enjoy it. But, why add to that particular list?

Andy will be happy.  Beth bought two loaves of cobblestone bread yesterday for me to turn into garlic mozzarella croutons. It's an easy job and one I will start with while waiting for the wildlife rescue man to come to get the squirrel so that can be marked off the negative list.

I was in heaven last night. WOSU has a Sunday night line up that I am really enjoying and it went on until 11:00 last evening. Andy, Beth, and Mike watched the Superbowl and I watched public television which has a good Sunday night lineup that suits me. Plus I got a good night's sleep.  I am ready to take on this list of woes with a list of good things.

Enjoy the day, wish me luck, I am going to need it.

Steak and mushrooms, yum

 Sam's had lovely steaks a few days ago on our outing. They were at prices that once was until the beef price hike made it difficult to justify putting them on the table. We will enjoy them with the other box of mushrooms waiting to be used.  The first box I used in a favorite of Beth's, mushroom soup.  I like it too but Andy runs every time he sees it on the menu.  I think he fears we are trying to do him in.

I have been watching reruns of Escape to the Country. A United Kingdom offering.  I am still waiting with hope for Escape to the French Chateau which I will have to see to believe if the new series is a reality or just in my imagination.

JD, our grandson, is enjoying his foray into adult job territory in Austin. He is set up in his apartment and actually working from there in his training phase.

Andy and I have both had the first shot of the vaccine, with no negative reactions. We stay home and are comfortable and happy while looking forward to spring.

It is time to open the fridge and view the wealth of products that will keep me busy today. I keep thinking steak and mushrooms...

Note: There is a squirrel running through the house with 3 adults and one little dog chasing it. Never a dull moment on this property. We have called a wildlife catching service, but it is Saturday, so we may have to live with the little $#$%^&^&^ for the week end.

  

An outing

 Andy and I ventured out yesterday. Yes. It was like a shopping date at Sam's. (This shows that it does not take much to entertain us.)  We had the place to ourselves and all the electric carts were charged up so I did not have to transfer my precious cargo into a regular cart halfway through the store. Oh, I found lovely things and now they have spring products on the shelves which only ensures that spring will start by mid-March...at least in my eyes. We bought so much that somehow we got $30. off the final price.

As soon as I got home, I prepared the slow cooker with fresh green beans, potatoes, onions, and corn for a slow cook which we will enjoy today.

I am back into yogurt.  It has improved so much since the last I had it. With those fresh, extra-large blueberries, it is simply divine. We bought so much we had to put it in the basement fridge. I hope we don't forget we have it. I like the Greek yogurt best, but I don't say no to any other. Andy is not joyful about this product. He has a sweet tooth while I do not. I like a bite or two if it is not over the top sweet, but I can do without with no problem.  Chocolate is not my favorite either, so two safety nets there. I think most people might have put on weight with the stay at home edict...except Mike, our son.  He is down to 140 having found Nutri-system and it really really works for him.  He looks great.

I made sure I bought another couple of Hidden Valley seasoning mix. I put it in everything except sweets, of course.  If you have not tried it you are missing out.

Nate, our grandson who usually travels the world during winter's three months is keeping happy in Florida this year.  He loves it. I am hoping he buys some property down there before it is all bought up by the people fleeing New York and California.

Well, I have food to deal with so I had best stir the beans and get the other food in some safe and delicious form. Have a great day; spring is on its way.  Wait for it, wait for it...

Note:  I just put together a delicious chicken salad with a new Hidden Valley product (in a squirt bottle) called 'secret sauce.' I can think of many ways to enjoy this salad, especially on a toasted sandwich, or with baby bib lettuce wraps, or on grilled bread slices.

 

Preparations

 Now, Andy and I both have our first shot of vaccine. I  had mine Monday morning.  We left the house at 7:20 and Mike had us home by 8:30--so an hour and smooth sailing.  Andy's went a little faster which was a week ago.

Today we ordered a chairlift. Looks like we are getting ready for old age. There have been people in and out all day. We like to be prepared, that's for sure. Any adjustment to the home is better than an assistant living away from the home. We are, however,  both very well and on-foot.

January is out of the way and February is short, soooo Spring is in the air so to speak.

I am back in soupville.  We had pork, potatoes, and carrots in the slow cooker yesterday and soups on for today.

There is no reason to have flavorless food with hundreds of offerings in the markets today.  Trader Joe's chile lime seasoning blend is excellent and Hidden Valley's dry seasoning mix, both spicy and regular, hit the spot as well.  I put one or the other or both in just about everything. There are too many ways to count for seasoning mixtures looking to impart flavor to spark up your favorite dishes.

I hope you are all well and happy. Smile, it's almost spring.

Glass done china begun (Story 3)

Glass had begun to lose its luster and I had toy china in my sites as the next collection.  I have to say I liked this field very much and tended to hang on to a great collection for a short time while shopping for my new customers. It may be because it entailed many many trips to London and Paris and their surrounding areas easily accessible by train. I, however, found it easier to hire a driver and this made my life so much easier and safer especially in Paris. (One of the drawbacks to Paris taxi drivers is they are mostly Middle Eastern and they don't like Americans and are not shy about telling you, especially if you are a woman alone.) The London cab drivers knew what they were doing every single time and were great with Americans.  I was on the move constantly attending shows, hitting the markets, shops, and meeting with private dealers; it was hard work but exhilarating. There is always a learning curve when entering a new field, but it didn't take long if you liked what you were learning. I started in London with a summer study and tour program for college credit held at a London college and ranging with a guide over England in general. I was there in 1979 for the first time ever and it thrilled me to no end. I must say I had never endured heat like July and August while I was there. I never returned in July and August no matter the temptation of good buys. July and August were not good shopping months anyway, but then there were always Saturdays at Portabello Road. It remained my favorite in-city shopping ground being my first buying session in England at Portabello Road where I found a favorite glass set--a tumble up in miniature. Now it seemed fortuitous because toy glass is rare in England. So, I planned a quick Thanksgiving trip back to England in 1979 and never looked back. I arrived in London and quickly found a taxi and a great one at that.  We chatted all the way to the hotel in Earl's Court. I got settled in my room and after a few runs while I got settled he came back to drive me around to the antique shops. I spent all of my money in the first shop on King's Road! He drove me then to American Express where, if you had the right card you could get a cash advance.  The line was long at American Express, a place I would come to know and love. People kept getting ahead in the line and it was so frustrating. Finally, I said loudly, hello, I have a taxi waiting out there, so go to the back of the line.  Dead silence. I did not care, I was reckless at that point and I want my money! The line seemed to move a little faster and I was out in a flash and loaded for bear. People were still blinking and agape as I was leaving. I was there for only four vacation days and on Sunday back I flew to America while planning an entire Christmas in London with Andy in tow.

Cinderella shops story (2)

Having met thousands of people in all the years I collected, wrote about antiques, traveled, and sold antiques I have never met anyone meaner than the Cincinnati woman I was about to see way- too -often.  As it turned out, with my business, I actually paid tuition for two of her daughters to go through college with my glass buying, so  I don't know why she treated me like Cinderella, but she did and I took it because I wanted what she had to sell. Glenda and I arrived at her home invited and on time.   She met us at the door and was not going to let Glenda in the house. (Glenda was the one who found her and then called me over.) She was to wait in the car.  Well, I was having none of that, so I was reluctantly prepared to leave. The woman could see dollar signs driving out of sight. She sighed, and let us both in.  I must say it was a glorious old house and one that she did not fit into or deserve, but I digress. We were instructed to walk down the long hall and not to glance side-ways but straight ahead to the dining room with its long, very long, table. (As I write I am getting more upset by the treatment that we accepted.) We were instructed to sit, and like dogs, we did. She walked over to a closet and cracked open the door just enough to allow her fat ass to fit and block our view. She did not realize the view I had was a crack of light through the hinged part of the door and the view was astounding...an entire closet full of shelves of twinkling toy glass. I was stunned and Glenda noted the paleness of my face and feared I was going to faint. I, on the other hand, feared I was going to strangle the bitch.  She asked if I had brought cash and I said I did (kind of like a drug deal) and so it began. This went on for years until I had cleaned out her entire collection of glass and wrote a book about the subject, but I am getting ahead of the story.  Andy had driven me to Cincinnati every time after the only Glenda trip and she was not going to let him in the house either and he had the money!  He was to wait in the car. Well, I nearly let it go and again was ready to leave, but we were to make one last buy by cleaning out the remainder of the toy glass and pricing each and every individual piece as another kind of punishment.  (Seems she did not like men either.)  The eight-hour clean out of the closet was not fun. Yes, Andy and I sat there and piece by piece priced each and every piece of glass that was left in the closet.  She never asked if we needed the facilities (kind of like the movie The Help), never offered us any of the crackers and cheese she treated herself to in front of us, (kind of made me want to bake her a special pie)... and yet we put up with it for eight hours and were, in my estimation, now, very silly, kind, and accommodating. We were never rude to her and that seemed to insight more rudeness from her. I knew she had toy china too, but I was not willing to go through years of her company once the glass was gone. I had long been traveling and buying by then and had several book deals with two publishers and only saw her once at a Columbus show years later. She knew she would never see me or my money again. She flung her last insult at me and the next thing I knew someone told me she was dead. (I didn't do it.)

A memories spree (story 1)

 I am on a memories spree thinking about and writing about my days of collecting. I know what caused it but do not remember the exact date that it began. I was teaching and met an interesting woman and we became friends. She and her husband invited us to their little bungalow on some estate on Sciota River Road. The minute I walked into this charming little house everything became small.  There were what I called miniatures everywhere. Little furniture strategically placed with tiny punch bowl and cups in glass, little covered butters with matching sugar bowls, creamers, and spooners comprising a set. Glass took over my life in that couple of hours that we spent there.  I could not wait to get home and start researching.  That was a problem.  There was no research to be had and believe me, I looked because I was obsessed. The need to find these items became my prime goal and the hunt was on. It was meant to be, because I read there was a 'show' in Cincinnati within a couple of weeks and we were going to be in Cincinnati visiting relatives, so I asked my sister-in-law if she wanted to venture to the convention building to see this event.  As we climbed the steps I kept asking, do you think they sell these items or are they just showing them off like a museum?  Well, obviously she did not know, but I speculated on. I remember opening the double doors and bam,  there it was in all its glory, The Cox Antiques Show, my first of hundreds. This was the late seventies and it was a most exciting period in my life...and a costly one. Never mind, it was a great investment in life and I was happy to be able to contribute to the family funds from then on up to 2005 when I ended it.

As Glenda and I walked into the show, I was able to gasp out instructions of what to look for. She was a clever girl and took one aisle and I took another and all of a sudden I heard her scream, "Doris, come here, hurry." Well, now she's done it, she's broken something...I looked for an exit. But, she was the driver and I had to face it.  I found her grinning from ear to ear, bless her heart now and forever. There in front of us was an entire six-foot table covered with miniature glass, exactly what I was looking for and, it was for sale. I was gobsmacked! The dealer knew she had a sucker on the hook and she played it cool. Finally, I bought a table stand a matching lemonade set in the Nursery Rhyme pattern for $90. had I lost my mind I wondered while asking if she had more glass at home.  She grumpily admitted she did and I brazenly asked if I could come back next weekend to shop at her home and she begrudgingly (an act) said that  I could. And, we are off...more next time.

Made for children, enjoyed by adults

 In 1990 a representative from a magazine called Early American Life came to interview me and to take pictures of some of my collection for a six-page Christmas spread in their magazine.  Today I was opening some cupboards that had been closed for years and I found a copy of this offering. I had written the article and forgot that I knew so much about children's china and glassware. (I don't now.) lol.   Seeing the pictures took me back to a very hectic but enjoyable period in my life.  I was teaching full time, writing books about these sets, traveling to London and Paris,  every spare moment morphed into the world of children's toys, girlie toys. The collection spread and started including beautiful toy furniture or furniture made especially for little girls to have tea parties and to make tableaux with their dolls and dishes. One very very exciting day I discovered eBay. Another world opened up and suddenly I was buying the toys, picturing and writing about them, and, dealing dishes was added to my busy schedule.  It took over, actually and I did not collect anymore.  I worked for my customers and did not want to compete with them collection wise.  I did not want them to think I kept the best and sold them the rest.  There was enough competition in these collecting groups as it was.  Andy and I had conventions here, we took some groups on tours to London and Paris and this field and the people in it took over my life. I retired from teaching and I noticed that it was time to get out of the toy dishes realm and I eased into another field.  I did this time after time.  Something told me this is it for this collecting field and I eased away until in 2005 I stopped it all--I have kept a few favorite pieces, especially the furniture which is such a wonderful thing; these items are spread around the house for me to enjoy and remember where I was and what happened in that space of time. If you are a collector, you know what I am talking about.