A Whirlwind December

Christmas is this weekend?? HOW did that happen? Usually I'm on top of my shopping, baking, and general Christmas-ness, but this year I feel like December just skipped over me. You can blame our toilet for 90% of it. Yes, you heard right, I blame the toilet. Two weeks ago I noticed a leak. When my dad check it out, it led to having to take the toilet out, which led to discovering more water damage, which led to taking up more of the floor, which led to finding A LOT of mold, which led to the bathroom being gutted down to the sub floor. Needless to say, the house has been in disarray as we've been involved with this construction project. Thank goodness for kind neighbors letting us use their shower!

Otherwise, December has just been busy and felt chaotic this year. Thankfully my boss has really toned down our work schedule for this week and next, so I am slowly settling into what's left of Christmastime. But as I baked cookies today and shiny packages started appearing under the tree, I can feel my festiveness increasing. ;)

All this to explain the lack of blog posts and lack of comments on your lovely blogs. It's been an exhausting month and I just haven't had it in me to keep up with the things I normally do.

How has your December been? Are you finished shopping and wrapping? :)

Wartime Worries Dept.

Wartime Worries Dept.

By Dr. Frank Howard Richardson

Q. My husband is out of the Army now. He can’t sleep. Some sudden noise like the exhaust of a motor will bring him upright in bed with a jerk that pulls the covers off me. Should he take sleeping powders? And will he ever sleep naturally again?

A. Give him time. He’ll improve a lot as he settles into civilian life and no longer has to depend upon wakefulness to keep alive. No sedatives, no alcoholic nightcaps. Above all, no opiates. These are dangerous indulgences that will retard his recovery, not hasten it. And don’t ask him how he has slept, either.

Q. I’ve just given a returned soldier his old job back, but how different he is from the steady boy he used to be! He’s just about ruining my business. He’s fidgety, restless, can’t stay indoors, is constantly running outside for a smoke. I hate to fire him. How can I help him — and myself, too?

A. To be sure it’s difficult for you to run your business; but not nearly so hard as for him to run the emotional mess that war has made of his life. You can get away from your problems occasionally; he can never get relief from his problems of living and adjusting. You can be far more useful now than when you were helping win the war with Bonds and taxes. Patience and sympathy and understanding will mean more to him than you’ll ever know.

Q. I started to work in an office when my husband went overseas last year. But tho I’d traveled all over the country by bus to be with him, as soon as he left I found myself nervous and confused as soon as I stepped in a bus. Being with people makes me nervous. When I’m alone I feel my chair is moving or the room is rocking. Doctor after doctor has found nothing wrong with me. My mother, with whom I live, tells me I’m crazy. Can I be losing my mind?

A. Soldiers’ wives frequently develop such fears and illnesses. One that I knew gave up her office job and got work in a defense plant, where other service wives were going thru the same emotional experience. She didn’t try to fight off her feelings. Instead, every time she felt sick or dizzy or confused she’d simply say to herself: “I’m doing this to get my husband home quicker. If he has to stand the cold fear and nausea that every man has when he goes into danger, I guess I can keep going too.” Her pluck helps the other girls; and their sympathy helps her. I believe that’s your cure.

Q. They boy next door is coming home after 23 months overseas. How should I act the first time I run across him?

A. Here are some suggestions, boiled down from a current publication. Be friendly but not effusive. Don’t ask him why he has come home. If he wants you to know, he’ll tell you — when he’s ready. Act as natural as you can; that will make it easy for him to be natural, too. Try not to stare at a pinned up sleeve, an eye patch, a cane. But don’t ignore them pointedly, either; that will embarrass you both quite as much. If his slant on life, morals, religion, has changed, let him talk it out. Try to see his point of view. Discuss, but don’t argue. Most important of all, be a good listener. Don’t ask questions — fool questions, he’s likely to think them. Be interested in him. Be yourself.

Q. The whole time my son was driving an army truck all over England and France, he was writing home that all he wanted was his old job as a bookkeeper back again: no noise, no excitement, no people — above all no gasoline and tires and gear shifts. He came back home, was at his old job one week, and was miserable the whole time. Then he got a job driving a truck — and loves it. Can you explain his willingness to go back to the driving he hated; and with no future to it, either? Shouldn’t we interfere to save him from himself?

A. Maybe this is his way of finding himself. he’s doing a job that’s become second nature to him now; earning his living without mental effort and with none of the jarring personal conflicts that make life so difficult for returnees not yet habituated to the ways of civilians. Wait till he begins to want something with more of a future to it, and don’t be in too much of a hurry for that to come, either. He’s not wasting time. He’s lucky to have found such a painless way of changing back from a man of war to a man of peace. Many of his fellows would be glad to swap places with him.

Wartime Worries Dept. taken from the May 1945 issue of Better Homes & Gardens magazine.

Everyday Vintage #9: Winter Gloves

Target has a very large selection of lovely gloves. My favorite pair are the green suede ones on the left. The accent stitching on the top of the hands and three tiny buttons at the wrist give them a 1930's-Myrna Loy feel. While the navy blue leather-like pair, in the middle, have a 1940's style to them. All are priced at $19.99.

A New Adventure

Here's a new blog project I started. Let me know what you think :) CLICK.

Christmas Shopping

As hard as it is to believe, there's only 66 days until Christmas. Yikes! Usually I'm much more on top of my list, but with the budget being a lot tighter this year, I wasn't able to shop ahead like I typically do. Consequently, I've decided to make quite a few of my gifts this year —besides saving money, it seems like the vintage thing to do. Unfortunately I can't write about them all because the recipients will probably read this. Lol. I can disclose that my knitting skills are being put to good use. ;)

Another source of inspiration is the Craft Christmas Club. So many wonderful ideas there! I'm going to be making this adorable Pincushion Jar.

But since not everything can be handmade, I've compiled a little list of goodies and shops that will hopefully give you some gift ideas:

These Retro Rosie Earrings are $9.99 over at ModCloth. They also come in the very-vintage color "Mint".

Be sure and check out ModCloth's "apartment" section for all sorts of adorable and unique gifts. You're bound to find something for that someone who has everything.

These gorgeous, handmade barkcloth bags are made by Valerie from For The Love of Pete. She has a wonderful selection of styles and colors in her etsy shop. You will be giving someone a one-of-a-kind piece — not something of poor quality that is mass produced. It's also great to know you are purchasing from someone who has a passion for what they create.

Wrap up your darling gifts in some vintage-reproduction wrapping paper!

Sweet Vintage Wrapping Paper is printed 60 lb. paper and produced locally in the USA. Each sheet measure 7.7 square feet, has a different pattern on each side, and is only $5.00 per sheet. Shipping is at a wonderful price of $2.00 for the first sheet, and $1.00 for each additional sheet. You also get two free gift tags that coordinate with your gift wrap. Neat fact: the stars in their prints represent WWII.

They also have a STUNNING selection of vintage-repro Christmas cards. The best selection of reproductions that I have ever seen! You can buy sets of the same, or mix and match for the same price.

For the WWII or art lover, Vintagraph's selection of posters is divine. All posters are museum quality reproductions. Sizes start at 8 x 10 and go up to 47 x 34.

Are you making any gifts this year? Where do you like to shop for special and unique gifts?

Everyday Vintage #8: Vintage Kitchen Towels

While perusing Ikea yesterday, I spotted these lovelies:


The colors and embroidery have a very classic feel. Besides looking adorable hanging in your kitchen, how cute would they be tucked into a gift basket of baking goodies? Or lining a basket filled with fresh dinner rolls? (I am hungry. Lol.)

$5.99 for a 2-pack.

Vintage Recipe: Gingerbread Dessert

Gingerbread Dessert

"Luscious packaged pudding fills and tops in" — Theresa M. Lessmeister, Peru, Illinois

1 package gingerbread mix

1 package butterscotch pudding

2 cups milk

1 large chocolate-nut candy bar

Prepare gingerbread mix according to directions on package. Bake in 2 waxed-paper-lined 8-inch layer cake pans. Make butterscotch pudding with milk, following directions on package. Cool. Put gingerbread layers together and top with pudding. Sprinkle with finely chopped candy bar.

Gingerbread Dessert taken from the May 1945 issue of Better Homes & Gardens magazine.

Long Time, No Blog . . .

MY COMPUTER IS FINALLY FIXED!! Blogging will (hopefully) be less spontaneous and more frequent. Thank you for sticking around and following even though the posting was getting less and less. I'm looking forward to catching up on all of your lovely blogs, as well!

An Unfinished Job for the Homefront

Across the Editor's Desk

An Unfinished Job for the Homefront

As the Marines raised the American flag on Iwo Jima, somebody took a picture of the event. Four men, their bodies outlined against the clear sky, strain at the staff as Old Glory rises in a

broad arc, snapping in the Pacific wind. We thrill at this picture because it expresses achievement, defiance. The battle-weary figures tell of hardship endured, of dangers sustained, and of labor accomplished. It speaks of victory against heavy odds. But above all, the outstretched arms and straining backs tell us of the unity of purpose of our fighting men.

This picture has a lesson for all of us. Unless we are doing our part, we cannot look long at it without shame.

In some ways, the part of the Home Front is as difficult as is that of the fighter. It is difficult precisely because we endure no hardships and make so few and so trifling personal sacrifices. It is difficult, out of the sound of the guns, to remember to do the little things that are our only possible part in this war; to buy all the War Bonds we can afford; to give our blood to the Red Cross and to heed its appeals with generous money donations; to play the game by the rules, avoiding infractions of rationing and price regulations; to stay on the job, turning out supplies for our men; to keep the home machinery running smoothly. All this seems so little to do that we are prone to feel that we are useless, and so neglect the few things that we can do.

This feeling is dangerous. There are 130,000,000 of us. If we all relax a little, the consequences can be disastrous. The part of the Home Front in this war has been largely a battle against material shortages. Right now, there is an acute shortage of lumber and of paper products. Most of us need not worry about our part in the lumber shortage; nobody will sell us lumber for non-essential use. But we all use paper.

The other day, I stood in a factory and watched the packing of a rather minor item of supplies for our fighting men. The product was packed in one-gallon glass jars. In peacetimes, it was delivered without further packing. But for the armed services, these jars were placed in corrugated paper cartons; these cartons were wrapped in waxed paper, sealed by heat; the wrapped cartons were inclosed in wooden boxes.

Why all this extra labor and care? Well, what would be the point in carrying supplies across the Pacific, to lose them at last? Substantially packed, supplies may be thrown overboard without spoilage from salt water; the packages will float, and may be picked up out of the sea. Substantial recoveries may be made, even from a sunken ship. Ten thousand miles away, that recovery means something.

Paper plays a large part in all of this preparation. It is used in enormous quantities — far beyond peacetime needs. Let's add to our resolves a purpose to destroy none of it; to call in our Boy Scouts or the Salvation Army when we have accumulated a supply. In that way we may keep faith, in a small way, with the brave lads with the flag on a Japanese island, across the earth, away from their homes.

— Editor

An Unfinished Job for the Homefront taken from the May 1945 issue of Better Homes & Gardens magazine.

Vintage Recipe: Toffee Bars

From the Sunbeam Mixmaster recipe book from 1957.

Toffee Bars

(fun to make — more fun to eat)

1/2 cup sifted all-purpose flour

1/4 teasp. salt

1/2 cup uncooked oatmeal

1/2 cup soft butter or margarine

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 brown sugar, packed

1 teasp. vanilla

1 egg, unbeaten

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped nuts

Set oven at 350 degrees F, to preheat. Grease 11 x 7 x 1 1/2 pan. Sift flour and salt. Add oatmeal. Combine butter, sugars, vanilla and egg in large Mixmaster bowl. Cream on No. 7 speed for 2 minutes. Add flour mixture. Beat on No. 3 speed about 1 minute. Bake about 25 minutes. Cool 10 minutes. Melt chocolate over hot water, stirring until smooth. Spread over backed batter. Sprinkle with nuts. Cool in pan. Cut in bars. Makes 2 doz.

My pan was slightly larger so my bars turned out thinner. I also had to adjust the cooking time to 18 minutes. With the heat wave we're having, my chocolate didn't want to set so I have been keeping them in the fridge and they are wonderfully delicious! Melting a little peanut butter with the chocolate would be tasty, too. :)

Blue Skies Tomorrow

Blue Skies Tomorrow by Sarah Sundin, is by far, one of the best WWII novels I have ever read! Head on over to Sarah's website for a synopsis of the story (I'm always afraid I'll give too much away if I try to summarize it ;) ). However, Blue Skies Tomorrow had me laughing, rejoicing over her characters triumphs, pulling for them when they were pushed to their limit, and yes, even tearing up at times.

Every time I read one of Sarah's books I am instantly transported back to the 1940's. You can feel the atmosphere through the pages — her descriptions are so vivid and detailed. Are her characters in a stressful situation? You'll be feeling their stress and pain. Is it a happy day in Antioch, CA? There'll be a silly smile on your face. Ray is eating a strawberry? You better believe that you'll be wanting a juicy berry from Grandpa Novak's farm, too.

Also, I always learn so much about the war and the time period from her books. The descriptions of the planes and the flights are executed with minute detail — without being overwhelming to those who really don't know much about planes, like me. ;) Everything is so accurate — prices, rations, fashion, popular songs, movies, medical details, battles, military life — everything.

Her characters are so warm and real. When reading Sarah's books, it's as if you've just had a visit with some dear friends, and you just hate to say goodbye.

So, please, go pick up a copy and treat yourself to a wonderful 1940's story.

Everyday Vintage #7: Retro Purse

This cute, little purse was spotted at Forever 21 with a price tag of $19.98. Personally, I'm not a fan of Forever 21's purses — they feel cheap. But this little number has a decent quality feel to it. The silhouette is very 1940's. I adore the little hand strap on the top. Included is also a long shoulder strap of chain with material woven through it — however the shoulder strap does take away from it's vintage charm.

Battleground (1949)

Movies don't make me cry. However, I do tend to tear up when I watch WWII war movies —seeing what those soldiers went through, feeling the hopelessness and desperation, coming to

understand the war better. Battleground is one of those movies.

It's the story of the men of the 101st, who are stationed in the Ardennes forest — trying to survive the winter. They are surrounded by the Germans, the fog is so thick the planes can't get through with supplies or air support, and morale is terribly low. But they do what they have to. They do what they signed up

to do.

Spoiler Warning: Perhaps my favorite part is when the sun finally breaks through the fog and a flood of C-47s comes flying over to drop supplies. Seeing the hundreds of planes flying makes me swell with pride, and the joy on the soldiers faces makes me tear up. Their hope is back.

Nightingale

Nightingale Esther Lange doesn’t love her fiancé—she’s trapped in an engagement after a mistaken night of passion. Still, she grieves him when he’s lost in battle, the letters sent to her by the medic at his side giving her a strange comfort, so much that she strikes up a correspondence with Peter Hess, an Iowa farmboy. Or is he? Peter Hess is not who he seems. Indeed, he’s hiding a secret, something that could cost them both their lives, especially when the past comes back to life. A bittersweet love song of the home front war between duty and the heart...a battle where only one will survive.

Nightingale by Susan May Warren is a WONDERFUL WWII read! (I'm bad a writing book reviews, so bear with me.) The plot was full of twists and turns — up until the last page, I had no idea how it was going to end. Her characters were real and genuine, and easy to relate to. Historical content was great: I love when I learn more about the war from reading a fiction book. This book went with me everywhere last week. There was no putting it down. If I had a spare minute, I was reading it.

Check out Susan May Warren's website for other great fiction.

And The Winner Is . . .

And the winner of the vintage card giveaway is:

Valerie!! Please email me your address at 

St. Vincent's Thrift Store and a Giveaway!

I'm finally getting around to finish my blog posts about my trip Wisconsin! Geeze, it takes me a while!

St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store is by far my favorite thrift shop.

The prices are so reasonable and it's always full of wonderful, old things.

In addition to two blue and white checked aprons, here are my

other finds:

Vintage gloves: $.70!!!

A cookbook from 1941 compiled by Grace Church. It's FULL of fantastic recipes — and was obviously used a lot! I've made a list of the ones I want to try, and if they're winners, I'll share them with you.

Check out these great girl's books! I can't wait to read them! What adventures will Patty O'Neal have on the airways?

Perhaps she'll marry that dashing pilot! ;)

And how will Sally Scott fair in the WAVES?

These two recipe books from 1957 and 1948. Also full of recipes for yummy goodies that I plan to share with you.

Giveaway time! St. Vincent's always has a big shoebox full of vintage cards. Here are three that I am giving away: A birthday-love card, baby card, and a blank card.

To enter just leave a comment on this post. You can earn an extra entry by posting about the giveaway on your blog and leaving another comment on this post with a link. Open to international readers. Giveaway closes June 30th. Good luck!

Oh! And please leave your email if you do not have a blog through which I can contact you.

Everyday Vintage #6: Retro Laundry Products

Check out the retro packaging on these laundry products! A nice way to bring a little yesteryear to your laundry room. Buy your favorite, and just refill it with your detergent of choice. Available at Target.

Vintage Recipe: Applesauce Cake with Caramel Frosting

I made this cake last week and it was fantastic! The frosting is what makes it.

From the Sunbeam Mixmaster recipe book from 1957.

Applesauce Cake

2 cups sifted all-purpose flour

2 tbsp. cocoa

3/4 teasp. salt

1 1/2 teasp. cinnamon

1/4 teasp. cloves

1/2 teasp. nutmeg

1/2 teasp. allspice

1/2 teasp. soda

1 1/2 teasp. double-acting baking powder

1/2 cup soft shortening

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups canned applesauce (I used chunky applesauce)

1 cup raisins, cut up, or I cup snipped dates (I substituted craisins)

3/4 cup chopped walnuts, if desired

Set oven at 350 degrees F, to preheat. Grease, line with waxed paper, or dust with flour, bottom of 13x9x2 pan. Sift together flour, cocoa, salt, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, allspice, soda and baking powder. Add fruit and nuts and toss to coat.

In large bowl of Mixmaster, cream shortening and sugar on No. 7 speed for 2 minutes. Then add eggs, one at a time while beating 2 minutes. Add flour mixture alternately with applesauce while beating on No. 2 speed. Scrape bowl at necessary, beat only until blended, about 4 minutes for adding.

Turn into pan. Bake about 50 minutes or until done. (I checked mine every 20 minutes — it took about 40 minutes.) Cool Frost with caramel or coffee frosting.

Easy Caramel Frosting

1/2 cup butter or margarine

1 cup brown sugar, packed

1/4 cup milk

About 2 cups sifter confectioner's sugar

1 teasp. vanilla

Melt butter in saucepan, stir in brown sugar. Cook and stir over low heat 2 minutes. Add milk, continue stirring until boiling. Remove from heat. Cool to lukewarm. Put into small Mixmaster bowl. Add sugar and vanilla while beating on No. 2 speed. Then beat on No. 11 speed until spreading consistency, about 2 minutes. Adjust to spreading consistency with a few drops of hot water or more sugar as needed (mine did not need to be adjusted). Spread on cake at once. Sprinkle with chopped nuts, if desired.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway by June 30th!

WWII Weekend

Last weekend was the 21st WWII Weekend at the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum in Reading, PA. It was my first time going and — I don't even know where to begin — it was mind blowing! I was completely transported back into the 1940's. The authenticity of the reenactors and different areas was AMAZING!!

The different war zones (Pacific theatre, European theatre, French village) were so realistic. The reenactors were truly living out their parts — from soldiers to USO girls — and were very knowledgeable. The reenactments of certain battles were so authentic — right down to the medics tending the wounded after the battles.

There were swing dances in the evening in the airplane hangar. The bands were wonderful!

There were also different musical groups who sang Andrews Sister's style throughout the day at the "Officer's Club" — my favorite being The Manhattan Dolls.

The vendors section was packed with everything from vintage dresses to uniforms to books to jewelry to repro sewing patterns to movies to pin up girls. You name it and it was there! My treasures for the weekend were a blue sweetheart pillow case (with fringe!!), a sweetheart bracelet, and a few vintage hankies.

You can view my photos of the weekend here, and you will truly have to view them to get even a remote idea to the immensity of the event — there's just no way to articulate it and do it justice! And also check out next year's WWII Weekend here. If there's any way you can come to next years, GO FOR IT! You will NOT be disappointed!

D-Day

Could you jump off a boat or from a plane into heavy enemy gunfire? Could you volunteer for that? Could you handle the emotions rushing through you as you get nearer and nearer to the battle — knowing that you could die any second?

Remember the men that gave their lives so that we could be free. Remember the men who saw and experienced things that no human should have to experience. Remember D-Day today.

Video Credit

Memorial Day

Dear Soldiers and Veterans,

I am proud to be an American because of what America stands for. And America stands for that freedom because of you. Thank you to those who are fighting, have fought, and have given their lives to defend our country and to keep her safe. We appreciate you, and you are not forgotten.

A Video Worth 2 Minutes of Your Time

Please take 2 minutes and check out this video:

"Keith Leibovitz's youngest nephew is working on a project for WW II veterans
Click Here to view the trailer. Please watch and pass this on.

They are trying to get 50000 views before Memorial Day. it is pretty
poignant and is one of Seth's projects. Kindly forward so more can view it.
You need to view the whole thing to be counted.
Seth has been working on a full-length feature documentary about a program
to honor WWII vets and has now released a trailer, and it would really help
out if you watched it in full, and spread it around to other folks who would
enjoy it. Working on this has been a very emotional experience,

because the story is so, so powerful. I think you'll agree."

Giveaway Winner!

And the winner of the Betty Crocker Your Share cookbook is . . .

SusieQT!

Congratulations! Please email your shipping info to me at radiantphotographer (at) gmail (d0t) com.

Thanks to everyone who entered! I will have another giveaway soon with more treasures from my Wisconsin trip. :)

"The Bracelet"

My wonderful friend Valerie has written an amazing story about the bracelet I bought at the Lloyd antique store. Please head over to her blog and check it out! :)

Don't forget to enter my giveaway. :)

The Lloyd Theatre and a Giveaway!

Another fabulous place to stop at in Menominee, MI, is the old Lloyd Theatre.

During WWII, the basement of the Lloyd was a grocery store, the first floor the theatre, and the above floors a factory. My grandma worked there, making helmets for the soldiers. They are in the process of turning the factory levels into condos.

The actual theatre part is now an antique mall — and they have everything!!!

If you want to deck your place out in vintage furniture, gadgets, and linens then the Lloyd is your one stop.

Vanities are everywhere — and so reasonably priced! I found my dream vanity, but had no way to get it back to Maryland. :(

Two wonderful treasures I did find were this lovely cream-colored purse:

The inside is in perfect condition! Total cost: $4.00!

And this bracelet:

It's hard to see in a picture, but it's inscribed on the sides "Souvenir Okinawa", and the double hearts in the front are inscribed 1945 Helen, and on the inside of the band "From John". It cost $10.00, but I couldn't leave it behind. Who is Helen? What happened to John? Just a simple bracelet but so full of someone's personal history.

And now for the giveaway! Yay!

In the kitchen section of the Lloyd, I came across a copy of Betty Crocker's "Your Share" recipe book from 1943. I own a copy and had posted some recipes from it previously. This is a wonderful little book if you want to know more about rationing, how they made it work, the recipes they used, etc. It has guides for parties and entertaining in war time, meal plans for breakfast through dinner, the "victory lunch box meal" guide, and SO much more.

To enter, just leave a comment saying you'd like to enter. I will contact the winner through their blog. If you don't have a blog, please leave your email. Open to international readers, as well. :)

Giveaway closes May 1st at 9:00 PM, eastern time. Good luck! :)

Aurora Books

Whew. I'm finally back and falling back into my normal pace. We were in Wisconsin for two and half weeks, and it was glorious! Besides being beautiful and my favorite place in the world, Wisconsin is a treasure box of vintage goodies.

Five minutes from Marinette, WI, is Menominee, MI. They have one of the most lovely down towns! One of my favorite stores is Aurora Books. If there's a vintage or rare book you are hunting for, Aurora will probably have it.



This only half of the store!







I purchased these two vintage novels, as well as a book written by Bob Hope during WWII that he dedicated to the soldiers.







One of my favorite things about collecting old books is finding inscriptions and dates written inside:




I have so much more to share with you! More to come, plus a giveaway!