New Blog

Hi Everyone!

In my last post I wrote about a new WWII book series by Sarah Sundin. Miss Sundin also has a blog where she is currently doing a series about the 1940's woman. Stop by a check it out. :)

Movies and Books

Yesterday me and my dad headed down town to the Charles Theatre. For $6.00 you can see a "revival" (classic film) every Saturday. This weekend it was "Swing Time" with Fred Astair and Ginger Rogers. It is absolutely FABULOUS watching these classics on the big screen! You are truly transported back in time to that era, and are lost in the film — forgetting about the hurried, and over-scheduled everyday life. If you are ever in Baltimore be sure and check out the Charles. It's a great little spot. You can get info, movie schedules, directions, and a history of the theatre here.

I also stumbled across a new author who is writing a WWII series!! This is very exciting to me, because I have a hard time finding decent WWII fiction. Sarah Sundin's first book, "A Distant Melody" will be available in March. It is a part of the three-book series, "Wings of Glory". The series is about the Novak brothers, who are B-17 bomber pilots. I can't wait!! Visit Sarah's website to get a full synopsis of the book.

Pepsi Throwback

While shopping in Target on Saturday, I came across the Pepsi and Mountain Dew "Throwback" cans. As well as "Heritage" Dr. Pepper. Not only are the cans and boxes in their vintage glory, but the soda is made with REAL SUGAR! I find the real sugar part very exciting, because I don't like the thought of syrup made from corn in my sweets. Also, high fructose corn syrup wasn't in food in the 40's — food was not refined and processed, and the majority of everything was made from scratch.

You can get more info about the pepsi and mountain dew cans here. These limited time goodies are only available until February 22. For info on Dr. Pepper check out bevreview.

First post of 2010

2010. Not sure how I feel about that. I'm not feeling the excitement of it being a new decade, and it hardly even feels like a new year to me. Perhaps the new decade thing is making me feel old, and even further from the simplicity of how things used to be. Anyways, I set about three goals for myself this year:

#1. To really work on my relationship with God. He does so much for me, the LEAST I can do is spend time with Him each day. And in the end, I benefit from it. I'm tired of being stubborn with Him and dancing around the fact that I need to just surrender my time to Him. He is SO GOOD! He never fails, never.

#2. To budget. Yeah . . . that was my resolution last year. Maybe the fact that it was a resolution set me up for failure. I spent so much money on junk I didn't need, but it was like the merchandise was latching onto me! Haha. I'm trying to keep the "make do or do without" mentality. Do I really need another black clutch? Or is it just because it's on sale? Unless it's vintage . . . then I'll give in ;) I developed a simple budget which should be easy to stick to.

#3. Be more organized. Whether in getting tasks done or just keeping my stuff in some order, I HAVE to get organized. I'm also trying to thin out some of my stuff. It's amazing how things accumulate.

In addition to the goals, I have a list of projects I'd like to accomplish. On the top of that list is sewing two new patterns. If anyone knows of any vintage (or vintage reproductions) patterns that are fairly simple/easy, please let me know. The last time I sewed a skirt it looked like a shapeless tube. Sewing tends to frustrate me, but the only way to get better is with practice.

On a vintage note, I received Volume 1 of The Barbara Stanwyck Show for Christmas. It's fabulous. You need it. And my new favorite red nail polish is "Frankly Scarlet" (color 745) by Revlon. You won't be disappointed!

Delightful Retro Finds

Me and a few friends went to lunch at Wendy's today. I love Wendy's. Anyway, they are selling travel mugs for $2.99, and all the proceeds go to the Disabled Veteran's Memorial Fund. There are two style choices. The one I picked has two vintage Coca Cola ads on it from WWII. It's a great stocking stuffer or treat for yourself. Plus you get coupons inside! I tried to find a picture but didn't have success.

My second find of the day was the book "Make Do and Mend". It is a book of reproduction instruction leaflets from WWII. I had seen it on Amazon a few months ago, but found it today at Daedalus books for $5.00. It is full of wonderful WWII-ness, but the info is practical and

useful today: how to darn socks, repair a button hole, storage of your clothes, saving fuel, making slippers, cutting down adult clothes and turning them into children's clothes — and that's just scratching the surface. It is definitely a must have for those of us looking for vintage books and resources.

There is also another book in this series, "Eating for Victory". It's next on my list. ;)

Just a few photos . . .

Here are a few pictures I found sitting on my computer. Enjoy! :)

Vintage Recipe: Sugar Cookies

Here is the second Christmas cookie recipe from the December 1949 issue of Women's Day.

Sugar Cookies

Costs 34 cents

Yields 2 1/2 dozen

1/2 cup vegetable shortening

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 eggs, grade B

2 1/2 cups sifted flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Confectioners’ sugar icing

silver shot

citron

Cream shortening; add sugar, flavoring, and eggs one at a time; beat until light. Add sifted dry ingredients; mix well. Chill for 2 hours. roll thin and cut with floured Christmas tree cutter or other fancy cutter. Bake on greased cookie sheets in hot oven, 400 degrees F., about 10 minutes. Cool on racks; decorate with icing, silver shot and bits of citron or other candied fruit.