What is this?

Did you ever find something and like it, but you didn't know what it was ? I found this in my father's cellar a few years ago:
It says Humphrey Gas Iron across the top and General Specialty Company across the bottom. It has 4 little feet and is about 8 inches long:
It was all rusty and crusty, so I spray painted it black:
Does anyone know what it is - because I don't! But I use it as a trivet!

UPDATE: This is a rest for a gas iron. When I read GAS on it, I was thinking a "gas company". And the shape certainly didn't resemble an iron. But after all your help, I googled and found more info....and there are even some for sale on Ebay (but I am keeping mine!). Thanks to everyone who helped identify this!

I am linking with the following parties, hoping that someone knows what this is:
Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch
2nd Time Around Tuesday at A Picture is worth a 1000 Words

Real Men Don't Eat Quiche...

Remember the book "Real Men Don't Eat Quiche"? Well the title became a common saying during the 80's. As I made a joke to my eighth graders and quoted that very saying, they looked at me quite puzzled. Not only had they never heard the saying, they had never had quiche.

I love quiche. Quiche and salad is the ultimate lunch for me. So, because this is a very small class of 8th grade boys, and it meets at 8:00 am, I decided to make them quiche.

I offered a variety of "flavors" and they chose tex-mex. This recipe is from the prettiest cookbook, Goodness Gracious by Roxie Kelley. Yes, cookbooks must have great photos or artwork for it to be considered for purchase! The art work is fabulous, quite similar to Susan Branch's watercolors.
The boys LOVED the quiche....and each one left class with this recipe so they could prepare it at home:
Fiesta Quiche (page 97)
5 eggs
2 c milk
1/4 cup salsa
1/2 onion diced
7 oz chopped green chiles
2 cups grated monterey jack cheese

Combine all ingredients and pour into a 9" pie shell.
Bake for 40 minutes.

A photo? No...they ate it too quickly!

My favorite quiche is spinach and bacon...Yours?

Milk Glass

I like milk glass - how can you not like it?
Some pieces bring back memories from my childhood.
I had only one of these dishes, but lucked out last week at GW and found 3 more for .49 ea.
I have a small collection, and...
I don't know how to display it...
...So, for now, some sit in a bookcase in my guest room.
And some are scattered around the room with cheery red flowers.
It's fun to collect something...BUT, I'm afraid I collect too, too many things! What do you collect?

I am joining Thrifty Thursday at Bloggeritaville and Vintage Thingies Thursday at the Coloradolady . Visit these parties to see what other bloggers are "sharing and showing" this week.

My Father's Books...

I am joining Thrifty Thursday and 2nd Time Around Tuesday. Visit to see what others are "showing and sharing".

My father was a collector of old books. It was just a hobby, and if he could get an old book for a dime or a quarter, he felt he had hit the jackpot!
When he passed away a few years ago, I had the task of packing up about 15 boxes of books to take to auction. Days of research and phone calls led me to make this tough decision.

A few books caught my eye and I decided to keep them. Not because of their value, but because my father enjoyed particular authors, and often quoted them.
A complete set of fragile books written by Edgar Allen Poe (1902) sit around my home. A few are wrapped with a curtain tieback I purchased at MacKenzie-Childs a few years ago.
A gentle reminder of my father.

What's wrong with this picture?

My mantle has a large window behind it.

The temperature in Central NY has not been above 35' all week.

I bought new candles at Marshalls and put them on the mantle.

This is what I came home to after ONLY two days of sunshine:
Another lesson learned: Do not buy candles at Marshalls and do not put candles on the mantle.

UPDATE, after reading comments: Never even thought to melt these and make new candles.

Another lesson learned: BLOG and read comments before throwing anything away!

Fringe...or no fringe???

I made these window treatments a few weeks ago and the trim on the bottom barely shows. I guess I just didn't want to spend $8-$10 yd for fringe.
So, I found some on sale and I can't decide if I like it - - it can easily be removed!
Better - or not?

I'm joining Between Naps on the Porch again for Met Monday...join the party - or just visit to see what changes are going on in blogland!

Thrifty Candlestick

I got lucky at Home Goods the other day. I bought a fabulous candlestick for $2.00
It is about 20" high and I am not sure if I should repaint it or keep it gold.
I certainly didn't need it, but it was too cute and too cheap to pass up!!

Joining Thrifty Thursday with Leigh at Bloggeritaville again...hop on over to see what other thrifty finds our blogger friends came across this week!

A little girl with the flu....

There's nothing like a sick little girl - whiny, pathetic and lazy...so to cheer up this adorable little neighbor, I put together a bed tray for her lunch:
I included a video, soup and crackers:
And some cocoa with a peppermint stick:
and a few other snacks...
Hope she feels better soon...


I'm joining Tablescape Thursday with Susan at Between Naps on the Porch...please visit to see some amazing tablesettings!

Snowman plate, bowl, mug and tray from the Christmas Tree Shop

Remember all those candy canes?...

Well I decided to try one of the many "leftover candy cane ideas" today. I had mini candy canes, large peppermint, fruit flavored and smartie-flavored and lolipop sticks.
I covered a cookie sheet with wax paper, preheated oven to 350' and shaped them into hearts. The large ones were broken, to shorten them:

And not considering size nor style, I found that some melted quicker than others and some only melted inside....so this is my first fiasco:
And after making a few messes, I found that this idea works best with the mini candy canes (but not all kinds). So I made about 16 and wrapped them up for Valentines Day:

And all the rest will be brought into school for the kids:
LESSON LEARNED: do not buy too many candy canes next Christmas!

I'm joining Just Something I whipped up Monday and Made It Monday at the Persimmon Perch and Make it for Monday at Cottage Instincts today...hop on over to see what other bloggers have made today!

And the Award Goes to....

I love award shows....I especially enjoy the "pre" shows because I want to "check out" the attire of all the attendees who walk the RED CARPET. Tonight the Golden Globes are on TV. These awards are given by the Foreign Press (about 90 journalists who write for various newspapers and magazines all around the world) for films and television. This show has often been the indicator for which movies will be nominated and may win an Academy Award.

Ricky Gervais will be the host, Alfre Woodards daughter is Miss Golden Globe. There is a fabulous list of presenters, including Paul McCartney, Jennifer Aniston and Halle Berry.

The Golden Globe lounge will have black and white draperies valued at $25, 000.00 and art work valued at more than a million buckeroos - I want to be there!

And I have no school tomorrow, so, I can stay up late and see the WHOLE show - - hold my calls, please.

Favorite beverage - check
Snack dishes - check
Plenty of snacks - check
Black Tie attire for the Beverly Hilton Hotel (call me a rebel) - check

And just to share a few of my opinions:
Meryl Streep should win for Julie and Julia
Sandra Bullock must win for at least one of her nominated movies (Blind Side or Proposal)
Grey Gardens for HBO movie - and Drew Barrymore for HBO actress

On with the show......
UPDATE: One hour pre-show: WHO dressed Tina Fey?? BIG MISTAKE! She looks like Mary Poppins (umbrella and all) Sandra Bullock, Jane Krakowski and Drew Barrymore look lovely!


Visit Between Naps on the Porch for a great tassel giveaway!

The pattern repeats itself...

Aren't these just adorable?

These are the Lefton Dainty Miss teapot, sugar and creamer. I do not have a lot of vintage items but these are just too cute to get rid of. They were hidden in the back of a top corner kitchen cupboard in my father's home for about 40 years. When I came across them I wondered why they were never used. Ironically they are now in the top cupboard in my kitchen...I don't have a "vintage home" nor a place to display them, but when I open the cupboard door, they always make me smile!

My favorite fragrances...

I wear a fragrance each day. Some fragrances remind me of people, some remind me of places and some just make me feel good.

I've worn Michael by Michael Kors for years...

and this is my new favorite fragrance - Juicy Couture
What's your favorite?

Continued from yesterday....

And when I get to florida next month I will wear my favorite bathing suit and cover up:
WHAT? You think this is a photo of Heidi Klum? Whatever....I'm not in the mood to argue with you today.... that's my story and I am sticking to it!