Independence Day!

Happy 4th of July weekend to everyone in the USA!

To all who so bravely serve our country and fight for our freedom every single day,
thank you.

What are your plans for the weekend?

Have fun and be safe!

photo credits; mcaliens, Mike Brody

Happy Mother's Day!

Wishing all of you a very Happy Mother's Day!

Whether you're a Mom, Grandma, Aunt, Sister, or Doggie or Kitty Mommy (those count too!)

May you have a relaxing weekend filled with joy,

And let someone spoil you for all you do!

photo from here

Happy Easter!

Wishing you all a lovely Easter!

photo: Such Pretty Things

mmm... Matzoh Brittle for Passover

Today is the 4th day of Passover and tomorrow night we'll be going to my cousin's house for a seder. If you've celebrated this holiday, you know one of the limitations...flour. This makes it quite tricky as to what you can eat. Take for instance, desserts...not too many without flour...

Passover matzoh

Well, you don't have to be Jewish to enjoy matzoh brittle...the most over-the-top, yummy dessert ever! Definitely gives toffee a run for its money. Crunchy, sweet & salty, chocolately heaven! I'm off to make some today.

Here is the recipe: warning...you may want to make two batches, as it can mysteriously disappear!

Matzoh Brittle

4 sheets of unsalted matzoh
1 stick of salted butter
1 cup of brown sugar, firmly packed
2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup of slivered or sliced almonds or walnuts (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.

2. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil, overlapping it over the edges. Place the matzoh on the baking sheet, breaking it in half or quarters to make it fit--make sure to place the pieces as evenly and close together as possible.

3. Combine the butter and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring until melted and beginning to bubble (about 5 minutes). Continue to stir occasionally for another few minutes, then remove the pot from the heat.

4. Pour the caramel over the arranged matzoh pieces, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Bake for about 6-10 minutes (until the caramel is bubbly).

5. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and sprinkle the chocolate chips over the surface and return to the oven for a couple minutes until the chips melt.

6. Remove from oven, and with a spatula, spread the chocolate to cover the matzoh. Sprinkle with nuts if desired.

7. Refrigerate or freeze for about 20 minutes before breaking into pieces and serving. Best kept refrigerated for about a week.

ENJOY!

photos from eating sf

To My Irish Friends...

photo credit: kaibara87

May you find a 4 leaf clover!

photo credit: MrClivver

Be serenaded by Celtic music, or my favorite Irishman, Van Morrison...

photo credit: sosij

Drink a Guinness or have some yummy corned beef & cabbage...

photo credit: SewerDoc

Kiss the Blarney Stone if you can!

photo credit: Beth Retro

Wear your favorite green outfit and have fun!

Wishing you a LUCKY and Happy St. Patty's Day!


When Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, 'tis like the morn in Spring.
In the lilt of Irish laughter
You can hear the angels sing.
When Irish hearts are happy,
All the world seems bright and gay.
And when Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, they steal your heart away.

Mardi Gras Madness!

Is anyone going to be celebrating Mardi Gras on Tuesday? Wouldn't it be fun to be in New Orleans, or just too crazy? I've never been before, but love carnivals!

Vintage Mardi Gras mask/head

This life-sized vintage paper mache Mardi Gras mask has been in my collection for years, and now I'm parting with it. It's available here at Paris Hotel Boutique. Doesn't the face just make you laugh?

"Rex Parade", Mardi Gras, Saturday Evening Post, 1948

Happy Mardi Gras everyone!!!

photo credits; dawlin1, judibird, mcudeque

Gung Hay Fat Choy! Happy Valentine's Day!

Cupids and Dragons -- Flowers and Fireworks! Thanks to the Lunar calendar, Chinese New Year falls on Valentine's Day this year!




Chinese New Year is a two week Spring festival celebrated for over 5,000 years in China. It is the longest and most important festivity in the Lunar Calendar. The origin of Chinese New Year is itself centuries old and gains significance because of several myths, customs and traditions.

So, to all celebrating Valentine's Day and/or Chinese New Year on Sunday, wishing you a day and year of happiness, love and joy!

first photo: Dave Ward Photography

And the Winners Are...

Happy Monday!

Thanks to all of you who participated in our Valentine's Giveaway! It was so much fun reading your comments...hearing your special memories, and the variety of things you do to celebrate Valentine's Day!

And the winners are...drum roll, please....

1st Prize - Jo

2nd Prize - Tracie - My Petite Maison

3rd Prize - Simply Mel

Many thanks again and wishing you all a Happy Valentine's Day!!

photo from Such Pretty Things

Valentine's Giveaway!

Valentine's Day is around the corner, so let's celebrate by having a giveaway, shall we?
What are the goodies???

There are 3 lucky winners!

1st & 2nd PLACE winners each get 30 assorted vintage/antique French postcards.

3rd PLACE winner receives a box of Charbonnel & Walker (from the U.K.) 'Pink Marc de Champagne Truffles.' I just adore the box!

To enter, simply leave a comment below about what you love best about Valentines Day. Love to hear your stories of love and sweets!

• The entries can be made until Sunday, February 7th, and the winners will be announced on Monday's post.
• International readers are more than welcome
• 3 winners will be chosen via Random.org
• Please make sure and include your blog link or email me your contact info so that I can contact you after the giveaway.

Good Luck!!

Audrey Hepburn photo from here

Happy Groundhog Day!

Did you see his shadow???

New Year's Eve Supper~ 1913

Oh how I wish that I could go back in time and attend this New Year's Eve supper at the Hotel Oakland. Can you imagine how grand it was in 1913? I have this elegant menu in my collection and just had to share.

The Hotel Oakland was a grand hotel that opened in the early 1900's and only survived a few decades.

"Monsier, I would like an extra helping of the Nineteen-Thirteen Fancy Ice Cream, please."

Happy New Year!

Painting the Town PINK!

1. Wall of Streamers-MS, 2. highfashiondav3, 3. 26, 4. Champagne Cork, 5. Tissue Paper Chandeliers, 6. DP Rosé 1988!, 7. Rose champagne - infinite bubbles, 8. Pink Champagne On Ice, 9. black patent oxfords, 10. afterparty, 11. pink cupcakes, 12. Emily & Neal #22

I've been dreaming of pink champagne & pink cupcakes for New Year's Eve. I don't even have any party plans -- the usual -- stay home and watch movies. But, ended up on Flickr for hours, pulling up all of these pink images...bubbling pink champagne, frosted cupcakes, ladies in pink flowing dresses and gents in black tuxedos...

Last but not least are these yummy cake pops from Bakerella. Pink candy coating over chocolate cake. Yum! You can find the recipe here.

What kind of plans to you have for New Year's Eve? Are you staying in, or painting the town pink?

photo credit: cake pops, Bakerella

Your Holiday Gifts...

Therese's lovely ironstone set

Thank you bloggers and Facebook friends for sharing your vintage holiday gifts with us! I asked and you delivered. This was great fun and I was thrilled to receive your photos.

Everyone ready for a little show and tell?

The first photo (above) is from Therese at La Dolfina. She received this lovely ironstone coffee pot and sugar bowl from her Mom for Christmas. Therese believes the pattern is called "wedding band." She is thrilled with them, and I quite like them too! Very elegant indeed.

Next we have the, "IboughtthisformyselfforChristmas" gift. Love that! I think we can all relate. Ruth at The Beautiful Life had been eye-balling this antique industrial steel cart for over a year. She finally broke down and treated herself. It helped that the shop owner had marked the price down 50%!

Ruth was so elated to finally own her "dream cart," but puzzled as to where to put it. So, it sat on the porch for awhile. And then, walla! The kitchen was the perfect spot to use it as a sideboard/island. Look at all the cute things she put on it. Good job Ruth!

The kitty enjoyed the "dream cart" before its kitchen destination

Don at Civility Design was absolutely in love with this Art Nouveau 'Seau a Glace' (ice bucket) from the early 1900's. He purchased it from a dealer in France and gave it to his partner Jaymes for the holidays. What an exquisite piece!

"Breathtakingly beautiful, elegant and artistic in person, that is as much a piece of art as it is functional! Objet d'art to the highest degree!!" --Don (I couldn't agree more. I would love to have one grace my sideboard!)

Thanks again to all of you for sharing your lovely gifts. It was fun being a part of your excitement!

Photo credits: Ironstone pieces; La Dolfina, Industrial dream cart; The Beautiful Life, Art Nouveau ice buckket; Civility Design

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas.

May your day be Merry and Bright...

photo from Such Pretty Things

Holiday Show & Tell

2004 Holiday Card - Toasting in the New Year with Frank Sinatra

This year we're not sending out holiday cards. Since my grandma died recently, I'm just not in the spirit. But, as I was going through her things recently, I found all of the cards she saved from us. So sweet. I thought I'd share some of them with you.

1994 Holiday Card - Us as kids

It's been a tradition in our home the past 15 years to do wacky holiday cards. The card above was the first of what became an annual tradition. My husband Leif and I as little ones, lighting the Chanukah menorah and holding Santa. One in Sweden and one in the USA.

2000 Holiday Card - Vito celebrates Chanukah & Christmas

The card above was when Vito was a puppy. My friend photoshopped the antlers. The inside read, "May this holiday bring you much joy and no humiliation." Poor Vito, always humiliated!

2002 Holiday Card - Cable Car ride in San Francisco to do some holiday shopping

The card above was one of my favorites. I found an old photo of San Francisco in the 1930's/40's. My friend took a photo of Leif and I dressed in 40's attire and photoshopped us into the photo. Vito too. Seriously, we dressed up for this one. Even had the old City of Paris hatboxes, which was a famous department store in downtown San Francisco, now Neiman Marcus. The card read, "For Auld Lang Syne...Happy Holidays!" Hats off to David for doing a great job on this card!

2005 Holiday card- Hanging out in the Haight

In 2005 it was time for a 1960's theme, so I found this photo of the Haight Ashbury neighborhood with people just hanging out. Once again, a talented friend had us come into his studio, photograph us, and photoshopped us in with those 60's people. Leif is the guy on the right with the afro wig. I'm in the brown tunic. Do you see little Vito? The card read, "Peace, Love & Happy Holidays..." Some people that received the card thought that we were really there. Come on...do we dress like that?

So there you have it. A few of our quirky past holiday cards. They may not look like traditional holiday greeting cards, but it's always fun to be a little different.

Hopefully next year we'll come up with some new theme to share. Until then... Happy Holidays from our house to yours!

**Oh, and the first photo, our heads are photoshopped on Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly's bodies. I actually went to a hair salon and had my hair teased for two hours for that card. Lots of bobby pins!

How Much is that Doggie in the Window?

Nothing.

The San Francisco SPCA & Macy's join together every holiday season to give homeless dogs and cats a warm and loving home. Holiday shoppers come from all over the world to see the amazing window displays that Macy's creates for these precious animals.

I used to get really sad watching hundreds of people glaring at these little animals and taking photos. Then I spoke with my neighbor who has been volunteering this year. She said that over 200 animals have already been adopted.

All cats and dogs up for adoption have been medically screened, vaccinated, micro-chipped and spayed or neutered. SPCA representatives are at Macy’s while the pets are on display to answer questions from anyone interested in pet adoption.



Here is a link to view the adoptable cats and dogs from three live webcams. Sooo cute!

Holiday shoppers can catch a glimpse of some of San Francisco's cutest animals in the Macy's windows at Stockton and O'Farrell Street through January 3, 2010.

And, if you can't make it, give the best holiday gift by donating to the SPCA here, or the local San Francisco shelter that puts the Macy's window together here.

Winter Wonderland at Lollipop!

You need to check out this blog now! It's so beautiful. I just discovered it this morning and adding it to my "reads."

Lollipop Events & Designs is a full-service event planning and design company specializing in innovative & inspired events and designs. This Winter Wonderland Dessert Table (above) was created for one of their holiday parties. Delicious delights such as red velvet candy cane cakesicles sprinkled with peppermint, fluffy red velvet cake sandwiches and piles of fluffy white snowballs. OMG!

Check out Lollipop's blog here for some more amazing eye candy!

photos from Lollipop Blog

Happy Chanukah

To all who are celebrating, may this beautiful eight day festival of lights be joyous for you and your loved ones.

The Perfect Gift

I was thrilled when I discovered these flowering teas, that I purchased a few for holiday gifts. The Teaposy CELEBRATE Gift Set includes a 24 oz. teapot (complete with a loose leaf strainer), an assortment of 8 blossoming teas, as well as 2 tea sachets. This is the ultimate gift for tea lovers - and at a very reasonable price. Check out this video below and watch the tea bloom. Love it!

Aren't they cool? You can purchase TEAPOSY products here.

Wendy Addison's Theatre of Dreams

No shopping at malls for me on Black Friday. Yesterday was Wendy Addison's first open house of the season...something you don't want to miss! If you haven't heard of Wendy, she is a gifted artist with an interest in art and antiques, whose work connects the magic from times past in her amazing creations.

I'll talk more about Wendy later... now it's time to enter the magical world of "Theatre of Dreams," Wendy's very special shop. Come on... let's go in...

The doors opened at 10:00 am sharp, and a crowd of anxious people entered. I was peering through the window, my heart racing with excitement. These stylish ladies were raring to go!

Being in Theatre of Dreams is sort of like being inside of a snow globe, with magical wonders everywhere you look. Almost like Alice In Wonderland.

Using antique materials found at flea markets, including old sheet music, tarnished tinsel, vintage crepe paper, Victorian scrap, and silver glass glitter, Wendy makes extraordinary pieces such as these beautiful handmade prize ribbons attached to a vintage dress form.

When I saw this custom made ribbon, I made a B line right across the shop. That's all I'm saying, because one of you may be getting one of these for Christmas. They are all printed by Wendy on vintage ribbon. Oh my...

The title of Wendy's 2009 Christmas line is "Tinsel and Sawdust." This phrase is an old way of describing the circus. I asked Wendy what inspired her to create the line. She loves animals and theatre, so the circus is a place of fantasy for Wendy.

These circus animals knocked my socks off! Created with vintage screen prints attached to cardboard die-cuts and adorned with antique and vintage trim. Amazing...

A parade of fanciful dressed animals, ready to adorn your tree or table for the holidays! Dogs and elephants, dromedaries and lions, horses and tigers, all form a peaceful kingdom in the shop.

Whimsical die-cut elephants in a glass case...

Lots of gift tags and boxes all using vintage images and a printing press. Love the vintage box they're in...

An old image of a Phrenology head that Wendy made into a fabulous prop...

Santos figures adorned with antique clothing...

I'm sure that many of you have seen Wendy's glitter creations made of German glass glitter. These are fun holiday-shaped ornaments...

glitter cones with vintage and antique accoutrements...


Wendy sells a colorful variety of glass glitter in these cute little containers...

Wendy is fascinated by hands this year, and they are appearing many ways, on gilded wreaths, covered with mirrors, and even sea shells.

These large crowns made of paper leaves sold quickly. I think this was the last one left.


So much magic at Theatre of Dreams, such as this mechanical theatre made by Wendy with all antique materials.

Everywhere you look in the shop, there are vintage pieces mixed in...

The light fixtures are beautiful...

The original Theatre of Dreams built by Wendy in 1994. Read below...


This amazing shadow-like fairy gleams from behind the counter...

Theatre of Dreams is located in the little town of Port Costa. Once a major shipping town, it is now a secluded area. Love this old Wheat Dock building next door to Theatre of Dreams.

Cute little building across the street.

Hope you enjoyed Wendy's Theatre of Dreams. If you are in the Bay Area, the open house continues today from 10:00 to 4:00, and the following:

December 4-5th from 10:00-4:00
December 11-12th from 10:00-4:00

Theatre of Dreams
#11 Canyon Lake Dr.
Port Costa, CA 94569

(510) 787-2164

While you're there, take a tour at Wendy's workshop and get a glimpse the magic in progress. If you can't make it, you can find some of Wendy's creations here, and make sure and visit her blog here for her latest updates.