The Year of the Horse

It’s my year. I was born in the Year of the Horse, four cycles this year.

Quick, do the math. Done? Ok, moving on.

I have never been a fan of horses the way some people are. I think they are beautiful and graceful, and have a rather dry sense of humor. But my one encounter with horses left me scarred and frightened for life a bit wary of them. And yet Frederic Remington is one of my favorite artists, and I love the way horses are portrayed in Chinese art. The neighbor down the street has one in his garden and I keep hoping he puts it in a garage sale so I can get my hands on it.

I tend to covet weird, inconsequential things, like glass buttons and tin cans. Don’t ask.

Anyway, my dad gave me a wonderful gift this past weekend. It had been his for years, a gift from a good friend, and now it is mine.

So now I have my very own horse to celebrate the year of my birth, even though I am Puerto Rican and Catholic and not Chinese and Buddhist. And this is the only way I will ever have a horse in this house. We already have a Rat, and Snake, and I refuse to tend a Pig.

Just as well Dragons are on the endangered list, too 😀

Atomic Entertaining

Yeah, that title is a bit misleading. But it’s my blog and I liked it. Anyway, it’s a reference to what some people call “atomic cocktails”, those drinks made popular during the 50’s and 60’s, at the height of the nuclear ‘duck-and-cover’ stage.

While I was home for Christmas, my mom made mention of ALL the kitchen stuff I have given her over the years. Frankly, I was appalled it was that much. I think only the pots and pans weren’t from me. Anyway, up high in the cabinet she had these glasses that were given to my parents as wedding gifts.

Back in 1965.

And as y’all know, everything old is new again, only more expensive. Those glasses evoked a lot of memories, mostly of my uncles drinking and carousing, but still fond memories. Trust me: there is nothing more awesome than listening to your uncles and your dad singing around the hibachi. NOTHING!!! It hurt to see the glasses just gathering dust. My mom, ever practical, told me to take them, so she could have more room for more stuff.

Are they not AWESOME??? Yes, yes they are. And you can bet your poodle skirt and bobby socks they will get used. I don’t care if it’s for parfaits and sodas, either. Every day is special, right?? So yes, I shall be wearing my retro apron and my pearls and heels as I serve Hubby his Cuba Libre tonight.

He’ll probably think I’m crazy, but he won’t care after I serve him the drink and bring him his slippers 😉

Thursday Never List

So I skipped a week. It was THANKSGIVING!! I sincerely hope y’all enjoyed your holiday as much as I did. We had friends and family from near and far come to gather, and I wish I could do this at least once a week. As long as the kids do the dishes, anyway.

Anyway, today is Thursday, and it is time for another Never List™. Sometimes my lists don’t make any sense. Ok, most of the time. And this one is no different. But still, fun to do. Today finds me appreciating my accidental collection of vintage stuff. Some items have a history, and others do not. But all of them have a purpose, which makes them indispensable.

Things You Should Never Throw Away

#5– Tupperware

Seriously, it lasts forever, and it’s very low maintenance. I have yet to stop using pieces I acquired back in 1985.

#4– Mason jars

There is no end to their uses. I started buying old ones because the blue matched my kitchen way back when I first got married. Imagine my shock at the prices for vintage mason jars today. And to think, they hold my thread spools and coffee. Not together though.

#3– Costume jewelry

Because everything old becomes new and more expensive all over again.

#2– Vinyl records

I think we have three moving boxes worth of records, from 78s to 45s and everything in between. And I still listen to them.

#1– Photographs

They always tell a story, even those whose voices have been lost. I even keep the ones I find in old frames I buy from the thrift store. I can’t bear to part with them, even if I have no idea who they are.

So here is your list of nevers for this week. With the possible exception of the turntable which is implied, y’all will notice no technological gizmos made my list. Why? Because they are evul 😉

Thursday Never List

As a rule, I am not one to buy into hype. Much. Sure, I see some gorgeous model trying to get you to buy mascara that will make your lashes visible from the moon, and I am so there. But that’s pretty much as far as I go. Ok, that and kitchen stuff. BUT THAT’S IT!!

For the most part, As Seen on TV stuff tends to go away faster than seem to stick around. Others tend to live in infamy.

Things Never to Buy From TV

#5– My Secret Hair Enhancer Aerosol

Gentlemen, spraying a bald spot will only bring attention to it.

#4– Slim Away Body Wrap

Just FYI, Saran Wrap™ is way cheaper. So I hear.

#3– Perfect Pancake Pan

If you suffer from serious OCD issues, this is the pan for you. If you don’t, any regular pan will work.

#2– Perfect Polly Pet

If you don’t know, that is an animatronic parakeet. That’s really all you need to know.

#1– Pajama Jeans

No, just no.

Now, there are some fun things out in TV Pitchland that I admit I own. First up would be none other than the ShamWOW. That sucker has worked like a charm, and I don’t regret buying it for a minute.

Next up, a Chia Pet™ 😀

Choosing Wisely

This is not a philosophical post. Unless you are into wine. Then it qualifies.

While I was on vacation, I had the opportunity to spend time with my sister, Reno Queen. Her family is now back in Texas, and relatively closer to us. I say “relatively” because three hours is a lot closer than fifteen. Anyway, as we were out playing mini-golf (which was really cool under black lighting) we got to talking about birthdays and how we hate that day we are just not ready for middle age. She insists she will live to 120, because 60 is the new middle age.

I’ll be 47 this year. I forgot to have my mid-life crisis. So in a way, she has a point.

Moving along, we were talking about what to get each other for our birthdays. She had wanted to get me a really cool necklace, which I would never wear because I just don’t go out anywhere. And I was at a loss as to what to get her, because her home is still being built and she is in an apartment with limited space. And she has plenty of jewelry. I know this because I have contributed to her stash. But then, while looking at her social-site-with-faces link, we got a brainstorm.

LOLITA WINEGLASSES!!!

We headed right over to the Hallmark™ store, and she chose hers, and I chose mine, after a time. I must say, my sister knows what she wants pretty well. No waffling with her. But I was torn between the new Butterfly Kisses glass, and the Wine Snob glass.

Sis: I do like the summery colors of the Butterfly glass.

Me: I KNOW! I have a thing for butterflies, but the colors of the Snob glass are gorgeous.

Sis: (compares the two glasses) Uh, the Wine Snob is bigger, and holds more. Get that one.

Me: Good point (heads over to the cashier).

This is my birthday gift from my sister!

And so my friends, this is how you choose, wisely 😉

Got $20 in My Pocket

Sorry about the earworm. But I just couldn’t resist.

Yesterday I went to the local thrift stores. My mom liked the little cupcake stands I made for my friend’s birthday party, and I figured it wouldn’t hurt to go check out the treasure troves in search of a candlestick to use, since I have oodles of dessert plates and saucers. In fact, I just found a couple of antique acid-etched saucers in the top shelf of the cabinet. Those I am going to use for another project. Besides, she wants something for serving cheeses as well so I have to use a dessert plate. Whatever makes her happy, right?? I had in mind using a Desert Rose by Franciscan™ dessert plate I bought at the flea market. But I was dissuaded when I went thrifting.

And boy howdy, did I score!

Yes, to many of you that’s just a bunch of junk. But see those pink plates? Those are Majolica from Portugal. And that’s an antique Ball™ blue mason jar. And the cup and saucer is Noritake™. And the little white frame is wrought iron from Italy. If you’re unfamiliar with all the names I just dropped, let me just explain that the plates alone are about $30 each. And out of my $20 bill, I had enough to buy lunch at the local chicken joint. And still have change left over!!

So today I shall be showing my mom her new cheese stand and maybe getting a few orders for more. After all, she has a lot of friends 😀

Uninspired

What a day.

We cleaned house, and did some honey-do projects, and kids washed Hubby’s car, and dogs were entertained, and now… I’m not even inspired to work on anything.

I have countless bottles, jars, frames, glasses, canvases, just general junk waiting to be transformed into art. Or at least my version of art. Whatever, right? I just wish I could make stuff like this:

Now that is inspiring. Time to start collecting old spoons, forks, and sundry metal findings!

I can now justify a welding torch, right?

Have a great weekend!! 😀

Nice Stems

You would think that with the amount of stemware I own, I would be a wino by now. Truth is, I don’t drink that much. Maybe a glass of wine every two days or so. Unless the Nomstress is here. She’s dangerous. Anyway, last night I served some wine for Hubby and Nommie (no, I didn’t partake. I take this Lent thing seriously!) in these really nice, really thin glasses.

Don’t get excited. I served from a box of wine. But the stems are truly pretty. And did I mention thin? VERY thin?? I am always afraid of breaking one if I breathe on it the wrong way. And if you talk with your hands like I do, they are a huge accident waiting to happen. So I found a solution.

Stemless, because there comes a time when a stem just hinders your ability to judge the distance between your lips and the table. Besides, you can use these for mixed drinks, or any beverage for that matter. Now the remaining quandary will be what to get rid of in order to make room for them. I can tell y’all it won’t be any barware. That just wouldn’t be right. 😀

My Bleedin’ Heart

Hey, it’s Valentine’s Day!

I am a lucky gal today. Hubby surprised me. BIG TIME!! Yesterday, I gave myself a manicure, just in case. Why? Because I wanted my hands to look nice in case I got a pretty bauble. But no…. I GOT A KEURIG!!

Behold my new Precious!! The best part? Programmable!! The not-so-best part? Um, I can totally see myself drinking far more than my usual two cups.

Ok, like that’s a bad thing, right??

Anyway, I’m going to go make my third second cup. Y’all have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!! *MUAH*

It’s a Heartache

No, I’m not talking about drama. I’m talking about Valentine’s Day. It’s not my favorite day of the year, but I figured I would give y’all yet another shopping guide. I’m magnanimous that way.

Jewelry is always good. But sometimes men don’t pay too close attention to significant details like ring size, or even whether or not their significant others have pierced ears. No matter. That’s why the Good Lord gave us necks.

The Loveheart Pendant from Swarovski™. Very affordable, and you’ll be gifting her your heart all over again! Or a reasonable facsimile, I guess.

Sometimes you wish to give a gift that says, “I care about you and wish to protect you always”. And since not everyone can afford to get a permanent security detail for their sweetheart, there is always an alternative.

A pink 6.8 million volt stun gun!! Let’s face it: not all women feel comfortable carrying a gun, but NONE have a  problem frying a perp. And did I mention it’s 6.8 MILLION volts? Yeah, it’s cute AND effective!!

Of course, no post of mine would be complete without the obligatory Lolita™ glass.

The Pink Panties Martini Glass!!

There is nothing I can add to that.

So, she can look stunning, while stunning someone, and getting stunned on vodka. I hope you have enjoyed this instalment of Shopping with Aggie™.  Hope it helps! If not just remember: these are guidelines, not rules 😉