The Workbasket (Installment #12)

It recently occurred to me that I never did finish sharing my collection of vintage Workbasket magazines. It's time-consuming to choose and scan the "precious" little tid-bits from each issue, but oh-so-much-fun to share.

So let's see... looks like we're ready for September 1952.

Crocheted hats are kinda in right now. Just trying to visualize how that one would look made up with today's yarns. Yeah, I'm not seeing it. Maybe with a different flower? Eh. Maybe not.

"Need Money?" Of course you do. You know you do! "Everyone wants greeting cards, stationery and gifts." Whew! I'm so glad they finally came out with "the line that fills that need." So peer closely at the items in the stocking. Which of those do you need? In case you can't make out what each thing is, they are helpfully labeled and coded with a number. If it's got a number 5, though, you're on your own there. "Gift Items, Novelties" could be who-knows-what. But don't worry, this "line" includes "over 150 fast sellers" so it's not like you're going to be stuck with a bunch of junk. Right?

I like the cute little cartoon dudes on this ad, extolling the delightful benefits of these lovely nylon SOX. Or is it SOCKS? They can't seem to decide.

This is a crack-up!  First of all, they are giving away 10 sets of silverware as first-place prizes... and "over 25 second-place discount awards." Uh-huh. I bet the "over 25" number equals exactly however many people respond.

Secondly, the way you enter is to identify the flowers by filling in the missing letters. And if that's too hard they helpfully provide the answer for you! But be sure to write very neatly, in pencil. This is the funny part: "Easy Rule #2: Entries will be judged by an ordained minister the day the contest closes on following rules, correctness and spelling." So... apparently ordained ministers are experts on flower types and spelling. Who knew?

Here's a sweet Children's Coin Purse that "would be treasured by any little girl." The article assures us that "one can get pleasing results by using gold for the front; purple for the wing splotches; cerise for the back, handle and body; and green sequins on the wings." Now, they can't promise what your results will be if you use black and green, as pictured... nor do they tell us what color cerise is. I had to Google it to find out it is a "deep to vivid reddish pink." I know they didn't have Google back in 1952, but maybe housewives 60 years ago weren't as ignorant as me. (Be honest. Did you know what color cerise is? Okay, if you did know, don't tell me.)

 We "stout women" can take comfort knowing that "style counts more than size"...

 ...that is, until we see the tiny little waists in the styles for the "non-stout" ladies! *sigh*

 I have to remind myself: These are drawings! Most real women weren't built like that, not even back in the day. But aren't they such pretty drawings? I do love looking at them!

It is somewhat discouraging, though, to read this 60-year-old article on the "most common form of malnutrition in the United States" which states that "at least one-fifth of the population... is overweight." That's 20%. Just Googled the current trends. Today's statistic is "more than one-third" (35.7%). With easy access to just about any food we can think about year 'round, it sure seems to me that ought not to be. Something's gone haywire, for sure. Kinda interesting that they call obesity a form of "malnutrition," isn't it?

Well, that's it for this time. I hope to scan more Workbaskets soon.

Ta-ta!

Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska - review

Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska by Tricia Goyer and Ocieanna Fleiss is a great curl-up-by-the-fire winter read! It is actually two stories in one, with one being set in the present and the other in the 1920s, told through a box of old letters. I loved this format of storytelling and got caught up in both story-lines as they unfolded in a somewhat-but-not-quite parallel way.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Here's the publisher's synopsis:

Singer Ginny Marshall is one signature away from the recording contract of her dreams-a deal that would guarantee success for the former foster child, who still struggles to bury the memories of her painful childhood. But Ginny needs advice from the one person who will look out for her best interests-her former fiancé, Brett Miller. She travels to the remote town of Glacier Bay, Alaska, where the town's colorful characters and stunning scenery provide respite from LA's pressures. In Glacier Bay, Ginny discovers a box of old letters and is swept up in the love story between Clay, an early missionary to Alaska Territory, and Ellie, the woman who traveled there to be his children's governess. When Ginny is reunited with Brett in Glacier Bay, will she discover-as Ellie did-that healing and love are sometimes found in the most unexpected places?

Celebrate with Tricia and Ocieanna by entering their "Glacier Bay" Giveaway and RSVPing for their Facebook Party on Feb. 12th!

One fortunate winner will receive:

• A gorgeous handmade “Glacier Bay” bracelet
• A handmade cowl in "Glacier Bay" blues and greens
• A bottle of custom-made "Glacier Bay" sparkle polish in blue
• Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska by Tricia Goyer and Ocieanna Fleiss and their two other “Love Finds You” titles {Love Finds You in Lonesome Prairie, Montana, and Love Finds You in Victory Heights, Washington}

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on February 11th. Winner will be announced at the "Glacier Bay" Author Chat Party on February 12th. Connect with authors Tricia and Ocieanna, get a sneak peek of their new book projects, try your hand at the Alaska trivia contest, and chat with readers just like you. There will also be great giveaways—gift certificates, books, and more!

So grab your copy of Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska, and join Tricia and Ocieanna on the evening of February 12th for a chance to connect with the authors and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 12th!

The Flu

...will steal a week of your life.

Nasty stuff, that.

Glad to be back among the living.

No, Cookie didn't have the flu. I did. Just didn't care to share an actual "flu" picture! Not that there are any, you understand. She's a cute dog, though, isn't she?

Sunshine!

After several days of freezing fog and "stagnant air" the sun has come out! It's still well below freezing so the hoarfrost on the trees glitters like jewels. Sunshine is rare in January, and very welcome!

I am, however, still fighting "the crud" so I didn't venture beyond sticking my head out the door to take pictures. Maybe we'll have a pretty sunset in an hour or so. I'll try to remember to keep an eye on the west windows.

From the rising of the sun

unto the going down of the same 

the Lord's name is to be praised. 

Psalm 113:3

Fire!

We were watching a movie last night when Becky came down to the family room quite alarmed. "There's a cop car with its lights out sitting in front of our house. It's got the street blocked off, and it's freakin' me out!"

Now, admittedly, she gets "freaked out" easily, but Lyle went to see what was going on. Our house sits on the corner so he looked out the back door to see the other street.

"Karla, come look!" he said. "The neighbor's garage is on fire!" Flames were shooting out the roof!

When the neighborhood is filled with fire trucks and emergency vehicles galore, all the 14-year-old boys (even those in their 40s) gather to watch. Doesn't matter that it's 19 degrees and dark outside!

And of course, Mama has to get her camera just in case she might want to blog about it.

Lyle came back in to put on proper shoes and a coat, then went back out to stroll around and see if he could find out what happened. Me? Once I got my pictures (taken from the back porch), I retreated back inside where it was warm.

Turns out the neighbor guy had been smoking some meat in his smoker inside the garage, and the fire got out of control. He tried to put it out with a fire extinguisher, but to no avail. He hosts football parties in his garage nearly every weekend. I wonder what this bodes for his Super Bowl plans?