What is it Wednesday - First called Decoration Day

Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day.  It was first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers where placed on the graves of the Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National cemetery.  New York was the first state to recognize this holiday, with the rest of the Northern States following.  It was not until World War 1 that the Southern states, started to recognize this holiday.  In 1922 VFW posts started selling red poppies.  In 1950 soldiers started placing flags on the gravies of soldiers.  Starting 1998 on the Saturday before Memorial Day, Boy Scouts, started placing the flags on the graves.  In 2000 we have been asked to stop for a moment at 3:00 to remember what this day is all about, because to many have forgotten.  So sad , that many still have no idea.  Please stop and remember those who have given their lives for our freedom, then those who have worn or are wearing the uniform,  so we may keep our freedom.  Richard Nixon in 1971 declared the last Monday in May be Memorial Day, making for a federal holiday and a long weekend.

Memorial Day 2012

This Memorial Day please stop and give thanks to all those who have service out country.  The price of our freedom is not free.

Warning the follow link is to a video on You Tube.  Bring a box of Kleenex!

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=70Ikj1hZDnw&feature=related

Dirtroad Team with Greenhouse Glassworks and PW Originals

Welcome friends!  I have two more amazing shops from the Dirtroad Team for you to visit.  The first comes from a small town in Colorado.  Natasha owns Greenhouse Glassworks, and has her shop filled with stain and fused glass.  You will fine stain glass sun catchers, candle holders, plates and coasters.  Her fused glass comes in  pendents, earrings, and magnets.  Plus she make the cutest gift tags.  Wonderful for the little extra touch to you finish project.  Natasha is very lucky to have her studio in a greenhouse.  So besides making wonderful art, she is growing tomatoes!  If you need a larger item you can find Natasha and her mother at  www.clglassworks.com.    





The next shop is PW Originals. Pam the shop owner lives in a small town in Virginia. Pam is the master of making purses, wrislets, and scarfs. Besides all of these wonderful items are pillows, pin cushions and needle wallets. Pam also does custom work and will work with you to get a purse made just the way you would like it. In her spare time Pam helps out with local groups in her area. Both shops have a lot to offer, so mark them has your favorites and come back again and again for new items.

What is it Wednesday - War Time Cooking

 
  Well I was cleaning out the cupboard where I store my cookbook, and found this gem.  Published in 1943 it is how to save food in the kitchen, and help the war (World War II).  Fun to read, and how to eat, while on ration stamps.  During WWII everyone did there part to help win this war.  Imagine everyone saving aluminum, fat, scrap metal, either for ammo, or to feed the troops.   So  here are some of the tips from 1943.  One pound of ground beef serves 4 to 5 persons.  Butter all rolls in the kitchen, not at the table (you controlled how much butter was on them), or make the butter pats smaller (you made these).  Stretch milk with grown ups drinking 2 cups, and children drinking  a quart a day.  Now if you did not drink the milk use it in cooking. Everyone had a victory garden, and ate from them or canned for the next year.  Towards the back of the book is a section on hospitality in war-time.  Some of the topics cover are Victory Garden Suppers, Basket Social (to raisemoney for the red cross, community sing (for all ages), and the Walking supper table (picnic),  and the last having a Wedding during war-time.  You learned how to eat well with out using all of your ration stamps   Great tips of all of us to use in these hard times, our grandmother and great grandmother, made it thought the depression of the 30's, and the war years of the 40's.  If they could do it we can also!

Made in Michigan Monday with Bebeculture and We Do Quilts

Each Monday I'm hoping to show off some of the wonderful and amazing talent from the state of Michigan.  This week please visit with bebeculture.  Shawna is the shop owner and is busy making wonderful outfits for little girls, plus head band, and sandals all for the little ones we love.  Not only is her shop filled with goodies, she is also busy with three little ones at home.  She is also the team captain of a new team on etsy for those who live or sell around the West Bloomfield area. The next wonderful shop from Michigan is We Do Quilts. Jane is the owner, who has her shop filled with quilts and supplies. Make sure to check out her quilt for men. Made from plaid flannel it measure 54' x 82" long, and will make a great gift for Fathers Day or sending a young man off to college. She also has some baby quilts, and squares cut for you to sew together. Enjoy your visit with both shops and stop by next Monday for two more wonderful shops.

Dirtroad Team - Fine Old Things and First Friut

This week I have some very different shops from out team.  The first shop comes from a small town in Illinois.  Karen runs Fine Old Things, which is filled with wonderful vintage items.  You will find vases, jewelry, figurines and a lot more.  Add to your collection or replace a missing or broken item.  Karen hunts estate sales, for the best items to offer.  Going through her show was going back to my childhood, visiting my Aunts, and family friends, many of the items I have grown up with.  When you are done with you visit to Fine Old Things, stop over at her other shop Expressions 123. This shop has note cards, fridge magnets and table decor, all hand made by Karen. The next shop will make you hungry. Bonnie from First Fruits lives on a farm in the upper part of Michigan. She has the best marshmallows! Plus jars of jam and jelly, cookies, gloves and hand warmers. The jam and jelly can be pick from a list of about 26 flavors. Get some for yourself and to share with a friend. Bonnie sells at all the local farm markets each week, and sells around 6 dozen jars of jelly each week, with many being repeat customers. She has to be doing something right, to sell so much each week. All of her food is made in a commercial kitchen inspected by the state of Michigan

Sharing Some Good News

My views have gone off the charts on Etsy, and it is all because Etsy has my handwoven laundry basket on their blog.  Follow the link and I'm about halfway down the page.

http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2012/the-housewifes-lament/#comment-741026