Vintage Thingie Thursday

 ~lovely mixing bowl ~

Coloradolady hosts Vintage Thingie Thursday which is a lot of fun and causes, or may cause, severe envy, depending upon what thingie your heart loves that is vintage. I adore old stuff which used to be called antique but is now called vintage. Most of the farmhouse at Thistle Cove Farm is full of old stuff. We've stuff from Dave's family, my family, Dave's previous homes, my previous homes, thrift stores and consignment shops and stuff picked up alongside the road put out for trash pick-up. One man's trash is another woman's treasure, eh? -smile-

The beautiful bowl, above, is a Kitchen Kraft, proudly made in the USA by the Homer Laughlin Company in West Virginia. The HLChina Company has been in business since 1873 and has produced quantities of lovely, functional china. Depending upon what, and where, you read, Kitchen Kraft was introduced in 1937 or 1939 but was discontinued by 1945. I have never seen this pattern; it looks to be Japanese in flavor with a pagoda and geisha women standing on a bridge, waiting for a ship or boat to sail into harbor. This fascinates me as I've always associated both Kitchen Kraft and Homer Laughlin with more traditional patterns such as gold filigree, nautilus, roses or other florals, solids, equestrian and many more designs.

In earlier years, the HLChina Company was known for a variety of china, now they are known, primarily, for Fiesta Ware. Perhaps it's just me but I find the Fiesta Ware of earlier years to be preferable to the Fiesta Ware being produced now. The colors of yesteryear are muted, softer and more pleasing to my eye while the colors today are...in a word, garish.

Sorry. It's true though, the colors today are a bit harsh, loud, crass and in your face. They tend to make the supper table scream, "have a good meal!" while yesteryear's colors murmur, "so pleased you're here, enjoy our hospitality."

The most interesting thing, to me, about the Homer Laughlin China Company is their Food Service Division's ability to do custom designs for restaurants, hotels or anyone else who wants china with their own logo. I can just imagine a set of dishes with a thistle, the logo for Thistle Cove Farm!

I did a web search but couldn't find anything about my particular bowl. It's about a three quart mixing bowl and has two, quite small, chips that in no way effect the usability of the bowl and will, probably, be put on the shelf and simply enjoyed visually. Oh, the best thing about my Kitchen Kraft bowl? I found it at a thrift store for less than two dollars! Someone else's trash is my new treasure -smile-.

Blessings ~ little things that bring such joy and pleasure into my life ~ Kitchen Kraft bowls ~ thrift stores ~ thistle ~ Homer Laughlin China Company ~


Soli Deo Gloria,
Sandra

Vintage Thingies Thursday

 

~ 100% wool vintage bathrobe ~

It's time for Vintage Thingies Thursday hosted by Colorado Lady and my focus is on the bath. Bathrobes are so plebeian yet so extremely necessary, at least to my way of thinking and here in this cold farmhouse. Doubtless you'll remember the many times I've bored you to tears discussing the extreme cold we've endured this winter and I mean inside the house. The record low, this winter, for our bedroom is 42 degrees F above zero and that was when I went to bed; not during the wee hours. Only God knows what the low was that night, my head was under the covers and I wouldn't peek for fear of frostbite. However, that's not the coldest it's been; it was far colder that first winter of Jan 1996 but we didn't have walls...only R-19 insulation and 6 mm plastic...we didn't have windows...they were taken out so the weights and ropes could be re-hung...we didn't have heat...other than the one wood stove and one coal stove in the three rooms we were then using...we didn't have electricity...other than extension cords and the one bulb hanging lonely from the ceiling. Even with all that it was not the winter of our discontent; we were quite happy and proud of what we'd undertaken to accomplish. When we get the scanner fixed or replaced, I'll show photos and tell tales of fifteen years ago.

Meanwhile, outside the wool covers and heavy comforter, the one thing that keeps me toasty warm is my 100% wool bathrobe. It's a delight, warm but not heavy, just the right length and has two buttons to ensure body heat is kept close. There are no labels so I'm not sure if it began life as a robe for men or for women but it's mine now and I keep it at hand, always.

The rest of the year, my favorite is this little number: 

~ "Property of Republic Pictures" ~

 

It's 100% cotton, quite heavy and I use this, most of the time to wrap around me in lieu of a bath towel. I've found using a towel to rub dry, tends to dry the skin, but just wrapping cotton around me allows the moisture to be absorbed, leaving the skin less dry and not at all itchy. Sometimes I even forget to use lotion as cotton is simply that good!

 The wooden hanger is vintage as well and from the Ambassador Hotel in Washington, DC. That hotel is long gone, either absorbed by some chain or torn down for something else to be built. Probably not something as beautiful or sturdy either but, then, you'd know I'd feel that way seeing as how I live in a house that was finished in 1902.

I'm a fan of "lotions and potions" as Dave likes to say. Nothing makes me feel dressed like mascara, lipstick and perfume but to get there I like lots of goodies in bath and shower.

 

~ Bath powders ~

 

~ Ooooh LaLa! ~

 

~ Coty metal powder tin ~

The Johnson's and Coty containers are tin while the other two are glass.I don't use the above, except for the little Avon powder floral container on the right, but keep them in the bathroom so I can day dream about previous owners.

My favorite hand scrub is to pour a little olive oil into the palm of one hand, then top off with a couple of tablespoons of sugar. This mixture is used to exfoliate, moisten and rehydrate my hands and, when used, several times a week, keeps my hands from looking like a science experiment. Sometimes the best things are the least expensive!

What about you? What's your favorite bathrobe? Do you use lotions and potions?

Until next time,

Blessings ~ natural fibers! ~ lotions and potions ~ good memories, made and to come ~ a lovely soak in the tube ~ a brisk shower ~ warmth ~

Thanks for visiting Thistle Cove Farm,
Sandra