"Mad Woman" Christmas Party Part 1: The Request

December 10, 2010

"Honey, I think I forgot to tell but I invited my golf buddies and their wives over for a little Christmas  Party on the 18th. What do you think?  I was thinking that maybe we could do something like a theme. What is that show you like?   Mad something. ... You know the one I am talking about....  The one where the guys drink and smoke all day..UH.....Mad Men!  That's it!  What do you think?" We could have a Mad Men Christmas Party!  I could stock the bar with gin and bourbon and you can make some of those cute canapes that they used to serve.  Counting the two us, there will be 16 of us all together. What do you think?  I know my girl can pull it together!  What do you say?  Let's have a Mad Men Christmas party!"

YOUR GIRL CAN PULL IT TOGETHER!!!!...not only did you fail to mention this party to me but you are already starting to behave like a 1960's  husband.  The next thing I know you will want me to wear a girdle and a pointed bra!!   Ok....Let's think about this.  I have 8 days to plan a "THEMED" Christmas Party for 14 people I do not know.  A "THEMED"' Men Behaving Badly" type of party.  Right now I wish I had bewitching powers because it sure would be fun for to me turn you into a frog!  Oh, poor Samantha!  How many times did Darrin call her to tell her that he was bringing Larrry over for dinner at the last minute!

Ok!  What the heck!  A Mad Men "THEMED"  Christmas party would be pretty easy to plan. Basically I just need some good cocktail recipes and some 60's type of food.  Didn't they serve cheese balls and 

barbecued wieners back then?  How about little finger sandwiches and pimento cheese spread on ritz crackers.  Darn it!  I already decorated the house and it certainly does not reflect a 1962 look.  That was supposed to be a "swinging" time.  I guess I could find some silver garland and vintage ornaments to make my Christmas tree look more authentic. What am I thinking?  Where in the world would I find silver garland and face it....my house certainly does not look like the "swinging 60's.  Besides that, I am totally into the "ugly holiday sweater"movement this year.  If we are going to have a party why can't it be a "Tacky" Party where I can wear one of my sweaters and serve seasoned pork rinds and jello! Now I have to go out a find some girly looking outfit that reflects the early 60's!

Falling asleep thinking about everything I would have to do to make this party work,  I start to think about what it would have been like to be a 60's housewife.  Since it was before the women's liberation movement and before we had big box grocery stores that do everything now a days, I bet the wives went all out in their hosting duties. Tomorrow I will head down to the Antique Trove as I know that they sell the perfect "rocks" glasses and have many different booths that specialize in mid-century antiques.
Yes, I think I can make this work.  Only thing is the theme is going to be slightly different....It is going to
be a "Mad Women" Christmas Party!!........to be contiuned

True Holiday Confession

I have a confession to make but will only make this declaration after you all promise that you will not laugh  or think that I am a nerd. Its just that I can't help it nor can I change it.....Here goes.......I love to wear the annual "Ugly Holiday Sweater."  Not only that,  I own lots of them....in fact, I collect them!  Ok I said it, I'm proud of it and I am wearing one right now!!  I bet you all secretly have your own obsession with this warm, gaudy, sequiny,  furry work of art and its ok....be proud....you belong to an established American tradition.  Oh, so you  gave yours away, did you??  Go check in the back of your closet....I bet you will find one....See,  I told you!  Does it have snowflakes or a Christmas Tree on it?  It must have a little bling and fur if it is still in your closet....Go put it on and look at yourself in the mirror.....you look cute don't you?.... Yes, it does look cute!....I bet you are thinking that you could probably wear this to a holiday party or an open house that you are invited to this year.  Hey, why not wear it shopping??  "Tis the Season to be  Jolly" after all.  Dress down Friday, pull out the adorable cinnamon colored sweat shirt with a gingerbread man and jingle bells sewn on  it....the bright red V-neck that has the bright green Christmas Tree would look great with jeans..... maybe add a white turtleneck underneath.....and girls, if you decide to wear the black cashmere with white fur and red and purple sequins, pull out those old black leather pants you haven't worn for a awhile.  Guys, going to a football game and you need to be warm.?...the wool, tannish sweater that has a giant green reindeer and snowflakes would make a great statement.  You can cheer for your team and the holidays all in one night!!! You have to admit that a big, cold beer would definitely showcase this outfit!!  Want to be comfortable while you host your own Christmas Party?  Black velvet bell bottoms, a gold lame, red, green and black striped, kind of tight turtleneck would be the perfect outfit!  Don't forget the Christmas ornament earrings!!!  You may even want to wear that red velvet vest with the white snow balls on it.

My love for this fun holiday attire goes way back.  Growing up with three sisters and a mother that sews, each Christmas we all had matching dresses and matching flannel nightgowns.  Not only did our clothes match, but so did our house slippers and haircuts.  When it came time to take pictures, we all lined up in the order of our ages in front of our silver, aluminum Christmas tree with the red ornaments.   This was always a family tradition until one year we were invited over to the Simpsons for their annual open house.  We, girls all had on our matching red and white striped dresses, were greeted at the door by Mrs. Simpson who had on the most beautiful sweater that I had ever seen!!....Red mohair with ivory sequined angels flying across the front of the sweater.  Her husband Jim, was dressed in a dark green turtleneck with a very woolish vest that had snowmen covering the front.  And the kids...they too had  on their annual holiday sweaters covered with Christmas trees, sleighs and Santa's.  I won't go into my feelings about our matching dresses, but let's just say I couldn't wait to get back to our 1919 Bruning Drive house!!

The next year my mom must  have remembered our dislike for last years attire because under the Christmas tree there were four red and white mohair sweaters with giant red and white candy canes. I did not take the sweater off the entire season and I kept it many years thereafter. Over the years I have found many sweaters and sweatshirts that I have loved to wear.  My collection has had angels, snowflakes, ornaments, gingerbread houses, teddybears, reindeer, snowmen, bells, Santa, sequins..... My favorite find of all time however, was in 1988...  White, Red, Green Turtleneck that said "Merry Christmas."  Doesn't sound like much does it?  Well this sweater had a battery pack underneath that I could turn on and when I did, "Merry Christmas" flashed  over my chest ever few seconds!!!  That sweater,  along with my red, leather pants was always the hit at any party I was invited to!   Oh!  And did I tell you that it had shoulder pads?

It is officially the holiday season, so go to your closet or nearest thrift store and find the one, fun sweater that really says  "Wow, this is great!"  Put it on and I guarantee that it will make you happy.  When you are happy,  people around you are too!!! So if you wear your sweater and others see what it is doing for you, more and more people will want to wear these sweaters!!.......Can't find one that you like?  Have you ever thought about "Ugly Holiday Pajamas?"   Lets have some fun this year!!!!  As for me, I just can't wait to put on that special dark green velour top with the red poinsetta's....it still looks great with my shiny gold lame leggings!!!

A Sweet November

I just put away the last of the Thanksgiving china and I am taking a moment to really stop and think about all that I have been blessed with in my life.  You always seem to be so busy the day of "Thanks" that you really do not take personal time to sit down and actually think about the fortunes that you have been given.  When you stop to say "Thank You" to something that you care about or love,  it generally revolves around a person, an event, a message, a feeling, a memory.....something extraordinary that has happened in your life or something simple. Today I am giving "thanks" to my former grade school simply known as "St. Rose" as it is providing me with a beautiful and funny memory........

November, 1965

It is the Saturday morning of the "Annual St. Rose Turkey Dinner" and I am quite excited as I have been asked by Father Kuzma to help out and serve dinner that night.  I was only 11 and felt extra special that I was chosen along with my best friend, Eileen McGrath to help out at this annual event.  I mean to be picked by the parish priest, Father Kuzma, no less, was an honor and we both knew that we had to be up to the challenge that awaited us at this dinner.  We were kind of popular in a" catholic school nerdy" way but in reality we were just a couple of  dorky, smart mouthed, boy crazy girls who were always looking to have a good time.  The "Annual St. Rose Turkey Dinner" was our time to shine!

The whole point of this dinner was to make money for our church.  Another important part of this night was to socialize with the many parishioners that attended our church.  But to me and Eileen, there were two great things about this night.....1. We got to wear whatever we wanted!  2. There will be boys there! I liked a few boys from my class but I had a big crush on Jim Heck who was two years older.  Eileen, on the other hand had only one boy on her mind.....Paul Quigley....a true bad boy with gorgeous blue eyes and smile that would never end.  Now of course we were not allowed to have any special feelings for boys as we were devout Catholic girls attending a devout Catholic School. But hey, it was the 60's and we were developing into a couple of super cool girls!  We needed our crushes as they were a way of satisfying our preteen urges.  Yes, tonight would be perfect!  Wear something cute, flirt a little and become the best little church helpers  Father Kuzma had ever seen!

I sure would like to open up that box we just received from my Aunt Betty, sent from London, England!
I am sure she bought me something really cute from Barnaby Street or some cute Beatle go go boots.
There must be something in that big box that I can wear tonight. Despite the fact, I was wearing braces and had short, crooked bangs, a new cute, hip outfit would give me the confidence to talk to Jim Heck, or maybe even Bob....the real bad boy....Barr!  What do I have to loose?  If I get caught opening the box and I could always explain away my decision to do so.   Ok, what the heck...like in Jim Heck!  I am going for the box at rapid speed, heart beating fast, knowing that I am going to find an amazing gift.  I find my wrapped present that says "To: Ginger,  From: Aunt Betty and the Boys" tear into it like a maniac, sweat running down my forehead  "I'm going to be cute tonight" I secretly sing....Wait!...What is this?.....A bright, parrot green fur hat with two giant bright parrot green pompoms!  There must be a mistake! This package came from LONDON, ENGLAND....the home of the Beatles, Mary Quaint, Twiggy!  A bright parrot green fur hat with two giant, bright parrot green pompoms.  This must Toni's present. She likes green. Our presents must have accidentally been switched.  Going for the box that says " To: Toni  From: Aunt Betty and the Boys" I am out of control opening the present that was supposed to be for me!  What?.......A bright royal blue fur hat with two giant bright royal blue giant pompoms!  Eva's box must be mine.....a bright fire engine red fur hat with two giant bright fire engine red pompoms!!!!!  And Vicki's box......a bright canary yellow fur hat to with two giant bright canary yellow pompoms!!!! Sitting along side the destruction of the  box marked "To the Steils" from London, England, I feel.....I feel....I feel crazy!!!! How could anyone send these presents to four semi-cute girls
living on 1919 Bruning Drive in  1965!!!!  I will never be able to re-wrap these gifts....the destruction is permanent..... I know!  I will just hide everything in the attic and worry about it tomorrow.  I have an event to go to tonight and I have to choose between my only two dresses.  The purple and green paisley umpire or the black velvet jumper with white lace collar.  After thinking about it for awhile the latter dress was my chosen attire for the big night.  A touch of make up, black leggings and pumps. I'm off to the church, getting excited for the night to begin.

The turnout is huge. Everyone is there including my family of 6. I don't see Jim Heck,  but there is Paul Quigley looking extra cute tonight with his navy blue blazer and khaki pants. I wonder if I have a secret crush on him?  It's possible as I give him a big toothy smile and find  I am blushing a bit.  Feelings short lived as here comes Eileen, looking adorable in her green and purple umpire dress with green leggings and purple velvet shoes.  I hesitate over my outfit for a moment but snap out of it as soon as I hear Eileen laugh. This was going to be some night and we were going to be the stars!

We were each given the responsibility of taking the dishes of food to the different tables. We had to be careful and  show confidence. We also had to make sure each table had enough butter and water.  It was a lot of work but I think that we are doing a great job. The parishioners are smiling at us and  letting us know that we are really living up to the church's expectations.  But where is Jim Heck?  I have already seen  Bob...the really bad boy....Barr,  John Murdy,  Harold Flood,  but no Jim.  I am a little disappointed  but continue with my duties. Oh, there is my 6th grade teacher, Russ Gimour and Sister Mary Daniela.  Father Kuzma goes up front to give a blessing and thanks us all for attending. There he is!!!!! Setting in the very back is the gorgeous Jim Heck.....he kind of looked like Ernie from "My Three Sons."  He had on a blue oxford shirt and brown blazer and was sitting next to his parents.  I must hurry and make sure his table has enough water and butter!!   I have "butterflies" as I approach his table.  Giving them a flirty smile I say hello and ask if there is anything they need.  OH No!!  Something is running down my leg!  Did someone spill some water?  My face is turning red as I am in the middle of one the most important conversations of my life!  But it is still there....a stream of something. Trying not to be conspicuous I look down at about the same time I say "Do you need any butter"?  It can't be??? NO WAY!!  But yes sure enough, there running down my leg was the first evidence that I was entering puberty.  I  was having my first period at the "Annual St. Rose Turkey Dinner!" Not knowing what to do I dash out of there as fast as I can, running into trays of food and well dressed parishioners.  I run into the bathroom stall, check again and start to cry because I did not want this to happen tonight.  I try to get it to stop long enough for me to get my mom and go home.  I feel humiliated and believe I was being punished because I had opened the presents from my Aunt Betty and cursed the contents of each box.
I was definitely having "catholic girl guilt" and could not wait to get out of there.  In the middle of Father Kuzma's charity drive speech my family of six along with me  scurry out of the church and head back to our 1919 Bruning Dr. house.   As the stream was still running down my legs, there were streams of tears also running down my face.

As soon as we get home, my mom who had been expecting this, shows me what to do, knowing that this was a big day for her first born. I beg her not to tell anyone but a little later I see her give my dad a look that said "She'll be fine" and "Aren't we proud".  Doubly horrified at this point I convince myself that this has not happened.  I have to do something to change this!   I run up to the attic and pull out two of the  unwanted presents from London, England, take the evidence known as my underwear, grab my sister Toni and run out to the back of our property where we burned our trash in an old rusted out incinerator.  I gave Toni the bright parrot green fur hat with giant parrot green pompoms to put on and I wore the exact same one only in bright canary yellow.  There on the night of the "Annual St. Rose Turkey Dinner",  I took out the evidence of my new journey in life and place it into the burning fire.  Standing close to my sister, each of us in our quite loud, but very warm hats, I start to mourn the loss of my youth. And as we are standing there with each other,  she not quite knowing what happened and me knowing that one day it will happen to her, I start to feel ok because out of the corner of my eye I spot two big pieces of old barn wood, a cable spool and  a couple of old bottles.  Yes, everything was going to be ok because as the fire started to die I start to think about what I could do with the barn wood and cable spool.  I know!  I will build myself a small little house right where  I have been mourning my youth!!!  Yes, a cute little house with curtains and flowers and happy things.  And I will go to this place everyday to dream, play, share, create, make believe and be thankful!

We all have so much to be thankful for. I wanted to start this blog to write about flea markets and such.
But while I do love going to a place "infested with fleas"  the current place of my infestation is inside of me because I am being infested with stories and memories that are just as important as going to an antique store or swap meet.   Just like the the thrill and hunt for that great find, we all have that great find inside of ourselves. So yes this November Thanksgiving I am very thankful.....thankful that I got the courage to remember, thankful that I love where I come from and where I want to be.  So friends, despite being busy, crazy this holiday season, take time to remember,  because it is the best present you can ever give yourself.  When you remember, you know why you are thankful!

Thanksgiving Thought Process

Thanksgiving is fast approaching and this year will be extra special as my father and mother-in-law will be traveling from Michigan to celebrate this joyous day....WHICH MEANS......I have been given secret permission by my husband that it is ok to go out and spend a few extra bucks for this event. Not only is he coming, but Aaron, Melissa, Zach and Avery are driving in from Bakersfield to also join in on the fun. Oh, and by the way my father-in-law is turning 80 this year!....WHICH MEANS....I will be able to add a few more  zeroes to my unforeseen purchases!  Let's see.....there will be me and Steve, Dad and Judy that makes 4, plus Aaron and his brood makes 9...then there is Jeff, Hollie and Stella, Ralph, Kim and Nick which makes 13....no wait 14...but what about, Kerry, Marc, JP, Ricky and Christina?  If they come, there will be 19 people that will be at my home to celebrate Thanksgiving this year! And of course I can't forget the dogs, Jackson, Carter and Daisy!  They like to celebrate too!

I don't think that I can squeeze that many people in my dining room even if I add another table. What  if I rent enough tables and chairs, move the furniture out of my living room and put it into the dining room? That could work!  But then I would have to move my dining room furniture somewhere in the living room. That too could work!  I could place the rented tables and chairs in the middle of the room and use the dining room table as a food buffet!  Yes, that would be perfect.!  But what about all of the dining room chairs.  Not to mention the 6 chairs I just bought that will be back from the upholsterer this week! This 6 along with my old set plus the 6 from my kitchen table may work!  They don't really match but I could stagger them around the tables and 2 of my guests need high chairs, so yes that could work! So I don't need to rent chairs but I will add some tablecloths and possibly some napkins to my order!  Perfect!

Now that I have that settled that, lets look at the room to see if I need to add or take anything out that may clash with my new eating arrangements....Plants...ok... pictures look fine...fireplace decor should work....lamps...will provide nice, soft lighting...I definitely could use all of the candles.  I think everything will look great until I look up and spot the chandelier!  It is just too darn small and the Christmas crystal ornaments that I hung a few years ago just does not look good!  I really want a wrought iron, crystal fixture here. But you know it doesn't have to be true iron or real crystals. It is going to be up high after all....so why not go and look at a few at Lamps Plus or Valley Lighting.  I bet a could find one under $400.00!  Yes!  That is what I will do!  Look for a bigger, inexpensive chandelier and my room will be perfect!  Once again, I am so glad my father-in-law is coming because with the secret buying permission I got from my husband, I will be able to correct this design flaw! (note to myself...do not send this blog to my husband before Thanksgiving!)

I am getting a good feeling about my new design decisions so I can now start thinking about what dishes to use and how I am going to decorate the table. Of course, I do not have 19 place settings of my china, nor do I have 19 drinking and wine glasses! Lets see, I could use the 12 "Johnson Brothers Friendly Village" plates along with the cream and bronzed rimmed ones I bought a few years ago that I have never used!  I think I have 8 of these so yes that could work!  I have so many mix and match wine and drinking glasses so I don't think I need to go out any buy anymore.  I know I have plenty of silverware thanks to my mom who gave me several sets that she bought at Big Lots. Yes! I think I am fine on the eating and drinking utensils....I can check this off of my list....WHICH MEANS....I can use the extra spending funds on some good wine and maybe some champagne!

But how do I want to decorate my table this year?  It seems that I always use gourds, candles and flowers every year.  Don't I still have that collection of old bottles that I bought a few years ago?  I think I have 4 slightly brownish, amber ones and several clear ones with a lot of great aged patina in them.  Since I am going to have a large, long table, I could put one flower in each of these bottles and stagger them on the table.  Yes! That would look great, especially with my 12 "Johnson Brothers Friendly Village" plates and the other 8 I just mentioned.  And if I use these bottles, my mix and match wine glasses will  blend in perfectly!  These bottles, along with candles will be a nice, rustic touch!  I think the flower needs to be something golden or reddish. And of course, I should add some gourds and maybe some colorful autumn leaves.  I am really loving this idea...kind of rustic...little elegant...nice warm colors.  Maybe I will use my cranberry red napkins or I could use the brown ones.. What about all of those old, rusty bottle caps I have been picking up on my walks?....do you think I could make some type of napkin ring holder with them?.... Nahhhhh...Speaking of cranberry, make sure I buy an extra bag....They too, could look good on the table!

The room is decorated, the table is set, just need my guests and the food!   Oh yeah....I FORGOT THE FOOD!  I have to plan a menu, look at recipes, go to store, go back to the store,  no one every eats the cranberry sauce, gotta make the Pepperidge Farm Dressing, I guess we will fry one turkey and bake another, should I make pies from scratch or go Marie Calendars, salad is always a waste, hmmm, how can I get the lumps out of the gravy, go to to store again, make sure I start potatoes earlier this year.....
oh yeah, make sure I don't run out of dish detergent again, do we really have to have the green bean casserole,  sweet potatoes?,  what, the meat thermometer doesn't work!!....watch out, the dog just got part of the turkey!!!!.......


Hello...Hello..... Is this the Phoenician Hotel?  Could I have reservations please?   Yes, hello, do you still have availability for Thanksgiving?  You do!  Great!  Could I please make a reservation for a party of 19?  Great!  Thank you!!! See you then!!!!!

Saturday's Wild Ride

It is a beautiful Saturday in November and it is the perfect time of the year to go antiquing.  I have agreed to meet my friend, Patte, at a nearby consignment store called Switch for a quick cruise and then down Scottsdale Road to the antique district.  I am almost finished putting on my makeup when all of a sudden I hear the sound of the horn from my car honking inside the garage. But the sound it was making was rather odd.  It almost sounded like it was saying  "HURRY" 'HURRY" "HURRY!"  I quickly grab my purse, go to the garage and I find the car is already running, fumes smoldering out of the pipes and the horn is still blaring "HURRY" "HURRY"  "HURRY!"  I slowly approach to see if there is anyone in the car when all of a sudden I am forced in by sheer energy, strapped down with my seat belt and reversing out of the garage, down the driveway.  WHOA!  I feel out of control as my car is driving wildly down the street, out of my neighborhood to Pima Road.  Wait, there is a red light, you have to stop!  Thank God, my car obeys and I try to take control of the situation while waiting for the light to turn. Ok it's green, time to go. I think I'm ok  and that the car just  needed to get out of the garage for awhile to blow off some steam.  Cruising down the road, 45mph, 50mph, 60mph 70mph! Wait! This is too fast!  No longer in control, my car is barreling down Pima Road at 75MPH!  Darn!  The speed camera just took my picture!  Quick right onto Princess Drive barely slowing down. WATCH OUT!  There is a speed bump in the road and soccer fields with hundreds of kids out practicing!  I try to put on the brake, but no use, the car is making a left on Greenway-Hayden and is picking up more speed.  Now the horn is honking again  "HURRY" "HURRY" "HURRY!"  Well at least it knows the way to Switch so I will try to gain control.  My car must think it is an emergency vehicle because all of a sudden it starts to make a sound like a moaning siren right as we pass a store called Casa Hermosa.  60 - 70% OFF...TOTAL LIQUIDATION....EVERYTHING MUST GO!  Before I know it, my car gets into the left lane, flips a quick u-turn and pulls into the parking lot, inches in front of the sign that says EVERYTHING...Now I hear the honking sound again but it is coming out of  me!  But my sound was more like "GO" "GO" "GO!"   Hold on Ginger!  I have to meet Patte!  No time for this right now.  I convince my car that we will come back as soon as possible but we need to get to Switch first. The car reluctantly sputters out of the parking lot and away we go.

I see Patte already checking out with a few great finds for her mountain home in Flagstaff, Az. She has found a lot of great things here at good prices and I can't wait to see what she has done with them. A quick cruise through the store...nothing I want, so I tell Patte about the liquidation sale at Casa Hermosa.  We decide to drive together in her car, sadly leaving mine behind.  We are almost there when all of a sudden her car starts honking "HURRY""HURRY" "HURRY!"  Entering the store we see several big pieces of Spanish influenced furniture.  She has been looking for a big buffet and a desk and there are a couple that may work.  We hear from the salesperson why the store is closing and feel sad that another business is shutting down. Walking through the store we see mirrors, tables, lamp shades, desks but nothing that neither of us really needed. We decided to go into the warehouse and look around.  Nothing really catches our eye until I see approximately 10 or so unstained wooden dining room chairs that still needed to be upholstered. I wasn't really zeroing in on the chairs per say but the sign above that said  "ALL CHAIRS $25.00" Hmmmm....these are interesting.  It seemed however that none of them really matched and if I were to buy any, I would need at least 4.  But gosh, $25.00!  The average dining room chair like this easily retails for $1,000.00!  Spending a few minutes wondering how I could make these work, I decide not to buy and sadly leave the store . Why was my car behaving so strange? Was it taking me on a wild goose chase?  Patte and I say our goodbyes, wishing that we had found something for our homes, but it's ok. After all it is a beautiful Saturday in November and there are other fun things to do.

Getting back into my car, everything seems to be  normal so I decide just to go home and stop shopping for the day.  The car is doing what it is suppose to do...drive...when all of a sudden another weird honking noise occurs "SLOW" "SLOW" "SLOW'' and then "TURN LEFT" 'TURN LEFT" "TURN LEFT!"  Obeying, of course, I pull into the parking lot of another consignment store called Fabulous Finds. Walking in I instantly did not get a vibe but cruise a little, when what do I see?...6 dining room chairs, all upholstered, just like the ones I just saw at Casa Hermosa. EACH SELLING FOR $999.00!
This is a consignment store. A little pricey don't you think?  So I leave and head back down Greenway-Hayden towards Casa Hermosa.  Should I go in one more time just to look again? Well I did not have the authority here, because as I was pondering, my car was pulling into the parking lot.  Thank God, the horn wasn't blaring but I swear I thought I heard the sound of heaving breathing coming out of the engine.  I walk back into the store and the sales person tells me he found another chair so I go back to the warehouse to look once again at the others.  Ok, something is not right here. They look different than before. There are 3 that match perfectly, and 2 exactly alike only a little taller. These 5, along with the 1 in front all look great together.  No time for hesitation!  I am going to buy them, find fabric, something maybe a little orangish, golden, coppery, find an upholsterer, maybe I will learn to upholster, no better not, I will stain the legs to match dining room table, find a centerpiece to match new chairs, set table, all in time for Thanksgiving dinner!  No, this is not an impulse but an important purchase and decision that I am making for my home.  I am confident in my decision!

Driving home with my 6 new dining room chairs and receipt for $150.00, my car seems to be content as the sound of the horn I am now hearing is softly saying "THANK YOU"  "THANK YOU"  THANK YOU!"  So girls, the next time you hear the sound of your car calling out "HURRY" "HURRY" HURRY" or if you hear the engine panting kind of wildly, hop in and let your car take you where it wants to go.  The unexpected journey just may take you someplace you were destined to be!

Ruffle Forward

September, 1960


Getting onto my school bus, I see Mammaw running down the driveway yelling "GINGER, DID YOU CHANGE YOUR UNDERWEAR?"  Of course, I shouted back, that YES, I had indeed changed my underwear. "YOU BETTER NOT BE LYING TO ME OR I WILL GET THE SWITCH!" Well we both knew that it was a lie but that is how we started each day  the fall my of first year in grade school. I was living with my grandparents at their farm outside of Disney, Oklahoma while my parents were moving to Illinois. I went to an elementary school about 15 miles away and had to take the school bus. I actually felt kind of special as my Pappaw used to be the bus driver on this particular route so I was proud knowing that he had sat in the big seat on our bus.  I guess it did not bother me so much having her ask  me if I hand changed my underwear because as the bus stopped at different houses along the way,  there was always another mother or grandmother running down the driveway asking their child the same question.  The only thing that did bother me and I could not figure out why until I was much older, the kids on the bus would always chant "WE, BALL    WE, BALL"  "WE BALL"  I went to school with much older kids so I just figured it had something to do with baseball or some other  type of sports. Well my Pappaw's given name was William Earl Ball and in letters as big as the eye could see, there painted on the side of his mailbox  was "W.E. Ball"!  If I had known that I definitely would have change my underwear!

Two weeks earlier......

I was watching The Carol Burnett Show while Mammaw was in the kitchen fixing dinner and Pappaw was outside smoking a Winston cigarette.  I had noticed something different about Mammaw's purple and red flower printed apron....part of the  ruffle had been cut out.  I did not ask her why because I was sure she had a good reason. Then a couple days later I noticed that her pink and green house dress that had tea cups and saucers on the print had a tea cup cut out it. Again I just kept quiet.  But on the next night I noticed that the blue and red ricrack that she had sown on her  orange blouse was missing!  What was going on?  Was someone taking her clothes and destroying them? And didn't she notice?  I bet it was Billy Bob!  He always liked to play practical jokes.  As fate would have it I found out the answers to this mystery not a day too soon because there on my bed the next morning were two of my  old, worn out panties completely embellished. The first one had the purple and red flower printed ruffle sown around the waist band and the ricrack around the legs. Not only that, she had an embroidered an owl on the front where there had been a hole ! And yes, the tea cup print managed to get on the other pair. She took a lot of time on this pair as she had used a special cross stitch with yarn to make it look real special. Mammaw was so proud of her designs and did not care that she used part of her own clothes so that I could have nice new underwear. She could have been an "Underwear Designer"! There was only one problem...No way would I ever wear these...NEVER!  What if I fell or got in an accident ? Plus, the ruffle  was so big that it stuck out of the top of my pants!  Everyone would see that I had ricrack around my legs and a tea cup on my backside not to mention the smiling embroidered owl! I hope she never wants to use her animal print robe because I sure don't  want to find an elephant in my underwear!  Thank God, I still had one more pair of perfectly good panties. I was going to treasure and take care of them as long as I was staying with her on her farm!

25 years later....

What a cute dress?  Kind of country, kind of sexy. It would look good with a goucho hat and cowboy boots. Black tight bodice with a red rose applique and sequins. Long purple, gold and red ruffles cascading to the floor. Sure, I will wear it!  It would be perfect on a hay ride or at a dinner party in Aspen. Or how about at a sqaure dance? I'm sure the guys would like it. OK, I will buy it
Well I paid $200.00 for this dress and it sat in my closet with the tags still on it for long time!  Then....

A few years later...

I had just moved into my new home in Arizona and my mom was helping me make drapes for my dinning room window. It is a big,  long window so it was hard to come up with a design that I liked. Chenille, silk and fringe was really big back then so I found the material I liked but did not want to
pay the additional funds for the fringe. As we are pinning this up I decide to go to my closet (the best flea market ever!) to see if I had some kind of trim stashed away. Looking through all my stash,  there in the back of the closet was my hay riding, square dancing dress with the cascading purple, gold and red ruffles, price tag still intact.  My closet has moments when it is clean and moments when it is not. This particular time it was not. Tripping over a box of pictures to get the dress, out flies a picture of me when I was six years old sitting on Mammaw's lap. And you will never guess what I had on? The underwear with the purple and red ruffled waist band, blue and red ricrack and embroidered owl!  Looking at the picture I start to zone in on the ruffle. It was kind of cute. In fact it was down right adorable. Why had I not seen the beauty of Mammaw's design?   Hmmmm,  you don't think that I could cut off the ruffle from my square dancing dress, sew it in between my rust chenille and golden dupioni silk fabric instead of paying $20.00 a yard for fringe do you? Why not!  It might be cute or it could even be elegant!  After all the drapes were going to be hung in the dining room. Before  I could stop myself, I cutoff the ruffle, pinned it in between the two different fabrics and and hang in next to the window. OMG, it is fantastic! I call my mom over to get her opinion and we are both in agreement.   The ruffle was what the drapes needed!

One day later...

I am looking at my new drapes and am quite happy with my design.  So girls,  be creative!  Go search out your closet for something that has been hanging there for awhile and give it a new purpose!  I actually had enough ruffle left over that I embellished another set of drapes!  So come on girls, have some fun, use your imagination and be different.  Would you believe that I do still have parts of that dress hanging in my closet?...... I know!  I will take the remaining ruffle, buy some red and blue ricrack , embroider an owl and embellish a pair of my old worn out underwear!   Now if I could only think of what to do with the sleeves!

It Started With a Pumpkin

What is it about the month of October that brings out the happiness in all of us. Is it the change of weather, the falling leaves, the brisk cool mornings, the new fall clothes, the magnificent sunsets or just a time to change?  I love everything about this month but if I were to be perfectly honest, my favorite part of October is the "Pumpkin." Yes, the pumpkin!  Grown out of seed, maturing to a bright, rather odd looking specimen, the pumpkin is what brings me the most happiness this month. So of course finding the perfect or not so perfect one is quite thrilling. It is official, October is here so I am on my hunt!  Driving around I see that the pumpkin stands have not opened yet so I decide to head over to Trader Joe's.  Pulling into the parking lot I spot a sign "Pumpkins, $5.99" Awesome!  I start to walk, then run as I  see that these are not just ordinary pumpkins, but some of the oddest and wildly looking creatures I had ever seen. Orange, red, white, green, green with stripes, green with knots, green with orange, orange with stripes, orange with yellow, orange with knots, orange with orange, pink, pink with stripes, pink with knots.  Fat ones, big ones, little ones, pear shapes, big shapes, round shapes. Some with stems, some without. I love them all so my task at hand is to find the perfect one!  But how do I decide? The green one with the peach coloring on its side and these gnarly looking knots would look perfect on my kitchen buffet.  But the bright orange, rather flat one would look awesome on my dining room table. And isn't it my girlfriend Debbie's birthday? I am sure that she would like the pink one with the peanut looking knots. But then again, I do love the odd, knotty looking orange one too! Carefully looking at the many selections, I find 20 pumpkins that I want but know that  I can not have. Obsessing, I have to make hard choices and only get 5.  So one hour later I leave Trader Joe's with 7 pumpkins, 10 gourds and a heart full of joy.  I was a little jealous while checking out, as I had noticed that someone at the next register had picked up the rather large, light orange one with the tan stripes. I sure hope it goes home to a nice place.

Carefully,  putting my new purchases into my car I drive home and start to think about where I will put my new little friends.  Oh no, red light!  Stopping extremely fast, my pumpkins start to roll around the back of my car. And did I tell you that my golden retriever, Jackson was also in the back?  Looking in the rearview mirror I see 7 large pumpkins, 10 gourds and my dog jumping around all trying to avoid each other.  It was quite the sight, but no to time to dwell as I have to make a quick right turn. Oh no, all my passengers have now all rolled to the other side of my car.  Jackson is jumping trying to avoid  the collision. I tell him it will be ok and that we will be home soon. Secretly, I was worried about loosing some of the stems on the pumpkins, so I slow to a crawl and put on my emergency lights and continue home.  Well now people are starting to honk at me because I am driving too slow. Don't they know that there are pumpkins on board?  Ignoring this outcry I drive home in silence, only to hear a faint chuckle coming from the back.  I am sure  glad that my pumpkins have a good sense of humor!

Now that I am home, I am very pleased with my selections. They each have found a perfect place to reside for the next couple of months.  But I do notice that there is something missing by the pumpkins and gourds that I have placed on my dining room table. The chandelier looks awfully plain.  I know!  I am going to find something like cheese cloth and wrap it around the arms to make it look spooky. Not finding this, I go to my closet  ( the best flea market ever!)  Perfect! I will take my tulle wedding veil with the the rhinestone head band and put it in the chandelier along with a big black spider. Something is still missing.  I know!  I am going to pretend that I am going to have a Halloween party and decorate my entire house!  Twelve hours later, mission accomplished.  My home has been transformed into one big Halloween treat.  Now I just have to find a costume that my new friends will enjoy! Another time, another hunt.

Yes,  October is the perfect month. So friends, take some time and go out and find something that makes you happy.  It could be a song, a trip, a new outfit, a change of hairstyle,  a new lipstick, a new friend, spending time with an old friend, a new love, an old love, or just a simple trip to your local pumpkin patch. Make the most of this month because it is the most glorious time of the year. Just ask my 7 pumpkins and 10 gourds. 

Daddy and the Big Red Couch

It's a beautiful fall day and I am on the hunt for vintage night gowns. I think with a little embellishment,

they could be made into beautiful tops. I have decided to go to the Antique Trove as they have several vendors that specialize in vintage clothes. Walking around I do not find what I am looking for so I head across the street to the Goodwill Store. It looks like they have remodeled as the store is very clean and neat.  Looking for the lingerie section I spot a big red couch marked down to $50.00! OMG, I have to have! But wait, where would I put it! My pulse is beating fast! This couch is mine!  I am going to buy it, haul it home, sneak in into the house, sit on it, sleep on it, decorate with lots of pillows, find a lamp to match, find a  new coffee table, look for vintage books, have my sister Vicki crochet a new throw!  Oh, the possibilities!  But wait, I already have a couch that I like and I do not have room for another one. Plus, didn't  I promise my husband no more impulsive purchases (the puppet show was the last straw and I will discuss later).  Sighing loud enough for the entire store to hear, I decide not to buy the couch and leave the store without looking for used night gowns.

Getting into my car, I start to chuckle as I start to remember my first big red couch. When I was ten years old, our 1919 Bruning Drive home was a 3 bedroom rancher. The front door was painted "Chipped Red" and you would be in the living room as soon as you walked in. The room was a perfect rectangle and it had many uses...dining room, den, tv room, playpen, diaper changing area, folding clothes section, place to color, place to do homework,  an area to wrestle with my sisters, a place to dry off after our nightly bath, have our hair brushed, kiss our parents good night even though we weren't tired. The room had many changing parts but the one thing that always remained the same, was our big red couch. Nothing really matched in this room as we had a a lot of hand me downs from my grandparents. I so much wanted the room to look like my friend, Eileen's living room but we had one additional child in our brood, so there went the matching coffee and end tables. This was about the time that I discovered that I had a knack for furniture placement. While pretending to work on a science project, my mind would wander....How could I make this room look prettier? I know! I will move the couch from the back wall to the front of the picture window. But wait, what about the framed picture of a farm painted by "Paul Detlesfen"? I could put the dining room table there, put the playpen where china cabinet was and then move the cabinet to where the dining room table used to be. The endless possibiitlies! Kinda of sort of but not really getting my parents permision I decided to tackle my project. So one night, while my dad was at work and my mom was next door playing bridge, I decided to redecorate!  My sisters did not want to get in trouble, so they just sat back and watched me move everything around. Something does not look right. I know! I will divide the room with the couch, keep the dining room table where it once was, put the china cabinet next to the framed farm picture and move the playpen into the middle of the room. But what about the front of the picture window? I know! I will take two chairs from the dining room set and put them in the front of the window!  Perfect! The room is beautiful. I just need to add a few more things. Tomorrow I will go to Ben Franklins and buy two matching throw pillows and a Teen Beat Magazine for the coffee table that I placed in front of the couch. I went to sleep that night feeling quite confident knowing that  I did a good job. I knew that both my mom and dad would love the changes I made. They were raising a perfect little "Susie Homemaker"! Still half asleep I wake up to the sounds of some moaning coming from the living room.  Who could that be? Slowly, I peak my head out the door and what do I see?   My dad flat on his back in the playpen. Oh No! When he came in from work the house was dark and he did not know that I had used the couch as a room divider. He had just worked a grave yard shift at Amoco Chemicals and only wanted one thing....to go to bed. Well, you know what happened next. He trips and flips over the couch, hits his head on the coffee table and lands in the playpen.  I didn't know what to do, laugh, cry or hide. Thank God my dad had a sense of humor because he made the decision for me. He looks at me with this funny but yet stern look. "Hey Kid, I like what you did to the place"!" Yes, he was proud of his "Susie Homemaker" and even though he landed on his backside he was able to laugh at my whole hearted efforts. After a day of taking care of my dad I go back to my room for much needed sleep. As I dose off I start to dream....what if I moved the couch where the dining table is and move the playpen into the kitchen!

September Sunday and a Memory

Today is Sunday and I am on my way to my cabin in Show Low, Az. It is a beautiful September morning and only 62 miles until my first stop, Granny's Antiques in Payson, Az. Good ole' Granny, she certainly knows how to bring in the goods. It is a charming store off of Highway 260. She specializes in just about everything,  but today I am on the hunt for Frankoma dinner ware. I have given myself a $20.00 budget and I know that I will be able to spend it wisely. Today I am lucky! There, as I first walk in is this beautiful golden and latte colored Frankoma serving bowl. Only $16.95!   It is in perfect shape and I know that it will be a welcome addition to my other dishes from this collection. Happily,  I am back on the road listening to great classic rock music. As I approach Show Low I discover a new organic farm stand, Plant Think. It is off of the road a bit and sits in the middle of a beautiful pine tree forrest. They have a variety of fresh vegetables and fruits. Their peaches and tomatoes are locally grown so I hand pick a few of each and head on down the road.  As I am driving, I start to think of a time when I was little and I was picking peaches with Mammaw. She had several peach trees on her farm and they were planted behind her clothes line. It was always a special day when we would do the wash and pick peaches. After a long day of chores, I will never forget sitting on her porch, catching lightening bugs and happily eating a  piece of her peach cobbler. And on those special nights, I would always ask her the same thing, "Mammaw, how did we get to be so rich?" And each time I asked this question, her reply never changed, "Honey, make sure those peaches are real hot before you put the cobbler in the oven!"

Marche' aux puces

"Flea Market" a market of fleas, an open field of second hand and used furniture, a market infested with buyers and sellers, a place to sell your goods....all words defining the workings of a Flea Market. But for me, anything that has the word junk, market, vintage, salvation/salvage, thrift, antique, flea, yard, auction or rummage suites me just fine. Additional words I will accept are rust, chipped, torn, worn, distressed, used, old, as is or bargain. Ahhh....these words are magic to my ears and beauty to my eyes. As I close my eyes and think about them, my heart starts to beat fast because as I am thinking, I know that I will discover something salvaged, chipped, worn and beautiful about me.

Frenchie and Robin

Waiting patiently for the next flea market,   I have been thinking about how my love affair with junk and design got started. I  grew up in a small town in the Midwest which I like to call my 1919 Bruning Dr. years. We were the typical nuclear family, mother, father, 3 sisters and 1 brother all living in an 1100 sq ft. 3 bedroom, 1 bath house. I shared my room with my sister, Vicki.  But since I was the oldest and forgot I was not an only child, I decided to take over and design the room to my liking. I was about 10 years old at the time and was obsessed with anything on TV.  Batman and Robin were big back then and I had an outrageous crush on Robin. I mean outrageous! We had twin beds and after devouring the Sears catalog, I begged my mom to buy us matching pink chenille bedspreads.  We got them right before Christmas and our presents that year were two matching, rather large royal blue and hot pink stuffed French Poodles. I was so excited that I spent the most part of Christmas making the beds and arranging the poodles so that they would be sitting perfectly on top of our new chenille bedspreads. Every morning I would wake up, make the beds and place  our new bedroom accessories with care on our beds. I named my poodle Frenchie and Vicki named hers Peanut. I spent hours brushing Frenchie's hair and even though I had passed the imaginary friend days, I talked to Frenchie as though she was my best friend. During those discussions I told her about my love for Robin. I had all of the Teen Beat magazines and cut out all of Robins (also known as Burt Ward)  pictures and put them in a file under my bed. Being the oldest, I was often teased about growing up so  I did not want my mom and dad to find out about my obsession. But one day I was at our local dime store  and there in the toy section were Batman and Robin cards. I counted my coins and after figuring out I had enough money to buy one set, I was on my way home with the love of my life. Now, I did think that Batman was cute, but Robin had my heart. As soon as I got home, I went to my mom's sewing kit and got our her straight pins. Standing on my pink chenille bedspread with Frenchie looking up at me I proceeded to pin all of Robin cards on the wall. I made the perfect collage and was excited to see that my room had taken on a new look. In my mind it was adorable and I felt closer to Robin that ever. I still took care of Frenchie but I did always give Robin an extra smile. My room was only missing one thing......a picture of Kurt Russell on my bedside table that  I found a few months later. As for Vicki's side of the room, thank God I fell in love with Wally Cleaver !

The first step of my dream - completed

I have wanted to write about my adventures in flea marketing for a long time.  I call them the "Fleasing" of America. There is something about pulling up to an open field full of tables with vendors and lots of wonderful old items just calling out your name "Take me home, Ginger".  And yes, I have taken home lots of stuff even I couldn't believe I had bought. But I totally dig not knowing the true history of the items I have purchased. I mean, it could of come from some famous person, a nut job or just some regular joe but I like to imagine and think about the story it could tell me about its life. The item could have had a happy life or it could have had sadness. I know that when I get it home I will put it in a beautiful place and make sure that it has a great life. There is just something about taking home a wonderful treasure that has a past. Like all of us, we can be happy and sad but with a little tlc everthing will be ok. That is how I feel when I rescue that wonderful find at the flea market.  Dream about junk and you will wake up tomorrow with beauty.

Getting ready to take a ride on the Flea Train

Hi, I'm Ginger Benson. My partner, Veronika Doyle and I want to share stories and ideas we have created in our never ending quest to have the perfect homes. We are two crazy chicks who are truly in love with treasures  that we find at flea markets and other places we will later mention.We have each travelled the world and have found some amazing collectables along the way. Members of both of our families think that we are funny (thanks mom and dad) so we can't wait to get started and share our ideas and stories.