A Rare Outfit Post

Yes I do rarely do this as I am never very satisfied with my own appearance but I really love this dress.  I bought it this summer from atomik*vintage on Ebay.  It is not a swirl but is very like one as it is a wrap with the closure in the back (my personal favorite style right now).   Love the blue hounds tooth print (I suppose a close up of fabric would have been nice, bad blogger) with the bright yellow flowers so cheerful.  I have to say I was a bit nervous about wearing this one as instead of a button closure at the top like a Swirl this dress a three snaps on the back.  I was concerned that if it pulled enough the snaps might give way but I wore it all day Saturday with out it coming unhitched.  I wish I could say I was going to wear this dress back to work tomorrow but I can't I will be back in my boring old work garb.  Hope you all had a fabulous weekend. I also hope that if you are out on the east coast that you safe and dry.  

Oh and one final question.  I wanted to do a give away but have been indecisive about what I wanted to do I have considered a pattern (not vintage but a reproduction of a retro butterick) or a vintage apron?  Please comment with your opinions or what you would be more interested in.  Thanks again, Susan

Reading my old friend its been a while.

So you haven't seem many post from me lately as I have rediscovered my old friend reading.  Well honestly I always read but it has been a while since I have found a book that I really fancy.  Right now I am working on Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day by Winfred Watson.  I have also been feeling a tab bit melancholy as my summer is coming to an end on Monday and in the current climate at work I am truly dreading returning and well Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day is simply hitting the right spot.   I have found reading a great escape as there is no question about doing it right or wrong you just do it (unlike putting in an invisible zipper or canning tomatoes).  Have any of you been reading anything enjoyable lately.

D-Day

OK not that D Day but the one Elvis Presley died on.  I know there are lots of people in Memphis today celebrating the life of this talented man.

Fresh Water Fishing Museum

Well I have been on vacation trying to get the most out of the end of my summer.  I took my two boys to my in-laws cabin for almost a full week.  It has been just the three of us except for the weekend when my husband came up.  While he was up we decided to try a little day trip and went to the Fresh Water Fishing Museum in Hayward Wisconsin.  Here are some pictures of our trip but please excuse my hair as I am up north and well I haven't been setting my hair as I spend a lot of time in our around the lake with the kids and it has seemed pointless I was completely lacking hair spray for any type of victory rolls etc...

So in this first picture you can see part of the museum the large Musky which you can go in and stand on the balcony, you can also fish for sun fish right under the musky.  I was really liking the man behind me's  conical asian hat.  I wore my nautical Betty Page shorts and a peasant blouse for the occasion I thought a nautical theme would work well even though it is hard to see here.

Here we are up on the balcony of the fish's mouth.

The grounds of the museum are filled with different types of larger than life fiber glass fish sculpture.  The one above is a sunfish that my 3 year old is busy reeling in.

The boys really enjoyed the all fish play ground.  Ok well I did too.

There was much more than shown here including big foots and a motor boat graveyard which I was surprised I found pretty cool seeing old vintage models of boats and motors. If you are ever in the area it is  worth a visit.

http://www.freshwater-fishing.org/index.php

I also have been thinking over a way to celebrate my hundred followers with a give away I just haven't come up with the right idea for what to give away but it will come some so stick with me dear readers. Take care and enjoy the rest of your summers.

Putting Up Food

I have been interested in canning for years but have been a bit afraid to try it on my own.  I have searched for someone to teach me and have not been able to find a soul that was interested.  This year I looked at a video on the Ball websight and decided I could do it myself.  Here is the video about how easy it can be (although I think they make it look much easier and less messy).

So here is some interesting things about canning:

• Canning started in 18th century France when Napoleon Bonaparte was looking for a way to keep his army fed and offer a cash prize to anyone who could come up with a reliable method for preserving food.
• The prize was won by Nicholas Appert thought it could be preserved like whine in glass jars.
• The Mason jar was invented in 1858 and had the first reusable screw on lid.

Finally here is my first batch of Pickles hopefully they will be as good as they look.

Do you any of you can? Does anyone have any good recipes or advice for a novice canner?