Which came first...

...the egg or the toast? Right?

We carried this Presto Egg Cooker around the store trying to decided whether to take it home or not. Does it work? How do you time the eggs? And I'm supposed to be watching my egg intake, so do I need an appliance devoted solely to eggs? And aren't I the one who says things like, "I don't need a bread machine, I have one already: it's called THE OVEN." Isn't this the same thing? Shouldn't I be saying, "I don't need an egg cooker, I have one already: it's called a SAUCE PAN."

But, in the end I couldn't resist it. I just love the object. It's almost like a flying saucer for eggs, with the little blue parts and the dome cover. You can 'poach' four eggs in the white cups on top or 'soft boil' them as well: the little cups lift off to reveal seats for six eggs on the blue level below. So, it does two things. And, as an object it is so interesting to me.

Plus, once it arrived home, it was revealed that it was meant to be united with the most-beautiful-toaster-in-the-world: eggs and toast, right? And the colors go perfectly together. Have you ever seen a happier couple? Have you ever seen a more beautiful toaster? If you have, I want picture proof. E-mail a photo of a more beautiful toaster and I will be the judge. My qualifications are here. If I can pick Miss Arkansas USA 2004, I can certainly pick the most beautiful toaster in the world.

Introducing...

....my fabulous, thrifty friend Jennie! She is as obsessed (if not more) with thrift shopping as I am, but we never really shop together. Today, we both happened to have a short day at work, so we met for lunch and then headed into Next-to-New to see what we could find. This mirror looks fancy (and Jennie looks lovely in it) but the frame is actually very thin plastic.

This double boiler is made from Pyrex glass, but not that strange stuff they tried to get everyone to cook on in the 80s. It was kind of amber colored? I can't remember what they called it, but my Mam-ma would always talk about how 'during the war' you couldn't buy metal cookware, so they had a lot of glass. Possibly like this? I didn't buy it, but considered it strongly.

Jennie almost bought this blue ceramic bowl, but it was obviously missing the lid. Cute, kind of Pennsylvannia Dutch modern?

She did pick up this lovely porcelain butterfly, with designs to use it to hold jewelry. Delicate and whimsical, it has a happy feeling. Plus, she can hang it on the wall if she wanted.

Jennie and I oohed and ahed over this set of thirteen Asian teacups decorated with delicate images of birds and bright pink peonies. Thirteen seemed like a lot, even though my usual goal is service for twenty-four. Jennie suggested we split then and I was so happy that I hugged her. The other shoppers looked at us like we were crazy, which we are. They have a thick wall and are perfect in the hand. I served tea in then that very evening, during a Project Runway screening.

Next-to-New had a huge collection of Hall's Jewel Tea pattern. This was one of my Mam-ma's favorites and at one point she had a large collection she eventually sold off. It was one of those things she was obsessed with, almost as much as that Anchor Hocking Star of David crystal. I have a single pitcher from her Jewel Tea collection that reminds of her and seeing this large selection made me gush. Her birthday is January 19 and she would have been 89.

This Dallas Junior League cookbook is haunting me. I almost bought another copy with a similar design actually imprinted onto the cover of the book last week when I was in Houston. I didn't buy either, because I really don't imagine getting anything interesting from the Dallas Junior League recipes. I'm sure there is a section of how to achieve big hair. Maybe another on dressing for lunch? I'm sure each recipe begins, "Ask your maid to prepare this recipe the next time you are having friends over for bridge."

There were eight of these RED Sango bowls, so I snatched them up. They're low and very modern, with color on the exterior and white inside. I imagine using them with the Georges Briard Asian plate and Metlox Shore Line. I love to mix different styles and colors up on the table. But, you, dear reader, already knew that. I emphasize that the bowls are red, because they were labeled orange by the store and there was much discussion on the color between Jennie and other guests at the house the evening after they were purchased. Red, red....RED!

They look lovely, combined as mentioned above and topped with an olive green lotus bowl.

Like moi, Jennie was born to (THRIFT) shop.

The House That Thrift Built 2

I've been promising you a tour of the front room for a while, and I guess the space is finally finished. Finished in that there are curtains up and all the little knickknacks are where they'll be--for a while anyways. Finished in that I finally found chairs and a chandelier (which you, reader, already know about). And finished in that I've started to think about changing it. Nothing major, I'm very happy with the colors, the furniture and the fact all the little bits have come together into a somewhat cohesive whole. I suddenly have a fantasy of ditching the dining table and arranging it salon style, a la Pauline de Rothschild's famous drawing room in Paris. (Do you know it? I couldn't find a photograph. If not, imagine pilasters faux painted to look like green marble, chairs scattered about loosely and lots of light.) But right now that remains a fantasy.

Looking at the photographs of the room, they seem to reveal a lot of imperfection. I wanted to evoke the act of coming in and examining certain aspects of it in greater detail as you move through the room. I'm afraid the result is more choppy and not as seamless as I imagined, but I hope you enjoy it. If you visit, you'll find the colors more muted than in the photographs and the space very soft and relaxing. Come see for yourself...

Owassoooo Gooooodwill

Unlike the Goodwill stores in Austin, which are primarily filled with buyout items, the Owasso, OK Goodwill still actually has thriftable merchandise. I popped in with my mom, Eric and Becca for a peek and came away with some great finds.

Two blue glass bowls, one round and one rectangular, that will sit great with my many blue and white dishes. I think I may have the round bowl in clear as well. Someone I know has it. Any claimers?

This charming little figurine is actually a box. The top tier of her dress lifts off to reveal a nice place to stash some goodies. I didn't buy it. Don't worry, you're not getting it for Christmas or anything.

This WHITE statue of Artemis with a stag is made from that marble-looking plastic that I like so much. It'll be great in the front room if I can find a place to put it.

I picked up this little blue box for April because it is decorated with two of her favorite things: unicorns and owls. I also found something else wonderful for her, but it was a little delicate and will be transported by car later. The flight home only had two other people on it! If I had known I would have packed up all the glass and just carried it on. I felt like I was on my own private plane and am not sure how much longer ExpressJet will be in business.

I also found a cookie cookbook from Southern Living from the mid-eighties that is full of great recipes and information on historic Southern baking. You can read more about it on bigYELLOWbowl.