With Relish

Jennie and Paul came to town to see Mitchell in Jesus Christ Superstar, but we managed to work in a boozy brunch, some estate sales and a little thrift shopping as well.  No surprise, but there were plenty of fabulous finds...

The book 'Cat People' is just about too much.  Published in 1977, you would recognize many of the people photographed with their cats--a young Jane Pauley, a kerchiefed Louise Nevelson, Robert Indiana, Liz Smith and more.  Accompanying each are few words from the sitter on why their cat is important to them.  Several of the women are actually given the occupation of 'homemaker.'  It is now officially on the top of one of the decorative stacks of books.*

This bottle/carafe was irresistible, with a little collar on it's neck for the hand and a double spout.  It is perfect on the table for water or perhaps this summer with a chilled rosé?

The relish tray has been gone too long from the table!  At one of the estate sales, there was a stack of relish trays high enough for me to send each of my dear readers a charming example to use while entertaining.  I limited my acquisition to two, wonderful examples.  The first has teardrop handles and a lovely swirling division; the second has geometric dividers and a beautiful fluted edge.  I'll put both to good use, I promise.

Crackers.  Crackers.  Crackers.  These plastic cracker troughs make arranging them simple; easy to serve along side your relish tray.

I do not need another set of salad servers--I have so many pair, I don't even know how many they number.  Rest assured, if you are a regular diner at my table, you probably will not see the same set twice.  This lovely set is stainless steel from Japan, diminutive and impossible to pass up.

Little jars?  With decorative lids?  And wooden spreaders?  Jennie spotted these, but was kind enough to let me claim them.  I'm not sure what I might serve in them, but I'll figure it out.  Spreads?  Condiments for sandwiches?  Or I can exchange the spreaders for little spoon and fill them with olives or something.  Do I have any little spoons?  I'll have to check.

I do not think you can have enough trivets.  Period.  I already have one similar to this design with a gold rim and a crackled glass.  Similar is not the same as matching, and whether I was making a claim for a set or diversity, I would still have gone home with it.  They're perfect for the French press, Chemex coffee pot or teapot on the table.

It's been a while since we have spotted one of these weird little banks, but we nabbed this sad puppy to add to Mitchell's collection.  The palette is so strange and happy in strong contrast to the big sad eyes of the little doggie.

 Merry Christmas.

I love Quan Yin and this petite addition to the pantheon is precious.

I had to have the small plastic statuette of the American Indian girl (top picture, far right) and she helps balance the phalanx of saints that fill the medicine cabinet in the guest bath.  I guess with the Pantry God and the small tee pee with children (bottom picture, wedged between the Virgins of Guadalupe), it's officially a collecting direction.  Plastic American Indian figurines.  Dotcom.

Finally, Jennie brought us this lovely white kitchen glass bowl with black swirlies on it as a housewarming gift.  It's perfect for the table and would good with anything in it, but especially with a few little cuties thrown in, n'est-ce pas?

* There is more than one.  "Books are awfully decorative, don't you think?"

You Go Back

Mitchell stopped by the Goodwill tonight to drop some things off, mostly just clutter from the pantry closet. But, one person's clutter is another person's...crystal meth? Not quite right, but you know what I mean. Of course, he ran through the store, but didn't buy anything, returning only with tales of the several cool things that were there. Sitting on the shelves.

Excuse me? Of course, we got back in the car and returned to claim what was rightfully ours:

In your house, you may call this a 'Lazy Susan,' but I feel that is offensive to Susans everywhere. And, I have several friends (a gaggle of Susans?) who are named Susan who are all far from lazy. So, in my house I use the term 'round spinny thing' which is non-pejorative and has a fresh, twenty-first century feel to it. Please don't say, 'Lazy Susan' around me as I will most certainly call you out on your named-based prejudice.

Anyway, this beauty is pressed aluminum in gold and green. It seems to be missing a lid, but is still totally functional. I was thinking: fondue. And the best part? The level the trays and bucket sit on is removable, so you can fill it with ice to keep the items on your round spinny thing chilled, as for crudités.

And this little log, a tiny planter. The faux fanaticism continues, what else can I say? But it will look cute with a small plant in it on the balcony. The best part: when we were checking out, the crazy checker guy said, "This is also great to have for your computer. You can use it to log onto the internet." No, I'm serious, he totally said it and then proceeded to check Mitchell's one dollar bills to make sure they weren't counterfeit. Are there a lot of people out there counterfeiting singles?

And Our Lady, who will be added to the array of deities when I can find them. Wherever they are, we ask for their protection and give them thanks for these blessed finds.

Peace be with you.