Block Party, Reunion, or Dinner on the Grounds

The ESN scavenger hunt this week has to do with Block Parties.  Well, we in small town America don't have much experience with Block Parties. We are more familiar with Family Reunions and  Pot Luck Dinners--or as some would say "Dinner on the Grounds" after Sunday Services. Along with Block Parties, these are occasions for people to get together and enjoy food and fellowship. The food is always outstanding since everyone brings their best carry along dish--and there is always plenty to eat. I looked for items that would be useful for an outdoor barbeque, a Block Party, reunion, or Pot Luck Dinner. 

Here are a few of the things I found among the ESN scavenger hunter stores:

You always need salt and pepper shakers on the tables and these plastic ones from ComycGyrl Collectibles fill the bill. They are available in green or blue. Maybe use both sets on two different tables? ComycGyrl has lots of collectible salt and pepper shakers.

Great deal at ComycGyrl Collectibles.

What could be cooler than this Avon basket to hold the silverware on your serving table?  CarolinaBlueLady has so many vintage Avon items. This is only one.

Available from Carolina BlueLady

Eccentric Thrifter solves the problem of what to wear to the Block Party or Reunion with these floral capris.
She has a big selection of casual clothing.

Listed by Eccentric Thrifter

As usual there is no shortage of whatever you might be looking for in the ESN stores.

Happy shopping!  And Happy Eating at your next big "get together" whether it be with neighbors at a Block Party, relatives at a reunion, or Church Family at a potluck dinner.

Also, don't forget to check out our store:  Hazel's HodgePodge.

Vintage-- Just what is vintage?

The scavenger hunt at ESN this week is for Vintage pieces.

This got me to thinking about "just what is vintage?"
I decided to do a little research.
This is what I found.
First, I did a dictionary search of the word: Vintage
I found that it mostly, or primarily, refers to wine. 
Here are some definitions of Vintage as an adjective.  I think in describing our items we usually use "Vintage" as an adjective.
6. (of wine) of an outstandingly good year
7. representative of the best and most typical: vintage Shakespeare
8. of lasting interest and importance; venerable; classic: vintage films
9. old-fashioned; dated

I also found some who claim that the term "vintage" is over-used.  It probably is.  I know, I was not really aware of the nuances of vintage. Maybe we tend to use it as "old fashioned and dated" rather than as "representative of the best" of an era.  There seems to be a consensus that vintage items must be well made.Some sources say that vintage items should be at least 40-50 years old.  Others say at least 20 years old.  I also get the idea that a vintage item should be listed with a date or at least a date range, like 1950's.

It is pretty standard to consider that an antique must be 100 years old.  This has always fascinated me, because things that were not considered antiques when I was a child can now be antiques.  In fact, I have quite a few pieces of antique reproduction furniture that I acquired new in the 1960's and 1970's.  I have joked that it is wasn't a real antique when I got it; but I've had it so long that it is now--or soon will be.  I wonder now how these reproduction pieces fit into the "vintage" "retro", "antique" scheme of things.
Here is one take on antique vs. vintage furniture. As you can see here, not everything old is vintage.
Apartment Therapy also offers some insights into the difference between antique and vintage.

With all this in mind, I searched ESN photos for "vintage" items.

Carolina Blue Lady has a number of vintage Avon pieces listed. These are from the 1980's which at this point qualifies as vintage, using the 20 year old criteria.
One example is this 1984 Avon Christmas Lyre Ornament

which you can purchase here

Carolina Blue Lady also has some lovely vintage glass pieces available.

I found that Bargain Express has several sets of vintage Salt and Pepper Shakers. Even though there is no date listed, they are "made in Japan" which puts them well back in time. One example is this bird/pheasant nodder set.

Look here to get details and/or purchase.

You can also find vintage collectible coins at Bargain Express.

ComycGyrl has several Easter Cards that are described as Antique.  There are also a number of pieces of vintage glasssware including some neat collectible character glasses and advertising collectibles in her store.
Here is one of the antique cards:

See it in more detail here.

If you are interested in the good quality old "vintage" things or in collectibles of any sort, or even antique items take a look at ESN.  You are likely to find what you are looking for plus many ecrater shopkeepers are even happy to look for that special item for you. Of course, I would like for you to check out my store, Hazel's HodgePodge soon.

In the Kitchen

I must say that, even though I mostly enjoy everything I do, being in the kitchen is a special thing for me. Of all my activities, planning meals and cooking are special pleasure. 
I am looking forward to cooking Thanksgiving Dinner.  I mean a Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner with Turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, and home-made sweet potato pie.  Hubby will probably smoke the turkey on the outdoor charcoal grill, but I will make the southern style cornbread dressing and giblet gravy and all the trimmings.  I'll cheat and buy cranberry sauce in a can this time and probably make the green bean casserole with mushroom soup and the canned french fried onions.  That is easy to do and a usual hit.  The problem is not to cook too much when you don't have very many people around to do the eating.  We will have to get busy the rest of the week and invite some added guests to help us out on the eating part.

For the ESN scavenger hunt this week we are looking for things In The Kitchen.
I know that many are cutting back on spending this holiday season and I was just noticing how many really neat small gift items that are shown on ESN photos when I search kitchen decor.  Cleos Collectables has all sorts of neat decorator items for the kitchen.  There are items for any theme, such as these lovely theme based items.

Set of 2 Ritz Fat Italian Chef Kitchen Towels

These kitchen linens which richly compliment a grape themed kitchen

The Perfect plaque for someone's coffee themed kitchen.

Or you may know someone who collects salt and pepper shakers.  If so, take a look at these shops.  You might find themed salt and peppers to match someone's kitchen or the ones they need to make their china set complete.

made in Occupied Japan

Comycgyrl has this unusual and collectible
Occupied Japan Anthropomorphic Whimsical Eggplant Grape Turnip Salt and Pepper Shaker Set

And these Westinghouse Gemco Milk Glass Salt and Pepper Shakers with Butterflies and Flowers

Gemco Salt and Pepper Shakers

Vintage Japan Gingerbread Couple.

And this too, too precious Gingerbread Man and Woman among many others.

From England, Apple Design

Or this elegant English Set from Eccentric Thrifter
         might appeal to you. 

You can find even more Salt and Pepper Sets Here

Another thing I love, myself, that would be a great gift idea is cookbooks.  You can find holiday cookbooks like Santa's Favorite Cookies.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Or a good basic "how to cook" book
                                                                                         like many of us learned to cook by, 
                                                                                     such as the Sunset "Good Cook's Handbook"

from My Book Barn

from Book Worm Bargains

Search Recipes on ESN to find more.

I wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving. I hope you all enjoy the good food and the time with family and friends. Be sure to count your blessings every day.