Jumpin' Frogs!

The ESN topic this week is FROGS! Horrors! I don't have a single frog listed on my ecrater store--Hazel's HodgePodge.   Maybe there is a frog somewhere in my boxes, but it would be an exercise in futility to look for it now. Sometimes I think  the only frog around here is me.  I jump around here everyday like a frog. (actually, I have another analogy for how things go here, but we won't go there now.)  I have so many things going on that I seem to do justice to none of them.  I have been considering a garage sale here, but can't seem to find an open date and good weather for it. I was considering yesterday dropping the ecrater store, or at least the time for promotion on it.  This morning I am writing a blog and doing the ESN tasks. Talk about jumping around like a frog!
Come to think of it, I did have  a neat deviled egg plate that featured frogs sometime back,but, fortunately for me at the time, or unfortunately as I write this blog, I have sold it already. I do still have an Easter type deviled egg plate-complete with bunny salt and pepper shakers. Someone needs to get this to use for Easter. It will add to my Easter dinner table, I'd rather someone else have it.

Grab it now, in time for Easter!

Take a Look at ESN for last minute Easter items and for Frogs and related items.

What do you read?

The ESN scavenger hunt this week is on reading.
I used to be an avid reader.  Daddy used to fuss at me that I was going to ruin my eyes reading so much. He was also the parent who loved to read. He teased that he or I "had a yarn by the tale (tail)" when we would read a book in one sitting. Mama read to brother and I when we were small and she was one to read magazine articles or romance magazines, but I don't recall her reading books or novels. She would take us to the Public library and bring home stacks of books for Daddy.  He would sit up late reading said books. I also read to my youngsters--I think I read Walt Disney's Peter Pan at least a zillion times!  I also read the books the kids carried home from the school library. I was on whatever level of reading they were on through upper elementary and jr. high school years.  We all enjoyed Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House Books before the TV series. We even read the books written by Mrs.Wilder's daughter, Rose Wilder Lane.
Another favorite I would like to find and re-read was  The Summer of the Monkeys.  I don't know who wrote it or for sure that is the exact title, but it was a really funny book.

In more recent years, there have been times when I needed to upgrade glasses and have not done as much reading or sewing as in the past.(Maybe I did ruin my eyes reading, but I think it is age and heredity.)Even more recently, my attention span has gotten shorter and shorter. I think this partly due to watching news on TV and reading short items on the internet.  It is so hard to concentrate to read even a short article.
As a result, I sometimes look at a magazine, but you might say my reading is limited to what is required for my tutoring sessions and reading the labels and marks on the merchandise for Hazel's HodgePodge.

My kid's grandpa told me once that when he was a child and they visited his paternal grandparents, the table was set with the plates upside down.  His grandfather would say grace, and when he asked his mother what he was saying, she told him that he was reading what was on the bottom of the plate. I don't know the why or where-for of this scenario, but now we do a lot of reading the bottom of the plates and other items at garage sales before purchasing something.

Bavarian China Platter has rare marking

This platter and its partner were made in occupied Bavaria after WWII
between 1945 and 1949.

I know that a lot of my friends at ESN have a good selection of books for your reading pleasure. Take a look there if you are looking for things to read, either for pleasure or information.

Yellow Sunflowers for the Breakfast Nook

Our ESN scavenger hunt this week has to do with Breakfast.  I envision a home with a separate breakfast nook off the kitchen or as part of the kitchen--or maybe a kitchen table where the family has breakfast and informal lunches. These cushions would be a pretty addition to your "kitchen" chairs.  I actually got these with intentions of using them myself. I had some assorted wooden chairs with slat backs and bent wood ice cream parlor chairs. I thought these cheery sunflower cushions would tie the eclectic chairs together. I never implemented that plan, and now our living arrangement has changed. Perhaps someone else can spruce up their breakfast nook or kitchen table with them.

Cheery Yellow Sunflowers on a Blue Check.

Buy this set of cushions HERE.

Check out all our products at Hazel's HodgePodge.

See our new blog: Celebrate the Day--Every Day

Featured Item--Bremen Town Musicians

A newly listed item on Hazel's HodgePodge is this little wall plaque.  It would be cute in a nursery or child's room.  You could even paint it a bright cheerful color to match your decor.  It would be good in a collection of literary items or nursery rhyme themed items.  This metal silhouette is 7 1/4 " tall and 4 1/8" across the base. It has a wall hanger on the back.  The little corrosion on it can easily be sanded off and new paint added. See and buy it HERE.

Putting "A Bug in Your Ear"

Our ESN topic this week is BUGS. Since I don't really have anything listed that has to do with bugs, I decided to "put a bug in your ear" about my latest "find". Since high school Spanish when I first really became aware of idioms, I have been fascinated with them. An idiom is something that is generally understood by someone who speaks the language as a native, but its meaning does not translate into another language. For example, "putting a bug in someone's ear" in English means to drop a hint or reminder, or to give someone an idea very subtly.  It certainly would sound crazy translated into some other language to say "I'm going to put a bug in his ear." You'd have to say or write the equivalent of "Give him a hint" for the non-English speaker to understand.  Fans of NCIS see and hear Zeva having trouble with  English idioms and adages and twisting them around all the time.  Another one that is really crazy if you think of it from the non-English speakers perspective is "he's pulling your leg."  Can you see that as really pulling on someone's leg?

Anyway, I found some really neat canisters this past weekend.  I'd like for you to take a look at them, and pass the word on to your friends about Hazel's HodgePodge.  They are big red aluminum apples. They have green plastic stems with green leaves as knobs.  I have found that there was an older version of these aluminum canisters with metal stems and leaves.  So while I figure these are fairly old--vintage if you will--they are not the oldest ones around.

See and Buy these neat collectible canisters HERE

Be sure to check out my other new listings,too.

Saturday Bath--Getting Ready to Sell

Buying  things at garage sales to resell always means cleaning and inspecting.  Most of the things I list are glass and usually  I have a pan full of dishes to wash after coming in with  a "haul" on Saturday morning.  This Saturday  the weather wasn't right for garage sales and it is still a bit early in the season, so I put my laundry on early and decided to freshen up some of my cloth dolls. You might say it was the Proverbial Saturday Night Bath (except it was Saturday morning)  They have gotten dusty and could just stand freshening up before going to a new home.  Mr. and Mrs. Duck were sort of like Snuffy Smith in the funny papers.  I had to strip them naked to wash their clothes.  Paul said they were streaking.

Streaking Ducks!

I did learn that their whole legs and not just the feet are orange felt

Mr. and Mrs. Duck in their nice clean clothes.
You can buy them here

Mr. Duck with his straw hat

I  also surface cleaned the Millennium Bear per the instructions on the tag. This carried me back to my childhood and surface cleaning a much played with little yellow stuffed dog named (what else?) Fido who lived in the toy box at my grandma's house.  We periodically scrubbed Fido's fur with a soapy cloth, let him dry, and then brushed him out.  This little white bear cleaned up so nice by this method. 

Millennium Bear

At Hazel's HodgePodge we strive to make sure all our merchandise is in top shape.  If there are any flaws or damage, we describe it in detail, whether it is damage or manufacturing defects.  Also, if you have any questions about our products please ask us. We are happy to give more details or take extra pictures.

Celebrate the Day! Every Day!

Our Featured Item this week goes along with the ESN blog of the week.  We were supposed to consider Mardi Gras --wild and crazy, colorful and playful.
I have been thinking more along the lines of celebrating.  Also thinking of Psalm 118:24 --This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Every day is an occasion to celebrate.  We just have to look around us sometimes and to have the right attitude in order to appreciate each day for what it brings and celebrate it for what it is. 


One day we all celebrated was January 1, 2000. And my featured item this week harks back to that Millennium celebration.   As a kid the year 2000 seemed so far away.  Now it is fading not so slowly into the past.
Some celebrated Mardi Gras last week in a wild and crazy way. We all celebrate birthdays, Christmas, Easter, weddings,anniversaries, graduations, homecomings, promotions, and the list goes on.  But do we stop to acknowledge and celebrate the little achievements and victories each day?  We should.

You can buy this cute little collectible here.

We'd love to have you stop by Hazel's HodgePodge where you are sure to find "A treasure to brighten your day" and make it a cause for celebration.

Item of the Week--Pink

The featured item from Hazel's HodgePodge this week is, of course, something PINK.

Divided Relish  Dish

Small Hostess Dish

We have been looking for Pink items for our ESN scavenger hunt this week.
When I first found one of these Rosella dishes by Mikasa, I was amazed. I thought this was such a pretty and unusual piece.  At the time, I really had no idea what it was called or who made it. I just knew it was pretty. i have since learned that it is Rosella by Mikasa and was made from 1989 to1997.  I have also found several pieces of it as we visited garage sales in the area.
Be sure to shop our store Hazel's HodgePodge for more treasures to brighten your day.  Also visit our friends at ESN.

Valentine Clock

Featured Item of the Week!
Since Valentine's Day is coming soon--sooner than we can imagine, the way the days keep slipping by--I am featuring a Valentine item this week.
This little clock would make a perfect Valentine for someone who collects angels, or for a clock collector.  The clock which is only 1 1/2 inches across is mounted amid cherubs.  One cherub is in a heart.  Take a look at this and other items on Hazel's HodgePodge.

See and buy it HERE

The ribbon hanger doesn't look it in the picture, but it is a pale pink.

Apollo Moon Landing Commemorative Plate

Featured Item of the Week!

Texas Ware Plate commemorates Moon Landing

I've been researching, and I have found that Texas Ware or Dallas Ware was  made by Plastic Manufacturing Company (PMC).  PMC was at one time the largest producer of molded melamine dishware in the world. They offered many popular colors and patterns of these popular and light weight dishes.  I know when I was first married in 1964, unbreakable Melmac dishes for every day use were on my "must have" list.  I think the only one that ever broke was a cup that I dropped from a ladder onto the concrete slab floor when rearranging the top shelf of the cabinet. (Probably at that time I was actually standing on the kitchen counter to reach the shelf).

PMC used their odds and ends of color to make Splatter or Spatter mixing bowls in various speckled colors. These were sold at a very reasonable price at the time.  Now they are very collectible and command a much higher price.

I have found a number of Moon Landing  and Apollo Commemorative plate by Texas Ware listed on line. This one is in good condition and is reasonably priced compared to most.  It is just waiting for some one to snatch it up.  

Someone who collects Apollo or Moon Landing memorabilia or someone who collects Texas Ware may need just this piece. Who knows?   

Check out this and other items on my store, Hazel's HodgePodge.

One Man's Trash...Another Man's Treasure..

I've been looking through my inventory quite a bit lately. Kind of taking stock of what I already have listed in my ecrater store Hazel's HodgePodge, and also looking at all these boxes of "stuff" to list. It is amazing how many different types of things I have--a true Hodge Podge.  I say "stuff", but we have to remember that "one man's trash is another man's treasure."  We see this on "Antiques Road Show every week.  Someone rescues something that is being thrown away, and it turns out to be extremely valuable. Or, someone has an item that they, or the family, has had in the closet, or otherwise discounted, because they thought it is ugly or who wants that "old thing".  They then find out it is valuable, or collectible, and others put a high value on it.  I hope that some of my "stuff" is just the "treasure" you are looking for.

Some of the "stuff" aka "treasures" you will find at Hazel's HodgePodge include this statue, "Mama Says". Does anyone else remember learning this rhyme as a child and doing the hand motions to "see all the people"?

Life like Statue by Kathy Andrews Fincher

I also have some pattern books for crochet and cross stitch. These are older books which some may be looking for.  Maybe you are waxing nostalgic over the doilies and things "mama" used to make or have around the house.

Counted Cross Stitch Book

One of probably the most unusual things I have is this collection of parts for toy making.  I think one daughter and family had these left from a toy making project. I recall as a kid, driving all over San Antonio with my aunt looking for wheels for a car my brother was making.  Of course, he needed some bigger wheels than these. I don't remember where we found them, but recall going to all the old houses turned junk shops along N. St. Mary's St. looking.  In the days before internet, we could only look locally for our treasures.

I also recall, my first husband telling how his parents made toys for his little sister for Christmas during the Great Depression.  He even had a really neat toy truck that he made himself out of tin cans which were cut to make the body and fenders.  One of the daughters has it or I would post a picture of it.

Anyone looking for wooden toy parts?

I certainly hope you will find a "treasure" among my "stuff".  Don't hesitate to contact us if you are looking for something special. I just may have it or can get it for you.  Also check with our friends at ESN.

What do you collect?

What do you collect?  I have found that people have all kinds of collections from model trains,dolls, angels, and Christmas ornaments to rocks, books, and tools.  Some people have collections of different things that are kitchen decor.  My girls started a "cow collection" for me eons ago. It really started as an off hand quip on my part, but today I have scads of cows that have been collected over the years.
Since I have had my on-line store Hazel's HodgePodge, I have been collecting things that I think will add to someone else's collection.  I have cookie jars, Dreamsicles, mini tea sets, Mikasa, Pfaltzgraff, and Franciscan dishes.  I have always enjoyed my Christmas ornaments, and now I have some collectible ones to sell. At one time, I set out to collect music boxes. Since then I have realized that I didn't have space to display them properly. Hence, most of my music boxes are up for sale, or they will be shortly.
One thing that I have found to be a popular kitchen motif is mushrooms.  I have, or have had, a number of mushroom items.  Many of them were made by Arnel and sold by Sears in the 1970's and 80's.  I presently have  two mushroom items listed.  Neither of these are labeled, but they are obviously of the vintage mushroom design.

This napkin holder might be just what you need for you Mushroom collection.

Classic Mushroom Cups for Soup or beverage.

Whatever you collect check often at Hazel's HodgePodge.  You might find just what you need to complete or add to your collection.  If you don't see it listed, just ask.We may have it, or can look for it for you.  Also check with our friends at ESN.  They all have so many neat items.

Be My Honey! Planning ahead for Valentines Day!

We've just barely gotten through the Christmas season and into the New Year, and Hubby is still telling everyone "Happy Ground Hog's Day".  Wal-Mart had Mardi Gras stuff out the day before Christmas, I think.  I am a "last minute" person. In fact a little plaque over my desk says "If it weren't for the last minute nothing would ever get done."  This drives my mother-in-law crazy, as she is a "get it done way ahead of time " person. I am learning from her, but have a ways to go yet.  Anyway, I usually find myself way behind when listing seasonal items or decorating the store or planning seasonal sale ads.  Sometimes I even miss the opportunity of the season completely.

This time will be different--I hope. I am going to think Valentine's Day beginning tonight.  I know I have some good Valentine things here.  It is just a matter of hunting them up and listing them.

I started by looking through my "already listed" items for Valentine-y things. One of the first things I saw was this Dreamsicle cherub entitled "Be My Honey".    What better way to ask someone to be your Valentine than with this cute little cherub?  It would be especially fitting for someone who collects Dreamsicles.  Hurry and get this collectible for your "honey".

"Be My Honey" Dreamsicle

I also just listed this collectible Otagiri Japan Music Box that would make a wonderful Valentine gift for someone who collects either Pigs or music boxes.  It plays "Top of the World". That's where you are with your sweetie.Right?

Otagiri Music Box  plays "Top of the World"

Please check my store, Hazel's HodgePodge often in the next couple of weeks. I do plan on listing some other neat items that might be just right for your valentine. You might also indulge in a treasure for yourself to add to your collection or decor.

Bachmann HO Train Cars

B & LE Hopper Car

Bridge and Trestle Set

L & N Open Hopper Car

A while back, I got a hold of some HO scale train cars. I sold some of them on ebay, but some of them are still in stock on my ecrater store.   I am sure there are some model railroaders out there that can use these cars and bridge and trestle set. Take a look here to see the Bachman train cars and equipment that I have.

Swift Premium reefer

Bachmann is according to wikipedia, the largest selling brand of model railroad equipment.  It is good quality , inexpensive railroad stuff for beginners in this hobby.

Be sure to visit my friends on ESN also.

Dreamsicle Collectors Take Note

We're off to a new year and a new beginning with my store, Hazel's HodgePodge, ESN, blogging, and more. We are looking forward to a really great year and expanding my store listings.  One of my goals for 2012 is to list the many items I already have in stock here.

I have a good number of Dreamsicles Cherubs by Kristen here.  I listed a few of them already, including this neat display pedestal.  Check it out, and check back often, as I expect to add more Dreamsicles shortly.

Display stand for your Dreamsicles collection.
Take a closer look here

Be sure to shop with all my friends at ESN ; you are sure to find what you are looking for.

Last Minute Shopping???

It seems the hurrier I go the behinder I get lately.  I bet a lot of people are feeling the same way with all the hustle ,and bustle this time of year. The parties, school programs, baking, shopping, and so on. It can be a real hassle to get everything done.  I've heard several people comment about doing all their shopping on line this year. One person I know even said she got all her shopping done while she was home sick one day.  You just had to hear her try to talk the next week or so to know she really was home sick that day.  How neat to sit at the computer in your jammies and do all your Christmas shopping?

We still have a week before Christmas and we are hoping to sell a lot of guitars and some drum sets here at Mr. Bandman Music in Silsbee. We also have a couple of lamps made from a real flute and a real clarinet.  These are also listed on my ecrater store Hazel's HodgePodge.  These would make excellent gifts for a musician, or add to someone's music room decor.

See details here

See details here

I also have other lamps and decorating items available.  Thanks for taking a look and Merry Christmas to all.

In The Kitchen Again

Seems I'm pretty slow at everything this week.  The ESN scavenger hunt this week is Home Cooking.
I love to cook and I look forward to the cooler weather so I can  fix a big pot of beans, soup, or stew. A home made chicken pot pie or dumplings is also good for winter Sunday dinners.  And, we like a big bowl of spaghetti with tomato and meat sauce any time. In fact, I will probably be making spaghetti today.  I sort of cheat on the spaghetti sauce by using canned sauce that I get at Market Basket for $1.00 each when they are on sale, but I don't just brown the meat, which is usually ground turkey which I also get for $1.00/lb. on sale at Market Basket, I add chopped onions and bell peppers, celery if any is on hand, canned or frozen tomatoes, herbs and spices.  You might say the canned sauce is only the base for my spaghetti sauce. When it comes time to serve these yummy cold weather treats, we have some soup plates that are about all that is left from the huge set of dishes that I had for my "hope chest" way back in high school.  We use them almost daily and especially for soups, spaghetti, beans, and such.  Having a somewhat flat bowl seems to allow the food to cool better and still give you the function of a bowl for holding soupy foods.

This week I pulled out some Mikasa dishes to list, and there were 8 soup plates included.  This is a really elegant pattern of china. It is Ivory China and is pattern 2802, Belair.  It would be a nice addition to any table.      Plus, just having the soup plates would be nice.  I only realized in the past few years just how much we used the soup plates and how handy they actually are.  Since there are only 3 left of my original set of eight, we must have used them more than I realized through the years.

Your can see and buy these beautiful and functional bowls Here.

You can see our other Mikasa dishes and more Here.

Here's Wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving with lots of good food and an enjoyable time with family and friends.  We all have so much to be thankful for.
Remember to Shop for all your holiday needs on ESN.

Tie One On--An Apron,that is

The ESN scavenger hunt theme this week is "Tie One On".  Well, anyone who know me knows that the only thing I will be tying on is a apron, so that I can cook up some delish, economical, everyday meals or a special occasion feast for family and friends.

You can find lots of neat aprons at Embroidery Fashions Boutique, including one of my favorites: The Happy Thanksgiving apron with pumpkin pie.  I love to make and eat pumpkin or sweet potato pie.  And I also love fixing thanksgiving dinner. You really need a good apron for a big dinner like that.

See and Buy this seasonal apron HERE.

After you tie one on---apron, that is, and prepare your big meal, you will want special dishes to set the table for family and friends.  And you will want special serving pieces to showcase your culinary delights.

In my store Hazel's HodgePodge, I have some great collectible serving dishes for that special occasion dinner.  One example is this large platter.

Large Thomas Ivory Platter was made in Bavaria

It will soon be Thanksgiving and soon after that it will be Christmas. Be sure and shop at the ESN stores for the things you need and want for this holiday season

Playing Dress Up Never Goes Out of Style!

It's that time of year again when everyone asks "What are you going to be for Halloween?"  It is so much fun to be creative and make your own costumes. Several costumes come to mind that we made over the years. One was a robot made by covering a cardboard box with aluminum foil, cutting holes for arms, legs, and head, adding a wind up key in back-- also covered with foil. Appropriate leggings and arm coverings completed the outfit.  My "Aggie" daughter went to a party her freshman year at A & M as a Longhorn fan decked out in orange apparel and waving a pennant.  She was told that was dangerous. Only the naive....

A local car company ad has their man, Charley, asking "Do you think anyone will want a Charley costume this year?"  Mimi, my 91 year-old MIL told me the other day that she thinks she will be Charley for Halloween.
When we tried,  last night, to guess what one little girl was going to be, she asked "what flies in the air?"  The taunting adult response was "a mosquito" since we are over run with mosquitoes right now. Actually, she plans to be a spring fairy.

Of course, as kids we had a big box of dress-up clothes that included cast off dresses of Mama's, jewelry, purses, shoes, etc.  We even had some old curtains and drapes that were fashioned into "who knows what" designer togs. One year during VBS, my cousin, some friends, and I used the curtains to make what we thought was appropriate garb for Biblical times. We wore said garments for a skit on Friday night. I don't recall anything about the skit, but remember Mama telling me that it was all our Pastor could do to keep from laughing aloud when he saw  our costumes. And, we thought we had some really good costumes, too.

The grands have had some really neat costumes beginning with their first Halloween's when their Mamas made things like a bumble bee costume or a baby elephant suit. And I know they have their "dress up" closets or boxes. One granddaughter had a birthday tea party. I do believe even the ladies who came enjoyed dressing up and wearing a hat. It seems that playing dress up never goes out of style.

My girls and I made costumes for high school plays and special days at school.  The girls also designed costumes for the drama costume contests. Mama, meaning me, usually was the one who sewed the actual garment to be modeled by a Barbie Doll. Lots of late nights were spent working on those projects. The Barbie Dolls at our house had so many designer clothes!

The scavenger hunt this week on ESN is titled: "Dress Up!"  My first thought of Dress Up was not of Halloween and costumes, but of dressing up as in your "Sunday Best" or even for a formal occasion.  People used to dress up a lot more than they do now, or maybe I just don't get out that much anymore.  I searched my store, Hazel's HodgePodge  for Dress up items. I came up with my sun hats. Someone creative could use one of them as part of a costume for Halloween, or they would be good for little girls playing dress up.

You can see more hats Here.
They are reversible and come in ladies and little girl sizes.
Let your imagination go wild.

And then, I found the perfect thing to go with your perfect costume for Trick or Treating. This too cool vintage noise maker from ComycGyrl Collectibles.  All trick or treat-ers used to carry a noise maker.

See and buy this must-have noise maker Here.

Whatever your age, enjoy the season and enjoy dressing up whether in costume or for a special occasion.  Even dress up your home with items from the ESN ecrater sellers.

Pumpkins and Decorating for Halloween

Halloween will soon be here! There don't seem to be as many decorations out around Silsbee this year as there have been the last few years.  I certainly haven't gotten out any of my scarecrows,etc. this year. Maybe I should spend a little time this afternoon putting  out some Halloween decor.??  I just put Mimi's crocheted orange pumpkin on her dining table. That may be the extent of our Halloween decorations for this year.

Our ESN scavenger hunt this week is for pumpkins.  I have to confess, my beautiful ceramic jack-o-lantern has been sitting among the clutter of my packing table for several weeks.  As is typical here, I have neither decided to use it and find a place for it on the front counter, nor to list it on my ecrater store, Hazel's HodgePodge and take pictures and actually list it. Alas, the poor thing will be here next Halloween, still unused by me.

I did find a couple of things in the ecrater stores that, while they are not pumpkins, are things that would help you decorate for the halloween season.
First, this book from Bargain Express, Haunt Your House for Halloween.  This should supply you with lots of ideas for decorating and costume making.

See it HERE. 

I also found this Harvest Scarecrow at Eccentric Thrifter.  He would look so good on your porch or in your yard. 

See it HERE.

I hope you enjoy the traditions of the season in the next week or so. Also hope you will stop by the ESN stores and shop.  It is not too early to be Christmas shopping either. 

You are invited to share this blog with your friends.  Comments are appreciated.