I love it too! And the instructions say use hot glue, and if you want to take them apart just stick them in the freezer for 30 minutes, the glue will shrink and they come apart easily! How cool is that? It could only be cooler if it had a lid, like for a cake.

I have some fiesta too! Love it. My dodo used to have it and she gave me a few pieces of hers. Then I've added a few and I have some plates that look like fiesta in fun colors with Looney tune characters on them. Like Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig...and they all say something; on the Porky Pig plate it says :That's all folks!". I love them! (I know there is something wrong with me...a grown woman with cartoons on her plates!

MP, ever been to the dish barn going up to Asheville? They have a whole section of seconds in the Fiesta. Not chipped, but either drips of other paint, thin spots or stilt marks. They have first quality too, but love finding a bargain in the seconds. The irregularities make them even more fun to me. As for the cartoon characters, we have a bunch of Disney cartoon plastic glasses the kids collected when they were little. I started to box them up and send them off with my son when he moved out, but hubby nearly stroked out. I think he's got a crush on Jasmine or something. Son-in-Law always gets the Lion King cup when he comes over. Guess he just can't wait to be king! *L*

Do you remember when laundry soap came packed with smoky colored glass drinking glasses? What a disaster! Wet soapy hands and glass....I wonder what rocket surgeon came up with that idea?

Our dishes are white on top, blue on the bottom. I cannot eat off plates that aren't white. And R cannot eat off plates that aren't round. I bought great square plates from Pier 1 that I had to return because he couldn't handle it !!! To each his own, right?

I hope olldcan sees the ideabook on how to make your own serving tray before she goes out and buys a whole bunch.

@Olldcan, I think the clear glass would be pretty for your cake stand. You could even fancy it up by putting paper doilies on the plates.

I'm trying to attach this video, but I'm too stupid to do it.... can you get to it bob? creesy?

It is pretty crazy!!!!
And yes bob, I do remember the glasses in the detergent! HA!

It attached Mendi! And yes! Those are the glasses! I can still hear my mother cussing up a blue streak everytime one of them hit the cement basement floor !!!

And isn't she just the very best wifey???? Barf.

Awww... mp, you're so pretty. It's on there blondie..*L*

oh my gosh i know! now that's 1972....my mother may have looked a little like that ( not pregnant again that year), but she was playing tennis with her gang of girlfriends and they were drinking iced tea and vodka i think? oh my.... don't get me wrong she was a great housekeeper, but she and her friends partied like rock stars!

yea, i pasted 3 different things, figured one of them would work! watch out now...i know how to do it! HA! I'll try to behave and not post TOO many vids! ;)

ok, I have a new favorite quote or saying or chinese proverb or whatever. It was on my fortune cookie just now, so don't know what you call it?????
"Things are only impossible until they are not."

Are you kiddin me? Thanks for the link oldbobbi, I'll have to watch it to figure out what the h e double hockey stixs im doing. So I bought 3 plates at Heavens to Betsy two are green. I know.... I know, I never went for green but they were so beautiful. The other in a very light pink. She didn't have any bowls or glasses to match so I headed to the hardware store and picked up some clear fruit nappies instead. I did'nt have much time in thisw town because of the Lutefisk dinner im heading to tonight........wondering if there's an antique store ther....hmmm old Norwegian community... maybe. I'll check in once were back home. I just gave lisalovesquilts todays thread info, she can't find us :(

Hi ladies. This is a query for olldroo. Can you direct me toward a good recipe for Anzac biscuits? I found one and they were nice but I can't get them hard and crispy. I used to be able to buy them but apparently only my family liked them. It's not hot and humid here so baking is to be encouraged (my kitchen is as cold as a tomb).

Lisa! Where've you been? Way back when we voted you into the OLLD even tho you're not. WELCOME!!!

olldcan, I'm headin' out to the Goodwill tonight to look for great dishes and bowls! Also, a couple of chunky old cardigans that I can turn into pillow covers. Did you all see the instructions for this??? You just sew and cut to size, and the buttons go on the back to make it easy to remove for washing. How cool is that!

Hi Bobbi, I didn't want to be too present until I graduate (reach 50)! Actually I have just been busy with Christmas stuff. Also like an idiot I was using single quotations to find you guys and of course couldn't. Must get better at close reading.

bob, love the sweater pillow idea! very cute AND FRUGAL! That's me mama! not the cute, just the frugal! (or cheap or poor or refusal to pay top dollar)

Yes, me too. I'm hoping to get lucky and find a fisherman's knit sweater, that would make for a very cuddly pillow!

That type of cushion is very fashionable here just now and they retail at about $13. 00 at a local supermarket with a home section. My grandmother did something similar with an old mink coat she got at the Goodwill. Also fashionable here just now with faux fur but the real mink with velvet back felt divine. I wouldn't buy real fur myself but faux fur feels rubbish generally.

Lisa, I agree. If I EVER finish making my dog's bed, I plan to get a half yard of faux fur for him, he just loves luxory. And sleeping. I swear, in my next life I'm coming back as a dog.

Fooey would love a mink bed too! And I will probably make him one day...because he can have anything he wants! just like Boo Mappin! They are both too cute to resist!

Heading out of work here in a minute, so if you don't see me tomorrow, it means I'm busy busy busy at home and then getting Boo tomorrow sometime...

Have a great weekend everyone! xo, mendi

stay outta trouble now ladies.... teehee

You have a great weekend too, Mendi!

Count mine as yet another kitchen cabinet full of fiestaware, creeser and MP! Love the mix and match possibilities, plus the retro style is close to the era of my kitchen and house.

MP, enjoy your weekend with Boo Mappin. She will love the gingerbread house!

@olldbobbi I apologize for getting on my soapbox on this site regarding another person's work schedule. It was inappropriate and unprofessional. Thank you for erasing my comment on my behalf. I am so sorry. Sincerely, E.

Hi all. Just taking a breather between coats of paint - what else - sweating like a pig and thinking of you and your ice and snow that I think I could actually handle right now. Had a brainwave - with your log fires I assume you toast marshmallows? Well I have something different - Aussie Bush Tucker called Cocky's Joy and Damper. I will find my damper recipe which is sort of a scone mix and you heap it over the end of a stick and toast it till it slides off the stick. Then you take a spoonful of Golden Syrup and drizzle it into the hole and eat. Bibs and baby wipes are mandatory but it really is yummy and very sweet. Of course when we were kids baby wipes didn't exist so it was permissible to lick fingers clean - in fact that was part of the ritual.

Catch up tonight.

Okay, so bigger bowls are necessary if your going to load up the plate with baking. I just tipped it twice. Now, I had to eat 2 date squares just to try and balance the plate, I know, oh poor me :(

So Bobbi, the G Will is a great Idea, bit of a drive for me since I live outside of the city but I think I'll check that out tomorrow. I just dug though some totes in the basement full of old kitchen stuff, there is a bowl that will work if I get lazy or just end up in a pinch.

Mp, I have some silver charger plates that I could use with some old crystal candle holders. What do you think with mixing the plastic with crystal, too tacky?

Etzia, I found some clear un used votive holders in my tote of tricks, used under a clear plate they look okay but the whole thing is a bit on the short side:(

FIESTAWARE, never seen or heard of that before. Looks like it would be great for summer, chips, salsa anyone?

Once I get this hostess gift together, I only have one more to do, I'll need it for the 15th. So heads up cause I'm running out of ideas and will need help again.

Finally, time to sit and catch up a bit. Just got sent this link, got a few tears out of me - especially the "baby Jesus" So gorgeous

http://pinterest.com/pin/53339576808270671/

feeny - they say a woman's work is never done, but teachers just never seem to stop either. My niece is a primary school teacher, only teaches 1st grade but is often up at 4am just getting ready for her day. She loves it so much and is so dedicated, but the kids all love her back. Our teachers have it a bit easier here for Christmas, when we have our long summer holidays. Exams are usually done by end of November and then it is full steam into Christmas concerts and Speech Night when awards are given out for outstanding performances by the kids. School finishes the week before Christmas but doesn't resume till end of January, although the teachers go back a few days early to organise classes, curriculum, etc. etc.

olldcan - you absolutely crack me up. Best way to cope with icing sugar in the lap is to put your purchases in the boot!!! They all arrive home safely that way. I can't believe all the things you do despite being surrounded by snow and ice.

What is the Lutefisk dinner? That is a totally new one on me.

Just a bit worried with using the glue gun - bobbi said to put it in the freezer and the glue shrinks, wouldn't that be like walking out your front door???

AND the winner of the cookie comp is ...........eztia - anything with grog wins my vote.

Bobbi - Love the the prosciutto and canteloupe (except we call it rockmelon) and with bocconcini cheese too. Makes a nice starter for a meal.

Why does every day seem to be a "get bobbi" day???

Lisa - welcome back, good to hear from you again.

OK the reason your Anzac Biscuits aren't hard and crispy is because .....................
they're not meant to be. They are meant to be soft and chewy - crispy means they are burnt.

Dying to hear about the quilts, sure there is a good reason for that being in your name. Tell all and get this lot's mind off their stomachs for a while.

michi - platters of meat. prawns and cheeses are very popular here for pre dinner nibblies. Also add stuffed olives, cherry tomatoes and carrot sticks - any veges that can be eaten raw whole or in chunks. Also crackers and dips, our range of dips is amazing now, my current favourite is spinach and pine nuts. Of course we have the advantage of summer fruits so strawberries and grapes look great for decoration.

feeny - hate my massive tomes but when I don't get on till the end of your day, I like to catch up and you always have so much happening. Can't believe there are two BH's in this world. Afraid though I'm the one with the toothbrush collection - definitely can't clean without them. His annoying trait is using half of bottle of cleaning fluid on everything he cleans. Absolutely stinks the house out. When he cleans the bathroom, I have to leave, I just can't breathe. Know what you mean about the 2 week cleaning project, trouble is he does the bits that are important to him and leaves the other 2 weeks' work to me to "fix". Don't know if it is a good or a bad thing but, like all his family, he refuses to wear glasses, doesn't need them just can't see things, but at least he doesn't seem to be noticing a lot of things lately. Bit like his hearing, refuses to wear his hearing aids he can hear perfectly if we talk properly and there is no other noise around.

Was it you who asked me about school fees, must have been yesterday?
Yes, our State Schools do have fees, not sure of the going rate these days but it would be less than $200 and the more kids you have the less you pay per child. They are not compulsary - more an expected donation towards added equipment. My LA dd was telling me they are expected to pay $2,500 a year, but they just make a donation of what they can afford. She said for $4,000 she could send Miss 6 to a private school. The toffy private schools here charge up around $20,000 pa although it is on a scale according to what grade they are in.

Wow! That was a lot to catch up on !!!

eztia - I'm sorry, I'm not sure what you're talking about "another person's work schedule" ??? And I promise you I didn't erase any comment made by you or anyone !!!! I wouldn't even know how to do that. Can you elaborate, please? I'm lost !!!

That went over my head too.

Glad you are up, been sitting here thinking I should go to bed but just had to wait to say hi.

Hi roo, did you get your painting done?

Yes, I don't know what she means !!! I have no idea how to erase anyone's comments but my own.

Check this out - last night, R left work at 4 pm, got home at 8 pm. He has to take this little 2 lane highway home and there was a horrific accident (3 fatalities) and the road was closed, so he and a million other people had to sit there for 3 hours before they finally turned everyone around and made them take an alternate route. I think that would have done me in!

So, today is.......Sunday where you are? I can't figure it out !

Ditto, but I didn't know whether there might have been something when you started the thread.

Yes we did quite a few fiddly bits today. I had to go buy more paint - I'm almost too scared to add up how much paint I have bought. I hate going to the shop on Saturdays, the normal guy who knows me well now doesn't work Saturdays and this really old guy does the job. He is such an old woman - asked for what I wanted and then got the third degree as to why I wanted it, what I was painting, etc, etc. before he finally decided I did know what I was talking about, claimed no one else ever does so he has to be sure. I finished the second coat on the dining room, just waiting to see how it dries in the morning. I now have a theory about the paint. The normal guy there talked me into this low sheen paint, says the colour is better than a flat but I have a feeling that the sheen, however slight, is why it is picking up shadowing and the walls seem to come up mottled. When I am painting the paint is definitely covered evenly, it takes me ages to ensure it is. We have such strong light here, BH agrees that the room will look much better when I get curtains up to break the light a bit.

Also got the first coat on the window frame, decided to do all the painted wood in full gloss oil, have been using acrylics the last few times I have painted and it just doesn't wear as well. BH is happy to clean up the brushes afterwards, he prefers the finish. The only problem is I have to wait 24 hours between coats and sand back as well. Again BH will do that - he is really good at doing all the yukky jobs.

BH finished off some problem areas we had in the lounge room, we have these stupid vents in the ceiling that was standard building when we built, they are gyprock so have to be painted and every little square has to be done. Had four to do and it virtually took him an hour to do each one by the time he stretched afterwards to get the crick out of his neck. Finally the lounge room is totally finished - feels so good. I also bought more oil and he oiled all the timber skirting.

That accident sounded so bad. I hate hearing about them. I always worry about my dd and bubs. The speed on your freeways would scare the life out of me, one reason I have no real desire to come over. My dd said she is still getting used to it but has learned all the quieter roads. So did R not get to work at all?

This is the time of night that does get me confused - oops, I misread that, I thought you were saying it was Sunday there. No, it is 11.20 Saturday night here.

roo, when I need to get more paint I bring the empty can with me and just ask for a refill !!! Then there's never doubt as to whether or not I know what I'm doing. Just give me the darn paint, will ya?

Actually, R was on his way home. He finally got here at 8 pm. Apparently a truck and a car hit head on, and one of the fatalitites was a 7 year old girl. So sad at any time but especially now, during the holidays. I guess he just missed seeing it happen as he was not that far back in the line up of cars. I always make sure he has snack type foods with him at all times. Traffic here is undependable, you never know when something like that is going to happen.

Go to bed! And get some good sleep so you can paint again tomorrow !!!! hehehehe

Good idea but I prefer the "trust me I am not stupid" approach. I really had to bite my tongue or I would have expressed your opinion. I got even though when I just went and got the oil myself and then asked him for the gloss. They have discovered that if you put one drop of black in 4ltrs of white gloss paint it stops the paint yellowing. He went to ramble on about that but I cut him short with a "yes I know". He actually commented that I had obviously been there before.

Again, I misread, thought you said R had left home at 4pm .......DUH he left work at 4pm. That is so sad the 7 year old, it really grabs me because I automatically think of Miss 6. The parents have probably bought all her Christmas presents too. Devestating, how would you cope, although I wonder if the parents were killed also. Scary thing too is that if R wasn't too far back in the line up, just one or two minutes earlier and he could have been the one hit.

Got sent a photo of Miss 6 today, she lost her two middle bottom teeth and the new ones have grown but in recent weeks she lost her two middle top teeth one side tooth at the bottom and today lost the other side tooth at the bottom. She looks all gums.

How did things end up with your plumbing? Did he finally get it all cleared?

Yes I will toddle off to bed, I am going to try to get up early and hit the ground with a paint brush in my hand. I have one more wall in my bedroom to fix the cornice where my gadget failed me and the second coat to put on the dining room window and that should have it all done. PLEASE let it be so.

Hooroo.

@olldbobbi. Re: my soapbox. I figuratively jumped up and down shouting that just because Feeny's classes were over, she did not have "time off," and would be working long and hard to get her grading done in time to turn her grades.
This is a design site. My comment was not appropriate for a discussion on Houzz.

Yay! Done painting are my favorite two words. Miss 6 must look adorable, they're still really cute at that age. It's 16 that's a bear !!!

Yes, I would imagine the parents were killed also. When a sedan hits a truck it's not likely the truck driver would come out on the short end, is it. So sad.

So far so good with the plumbing, my fingers are crossed. I did two loads of laundry yesterday and nothing backed up, woohoo!

Get some good sleep, I'm going to open 12/8 now.

ez, I think maybe you worry too much !!! We talk about all kinds of things here on OLLD, certainly not just design. Want to hear all about my plumbing problems????? I can't remember a single thing you've ever said that was inappropriate or out of place. In fact, just the opposite, your comments are always kind and thoughtful and very, very interesting.

No fear! But I didn't delete anything you said, I wouldn't do that even if I knew how !!!

You are absolutely right about my schedule, eztia, and I don't consider that a soapbox at all. But I was not in the least bothered by bobbi's "time off" comment. It's true, it isn't time off, but it is a nice "break" so to speak to be able to do most of the work at home for the next few weeks, setting my own hours even if they are long ones. And it's much nicer to be able to grade a big stack of papers on a sofa with a warm dog at my feet than sitting at a desk. So I do indeed feel lucky. Many of my colleagues go into the office to do all the grading work, in an attempt to draw a clearer line between the spaces of home and work, but I've never minded letting the two overlap.

Yesterday, I had the carpet professionally cleaned. Now, with all the furniture out of the rooms except for the really big and heavy pieces, there is so much space and visual quietness.

I want to make a place to put shoes when entering from outside, and also get some paper shoe covers (like surgeons wear) for guests and my housekeeping team, so the carpet stays clean longer.

While the electrical outlets were easier to get to, I installed foam insulating pads in them. Several of the covers were cracked at the screw hole, and were also paint streaked (some painters are not very meticulous). I tightened up the outlets themselves in the electrical boxes, and bought replacement "unbreakable" nylon covers. It is sometimes surprising that little, inexpensive details can make such a big difference!

Today I am considering what decor and what furniture I want to use, and what can go to a thrift shop.

eztia, we don't have a mudroom so we use a basket by the back door for shoes (and actually we have a towel tucked in there too for wiping off the dogs' feet when they come in muddy from the yard).

Isn't it wonderful getting to look at your space fresh with the furniture out? It gives a whole new perspective on the room.

etzia, I just had mine cleaned on Monday and they turned out great. I'm a little embarrassed to say that it was like someone turned on the light in the family room. My god, they were dirty. I know what you mean about the visual quietness. I have a chair and two tables I'm not putting pack in the room. I guess for a year now I have been somewhat having less items out. When I had the cabinets replaced, there was three totes of kitchen stuff that I just won't put back in the cupboards, so much easier to manoeuvre when there is less. After the last paint job, it would be no stretch of the imagination to say 2/3 of the wall decor wasn't put back up either. Once Christmas is over and all these knickknacks and sparkly stuff is packed away, the whole house seems like the volume gets turned way down.

feeny, I've been threatening to make the dog slippers out of swifter cloths. Still trying to get him to wear socks, at least he's not running away from me anymore :) poor guy doesn't have a chance, he just sits down now and refuses to look at me :(

bobbi, find any goodies at the goodwill store? do tell!!

olldcan, never made it to the Goodwill store last night! It took my hubby 4 hours to get home, he was stopped on a local highway for 3 hours due to a fatal car accident. I guess all the drivers just turned their cars off and got out and tried to figure out what to do, not knowing it would take 3 hours!!! The highway was completely shut down for a total of 6 hours, imagine?