a special address label

Have you ever wondered where a vintage item that you own came from? Sometimes I do wonder. I am especially curious about vintage kitchen ware. If I find the item at a thrift store I think about who may have owned the item before me, how they used it and what their kitchen looked like. What kind of foods did they prepare in there? Was this casserole dish or bowl used at family dinners and holiday meals? I wonder...did they receive the item as a wedding present or buy it from Murphy's or Woolworth? Did they love the item so much that they ended up keeping it all of these many years until they died? Did their relatives not appreciate it and donate it to the charity store?

That is why I was thrilled to find this address label taped to the side of a piece of Glasbake that I bought from a second-hand store last month.

Mrs. Mary Wilkins owned this pan. She must have loved it enough that she decided to tape her name and address to it so that it would be sure to be returned from the neighbor whom she baked a cake for or the church pot luck, which was lucky enough to have one of her special dishes.

I'm sure Mary would be pleased to know that her pan has found a good home.

A great home to be exact.

A home where vintage kitchenware is loved - so much so that it is even put on display for all to appreciate its beauty.

A home that enjoys baking and cooking for the ones that it loves - especially when done in a piece of colorful vintage bakeware.

I love your pan Mary. I will enjoy it for years to come. It has already been put into service making a chocolate cake. I've even decided to keep your address label to remember where the pan came from. Maybe I'll even stick one of my own labels on the pan like you did to carry on your tradition of baking for others and giving of yourself - all the while expecting the pan to be returned empty, waiting be filled up again the next time.

With love,
Mrs. KayteeJane
Oakmont, Pennsylvania

Throwback Thursday - Loom Potholders

How many of you can remember making these loom potholders as a child? My man bought these at a yard sale for me. They are very soft and worn and look like they have been washed many times. The weaved fabric is very tight and thick. I am in love with the colors the most - red, blue, aqua, orange & black. Whoever made these chose the color combinations well. I use these all the time and they are very functional as well as pretty.

I remember making these when I was a kid. I had a plastic loom kit like THIS ONE. I spent hours putting the fabric bands on the loom and working them up and under each other. I doubt I was concerned about the color combinations that I was choosing - I was just enjoying the craft itself. Now the craft of the moment is the Rainbow Loom. My 8 year old is obsessed with hers. I bet she would enjoy making these throwback potholders. Maybe I'll think about getting her a kit for Christmas.

Those throwbacks are sometimes the best.

KayteeJane

Fall Pyrex

I decided to change out a shelf in my kitchen to display all of my Pyrex that had fall colors. I like how it looks grouped together. Pyrex just makes me happy when I look at it!

Happy Fall!

KayteeJane

Linking up with We Call It Olde - Link Up Party. Go check out some other "junk".

Organizing

I keep plugging away with my organizing projects. Today I tackled my spice cabinet. I decided to put to good use my new "vintage" blue ball jars.

I used a Sharpie to write on the lids - easy peasy.

So much better now!
KayteeJane

Cleaning the Kitchen

So far this month I have been on a frenzy around the house cleaning out, rearranging, purging and working hard to get organized and orderly before the craziness of school, work and routines begins. No room is exempt from my cleaning! Today I am showing my kitchen - after it was cleaned and I rearranged the shelves. I love my open shelving - but YES, the stuff on the shelves does get dirty and greasy if not used often. Even so I love being able to display my collections in my kitchen. I used to have tradition cabinets and all of my vintage items that I love were hidden behind the doors. I much prefer this. Twice a year I pull everything down, wipe the shelves and wash everything. Then I decide what I want to get rid of (if anything) and enjoy rearranging things.

I decided that it was time to feature some of my Pyrex collection in the kitchen. While I still have a lot behind the scenes, I love looking at the things that I did put out on display. I didn't want it to look too cluttered so I just focused on some of my bowl sets.

The Amish Butterprint bowls on this shelf are used daily in cooking and are in easy reach.

I also decided to part with several of my vintage glass cake plates. I had over 12 different ones. While lovely, I didn't need them all. I am selling several right now on ebay. Above the microwave I featured my aluminum cake carriers and two blue milk glass cake stands that I did keep.

As you can probably tell, red & white are the primary colors of my collections - with some blue, green, yellow & pink mixed in. I love how the white background of my walls lets me focus on my collections. I have a heart for the 1940's & 1950's which shows in my things.

This wall is between two doorways. It isn't deep enough for more cabinets so we put a little breakfast bar there. I have been wanting to hang my vintage pot holder collection in the kitchen for over 6 years and finally got that goal accomplished. Hubby helped me to hang a vintage clothesline dispenser from the wall and the pot holders are hung using clothes pins.

I am happy with how it looks! I hope to share more rooms around the house as they are re-organized.
Thanks for stopping!
KayteeJane

Crocheted Potholders

Today I'm showing you my collection of vintage crocheted potholders. I've collected these for several years and currently have around 40. I am attracted to their cheery colors. These make me smile when I look at them. I also have a very soft spot for hand crafts from the past. I am in awe of women who made things like these to decorate with and to use. Although they are super cute, they are also functional and can be used as originally intended - as potholders.

 I love the ones that are little dresses and bloomers.

This one is displayed with my bird collection - it is a favorite.

I love to display a few in the kitchen - and actually use them.

When we remodeled our kitchen I had an idea to hang the entire collection from a clothesline with miniature clothes pins. I even have an antique metal clothesline dispenser (in red paint no less) that was bought just for this idea. If/when I ever actually do this I will be sure to show pics.

KayteeJane

Figgy Pudding

Continuing on into the kitchen....

 

Until next time....

KayteeJane