BAKELITE FOR THE HOLIDAYS - More fun than a barrel of monkeys...

Shut my mouth!  Bakelite for Christmas!  Perfect anytime of the year, but especially joyful this Christmas around - wanted to share some beautiful pieces that I received this holiday season, AND some fabulous carved pieces that my Mom has been collecting herself, these past months...one-of-a-kind art pieces for the arm...thrown into the mix here, to make the Bakelite collectors among you drool - not fair that I should be the only one.

Starting with this...not mine, but my Mom's recent acquisition - See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil Bakelite monkeys!  Six of them, hand carved round this thick bangle - three right side up, and three upside down, so that no matter how you turn this piece, those comical little monkeys are staring at you.  Hate monkeys - LOVE this!

MINE!  These bangles were all under the tree for me this year...the large, HEAVY black one in the center is asymmetrical, and gorgeous.  A present from my folks - my Mom actually purchased an identically matched one for herself, a few days after she found this one.  She shops at all the right places, evidently.

The green bangle, a gift from Santa (my husband told me recently that he is thrilled that I could find as much joy in "plastic" as I do, and is certainly glad my hobby isn't diamonds).  The beautiful butterscotch "flying saucer" bangle (the flying saucers are thicker in the middle, tapering to a thinner edge) was a gift from The Boss - thank you, thank you, you ROCK!  The little Bakelite pencil sharpener was found in a case of antique doo-dads over the Christmas holiday - SCORE!  SHARPEN!

I found the cinnamon red colored bangle above for my Mom for Christmas.  Was a little panicked when it arrived (this was an online purchase), as it has what looks to be very fine gold dust throughout - gold dust that did not show in the pictures (as it doesn't now), nor was it mentioned in the description.  I had never seen this, and held my breath (AFTER I kicked myself for purchasing it), but it tested positive with the Simichrome, so I got busy and did a little research.  Not a lot to be found on it, but basically it was made for one year only...somewhere between 1936/37.  Referred to as "Stardust Bakelite" - it can range from the fine dusting that is in this one, to larger, gold flakes. An interesting, special find, to say the least.  I quit kicking myself!

This heavily carved piece belongs to Mom, also - tropical flowers, a large feline, a dog, two naked women, and a dragon - heavy, thick, entirely hand carved - a beautiful conversation piece from the 30's (Bakelite was produced from 1932 to 1941).  The three carved pieces are all approximately 1-1/2" wide, and thick, thick, thick!

And one final acquisition of hers - a gorgeous black floral "clamper" bracelet.  The flowers are exquisite, and there appear to be two pairs of lips on either side of the hinge.  Mom has embraced the Bakelite collecting with a passion, an eye for the unique, and the good luck of being in the right place at the right time - "Go big, or go home, Barb!"  Might just be her new nickname...

CIMARRON, NEW MEXICO on "TRAVEL TUESDAY"...

Not much more than the proverbial "wide spot in the road", but with quite a bit more personality than what that conjures up, is Cimarron, New Mexico.  Smack dab on the Santa Fe Trail, between Raton, NM and our destination point of Taos, this little "village" (1.9 sq. miles) of about 800 residents (obviously living on the outskirts of town) proved to be a charming and scenic place to stretch travel weary legs and backs. 

Travelling into the heart of town (one of those "let's take a look-see" ideas), we were greeted with the sight of a smiling cowboy perched atop a stagecoach pulled by a pair of beautiful draft horses.  We watched as the three of them maneuvered this massive vehicle just as slick as they would have parallel parked a Prius.  Evidently interrupting a publicity photo shoot, I was very graciously invited to snap a few photos of my own that day.  That smiling cowboy then proceeded to offer up a stagecoach ride around the small center of town - I have a feeling most that live there are probably just as charming - we turned down the offer, but thanked him kindly.  TRULY small town, ever-enchanting America.

  

Once home to Apache and Ute Indians, Cimarron became the hub of a vast mining and ranching empire in the mid to late 19th century, thanks in part to it's location on the Santa Fe Trail.  In addition to the rich Native American heritage, Spanish settlers, homesteaders, trappers, traders, and many other colorful characters made this beautiful area their home - among them, Kit Carson.  And who could resist a town with a plaster tepee house - the type you only ever saw in 1950's travel brochures of the southwest?!

A self-guided walking tour of 14 historic sites in the heart of old town will take you 30-60 minutes - the beautiful National Hotel above was #5 on the list...gorgeous adobe, but I still love that tepee.  If you've an inkling to drop by, on your way from "here" to "there", you can find more information on the village at VISIT CIMARRON, NEW MEXICO!  On our way out of town, we pulled over to marvel at the size of an elk herd, grazing in a meadow across from the main drag.

Five miles to the south of Cimarron, sits the PHILMONT SCOUT RANCH, the Boy Scouts of America's largest national High Adventure Base.  15 miles west of town, on down Highway 64, you enter the Cimarron Canyon State Park - fish the Cimarron River, hike, view wildlife, camp, picnic, or just stretch your legs - lots of leg stretching going on that day. The Palisades are also located in  the Park - 400 feet high crenellated (meaning 1. Having battlements; and/or 2. Indented; notched...definitely our word for the day, that day - and a few that followed) granite formations naturally created 1.5 million years ago.

Through the canyon, and atop a beautiful, peaceful mountain range in Angel Fire, NM, sits the VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL.  The Memorial was established in 1968 by Victor and Jeanne Westphall to honor their son, Lt. David Westphall, who was killed in Vietnam in May of 1968. When it opened in 1971, it was one of the first Memorials of its kind in the United States, dedicated to Vietnam Veterans. Until recently, it was funded and maintained by the David Westphall Veterans Foundation. The Memorial was formally transferred to New Mexico State Parks in 2005, making it the state's 33rd park. Now it is the only state park in the U.S. dedicated solely as a Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

The park provides a memorial to veterans, and a Visitors Center that serve as a place for reunion, reflection, healing, and sharing of experiences...we passed more than one group of motorcycle riding veterans pulling in as we were exiting that day.  The surrounding vistas from the park are as hauntingly breathtaking as the park itself is - certainly a worthwhile place to stop and give thanks for our men and women in uniform...those who have gone before, and those who choose to serve for our freedoms, today.

 

Next Travel Tuesday - TAOS!

RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR...Christmas Eve 2012 at the Bellagio Atrium

Happy 2013!  We weathered the Mayan prediction and made it to the new year ~ some a little worse for the wear, with sinus infections and the sort, this holiday season...but we're here, and that's all that's important!  Wanted to share some of my favorite things from Christmas week, past.

FAMILY - my MOST favorite...Son Louie; Mom Barb; Dad Arvid; and Daughter Jaclyn...Christmas 2012 was one of the most wonderful in years.  Husband and I avoided the camera this year, due to the bags under the eyes, but the rest of 'em looked FABULOUS, and it was such a treat to have my parents with us to celebrate the holiday this year! 

Mom's recovering from rotator cuff surgery...Dad is doing her hair, and I must say, he's pretty darn GOOD!  Thank you for bringing yourselves to us for Christmas ~ it was the gift I loved most!

Christmas Eve evening, after a large pasta dinner, found my husband sleeping off his cold, my kids gone their separate ways, and me with a wild idea to drag my parents to the Bellagio Atrium..."Come on", I told them..."There'll be no one there!"  Yep, I actually THOUGHT that! 

As usual, the Atrium was absolutely stunning.  For those that don't live here, but may venture through, this is one of the most beautiful attractions in town, and is completely free to the public - breathtaking with each and every change of the interior.  The outside of the casino/hotel boasts the beautiful fountains that are choreographed to music, every 15 minutes during the evening.

This year's display included a massive tree, larger than life toy soldiers, beds of live poinsettias...

chocolate cottages around the base of a Trojan Horse sized rocking horse, glittering stars hung from the ceiling...

and the bears!  Beautiful white polar bears covered in thousands of fluffy white chrysanthemums.  All things floral on display in the Atrium are, indeed, real...from the massive tree, to the petals covering the bears.

Next change for the Atrium will be Chinese New Year at the beginning of February ~ The Year of the Snake.

My kids (I did a bit of cropping of fingers in this one); my pups, Joe and Voltron! - one loves the cool tile (and his new baby), the other is the epitome of "lap dog" (or "butt dog", however the circumstance presents itself for a chance to lay on someone), and that beautiful Christmas Cactus I purchased a few weeks back...I think my Grandma would be so proud, though it pales in comparison to the one she kept for years.

One parting shot of family...my Grandpa spent Christmas with us, perched in the tree.  I have one of his fishing creels, identical to the one he is wearing in the photo (which my Mom has), hanging in the guest room.  Mom was just recently gifted with this photo, and passed along a copy to me (it will hang next to the creel, now).

As we march on into this new year, no resolutions really - just a hope to be a better person, and a plan for more quality family time...I've never been one to wax poetic here on the blog (but keep it bottled deep), so that's about it.  A hope for a saner world, perhaps...DEFINITELY, in fact!

 

I've a few "sights" left over from last year that could possibly inspire one or two of you to travel in the year ahead - that's coming up. I hope to include a few more "teaching" posts here, in an effort to share the creativity - that's coming up, too.  Love to you and yours...and especially ALL of mine...in 2013!  XOXOXO

 

"Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes; Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes; Silver white winters that melt into springs ~ These are a few of my favorite things"...

I GET BY WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS...

Family and friends ~ HUG THEM TIGHT AND COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS ~ and remember those precious lives lost, so senselessly, this past week.

 

A Christmas mug of cheer from my dear friend, Jackie - hot chocolate (or even "better" - I just saw the ad for the new maple flavored Crown Royal) will taste extraordinarily wonderful from this one - set amongst a fabulous tea set I bought about twelve years ago at a speciality store "Going Out of Business" sale, and have never taken out of the box until this week.  Did I need it?  Evidently not (BUT, in my defense, it was 90% off the original obscene price).  Is it FABULOUS?  Look ~ LOOK with your special eyes!

Friends in my Mom's childhood doll buggy, with her doll being the beauty with the bonnet.  I believe the blonde friend was my grandmother's...someone in the family loved her, I know that.  The Mohair bear in the front was made by me, years back - took a class with an "at the time friend" (friends come in so many guises, and serve many purposes in a lifetime) in the art of real fur/old fashioned ways bear making.

The white bear wears a baby sweater that was knitted for my firstborn, by a dear family friend.  Tiny, beautiful white bunnies knitted into the design - too special to pack away, it now keeps my furry friend warm.  I made the second, golden bear, also...actually, he was the first made - never start easy when you can jump right in with an open mouth (much like my own!).  Both are heavily weighted and have jointed arms, legs, and heads.

The past few weeks brought some special treats from Internet friends, both far away (Denmark), and one state over.  Dorthe, at DEN LILLE LADE, sent me another of her enchanting little angels, who has joined her driftwood friend on my tree.  Sherry, at CREATOLOGY, gifted me with a beautiful little Christmas bag, perfect for holding some special jewelry items (and with two secret pockets!), a handmade (actually, it's all handmade by Sherry) journal with clever pages inside, and some delightful little Christmas adornments for my ears and scissors.  Thank you to you both, dear friends. 

 

My old Christmas Cactus, in the corner, never lets me down come December, though buds this year are sparse.  Running (literally) through the grocery store, looking for tree lights, I ran straight into this new cactus, loaded with about 200 blooms (literally).  Lighter in color than my first, I WILL be posting photos of this as it takes off and opens up.

A bevy of fake, but yummy looking, gingers from my friend/sister, Joleen, sits on the antique plate I recently obtained from yet, another friend...another gift, from Z, sits under my tree and will make an appearance here after I know her other friends have seen theirs, so I don't spoil anything.

Yes, I DO get by with a little help from my friends, and count each one among my dearest assets in life!  I hope your Christmas is wonderful, friends...if I don't show up here on a regular basis for the next week or so, know that I am VERY happily making wonderful Christmas memories with my dear folks (including physical therapy for her while she's here), and my own little family.  Merry Christmas ~ XOXO ~ Tanya

 

"Many merry Christmases, friendships, great accumulation of cheerful recollections, affection on earth, and Heaven at last for all of us" ~ Charles Dickens

JOAN CRAWFORD MEETS BETSEY JOHNSON, MEETS BUTTERICK B5152!

Joan Crawford has arrived at our house for Christmas...and LOOK!  She's brought along cigarettes!

Actually, I just finished this up this morning, and wanted to share...the last large present that needed to be finished before Christmas.  My daughter and I sat down one evening, a few weeks back, and shared some special Mother/Daughter moments watching the ever enchanting "Mommie Dearest"...I hadn't seen it in years, and she had never seen it.

Overly penciled eyebrows and batshit crazy outbursts aside, she was enchanted with the fabulous costuming of the 40s - especially the glamorous dressing gowns.  I was asked if I knew where she could get something like that for lounging around the house, and spewing her new favorite snarky quote from the movie, "I would rather be here, with you, than anywhere else in the world".

Shortly thereafter, I ran across this in the Butterick pattern book - and at 99 cents for the day at Joann's, it SCREAMED (No wire HANGERS!) to be turned into a Christmas gift for my Jaci.  The fabric is something they label as Simply Silky Prints - a stretchy, satiny/shiny polyester (perfect for washing) charmeuse, in "Betsey Johnson-esque" (another of my daughter's fav's) pink and yellow roses.  The pattern was marked "Easy", and they weren't lying!  I put this together in a day - start to finish.  I haven't sewn an actual garment in some years, and was PLEASANTLY surprised at how well this went together.

My daughter is built much more slender than my antique mannequin, so this should hang pretty close to the illustration on the pattern cover (she's built like the girl in yellow - we should hate her, by golly).  Where there should be "two" on my mannequin, is but one...a "dove breast" from the late 1880's.  Sadly, there is no "lift and separation" on this old gal, but she's pretty great for display purposes.  I am expecting this to drape exactly like the pattern, once on.

Black lace overlays on the front and back bodice - like I said, this really went together beautifully...especially for being a vintage pattern.

Extra wide sash belt - big flowing sleeves, gather into tiny bands at the wrist - fabulous and uberfierce!

Who knew they still made shoulder pads?!  The pattern called for them...Joann's had tons to choose from, happily.  I thought (or perhaps, wished) they had died with the 80's.  Yeah, who knew!

I think the only thing missing from this ensemble now are marabou mules for her dainty polished toes...

and a padded, satin hanger!  Happily retiring the sewing machine until after Christmas - hope your weekend is wonderful.

PEARL HARBOR DAY - DECEMBER 7TH, 1941

"...December 7th, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy..."

President Franklin D. Roosevelt

A remembrance of those who have gone before and, again, a thank you to those who serve today! 

AEROSMITH AND CHEAP TRICK - The Most Fantastic Adventure!

I have the BEST friend in the world.  Her name is JACKIE.  She called me up a few days ago, and told me that Christmas would come early for me this year - she had some bizarre, unwarranted notion that she couldn't make me anything "gift worthy" for Christmas this year, and instead, got us tickets to THIS!  Aerosmith AND Cheap Trick, ON ONE BILL!  The Global Warming Tour!  At The MGM Grand Arena!   Believe me, my HUSBAND is going to have a hard time giving me anything gift worthy after this!  My friend ROCKS!  How many apostrophies am I going to need for this post?!  Let me mention, right here (so she knows) that I'M going to have a hell of a time with the whole "gift worthy" thing for HER this year, after this.  What an INCREDIBLE evening.

(Photo credit rollingstone.com)

Had seen Cheap Trick before, but singing the Sgt. Pepper album on their tour though Vegas a few years back - this time it was all them - with one Beatles song, thrown in for good measure.  SOOOOO great.  I don't know if it's Robin Zander I love, or those beautiful "nothing left to the imagination" leather pants!  Yeah, it's him. And Rick Nielsen.  And the rest of  "The Best F#* You Up Rock Band EVER", as they were introduced. And the pants.  The Dream Police were living large inside of my head last night!

And then, AEROSMITH - how do you come close to describing the wonder of THAT?!  On my "Bucket List" of bands, and there with a friend that evidently has that very same Bucket List!  I don't know how Steven Tyler is possibly alive this morning...movin' and shakin' for an entire 2+ hours.  And, "Little Miss We Need to Sit THISCLOSE to the Stage", did it to me again.  I could have shot the video above (which is the same opening we got last night), myself.  Steven Tyler, JOE PERRY (who has his WIFE on his guitar!  A Guitar God AND a romantic - SIGH!).

AEROSMITH!!!  I spent most of the evening with my hands over my mouth, speechless...unless I was singing along, and I must have been because my throat is scratchy this morning.   An unbelieveable (believe it) night of music from two LEGENDARY bands, shared with one of the best friends I could have ever hoped for in this life, or any other.

 

"Something right with the world today"...ALL day...and it will LAST for days!  It's left a HUGE smile on my face this morning - thanks for Christmas, Chica - know how much I loved it - and you.  By the way, your Christmas gift will pale, in comparison, just to let you know!   !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!