The Online Bookshelf - La Chanson des JouJoux

The Song of the Toys, with fanciful color plates of  Victorian children and playthings. A free download from Project Gutenberg. 

Photo Op

Regional staff held a press conference at a local firehouse today, to mark the kick-off of the Sound The Alarm campaign.  Volunteers were asked to vest up and attend; I was in several photographs taken with firefighters and our State Senator.

It wasn't until I was on my way home that it dawned on me I had my t-shirt on backwards.

"In The Cat's Eyes, All Things Are The Cat's"

So, I bought a second-hand table for the front porch...

Vintage Magazines - Woman's Home Companion, August, 1921

Caturday!

Woman Proposes, Cat Disposes, con't

Since he can no longer easily jump up onto the nice comfy cushion I placed on the  patio chair, he took matters into his own paws this morning.

Workbasket Magazine - July 1945

I'm back.

As promised and only one week late, the Workbasket 8-page issue from July 1945.  Projects include the toddler's knitted jumper shown above, several crocheted edgings, and a tulip quilt.  These can be found on my Flickr account.

One Of Those Wide Stance Scenarios

1st volunteer:  I was in the men's room at O'Hare Airport...

2nd volunteer (interrupting):  Any story that starts with "I was in the men's room at O'Hare Airport" has to end badly.

Less Filling and Tastes Great

image from Pinterest

It's 6pm. The disaster assessment teams are starting to arrive back at the office after a long day of canvassing flooded neighborhoods and estimating and recording the damage.

1st team member: People in (affected area) sure are into pit bulls.  Really big pit bulls.

2nd team member:  I know -- I've never seen dogs that big.  I wonder what they feed 'em?

3rd team member (under his breath): Red Cross volunteers.

Not The First Time, Either

1st Volunteer: The garage guy gave me his card.  He has a vehicle available.

2nd Volunteer:  I haven't met him.  Who's the garage guy?

1st Volunteer:  Lemme see....somebody named Shay.

On The Road (Again)

Chicago, Chicago, that toddlin' town...blogging will resume in two weeks.  In the meantime, check your family emergency plans and update as necessary!

Another One Of Life's Little Mysteries Dep't

He showed up in the cattle tank yesterday.  How on earth....?

EDITED TO ADD:  you can't tell from the photograph, but he's a big sucker.

Workbasket Magazine - February 1945

Workbasket, February 1945.  Projects include the crocheted bathroom set pictured here, a knitted sleeveless pullover, knitted bandeaus ("very slick with the new flat-top hair-dos") and an applique basket quilt (which has been posted before).

I have read that any issues from the war years are rare because of the paper drives that prompted families to empty out their attics and basements of stacks of magazines and newspapers.  Four double pages are on my Flickr account and can be printed off and stapled together to create a reasonable facsimile of the original.

Next week - July 1945.  Yes, I'm missing a few copies.

Now If I Only Had An Olive Tree

And maybe a hen.  Then I wouldn't have had to buy anything on this plate.

Workbasket Magazine - January 1945

An early Workbasket, and if my arithmetic is correct, this is from January 1945 and is part of the stash that the lovely Barb sent me.  Four double pages are on my Flickr account along with instructions on how to print it out, fold, and staple it to make a little eight page magazine.  Contents include the cover afghan, a Snowflake Quilt pattern, and a crocheted insertion/edging combo that I think I've already listed as a separate pattern.

Next week -- February 1945! 

The Usual Suspect

SOMEONE has been chewing on my sock needles.

Caturday!

Quote of the Day

image from Pinterest

The phrase "just in case" has saved me more times than I can count.  It might be the best three word sentence this side of "that was stupid," or "I shouldn't have." ~ Sgt Tim Cotton

The Online Bookshelf - The Yorkshire Dales and Fells

Another book of Gordon Home's beautiful Edwardian illustrations.  Free download from Project Gutenberg.

Workbasket Magazine - "Women Who Make Cents"

From the February, 1953 edition of Workbasket magazine. This was a monthly feature and I'm speculating that it is a hint of how limited the opportunities were for significantly remunerative part time employment for women. 

The directions for dusting gloves, geraniums, and making earrings out of nylon stockings are on my Flickr account.