Safe From Sea Monsters in 2017

Hello 2017!
I was met with a beautiful start to the new year with mild(er) temperature and roads free of snow and ice. I couldn't think of a better way to start the year off than plunking money into video games, so...

It wasn't terribly crowded. Probably not a good place to go 1 January with a hangover. We were on a mission though. Danny wanted to see how far he could get on a Sega game called, The Ocean Hunter.

He finished the game. Forty minutes after starting, he completed the bloody game. I've never run a video game to the last level. That's either a great start to the new year, or a disappointment because nothing else will ever be as exciting. Anyway, that's a proud parental moment though I can't take any credit for it-we only drove him to the arcade. You'll be pleased to know he's rid the planet of some very nasty sea monsters, so next time you're at the beach you know who to thank. 

We made the traditional American New Year's bean stew, Hoppin John popular in the Southern states. I did a meatless version with soya bacon, and served it over rice.

I'll be packing away my holiday china this week, but I haven't decided which set to use until spring. I have a full service of Johnson Brothers Friendly Village, but I might rotate it out with the Noritake stoneware. I have far too many sets of dishes for three people. I hope Danny takes them someday when he moves out.

Let's have a quick cocktail:
The Artillery
2 oz. gin
1 oz. sweet vermouth
2 dashes bitters.
Stir well with ice, and strain into a cocktail glass. Serve with a twist of lemon peel.

Outfit Particulars:

Vintage skirt-Goodwill

Boots-Hand-Me-Ups

Vintage chain belt-Hand-Me-Ups

Vintage polyester top-Goodwill

Vintage crochet vest-New Life Thrift

Vintage pendant-Sequels

Earrings-K Mart

Vintage box bag-Antique mall

Fragrance-Madonna Truth or Dare (aka, "Fake Fracas")

I won't be taking myself too seriously in the new year (I'm too old to start now)!

Hope 2017 is good to you.

Brrrr

I've looked at clothes from both sides now, from win and lose and still somehow, it's twisted stockings I recall, I really can't wear seams, at all...

With apologies to Joni Mitchell. OK, and Judy Collins if you prefer that version. Hey, now that the first ten days of January are out of the way, how is everyone doing?

We had our first serious cold weather of the year. It was -6 F when I woke this morning. With the wind it is registering -20 F. which is awful. Sure, we get used to it as much as is possible, but that doesn't make it any more pleasant. We had such a mild December I suppose we just imagined it would last forever, despite knowing otherwise. 

When the weather turns brutal, I turn to the wool ski sweater my mother bought on her honeymoon in Canada in 1956. This sucker is warm. It never quite fit my mum right as she was quite tall, so she gave it to me in the early 80's. It never quite fit me right either (and I am quite short) but I'm less fussy about how a ski sweater fits, and have happily worn it on the coldest of days. I really don't require a coat with it, which is nice because I hate driving in a coat. As soon as the car is warmed, I have to struggle out of it at a traffic light anyway, so a heavy sweater is better suited to my life. It can be a bit warm indoors though, so wearing something decent beneath it is crucial. 

We had some excitement last evening outside our house. Around 11:00 PM the police came and blocked-off the street with three squad cars, and they were walking about in the dark with flashlights and some sort of camera on a tripod marking out a crime scene. That went on for a good hour. As there was nothing in today's news I can't be sure what it was all about, but the way they were walking and looking on the ground, I got the sense they were looking for bullet casings. I didn't hear anything at all as I was wrapped-up in watching a detective show (I'm not kidding, I was!). Had it not been for all the flashing lights, I'd have been completely unaware of anything. Our neighbourhood is very quiet, so obviously it was a bit unnerving. I'm guessing it wasn't drugs because no cop in their right mind would be out in sub-zero weather scouring the street in the dark for dope someone threw from their window in a traffic stop. It had to be bullets. 

Outfit Particulars:

1950's woolen ski sweater, made in Canada-Mum's

Skirt-1990's, Sears.

Tights-K Mart

Snow Boots-Goodwill

Sled brooch-Hand-Me-Ups

Earrings-Hand-Me-Ups

Hat-Fibre arts show

Polo neck-Gordman's

Fragrance-L'Air du Temps

 Outfit Particulars:
Grey jersey dress-Sears, about 6 years ago
Cardigan-Goodwill
Flower-Tiff and Tam
Vintage shell earrings-Hand-Me-Ups
Tights-K Mart
Vintage Peacock's shoes-Goodwill
Belt-Goodwill
Bangles-all over
 Vintage Made in Japan straw and beads clutch bag-Salvation Army
Fragrance-Banana Republic Rosewood

We celebrated Mr. ETB's Birthday this weekend. He's now officially eligible for the "Senior Discount" at the local supermarket. That's 55 if you're wondering whether you're old enough to get 10% off your groceries in Nebraska. I didn't ruin the roast duck, and we spent a lovely, relaxing day at home (because we sure as shit weren't going out in -20 degree wind chills). Now the Birthdays are out of the way, and I don't need to bake another cake for 11 months! 

Maybe I'll just spend the rest of winter playing video games in the basement! And yes, this dinky little TV is our only television. We're pathetic, I know. 

Hey, you just made it through the first ten days of January. Give yourself a pat on the back. 

         

Rock On, Maaaaan

It was, "Embarrass Your Kids Day" at the library. We're thinking this photo should be our Christmas card this year. Don't worry, we're not the worst parents in the world-we let the kid play the Centipede arcade game at Broncos for an hour and a half this afternoon.

The nice thing about Saturdays in Nebraska during football season is that most places are abandoned when the game is on. That leaves a leisurely afternoon to enjoy the autumnal weather free of the crowds that would otherwise be in your way. I don't like football, but I love football Saturdays! I tried to find an outfit that would reflect the 80's as we were going to play a game that reached its height of popularity circa 1981. This Richard Warren cropped jacket ticks all the 80's boxes. Short, huge shoulder pads, red and black, large hounds-tooth print-the reason I purchased the jacket for my collection was how well it represents the era. As a vintage collector, I like unusual pieces, but my space is limited and I try to buy clothes that are good examples of a style/era. Is this my favourite jacket to wear? Absolutely not (I think it borders on hideous) but it is representative.

 Throw on some big earrings and rings...

...and short boots...

...and that pretty much completes the look. 

Outfit Particulars:

1980's Richard Warren jacket-Goodwill

Skirt-Sears (about 10 years ago)

Boots-K Mart

Tights-Shop-Ko

1980's "Soft Elegance" pussy-bow blouse (great name)-Goodwill

Bangles-Goodwill

Earrings-K Mart

Rings-All over

Rhinestone monogram pins-Hobby Lobby

Vintage 60's handbag-a thrift store in Massachusetts decades ago

Fragrance-Cabochard (vintage)

Lippy-Loreal British Red

 I confess to playing a few games of Centipede when Danny was taking breaks. I've still got it! Even at my age there's still a bit of giddy excitement at entering your initials in the game for your high score. I majored in Centipede at University. I had a minor in Pinball. What I wasn't counting on was a migraine-guess my old eyes ain't what they used to be, and tri-focals are hell for playing video games. Next time, I'll try to limit my time, "shooting worms."

Watch out for those spiders!

...and rock on, maaaaan.