Thrift Shop Commando

Wednesday, December 25, 2024

Christmas Day

Merry Christmas!

At tap dance class

From what I have read, the Twelve Days of Christmas begins on Christmas Day.🎄

I splurged and bought the Barbie 12 Days of Christmas 2024. Seems that issue of the doll has already doubled in value.

The recipe to end our Countdown is Martha Washington's Christmas Cake from Jingle Bells and Pastry Shells (1968) It looks suspiciously like a fruitcake recipe.

1/2 lb. golden seedless raisins
1/2 lb. currants
1/2 cup citron
1/2 cup candied orange peel
1/4 glazed pineapple, cut into small pieces
1/2 cup brandy
1/2 lb. butter
1 cup sugar
5 eggs, separated
1 tsp. lemon juice
2-1/4 cups flour
1/2 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. mace
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
2 tblsp. sherry

Cut up raisins, currants, and candied fruits, using scissors that have been dipped in water. Put in a bowl and pour in brandy. Cover and let stand overnight. Stir the next morning and add more brandy if fruit has become dry. Soften butter and slowly beat in half of sugar. Beat egg yolks until a lemon color and slowly add the other half of the sugar. Combine. Add lemon juice and stir. Sift in combined dry ingredients alternately with sherry. Add fruit. Fold in lightly-beaten egg whites. Bake in a greased and floured 10" tube pan or 10"x4" round mold, filling within 1" of top. Put a pan of water in the bottom of the oven. Bake 350 degrees, 1-1/2 hours or more. Makes one 5 pound cake.

What I am listening to - Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn Soundtrack (2000)

Because tap dancing has entered my life, and this is a clip during the holidays - enjoy!

For those who watched the Kennedy Center honors on TV, Savion Glover was featured in a tap dance routine.

Tuesday, December 24, 2024

Christmas Eve and the Last Crapht

Countdown to Christmas - One Day to Go! The last crapht to highlight was the thrift shop purchase of a $3.99 bag of plastic ornament bulbs. I had the large brandy snifter on hand. The bulbs fit perfectly!

Among the plastic bulbs were other ornaments, including this upcycled wool tree handmade in Fair Oaks, California, by Kathy Abraham. I appreciate her artistry so wool tree stays with me.

Over these past few months, I have bought bags and bags of ornaments at thrift. Mainly the plastic ones so I can hang them outside if I want. It is like re-living my childhood, these delightful mystery bags of Tchotchkes.

Pattern of the Day is Christmas Bulbs.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/186800875615

🎄🎅🤶

Recipe is from Jingle Bells and Pastry Shells (1968).

PRESKUCIAI
Christmas Eve Biscuits

3/4 cup nonfat milk
1 tbsp. honey
1 tsp. salt
1/2 cup warm water
1-1/2 env. active dry yeast
2-1/2 cups sifted whole wheat flour

Warm milk to 105 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, combine warm milk, honey, salt, and water.

Mix yeast with flour and add to milk mixture in two additions, blending thoroughly after each addition until you have a firm dough. Form into a ball and place in an oiled bowl, turning once so that dough is oiled on top and bottom. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in warm place (80-85 degrees) about 1 hour or until almost doubled in bulk. Turn out onto lightly floured board and roll into 1/2" thick oblong. Cut into 1/2" strips and cut horizontally to make little squares, or shape into rounds. Bake in hot oven (400 degrees) 8 to 10 minutes, until golden brown. Makes about 40 little biscuits.

💫

What I am listening to - A Tender Santa Fe Christmas

Monday, December 23, 2024

Day 23 just rhymes with Annalee

Countdown to Christmas Day 23 is about the Annalees. I told myself I wasn't going to do another Annalee post but .... I have done a few posts about these delightful items in years past.

A large group of Annalee arrived at the Sutter Creek thrift. I doubt any will remain for me to purchase for 50% off days on Friday and Monday.

The angels were priced $175 for the trio.

Links to previous Countdown Annalee posts.

2023 Gonna-sneak-in-some-annalee
2018 Annalee-glee

2017 Annalee-mobilee-spree
2016 Annalee-part-3

2015 Annalee-annalee-part-deux

2014 Annalee-annalee

What I am listening to - Christmas Celtic

Sunday, December 22, 2024

Trees and the Bee's Knees

Countdown to Christmas Day 22 features this wooden ruler tree, a 99 cent thrift shop find this past week. Now part of my collection. 🎄

Image dump day for those that didn't make it into a themed post. Ok this post has nothing to do with Bee's Knees, I just liked the way it sounded.

Deer Bun

Faceplant Santa Cookie

Cutie patootie ceramic offered online

Fischer Price Nativity

Gum Drop Tree
An annual tradition during my childhood

We are getting closer folks! I had so much fun creating this Countdown. I hate to see it end on Christmas Day. There is always next year ~

Kandinsky-inspired tree

What I am listening to - A Jazz Christmas (1998). One of the two keeper CDs of the 25 that were thrift shop rescues.

Saturday, December 21, 2024

Decorating the Tree with Cookie Cutters

Countdown to Christmas Day 21! This post will feature decorating with cookie cutters. The lead-off image is my blue tinsel tree with thrifted cookie cutters.

The inspiration is from 2000 Country Sampler's Christmas. As with all of these holiday projects, the reality is sooooo different than the concept.

The first round of cookie cutters $2 at thrift.

The stag silver wine stopper was a 99 cent thrift shop find. He will reside in the tree until I take it down next month. He will be used year round.

The first attempt - photographed outdoors. Even though the outdoor example didn't photograph well, I do like the concept. It will become an annual tradition.

When all else fails, you can make a cookie cutter wreath.

Recipe for Day 21 is from Jingle Bells and Pastry Shells (1968)

CHRISTBAUMGEBACH

1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
4 eggs, lightly beaten
3-1/4 to 4 cups sifted flour
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Cream butter and sugar together. Add the 4 eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Add flour, sifted with nutmeg and cinnamon, to make a stiff dough. Wrap dough in waxed paper and refrigerate at least one day; it is better if it stands longer. The roll out paper-thin, using a cooky cloth on board and a cloth-covered rolling pin for best results. Cut dough with cookie cutters and bake on ungreased cooky sheet at 375 degrees about 6 minutes. Decorate with a sprinkling of sugar frosting or colored sugar.

What I am listening to - Arthur Fiedler's Christmas Pops (1992)

Friday, December 20, 2024

The Sewing Patterns

Countdown to Christmas Day 20 is about the sewing patterns. My business love 💗

https://www.ebay.com/itm/186787244448

Last month, I listed 55 patterns in a specialty sewing pattern listing session. Here are all of the Christmas-themed ones. Buckle up for the 20 unique and delightful designs.