My Favorite Things - and Gift Certificate!

Updated 26 June
please note that I just discovered many comments that never made it to my email! Please see comments section for my response, and I apologize to all who took time to comment, but never made it to me. Cyber "connections" can be so frustrating! 


My Favorite Things...

Hello!

I hope the summer is off to a good start with you. My summer is off with usual summer activities such as gardening, taking rides out to the country, and catching up on projects. While busy about doing my projects, be it just cleaning out my closet, cooking, sewing, or gathering fresh produce from the garden, I have these somewhat "crazy lady" conversations in my head (okay, I confess, sometimes, I do catch myself talking out loud - sometimes) how I wish you friends were here with me to enjoy the day. But for now, cyber visits will have to do - which brings me to today's visit with you.

A friend dropped by recently, who hasn't been to my house in some time. We were visiting as I was making a simple dinner of homemade tomato basil soup (my own tomatoes and basil). As she sat with me in our tiny kitchen and watched me cook as we chatted, she pointed out how she was so amazed at the "old-timey" tools I was using and had around in my kitchen. Honestly, I had never given it much thought, as I use my vintage items routinely, never really considered it "old-timey" as my friend found it.

Just as I was about to claim that "most" people use these old things, I stopped and realized that actually, these old things are mainly sought out for their beauty, history, and the simple joy  of having them in our homes. I would enjoy hearing about any old thing that you actually use for its purpose and not just as decoration. I would love to hear from you. For now, I will share what I actually use routinely, in a little mini series that I am calling "My Favorite Things." If you don't have the time for a visit just now, but want to get to the gift certificate give-away, just scroll down towards the end to find out how to enter a $75 certificate from a very cool website... but I hope you have time for a visit.

There are lots of good reasons to use vintage items, other than they are just simply beautiful. I always liked the idea of using vintage items mainly because I personally get joy out of using something that has the test of time (if it still works when I discover it, then most likely it was built to last, unlike so many brand new items). I also like that I am saving a little bit of the earth by not buying new, and of course, the history of the item and any possible story that goes with it gives it a lot of character that just can't be found off the shelf of a big box store. 

Above is my beloved silver sugar shaker that I found years ago and it takes permanent residence upon my countertop. The patina on this little tarnish silver beauty is a personal joy of mine. Patina equals perfect for me! It doesn't just hold sugar, no, I have both sugar and cinnamon in it for my cinnamon toast mornings - any day starts out well with a good piece of cinnamon toast and Danish butter!

And what a better way to spread that great Danish butter, than with my vintage butter knives. I have tons of them - I just love them, use them, and use them for all sorts of things. Spreads, dips, sour cream, jelly, peanut butter, curds, sour cream, condiments,...you name it. 

These little butter knives in the creamer are a permanent fixture atop my vintage breadbox - used, literally, every single day. I just realized I didn't take a picture of my bread box - never even thought about till now. I have had the bread box so many years, and use it every day, I don't even think about it.

To be honest, I can't even remember when I got this cute and really practical German salt and pepper shaker. I must have been in Germany, or on one of my jaunts at a European flea-market and I am sure I thought it was just the coolest thing (and still think that). This "TischerFreund" (Table Friend) is so neat - just push down the side of the top that holds the spice you want, and the little flap folds up to release and shake out your choice.

Such a simple design, with a divided shaker. Simple and sweet...and of course, I smile every time I pick it up and visit with my "friend."

While we can find lots of uses for glass jars, nothing is better than finding an use for an old canning jar with zinc and milk glass lid. 

I grow my own herbs and dry them. I use tons of basil all year long, especially for my homemade tomato and basil cream soup. I actually had two jars and now down to half a jar. Happily, I just cut fresh basil this evening and they are hanging to dry for use this winter. 

I love the diamond pattern on this old glass. Gives it so much character. And the milk glass lid feels nice when I open it up and hold it in my hand as I pluck a few leaves out for dinner. Sometimes, I think the feelings we get with some objects are just as nice (or nicer) than the purpose of the object itself. 

While vintage knives are great to use for their intended purpose, there are other uses as well.

I have a thing for old hotel silver, butter knives and so on. But, after a while, I realize that unless I really use them, then I can't afford the shelf/drawer space for them...

...so, I realized the other day, while gardening, that my little wooden markers were breaking...and how my old knives would make great garden markers! A little nail polish remover easily wipes off the words. After I took this photo, it started to rain pretty hard, so I still need to get an image of these in my garden. But for now, you can see how fun they can be, as well as useful.

You know, I think that is the goal in daily living - to have fun with simplicity. Simple doesn't always mean easy...just look at the Amish. The Amish live a "simple" life, but no one would argue that it is sometimes hard. Simple living to me simply means living in the  present moment, enjoying the task at hand - no matter how hard (or easy) that task may be. There is an art to that type of living, I think. 

And speaking of the art of living...here is a preview of what is to come!

SUPPORTING ARTISANS

I found a new website that I am still reading and shopping about. Like many of you, I believe in supporting small businesses, and especially artisans. I am more than happy to pay extra for something handmade by an artisan. I have to tell you this quick story. Several years ago, while in San Francisco, I was at an outdoor artisan market (sort of like a flea-market). I was amazed at the crafts and I stood there, watching this beautiful, little Asian woman knit baby clothes. Her items were just perfect, and she tells me she has been knitting for over 30 years (I swear she didn't look a day older than 30). I then witness a very sad thing: a well-dressed woman, stopped by and picked up a beautiful sweater that was only $35 (which I was amazed at inexpensive the item was). 

Well, I am sure you can guess what happened next. This "lady" proceeds to tell the artisan that this "sweater was too much...can't you do better on the price?" I was so shocked - and saddened. The artisan handled it nicely, but the customer insisted on a lower price and would not pay the asking price. I couldn't help but butt in and said, "You aren't going to find a sweater of this quality for such a great price. I am sure you realize your purchase helps support the arts." She stared at me and mumbled she would be back later. I left feeling sad and frustrated for the artisan, as I owned my store back then and knew how hard it was to find great products at prices that customers would pay - because as I was told on more than one occasion, "I can find this cheaper at Target." Which of course they can't...they can find reproductions, but NOT the real items I had in my store. I never felt awkward pointing out to those customers that then perhaps they should be shopping at Target. 

But I digress...back to the website. Here is gift certificate info:

This artisan website that I am impressed with is called NOVICA.

I  will be upfront and disclose that I was contacted by this company to review their site and was given a certificate so I could order an item for my review, while offering a $75 gift certificate to one of my readers for them to enjoy a purchase of their own from NOVICA.

All I am asking of you is to look their site and see what they are all about. I was immediately impressed because this is a fair trade site, filled with artisans that are trying to make a living doing what they love to do and have a talent for. This is something I truly believe in. While I love the old and the vintage, my heart is always for the artisans.

NOVICA is more than just a website for artisans. They work to support them and give us an opportunity to LEND small amounts of funds (only $10 and up) to an artisan of your choice, which they pay back without interest. Once the lender is repaid, the lender has the option of turning the repayment into a store credit with an extra 15% bonus.  

Here is a 1 minute video about Eka, who supports her family through her wood making. 

http://youtu.be/N9PDyle6ZJ8

To learn more about lending, just click here.

And finally, a 1 min video about NOVICA Certified.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUNCO9UTfRE&list=UUAnbKbdHxLRLtN4wq33Efmw

If you would like to be entered into the drawing for the $75 gift certificate, please leave a comment and please make sure I have a way to contact you. I do not use Google plus, so please leave your email if you wish. Or send me your email via the link listed on the image of the typewriter on the right sidebar. 

NEXT POST: I will continue with my series of my favorite things and also share with you what I purchased from NOVICA. I will also give away my own handmade craft item to all who links my post to their social media. More details on my next post.

Thank you for visiting and for visiting NOVICA. I am still learning myself all that they are about, but so far, what I have read, I am very impressed with. I hope you are too.

(Oh, if you made it down this far, I thought I would share with you that all these images were NOT taken in my home! I thought it would be funny if some readers never went down this far and left my blog thinking, Man! Elizabeth really needs to clean her windows! LOL!!)

From my house to your house,