Friday, July 21, 2017

Midwest Gardening July 2017

Normally I have beautiful garden and yard posts for this time of year.
This last month has been....well...WET and more than depressing here in Chicagoland.
I ran out tonight to take these pictures between the storms tonight.

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We did composite decking on the front steps last year, but they are slick with water all the time. 

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Ever since Father's Day---we have been busy with projects, RAIN, more projects, RAIN, family, RAIN, gardening between the RAIN and some insufferable heat and humidity, and more RAIN.


Hubby has been working at a friend's REDO house, so even when it is nice for a few moments, I'm not outside alone because I'm deathly allergic to bees and bugs stings in general. So dead-heading and trimming have been at a minimum, let alone removing weeds.

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Weeding has been a trek into the jungle. Everything is overgrown, or threatening to fall down from the weight of saturation. This 'crapola' tree swallowing the shelf in less than a month. My June pictures show my garden shelf bare here except for the watering cans hanging.


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The Holly Hocks are wet petticoats, full and tipped over from the wet.

We live on a rise/ridge outlying Northwest Chicagoland. We haven't been really able to go West, North, or East for the last week with all the flooding. Tonight there are power outages for thousands.

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This is our roof addition from two weeks ago, which saved our finished basement. We had a strip of concrete poured all along the foundation almost 3-feet wide, but we still had water.

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Thankfully, it was up when the record 5-6" inches of rain fell in one 24 hour period. 
We had burned-out two sump pumps the week before---because of so much rain, 
and the drainage system just needed help in our 1972 house.

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 Our shed roof was cleaned last weekend. Good thing the ladder was never moved.

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Our new walkway---the spill over the planters, from plugged 3/8" drain holes. 
I have abandoned every saucer under all our planters or pots.

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The church pew is totally saturated, the back opened up and water filled it. I think it may be totaled.


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This was a newly painted bird house last year. 
Thats mold and lichen on it, and the screw has slipped out from 
the weight of the water probably inside. There was a family in there earlier.


It has been over a week now---and the flood waters are still high on the Des Plaines and Fox Rivers--so many people have suffered. The last two nights we had pouring rain again for hours, with the pre-requisite lightening and thunder. And now again tonight. I feel so for those people surrounding us, who are suffering with still high water and more on the way. Tonight my kids are out of power,so we may have houseguests.

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Some plants are ecstatic, especially anything tropical, with the heat, humidity and rain.

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Others don't even want to open. 

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Back where it isn't as soggy, more Holly Hocks are blooming. That's our neighbors' construction mud pile, they are having a hard time with their big yard project. They basically have a swimming pool where their patio will be poured and laid with stone.


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We have mold, everywhere. Hubby dashed out and cut grass yesterday morning--it's sticking to everything, as it rained before we could get it collected.

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This is a huge pot, and the tall fronds are pounded down. I will try and tie them up again tomorrow.

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The entire garden is kinda sickly. Plants are a peculiar yellow green, or lime, 
when they should be dark rich green.

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Spindly from the lack of light. The yellow black-eyed Susan's  have lots of flowers, 
but just as many holes in their leaves.



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Tomatoes are overgrown and stressed. 
Lots of dead material on the lower branches and spotted leaves.
Luckily we grow our tomatoes from seed, and there are a lot of them.

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Zuchinni blooms, we have had only 2 squash and one pickle so far. 
Hubby picked a few small tomatoes today, they are splitting on the vine.

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My dill is 5 feet high, but no cucumbers. 

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My lettuce is only 3 feet high, honestly it was fine on Monday?

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Saturated patio bricks, that crumbled.

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The ditch that wasn't really a ditch before. 
This lily hadn't bloomed for several years, because it normally is so dry right there.

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Our street blocked now by our neighbor's Mulberry. 
The trunk is over twenty feet away from the street. 
We have to take it back or not see traffic. 


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Potato vine LOVES it all. 
Bachelor buttons not so much they are laying down and calling, "UNCLE".


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My front porch lettuce is getting ready to explode, I try and cut tomorrow, just in case. 
I ran outside tonight (Friday, July 21st) to take these photos between the storms tonight. 
I use boot trays only $2 instead of the $7 they want for the saucers for these planters.

But we really are okay, it's just ugly everywhere in our yard.
We just feel-- for all those who are not, okay. 
How's your garden growing?


Thanks always for visiting. 
I will try and respond to every comment and answer every question.

All the opinions and photographs in this blog are my own, I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions, posts or any products shown or anywhere I shop.
 Please do not use photos without linking back to this blog without my permission. 
Thank you for your cooperation, Sandi Magle

I will be sharing at these fine Parties!


Sandi





Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Special Guest at Vickie's Vintage.

Vickie's phone: Bzzzzzzz Kevin, it's so early? What's up?

Kevin: Vickie, can you open the shop early this morning for a special guest. She arrived without her wardrobe, her bags were lost at O'hare. We have a 'Meet and Greet' scheduled at Channel 5 for the Noon News, and she needs everything. I said you might have something perfect for her 'vibe'.

Vickie: Well, sure. I can be there in a half-hour.

Special Guest at Vickie's Vintage

Vickie: I'm sure glad I straightened up before I went home last night. I wonder who my mystery customer will be?

Special Guest at Vickie's Vintage

Vickie: Did you need any help with that dress, Miss, uhh, Ms., Ma'am???

Mystery Guest: Just call me Barbie, everyone else does. This dress was ALWAYS gorgeous? But I will need a zip up, please. 

Vickie: I would be happy too, and it fits you like a glove. 

Barbie: I know, I had one just like it in 1967, this is Formal Occassion #1697, in perfect condition.

Special Guest at Vickie's Vintage

Vickie: Well, you look gorgeous! What else can I help you with?

Barbie: I will need some white pumps to go with this, size 7.


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I just had a pedicure, but these will do nicely. I can wear my pink sandals for the Meet and Greet. 


 Vickie: I know the dress had a cape, but its so hot now. How about this airy shawl with just a touch of gold and blush.
Special Guest at Vickie's Vintage

Barbie: Hmmmmm, maybe.

Special Guest at Vickie's Vintage

 I do love these beads with the gold and touch of pink, maybe the shawl would be nice. You never know when the air-conditioning is going to be too cold.

Special Guest at Vickie's Vintage

Vickie: I think it would be perfect.

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Barbie: Vickie, you are quite the sales professional. I love your shop, I wish I had more time. If you ever come across any vintage finds from the 1960's, my style, please call. Now, I need something chic, but casual for the day. I need to NOT look my age.


Special Guest at Vickie's Vintage

Barbie: I have the noon TV interview, then a luncheon with the Urban League, a side-trip to a the Art Institute Fashion Design wing for a quick program, and then the Gala tonight. What do you have for me that is iconic Barbie style,  Retro-but current, I can wear for the rest of the day?



I think I have just the thing. You can wear your iconic swimsuit as a top. 



Special Guest at Vickie's Vintage

Barbie: Oh, Vickie, this is perfect. I love this little jacket and the bag is the right size. The belt on the capris matches my shoes. PERFECT~! 



Special Guest at Vickie's Vintage

Vickie: Well Madam, definitely doesn't look her ...uh hum, age.  I'm glad you like it.

Special Guest at Vickie's Vintage

Barbie:Well you have taken all the angst out of my dilemma, I just know I will have a super day, now. Thank you so much, and you will be seeing more of me, at least every time I'm in Chicago. 



Special Guest at Vickie's Vintage

Vickie: Thank you so much for choosing Vickie's Vintage, I'm so honored to have you as a customer, Barbie. This has been one-thousand percent MY pleasure. I hope you have a smashing day. 

You can read more about Vickie's Vintage, In these posts: DIY Barbie Boutique and Vickie's Vintage Grand Opening


SPECIAL NOTE:

This Barbie is a 1960 no.3 original brown eyeliner Barbie. I received her for my birthday in February 1960. She is in great condition with some color variations on her body, but her makeup is original. Her manicure and pedicure are perfect and original. No green ear, as my mother ripped her 'hooker' earrings out of her ears immediately. I didn't think I had taken such good care of her, as we were pretty rough on our Barbies for those three years I played and designed clothes for her.  Her hair is need of some help, but is very soft and lustrous with the original poodle bangs. It's been fun visiting with her, as she has been packed away for at least forty years.

Thanks always for visiting. 
I will try and respond to every comment and answer every question.

All the opinions and photographs in this blog are my own, I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions, posts or any products shown or anywhere I shop.
 Please do not use photos without linking back to this blog without my permission. 
Thank you for your cooperation, Sandi Magle

I will be sharing at these fine Parties!






Sandi






Playing Dolls in the 1950's.

My earliest recollection of playing with dolls was dragging a stuffed doll in a blue checked dress with dark braids my aunt made for me around the house. I must have been 3 or 4. I was an only child, so  dolls were more than just playmates they were family.

When I was a whopping 5, I remember serving tea parties to a selection of bears, dolls, and stuffed animals and my black cocker spaniel, Susie. Amazingly my puppy cooperated in being dressed up, wheeled around in a baby carriage, and doing all sorts of playmate things.

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Back to dolls, I received an 18" Sweet Sue for Christmas in 1953. OH, my goodness, I was a lucky girl. This came from my grandparents who had $$$ money to splurge on beautiful things.
We did not.

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She was a beautiful doll with eyelashes and glass eyes that would sleep. Heavy thick curled hair that could be combed and reset into long ringlets or brushed out into a more contemporary style. 
She walked when held by her waist and her head moved side to side.  
Here she is today, not too fresh in her original dress, escaped from the trunk.

American Character dolls were made in 1951-1961 in many sizes. There were a hard plastic, some were walkers and some were jointed with bendable knees and flex angles and elbow. 
Sweet Sue and Toni were found in gorgeous gowns or as brides. Most are unmarked.



Here she is on the lower left in her original dress with shorter hair, with a 23" Mom from the 
Robert Tonner (Inspiration) Collection. My blue sash is long gone as is the original hat. 

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Store bought doll clothes were expensive. My aunt and my other Grandmother were responsible for several outfits for my Sweet Sue. The red jumper and white blouse I purchased with birthday money. My mom wanted me to buy clothes for myself, as they cost less than this adorable outfit.
Most of my doll clothes were hand sewn. My favorite was the purple floral with the pink bow, 
 sewn by me, probably in 1959-60. 

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I found these hangers still in the original package 4 for 15 cents for dolly clothes.

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This is of the original patterns I made clothes from.  The red coat below is from this pattern.


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The cute red corduroy coat with flannel lining was a copy of my first grade coat. 
My mom hated to sew, but she made this flannel-lined coat to match the one
she sewed for me almost every year of grade school. 

I remember setting up a sewing club on our porch with lots of neighbor girls sewing for their dolls. We shared scraps, notions, thread, and pattern pieces. I remember copying patterns on brown paper bags. We shared everything, and everything was homemade. I even attempted to sew leather shoes, to no good result. 

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My lust for clothes for my dolls was huge. So I began at a very early age--6 or so, sewing for my dolls after taking a sewing class at the local YWCA.  Here is an original pattern from 1953. I remember making a red and white striped nightgown, and many dresses from this pattern. I usually only did in and out stitches as I was always in a hurry to finish. But I do remember cutting, pinning, and learning to follow directions. First following by the pictures and then later reading. I was gifted my first sewing machine when I was 14.

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Here is the back of the totally hand-stitched wedding dress, even the lace edging is hand sewn on to it. Hooks and eyes were the preferred way to attach the backs of dresses. When McCall's, Butterick, and Simplicity began reprinting vintage patterns, I bought them all for this doll, even though I hadn't looked at her for 20 years. Someday I may sew for her, again.

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This cute set of capris and top were (1958 or so) was really modern for my tastes.
 I think I borrowed that pattern from some friends.


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I read tons of history kid. I made a whole series of "Gone with the Wind" dresses and accessories in the late 1950's. This gray dress, had a huge bow print which I used to make the sleeves. The fabric was from the 1940's. 

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The black dress on the left has long sleeves with a cuff and a puff wrist underneath. Very civil war 1860's. I am blessed with the ability to three-dimensionally think, so I drafted my own pattern alterations. I think that "Little Women" books inspired several of these fashions also.
The wool fur-trimmed cape, muff, and boots were all hand stitched. 
The hat was copied from one on a Goodey's ladies fashion prints for a project for school. 

Cast off jewelry was adapted for my dolls, and kept in a purple velvet(felt) travel case. The mirror is silver-plate, and I purchased it at an antique flea market in 1959. It was $2, a lot of money back then.

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Here are a few dresses from another pattern, with a petticoat that must have been a gift, since it looks store bought. Anyone remember wearing cotton petticoat/slips under their dresses?

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My dad was a talented craftsman, he built this trunk for my dolls I think in 1956-7. It was too heavy 
to carry so I would load it into a wagon to haul to a friend's house. The blue dress and slip with the velvet jacket, was made by my seamstress grandmother. She gave me my first sewing machine.

The pose-able, jointed-leg-ankle ballerina doll had high heels as well as ballet shoes. Her original outfit disintegrated. This was my version with the 50's rick rack trim and straps.
 I have the strappy silver heels, and original ballet shoes, the ribbons are gone though.
She was trimmer than Sweet Sue, but they could share some clothes, but not shoes.

I think she is this doll. 

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This is a Belle Ballerina doll from the Belle Doll and Toy Company.
This is an eBay picture on Pinterest. I couldn't track down the original owner.  Her legs are hard plastic while her head and arms are a softer rubbery plastic. My doll has faded unevenly---and she has been stored away from light. I hope she doesn't begin to disintegrate as some early soft plastic dolls have. I remember her box as being prettier, but this was the day and age of catalog houses. My grandmother probably would have purchased my doll at Marshall Fields or Gimbel's in Milwaukee
 and not through Sears. 

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Any shoes were expensive then. I picked these plastic white and black sandals up much later, and are a bit large, probably for a 21" doll instead of her 17-18". 

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My doll trunk was lined with original heavy Contact paper and, it is just now beginning to lift up from the wood. The drawers were generous and the hanger rack pulled out. 
All the brass trim has rusted over the years, I may replace them and Redo the surfaces.

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Here is a hoot, a bra and girdle (from research they belonged to a Miss Revlon doll-I never had)...and honestly the girdle is stretchy woven rubber with a sheer floral insert in the front. That had to have been from my mother---she is still cursing me for not burying her in one of her iron girdles. 
My dad also made me two doll beds, which got passed to my cousins. The green fabric in the upper left was a coverlet, made from vintage fabric from my parents first apartment in 1946.
Honestly everything in our homes had more lives than a cat.


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Um, the gray and white clam diggers are from fabric my mom used in our homemade camper bedding, in1956. The plaid skirt was made from one of my old skirts, zipper and all. The light blue dress was made from scraps of blue taffeta from my grade school, All-City-Orchestra-Dress. I never remember actually purchasing fabrics for any of these things, everything was OLD or a REDO. 

This has been quite a trip down Memory Lane. 
Now I need to get the Oxyclean and freshen some of these clothes.
I might need to find some more hangers, lol. 

Thanks always for visiting. 
I will try and respond to every comment and answer every question.

All the opinions and photographs in this blog are my own, I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions, posts or any products shown or anywhere I shop.
 Please do not use photos without linking back to this blog without my permission. 
Thank you for your cooperation, Sandi Magle

I will be sharing at these fine Parties!'






Sandi