Mochi Pancakes for Posey

Gluten Free Pancake Mix

Today is Posey's 10th birthday so I made her very favorite snack - mochi pancakes. 

This mix is from Costco and I've had it for awhile now. It calls for milk which I don't normally have in the house. In my failed attempt to use almond milk in my coffee, I still have a whole carton in my refrigerator. Not wanting to waste it and thinking Posey wouldn't really care, I gave it a try. Turned out pretty good and so much better than the breadfruit one. Posey beelined it to my door when she came home from her morning walk. Didn't even say good-bye to her dog walker. :) 

Booth Make Over 2026

I always forget to take a before shot but here's the finally make over of my booth. Doesn't look like five hours worth of work but it did take that long. I did try three times to get the display cabinet I picked up at auction to work but it just wasn't working. Moving all those smalls takes a lot of time. I still have to go in to marked down several things that will go into my sale booth. Things I pull from my sale booth I will donate to another reseller. Nice guys who is always happy to help with the heavy lifting or cleaning out the spider infested sheds at my estate clean outs.  

All of the metal artwork I picked up is getting used in the store so that should help cover costs of my last auction adventure, at least I hope it will. :)

 

Upcycle Display Piece

Before

That's my one and only coffee mug that I've had for over 20 years. It's a big mug but fits nicely in the cubbies. I think it's funny that I drink coffee every morning but only have one mug and I don't even use it for coffee. :)

I'm sure this cabinet was used for CDs back in the day as those fit it as well. I've had cabinets like this before and they do make nice storage displays. I paid up for it, $100 so I won't ever get my money back. Those extra auction fees really add up! Going to use it in my booth. 

At the end of the auction I started chatting with another reseller. She and I were both looking for display pieces. She is getting ready for a street fair in Watsonville. I could tell we had the same taste in the "look" we wanted for a booths. It was very nice that we could chat and not get upset that we out bid each other. Now that I know her, I'll go over my list with her before the next auction. We can sort out what really is important to us. This is a big no no at auctions and I've only done it one other time many years ago for something I personally wanted. 

Update: Spent five hours redoing my booth and after trying three different ways, it just wasn't working. So it was used in another part of the store. Tami (store owner) was a good sport handling all the auction stuff I dragged in and finding places for everything. 

After

Howard Kron - MCM Siamese Cat Lamp

Total lot was $226.80

This is what put me over budget at the auction house this weekend. I didn't put my bidder number down fast enough. From what I was told there was a lot interest in these lamps. 

These are TV lamps from the 1950's and 1960's. Back when TVs where in big boxy cabinets. These would help diffuse the light and glare in the room. They are fun pieces but not big money makers. Hopefully I'll be able to get my money back on them. The auction premiums really add up fast!

 

Another Auction Score - Wooden Jewelry Box

Handmade Jewelry Box $31.50

This little box was the reason I went to local auction house this past weekend. It was in jewelry section and what was in it was trash. I can't even say junky, it was that bad. I can only guess it went up for auction before and the good stuff was taken out. Then it was consigned it back to the auction house. Yes, dealers do that all the time. Either way it was a good deal for me because it didn't get a lot of attention. I'm always in search of handmade boxes to add to my collection. Fits nicely on the very top!

As always the art has to speak to me and of course be in my price range. :) There were three piece of sterling silver in the box but still not worth a whole lot.

Inside the box 

 

Another Auction Day

I went to DGW auction this weekend not expecting to find anything. It's always hit or miss with them.

I'll do better photos once I get everything home. The check out line was too long so I'll go back on Sunday to pick up everything. 

The cats are TV lamps. Back in the day they sat on your TV for backing lighting. I went a little over my budget (well a lot over my budget) but they are super cool. I won't make a lot on them and I know that. $180.00 

The little cubby shelf, I plan to use as a display piece in my booth. I would use it to display coffee mugs, but I don't own that many. :) $80.00

The wooden jewelry box was what I really wanted and it went under budget. It is filled with junk and I mean toss it in the trash stuff. The box is cool and handmade. $25.00

After getting a short lesson on cast iron pans from someone who refinishes them, I know what to look for. One of the pans is a Wagner #8.  I use a 10" cast iron pan everyday and my daughter wanted one.  Smaller  cast iron pans are much easier to use. There really isn't a big cooking difference in old cast iron pans so long as you take care of them. Your just paying for the name. In the lot was a metal pepper/coffee grinder that Alton Brown (big fan) uses. Can't see in the photo. I want to give that a try before selling it off. $45.00

I'm planning a doing a display of "heavy metal" items and was just talking about it with Tami (CCB store owner) the day before. Then I saw this lot and it just was meant to be. Can't wait to put this display together. $60.00

Union Antiques - New Kid In Town

This week on Maxsold I bid on 4 frames. There's no resell value at all in them but it was the cheapest thing I could bid on that I could do something with. This seller was posting a lot so guessing it was another reseller, I wanted to check them it out. To my surprised it's a new antique store I knew nothing about. Tiny store but they do have very nice things.  I didn't even look at the prices, knowing there was nothing there I could flip. They are doing a friend a favor by posting on Maxsold and having the pick up at the store. The best part is people are finding out about the place, like I did.  

I bid on the frames (paid $4) thinking I could use them as displays to highlight my jewelry. I used tin snips to cut the metal, which was a hot mess. In the end it worked out but it was messy. Now just have to get it into my booth. 

Banana Pudding Cookies

Banana Cookies In The Making

There is a volunteer at the HD that brings in homemade bake goods every Saturday. That's her thing and she's really really good at it! Because of my gluten issue, I have to prep days ahead of time, knowing that I'm going to eating something I shouldn't on Saturday.

When I babysit the frenchies, they ask (the owners not the dogs) what snacks I would like in the house. Normally I don't ask for anything because the kids have the best snack drawer. This time I asked for some banana pudding cookies from Magnolia bakery. I didn't know that the ones I scarfed down last time came from New York and are pretty pricey! The reason I wanted one was to have M try it and see if she could duplicate the recipe. Well M loved them, looked up the recipe and made a batch dough that same day. It's waiting to be baked up fresh for Saturday. Happy dance! Hopefully I will be able to get M to make a batch when the boys come out this summer. Banana bread is their favorite so I know they will love these!
 

Breadfruit Pancake Mix - Pass

I finally got around to making this pancake mix one of my cousins gave me. It calls for milk which I never have in my house unless the boys are here. So it's been several months.

I'm cat sitting for the next 3 weeks but I go home every morning to shower and make breakfast. It's much easier and faster. I drive by a Trader Joes on my way home. My daughter is asking for me to stock up on the small trader joe bags. It's still a hot item in Europe so reselling them is her side hustle. I've had the best luck in finding them when the store opens at 8:00 am. I really didn't need anything today but I didn't want to waste a visit when there was no bags. So I picked up some real whole milk and bananas. TJ bananas are better than Costco for ripening. 

This mix wasn't all that good but Posey really liked it. She's a chocolate lab and she just likes eating so she can't give an honest review. :) Next up is the Costco mochi pancake mix which also calls for milk. 

 

Harry Potter Audio Book Score

I'm a big fan of the Harry Potter audio books read by Jim Dale. The earlier books are hard to find on CDs as they were all done on cassette tape. Most of the time when they do come up for auction or at the thrift stores they are priced way too high, almost full retail. 

Thinking I was going to get out bid on MaxSold, as the last ones went for big bucks. I bid $4 and then totally forgot about it. Well got the notice my $4.00 bid won! Happy to add to my collection and someday I'll get all of them. :) 

It's rose season

Yellow roses are my favorite rose. It was a nice surprise when I went out to the backyard at the frenchies house. Not a lot of green landscaping but there is a very tall yellow rose bush in full bloom. 

Taking the dogs for a walk twice a day in a very old neighborhood with well established and maintained landscaping is a treat. All the roses are in full bloom. 
 

Art doesn't sell too well at CCB but there sometimes I have to fill a big space in my booth. I personally like this oil painting so if it doesn't sell I will add it to my collection or take is up to my son's house. 

I haven't been able to actually see a super bloom but it's on my list. This is the closest I'll get for now. :) 
 

Wool Roving Score at Savers

 One of the project on my list of things to do is felting. I have everything but the wool roving. It's a little to $$$ to buy new so I've been searching for it at the thrift stores. I popped into Savers today (senior discount day) to pick up a few puzzles. I'm dog sitting this week so I do puzzles to make sure they have all the pieces before I sell them off. I normally don't buy things at Savers if the box has been torn open. Not sure why people do this. Since all I really wanted was the roving, it didn't matter if everything else was  in the box. Turns out the only thing missing was the needle. So for $2.50 I have a nice selection of earthy colors to practice with.  

When you have nothing to wear moment

I haven't been to a funeral in a long long time. Many families are doing private services at the burial. When I was growing up I think I went to more funerals than I did going to church. That's just the way it was back in the day. 

I don't wear a lot of black so I didn't have anything appropriate to wear. I also realized I didn't even have a pair of black pants. I'm a denim shirt and shorts type of person. I wasn't too surprised I didn't find anything at HD as there's not a lot in plus sizes. I went to Savers (they have a bigger inventory) and with time running out (only had two hours) had to find something I didn't have to alter too much. I only found one pair of pants that were the correct length but way too big. Not being able to try anything on I had to go bigger. Took in the waist a few inches as I knew my jacket would cover the make shift dart in the back. I did have this light jacket and a silk top stash away in my closet. The reason for the rush was I got the wrong date in my head and thought I had a few more days. 

Carol Kennedy Artwork

I was checking out the halloween bin at the store as I was chatting with another volunteer who was working on the jewelry. She needs help in looking for hallmarks on the gold and silver jewelry. 

As I pulled out the big halloween bin that is next to jewelry, right on top was this primitive artwork. I flipped it over to see if it was handmade. To my surprise it was made by a dear friend Carol Kennedy! She made amazing primitive artwork and was also an antique dealer. I have a few of her Santa dolls so I will add this to my collection. Carol passed away a few years ago and sadly her inventory was tossed away. Long sad story about that but I won't go into it. Will focus on the positive and how lucky I was to find this. 

 

Tomatoe Sauce with Butter and Onion - Food 52

Recipe by Marcella Hazan on the cover

 I went to get the ingredients to make a famous tomato sauce that is very simple. Can of tomatoes from Italy and one onion. That is all I got. I heard about it from several sources so it made it on to my list of must try. 

I was asked if I found everything I wanted. I said yes and that I don't impulse buy anymore. The checker was a little surprised by that. With the high cost of food and all the recalls happening with prepared foods, I'm much more selective. I did check out the gluten free cupcakes but I was just window shopping. :) I do pick up one thing when I'm at Costco that's not on my shopping list. In my area they carry a lot of Asian foods I haven't every tried. I only go there maybe once a month for gas so it's never over the top. 

Recipe:

Can of Italy tomatoes (that's important) 

Butter (a lot of it)

Half an onion (not chopped up)

That's it. Then whatever pasta you want and grated cheese. 

 

Waffle Potatoes?

Late last night (I'm a night owl) I saw a Youtube on making waffle potatoes. I did have a small bag of potatoes that are headed to the compost heap so if there was one that hadn't sprouted I would give it a try. I'm not a potato person but my grandsons are.  So I thought if this works, it would be a fun breakfast idea for them. Well it sort of work but it makes a hot mess of the waffle maker. I think pan fried is faster and make a crispier hash brown. This is a past for me. 

 

Cyanotype and watercolor experiment

I thought why not try and do some sun printing (cyanotype) over a watercolor. Yes, the first red flag would be that watercolor paint reactivates when it gets wet. Found that out on my first try. I thought if I was fast enough on the rinse cycle it wouldn't be a problem. That theory sort of worked. I'm also not sure if the watercolor paint that got on to the brush and then into the sun solution did anything to change the chemical reaction. I didn't notice anything but I'm a newbie to all this. 

What does work are watercolors that stain the paper - reds and oranges. They don't easily wash away. You also have to towel dry the paper quickly after the final rinse. Water can't drip or puddle on the paper at all or you'll have a hot mess. 

I also experimented splattering on some paint over the prints and that worked out very well. 

Now I just have to decide what to do with it all. :)

 

Another Surprise!

When I saw this I didn't think is was that old. I did a quick google search just to get the name of the pattern. Found out it was made from 1940's thru 1960's. Being that old I wondered if it would glow. To my surprise it does! It's called Chintz by Fostoria. It doesn't have a high resale value but it was a nice surprise!