Mission to Haiti: Seven Ways to Help

For those who don't know yet, I signed up to do a medical mission in Haiti. Our team is from Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine (my mistake, I thought it was Bangor). We have a Go Fund Me account for the team (click HERE to check it out) that includes our mission statement and them members of the team. 

Here are ways to help. 

1) Medical Supplies: We need stethoscopes 

and blood pressure cuffs. We need medications 

and bandages. 

2) Kids supplies: We'll be going to orphanages to work with the children. Things to keep kids busy, like coloring books and crayons, would be wonderful. 

3) Insect repellent: I've been told the mosquitos are bad down there. Probably as bad as here (Florida). Repellent wipes would be handy. Drier sheets are good, too, to keep insects away, especially gnats. Tuck one under your hat or bra strap and they leave you alone. 

4) Easy to pack food: I'm bringing peanut butter and nuts. High protein and portable. Maybe sandwich thins, too. After all, they are already squashed flat.

5) Money: we could use it to keep the costs down. If someone wants to send money for something specific, like insect repellent, crayons, or enough peanut butter for the crowd, leave a message on the Go Fund Me page. 

6) Spread the word. Share our Go Fund Me page with everyone you know.....and wish us well. 

7) Buy something from my Miss Eileen's Vintage Shop. I am doing what I know to do, sell stuff. Here's a few new listings in the Miss Eileen's Vintage shop on Etsy.

Vintage Bowling Figurine  Beautiful features. Excellent condition.  $10
To purchase click HERE

3 Vintage Wooden Embroidery Hoops 
These hoops are good for embroidery or cross stitch and would make good frames, too.  $12
To purchase click HERE

Vintage Rocking Chair Pincushion This is as cute as it gets. 
Velvet seat for the pins. 
Excellent condition. $6
To purchase click  HERE

Little Girl in Pink Ruffled Dress Figurine Dainty and beautiful. Great gift idea. To purchase click HERE.

Little Deer Bookend This little guy is so cute. 
                 50's little deer bookend that stands about 5 inches tall.                           To purchase click HERE

Vintage Metal Embroidery Hoops 
These incredible embroidery hoops are metal with a spring on the side to maintain tension.  $10 
To purchase click HERE

So, if you can, help us out. If you can't, send your prayers and good wishes. 

My Mission Trip to Haiti: Making the Dream Come True

I didn’t realize what a big undertaking going on a mission trip would be. Our group is made up of nurses from Maine Medical Hospital and two nurses from Florida. I’m one of the two from Florida. The distance adds a challenge to getting things ready and fundraising. Instead of 12 helping hands there are 10 and 2. Thank God for friends and family. Things like attending the fundraiser in Portland, Maine is out. It sounds like it will be a good time, too. It will be on November 15 at 12:00 PM at the Flask Lounge…..and I won’t be there, which means I need to do other things to keep up my end. It does mean if you are up that way…GO! Click Here for more information: HERE

From Miss Eileen’s Vintage Shop is this Kodak Brownie Duraflex ll Flash Camera Outfit in the original box.
The kit comes with the camera, flash unit, instruction book, and a roll of Kodak Verichome Pan Film. The film expiration date is Jun 1968 and it is in the original box.

Well, that’s all for now. I’ve got lots of items to list in the vintage shop and a few patterns, too. Remember to use the coupon code BLOGGIN for 10% off your purchase in MissEileen’s Vintage or GoofingOff Sewing. 

Post by Eileen of GoofingOff Sewing

My Mission Trip to Haiti: Part One: The Dream

Ever since I became a nurse I dreamt about going on a medical mission and caring for people in need.

About a month ago, my friend Denise told me about a group of nurses from Maine Medical Center in Bangor, Maine (Denise graduated nursing school with the trip leader)  that were planning a medical mission to Haiti and I thought this was finally my chance. Luckily, they had room for one more, me, so I am going on a medical mission to Haiti in January, 2016.

Am I nervous? A little.

Am I excited? Terribly so.

A million things come to mind….the practical like clean water and good food (I think I will bring my own almonds). Safety (That’s a concern no matter where you go…but I’ll leave my jewelry at home anyway)……The touchy-feely good stuff (the chance to help others). I don’t speak French, just a few words, and even less Creole, but caring and the touch of a human hand is universal.

Next thing is to make the dream come true.

I set up a Go Fund Me page to ask for help with some of the costs involved. The group estimated our costs to be approximately $1200….flights, ground transport, translators, food, and lodging.

I also thought I could have a yard sale or two (yes, I have that much stuff, lots of vintage and antiques) and use the profits from my Miss Eileen’s Vintage Shop on Etsy, too. Maybe bake and sell cookies, spaghetti supper….hmmm, you never know.

Lots to think about….lots to do. Wish me luck.

Miss Eileen's Vintage Scarves

I have to start off by saying I love vintage scarves.  Whenever I see a beautiful vintage scarf I am reminded of Hedy Lamar....the scene in the movie "Come Live With Me." She took a scarf, wrapped it around her head into a turban and captivated James Stewart. Glamourous. Just glamourous. Here's a few beauties I found on my trip to Petaluma, California. I couldn't just drink wine....there's lots of vintage stores to pick through. 

Vintage 30 inch Silk Scarf

Blue Flowers

Vintage 1960s

Blue Flowers on Cream Scarf

Soft Fringe

30 inches square

Vintage Honey Silk Scarf. 30 inches Square

Blue with an abstract pattern. Honey signature on the corner.

100% Rayon Scarf, 1950's. 

Made in Japan. Hand Rolled Hems.

Lee Fashions

Post by Eileen...Miss Eileen...who is also GoofingOff.

New in Stock Counted Cross Stitch Patterns At Miss Eileen's Vintage

Merry Mug counted cross stitch pattern with Amaretto Cocoa Mix Adapt this pattern  and make napkin rings,  kitchen towel tops, coffee mug sleeves.

Pat Rogers' Counted Collection The Strawberry Sampler

With My Needle by Just Nan....includes beads and silver thread, Counted Cross Stitch

Ivory Hearts Sampler Pattern by JBW Designs

Fruitful Mugs for Counted Cross Stitch

Pat Rogers' Counted Collection The Lily Sampler

Pat Rogers' Counted Collection Alphabet Garden 

Alphabet Garden

A Silk Neck Tie: Dress Him Up

It's not the thing a guy wears everyday (at least not my guy) but once in a while he needs to wear a tie..... That being said I am married to a man who never owned one....that is until he met me. He went from being a woodsman to a man who goes to shows, fine dining, and other events where a suit and tie is considered appropriate wear. I must say he cleans up pretty good, too.
Anyway, ties are not just for weddings and funerals. Sometimes a tie is the right touch for a function. To paraphrase the guy in the Men's Wearhouse ads, You'll like the way he looks.

Christian Dior Silk Men's Necktie, brown. So damn classy. 

The lining looks as good as the front....

White whales on red by Jonathon Lake, all silk, Made in England, handmade

Blue abstract by Camden Court, 100% silk. 

Skiing Snoopy by Wembley

Paisley on a pink (not girly pink) background by Oakton, Ltd. All silk

Dark blue abstract by Barrington, 100% silk,  extra long for the Tall guy

Geese Flying North, National Audubon Society, Printed in Italy, made in USA, All silk, Made by Schreter, 1980's

Silk tie by Unicef (United Nations Children's Fund), Made in USA. Wall decorations of floral motifs with gilded lines, C.1864

Black and Red print with silver and gold by Stafford, 100% silk, 4 inches wide

Vintage Marshall Fields & Company by Prince Igor for the equestrian lover...beautiful black and silver tie.

Extra Wide Tergal brocade tie....a full 4 1/2 inches wide!

Liberty of London blue paisley stripes...all cotton.

Remembering Oscar de la Renta

Last week the fashion world lost a one of its greatest designers, Oscar de la Renta. His beautiful dresses were seen by so many. The designs were flattering and beautiful.

The scarf pictured is an Oscar; pure silk, rich with color, ready to accent an outfit.  21 inches square and in excellent condition. It is in the MissEileen Vintage shop.

 

These lovely patterns were in my GoofingOff Sewing shop when I first started. Beautiful Vogue American Designer patterns; true Oscar....flattering, and sensuous; just the way a woman wants to feel when she dresses up. 

 Though Mr. de la Renta is gone, his influence will continue to be felt in the fashion world.

Post by Eileen Patterson

I Am Not a Hoarder

Really, I'm not but I think I have some serious tendencies. I think my real problem is I have more money than sense and, with that money, I a) buy things I think I can make or b) buy things I think I can sell. It's only later when I arrive at home with the boxes (yes, that is plural...boxes) I realize I have a problem. Well, a few problems, not enough time to make everything I think I can or should, not enough time to take pictures and list my vintage finds to sell, and most importantly, where do I store all these treasures. My guest room is over run, my treadmill is covered (I swore this would never happen), and there are boxes in the hall way. At least I don't have a trail through the house (I do have one in my sewing room and office, though) but it is still a problem to one who prizes organization. So what to do?
Well, I had to have shoulder surgery (holy cow, talk about ouch!) and thought I would use the time off to re-take my house. Good thought but there's a lot and I am not ready to have someone come in and throw out everything like they do on TV. I'm a little slower...and it's less traumatic. After all, I'm post op. My motto is "How do you eat an elephant?" No, not with salt and pepper....One bite at a time or in my case, one box at a time. I am almost through box one. Here's some of the goodies:

These ribbons are from an estate sale. There's more already posted in the GoofingOff shop. In the MetalWoodsnWater shop are things for beach decor and in MissEileen you can find vintage bottles. There are also vintage crewel and needlepoint kits available.  I'm just getting started.
Remember, I'm not a hoarder....really.

Lost in Old Recipes

I think, no I know, I was born in another era, 1930’s or 40’s. I love that era, probably because of all the old movies I watched with my mom. It doesn’t take much to set me off dreaming I was there, anywhere, back then.

 

The Rumford Complete Cook Book just sold, you know the 1932 edition that was in my MissEileen vintage shop, so I started looking through it one last time before I wrapped it. The cookbook recipes are fun but more interesting are the recipes and notes added by the first owner of the book. Inside the book are newspaper recipes carefully clipped then glued to the “notes” pages of the book. The recipes are mostly for baking but there are a few for pickles and salads. One recipe, Peanut Butter Cookies, is pretty much the same now as then but there are others that have disappeared over time. Here’s a few to try. Put some old swing music on the radio (or your pod) and imagine you have a date at the movies tonight….to see that movie everyone’s talking about, “It Happened One Night” with Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert.

 

Gum Drop Fruit Cake

2 cups shortening (butter preferred)

1 cup white sugar

1 cup brown sugar

4 eggs, beaten

2 cups unsweetened applesauce

2 teaspoons soda

4 cups flour

1 cup dates

1 cup Brazil nuts

1 cup small mixed gumdrops

1 cup seeded raisins

3 teaspoons each cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice

Cream shortening and sugar, add eggs and applesauce in which flour has been dissolved. Then add flour, measured after sifting, and mix well. Add raisins, which have been floured with chopped nuts, dates—cut in long pieces- gumdrops and spices, and mix well. Bake in a loaf pan from 45 to 60 minutes in a moderate oven (350 degrees).

Never-Fail Caramel Icing

2 cups brown sugar

6 tablespoons sweet or sour cream or condensed milk

2 tablespoons butter

2 teaspoons vanilla

Mix well. Put over very slow fire and bring to a boil. Take off after one minute and beat until cool.

I wasn’t able to date most of the news clippings but Honey Drop Cookies, is from 1932. Check out the nutrition information. Love it.

Snow Salad

2 cups chopped cabbage

1 cup green grapes, seeded and halved

1 cup shredded cocoanut

1/2 cup blanched and chopped almonds

1-3 cup mayonnaise dressing (this might not be enough mayo. I copied the recipe exact. Add more if it is too dry)

2 tablespoons heavy cream

Combine all ingredients and serve on lettuce leaves. Top with additional mayonnaise.

Honey Drop Cookies

Shortening, ½ cup Eggs 2

Sugar, 1 cup Flour, 1 ½ cups

Honey, 2 tablespoons Baking powder, 2 teaspoons

Salt, ¼ teaspoon Vanilla, ½ teaspoon

Makes about 100 cookies

Blend together butter or other shortening, sugar, honey and salt. Stir in eggs one at a time. Sift flour with baking powder and add this. Add vanilla. Drop ½ teaspoon batter for each cookie on a greased baking sheet, far enough apart as they spread. A half walnut or pecan could be placed on each cookie if desired. Bake in a hot oven for about 8 minutes. Be careful not to burn.

Diet note:

Recipe furnishes protein, starch, sugar, and a little fat. Lime and iron present but the vitamins have been damaged by the action of the baking powder. Can be given to children over 10. Can be eaten by normal adults of average or under weight.

Hope you enjoyed this little trip into the 1930’s.

Post by Miss Eileen aka GoofingOff

MissEileen vintage
Goofingoff Etsy Judaic fabrics, sewing patterns
GoofingOff Artfire Sewing patterns, plus size patterns
Metal Woods N Water unusual stuff and metal work