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Wednesday, June 25, 2014

American Ingenuity

What's It Wednesday #125
As we fast approach the 4th of July, I wanted to find a way to celebrate and honor our nation. What better way than to share some wonderful finds that Americans invented or made great.

Let's look at the ice cream freezer. First, it was in the USA where ice cream manufacturing and popularity soared.

In 1846 a woman named Nancy Johnson in New York made life easy for us ice cream lovers by inventing a crude, but easy to use, hard crank ice cream maker. Remarkably, she never patented the device!

It was March 10, 1876 when Alexander Graham Bell spoke into his device and said to his assistant, “Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you”. I wonder what he would think of the cell phones of today? We've come a long way!

The typewriter. The modern version is itself obsolete. Back in 1867 Christopher Latham Sholes invented the first practical, modern typewriter in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 

Mention this word to young people, and they ask “what's that?”. Better yet don't... it'll make you feel old... fast!

In 1874, William Blackstone of Indiana built a birthday present for his wife, which removed and washed away dirt from clothes.

The first washing machine designed for convenient home use was born.

On February 17, 1891, Albert Richardson filed a patent for the butter churn.

The device consisted of a large cylinder and a plunger like handle that moved up and down. Imagine, taking half the day just to make butter!


We've used our good ol' “American ingenuity”, to make life better and more enjoyable. Take a look around your home, chances are most of your conveniences were created right here in the USA.

America, long may she reign!
Hugs,
Patti

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Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Bucket List

What's It Wednesday #124


I was wandering around Home Depot when I remembered this awesome idea I saw that involved a bucket and my cleaning supplies. 
While at the Home Depot I picked up a five gallon bucket. I took out  my cleaning supplies and placed them on the table.

I also picked up this super cool Husky Bucket Jockey that just so happened to be on sale right now for $6.98.



All I had to do was start placing my cleaning supplies and tools in and around the bucket in the super cool pockets. .


Voila! A cleaning caddy that can house everything I need. The Bucket Jockey even has pockets all around the inside. I love how the individual toothbrushes and cases (One for the bathroom and one for the kitchen). 

In this caddy are the following: Stainless steel cleaner, silver cleaner, permanent marker, lotion, gloves, cleaning brush, sponges, trash bags, lint roller (to clean my lamp shades), blind duster, chewing gum (for whoever is cleaning), microfiber clothes, scissors, rain-x (great on windows), squeegee, toilet bowl cleaner, cooktop cleaner, baking soda, Mrs. Meyer's Lemon Verbena All Purpose Cleaner (My fave), hand soap, Goo Gone, Brasso, Febreeze, Dawn, WD 40, and Swiffer duster. 

By the end of summer my cleaning products will be reduced to mostly Vinegar, Baking Soda, Alcohol, and Mrs. Meyers All Purpose Cleaner. I will add spray bottles to house them. To cut down on the weight of the bucket I put the stainless steel cleaner, Brasso, silver polish, and cook top cleaner back in the cleaning basket. I realized later that I got a little to over zealous but man is this convenient.

This idea came from the fabulous Nikki of At Home With Nikki. She is one of my go to people for fabulous ideas for organizing your home. Her YouTube channel is a must see. Check-out what she does with the toothbrushes when cleaning her home.

So, what's in your cleaning bucket/caddy?



xoxoxo
Paula
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Wednesday, June 11, 2014

The Collecting Bug

What's It Wednesday #123

For those of you who follow us, you know we are big time hoarders collectors. We've shared many with you over the years, but today I'd like to give you an update on a few of them. I still love my little French clocks. I found this one recently and couldn't resist adding her to my collection. The enamel faces are so beautiful!
 

Now this is a real weakness too. Anything silver for the vanity gets my attention, so these were real finds. The cuticle file is so dainty, it even has an initial engraved on it as does the buffer. However, my favorite is the hair receiver! Can you imagine, a receptacle made especially for the hair from your comb or brush? Love the Victorians!

 


This delicate little filigreed pillbox takes pride of place in my collection.
 
Just think of all the work that went into making this box. Such a treasure!
 
Blue and white is a staple for us at Ivy & Elephants, so we always seek it out. This is a nice unusual piece, It's a Chinese brush pot for a scholar's table, not very old, but interesting just the same.
 
Last, my little Dutch girl flower basket lamp. I shared my fruit basket lamp here, so I thought it appropriate to share the flower one.
 
Here she is all lit up. Czechoslovakian lamps are getting to be almost impossible to find, which makes me cherish this little darling all the more.
These are some of the pieces I've added to my collections. What have you found lately?
Hugs,
Patti

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