{Message In A Bottle ~ Or a Book}

"reunion - the state or condition of having been brought together again."

  Reunion is a powerful word.  It means that two things...or people...were once together.  Something happened and they became separated   for what could be moments or even decades.  So many little things can happen in between the togetherness...and that is what this story is all about.  It's a "Message In A Bottle" kind of story.  One where the odds are simply unbelievable.  

If you don't know me, I'm a picker.  A junker.  A couple months back my boyfriend and I were rummaging around piles of "junk" at a very packed antiques auctionhouse in Hightstown, NJ. We tossed our finds into a cardboard box and paid the owner for the lot.

One of the items in our box was something that actually caught my boyfriend's eye on our way out.  It was a light pink baby photo album from 1950. The wording on the front cover read, "Our Baby" in gold cursive. It was sitting alone in an area of the crowded warehouse that was filled with just furniture. How it got there I don't know, but it was just sitting on a table right near the aisle...within eye sight and arms reach. Just waiting for someone to pick it up.   

The inside cover contained the baby's name, date of birth, weight, and doctor's name, all hand-written by the mother. The pages of the album were filled with heart-warming black and white photographs carefully affixed by tiny pink photo corners.  Below most of the photos were hand-written quotes by the mother.  As we flipped through the pages we could see how loving of a mother this lucky little baby girl had. Her father was the photographer in many of the shots and the notes even told the story of the father hand-making the wooden rocking chair that the mother was sitting in.  The first thing I did was Google the name of the baby.  I just thought that maybe....maybe I could find out who this baby was.  Was she still alive?  Was she from New Jersey?  How did the book end up there?  Well, I got nowhere really fast and resorted to listing it in my online shop.  

As I described it, I wondered how such a precious piece of someone's history ends up in a dusty old warehouse, neglected and abandoned. I felt badly but figured at least a collector could enjoy the wonderful photographs or a creative artist could use them in an interesting art piece. Shortly thereafter, Etsy member "mydoodles54" (Kathryn) inquired about it, asking if there were any names in the album. She said that she might be interested in buying it for her hobby. She runs a website called Goodwill Genealogists (http://goodwillgenealogists.wordpress.com/)
and her hobby is reuniting owners with lost photo albums.  When I heard that, I immediately gave her the baby's information (which I hadn't provided in the item description on my shop) and Kathryn went to work doing some research of her own and posting about the album on her website and Ancestry.com.  I figured if she couldn't find the owner, no one could! 

The very next day, someone from clear across the country (Los Angeles, California) purchased the album from my shop. My heart sank, knowing that someone bought it before I could find the rightful owner.  When I checked the invoice, there was a note from the buyer:

"I am the baby in this album. Thank you, Bobbie."

Chills ran up and down my entire body and I immediately picked up the phone and told my boyfriend and my sister the incredible news. I sent Bobbie, now 60, a message asking her some questions about how she found the album and to Kathryn, telling her that her online research must have worked!  It turns out that Bobbie has been looking for this album for 20+ years. She knew, just from the photos, that it was her. I provided no names or locations in my description.

Without even knowing the personal information in the album, she told me everything....the first, middle, and last name of the baby and she even told me that there is a musical wind up part to the album. If you wound up a little screw, the Rock-a-bye Baby tune plays when you open the album.  She was right!  I said to my boyfriend, "DO YOU HEAR IT!? IT PLAYS MUSIC JUST LIKE SHE SAID!"  Bobbie said to me over email that she'd like to tell me the rest of the story because when I hear it, I'll be even more amazed.  So, we exchanged phone numbers and she's going to call me when she gets it. 

The most interesting thing about this whole story is that Bobbie never even saw Kathryn's posts about the album on Goodwill Genealogists or Ancestry.com. It's like she was drawn to my shop. Destiny? I definitely think so.  Even though Bobbie never saw Kathryn's messages or knew I was looking for her too, the work we did to try to find the owner stirred something up in the universe and reunited Bobbie with her long lost treasure.

{Update}   

So, I spoke to Bobbie on the phone just a few short days after I shipped the album out.  She was lovely and had a voice that made me feel like I had known her forever.  It turns out that Bobbie found out about the album in a roundabout way from an estranged sister.  The estranged sister (who may have seen Kathryn's message on Ancestry.com) emailed Bobbie's brother who then forwarded the link to my shop to Bobbie.  When she saw that it was, in fact her, she bought it right up.  By the way, I refunded her money…there’s no way I could profit from something like this!   So...Kathryn DID help reunite Bobbie with her album.  Thanks Kathryn!  So, even though the story ended up being a little less magical than I originally thought, it still proves that one or two individuals can make such powerful connections and change someone's life in a positive way. 

{Shop Update Coming Soon}

Visit my sister's blog, The Vintage Sister Studio, to read about yesterday's treasure hunting!  We picked up so many great new items for our vintage shops at Shupps Grove in Adamstown, PA.

2nd Annual Sister's Getaway
to Adamstown, PA 2009

  I can't wait to photograph them and get them into the shop!  Maybe one day I can quit my job and become a Junking Queen.  One can dream.....

The photo above is from 2008...our 1st Annual Sister's Getaway.  I cannot believe how many unique and interesting things I found there.  If you're famililar with Columbus Farmer's Market, Shupps Grove is like that but much better because the quality of "stuff" is much higher and besides...it's in the shade! Watch out for those deadly acorns in the fall though.  Yesterday, my sister and I almost bought Army helmets to protect ourselves.  A slight breeze through the tree limbs sent a shower of hundreds of them onto the crowd and tables, breaking merchandise along the way.   

Apparently, I didn't get enough pickin' in yesterday so Little Man and myself ventured over to Columbus Farmer's Market for a short while after we had our breakfast at Bagelissimo.  Lil' guy loves that place.  I got two wool plaid blankets and a decorative tin to match a tin I found yesterday.  Little Man bought a dinosaur for $1 and we also got a basket of peaches for a whopping $2.  He's been on a crazy peach kick lately.  Well, that's it for now.  Keep your eyes peeled on One Cozy Nest's Etsy shop for all the great treasures. 

{Getting Away}

 I'm excited for tommorow.  I'm getting away for a day of "junking" with my favorite picking buddy.  My sister.  I love my sister.  She is my best friend.  My favorite person.  She is my other half.

{The Vintage Sister & One Cozy Nest}

When we were little, six years made a big difference.  She was in highschool when I was eight years old.  Highschoolers don't hang out with eight-year-olds.  I think we fought a lot.  I stole her clothes and lied about it.  I'm pretty positive I was annoying.  As we got older and more mature, those six years don't matter as much.  So Tracy, if you're reading this...I'm sorry for being your bratty little sister all those years.  I hope I've made up for it.  Now, let's get ready for our ROAD TRIP!!! 

{The Fall Run} Vintage Camping Car

But first thing's first.  I'll need my coffee.  Large, please.  Extra cream and 2 sweeteners.  I like my coffee to taste....well, not like coffee.  Okay, now we're ready to get on the road.

{AntiNu} Cornwall 2 to 4 Cup Coffee Kit

In case you're wondering where we're headed, I'll let you in.  There's a place.  A wonderful little place.  It's called Adamstown, PA.  You get there from our neck of the woods via the Pennsylvania Turnpike.   

{MarinaWilliams} Pennsylvania Turnpike Drinking Glasses

The main drag through town is lined with very little except antique and junk shops...one after another. A diner here, a gas station there, and an overly crowded ice cream parlor we've never managed to enter. Who really cares about ice cream when there's so much junk to sift through anyway? It is heaven.

{Sweet Ann Vintage} Ice Cream Maker Freezer Eskimo

 The town used to be known for their hat and hosiery industry.  Now the old hat factory depicted in the vintage collector's plate below has been turned into....you guessed it!  An antique and collectible co-op called The Mad Hatter.  Last time we visited, my sister and I shopped until the place closed for the night.  It's one of our favorite places.

{TiffanyPalisi} Adamstown, PA Bicentennial Plate

 So, after tomorrow, expect to see great things listed in our vintage shops.  Mine is called One Cozy Nest, while my sister's is called Vintage Sister Soup.  Check them both out for some delightful vintage finds. 

 

{Vintage Sister Soup}



{One Cozy Nest}

{Home = LOVE}

Hello, my name is Amanda.....and I am a homebody.  {here's where you all say, "Hello, Amanda!"} 

{humbleBea} Homebody. A Wee Gnome.

I love coming home....from anywhere.  Even vacation.  I love turning the key and hearing the squeaking of the front door as it swings wide into the foyer.  I love my non-matching throw pillows, my eclectic art collection, my Ikea ottaman that stores cozy blankets.  I love my kitchen valance made out of  vintage tea towels and weathered clothespins.  I love my ocean blue sheets and my white coverlet.   

{Eclectic Pelican} Skeleton Key Door Knocker

Being a homebody, I sometimes have to convince myself that it's good to spend the day out of the house, away from dirty dishes, bills, and dust bunnies.  If I am ever reluctant to go, I am always happy that I did.  There's so much to do and see out there...why waste it sitting inside cleaning and fretting about last night's dishes?

{Shay Rose} Cross Stitch Home Sweet Home

  I imagine that when I'm old and frail, I'll be one of those ladies that just sits in her cushy chair, knitting away at something needless like another afgan or a pair of baby booties for no one in particular. My sister and I fantasize that we'll one day be alone, sitting side by side, rocking in our chairs, talking and laughing.  We should be so lucky to have one another....still.....when we're old and frail. 

{Grandma 62} Portrait of 2 Sisters

  Little man (my 3-year-old) and I have only lived in our home since March.  For a while there, it was just a house to us.  Somewhere to go after a hard day's work and play.  I was hesitant to call it a home at first because nothing in it felt like home.  It's such a great house and I feel guilty even writing those words.  But it's true.  It felt empty.  

{Open Your Window} Sweet House Shadow Box

Lately, however, something's been changing.  At night, I used to hear strange creaks and my heart would skip a beat.  I swore someone was coming up the steps toward our bedrooms.  I don't hear that anymore.  The light switch plate in the kitchen resembles something you'd see at NASA, but I think I've got the first 3 switches memorized. 

{Brookhollow Lane} Kitchen Shadow Box

I decorated the front door for Fall, something I was unable to bring myself to do last year.  As the days go by, I can picture myself there...playing under the big oak trees with Little man for many years.  Little things like that make a house feel more like a home, don't you think?   

{The Vintage Sister} A is for Autumn assemblage

{Red....then Blue}

This weekend started out all about red.  I'm not sure why.  They say red is the color of power, of passion, of love.  I'm not sure which one of these I was feeling, maybe a combination, but every single thing I purchased at my favorite antique mall had some element of red to it.  But it wasn't just me.

{To Be Determined} Plaid Full Mini Skirt

My picking companion did the same.  I didn't notice this until we

placed all of our treasures on the counter together.  Simpatico. 

 

{Dovie Moon} Butter Dish Set



I also noticed that there were bar codes on all of the tags but the man never used them.  As the line built up behind us, we watched as he very slowly.....and meticulously.....peeled each sticker off, carefully lined them up on the counter, then hunt-and-pecked the keys for each item, one by one, commenting here and there about how the seller spelled a word wrong, spouting out little tidbits of information on what we bought. 

{Vintage Jewels And More} Mushroom Trays, Red and Blue

I had to catch my impatient self and try not to be annoyed. 

I had nowhere to be. 

No rush.  

It was a lovely day and I was happy. 

Ten or so minutes later we were out the door with all of our red goodies. 

{Kitch Cafe} Two Briard Tumblers

 Later that night we saw a painting.  It was very blue.  Blue is calm.  Blue is restful, wise, and loyal.  Yet, a simple line of red....just one quick stroke of the hand....rested at the bottom.  It drew the eye.  I moved in to get a closer look.  Then back again.  The entire painting seemed to move from left to right...it was like reading a story.  It stuck in the mind of my companion so stronlgy that even a dinner menu was hard to concentrate on.  The artist told us that it was so new that he hadn't even named it yet.  When he wrote up the receipt...he said, "Blue."       



{Al Lachman (b. 1936)} Although this is not the painting "Blue"
I spoke of above, it has always been one of my personal favorites. 
Visit his gallery at Peddler's Villiage in Lahaska, PA and if you don't fall in love
with the art, you'll fall in love with the warmth and kindness.



{My Capable Hands}

I remember reading a quote by actress Meg Ryan a very long time ago.  When asked by an interviewer what she would and wouldn't change about her appearance she said she'd like longer legs.  Then she said,

"...but the one thing I wouldn't change is my hands.  I think I've got very capable looking hands." 

It struck a chord in me and I have always remembered it.  Sometimes when I've had a tough day and feel like I'm not doing a good job, I look down at them and say to myself, "I've got capable hands."  And they are.


One of the first things they touch in the morning are my son's warm sleepy cheeks.  I pull his face close and give him a kiss.  Then they touch his clothes, his vitamin, breakfast, hair, lunchbox.  Then my own clothes, hair, breakfast.  Bills, credit card statements, junk mail, letter from my Grandmother, keyboard, documents, telephone, packages.  They hold doors for strangers.  They scrub the toilet.  They cook dinner.  They kill an army of ants marching across the kitchen floor towards the sink.  They pick dust bunnies out from under the couch along with a few dried up raisins.  They write checks for charity and hang art projects up on the fridge.  They give high fives, clean spilled sticky juice.  They bathe, they turn the page back so he can look at the big volcano for the 10th time, they tuck in, they cover up.  They turn out the light and close the door.  My hands are very capable hands. 

I hope you find inspiration from these hands...

{Vintagous} Ivory Kid Gloves

{Stone School Vintage} Industrial Latex Glove Mold

{One Cozy Nest} Angel Statue Wearing Blue Gown

{The Lazy Peacock} Brass Hand Paper Holder

{Campfire Days}

With the crisp cool weather of Autmn just around the corner, I feel myself looking forward to warm homemade apple pie, pumpkin and apple picking, and seeing the leaves change to crimson red, bright orange, and golden yellow.  I'm an October baby so naturally I am happiest during this time of year.  I love the way the world looks on a crisp, cool, cloudless day.  It makes me want to go camping and sit around a campfire.  How about you?  I hope you're inspired by some these great vintage goodies on Etsy.

 

{One Cozy Nest} 1913 Book, The Boy Scouts First Campfire by Herbert Carter



{Camptownvintage} Vintage Puffin Campfire Songbook



{PineandMain} Campfire Sandwhich Makers



{Vintage Domestic} Vintage Thermos Pair 



{One Cozy Nest} Three-Ribbon WEBELOS Pin with Activity Badges



{Artist's Pouches}

Last spring, my sister, the artist, inspired me to make these little Artist's Pouches and they ended up selling out! This year, I'm offering these exclusively to The Vintage Sister's Blog followers for $9.50 (free shipping). Go to her blog, read her latest post and become a follower if you haven't already. Once you have the "secret code" contained within the post, contact me at onecozynest@comcast.net with which one you'd like (first come first serve).




Right now I only have 5, but there are 5 more in the works (see below for all the pictures). They're designed to hold pencils, paint brushes, knitting needles, and anything else long and skinny! My pouches are a simple and convenient way to stay organized. They can also fit sunglasses, money, makeup, chap stick, bubble gum...the possibilities are endless. Who knew cuteness could be so affordable?!

Measurements & Specifications:
8" long, 2" deep, 2" high
Fully lined with vintage fabric
Zipper closure

flowered w/ blue zipper SOLD thank you!

{Cloth Diaper Laundering}

MANDY B.’S
CLOTH DIAPER LAUNDERING
CHEAT SHEET 2.0

I wrote the first version of these instructions for my friend Genevieve and have since revised it, thinking I might post it online to the masses. Just to warn you, it’s a bit wordy b/c that’s just a habit of mine. But, trust me, when you break it down, it’s really simple. If you’re reading this, the hard part about cloth diapering is over. I found that the research, purchasing, and stripping of my new diapers was the most difficult part. Washing (and using) your diapers is the easy stuff. So here we go…

1. After changing baby, remove any inserts/doublers from the diaper. Then shake off or use the mini sprayer to remove solids, if any, from the diaper. It’s not necessary to get them 100% clean with the sprayer. Let your machine do most of the work. This is just to get the chunky stuff off. You want to remove the inserts/doublers before using the sprayer b/c you don’t want a really sopping wet diaper to have to transfer from the toilet area to the diaper pail. I happen to keep my diaper pail in the bathroom so whenever I’m doing the spraying, I have the diaper pail right next to the toilet to help avoid dripping.


2. Place diaper and insert/doubler into your diaper pail lined with a wet bag. Be sure to fasten any Velcro strips together before doing so because during washing and drying, they’ll all stick together and make for a very long chain of diapers…not fun! Some diapers have special Velcro tabs just for this purpose. Diaper makers call these “laundry tabs”.

3. When all your diapers are dirty, place the mouth of wet bag into the washer, and then push all the dirty diapers into the washer while at the same time turning your wet bag inside out. This way, you don’t have to actually touch any of the dirty diapers and your wet bag will get nice and clean since the dirty side will now be facing out!

4. Pre-wash the diapers on cold/cold (to avoid setting any stains) with NO detergent. If your washer doesn’t have a pre-wash cycle, a short cycle would be fine. This step removes any solids you missed when using the sprayer and loosens everything up for the next steps.

5. Run a normal cycle or heavy cycle set to warm wash/cold rinse, using 1 scoop of Charlie’s Soap and one scoop of Oxy Clean (optional). I also select extra rinse on my machine because it’s important to rinse away any and all detergent residues*.

*Residue is your enemy when it comes to cloth diapers…it makes them less absorbent. This is why I use only Charlie’s Soap. It’s a white powder and you only need one (1) tablespoon to wash an entire load. No perfumes, no harsh chemicals, no harm to the environment. I even use it to wash all of my family’s clothes. I highly recommend this soap for newborn’s clothes instead of the Dreft that is commonly used.

6. Dry the diapers on medium or high only for as long as they need…test it out by setting dryer for 20 minutes, checking, then 30, checking, then 40 to get just the right amount of time. This will lengthen the life of your diapers in the long run. The diapers I use are designed to last from birth to potty training for multiple children. So you can imagine just how many times you run them through this routine!

TIPS & TRICKS

If diapers/liners seem to smell of ammonia even after washing/drying, a cup or so of white vinegar during the rinse cycle will do the trick. Sometimes I even put it in right with the Charlie’s Soap at the beginning of the wash cycle and it seems to work great.

Sunning cloth diapers and their liners on a clothes line or sunny deck is great for removing tough stains and also whitens them unbelievably! There’s nothing cuter than a row of colorful cloth diapers on my clothes line on a breezy day. That’s why I do it every chance I get on the weekends. This saves energy too b/c you’re not running your dryer.

Every now and then, you might want to “strip” your diapers if you find that they are holding onto smells/stains or if they seem to be leaking. Just wash AND dry them completely about 3 times in a row to strip away any residues that may have built up over time.

My experience shows that the use of some diaper creams such as Desitin causes the diapers to smell and hold onto stains. I use Bordeaux’s Butt Paste as well as A&D Ointment and haven’t had that problem. If you have this problem, wash the diapers as you normally would, then use a scrub brush and Charlie’s Soap to scrub out the stain, then wash them again normally. A drop or two of dish detergent might also help break up the oils in the diaper cream and help lift it out of the fibers.

When on the go, keep a zippered wet bag in your diaper bag. I just ball up the dirty diaper (including the dirty wipes), and then just deal with the mess when I get home. When you’ve got a baby on the changing table, you don’t want to be leaving it unattended to dump the poop. The zippered wet bag keeps the smells at bay, so don’t worry about it too much. My daycare provider does this for us and it is really no problem at all to just do all the spraying at one time at the end of the evening. It only takes me about 2 minutes.