Wyoming Breezes

Betty Crocker advertisement 1964 Stainless Steel flatware from Betty Crocker was a great deal in the 1950s and 1960s. At one time or another, I think everyone in my family clipped and saved Betty Crocker coupons for Oneida flatware. My flatware pattern, My Rose , is shown on the far right in the advertisement. I've used the flatware since the late 60s, and other than one cracked bread knife, the set is still in great shape. Did you or someone you know clip and save the coupons to purchase flatware or other items from Betty Crocker? What flatware pattern did you select?

An unusual round handkerchief approximately 10 inches in diameter   Frequent readers know that I love searching for vintage linens in antique stores and thrift shops, and two weeks ago, I hit the mother-lode and at a bargain price. Out of curiosity, I stopped at a local thrift shop to browse, and found three plastic bags stuffed with ladies handkerchiefs. Each bag was priced at $2. It didn't take me long to decide to purchase the bags. When I got home, I sorted the handkerchiefs for laundering and checked them for condition. Some still had paper labels attached: "Oriental lace," "made in Switzerland," "made in Ireland." I threw the ripped and the very thin handkerchiefs away and washed the rest. A multitude of screen-printed hankies. Because of the designs and color, I think some were manufactured in the 40s or 50s. While I ironed these lovely pieces of cotton, linen, and lace, I admired either their simplicity or their beauty. I have ...

I am seldom in the right place at the right time, but the stars aligned for me on December 17, 2011, the day to pick up the last block of the month at Sheep Camp Quilt Supply. After selecting some tone on tone yardage for my stash, I wandered to the back room where Clearance items are located. A kit for a 66 x 82 inch quilt, marked 50% off, caught my eye. I thought it was a great deal, so I picked out some coordinating yardage (also in the Clearance area) for the backing and the binding. I was pleasantly surprised when the store owner told me that Clearance kits were 75% off. Wow, an even greater deal! The two pieces of fabric on the left are the backing and the binding, and were not included in the kit. The damages:  Floral backing fabric (top left) was 60% off -- $18.92 Red binding fabric (lower left) was 55% off -- $3.94 The remaining fabric was in the quilt kit which I purchased for $16.75 Grand total for a 66 x 82 inch quilt: (not including batting) ...

While shopping at Kmart on Thursday, I stumbled on a wonderful bargain: the Halloween costumes were on sale for 90% off. I thought they would make fun gifts for my niece's children. My niece is going through a difficult divorce, and she and the kids could use a little joy right now. I found some great costumes for their Dress-Up box. For my great-niece, I found these dress-up costumes: Firefighter (originally $15.99, sale price $1.59) Genie  (originally $19.99, sale price $1.99) Feather Boa  (originally $5.99, sale price $.59) Dazzling Witch  (originally $24.99, sale price $2.49) Cheerleader  (originally $24.99, sale price $2.49) 50s Poodle Skirt Dress  (originally $24.99, sale price $2.49) Original Total: $116.94 Sale Price: $11.64 For my great-nephew, I found these dress-up costumes: Firefighter  (originally $24.99, sale price $2.49) Brown Dinosaur  (originally $29.99, sale price $2.99) Super Why - complete with cape and mask...

Last August, I replaced all the window sashes in my house, and I am pleased that my electric bill has been less each successive month, and the outside temperature has not varied significantly from the previous year. It has been a mild Spring so far with cooler temperatures. The true test of the windows will be in late July, August, and September, so I am curious to see what this summer's bill will show. So far, I am very pleased with the return on my investment. September 08 - 110 kwh (avg daily temperature from previous year -4 degrees) October 08 - 62 kwh (avg daily temperature from previous year -1 degree) November 08 - 80 kwh (avg daily temperature from previous year 0 degrees) December 08 - 383 kwh (avg daily temperature from previous year -9 degrees) January 09 - 844 kwh (avg daily temperature from previous year +10 degrees) February 09 - 452 kwh (avg daily temperature from previous year +7 degrees) March 09 - 21 kwh (avg daily temperature from previous year +8 degre...