Hard-boiled Brains

I went back to the Bargain Barn last weekend in Nebraska. And picked up a few pocket books. Here's one of the goodys:

[The American Family Cookbook (c)'69]

And here's a freako recipe I found on page 25:

[like a good horror movie, this pic is best served in black & white]

Goblin Eggs
8 hard-cooked eggs
1/4 cup piccalilli [pickled veggie relish - a delish condiment of the 60s]
1/4 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing
2 teaspoons prepared mustard
16 peppercorns or whole cloves
Green pepper

Cut off part of broad end of each shelled egg. Cut off other end of egg to make a cap for goblin. Scoop out brains [pardon me, yolk] and mash with fork [sicko]; add piccalilli, mayonnaise and mustard. Mix well and refill eggs; replace the top. With paring knife, mark goblin faces into egg white. Arrange peppercorns for [cold, dead] eyes and pieces of green pepper for noses and mouths.

These ought to whet a zombie's appetite for brains. Brains of a clown. On acid.

And I've got to admit. I'm a little scared to try it.

Zoned.

Here's a flashy pic of me & T after the party. Forgot to make a photo opp with my Avon bag. And with the kids. Jeez. Guess we were just having WAY too much fun!

Zombie Land

Tonight the fam has been invited to the annual Halloween bash at Amy's. Nellie Loves Vintage, Amy. Her tricks are nothing but treats. This year's theme? The Legend of Spooky Hollow. This year's costumes for the fam? Zombies. We have a few hours left to throw them together. I'm thinking I'll put a twist on last year's costume. Remember this one?
One hint: ding-dong.

WTF?!? Friday: Haunting Dish

WTF?!? is this putrid pie?
And why?

Whoooo wants Avon?

Just a subtle [or not-so] reminder. Last call for this week's Avon orders! As your ding-dong rep, know that I absolutely appreciate your support. So go ahead, CLICK HERE, retro guys & dolls!!
[retro Avon owl decanter of 'Roses, Roses' cologne, scored at an estate sale last weekend - I think it's a sign]

Cooler than Cool

Something is missing from this swell Thermos cooler I scored from my friend's mother-in-law for $3 at her garage sale. You know her as the Highlights lady. I can't even imagine what else she's holding onto from back in the day...It definitely needs some soda-pop, a few Hamm's for daddy and some smartly wrapped sandwiches. Looks like we have a picnic to pack!
Hope you're having a sunny Sunday!

WTF?!? Friday: Table Top

WTF?!? did mom put on the table for lunch?
Beans, franks and something pretty f-ed up!

The Highlight of My Week!

My friend's mother-in-law has hung onto her sons' issues of Highlights for years. 37 years, to be exact. So when I saw them in a hasty pile at her garage sale for 10cents per mag, I had to get my hands all over them. Man, has that magazine changed over the years. But this October 1973 issue is just the way I like it, just the way I remember looking it over at the doctor's office on nervous sick days in the 70s.
Here's a Highlights to-do for you: can you match the kids' costumes with their shoes? No peeking at the answers!How about that for a Halloween kickoff? Here's to having fun [with a purpose]!

Butternut Squash [heavy on the butter]

I did it. I got the kids to nosh on squash. It was as easy as 1 + 1: 1 part butter; 1 part brown sugar. And here's how sweet it looked.I think we all got a tiny cavity from just having it on our plates. Here's what I did to achieve the veggie-meets-candy consistency:

Scoop and slice 1 medium butternut squash. Melt 1 stick of butter and 3 T brown sugar over low heat. Toss pierced squash in pan and slide all ingredients into a baking dish. Place on center rack of a 500 degree oven [that would be "fast" or "hot" by retro standards]. Roast for 8 minutes, turn squash and roast 10 minutes more.

Write it off as a serving of vitamin A. And write a check to your dentist for the fillings.

They should serve this on a stick at the county fair, I swear.

How do you take your squash?

Tipsy Tuesday: Brandy [she's a fine girl]

[wouldn't you just dig fetching your bottle of brandy from this bar?]

There's still a nip in the air in the midwest. So a nip of brandy is a must for an after hours warm up.

Brandy Cider
1 1/2oz Brandy
Hot Cider

Using a coffee mug, add ingredients and garnish with a cinnamon stick.

This is a drink you don't have to mull over...

Kitschy. Klassy. Kindred. Avon!

Ding-dong! Avon calling!

Honey, it's me. Following in the footsteps of Peg [Dianne Wiest's kitschy character in Edward Scissorshands], with a tube of Pink Flush in hand, I'm launching my own virtual door-to-door biz online.

So I'm encouraging you to go back to your retro roots [I was raised on Avon, I mean, how else could a teen start their freshman year without "Cool Confidence" in their armpits?] and shop around HERE *!

You might even kick-start a fresh round of kitsch for your dressing table, you never know what goody you buy that might end up a cool family collectible that your grandkids are going to covet, like this...
I hope you answer the door when I come knocking. If I see you draw the curtains, I'm gonna loiter!

Thanks for listening. Now, I'll just let myself out...

*[click on the image on the left to go directly to my e-page. orders of $30 or more receive FREE shipping. EVERY time]

Appetite for Grammar

Just a little 50's feast for the eyes before you start your school week...