1,000th Blog Post

When I began blogging in January 2012, I never thought I'd have enough content to write one thousand posts.  But it happened today!

Thanks to those who have become an 'official' follower, and to those who read my blog regularly as an 'unofficial' follower. ;-)  A special thanks to everyone who have shown support by leaving comments. They are always greatly appreciated!

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Happy Birthday to my hubby and grandson, Landon, who are also celebrating birthdays today!  #7 for Landon.

~ He loved his Giants football outfit from Papa and Nana ~

Happy Veteran's Day!

My hubby and brother are Air Force veterans, and my father was a WWII Marine Veteran [passed away in 2011].  I'm grateful to all veterans who have served to preserve the freedoms I enjoy.   God bless our military!

Today's Veteran's Day post has a different spin, however, because I'm focusing on "Rosie the Riveter."  She wasn't recruited into the military, but she was recruited to make munitions and war supplies, and work in aircraft factories during World War II.  Her work was crucial to the war effort. Movies, newspapers, and posters stressed the patriotic need for women to enter the work force, as partners in winning the war.  

"Rosie the Riveter" was the 'star' of a government propaganda campaign in that endeavor. The strong, bandanna-clad Rosie became one of the most successful recruitment tools in American history, and the most iconic image of working women in the WWII era.

On October 24, 2015, 2,090 "Rosie the Riveters" from 16 states and Canada assembled at the old Willow Run Bomber Plant in Ypsilanti Township, MI [where many "Rosies" worked during WWII] for the purpose of breaking the Guinness World Record of the largest gathering of women dressed as Rosie the Riveter [the previous record was 1,084 set in California in 2014].  

They succeeded on their mission, and had the honor of 43 "Original Rosies" in attendance.

[Internet Photos]

The rules stated the Rosies had to assemble in one place for at least five minutes.  As they gathered they sang the National Anthem, Amazing Grace, and America the Beautiful.  When the time expired, cheers erupted.  There are awesome internet videos of the event.

Yesterday when we toured the Michigan Historical Museum in Lansing, MI [following the tour of the Capitol Building], there was a section devoted to WWII and Rosie the Riveter. Below is granddaughter, Isabella, and me with with our head inserted into a Rosie poster.

~ Factory lockers were part of the display ~

~ WOW - Woman Ordnance Worker ~

When I attended an apron presentation a couple of weeks ago, there was a Rosie the Reviter apron in the collection, which inspired me to pursue the theme "Rosie the Riveter" for one of my 2016 presentations.  In addition to aprons, there are pins, polka-dot bandannas, T-shirts, tea towels, mugs, and other Rosie memorabilia available, so let the collecting and research begin!  To my knowledge, there has never been a tea blended in honor of Rosie the Riveter, but I think it would be an awesome idea, don't you?

Do you know a Rosie the Riveter?  

Visiting Michigan's Capitol Building

My hubby and I left home at 7:00 a.m. this morning so we could meet our granddaughter's school bus when it arrived at the Capitol Building in Lansing, MI at 9:00 a.m.  We were happy to be a chaperon for Isabella's 5th grade class.

I went on a school field trip to the State Capitol when I was in the third grade, and this is the first time I've been back for a tour since that long-ago visit.

We arrived a few minutes early, so I took some photos outdoors while waiting, and saw Governor Rick Snyder and his two body guards as they were leaving the capitol building.  He said, "Good Morning," but I didn't take his picture.

The students receiving instructions by the capitol tour guide before the tour began.

~ Jerry and Izzy ~

The children were instructed to lay on the glass floor in the rotunda and look up at the spectacular dome.

~ The entrance corridor ~

~ Gallery of Governors on the Second Floor ~

The Governor's Office and Parlor.  Since he wasn't in the building we were able to look inside. 

~ The door hinges leading to the Governor's Office have Michigan's Coat of Arms engraved ~

This beautiful chandelier is one of 20 designed exclusively for the capitol, and are called "Michigan" chandeliers because they feature an elk and shield design that inspired the state's coat of arms.  They were originally lit by gas, but are electrified now.

Below, the capitol guide was telling us about the chandeliers in a corridor outside the Governor's office. A portrait of President Gerald Ford is hanging on the back wall, since he was a Michigan resident [Grand Rapids].

The House of Representatives Chamber.  We couldn't go inside, but the guide took us up to the third floor viewing gallery.

The capitol guide telling the students about the House of Representatives.

The coffered ceiling [which is identical in the Senate chamber] has glass panes bearing the coats of arms of all 50 states.  The skylights in the roof above let natural light into the chambers through the glass panes.

We went to the viewing gallery of the Senate, but they were in session so no photography was allowed.  The students and their school were acknowledged on the Senate floor.

From there we went to the old Supreme Court Chamber, now used as a meeting room for the Senate Appropriations Committee.

That concluded our fascinating capitol tour, and from there we walked a short distance to the Michigan Historical Museum. It too was very interesting, and surprisingly I photographed tea memorabilia there, but it will be a separate post.  

What a fun and educational day!

2015 Michigan Depression Glass Show

I recently received a postcard from the Michigan Depression Glass Society informing me of their upcoming Depression Glass Show, on November 7 & 8th.  

I had a baby shower to attend on Saturday, not too far from the location of the glass show, so I decided to attend the glass show first, then the baby shower.  This was my third consecutive year to attend the show, and it never disappoints.  It was the Michigan Depression Glass Society's 43rd show.

There were 25 dealer booths, and the theme this year was celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Pyrex Glass and Fostoria glass in the 'American' pattern.

Below is the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center where the show is held.

The doors opened at 10:00 a.m. and I got there shortly before 11:00 a.m.  The showroom was bustling with people.  

Fostoria display of American glass.  I only have two pieces in this pattern - a footed plate that my hubby and I received as a wedding present, and a domed butter dish that was my paternal grandmother's.  

~ Pyrex Displays ~

~ Dealer Booths ~

~ Fenton Glass ~

My plan was to look and admire, but not to buy anything until... I saw a pink depression glass pitcher with six footed [7 oz.] goblets in the Tea Room pattern.  It was in pristine condition, and long story short, it has now taken up residence at my house!

A new addition this year was a BBQ caterer set up outside the showroom.  I didn't get any BBQ because I knew I'd be eating at the baby shower, but what a great idea!

Among my Pyrex dishes are two items that I particularly like.  The covered casserole with accompanying cradle [pictured below] is almost 50 years old - a bridal shower gift. It's seen a lot of macaroni and cheese, scalloped potatoes, tuna noodle casseroles, and blue berry/peach cobblers over the years!  

I also like my Pyrex mixing bowl set.   I purchased it at an antique store a few years ago out of nostalgia - my mother had a set just like it.  But now that it's in my kitchen I use the bowls frequently.

Pyrex is very collectible.  What Pyrex pieces do you have?  

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Today I'm linking to Rose Chintz Cottage for No Place Like Home