Jenn Ski: An Artist With A Passion For Mid-Century Design

Abstract Designs By Jenn Ski

I just had to share with you these wonderful Mid-Century inspired designs created  by Jenn Ski an artist who sells on Etsy.com. I recently meant Jenn at a holiday fair in the South End of Boston. I have been an admirer of her designs for a long time. She sells abstract prints, tote bags, placemats , fabrics and more with her original designs. As you can see, Jenn brings a new twist to Atomic Era styles.

Jenn obtained a BFA in Graphic Design from the University of Massachusetts in 2005. Jenn explained to me that in the beginning she painted her Mid-Century designs with acrylics and then learned how to create her signature designs using computer generated giclee graphics. 

Visit: http://www.etsy.com/shop/JennSki

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

What A Good Nursing Home Looks Like When You Visit

How To Find The Best Nursing Home For Mom Or Dad

I know there a many articles on how to go about choosing a Nursing Home for a parent, but I just have to add my two cents into the resource literature. We need to talk.
Selecting Mom Or Dad's Long Term Care 

Often mom or dad  gets directly admitted to a local Nursing Home after some awful event like a bad fall or medical event.
Sixty per cent of admissions to Nursing Homes come from hospital transfers (By the way, you do know that you can always move mom or dad to  another facility after the urgent crisis is over).
Finding The Right Nursing Home

Now  let's talk about choosing a Nursing  Home (a long term facility) when the family has time to actually select the placement? This is the topic I want to discuss with my readers. I have just made the rounds on  many Nursing Homes and can speak from experience (I am also a retired Nurse Practitioner). I am looking for a placement for a family member who is in need of more care than what an Assisted Living placement can offer. This is one of the most difficult jobs you will have to take on.
Medicare Guidelines To Review 

You will find  plenty of important  published guidelines to consider when  reviewing Nursing Homes. For those facts, I urge you to visit:  http://www.medicare.gov/nursing/overview.asp a site that will allow you to check out and compare  Nursing Homes  based on such important categories as "staffing", "health inspections" etc. While this is a very valuable website to look at when choosing a Nursing Home for a family member, I strongly urge you not to base your opinion  entirely on this data. It is only a start. Read more about the limitations of these  guidelines at  http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/20/health/20patient.html?ref=health


Visit Nursing Homes In Person

Those in the know will tell you that you must actually go and visit each and every Nursing Home you are considering. What I found in so many Nursing Homes is that even though the lobbies were attractive and the receptionist in each place appeared  efficient and courteous ... something key was missing! In home after home that I toured, after I got past the entance way the total picture seemed to change.

As I toured many long term facilities, going floor to floor, in a very short time, I felt a sense of sadness and depression (and I was only visiting, imagine the residents who llive there). Something very critical was absent.  That something was a sense of LIFE! Read more to see if you can get what I mean.

What A Good Nursing Home Should Have

The long term care facility that I  really liked the most had the following characteristics that I share with you. 

As soon as I walked into the facility (that I will consider a "model" for what a good Nursing Home should have,  I was made to feel at home. I felt like I was walking into a family setting where several administrative staff members were bantering with each other and also with some of the ambulatory residents who were in the main lobby area. Their conversations were warm and engaging. Most striking was that all the residents of this facility looked well cared for; cheerfully dressed and busy; whether in bed, in the various dining areas, activity programs, clinical areas, or  bright and charming  windowed sitting areas.  The place was lively. There were other indicators of "life"...lots of healthy green plants, current magazines and newspapers displayed on prominent racks throughout  the facility, lots of display boards with hourly  activities written in large letters so residents could see what is going on each hour.There was obvious evidence that an informed Geriatric staff was paying attention to the real and holistic needs of their residents.


In The Nursing Home: What Do The Clinical Areas Look Like? 

In the "clinical areas" the staff wore colorful  uniforms and were truly  interacting with patients in respectful ways. When I was taken around by the Admission's director, she introduced me to the residents that we met along the way. She made the other patients feel like they were part of the community and that they had something valuable to offer. Staff communicated to residents professionally and not like children. I was introduced to ALL staff (nursing, dietary, activities, maintenance etc). I sensed that everyone that worked in this residence was valued and respected.

My guess is that the reason the residents in this facility looked better and appeared stronger is because of the tremendous efforts this long term residence is making to keep their residents oriented, active and involved in their care. There were no patients slumped over meal trays or"vegetating" alone  in beds with no sign of life in site.

I am convinced that older adults even with multiple health concerns can  thrive in the right nurturing environment. Like the green plants I saw sitting on the windowsills, older adults need to be cared for with   lots of attention, sunshine, nutrition, water and love. Visit many Nursing Homes before you make  this critical decision. Your instincts will lead you in the right direction.

Read http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/20/health/20patient.html?ref=health

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Where Should The Hostess Sit At The Table ?: Antique Traditions of The 1900's

Arranging Your Proper Table: Tips From The 1900's

"Good Things To Eat: How To Prepare Them", is the title of 1909 booklet prepared by The Larkin Company. In the beginning chapters are discussion of how to arrange your table including discussion of how to set your table and how to seat your guests.

In 1909, here is what a proper seating would look like:

"Ordinarily the wife or hostess sits at the head, with the husband or host at the foot of the table, the other members of the family occupying seats at the sides. When a guest is at table, if a lady, she may occupy the seat at the right of the host; if a gentleman, the one at the right of the hostess".

Source; Good Things To Eat: And How To Prepare Them", The Larking Comoany, 1909

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Society of Professional Journalists

Re-purpose An Antique Globe As A Centerpiece Bowl

Creative Idea From "Unconsumption" Using A Vintage Globe As A Centerpiece Bowl

I discovered this excellent non profit organization called "Unconsumption" . They describe themselves as "your daily source of inspiration for creative reuse and mindful consumption.

From "Unconsumption"

Give new life to something old by rethinking it. This globe, once a neglected attic dweller, is now a unique centerpiece …

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Society of Professional Journalists

Paper-Bag Cookery: Union Bag And Paper Company 1912: Antique Cooking Ideas

1912 Housewives Saved Time And Money Cooking In Union Paper Bags

I bought a box lot of vintage cook books and came across this booklet entitled "Paper-Bag Cookery: Complete Dir

ections and Recipes". This gem was prepared by the Union Bag and Paper Company in 1912.

Is Paper Bag Cookery A Thing Of The Past ?

I suppose cooking in paper bags was a great way to avoid cleaning pots and pans. I am all for that idea. You don't see much talk about cooking in paper bags anymore. Perhaps at Thanksgiving time, someone might cook a turkey in a roasting bag. But when was the last time you heard of friends cooking in paper bags?

The theory of cooking food in paper bags was that you could seal up food and preserve flavors, juices and reduce shrinkage.I suppose we could learn a lot from this 1912 cookbook that would help thrifty housewives today.

What Paper-Bag Cookery Promised:

1. Your butcher bill will be reduced at least ten per cent. Beca

use your three pound roast will come out of t

he oven weighing three pounds!

2. You can user cheaper meats and poultry because this cooking method does wonders when cooking meat.

3. Your fuel gas bill bill will be reduced by 20 per cent. Less heat is required. Yu use less burners and less heat.

4. No washing greasy pans and kettle. (THAT IS A WONDERFUL IDEA). The oven is not soiled by splattering from cooking food.

5. There is no danger from half washed pans and germs lurking in the corners.

6. No cooking odor in the house.

7. You don't have to watch your food cook.

8. Cook everything at once in the bag.

9. You can bake, roast, boil, stew in the bag.

10. A novice becomes an expert at once!

Warning in booklet: Do not use ordinary bags, they will make your food taste like paper.

Source: Paper Bag Cookery: The Union Bag and Paper Company, 1912

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Society of Professional Journalists

Checking Your Antique And Vintage Pots And Pans For Size

Retro Housewives Measuring Pots And Pans For Size

Housewives in the 1950s apparently had plenty of time to think about "how big their pots were" and other cooking ware essential facts. In a booklet called "The New Cook's Cook Book", attention was paid to good cooking rules.

1. Be sure your recipe is reliable. (LOL)

2. Read recipes carefully. (LOL)

3. Check the list of ingredients. (LOL)

4. Note the cooking time.(LOL)

5. Check the pot and pans for size.

Excerpt from "The New Cook's Cook Book"

Check your pots and pans for size. A cake baked in too big a pan is a sad affair, indeed. A cake baked in too small a pan is like a hall when the ball is over-amess in your oven. And what a stew you're in if the pot you're cooking in isn't big enough! Baking pans in the oven need elbow room, so you'll even want to check for size to see that they fit when you're planning an ovcn meal.

Pointers on Measuring Pots And Pan Sizes

Inside measurements of a pan are the ones that count. If in doubt about a cake or pie pan, take a tape measure or ruler and see what it meas

ures from the inside rim to the opposite side.

When in doubt what a casserole or saucepan holds, measure with water first to see what it holds.

When no measurements marked: If your pot does not have measurements shown, mark measurements on the bottom of the outside of the pot with your brightest nail polish.

Source: The New Cook's Cook Book, 1953, Edison Electric Institute

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Society of Professional Journalists

Caring For Vintage And Antique Kitchen Utensils

"The Enterprising Housekeeper"

I picked up this handy 1908 booklet called "The Enterprising Housekeeper". This was a promotional piece from the Enterprise Manufacturing Company of Philadelphia. Dated 1908, this booklet still offers some helpful information for the kitschy thrifty homemaker about how to care for kitchen utensils (as well as some sharp social commentary).

Excerpt

"Nothing more quickly defines the cook than the care taken of his or her utensils, for a good workman loves and cares for his tools. There are keepers of stables who abuse their horses, and there are people who even abuse their children, as well as cooks who abuse the tools provided for them that their labors may be more easily performed".

In 1908, notice how the author compares abuse of kitchen tools to other societal abuses.

And here is another quote:

"The unappreciative cook is usually the unskilled one"
Whoa...they were tough in 1908!

Tins
Should be well dried before putting away or they will rust.

Pans And Kettles

Do not put pans and kettles partly filled with water on the stove to soak. This makes them more difficult to clean. Fill them with cold water and soak away from the heat.


Kitchen Knives and Forks

Never place kitchen knives and forks in water. Wash them thoroughly with the dish cloth in hot suds, then polish and rub them dry.

Sieves

Sieves should not be washed with soap. Clean with a brush and clear water. Use (baking) soda if necessary.

Outside of Pans and Saucepans

The outside of all pans and utensils should be cleaned and cared for just like the inside.

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Society of Professional Journalists

Getting Ready To Downsize A House

Tips From The Editor of I Antique Online.com About How To Clean Out Your Basement

Getting ready to downsize a house is a BIG step couples take. I know first hand what it is like to venture into your basement and stare at 30 years plus of stuff! The good news is that I have already made a dent in the clean up process. Years ago I unloaded the cribs, high chairs, and kid junk.

Saving Binkies: Are You Kidding?

Well perhaps I am not being totally honest here about holding onto kid junk.. I mean I do still have plastic boxes filled with every report card, book report and handmade card that my kids brought home. Why on earth do we all keep all this old paper? The answer is nostalgia. Yesterday I was cleaning out an old desk drawer and I found three rubber baby binkies from the last kid. He is twenty now. Do you think he really wants to inherit his old pacifiers?

Staying Sane When Downsizing Your House

O.K back to the subject of downsizing. How do you accomplish this task and stay sane. First you need a strategy and then you need supplies. To accomplish your goal you will need to set a realistic schedule. Now don't panic. Just because it took thirty years to get all stuffed up with junk, does not mean it will take thirty years to liquidate the load. But it will take time, so be prepared.

Step One: Get the supplies you need to be able to unload the stuff.

Supplies
1. giant industrial strength black plastic bags
2. plastic storage boxes
3. cardboard boxes from liquor store
4. giant zip lock plastic bags
5. brown paper shopping bags from grocery store

Step Two: Enlist help: Do Not Do This Yourself

If you are a baby boomer with a bad back or a couch potato with aches and pains....do not attempt to clean out thirty years of stuff by yourself. Hire a high school kid or handyman or bribe your kids, but get help with the clean out! You will need help getting things off high shelves, carrying bags of garbage to trash bins, bundling bags of like items etc. Basically you need a stuffer/sshlepper.

Step Three: Begin Creating a List of Categories

You will need to know ahead of time what is going where. Here are some common categories to consider.

Categories For Junk Liquidation

1. clothes to give away to charity
2. garbage
3. toys to give away to charity
4. books to donate to library
5. collectibles to sell
6. bric a brac to bring to Salvation Army or Goodwill etc.
7. Linens, blankets, toiletries etc. to bring to a shelter.
8. keepsakes to offer to family members.
9. junk to bring to dump yard .
10. Antiques and valuables to sell.
11. family photos and memorabilia to hold onto .
12. Broken or outdated furniture and appliances to junk.
13. old files to shred.

Step Four: Begin Sorting Out Junk

With help, I hope, you can set up your boxes and bags in the basement and start sorting out what you have into like categories. Be sure to label the boxes and bags so you know what is going where.
Once you start categorizing items, put the similar boxes and bags together in ceratin areas of your basement. Be careful not to mix up good stuff from garbage. Did I just say that? It's all JUNK isn't it?

Be sure to visit my site:

Estate Mavens: Help With Estate Liquidation

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Society of Professional Journalists