Scenes of the Old Sawmill

(Photo credit: Evakonpoika)

 

Stories of North American life don’t get any more traditional than those about logging, wood milling, and lumberyards. 

 

American Sawmill Lore

 

See how it was done from start to finish 70 yrs ago. The exceptional quality of this detailed Canadian video won me over and left me in awe.

 

So, put on your flannel shirt and a pair of boots, then pour yourself a piping hot cup of coffee before hitting the play button.

 

Coastline of Blue

  Photo by Blink+ "French Riviera"   What makes the French Riviera irresistibly alluring?   This romantic region is second-to-none with its breathtaking scenic views, white beaches, water sports, and limitless recreation. Here on the waterfront in the south...

Family is Forever

"Little girl taking a photo with a box camera" by simpleinsomnia is licensed under CC BY 2.0. Family photos were sometimes layered into boxes or mounted in albums as heavy as the Fall/Winter Sears & Roebuck catalog.   We would pour over the pages, looking for...

Ahead of Her Time

Photo: Andrew Batt Collection / Capitol-UMC Bobby Gentry was never lost. She simply chose to not be found.   Four Decades Later     We miss everything about her... the voice....the look...and the power of her gifts to the world. All we once had was a...

Blow-Up Bop’Ems

      There was a style for every kid: Bamm-Bamm, Bozo the Clown, Fred Flintstone, Popeye, Scooby-Doo, Flipper (the Dolphin), Huckleberry Hound, Bullwinkle, Batman, Frosty the Snowman, Yogi Bear, Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Gumby & Pokey, King Kong,...

One Cool Cat

  Everything he touched turned to gold.   Bobby Troup composed, Get Your Kicks on Route 66, famously recorded by multiple artists beginning with Nat King Cole. The song was inspired by a 10-day, cross-country drive taken by Bobby and his first wife, Cynthia....

Time-Out for Tenderness

 Photo by Robert Eklund on Unsplash Children and their pets create bonds, strong and true. Wherever a pet can be added to the family, daily affection and relationships enjoyed by all can be worth the effort required.   Top 10 Reasons   Warmer weather and sunshine...

A Town Once Famous

Pontoon Boat Sunset by Rob Lee is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 Lake Wobegon is a fictional town created by Garrison Keillor. And while he authored several books from 1981-2014, his radio show, A Prairie Home Companion was his claim to fame.   Anyone born from,...

Hello, Operator?

Photo by R.D. Smith on Unsplash  100 Years of "Ma Bell"   Do you ever miss the feeling of cradling a Western Electric Bell telephone in your hand, holding the handset up to your ear, listening to the voice of your loved one on the other end?   And, how about...

The Joy of Life

French Countryside by Funky Tee is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 The spark that gives us vigor to live in the present moment with a sense of joy is known by the French as Joie de Vivre.   Magazine About the Joy of Living   Melancholy music suspends us in time,...

Rewinding a Fashion Statement

St. John gold Chain Belt by leyla.a is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 A recent trend uses a popular wardrobe accessory in a novel way: the chain belt draped over women's swimwear as jewelry.   Laws of nature dictate summer sunshine warms metal quickly. You decide....

Summertime Strawberry Splendor

"Strawberries" by ewan traveler is licensed under CC BY 2.0 Realistic aromas can waft from vivid strawberry photographs. Peer for mere seconds before your mouth waters and senses rise with a pleasing dopamine rush!   An absolute favorite memory of my youngest...

Zany Xanadu

Vintage Ad #1,868: Xanadu! by jbcurio is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0 The most dazzling romantic musical fantasy in years!   Within the film are time travel scenes of the most unlikely culture contrasts seen on the big screen (like the big band era vs. disco -...

For Good Measure

Every tool bench has a tape measure of some kind. Each dressmaker or seamstress has one as well. They're obviously useful collectibles even today.   Luckily, I spent a lot of fun times playing with these as a child when the adults were too busy to care!  ...

A Mother’s Heart

 Shirley Jones by Film Star Vintage is licensed under CC BY 2.0   A Mother's Heart: Shirley Mae Jones   She turned down the role of Carol Brady, longing instead to portray a mother like herself:  a working mom with healthy, active children to raise. She got...

Reelin’ in the Years

Sawyer model g view-master viewer.jpg by Junkyardsparkle is marked with CC 1.0   Reelin' in the Years: How View-Master Set the World at Our Fingertips A partnership began in 1938. Soon after, the first View-Master model of stereographic images using Kodachrome...

Bossa Nova Beat

Photo by Pearse O'Halloran on Unsplash    Bossa Nova Beat: The Jazz Genre for All Generations What happened when a band mixed jazz & samba into one single  rhythm, down in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, back in the 1950s & 1960s? A new musical genre was born:...

Dining in Style on Route 66

  Dining in Style on Route 66: Tableside Service with a Smile 21st-century décor has not altered the quality of a classic vintage menu and service at one ultra-fine dining spot in New Mexico. Named the best steakhouse in the state, Dinner For Two continues to...

Three Cheers for Chocolate!

 

Winter is on its way. We don’t necessarily want to rush it…or, do we? Snow has fallen in many locations already. Over one foot in some spots!

 

Few snow day memories hold more soothing comfort than those of sipping a steaming cup of hot chocolate. Hot chocolate is for all ages, in all places.

 

Author Clotilde Perrin’s book, At the Same Moment Around the World, offers fictional glimpses of children’s lives at one simultaneous point in time. 

In it, Benedict is drinking hot chocolate in Paris. 

 

Enjoy that same pleasure in your own home: 

 

Coastline of Blue

  Photo by Blink+ "French Riviera"   What makes the French Riviera irresistibly alluring?   This romantic region is second-to-none with its breathtaking scenic views, white beaches, water sports, and limitless recreation. Here on the waterfront in the south...

Family is Forever

"Little girl taking a photo with a box camera" by simpleinsomnia is licensed under CC BY 2.0. Family photos were sometimes layered into boxes or mounted in albums as heavy as the Fall/Winter Sears & Roebuck catalog.   We would pour over the pages, looking for...

Ahead of Her Time

Photo: Andrew Batt Collection / Capitol-UMC Bobby Gentry was never lost. She simply chose to not be found.   Four Decades Later     We miss everything about her... the voice....the look...and the power of her gifts to the world. All we once had was a...

Blow-Up Bop’Ems

      There was a style for every kid: Bamm-Bamm, Bozo the Clown, Fred Flintstone, Popeye, Scooby-Doo, Flipper (the Dolphin), Huckleberry Hound, Bullwinkle, Batman, Frosty the Snowman, Yogi Bear, Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Gumby & Pokey, King Kong,...

One Cool Cat

  Everything he touched turned to gold.   Bobby Troup composed, Get Your Kicks on Route 66, famously recorded by multiple artists beginning with Nat King Cole. The song was inspired by a 10-day, cross-country drive taken by Bobby and his first wife, Cynthia....

Time-Out for Tenderness

 Photo by Robert Eklund on Unsplash Children and their pets create bonds, strong and true. Wherever a pet can be added to the family, daily affection and relationships enjoyed by all can be worth the effort required.   Top 10 Reasons   Warmer weather and sunshine...

A Town Once Famous

Pontoon Boat Sunset by Rob Lee is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 Lake Wobegon is a fictional town created by Garrison Keillor. And while he authored several books from 1981-2014, his radio show, A Prairie Home Companion was his claim to fame.   Anyone born from,...

Hello, Operator?

Photo by R.D. Smith on Unsplash  100 Years of "Ma Bell"   Do you ever miss the feeling of cradling a Western Electric Bell telephone in your hand, holding the handset up to your ear, listening to the voice of your loved one on the other end?   And, how about...

The Joy of Life

French Countryside by Funky Tee is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 The spark that gives us vigor to live in the present moment with a sense of joy is known by the French as Joie de Vivre.   Magazine About the Joy of Living   Melancholy music suspends us in time,...

Rewinding a Fashion Statement

St. John gold Chain Belt by leyla.a is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 A recent trend uses a popular wardrobe accessory in a novel way: the chain belt draped over women's swimwear as jewelry.   Laws of nature dictate summer sunshine warms metal quickly. You decide....

Summertime Strawberry Splendor

"Strawberries" by ewan traveler is licensed under CC BY 2.0 Realistic aromas can waft from vivid strawberry photographs. Peer for mere seconds before your mouth waters and senses rise with a pleasing dopamine rush!   An absolute favorite memory of my youngest...

Zany Xanadu

Vintage Ad #1,868: Xanadu! by jbcurio is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0 The most dazzling romantic musical fantasy in years!   Within the film are time travel scenes of the most unlikely culture contrasts seen on the big screen (like the big band era vs. disco -...

For Good Measure

Every tool bench has a tape measure of some kind. Each dressmaker or seamstress has one as well. They're obviously useful collectibles even today.   Luckily, I spent a lot of fun times playing with these as a child when the adults were too busy to care!  ...

A Mother’s Heart

 Shirley Jones by Film Star Vintage is licensed under CC BY 2.0   A Mother's Heart: Shirley Mae Jones   She turned down the role of Carol Brady, longing instead to portray a mother like herself:  a working mom with healthy, active children to raise. She got...

Reelin’ in the Years

Sawyer model g view-master viewer.jpg by Junkyardsparkle is marked with CC 1.0   Reelin' in the Years: How View-Master Set the World at Our Fingertips A partnership began in 1938. Soon after, the first View-Master model of stereographic images using Kodachrome...

Bossa Nova Beat

Photo by Pearse O'Halloran on Unsplash    Bossa Nova Beat: The Jazz Genre for All Generations What happened when a band mixed jazz & samba into one single  rhythm, down in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, back in the 1950s & 1960s? A new musical genre was born:...

Dining in Style on Route 66

  Dining in Style on Route 66: Tableside Service with a Smile 21st-century décor has not altered the quality of a classic vintage menu and service at one ultra-fine dining spot in New Mexico. Named the best steakhouse in the state, Dinner For Two continues to...

Catch the Wave: Fantasy Island Vibes

(Photo credit: Chad Sparkes)

 

Tiki Lounge lovers abound.

Are you a closet Tiki fan, too?

If so, you’re in good company!

 

This little tasty sampler of tunes is like a box of assorted chocolates; there’s something for everyone:

 

Tiki Lounge Sounds

 

The phenomenal escapism of Polyesian Tiki culture originated in 1930s California. Inspired by beautiful scenery and thrills of faraway tropical beaches.

 

Donn Beach and Trader Vic ignited the Tiki bar.

And apparently, the craze moved full-speed ahead.

 

An annual national convention (Tiki Kon), backyard and pool parties, weddings, remodeled basements, restaurants and nightclubs all feature the classic Polynesian Tiki Theme.

 

Go with me now on a trip down memory lane…

 

Coastline of Blue

  Photo by Blink+ "French Riviera"   What makes the French Riviera irresistibly alluring?   This romantic region is second-to-none with its breathtaking scenic views, white beaches, water sports, and limitless recreation. Here on the waterfront in the south...

Family is Forever

"Little girl taking a photo with a box camera" by simpleinsomnia is licensed under CC BY 2.0. Family photos were sometimes layered into boxes or mounted in albums as heavy as the Fall/Winter Sears & Roebuck catalog.   We would pour over the pages, looking for...

Ahead of Her Time

Photo: Andrew Batt Collection / Capitol-UMC Bobby Gentry was never lost. She simply chose to not be found.   Four Decades Later     We miss everything about her... the voice....the look...and the power of her gifts to the world. All we once had was a...

Blow-Up Bop’Ems

      There was a style for every kid: Bamm-Bamm, Bozo the Clown, Fred Flintstone, Popeye, Scooby-Doo, Flipper (the Dolphin), Huckleberry Hound, Bullwinkle, Batman, Frosty the Snowman, Yogi Bear, Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Gumby & Pokey, King Kong,...

One Cool Cat

  Everything he touched turned to gold.   Bobby Troup composed, Get Your Kicks on Route 66, famously recorded by multiple artists beginning with Nat King Cole. The song was inspired by a 10-day, cross-country drive taken by Bobby and his first wife, Cynthia....

Time-Out for Tenderness

 Photo by Robert Eklund on Unsplash Children and their pets create bonds, strong and true. Wherever a pet can be added to the family, daily affection and relationships enjoyed by all can be worth the effort required.   Top 10 Reasons   Warmer weather and sunshine...

A Town Once Famous

Pontoon Boat Sunset by Rob Lee is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 Lake Wobegon is a fictional town created by Garrison Keillor. And while he authored several books from 1981-2014, his radio show, A Prairie Home Companion was his claim to fame.   Anyone born from,...

Hello, Operator?

Photo by R.D. Smith on Unsplash  100 Years of "Ma Bell"   Do you ever miss the feeling of cradling a Western Electric Bell telephone in your hand, holding the handset up to your ear, listening to the voice of your loved one on the other end?   And, how about...

The Joy of Life

French Countryside by Funky Tee is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 The spark that gives us vigor to live in the present moment with a sense of joy is known by the French as Joie de Vivre.   Magazine About the Joy of Living   Melancholy music suspends us in time,...

Rewinding a Fashion Statement

St. John gold Chain Belt by leyla.a is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 A recent trend uses a popular wardrobe accessory in a novel way: the chain belt draped over women's swimwear as jewelry.   Laws of nature dictate summer sunshine warms metal quickly. You decide....

Summertime Strawberry Splendor

"Strawberries" by ewan traveler is licensed under CC BY 2.0 Realistic aromas can waft from vivid strawberry photographs. Peer for mere seconds before your mouth waters and senses rise with a pleasing dopamine rush!   An absolute favorite memory of my youngest...

Zany Xanadu

Vintage Ad #1,868: Xanadu! by jbcurio is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0 The most dazzling romantic musical fantasy in years!   Within the film are time travel scenes of the most unlikely culture contrasts seen on the big screen (like the big band era vs. disco -...

For Good Measure

Every tool bench has a tape measure of some kind. Each dressmaker or seamstress has one as well. They're obviously useful collectibles even today.   Luckily, I spent a lot of fun times playing with these as a child when the adults were too busy to care!  ...

A Mother’s Heart

 Shirley Jones by Film Star Vintage is licensed under CC BY 2.0   A Mother's Heart: Shirley Mae Jones   She turned down the role of Carol Brady, longing instead to portray a mother like herself:  a working mom with healthy, active children to raise. She got...

Reelin’ in the Years

Sawyer model g view-master viewer.jpg by Junkyardsparkle is marked with CC 1.0   Reelin' in the Years: How View-Master Set the World at Our Fingertips A partnership began in 1938. Soon after, the first View-Master model of stereographic images using Kodachrome...

Bossa Nova Beat

Photo by Pearse O'Halloran on Unsplash    Bossa Nova Beat: The Jazz Genre for All Generations What happened when a band mixed jazz & samba into one single  rhythm, down in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, back in the 1950s & 1960s? A new musical genre was born:...

Dining in Style on Route 66

  Dining in Style on Route 66: Tableside Service with a Smile 21st-century décor has not altered the quality of a classic vintage menu and service at one ultra-fine dining spot in New Mexico. Named the best steakhouse in the state, Dinner For Two continues to...