Many of you have asked where in the world I've been.

All I know is that after 7 plus years of blogging and a different lappy, which I don’t like, I seem to have lost my blogging fervor.

Someday, when you least expect it, I will post again.

For those of you still waiting I say thank you.

Meanwhile, I am rather prolific on twitter. Find me: @KeethaB
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The Eclectic Company - Waitin' on a New Adventure!!
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Wednesday, July 1, 2009

He Can Do It All!!!!!

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It's THAT time again!!!! Vintage Thingies Thursday over at Coloradolady and Thrifty Thursday at Bloggeritaville.














Be sure you click on both of the above icons or links to check out what everyone else is posting.

If you are "oldies" at this blog, you know I'm traveling. If you are just visiting today, let me tell you, I'm traveling in Wisconsin with my dad.

Today we stopped at my cousin Doug's house. He is going to guest host this blog post, and he doesn't even know he's doing it!!!! Well, he knows I took a gazillion pictures today, and he knows I was planning to post them on my blog - - - but he doesn't know I'm making this entire Thrifty Vintage Thingie Thursday post about him and his lovely things.

Later Addendum: Cousin Doug is married to a sweetheart named Bonnie. She was at work so did not appear in this post. SO - - - all you girls who thought he was a "catch," Well - - - HE IS, but he's a very caught catch!!! wink wink

Doug's THRIFTY THURSDAY post:












Look at this clock. I'm calling it the "Just Perfect Two-faced Clock Which Can Be Easily Read on Both Sides." (See how clever I am with those titles???)

Doug wanted a clock that could be easily read from both the kitchen and living room at the same time. He began pricing two-faced clocks and found that they were very pricey.

So, he went to Wally World, found two regular clocks, connected them back to back, and hung them. VOILA - - - the perfect time piece for mere pennies.


Doug's VINTAGE THINGIES post:

Our Great Grandma Tillie's commode. Now if that isn't cool enough, there's a STORY that goes with it.

Several years ago now, our Aunt and uncle had to go into a nursing home. Their farm and many of their worldly possessions were being sold at auction. Doug lived in their same community, so he was able to go to the auction.

Before it started, he was wondering around the yard looking at all the items for sale, hoping to find a little keepsake to purchase as his own memory.

Suddenly he saw this little commode. (If you know keep reading - - - if you're wondering a commode was a cabinet which housed the thunder bucket) On the back of it was a shipping label with our Great Grandma Tillie's name on it!!! He turned to his son and pointed out what he had found.

Another auction goer - - - a lady - - - was nearby and overheard the conversation. She asked if they knew the history of the commode. Doug showed her the shipping label and told her that was his great grandmother. She said, "You should have that commode"

He told her he would love to have it, but was afraid the bidding would go too high since there were antique dealers there.

She said, "We'll see about that."

When the bidding began, she loudly announced "This commode belonged to this man's great grandmother, he should get it."

He was not outbid, and the commode is now his.

Now this AMAZING vintage thingie:

Doug's paternal great grandparents (not mine - other side of his family) immigrated to America from Germany and brought ALL their worldly goods here in this very box.

THE REST OF THIS POST IS PURELY A BONUS!!!!!

There are a lot of weekly memes in which I never participate (at least not seriously) because I am incapable. But Doug, who can DO IT ALL, has them mastered, so I'm entering them FOR HIM here.

Doug's OUTDOOR WEDNESDAY post:

Just look at his yard!!!! I have grass and three hostas. He has all this:




I have NEVER made a cloche in my life. In fact, I didn't even know what one WAS until I saw them on your blogs. But Doug, whether he knows what they are or not, has some!!!!

Doug's CLOCHE PARTY post:












These cloches are his mom's old cookie jars. The one on the right contains cookie cutters and the one on the left snack bars.

Doug's TABLESCAPE post:

Just look at the tablescape Doug had prepared for our lunch today!!! Yes - - - he did it ALL BY HIMSELF.

Not only that, but here's the lunch he made for us with his own little hands:


I opened my sandwich so you could see the very yummy filling. Chicken salad on a croissant and potato salad.

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26 comments:

Bea said...

Great post today, Keetha. Loved the story of the commode.

Coloradolady said...

Keetha, this post has just been the best! What wonderful things to have that belonged to family.

Your cousin has some wonderful things, just imagine that wooden chest crossing the seas carrying prized possessions to this country.....true spirit of the 4th!!

You really did a great job on summing all of the memes up in this post...now my favorite is the cloche......I just LOVE these jars. So great!!

Have a great VTT and a wonderful holiday weekend...be safe traveling.

Vivienne @ the V Spot said...

I never knew that's what a commode was! I thought it was a bathroom or even the toilet itself. That was some wonderful, gutsy lady to make that announcement at the auction. Fabulous!

I love that you are posting Doug's pix around Blog Land for memes.

Kristin - The Goat said...

By the end you had tears running down my face! hysterical. You are hysterical.

I love the story of the commode! That's so awesome.

I don't ever do a tablescape post because I eat on a plate from my lap or the plate sits on my laptop LOL I think Doug did a great job!

Lorna ~ Lace and Ivy Cottage said...

Keetha,
what a delightful post! I've never seen a two faced clock before. But I really loved the commode story! You've got such a great family history, thanks for sharing it with us!

Roslyn said...

I'm so old my Granny's house had no indoor toot when I was a kid so there were commodes in every bedroom!
Everyone needs a cousin like Doug, he cooks & he decorates.

fitty's pinky rose cottage said...

wow! what a lovely commode! and any idea where can i find someone like Doug? hehehehehe.. I love your vintagey story.. especially the commode! and so glad that he got it! Happy VTT

Lori R. said...

Great post K.B. Good thing you let everyone know he is a taken man. You wouldn't want women flocking to Eau Claire.... Hope you have a great visit and good weather.

Keetha Broyles said...

LOL Lori - - - they can flock to Eau Claire all they want, 'cause he doesn't live there. We stopped ON THE WAY. I think maybe it's a good thing I DIDN'T say where he lives, don't you?

Postcardy said...

Very interesting post today. I wish I had that box from Germany.

I always thought a cloche was just a hat so was surprised that it has other meanings. Commode furniture is usually a chest of drawers, though your description of its use made a lot of sense.

Jerri junque said...

I have enjoyed this post and loved the story on the antique commode. I wish that would work when I go to auctions. Have a safe and happy 4th.

Anonymous said...

Some very interesting things!!..downunder we call the old wicker chairs with the potty under the seat commodes lol!!..i love the two faced clock idea from Doug!!..and that vintage box is my fav :)

Cass @ That Old House said...

Well, clearly your cousin Doug is an OVERACHIEVER.
Only kidding -- his yard looks gorgeous, and that old box just speaks volumes, doesn't it?

Are there any ghosts inside? LET THEM OUT.

And travel safely -- have fun!
Cass

Anonymous said...

Great post! That box is beautiful. :)

What would our ancestors think if they knew we had their commodes in our living rooms? lol.

Swampgirl said...

I'm so glad that Doug got the commode! My Grandmother had a chair in her basement that had an odd cupboard under the seat. It was sold at a yard sale and I still wish that I had kept it! Family pieces are such treasures!

★Carol★ said...

Hi Keetha! Hope you're having fun up there! I love the story of the commode. That's good karma at work there. You're right about Doug--it seems he can do it all! Very cool clock he made, and what a pretty garden!
Well, you've gone and made me hungry for potato and chicken salad...Yum!

Unknown said...

What a great post. Love the stories!! Wonderful family heirlooms!!

Sarah said...

What a fun post! Love it all!!

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

I stand and applaud!
Well done Keetha! Well done, Doug!
I LOVE this post! Its all here! Like gumbo!
I love the story of the commode and the box. LOVE that box!
Keetha, sorry I have been MIA, should've emailed you, sorry.
Trying to keep up with kids. Summer is getting away too.
I am going to play catch up later and read all your post I missed. Hugs!
Thanks for being a part of Thrifty Thursday, my friend!
Well done!
Leigh
Tales from Bloggeritaville
lbratina.blogspot.com

Pam said...

Oh my - so many similarities between Doug & Aunt Ferol: the use of driftwood & antiques, the green thumb & the good food. He is his mother's son, BUT he talks just like his Dad!

CC said...

ooooo, what a wonderful post. I loved it all, and yummm..that lunch. you are a lucky girl to have such a cousin. Happy VTT..have a lovely and safe 4th.

Christina said...

The clock is just fabulous. Honestly, just wow! Love it hanging from the pretty bracket and I love the thinking behind putting the clock together. The garden too--just beautiful.

Love your humor too. I have no sense of humor, but love when other do.

Lori E said...

That box has the most beautiful patina.
Oh ya, I thought Wally World was a them park in the Griswald movies?

Miri said...

Delightful post! Its a lovely commode and a lovely woman who helped keep it in the family!

Have a great 4th of July with Doug, your Dad and the rest of the Wisconsin bunch!

Laura @ the shorehouse. said...

I love the two-faced clock!!

And the box that all of those possessions went in...I should take a lesson from that! I think I've been having a little too much fun at yard sales, lol! I've been trying by cleaning out closets and sending clothes to a consignment store...I need to let go of stuff (perhaps to get more stuff. Ha!).

p.s. I'm impressed that you went to the library to blog when your internet went out. When ours went down (NASTY virus...I've been out of commission on my home PC for a while, hence my multi-comment visit today!) -- I napped. :-)

Cath's Pennies Designs said...

Your cousin Doug has a creative noodle! His idea to put two clocks together was terrific, but you didn't mention that wonderful wooden bracket that he hung it from! Such a clever man!
You just taught me a new word!
CLOCHE! Love those cloches!
have a wonderful weekend!
Cathy