Impossible Pie with an Eggnog Twist

If you love pie, this one is a good one. I've tweaked this recipe to make it into an Egg Nog Flavored pie and after several tries, I was able to get the flavors just right. This would be a great holiday pie to add to your menu and make it into a family favorite. I hope you enjoy!

Impossible Pie

3/4 C. Sugar 
1/2 C. Flour 
1 C. Coconut
1/4 tsp Nutmeg
1/2 C. Butter
4 eggs
2 C. milk
2 tsp vanilla

for a more egg nog flavor add this to the base recipe:

1 tsp rum extract & 1/4 tsp nutmeg

Put all ingredients into a mixing bowl and mix until blended thoroughly. Pour mixture into a 9 inch greased pie plate. Bake at 350F for 1 hour or until center is firm.

How it works: The flour settles for a crust, coconut rises for a topping and the center is a custard filling.

Recipe from: Family Favorites: From the Kitchen of the Brenneman Family. Pg 213

Sewing Baskets... I'm Clueless and researching...

Okay... so I don't know much about baskets, but grabbed a few up to get the stuff inside of them at an auction. So this post is dedicated to the baskets that I got and hope that with some help from Google and others that I can figure out what they are called and maybe who made them.  When I find a website or two while researching I'll post the links to the blog for fast research later in a similar manner to my Vintage or Antique Sewing Machine blog posts. :-)

 

This basket is a nice size. It is sitting on top of the Wards Brunswick sewing machine cabinet. It has all sorts of notions in it. The lid comes completely off and the handle is stationary. It is oval shaped.

The second basket is more squared and the lid is easily removed. The two handles will move out of the way to each side for easier access to the basket.

It had some needlework things in it and some patterns hiding in it. Nice sized as well on top of the same cabinet as the basket above.

This next basket is rather interesting. It's a nested basket with 2 baskets and one lid. The handle is stationary. 

The top picture shows it in the two separate baskets and the bottom picture is of it put together. Pretty neat basket.

The last basket I had gotten was this pretty blue one. I've left all the goodies I got in it instead of taking the picture of it empty.

So that is the baskets I have that I need help with identification. Like how to name them mainly. :-)

1895 Singer Model 27 with Sphinx Decals - Rusty Rescue

Nothing is as sad as seeing an OLD antique machine in this condition found at a hoarder's junk shop in Marshall, Missouri. In the freaking parking lot out in the weather.

Looks pretty rough doesn't it? Well... with a little bit of work for the last couple of days I have gotten her to this point: 

In the next few days I'll be working on getting the locked up mechanism to moving again so she can possibly stitch when I get the shuttle slides unrusted to the machine. Just wanted to show folks that you can take a super nasty looking machine and make them look a little better with Sewing Machine Oil, some metal polish, and a super fine grit sandpaper.

1923 Singer Model 66 Redeye Decal Treadle

I drove to Kansas City a few weeks back and got a couple of treadle cabinets and 4 other treadle machine heads of various makers and model types. Today's post will be of the Redeye that I'm hopefully going to put to good use.

The 'before pic' is here:

I had to put her in a different cabinet that had a foot pedal on it as this one does not have it. :-( I'm currently on a search for the pedal from a local person so I don't have to chase one down off of eBay.

Here are other pictures of this machine now: 

I had to add a spool holder, the felt, and a new belt. I'm still trying to get that belt tight enough to work. Now to get the presser foot unstuck so I can use the machine to sew a few things as a test. I'll also come back and use something on the wheel for the rust. So excited to see something locked up and not moving to get to this point. YAY!

My biggest help for getting me more active in this adventure of rehabbing old machines lays with this wonderful Facebook Group of Enablers: 

Vintage Sewing Machines

https://www.facebook.com/groups/VintageSewingMachines

Buyer Beware -- Craigslist Stoopid People and Sewing Machines

Okay, so today's been one of those weird days where some of us Vintage Sewing Machine Addicts dig through Craigslist ads in our area.  So we find an ad where some person proclaims a RARE sewing machine that really isn't all that rare. So as a crazy test to see if the moron... um... poster is really on the ball, we sent an email to ask a few questions.

Here is the ad BEFORE it is edited:

Then the emails and questions abound and we get this: 

So needless to say this machine was NOT made in 1874. It is actually from 1924 and 35,000 of them were made. If you pay some nutcake $150 for this, then you are paying way too much and are being ripped off. It is missing parts, it is NOT reconditioned, it is NOT original. It is a treadle and one of many that Singer made MILLIONS of. It is NOT handpainted. So no matter what some people tell you in order to get money from you, please do research and ask for Serial numbers, a front view of the machine, an open bobbin cover, and cabinet/case that they might come in for storage. For all you know the irons on this treadle may be broken, missing parts, cabinet may be damaged beyond repair, or whatever. DO NOT pay more than these machines are worth. Please use common sense as you try to add a much loved machine into your home when you are starting in using sewing machines as decorations or as a needed appliance into the household.

Minnesota Treadle Machine Without Cabinet

I picked up several machines and a couple of treadle cabinets about a month ago. My goal was to learn a little more about how to clean and repair machines properly. The hardest thing with any sewing machine so far on dating has been with non-Singer varieties of machines. So all we can do is find the history of a Sewing Company or the catalog companies that sold these machines to get a guestimate on when they may have been created.

Minnesota - Front before cleaning

Minnesota - Back before cleaning

So after reading how to use sewing machine oil to clean so that I wouldn't wipe away the decals, this is how they turned out:

It's just the first part of the cleaning stage. This machine is super smooth and quiet. I can't wait to find a cabinet to put it in and see how it works. :-) So more to come at another time.

Davis Vertical Feed Treadle Sewing Machine NVF

WOW! It's been a month since I typed up and published a page on here. I'm still here and busy as heck with several sewing machines that I am servicing, parting out, or working on purchasing. So for the next few posts I will do separate posts for each machine. I am the owner of way too many sewing machines now, BUT the good thing is that I am also working on learning how to properly care for neglected machines so they can possibly be used again. So on with the blog and this new to me OLD machine. Please note that these are the 'before' pictures. I haven't started cleaning and preserving the machine or cabinet yet. If anyone has any hint on the year of this machine by the serial number, please post a comment.

Front cabinet

Cabinet back 

Cabinet opened and head in table

New Vertical Feed by Davis - Front

New Vertical Feed by Davis - Back

Serial number 3740054

Look! No Feed dogs!

Left side cabinet

As with any of my machines, they are always for sale. If you see something on my blog and want to purchase it before I dive in too deep, just post a comment or message me.

My research links for this Machine:
ISMACS link to Davis VF Manual

An Old Singer 128-13 Sewing Machine in Combination Table

My first antique sewing machine renewal project.

Back of case - Before

 Case Front - Before

 Case Right Side - Before

 Case Left Side - Before

And then the machine table:  Before -

After

This little machine is the 3/4 size machine with electric and the light. The Singer 128 Model is the electric and more 'new-fangled' version of the Singer 28. It has a vibrating shuttle in it instead of a regular bobbin that most of us are used to sewing with. I don't want to plug it in until I get the wires covered that run from the machine to the little covered box on the side. The plug that goes into the machine and plugs into the wall is in pristine condition. So after this machine is cleaned up and the wood is repaired and a solid piece again, I'll plug her in and see if the light works or if the motor still works. 

A little background checking for this machine were found with these links: 

How to identify Singer Sewing Machines made before 1950 that don't have model numbers on them

The Combination Table this machine uses

Singer Sewing Machine Serial Number Database

Singer 128 Manual

Singer 128 Service Manual

A History/Biography Lesson on Isaac Singer (neat read)

Polishing Nickel plated parts DIY

Re-birth of a Vintage Japanese Branded Sewing Machine

Okay, I did another garage sale thing yesterday and brought this baby home. Her cabinet is in bad shape and she is a little dusty with quite a few cobwebs. It's another Japanese Branded Sewing machine where many badges of all different names are put on a sewing machine. This one has embroidery cams to make designs while stitching. So first things first we will take it out of the cabinet and fix the leg that has become unattached. Then the machine will be totally cleaned and re-oiled. Then we'll put her back in and test her out.

For those of you hitting google trying to find these machine manuals and parts, it is a tough ride. We rely on one another to post the information we find to save us days or even weeks of research. So anyone looking for the Coronado, manual or info... go to the Singer website and type in W231 for the manual in the manual search page. Apparently I have a White machine after all.

A big thanks to Yahoo Group - vintagejapansewingmachines for the information I received so I can get done with this latest venture. :-)

The FREE manual for this machine can be found HERE

I Think I Want to Fix up some OLD Sewing Machines

This past Saturday I went out to the local citywide garage sales. I ended up bringing home THREE older sewing machines and only spent $2.00. NOT A TYPO! I bought one and two of them were free. The one free one needs just a bobbin case... $6.00 or so. The other freebie was an OLDER Dressmaker model in a cabinet that someone threw out at the curb. I'm spending gobs of time online trying to find what parts will be needed for which machine and joined even more Facebook & Yahoo Groups to find information on all of these since Google hates me and just wants to sell me more sewing machines or manuals. :-(

So everyone knows that the blog will be kind of quiet for a bit while I dig up some info. I'll try to feature each machine I have that I plan on working on for the topic of a post. I figure if I can learn to fix bicycles when I was a kid... what will it kill me to learn how to DIY a few sewing machines? LOL! Famous last words I'm sure!

So keep your eye out on the following players:

JC Penney Model 7057 Cat Number 868-4698 (I need to take a pic and will post it later)
It supposedly has a bobbin tension issue, but I'm going to clean it and check it out when I get a bobbin to fit it as it isn't the 15 style/size of bobbin.

Manual can be found here: http://www.singerco.com/uploads/download/1278_4538.pdf

Montgomery Ward UHT-J 1934 

 

All this baby seems to need is a bobbin case so as soon as I find one for the best shipping price AND price, I'm getting one.

Then I have the oldest machine that needs some major TLC

Dressmaker

This poor baby was thrown out to the curb and will require the most work so far to get her all fixed up. I need the shank, feet, bobbin winder tire and some bolts to attach it to the hinges in the cabinet so I can put it away. The cabinet has some paint splatter on it and I will work on getting that off as well. If anyone reading this blog post today has any GOOD resources for any of these machines or sellers of parts... please comment with info as I'm getting angry at google about this search stuff. I even used the UK version of google to get away from the eBay sales and nonsense things. I know there are free tutorials, manuals, and low cost parts out there. I just don't want to dig through 100+ pages to find it all.

Spring! I should be planting! But...

Procrastination... or is it because I got a cold and felt MISERABLE that I didn't want to do anything for a few days? I spent time outside today emptying a sopping wet bag of manure composted dirt into some empty pots. How do they get that wet? My lettuce and cabbage is starting to come up and I hate myself for planting them next to one another since apparently they stunt each others growth. WHY can't they just get along for pete's sake? Anyhow, trying to garden with the moon signs is TOUGH when it rains and throws a big ole monkey wrench in the plans. Hopefully I will get some bedding plants on sale at the local farm store tomorrow when they are on sale so I can get stuff in the ground and not wait for them to pop up.

My list of things I want:

tomatoes - roma and some nice sized maters just perfect for canning I want a couple full garden rows of them
green peppers - need something to actually grow this year instead of pretending to put out fruit. Pfft!

green beans - maybe someone will quit donating tin cans of the things they do not want so I will actually eat my own canned beans.

peas - need lots of these and it's been too wet to plant. The toddler likes to eat them straight from the garden.

cantaloupe - these went nuts last year, so I may need to stagger plants so I'm not overwhelmed. They suck when defrosting as they got soggier than hell. :-(
strawberries - I should have covered mine so they wouldn't have died in the pot they were in. DANG IT!

cucumbers - must have some this year that actually grow. I bought some pickling stuff last year and couldn't use it cuz the blasted things burned up in the sun. :-(


So... thinking I need to re-arrange my mums that have come back up and move them somewhere else to slide some edibles in their place. Not quite sure what or how I'm going about it. So here I am at that lovely DUH crossroads and trying to make the most of my little city plot of land. Wish me luck!

Recipe Test Tuesdays - Wild Violet Jelly

Never made it before but so far so good.

Gathered my wild violets out of the yard then rinsed them under cold water. I'm surprised I got 2 heaping cups of these bad boys for the recipe I found. Took a while to get them picked. Who knows what people thought I was doing out in the yard.

So I boiled water and poured it over the top of the violets in a pyrex bowl to steep. I'll put them in the fridge and pull this out in the morning and make my jelly from the violet tea I made.


So I took the violets in their 'tea' and poured them through a strainer into a glass measuring cup. I added 1/4 C of lemon juice and it turned a purple color from this sick looking greenish color that it was. Poured it into a non-reactive pot. I set aside another bowl and put the 4 Cups of Sugar and 1 box of Sure Jel pectin and stirred it up. Poured it into the pot with the Violets and warmed it up to medium high and stirred it up. When it tried to foam I cut back the temperature to medium.

When I got done making it, I ended up with 3 1/2 pints of jelly. Mine turned a pinkish color at the end. Next to try a dandelion jelly.

Making a Kitchen Towel Hanger with Potholder

I decided to follow the lead after seeing a video on how to make these things. Of course we all know what one person does well... might end up as a fail if we do it. So needless to say, I had one of those experiences while making this for the first time.

Okay so with this project you'll need 1 potholder with the thingy you can hang it with and a matching or coordinating kitchen towel folded in thirds lengthwise.

You will place the Potholder pretty side up. Then... take your towel and lay it on the potholder pretty side down. This will be totally centered over the potholder as the line straight in the middle of the potholder. You will spread the towel to cover to the sides of the potholder. Pin in place and stitch a straight stitch size 4 length across the towel with the potholder under it. Flip the potholder in half and place a button on the side opposite the hanging loop. Then loop to close. This can hang from an oven door handle or towel bar. I didn't have buttons so I substituted the plastic snaps you see people make diaper covers with. I used size 20.

I first tried this on the thinking that you gather the towel in the middle with the basting stitch. WRONG! It didn't look good at all to me. I like how these lay better and when you hang them from the towel bar. I'll be making more now that I have this method DOWN! Just make sure that you choose patterns on the pot holder that won't be upside down when coordinating. It's really fun to make and can be made for as little as $2.00 each like these were from Dollar General. 

Happy Good Friday to All!

It's been pretty quiet on the blog for the past few days. I pulled a near all nighter with a sick kid and couldn't function yesterday enough to spend time writing anything semi-intelligent. LOL! Got much rest last night and darn near caught up.

Today will be a fun day of making things for Sunday dinner and hoping the kids stay out of it so it can make it to Sunday. So my dream list of fun things?

• making easter eggs from Jell-O - I have the molds I picked up at a thrift store for CHEAP so why not? Recipe for Jello Jiggler Eggs 
• dying the eggs - I still haven't gotten around to it. Anyone have a favorite method for dying your own?
• making dinner rolls
• make a couple loaves of bread
• can some hamburger before it goes south

So with the list from above and the need to still throw seeds at the dirt to plant something. I better get off here and get motivated. Feel free to share your favorite recipes, links, or stories of Good Friday things you do with your family & friends in preparing for Easter in the comments.

How to beat the Cake Mix Companies at their own game!

It is frustrating to buy a cake mix at the store and pay some really HIGH prices for them to only make a 1" thick cake when it is all said and done. I can't afford name brand so knowing that they also come in generic kind of helps but they are also too expensive for what they give you. So for this blog posting today I will help you get the cake back to the original box size they used to give us and your cake WILL be a little bit taller.

Boxed Cake Mix Stretcher

1 egg
2 Tbsp oil
1/3 C Water
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 C flour (all-purpose is perfectly fine)
1/2 C granulated sugar

Prepare your cake with the ingredients stated on your package. Then add the above ingredients to the recipe. Mix according to the package instructions. Baking time and temperature will be the same as what the box says.

So when you make this in a 9x13 cake pan.... it will turn out nice and thick and YUMMY!

Sorry we got into it already, but it was GOOD! Here's my funky artwork using the left over colored sugar from my cookies I baked yesterday and used the melon baller to make the swirlies. The recipe for the frosting follows!

Buttercream Wedding Cake Icing: 
2 C Powdered Sugar
3/4 C shortening
2 egg whites
pinch of salt
1 tsp vanilla

Mix all ingredients together and beat for 8-10 minutes. Recipe taken from: Family Favorites - From the Kitchen of the Brenneman Family Mennonite cookbook. Page 148

Vinegar Sugar Cookies for Easter or Spring

This is my favorite SOFT sugar cookie recipe. It might sound gross, but they are VERY tasty. You will need to follow this recipe in the steps given for them to work the best for you. I also made my own colored sugar from some dye I had hanging around in the spice cabinet.

Vinegar Sugar Cookies

1 egg
2 tsp white vinegar
2 1/2 C All-Purpose Flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 C butter/margarine
1/2 C shortening
1 tsp vanilla
1 C granulated sugar

1. In a cereal bowl put the egg and vinegar together and mix until the egg yolk is fully mixed into the vinegar. Set this bowl aside.
2. In a medium sized bowl put flour, salt and baking soda and stir with fork. Set this bowl aside.
3. In a larger bowl add the remaining ingredients. Cream or mix them all together with the mixer on low.
4. Pour one half of the egg mixture into the sugar mixture and mix well on low.
5. Add 1/2 of the flour mixture to the sugar mixture and mix well on low.
6. Pour rest of the egg mixture into the sugar mixture and mix well on low.
7. Pour rest of the flour mixture into the dough and mix well on low.
8. Roll the batter into small balls and dip in sugar. Then use a fork to press down the cookie on an ungreased cookie sheet.
9. Bake in a pre-heated 400 degree oven for 8-10 minutes. 
10. Remove from oven and let sit for a minute or two before taking them off the cookie sheet and put them on a wire rack to cool. 

To make colored sugar you will take about 1/4 C of sugar and put in a small container that you can put a lid on to shake it with 1-3 drops of food coloring of your choice color. Half-pint sized canning jars are awesome for this task. :-)

Making the Perfect Hard Boiled Egg - A Tutorial

It's getting close to Easter and everyone knows that the dreaded coloring of mass quantities of eggs is in their immediate future. Why not get those eggs cooked properly the first time so you can use them for various recipes that are totally DELICIOUS!

Put your clean eggs into a pot and cover with water.

Bring to a full rolling boil and cover with lid and remove from heat.

Let sit for 15-20 minutes and then drain hot water from the pot. Rinse the eggs with cold tap water and then put in egg cartons to chill in the fridge to prepare later. Make sure you mark your egg containers if you also have raw eggs in the fridge or you might end up with a surprise when you try to crack an egg open to eat.

Now that you know how to make hard boiled eggs, you can make devilled eggs, egg salad sandwiches, or even color Easter Eggs.