A Holiday Reunion – Xfinity 2019

Although end the end this is a commercial for Xfinity, we finally get to see a reunion of E.T. and Elliot (portrayed by the same actor that played the part in the movie, Henry Thomas) that some of us have always been waiting for.

Here Elliott gets to introduce E.T. to his family 37 years after parting with him in this commercial.

UNIQUE GIFT IDEA: STAR WARS THEMED INSTAPOTS

Instapots and Star Wars are popular this season, so if you have love both, you are in luck.

You can create a Brisket in BB8, a Roast in R2D2, a Streudel in a Stormtrooper, Date pudding or  Chili in a Chewbacca with one of these Star Wars-themed Instapots for at Williams Sonoma at $80 to $100.

For some reason, the Chewbacca one is more expensive than the others; for that reason, I think it should come with a furry outer cover and it should have a timer that makes Wookie sounds when what is in the pot is done.

Happy Thanksgiving!

via GIPHY
Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

UNUSUAL POEM: THE TURKEY SHOT OUT OF THE OVEN

VINTAGE AD: 1964 SWIFT'S PREMIUM BUTTERBALL TURKEY AD

Photo:  Source

Usually, vintage ads make me nostalgic and give me warm fuzzies, but there is something about this one this creeps me out, even though I recall a Butterball turkey being a staple on my Grandma's table at Thanksgiving when I was a kid.

Is it that the kids look a little like the ones in the horror flick "Us"?   Or that it is reminiscent of Ray Liotta's character in "Hannibal?  Or that it makes it look like the kids share a giant turkey brain like a mad experiment?   It could because it seems a bit stalkerish saying I know how to cook and that I am expert shopper...how else could they know that?

HE STOLE MY LOOK!

Photo: Purrtacular

The cat is trying to play it cool, but he is pretty sure singer Ed Sheeren stole his look.

VINTAGE POSTCARD: 1910 THANKSGIVING THEMED POSTCARD

Photo:  ACPL Community Album via Becky Osbun on from Fort Wayne Facebook Group

Back in the day before the internet and cell phones, postcards were a way to keep in touch with people as they usually had a picture or drawing on the front, a small space to write a note, and cost less to send than a letter so they were more budget-friendly.   

This postcard is from over 109 years ago now, from an Aunt to her niece about seeing Santa and telling him to bring her niece a big doll.

This was from a closed Facegroup that I am on, but as it is from a public source, I thought I would share it here.

Marilyn Monroe...With A Turkey

Photo:  Source

It looks like the poor turkey was upstaged by Marilyn Monroe.

Neatorama indicates it is a holiday photoshoot from 1950, but what I found amusing was a comment  by a user named Wonky Donky:

"You need a speech bubble by that turkey's head saying something like, "Sweet Jesus, will you look at those drumsticks!"

For more odd vintage celebrity Thanksgiving-themed photoshoots visit this post at Vintage Everyday

TURKEY DANCE FREEZE

The older fella in the center is putting the youngsters to shame with how much he is getting into this dance.

While he is dancing to the Turkey Dance Freeze, I am guessing in his mind he is back in 1973 sporting his tight polyester pants, Qiana shirt with wide lapels unbuttoned to the waist and hearing Billy Preston's "Outer Space" in his head.

This video would be good way to keep young kids entertained and burn off energy while waiting for Thanksgiving dinner to be ready, but if you see Grandpa getting into it, don't be surprised as he may be reliving his own pre-disco Walk-A-Chika, Walk-A-Chicka memories.

LITTLE FREE LIBRARY: TREE LIBRARY

Photo:  Source

Little Free Library is now a worldwide initiative that began 10 years ago in Hudson, Wisconsin to increase literacy by installing a container where people had access to free reading materials in neighborhoods or where you could leave reading items to share with others.

From a post on demilked indicated this one was made out of a stump of an old 110-year-old tree and created by Sharalee Armitage Howard in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.  As she is a librarian in the community as well as as being an artist and a former bookbinder it seems like a marriage of all of those talents for a magical community asset for sharing of reading materials.

As amazing as the treehouse is, a few of the comments the post highlighted are just as unique:

Do you have a Little Free Library in your area or have you ever used one?   Please feel free to post in the Comments section below.

Photo:  Source

Here is a close up of the "Book" detail at the top of the case from the artist/librarian's website.

Photo:  Source

Video

Talking Turkey

Photo: Atomic Shark on Flickr

Although this appears to be an artistic concept picture, if you cook a turkey and stick dentures in it, you probably won't ever be asked to be host another Thanksgiving dinner.

VINTAGE AD: 1969 Hot Dr.Pepper

Photo:  obsequies/Flickr - Found in Good Housekeeping magazine, February 1969.

The above is an ad that first appeared around the Holidays in 1968, but the above is from Good Housekeeping magazine's February 1969 issue.

My Mom made this around the Holidays when I was a kid and it might be interesting to try at your own holiday get together to introduce a 50-year-old trend to a new generation.

I was initially not thrilled as we were only allowed to have a soda pop once a week and I was not thrilled to have it wasted on some trend she had read in a magazine, but after I got over the initial shock of wanting an ice-cold soda and being a hot one, it did grow on me.   

Heating it up does seem to bring out the spiciness more and could be a bit overpowering, but the addition of the lemon helps to balance it out the sweet and spicy taste of Dr. Pepper.

Cake Fail: Elsa From Frozen

Photo:  Source

I am guessing the baker was a Twisted Sister fan in the 80's as the cupcake creation is looking more like it is channeling Dee Snider than Elsa.

THANKSGIVING DAY MAIN DISH: ALIEN VERSION

This goes in hand with the post from yesterday with what some people would be willing to do to get out of hosting Thanksgiving,  If I saw this Alien Face Hugger looking thing, I think I would be offering to host next year to pick the menu.

The above is from Facebook, but in searching further appears to originally be from an article on Bored Panda is the creation of chef/photographer/food stylist Hellen Die.

Instacart's Turkey Day Expose: American's hate Canned Cranberry Sauce, But Taking a Shining to Cheez Whiz

Instacart has an interesting "Turkey Day Expose" post (link at bottom of this post) from a survey they sponsored which was conducted by Harris Poll of 2,000 people.

While it is no surprise that 46% of Americans hate canned cranberry sauce, it is a bit surprising Instacart customers bought 50% more canned cranberry sauce than fresh cranberries around Thanksgiving and 31% serve it in the can shape it came in rather than mash it up to try to disguise it.  Growing up, my Grandmother always put it out in its congealed can state.  I don't recall anyone ever actually eating it though.

There are other interesting statistics about things people would be willing to give up for a month instead of host, or the more than half that do host do so they can make the dishes they like.

I have to say the more unusual thing is the three-year trend of up to an over 150% increase in sales of Cheez Whiz in the 3 weeks leading up to Thanksgiving.   They even put out a chart to demonstrate this trend.

Source: Instacart


I have to admit that Cheez Whiz is fun and tasty and I have used it around the Holidays served with crackers, but not on Thanksgiving

What are your thoughts on Canned Cranberry Sauce, Cheez Whiz, or what would you give up for a month to have to host and cook?  Please feel free to leave a comment below.   


Instacart post here 

Lazy Snowman

Photo: Source

When still enjoy the creative process of making the snowman just as much as you did when you were a kid, but the snow, not so much.

Lucille Ball With Her Natural Hair Color

Photo:  Source

If you are under 30 you may not have heard or Lucille Ball unless you watch Nick at Night or TV Land, but your parents and grandparents likely will as she was a comedic legend and probably the first female comedy superstars.  She is known for her signature red hair and looks much different without it.

When I was a kid, I heard tales of "I Love Lucy" show from the 1950s., where Lucy's antics would get her into one pickle or another and her Cuban born bandleader many times trying to bail her out of jams.  We watched rerun when I was a kid and I didn't really get the comedy, but then again I was more interested in cartoons.

She did have a show in the 70's called  Here's Lucy where she played a widow who worked for her brother-in-law and was raising her two teenagers (played by her real-life son and daughter) and I recall my Mom loved watching it and I enjoyed it more than the few black and white episodes I had seen of "I Love Lucy".

Above is photo of Comic legend Lucille Ball from 1931 with her natural dark hair color when she was 21 years old. 

Below is a short video of the iconic scene where she was employed briefly in a chocolate factory.

UNUSUAL ANIMAL: Cat With Two Different Colors In each Eye

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Whoop whoop for Friday. 𓃠𓃠𓃠𓃠 . . . . . #cats #cat #catsofinstagram #kitty #kittycat #amazingcat #oddeyedcat #heterochromia #heterochromiacat #kittycat #neko #kedi #kucing #gato #bestmeow #bestmeow10k #kittylookbook #cats_of_world #cats_of_day #cats_of_instworld #catsagram #catgag #catlover #instacat #allcatphotos300 #cats_of_the_globe

A post shared by 🧡Odd Eyed Olive 💙 (@oddity_olive) on Oct 4, 2019 at 8:51am PDT

This cat has the most interesting eyes I have ever seen on a cat; one part is blue and the other amber but 100% unique.

This kitty currently has over 15,000 subscribers on an Instagram account, Oddity Olive.   The owner indicates Odd Eyed Olive is:

"Just a double odd eyed kitty.  (Sectoral Heterochromia) Kind of weird but pretty cool". 

REPURPOSED: Old Sewing Machine to Rocking Horse Art Piece

Photo: Source

This was posted by a member on a Facebook group I belong to, Upcycled Cloth Collective that spotted it at an art fair where someone has repurposed a vintage sewing machine into a Rocking Horse art piece.

One of the Commented stated "Sew Cool".   

United States Sweaters...Made In China

While browsing through sweaters at a consignment shop I came across the above sweater that is branded "united states sweaters".

I would have thought a company that by that name would be such as the products are made in the USA,  so I found it interesting it was made in China.

Anthem Veterans Memorial

Photo:  Source


This is something that is going on my personal "bucket" list to see.

The above monument, location in Anthem, Arizona was installed in 2011 at a tribute to honor the men and women who have served in the Armed Forces.

It was designed by Renee Palmer-Jones with the five pillars to represent each unit of the Armed Forces:  

• United States Army
• United States Marine Corps
• United States Navy
• United States Air Force 
• United States Coast Guard

Each year on Veteran's Day. 11/11/11 at 11:11am as the sun shines through all five it illuminates the Seal of The United States at the very front.

I wish to offer a special thanks for all those past, present and future who serve and sacrifice to ensure the freedoms that we enjoy in this country. 

Location:  41703 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway, Anthem, AZ

Sources and for more information and photos visit:
Twisted Sifter
Trip Advisor
Wikipedia

ART OF SERGI CADENAS - PAINTING CHANGES FROM YOUNG TO OLD

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A post shared by Sergi Cadenas (@sergi.cadenas) on Nov 3, 2019 at 3:32am PST

Culture Trip  has listed SerGi Cadenas as one of six artist from Girona, Spain that should be on your radar and after seeing this painting that  is a young girl that ages into an old woman as you walk by it you can see why.

The article on that site indicates:

"Sergi Cadenas was born in Girona in 1972 to a family of iron workers. He is self-taught and has grown to produce an intense and emotive style with his oil paintings.

Painted on huge canvases, his work features human faces, which are both highly realistic yet very surrealist.

Clever optical illusions, the faces he paints change from young to old, woman to man or human or to animal, depending on your viewpoint. His work can be seen at the Riera Galeria in Girona and the Galería Iturria in Cadaqués and Madrid."

There are more examples of his work on Instagram 

Debunking Fake Videos!

Can you dye a shirt with cabbage, rosemary, an Avocado or Tumeric?  Does putting a piece of cabbage in a loaf of bread keep it from getting moldy?  Create Caramel corn by melting Werther's candy and butter and pouring popcorn in the mixture?

Some of the "hacks" that you see on YouTube are fake and not only waste your time and money but can be messy and even dangerous.

Aussie Youtuber, Ann Reardon of How To Cook That, in addition to showing you how to cook yummy treats and the results of trendy new kitchen products, also tests out viral video food "hacks" from other channels and answers the above questions and more by testing them out. Is worth a watch before considering trying any of the "hacks" yourself.

VINTAGE MEDICINE: 1933 Cough Syrup

Photo:  Source

Not only was it 10% alcohol, it contained 2 grams of Cannabis and Chloroform, but also the lottery of 1-4 grams of Morphine.

I did find a post that indicates this was in a 1933 product catalog and made by S.E. Massengill Company of Bristol, TN

Poor Pup

Photo: Source

I feel bad for the poor dog, but have to give the kids props for their creativity.

REPURPOSED: Pontoon to Deck

Ok, some places do have ordinances or Home Owner Associations against vehicles of any type in your yard, but if you lived some areas that you could get by with it, this would be a great way to repurpose an old pontoon to use as a deck.

THRIFT FLIP: 8 Bob Ross Painting Tutorials On a Shirt

How amazing is this thrift flip of the gal's brother's uniform shirt turned into a Bob Ross "Joy of Painting" inspired work of wearable art?

THRIFT STORE FIND: 2004 CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION - PUZZLE - STABBING PAINS

I love going to thrift stores as you never know what you are going to find.  On this visit, I found the above puzzle, which when I looked up originally was produced in 2004.

This was back when the show, CSI, which stands for Crime Scene Investigation, a Las Vegas-based show that mixed drama with criminal investigative techniques, was so popular there were spinoffs shows as well: CSI:  Miami and CSI:  New York.

This product is a 750 piece puzzle and it includes a UV light to help solve the puzzle to solve the crime.  

Amazon.com's product description indicates:

"Socialite Vivian Elliot is having a bad day. When the neighbor finds her dead in her kitchen, your CSI team is called in to solve the crime.

 First, read the short story by NY Times best selling author Max Alan Collins. Then, assemble the jigsaw puzzle to reveal the crime scene. Use the special ultraviolet flashlight to uncover hidden clues and discover important evidence that is invisible to the naked eye.

Combine the clues found in the story and the puzzle to form your theory, then check the lab results to see if the evidence supports your theory.

Finally, when you feel you've solved the case, use your UV light to read the hidden solution printed in ultraviolet ink. Remember, the evidence doesn't lie!

 This 750 piece puzzle comes with a 12 page booklet, and UV flashlight. The puzzle image is different from the cover of the box, and the finished puzzle will measure 18 15/16 x 26 ¾ . Ages 13 and Up.

The puzzle is still currently sold on Amazon.com and used version might be able to be found on Ebay or your local thrift store.

Wash Day

Photo: Source

The picture of this pooch's reaction to seeing a stuffed toy version of himself in a washer is priceless.  Maybe those baths in the tub or kiddie pool won't seem so bad after seeing this.

Texas Calf That Looks Similar to Gene Simmons from KISS

Photo:  Source - AP Photo/ Natacha Pisarenko

WREG reported that a calf born in Kerrville, Texas that markings look like the makeup Gene Simmons of the 70's rock bank KISS wears on stage.

Simmons was udderly amazed (pun intended) and tweeted on tweeted on Twitter “This is real, folks!!!”   

The granddaughter of the owner, Heather Taccetta, said they named the cow Genie in honor of the rocker and it will not be sold for slaughter.  

A Different Sort of Avocado..

Photo:  Photo: Source

While one would not normally associate a beer belly with avocados, but I have to give them props for creativity.