CHURCH & CHOCOLATE

I love vintage book illustrations...

especially those from the 1950's and 60's.

I picked up this one a few years ago.

These illustrations really grabbed my attention.

I like the simplicity of these images...

The kids searching for the hidden Easter eggs and the decorated eggs.

An Atomic Era Easter!

I have always liked the colorful traditions of the holiday.

The Easter bunny, easter baskets, colored eggs

and that weird cello Easter grass.

Whether you are in it for the church or the chocolate...

Have a Happy Easter!

PAN AM FLYING CLIPPERS

These 2 postcards are a rare look into the future of aviation at the end of World War II.

Around 1945 Pan American World Airways published a set of 12 images on postcards

depicting what luxuries their next fleet would have to offer.

Unfortunately Pan Am chose an entirely different airplane body than the one they pictured

on these cards and they scrubbed the production of these fabulous images,

but not before some of them were released. Lucky for us!

This one is my favorite.

It shows the Sky Lounge with passengers being served drinks by a waiter.

No Fasten your seatbelt signs in here!

Across the top it says: 'Preview of Tomorrow's Flying Clippers:

Sky Lounge for Refreshments."

The next one shows a mother and her daughter preparing to go to bed in the sleeping berths.

Across the top it says: 'Preview of Tomorrow's Flying Clippers:

"Sleep in the Clouds" in full-length berths.'

Maybe I would enjoy flying a little bit if I had a comfy bed like that to snooze in.

But for now, I can only dream.

LAS VEGAS

Las Vegas is calling me.

I love Vegas for its late nights, neon and Mid-Century Modern remnants.

If you look for it, you can still see bits and pieces from its Atomic past.

We found this amazing mosaic wall walking back from the neon boneyard.

It is near Fremont Street.

And the fabulous Stardust Casino, pictured in this vintage postcard,

is no longer there. It was torn down years ago but you can see parts of the sign

if you take a tour of the neon sign boneyard at the North end of the strip.

The Sands is gone. So are Dino and Count Basie.

Dean Martin and the Rat Pack...that was the Vegas I wish I could have seen.

And now the Sahara is closing...

Look at those beautiful letters...

And if you are lucky enough to fly in or out at night,

Vegas looks like a glittery pile of rhinestones.

I miss you Vegas!

MUNISING

I have just found the most amazing antique wooden bowl hand painted with daisies.

It is made from birds eye maple which is a spectacular cut of wood.

The grain is speckled and it shines and glows when the light hits it.

It is a very large bowl, it measures 13" by 14" across and 4 1/4" tall.

It is kind of oval in shape which was traditional for these bowls.

It has 3 wooden feet. This dates somewhere between 1920 to the 1940's.

It was made by Munising of Michigan, a manufacturer of wood products.

They produced, bowls, kitchenware, clothespins and even wartime goods.

The company is no longer in business and their bowls have become quite collectible.

Since they are made out of maple, they are quite durable.

Many of the bowls were handpainted with tole style decorations.

These are some great examples of American folk arts and wood crafts.

The bowl is in very good condition and shows only minor wear. It looks as if it were never used.

I have never seen a better Munising bowl than this one. It is gorgeous!

If you want to know more about the Munising Woodenware Company,

I recommend a site called algercounty. It is chock full of interesting history.