No Luck, part 1

08/18/2010

Luck is a funny thing. Wikipedia defines Luck or fortuity is a belief in good or bad fortune in life caused by accident or chance, and attributed by some to reasons of faith or superstition, which happens beyond a person’s control. I firmly DO NOT believe in luck or fortuity or superstition. I believe in a Holy God who is in control of everything in the universe and everything that happens does so because He allows it or prevents it or causes it. God’s sovereignty is bigger than chance. (See Proverbs 16:33)

I’m kind of disgusted with how often I hear Christians say “good luck,” “fingers crossed” or “knock on wood.” Once I even saw a friend say, “I guess it’s not in the cards.” What?! I know it’s such a common part of our language that people are saying these things without realizing what they mean. But seriously people, think about what is coming out of your mouth.

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Posted by mahlbrandt

Wise Words

08/17/2010

“Many people have a crisis-based relationship with God. They only speak to Him when they’re in trouble. They try to muster their faith when it’s too weak to move God. Then they get mad to God as if it was His fault.” — Lindell Cooley

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Posted by mahlbrandt

No Bake Oatmeal Cookies

08/16/2010

Some people call them No Bakes. I always called them Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies. Whatever you call them, they’re quick and easy and tasty and I’m not sure why in my adult life I have never made them. Jason had a few made by my mom a few months ago and has since requested that I make them.

Last night I finally went hunting for the recipe card over at mom’s. Here they’re called No Bake Oatmeal Cookies. I love old handwritten recipe cards, don’t you? I love how it’s all dirty and worn and has penciled-in notes for halfing the recipe.

I pulled together all the ingredients. Thankfully, I had everything on hand except oatmeal. Dang, what’s a lot of sugar. These are basically candy … Also, I had to ask a friend what oleo is. (Butter) I use salted butter so I skip the pinch of salt in the recipe.

I made these as a surprise for Jason so hopefully he’s not reading this. (Are you, babe?) They came out pretty freaking good. I hope he likes! 🙂

Here’s the recipe/directions if you want to make some of your own:

Pour 2 cups sugar, 2 tbsp cocoa, 1/2 cup milk and 1 stick of butter into a saucepan. Heat to a boil and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 4 tbsp peanut butter, 1 tsp vanilla and 3-3.5 cups of oatmeal. Drop spoonfuls onto a wax paper or foil and allow to cool. Enjoy!

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Posted by mahlbrandt

Phone Photo Friday

08/13/2010

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Posted by mahlbrandt

Cobalt Creamer & Sugar Bowl Set

08/12/2010

A repost from East Nashville Atomic

Originally posted March 4, 2009

When I saw this at an estate sale, it immediately caught my eye. I was looking for items to resell which is a new venture for me. I know that I have to get a great price on something legitimately valuable. Although this set is beautiful and unique, it doesn’t have a designer/maker listed on the bottom which concerned me. It also was priced a little high. I thought about it a while but decided to pass.

Two days later we went back to the estate sale (It was a 3 day sale) to see what was left. I was surprised to find that it was still there. Not only was everything reduced to 50%, one of the sale workers who we had spent some time talking to at our earlier visit kept giving us even better deals. We ended up getting this set for only $3. After Jason carefully washed our purchases and I photographed each piece, I decided that even if I sold this set for $20 I’d still be sad to part with it. Jason encouraged me to just keep it. After all, it was only $3 and I LOVE it!

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Posted by mahlbrandt

Our biggest, heaviest MCM find yet!

08/11/2010

A repost from East Nashville Atomic

Originally posted on March 3, 2009


Two weeks ago Jason and I found this beast at an estate sale. We fell in love with the design and color. It’s big. It’s long. It’s a sleeper sofa. A mid-century sleeper sofa. Therefore, it is HEAVY! We’re guessing it’s at least 300 lbs. No joke. And in case you’ve never thought of it before—I hadn’t—the people who work at estate sales won’t help you load or move your purchases. Can you imagine Jason and I (who weigh less than 300 lbs. combined) dragging this sofa across a carpeted living room, shoving it through the front door and putting all the energy we had left into lifting it, carrying and heaving it onto a friend’s borrowed truck? I still can’t believe I was capable of that! The next 2 days my arms, legs and back were all sore. I’m so thankful that neither of us got hurt! The sofa is vinyl and needed a little repair but Jason did an awesome job! I helped to mix the colors—one of my specialties—from the vinyl repair kit. By the way, this beautiful specimen cost only $25!

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Posted by mahlbrandt

More Pictures of our Weekend Treasures

08/10/2010

A repost from East Nashville Atomic

Originally posted September 21, 2008

The new tables, in their new home:

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Posted by mahlbrandt

“Lord, Give me an eye for treasures.”

08/09/2010

A repost from East Nashville Atomic

Originally posted September 20, 2008

That’s the simple prayer I said as we started our thrift store search this evening. About an hour later we walked out of Southern Thrift with this matching set of two end tables and a coffee table, each for only $4.99! We bought them because of their mid-century modern look and decent condition.(Our house begs us to replace our IKEA goods with real atomic jewels.) A gentle sanding and some lemon oil will go a long way. Once at home, Jason started cleaning them up while I googled the maker (stamped inside the drawers): American by Martinsville. Turns out each piece is worth anywhere from $100 to $500. Talk about an answer to prayer! Thank you Lord!! As tempting as it is to resell them, I think we just might keep them.

Tomorrow, once they’re all cleaned up and sitting in their new positions in the living room, I’ll take more pictures.

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Posted by mahlbrandt

Phone Photo Friday

08/06/2010

Old Stockholm 1987. That’s me in the stroller, being rolled by my mama with my Swedish grandma in the background

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Posted by mahlbrandt

Our First Mid-Century Collectible

08/05/2010

A repost from East Nashville Atomic

Originally posted May 3, 2008

About six months ago Jason and I were browsing around at Southern Thrift. The left side wall is lined with junky vases, mugs, plates, picture frames etc. We picked up a platter with a starburst design. Amidst all the kitschy forgettables it didn’t look like much. It had some wax or something crusted on the front and a chip out of the underside. It was only $2 but we debated back and forth for a while, not wanting to pay even $2 for something if it was just going to clutter our house. (We’re pretty minimalist. And cheap.) Eventually we decided it was cool enough to bring home.

One Saturday morning maybe two months ago, we were watching Good Eats on the food network. I don’t remember what food he had made but Alton Brown carefully placed it right onto a plate like our thrift-store find. We both looked at each other, thinking the same thing. I flipped over the plate and inspected the seal on the bottom.

“FRANCISCAN” “Made in California U.S.A” “Gladding, McBean & Co.” I googled away. Much to our surprise and delight, our $2 thrift-store treasure was a famous design from Gladding, McBean & Co. The Starburst design was released in 1954, [one year after] our house was built. We’re pretty sure our find is the “oval serving platter” worth about $50 today, in good condition. Of course, we’re not interested in selling it. It’s our first Mid-Century Collectible!

2 Comments | Art, Art: mcm thrift store find | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by mahlbrandt

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