4th Of July Fun Facts

Every year proud and patriotic Americans celebrate Independence Day on the 4th Of July. All around the country this National Holiday is marked by parades, speeches, fireworks, backyard barbecues and carnivals commemorating the signing of The Declaration of Independence by our country's forefathers.

Here are some fun facts taken from a U.S. Census Bureau press release in 2008:

More than 1 in 4
The chance that the hot dogs and pork sausages consumed on the Fourth of July originated in Iowa. The Hawkeye State was home to 17.6 million market hogs and pigs on March 1, 2008. This represents more than one-fourth of the nation’s total. North Carolina (9 million) and Minnesota (6.7 million) were the runners-up.

6.8 billion pounds
Total production of cattle and calves in Texas in 2007. Chances are good that the beef hot dogs, steaks and burgers on your backyard grill came from the Lone Star State, which accounted for about one-sixth of the nation’s total production. And if the beef did not come from Texas, it very well may have come from Nebraska (4.7 billion pounds) or Kansas (4.1 billion pounds).

About 4 in 10
The odds that your side dish of baked beans originated from North Dakota, which produced 42 percent of the nation’s dry, edible beans in 2007. Another popular Fourth of July side dish is corn on the cob. Florida, California, Georgia and New York together accounted for 60 percent of the sweet corn produced nationally in 2007.

Nearly 3 in 4
The chances that the fresh tomatoes in your salad came from Florida or California, which combined accounted for 73 percent of U.S. tomato production last year. The ketchup on your burger or hot dog probably came from California, which accounted for 96 percent of processed tomato production in 2007.

More than 74 million
Number of Americans who said they have taken part in a barbecue during the previous year. It’s probably safe to assume a lot of these events took place on Independence Day.

$207 million
The value of fireworks imported from China in 2007, representing the bulk of all U.S. fireworks imported ($217 million). U.S. exports of fireworks, by comparison, came to just $14.9 million in 2007, with Japan purchasing more than any other country ($3.8 million).

$4.7 million
In 2007, the dollar value of U.S. imports of American flags. The vast majority of this amount ($4.3 million) was for U.S. flags made in China.

$2.4 million
Dollar value of U.S. flags exported in 2007. Mexico was the leading customer, purchasing $1.2 million worth.

$349.2 million
Annual dollar value of shipments of fabricated flags, banners and similar emblems by the nation’s manufacturers, according to the latest published economic census data.

31
Number of places nationwide with “liberty” in their name. The most populous one as of July 1, 2006, is Liberty, Mo. (29,581). Iowa, with four, has more of these places than any other state: Libertyville, New Liberty, North Liberty and West Liberty.

• Thirty-one places are named “eagle” — after the majestic bird that serves as our national symbol. (Places include cities, towns, villages and census-designated places.) The most populous such place is Eagle Pass, Texas, with 26,401 residents.
• Twelve places have “independence” in their name. The most populous of these is Independence, Mo., with 109,400 residents.
• Nine places adopted the name “freedom.” Freedom, Calif., with 6,000 residents, has the largest population among these.
• There is one place named “patriot” — Patriot, Ind., with a population of 192.
• And what could be more fitting than spending the Fourth of July in a place called “America”? There are five such places in the country, with the most populous being American Fork, Utah, population 25,596.

Spring Sale

Spring is a time of re-birth and renewal. Serendipity Junction is offering a way to renew your commitment to your budget and cost efficient spending with a store wide spring sale. Save 10% on everything in the store, including sale items! Enter, Coupon Code: SPRING09, at check-out and receive instant savings.
You will find great bargains in gift and collectible items. Enjoy added discounts on specials and bargain priced products. Stock up on home decor and garden accessories.
We always offer Flat Rate shipping of $7.95 on all orders no matter how many items and Free Shipping on all orders of $100.00 or more.

Hurry! This sale ends on Sunday April 19th.

Tips On Cleaning And Seasoning Cast Iron Cookware

How To Clean Cast Iron:

After cooking in your cast iron cookware, it can be cleaned by putting in hot water and bringing to a boil. Never use detergent to clean seasoned cast iron cookware, as
it will remove the seasoning: Also, avoid putting hot cast iron into cold water as this can cause cast iron to warp or crack.

After pouring out boiling water, wipe dry with a paper towel. If something sticks to the surface, dislodge it by simply using a spoon. Do not use any abrasive item to scrub cookware. Again, this can cut into seasoned surface.

While pan is still warm from washing, apply a fine coating of oil or spray on all surfaces.
If a metallic taste or signs of rust are noticed, simply wash with hot, soapy water, scour off the rust, and then re season your cookware.

Store your cast iron cookware in a cool dry location. If storing with lid, place a paper towel between the lid and base to allow circulation of air.

Cast Iron Seasoning:

This is a simple process of oil absorbing into into the pores of your iron cookware leaving a black, nonstick surface.

Follow instructions below if your cast iron cookware ever requires re seasoning.

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Wash cast iron with hot, soapy water, and a stiff brush. Rinse and dry.
3. Completely coat inside and outside surfaces with melted vegetable oil or
shortening (some people prefer lard or bacon fat).
4. Place cookware on middle rack for 30 minutes. Remove cookware and wipe it
almost dry to prevent pooling of shortening or oil. Place back in oven for
another 30 minutes.

Visit Serendipity Junction and brows our large selection of cast iron cookware and home decor.

Mayfair Madness

Made by the Hocking Glass Co. from 1931 to 1937 the "Mayfair" or "Open Rose" glass pattern has become the collector's choice and by far the most popular of depression glass patterns. Found in pink, blue, yellow, crystal and green. Pieces in yellow or green are rare and extremely rare are the few items made with all four colors.

The Mayfair pattern can be found on soup and vegetable bowls, dinner plates, goblets, tumblers, candy dishes, cookie jars, butter dishes and vases. Although many pieces are fairly abundant, the three legged console bowl in pink and green and the footed salt & pepper in pink are extremely rare and difficult to find.

Characteristics of the Mayfair glass pattern include a vine design and an open flower which is how this pattern got it's nickname "Open Rose". The colors can be vibrant but most commonly found in light muted shades. It's no wonder this line has been among the most collectible of glassware.

Visit Serendipity Junction and see our stock of excellent Mayfair Open Rose Depression Glass reproductions.

Blue Willow Ceramics Are Here!

Serendipity Junction has finally received our long awaited shipment of Blue Willow ceramics and by golly it was well worth the wait. I knew our new supplier had excellent product which is why we sought them out. When we were able to get this line at such good prices I was very pleased. Now, as we unpack the first arrivals I confirm we made a great choice. These pieces are beautiful.

Though these are not vintage and antique pieces produced by Thomas Turner or Spode, they do possess the excellent quality craftsmanship that is so sought after. Due to Spode's great success with this china pattern many other companies have gone on to produce their own version of Blue Willow, including Wedgewood and Royal Daulton. Versions have been made all over the world including Japan, Holland and China. This collection is a superb version, not (Transferware or Blue Onion), made in China.

Our inventory includes but is not limited to salt & pepper figural sets, teapots, pitcher and bowl sets, plates, trays and switch plates. The collecting and decorating possibilities are endless.

Seasoned collectors know to look for key features in the traditional blue and white pattern like a large beautiful Chinese mansion with a willow tree in the yard, a small bridge with 3 figures, a humble servant's house at the foot of the bridge, a small Chinese boat and the famous love birds.


The Blue Willow Legend

There was once a Mandarin who had a beautiful daughter, Koong-se. He employed a secretary, Chang who, while he was attending to his master's accounts, fell in love with Koong-se, much to the anger of the Mandarin, who regarded the secretary as unworthy of his daughter.

The secretary was banished and a fence constructed around the gardens of the Mandarin's estate so that Chang could not see his daughter and Koong-se could only walk in the gardens and to the water's edge.

One day a shell fitted with sails containing a poem, and a bead which Koong-se had given to Chang, floated to the water's edge. Koong-se knew that her lover was not far away.

She was soon dismayed to learn that she had been betrothed to Ta-jin, a noble warrior Duke. She was full of despair when it was announced that her future husband, the noble Duke, was arriving, bearing a gift of jewels to celebrate his betrothal.

However, after the banquet, borrowing the robes of a servant, Chang passed through the guests unseen and came to Koong-se's room. They embraced and vowed to run away together. The Mandarin, the Duke, the guests, and all the servants had drunk so much wine that the couple almost got away without detection, but Koong-se's father saw her at the last minute and gave chase across the bridge.

The couple escaped and stayed with the maid that Koong-se's father had dismissed for conspiring with the lovers. Koong-se had given the casket of jewels to Chang and the Mandarin, who was also a magistrate, swore that he would use the jewels as a pretext to execute Chang when he caught him.

One night the Mandarin's spies reported that a man was hiding in a house by the river and the Mandarin's guards raided the house. But Chang had jumped into the ragging torrent and Koong-se thought that he had drowned.

Some days later the guards returned to search the house again. While Koong-se's maid talked to them, Chang came by boat to the window and took Koong-se away to safety.

They settled on a distant island, and over the years Chang became famous for his writings. This was to prove his undoing. The Mandarin heard about him and sent guards to destroy him. Chang was put to the sword and Koong-se set fire to the house while she was still inside.

Thus they both perished and the gods, touched by their love, immortalized them as two doves, eternally flying together in the sky.

Serendipity Junction at CHShops

I'm proud to announce that SerendipityJunction.com has become a member of CHShops virtual shopping mall. It's an eclectic grouping of shops that provide everything from antiques to web design & graphics.

Shopping online saves gas and therefore money and shopping in a virtual mall saves time. You don't have to spend hours searching for store after store. I feel honored to be included in one of the best venues providing a large selection of quality sellers. This mall is specifically designed for convenience and uncomplicated search which sets it apart from other hard to navigate venues.

Stop by today and visit Serendipity Junction and our sister shop The Gift or Decor Store. Make sure you take time to browse around CHShops. I know you'll like what you see.

Enesco Decorative Collectibles

Serendipity Junction is proud to announce we have become an official, Licensed Dealer of Enesco products. What this means for you is a large selection of quality, in demand, collectibles, in keeping with the high standards guarantee you expect from Enesco. We are working hard to keep the prices under Suggested Retail Price but not so low as to devalue the collectible nature of these great product lines in the secondary market.

We have just received a large shipment of Jim Shore Heartwood Creek, My Little Kitchen Fairies and Home Grown items and we expect even more decorative collectibles, including Disney, Disney Traditions, Pooh & Friends and Border Fine Arts , in the weeks to come. Stop by SerendipityJunction.com today and check out our inventory.

Jim Shore Heartwood Creek
This collection combines folk art appeal with authentic quilt designs to create rich, colorful figurines and accessories. These beautiful collectibles are meticulously designed down to the finest detail and made of stone resin. Jim Shore creates his popular works of art based on his deep appreciation of handcrafted quilts and folk art textures, and by drawing on his nostalgic childhood memories. More…..

My Little Kitchen Fairies
Artist and designer GG Santiago is widely respected in the world of fine collectibles for the special quality of her work, which combines genuine emotion, compassion and exquisite detail in all her images. Her magical collection of figurines has become a phenomenal success, touching so many hearts with a true essence of the enchanting delight of fairies. More…

Home Grown
Fun vegetable and fruit figurines with tons of personality, this charming collectible line from Enesco depict delightful animals from the garden. Meticulously crafted of stone resin and artfully detailed with realistic colors, these figurines spring to life with Home Grown appeal. More……