Bottoms Up Shot Glass

Originally designed by Wil Low Bacher of the White Cloud Farm, Inc. Pottery Company, this is the glass that inspired the well known toast "Bottoms Up".

Popular during the 1920's prohibition Speakeasy era, the Bottoms Up Shot Glass rests on its rim and has a sparsely clad girl in a slumped position on what would be the bottom of the glass. Some describe the woman as being "passed out". The double or triple meaning just added to the decadence of the venues where they were widely used.

Originals of this glass design are very rare. Mr. Bacher's version was with legs spread but after a patent dispute and lawsuit the McKee Glass Company began manufacturing them with legs closed (Patent Number 77,725). This became quite a lucrative move for McKee who's more "acceptable" design became a huge hit with the moonshine drinking, underground bar patrons of the Roaring Twenties. Ah the irony ;).

The McKee Glass Company eventually went out of business and sold the closed leg Bottoms Up molds to the (now defunct) Summit Art Glass Company. Summit manufactured the glasses in several colors including Vaseline glass.

Most of the Bottoms Up gasses you find today are no longer made in the U.S.A. There are reproductions of varying quality made in Taiwan and China. Collectors of the originals will pay high prices if they can find them but admirers with a discerning eye can find beautiful reproductions for very affordable prices.

Visit our collection of excellent reproductions of retro, vintage and depression glass including many popular glass patterns in cobalt blue, pink, amber, carnival and jadeite.

And The Cow Jumped Over The Moon

This week is all about the Moon beginning on Monday July 20th with the 40th anniversary of Neil Armstrong and the crew of Apollo 11's historic walk on the Moon in 1969. I remember as a little girl the excitement this event caused. It seemed the entire world was glued to TV sets watching what could only be described as the most unbelievable sight any of us had ever seen.

I was so inspired by the "coolness" of this event that I, like many other boys and girls, wanted to be an astronaut when I grew up. My life took me in a different direction but I was lucky enough to meet Neil Armstrong a few months after the moon walk and several years later I also met John Glenn.

On Tuesday July 21st, we will witness the closest Moon of the year and the longest solar eclipse of the century. The Moon will be 222,117 miles away causing higher-than-normal tides and maybe more-than-usual wolves to howl.

The eclipse will last a total of 6.7 minutes and will this will not happen again for well over 100 years. We will not see it in North America but it will sweep over India during the monsoon season before traversing China and entering the Pacific at Shanghai.

I will celebrate this moonlit week by treating myself to Moon Pie sandwiches and trying not to break my leg while practicing Michael Jackson's more Earthly version of the Moonwalk.

Happy Bastille Day

Today is Bastille Day. On July 14 in 1789, masses of French commoners stormed the fortress prison in Paris known as the Bastille. This was the beginning of the French Revolution and the start of governmental change. Soon afterward King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette took refuge in Versailles as peasants protested.

The British ambassador there summed up the significance of this event in a letter to his king: "Thus, my lord, the greatest Revolution that we know anything of has been effected."

This day is celebrated in France much like Americans celebrate Independence Day with parades, picnics and speeches.

A Favorite Bastille Day Recipe:

Easy Broccoli Quiche

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 onion, minced
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 2 cups chopped fresh broccoli
• 1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 4 eggs, well beaten
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Over medium-low heat melt butter in a large saucepan. Add onions, garlic and broccoli. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally until the vegetables are soft. Spoon vegetables into crust and sprinkle with cheese.
3. Combine eggs and milk. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in melted butter. Pour egg mixture over vegetables and cheese.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until center has set.

Enjoy!

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.