I love glass. I love it for the same reason birds love it, it’s shiny. Cleaning the glass around my house, including my windows, mirrors, and the glass on pictures is one of my chief (and some would think, strangest) decorating tips for the holidays. Glass makes the perfect palette for candlelight and twinkle lights to shimmer and shine which does a lot to make magic in any room. Like the trail Tinkerbelle leaves as she flies by. ♥
Receiving this dish in my early 20’s was probably the thing that alerted me to the possibilities with glass and started the obsession. It was a gift from my Aunt Maroline and Uncle Bob when I got married. When I first saw it, I didn’t know what it 
was or what I would DO with it; there were no bananas in it when I unwrapped it, so I wasn’t sure what its purpose was. I love things with a purpose, so when my aunt told me it was to hold bananas, I jumped for joy. It had a reason to exist! I could have it! The pure charm and whimsy of the thing took hold of my heart, and this banana dish has been on every kitchen table, island, or counter in every kitchen of my life. It is a mainstay. I would be bereft without it. We are never without bananas in our house. ♥
Inspiration is funny. You never know when it will hit or what form it will take. One summer afternoon, many years ago, we were sitting at the picnic table in the backyard belonging to a French man we know here on the island. He spread a white table cloth over the wood table, brought out beautiful cheeses on a board, and served us cold white wine in short, straight-sided thin glasses like these, while French cafe music drifted out the open French doors to his house.
I thought, oo, la, oui! How continental! How adorably foreign! How Charles Trenet! I must have this!
And so it began, the glass collection that will never end. Because
it was becoming obvious that to lead an original romantic life, on the model of the early Zelda Fitzgerald, where dreamy French music and entertaining would take place, I was going to need to gather the ingredients (props); these glasses looked like a good place to start.
We’ve collected ours mostly one at a time. We’ll see one on a shelf in an antique store, it will cost a dollar, and we will jump on it like it’s a trophy. Our eyes narrow and shift around the store, to see, does anyone else notice this wonderful thing is only a dollar? And they don’t, so we grab it and run. What is a dollar these days? A candy bar is a dollar.
Because we find them one at a time, our collection of these little glasses is very mix and match. We’ve found them in pink and green depression glass, etched with fruit and flowers, swirled, and hand-painted.
We have found them etched with the Lord’s Prayer.
We have found ones that we can’t believe have survived so long!
Some of them could definitely tell a story. We found this one from the first Queen Elizabeth in the little antique store on board the QEII. It was not a dollar. But it had our name written all over it. The Finding-Nemo seagull word formed on the lips, “mine” it said, irresistibly, as in take me I’m yours.
Over time, we realized that others, with slightly different shapes, make wonderful water glasses. I know some of you understand this love of pretty glasses, because a couple of weeks ago we put three sets of these little glasses, colored and etched, in the Vintage section of our website, and they were snapped right up! Sets are really hard to find but Joe and I got them out shopping as we were crossing the country! So happy you (whoever you are) got them! I will keep looking, when I’m out and about, for more.
We have found them in all colors . . . and have broadened our definition of “what is acceptable” to include different shapes. We had to, there was no choice; do you look at these yellow jewels and say, oh dear, no, the ridges just won’t do? No, you do not. You don’t even think it.
Setting the table can be like putting together a puzzle, a little of this a little of that. But, for better or worse, however it turns out will be very unlike anyone else’s, because, as you know, you can’t walk into a store and just get this stuff any time, it takes a long time to gather this, a person has to be choosy and get just what she loves. ♥
Glass obsession knows no end. It graduates from wine glasses, and gets its wings with serving bowls, candle sticks, and cake plates. It was probably thirty years of antiquing before I found this at a price I was willing to pay for it. I’m just not paying $200 for a cake stand, but I will pay $56. Yes, I will. Here it is, home at last! Holding my mom’s famous Coconut Circus Cake with pink sugar frosting. ♥
Pitchers and ice bowls call my name too.
Early morning light comes in through the windows and falls across the dining table, and this is what we get, free of charge.
Glass star bobeche and colored-glass vintage sugars and creamers are perfect for the holidays.
And here is my newest find. Something I almost never come across, do you recognize it? Yes! It’s a really beautiful cut-glass Banana Dish, about as perfect as it can be. But, you are saying, “She already has a banana dish . . . this isn’t fair!”
And I am saying, “I didn’t get it for me. I got it for you.” ♥
Yes, I did; this little jewel is going to one of you, and all you have to do to be entered for the random drawing is leave a comment and tell me (and everyone!) your favorite housekeeping tip. Or, like last time, you can just say hello! Or maybe a Jell-O recipe would be good. 🙂
In a couple of days, after everyone is all signed up, we’ll draw a name. More fun in this giant mutual admiration society of ours! Willard starts going out this morning…today and tomorrow. I’m off to work on my book! Talk to you later! Happy day to all! ♥
Housekeeping tip? I make my bed every single day, or my husband does. We have a small bedroom that looks instantly tidy with a made bed. 🙂
You are so right!
Love the banana dish! I have seen these before and wondered too, what is this dish? Bananas! Oh so Victorian of us Americana’s! (I think I was born in the wrong era sometimes. What a beauty way to display that yummy fruit.) Cleaning tip? I have a little saying on a plaque that reminds me to take life slow…”Cleaning a house while the kids are still growing, is like shoveling the snow, while it’s still snowing!” I hope I win! I have the perfect spot for it.
Lynn Hamman
Otsego, MI
Perfect! 🙂
Dear Susan, my favorite house-keeping secret is to put a few pieces lemon or lime down the garbage disposal. It cleans out any lingering odors and leaves a fresh scent! By the way, the banana holder is beautiful, I sure hope I win this time!
Love that tip!!
I have never heard of a banana dish! How cute.
Favorite house-keeping tip–invite the granddaughters over and have them help! LOL Mine are still young and think it fun to dust.
Keep them thinking it!
Oooh, Susan,
It is SOOOO beautiful! I love glass too…I have some pieces of my Mom’s that I love; when she passed away, we 3 sisters sat around the table and picked things in turn, so we all had some. I have an old antique cake plate that I love to use, but I’m VERY careful with. Housekeeping tip? Hmmmm… I think ‘clean enough for visitors but dirty enough to be homey’….of course, I really don’t mean dirty, just lived in! I’m keeping my fingers crossed on the ‘banana boat’! Jody
Yes too perfect can be scary to us unperfect ones! 🙂
I try to use my majic wand on the cleaning, but it never seems to work! 🙂
That’s the problem!
I LOVE the banana dish, it is so pretty and I LOVE bananas, I have from day one! I have never had a proper place to put my stash of bananas either. What a fun collection of glassware you have!
I know, they’re such a funny shape. And of course, those Victorians, had something for everything!
Love the banana dish. Looks alot like my grandmother’s cake stand! Don’t wash the grandkids handprints off the doors as they make me smile when I think of them being here!
Drop one of those handprints on a recipe card … that you give them when they get married. 🙂
The problem is would I be able to remember where it is by the time they get married as organization is a problem here!
LOL! Yes, that would be a problem! 🙂
Oh, beautiful, beautiful! Please sign me up.
My housekeeping tip is not a practical one: wash all your lovelies (like this banana dish) by hand, carefully, and dry them also with care, telling them (silently, perhaps) how much you love them and how they enrich your life.
🙂
Susan, As I was reading this post, all I kept thinking was that we have so many things in common! I also love vintage glass and will collect it mostly from the wonderful yard sales we have here at the Jersey Shore. I just bought a wonderful set of amber depression glasses at a sale and wrote about it in a post. Also, I have a thing for banana bowls! Mine is milk glass. I like to stack long narrow things in it to serve at parties. Little Pirouette type cookies, pretzel rods, and of course bananas. Thank you for writing something that I sooo enjoy reading!
♥, Susan
Thanks for being here Susan!
My favorite housekeeping tip is to keep things clean and tidy every day. Once you get in this routine, it isn’t hard at all. Easier than doing it all at one time, well for me anyway. Oh my what a beautiful way to display bananas! I have never seen one of these, ever! Even in all the crystal places I have been over here, (Germany) I have not seen one of those! What a find!! Thanks so much for thinking of all of us with your beautiful finds and sharing too… Smiles!!
OH Terri! You are singlehandedly responsible for the last 5 lbs I’ve gained. I am especially in love with the Happy Hippos. Kinder, schminder! Joe loves the frosted ones, me too. The chocolate covered hearts were amazing! The little white cake, your husband’s favorite, is on the chopping block now, and is only half left . . . I haven’t eaten any of the little hamburgers yet, they look a little scary. But that was far beyond the call of duty. So fun!!! Thank you!!!
So glad you and Joe liked the goodies! It makes my heart smile!!
Oh, it’s almost ridiculous! 🙂 Eating the disk shaped chewy ones now. Are these the ones you set on the tea cup to melt the honey? I love them.
Ooooo, ye after my own heart! I thought I was the only person in the world that had a glass fetish! I have to close my eyes sometimes when I enter a “glass gallery” ~ tee-hee. So glad, so very glad I’m not alone ;).
My favorite housekeeping tip. . . . hmmm. . . not a tip ~ just love freshly mopped floors! I go bare foot a lot and love the feel of “satin” under my feet! Besides, it makes the “5 second rule” easier to accept!
As for the banana bowl ~ I think it would fit right in my home, since we go thru bananas like its our job. Not only that, it would have a lot of aged friends to sit with. Who knows the stories they could share if they were able.
Love the bare feet on the satin floor!
Tip: Hire Help!! Ha!!
Love all your glasses and glass dishes. I love to search antique stores for a find.
Brilliant! 🙂
Ooooh, I new that you would be posting this morning, and I got to be the first to read it! For some reason that makes me immeasurably excited 🙂
Good morning! I wish I could say that I have a house keeping tip, but with 2 young kids the only one I have right now is clean when you can 🙂 I actually took a tip from you…well it’s on a poster I got from your store:
“The cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow
But children grow up as I’ve learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs; Dust go to sleep! I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep. ”
– Ruth Hulbert Hamilton
Love all of your glass, I have been on the hunt for a etched glass hurricane lamp of my own for quiet some time, yours is gorgeous! I WILL find one 🙂
Well one of my babies is now awake, got to go….have a great day all!
—Melissa
I just love that quote, it’s the best advice of all!
That quote is now the motto for my life!! LOVE IT! Thanks for reminding me what is important!!
this dish is so beautiful!!!love love love it! my favorite housekeeping tip? using anything that will make my home smell lovely!! simmering spices..burning scented candles,room sprays in unusual scents. it justs makes me feel so calm and happy,also helps with the odors a big doggy can make!!!
Bananas. I am obsessed with bananas. I eat two a day. If it were acceptable to eat six a day, I would. That’s how much I love them. So I can deeply appreciate your glass banana boat affinity and would love to have that pretty one you’re giving away!
Let’s see…..favorite housekeeping tip….. I’m gonna say SCENT. There is NOTHING I despise more than walking into my house and smelling something bad. We have two kitties (Maine coons) and the big boy is anything but discreet, even when it comes to using the litter box. Another odor that makes me see red is garbage. So if either of these “aromas” greet me as I walk into my house, I drop EVERYTHING and remedy the situation!
All that to say: replace bad smells with happy scents. My happiest scent is apple-cinnamon or apple-spice or apple-cider. You get the idea….. So having my Febreeze scented oil plug-in near the front door and a couple of my favorite Yankee candles flickering on top of the shelves or entertainment center are a MUST. Happy scents make for a happy homekeeper!
My favorite housekeeping tip is to always keep baking soda near for those stubborn spots on your pots and pans. 🙂
Thank you Susan!
I really enjoy your blog posts, Susan!! There is always a smile on my face when I see in google reader that you have posted a new one entry. That banana dish is so clever!
My housekeeping tip is this: bend at the knees when you are picking up things off the floor…it will keep you from having a back ache.
Good one!
My favorite tip is to stay organized. It especially helps with the children’s items, school work, toys, books, hair clips and ties, socks.
Love the banana dish!
Thanks Jeannine!
I LOVE that beautiful banana holder!!!! It is quite glorious!
My house keeping tips are 1) baking soda – it does wonders!
2) pump up the music and make it a game so the kids do most of work!!!! LOL!
Pumping up the music is the magic ingredient!
Oh Susan…how pretty my bananas would look lounging in that boat! My favorite tip is to put some of your favorite scent or refresher oil on a piece of Kleenex or a cotton ball and suck it up in your sweeper! Every time you vacuum it will smell heavenly …almost making the chore a pleasure…and this reminds me of your calendar page with the quote”Housework , when done correctly, will kill you! “Being a cleaning lady, I am saving lives every day! Love,love,love your calendars! I received my set the other day in the mail, now 2012 can come and I will be using my treasures from you! Mary”I don’t clean up faerie dust” C.
You DO save lives . . . no doubt about it! Thank you!!!
Hi Susan I love your blog and recipe books and art work…
This past Saturday my husband Frank and grandaugher Natalie(6yrs) made Not Just the Regular STEW from your Vineyard Seasons…it was so yummmy..We also made some great beer bread..As Natalies brother and parents arrived back to our home from a soccer game and with the brisk fall weather we all enljoyed our little feast…thank you for great recipes and interesting things to make..What joy!!!!!! JUDY
Thank YOU Judy! Nice of you to write!
I have never heard of or seen a banana dish before! How awesome! I LOVE LOVE glass things, especially etched glass, my weakness or the nobby kind (not very technical! LOL) and have a small collection from over the years. Would so LOVE to have this intriguing piece for my very own!! Thanks for the eye candy and education Susan!
Have a wonderful day! Diana
Just more to love!
I love all the glassware Susan, it’s so pretty. I remember whenever I visited my grandparents house going into their pantry and all the glassware being displayed on the shelves. Happy memories.
Good Morning,
What an elegant piece for bananas.
Best housekeeping tip I’ve received through more than ?0 years is, do the worse first. Then whatever it is you don’t like about housekeeping is out of the way, the rest of of day is more enjoyable and pleasant.
Memories – My mom had everything done by noon so she could curl up with Pearl Buck and read the afternoon away. I’m I like her…..not really but she did the best she could by setting an example.
Love that!
Ohhh! Pearl Buck! I am lucky to live near her home in Bucks County, PA. It’s open for tours and I love to go at Christmastime when each room is decorated with trees covered in so many of the beautiful ornaments she collected from all over the world. It’s worth seeing! I never met her, but my grandfather was friends with her gardener back in the 1950’s, and I have a Jade Plant which was rooted from one of her cuttings! I treasure it and it has grown into an enormous thing, too heavy to move around much now. I like your mom’s practice of having everything done by noon, Charmayne! I think I’ll try that, then I, too, can curl up with a good book in the afternoon! What bliss that would be!
Love the banana dish! How absolutely darling! and so much more classy than a banana hook or hammock. 😉
I use a combination of rubbing alcohol and spring water to clean windows & mirrors. Quick evaporation & no streaks!
Happy Fall, Susan!
Thanks Kathy!
Not sure why, but the majority of my post got cut off so I am trying it again:
Hi Susan!!
I just LOVE the Banana Dish as I too have never seen nor heard of one!! >> grin <<< Here’s wishing you a WONDERFUL, SHINY day!!
Gamma Rori
Not sure why, but the majority of my post got cut off so I am trying it again:
House cleaning tip:
*Use baking soda in your final laundry wash rinse to get that fresh smell in the clothes or linens;
*Clean your house ‘before’ you go on a trip so that when you return tired and in need of sleep or just rest, the house speaks to you, saying, “I’m clean don’t worry about me, go take a snooze.”
*A quick way to remove liquid stains, like juices or wines from carpeting, is to dump salt or baking soda onto the spill as soon as possible. This will soak up a great deal of the stain and it will also keep the spill from being spread further . Once it has dried, vacuum it up from the carpet. For the remaining stain, scrub with club soda.
*Keep hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle in the kitchen. It is great for disinfecting counter-tops and it leaves no chemical smells, like bleach or perfumed cleaners.
Ok, those are my suggestions :-> Here’s wishing you a WONDERFUL, SHINY day!!
Gamma Rori
Good ones!
This isn’t a very glamourous tip, but in my wastebaskets in which I use a plastic bag as a liner, I always stuff a few extra bags in under the liner in use. Then next time I change out the “full” bag, I always have another handy right there ready to use. Anyway, I have never seen a banana dish before. I must certainly look for one now that I know that they exist, what they look like, and how beautiful they are!
That’s a good tip Nancy, we do it too! 🙂
Susan you just birghten my day everytime I go to your site…I love your photos of the “little corners” of your life. You home is so sweet, so homey and cozy. Funny that you posted info on Marthas Vinyard because I told my husband I want to go there next year…you inticed me by your photos of town and your way of writting just draws me to come… I dont know if you have ever heard of a SMASH BOOK but I have one and I made a “I LOVE PAGE” and your on that page, I use your stickers all thru the book. It’s sort of a journal with images in it~I never tire of reading at your site.
I clicked on your “music” tab and loved what you listen to…While we were away in Rye NH I found this station called Ledgends 1040 on the AM dial bbased out of Newberryport MA!!! I got an APP for it on my IPAD you would like that station! It’s not sunny today in Westchester NY but “you brought a ray of shineshine to my day!!!!! Thanks!!!!
Thank you so much Carol, going after that APP right now!
It’s the little details that make a home special, isn’t it? I noticed right away the egg cup with the toothpicks in it behind the banana dish. As soon as I finish this, I’m getting my toothpicks out of the kitchen drawer and putting them in one of the egg cups on the windowsill. Of course, I love all the glass too.
This isn’t a housekeeping tip, but with the holidays just around the corner, may help some moms with little curious ones. When my 3 were little, I would hide Christmas presents in large, sturdy shopping bags, hung from hangers with coats and bathrobes over them, or under dirty clothes in the hamper. They never found their presents, even when searching through the closets. When they became adults and had children of their own, they asked where I hid their presents because they could never find them, so I know this works.
Ahhh, the egg cup trick! 🙂 Good hiding job!
And I thought it was a taco holder…Here’s my tip: It is not really a housekeeping tip though. It’s more of a banana tip. Or possibly a gardening tip. I peel bananas from the bottom up to not get annoying “banana hair” (like, I’m told, Monkey’s do. Oh gosh, writing that just made me sing to myself and it is NOT my birthday…”Happy Birthday to you, Happy birthday to you, you look like a monkey and you act like one too!”…). THEN I put the peels out in my rose garden. Banana peels are terrific food for roses! They turn black so quickly that you don’t even notice them as they decompose…
Do the roses respond?
but of course!
Karen,
I thought the same thing…taco holders! 🙂
Bananas are the favorite fruit at our house, so there are plenty of peels to bury. Unfortunately, our 2 terriers always seem to sniff out where they’re buried, no matter the location or how deep they’re buried! I don’t think the peels are in the ground long enough to make a difference in my rose garden. lol
Marilyn (in Dallas)
It does look like a taco holder, and I have to say, that wouldn’t bother me a bit . . . fill it with tacos is what I say, and let’s eat!
I have never seen a Banana Dish before! It’s beautiful!! The best tip I can share is when you burn something in a pot (?!?!) after cleaning it as best you can sprinkle a little bit of Dishwasher powder in the bottom of the pan, add some boiling water, let it sit for about 30-40 minutes and waa-laa, the burn lifts off 🙂 We also have a stainless steel coffee pot, and the same method works great to clean the coffee stains. It actually looks like a new pot!
Nice!
good morning susan! i let out a squeal ( tee hee) when i saw the banana bowl. oh how precious! Oh to be mine, mine, mine…..ha – anyway so enjoyed visiting with you this morning and i wanted to share a jello recipe with you… i make this one every Christmas because of the colors, so not only is it beautiful, but so yummy.
First step: mix 2 pkgs. ( 3-oz) lime jello according to directions, but using 2 cups of hot water and 1 cup of cold water. Pour into 9-by-13-inch glass pan. let set solid.
second step: mix 1 box( 3-oz) lemon jello with 1 cup boiling water. dissolve jello, then add 2 cups of mini marshmellows and 1- 8oz. pkg. of cream cheese. stir until all is melted – then add a 4-ounce can crushed pineapple including juice.
After it is cooled add 1 small container of Cool Whip. Let it begin to thicken , then pour this on top of lime jello. let this set.
Third step: mix 2 pkgs. ( 3-oz) cherry jello. 2 cups of hot water, and 1 cup of cold water. let it get cold, then pour over second layer. Let it set completely. Be prepared for compliments tee hee…. it is yummy! have a happy day!
Reminds me of my Rainbow Jello! But mine is all sour cream to mix in and no marshmallows! The kids would like yours best!
I actually have a “banana dish” but didn’t know it was for bananas 🙂 Mine has held gloves, hankies, and necklaces for tea parties … but now will have a place in my kitchen for los platanos! Favorite household tip was given to me 25 years ago at my bridal shower … Always keep a vacuum out. That way when friends drop by you can say “Oh, I was just cleaning the house!”
My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance. ~Erma Bombeck
LOL!
I have never in my life heard or seen a banana dish and I’m swooning! How lovely. My housekeeping tip is to pay someone else to do it 🙂
This may be the winning entry!
As much as I’d love to win the banana dish, I have to agree with you on this one, Susan! 🙂 I’m sitting here laughing…
Great idea! My problem would be that I would have to straighten up my little messes before I would let anyone come in to clean…don’t want anyone to think I’m not a good housekeeper! Ha! I’m sure my grandmothers are looking down and just shaking their heads…hopefully smiling as well… : )
Hi Susan
I am in love!!! I have never seen a banana dish before. If I don’t win, my mission will be to find one. I love anything and everything glass. I have an obsession with glass I would say. My favorite is glass balls and depression glass. Oh I love the glass with the little balls on it too. I think its called hobnail? I really don’t know. Anyway my housekeeping tip is, Instead of cleaning the whole house all at once I do one room a day or I will dust one day, clean the fronts of the cabinets one day, the frig one day. I space it all apart but do it alittle each day and the house stays sparkly clean and it doesnt’ seem like much work. Oh until the kid coming running through:)
Happy day Susan, love all the pictures, loved Willard this morning love the black and white floor, oh one more, love the stars dangling from the candle holder
deezie
Girl after my own heart!
I clean like that tooooo! Makes it so much easier doesn’t it???
I have never seen a banana dish before. Lovely! The things I learn reading blogs!! A laundry tip that I have been using is lavender scented dryer bags that can be reused several times instead of dryer sheets. Love the scent of the lavender as I pull the clothes out of the dryer and also when ironing the scent is still there. Then when you have used the bag enough times, tear it open and sprinkle on your carpet and vacuum them up. I find these at our Trader Joe’s. Love them! Would love to win your banana dish too!
~Linnea
That sounds like it’s going on my Trader Joe’s list!
I can’t say I have a favorite housekeeping tip, (as I’m a terrible housekeeper – and NOT proud of the fact!) but …. I do have a tip on keeping bananas. (And I know from this blog that you have kept far more bananas than I have, even though I’m 61 years old, and you may prefer to keep them just as you have been.) But … again …. over the years I found that if I lay my bananas with the curve downwards, they bruise less. They rest on their tip ends rather than on their tender middles. And looking at your pictures of your banana dishes, (which I never knew what they were either!), I would think they’re curved that way to match the curve of the banana. Dontcha think? ……………
LOVE your website and blog! (Just makes me sad sometimes that I don’t have even a little bit of your talents. Writing, drawing, painting, CLEANING, cooking, etc., etc.) But I thank God for you and pray his continued blessings on you and yours ~ Always
Don’t be sad, your inner self is just waiting for a spark of inspiration . . . thank you! And I think you’re right about the banana dish shape.
What an exquisite banana dish! But, alas, I can’t have bananas….would a lovely stack of mixed grapes hanging over it hither and yon work!?! The lovely pictures of your glassware are heaven….
Housekeeping tip: Train your children to care for their own things, as well as yours, and give them an appreciation for “beauty” through the generations. My sons can clean, cook and mend (they are in late 30s) but they also love my English antique (1700s) mother -of- pearl and silver silverware that graces our Christmas table and my grandmothers cake stand and insist on washing them all by hand every year!
Kids like that are such a blessing!
oh, lovely…so much nicer than the banana hanger! Please, count me in. As to housekeeping tip, this is one I just learned and wish I had known 40 years ago when I first started keeping my own home…keep your used ‘brillo’ pads in the freezer in a zip-lock bag. They don’t rust and stay usable much longer. Hope you’re having a beautiful, bright blue October day! We are, down here in Florida,,,even had to cover the flowers with plastic the past few nights to save them from the cold!
Florida! Oh dear, take care of the oranges for us!
I love bananas because they have appeal! LOL! Get it>
Anyway, that beautiful glass banana dish is crying to come live at my house and sit majestically on my kitchen counter.
My home-keeping tip…..music, candles, and enthusiasm for the beautiful!
I love your blog, Susan, because I am always inspired to love my home more and more each day!
LOL yes, I got it! xo
I love the banana dish -you taught this antique dealer(that would be me) something today so thanks! Somehow, when I am cleaning house the thing I consider most important is as soon as I am finished I go in the yard to cut fresh flowers. It makes all that work seem like a huge accomplishment when crowned with flowers :))
Absolutely! The crowning glory!
I collect “Swanky Swigs” – those little decorated juice glasses that once held Kraft speadable cheese. They were popular from 1930 – 1960. Every once in a while they do a commorative one. I have mostly flowers and stars, circles, and bands. My oldest one dates to 1932 and they are displayed on a special shelf in my kitchen. I find them at antique stores and garage sales. My housekeeping tip – get your housework done early, then you have the rest of the day for whatever you’d like to do that day. That banana dish is something I’ve never seen. How unique!
My tip – keep the kitchen tidy, even if the rest of your house is a little ruffled. That way, if someone pops in for a visit, you can always take them to the kitchen and fix them a cup of tea and sit for a chat in a nice, calm place in your house.
Sheri I love this tip! I live in a barn conversion and our lounge is up a flight of stairs, so when people come to visit we always end up downstairs at the kitchen table! Why bother with the rest of the house its rarely seen by anyone else! Great tip. xx
Hello I absolutely love that banana dish, I have never seen a banana dish before! I love old glass I have my mother’s, she use to keep them in a cupboard (possibly so the didn’t get broken) but I think things of beauty should be on display and that’s where her glass dishes are now. My tip is really my Mums she use to say always keep a tidy house but remember…..life is for living, the dust will wait another day.
Linda (in France)
Oui Linda! You have a smart mother!
Sue, you’re spoiling us. We could get used to these giveaways 🙂
Since the topic is glass, I’ll tell you that I never use glass cleaner on windows and mirrors. I use microfiber cloths and water and it works so much better. If there’s already glass cleaner residue on the glass, it may smear at first, but once the glass is clean it will be super easy to maintain. I buy big packages of microfiber cloths at Sam’s for very little money. I think automotive stores sell them that way, too.
I love the banana dish and the pictures of your glass (beautiful table setting!), and I love your generous heart. xoxo
Thank you Janie, and back to you . . . did you get your Willard today? Did you see your name?
What? My name in Willard?! Oh gracious, I’m usually one of the last to receive my Willard. It’s always hard to wait, but now I’m going to wear out my email checking 🙂
hahahahaha! you are so funny, you’ll see . . .
Rosinda put me out of my misery and forwarded Willard to me today, and now I’m in a little bit of Heaven! First, how could I not be in Heaven after seeing my name and autumn garland in Willard?! It’s the pinnacle of my garland making career 🙂 Really, Sue, you’re such a sweetheart to post that picture. I love seeing it in your home. But that’s not the only reason I’m in Heaven. The decorating inspiration, the Indian Shuck bread recipe (which even gluten free gals can have), and, of course, the scent of Burberry all put me over the top. Thank you, Sue. As always, love Willard and love you. xoxo
hahahahaha! Rosinda! She couldn’t make you wait! So funny — I’m sorry it took so long to get to you! Especially considering the pinnacle thing! LOL, the “scent of burberry” — thank you Janie, for the inspiration! xoxoxo
love your blogs; they are so restful and they help me appreciate all the ‘treasures’ I have. my favorite housekeeping tip would be dusting the floorboards when I’m stocking-footed…just a swish and the dust is gone! No bending.
P.S. I’d love the banana dish; I’ve never seen one.
I’ve seen “dusting socks” — do you have those?
Hi Susan,
Loved receiving Willard today! I chuckled over your “Science walk”. 🙂
Housekeeping tip: Make a cute daily list and as you check it off, you give yourself a feeling of accomplishment. Also, if the sink is clean, all is right in the world!
Makes me laugh, I really can’t bear my kitchen sink to be dirty!
Aughhhhhhhh ! My heart be still! I LOVE glass! What a nice surprise! Have I told you lately how wonderful you are and that I love this blog????? I love looking at all those pretty pictures, your table and little glasses! I agree with cleaning all the glass for the holidays and seeing how it tinkles all pretty and bright in the glow of little twinkly lights! And doesn’t the tree seem more glittery and twinkly when the windows are clean? My favorite housekeeping tip is: I have a space above my cupboards between the top of the cabinets and the ceiling. It gets dusty and greasy up there and can be hard to clean so instead of working so hard on this chore – I just line the top of the cabinets with brown paper grocery bags! Every couple of months I replace and recycle them. That way all I have to do is wash my pretty pitchers that I collect. Quick and EASY! Thank you for this – made my day – wonderful way to start the day!
Love that, so smart! Thanks Cathy!
Favorite housekeeping tip: Did you ever notice how a full, or nearly full, wastebasket can make an entire room, even a relatively clean one, look messy? I keep a “tall kitchen” trash bag in the basement and, on a periodic basis, carry it around upstairs and empty all the bathroom and bedroom wastebaskets into it. Of course when it gets full I start another, but it’s usually time for a trip to the dump by then.
Loved seeing your glass collection — just beautiful — and of course would love to win a cut-glass banana dish. I currently keep my bananas in a napkin-lined basket.
OH MY pick meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! So beautiful and yes, just like my girlfriends here I am a “dish and glass person”. You’ve been so very busy these last few days- thank you for your commitment to this blog and the precious Willard, even though you have a book to finish! And thank you for sharing your wonderful treasures! These are the reasons why we love you so. OK, my housekeeping tip is to sprinkle baby powder on the fresh washed sheets- I use the lavender kind. Have a wonderful, happy & creative day Girlfriend! xoxo Jacqui
All my pleasure Jacqui!
Okay don’t laugh…but everyday after my husband leaves for work and my college-age daughter leaves for school (and I’ve had my tea), I make all beds, tidy everything up and start moving stuff around (small tables, lamps, chairs, re-arranging accessories like hurricanes filled with candles or small vases of flowers) all around my house. All the while, I talk through it like I’m a decorator giving design tips on a T.V. design show. Do you think I need help?!! But that’s what makes it fun! Mid afternoon when I still have energy, I start setting my table like most people would for a holiday. This is the part my family loves the most. I put on great music; table set, candles lit, and dinner is ready when they walk in the door… because to me, if you don’t use your best and do your best for the the family you love the most…who are you saving it for? My husband has battled cancer twice, and these are the little moments we all cherish the most.
Thanks, Susan – for the joy and all the beauty (and great ideas!) you bring to our days. I’m often putting them to use. Love the blog and all the photos!
Adore this! If you can do it, it’s such a wonderful gift. Thank you Barbi! Also, when I cook, and no one is around, I sound like Julia Child, and do my demonstration in the window reflection, so, no, you are perfectly normal.
Good to know we’re the normal ones! Would love to see your Julia Child number on YouTube. Too funny!
Not ready for prime time! 🙂 Sound more like Dan Akroyd!
You know… I hope I made my housecleaning tip clear: Make it fun, make it enjoyable, be creative, do it with love, set an example for your kids.
I totally got that!
Hi Susan, I love you blog. I feel like I am back in time. So many things were better back then. I would love to own your banana bowl, beautiful.
Here is a simple little treat I fix at holidays. Hope you enjoy them. Have a blessed and happy Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Chocolate Potato Treat
Melt white chocolate chips, or milk chocolate if you prefer, 2 cups crushed potato chips, 1/2 cup pecans. Melt chocolate in microwave slowly, then add chips and pecans. I put a spoonful in mini cupcake papers. Serve on one of your vintage trays.
Could you sprinkle this over ice cream?
I think this would be yummy on anything!!!
Good to know!
My best housekeeping tip is “divide and conquer” I do the dusting- Rick does the vacuuming- one room at a time. 🙂
Since 1986 everytime I read one of your books, Willard or your blog, it brings to mind one of one of my favourite quotes :
“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: “What! You too? I thought I was the only one.” ― C.S. Lewis.
I am always so pleased by what I find I have in common with you- from books, music, favourite movie stars and authors, bits and bobs to a glass obsession- I am with you girlfriend! Even my kitty (Kipling) is a tuxedo black and white.
<3 Gabi
Writing the books taught me how much we all have in common! Much more alike than not . . . one way or another!
Yes- totally loving all of us dancing to the same tune. What do you call a group of kindred spirits? Would it be “an exultation” like larks or a “gaggle” like geese? Thanks for all the warm and wonderful moments you have created in this world. xoxo
I think we should be dancing in the springtime at someplace like Stonehenge . . . so much joy here! Thank you Gabi!
I had to come back and add another cleaning tip that I used when I was a newlywed. I’d spray some Pledge in the air just before Dan came home. When I did that he’d always remark on how nice the house looked. I bet it would still work 🙂
LOve that one! I bet it would still work too! LOL!
My housekeeping tip is to find a wonderful person to come and do it for you (my wonderful person is “Super Pat” – she’s been helping me keep my sanity for over 15 years!!). Ialso love glass – the one keepsake I wanted when my grandmother passed away was a milk glass chicken that holds eggs. I look at it every day and have happy memories!!
So wonderful you have it!
Unfortunately, the “Super Pat” referred to in the above comment is NOT me…LOL 🙂 (I wish I had a “Super Pat”, too, to help ME!) 🙂
Everyone should have a Super Pat!!!
I feel blessed!!
I am positive that we are related now – glassware and I go back a long way. I finally had to stop collectings bowls as we ran out of room – I said let’s move and he said let’s downsize. We mostly collected FireKing oven and kitchen ware to begin with and have quite a collection – one juiceless pie plate $129. The little glasses have recently taken hold, but they are mostly $3 now.
I have my fingers doubly crossed for the glass banana keeper and promise with all my heart to keep it sparkly, free from accidents and full of bananas in honor of Susan and Joe who so lovingly made it available. Thank you for this most wonderful opportunity. Off to visit the Ghastlie Bog Hop over at Madame Samms. Judy C in NC sends her very best wishes your way.
Thanks Judy!
And now I am obsessed with glass! What a wonderful first piece for my collection! My wonderful housekeeping tip was to have my children do the work for me. Do you have a tip for cleaning wood floors that haven’t been sealed? We recently pulled up the carpet and were pleasantly surprised to find hardwood floors in good condition. But how do I care for them?
I am also reminding you about your onion casserole recipe ; )
Thanks,
Karen L.
One of these days, keep reminding me!
Oh my, I was sooooooo excited to see your beautiful glass banana dish!!!!
So unique, so pretty! Looks like it’s hugging the bananas! I love it!
I have a yummy Jello recipe of my mother’s which I make every holiday and serve in my pink depression glass seving bowls. (I make one batch with lime Jello and one batch with strawberry Jello, and it looks very festive.) A few Maraschino Cherries decorating the top is a great little touch. Very easy. Enjoy!
Mom’s One Bowl Dessert
1-8oz. carton Cool Whip
1-16oz. carton cottage cheese (lowfat)
1-6oz. pkg. Jello-Lime (or any flavor) right from the package
1-24ox. can crushed pineapple (unsweetened), drained
Maraschino cherries (optional)
In a large mixing bowl, put cottage cheese, crushed pineapple, and Jello (right out of the box) and mix well. Fold in Cool Whip, and spoon into 8″x12″dish. Maraschino cheeries place on top. Chill overnite or 3 hours or longer.
That is a crazy recipe that sounds like it would be delicious!
Housekeeping hint? Really? I am the worst housekeeper! However…I run a tight ship when it comes to the camp kitchen! So, here’s my one hint…white gloves are to be checked at the door! ☺ ♥ peg
Very smart, but I’ve seen pictures of your darling kitchen!
My favorite Houskeeping tip…Baking Soda. For cleaning, polishing and in the wash to help with all the boys’ sport smells at my house. That is a beautiful dish for bananas…so sparkly. Fingers and toes crossed.
I had no idea there was such a thing as a glass banana dish! What a beautiful to way to keep bananas on display.
Oooh, Charles Trenet is a favorite of ours. My husband loves to cook to his joyful, buoyant music.
xo
Claudia
Us too!
I don’t have a jello recipe, but I do have a really good one for Cranberry Sauce with jello in it that I would love to share! It’s my little 86 year old aunt’s recipe … she has been making this for Thanksgiving and Christmas for years! It’s a recipe I now make every year myself! Here it is:
Cranberry Sauce
3 apples peeled and chopped
1 12oz. pkg chopped cranberries
3 cups sugar
Mix and let stand 3 hours
2 oranges peeled and chopped
½ cup crushed pineapple drained
10 oz. pkg frozen strawberries
1 (3 oz.) pkg raspberry Jello dry
½ cup chopped pecans
Add to apple mixture
P.S. I love that banana dish!!
Thank you Addie Lynn!
I find that if I clean for about 30 minutes each day, whether it is a bathroom, vacuuming, dusting I am able to keep up with the house. There are times when I clean only the bathroom mirrors, but when the sparkle and shine, it appears that I have cleaned the entire bathroom. The banana dish….so sparkly and shiney. We also have bananas in our kitchen every day. The are not displayed nearly as cute. Mine are in an old metal strainer on the counter. But bananas should have a place of honor, since there is soooo many uses for them.
Plus, they’re sort of like flowers, fresh and yellow . . . pretty in the kitchen!
I love all your glass soo pretty. House keeping tip I’m with Terri , I tidy a clean every day as I go along . Loved your post and photos . Its funny how we all collect something or other ! Have a wonderful day !
Yes and always fun to go to girlfriends houses and see what they collect!
My favorite housekeeping tip is to open the windows wide and let the fresh air blow thru the house and make it smell fresh….I usually do this after I have cleaned each room. I just had a new kitchen installed and cleaning had to go by the wayside, but now everything (or almost) is clean and smelling fresh!
Congratulations Claire, must be wonderful!
Oh Susan your glass selection is just exquisite! I too love old glass and have collected it for many years. I have my grandmothers glasses very similar to your grape ones. I also have collected pink depression glass—I have a cabinet full of it. It is so hard not to “save” more of it when I see it in antique shops. You have inspired me to use it more! My Mama loved glass and I have many of her pieces—these are used more often. There is something so special about all these sparkly pieces that reflect the love of my Mama! I have never heard of a banana dish —but being a glass gal— I love it!
I guess my best housekeeping tip is to use vinegar and baking soda in place of caustic chemicals—they work as well or better and it’s kinder to the environment! Baking soda will make your sink shine! Vinegar is wonderful to clean glass with–pour a little–maybe a couple tablespoons in a spray bottle filled with water. Spray on windows and glass surfaces and they will Shine!
Thank you Susan for being YOU! xoxo
Thank you Martha! Good ideas!
We have a LOT of bookcases in our house. My favorite way to dust the books and bookcase shelves (when I do it, which isn’t often enough!) is to go to our bag of rags and get out an old holey sock, turn it inside-out, and put it over my hand and use this to dust with. The inside is usually kind of fuzzy and soft and when I am done, I just roll it off my hand with the dust inside and throw it…now if I could figure out how to make it “electromagnetic” like the Swifter dust cloths… 🙂
There’s gotta be a way!
My housekeeping tip is one that I began when I starting teaching. When you are cleaning your bathroom with disinfectant don’t forget to wipe down all the doornobs (inside and out) in your home. Doornobs are overlooked and they are one of the biggest germ/bacteria carriers in your home. You’ll have a much healthier winter if you just remember the doornobs!
Sue, good one!
I love glass, too, especially the beautiful cut glass drinking glasses. My housekeeping tip is to use toothpaste as a quick silver polish, works great for jewelry.
Never tried it, I will! Can you get it out of the cracks?
I was never into glass until I got the idea to have a spring tea party and decided it would look so festive for each person to have her own color of depression glass dishes. It did turn out looking adorable so now I am an addict. My taste runs to more period pieces–early american and country so it is quite a different look for me.
Favorite housekeeping tip aside from making the bed (which has been taken), is to wipe the bathroom fixtures and kitchen sink and counters with a clorox wipe after everyone is finished in the morning. The most important places are sparkling if someone drops in. Back to the bed, my mom’s saying if someone looked rumpled or uncombed was that they looked like and unmade bed.
So pretty for Easter!
one of my favorite household tips is to use white vinegar-diluted and sheets of newspaper instead of rags to clean windows.You will get sparkling glass with no streaks or lint!Love your blog!
Thanks Sharon!
Loved your latest blog – there is something about antique glass that is so special. My Mom used to keep the Neufchatel glass containers and called them “cheese glasses”. I can remember her asking is I wanted “just a cheese glass of milk”. Then you mentioned jello recipes and I thought of my “Green Jello” I talked about in the last blog. Here goes: 1 pkg. lime jello, 1/2 c. pineapple juice, 8 oz. container Cool Whip, 1 lb. small curd cottage cheese, 1 c. mini-marshmallows, 1/2 c. crushed pineapple (I drain and use the juice for the 1/2 c.) . Cook juice and Jello 7 mins. on low heat (I don’t question – just do it). Cool. Fold in other ingredients and pour into mold. I serve at Easter – nice with ham. Or can do as a dessert. Enjoy!
Don’t question just do it, my kind of directions!
Well, I may be in the minority here, but my favorite house cleaning tip is hire a service.
No, as the comments come in, you are definitely not in the minority!
SUSAN, I KNOW THE FEELING ABOUT GLASS, Love every color every ,shape don’t always know what I will do with it but have to have it. My daughters and daughter-in-laws will have much someday.My Mom had a banana dish used it for the daily mail, first thing we looked at when coming in the door.Your blog, website, Willard make my day, coming to the Cape can’t wait for summer, see you soon,I hope.
Can’t wait for summer? Not yet!
Love the banana dish, Susan! I’ve never seen one before. I think glassware is especially nice during the holidays with the candlelight flickering and reflecting in it.
No seriously enlightening tips from me, except to say that I love my precious, furry kitty and have found that her hair seems to accumulate around all of the chair legs in the house. I rub a fabric softener sheet on the legs about once a week…it doesn’t keep the hair away, but it’s easier to remove it when I mop and dust.
Also related to pet hair (not really a tip, but a treasure)…Ever since I was a child, I saved some of my pet’s hair when I groomed them, wadded it into little bunches of fur and put those in a special stained glass trinket box I’ve had forever. I still do that with my Molly now. I’ve lost so many beloved pets through the years (wouldn’t it be wonderful if they had longer lives?!), but all I have to do is open that little box and pick up their fur balls and I still have a little bit of each of them right there in my hand! It’s very comforting and keeps them forever in my memory! I don’t know why I started doing that, but I’m very glad I did!
I bet it’s a nice thing . . .
Good morning,
What great housekeeping tips so far. I am learning alot. Now I need to put them into practice.
Love the Banana Boat. I have a banana everyday. I find that if I miss a couple of days my legs start to get that restless leg syndrome. I think it is the potassium/magnesium in them that solves the aches.
Interesting to know!
I had to double check the calendar this morning to make sure it wasn’t December 25th rather than October 25th. . . a new Willard, a new post from Susan and a beautiful giveaway … sounds like Christmas to me. :).
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about how your love of glass began and continues to this day. I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen a banana dish and if I have, I probably didn’t know what it was for. However, from now on I will be on the lookout every time I visit the thrift shops.
As for homemaking tips, I find that when I take the time to straighten up the kitchen at night, the morning starts off on a happier note.
I do that same thing, before bed, I like to get up to a clean kitchen!
my favorite housekeeping tip is having a big black lab named Omar who cleans my floor for me daily!
Makes it easy!
I absolutely NEED the dish. I also love, love, love glass!! Glass bowls are my favorite because you can see what’s inside….whether using the bowl to mix up cookie dough or for a nice salad~~one can peek inside. My best house keeping habit…either before I go to bed at night or when I get up (I am an early riser so I usually do a few chores before heading off to the office), I survey my house to see if anything is out of place. If so, I take care of it then. There is nothing more rewarding than to come home from work and have everything where it is supposed to be—and that banana bowl is supposed to be on my cabinet!!
LOL! I love the way you got back around to the banana bowl!
A tip on cleaning windows (glass Banana dishes too!) given to me from Bill Honey (another Vineyarder). Extremely fine steel wool does the trick. No water. No paper towels. No squeegie.
I never knew there was such a lovely item as a Banana dish existed (how can that be???) and now, of course, I am obsessed to own THAT one!
Hi Debbie!!
Love all the tips, especially hire help!!!!! IF you can’t find the wonderful winner of the recipe box, can I change my name to hers???? Love the dishes…..
I did find her, she wrote, and the box is on it’s way to her! Sorry! maybe this time!
I’m glad that you found her………..love the banana dish as well….Have a great Tuesday!!!
You too, Debbie!
Susan..you are a bad influence on me. I keep seeing thing you collect and it gives me ideas.
My tip is to do what I call Morning pick-up. I run around the house and put all the little things left out from yesterday away so we start the day neat and tidy. It is quick and easy and clutter doesn’t pile up.
Thanks for your positive attitude and fun stuff.
Thanks Margaret — glad you’re here!
What a beautiful dish. I have never heard of a banana dish but I sure could use one as we eat lots of bananas around our house. You are so generous with your giving and it is so fun to find out who the winner is and what they said. Housekeeping is probably one of my least favorite things to do but I do love a clean house so my tip would be just work as fast as I can to get it done and then I can move on to doing the things I really love to do.
I love meeting the winners too !
I love the banana dish, it matches one of my cake stands that just come to me so I guess I collect them, they look so pretty stacked with different kinds of cookies on each tier, your table will always look festive with old glass, I also put my forks, spoons in wine glasses, it looks pretty and it doesn’t take up any room. I look forward to your blog everyday and it always makes me happy. Elaine
Thanks Elaine!
Hi Susan, Love, love, love, the banana dish! I have never heard or have seen one before…so unique! Well since we are talking bananas, my tip for you is: You know those pesky little fruit flies? Well my mom gave me this tip, take a little bowl ( I use the tiny pyrex fruit bowls) and fill it half way up with apple cider vinegar and then put about 3 or 4 drops of liquid dish detergent and low and behold those little buggers just are so attracted to it and fall in, voila! You can’t believe how many fall in!
Thanks for the beautiful pictures of all your lovely glassware, they sure do sparkle in the sunlight! Would you mind sharing how you store it all? I’m a dish girl and space always is a dilemma. You are the best, so sweet, so generous, so talented, I just love this blog, and being friends with you.
Thank you Suzanne and ditto back to you! I have them in kitchen cupboards — my dad took the doors off of a large cupboard and most of them are there.
Such a pretty thing – and I thought it was only me who was so crazy about glass – we have the most beautiful set of wine glass flutes given to us by our best man who hales from Luebeck in northern Germany – they are engraved with designs of all the beautiful buildings in this gorgeous Unesco World Heritage Site city – so when we went over to return the compliment for his wedding two years later we bought a matching wine jug with the buildings engraved all round it – absolutely beautiful – simple but so elegant
Sounds gorgeous!
I love your beautiful glasses. I collect them too. I love putting colored stones or marbles in the bottom and putting in fresh flowers for a simple center piece.
I keep those Lysol wipes in my bathroom so everyday I can wipe down the sink and toilet. It keeps them fresh and clean. Clipping coupons and watching for sales has brought me many containers of them which I keep under my bathroom sink.
Your blog is so comforting to us, thank you so much for all you do.
Carol in Massachusetts
Thank you Carol!
Oh, I loved this pineapple-banana Jello salad when I was growing up….like dessert…..
Pineapple-Banana Salad
1 pkg. lemon jello – 1 cup boiling water
Let Jello partially set – then add
1 cup well drained crushed pineapple (save pineapple juice)
8 chopped marshmellows (or a handful of small ones)
3 small diced bananas or 2 large ones ( they taste better from a beautiful
glass dish!)
Dressing for top
Add water to pineapple juice to make 1 cup of juice, 1/2 cup sugar & 2 Tbsp. cornstarch mixed together.
1 well beaten egg yolk
Cook well, stirring & cool. When cool fold in 2/3 cup whipped cream and spread dressing over top of Jello. May sprinkle grated cheese on top. Yummy….
JellO is so fun!
Be still my little heart, that dish is precious. I love collecting bowls and wood boxes but that dish would feel right at home! I run around in the morning and do all my chores, something different everyday and then I have the rest of the day to sew or draw. We just moved to Idaho and being farming country I have to dust a little more often but my dear husband is helping a bit with that chore…..
Thank you for thinking about us on your travels, I love the train pictures the best!
So glad Elizabeth Ann! Nice to see you here!
A banana dish – – – – how DIVINE! What a beauty. Housekeeping tip – a place for everything and everything in it’s place.
xoxo
Thanks for helping us all to see the beauty in so many things we take for granted. It always makes my day to be so enlightened. May the sun send a rainbow through your water goblet to brighten your day too.
Thank you, would love that too!
Hi Susan I love the banana dish! You are too kind doing this for all your girlfriends!
I don’t have a tip but thought I would tell you a “tip” I picked up from you! an unintentional tip! I love glasses especially beautiful wine glasses! And I used to try and by six of all the ones I liked! Of course if one broke I would only be left with five! In these times of tightning the purse strings thanks to you if I now see a beautiful glass I like rather then not have it (because its expensive to by six) I will just by one or two and that way I have a nice new wine glass too drink out of but also I can mix and match them on my table on the rare occassions I need too. Its a win win situation! xx
Love it . . . mix and match makes things so much more interesting too!
I’m bananas over this dish! It has such great a-peel!
OK I’ll stop now.
My housekeeping tip is baskets! Keep all your odds and ends and unread magazines and books and whatever stored neatly in baskets—vintage wicker or modern gems make a big difference in keeping clutter manageable and pretty!
Love baskets!
I, too, love glassware, china and silver, but storage!! Susan, where do you store all your beautiful things? My cupboards, hutch and buffet are full to overflowing. BUT, I could certainly make room for that lovely banana dish. My only housekeeping “tip” would be to invite people over once a week–then you are inspired to clean and polish!
Great inspiration. I have hutches, in living room and dining room. I only have as much as will fit in the cupboards, or it has to go!
I just love learning about old things. Never knew there was such a thing as a banana dish. My tip would be using linen spray on newly fresh sheets on my bed.
I love crawling in to sleep that night with the subtle scent on my bed linens.
Thanks…..I LOVE reading your blog. Marie
Thank you Marie, glad you’re here!
Thanks for Willard. I have been playing hookey from my online class to read it, but I think it is an acceptable reason. What do you think? I’m not best of housekeepers. I like to tidy and rearrange my pretty stuff, but one thing that has worked for me is to spot clean. Instead of tackeling a huge job or the whole house at one time I take a few minutes out to do something small that takes a few minutes to finish. Like clean a window sill or dust off the paper lantern in my bedroom. I find that the house stays neater this way.
BTW I love glass myself. I keep it out so I can see it and use it. Have a wonderful day.
Hookey is always a good thing! 🙂 Life is short! thanks Debbie!
Hi Susan, How are you? Fabulous post by the way, love it!! Thank you for always making my day. You are precious!!! I have a collection of glass cake plates. Love them and am now running out of room for them but I won’t give them up!! I have the glass cake plate that was my mom’s and when we were little she would make us birthday cakes with an angel food cake and have a “Barbie Doll” coming out of the hole in the center. The cake was the doll’s gown. Do you know what I am taking about? Of course my brothers just got regular angel food cakes…no Barbie Doll!! Reminds me I need to find that recipe for her angel food cake. Sounds delicious right now!! Anyway, she would always put our cakes on this plate. I love it and am thrilled I have it. Thank you Susan for always thinking of us, sharing your tips and stories. I hope you have a wonderful day!! GOD Bless!! Love and Hugs, Tricia B.
I think I saw one of those cakes along the line, very Scarlett O’Hara!
Susan,
What a lovely collection of glassware! Each one has a story, too. When buying vintage housewares, I often wonder about the previous owner: Did they buy it for their own use, was it a gift, was it brought out only or special occasions etc. I love the banana dish because it’s both beautiful and practical!
My favorite household cleaner is my hand held steam cleaner. Steam melts cooking grease, grime and gunk Steam clean it, and then wipe it up. No scrubbing involved!
Looking forward to my Willard!!!!!
Marilyn (in Dallas)
Smart Marilyn!
I just love receiving the Willard.Thank You for your cheerfullness.I have a jello recipe to share.My mother found it in a magazine or somewhere.Soo yummy.Lady Byrd Johnson’s recipe.
Here this is again….saying Hello Shelly, gremlins at work on the blog!
I always clean as I go, its so much easier.
My best housekeeping tip is to LOWER EXPECTATIONS. There are very few women who can keep a lovely home, take care of their hoards of children, and work full time. So, the expectations can come down a little or a lot, depending on how much said hoards of children need you, or your hubby, or your mom, or your BFF. There will never be a time that you wish you’d scrubbed the toilet instead of talking to your mother. Never.
Well said Christine!
I have never heard of a banana dish before- but I love it!
As for housekeeping… all I can think of right now, is how to get rid of ants! (Can you tell we have been having issues with ants?)
Our favourite method is to mix equal parts borax and sugar, and put it in a spot where the ants can get at it- but the kids/pets cannot. In our case, the work surface of the kitchen and the sink in the kids bathroom. yes, those horrid things have been going into the bathroom and crawling on toothbrushes! Yuck!
Good idea, we always need that sooner or later!
Susan ,thank you soo much for your Willard.It is like a friend knocking on your door and catching up.Here is a jello recipe my mother has been making for a while.This is a Lady Byrd Johnson recipe.
I know this came through in another comment from you, but the gremlins seem to have taken the recipe away from this one! Don’t ask, because I have no idea! Maybe it’s mad that so many of us are coming at the same time!
Like you, I too love glass. I got hooked on it years ago when my Mom came to visit and brought a box with her, in it was her crystal that she got when she was married in 1947, Cherokee Rose. She gave me the water goblets, and a divided dish and a small bowl and I was hooked. I kept it packed until I was able to afford a hutch to display it…a lighted hutch so I could see is sparkle at night. 🙂 From there I have found more pieces and started collections of my own of pretty glass that I see. I have not seen a bananna dish…this is great! I love reading your blog, it is the first thing I do when I log in at work…oops I shouldn’t say that…keep up the good job. P.S. I also liked your blog about going through Wisconsin on the train, you passed right through my area, I live North of the Dells on the Mississippi and think it is beautiful.
I love going to work with you! Thank you Rita! You live in a BEAUTIFUL place!!!