In the Vintage Kitchen: Where History Comes To Eat

Get the Look: Inside Adele’s Library

Published on November 16, 2015November 16, 2015 by In The Vintage Kitchen2 Comments

Adele's flat above the This, That and the Other Store in West Norwood where she filmed the at home video of Someone Like You — Adele’s flat above the This, That and the Other Store in West Norwood where she filmed the at home video of Someone Like You

Celebrity decorating. It is something of endless fascination to Ms. Jeannie, mostly because the sky is big as far as budget, space and service, which yields a million varied possibilities. But while some really incredible rooms can be put together when you combine a team of decorators, exotic materials and bold statement pieces, sometimes the overall effect, while pretty as a magazine cover lacks the personality and individualism of the dweller who lives there.

Famed 20th century decorator, Sister Parish often said “all good decorating is about memories.” That’s so true and so relevant to people who like to decorate with antiques. Today we are going to look at one sensational singer’s library and examine how she has mastered the perfect balance between style and sentiment.

adele_portrait2

Adele’s new album, 25 officially releases this week, but we are going to look at one of the videos from her past album, 21, which was filmed in her humble flat where she was living just as fame started flirting. The video gives a wonderfully intimate glimpse into her personal space and the style she calls her own. By utilizing a fireplace mantle, one bookshelf and the wall in-between, Adele manages to pack a lot of detail into a moderately sized space. Let’s look…

There are lots of odds and ends tucked into her shelves: pictures of her dog, a giant rubber band ball, a mini figurine of a man running, a horse marionette, sand art. Story and memory and intrigue wind their way up and down and across. The overall look is eclectic which makes it interesting, unique which makes it personal, and unfussy which makes it fresh. Sister Parish would have definitely approved!

Using Etsy as her shopping source, Ms. Jeannie recreated Adele’s library look with these following items (click on each picture for more information)…

Vintage Fowler's Preserving Jar from epochco, $25.58 — Vintage Fowler’s Preserving Jar from epochco, $25.58

Cream Beethoven Bust made by mahzerandvee, $70

Hand Carved Horse Marionette from Buddahagal, $28

Bathroom Vanity Mirror from SecretWindowMirrors, $76 — Mirror from SecretWindowMirrors, $76

Antique Spelter Figurine from SquirrelMidden, $130.31

Colorful Ceramic Horse from KukuliMarket, $38

Puppy Love Photograph by Kalstek Photography, $33.00

Colorful Rubber Band Balls by BeFashinoablyOnTime, $3.50

Vintage Dachshund Figurine by VIntageGoofball, $9.95

Antique Seth Thomas Wood Mantle Clock from OneReDunn, $129.99 — Antique Seth Thomas Wood Mantle Clock from OneReDunn, $149.99

If decorating is a challenge for you, or you feel confused or uncertain as to where and how to begin to define your own interior style – take Adele’s lead and start with your book shelf. Like a mini room unto itself, bookshelves offer a vast amount of possibility when it comes to display and self expressionism. They can be changed and redecorated over and over again most easily. They offer a great blank canvas to play around with and they have the most effortless ability to really anchor a room as far as a focal point.

Ms. Jeannie encourages you to get beyond the typical effort of just lining up some books in a row and calling it done. Go and explore the little loves of your heart and watch your bookshelf come to life! And of course if you are looking for any books to fill out your shelves, there’s always Ms. Jeannie’s shop to help in that department.

On a side note, in 2013 Adele moved out of her cozy flat into this big beauty in Surrey. Ms. Jeannie imagines there’s a few more bookshelves there in need of her good style sense!

Adele's House in Surry, England

Happy decorating dear readers!

On The Campaign Trail in 1896

Published on November 3, 2015November 3, 2015 by In The Vintage Kitchen4 Comments

flag1 — The flag of the United States of America in 1845 contained 27 stars.

Pomp and circumstance, stars and stripes, drum rolls and fifes, please! Election day celebrates its 175th birthday today!

Tucked in between Sunday and Wednesday, Congress chose the first Tuesday in November 1845 as the official day to declare this political event a national holiday. Ideal for voters who would have to make a day’s journey into the county seat to cast their vote (Monday) without disturbing the nation’s religious rest day (Sunday) or encroaching on merchant market day (Wednesday) Tuesday was the perfect day in the week to call upon the country to exercise it’s political powers.

In 2013, Ms. Jeannie’s mom sent a box of family treasures and interesting antiques that had been collected or used by various family members over a century ago. Contents included a civil war inkwell used by Ms. Jeannie’s great great grandfather Albert…

Albert's inkwell that he carried with him throughout the Civil War. — Albert’s inkwell that he carried with him throughout the Civil War.

and a silk scarf monogramed for Ms. Jeannie’s great, great grandmother Martha at the World’s Fair in 1893…

Silk Handkerchief Souvenir from the World's Fair Chicago 1893 — Silk Handkerchief Souvenir from the World’s Fair Chicago 1893

Another fantastic wonder included in the box was this pair of campaign buttons for Republican presidential nomination William McKinley and his vice presidential choice Garret Hobart.

Dating to 1896, the set is comprised of a 2″ inch round button badge and a 3″ inch tie clip encased in gold medal. McKinley was running on the platform of maintaining the gold standard as the foundation for the U.S. economy so almost all of his political swag included gold colors to communicate his cause.

There were gold campaign posters…

and gold bug pins…

There were gold campaign ribbons…

a bevy of gold buttons some featuring the pair, some just featuring McKinley…

and even a gold umbrella for rainy day rallies!

Donald Trump and his love of all things gold would definitely have approved of the McKinley/ Hobart campaign colors!

McKinley’s platforms of protection, sound money and reciprocity turned out to be winning tickets as he defeated Democratic hopeful William Jennings Bryant to become the 25th President of the United States with Garret Hobart at his side.

Get lost for just a minute in the patriotic spirit of the day with this footage from the National Archives as you take a walk along the parade route with spectators at McKinley’s inauguration in March 1897.

Striving for hope, opportunity and prosperity for citizens of the United States, McKinley barreled through his first two years as President before tragedy struck the White House in 1899 with the death of Hobart from a heart condition. McKinley, carrying on, campaigned and won a second term in office in 1901, this time with Theodore Roosevelt as his VP. But by 1901, McKinley himself would be dead – the third US President to be assassinated.

hobart8 — The last portrait photograph of President McKinley . Taken in Buffalo, eight days before he died. Photo courtesy of McMahan Gallery and Archive.

It is easy to get caught up in the hoopla of contemporary political campaigning and to forget the hundreds of campaigns that came before. In 1896 these two gentlemen, McKinley and Hobart were the dream team of the Republican party – riding high on their hopes and ideals for a better country and more golden skies ahead. Not much has changed in that department over the course of a century and half. Politicians still seek the same things – a better way of life for all. We are lucky in that way. To live in a country where we have the freedom to express our views, the encouragement to strive towards our dreams, and the support to accomplish our goals not only as individuals but also as Americans.

Happy Election Day dear readers!!!

11 Modern Celebrities Who Look Like Ancient Portrait Paintings

Published on October 29, 2015October 29, 2015 by In The Vintage KitchenLeave a comment

In celebration of the Halloween holiday weekend, Ms. Jeannie thought it would be fun to bring you part two of the celebrity doppelganger series – this time featuring famous modern-day celebrities who bare an eerie resemblance to portrait paintings that were created centuries ago. If ever these celebrities needed a creative costume for Halloween happenings then this would be their ticket to something dramatically different…(or should we say dramatically similiar!) …

Actor Tom Goodman Hill (from the PBS tv show Mr. Selfrdge) and Vncent Van Gogh's self portrait while painted in asylum in 1889 — Actor Tom Goodman Hill (from the PBS tv show Mr. Selfridge) and Vincent Van Gogh’s self portrait while painted in asylum in 1889

Actress Christina Hendricks of most recent Mad Men fame and Francisco de Goya’s portrait of Esabel de Porcel painted in 1805.

Actor Stanley Tucci and the portrait of Cardinal Don Fernando Nino de Guevara painted by Greek artist El Greco in 1600

No bustle needed for curvy Kim Kardashian when it comes to mirroring George Seurat's A Sunday Afternoon on La Grande Jatte painted in 1884! — No bustle needed for curvy Kim Kardashian when it comes to mirroring George Seurat’s A Sunday Afternoon on La Grande Jatte painted in 1884!

Film and television actor Amy Brennaman and the artist muse Jane Burden fro Dante Gabriel Rosetti's Day Dream painted in 1880 — Film and television actor Amy Brennaman and the artistic muse Jane Burden featured here in Dante Gabriel Rosetti’s Day Dream painted in 1880

Ethereal Actor Tilda Swinton and Joos Van Gent's Adoration of the Maji painted in 1465 — Ethereal Actress Tilda Swinton and Joos Van Gent’s Adoration of the Maji painted in 1465

Actor John Slattery (also of Mad Men fame) and Frank Blackwell Meyer's 1858 painting titled Independence — Actor John Slattery (also of Mad Men fame) and Frank Blackwell Meyer’s 1858 painting titled Independence.

Actress Saoirse Ronan and John Honore Fragonard's The Billet Doux (meaning the love letter) painted in the 1770's — Actress Saoirse Ronan and John Honore Fragonard’s The Billet Doux (meaning the love letter) painted in the 1770’s

Actor Jared Leto and Rembrandt's portrayal of the Head of Christ painted in 1648 — Actor Jared Leto and Rembrandt’s portrait entitled The Head of Christ painted in 1648

Back in the Kardashian camp, mom Kris Jenner and George Lepape's fashion illustration for Paul Poiret titled Lassistude Dinner Dress was sketched and painted in the 1920's — Back in the Kardashian camp, mom Kris Jenner and George Lepape’s fashion illustration for Paul Poiret titled Lassitude Dinner Dress was sketched and painted in the 1920’s

Rounding out the list s Michael Douglas and Giovanni Bellinini's portrait of Doge Leonardo Loredon painted in 1501 — Rounding out the list is Michael Douglas and Giovanni Bellini’s portrait of Doge Leonardo Loredon painted in 1501

Looking for more celebrity doppelganger photos? Check out Ms. Jeannie’s modern day actors vs. vintage authors post here for more fun look-a-likes! In the meantime however (and whomever!) you choose to dress up as this Halloween, Ms. Jeannie hopes you take first prize in the costume contest:)

Happy hauntings dear readers!

Night of a Thousand Stars

Published on October 19, 2015October 24, 2015 by In The Vintage Kitchen2 Comments

This past weekend Ms. Jeannie went to a party. It was one of those unforgettable, over-the-top affairs where the guest list was filled with fancy names and all the faces were beautiful. The venue itself was without fault and so impressive it almost seemed fake. Top all that with a symphonic orchestra that played ceaselessly without one break for hours and it was pretty much the most sublime evening Ms Jeannie has had in months.

The purpose of the party was to welcome three distinguished guests who were visiting from a nearby university. These are the handsome trio…

With a combined net worth of over $12.000.00 these three lit up the room with their high-fashion style and expensive demeanors. Mysterious, intimidating and slightly aloof at first, once Ms. Jeannie looked them in the eye…

she was smitten. Navigating past the awkward introductions and the stumbling blocks of trying to find common ground in conversation, these three honorees opened up a whole new world to Ms. Jeannie. Conversation started small with a red-dot introduction to the sun…

but as the night progressed and the hour grew later topics of conversation grew bigger and brighter…

You see dear readers, our three distinguished honorees knew lots of guests at this party and they were each happy to take Ms. Jeannie’s arm and introduce her around. Thanks to them, Ms. Jeannie met a boatload of fascinating characters – Pegasus, Cepheus, Draco…Delphinus, Equules, Andromeda…

There were shooting stars and globular clusters, constellations and galaxies. Some of these party-goers were bright, vivacious twinklers and others were shy, smudgy wallflowers but each of them dazzled in their own way. Some were familiar faces and old acquaintances that Ms. Jeannie shamefully admitted she hadn’t been in touch with for quite some time. When she eventually made her way over to the moon…

she had some apologizing to do. It had been a long time since she had looked up her old friend. But lucky for her, the moon was as gracious and as easy-going as ever. And immediately it felt like no time had passed since they’d last been in touch. Up close, Ms. Jeannie did notice some new things about Moon though. Like how his face seemed more delicate – more crepe-paper like…

And there was a glow about him that, although hard to define ….

was mesmerizing none-the-less. Ms. Jeannie felt re-invigorated spending time with him again. As an endlessly fascinating entertainer, Moon was also showing off his many faces. Some were dark and dramatic….

some were light and dreamy…

Depending on the orchestral songs of the late summer field crickets, the moods of the moon seemed to change with the melodies of the moment.

The same could be said for the glittering guests as well.

Once the moon left the scene, the party started to die down. Ms. Jeannie didn’t want to leave and that’s when she knew it was the best time to leave. That’s the sign of a good party – just like a good vacation – when you are enjoying yourself so much that you don’t want to go home. With a so-long to the stars and a thank you to the honored guests Ms. Jeannie headed home to fill her dreams with scenes from the star party and all the colorful characters dancing around the darkest darks of the natural night sky.

If you are in the mood to attend your own unforgettable party you might be interested in this vintage primer from Ms. Jeannie’s shop to help get you on your way…

stars — Vintage 1960’s Children Book – The How & Why Wonder Book of the Stars

It’s full of your old friends, including Mr. Moon and contains star charts of what you’ll see in each month of the sky. It’s perfectly fascinating entertainment on these cool and crisp Fall nights. Happy star-gazing dear readers!

We Have A Winner! Deer Gets A Name!

Published on October 5, 2015October 5, 2015 by In The Vintage Kitchen4 Comments

Ladies and gentlemen… it’s a great day to name a deer! On behalf of our statuesque stag, Ms. Jeannie is pleased to announce a winner in the Name That Deer contest!

After much deliberation, Deer is excited to say that from here on out he will now affectionately be called…

Hudson!

Named after the 19th century Argentinian born writer and naturalist William Henry Hudson (1841-1922) who wrote the gorgeous rain forest love story Green Mansions, our newly titled Hudson was taken with this name because it combined both literature and nature.

But this was not to say that this was an easy decision to make! Ms. Jeannie herself marveled at all the fabulous suggestions. The choices included gorgeous classicals: Charles Dickens, Brete Harte, Sebastian Flyte, Hemingway, Jack London, E.B. White, Clement C. Moore and Washington Irving along with super creatives: Val and Belletristic. There was a nod towards Deer’s feminine side with the suggestions of Emma and Pearl S. Buck. And there was even a funny one among the mix with the nomination of Vinnie’s Son – a play on the word venison! Such choices. Such fun.

A big, big congratulations goes out to mariedge2033 over on Instagram for contributing the winning name! A most special prize is heading your way shortly! Hudson would also like to sincerely thank each and every one one of you who took the time to help him find a name. Thank you, thank you dear readers for being so fantastic.

Help! This Deer Needs A Name!

Published on September 30, 2015September 30, 2015 by In The Vintage Kitchen19 Comments

Dear readers, Ms. Jeannie needs your help! Her resident deer needs a name. He’s been a handsome part of the Ms. Jeannie landscape for almost a year now, quietly adding some elegance and dignity to the library where he lives. But this morning he woke up on the wrong side of the shelf. He was upset, and most rightly so.

For close to 365 days he’s just been called Deer. That was fine in the beginning but now he wants a proper name. It seems Deer will just not do any longer. Upon hearing this, Ms. Jeannie racked her brain. She couldn’t come up with anything creative except for George Eliot, which Deer reminded her was the masculine pen name for a lady writer. He wants something manly. Rhett Butler she suggested next. But they both knew that wasn’t quite right either. What then? Ernest, F. Scott, William? Tolstoy, Kipling, King? There are a million names, a billion names, centuries worth of names, but Ms. Jeannie couldn’t think of one that seemed fitting. What could a good name be?

This is where you step in, dear readers, with one of your super sensational suggestions. Deer has fabulous taste and a shining disposition. He’s statuesque in style with a head for poetry and a heart for adventure. Before he met Ms. Jeannie he lived in an attic for so long he forgot his own purpose and turned the color of dust. Now he grazes everyday on the great words of great writers and acts as shepard to a growing flock of books. Now he wants to be called something captivating… something big… something bold. Now he wants a name of literary proportions. Now, now, now he says!

Please help! Contribute a name in the comments section below. The one Deer loves the best will win a prize and a place in his heart forever and ever.

Sweater Weather: The Hair of the Dog and The Style They Started!

Published on September 17, 2015September 17, 2015 by In The Vintage Kitchen5 Comments

Fresh off of NYC’s Fall Fashion week and with a cool nip in the September air, this week’s post is all about sweater weather and a certain style that has gone to the dogs (literally!). This week’s spotlight is on the Samoyed…

one of the world’s oldest breed of dogs, originating from the snowy lands of Siberia.

Long prized for their happy faces, jovial personalities, strong fortitude and loyal devotion, the Samoyed is often depicted throughout history as members of working sled dog teams and instrumental aides of snow-peaked mountain search and rescue organizations. But they are also famous for one additional factor…

Their mountains of dog hair! Photo via pinterest. — Photo via pinterest.

…their mountains and mountains of dog hair! Named after the Samoyed tribe of the Artic region of Northern Russia and Siberia…

Photograph courtesy of icecrownsamoyans.com

the hair of Samoyed dogs is as fluffy as a snow bank and as a dense as a thicket. With the ability to insulate in the winter but also keep dogs cool in the summer, and aided by the massive amount that can be procured from regular brushing, Samoyed hair has been a useful, if somewhat selective component in fiber arts for hundreds of years. One of the most common uses for this type of angora-like hair is sweaters, as seen on this handsome chap from Ireland…

which can of course be knitted in a variety of different patterns and styles like these two examples found on a unique fiber knitting forum…

This sweater was made with 50% samoyed fur and 50% merino wool. — This sweater was made with 50% samoyed hair and 50% merino wool.

A host of dog hair knitting projects can also extend past sweaters into a slew of other wonders. In 1942, The Samoyed Club of America presented a large display of articles made from their dog’s hair at the Women’s International Exhibit in New York City. Among the many diverse pieces were socks, blankets, gloves, scarves and sweaters.

Of course, using dog hair is not a far stretch from the more traditional fibers like cashmere taken from goats…

or merino wool from sheep…

but dogs somehow seem a little to close to home somehow for Ms. Jeannie. What do you think dear readers? Is it creepy or cuddly, this dog sweater style? Is the face of your next fall fashion piece?

This blog post was inspired by the 1954 book, Dogs and People by George and Helen Papashvily, which is coming soon to Ms. Jeannie’s shop. For other vintage dog-themed books available now, including a marvelously beautiful antique book about a sled-dog named Hector, please stop by and browse a bit here.

Israel, India and the International Dinner Night – A Vintage Rosh Hashana Recipe

Published on September 8, 2015October 28, 2016 by In The Vintage KitchenLeave a comment

Authentic India-based Chicken Curry circa 1964

Happy New Year dear readers! This coming Sunday marks the two day festival of Rosh Hashana, which celebrates the creation of Adam and Eve and mankind’s role in the world. Although Ms. Jeannie, herself is not Jewish, she thought it would be fun to mark the day with an international dinner night featuring a holiday approved (and kosher certified!) meal which brings together the unique and diverse flavors of the Holy Land.

Many cultural influences make up the demographic food map of Israel, including Indian, Greek, Arabic, Italian and French offering unexpected and interesting food combinations and flavor pairings. In this vintage Isreali cookbook, published in 1964…

The Israeli Cook Book by Molly Lyons Bar-David

author and culinary advisor to El-Al Airlines, Molly Lyons Bar-David compiled hundreds of authentic, local recipes from over 70 regions within the country. Many of the recipes had been passed down from generations bringing with them their own unique stories, folklore and legends which Molly also shares in the cookbook.

An alley in the Jewish Quarter in the old city of Jerusalem, Israel. Photo via pinterest.

Her intention for this culinary project was to serve true Israeli food on board mid-century El-Al airlines flights as a gateway experience for incoming passengers.

Vintage 1960s El-Al airlines travel poster. Via pinterest

But as Molly got deeper and deeper into the collection process, interviewing literally hundreds of locals, she learned that the diverse food scene was just as dynamic and layered as the centuries old history and faith long associated with Israel.

To honor the historical holiday, Ms. Jeannie chose an ancient chicken curry recipe that stems from the spice markets of Cochin, India as brought by the “Cochin Jews” who were believed to have emigrated from Palestine after the second destruction of the Temple.

A Jewish family from Cochin , India circa 1880. Photo via pinterest.

Molly writes in her introduction to the recipe…

“Although their culture, (including a caste system) and even their skin coloring has become indistinguishable from that of their Hindu neighbors, they never forsook their Jewish heritage. Their food, chiefly rice and curries, is like that of the Indians, except that they strictly maintain the kosher laws.”

Ms. Jeannie is a big fan of curry, and has made countless variations taken from recipe books, magazine articles, online sources and foodie recommendations, but this by far was the best (THE BEST!) curry recipe she has found to date. Full of flavor both subtle and bright, it makes a ton and keeps getting better day after day in the leftover department.

It is simple and easy to make and contains basic ingredients that are easy to gather. So if you are looking for a bit of the edible exotic to ring in the New Year or celebrate the history of a culture other than your own this is a fabulously delicious recipe! You can also omit the chicken and make it strictly a vegetable curry if you prefer. Ms. Jeannie served it on top of a bed of Jasmine rice with a side of warm Naan bread.

Chicken Curry (serves 4)

1 2lb chicken, cut in parts (do not de-bone)

5 tablespoons olive oil

3.5 cups water

5 large onions, chopped

2 cloves garlic, mashed

4 large tomatoes, chopped (or one large can of diced tomatoes)

1 cup celery, chopped

2 apples, peeled and cubed

2 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 tablespoon (or more!) curry powder (as a big fan, Ms. Jeannie used 2.5 tablespoons!)

1.5 tablespoons flour

3 cups coconut milk

2 tablespoons grated coconut (optional)

1.5 teaspoons salt

cayenne pepper (to taste)

Fry the chicken in 3 tablespoons of olive oil until lightly browned on all sides (about 10-12 minutes total or 5 minutes on each side). Remove from the pan and set aside.
Add the water to a large stock pot and bring to a boil. Add the chicken and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes on medium low heat.
In a new large pan, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and add all the chopped vegetables and spices (onions, garlic, tomatoes, celery, apples, sugar, ginger and curry powder). Mix to combine. Sprinkle on the flour. Mix well again and then add the coconut milk and seasonings, and simmer. Once the chicken is ready, transfer all pieces to the curried vegetables and cook 10-20 minutes more.
Serve hot with rice and Naan bread if you like.* (Ms. Jeannie loves the Naan bread made by Stonefire Flatbreads which is available in most grocery stores in the fresh bakery section.)

Enjoy dear readers! If you’d like to learn about more authentic recipes from the Israeli Cook Book, the Jewish holidays they correspond with and the history behind them, please visit Ms. Jeannie’s shop here. And if you are celebrating the holiday this weekend, Happy Happy New Year:)

Detecting A Case: Part Two

Published on September 3, 2015September 2, 2015 by In The Vintage Kitchen1 Comment

Here we are dear readers with part two of the sleuthing and solving saga involving an exciting and mysterious piece of paper found in an old book!

In case you need a refresher… last week, Ms. Jeannie blogged about how she found a note in an old 1940’s art book entitled Masterpieces in Color. This week we are taking a good long look at the note and determining its age and possible author.

First things first, here’s a full view of what we are working with in clue department…

A lovely, sentimental handwritten note on White House stationary! How exciting! If you are having trouble reading it from the photo this is what the note says:

Kay,

Merry Christmas. I found this in a bookstore here. It is from an ambassador’s estate and has some nice reproductions from a good cross-section of art history. Tell everyone there hello for me.

Love, Jay

Who is this Jay? What’s his connection to the White House? And who is Kay or the ambassador for that matter?! And just when was this note written?

Here is what we know for certain…

Fact #1: The book was published in 1945. Fact #2: The book was purchased second-hand. Fact #3: It was a gift for Kay from Jay. Fact #4: The note was written on White House stationary.

Armed with that info, Ms. Jeannie began by researching letterhead from past administrations. It was her theory that White House stationary changed with every new President, so that offered help in determining the age of the note. When she found a picture of this stationary, she knew she found her administration…

Gerald Ford, the 38th President of the United States served in office from 1974-1977. You’ll notice it is the exact same font and layout on Jay’s stationary. To be certain of this letterhead, Ms. Jeannie also researched stationary from Kennedy, Nixon and Carter administrations, which produced no similarities.

So with the administration decided, Ms. Jeannie continued on with her second theory… that Jay was part of the higher echelons of the White House staff, because it didn’t seem probable that everybody (meaning all workers) at the White House would have access to White House stationary – even if they were just scratch pads or notepads. What if an inappropriate note was misplaced and found its way out into the world? Surely there is some sort of protocol for what is being written on paper that represents the highest form of government in the country. Don’t you think dear readers?

Continuing in that same vein Ms. Jeannie combed through the names of Ford’s administration on the lookout for our Jay. Thanks to the help of the Gerald Ford Presidential Library – she found a Mr. Jay F. , who served on the legal team as counsel to the President. (Ms. Jeannie is not including his last name here because he is still alive and because this would seem like some sort of breech of privacy.) But she can share that he is pictured somewhere in here…

How exciting! Which one could he be? The guy on the crutches? Or the one in the thick black glasses? The suited sitter on the couch or the shy stander with his back to the camera? Half the fun of this detective project was just looking at these retro white house pictures:)

In the course of her research, very easily Ms. Jeannie came upon Jay’s email address. Pretty confident in her deductive reasoning regarding this whole quest Ms. Jeannie sent Jay a message hoping to appease her curiosity about such a prominent previous book owner.

Some days went by. There was no news from Jay. Ms. Jeannie waited. More days went by. Ms. Jeannie continued waiting. And still no news arrived.

In the meantime during all this waiting, Ms. Jeannie worked on a completely different research project. Very randomly, she happened upon this image…

The same stationary font! On a letter from Eleanor Roosevelt! Written twenty years before Gerald Ford’s administration! Oh my. So it seems, dear readers that not ALL stationary changes with each administration. Ms. Jeannie’s first theory was wrong!

It’s been close to two weeks and still there is no response from hypothetical Jay. Of course, there is a whole slew of reasons why he might not have responded from the trivial to the extraordinary, with the very first and most obvious reason being that he never even received or saw the email. But it wouldn’t be fun to pester him again, so Ms. Jeannie’s giving this one over to the hands of fate.

The art book was published in 1945 which gives it dozens of decades of possible Jay connections. Even though Ms. Jeannie still believes she has hit the mark with the Ford administration, she’ll continue poking around the staff files of previous presidents. It’s a case not yet closed, which means there is more to the story yet to come! If our letter-writer is meant to be found than we will find him!

And if anyone out there is a presidential paperwork scholar, please weigh-in with your theories about who our characters might be. Half the fun of connecting the past with the present is daydreaming about what could have been and what might have happened. Happy speculating dear readers!

Detecting A Case: Part One

Published on August 22, 2015August 24, 2015 by In The Vintage Kitchen3 Comments

A couple of blog posts back Ms. Jeannie had you don your pith helmet and your safari gear for some adventure travel with the Roosevelts. This week we are changing costumes and donning new personas. Sherlock Holmes hat and magnifying glasses please! That’s right, dear readers, there is a mystery to be solved concerning this handsome treasure…

It is a vintage art book from the 1940’s featuring folio sized images from popular collections at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Don’t let that plain red cover fool you. It’s full of beautiful images and colorful art on the inside…

In addition to over 55 art prints, this book also contains ten pages of interesting narrative on the Museum’s collection and fun facts on the art pieces featured in the folio…

As Ms. Jeannie was going through the pages of the narrative, learning new information about old art, she turned from page 11 to page 12 and came upon a piece of paper. A prestigious piece of paper to say the least…

Oh my! From one of the most famous residences in the country, a handwritten note! Who is it from? What does it say? When was was it written? Stay tuned dear readers as Ms. Jeannie embarks on the case of the Mysterious Masterpiece…