Hobbies
The Ornament
For more than sixty Christmases I have carried on a tradition dating back to 1909 and my Grandmother’s first Christmas as a young married woman. That year she hung a gold ball on the tree shared with my Grandfather and for every year after that, only my Grandmother could hang The Ornament upon the tree until. . .
“Here it is, now you hang it right where we can see it.” So were the words of my Grandmother as she carefully unwrapped the gold ball. I hung the ornament on the tree, and she continued the story of this simple piece. “That’s the only ornament I have from the first Christmas your Grandpa and I spent together after we were married in 1909. This other one, the little red bell, was from your Aunt Vivian’s first Christmas in 1910. Hang it right near the gold one.” Every year I went through the same routine with Grandma and I never tired of her telling me the stories. I felt duty-bound to follow set traditions, and putting up my grandparents’ Christmas tree was the most sacred duty I had as a young boy. For my family, as I grew up in the 1950s, the holiday season did not—could not—begin before the Friday after Thanksgiving. On that day we children rushed to our Sears and Roebuck store in Chicago and anxiously waited for Toyland to open. During that weekend my parents, grandparents, and I would climb into the Chevy and go out to Amling’s Flowerland to see the displays. On the way home, we stopped to buy our trees, a process that often tested my father’s patience to the extreme. Grandma was a choosy shopper, and the tree had to be exactly right. Once purchased, the trees were tied to the top of the car, and we headed home. Dad later cut a bit off the bottom of the trees and placed each one in a bucket of water. The next weekend we decorated for the holidays. The traditions my parents established were like beacons in my life as they guided me toward the right understanding of family and the over-arching meaning of the December madness that prevailed. Our tree stood proudly in the front room bay window. As my father grew older and I got taller, the task of hanging the lights was turned over to me. Holiday music played from the stereo and the multicolored lights cast a warm glow in the room as we hung ornaments. Every so often Mom would relate a bit about some of the older ornaments as we hung them on the tree. I still have a few from their first Christmas in 1935 as well as from our first Christmas in 1969. Finished with our tree on Friday, I went upstairs to Grandma’s on Saturday. I had the wonderful luxury of my grandparents living in the flat above—an intention of my parents when they bought their only house in 1955. Up at Grandma’s, I was in charge, and it felt great! Grandma unwrapped all the ornaments and I hung them wherever I pleased—all but the two originals that Grandma made sure hung in a prominent spot. Little did I realize how much more was going on as we decorated the tree. The small bits of conversation, the reassuring “Oh, that looks nice there!” and the twinkling glances from Grandma, all were a part of my sense of belonging. I now often wonder if Grandma thought back to her early Christmases as she watched me put up the lights, hang the ornaments, and ever so carefully place the tinsel. Last year was our first Christmas in our Missouri home. We purchased a nine-foot artificial tree, and it will dominate its high-ceiling space. Traditions matter and this year I have seen corporate greed sweep in and finally obliterate traditions they’d hammered on for several years. Witches and Santas were displayed together. Halloween lights glowed orange right by the red, green, blue, and white lights of Christmas. One holiday blurred into the next. It will not surprise me to see Valentine’s Day displays before the end of the year. The season is not about buying and spending and camping out for great deals; rather, it must always be about the personal relationships we have with each other. My grandmother’s ornament will remind me of the joy I had just being in her presence. This season, as you hang ornaments with children or grandchildren, spouses, or friends, tell them stories of holidays past and pass on to others the warmth and love you’ve known. 
Starting a pet sitting businessDEAR PAW’S CORNER: I’m 16 and love pets — I have a dog, cat and an iguana already — and I want to start my own pet sitting business. What is the best way to start? How do I get customers? Do I need a license or something? — Jeannie H., Pittsburgh
DEAR JEANNIE: Pet sitting can be a great business to get into. Every pet owner needs someone to watch their pet from time to time: long workdays, vacations, illness and so on. However, it’s a business that carries a lot of responsibility. Being reliable is very important and is essential to building your reputation as a sitter that pet owners can trust. I recommend a trial period first, with a couple of neighbors or your parents’ friends. This will give you an idea of what the job entails, how long it takes to care for each pet, and can open your eyes to opportunities. For example, a neighbor who works from home may not need a sitter, but their dog could use an extra walk in the afternoon. At the same time, study up on the requirements for running a business. Entrepreneurship courses are often available for free through your local library or at the Small Business Association (where you can also find a business mentor). Most states don’t have a licensing requirement for pet sitters, but you can get a certification through Pet Sitters International (petsit.com), or the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (petsitters.org). These organizations offer a wealth of information — including how to find clients. Most of all, have fun! You’re getting into this business because you love pets, and that will be a big factor in your success. |
Industrial Design
Kovels.com
A wooden table like this one is as different as can be from a glass vase or a pottery figure, but Emile Galle brought his skill and art nouveau style to all three.
One of the most popular and often most expensive categories of collecting is known as design. Sometimes called modern or industrial design, the term refers to the work of 20th and 21st century manufacturers who brought their distinctive style to various types of furnishings and housewares, from furniture to lamps to decorative sculptures to functional appliances.
Industrial design took off in the mid-century modern era shortly after World War II (think of Charles and Ray Eames, Isamu Noguchi, Alvar Aalto, etc.), but artisans were working in multiple media before then. Emile Galle, a pioneer of the art nouveau movement that started in the 19th century, is famous for his glass, ceramics and furniture. He is best known for the cameo glass made by the studio he founded in Nancy, France, in 1873. His glass had the graceful curving shapes, Japanese influence and natural elements like flowers and plants that characterize art nouveau. So did his furniture. This tea table by Galle, with scrolling legs, scalloped edges and inlaid cherry blossoms, sold for $2,800 at a Rago auction. • • • Q: I have a piece of pottery 8 inches tall and 9 inches in diameter with no maker’s mark. The pattern is similar to Weller Knifewood pottery with a carved squirrel, owl and raven in leafy tree branches. Can you help me find the manufacturer or value? A: Weller pottery is not always marked. Weller started making art pottery in the early 1900s. Designer Rudolph Lorber created several art pottery lines for the company, including Knifewood, which was introduced by the 1920s. A 1921 catalog described Knifewood as having “the effect of which is suggested by the name. The various pieces have all the appearances of being carved out of wood by a sharp knife.” Designs have matte or high-gloss glazes and feature woodland scenes with animals like dogs, squirrels and birds. Unmarked Weller vases like yours tend to sell for about $200 to $300. Generally, the more three-dimensional elements, the higher the price. • • • TIP: Don’t try to clean an oil painting unless you are an expert. • • • CURRENT PRICES Plastic, tray, Bakelite, Pavement, rows of pink circles, transfer printed, George Nelson, Bolt-A-Best, c. 1956, 13 1/2 x 10 1/2 inches, three pieces, $195. Toy, car, racing, Super Hot Rod, open top, driver, red, yellow, light blue, flashing lights, battery operated, friction, box, Marx, 1950s, 11 1/2 x 4 x 5 inches, $250. Tole, tea cannister, black, parcel gilt, armorial, shield flanked by griffins, red and white details, rectangular base, mounted as lamp, 21 x 10 x 10 inches, pair, $1,280. Silver-sterling, tea service, pear shape, animal head spout, artichoke finial, server, bone handle, stand, coffeepot, teapot, sugar and creamer, oval tray, six pieces, $1,320 © 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.
Cremer’s E–Z Whole Beef Tenderloin• 4-4-1/2 lb whole beef tenderloin
• Cremer’s Rub-Me-Tender Seasoning Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Season tenderloin with Cremer’s Rub-Me-Tender seasoning. Place tenderloin in roasting pan or on cookie sheet. Roast tenderloin for 30 minutes or until 130 degrees internal temperature for medium rare (10 minutes additional for medium well). Remove tenderloin from oven, cover with foil tent, and let rest for 15-20 minutes. Internal temperature may increase 5–10 degrees while resting—due to residual heat. Slice tenderloin into 1/4” to 1/2” slices. End piece will be more done and center of roast more rare. As Christmas fast approaches it represents the busiest time of the year for many of us. For most of us there are holiday gatherings that continue through the month and spill over into the New Year. The hands down most popular item we carry for the upcoming season is Whole Beef Tenderloin. Its versatility becomes as favorable as its delicate beef flavor. Whether sliced thin for finger sandwiches at a cocktail party or the main course for Christmas dinner. Roasting these at a high heat for a relatively short amount of time is sure to ease the challenges of entertaining and delight your guest. For other Holiday entertaining or gift giving ideas give us a call. |
