JessicaLea

True Texas Tradition is Dead

2012-01-11T18:39:00.000-08:00

I'm incredibly heart broken to say that Dublin Dr. Pepper is no more. My family always stopped to buy Dublin Dr Pepper on the way to my grandparents ranch in Duffau, TX. You can read about the Lawsuit between Dr.Pepper Snapple Group & Dublin Dr. Pepper.

Dallas Observer Reports The End of Dublin Dr Pepper

History of Dublin Dr. Pepper from Wikipedia

Dr Pepper debuted in Waco, Texas in 1885. The Dublin Dr Pepper Bottling is the oldest remaining Dr Pepper bottler, producing the beverage continuously since 1891. As the soft drink's first independently owned bottler, owner Sam Houston Prim was given first choice of franchises when franchising of Dr Pepper started in 1925 and, instead of a larger area, chose to formalize existing, smaller territory, which has remained unchanged.
Most of the machinery in the Dublin Dr Pepper Bottling dates to the 1930s and the plant only runs once a month, enough to refill the roughly 2,000 glass bottles that have circulated for decades. Since the 1990s, it has outsourced most of its production to Temple Bottling Co., a larger independent Dr Pepper bottler in Texas about 110 miles to the southeast

Franchise agreements limit the Dublin plant's distribution range to a 44-mile radius of Dublin, an area encompassing Stephenville, Tolar, Comanche and Hico. However, the plant's use of the original sugar recipe had made the plant popular far beyond its existing franchise agreement. Each year, as many as 80,000 visitors flock to Dublin, drawn to the antiquated bottling plant and its old-fashioned soda.

For those of you who don't know the differnece between the Dr Pepper on your grocery store shelf & Dublin Dr. Pepper

During the late 1970s and early 1980s, almost all American soft drink bottlers switched from cane sugar to HFCS (high-fructose corn syrup) because of a rise in the price of sugar for a number of political reasons. However, the owner of Dublin Dr Pepper Bottling Company of Dublin, Texas refused to switch sweeteners, and it remains one of few bottlers in the United States to continue using cane sugar year round. Though the Dublin plant is not the only Dr Pepper bottler to use cane sugar instead of HFCS as a sweetener, the Dublin plant is the most well-known plant[3][dead link] to not make the change. Dr Pepper containing cane sugar carries the Imperial Sugar logo and thus the variant became popularly known as "Dublin" Dr Pepper.

Giftmas

2012-01-05T08:58:00.000-08:00

Christmas was good to me this year! My boyfriend bought me the new Kindle Fire, which I wasn't expecting at all but I'm loving! Plus two perfumes I wanted, Betsy Johnson & Lucky You. His mom got me a mascara sampler set from Sephora that is amazing, Nexxus shampoo(smells soooo good)Elvis scratch off lottery tickets, & toys for the dog! My mom got me this super cute vintage inspired coconut tin for my kitchen, a Vera Bradley keychain wallet, cute shirt, a zebra collar for my dog. Plus between my family & his we ended up with major gift cards. I see lots of yummy dates in my future.

My boyfriend received some good stuff too, don't worry! I bought him some xbox accessories, a Chicago Bears Jersey and hat, plus two colognes.

Table Re-do!

2011-12-07T09:31:00.000-08:00

I've been searching for a small table for my tiny apartment with very little luck. I searched craigslist endlessly, been to every goodwill & salvation army around, several times in fact, with no luck finding anything in my budget. Oh of course I've seen some dinettes for $200-$300 but I just can't afford them when sweet Sallie Mae is calling every month begging for all my loose change. Its funny how things you need just appear when you aren't even looking for them! The first weekend of November is the opening of Deer Hunting Season, its kind of a holiday here in Texas, so every year my family has a big Fish Fry in celebration. We all trek down into Hill country to my grandparents ranch, all their neighbors come by and we eat catfish! My grandpa opens up his barn where he has a mismatch of table & chairs he has picked up from garage sales & most likely the side of the road, & we all crowd in to find a spot to eat. That is when I realized the table I happened to sit at was the perfect size and style for my apartment! I asked if I could take it home with me an even tho my grandpa was very confused as to why I would want this table he let me have it. Then it took me a month to get around to painting it.

I remembered to get a quick before pic only after it was disassembled and ready to be spray painted.

A light sanding and a few coats of spray paint later...

I think the color I chose looks fantastic with my Blue Heaven dishes!

I made Laundry Soap!

2011-12-05T14:33:00.001-08:00

I finally decided enough is enough! Im sick of paying outragous prices for laundry detergent every 2 weeks. So with much searching on pinterest I settled on this recipe from Why Not Sew. It was super easy to make and gets my laundry nice and clean!

Here is what you need:
-1 bar of soap (I used 1/2 a large bar of Zote)
-1 cup of Borax
-1 cup of washing soda
-a big pot
-a grater
-a funnel (I didn't have one)
-a long spoon
-2 empty gallon jugs/containers

Now to make your Detergent:
1) Grate your bar of soap into your pot
2) Fill one gallon jug and pour water into pot with grated soap.
3) Cook until the grated soap dissolves
4) Add the Borax and washing soda
5) Bring to a boil. It will coagulate
6) Turn off the heat. Add 1 gallon of cold water. Stir well
7) Pour 1 gallon of your detergent into each container

Now my pot wasn't big enough to hold 2 gallons of water, so I didn't add the cold water to the pot. Instead I poured my soap into each container, then added cold water until the container was full.

You only need to use 1/2 cup per load!!

Christmas is almost here!!!

2011-11-30T10:12:00.000-08:00

Most of my decorations are up!

Our Christmas stockings! They are mismatched but I like them that way. I thought I was only going to put two up, for myself & my boyfriend, but then I realized I need one for my doxies too!

My mini tree with trailor/camper themed ornaments. I put this one up last year too. Someday when I have my own little trailor this will be perfect for it!

Every year I put up my tree filled with Elvis ornaments!

I saw these gorgeous ornaments wreaths a few years ago on Retro Renovation & have wanted one ever since, so thanks to pinterest I found a simple way to make on with a wire hanger. I LOVE this wreath so much, I want to make 10 more!!!

Fall Love

2011-11-15T10:28:00.000-08:00

I tried to do a little Halloween/Fall decorating this year. Since I don't have a fireplace mantle I decided this awesome MCM table I have can serve the purpose for my rotating holiday decor.

Barrel club chair

2011-11-06T13:29:00.001-08:00

Spotted this gem in my grandpa's barn! I didn't have the nerve to take it home with me, but I did snag an awesome little table Im going to make over. Stay tuned!

Vintage Wish List

2011-10-28T10:54:00.000-07:00

Sometimes when I go thrifting or antiqueing it can be a bit overwhelming, a really good store is usually packed full. I know some of you are probably thinking this is not a problem! While it is always nice to have a wide selection and nothing is better than finding something unexpected, I think its good to have an idea of what you do & don't want. I always find things I love that don't go with the color scheme in my kitchen or that is cute but just not "me". Some people snatch these things up just for the sake of having it, or to resale in an online store and I really don't have a problem with either of those things. I just try to keep in mind first and foremost my budget, what I know similar items sell for online, functionality (I like to use my stuff not just look at it)and color/style. I love finding things that I never knew I always wanted, but I also have a list of things in particular that Im looking for. So here if my wish list for the moment

1. Blue Heaven by Royal China - I post about this stuff a lot! These are my everyday dishes I own a full 8 place setting but Im on the look out for accessories. Glasses, Tea pitcher, salt & pepper shaker & whatever else there is that I dont know about yet!

2. Bowling Bag & Shoes- My boyfriend & I love to go bowling its cheap, entertaining, and I don't toally suck at it. Now my bf used to be on a league so he has his own ball, shoes, and bag. Im looking out for a great bag to hold the ball and shoes my bf's mom is leting me "borrow" because I don't like paying $5 to rent shoes every week! Plus I looooove the look!!!!

3. Industrial Metal desk fan. My boyfriend sleeps with the ceiling fan plus a small desk fan at night. Right now he has an ugly black plastic one that needs to go! One of these would look fantastic on his side of the bed.

4. Formica Dinette- I don't really have space in my apartment for anything too large. I refuse to pay the outrageous prices some people are trying to resale these for in antiqaue malls and I think I would prefer yellow.

Now these things are all readily available on ebay or etsy but the hunt is part of the fun and Im looking for a bargain!

Lazy Day

2011-10-27T19:06:00.000-07:00

I was in Desoto today waiting for my boyfriend when I had the briliant Idea to go thrifting. lol I had so much good luck yesterday finding those Kromex Canisters that I feel like Im on a hot streak. So while waiting I used my fancy android phone to google for a Goodwill or antique mall. I found a listing for an antique mall that was only 5 miles away & decided to go check it out. The minute I pulled up I was disappointed. I could tell from the outside this place was very small, & the window displays made it look like a craft mall & not an antique store. I walked in and my disappointment only increased, lots of cheesy craft junk, candles & wholesale knockoff jewelry type stuff. However I decided to do a quick walk around and Im sooooo happy that I did! This place had a few booths with antiques, most of which still were not my bag. BUT then I found 4 Blue Heaven pattern drinking glasses!!! I was soooo beyond shocked to find them sitting in this place of all places! I snatched them right up & almost ran to the register. I'm soooo giddy over these things, I paid $5 for them.

Kromex Kitchen Canisters

2011-10-26T13:06:00.000-07:00

Im sooo excited I found these beauties. I decided to go to Mid-Cities antiqaue mall today to look for some pyrex casserole dishes. I had zero luck on the pyrex front. Then just before I was convinced this place was full of junk I found in the very back corner of the store, on a bottom shelf this 4 peice set of Kromex Canisters. The best part is they were only $17.50 for the set!! Now Im sure some of you out in blogger land might be scoffing that I paid a whole whopping $17.50 & have tales of finding this set for a mere 25 cents or some crap like that but I don't care!!! Ive seen sets of these priced up to $50 & this set was originally $35 but for some odd reason marked down. I got a great deal on something I've wanted for a very long time and Im damn happy about it.

These babies are in really good condition, just a tiny barely noticeable bit of rust on a few, but no dents or scratches.

The perfect MCM accessory

2011-08-04T19:01:00.000-07:00

Dachshunds!!

2011-06-25T19:10:00.000-07:00

Sorry Blog Friends I've been neglecting things around here....

Dachshund Love

2011-03-19T20:22:00.000-07:00

This Kohler sink ad makes me insanely happy!!! Ive had it saved as my desktop for awhile now, it just makes me smile, just look at those sweet puppies & the wallpaper. Instead of being an old crazy cat lady, this is how I will probably end up!

So onto my vintage dachshund related stuff!

Funky Doxie Planter

My newest Tattoo!!! Silly I know, but thats how I like my tattoos! ;)

RCA Victor Radio

2011-03-09T13:35:00.000-08:00

I found this little radio in my parents garage stuffed on a storage closet shelf. Obviously a rescue was in order!

Cleaning all the dust and dirt off only proved what bad shape its in. Huge crack on top & bad wiring. I cleaned and fit everything back together the best I could. For now its just something cool to decorate with but I might look into having someone really fix it up. There are a couple of booths in the Montgomery Street antique mall that sell refurbished radios, so I might inquire with the owners to see what can be done & how much it will cost me. In the mean I'll just admire my awesome cleaning skills. lol

Furniture

2011-03-06T11:07:00.000-08:00

My sister & her hubby went to Louisiana this weekend and brought back the furniture from my grandparents. My mom kept a table, some chairs & a tea cart. Im not really sure what my sister got. But, the three things I've always loved are now mine! My Mamaw's house had a very country theme, lots of red white & blue. Being the frugal person she was nothing was replaced or thrown out just painted or disguised to match her current decor. This is a good thing because she kept some really great furniture, the bad part is some of it is painted country blue.

This little round table was covered with long table cloths, so it is still in perfect original condition. There are no markings on it at all so I have no clue the manufacturer or when she purchased it. Whatever it is I LOVE it!!

This hairpin coffee table was a victim of the country blue paint. I figure I can paint it any color I want without the guilt of "ruining" something vintage! Feel free to suggest paint colors or refinishing options, I need ideas.

Same goes for this cedar chest. This was always in my grandparents room, I had never even seen the inside of it until today. I just loved the design of it and asked if I could have it.

Once it arrived today & I got a good look at the inside I discovered it is an authentic Lane Cedar Chest!

A quick google search about Lane cedar chests is all the research I've had time to do. One website states that you can surmise the manufacture date by reading the serial number backwards. No idea how true this is. Im sure some of you out there in blog land know lots of good info about this. So here is a pic of the bottom of my chest showing the style & serial numbers.

Cute ad I found during my google search!

Lazy days

2011-03-01T01:10:00.000-08:00

Me and my doxie Ruby just hanging out. This is her favorite spot!

Mamaw's Kitchen

2011-02-25T14:54:00.000-08:00

So as promised here are a few things I recently inherited from my grandparents. I thought I would do a post just on the kitchen stuff. These are actually my first pyrex anything, and even though this isnt a complete matching se of cinderella bowls I still wanted them.

Pyrex Cinderella Bowls

This little Pyrex guy

I really have mixed feelings about the Frankoma stuff. I don't really know if Im going to keep it or not since I don't collect the stuff, and have no interest in starting. All of my other family members openly declared the stuff as ugly and don't want it.

Frankoma Prairie Green

Frankoma possibly Desert Gold (I'm no expert)

Frankoma Pitcher Desert Gold

I was exicted to take this home with me, its still working great!

Coffee Pot

Papaw Lamar

2011-02-23T15:21:00.000-08:00

So 2011 has been a little rocky so far. Ive had this blog saved as a draft for awhile now, not really sure what exactly to write or if I should write anything at all. My grandfather passed away on January 21st. My grandmother died in 2004 but his death really cemented that loss as well. I have very mixed emotions of course Im heartbroken and sad. The nurse in me is truly happy that at almost 80 yrs old he was living life as he wanted, still driving, visitng his girlfriend, checking on his cows, coffee every morning with his sister. I see so many people hospitalised with illnesses unable to do the things they once loved and Im happy his life didnt end that way.

The hardest part was going through the house cleaning things out, packing away memories, knowing that we would never be all together there in that house again. My grandfather served in the United Stated Airforce for 26 yrs, in that time he and my grandmother lived all over the world. They carefully packed and moved the entire contents of that house multiple times, collecting more items along the way. It is amazing to me how so much survived not only multiple overseas moves but multiple floods in the rural part of Louisiana they are originally from and eventually retired back too. A testament not only to how well they cared for and loved their belongings but how well things were made 'back then'. I will have to do a post later on the things I was given.

My beautiful Grandparents

My Papaw with his sisters

Survey Fun

2011-02-21T22:43:00.000-08:00

Three names I go by:
1. Jessica
2. Jesco
3. Jess

Three jobs I've had:

1. Medical Secretary
2. Trucking Dispatcher
3. Nurse!

Three Places I've lived:

1. Fort Worth
2. Arlington
3. Grand Prairie

Three favorite drinks:

1. Dr. Pepper
2. coke
3. Ice Tea

Three TV shows I watch:

1. Sons Of Anarchy
2. Dexter
3. True Blood

Three places I've been:

1. Louisiana
2. Florida
3. Ohio

Three places I'd love to go:

1. Graceland!!!
2. Amsterdam
3. Spain

Three people who text me regularly:

1. Megan
2. Mr. English
3. Boy of the moment lol

Three favorite old TV shows:

1. That Seventies Show
2. Friends
3. Buffy

Three favorite dishes:

1. Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas
2. Chicken Fried Steak & Mashed potatoes
3. Chile Rellenos

Three makeup/beauty products I can't live without:

1. TIGI Rockaholic Dirty Secret Dry Shampoo
2. chapstick
3. Holy But'r

Three things I'm looking forward to:

1. Finish My sleeves
2. Traveling more
3. Decorating my place MCM style

Elvis Christmas

2010-12-25T20:26:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas!! Here are some pics of this years Elvis Tree!

Vintage Dishes

2010-12-22T07:45:00.000-08:00

Pam over at Retro Renovation posted a blog today about special edition Blue Heaven plates!! Since I havent updated in a looong while I thought I should take this opportunity top show off my collection of Blue Heaven. I've recently added a gravy boat and some baking dishes.

Lazy Sundays

2010-11-15T08:28:00.000-08:00

Sunday afternoon boredom overtook me, so I decided to stroll around this antique mall in Burleson near my parents house. I love the carnival lettering across the building. This place is filled with great stuff, all of which was out of my price range! I still love to look, it gives me a better idea of what things to search for at estate sales and flea markets. I took some quick cellphone pics of things I wish I could have.

This gorgeous typewriter was part of a case full of office/desk furnishings. Everything from staplers to these old metal fans.

Ive seen this goregous farm sink on display here for awhile now. The sink is in great condition but the metal cabinets underneath are perfect! It could be all yours for a mere $500!

I wish the pictures of these canisters had come out more true to color, they are a beautiful butter yellow. You might faint if I tell you how much these items are selling for!!

I did end of buying two things that I love. This turqouise carafe $3 and turqouise Chop-o-matic $8

Vintage Heaven

2010-09-03T06:42:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I went to Bon Ton Vintage in Forreston, TX The place is absoluetely AH-MAZING! They specialize in vintage clothing but have some housewares, records and a really good mix of other stuff. Things you never knew you always wanted! The owners and their daughter are funny and generous, they made shopping there even better.

Please excuse the poor quality Cell Phone pics.

I bought a 28 peice set of Blue Heaven Dishes for $20!!!!!!!!!!!

This set is in perfect condition, none of the plates are faded or chipped, atomic perfection! I had never seen this pattern before but apparently it is very popular. The little bit of research I did via google says that this was a mid 60's pattern used as a grocery store giveaway. You know the type of thing. This makes me intensely happy b/c I want to use these as everyday dishes and not stress about accidently breaking them. If I do break one, I know I can get a replacement. Plus I keep seeing tons of great stuff like serving platters, casserole dishes, pitchers and glasses to go with. Im going to have fun collecting Blue Heaven!!!!!!

Rockin' '50s Redo-HGTV

2010-08-16T06:40:00.000-07:00

Im so in love with Antonio it is rediculous! Please God send me a fine looking man like this who can redo my entire house! LOL

I honestly think my favorite detail from this clip is the pinstriped cabinets!!!!! I will have that in my yellow and turquoise Kitchen. Not to mention the Big Chill refrigerator, owning one has been a dream of mine for awhile now, someday I will be able to afford one. I love vintage fridges but they aren't energy efficient at all, and if I spend all my money on the electric bill every month that means I can't go shopping.

Nurses

2010-08-12T19:35:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of my Great Grandmother who was also a nurse!

Isn't her white cap soooo cute!

Its been a Good Day!

2010-02-10T16:51:00.000-08:00

Even tho its freezing outside I did finally leave my apartment today. I met a friend for lunch at La Madeline, it was sooooooooo amazingly good. I had the french onion soup I've been craving for weeks now. Then we went to see Dear John, it was a sappy chic fick. Not even a cute romantic comedy but just a sit there and cry the whole time romance movie. I won't ruin the movie for anyone but you can tell from the movie trailors that he is in the military and writes her love letters the entire time.

It made me think about my Aunt Lillian who really is related to me I'm not even sure how. HAHA. I think she is my Grandmother's cousin? Something like that, I have a big extended family in Louisiana. Anyways Aunt Lillian's husband was in the Navy on a submarine during World War II and he wrote her letters everyday in the form of a Diary. (He couldn't mail her letters being stuck on a sub) After he died she had it all published into a book and I have a copy! He writes really sweet things to her, simple but sweet. Things like he describes this intense battle at sea where their Sub had to surface and fight another boat, he talks about people dying next to him then at the end he says "my dearest Lillian even after all of this I remembered that today is your birthday" I cry everytime I read that. I don't need a dramatic epic love story. Just a simple sweet man to love me, is that really so impossible?

just something

2010-02-09T16:44:00.000-08:00

Right before Thanksgiving my friend gave me a small watercolor painting he did. I just had it propped up against a wall sconce for awhile then I had it in my purse so that I could take it frame shopping with me. Its started to look a little ragged around the edges so I finally bought a cheep clip frame for it today. I picked a really rad purple to put behind it. Now I just need to find a good place in my apartment to hang it.