Welcome New Members: QueenofSienna, Flyingace, KitschyVintage, VanityFare, TheWhiteRoom and EmeliasCupboard

Blown Mold Glass Spiral Swirl Cruet & Stopper

QueenofSienna offers a unique mix of vintage items spanning many decades and styles. Among the 250 items available are textiles, fabric, glass, pottery, and books. "The items in my shop are vintage and antique pieces that were acquired by generations of two families. I will continue to be listing more items daily. It is an eclectic mix, that's for sure." QueenofSienna opened in November 2010.

Vintage Canister Set with Floral Design

Flyingace was opened in June of 2009 by Ashley, a stay at home mom from Tulsa Oklahoma. "I offer unique, quality treasures for every member of the family. My shop name, flyingace, is an ode to my favorite comic strip character of all time, Snoopy as the World War 1 flying ace in search of the Red Baron." Major shop categories include: Home Accessories, Vintage Books and For Kids.

VIntage Federal Rumpus Shot Glasses

KitschyVintage offers a nice mix of vintage items ranging from the 1920's through the 1960's. "After having a career and then being a stay-at-home mom to my 3 sons (now grown), I've finally figured out what I want to do when I grow up: collect, use and sell great old stuff! The items in my shop are as unpredictable as the imaginings of days past." Top categories include: Jewelry and Accessories and Games and Toys. KitschyVintage opened shop in October 2010.

Antique Filigree Pin Fancy Design circa 1900

VanityFare is a wonderful jewelry shop, offering vintage and antique jewelry representing a wide range of styles and eras. "I've been selling antique jewelry for over 20 years. I've also developed a good sound working knowledge of textiles, linens, ladies accessories and vintage clothing. I've sold antiques from the Georgian Period right up to the late 20th c. up and down the east coast." VanityFare is based out of Barrington, New Hampshire and opened in January of 2008.

Vintage Bead Goodies in White 

TheWhiteRoom, based out of Ontario, Canada, has a lovely selection of vintage rhinestone jewelry, postcards, and ephemera. "I love and appreciate beautiful things that hold a story from the past. I love to collect and surround myself with these treasures, and find inspiration in them for my art and life." TheWhiteRoom has been in business since May 2009.

Vintage Ford Truck Guide F 150 (1979)

EmeliasCupboard currently has an interesting selection of books on offer including a few unique operating and instruction manuals. "I will be using this shop to clear out my vast collections of almost 50 years hunting. I have been involved in buying and selling antiques and collectibles for most of my life, and far too much of it went into our private collections, even long after we ran out of space for it. Now that retirement is approaching, it is time to get serious about clearing out." EmeliasCupboard is based out of Spring Branch Texas (Winter) and opened in May of 2011.

Fresh Picks: Proper Prim

“Primitive” generally means an item that lacks sophistication, is naive in its form and typically utilitarian in its function. Early homesteaders, for example, did not have the means to purchase commercial farm equipment, household items and furniture. These things were made on the homestead by hand as needed. In its purest form, primitives are typically handmade, but we tend to also include mass produced utilitarian items such as tools in this category.

If you admire--and desire--primitive style, these finds are glorious examples. My thanks to Sarah of Bantam House Antiques for providing the articulate definition of primitive style.

Adorable Antique Dolly VintageInBloom $17.00	Vintage Metal Pitchfork Four... DandelionGirl $25.00	Antique Heavy Iron from Mexi... HamiltonBay $25.00
Antique Primitive Coal Scoop... EmeliasCupboar... $14.00	Miniature Tennessee primitiv... cherrylippedro... $14.00	Antique Copper Folk Art Cand... TheWhiteMole $20.00

Treasury tool by whalesharkwebsites

Foodie Friday: U is also for UMAMI

UMAMI?? Just exactly what IS that? Often referred to as the fifth taste sensation--after sweet, salty, bitter and sour, UMAMI can best be likened to "savoriness".

from dictionary.com:

u·ma·mi
  /uˈmɑmi/ Show Spelled[oo-mah-mee]
noun
a strong meaty taste imparted by glutamate and certain other amino acids: often considered to be one of the basic taste sensations along with sweet, sour, bitter, and salty.

It will help you understand the concept/taste of umami if you consider the combined effects on the palate of, for example: a perfectly dressed Caesar salad, redolent of Parmesan cheese, anchovies, garlic and lemon juice. Or perhaps something more commonplace: a slice of pepperoni-and-mushroom pizza. UMAMI is the savory taste of these foods, and the full, tongue-coating sensation they provide.

Umami is a fairly new concept in America, but it has been acknowledged in parts of Asia and Europe for nearly 100 years. It was identified in the early 1900s by Kikunae Ikeda, a Japanese scientist who coined the name umami based on the Japanese term for "deliciousness."

Applying the judicious use of the umami can really ramp up the flavor factor! Going beyond just salt and pepper, a correctly applied dash of cheese, wine or even ketchup can pump up the umami, without overwhelming the dish. Cooks skilled in umami can reduce the fat and salt content of foods without sacrificing flavor. One simple way to to boost the umami taste in a meal is to add ingredients rich in glutamate, such as aged cheese, soy sauce, tomato products and fish-based sauces (like Worcestershire and Thai fish sauce)

(of course, using VINTAGE serving pieces will ramp up the umami! Covered bowl at top from RetroVintageBazaar.etsy.com; relish dish at bottom from AmeliasCupboard.etsy.com)