New Monthly Feature ~ ReTRo Cookbook Classics ~

Last week's thrift store run introduced me to a whole new world of vintage fun. Not only did they have a special "Stuff a bag for $5.00" which was a pleasant and enjoyable surprise... but I happened upon a large collection of cookbooks, circa 1970. Not only do I love retro, but I love to cook. Surely these books were going to be the perfect addition to my own collection of cookbooks. A super vintage score! I added them to my bag and continued on. Some cool ribbon, a few frames and a couple of vintage ironstone plates, a bag of charms, a few jewelry pieces. The bag was stuffed and I headed home.

I sat down with a cup of coffee to leisurely flip through my pile of cookbooks. Nothing could have prepared me for what I saw.

Caption reads "First stop- appetizer table. Remember, this is only the start!"

Sure it was only the start, but could it get any better than that "Trio of egg-and-olive penguin guards and the anchovy stuffed eggs." (Bedded on ice on a lazy susan of course!)

The colorful array of tasty treats both above and below can be found in Better Homes & Gardens "Meals with a Foreign Flair" from 1971. They are not illustrations. They are actual photographs with lavish displays, weird props and food that looks as synthetic as the polyester pants worn by the photographer that snapped the shots.

The caption with this photo reads "Here's dinnertime drama a la Old Mexico. The star-zingy Enchiladas. Tickets to a bull fight afterward?"

Was it the lighting in the pictures? Was it the age of the paper of the pages? What in the world could make all of this food look like the plastic props from Munchkin Land in the Wizard of OZ? And did people actually think this food looked good? Good enough to purchase the book and whip up a dish or two? I had so many questions.

As I flipped through, my moments of bewilderment began to mix with a bit of fascination. Fascination and the need to share these seemingly lost pieces of culinary history with my modern day blog readers.

In a effort to get the word out, I will be sharing an authentic, circa 1970 recipe from this new found collection every month in my new blog feature ~ReTRo Cookbook Classics~ I will also be accepting submissions! So if you have a super 70's cookbook find that you would like to share, hit me up!! GMmosaics@aol.com

In the meantime, help yourself to some "Sweet and Sour Pork atop fluffy rice" and don't forget the side of abacus.

In the Works

In February of 2007 I opened a second Etsy shop. It began as a mission to destash the many supplies I had accumulated through the years then quickly evolved to a dedicated supply shop. My trips to area thrift stores, flea markets, estate sales and tag sales became more than just me on the hunt for goodies to work with. I was actively seeking out random treasures and vintage doo dads to share with like minded mixed media artists. Fun stuff!

Meanwhile, over in my mosaic world, things were happening. My shop was doing well, and I was fortunate enough to have connected with a gallery where I began offering some of my larger mosaic mirrors for sale. I chose to put my supply shop on hold and focus on my art. During this time I began to go through my supply shop inventory and I just couldn't help myself.... There were so many cool things! Slowly my inventory began to disappear and end up in my own artwork.

A new collection of unique art has come out of this all and now I am expanding. My obsession with random objects, ReTRo, kitsch, funky, goofy, colorful, vintage and love for painting and collage needed its own place to live.

So be on the lookout for the re-launch of Assorted Olives. An eclectic mix of color & groovy art by Jeanine Molnar. Opening Spring 2009.

New

The first in a series of bright, fun, waiting for Spring collage art mirrors.
Titled: Lily $18

What is She Doing Now?

Ever find it hard to keep up with what you are doing? Your brain moves faster than your body and your ability to even start the first thing you thought of. Then just when you think you are getting it, another idea, this one even more amazing than the first pops up. You attempt to terminate all traces of the first idea and elaborate on the second, only to be sidetracked by the chotchkies on the shelf in your kitchen and the sudden urge to do a re-design of your entire downstairs.

Welcome to my life. Maybe it is the Gemini in me. That ability to be adaptable and versatile and keep busy. Or the more negative traits they claim us Gems have; something about nervous energy and a dual aspect ~ making it hard for us to stick to any one thing for a long period of time. Add a few cups of coffee (ok then add 3 to that few) and then duck.

I may always get sidetracked by something shiny on the rug on my way to switch the laundry to the dryer while I wait for the third coat of Mod Podge to dry on my latest collage mirror, but I am learning to embrace my constant state of needing to "do". Bored is not in my vocabulary and I have managed to figure out how to add relaxing to my list of to-do's once in a while. So right now it is all working.

Now Available

This is the first of a few sets I will be offering in my Etsy shop. Coordinating mirrors and boxes, frames and magnets. See this set, Caramel Delight... just click here.

Featured as a Great Find Today!

A huge thank you to Terri of http://www.obtp.etsy.com for featuring my art on her blog today. Read the article here. And be sure to check out her shop for gorgeous semi precious stones and sterling silver jewelry.