I think I could stop … if I wanted to. Chocolate malted martini

Grandma's Ovenex Cake Pans

I might have a serious problem.  I’ve watched enough episodes of  Hoarders Buried Alive to know that what I’m about to tell you could be … well …  considered by some to be a medical condition that needs to be treated.

I mean …  I think I could stop …  if I wanted to … I mean it,  I really plan on cutting back.  Tomorrow.

I know you are thinking it’s food, that perhaps I’m back on the grilled cheese wagon again – but no … It’s much worse.

I cannot stop collecting vintage treasures.  Furniture, phones, dishes, aprons, dresses, earrings …  if it smells like your grandma – I want it.  It’s the thrill of walking into that thrift store, not ever knowing what dandy delight I might discover!

Midas of Miami 1 of a kind basket purse - 1956

There is an enticing mystery to every piece that I find.  I can’t help but ask myself, ” Who first owned this, what was she like, was she as excited as I am to show off this spiffy bird basket around town?”  Yes, I carry this everywhere I go, it’s quite the conversation piece.

Once I bring these babies home, I find the perfect place for each new addition to the family.  I adopted these three all from different places, but here next to my stove they will live happily ever after,  partners for life – salt & pepper.

A girl can never have too many tea cups, especially when you find the saucer AND the cup together in a matching set … I just had to have them, you understand right?  I would’ve been crazy NOT to buy them.  It’s not like I’m buying things that don’t work.

Well maybe just a few things, like this mint green radio.  It doesn’t work, but I needed it to

sit on top of my new vintage dresser with the Lucite handles.  Look at all that detail !  They just don’t make them like that anymore!  So I love old things, I’m not hurting anybody … I like to think of it as recycling.

I came close to hitting rock bottom once.  There I was right in the middle of a funeral reception when it hit me.  A dear friend’s grandmother had passed, and as I stood in the kitchen making small talk with the family  I was uncontiously scanning the room taking inventory of all of Grandma’s possessions!  JEEPERS CREEPERS!  For a second I felt kinda bad … but then I just shook it off, Grandma would’ve like it that I appreciated her style.

This is Grandma’s pink phone … that sits on the dresser … next to the mint green radio, it”s the bee’s knees! (Thank you Grandma Ann!)

So the next time your out driving along, and you spot a Goodwill or Salvation Army.  Take a minute to go inside, go treasuring hunting, think of me,  I might just be there.  I’ll be the gal with a full cart and a flower in her hair.  Until then, let’s share a drink.  Shopping makes me thirsty.

Chocolate Malted Martini

serves 1

Handful of crushed Whoppers

1 ½ oz half and half or cream

2 Tablespoons of malted milk powder

ice

1-1/2 oz chocolate vodka

1 oz Godiva chocolate liquor

• Crush the candies in a plastic bag and pour onto a plate.
• Moisten the rim of the glass with vodka and then press the glass into the powdered candy – chill.
• Pour the half and half into a martini shaker with the malted milk powder – shake well until the powder dissolves.
• Fill the shaker half way with ice and pour in the vodka and chocolate liquor.
• Shake well – serve in a chilled martini glass.