Can a Flair range be saved...no matter what??????

[mixfinder]

Easter Reserrection

Dick, my Flair was trashed by the time dinner was on the table. I did a Leg of Pork in the small oven, measuring it to be sure before I bought it. There was a 22 pound Turkey in the big oven. I have no idea what went on while I was at church, but the turkey, nested well within the confines of it's roaster, shot a puddle of fat in one corner of the oven. When he turkey was ready, it came out to bake the Vasileopita (Toggles, please correct the spelling) while I mashed the tropic blend potatoes, onions, garlic, apples, sweet potatoes and white potatoes. The onions wrap around the beaters turning them into clubs which spatter orange glop everywhere. In the last hurrah of pulling stuffing, steaming asparagus, thickening the gravy and carving the Turkey and Pork some one rolled the stone away to reveal a Flair covered head to foot with every kind of culinary overspray. While guests were filling their plates all the pans were washed, the stove wiped down and the burners stowed. Like any veteran Flair owner, I killed the oven lights so no one would see inside. After the guests went home, I pulled the glides and racks and sent them through the dish washer while the oven got polished with SOS and Windex. By morning it looked no worse for wear. I am gratified to see a Sunbeam mashing the potatoes.

 

[Dick_S.]

OMG Kelly....

....what did you do? Bring home the entire church congregation for Sunday dinner?? ((--:: From what you write makes me think I was at the wrong house for Easter dinner. (Yes, I will always remember that beautiful dinner you put out back in '06)And washing all the pots and pans before sitting down to dinner? Now I'm a total believer in washing and cleaning up as I cook and go but when the food is served I'm right in that chow line to get some along with everyone else and take my seat and enjoy the fruits of my labor. And when dinner is over I've got a bunch in that kitchen helping on clean up detail and another bunch helping to wrap up and put everything away. Of course I'm right in the middle. ((--::

I used to LOVE to put on dinner parties like you do and if I say so myself, I was quite good at it. But most of us change with time and I must say that I am one of those who now keep things simple BUT always very nice and very pleasant. I had five at the table and that was plenty. Time usually changes all and I must say that I've slowed down quite a bit lately. Being on the short side of 70 has had a lot to do with it I believe!

 

[mixfinder]

Washed the Pots?

We had 22, mostly family for Easter dinner.  14 sat in the dining room and the remainder at the breakfast table in the great room.  There's a center island which held a walk though buffet.  It allowed me to clean up the pots and clear the counter to lay out the desserts.  I would have been last through the line last regardless.  The guests did load the dishwasher and stack the excess plates.  It is very casual here in the barn made into a house.

It is good to see you at home in your new home, Dick.  I wish my Flair was in as good a shape as your's but there's always one more over the horizon waiting to be found.

 

[Dick_S.]

Well......

the christening (for loss of a better word right at this moment) was last weekend and it was awesome and totally fabulous.

Kelly-look forward to seeing you sometime this coming week.

 

[tlee618]

Dick, your home is looking fantastic!!! Love the one of you mashing the potatoes at the Flair. You have got to be so happy that you made the move. Thanks for sharing with us.

 

[vacbear58]

Awesome and totally fabulous

Sums up that room. Dick, you are doing a great job, keep up the good work. Wishing you very many happy years there
Al

 

[Dick_S.]

Thanks to you both....

.....for your nice comments and wishes. The house just keeps growing on me and friends and I are constantly looking for more "period" pieces to furnish it with. I've been having lots and lots of company lately and entertaining them all in the house has just been a breeze. More like fun than a chore which it has been at times in the past.And cooking is delightful on the Flair. Gave it a good workout two weekends ago with a 24 pounder and various casserole side dishes baking in both ovens and numerous foods in pans on burners, all at the same time. Oh, and I musn't forget the pies. The stove was going all day long and just took it in stride.

 

[Dick_S.]

The sweet potato pie

 

[mixfinder]

I Know You Have an Empty Freezer

The all new improved plan is to visit Palm Springs in the spring for the tennis tournements.  Feel free to start putting some of your amazing pies away so I can taste them all.  It should be really nice to be in the new house with the cottage museum when winter comes and its warmer and easier to work on beloved project. One word about staying in the old place....Yucca!

Kelly

 

[Dick_S.]

Pretty soon....

.....you all will have seen every nook and cranny of my home and be familiar with every stick of furniture in it. ((--::
Pictured is a headboard I found while "saleing". It is similar to the dresser and night tables I have and has that 60s look so I brought it home. It was then that I realized I have never had a bed with a headboard. I love it!

 

[pdub]

Just beautiful!

My mother has a headboard in that blonde wood very similar and with the matching highboy chest of drawers that she has had new since she got married in the late fifties... They are nice solidly built pieces of furniture. Congratulations on this find. Will it go in your room or the guest room?

 

[Dick_S.]

I'm just amazed........

...at what I'm gathering together in my "travels" for the new place. And much to my surprise I find I'm not alone in this venture. I have come to realize that a number of my friends also share my passion and are calling me with items they've come across that they think will compliment my home. And they do!

My dear friend Cheryl who I "adopted" as a sister years ago came back from Wyoming with an item that I couldn't believe. It looks great in the master bedroom and to think she carted it all the way down here for my place. I consider that something. And a picture will be "forthcoming" as I just realized I left the camera at the other place! What a dunce I can be at times! ((--::

 

[Dick_S.]

It dawned on me.....

.....that I have never posted any pictures of the outside landscaping. Here is a shot of the "cactus farm" that is in the front and middle of the circle driveway. There are also some beautiful ocotillos.

 

[Dick_S.]

and.........

......these gorgeous beauties!

 

[Dick_S.]

And this is.........

.....what my dear Cheryl found in a thrift store 1800 miles from here, thought it would fit into the "period" theme I am doing with the house and hauled it back home. Needs a little sanding and staining but otherwise it is fabulous. She is on another trek right now and I can't wait to see what she brings back this time.

 

[mixfinder]

Love Comes From the Most Unexpected Places

Dick, this thread gets more exciting with each new pictured acquisition.  Once people and things come into your healing power and touch they are transformed, just like this house that is now a home because you're in it.  I know the past months have taken a toll on your body. The emotional drain on the psyche from care giving is mind numbing at best.  It makes me feel better knowing you have this oasis and sanctuary for your own renewal and to invite your closest circle in for your TLC.  This home has become a vehicle for you to continue your life long gift of nurture, encouragement and love.  You are the brightest light in a desert filled with light.  This project allows you to massage and heal the wood into it's once glowing patina but to also use one of your machines.  Like an artist you will create a new canvas (literally) for the chair to occupy a place of pride in a house filled with spectular artifacts of the Mid Century.  Rest with in and without and be ready to live this house to it's fullest.

 

[rp2813]

So Dick, are you tired of hearing people tell you that you're living in their ideal Palm Springs dream home?  Because is sure it that to me!

 

Our next door neighbors had a similar Philco fridge when I was a kid.  I think it was a little older than yours.  It had a pedal to open the freezer door but I can't tell if yours does.  It seemed so huge compared to our single door '49 Westinghouse.

 

Just a beautiful house and a beautiful job you've done with it.

 

Ralph

 

[Dick_S.]

Thought I'd keep posting....

....items of interest that are going in the house. Like this Voice of Music portable phonagraph. I had one just like it when I was a kid back in the 50s. The button in the lower right corner of the face is of interest. When records are playing and the lid is closed, you can push on it to reject the record curently playing and start a new one playing. I think that's neat.

You are right Ralph. The rather large freezer compartment on the bottom has a foot release lever but the flat ribbed part your foot rests on to push open the door is broken off. I welcome thoughts and suggestions on how to remedy this situation. I also need to put a new door seal on both doors but as far as it working -- it works great. I love it.

And Kelly-once again, thanks for your nice thoughts. ((--::

Dick

 

[Dick_S.]

a pic of the record changer

 

[Dick_S.]

And by no means....

...could I ever forget to take along my GE tube combo unit that I purchased new in 1963. It works well but does need to be taken apart and all contacts given a good cleaning. The old record players are great for playing my 78 rpm records.