Welcome to the Ranch

With a focus on things not entirely but very nearly Western. 

My take on the wearing of the coral squash blossom necklace (a recent retail splurge) is it pairs nicely with the Mr. Bill Ohhhh Nooo graphic T-shirt. The Harley Davidson Western hat is one of my fav second-hand finds. 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/185006359062

My return to office is scheduled for Mondays and Tuesdays beginning January 1. What I want to see most on my return are the new murals recently painted for the Wide Open Walls event during September. The Sacramento Mural Festival began in 2019 to enliven alleyways and buildings throughout the city. At my previous department, we had a building-long view of Johnny Cash.

We finally had rain, not what was needed but enough to revel in it. A overcast day meant cooler temperatures and I was able to bake the longed-for traditional New York cheesecake with a chocolate graham cracker crust. 

Reseller update: Sewing patterns continue to be solid sellers. I have found that buyers prefer the newer uncut ones rather than the older patterns. I have given the older patterns enough time listed, I will start pulling them from the inventory. 

Two of my fav cookbooks also sold recently, The Joy of Cooking and the New York Times Cookbook. The Red Plaid cookbooks have not been moving like they were a few months ago. 

I pretty much stay away from reselling crocheted items, with the exception of black crochet squares. Seems they have retained the popularity, and these black/grey/pink/white ones I am sure will find a home. 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/185045492292

Tub of goodness from a couple of thrift shops included an upgrade in costume might be a Red Riding Hood one but mine will be Oktoberfest girl. The dog print pajama I will wear in the morning when we pull cool air into the house with a whole house fan. 

The Trader Vic's Pacific Island Cookbook looks to be a keeper.

And a book find from earlier in the week - Phyllis Diller's Housekeeping Hints.

The problem with dealing in books, or any of my product for that matter, is I tend to keep WAY too much in my collections. 

The $2.99 bag of fabric surprised me with 12 small blue blocks, perfect to supplement any project.

How could I leave you without an actual image from the Ranch? 

Here it is - the henhouse in disrepair. That was back when things were green. It is all things brown now. I keep praying for rain. 

A Western art find

I have a small collection of Western art, now a burgeoning three pieces. One is a framed Charles Russell print and another framed acrylic on canvas wagon train scene shown above. The back story on that picture is I purchased the painting for $250 at the now-defunct Three Women and an Armoire in Sacramento. I found the frame deeply discounted in the bargain section of the now-defunct Aaron Brothers Art Mart, also in Sacramento. 

One thrift I frequent has numerous pieces of art but they are all usually over-priced. I splurged on this $40 print, labeled as "Vintage, hand-colored engraving." While it may or not be, it is beautifully framed and matted and I am thrilled it has joined my collection. 

I begin my Introduction to Art History class in a couple of weeks. Queued up for summer session is Art of the Americas. Both are 8 week classes so they move through the material at a fast clip. The counselor mentioned, "Now, you get to take all of the fun classes," since I have met my pre-requisites on the completion of my first associate's degree. 

On work front, I passed probation as a Senior Legal Analyst. It had been a 7 year goal since I left private practice management of a small law firm. Always ambitious, I have set my sights on an entry level management position of Staff Services Manager I. I am in a fast-growing department that might benefit from my experience. 

Reseller update: Working through the last of the books I have gained from estate sales and my personal collection. I am winnowing down my library to a few vintage cookbooks, some sewing/quilting reference books and books I want to read in retirement. 

Once I catch up in one category, I have soo much in the death pile still to list. Next up is 60 or so sewing patterns, CDs (more than I care to count), needlework kits, boy scout items and crochet and quilt items. I have 900 listings on the boards that total $13,000. 

1st Quarter goal - 1,000 listings that total $15,000. 

I don't do much quilting in the winter because my sewing machine is downstairs where it is COLD. I about froze completing my Christmas quilt top but I was motivated, I love the fabric combinations so much. I am also bummed because my professional longarmer (the person who quilted my projects), segued to selling only quilting products online. 

Wish I crocheted, I just listed this easy-to-finish crochet project.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/184688698857

Post update - those granny squares sold in one day.