Betty's Attic
Shop Betty’s Attic.com for nostalgic collectibles. Betty's Attic offers baby boomer toys, dolls, puzzles and games plus classic television, movie and radio memorabilia… Recycle
Friday, November 27, 2015
Do you remember cakewalks? If you don't, here's a quick refresher on how to play the game: music plays while people walk along a numbered path and when the music stops, a number is drawn — the person standing on that number wins a cake.

This time-honored tradition of carnivals, fundraisers and holiday parties seems to be making a comeback just in time for Christmas. I've been "invited" to bake cakes for a few cakewalks already.

There's a modern twist, though. Today's bakers don't have to make traditional cakes. We can make cupcakes, pies, cakes and other goodies. The are only 3 rules:
  1. The prizes must be baked. 
  2. They have to be super sweet. 
  3. And sure-fire diet-busters. 
Well, I made up rule #3.  But that's what I'm shooting for with my goodies. No need to fret about your diet, though. The best thing about the classic cakewalk? You walk off lots of calories just trying to win a tasty prize!



Posted by: Betty | 8:00 AM | permalink
Friday, November 20, 2015
Remember when you were a kid and you'd get a new coloring book? To me there was nothing better. Except maybe a brand new box of crayons, with their perfectly molded tips not yet dulled by the paper and their colored labels not yet torn off for sharpening. I always hoped I could make something my parents would want to hang on the refrigerator. Or something Dad might want to put on his desk.

But I wasn't so good at coloring inside the lines. And my color choices were sometimes...let's call them "creative". Still, my parents cherished the pages I carefully removed from the book and proudly presented to them. Some of my best memories are seeing my imperfect creations hanging on the fridge or taped to the wall in the den.

So when I discovered Colorama coloring books made especially for adults, I was over the moon happy. Though I've traded my crayons for sharper colored pencils, I still have some trouble staying inside the lines. And my color choices are intentionally creative these days. But I still hang my best work on the refrigerator for all to see.

Colorama DecorationColorama Christmas
Colorama InspirationColorama Original Coloring Book
Posted by: Betty | 8:00 AM | permalink
Friday, November 13, 2015
On November 15, 1956 Elvis Presley made his movie debut in Love Me Tender. It seems impossibly long ago...and just like yesterday at the same time. No one had ever seen such a huge presence on the big screen. The way I remember it, he was bigger than anyone else on the screen. His presence completely filled the theater — until you could barely even recognize that there were actually other actors in the movie.

Of course, I was younger then. Wide-eyed and crushing on the crooner, I admit I might be a biased critic. But, as the movie turns 59 years old this year, I can share a few things about Love Me Tender that make it a stand-out among all of Elvis' films:
  • It's one of the very few movies where Elvis doesn't get the girl.
  • He sang only four songs.
  • It was the only time he ever played a historical figure. 
  • He was not the star of the film.
  • It was the first and last time Elvis didn't receive top billing.
In case you haven't seen it, I won't tell you why Elvis doesn't get the girl. (Hint: it's very sad.) If you have seen it, you know why. And you also know why you the 59th anniversary of Elvis's debut film is the perfect excuse to curl up with a cozy throw in your favorite Elvis t-shirt and watch it again. And again.

http://www.bettysattic.com/product/elvis+woven+throw.do?sortby=newArrivals&refType=&from=Search  http://www.bettysattic.com/product/elvis+vintage+look+1968+sublimated.do?sortby=newArrivals&refType=&from=Search
Posted by: Betty | 8:00 AM | permalink
Friday, November 6, 2015
When I was growing up, our family used to sit down to eat a home-cooked meal together every night. It's not like that anymore. I don't know if it's because of premade microwave dinners and fast food or because modern life is so hectic that it's hard even to get the entire family in the same room at the same time. But I still try to make sure my family eats well, even when we're all busy. And there's nothing like a good, old-fashioned cookbook to help you when you're low on ingredients or out of ideas.

Betty Crocker's Cookbook shaped the dinner tables of generations of families. My mom gave me her copy when I moved into my own apartment and I think I might have starved without it. It had been well-used then, but now it's really falling apart. The pages are yellowed and stained with decades of spills and smudges. Though I eventually had to get a new one, I'll never get rid of the copy my Mom passed down to me.

All this talk of food is making me hungry. I think I'll go whip up a nice big batch of my famous macaroni & cheese for dinner. With real cheese. It's the one thing that's sure to bring the whole family running to the table — all at once.

Betty Crocker CookbookMom Knows Best Cookbook
Posted by: Betty | 8:00 AM | permalink
Newer›  ‹Older

© 2017 Johnson Smith Co.