Collecting: Mr. Rogers Style

I wear a uniform - not because of work demands, not because I am the oldest student left behind at St. Cosmas of Aphrodisia's Preparatory School (it's a real Catholic saint, I swear), and not because I am a  convicted felon writing to you from deep inside the state penitentiary.  I wear a "uniform" because I am a creature of habit, laziness, and ultra low-maintenance.

As much as I love, ponder, and design fashion, my own personal style can best be described as "Mr. Rogers revisited."  On any day of the week, you will probably find Mr. Tiny wearing a version of the iconic look made famous by Fred Rogers - in his casual, I'm-home-so-it's-time-to-get-comfy-and-change-my-shoes state.  Unwittingly, I have created a small collection of a wardrobe item that is almost always associated with golfers, octogenarians, or both - the cardigan.

Mr. Tiny's cardi collection
Winter white, yellow, orange, the many shades
of red, black, navy, aqua, baby blue, gray, and tan.

In calling it a collection, I get mildly self conscious.  It is like the scene in the original Hairspray when, during the audition process for "The Corny Collins Show," Penny is asked how many sweaters she owns.  Honestly, what is the right answer to that question?  Obviously five was too few, but is thirteen enough?  Too many?  Most of my sweaters are vintage, but I am not snobby on that issue as the same came to me courtesy of the thrift store's discount day.

One of my favorites to wear is this aqua/deep green, 
acrylic cardigan with an embroidered monogram.

Everyone asks what the letters stand for and I have fun
making names up or saying that it was a hand-me-down 
from an oddly-shaped giant. 

Obviously, I have no shame, as with this tag you have woven proof of my
size and my official relegation to shopping in the "For big men" department.

Not only do I like the tag's font, this piece of "exclusive
sportswear" makes me feel like the Squire of Canyon Square.

A cardigan is so often a part of my outfit that I feel nearly naked without one.

And nobody wants to see me naked...nobody...

It is a wearable security blanket.  It is a finishing touch.  It is a layer that offers warmth without too much (and very unnecessary) bulk.  It is an homage to one of the best creators, writers, performers/puppet voices in the history of children's programming. 

"Garden of Your Mind" - Fred Rogers

An exceptional use of Auto-Tune

What do you think of Mr. Tiny's cardigan obsession; is it bordering on the pathological?  Obviously I haven't gone too crazy - no stripes, multi-colors, or patterns.  What about you?  Is there a wacky tacky wardrobe staple without which you would just cease to live?

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

Kitsch-en Kounter: Pineapple Upside-Down Loaf

What is it that makes the tropics so alluring?  Elvis knew the secret.  Is it the gently swaying palms, the lilting melody of the ukulele, the lapping of crystalline waves of the purest blue, the swishing of grass skirts as wahines hula into your heart?  Yes.  But for Elvis and me, it is also the delicious tropical food.

"Aloha Oe" - Elvis Presley (1961)

It has been a while since my last "Kitsch-en Kounter" post because while I regularly pore over vintage issues of Collier's and McCall's looking for fun and strange recipes, it is really tough to find one that is not just funny but actually tasty.  I hate waste and it is important to me to find a recipe worth the investment of time and the cost of ingredients.  It has happened to me many times over - that moment when I am completely overcome with the brilliance of an entirely-original idea only to do a quick search online and discover that I had been bested by people much smarter  - or at least quicker on the draw.  Well, the idea for Teriyaki Pineapple Upside-Down Meatloaf has been brewing in the back of my mind for quite some time and I finally found the motivation to make it today.  I searched for any incarnation of a pineapple upside-down meatloaf and was pleased to find that none existed!!!  So here, in its world premiere, I introduce to the universe, TERIYAKI PINEAPPLE UPSIDE-DOWN MEATLOAF!

Truthfully, I am not one who really follows a recipe very closely.  I love to cook but half the fun is in the spontaneity.  So, in true wacky tacky fashion, here is a vague indication of the things you will need for a Teriyaki Pineapple Upside-Down Meatloaf.  If you're the type that needs a detailed recipe, I encourage you to let it go and just get wacky!

1  17oz. Bottle Prepared Teriyaki Glaze
1  Can Pineapple rings
Maraschino Cherries
Your Best Meatloaf Recipe

In a greased pan place as many pineapple rings as will fit comfortably (I used an angel food cake pan which to fill even halfway takes an unholy amount of meatloaf mixture and the results will leave you eating meatloaf for the next week).  In the center of each ring place a maraschino cherry.  Using about one third of the teriyaki sauce, cover the pineapple rings/cherries (this will create a glaze).  I used the rest of the teriyaki sauce inside the meatloaf mixture (usually, I would make my own out of soy sauce, garlic, honey, ginger, etc. but in the interest of keeping it simple, I used prepared).  Fill the pan with the your favorite meatloaf (we grew up on ground turkey) and bake until cooked through.  Remove from the oven and allow the loaf to rest.  Turn it out onto a serving platter and garnish as desired.

Like a true Hawaiian plate lunch, I think it is best to serve your Pineapple Upside-Down Loaf with steamed rice and macaroni salad.

As delicious as a Pineapple Upside-Down Loaf may be, it is only as good as the table on which it is served.  So, I decided to bring a few tropical delights out of storage and set the mood by setting the table.

A vintage, tropical-print, tablecloth.
This was the first cloth in what has developed into a greater collection.
(stay tuned for a future post on that)
As you can see, I did a rather perfunctory
 job at pressing out the creases.  I refuse to over think it because
 once the whole table is set, the wrinkles are barely noticeable.

I placed some leaves down and topped them with bamboo placemats,
highlighted by yellow, cotton placemats (folded in half lengthwise),
bamboo-handled flatware, and plain white porcelain dinnerware.

The finished placesetting.
Who's ready for some PUDL?!

Mary said it looked a little naked without rice in the middle.

I think that was actually a pretty good call.

So there it is.  An island of meatloaf amidst a sea of fluffy, white rice. 

PUDL is just one more thing that is NOT included on Mr. Tiny's current diet, but if the sounds of joy coming from the diners in the next room are any indication, PUDL is a hit!  If you decide to make your own PUDL for Sunday dinner or your upcoming Valentine's Day festivities, please let me know how it turns out.  Good luck and good eating!


Cheers & Aloha!

Mr. Tiny

Collecting: I Don't Give a Sheet!

Collections can be carefully curated or amassed with wild abandon.  Collections can be born out of the discovery of a single item or thrust upon one in one fell swoop.  My collection of vintage sheet music is an unholy combination of both.  Music has always played an integral part of our not so well-to-do family.  Thusly, sheet music and a love for music has been the rich inheritance passed down through generations.  Being the natural pack-rat that I am, I took the initial inherited library and have added to it over time based on the beautiful images that adorn the covers.  Naturally, it has begun to spiral out of control and for someone who, beyond hammering away at a child's color-coded xylophone or picking out "Mary Had a Little Lamb" on the piano, couldn't play a musical instrument to save his life, the idea of a shelf full of sheet music is rather ridiculous.  I was told by a wise friend that, "the greatest collectors are the best editors."  So, my new goal is to try and collect better by collecting less.  Okay, so maybe I'll just try to try....

The only redeeming quality about a sheet music collection is the relative ease with which it can be stored.  It requires no special shelving.  It takes up very little space.  It can actually be quite useful (like I said, it's like one never-ending sing along around these parts and my siblings can all play "real" instruments).  Here are some pieces from the collection that are particularly attractive, interesting, or musically inspiring.

COWBOY SONGS

I don't know if I could love the cover of "Cowboy Songs" any more than I do right now.  It is an anthology of ridin' and ropin' songs with 1936 cover art that makes my heart sing.

"Wah! Hoo!" - Ray Whitley (1936)

I couldn't find the Fred Waring recording but this one needed to be heard.

I LOVE cowboy music!!!

DORIS DAY

"It's Magic" - Romance on the High Seas (1948)

It just doesn't get better than Doris.

TINY HILL

Mr. Tiny would love to find more music with Tiny Hill on the cover

BING CROSBY

"San Fernando Valley"

One of my favorite "Der Bingle" tunes

BROADWAY & MOVIE MUSICALS

"That's for Me" - State Fair (1945)

One of my favorite songs from one of my favorite movies.

Could Vivian Blaine get any more beautiful?

"Tip Toe Through the Tulips" - The Gold Diggers of Broadway (1929)

And I'll bet you thought Tiny Tm wrote that one...

"Sonny Boy" - The Singing Fool (1928)

"Rosalie" - Rosalie (1937)

LYRIC BOOKS

I love these lyric books because even if one didn't play an instrument, 

they made it possible to sing along with records or the radio.

POPULAR TUNES

"Accent on Youth" - Duke Ellington (1935) 

"The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down" - Shep Fields (1937)

It's not Guy Lombardo, but it is a pretty great recording.

"Near You" - Francis Craig & His Orchestra (1948)

"It's Been a Long, Long Time" - Stan Kenton w/ June Christy

This has always been my grandparents' song.

PATRIOTIC

These two (WWI era) are especially interesting because I always tend to think that past generations 

were inherently more patriotic and dutiful than today.  Placed side by side, it is clear that war is 

always a hardship and not everyone was joyful or proud to see their child become a casualty 

of war.

"Bell Bottom Trousers" - Kay Kyser (1942)

The real reason I collect sheet music is because I can't help myself.  The colors, graphics, accessibility, and generally low price tag have me on the hunt for more and more.  I love that almost every single piece is inscribed with the name of the original owner.  Although, I kind of wonder why.  Did sheet music get so blotto at parties that it wandered off to strange homes?  Did it get loaned out so often that the borrowers forgot from whom it was lent?  Why did it require that handwritten ID bracelet?  Whatever the reason, it is just another one of my silly collecting passions.  Again, it does have a useful side - especially if you are a musician.  If you are not, it is wonderful for use in decorating too.  In the home of a staunch recreationist, what lends a more period character than colorful, musical ephemera?  In a modern setting, what provides more charm and interest than the beautifully-printed images of sheet music?  Please keep an eye out for me for Tiny Hill!

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny