Wash Day the Old Fashioned Way

Here is our latest vintage find, a 1920 Dexter Speedex washing machine. Bob made it work again and now this seafoam green beauty has found a new life as the hot rod shop washing machine. No better way to wash grungy shop rags than with a vintage wringer washer.

Bob actually has some prior experience loading a wringer as he used to help his grandmother do laundry on their dude ranch in Glacier National Park. She did eights sets of bed sheets every Sunday in a 1940's wringer washer. Here is an ad The skirt found for a Dexter washer in the same spring green color. It is a newer model, but has the same graceful curves. We found the Speedex at Triple R Auctions. Check them out.

Vintage Clothes

Last weekend, with the anticipation of spring in the air, Kayla and I went in search of something vintage to wear with these. We stopped at several great Spokane vintage clothing stores, but it was at Carousel Vintage, 110 S Cedar, where Kayla scored big, finding several nice pieces to wear spring quarter. We were feeling lighthearted and silly. Was it the strong coffee and sugary breakfast we had at the Rocket Bakery? Was it the spring air? She decided to try on a beautiful formal dress, that looked like it would fit her small frame perfectly. It was all just in fun, you know. The skirt would love to show you how Kayla looked in this dress, but tradition dictates the groom shouldn't see his bride in her dress until the ceremony. He may stumble onto this blog. At least Kayla has a groom and a wedding date. Jenny, at Carousel Vintage, said she's sold wedding dresses to gals who haven't even met Mr. Right yet! Here's the groom. He is the one holding the piece of metal.

Kayla on first day of spring quarter 2011.

Wow - A Rare McCoy Sombrero Serve-All

We started the new year off by attending Triple-R Auctions' Annual Antique and Collectible Event. Friend and auctioneer Rich Butterfield and his wife Jonna put on a really fun show. That's Rich in the tux, he's three parts auctioneer, one part circus barker. There were some very nice items and a lively and friendly crowd of bidders, which was great since this was The skirt's first auction.I was a bit nervous to bid until I spied the nearly complete McCoy El Rancho Barbecue Service, at that instant, all inhibitions were gone. The set included the rare and way cute Sombrero Serve-all (see above) The skirt had second choice from the set. The winning bidder selected the Chuck Wagon Casserole, which was nice too, but I really wanted the sombrero! I also scored the serving bowl/tureen. Third place winner chose the ice tea dispenser. Everyone was happy. The picture above is from a book on McCoy pottery. Bob did a little bidding himself. See his winnings below. The top is identical to one from his childhood. The Volkswagen he gave to fabricator Greg. You see why. The Nylint 70's pickup truck is in very poor condition, so Bob went ahead and sandblasted off the black paint and stickers some kid had put on. Now, it's pretty cool, uh? Can't wait until next year's auction. Can't wait for an occasion to use the sombrero!

Happy Halloween From Rod Builders

I think we've gone through four pounds of candy this week. Check out our Knuckle Head pumpkins. Grew them ourselves.

The Super Freak pumpkins

Owls Are Cool

What do owls have to do with hot rods and collector cars? Nothing. The skirt just wanted to take one of those Martha Stewart-style pictures of her owl jewelry collection.