Can You Wash Cashmere?

When I lived in California in the 1980s, I kept up with the latest fashions and loved to dress well. Then, in 1990, I moved to Montana, lived on a shoestring, and found myself a fish out of water....nobody dressed like I had in California! Not even the news reporters! I tried to wear my clothes, but people looked at me; I could just feel their eyes roll and knew I may as well have "California Girl" tattooed on my forehead! I got rid of everything in my closet except the Basics and Classics and began to search for a new fashion identity.

Then, about 20 years ago, I started watching What Not to Wear. Clinton and Stacy came onto my radar right about the time I started menopause and began to gain weight, and they had such great advise. One of their pet peeves was that women shied away from purchasing cashmere sweaters. In Montana, we wear sweaters at least 8 months out of the year, so I decided I needed to take their advise to heart and looked for a couple to add to my wardrobe. I was fortunate to stumble onto a clearance sale on cashmere and purchased three. What a game-changer! They are soft, pretty, and very warm...what more could a girl want?

Now I have a good stack of cashmere sweaters. Also, I am retired and money is tighter than when I was working. I realized about a month ago that my sweaters had not been cleaned in over three years!! Even though I have a dozen, they still need better care than that! However, at $10 each for cleaning....

So, on Pinterest, I went to my friend, Martha Stewart, and got a good bit of advise on washing cashmere. This is what I did to clean them...

1- I got out my old sweater rack (see photo) and my bottle of Woolite. I filled one of my kitchen sinks with cold water and a tablespoon of soap and the other with cold clean water.

2- I put a sweater in and let it sit just a bit, then lifted it in and out without wringing. Then I kind of rubbed the cuffs and collar where stains are more inclined to be hiding. Once I felt it to be thoroughly cleaned, beginning at the neckline and working down, I squished out as much soapy water as I could and moved the sweater to the clean water.

3- I rinsed it the same way.

4- I quickly moved the sweater to the washing machine (avoiding dripping on the floor as much as possible). I set the machine to the "delicate" final spin cycle and ran it to get as much water out as possible.

5- Removing the sweater from the machine, I laid it on the sweater rack and began stretching it to the size and shape I wanted. Pull from both sides at the same time. Then stretch from the top and bottom at the same time. Finally, pull the sleeves cross-ways so that they do not dry too tight. While it is damp, get the sweater the way you want it, folding the sleeves across the chest, and leave the sweater to dry for a couple of days. Finish drying it another day on a hanger, then fold it and put it away....

Congratulations! You just successfully washed your cashmere sweater!

On Grandmother-hood

I have three lovely grandchildren. They are, and for the past 21 years, have been, the light of my life. When they were little, they would come tumbling into my house like over-grown puppies, all legs and feet and ponytails and giggles, nipping and nudging at each other. I loved the long, warm summer days when they would run in and out of the house with their tales and discoveries and petty arguments, silly and surprising requests and demands for yet more food. Even before they were on their way home, I was already grieving the loss of their childhood wonder; of the smell of dirt and pine needles in their hair. Every visit wore me out and every sign of their growing up tore at my heart with knowing that the day when they would outgrow their fascination with the world around them was just around the corner.

But to my amazement, all three of them continue to make it a point to come visit. They jockey their school and work and Scout schedules around every summer, and each one of them spends a few precious days alone with us. Each visit is tailored to their age--they always have a very definite idea of the things they want to accomplish: Can we play golf with Grandpa?, Will you teach me to make merengues? Can we go to Farmer's Market? Can we visit the Rock Shop? Will you teach me to crochet? ...

What I have been pleasantly surprised with is that I, too, have evolved. I honestly do not know if I could still keep up with those little bundles of energy. I do, however, have the time to sit and listen, to ask questions, to proffer advise. And I have discovered that this stage is just as fulfilling, just as enjoyable, just as filled with the wonder of their discoveries of growing up and negotiating the world they live in...their world

1920s Barware

It is Garage Sale Season in Montana. I love Garage Sales and Estate Sales and Rummage Sales and Flea Markets ....well, you get the idea...

A couple of weekends ago, I saw a sign for a sale on the way to my mom's house. On a whim, I veered off course and took a drive up a long winding road, way out in the country, past old ranches and far too many huge new builds that have begun to spring up everywhere here in the Bitterroot Valley.

After about 5 miles, just as I was beginning to give up, I saw another sign that assured me I was still on the right track (apparently I was not the first person to get discouraged!). Passing three more signs reassuring me I was still headed to this country sale, I did finally get there. It was hot and dusty and things did not look too very promising. But I had driven all that way, so I got out and did a bit of rummaging. I found a few things in the old garage/shop, and then turned my attention to the tables that were set up.

I found this adorable little not-so-scary clown

sugar holder from the 40s, and a pair of milk

glass salt or spice shakers.

Then I found a couple of really pretty glasses that looked to be from the early part of the 20th Century. They fit so nicely in my hands. I figured I could possibly sell them on eBay, if I decided not to keep them. I took my treasures up to pay the lady, and she asked, "Did you not want the rest of the glasses that match these?"....Wait, what? I had only seen these two..."Oh, no", she said, "You have to rummage through the boxes. I did not have room to set everything out". And so, back I went to rummage through the boxes! I found 4 more beautiful, unmarred glasses and a darling little ice bucket in the same pattern! She pointed out that there were little berry bowls and a larger salad bowl in the same pattern as well, however, unlike the glasses, they were just not to my taste.

When I got home and did some investigating, I found that my lovely treasures were a pattern called "Rib Over Drape" and made in the 1920s by DC Jenkins Glass Company. While searching on eBay, I found that there was also a lovely pitcher that went to the set. Needless to say, as I fully intend to keep this beautiful glass set for myself, I found and made a deal for a pitcher. I just got it in the mail this past week! I am so very happy with my lovely old barware!

I am a huge fan of clear cut glass for the early 1900s. I have quite a bit of it in my china cabinet that at one time belonged to my grandma. Over the years, I have picked up pieces that really called out to me at flea markets and garage sales. But, I have found that clear cut glass just does not re-sell very well. Consequently, I do not purchase old glass unless I fully intend to keep it for myself. And that is why I did not buy the Rib Over Drape Salad Bowl and Berry Bowls. But there are plenty to be found on eBay...Just not for the bargain price I got mine for...$5 for the 6 glasses and the beautiful, beautiful ice bucket!