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Last Valentine’s Day we posted a vintage Valentine’s Day card and asked you all to write captions for the card. We had such an outstanding turn out, we’ve decided to present TWO vintage Valentine’s Day cards, and see what captions you can come up with. Hilarious? Poignant? Traditional? The only rule to participate is that you must head over to our Facebook pages (DOUG and Double D Ranch) to officially submit for our Valentine’s Day Card Comment Contest!

                     
                  2011 Valentine's Day Winner!

This Valentine’s Day we will announce 4 winners! That’s right! Both our DOUG Facebook page and our original Double D Ranch page will have 2 winners (1st place comment & Fan Favorite).
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The winners from our Valentine’s Day card on our DOUG page will win DOUG tees! The winners on our Double D Ranch page will receive dress/tee (1st place) and tee/tote (Fan Favorite). You may submit as many comments as you’d like.
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In order to win the Fan Favorite prizes, send your friends to your comment on our page and get them to LIKE your comment! Our Valentine’s Day Contest ends February 14 at midnight CST.
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Below are our 2 vintage Valentines Cards, but in order to be in the running for our Fan Favorite totes, tees, and/or dress, write on our Facebook walls!!

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                               Double D Ranch Facebook

                  
                                    DOUG Facebook

Check out last year’s Valentine’s Day Post to get your creative juices flowing! .

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Take a look at a few interesting Guerrera Bios:

Coronela María de la Luz Espinosa Barrera (how would you like to print that at the top of your school papers?) was one of the very few revolutionaries who received a pension as a veteran of the Mexican Revolution.  Having served the effort with distinction, peaceful times however brought a less forgiving stance in her life. For one who “smoked, drank, gambled and feared no man” to revert to the timid submissiveness expected of women was unthinkable. Like many veterans, Maria found conformity impossible and spent the rest of her life as “a restless soul,” an itinerant peddler dressed as a man and carrying a pistol.

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Margarita Neri led a force of more than 1,000 in 1910, sweeping through Tabasco and Chiapas looting, burning, and killing. These were hardly unusual events in wartime, except for the fact that this particular group’s commander, who brandished a bloody machete and vowed to decapitate Díaz, was a woman. Margarita Neri earned such a reputation for ruthless slaughter that the governor of Guerrero, on hearing of her approach, hid himself in a crate and was sneaked out of town. Some say that she served as an officer under Zapata. The judgment of popular history is that she deserves the accolade of “a superb guerilla commander.”

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A different sort of bravery was exhibited by the heroic nurse of the Dorados, Beatriz González Ortega, who refused to distinguish between federales and villistas despite being whipped and threatened with death. Pancho Villa eventually treated González with respect, and numerous primary schools, nursing schools, streets, and villages carry her name, a public acknowledgment of her courage and humanity. (Nobel Bandits)

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The rural and urban lower class women found it more productive to be proactive as soldiers than to continue being the victims of the Revolution.  Double D Ranch™ views the  hard and soft side of these women as a visual dream. Our Guerrera’s Revolution Jacket mixes feminine lace with masculine military for a distinctive rebel look.

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Jolie and Amy have been Double D gals for years and have included a couple of Double D Ranch pieces in this first pilot.   Be sure to watch and see if you can spot the DDR – HINT: there are 2 and one of them is not clothing!

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March 2012 is the actual premier of “The Junk Gypsies,” so be sure to set your DVRs. In the meantime, their  site is giving away promo goodie bags, but the supply is limited so email hgtvjunk@gypsyville.com or head over to Junk Gypsy’s Facebook for more information! Also visit the HGTV Facebook page for a sneak peak of the pilot!!

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You can even text ‘HGTVjunk’ to 66789
for constant updates from HGTV! FANCY.

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To learn more about the Junk Gypsies
themselves (Jolie & Amy), watch this

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Congrats to the girls at Junk Gypsy and we’ll be watching….

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Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!
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]]> http://www.ddranchwear.com/blog/2011/11/happy-thanksgiving-and-many-blessings/feed/ 0 http://www.ddranchwear.com/blog/2011/11/tomorrow-is-national-tie-one-on-day/ http://www.ddranchwear.com/blog/2011/11/tomorrow-is-national-tie-one-on-day/#comments Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:54:01 +0000 ivykoehler http://www.ddranchwear.com/blog/?p=14475 Here’s the latest press release for tomorrow’s National Tie One on Day!
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Contact: EllynAnne Geisel
719-545-5704
ellynanne@apronmemories.com
www.apronmemories.com
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PUEBLO, CO - National Tie One On Day™ Thanksgiving Out of a Can. When it came to opening a can and calling it cooking, my mother was the champ. And no meal lent itself more to Mama’s can cuisine than Thanksgiving. The green bean casserole? 1 can condensed mushroom soup + 1 can drained green beans + 1 can French fried onion rings = voila! Cranberry sauce? Straight from the can onto a lettuce lined plate,
it bore the indentations of the container.
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Years into adulthood, when the Thanksgiving meal became my domain, that casserole was laid to rest and fresh cranberry sauce replaced canned. The recipe is as easy as opening a can, but tastes so much better: 2 cups cranberries + 1 cup orange juice (not from concentrate) + 1/2 cup sugar, stirred over medium heat until sauce begins to thicken (15 minutes or so). Chill & serve on a lettuce lined platter, an homage to my mother.
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A cranberry log atop leaves of lettuce was traditional to more Thanksgiving tables than just ours. When I
first saw this 1942 Thanksgiving snapshot, I immediately noticed the log in the glass server. I
remember laughing because it so reminded me of my mother. Then, I took in the scene:
a family with four military-serving sons home on leave for the holiday.
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My Dad was also in the Navy. I don’t know where he was Thanksgiving of 1942, but according to this newspaper clipping dated May 20, 1941, he was due home in late June on a ten-day leave. The handwriting on the clipping is his mother’s, my Grandma Birdye. She kept it in an envelope, along with a photo of her sailor boy.
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Over the next four years, there are more clippings, but none suggest he returned to SC on leave. His discharge card is dated October 8, 1945, and then he shipped home, in time to spend Thanksgiving with his family.
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What with the scurrying taking place today and tomorrow by so many traveling home for Thanksgiving,
my mind is stuck on the military, and the empty place settings at too many tables in far too many homes.
Before carving the turkey and diving into a heavenly blob of mashed potatoes, it should be law
that each and every one of us gives thanks for those in the service, and prays for their homecoming,
which is a world of difference from home on leave.
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From the entries to National Tie One On Day™, I’ve copied two that are specific to the military.
I hope you are as inspired by the writers as I.
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I have been participating in NTOOday for a few years. This year will be a bit different as we are exploring ways to help out at Fisher House, the residence available to families of service personnel getting treatment at the Walter Reed National Medical Center. The current conflicts have taken their toll on our dedicated service people, and as many are far from home, we are hoping to add a little levity and personal touch to their celebrations.
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I use this time of year to give to select homeless men who are Vietnam Veterans. I lost my husband and son, both of which were veterans, in 2004 within a 2 month time span. Since then around Thanksgiving I have hunted out a homeless veteran and gave him gifts that I would have bought for my husband and my son such a thermal underwear, socks, gloves, hats, etc. I also include some of the goodies they enjoyed like stained glass candy, fudge, cookies, breads, etc. I use this to hone my husband and my son and to keep their memories alive. Thank you for allowing to share with you how I spend Thanksgiving and tie One On Day.
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ENTER ENTER ENTER ENTER ENTER ENTER ENTER
National Tie One On Day™ Goodie Giveaway!
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To encourage your putting the “give” back into Thanksgiving and adding National Tie One On Day™
(…an apron, of course!) to your holiday tradition, a dedicated group of sponsors are
putting some fabulous “give” into the NTOODay 2011 Goodie Giveaway!
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To enter, click HERE

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National Tie One On Day™ is a win-win, for participant and receiver.
Thank you for helping to spread the word, because the more who participate, the more who will receive.
Recognized by Chases Calendar of Events, National Tie One On Day™ is sponsored by  American Sewing Guild, Bernina, MikWright®, Stampington & Company, Aunt Martha’s Colonial Patterns, Inc., IceMilk Aprons, National Association of Baby Boomer Women, Andrews McMeel Publishing, Haralee®, Mary Mulari Productions, sewmamasew!, Rebecca Ruth Designs™, Modern June, Creative Machine Embroidery, SewNews, Simplicity, The World Needs More Pie, Double D Ranch, Heavenly Hostess, Judi Ketteler
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Well, “Pancho and Sancho” are now Sophomores and Juniors in high school and if you asked them,

just plain STUD JOCKS!

And just in case they should ever get too high on themselves, Audrey and I thought we should take ‘em back a notch  – like with this little reminder in their sports program this fall.

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Oh, yes we did!

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Pancho & Sancho now

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It’s not much, but people used to cross over from stateside Lajitas for an “exotic” dinner or festive shopping in the small, local market.  Unfortunately after 911, the crossover ferry was shutdown, cutting off virtually all of its economy and moving desolation right on in.

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For our family, Boquillas del Carmen, has fond memories.

We made the trip once when the boys were young and to add a little spice to the occasion, I made everyone take on Mexican names for the entire day.

I don’t remember my name,

but Audrey was “El Jefe”,

Nana was “Margarita”

and Walker and Sam were “Pancho & Sancho” respectively.

It was a great day.  We dined on cheesy panchos and sipped killer margaritas and picked up some kitschy, folk guitars for the kids in the market place.   Audrey preserved the occasion with this shot of ‘Sancho and Pancho’ and their guitars.   If my memory serves me right, we were ready to de-string the Merry Mexican Minstrels by the time we got
stateside later that night!

Pancho & Sancho - the Merry Mexican Minstrels!

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Fun times – Thank you LORD for the memory!

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So enough with the reminiscing – here is Double D Ranch’s™ tribute to a really fun day!

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Women clad in aprons have traditionally prepared the Thanksgiving meal,and it is within our historical linkage
to share our bounty.

- EllynAnne Geisel

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EllynAnne Geisel first tied on domestic armor in 1999, while writing an article about aprons and was struck by the history she knew must be woven into the fabric of that vintage garment. Since then she has gathered more than 400 aprons and apron memories from across America. From those stories, EllynAnne curated and wrote Apron Chronicles: A Patchwork of American Recollections, a traveling exhibit). While gathering stories and aprons, she became fascinated by the women of the disappearing Western lifestyle. She attended a trick-riding camp, immersed herself in the subculture of rodeo queens, and tried her hand at branding cattle.
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EllynAnne now creates inventive vintage-inspired designs for her company,
Apron Memories®. Her collection of aprons has been featured in Vogue,
the Wall Street Journal and Country Living, and Bree on the hit ABC television
show Desperate Housewives has worn her creations. (apronmemories.com)

She also is the creator of National Tie One On Day™. Chase’s Calendar of Events recognizes this day annually on Thanksgiving eve in celebration of the humble apron and the spirit of women of earlier generations who have worn it. EllynAnne created National Tie One On Day™ as an annual opportunity to return the “give” to Thanksgiving by sharing our good fortune with someone in need of a kind gesture.
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Participation could not be more simple! The day before Thanksgiving, November 23rd this year,
pause in the preparation of your own meal, wrap a loaf of bread or other baked good in an apron, tuck
a prayer or note of encouragement in the pocket, and tie one on…an apron, of course! and deliver the
wrapped bundle to someone without your bounty… a neighbor, friend or family member in need of
physical or spiritual sustenance, a bit of recognition or just a kind word.
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This year, we are participating by being a Tie One On sponsor!
Check out all 20 sponsors here! Get started with the
Goodie Giveaway and entry at apronmemories.com!

We love what EllynAnne is doing to help bring a little more
“thanks” and “giving” to everyone’s Thanksgiving this year.
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Let us know if you are participating.
Send in pictures of your apron collections!
And old Thanksgiving family photos!
And new Thanksgiving family photos!

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.Tobacco Premium, felt American Flag
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We’d love to hear stories and
see pictures of the veterans in your family!

Here is a pic of our grandfather, James Odell McMullen.  He served in WWII in Europe.

(That’s Dad and our grandmother, Eloise with him.  How old do you think dad was in this picture?)

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