Patricia's Late Christmas Surprise!

I tortured Patricia for a month on what her "special Christmas present" was, It just about drove her crazy Readers! 

Before our tale unfolds here on today's post, I should back up and tell you all about the monster I created...

(The Monster!)

Late last September, while at the Casablanca one weekend I discovered that Patricia had NEVER seen "West Side Story" so I forced her to sit down and watch it. She was so taken by the beautiful music and tragic story of the movie when it was over all she could bring herself to say was "Again." So we watched it a second time.... fast forward a few months and Patricia is now obsessed with "West Side Story"! We have both the Original Broadway Cast, as well as the 1961 Movie Soundtrack records, she has a CD and lyric book of the 1961 movie, and listens and quotes it regularly. (I have even taught the dog to answer me when I whistle the 'Jets Theme'.) So imagine the luck I had when I found out that the National Tour of "West Side" was coming to Fort Worth!

(Was there any doubt that we were going?)

When I finally told Patricia what her surprise was, I let her pick the seats and order the tickets for the performance and she picked EXCELLENT SEATS!

I know it looks far away, but it really wasn't! We sat in the lower gallery and had a wonderfully unobstructed view.

(The opening backdrop of New York's Lower West Side)

As most of you already know, "West Side Story" is a modern retelling of "Romeo and Juliet", the Lyrics to the show were penned by Stephen Sondheim in 1957, and SHOCKINGLY enough this show lost the 1958 Tony Award to Meridith Wilson's "The Music Man".


It was beautiful, it was lively, it was rude, it was soft, it was CRUDE I could rave on and on about what I loved about seeing this show live, but I'm afraid we don't have the time! I picked up so many ideas for our upcoming production of Grease. The important thing is that Patricia loved every single second of it.

(A very, very happy Patricia!)

It was really a treat, and well worth the wait! I cannot wait to go back and see something else we love! Bass Hall was so elegant of a setting as well!

(The dome ceiling of Bass Hall.)

 

(Bass Performance Hall, Fort Worth TX.)

-Mick-

Your Presence Is Requested...

(The 1959 Dance Invitations!)

While festivities at the Casablanca might seem dormant, we are actually gearing up for one of our biggest events of the year dear Readers! It has become tradition during spring break to throw a formal dance at the Casablanca. This event has been a long time dream and it is finally starting to blossom into a staple of the "Social Season" here at the C.H&R. Here is the posts from 1958's Spring Break Dance and also the one that started it all in 1957 we had a wonderful time at each!

 (Our theme "It's Only A Paper Moon".)

This years Dance Committee has chosen formal dress and a black and white 1930's, 40's, 50's theme for the dance. Our song theme is a classic, and perfectly fitting for all of us theatre folk!

We have big plans for the decorations, and hope to feature all kinds of music! Mostly Big Band-y, older George Gershwin/Cole Porter/ Irving Berlin show tunes, with a Charleston and a bunny hope mixed in here and there!

I love making these invitation every year, there is something so delightfully formal about getting a mailed invitation don't you think? I used the paper lantern shape from last years (it is my favorite and will provably remain so) but added a crescent moon to keep with this years theme.

I couldn't make my mind up on a yellow moon, or a blue one so I opted for both! These white paper lantern invitations will be sent out in black envelopes with white writing on them, they look very 1920's and classic. It is truly one of my most favorite parties to plan and prepare for.

If any of you out there in Blog Land feel brave enough to join us for the dance, shoot me an email and I'll set you up with more info! We'd Love to have you attend!

-Mick-

My 400th Post & A Bowie Bonanza!

 (Scored these babies for a STEAL!)

The weather may have been dreary this weekend, but that didn't stop us from hitting up the Bowie TX flea market! Although each of us was somewhat disappointed by a lack of what we'd been pining for we did find some treasures!

My hauls, a doughnut maker, an AWESOME 1966 Batman Lunch box that Patricia bought me, a "Delaware" Travel plate, an "ABBA greatest hits" Album and a new mint Pyrex Pie Plate!

(1966 Lunch box, a little wear but I LOVE it!)

(The graphics are great! Joker & Riddler)

(The Bat-Cave)

(The Penguin, and Robin in peril)

(On the Bat-Phone)

(Hero's in Action! Even if Robins face is scratched off...)

I cannot wait to try this out! Scored this Popeil Brothers "Donut Maker" on sale for $2.25, I don't think it has ever been used! It was in its original box (opened), and is in pristine condition.

Best thing about the original box? It had tried and true recipes for making doughnuts, that sold me on the deal!

("This is why we don't take pictures before 10 A.M." Dillon, Brandon, Jenn & Pat!)

We finished off the day with a TO DIE FOR meal at "Sweet Boys Cafe" in downtown Bowie, I am still craving the chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes!

All in all a fun day with great friends!

-Mick-

Electrified and Tickled Aluminum!

I am just in shock and total bliss dear Readers! Imagine my surprise and delight when my Grandmother Charlene presented me with a late Christmas gift. HOLY COW! She hunted down and found for me a 6ft Pine Aluminum Christmas tree, with the color wheel AND as an added bonus there was a 4ft pine Aluminum tree also in the box!

To be honest I'm still kind of in shock. Here I am, been whining since 10 years old for a 6ft Aluminum tree and here I am now with TWO 6ft trees and TWO 4ft trees. I'm going have an Aluminum Forest!

I want to thank Grandma "Mimi" Charlene for this WONDERFUL gift! I know I just recently purchased a tree, but in this case its the thought that really does count. I'll put them up and treasure them. I can hardly wait until next year to have a gleaming Christmas!

-Mick-

The 48 State Travel Plate Challenge!

This is one I have been trying to start for a while. This project will be for the screened lounge at the front of the house. It's the goal over this year to thrift and collect travel plates from all 48 of the United States!

ONLY FORTY EIGHT STATES?! I hear you cry, well yes. As one of my neat little quirks, the Casablanca was built in 1943, and in 1943 there were only 48 states in the union (even thought Alaska and Hawaii were annexed.
While on vacation in Kansas Patricia and I happened on a FANTASTIC start to this project. While rooting around in a Goodwill we found a large stack of travel plates, I was skeptical because usually these plates are $1.00-$5.00 but much to my delight we found 13 plates for $0.48 A PIECE! So we scooped them up and ran away like bandits, the cashier thought i was crazy buying all these old travel plates.

We collected states - New Mexico, Tennessee, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, Utah, New York, Iowa, Arkansas, Wyoming, Indiana, Virginia, and Missouri. Better yet I think I have a few other random state plates tucked away!

A fun and frivolous challenge!

-Mick-

VICTORIOUS!

Or maybe I should say Mick-torious! While on Christmas vacation Patricia and I met up with Missouri Michael for our second annual "Thrift-A-Thon" to see what we could dig up!

(Missouri Michael, who refused to turn around, already sniffing out deals!)

 (Patricia scouting out finds with her newly thrifted opera glasses!)

  Well I could hardly wait to  show you my first prize catch. I finally got the six foot Aluminum Christmas tree I've always wanted!  I had dreamed all year of a six foot tree we saw last Christmas that was $200. I made up my mind that I was going to save my money and if that if by some miracle the tree was still there it was going to be mine! Well we get to the antique mall and the tree I had dreamed about... wasn't there.

But fear not! There were still trees (and thankfully at MUCH lower prices) for the picking! It came down to this reasonably priced "Pom-pon" Aluminum Tree and this six foot "Pine" Aluminum Tree.

(P.S. I had never seen a GREEN Aluminum tree but at $250, it was too green for me.)

So we make our way through the store, and I hem and haw and rack my brain about which tree I'm going to get. They were only $9.00 apart in price. The Pom-pon looked full and ratty, the pine looked sparse and wonky.  But rest assured I was leaving with a tree, then I noticed that not all the branches were the same size on the pine tree and knew it must look wonky because it wasn't put together right. so the six foot Pine it was!

When I got it back to my Aunts house we sorted the branches I found that my hunch was correct. The tree had been put together wrong, and when done correctly it filled out and looked much better!

I was so lucky, even the original instructions were in the box!

(From 1959!)

We all came away with treasures, it was a fun afternoon of traveling and smart-assery!  I picked up a few other neat things.

(A really cool, and working gold plate thermometer. $2.00)

(A trio of Tupperware tumblers! I can never have to many of these. $0.98.)

This small snowman blow mold was purchased at the same shop the Aluminum Tree came from. $8.00.

(I have no idea why this is upside down, but a neat Missouri travel plate for $0.50.)

The Two Pyrex Thrifter Sisters have had me green with envy and pining to make my vintage ornament collection bigger, so I did. Haha I found one single shiny bright that a paid a whole $0.25 for!

Last but not least, I found these baby saddle shoes for $1.00. I snatched them up and will provably be using to decorate/giving a pair of them to friend Lara for her Casablanca baby shower.

All in all some great finds! We had lots of fun running around with Missouri Michael, and I'm SO thrilled I finally got a tree.

Hope you all have a happy Friday!

-Mick-

A Few Of Our Favorite Things!

Sort of a "year-end review" today here on "Mick's" dear Readers, I asked some our friends what "There  favorite thing about the Casablanca is..." and here's what some of our friends had to say!

Savannah G.- "The ever-present inner need to sing as you walk in."

Alex S.- "I love that it's like home. The friendship and love that is shared through out the year is even more than any family I know."

Cheryl J.-  "You have an atmosphere of fun without all of the garbage of most parties. Clean good fun!"

Michael M.- " My favorite thing is when you step through the door you walk into the past. As you know I am a fan of the 40's and 50's and I feel like I'm there when I'm at the Casablanca. You have a such a good eye for detail right down to the dishes. Thanks for letting myself and others step back in time with you. :)"

Margaret D.-  "People are free to be themselves, who ever that may be, without fear of judgement or being put down. (Well except Andrew. We all make fun of him ;) ) I also love that you are not afraid to tell someone they aren't invited back so guests know they best behave."

Kelcie B.-  "Its our own slice of American paradise! Love it, feels like home."

Tobi M.- "You Mickey!!!!!!!! Your the main reason most of us go up there in the first place. :)"

Russ M.-  "I agree with Tobi. Your love for a simpler time is inspiring. The Casablanca is a magical place where you feel unconditional love and friendship. And Of course this wonderful recipe is not complete without Patricia."

Jordan C.- "It feels like a different time, especially since there isn't cell phone service. You really go back in time."

Matt P.- "The people who come to visit."

Chris P. (Vintage Christine)- "Some of MY favorite things: The looooong drive out there, the dirt road, Lake Diversion, the beautiful sunset, all the funky camps, the cow pies all over the place, the Pyrex, the addition, the drive-in, the ingenious tv, all your wonderful friends, and the fabulous Host With The Most. Least favorite: the loooong drive home in the pitch blackness. Thank God I had a guide or I'd STILL be wandering around out there!"

Amber V.F. (I Heart Everything)- "I think its you Mick, the curator and visionary of the Casablanca!"

Michael B. (Cul-de-sack Shack)- "I like that I feel like I have stepped into my grandma's house

the grandma that lived on the farm."

Jarrod A.- "My favorite thing about the Casablanca is the memories created there. They've brought me to great friendships and fun time from traveling back to the 50's and trekking to far away parts of the country. The friendships I have found here are ones that I shall never forget and shall never regret. There shall always be a place in my heart for the Casablanca."

Jennifer V.- "Friends."

Donnetta S.- "The Flamingo Drive-In Movie Theater!"

Terrace A.- "My favorite thing is the atmosphere. It always feels like I stepped into another time."

Deanna Y.- "The Beauty Contest, because it's fun!"

Cindy J.- "Good old fashioned clean fun."

Christy E.- "My favorite thing is your TV set."

Mary W.- "The fact that everyone can put aside their differences and problems and be a family for a little bit, my cellphone doesn't work out there and for the first time I am completely ok with not talking to anyone else but my Casablanca familia!"

Sheldon C.- "Way to many things to mention my friend hmmm, good food! Fun times with friends, no distractions from the outside world."

Patricia B.- "My favorite thing? Hmmm... You. And the stove, and to a lesser extent the refrigerator."

Mick J.- "The people, the pictures, the memories we make- I'm also terribly fond of the tile on the counter tops."

Wishing you all the Happiest of New Years! May good fortune smile upon you this year.

-Mick-