Cool Finds: A Little Wooden Duck With a Story to Tell

Sometimes my finds lead to some pretty cool stories.

My father-in-law purchased a box of old dolls at an auction for me to research and resell recently, and in that box was a variety of different things, including this wooden duck.

Immediately, I think... this duck's head looks like the seagulls from Finding Nemo.

Thank you to Buildabettermousetrip.com.

But there is obviously more to this duck than it looking like a seagull. 

It's solid wood (I'm not sure what kind), and there is an inscription on the bottom.

 Sure enough, I start there with my research... searching for Earli Fossen. Nope, not it. Is that a V? Yep... and that i is an e... okay, getting somewhere...

"Earle Vossen, Eugene, OR 5-'87 #236". So we now know that there is at least 235 of these wood ducks out there, and this was carved in May of 1987. The search continues to turn up nothing.

Finally, I search only for Earle Vossen Eugene Oregon. The only thing I can find for this gentleman in Oregon is a Find-A-Grave listing.

Turns out, the only Earle Vossen in Oregon happens to have been a Major in the US Army in World War II.

Note: I won't take the picture of his stone and put it here out of respect... but the Find-A-Grave listing has a picture of it.

So, it turns out that this wooden duck was (highly likely) carved by a talented Major in the US Army in World War II. Somehow, it's found it's way to Michigan, and soon it will take flight to somewhere else. The Internet is a an awesome tool when it comes to learning the stories behind pieces like this!

I've decided to list it on eBay, but made sure to share this little duck's backstory in the listing as well so that someone else can appreciate it's history as much as I do.

Thanks for reading!

Brown Brew Stew {Sausage, Cabbage, Potatoes... and Beer!}

This stew never lasts long when I make it. But that's okay, because when you do the math, this stew is incredibly cheap to make! Not only is it cheap - but the taste is out of this world. It's savory. It's delectable. It's made in a crockpot. What else could you ask for?

Brown Brew Stew
Sausage, cabbage, potatoes... and beer!

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 (14 ounce) package beef smoked sausage, cut into bite-size slices
2 tablespoons onion powder
½ head small cabbage, halved again, cored and thinly sliced
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
½ teaspoon fennel
A pinch of salt
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped or 2 tablespoons pre-chopped garlic
1 cup brown ale (we use Bell's Best Brown Ale)
2 russet potatoes, peeled and cubed to bite-size pieces
2 ½ cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar


You'll also need...
A crockpot, cutting board, frying pan among other utensils.


Directions:

1) Cut your sausage into bite sized pieces. You'll also want to get your frying pan going with the tablespoon of olive oil.

yes, I used a steak knife. ha!

2) Get the pan hot. Add 1 tablespoon of onion powder to the oil. You're going to want to sear the sides of the sausage and nothing more - anything more and your sausage will dry out in the crockpot.

before...

after!

3) Remove that pan from heat. You can add the sausage and the dripping to the crock. Chop your cabbage and add to crock as well. Mix the sausage and cabbage.

4) Next, add the pepper, fennel, pinch or so of salt, the garlic, and the other tablespoon of onion powder. Stir to combine.

yum.

5) Add your chopped and peeled potatoes, the chicken broth, apple cider vinegar and the beer. We used Bell's Best Brown Ale.

 6) Now, let it cook for at least 4 hours on high. This will mellow out the strong beer smell, as well as the ACV.

The cabbage reduces, the potatoes cooked through, and the aroma fills the house. Time to eat! Enjoy!

Weekend Reading and Links

Quickie Chicken Casserole with Elbow Pasta and Stuffing Crust (from Food.com, picture is my adaptation)

Good evening lovelies! Are you ready for this gorgeous spring weekend? It just hit 70 degrees in MI and we're soaking it up. I made the casserole you see above yesterday and wow. It was AWESOME! I switched cream of celery to cream of chicken and added about a 1/2 cup of sour cream and it was amazing. A definite keeper in the rotation. It's one of those good "clean out the pantry" meals. Find it over at Food.com.

Here are some of my favorite links from this week to take you into the weekend:

- I can never have enough storage - Thrifty Decor Chick shows how to incorporate various dressers where form meets function.

- Men can have accessories, too - Mashable talks about the best ways for men to switch up their accessories (and ladies... gift ideas here!) for under $30.

- I added a bunch of new ladies fashions to the eBay store this week - lots of great brands like Banana Republic, Free People, Michael Kors and more. Check it out, and if you love it, share it! :)

- Katie Bower at Bower Power creates a $20 tall planter - you've got to see it to believe it.

Have a great weekend! Next week I'll be sharing my recipe for a crockpot Sausage, cabbage and potato stew that is so savory... and has a secret ingredient. Beer! You've got to try it (my recipe. But I won't judge about the beer either. Ha!) See you next week!

Brand Feature: Patagonia

Have you ever heard of Patagonia clothing? Patagonia focuses mainly on high-end outdoor clothing. It was founded in 1973 in California. A major contributor to environmental groups, and since 1985, Patagonia has donated $46 million in cash and in-kind donations. Patagonia also contributes to causes such as recycling and ethical treatment of animals.

As well as having a good moral stance, the clothing is very high quality. As of this writing, I'm offering three different pieces of Patagonia clothing in my eBay store:

Patagonia Quick Dry Capri Cropped Pants, Women's Size 10

These capri pants are a really nice brown - a great casual option. Quick drying and light weight, makes them a great outdoor option. Bidding starts at $9.99, click here to bid now!

Vintage Patagonia khaki pants, women's size 16

I love the vintage styling of these ones - I'm not 100% sure on the age, but I would guess early 90's by the tag style and the high waist. Be sure to check out the detail on the button closure! Bidding starts at 9.99 for these. Click here to bid now!

Patagonia Women's Summertime Tank Top, Size 12

Last but not least, my favorite out of the lot, this Patagonia Summertime tank. Color is aloe green, with white diamond ikat pattern. Zip up the back, pictures do not do this one justice! Bidding starts at 9.99, click here to bid now!

Thanks for looking! Be sure to check out my other auctions, too! 

Find my Finds: eBay   |   Etsy