Tuesday, August 31, 2010

The Classic - Primary Mixing Bowls


Hi!  As it's my first post, let me introduce myself.  I'm Missouri Michael of Cul-De-Sac Shack blog.  For my first post on The Pyrex Collective, I wanted to share my favorite pieces of Pyrex.  The classic Primary Mixing Bowls.

These bowls belonged to my great-aunt and I discovered them when we were cleaning out her house after she sold it and moved into assisted living.  After asking her about them, I found out that both she and my grandmother were given a set by their mother back in the 1940s.  I have been using them quite frequently around my kitchen, because they are just so darned handy!  However, after digging through Pyrex Love's website I discovered the interesting markings that the very earliest sets had on the bottom.

The information that was so intriguing to me is as follows: "the oldest sets from the “1940s” were not numbered on the bottom. According to him, “The markings on the bottoms of the 1940s ‘non-numbered’ bowls are only ‘T.M. REG.’ in an arch above ‘PYREX’ horizontally in the middle, and ‘U.S. PAT. OFF’ below in an up-facing arch.” The later 1950s - 1970s sets do have the numbers and this is what we have in our set, leading us to believe that we have a “newer” set."  (To view the complete article, please visit the Pyrex Love website here.)

I dug out my set, and lo and behold, no numbers...marked exactly like the oldest sets.  It was a rather exciting moment!  However, now I'm a little afraid to use them, so I'm on the look out for another mixing bowl set for my everyday kitchen use.

Oh, my grandmother still has her set as well, although she broke the small blue bowl at some point.  I'm hoping to get her one for Christmas this year so she can have a complete set again!

Here's to you Erin, Delphite in the snow !

As I was talking to Erin last night, I mentionned that I brought the Delphite outside last winter for a photo op...

Here goes


Fridgies and Cups & Saucers


Milk Pitcher, Cream and Sugar

                                               A Cup & Saucer close-up

A Fridgie close-up

As far as we know the biggest fridgie (503) was never produced in Delphite. The blue lid is more desirable than the transparent one because it was made for a really short time...People (housewives) wanted to see their leftovers hence the transparent lid! 

All those pieces were made in Ontario, Canada in the late 40's early 50's. They have the Pyrex Canada stamp under.

Gotta love the Delphite! LOL!

Monday, August 30, 2010

HumHum Delphite!

This is my favorite Pyrex piece: The square bottom lipped bowl made in Canada in all it's delicious Delphite glory!

My second favorite Pyrex piece....

Is the Delphite casserole...yes Pyrex fans there is a Santa Claus! Also made in Canada (Ontario) in the 50's

It was found by one of the Pyrex soldiers (my father has actually recruited some friends to look for Pyrex for me!) at Value Village for 2.99$ you can't beat that!

Have a great evening and you have yourself some nice and peaceful delphite dreams!

Friday, August 27, 2010

Jim the Pyrex Man and the great Pyrex-palooza - mini giveaway!


I had a wonderful Pyrex finding weekend and posted about it on my personal blog here but I knew you guys would like it too!

There's also a mini-giveaway/prize if someone can provide me with information about a piece I bought! Of course the prize is Pyrex but for now it's a secret.

Go check it out and let me know what you can discover about this casserole!

Thursday, August 26, 2010

The Handle and the Pin

My brother came across this interesting item in his travels.






It has Pyrex on it and he knew I'd want it. So he gave it to me the other day.






I had to look in up online. It said that these were used on the glass Pyrex skillets/frying pans.






This one is in great shape....like it was hardly used.


Now this little gem of a find I got last weekend at a yard sale. There was a collection of about 8 rolling pins....mostly wooden ones.






My hubby gave me a nudge when he noticed this long box with Pyrex on it. I didn't know they made rolling pins.






This again looks brand new. The box is pretty rough but not bad considering it's age.






The rolling pin itself is immaculate. It gives the instructions on one of the sides on the box.




Notice that it was made in England. Maybe for the Pyrex company in the US?




Anyway, great find for $10.



Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Pyrex Primary Jackpot!

Hi There! I'm fairly new to the blogging experience, but have been recording my vintage finds at sixballoons.blogspot.com. I love kitchen stuff like Le Creuset and Pyrex - I may have even found my own first Cathrineholm piece the other day... Here's a post I just put up on my site:

It has been a while. I've been longing to find the primary refrigerator set, especially the practical blue rectangular loaf pan! I've also debated on the merits of collecting each single bowl of the primary mixing bowl set but now I finally have them all.


After responding to a Craigslist ad, my hubby humoured me and drove out to the boonies almost 25km away from our house. By the time we arrived, the sun had long set and we were hopelessly lost on a rural road. By the time we made our way, we realized we were going to a farmhouse that was in complete darkness. We were led by the seller past her barn of horses and to a back room that was filled with, well, you could call them knicknacks.


(Don't they look relaxing there, basking in the evening sun?)


But there they were! The Primary Bowl and Fridgies set, complete with lids (and even a couple extra of the large pan lids). The green mixing bowl is my favourite, don't you just love that colour?? The seller threw in an extra yellow small fridgie, so now it's looking very yellow in this scene from my Living Room...

My Collection

I know I've been overdue for a post with all my Pyrex in it but I have my Pyrex tucked away in so many places that it isn't exactly easy to photograph. I am working on certain patterns and mostly pick things for color, price, and style of dish. The pattern that I want a whole set of, all the way down to the compatibles, is Spring Blossom. This collection should be pretty easy to compile as Spring Blossom is one of, if not the, best selling patterns that pyrex ever released.

I've got all the Bake-Serve-Store and Round Casserole dish sizes, the 442 cinderella bowl and 441 regular mixing bowl, two handles mugs, one 502 fridge dish, the margarine tub, and (not pictured) the open sugar bowl and (gemco) vinegar and oil cruets. I also have assorted plates and a serving platter in the corelle.

Another pattern that I pick up from time to time that coordinates with Spring Blossom is the verde. I haven't got nearly as many in that pattern.



I've got the biggest Bake-Serve-Store, the small fridge dish, and the loaf pan. Also, not pictured, I have the smallest Bake-Serve-Store which is also in the yellow-green. Yesterday my mother saw a verde divided dish with the decorated lid but the lid didn't fit quite right so she passed on it.

Next is a pattern that is everywhere and I'm still not in love with even though I have some pieces. Butterfly Gold.


We have the 444 cinderella bowl, 441 regular mixing bowl, 401 fridge dish, largest Bake-Serve-Store, the margarine tub, and the lasagna pan. The Bake-Serve-Store is actually Butterfly Gold II which I personally prefer but don't see too much of.

Of course there's also the color that started the collecting: Pink.


We have one Goosberry Pink small Bake-Serve-Store, two pink Utility bowls, one cranberry utility bowl, and, most recently one cranberry pie plate. I am very excited to bake a pie now! I don't know yet if I'll like it more than the corelle pie I already use. I guess we'll find out.

I am currently working on the Primary Colors set, mostly the mixing bowls.


The red and green were my first mixing bowls and I love them. The size and the colors are just fantastic, I just recently got the yellow and am very happy with it. Our blue fridge dishes are both very faded but still quite functional. One more red fridgie and I'll have a set. I love primary yellow! I wish they had made a whole set in that yellow, I'd want it over spring blossom any day!

We also have a few pieces in assorted patterns as well as several promotional divided dishes but no cradles. I've only ever seen cradles in pictures and antique stores.

Two butterprint 401 Fridgies, a golden acorn deep 1.5qt oval, Americana cinderella 401, and a faded lime Utility bowl.


Divided dish in Daisy with a slightly damaged lid, divided Charcoal Snowflake, divided (aqua) Blue Snowflake, divided promotional Barbed Wire 1959.


Daisy deep oval 1.5qt casserole.


Autumn Harvest 403 mixing bowl.

Pulling out all the pyrex to take pictures for this made me realize exactly how much we have. Sometime soon I'd like to be able to have a hutch just for Pyrex as our kitchen is kind of small and doesn't have much storage so we have the dishes wrapped up and above upper cupboards. It's not the handiest storage method but we make do.

What's your favorite pattern or color? Is there a color that you just wish they made more things in? Do you have one set you're trying to amass?

Also, just wanted to say that since Barbara's post about her corelle cutting board I found one of my own and it's perfect for rolling out pie dough. If she hadn't made me aware of their existence I would never have known to look for one. Thank you, Barbara!

I found this blog with a fun giveaway while I was looking up mid century kitchens. Just check out what she was giving away! It's not a giveaway that is open entry but it's hilarious to read about the submissions. Hope you like it!

To Sneak Or Not To Sneak?

My overpriced mini Pyrex shroom bowl.

One member of the Pyrex Collective recently asked for my advice (via email) regarding Pyrex addiction and the best way to go about bringing new pieces home. You know what I'm talking about. You find a beautiful medium-sized yellow Pyrex mixing bowl which would go perfectly with your small and large-sized yellow Pyrex mixing bowls. Heck - it's a set. But you know in your heart of hearts that your spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend, sister, mother, father, child, cousin twice removed will not understand. To them, it's just another Pyrex bowl. "Like you need another one."

My big problem is that I keep buying same size Pyrex casserole dishes and I NEVER MAKE CASSEROLE.

In an ideal world, our loved ones are rational people who would never lord over the housekeeping pursestrings like Michael Douglas' ex-wife. But Pyrex addiction can become a problem.

My husband is pretty cool with Pyrex and we don't need approval from the other person to make purchases. Most of the time, he likes what I buy and he uses Pyrex around the house. Still, there are times when I do have to ask myself if it's necessary to highlight the fact that I've bought yet another casserole dish that we don't really need. Is it even worth pointing out that a new piece has been purchased in the big scheme of things? Would he even notice that there was another Pyrex dish in the cupboard? Probably not. Still, I tend to come clean and in an upbeat way and show him what I've bought, making sure to point out all the amazing features of this latest piece of Pyrex.

What do you do? Group therapy time. Dish on the dishes.

Erin

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Dear Pyrex Collective,

portland.pyrex.three

Can we talk about ugly Pyrex?  If you believe there is such a thing?!  Because this pattern, Old Orchard, takes the cake in the uglies department for me.  What about you - have you ever gone thrifting and the only thing that turns up are the uglies? It's almost like these patterns exist out of spite!  :)

More Pink Deliciousness!

I can't help loving the green and Pink combo! As a teenager I loved the preppy kelly green and pink anything!
This is yesterday's cuke harvest. I already had a big bag in my fridge so I made cream of cucumber.Delicious!

I got this utility dish for 99 cents last year at the Salvation army. It was so cruddy I thought it was really Salmon colored and not that sweet pink I love so much!

Don't forget it's Retro Tuesday over @ my blog Vonlipis Favorites and @ Tracy's Crazy Suburban Mom

Yes we are usually a 2 or 3 people link party! Join the fun! Link up!

Monday, August 23, 2010

Can't take the heat?

Me either.  I left the oven off today and whipped up a no-bake pie. 

Of course, it tasted extra good in my Pyrex cake pan.


I have never made a recipe the same way twice or followed a recipe exactly.  So please forgive my haphazard directions.

For the crust: 
Throw about 2 cups of pecans and 1 cup of dates (or date pieces) into a food processor.  Blend until they are finely ground and start to get sticky.  (I also added in about 1/2 cup of ground flax for nutritional benefit.)
Press in pie pan.

Middle Layer:
Thinly slice about 1-1/2 bananas and spread on top of crust.

Top Layer:  In food processor, add another 1-1/2 bananas, about a cup of berries (strawberries, blueberries, etc.), and a 1/2 cup of dates that have been soaked in water for about 15 minutes.  Blend until just mixed and somewhat smooth and pour on top of first two layers.  Refridgerate overnight or for a few hours.  Then dig in and enjoy!  (I used frozen blueberries.)




Hello all! This is my first time posting on the Pyrex Collective. I am Katie of Katieebee.
I wanted to share with you the Pyrex I "found" the other day. My secret stash ;)
I wish I could say I thrifted all of these and just got awesomely lucky in a single store, but nope. I kinda cheated. I found a lady on craig's list who had had a yard sale last weekend with tons of pyrex, and I missed it!!! So I emailed the lady and asked her if she had any pyrex left over that I could possibly come check out. She was gracious enough to let me come! She was trying to get rid of her collection-and boy, did she have a collection.
She had the pinks, the blues, the turquoise, the yellows, refrigerator sets--everything!!
I discovered that my new favorite pyrex color is yellow. But I didn't end up getting those, although I wish I did. Here is what I did get:
Pinks! and a blue! She let all of these go for about $20 (I can't remember how much I spent haha) But I'd say that's a steal! Its possible to find Pyrex cheaper, but I haven't been having luck with any beautiful colors like these.
They're perfect. She even said that I am welcome back whenever I wanted some more Pyrex. SCORE!!

Pink Deliciousness


YUM! Pink Butterprint! This is my only piece. I never saw others in my thrifting journeys....Maybe this year on my trip to Maine...Maybe I can find a couple of pieces I haven't suck out yet! LOL
(legend has it that I sucked out all the Pyrex of the eastern seaboard....I beg to differ! I try but to no avail!)

This cute pic was taken in my garden with a fuschia cosmos. Lovely combo!

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Golden Grape-y Goodwill Goodness

I found this Pyrex 2-1/2 quart casserole buried on a low shelf at Goodwill today.  It needed a good bath and some tickling with a toothpick to make it happy when we got home.


I have no idea what the official name of this pattern is.  Do you?  I couldn't find anything similar on Pyrex Love.  Apparently, there is such a thing as a Golden Grape pattern but it doesn't look like this. 


At any rate, it's a pretty cream color with scroll-y grapevines.  I like the half gold, half not leaves.  Same deal with the grapes, half open circles, half solid.  Unusual yet lovely, don't you think?

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Pyrex In The Mist

A Colonial Mist that is. Hi, I am Leslie over at Theory of Thrifting. I thought I would share my newest Pyrex acquisitions.

This last weekend we went to our favorite place, Laughlin, Nevada. On Saturday, I headed over the river to Bullhead City, Arizona to thrift. I found the shorter blue casserole and the white casserole at the Salvation Army there. I brought them home to join the larger blue casserole and the blue mixing bowl. According to Pyrex Love , I now have the Colonial Mist Bake Serve Store set. The only thing they are missing is the lids. These bowls have the same diameter just differing depths.  I use these bowls all the time to serve breakfast , lunch and dinner. They are great!

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Check this out!

Hi, I'm Jim and I'm new to this blog. I have been collecting Pyrex for a number of years now along with lots of other 'vintage' stuff. I have a blog on Saturdays called 'Retro Saturday'. Please check it out at : http://jabacue.blogspot.com

Anyway, I picked up this 'old' magazine (dated April 1942) in PEI last week at this great little converted church/vintage shop in Murray River called the Blue Moon. There is an ad for Pyrex in it....look at those prices! Double click the pic to enlarge. 






Until next time....happy hunting.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Feast after Famine

When I decided to join the Pyrex Collective I was worried that, as my pyrex finds seemed to be drying up, I would just end up posting about old finds. BUT my pyrex famine came to an end at a market on Saturday when I found these!

Aren't they fab!?!

A fab citrus splash of orange and yellow.

Pretty flowers.

Sunshiney loveliness.

Lovely blue bowl to match some other pieces I have.

These 4 bowls came to a total of $12!!! They are sitting prettily on my kitchen counter and will look very fabulous on the acres of open shelving I plan on having in my dream kitchen one day :-)