Paradise, California is a town named for a pun, according to local lore: someone came up with "Pair-O-Dice" and it evolved into Paradise. The main drag through Paradise is Skyway Blvd. where you'll see a string of antique and vintage stores, definitely worth the detour off Highway 99 to spend an afternoon exploring. And thanks to the wonders of the Internet, you can do a preview visit to these two stores: Skyway Antique Mall, and Bainbridge Antiques.

Skyway Antique Mall has its own website, a simple straightforward collection of lots of photos. You get an impression of a very large store, with a big selection that includes fine wood furniture.

Bainbridge Antiques has a page on Facebook, where they post excellent photos of the store and newly-arrived items. Here's a homey display of colorful kitchen pottery and glassware, like Fiestaware, Fire King, Russell Wright and Hull plus old crocks, etc. You can also find items from Bainbridge Antiques on eBay.

Paradise is off Hwy. 5 east of Chico. Other stores you'll see along the highway are Jeannie's Consignment, Skyway Blue and Aunt Mabel's General Store. On the way you'll pass veggie stands featuring the area's trademark olives and other locally-grown produce, and amazing red buttes that reminded me of a miniature Grand Canyon. Beautiful country!

Dianne's always cooking up something new

The boat galley-style kitchen in my condo makes a kitchenalia collection out of the question for me unless I dangle everything from the ceiling! I do have a wonderful little enamel saucepan my mom left me, a 1950s apron from my aunt, and a couple of cast iron skillets I bought from Susantiques, a dealer in Aloha, OR, but that's pretty much the extent of my collecting.

Still, I love reading and learning about gadgets used in old-time kitchens, so I've found Dianne Zweig's Kitsch 'n Stuff blog irresistible. Plus, she provides valuable information links, so I can pursue topics and learn even more about them. Her current post is about, literally, sniffing out bargains and how to get rid of musty, funky odors in otherwise desirable items.

She has a website, too, at CDianneZweig.com and a collection of choice finds at the Collinsville Antiques Company in New Hartford. She writes books on collectibles, such as her latest, the second edition of "Hot Kitchen and Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Beyond." And she edits Iantiqueonline.com, the antique dealers' and collectors' social network.

So if you're intrigued with anything about kitchens, you've got to get acquainted with Dianne!