Jury Duty

Gentle Friends, I didn't forget a Post this morning, I had to deal with a Jury Duty Summons and spent the day in Criminal Court seeing if I was going to be picked to serve........  I got moved into 4th Juror spot then there was lots of yadd, yadda, yadda from the lawyers......  then after excusing quite a few others  -  I was excused......so I'll be back in the morning with much more interesting post.......

Cya!!

edgar

Wrapping up the Week.... An Exchange, Some Who Hound Shots and "Is that Hallowe'en Stuff??"

Gentle Friends, I heard from my Partner in the HOE ABC Exchange, Sandra, that she had received the Pyn Keepe I made and sent to her.  Here's a snap...

... I sued a Freebie that I really like called "Bright Birds" from Barrick Samplers (you can tell from the name just how old this sucker is!!  I used a 36ct over dyed linen, and converted the floss from the called for DMC to over dyed WDW.  It turned out pretty cute if I do say so myself.

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Here are a couple of shots from last night - now a bit of background info - with Peaches taking heart medicine morning and evening  - one of her pills is a diuretic, so I take the hounds out about every 2 hours so there can do their thing out side and I'm not scrubbing carpets all the time.....  so with that tid bit here's a shot of the "hound chair" before we went out at 9 pm......

... it's Lolly and Wahumpi scamming on the fur, blankets and the heating pad (the orange thing with cord)  we keep it on low so there is a warm spot for them.......  we all went outside to tinkle, and it being windy and in the low 50's and low fog so it was also damp, the hounds got a chill.......  so Peaches made a bee-line ......

... for the warm spot, and Wahumpi grabbed the edge again, he is the only one who'll snag the edge spot, but warm is warm.........  are my evenings full of glitz and glamour!!!

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We were in the Castro one day this week, and since it's Pride Week, culminating in the gigantic Pride Parade on Sunday, you couldn't move on the sidewalks for all the folks from out of town.....  we stopped into Cliffs, the notions and Fabric side and they had out a few of the new fall fabrics....  and I had to get a yard of this.......

... it comes in white and black and this orange and black.  I know from past years if I wait till the Fall they'll be out of all the great fabrics.  Now, what to do with this fun stuff??

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There you go sports fans, thanks again for stopping by dos top again!!

Take care,

edgar

Thrifty Thursday

Gentle Friends, last Saturday we did a quick run to a few of the regular shops and found some fun stuff......

... starting in the upper left corner... two Cinderella shaped mixing bowls in the "Butterprint" pattern, an extra large water bowl for the who hounds, a great little Longaberger Christmas Carol Basket, 2 DVD's "The Holy Grail," 1975, and "Death on the Nile," 2004 -  an author and artist signed copy of "Letters from Chickadee Hill" and a "puzzle" box from the 20's with a carved Scottie on top. It always surprises me what i can find, I've not seen any Butterprint" for a few years, and its a pattern I really like, and there were two bowls marked at 1/2 price at a thrift store, you just never know what will be out there.

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That's about it for today sports fans, thanks for stopping by, do stop again!!

Take care,

edgar

Market Snaps and Pepper jelly

Gentle friends, we stopped by the Farmers Market again on Sunday and here's some snaps.....

... it was an overcast cool day, with temps in the upper 50's, a typical Summer day here by the Bay..... loving the cool weather!!

... this is the "corn guy" we got more corn from him and have been enjoying it the last couple of days.

... we also picked up some mushrooms from Mushroom Adventures from Marysville......

... a nice bright spot on a grey day...... 

 I also wanted to pick up some peppers, I saw lots of different kinds the week before and really got a hankering to make some of my Dad's Pepper Jelly.  He used to make dozens of jars of the stuff yearly to give away around Christmas.  It was some good stuff!! 

 I've tried many different brands of Pepper Jelly over the years and none really compares to the sweet/hot stuff my dad made.  I think one of the reasons is that he used quite a few more peppers than most recipes call for and that really makes all the difference - with his recipe in hand, I set out to make some myself......

... gathered up the fixins' and wham bam, about an hour later I was pulling these from their water bath.....

... there was actually a ladle or so left after filling the jars that I poured into one of the extra jars and put in the fridge, so we could get a taste.  I had forgotten that my dad's recipe made a stiffer jelly than I like, so the batch I make tonight I'll cut back some on the pectin and see how that goes - you know I can never leave a recipe alone and always tweak things as I go along........

... it tasted perfect and was great on this onion bagel last night!!!

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That's about it for today sports fans, thanks for stopping by do stop again!!!

Take care,

edgar

A Little Bakin'

Gentle Friends, I looked back this morning to see when I last baked a Lemon Pound Cake, and it has been a little over a year.  It was last June that I whipped one of these suckers together.  You can click HERE to go back to that post.  The only differences this time.....  was to use cake flour and not AP, which meant I needed to add a little baking powder and the biggest change was to cook the cake from a cold oven at 300 degrees for about 1 and 45 minutes.  I really like the results and will be making Pound Cakes this way in the future - I do love a good pound cake, it's one of my favorite cakes!!  Here are some snaps.....

Getting the ingredients together......

... creaming the cream cheese and butter until fluffy......

... hot out of the oven.....

...cool enough to glaze....

and sliced up.....

.......  I really like the way the cake cooked starting it off from a cold oven, and the browning was just fantastic!!  I was a bit leery when I first read about this technique, but I read over and over again how well it works, and now I'm a convert!  Give it a try, you'll not be dissappointed.

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That's about all for today sports fans, thanks for stopping by, do stop again!!

Take care,

edgar

I'm a Proud Uncle and a Little Stitchin'

Gentle Friends, last week my Niece, Katie, graduated from the 8th grade. During the End of Year Exercises she was awarded Female Athlete of the Year.  She is a really strong Basketball player and when the season was over she went on to play Volleyball.   Being a very strong basketball player she will continue playing in High School next year - YEA KATIE!!!

(photo from my sisters phone)

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Over the weekend I worked a little on my Colonial Gathering "Cotton Bird"......

.... not very much, I should be able to finish this up in the next few days, and then it's back stitchin' on SMS.

That's about it for today sports fans, thanks for stopping by, do stop gain!!

Take care,

edgar

Sunday Market

Gentle friends, Rico wanted me to let you all know how much all your kind comments and emails meant to him - and I also wanted to thank you for all your kindnesses!!

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After Mass on Sunday and our weekly visit to Trader Joe's, we headed to one of the larger Farmers Markets in the area.  Since everything seems to be coming in and there is loads of gorgeous produce out there, I have some snaps to share!!........

... Summer harvest is just super and so juicy!!!  We picked up far to many fresh produce and are almost "fruited" out - trying to eat it up before it goes bad. 

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That's about it for this Thursday, thanks again for stopping by do stop again!!

Take care,

edgar

A Sad Valley Visit

Gentle Friends, recently Rico's father passed away after being ill for quite a long time.  Last Saturday we drove down to the Valley for the services.  It was a beautiful day in the Valley, very breezy, and quite warm, upper 80's, but not oppressively hot, as the Valley can get this time of year.  

Manuel C Garcia - 1936-2014

He made a career in Air Force, and was buried with full military honors - there was a bugler who played taps and a 21 gun salute, both were very moving.

After the services and internment we all went back to  Rico's sister's house for a gathering of the family and a huge spread - his sister had been cooking for a few days and there was enough food to feed everyone and then some.

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On the way back home we stopped at the junction of Patterson Pass and Interstate 5 and I took some snaps of two of the main water delivery systems here in California....

..the Mendota Canall, which feeds the San Joaquin Valley agricultural system and keeps the farms going.... and running parallel to the Canal.....

... the California Aqueduct, which feeds water to Southern California and keeps LA and San Diego from drying up....

... you can see all the grass has dried out and has turned "golden" from the heat, and really will not be green again until next Winter when the rain comes.

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That's about it for today sports fans, thanks for stopping by, do stop again!

Take care,

edgar

An "SMS" Stitchin' Update

Gentle Friends, I thought I would post an update snap of the "SMS."  Since I finished up the Colonial Gathering piece and got it off to Faye, the mail brought the next project - a great little design from Paulette at Plum Street called "Cotton Bird."   Here's the snap of "SMS" - 

I finished up the "clover" row last night, it just seemed to go on and on....  I really like the last row since it is using a great Belle Soie colour "Rose of Sharon."  I'll probably work on "Cotton Bird " this week and get back to "SMS' after it is completed.

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That's about ti fro today sports fans, thanks for stopping by do stop again!!

Take care,

edgar

Floral Friday Foto's

Gentle Friends, thanks so much for your kind wishes about my upcoming adventure.  It is still a few weeks off, not until the first of September, but I am really excited now and since I'm just doing lots of research so I can spend my time in the Dordogne and then in Paris wisely I thought I'd start talking about it now........... any suggestions from Blog Land?????

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A couple of days ago we stopped off at the SF Flower Market and I got some snaps I wanted to share, I know I've posted about the Market before but it is a really lovely place to visit and they have some great flowers.....

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That about wraps up the week sports fans, thanks for stopping by do stop again.... have a super weekend!!!

Take care,

edgar

Taking a Trip

Gentle Friends, during the last couple of months I have been ironing out plans for an upcoming trip.....  it's back to la Belle France, but this time we'll be south in the Aquitaine region on the Dordogne based in a little village called St Andre d'Allas. 

 We've rented an 18th century petit chateau that's about 4km from the medieval town of Sarlat-la-Caneda !!  Since I have to make connections at Chalres de Gaule Airport ( there are no direct flights from SF to Bordeaux) on the way home I'll be stopping for a few days in Paris.  It should be a great trip and I can't wait!!!!!

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That's about ti fro today sports fans - thanks again for stopping by do stop again!!

Take care,

edgar

Revisiting San Jalisco and a Sweet Summer Treat

Gentle Friends, one of the nicer things about the weekends is eating out - and last weekend was no different...  on Saturday morning we made a breakfast stop at San Jalisco, located at 20th and South Van Ness.  Since it is family owned and really good food it became one of our "go to" places along time ago.  I have written about it a few times in the past.....  here's a couple of snaps of our breakfasts....

... Rico had Chorizo con Huevos and I had....

... Huevos Rancheros,  you can click HERE to go to their web site and read more of the Menu or the history of this super restaurant.

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I was out looking around for some ideas last week on the Web for a Summer dessert when I stumbled up on a super Blog, Little Miss Celebration, and there found a great idea for using berries -

  Hot Milk Cake with Blackberries......

.....  I switched out the blackberries for a mix of strawberries and blueberries.  The cake is super easy, and with the addition of a little whipped cream and berries this cake just hits the spot.  It is such a versatile cake I can see it popping up often in our future!!  Thank you so much Cindy!!!!!!

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That's about it for today sports fans, thanks for stopping by, do stop again!!

Take care,

edgar

Just Outa da Hoop

Gentle Friends I finally finished up the Colonial Gathering pieces and it will be in the mail off for finishing this morning.  I am not sure why, but for some reason these particular pieces were just so long in stitching and it seemed I had problem after problem........  first, I had dog vs chart problems - after I got another chart I couldn't get the gumption up to even begin stitching  - then after I got going it seemed that the white stitching would never end - then when I wanted to get going on the fob part I had a problem finding my smallest hoop  - it was not with the others and I had to tear through pile after pile of stash and stuff eventually locating it in one of my silk stash bags - how it got there I'll never know..... so .......  here tis......

 ...  I have it on the backing fabric....  I am sure that Faye will work her usual miracle and they'll turn out just darling like the cover snap.  I also worked a bit on SMS, I'll show a snap of that tomorrow.

That's about it for today sports fans - thanks for stopping by do stop again!!

Take care,

edgar

A Super Mail Day

Gentle Friends, yesterday the mail brought me a wonderful little surprise to start off my weekend......

.....  from Conny, in Holland, came this lovely little Pyn Pillow.  It is from the ABC Exchange over on the HOE, she was my partner.  The designer is Tra La La and the piece is called "Duo Couture."  Using the recommended floss she stitched it on Natural Zweigart Linen.  Thank you so much Conny for such a sweetly stitched piece!!!

The exchange I stitched and sent has a way to go and is still travelling - when it arrives I post a snaperoo here.

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.....and that wraps up the week on a really high note!!!  Tanks again for stopping by dos top again!!

Take care.

egar

Thrifty Thursday Finds

Gentle Friends, the week is almost gone, thank goodness....  I am soooo ready for the weekend. 

 Last Saturday we did our usual running around and found some fun stuff.....

.....  from L to R.... a Spode "Christmas Tree" crudite/tidbit/desert tray, a great cookie cookbook (I see lots of cookies in my future!!)a super brass pricket candlestick from Virginia Metalcrafters Colonial Williamsburg Restoration, two 19th century brass candlesticks, and some DVD's - "Bill and Ted's Bogus Adventure" (a  follow up film to "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure", I have the fun first film so why not) "Good Night and Good Luck," "Casino Royale" and an unopened Season one of that great parody from the 70's "Soap."   - and - a shot of Smokie running through the frame.  Here's a close up of the candle sticks....

.....  I just can't help picking up wonderful old brass candlesticks !!

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That's about it for today sports fans - thanks again for stopping by, do stop again!!

Take care,

edgar

I Scream, You Scream, we all Scream for...........

Gentle Friends, we finally made a stop at one of San Francisco's Ice Cream "Hot Spots."  We have been passing this place going and coming home from work ever since they opened, but never made th time or felt the line was just too long. With the Quirky name of "Humphry Slocombe," a two headed goat on the wall and an every changing menu of interesting tasty flavours, it has garnered a terrific local following.  Usually there line out the door.... and when the weather gets warm outside the line grows down the block.  

Located at the corner of Harrison and 24th Street, parking can be and usually is non-existent.  However, stars aligned yesterday with it being on the cool foggy side and as I drove by I spied an open parking spot, so I turned around, parked and we ventured in.......  as you walk in you are greeted by this colourful painting of a Lucha Libre wrestler.....

... then you look up at the daily, ever changing flavour menu......

....  a signature flavour is "Secret Breakfast" which is a bourbon laced ice cream with corn flake cookie crumbles, a really very tasty ice cream.  You step up to the dipping counter......

....  with so many different choices you may think it hard to decide, but, no, all you need do is ask for a taste, and you can taste any and all of the flavours they have.....  nice!!!!  I did try secret breakfast an black sesame, both really tasty!!  However I went with...

.. cinnamon brittle,

 a cinnamon ice cream with bit of cinnamon candy crumbled into the mix.  

Rico went with...

... black sesame.  You can even watch the ice cream being made.....

... or get a mug with a picture of the signature double headed goat.  It's a fun stop in the Mission.... the only down side are the long lines, but I hear they move quickly.

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That's about it for today sports fans, thanks for stopping by, do stop again!

Take care,

edgar