Two Super Samplers and a Flick

GR&DF thanks for the great comments. I do enjoy them and appreciate the time you take. I had a couple of questions..... Christine asked about stitching up the LHN "Monthlies." Yes, I found a large enough piece of linen in my stash to stitch up the whole year. I am doing it 3 across and 4 down. I waffled back and forth 3 x4 or 4 x 3 and think that the 3 x 4 will work nicely. The other question was from Alice - Ma Teakettle refers to the dear Blogging Buddie that ran a give-a-way for her Followers - it was from her that I won the charts and other goodies. Look back a few posts and you can see everything that I won.
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Yesterday on the way home we veered way off to stop by the mall - had to make a stop at Bath and Body Works - as we we completely out of the lotion we like. Of course they have discontinued the kind we like - which meant walking around trying to figure something else out. In the end I went with 3 trial sized variations and hopefully will find one we like.

While at the Mall we stopped off at Borders and I picked up the most recent JCS - Jan/Feb- I was specifically getting this issue to acquire this great little sampler.....

I saw this on another stitchers Blog and really fell for the whole piece. I always enjoy Praiseworthy Stitches designs and this is a doozey!! I flipped through it and found a huge bonus piece!!! There is a great article about Paulette of Plum Street Samplers and accompanying the article is a super sampler....

How cute is this!! This is a great issue with two super pieces - well worth the $6!!
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Last night the stitching was on a secret piece - so no snaps, yet.
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The flick for the evening was "An Angle at my Table" - 1990 - the bio-pic about Janet Frame. I really love this short review of the film......

"For some people, "An Angel At My Table' would be a VERY long sit-through. The story of one of New Zealand's most famous authors, who succeeds despite having gone through schizophrenia isn't exactly family entertainment. But although the movie runs far too long, at 2 and a half hours, I found myself engaged quite a bit as soon as the story got moving, and not a relentless character study. Janette Frame, a girl with a serious shock of red hair, grows up, realizing her passion for writing, and suffers tremendous setbacks, both emotionally and professionally. What a performance the three actresses give as Janette, we see Janette as a young girl, a teenager, and as a young adult. Although Kerry Fox is the most well known of all three, all three are tremendous here, each taking the nuances of Frame, and developing the character beautifully. As per the case of all Jane Campion's films, she knows how to frame the camera quite well, and again, although the movie IS long, it does have a lot of amazing little moments."

This is a long film at 2 1/2 hours - broken up into three very distinct parts, originally made for TV, but certainly worth the viewing!! I want to thank Coni over at Spinster Stitcher for bringing this wonderful film to my attention. I love seeing something new and interesting.
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That's about it for today sports fans. Thanks for stopping by - do come again!! Don't forget about the give-a-way on yesterdays post.

Take care,
edgar

The "B" Word - a Small Give-a-way and a LHN Start

GR&DF another foggy day by the Bay - so much fog that even the news this morning was babbling about the thick layer over us. Thanks for the great comments - Jeanne mentioned another of Rosalind's flickers - "Trouble with Angels" - 1966 and its sequel that is not as good..."Where Angels go Trouble Follows" - 1968. There are other fine performances out there...like.... "His Girl Friday" - 1940 - co-starring Cary Grant and her break out roll in "Craig's Wife" - 1936. So many fine performances check them out if you get a chance.
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About the Give-a-way, Rico got an engagement calendar for 2011 that he will not use and thought that there might be someone out there who could use and appreciate the snarky humor of this little gem. Here's a snap of the cover...


and here is one of the great pages inside....

Some of the pages can get a bit racy, but they are all really funny. So..... if you would like a chance to win this great little calendar, just leave a comment on this post only and we'll get out the BOD this weekend and have the who hound pick a winner. I'll announce it on Monday. Anyone, anywhere may enter and I will send it to wherever you are, but you have to post a comment to win.
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I couldn't help myself.... last night I needed to get a move on the LHN Monthly Squares. I got a great piece of linen out of the stash heap and slam bam I had a new start, Thanks again Ma Teakettle!!!!! Here's a snap..

It's not too exciting but this is the outside border of January. I changed up a floss colour - I think if something says medium green then it should be a green colour and not beige/brown, but that's just me. I think I will go along like that for the whole piece - change out where I thinkit will be a better choice. I have lots of CC Floss and so substituting the colours around will not be a problem.

That's about it for today sports fans. Thanks for stopping by - and remember if you would like a chance at the Give-a-way just leave a comment on this post. Thanks again!!

Take care,
edgar

Guilty Pleasures!!!

GR&DF welcome to Monday morning. It's usually the low end of the week with a longing for the distant weekend. For some reason not so much today - go figure. It could be that it is not as cold as it has been - the temps are hovering in the mid 50's - it could be because there is no rain this morning. I really hate driving in the rain, not so much the rain falling as the other drivers driving like maniacs ignoring the weather.... or it could be the clean closet I now have (what a bear to wrestle with this weekend!!) What ever it is - I ain't gonna fight it, but just roll with it for the day!!!

The weekend was very low key - as in no key!!! I did accomplish the cleaning of the second bedroom closet - it was so good I almost lit a cigarette when I finished!!!! I also did a bunch of laundry, as you know I really enjoy that domestic chore and all the usual ironing that accompanies clean clothes - so relaxing and such a feeling of accomplishment to have it all done.
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The post title refers to a few things I enjoyed over the past two days ...... we ran to an estate sale on Saturday - only one this weekend - and picked up this book....

I have wanted a copy of this for a long time - and since it is OOP I knew I would have to find one on the secondary market. I love me some Rosalind Russell!! Her movies include.... "The Women" - 1939, "My Sister Eileen" - 1942, "Sister Kenny" - 1946, "Mourning Becomes Electra" - 1947, "Picnic" - 1955, "Auntie Mame" -1958 and "Gypsy" - 1962 - every roll did played is super - check you some of them as most are on DVD.
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We stopped off at Walgreen's (a Drug Store, that carries everything and then some) and on the sale shelf, you gotta check them out sometime if you don't usually, there was a few of these.....

I do love a good freeze pop - and these where only a $1!! Wrapping up (or starting off) the guilty pleasures of the weekend.... was dinner on Friday evening.....


Pizza!! We just finished up this gigantic pie last night with a salad - such treats and the weekend is for treating yourself!!!!!!
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On the stitching front - I did finish up my replacement piece stitching and now all I need to do is the final finishing. For some reason I was having the darnedest time with the back stitching. I spent the whole of Saturday evening with the counting and frogging and then a recounting and a re-frogging, but eventually got all the back stitching done. Sometimes perseverance is its own reward - and I am nothing if not persistent!!

That's about it for today sports fans. I did make a nice, tasty coffee cake, but will save that for tomorrow. Thanks for stopping by!!

Take care,
edgar

A Lovely Package

GR&DF so sorry to have a blip in the posts here at the Sheep - but as I sat here trying to get through some of my emails and then I got wrapped up in reading through back postings on other Blogs - the time just got away from me. There is really not much happening here - I am stitching away on a replacement piece - that I think is totally cute, but then what do I know!! :)

We are all trying to stay a bit on the less than frozen side and also trying to stay dryish. We had another day of "rain." It really was not rain in the real since of the word, but just some miscellaneous drops, lots of mist and windy spattering. Just enough damp falling to keep a person less than dry - and the four hairs on my pointed head where plastered down like I had pomade in my hair!!
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There was a super bright spot yesterday afternoon - the mail brought a wonderful win from Ma Teakettle - over at The Teakettle Corner - I won the Follower's Gift-A-Way she was hosting. Here is a snap....

Along with the complete LHN Monthly Squares series was included a cute pair of scissors, some sparkly pins, a darling floss minder and really lovely piece of linen. I saw these charts last year and thought to myself, hey self - wouldn't they look cute stitched up together in sampler form. I heard no laughing or anything negative so I knew it was a pretty good idea. :)
Now to get on the stick and get a largish piece of linen and get January stitched up as I see this a year long fun stitch. Thanks you so much Ma Teakettle!!!!!!!

So that's about it for today sports fans. Thanks for stopping by and for you sweet comments. I think we have another egg under le Poulet Ville (City Chicken) ... would that be "la" as it is a girl sitting there on her eggs.......? ......... so we might get three sweet little peepers. I'll keep you updated.

Take care,
edgar

Midweek Babbles......

GR&DF midweek and the weekend can't get here fast enough. Just wishing it away I guess!! Yesterday we got our cold and windy rain day a bit early - and today it is to be a cold a dry one!! So I am off to the Farmers Market at lunch. I haven't been over since way before Christmas. Not sure what might be there, but I know one thing..... there will be some Kettle Korn for sure!

I wanted to mention that I have posted the Lemon Squares recipe over on BlackSheep Bakes. There are lots of Lemons Bar recipes - this is the one I sort of concocted and used. I like it because it is like a butter cookie with a tangy lemony topping - whats not to like.

Last night I watched a couple of flicks - one the was new to me and the other an old favorite. The old favorite was "Russian Ark" - 2002 - a scrumptious film that is done all in one take - one single take - imagine that. Almost 100 mins of no breaks for anything - It is a Russian film with subtitles so that you can follow what is being said. The joy of the film is that you move the The Hermitage in and out of History for the past 300 years as a spectator that can see but not be seen by those around you, except for your guide - who is an 18th century visitor. I love this film and have seen it many times. Here is a the trailer from the film.....



You see Tzar's and Tzarina's, aristocrats and the military, war, theatre and a ball. - I see something new on each viewing. I can not recommend this film highly enough, breathtaking in scope, beautiful art, beautiful Palace and gorgeous music!!

The other film was "Titan A.E." - 2000 - and animated film set in the future in space. With the voices of many stars including , Matt Damon, Bill Pullman, Nathan Lane and Drew Barrymore I was totally surprised at how much I enjoyed this film. Lots of action and great visuals. Created By Don Bluth and Gary Oldman I would also recommend this film.
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At our house or I should say in one of the enclosed courtyards we have some new friends....

They are actually old friends in new surroundings..... and we have this little lady.....

... she has built nest on the ground and has two eggs she is sitting on - now I call that one dingy bird. We, and a lot of others, walk our dogs in the courtyards around the buildings and it is all I can do to keep the Lolly-nator from jumping this little bird every time we go outside.

I think that's about it for today sports fans. Thanks for stopping by and for your kind comments - do come again!!

Take care,
edgar

Commenting on Comments

GR&DF I do thank you for the warm wishes and kind comments for yesterdays post. This morning it is cold here and my fingers are just not working - motto for the morning..... "Happiness is a chocolate glazed donut!!" I picked one up on the way into work and it is certainly "working" with my cup of coffee!!!!!

I wanted to respond to some of the comments from yesterday -

Deborah and others asked about the lebkuchen - this wonderful cookie type of gingerbread is a traditional German treat. Originating in the Franconia region it was first recorder in Ulm , 1296 and then in Nuremberg, 1395 - it is from Nuremberg that the most famous comes and is exported to the rest of the world. Basically it is a cakey, spicy gingerbread that also has almonds, hazelnuts and candied fruit - the cookie sits atop a back- oblate (communion wafer) - this is done so that it does not stick to the pan while cooking. Valerie mentioned getting some a Trader Joes - I got some there also - but they had run out by the time I got back to get more.

Catherine - I love split pea soup!!!! so tasty on a cold evening!!!!

Barb - I have all the HRH's and Autumn is another favorite - I am thinking three across and four down to mix it up a bit. Heaven only knows when I will get to stitching it up. I was asked about the linen I am stitching "Shores" on - it is the recommended Vintage Autumn Gold by Lakeside Linens 36ct - that the chart calls for. I was very reticent about going with this colour as I thought it might be really yellow and not something I would want to stitch on - I have been very happy with it and glad that I went the recommended linen route.

Over the weekend the baking I did for Monday treats .....

... lemon squares. Rico got a load of Meyer lemons from a friend and so I made up a batch. Very tangy and Delicious.

That's about it for today sports fans. Thanks for stopping by.

Take care,
edgar

Weekend Things

GR&DF the post title today is a bit on the dull side - so please forgive. I guess it is just too early today and just a bit too cool for the clever part of my tiny brain to work. Thank you for the kind comments for Friday's post. I guess there a lots of folks that really like soup - got some tomato today!!

Let's start off today with some stitching update shots -

This is how "Shores' is looking at the moment. I finished up the fill around the mermaid in square 3 and moved on to square 4. Here is a close up of Square 4 -

I really enjoyed stitching up this square - I guess because it was so very different from the other squares.

After I finished up Square 4 I moved back to the "Sampler Wreath" - and here is a shot of how it looks at the moment...

and here is a crapppity close up shot of the area I have been working on....

Finished up the BS on the church - and moved on the last house, in the middle. The chart calls for this to be another white building - but I am thinking I will change it to brick coloured.

I also started the restitch on the HOE ornament and started on a stitching gift - It would seem that I accomplished quite a bit of stitching. WooHoo!!
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On Saturday Dale an I ran around to some Estate Sales and consignment shops. I got a few things.... here is a snap....

I found a super gesso gilt frame - two books, both about SF. A new one about the 06 earthquake and the firestorm that flattened the city afterward and a great old 1952 copy of "Maybelle the Cable Car," and a little St Anthony plaque along with a nice older card of the crucifixion.

After all the running around we stopped off at The Rain Tree Cafe - for a late lunch, but they serve breakfast all day - so of course I had that instead.....

... a short stack and a cup of coffee - perfection!!
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Running around on errands we stopped off at a German Store near us, Lehr's, and found that they still had Elisen-Lebkuchen - one of the most delicious concoctions to be found on the planet!!


... so of course I needed a box!! I am going back to get more as it seasonal and she will soon be out. I first had them when visiting Nuremberg a few years ago on a trip to Germany and Austria. Such a lovely place and these wonderful things just about made my whole trip!!!!!!

Tats about it for today sports fans!!! Thanks for stopping by - do stop by again!!

Take care,
edgar