A Very Busy Weekend....

Gentle Readers and Dear Friends - Monday finds me here with a no snow report.  Not a flake - Not at a smidge - the only cold spot was the fridge.  A little silly this morning!!  The whole "storm" sort of blew through here on Friday and it was on the coldish side but never enough for any kind of freezing anything.  Then it was cold again on Saturday but by Sunday it was bright, sunny and warm enough to even throw the sliding door open on the veranda for a breeze or two.  Ah, the fickle weather.

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For the most part our weekend focus was on Aaliyah's 2nd Birthday Party we had at our house on Sunday.  Here is a snap of the Birthday Princess.....

It was a Tinkerbell Theme event.  We ordered a St Honore cake from Dianda's (our favorite Bakery) - here is a snap of that scrumptious thing....

All tarted out with Tinkerbell and the Tinkettes.  We had quite a few little kiddos and family in for lunch and cake.  I made some stuffed shells for the adults and we had pizza for the kids.  For a little kids party it sure took a lot of running around - back and forth to the party store for Balloons, gift bags and stuff to go in said bags, games and prizes.  By the end of the day we were just whipped.

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Did you see the Oscars last night??  I promised myself to keep things on an up note - all I can say is that they seemed to keep the show under time and sort of moving along.  No real surprises award wise.  There were some odd outfit choices.  I feel - and I'm sure I'm not alone in saying this - It would seem that if you pay a stylist a bazillion buckaroos that they wouldn't put you in a colour dress that is unflattering or not tell you that you hair is a rats nest in need of a rat!!!!  If you aren't going for the rat then the very least it needs a brush through it!!  Buy a gosh darn comb for goodness sakes!!!!!!  I was again disappointed in the memoriam section of the evening - again finding it odd that they would leave out actors that had passed during the previous year???

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Oh well, there you go - no stitching at all over the weekend.  Thanks for stopping by - do come again!!

Take care,

edgar

A Wacky Wrap up

Gentle Readers and Dear Friends although it is cold, and rainy and windy - I do not think there is any snow in our future .  The temps are hovering in the low 50's which translates into wet without snow.  Although sad - it could be worse and this will blow out by the first part of next week.

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I do thank you for all the great comments for yesterdays post - and the Lolly also thanks you.  She is now asking about her royalties and says she is completely overworked as a world famous fashion model and underwear spokes-hound.  I think she has called an agent and there will be litigation in my near future - spoiled hound!!!

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In the comment from Alice she jogged a long ago memory and I had to find a clip.  She mentioned Penelope Pitstop a character on "The Wacky Races" - September 1968-January 1969 - a great Saturday Morning Cartoon from Hanna-Barbera,.  Although short lived I remember therm from the Saturday morning line up we watched as children and sitting in front of the TV eating cinnamon rolls or orange rolls hot from the oven that my Mom would make - a real weekend treat.  Here is the clip of the characters from the show....

I loved Mutley!!

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There you go a quiet type week and an eve quieter weekend.  We are having a small 2nd Birthday Party for Rico's niece on Sunday that should be fun.  I'll have some snaps on Monday.

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Remember Sunday night is the Oscars - I am sure I'll have something to say about that come Monday morning!!

There you go sports fans.  Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!!

Take care,

edgar

Warm Underwear = Snuggly Place

Gentle Readers and Dear Friends the rains they are a falling.  Now whether or not they turn to snow tomorrow is still be predicted, but it is in the 40's at the moment so it has to get a bit cooler.....

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Last night after Tacos a la Rico - I was in the midst of doing some mid week laundry.  I brought up the first load of stuff and was separating and folding and I turned to the couch and in the middle of a pile of unmentionables and towels was a sweet little Lolly falling asleep.....

Somebody thought the snap was not worthy of posting, but how sweet is this, I ask you!!  I know I have posted her in other piles of laundry, and it still amazes me how she just jumps into the warmth with abandon and snuggles right down.  The Pete and Peach have never shown much interest in the warm laundry, but for Lolly it is Nirvana!!

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Yesterday I posted a snap of the ornament that Ina sent me and then last night I got an email from the designer of the piece.  It was one of the cute freebies from Daffycat.  Click on over to see other designs.  The reindeer that Ina stitched is called Mistletoe Reindeer.  I am so happy to give the credit for such a cute design!!

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The flicker last night was a doozy - called "Unconquered" - 1947 - starring Gary Cooper, Paulette Goddard, Howard da Silva and Boris Karloff.  I really enjoyed this DeMille pseudo historical adventure film.  Set in the American Colonies circa 1763 and the Uprising of the Native Populations in the Ohio River Valley - you get lots of "bad Indians", "good Colonists" and incompetent naive British soldiers.  Do not look for historical accuracy or for any kind of political correctness - what you get with this movie is a whole lot of action and adventure. The film was originally shot in beautiful three strip Technicolor and the DVD transfer did not disappoint. The film begins in London with Paulette up on a murder charge and being given a choice of the gallows or a 14 year slavery sentence in the New World......... it's off to the New World and so begins the "Perils of Paulette."  I can think of no actress so put upon in any film.  She is bound numerous times (chains, rope, leather), has her blouse ripped off and almost publicly whipped, again her lovely dress is ripped and she stands almost burned at the stake, almost drowned going over a waterfall, almost raped ect....  When you watch a DeMille film you go along for the ride and forgive the inaccuracies.  A longish film a almost 2 1/2 hours but good fun with a happy ending!!

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That's about it for today sports fans.  Thanks you for stopping by do come again!!

Take care,

edgar

I've been Ornamented!!!

Gentle Readers and Dear Friends - the weather is gonna get a little cranky here in Baghdad by the Bay.  We are now being told that along with the rain - that should start up tomorrow night - we should expect there to be some snow flurries.  How odd is that!!  Now, I know it feels cold enough to snow, but to actually have some here in the city is so very odd.  I would love me some snow - for two reasons - 1) I just like the stuff and think it is pretty and 2) It will not stick so I can still drive and get around.  We shall see what happens.

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Yesterday the mail brought me a lovely ornament from my HOE Exchange partner, Ina.  This ornament exchange was the Reindeer one and wraps up my participation for this round.  Here is a snap.....

He is just darling and its hard to see but he is wearing a great little green bead necklace/wreath.  Thank you so much Ina - he will look great on my stitching tree next year!!  The next HOE Ornament Round is for a Quaker inspired piece - I think I have picked out what I will stitch - now to get it stitched and finished up.

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Last night the flicker was "North West Frontier" - 1959 - (also know by the American title of "Flame over India) - starring Kenneth Moore, Lauren Bacall, Herbert Lom, Wilfrid Hyde-White, I.S. Johar and Ursula Jeans.  Set in NW India in 1905 - the story revolves around a governess and the British are try to get an orphaned Indian Prince to safety.  They attempt to do this by train going across enemy held territory.  A fast paced and exciting British film with lots of action and wonderful scenery.  At just over 2 hours you never feel the time passing and once the film is over you miss the "Victoria's" little band of travellers.  I enjoyed the film and would recommend it to any fan of adventure films.

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I worked a bit on Shores, but nothing spectacular and not a frog in site!!

That's about it for today sports fans.  Thank you all so much for the kind words for yesterdays post!!  

Do stop by again.

Take care,

edgar

An Ornament Arrives

Gentle Readers and Dear Friends thanks for stopping by for a quick minute.  It is again a cold and dry morning here in SF - and the news weather reporters are telling us that some more rain is on the way!!

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I read on the HOE Blog that the ornament I sent to my Exchange Partner - Jen - had arrived - she posted also about it on her Blog.  Here is a snap....

This was the first round in the ongoing HOE Ornament Exchange for 2011 - it was the "Reindeer Ornament" exchange.  This piece is from the Prairie Schooler "Snowy Nights" Book.
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I got very little stitching done - I was off a stitch in that dolphin on the Shores 6/7 square so I had a bit of  the frog last night - after that I sort of napped the evening away - waking up to catch the 1938 "Pygmalion" - starring Leslie Howard and Wendy Hiller.  I love this film - a non musical version of "My Fair Lady." 

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There you go sports fans - thanks again for stopping by - do come again!!

Take care,

edgar

Rainy Day - Sunny Day

Gentle Readers and Dear Friends -  Saturday was gray as steel and went from down pour to constant drizzle the entire day.  Then Sunday burst forth and we had beautiful blue skys and cold breezes.  So which day do you think we were out an about.....  you got that right - Saturday!!  We started off with me being a little less that pleasant about going out into the rain - but eventually we go going and it was off to the SF Flower Market.  Rico wanted to pick up some orchids to replace those - that - how can on say it...... are no longer with us.  They are pretty to look at,  but kind of temperamental about the occasional drop of water.  We started off the shopping with Breakfast in the Flower Market Restaurant.  It was very nice and not too many people - since there was the downpour going on - it was just those shoppers that had to be there - and not many of the "lets wander about and look", but not buy anything types.  I of course had the camera and took some snaps.......

 I really love bromliades.

 and this succulent display was just beautiful

 There was the Chinese New Year Parade down at Union Square on Friday night in the rain and weather. - Kung Hei Fat Choi -   It is the Year of the Rabbit.  So at the Market there was buckets and buckets of cherry blossoms.  

We also stopped off at a thrift store, there being no Estate Sales in the city this weekend.  I picked up a couple of things....

A super copy of the "Complete Works of Michelangelo" - for a buck - and a sugar bowl in the "Indian Tree" Pattern - its an old fashioned pattern I really like and have quite a few pieces.

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Some friends of ours where in town from San Diego and so we all went out to dinner Saturday evening.  I had made reservations earlier in the week at one of Rico's favorite Restaurants...

and here are some shots from the evening...

the onion volcano - you really can not see it but there was some flames coming out of the top along with the steam.

some of the chopping that our cook Ruben did for us.  The show at grill side is really lots of fun to watch.

What would the evening be if we didn't order a Blue Hawaii in a glass as big as a fishbowl!!!

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I also got some stitching done on Shores - I finished up Square 5 and made a start on the large double square 6&7.  Here is a less than good shot of the progress.....

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Tonight on TCM (the bestest TeeVee station) is continuing the "31 Days of Oscar" by showing "State Fair" -1945 - a fun  movie with some great musical numbers... like this one......

"Isn't it Kinda Fun" with Dick Haynes and Vivian Blaine.  The movie starts at 8pm EST and 5pm PST.  

Well worth a look.

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That's about it for today sports fans.  Thanks for stopping by and or you super de duper comments, I do appreciate your taking the time and trouble!!

Take care,

edgar

Wrapping up the Week

Gentle Readers and Dear Friends I do thank you so much for the great comments for yesterdays post.  I love to read about what other stitchers use to make the wonderful pieces we see out in Blogland.

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I posted the coffee cake recipe over at Blacksheep Bakes - it is super easy and comes together quickly from basic things in the kitchen.  I'm not sure what to make for Monday.......

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I heard from Sharlotte over at The Happy Needle that the package I sent had arrived.  If you cast your mind back to the Fall - I had a Gift-away and she was the winner.  Over the past few months I had two bad starts that just were not right - eventually I finally figured out what I wanted to stitch for this Gift-away.  I got the piece stitched and finished and gathered up some extra goodies and whoooosh off in the mail it went and has now arrived at its new home.  Here is a snap of the piece - 

I wanted to have a Sheep of some sort, but I just couldn't land on what my mind was wrapped around.  I found this in my "big file of loose charts"  - it was freebie from a few years ago - and if  I could have found the chart this morning I would be able to tell you from where - I will get that info up on Monday - I changed up the chart a bit to include our initials and the heart.  I like how it turned out - I lined the box with a nice red and black fabric.  Included in the package were some goodies and Sharlotte was happy  - so now all is right in our little world - I so enjoyed making and sending this off so much that I am in the mood to do another drawing at some point soon.......

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 As many of you may know I do not have a Facebook page - I can barely keep the tiny brain matter together enough to do my Blog - so I can assure you that there is no Facebook for me any time soon.  I may not have one but Rico does and he asked a question yesterday there that I thought was really interesting - and he got some odd and thought provoking answers.....  so with that in mind I am going to "borrow" the question to see what you all may have to say......  "If you were any kind of dessert in the world, what would that dessert be?"  I thought about it and for me I would have to be a Baked Apple .....

or some appley kind of thing - an Apple Grunt or Buckle or even an Apple Cobbler - they are so old fashioned and homey- the apple all sweet and delicious and warm - and with a scoop a vanilla ice cream a winner on any table!!  I also think it has to do with it being associated with the Fall, my favorite time of year.  Now, what dessert are You?????

There you go sports fans.  Thanks for stopping by - do come again!!

Take care,

edgar

Needles and Some Stash Talk

Gentle Readers and Dear Friends another rainy day - brisk cool winds blowing around the rain makes it extra special - just writing down the words you really can't hear the sarcasm, but I bet you can see it!!!  :)   Yesterday morning after I posted we had a huge downpour of hail/rain mix that was really loud.  By the weekend it is supposed to clear up so there might just be some Estate Sale/Thrift Shopping in the near future- fingers crossed

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The post title today is from some postings and discussions I have been reading on other forums/boards.  I guess we all get attached to the needle we use - and for me it is the John James 28 gold petits.  It seems that lots of stitchers don't care for the JJ brand.  I have always liked them and find them to be great needles.  For me I will use the same couple of needles for many projects.  I can only think of a couple of needles that broke, usually the eyes will get bent so that a piece of floss will no longer go through.  Then I toss it out an pick up another one.  I also like Piecemakers needles but they do not come in the Petit size.  So when I use one of these it feels that I am using a harpoon to stitch with - smooth as silk but too big.  I guess the needle discussion is a little "tempest in a teapot" - we use what we like and whats most comfortable.

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I have been seeing all over the place the little sneak peeks from the Nashville Market and have already put in a couple of little orders.  As usual there are a few things that I want and will add to the stash, but no where near as many things as I usually want to get.  I wonder if tastes and styles are just changing or my stash is so far beyond SABLE that I am becoming a bit more selective?  There are a couple of must haves for me - including "Ann Grant" from Theresa over at Shakespeare's Peddler - ( I couldn't make this Blogger thing download a snap so you will have to click to see it)  I am really loving this sampler!!!  - and - I am also adding the Blackbird Designs newest Book "A Stitchers Journey." (click on over to see the cover). There are a few other things, but I am finding that not nearly as much "Must haves" as in years past.  What I am finding is my addiction to the e(vil)Bay and the Cross Stitching Secondary Market - with my obsessive chasing OOP things.  There is more there that is "old" than new things coming out that I want and feel are must haves, or at least for me that is the case.  Is anyone else feeling the same way or am I out here as a minority stitcher????

I think that's about it for today.  I do thank you stopping by - do come again!!

Take care,

edgar

Some Shopping and Floating Around...

Gentle Readers and Dear Friends I do thank you again for the kind words you posted - on damp cold mornings they do warm the heart!!!  How is the Post Title today - I often have trouble coming up with something to title posts with.

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We stopped off in the Mission for some produce and a goodie.   Here area couple of snaps of the produce  stand.

This bin is one of three that are in the side part and always so colourful - with it being winter the citrus is really lovely now.  And here is another shot.....

Most all the Produce stands here in the city have outdoor bins for self service.  You can usually get a good feel for the inside stuff by a quick glance at the outside things.  After the produce shopping we went across the street to La Victoria Bakery  - a good bakery we like and I got a couple shots there.  There are many Bakeries along 24th Street but we always come back to this one.  This snap.....

....is of a new jelly roll type cake - that I think is pineapple.  I was a really pretty sunny yellow colour so I had to get a shot.  Here is another shot in the Bakery...

I am sure I have posted shots of these cookie jars - but they were filling them up while we were there and I thought how nice.  There is a Private School just down the street and they where getting things ready for the afternoon onslaught of hungry students.

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I wanted to mention three films I saw recently.  For no real reason other than Netflix, On Demand and my DVD collection - they are all about lifeboats and being adrift at sea.  It seemed kind of odd but there you go.  First up is the classic "Lifeboat" - 1944 - starring Tallulah Bankhead, William Bendix, Walter Slezak, Mary Anderson, John Hodiak and Hume Cronyn.  This stylish classic directed by Alfred Hitchcock is the best known of the three and slick as glass.  It has everything you would expect - and then some.  The only draw back in this ensemble piece is that you really can't take you eyes of Tallulah - she dominates the entire production and every scene she is in.  I have always enjoyed this film and would recommend it whole heartily.  

The second of the three is "Abandon Ship" - 1957 - starring Tyrone Power, Mai Zetterling, Lloyd Nolan, Stephen Boyd and Moira Lister.  This grittier version of being a drift is based on a real story. This film is much harder to watch for the position that Power is placed after the Capitain dies and he has power thrust upon him.  The story is of the sinking of a luxury liner and after it sinks in 7 mins a small craft meant to hold 12 and ends up with 29 people in and floating around.  This group is adrift on the open south Atlantic.  Power as Captain has to make hard decisions on who will and will not survive trying to row the 1500 mile journey to the coast of Africa.   This 97 min movie is just packed with drama.  I caught this film on our cable systems "On Demand" as it has never been released on VHS or DVD.  It has played on TCM ( I Think?).  I haven't seen it in many years but it made such an impact on me that I have always remembered it - the impression made is that strong that once you see it you will NOT forget the story or the victims.

The third and least of the three films is "Seven Were Saved" - 1947 - starring Richard Denning, Catherine Craig and Russell Hayden.  This time it is a plane crash into the ocean instead of the sinking of a ship - but it does leave whats left of the crew and passengers floating in an open lifeboat.  The story is often on the silly side and where does one get their hair done in the south pacific on a rubber raft???  I wondered that as the tousled Craig's hair was sort of messy and then sort of not messy!!!  Can we say continuity!!  Over all a decent little film at 73 mins but nowhere near the great "Lifeboat" or the reality based gritty "Abandon Ship." 

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That's about it for today sports fans.  Thanks for stopping by - do come again!!!

Take care,

edgar

A Bird and a Betty

Gentle Readers and Dear Friends I did want to thank you for the kind comments about yesterdays post.  You always make my mornings and I really appreciate it.

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I got a much better snap of the pidges yesterday.  Since it was raining pretty steadily all day they were keeping dry under the overhang of the building.

The pidge on the left is the bigger of the two and very protective of its sibling.  They have lost almost all their pin feathers, and they try to fly, but still need lots of practice as they can only sort of squeak and flap around.

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Over the weekend we lost another movie talent - Betty Garrett (1919-2011).  Most people will remember her from her time playing Edna Babish on "Laverne and Shirley" or on "All in the Family" playing Archie's neighbor Irene Lorenzo.  Before her TV rolls she had a pretty successful movie career.  Here is a clip from a not so accurate bio pic about the musical team Rogers and Hart called "Words and Music' - 1948 -the song is "There's a Small Hotel".......

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I stitched a little on "Shores" but really not enough to be exciting.

Short today - thanks for stopping by, do come again.

Take care,

edgar

A Drippy Monday Morning

Gentle Readers and Dear Friends today is a damp and getting damper kind of day.  The weather has finally shifted back to our more normal rainy winter weather and we are to be rained upon for the next few days.  

The weekend was very pleasant.  We had the house open for most of the two days as it was quite warm, but the minute that the sun went down it got very cool very fast.  I did get all my finishing done and have packages going out this morning.  I will wait to post snaps when the things arrive at their final destinations.

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The stitching I got to was a bit more on Shores.  Here is a progress shot of Block 5....

It is a bit on the wonky side - but you get the idea.  That blue house was a lot of stitching, and back stitching.  I need to get the roof and bits of back ground in and then its on to the big double square.  

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The baby pidges are up and squeaking...here's an action shot...

They are either flapping around are huddled up in a corner.  I tried to sneak up on them to get a good snap to show how big they have gotten, but they are very alert to any noise.  I'll try for better shots during the week.

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We got our car back on Friday evening - WOO-HOO!!!  Robert is a great mechanic and can really work miracles.  He did us a huge favour by getting it done so quickly and I really appreciate him.  But, to get the car back I had to sell an arm, leg and my left ear to get enough money to pay for the darn thing.   We have been talking about looking to get a new car, but after pouring a butt load of cash into this car we are gonna drive it around a bit longer!!  and I do love not having a car payment!!!!

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I baked up a pretty basic coffee cake yesterday.....

I am sure I have posted this recipe back in the Blog somewhere, but I will try an get it onto Blacksheep Bakes this week.

That's about it for today sports fans!!  Thanks for stopping by and for you kind comments.  I do really appreciate them immensely!!!!!

Take care,

edgar

Wrapping up the Week

Gentle Readers and dear Friends.....  I was totally not up to it yesterday.  I got up and felt like crap...  I got ready - primped and polished and felt like crap....  I drove us into work and still felt like crap.  I got all ready for the day, computer up, coffee brewing, radio going (Julie London's dulcet tones wafting through the ether)..... by this point my crap feeling had plummeted to an abyss of  "lordy why did I come in" feeling.  Since it was still very early I just laid my head on my desk and watched time tick away until I could pull it together to sit up and start in on the day.  Needless to say that time ticking away was quite a while - which led me to never getting to the Blog.  By the end of the day I was back to feeling sort of lousy, which is better than crap!!  :)
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On the way home we pass lots of lovely and picturesque things.  I thought I should post a typically spring SF picture....  so here's one from yesterday - in Noe Valley -

I think I told you all about the weather being so nice lately.  Here is proof that spring has sprung in the City.

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Last night I finished up the stitching I should have had done a few days ago.  For some reason the frogs from the other night seemed to have slowed up my stitching.  I was in the grove yesterday evening and back to normal - or as normal as it can get at my house!!   :)

This weekend will be one big finish-palooza.  For a couple of reasons - 1) I need to get things finished and in the mail come Monday    and 2) our car is at the Auto fix-it shop - it was overheating in the extreme so we dropped if off this morning and probably won't have it back until Monday afternoon.  So it is a stay at home couple of days to get things done.  It also means that we will be busing it for the next couple few days.....  gotta love the MUNI system.

We had a sad event last night.... I served up the last of the Christmas Tamales that Rico's sister made for us.  It is a Holiday family tradition and we always benefit, but to have none in the freezer is sad!!  Here's a snap of them as I pulled them from my rigged up steamer...

This year they are chicken and simply delicious!!!!  Thank you so much Misty!!!!

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There you go sports fans!!  Thanks for stopping by and for the kind comments I do appreciate them!!

Take care,

edgar

A Little Mid-week Post

GR&DF, well here it is Wednesday - and the weather is in a cold holding pattern until this weekends' predicted rain.  They (our building's management) has decided to replace the deck around the pool.  We think it is going to be much wider.  The room is there but you never know - and heaven forbid they tell us anything!!  Last week we went down for a quick dip and the water was really very nice.  Since the pool is heated it was just about right.  

Last night I had a army of frogs visit - or I should say a knot of toads!!  I  must have put in and pulled out the same 3 stitches 4 times.  For some reason I just couldn't count to six.  I usually don't have that problem as 6 is a number I can get to without much help.  For some reason I just couldn't count and it was a real stretch for me - eventually I pulled out back 10 and re-stitched it all.  So frustrating!

There was no movie yesterday- instead we watched "Glee."  We saw the after Super Bowl "Glee" and now a second show this week - schweet!!!!!  The show is still very watchable - and the music arrangements always pretty good - so we are still fans!!  Talking about TV - we usually catch the "Wendy Williams Show" daily in the afternoon - and really enjoyed yesterdays HOT TOPICS.  So much gossip and Nene from the "Real Housewives of Atlanta" was a guest - she kept trying to play it cool and not really say anything during her interview, but Wendy kept digging away!!

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

Take care,

edgar

A Much Cooler Tuesday...

GR&DF it has gotten much cooler, by about 20 degrees over night!!  Which is typical of the odd weather we are having. This morning the wind is at the verge of a freezing gale (or at least a pretty stiff breeze that is rather chilly)  

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Yesterday I asked about the kitchen thing I bought and I knew that others would know what it is...  turns out to be a butter curler.

It had never occurred tome that it could make butter curls.  I already have another verison of a butter curler but it is flat and a little less elegant than my new (old) yellow handled one.  I do enjoy knowing what I buy!!
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Stitching again last night was on my upcoming HOE Exchange piece.

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This weekend the baking was a Sour Cream Cherry Filled Coffee Cake.  I posted the recipe over at Blacksheep Bakes.  Here is a snap of the cake....

There you go sports fans.  Thanks for stopping by and for the kind comments you left - I do appreciate them!!

Take care,

edgar

A Summery Warm Weekend

GR&DF I do thank you most profusely for the kind comments and support for Friday's post.  I really didn't mean to "poke a bear" as my grandparents would have said - but I was so agitated about the whole idea of someone slamming another stitcher - lets just say it got my goat - and now that my goat has been got - I can move on to other things!!
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The past two days have been gloriously warm and breezy - so unusual for this time of year.  I'm talking mid to upper 70's - we had the house open with the breeze blowing down off of Twin Peaks both days - It was a real treat. Spring is popping out all over the city with the flowering trees all a'blooming.  It is supposed to stay in the low 70's all week with next weekend on the cool side with some rain.  We'll see what happens.

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Yesterday was the warmest of the weekend and we started it off with an early service at Most Holy Redeemer.  I always have a camera on hand and thought this was a nice snap of the morning...

This was taken abut 7:30 am and the street was still dark and the sun coming up shining on the church looked nice.  We went on to breakfast at Eddies after services and then walked on over to the little Farmers Market on Grove Street.  I got these snaps there...

It was a beautiful morning and walking around the market was really very pleasant.

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 Saturday we ran around to a couple of Estate Sales and I picked up these two pieces....

A great old transferware bowl by Copeland and a scraper of some sort.  The yellow scraper is marker "France" and its a bright sunny yellow but what it scrapes I haven't a clue - citrus?

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The pideglettes are getting very big and so I thought you should post a snap of them.  The one on the left is the more dominate one and will stand up and puff out when Lolly starts to sniff around.

They have almost lost all of their yellow pin feathers and are starting to look like the big pigeons they will become.

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My stitching was very focused on an upcoming exchange piece.  I did get a few stitches on Shores but really not enough to get excited about.

That's about it for today sports fans!!  Thanks for stopping by and do come again!

Take care,

edgar

Friday Wrap Up

GR&DF I wanted to thank you most profusely for the kind words about the "Snowy" Cardinal ornament.  You are the best - so supportive of my hobby.  I do look at my stitching as a hobby, and fun, and relaxing.  I usually pick up and stitch at least a little bit every evening.  When I don't stitch - even a little - I feel the evening wasted, no matter how many loads of laundry, vacuuming, dinner fixing, kitchen cleaning I get done - I have to have a fix of the needle and floss.  I guess it is just one of my many crazy quirks.  I also really enjoy getting things framed - whether I do it or have a shop frame something - I love to see a piece on the wall. 

Which leads me back to yesterday....... I was reading a Stitching Forum/Board and the topic of framing came up..... or was introduced .....  I was really amazed at all the differing opinions about self framing and "Professionally" framed needlework.  I do like the variety I can have at a Framers, but when I can find the perfect frame (old and beat up usually) that I think will make the piece of needlework look great up on the wall I have no problem framing that sucker up myself and getting it hung up.  Of course there are always some wonky spots, but they are minimal to nonexistent.  Even with some beautiful "professionally" framed pieces - if you scrutinize a piece long enough you can find a bit of the wonky.  I would rather spend less than $50 and do it myself than spend $300+, I can find a lot of stash for "the heap" with that extra cash.  I also like the idea of re-using older frames for my stitching.  I think it adds to the charm of the finished object.  I was totally amazed at how nasty some of the comments where - even when cloaked in sugared words - nasty is just nasty and uncalled for!!  For me I feel that if you have nothing nice to say then keep it to yourself.  We should encourage each other in our efforts - not tear each other apart and cause a lot of hurt feelings.  There is always going to be someone else with more experience, more time, more money, but this should be fun and we should be enjoying each others Finishes - I know I always enjoy looking at all the completed pieces and see how something was framed or finished - I often get great ideas from the broader Stitching community. I think I have droned on enough about this.  I guess the whole subject just stuck in my craw and I had to say something.  Thanks for your patience.

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Last night I ran to Safeway for some Haute Cuisine - corn dogs and potato wedges  - and since Walgreens was right next door I stopped in there.  I found they had gotten in a load of  individual water packet mixes.  I got hooked on these little packets quite a while ago.  By having these I have cut soda out of my diet - or I should say almost out of my diet...  I might have 1 soda during the week or every two weeks.  The replacement for soda I crave and need is Peach Tea.  I especially enjoy the Wyler's Light -  I have been low and almost out of them for the last two weeks and finally they got some in....

... and I bought all they had - all 10 boxes of the stuff.  There are a few reasons to like this stuff - no sugar, low to no calories, delicious peachy taste and its a buck a box, for 8 packets - you can't beat that with a stick!!  In the stores I have seen the same thing for $3.89+ - and I gotta draw the line somewhere!!  I have tried many flavours available but always come back to the peach tea. 

While at Safeway I walked through the produce and found they had gotten in some delicious summery fruits.  I broke down and had to buy some, not much , but some....

These Chilean cherries are simply delicious.  I have such guilt about them, but couldn't help myself.  Even I need a fix of summer!!!  - and cherry season is soooooo far away!!!!

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On the stitching front I am working on my little prezzie and REALLY liking how it is coming out.  I should have if finished and in the mail the early part of next week.

I think that's about it for today sports fans!!  Thank you for stopping by, your sweet comments and the continued kind support you give!!  Have a great weekend and do stop by again next week for more of my babbling.  There are three big Estate sales this weekend - lets hope I can get a little something.

Take care,

edgar

A Replacement Piece

GR&DF The flicks last night were really great, I hope you got a chance to see part of the film fest.  Tonight the films are grouped around Jack Nicholson - starting off with "Five Easy Pieces" - 1970 - , then "Terms of Endearment"  - 1983 -  and rounding out the evening with "Easy Rider" - 1969.   All three are fine films , but I have seen them before but tonight I am getting two Netflix DVD's so it will be a Netflix evening.  

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I heard from Lynn B that the replacement ornament arrived.  She was my partner for the HOE Ornie Exchange and the first ornament never arrived - I guess I am pretty lucky that in all the years I have been doing Exchanges that only a few pieces have gone missing.  Not a good thing, but sometimes it happens..... so I stitched up and made this piece to replace the one that went missing....

It is a Prairie Schooler chart from Book 166 Snowy Night.  I really like this Book and this is one is a real winner - it was fun to make and I do hope that Lynn enjoys this piece.  Have you seen the previews for the 4 new Books that PS is releasing at Market -  4 more winners!!!!  I really love the Russian inspired Eggs one!!!  I can't find the site the was previewing them, sorry - they will soon be out.

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There you go sports fans.  Thanks again for stopping by!!

Take care,

edgar

A Movie Post

GR&DF thank you so much for the kind comments.  Not much going on, still.  I heard from Dale last night.  He arrived at his parents in Eastern NC at around 7 EST.  We talked for a long time and he told me about some of the adventures he had.  He decided to drive on through and not stop as much as planned.  So the trip for him was good and safe!!

This morning waiting for the bus - the fog was swirling about and it being so early that the city was very quiet. So quiet that I could here the fog horn blowing in the distance.  It is an amazing low the sound and that it reverberates off of the low hills of Noe Valley.

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Stitching last night was a little bit on "Shores" and a lot on my replacement piece - remember the tossed piece.  It seems like such a failure to toss a piece, but I figure better to toss and be sane than go nuts trying to make something work that really does not.  I will eventually get the tossed pieced out of the "bag"and rip all the stitching out.  I like the linen and certainly am not going to throw it away.

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Over the weekend I started watching my DVD's of the Lords of the Rings - again.  It has been a while since I saw the series - and the extended versions are really nice.  I have gotten through "Fellowship of the Ring" - 2001, "The Two Towers" 2002 and last night I got about half way through "Return of the King" - 2003 before I was just too tired to stay awake. I am totally stoked about the 2012 release of "The Hobbit - Part I."  

There have been a few other flicks recently...one of them is ...  "I wake up Screaming" - 1941 - starring Betty Grable, Victor Mature, Carole Landis and Laird Cregar.  A great mystery Film Noir - with a good twist towards the end.  Another film that was pretty good ... "Carve Her Name with Pride" - 1958 - starring Virginia McKenna and Paul Scofield.  The movie is based on the true story of an English spy infiltrating Occupied France during WWII.  I had never heard of the film and really enjoyed the story about this little piece of history.  

Tonight starts  TCM's (you know I love this channel) Oscar fest -  31 Days of Oscar!!  Tonight are films about Henry VIII and Tudor England.  Starting off the evening with "The Private Life of Henry VIII" - 1933... then... "Man for All Seasons" - 1966 - and rounding out the evening is "Anne of the Thousand Days" - 1969.  (All the titles are clickable)  These three films are all excellent and worth a look.

That's about it for today sports fans.  Thanks again for stopping by, do come again!!!!

Tale care,

edgar