A Quick Tuesday Post

Gentle Readers and Dear Friends thanks again for stopping by and for all the great comments on yesterdays post!!

I posted both the "Cabbage Roll" and the "White Chocolate Chip & Cranberry Cookie" recipes over at Blacksheep Bakes.  You can click HERE to get there - and check them out.  Both of the recipes are pretty straight forward, but if you have any questions please feel free to ask.

I wanted to thank you all for identifying the vegetable I bought on Sunday - a Romanesque Cauliflower.  I cooked that sucker up last might - basically cutting it into florets and steaming it - then a pat of butter and serve - it was really very tasty.  The mouth feel was very reminiscent of a cauliflower, but the flavour was less strong than either a cauliflower or a broccoli and a bit nutty -  I will certainly buy one again - I found a great recipe for roasting one that looks easy that I want to try.

___________

I stitched quite a bit last night, but on Exchange things, so still no snap.

There you go - a quick post - wham bam!  Do stop by again!

Take care,

edgar

Weekend Treats

Gentle Readers and Dear Friends your great comments where so nice to read this morning!!!  I do appreciate you all and love reading such nice things.

____________

The weekend unfolded into two sort of lazy "do what I want to" kind of days - I had some "might do" or "could do" plans but instead threw them into the bin and stitched, watched a bunch of flicks and cooked - I did get the vacuum pushed about and a couple of loads of laundry done, ironed and put up - and we did make a trip to the grocery store and farmers market- but none of that really cut into some quality "me time."  I basically stitched for both days - but none can I show as all of it is for two upcoming Exchanges.

____________

So, what can I show you ...

here are some flowers Rico picked up 2 weeks ago - still looking pretty damn good! (This snap was taken on Saturday) He added some vodka and sugar to the water and it really has extended their life.

I got a great present in the mail on Friday - I'm doing a little favour for a sweet Blog Friend and she sent me a "A Present for a Deer Friend" - from "In the Company of Friends."  They have some great things I have admired for a long time!!

I opened the box and out popped a lovely little note card and wrapped prezzie (isn't that super paper, I do love toile)...

Inside I found this darling tri-fold needle-keep with two marking pins, two needles and a gorgeous mother of pearl ruler - all of the pieces that "ItCoF's" do are hand made and just so sweet!!  At some point I'll show you what I am doing...  but not at the moment.  It is a bit too soon!!  :)

_____________

I did get in the kitchen and rattled some pots and pans....  making....

cabbage rolls - hot and steamy right out of the oven...  and....

... some, cranberry/white chocolate chip cookies - I'll get those recipes up in the morning.

____________

After Mass yesterday we headed out to Trader Joe's and the Mall "Farmer's Market."  With it being winter there market was on the small side, but still vibrant...  I got some snaperoos...

.. aren't these unusual - they are a hybrid between a cauliflower and broccoli - of course I bought one and will steam that sucker up tonight... how can it be bad being made from two super tasty veggies!!

... there was lots of root and winter type things to be found....

...  and of course citrus - the Meyer lemons are pouring into the market - just lovely for pie and lemony things - and the little satsumas are super tasty - we got some and they are great!

The pretzel lady was there and so we needed a couple of these also - really delicious!!

____________

I think that about wraps it up for today sports fans.  Thanks for stopping by, do stop again!!

Take care,

edgar

"Tis the Season" Update and It's Chihuahua Friday....

Gentle Readers and Dear Friends another week gone an we are once again sitting on Friday looking at two days off.  Nothing planned on our end except the usual errands to the grocery store in the morning and the odd Estate sale - I really should run the vacuum and I am sure I'll do a load or two of laundry.....  I am thinking of making some stuffed cabbage - sometimes you get a hankering for something comforting and filling and I think it would hit the spot!!

________________

I wanted to show and updated snaperoo of "Tis the Season" (please excuse the wrinkles...)

It is coming along nicely - 

_______________

and - since it is Friday we must have a snap of a chihuahua and I think it is little Miss Lolly's turn...

she was not going to take her eyes off of the "cookie" that Rico was holding - they never do when there might be a snack around!!

There you sports fans - thanks again for stopping by and for your sweet words!!  i do appreciate them all!!!!!  Stop buy again soon!

Take care,

edgar

A Few Films

Gentle Readers and Dear Friends now we are on the slippery slide to the weekend - woo hoo!!!  The wacky weather here in the City has again changed - we are now on the swing to the warm side... yesterday and for the next few days we are getting into the high 50's low 60's and with bright blue skies...  very nice and moderate, just like I like it!!

____________

I thought today I would talk about a few films I have seen that are worth a mention...

 

First up would be a Christmas film I have had on my Netflix queue forever.  "Midnight Clear" - 2006 - an ensemble film starring Stephen Baldwin, K Callahan, Kirk B.R. Woller, Mary Thornton Brown and Richard Fancy.  The film taken from a short story by Jerry Jenkins is about... a recently homeless and jobless loser, a senior citizen estranged from her family, a mother of one dealing with her husband's brain damage, a gas station owner stuck in a job he hates, and a youth pastor feeling irrelevant face depression and loneliness on Christmas Eve. As they cross paths and experience random and minor acts of kindness, their lives are changed forever.  I really enjoyed this film and the nice performances given.

Another film from 2006 - "Bonneville" - starring Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates and Joan Allen - is a road trip type film.

The story is about a widow, along with her two best friends - driving her husbands ashes from Idaho to Santa Barbara and along the way learns about herself and others.  Although the films ending was a little less than upbeat in the special features there where two alternate endings to watch - I liked the 2nd one and feel it was the best of the three - a much more satisfying one!

Last night there were two films - a short DVD from Netflix - again a Christmas one from my endless queue called "Holy Russia Celebrates the Festival of Christmas"  - again from 2006 -

 
This 58 minutes of beauty has The Moscow Chamber Choir celebrating a Russian-style Christmas in this collection of performances filmed at some of the holiest sites in Moscow. Many of the scenes were shot in the historic Golden Ring region outside Moscow, which is considered the birthplace of the Russian Orthodox Church. Russia's spiritual history is often overlooked, but the beauty of these monasteries and cathedrals demonstrates the country's deeply religious foundation.

Here is a 3 minute You Tube Clip from the DVD - 

It is a beautiful DVD  - not just the visuals but the music is so gorgeous!!

Also last night on TCM in Celebration of Angela Lansbury - she is the Star of the Month - they showed a favorite film of mine- "Death on the Nile" - 1978 - another ensemble film starring Peter Ustinov, Jane Birkin, Angela Lansbury, Bette Davis, Maggie Smith, Mia Farrow, George Kennedy and Lois Chiles.

A great Agatha Christie story of who dunnit - about a boat floating down the Nile river loaded with rich folks who hate a single woman!!.  Shot on location in Egypt - where everyone could have  - "done it"  a great destination film and well worth a look!

____________

There you sports fans - thanks again for stopping by and for your great comments - thanks for backing me up in my "floss" decisions!!  Do stop by again.

Take care,

edgar

A Box and Some Bars

Gentle Readers and Dear Friends thanks again for stopping by and for your kind comments and emails!!!  Especially about my colour/floss changes to the February Cottage - I know that I can be super butt-headed at times about things.  I can also get on my high horse and just do my own thing -  knowing that about me probably excuses my crazy need to change and adapt some of the floss choices that Designers make.  I also know that some folks out there would consider it sacrilege to change anything, but I look at it like - I am stitching for me and I'm gonna be happy first and foremost - and it is a hobby and not the end all things to change something...  so let it slide and be happy with what you are doing!!  An odd statement I know, but I do get some odd emails occasionally.....

____________

The San Francisco Gift-a-way Box arrived at Tracey's all in good order with nothing broken or missing!!!  So I can now post a snap of what I sent.

I always had in the back of my mind the basic contents of what I wanted to send, but I also wanted the Winner to get something tailored to their likes and be an SF Treat - hence the questions ....  Tracey likes Milk chocolate - so the Lux Milk Chocolate from Ghiradelli was appropriate - she also likes ground lighter coffees so Blue Bottle (a local roaster we really like) was always in the mix (for coffee drinkers) and this is one of their fruitier medium/light roasts.  I also wanted to include some very local things - I live in Noe Valley (a section of SF) and about 2 blocks from where I live is a great little restaurant called Lovejoy's Tea Room.  They make and sell some really delicious Lemon curd and they also carry some honey gathered up right here in the Valley - so I knew I wanted to include those treats.  We ran down to the Ferry Building and picked up the great pink salt and the caramels - the flavour ones are not from SF, but pretty tasty, the large sea-salt one is made locally. Tracey, like me, enjoys a more chewy candy so I picked up some of her faves to include in the box.  I really enjoyed putting it all together and sending out a little bit of SF!!  

I am thinking up another Gift-a-Way for the Spring so keep a look out!!

__________

I posted the Mud Hen Bar recipe over at Blacksheep Bakes - it got rave reviews from some of Rico's go-workers - so it is a real winner treat!!!

__________

I think about wraps up the day sports fans.  Again, thank you for stopping by do come again!!!!

Take care,

edgar

A Cottage Finish

Gentle Readers and Dear Friends thank you for all your kind comments for yesterdays post - I really do appreciate them all!!

____________

I finished up February Cottage last night and got some less than great snaps of it.  I did make quite a few changes in floss as I went along.  When I first saw the colour palette I was not very enthused to say the least....  I got on my high horse and picked some much less bright shades of pink to stitch with....  then.. when it actually came to stitching the house my lightest shde of pink just faded into the linen and was sort of blah - so I went back to the stash heap and found some other choices to stitch with.  I eventually landed with a brighter over dyed pink - WDW "Camellia" and kept one of my pink changes CC "Sea Shelley" - I also added a blue - WDW "Cadet" and another brownish/red WDW "Chrysanthemum."  I did away with most of the white stitching (there was enough of that in January) and kind of did my own thing with this block....  here's a snap - 

and here is a snap of both blocks....

I ordered the March Block  - but the only over dyed floss called for is WDW "Pecan" the rest are DMC choices....  That makes me sad... i love stitching with over dyed floss.... I may just have to shift some of those floss' to bright green over dyed...  I do like green!!

____________

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

Take care,

edgar

A Finish, A Treat and a Smokie

Gentle Readers and Dear Friends I wanted to thank you for all your kind comments and emails about the old photos of my Dad in my last post.  I was asked about how big they are - they are all 8x10's which is a very large size, but nice to be so big.  I did pop them out of not very nice metal frames and will look around for appropriate wooden or period frames so that I can get them up in my rogues gallery of family photos.  The weekend brought lots and I mean lots of rain, wind and cold temps.  Saturday morning found us running out to breakfast and then our weekly stop at the grocery store....  we where back home by 10:15 am and I settled in for some serious numb butt in the stitchity chair.  It was the same after Mass yesterday - we ran to get some breakfast then a quick stop at Trader Joe's and back home by 10:45 am - then more numb butt!!  I worked some on exchange stitching and I wanted to show off a finish - 

La D Da "ABC" Travelling Chart

1/15/2012 - 1/21/2012

35ct WDW Havana - Belle Soie Silks - "Red Fox" and "Chester's Blue"

I really enjoyed this piece and will have it and the Journal in the mail in the morning to Teresa.

_____________

Yesterday I baked up some "Mud Hen Bars"  - I saw a picture over on "The Country Cook" and clicked over to "Cooking with K" for the recipe.  Here is a snap of mine...

They remind me of a cake my Mom used to make called Mississippi Mud Cake, except where that cake is VERY chocolaty these are not - they are a little chewy and quite tasty, and I really like the brown sugared meringue on top.  I will re-post up the recipe on Blacksheep Bakes in the morning.

______________

I got some snaps of the who-hounds and think I will leave off today with one of the Smokester....

He's pretty funny about those silly toys - and if you look closely he is standing on his favorite little teddy bear head that squeaks and has little ropes hanging down - he doesn't like anyone to touch this one!!

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

Take care,

edgar

Old Photo's

Gentle Readers and Dear Friends the rains they are a' fallin!!  It started with a drizzle yesterday afternoon and sort of kept up on and off (more on) for the rest of the day and evening.  Now, we are to expect the second "wave" of this first of the winter storms late this evening and through the weekend.  Looks like a it will be a stay at home and stitch kind of couple of days!!!  No complaints here!

___________

Last night I did next to no stitching so I didn't bother with a snaperoo

- but I'll have a couple of snaps on Monday I am sure!

__________

At my Mom's house over Christmas I was the first in town so I put up her tree. Which involved me climbing up a rickety pull down attic ladder - and a'scratching around in her attic looking for the damn thing AND the decorations - while I was up there I came across a ratty old box and because I was not happy to be dirty, dusty and sweaty - and I had banged my head twice - I sat there bitching a blue streak and thought I would take a look - I found some great old photos of my Dad as a child.

On the left is he is 4 months old so that would have Christmas of 1931 and on the right he is 7 - 1938 

There are so few pictures of my Dad or for that matter my mom either, as a child that this was a real find.  Knowing how we three ( my brother and sister and I) had been photographed almost daily (or so it seemed) it seems so strange to have so few photos of my parents as children.  My Dad loved photography and even taught it for a while, so there are boxes upon boxes of our growing up and the minutia of our lives - I guess that's what sparked my interest in photography.

On the left he is 8 - 1939 and on the right he is 10 in 1941

So between these four photographs and when he was a Senior in High School - at Needham B. Broughton High School  in Raleigh, NC - there are no pictures out there that I know.

______________

There you go sports fans - another week has flown by and we get two glorious days off!!  Thanks for stopping by and for you great comments - How does everyone like the new Blogger Format??  I am getting used to it - I like being able to reply in the Comments section to things.  Do stop by again.

Take care,

edgar

An "ABC" Update - and Some Smog

Gentle Readers and Dear friends....  sorry about yesterday, but they were some major computer melt downs here and that means no posting.  It has stayed pretty chilly here in the Bay area and late this afternoon we are expecting some rain  - which means in some of the higher elevations they will probably get some snow!!  

____________

I wanted to get a little snap of my "ABC" piece - this is actually yesterdays snap and I am a it more along than this, but it will have to suffuice..

It is just moving along nicely and I can see having this completed and the chart on the road again by Monday....

____________

Yesterday on the way home from work we stopped off to get the car smogged (here in CA you have to pass a Smog Certification in order to get your registration sticker)  We have been going to the same Smog Station for the past few times and we did so again - It is a 76 Station that is a "Test Only" which means if there is anything wrong with your car and it doesn't pass then you have to go some where else to fix it..  Well, while waiting I was staring off into oblivion and noticed this great piece of advertising...

It has a great retro look and I love the slogan "It Hasta be Shasta" - I can not remember the last time I had a Shasta drink, but now I am really craving one!!!  So that painted wall worked on me!!!  I'm a sucker for a good slogan or a good piece of advertising.

____________

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

Take care,

edgar

Some Estate Things

Gentle Readers and Dear Friends (back to my normal salutation) I wanted to mention that in addition to our running around Saturday we did stop off at a couple of Estate Sales and I did find a few goodies....

.... A great book lavishly illustrated about the Christmas Story - with its original boxed cover to keep the cream linen clean, a very large tea diffuser, a little Worcester plate celebrating the Queens Silver Anniversary and two DVD's I didn't have.  So for less than $6 I made out pretty well!  You just can't beat the sales for finding some bargains.

___________

I was really surprised at the response to the sugared nuts - they are something delicious, but I think I forgot to mention the actual recipe I used - to one 22 ounce bag of RAW red skinned peanuts - you will need a 1 1/4 C white sugar and 3/4 cup water.  The nuts have to start off raw as they will roast while they dry out during the cooking time.  I have seen other variations - like 2 C raw peanuts, 1/2 C water and 1C white sugar - There are all sorts of slight variations, like adding a little salt when you spread them out etc...  but you always end up with something delicious!!!  Out west, for me the most difficult part is finding the raw peanuts!

___________

I worked a little tiny bit on the La D Da "ABC's", but not enough for a shot - I'll get one for tomorrow.

That's about it for today sports fans - thanks for stopping by, and for all your super comments!!!  I do appreciate them - and you for your kindness!!!  Do stop by again.

Take care,

edgar

We have a Winner!! Some Stitchin'and some Nuts

Blogging Buddies it is a cold and breezy morning here in SF. The weather actually did drop quite a few degrees from Saturday to Sunday - so we are on track with what the weather magicians have predicted...  now lets see if we get some of that rain later on this week.

____________

Friday evening after I gathered up all the entries in the Gift-a-way drawing - I hauled out the BOD (bowl of destiny) and had the Hag Claw (Rico) draw a name...

and from the depths he drew forth a name...  Tracey!!!

She can be found over at "More than just Cross Stitching" a Blog that she hosts with a group of friends.  We spent some time Saturday and Sunday gathering up everything.  When I get her address off the box of goodies will fly....  Once Tracey has received it I will post a snap.  Congrats to Tracey - I wanted to thank everyone for their interest and entries - there where over a 140 comments!!

_____________

I did some stitching....  here is a small bit I did.....

... on "Tis the Season" - not much to show, but it is coming along nicely.  I also started up the La D Da - travelling piece....

That snap looks odd - the piece is still in the q-snaps - I chose to stitch it on a piece of 35ct WDW "Havana" using Belle Soie silks - "Red Fox" with the accent "Chester's Blue."  

____________

Remember last week , Dale sent me some peanuts... and so I had a hankering for some sugar nuts... and since they are super easy to make, I got my rear in gear and made some.  The three ingredients are peanuts, sugar and water... et voila, something delicious to crunch on!!  Here are some step by step photos .....

Throw the nuts, sugar and water in a pan - turn the heat to medium high....  stir and stir until all the water evaporates....

Pour the dry sugar coated nuts onto a pan ....

... put the pan into a pre-heated 300/325 degree oven - and about every 10 or so minutes stir them around - and after about half hour they are roasted and deliciously enrobed in a crunchy sweet coat.  Let them cool off to room temp and enjoy!!

Easy peasy, they are really delicious - and should be stored in an airtight bag/container, they don't last long - so I am not sure how long they keep.

____________

I will leave you with a snap of the Bay Bridge,

After Mass we drove down to the Ferry Building at the foot of Market Street yesterday looking for breakfast, but there was nothing really open so we drove back to the Mission and had a great breakfast at The Pork Store. 

____________

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

Take care,

edgar

Travelling "ABC's" and Packing up the Tree

Blogging Buddies...  I'm still not got my head around this salutation and my just go back to my other one... I should give it the old college try first.... a few more days.   Well the rain is holding of until next Wednesday, but the temps will be dropping 12 to 15 degrees by Sunday!!  That will be nice a chilly!!

__________

Yesterday the mail brought me a wonderful package....

.....  what can this be you might ask....  Well, I tossed my name in with a group of stitchers to be included in a "Travelling" pattern and it has arrived - along with a couple of great Christmas charts  - thanks so much Sherry!!!  Jennifer over at "Confessions of a Serial Starter" put together group to travel a pattern about and now its my turn.  I got it from Sherry (click her name to see her finish) - it is really lovely!!  Now, I need to get my act together and finally make a choice for the linen and the floss - I have some ideas but have put it off until the last moment!!  Then once I finish -  off I will send it to Teresa!!

___________

Well, finally last night I made myself not pick up a needle and silk and instead got out the rolling boxes that the Christmas Tree Ornaments get packed into.....  I know it is practically Chinese New Year and my Tree is still up and flashing Christmas!!!  I can't remember the last time I let the Tree stay up this long, but I have really enjoyed it immensely this year and now there is a big blank where just a day ago there was something pretty!!  I had a question a while back about how I store my regular Christmas ornaments and so would like now to answer that now....  basically they live in covered rolling flat boxes under the second bedroom bed....  but to begin with...  I haul the rolling boxes downstairs and unload the tissue paper on the floor...

The who-hounds enjoy this bit and I usually end up chasing some of this paper all over the house.  I take each piece and flatten it out and make a pile - then as I take each ornament off the tree I can wrap it in tissue and then put it away in the box - here is an overall snap of the production...

You can see the pile of tissue and the boxes getting filled up.  We have so many ornaments that these plastic boxes really bulge on top so I could never stack them - and may even have to break down and get a third box.  This is how I store a majority of ornaments - I store my sterling ornaments each separately in Pacific Cloth pouches and in their own separate Christmas box - and my antique ornaments also get pack away double wrapped and in their own box.  I know it seems kind of crazy - and a bit anal, but I have virtually no breakage and can put my hands on the pieces I am looking for - which for my cluttered and disorganized life is a shear miracle!!!!!

_______________

Remember today is the very last day to enter my San Francisco Gift-a-way - you can click HERE to go to the Post to sign up - make sure to do this by 2:00 PM PST to make sure you are entered.  I'll get the who-hounds to do the majick they so aptly do to pick a winner and announce it on Monday.

______________

That's about it for today sports fans.  Thanks again for stopping by and for you kind comments about my stitching on "Tis the Season."  Have a great weekend - and do stop by again!

Take care,

edgar

A Little Night Stitching

Blogging Buddies, thanks for stopping by this morning.  It will be a short post today - not very much going on at all - which is a good thing.  I like routine and sameness!!  The weather should be changing here in the Bay area very soon and we are to be getting rain in the  next few days....  I'll believe that when I see it!

____________

Last night - it was a low key vegi/beef soup with cheese toast for dinner.  Rico is coming down with something so he felt like crap - and even stayed home from work today!!  Hope he feels better by the time I get home.

I stitched some on "Tis the Season" and even got out the camera for a snap before wrapping it up.

I had an email asking about the size of this piece and thought I would show it next to the Belle Soie so you can get an idea.  As you can see it is on the smallish side, but the colours are just lovely.  Digging around last night through the stash heap I came across another Cardinal/red bird chart I am thinking of kitting out to begin after I finish up this piece.  It is amazing how many things one can start......

____________

For the past few days I have had a tune in playing my head - along with all those voices!!  Does that ever happen to you?  I found a clip on You Tube so that you may also enjoy my "ear worm."

This is from the film "Topsy-Turvy" - 1999 - starring Allan Corduner, Jim Broadbent - and a huge cast of excellent actors...  The clip shows Shirley Henderson - an actress I really enjoy!! - as Leonore Braham playing Yum Yum in the Mikado.  The film is all about the creation/production of the Mikado by Gilbert and Sullivan in 1885.  A really fun movie!!

____________

That's about it for toady sports fans.  Do stop by again!!

Take care,

edgar

GO ECU!!!! or I Got Some Super Mail!!!

Blogging Buddies thank you so much for your super comments about my less than stellar start.  I did work some on "Tis the Season" last night, but there was also Edward VII to watch so again there was not much to show... and so no snperoo of that today.

I did want to show what came in the mail yesterday form my Friend in North Carolina - Dale - he knows what a nut I am about my Alma mater - East Carolina - and so he sent me some ECU stuff - and I got a snap...

he sent me a great new scarf, a reusable bag and some red skin peanuts.  I always have my reusable bags when I go to the store and now I have an ECU to add to the bunch.  I got a set of Envirosax about 7 years ago and they are still going strong, but I can always use another to help with the groceries.  The peanuts are great, because we can not get them out here - and I do love a good crunchy/sugar nut to snack on.  So easy to make, and you really miss them when you can't make then in the Fall when the peanut crops come in. - Thank you so much Dale!!

_____________

The mail also brought me "February Cottage" and a few other bits and pieces for stitching - so I can get a little start on it at some point.

_____________

Don't forget about the Great SF Gift-a-way  - we are down to the last 3 days to sign up.  You can click HERE to get to the post to sign up.  I can't believe that there are way over 100 of you dear folks signed up!!  Thanks!!!!!!

_____________

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

Take care,

edgar

A Slow Monday Evening

Blogging Buddies it was a very quiet evening - thank goodness.  I was super lazy and hauled out the enchilada leftover for dinner!!  It was just as good on it's return engagement the second night.  I plugged in the tree - yes, my tree is still up and blinking brightly!!  With everything else gone it is only the tree and that is left and that must come down tonight.  With the January Cottage completed and February chart in route I was sort of between projects - well, not really ... I guess I could of pulled out a WIP but why do that when I could here something new calling my name... start em.. start me... start me..........   So I gave in  - after about a half second - and started something I kitted up for Christmas.  If you cast your mind back a few months you might remember I had everything together to start BBD's "Tis the Season" so out it came and I made a pretty sad little start...

I am using the called for Belle Soie and stitching it on LL "Pear" - which looks mighty like a shade of khaki and not very greenish, but nice.

The reason not much stitching was getting done is that I started to watch - on DVD - the super costume drama "Edward the King" - 1975 - starring Timothy West as Edward VII and Annette Crosbie as his Mother, Victoria.

I got the first two discs last night and got through the first one and about half way through the second.  I watch it up to the point just after Edward survives his attack of typhoid fever in 1871.

____________

The recipe for "Orange Blossoms" is posted over at Blacksheep Bakes so you can click HERE to go there.

____________

That's about it for today sports fans.  Don't forget to sign up for my Gift-a-way on THIS Blog post.  Thanks for stopping by today, do stop by again.

Take care,

edgar

A Small Finish and Some "Blossoms"

Blogging Buddies our weekend was of the lowest of keys!!  Estate Sales, errands, delicious Chinese food, some stitching and some baking.  Friday evening started off the weekend with a great dinner at Alice's Restaurant (Chinese food) - I got the special "Alice's Chow Mien" - not very authentic, but certainly delicious!!!  Then come Saturday I had our plan of attack for our Estate Sales and Thrift stops - and away we went...  not too much out there that I wanted but it was fun looking and getting back into the swing of things.  Sunday started off with Mass - and then we were off on a few more errands, a stop at Michael's, then a quick return at JC Penny - and back home for a restful afternoon - and I settled in for some stitching. 

I worked on and finished up the January Cottage for the SAL.  

Here is a snaperoo of what it looks like...

The snap is a bit wonky and I just couldn't get the colours right in the photo, but you get the idea.  I have the February chart on order and it should arrive at some point this week.

In the afternoon I made up an enchilada casserole - it turned out pretty tasty -  and I baked up some "Orange Blossoms."  For some reason I have been craving these things for the last week.  They are super easy to make - 

- and I will post the recipe in the morning - I love a bite sized muffin!!

________________

I wanted to mention my "San Francisco Gift-a-way" that I have running.  Thank you all again for your interest and remember it is super easy to enter - but it must be on the SF Gift-a-way Post and before this Friday afternoon.  I am thinking I will do the drawing Friday Evening and then run around and get everything over the weekend!!

________________

That's about it for today sports fans.  Thanks again for stopping by and commenting!!

Take care,

edgar

A San Francisco Gift-A-Way

Good Morning Blogging Buddies thank you for your kind words about my "Exchange Collection."  I am delighted that you enjoyed the snaps of them and how I have them displayed.  This morning it is a cool and damp - and we are going into an cool overcast weekend - or so the news this morning reports - we shall see tomorrow.   I think our plans are to get back into the swing of Estate Sales and Thrifting.  I really miss the search, even if I don't find anything, I do enjoy looking.

___________

Now on to the Gift-a-Way drawing - I have been thinking the last few days how nice it was to turn over the 600 Follower Mark and I think a Gift-a-Way is just the ticket...  

Anyone from any where may enter - just be a Follower (that's the reason for the GaW) and answer these questions in your entry on this POST Only....

1. Do you Like Coffee or Tea?

2. If its coffee you like - Light, Medium or Dark roast?  - and - beans or ground?

3. If it's tea you like, would that be Loose or Bagged? - and - any particular flavour?

4. If its some Chocolate - would it be Dark or Milk? With nuts and fruits or without?

5. Do you have a Favourite Colour?

6. Do you Like Pink, Grey or White Salt?

7. Your Favorite Non-chocolate candy would be?

Easy-peasy - I am going to tweak the package to be a....

 .....very San Francisco-esque Collection of things - so don't be afraid to enter.  I will take entries from today 1/6/2012 until next Friday, 1/13/2012 at about 2:00 PM PST - and then announce the winner on Monday, 1/13/2012.  Make sure that in your entry I have a way to connect with you if you win.

____________

I think that about wraps up the week.  Thanks for stopping by and for being such great folks!!!!!

Take care,

edgar

Exchange Displaying

Blogging Buddies - good morning....  yesterday the computers went kaput and I didn't even get online until after 9:30am... so I was a bit behind in my daily stuff and just did not make it to the Blog to post.  I wanted to thank you all for your super comments about Tuesday's post.  The emails and comments where so nice and warm - I read many of them at lunch and it was a good lunchtime!!  I have tried to get to all the emails - and will finish them up later on.. so do not despair.

___________

I have had quite a few enquires about my stitching tree and all my little ornaments  - I think I can distill the different questions down to a this question  "Where do I keep my stitched Exchanges during the year?"  As you know abut 98% of the small stitched things I have came from Stitching Friends and Exchanges I have participated in over the last few years.  I took down the ST the other day and took some snaps of how I display many of them.  Since I do not have a wonderful craft-room I make do with shelves in my second bedroom. 

These are my shelves, I found them at different estate sales, and they work really well.  About every other month or so I clean them off and dust everything.  Here they are with everything removed and dusted.

I took everything off and got all my ornaments together and took this and the next two shots with them all on the bed...

 - I can get most things up on the shelves - but many of my medium sized ornaments I keep in a basket on the bureau - so they are not as well displayed.  Here are the shelves fully loaded from l to r......

and here they all are .....

I do enjoy seeing all of the pieces out looking so great!!!  It takes about 30 to 40 minutes to take everything down dust things off and get it back together. 

____________

I have been stitching away on Cottages, but not enough to show any real progress... so I will hold off until Monday.  There you go sports fans - thanks again for stopping by and for your kind comments!!!!!  Do stop by again!

Take care,

edgar