Some Weekend Dancing

GR&DF I do thank you all for the kind comments on Fridays post. It was such a nice day at the Beach that the snaps were easy to get.

It was a great weekend for many dancing moments - as I started to channel Martha Graham - slipping into my tightest leotard outfit (with the help of liberal applications of Crisco!!) and I started into gyrations that frighten fish!!..... here are some snaperoos of the reasons for the dance and not of me in the outfit or of my gyrations!!
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.......Bada.......
....Bing!

.......Bada.....

....Boom!!

"The Garden Path" - by Sheepish Designs
36ct PTP Days Gone By (?), using my silk conversion
July 6, 2010 - November 11, 2010

I was so happy to have this piece finish - as I had held off finishing it to have a stitching piece to carry on my trip south. With that off my plate - I could do more dancing as I had another piece lined up to start.....

Another sampler, but which one?????
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... and... for more dancing I got to pick up some pieces I had framed....

These three smaller pieces I have had for a long time and thought they might add to the sampler wall... two by La-D-Da and my Fall Squirrel - they look super de duper!! Ignore the fact that the wall needs a coat of paint - I just hate thinking about that as we rent this sucker, but we just might have to break down and slap some paint on the walls at some point!!

This is a better snap of the wall o'sampler.

I think that will wrap it up for today - I will get to some commenting on comments tomorrow.


I wanted to leave you with a reminder from the Christmas Chihuahua that there are only 40 more days until Christmas..... You can tell from the Lolly-nator's face that she was just loving this damn hat!!!

Do stop back again soon!!!

Tale care,
edgar

A Stitchity Snap and some Flicks

GR&DF I am humbled by the kind comments and sweet thoughts for my stitching efforts and new Blog. I had an email about this Blog - and to answer the question - I am still going to post here most and use "Blacksheep Bakes" as only a place to gather up food related things. Now, with that said I am sure I can find enough food stuff to spread around between two Blogs.

I snapped away last night I and did acquire a fairly decent shot of "The Garden Path"
- and here it is....

The problem with yesterdays snaps was I couldn't get the 36ct linen to look at all right - this is closer to the actual colour. All that is left to do on this piece is the grass fill and the sawtooth inner border - which I am holding off on as that is non-counting stitching and I can do that on my flight to Florida in a couple of weeks. Its not like I have nothing else to stitch on!! I certainly have plenty of other things to work on until then. It is a shame that these "Sheepish" charts are OOP as they are really nice pieces to stitch - even with the chart mistakes.

I think I will catch up on some flick info ....

"Reap the Wild Wind" - 1942 - starring John Wayne, Susan Hayward, Paulette Goddard and Ray Milland - is all about the sea and sailing ships from the first half of the 19th century. Set in the southeast - Key West and Charleston - it follows the love triangle of Steve, Jack and Loxie. I had seen his film a long time ago and while re watching it remembered what a good flick it is - directed by Cecil B. DeMille it is a big a beautiful production - and Paulette Goddard is in great form. Next up is an obscure film called "Three Faces West" - 1940 - starring John Wayne, Sigrid Gurie and Charles Coburn - The Basic story revolve around a Viennese surgeon, played by Coburn and his daughter who have fled the Nazi Anchluss of Austria of 1938. Coming to America to build a life for themselves they are invited to North Dakota. They arrive in the middle of a dust storm. Eventually as the movie goes on the town is destroyed by the continual dust and the town packs up to move to Oregon. There is of course a secondary love story. The entire film was a bit plodding and if you are a John Wayne fan (of which I am not) it is an interesting film to watch. For 1930's dust bowl films "The Grapes of Wrath" starring Henry Fonda is far superior. . I 'll wrap up the films with a war film - "The Steel Helmet" - 1951 - starring Gene Evans, Robert Hutton, Steve Brodie, William Chun and Richard Loo. You know I enjoy War films and this film did not disappoint. It was Directed by Samuel Fuller and shot on a very low budget, the most glaring of the low budget moments was a Chinese tank made of ply wood, but that can be overlooked. This film is set behind the lines during the Korean War in a Buddhist Temple - with a rag-tag group of infantry men that have basically just run into each other setting up a observation post in the temple. Although this is a war film the story line is very character driven - a good war film with the occasional jarring moment of actual war film footage.
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From the comments - Tina asked about the header snap - the skeleton comes from a design by Birds of a Feather called "Remember Me." You can click HERE to see the chart. Also I had to chuckle at Melodee's comment - I knew you would know - ;)

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

Take care,
edgar

800 Posts - So its Time for a Drawing!

GR&DF (I like that better!!) Yesterday was a bust-o-matic at work. Usually I come in, make a pot of coffee (I need the fuel) and have my thoughts coagulate in my brain a minute or so before I get a start to write a post, but yesterday I walked in on a pile of stuff and had to get right in on getting it done. I hate when work interferes with my pleasure!

This past weekend went about the way they usually unfold - so let me start off off with a snap of some stitching I can show. Here's a crooked snap....

"Garden Path" is coming along a stitch at a time. I worked lots on exchange stitching an only a little bit on this, but I finished up the trees (how odd is that pink fruit) and a couple of flowers on the border. I am really enjoying this piece, as I do all samplers, go figure.

I also solidified my plans to make a visit to my Mom in Florida - which means I will be away from the Blog for about a week the first part of November. I planned my visit around the Halifax Art Festival. I haven't been home in a couple of years or been to the Art Festival in many years so it should be a good time.

On Saturday we Dale and I ran around to some sales. There was not too much out there, but I did find a few things -

From l to r - an Icon of St Joseph, a nice little older frame, a DVD and a frog warmer. A Frog Warmer you ask - my sweet little sister has become a Scentsy Consultant and sent me a few of the flame less candle samples. I really wanted to try them out and I didn't have a warmer so I bought him. I burn lots of candles and incense as you know, but Scentsy was new to me and I am totally sold on these wax melts. Scentsy sells and warmer that is really wonderful if you have small children and don't want to burn tea lights. I love having another option for "smelling" up my house!! Cissy is up and selling them so if you are interested you can click on over to her site and find out more about this great product.

On Saturday evening we were hanging out by the pool being lazy and watching the fog roll in and wondering what to do for dinner - get take out, get something delivered..... then Rico had an idea!! The building owners have not only fixed up the pool area they bought a super grill for us to use -

So I defrosted a beef tenderloin et voila -

Pepper-marinated with summer squash and onion packets, so quick, so easy!! - we are totally loving the new owners!!!

Sunday we ran over to the Farmers Market - Rico wanted a new orchid (since the orchid death numbers where falling, he need something else to murder!! :) There are always a couple of plant people selling them.


There were some lovely squash.....


and a ton of grapes are appearing...


On the baking front I made a plate of brownies late Sunday afternoon - so easy and so delicious!!!


With this posting I reach a huge milestone!! I have made 800 Blog Posts. When I started writing a few years back I couldn't imagine I would have anything to say or talk about, but here I am with 800 Posts under my belt - will miracles never cease?? So I think I will have a little drawing - stop back tomorrow and find out the details.

Thank you all so very much for your continued kind words and thoughts - warm fuzzies in an otherwise cold and cruel world!!!!!

Take care,
edgar

Low Key and Lazy Weekend....

GR&DF once again I welcome you to my Blog and goings on!! The weekend was overcast, foggy, damp and cool/cold both Saturday and Sunday. I heard on the news - so it must be true (sarcasm) - that this has been the coolest summer in the city for a long time - I can certainly believe it and I am enjoying every single day. We did next to nothing both days. On Saturday we ran some errands and got the car washed - Rico has a thing for a washed car - me, I could care less if it ever got washed. It rains occasionally so that's enough washing for me. We bought some spray stuff that takes off the splattery tar bits along the running board - or where a running board would be if this were the 30's, so that did make a difference - it is nicer to have it washed but such a waste of water. Did some chores around the house and then sat around on Saturday passing in and out of the nap state all afternoon - not a pretty sight - and I had the who-hounds all over me like I was one of the dog beds.

Sunday started the same except we actually got out to breakfast and then over to the little Farmers Market - I took the camera and got some nice shots so typical here in the summer.....

there was some really colourful cauliflowers...


and then these great little tomatoes....


and more heirloom varieties.... there seems to be bumper crops of tomatoes this summer


these beautiful berries - expensive but tasty...


lots of bright sunflowers...


and there were lots of hounds including this scruffy number - how cute is he!! a dead ringer for Annie's dog Sandy.

I also whipped up some tasty treats for the office this morning.... "Donut Muffins"

The main spice is nutmeg and they are rolled in a sugar/cinnamon mix while still warm. Pretty tasty with a cup of coffee!!

- and - I did get quite a bit of stitching in - some things I can't show you, but I can show an update on the Garden Path....

I have most of the flower border done have gotten at one of the trees.

There you go sports fans - a pretty dull weekend - just like I like 'em! Thanks for stopping by and for your kind comments. Do come again!

Take care,
edgar

"Garden Path" and some Commenting

GR&DF I am humbled by all the kind comments yesterday regarding my framing efforts. Warming this cold morning with such sweet thoughts makes this old Blog a real joy!! Thank You!

I wanted to start off with a new stitching snap - since I have focused most of my stitching attentions on exchange stitching there have been very few snaps of any current WIP. If you cast back your mind you may remember that I am working on "The Garden Path" sampler by Sheepish Designs - and here is a an updated snap of the progress -

This great little sampler is coming right along. I really enjoy samplers - the traditional motifs and the sometimes quirky bits make these really charming. I have really fallen for the Tennessee sampler charts that are out there and have collected a few to stitch. I was very excited to see the new issue of SANQ as there is a great article AND a charted sampler from Tennessee to stitch up. I will have to change out the tree colours since they are really bright.

I wanted to answer some questions from the comments -

Carol asked about the sampler hanging above Ellen - that is called "This is the Day" by Hands to Work and appeared in an issue of JCS a couple of years ago. A great piece to stitch. I changed up the floss colours from the recommended ones.

Margaret asked about the frames I got - I will usually buy a frame or frames either because I already have a piece that might work already stitched and waiting - or more often than not just because the piece is a great price and I might at some point stitch something that may fit. The past weekend was a total fluke that both frames fit something I already had. I hadn't framed anything in the longest time and I was getting antsy to get something thing framed - so I just lucked out. I use the pin around the edges method - I like this method much better than lacing.

Lisa M and Rachel S asked about the two pieces that the frames had in them when I got them. I still have them, but what to do with them I haven't a clue. The medical piece is stuck to a slim piece of card board and the little flower print is loose. Suggestions??

Donna asked about the Bison- there is actually a herd in the paddock. If you look very closely you can sort of see them huddled up in the Bison Hut. It is very dark up in there so it is very hard to see them.

Also over the weekend we ran out to dinner at Chevy's - we had a guest in town and they like Chevy's. While out at the Mall we went in the Hallmark store - big mistake - they have out, not only some totally cute Halloween stuff but have started to put out the Annual ornaments. Resistance was running on low - for both of us and Rico caved and got his annual "Doorways Around the World" -

This year it is Italy - another great doorway - I of course am a great fan of the Noah and the Ark Bible story - and of course this piece totally popped....

I picked this up and put it down, then picked it up again, then put it down.... Rico picked it up, rolled his eyes and bought it for me - how sweet!! There are a few others that we might get - like we need anything else for the tree!!

There you go sports fans, again thank you for stopping by and for the kind comments!!!!

Take care,
edgar

Weekend Stuff

GR&DF thank you for stopping by and sharing a few moments with me and my Blog - I always appreciate the time and trouble you all take with commenting - thank you for Friday's comments. This past weekend was just beautiful here in City - it hovered in the mid 70's both days and there was a gorgeous cool breeze blowing in from the Ocean. I am always so grateful to be here enjoying this weather when I know that most of the country is just baking. We are surrounded with scorching temps - down in the central valley the temps where in the triple digits and stay there into the evening - on Saturday evening the fog rolled in and over Twin Peaks and I had to close the sliding door onto the balcony as it was actually getting chilly - and I was wearing sweats.

On the stitching front I got some more done on The Garden Path - here is a snap as it stood last night -

Sorry it is a bit wonky - I also got some more done on an exchange piece.

On Saturday we ran around to some estate sales and picked up a few things....

The gorgeous large mixing bowl is from the 50's as close as I can tell from the mark and is made by T.G. Green - the same company that makes one of my favorite kinds of pottery - CORNISHWARE - you never see Cornishware here in the states. It is a British product and if I had a pile of bucks I would have stacks of this stuff!! I really love the blue and white bands - go figure. Back to the bowl - it is in great condition and fits in so well with my pile of blue banded yelloware. The green pheasant is super de duper and probably from a California Pottery company and dates to around the 40's? The Madonna is Goebel and is also from the late 40's - so we did pretty well for a few dollars.

Also while running around we stopped for a visit at The Cathedral of St Mary of the Assumption. A newish building (and not my favorite) but the quite space that is the inside is really nice. I got a couple of snaps....

Looking straight up from where the congregation sits is this super giant space.


and here are the pipes for the organ - just magnificent. I always look for the organ and usually the pipes are hidden behind shutters or behind walls - but here they are right out in the sanctuary - Here is something you didn't know about me - I took years and years of organ and played at Our Lay of Lourdes church in Daytona - my organ teacher was a nun and music teacher there. I also played in my own church Christ Presbyterian in Ormond Beach. It was many years ago but I still love to hear organ music and always look for the organ in any church space I got to.

Here is a snap the jam I made this weekend - I may make one more batch as the peaches are just beautiful this year. I also....

.... made a batch of Rico's favorite cookies - peanut butter - also over the last couple of days..... vacuumed the house, picked up and dusted, did a bunch of laundry, hung out by the pool, took a nap, watched some movies, walked the who-hounds - just regular weekend stuff - nothing too strenuous.

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

Take care,
edgar

A Very Full Weekend - and We Have a Winner

GR&DF here in SF we stayed pretty busy or at least it seems that we stayed busy and quite a few things where accomplished.

On the stitching front my Garden Path sampler is bee-bopping right along and here is a snap as it stood last night when I threw in the towel for sleep.....

It really doesn't feel that I am getting very far on this - but the border vine/leaves are completed - I heaved a real sign of relief when I came around the lower right corner to hit the spot where I had stopped near the top right corner. It was a bang on match. Now to the flowers, I will do those as I go along with the body of the sampler leaving the sawtooth interior border to the last.

On Saturday we ran around to few Estate and Garage sales and bought a pile of stuff....

This is the majority of the stuff - starting from left to right - two DVD's - a special addition of "Carrie" - 1976 - a favorite flick of Rico's, "Too Hot to Handle" - 1960 - a travel book about France, a c. 1900 Baedeker Guide and a Citipack of Paris. I also picked up this nice seasonal Cookbook - then we also collected from different sales some great books for Rico's g-niece - and a fun Phonics machine thing. Moving along to the right there are three Christmas books I got for myself to add to my collection - "The Eleves of Cologne" - I really enjoyed this city when I visited Germany and this was such a great little book, I also picked up "Robin Finds Christmas" - 1961 and a great old Golden Book called the "First Noel" - 1959. I really love Christmas books and the older the better. We also picked up a couple of ornaments and the old star topper - which is an exact duplicate to the one the sat on my family tree from my earliest recollection - I also have the old family one but the based is cracked and this one is totally perfect - it is only a shiny plastic star but it brings back such great memories!!

Here is some more stuff I picked up..

A great older - c 1940 - Griswold hinged chicken fry pan - yes, I do have another one, but that one does not have its lid - two cookie cutters, and old peeler and a super piece of blue transfer ware pitcher- c 1880. Over all a very productive Estate Sale running around.

We visited the little Farmers Market yesterday and I got a few snaps....

These are some beautiful heirloom tomatoes...





This is such a nice little FM - and now that everything is coming in the booths are overflowing with a variety of things.

Yesterday I got to my summer jam making.... getting together the jars and stuff I had on hand -

and starting the small batch I planned on making...

and then getting the stuff into jars and running them through the water bath - I ended up with some pretty tasty jam.....

I will run by and pick up another case of jars for another couple of batches of jam I plan on making next weekend. I gave away quiet a few jars last year and the word got out so I now have requests for my jam - which I think is crazy as this stuff is not very hard to make - lord knows if I can do it anyone can!! I really enjoy making it and next winter I will certainly enjoy cracking open a jar of summer.

The baking yesterday was a summer cake my Mom used to make - it is from a recipe from my Great Aunt Sue - but I found many versions and variations on the Internet so it is far from secret, but really delicious -

...called Apricot Nectar Cake - super light and totally moist this is a great summer cake!! IMHO

I think I will wrap it up today with the winner of the Squirrel Sampler chart - I cut all the names into strips last night - and got out the yellow BOD - and had the monkey who-hound - Lolly pick a winner.....

This is a total "deer in the headlights" look if I ever saw one....

she stuck her little paw in and moved around the entrants and then flicked out a name.... and the winner is..... Rhonda B in Auburn. Woo-Hoo!!!! Rhonda please send me your snail mail address and I will get the chart in the mail. Thank you all for participating in my little drawing - there are others coming up so stop back in!!

There you go sports fans - thank you all for stopping by and for you continued kind comments - they are always making my day!!

Take care,
edgar

SF Summer Fog.....

GR&DF - TGiF!! Even though it has been a short week I am so ready for the weekend. We really have no big plans - I think tonight on the way home we are running to Trader Joe's - woohoo!!

In the comments Donna asked about my canning of preserves and jam - and Yes - I do use a water bath to seal the jars. I only ever make small batches of anything - this way it never gets out of hand with dozens of jars waiting to get a water finish. There were a couple comments about wanting to put stuff up or nervous about it. I totally taught myself to do it by reading different books and then finding some super easy recipes on line. My Mom never canned a thing - but my Granny would put up all sorts of different kinds of jams, jellies and preserves. I really enjoy the doing and the since of accomplishment - and knowing that nothing "extra" is being added.

Yesterday the weather hovered in the mid 60's and after we got home it plummeted into the low 50's - I had to put on sweats and turn the heat on low - I totally love the summers here in SF!!! I also got some snaps from the balcony of the fog shrouded city....


This is looking west towards Twin Peaks and Sutro Tower. You can see the fog has just poured down the mountainside and....



...here is a snap looking east towards the Bay Bridge and the East Bay - it looks much brighter under the fog and across the Bay.



... and this is looking downtown and with the fog bank hanging over the city. Today is to be a carbon copy of yesterday - foggy and cool. This morning coming to work I had the windshield wipers going as the fog had settle so thickly it was like a light rain.

On the stitching front I have only worked a small section of the border of Garden Path - so no snap of that. The plan is to get at the border this weekend.

We watched a few more Glee episodes and have gotten through a large portion of the first season - still enjoying this show immensely!!

Just a quick reminder about the drawing on Sunday - remember to leave a comment on Wednesday, July 7th's Post if you a chance to win the sampler chart..

There you go sports fans. Thank you again for stopping by and for the great comments!! Do stop by again next week for more adventures and my silliness!!

Take care,
edgar