My Mailbox Runneth Over

GR&DF thank you so much for your kind comments about yesterdays post. It warms the heart immensely to read so many nice things.

Yesterday the mail was just super de duper!! I wanted to thank those responsible for the euphoria I am feeling this chilly Tuesday Morning.

In no specific order......

A while back Marie P was in a HOE Exchange and made a spectacular ornament - she used a Prairie Schooler chart I did not have and I was blown away - In her recent travels North she found me a copy of the PS Chart AND made little old me a spectacular Ornament.....

and here is a close up of the ornament...

Marie's stitching and finishing are perfection - you know how I love Christmas Ornaments and Christmas Music - this combines two wonderful aspects of the season in a really lovely way!! Thank you so much dear Marie!!

The next package caught me completely off guard - from Donna in TN - she has followed me and this Blog for the longest time - with always an encouraging word about my adventures in life - here is a snap of the package ....

I thought to myself "what could this be??" - I am between exchanges - so that couldn't be it... I opened up the card and her dear note explained that this special gift was for the the BOD being good to her in the past, her enjoying my little postings and for the little things I do here at BlackSheep - how super sweet is that!!!! - and - opening up the wrapping revealed....

.. this super creation - with a saying I so like!! Isn't it sweet! The sheep, bird, bees and house are so cute. I do not know the designer, but the great stitching and super finish make this a very special piece - Thank you so much dear Donna.

An last but certainly not least - once again reinforces the super heart and generosity of this stitching community we are all a part of - from Nancy - a reader of the BlackSheep - so very kindly offered me something I have been waffling about for the past few years...... here is a snap...

Her copy of ATS - this spectacular monster of a piece is something I have loved since I first saw it out there in stitchy land. I have hesitated off and on about getting a copy knowing that it would be a bear to finish, but what a challenge. Nancy has already finished it and has it framed - what a kind and generous thing to do. Now I need to start thinking about working up the courage to get it together to do it!!

I am humbled by such sweet gestures and kind gifts!! Once again I have to say what a great group this stitching community is!!

There you go sports fans. Thank you so much for dropping by - and for you kind comments. Stop by 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

The Farmers Market , Broccoli Salad and Summer Fruit

GR&DF I just love the comments - and do thank you profusely for all the kind words!! You will not be disappointed with the cake and frosting from Alicia over at Posie. Sherry - I love Blond Brownies - and haven't thought about them in the longest time - now I need to make some!! Denise - Laura is one of my Favorite Gene Tierney flicks - great Noir with some top notch acting. I had quite a few email and comment requests for the salad recipe - it is super easy.


Broccoli Salad

from"Cooking from Quilt Country, Hearty recipes from Amish & Mennonite Kitchens"
by Marcia Adams (1980)

2 Bunches Broccoli
10 slices bacon ( I usually use the whole package)
1 large red onion
1/2 c raisins
1 c mayo
1/4 c sugar
2 tbls cider vinegar ( I use rice wine vinegar)
1/2 teas black pepper
1/2 c sunflower seeds

Cut Broccoli florets into smaller than bite sized pieces - take stalks and cut off tough outer layer and chop tender parts into small pieces - you need about 8 c of chopped broccoli - this can be done the day before and held in a plastic bag in the fridge.

In a skillet saute bacon until crisp - drain on paper towel and crumble up - set aside

Slice onion lengthwise then cut into julienne strips - set aside

In a largish bowl combine - broccoli, bacon, onion and raisins - mix together

In a small bowl whisk together - mayo, sugar, vinegar and pepper

Pour dressing over the broccoli mixture - and refrigerate for at least two hours before serving - this is way better the second day - so letting it sit overnight is a good thing.

Before serving sprinkle the sunflower seeds over the top - I actually up the amount to 3/4 c and mix these into the salad when I add the dressing.

There you go - an easy and tasty salad.

__________

I got over to the farmers Market yesterday at lunch time and the summer fruits and vegetables have really started to pour into the market!! Here are a couple of snaps....

I picked up a few of these great cukes - we really enjoy them so much more than the sterile/tasteless ones from the supermarket.

It seems that the cherries are still in abundance - this booth always has the greatest red peppers!!

I picked up the usual stuff and also got a few pounds of peaches - it is that time of year to get some jam made....

I got the peaches peeled and ready for "jamming" this weekend - I also drug out the jars I had left over - and realize I need to make a trip out to get some more canning supplies. I really enjoyed having my own homemade jams through last winter - it was like opening up jars of summer whenever a new jar was needed.

There have been no great movies to mention. Rico borrowed the first season of Glee - and we have been watching this for the last few evenings - and really enjoying it!! Sometimes it gets a bit far fetched, but the talent on the show is huge!!!

There you sports fans - don't forget to throw a comment on yesterdays post if you want to be included in the drawing for the sampler chart. Thanks for stopping by - do come again!!

Take care,
edgar

Wrapping up the Weekend - and a Drawing

GR&DF I do thank you all so much for the kind comments about the Squirrel Sampler - I love the Fall and this put me right in the mood. Faith had a quick question in the comments - she asked what does RAK stand for - something wonderful that this community is so well known for - "Random Acts of Kindness." There are so many wonderful stitchers giving so much to everyone.

I was in the kitchen quite a bit over the weekend - one thing I made was a salad we really enjoy - broccoli salad ..... it has bacon...

- and I love me some bacon!!! It has some broccoli...

and a little chop, chop - mix, mix later.... et voila -

a bowl of delicious summer salad - although I make this all the year long, it lends itself to accompanying summer dishes - I also made some fried chicken and BBQ ribs - and it was a delicious 4th of July picnic dinner - at home! If you would like the recipe it is super easy - just ask.

I also made a really great frosted chocolaty cake -

I got this recipe from Posie Gets Cozy's Blog - it is her "go to " Birthday Cake recipe - The cake part is Hershey's Deep Dark Chocolate Cake and the frosting is a new one to me - Cloudburst Frosting - my new favorite frosting - it whipped up light and delicious - I changed the almond extract for vanilla - but other than that I kept the recipe as written - This was scarfed up quickly at Rico's work place - with requests for the recipe - If you take a look at her Blog you will find it lots of fun - so stay a minute a browse.

We also made a quick trip out to Sloat Garden Center to replace the plants on the balcony for the summer season. Here are a couple of snaps -

Rico picked out some nice petunias and ferns to fill in the window boxes and I got a great...


geranium - the geranium is one of my all time favorite plants to have around - so many lovely colours and leaf shapes - and this was a beautiful one IMHO.

------------

In keeping with the many RAK's I have had lately I wanted to have a little drawing and pass on the fun Squirrel Sampler that was passed to me.

So, if you would like a chance to win and stitch this delightful Fall Sampler just leave a comment on this post only - and I will have the Who-Hounds pull a name this Sunday - July11, 2010 - and announce the winner on Monday - No need to do anything else but leave a comment. You can be anywhere in the world - but you will have to be able to receive the chart via snail mail. You can mention it on your Blog, if you have one, but you don't need to have a Blog to enter - just passing on the kindness shown me - that's all.

I loved the idea that Natasha had about a SAL - but I am thinking about something else - more group related...... check back for details, once I work them out in my tiny over taxed brain.

There you go sports fans - I think that about wraps it up for today. Thank you all for stopping by and leaving those sweet comments... I do appreciate them all!! Do come again.

Take care,
edgar

A Finish, a Start and a RAK, some SF Shots

GR&DF - well, the 4 day weekend is over - and where did that sucker go ?? It seems that whizz bang and we are back to a new week of work. I hope everyone had a great weekend. The weather in the City was really wonderful - hovering in the mid 70's - bright and cool breezes. Only yesterday did the fog really roll in over us and shroud the City - I was loving it immensely!!

I finish up the sampler I started last week - here is a shot -

"The Absent-Minded Squirrel" - 6/29 - 7/3 - by Of Female Worth -
Stitched on 32ct Flax - using my Floss Conversion

This great little sampler was lots of fun to stitch - and I just love the little squirrel!!

I already had another piece kitted up and I started in on it - here is a snap of that -

This is "The Garden Path" - by Sheepish Designs - I am stitching it on a mystery piece of linen - my best guess is that it is 36ct PTP Days Gone By - it looks very much like a larger piece in my stash, but who knows??

The mail brought a fabulous RAK -

a copy of "The Plantation Sampler" by Canterbury Designs. The first time I saw this chart I wanted it to stitch, but it has been OOP for so long I knew my chances where pretty slim. I have been chasing it on the secondary market for the last few years without luck - and then out of the blue a dear sweet reader of my Blog sends it to me - without gushing to much - Thank You so much for your kindness!! I keep saying it and as always it holds true - stitchers are wonderful, generous people!!!

Yesterday Rico and I ran out to Louie's fro breakfast. When we walked in we immediately got a table which is pretty rare - just after we sat down a really big line formed from now where - making for a good long wait. Here is a shot of the Pacific from where we where...

This looks like dusk, but it was mid morning - all grey and lovely!!
This gorgeous car was parked out front of the diner...

....a beautiful 1937 Buick - how great is this!! The guy that was driving it came into Louie's and sat at the counter - he was decked out in what could have passed for a zoot suit - the whole look he achieved was great!!

There is some more stuff we did, but that will have to wait until tomorrow. Thank you all so much for stopping by - do come again!!

Take care,
edgar

Movie Stars Dressed by Jean Louis

GR&DF thank you so much for the kind comments on the sampler finish in yesterdays post. It was a really fun piece to stitch up. Last night I stitched a very little bit on the Squirrel sampler - so no snaperoo of that.

Yesterday evening the flickers on TCM where really great - two of them I had seen before and the third was totally new to me. The them for the evening were films that Jean Louis did all the costuming or a t least got the credit for costuming - winning the 1957 Oscar for costuming "The Solid Gold Cadillac."

First shown was a really cute film - "The Solid Gold Cadillac" - 1956 - starring Judy Holliday, Paul Douglas and Fred Clark. A typically Judy film - where she plays a small stockholder of 10 shares in a super large corporation. She takes a great interest at the stockholders meetings causing many problems. A totally fun and entertaining movie - as are all her movies - showing the little guy doing the right thing in the face of the powerful "trying to get away with something." Highly recommend seeing this one or any Judy Holliday film - here are three that she is most well know for - "Born Yesterday," "Bells are Ringing" or "It Should Happen to You."

The second film was a real favorite of mine - "Bell Book Candle" - 1958 - starring Kim Novak, James Stewart, Jack Lemmon and Hermione Gingold. This film brought back together Kim Novak and James Stewart right after completing "Vertigo". This is a great piece of work where Kim plays a modern day witch who falls for her neighbor and despises his fiance. A lightweight comedy with glorious cinematography, a super color palate and an exceptional cast - one of my all time favorite Kim Novak roles!!

Kim Novak with Pyewacket her familiar in "Bell Book and Candle"

The third film of the evening was "Tonight and every Night" - 1945 - starring Rita Hayworth, Lee Bowman and Janet Blair. The story revolves around a theatre in London the never once closed or missed a performance during WWII - even while heavy bombing was going on during the Blitz. There is also a love story the moves along nicely between some great musical numbers. This was a film that I had never seen and was happy to finally get the chance. Here is the trailer that shows what a fun film this is...



All three films are worth a look.

There you go sports fans. I will be away from the Blog until next Tuesday - but may stop in over the weekend - you just can never tell!! Have a wonderful 4th of July.

Take care,
edgar