Fall Treats and Commenting on Comments

GR&DF (Gentle Readers and Dear Friends - for Susan)I do bow to your warm praise for my stitching and the wall of samplers. I do enjoy seeing them everyday hanging there. I kind of makes me a little crazy to know that there are so many more waiting to be framed and hung up - but that takes time and some cash!!

This weekend running around we picked up two of the harbingers of the festive Holiday season. Here is a snap....

There has to be at some point during the Fall a purchase of some Pumpkin Ice Cream - so delicious and in keeping with a harvest theme. My only question is does this count as a vegetable!?! :) The other real treat I look forward to is getting some lebkuchen - delicious German gingerbread. There are also the delicious pfeffernusse cookies to be had, I will get some of those later. I do love me some traditional treats and look forward to them every year!!!!
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To some of the comments... I think the Waffle House is a place that you either love or you don't. I do love it and go every time I get the chance - my Mom doesn't care for the place and avoids it like the plague!!

Jackie mentioned putting sugar on grits. I have seen that done often, more often when I was waiting tables in Daytona Beach about a bazillion years ago. I worked in a Hotel restaurant on the Beach and I would often see northern tourists putting sugar on them. For me its just some salt and pepper and a pat of butter and its good to go. Talking about grits - I got the two bags/4 lbs of them at the Winn Dixie - Addie mention she couldn't find them, I would try there.

Riona wanted to know about the acorns that Ina sent me with my Fall exchange. The tops are natural acorn caps. I would think you could make them out of leather, but the natural caps with the acorn part for a cushion is so very nice.

Yes, Ariadne, I did get me some books - you know what a nut I am for the written word - and old books always get me going!! I picked up 5 books - a small book of the poem "Christmas Eve" by Robert Browning, the biography of Judy Holliday, "An Intimate Life Story," a 1949 first edition of "Nineteen Eighty-Four" by George Orwell, a 1959 first edition of "The Flame Tress of Thika" by Elspeth Huxley and a good copy of "The Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett (My old copy was just falling apart). I had to really restrain myself because I knew everything I bought would have to be shipped back to SF - I could have gotten many more books.

There you go sports fans - thank again for stopping by and for the kind comments!!! Do stop by again.

Take care,
edgar

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 Whole Bunch of Stuff

GR&DF thank you all for your kind comments on the previous post. It is nice to get away and see other things and places....but.... the best part of a getting away is the coming back home and getting back to a normal routine. I had all sorts of hope of getting a post yesterday, but Rico's appointment with the Doctor in the morning sort of threw everything out of whack. He is recovering just fine and will be in the walking boot for another few weeks and then go into some physical therapy and strength training.

Lets start off with the HOE Fall Exchange piece I received from Ina. It was waiting here for me and was a great way to start off getting back to work. Here is a snap -

She made me a super Fall pillow using a wonderful Freebie from Gazette94 - I just love it!! The variegated floss is so very "fallish" and the sweet acorn pin cushions are just darling. Thank you so much Ina!!! If you have not visited Gazette94 there are some really wonderful freebies and stitching pieces.

I also heard form my HOE partner that the piece I made for her had arrived and here is a snap of that piece -

I made a Pyn Keepe from a chart by Mary Garry - Seasonal Mementos - November. I used a piece of mystery over dyed linen and the recommended DMC floss. I have wanted to do this one up for the longest time and knew this was a perfect opportunity. The pumpkin fabric it is on I used for the backing material.
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Now a trip report - there really is not too much to talk about. It was relaxing and wonderful to see my Mom. I got in on Wednesday and it was very warm/muggy/humid in Orlando . Wednesday and Thursday evening/nights there were some terrific rain storms over the Daytona area. The weather cooled way down after that and was just great. Cool and windy, just like here in San Francisco - I loved that!! On Friday afternoon we went downtown and set up for the Halifax Art Festival, my Mom was the Chairman of the Book Booth (where Museum Guild members donated books are sold) - it is a nice money maker for the organization and the cost to run it is minimal. Then on Saturday and Sunday we where there all day long selling books. I did get a chance to walk around the Festival a couple of times - there was some really spectacular pieces being shown!!

I did get to Hobby Lobby - we don't have one out here so a visit was on my list!! I ate a bunch of delicious Dustin's BBQ!! I got some Angell and Phelps dark chocolate and some Tupelo Honey to bring back. One of the places I always visit when home or near one....

The love affair with Waffle House is still strong - and instead of my usual pecan waffle's I opted for for a regular breakfast....

...toasted biscuit, grits, sausage, eggs and some good old WH coffee!! Now you just can't beat that with a stick!!! One other thing I stopped off for and is on its way to me in my FedEx box of treats is 4 pounds of grits!! Not just any grits but Dixie Lilly grits. That is the one thing I really miss not being able to get out here - are Dixie Lilly products.

Even though I am not a beach person I did make it to the beach - it was such a lovely day...

I drove a little north of the Granada approach and parked for free in a small Beach parking lot and walked onto the Beach. These are the rules.....

here is the walkway....

it was beautifully calm and the tide was turning and going out. So there were lots of birds looking for snacks....

and some really great ripply lines in the sand....

while I was there a flock of pelicans flew by.... and that was the most that happened. There were about 4 other people that walked by so the whole beach was deserted and mine, a great relaxing time. I rolled up my pants and waded out a bit and the water was on the cool side.

There you go - the trip was relaxing and a nice break!!

I think that about wraps it up for today sports fans. i am slowly trying top work my way through all the Blog Posts I missed. Thanks for stopping by and do stop by again!!

Take care,
edgar

Back from Florida

GR&DF I am back from my visit to the Sunshine state. It was a nice and almost relaxing break before the Holidays. Today will be a very short post as I have come back to piles of stuff on my desk.

Just wanted to stop in and let you in on a few thoughts..... 1) I missed my little Bit o'Blog, 2) Florida has some good points and 3) If you can't lift that heavy bag your dragging onto the overcrowded plane into the overhead bin then you should check that sucker!!!!

Here is a snap from my trip......

Thanks for stopping by!!

Take care,
edgar

Back on the 10th

GR&DF this will be a final post for a bit - as today is my last day here in SF - I am going to visit my Mom in Florida. The Super Shuttle is picking me up at tomorrow morning at about 3:30 am to catch my ungodly early flight at 5:45am. Flying West to East is always like that - leave early arrive late. It should be a nice visit - the weather is warmer than usual for this time of year and the Halifax Art Festival is this weekend. My Mom has been involved with the Festival for about 20+ years - and I have been told that I have been signed up to "help" during the Festival - Woo-Hoo lucky me!!

Marchann mentioned the linen colour of my Shores piece - it is the recommended colour - but the snap in yesterday post is a bit more yellow than the actual piece. I am really happy with the linen colour and now so very happy I went with the recommendation. Christine mentioned square 3 and how it looks like the mermaid is buried in the ground - how funny is that!! I totally agree - and found myself laughing out loud at the comment!!!! regarding the film I do not think you will be disappointed in "Agora" - by using Netflix I have found many flicks that I have never heard of and really liked. I do not think I would have ever seen "Agora" if it hadn't been for Netflix. I don't think it was ever released in the US - it was a Netflix recommendation... I do like how they have recommendations of films. I think my Queue is at about 370 or so films waiting to be seen, many from the site recommending different films and I always say "There is always something to see."

Jane asked my opinion about a stitching frame - I really don't have one - I don't use a stand frame to stitch on. In the past I have used different hoops and scroll bars, but for the longest time I have only been using Q-snaps. Since I can only use a single snap I only have the 8 inch size and I just move it around as I stitch. I have thought about getting another size, but the 8 inch works for me. I thought about a standing frame, but just couldn't justify spending the money on something that might not work for me - I am sorry to be of no real help - lots of stitchers use frames - I would guess there are lots of opinions about out there about stitching frames.... anyone want to share what is good and bad about a stitching frame????? If you use a frame what kind is it?? What would your change about it??
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Last night the flicker was one I have had on my Netflix queue for a very long time. Sometimes a title is out and the wait to see it can be long - the film I have been waiting to see was "David Copperfield" - 1999 - starring - Emilia Fox, Daniel Radcliffe, Maggie Smith, Zoe Wanamaker, Ian McKellen, Bob Hoskins and Ciaran McMenamin. This was another top notch BBC production that was just about perfect. Great casting, sets and costumes. I love me some Dickens - and if you've not seen this version you should as it is a two part treat!!

There you go sports fans - thank you again for stopping by for a few moments. I'll be back in a about a week.

Take care,
edgar

A Cool Dry Monday

GR&DF I am overwhelmed by your kind thoughts and comments regarding Friday's post. I loved reading them this morning. Before posting I usually read through the previous posts comments, and take notes about what I will "talk" about in the days post. All I can say is a big thank you all. Margaret had a question and I did have a couple of emails about my camera. Yes, I do try and carry it everywhere I go. You just never know when there will be something interesting or unusual to get a snap of. More than once I have forgotten the camera at home and of course I needed it for a picture of something. Most of the time it just sits in my bag without ever coming out, but I do like knowing its there, just in case. My camera is an older one - a Canon PowerShot A550 7.1 mp. I am really comfortable with it, but an seriously contemplating upgrading- more MP and a bit smaller.

This weekend was a very low key one, with Rico still recouping and tons of rain on Saturday. I got out of the house for a little while and Dale and I went to breakfast. We got a to a single Estate Sale, but I didn't find anything at all that I wanted/needed - so I came home empty handed.

On the stitching front I finished up my HOE Fall Exchange and that will go into the mail this morning and off to a new home. I also worked on a couple of other pieces. Here is a snap of the piece I can show - an update on Shores -

After I finished all the white stitching I moved on to Block 4's border. I am leaving the fill around the mermaid for the flight to Florida on Wednesday - no count stitching is about all I can muster on an airplane. I think that Shores is stitching up very fast or faster than Village.... I wonder why??

I wanted to mention a flick I saw this weekend - "Agora" - 2009 - starring Rachel Weisz, Max Minghella, Oscar Isaac, Rupert Evans. The story of the last years of the brilliant philosopher / mathematician / astrologer Hypatia. A really beautiful film set in 4th century Alexandria, Egypt. It is a love story and story of religious fanaticism - out with the old and in with the new - a good reason to see the film is to watch Rachel Weisz's performance - she is riveting when on screen - at about 2 hours the time flies. Directed by Alejandro Amenabar it is a visually gorgeous film with some great acting.

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

Tale care,
edgar

AVery Grateful Friday

GR&DF I do thank you for your kind comments about yesterdays rather satirical post - its just that the whole experience left me sort of chuckling along for the rest of the day.
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Now for today's post...... Grateful : greyt-fuhl - adjective - warm and deep appreciation of kindness or benefits received.
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There are so many things in my life that I have gratitude for - and yesterday was one thing after another. The mail brought three packages - one of them was from Berit - a dear Blogging friend from the East Coast - she sent me a lovely Birthday Present -

She knows of my crazy love of Belle Soie and my gathering of all the colours - sending me three lovely additions to my growing collection!! Thank you so much dear Berit!!

A second package was from a sweet Lurker I met at the EGA Conference - Valerie sent me a super package...

and inside....

... a wonderful piece of Royal/cross stitch stash. I was in the Uk in 2002 and remember all the wonderful things for the Golden Jubilee. Thank you so much Valerie - fore reminding me of those memories!!

The third package was from a sale the Vicki was having over at HDF on her lovely silk -

I had to take advantage and add some of the lovely silks to my ever growing stash.
Grateful for the mail, for friends and for lovely stash!!
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On the way home yesterday, now that I am busing it again until Rico gets back on the hoof, I have about 45 mins to an hour of time to just decompress from the day and reflect. Yesterdays ride and then walk home was much more interesting than usual - after I got off the bus and started down the hill - I have walked many times - I looked up and saw....

...looking east towards the East Bay down Army Street - how dark it was getting from the rain clouds that were coming in off the Pacific. What a great overcast sky. Still walking home I found these flowers all in bloom ....

... this vine was covering a rocky hillside - aren't they a lovely blue. Then as I started down some steps that connect the upper part of the street with a lower part I pass this ....

.... great hillside - the jade plant in front is about 3 1/2 to 4 feet tall, to give you an idea of how big this area is. The century plant behind it bloomed two years ago and is was really something to see - the long spike with a ton of flowers on top. I also pass this house on the way home....

How cute are their decorations. Getting closer to home I pass this....

... reminding me to "always stop and smell the roses." Grateful for a job, and a bus, and being able to walk home, flowers that bloom with no help and for Hallowe'en.
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And looking out from our balcony we had a really beautiful sky....

...looking east towards downtown..

... looking west towards Twin Peaks...

... looking north towards Hill Street. Grateful for the rain, for the fresh wind and for eyesight to see the expanse of sky and the weather closing out the day.
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And.... very Grateful for Blogging Friends that visit and for your kind comments and thoughts!! Thank you for again stopping by, have a wonderful weekend, and do stop by again!!

Take care,
edgar