Friday, November 28, 2014

A Few Fun Finds

Gentle  Friends, last Saturday was a fun day running around, no Estate sales and not much that caught my interest.....
..... I did find an older copy of "A Visit from St. Nicholas" or as it is more commonly know as "The night before Christmas" - love this poem, I also found a really unusual urn shaped Gullah sweet grass basket  
- and - we stopped into Buttons, on 24th Street, and checked out the Christmas stuff, I picked up one of the handmade Clove flavoured candy canes.
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That's about it for today.  Thanks for stopping by do stop again!!

Take care,
edgar

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Wishing you all a very.........


..........Happy Thanksgiving........
from our table to yours!!!!!!

edgar, Rico, Peaches, Smokie, Lolly and Wahumpa

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

A Little Bakin'

Gentle Friends, I had a request to make some lemon bars... so that's what I made Sunday.......

..... I found many recipes online and went with one I found at AllRecipes.... by Chef John, you can go HERE for a copy.  They were really nice and lemony and the crust is...... shortbread, so you can't beat!!
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That's about it for today sports fans. Thanks for stopping by, do stop again!!

Take care,
edgar

Monday, November 24, 2014

Startin' A "New" Piece of Stitchin'

Gentle friends, over the weekend - when I wasn't running around, cleaning something or cooking something.... I felt the need to start a new stitching piece.  I haven't a clue as to why I wanted to start something else, I have two piece in the works for upcoming Exchanges - and really should focus, but the needle leads where the needles leads..........

"January Cat" - 36ct BoaF "Sandpiper" - using my WDW Conversion

... it's a bit on the wonky side as I took this with it still in the q-snaps.  This is the first in the series of Monthly Animals by Nickyscreations.  When I first saw one of them I was drawn to these cute things - so prim and proper for each month.  She has released 11 of the 12 animals and I am stitching them not as individual pyn pillows, but as a single largish sampler.  I have also converted the called for DMC floss choices and shifted them all to WDW's floss so there is a little more colour interest.  This first square is called "January Cat."   The lovely piece of linen is a 36ct Birds of a Feather "Sandpiper" - from the first incarnation of BoaF - I found it on eBay and have been saving it for something special.
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That's about it for today - thanks for stopping by, dos top again soon!!

Take care,
edgar

Friday, November 21, 2014

A Few Friday Foto's

Gentle Friends..... I took some snaps of the who hounds to share this cool, cold, damp and rainy Friday...

... I did some laundry last night and the Peach got the duvet cover as soon as it hit the sofa.....

..... you couldn't peel Lolly off her heating pad....  we found this at an estate sale a few weeks back  (we've worn out 4 or 5 over the years).... and the hounds love the warm spot....

......Smokie was chillin' in his house.... he likes to be on his coat and the plaid blanket, only the plaid on.... go figure.
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That about does it for today sports fans, have a super weekend - we're supposed to be getting more rain tomorrow!!  

Take care,
edgar

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Thrifty Thursday

Gentle Friends, we were out and about Saturday Thrifting, and overall it was a bust, but even with not quite the selection we're used to I did find a few treasures....

... from l to r - a box of sweet little handpainted glass ornaments and when I saw the Rosary box I thought that was all there was, then I popped it open and out fell a sterling Rosary, I bought this for Rico, then I found the Brown Bag shortbread pan, called "Norwegian Trees" for $4 - what a deal!!!
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 One of my all time, and I mean all time favorite cookies is shortbread. I have loved Walkers for decades, but I've never tried to make shortbread.  On Sunday afternoon after Mass, I thought, "I'm sure I can do this" and sure enough using the recipe on the web site.................. slam bam - in a pan - from start to finish - about 45 minutes later out of the oven popped.......
..... this delectable piece of pastry - I'll never buy shortbread again.  I think I got scared and left it in a few minutes too long as it did brown a bit more than it should, but it is (was) oh so good!!!  That large crack on the right is were I caught it on the pan when I turned it upside down....

...... while still warm I cut it into pieces and sprinkled a little sugar on top for sparkle.
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That's about it for today sports fans, thanks for stopping by, do stop again soon!!

Take care,
edgar

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Some Fall Treats.... and some Tricks.....

Gentle Friends, I thought I would talk about some good things and some questionable things..... first up are "Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars with Caramel Swirl" - found at Food and Wine.  They were a little bit of trouble but ooooh sooo goood!!!

........  a bit late for October and all the "PUMPKIN" stuff everywhere... but we found these at Safeway, and let me tell you, delicious!!!
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Now, for the odd .... you know I do like Peeps. every season, every year, year in and year out for as far back as I can remember - mmmmmm good..... so when I saw these I thought, why not try them out.  I'm always up for trying the new and unusual.......

... so I got them home and after opening and dumping them out this is what came out.......
... and they were super sticky - they tasted very sour, that was good - but were weird chewy and just too sticky........  and then on to the very odd.....


......  we were at Bev Mo (for those that don't know what this place is click HERE for more info) picking up a libation called Grey Goose, and saw along the back of the store dozens and I mean dozens of different sodas.  I found this bacon one and thought "I like bacon" so why not give it a try...........  now, I chilled it, poured it over some ice and took a sip....... odd I thought, took another sip and thought not just odd but not good.  It tasted like liquid sweet Bac-O's bacon bits.  I poured it out and learned a lesson, to skip the next bacon flavoured soda.
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There you go sports fans, thanks for stopping by do stop again!!

Take care,
edgar




Monday, November 17, 2014

Fall Exchange Stitchin'

Gentle Friends, the last couple of months I took part in a couple of Fun Exchanges.  The first one was "Haunted Harvest Exchange" with Terri over at Dixie Sampler,  I sent my exchange partner this.......

...... from l to r clockwise.... while in Paris I picked up a packed of thread winders at Sajou, and in Sarlat I picked up a porcelain thimble with geese, I also knew she liked Stacy Nash and so I kitted up a Hallowe'en project and the stitched piece I sent was a "Welcome Autumn" pyn keepe from Sweetheart tree.  My partner had a family emergency and couldn't finish out the Exchange, Terri very generously offered to put together a Angle Exchange in its place and when it arrives I'll Post a snaperoo.
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I also took part in the Autumnal Exchange over at the HOE and my partner sent me this super hanging piece.  It was a freebie from Nickyscreations, and I sent this pyn keepe.....

...... a Freebie called "Just a Little Autumn" from San Man Originals......  These were fun Exchanges, I have a couple more coming up.......
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That's about it for today sports fans.  Thanks for stopping by, do stop again!!

Take care,
edgar

Friday, November 14, 2014

A Couple of Warm Who Hounds

Gentle Friends, I think I'll leave the week on a warm note.... once again I was rushed at the door by the hounds.....  I'm not sure how they know it but they always know when I'm bringing in warm from the dryer laundry to fold...... 

... I just tossed the sheets on the sofa and the Humpie jumped in the pile super fast....


... and as I was separating out the under ware and socks from everything else Lolly made a nest out of that stuff.......  
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That's about it for today sports fans - thanks again for stopping by have a super weekend and see you next week!!

Take care,
edgar

Thursday, November 13, 2014

A Little Pile of Goodies

Gentle Friends, after our Serving at St Anthony's we headed out to an Estate sale - it was way across town and we just made it,  they were closing at about three - I picked up some fun stuff....

....  the Geisha Ware Bowl the two DVD's, the transfer ware "Mother" mug and the aluminum mechanical forks (salad tongs?)....  I picked up the white McCoy vase and Waterford decanter at a thrift store I stopped at Friday evening on the way home - not too bad for not really trying......
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That's about it for today sports fans - thanks again for stopping by do stop again!!

Take care,
edgar

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

A Little Helping hand

Gentle Friends, this past Saturday we spent a bit differently than we usually do.  We did the marketing very early - "bagelling" it at about 7:30 and then on to the Safeway and back home by 8:30.... then it was out the door and down into the Tenderloin to St Anthony's Dining Room.  We volunteered to help with the hot meal they serve everyday all year round - I didn't take my camera but found a couple of snaps of St Anthony's on line.....

... they have 6 of these large cooking vats to make all the food they serve.....


... and although I'm not in this picture I did wear one of the purple aprons.  We have thought about doing something like this for a long time and when an opportunity came up to help we said yes.

It was such a great experience that we have now signed up to work at least once a month helping to serve meals or whatever needs doing in the dining room. You can read more about the dinning room HERE.
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That's about it for today sports fans, thanks for stopping by, do stop again!!
Take care,
edgar

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

A Little Coffee Cake

Gentle Friends, Sunday afternoon I whipped up a pretty tasty coffee cake.  Called "Coffeehouse Coffee Cake" - it came together pretty fast and after it cooled a bit went very well with a cuppa tea!!  Here's a snap...

 ... I found the recipe at HERE at Food.com.
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That's about it for today sports fans.  Thanks for stopping by, do stop again.

Take care,
edgar

Monday, November 10, 2014

A Little Stitchin'

Gentle Friends, it was a busy weekend here by the Bay - and - I got only a little stitching done ......  here's a snap...

...  the third of my BBD Designed Samplers I started a while back - this one is "Summer Harvest."  I've already made some adjustments to the floss placement - the letter were to be mostly pinkish - I shifted that out for the purple colour and the butterfly was to be purple and is now the pink colour....
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That's about it fro today sports fans - short and sweet.  Thanks for stopping by, do stop again!

Take care,
edgar

Friday, November 7, 2014

A "Cotton Bird" Pouch Finish

Gentle Friends, I went wandering back through my past posts a found that I had neglected to show you my finish "finish" of Cotton Bird - a kit from the Colonial Gathering Stitch Club.  The original kit instructions had us making a flat hanging piece, and although cute, wasn't what I wanted to do - so I put on the thinking cap drew a little sketch, popped sketch and stitched piece into the mail to Faye - finisher extraordinaire.  

After deciphering my scribblings she worked her magic and I got back a super piece.........

... the pouch is totally perfect and square, my picture makes it look a bit wonky 
- and here's the back with the flap opened.....

... I couldn't be happier!! It is a super piece that is getting lots of use and looks great in my stitching basket!!!  I do love that these little pieces are versatile and can be made into little treats other than what is called for!!!  I love the fabric Faye chose, it fits so well with the little stitching.  

I received the last kit a good while back but have yet to start stitching - it is "suggested" to be made into a candle mat........ but is that what I want it to be???? 
 Still mulling that one over in the old noggin.
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That's about it for today sports fans, have a super weekend!!

Take care,
edgar

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Thrifty Thursday....

Gentle Friends, Saturday was a running around kinda day - aren't they all!!  We hit the usual places and three Estate Sales......  and I found a few nifty things......

...  two DVD's  - "Dumbo" one of the few Disney films I didn't have (I do love me some Disney) a copy of "Battleground" - 1949 - a film that tells the story of the Siege of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge.  I also found three nice pieces of cut glass, the bowl was really different in the between the deeply cut places are sections of lovely wheel/etching work.  The Nappie and small tray where just priced too good to pass up.
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There you go sports fans - thanks for stopping by, do stop again!!

Take care,
edgar

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

A Few SF Snaps......

Gentle Friends, I found that Wednesday makes a good day to show some snaps of the City I live in - and today I though I would get back to doing just that........

.... one of the Estate sales we got to on Saturday was over in Potrero Hill area of the City..... and so I knew I had to stop on the crest of one of the streets to show the great view of the City skyline..... and yes, I illegally parked the car and stood in the street for this snap....
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I've begun my annual search for Christmas tea so I thought that I should go downtown and see for myself if any has come in yet...... both places I was checking on are in the big Westfield Shopping Centre on Market Street ......  so that's were I went....


... my first stop was a Bloomingdale's, the only outlet for Kusmi tea in the city.... no Kusmi Christmas Blend .... yet.  I spoke to a very nice women working in the area of Bloomingdale's Christmas and she assured me that in a couple of weeks there would be some and to check back...... so in two weeks time I'll be back .......

....next up was Lupicia - I always love the Christmas blends they make....  but walking up to the store and still seeing Autumnal decorations my  FaLaLa was dashed.  I do love Fall, it's my favorite time of year - BUT - and this is a big butt, whoops but - I know from past years that Lupicia gets a finite amount of their Christmas teas and if I don't get some soon after it's arrival they will be start to run out - and they do not get restocked -  and then I'll be sad!!!  
Here is a snap from last years tea display.....


.... so' now I'm on their list to "call" when it comes in - and I'll make tracks to get some!!
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There you go sports fans, thanks again for stopping by dos top again!!

take care,
edgar

Monday, November 3, 2014

A "Rosy" Stitchin' Finis

Gentle Friends, it was a very nice weekend.  Starting off with all the hoopla over the Giants Parade and  then the mayhem that followed downtown..... I saw it on tube, but avoided it like the plague myself.... it was that type of event.  Then it was also Hallowe'en in the evening and on the way home I saw tons of kids and groups of children out Trick or Treating and so many of the costumes were just great.  It was on the dusky and getting dark side so I wasn't surprised at all. 
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On the stitching front I finished up an Exchange Piece that will go out today and another of the BBD Samplers I started a while back......


"Rosy Morning" - Blackbird Designs
36ct Linen - recommended over dyed floss
8/18 - 11/1/2014

.... and again the name I staitched info: Martha Adelaide Hickox was a maternal GGGrandmother born in 1835, from upstate New York.:
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That's about it for today sports fans - thanks for stopping by, do stop again!!

Take care,
edgar

Flowers and Fruit

 Gentle Friends, I wrapped up the centre square stitching... here's a snaperooo... ... I thought about straightening up the baskets and ...