Monday, November 30, 2020

Art Bytes: Tiny Book Tag/Ornament Zoom Workshop

 Art Bytes: Tiny Book Tag/Ornament Zoom Workshop


Saturday, December 12, 2020

Have questions? Email Me

From the comfort of your own home, schedule some Me time out of your busy, holiday schedule. Using materials you have around the house, reduce your stress with art.

In this hour long workshop learn how to fold and cut an ordinary sheet of paper in two different ways to make two different style books. All your questions can be asked and answered in real time. The books can be used as gift tags, ornaments, albums, notebooks...

You can then add your own decorations and messages according to seasonal themes and your imagination.

Easy and fun for beginners as well as experienced crafters. Teens welcome.

Sunday, November 29, 2020

How Does Your Garden Grow?

 This week Blogger loaded pictures back to front.


Saturday afternoon, there were at least a dozen blue jays camped out in the backyard. When I went to get a photo, they all flew off into the woods. I waited and waited for them to all return, but only a couple of them came back one at a time.


The squirrels were chasing each other.


Blue jay


Incoming! The backyard was busy with birds flying in and out like an airport.



One, lone, oak leaf


The lawn guy came and cleared the last of the leaves


The Japanese maple leaves are all brown, but the tree hasn't shed may of them


Though it was a mild day, it wasn't as warm as the feels like temp. Though I wish it were.


One of the bunnies came out.


The week started cold and wet.

How was your week?

Saturday, November 28, 2020

Saturday Afternoon at the Movies

  This idea came from a Facebook meme:
Over 10 days, post your 10 all time favorite films. What movie has really made an impact on you or what films can you watch over and over and never tire of? Post either the movie poster, DVD cover or even a screenshot on your timeline. No need to explain.

Only I had a hard time picking out just 10 movies so my favorites over the next few hundred Saturdays 😸 in semi-alphabetical order my favorite films. What movie has really made an impact on you or what films can you watch over and over and never tire of? Post either the movie poster, DVD cover or even a screenshot on your timeline. No need to explain.


Titanic (1953) Clifton Webb, Barbara Stanwyck, (Baby) Robert Wagner

If you haven't seen this movie, it's available for rent on YouTube.

Friday, November 27, 2020

The Friday Five Good Things


 Five good things that happened this week.

1. With the old router, I never had issues speed issues working at the back of the house. With the new router, I felt like I was back using dial-up. Himself checked and fished the wire through the ceiling and we had enough slack to move the router from the basement upstairs to the kitchen.  No more first world problems.

2. While watching the Patriots game, Himself fried the eggplant for eggplant Parmigiana, the side dish at all our special occasion and holiday dinners.

3. Took a nap and woke up in time to start dinner, but found Himself in the kitchen taking over

4. Finished watching The Queen's Gambit on Netflix

5. I forgot to buy whipping cream or whipped topping, but found a Dream Whip recipe to make whipped topping for the pie and apple crisp, and I had the ingredients in the pantry

How was your week?

Thursday, November 26, 2020

Throwback Thursday - Movies

 

The Wonderful World of The Brothers Grimm (1962)

A while ago, Sandy gave me the idea for this blog post. The topic of movies had come up and not seeing many movies in the theater as a kid.

I don't remember going to the movies much as a kid.

Babes in Toyland (1961) is the first movie I saw in a movie theater at Shopper's World in Framingham, Massachusetts. Either a friend or cousin of Ma's took me with their kids. I don't remember Ma coming. I think she stayed home and had a lunch or dinner ready when the movie was over. I was 6 years old.

The Wonderful World of the Brother's Grimm (1962) One Thanksgiving, Dad, took all of us to Boston to see this movie at the Cinerama. 

(It was the first movie to be filmed in a process known as Cinerama. The process used three cameras and a special 3 strip movie screen. The word is a portmanteau of cinema and panorama and gave the audience an immersive experience. The only other film made using this process was How The West Was Won (1962). The process was labor intensive and expensive and dropped in favor of 70 mm film) 

After the movie, we must have gone to my grandma's (Ma's mother) for Thanksgiving dinner. Though Dad didn't really like going visiting on Thanksgiving because when we got home there was no delicious turkey smell filling the house or turkey and other goodies to pick on. 😺

Tarzan's Three Challenges (1963) as the first feature to El Cid (1961) at the drive-in. The Brother got to spend a week at Bonny Acres with Auntie (Ma's sister) and Uncle, and my two cousins. Auntie said I couldn't go because I was too little. That just pissed me off as I was only 2 years younger than my cousin, D. To take the sting out of not going on a vacation, Dad took Ma and I to the Natick Drive-In.

While I liked the Tarzan movie, I really liked El Cid starring Charlton Heston and Sophia Loren. I think this is when my love of watching movies started.

There must have been a couple of other movies that I saw at the Shopper's World Cinema and I must have been with The Brother. I have vague recollections of watching the show and then sneaking up and hiding out in the balcony to watch the movie again. I was a model child and must have been led astray by The Brother, 6 years my senior.

When The Boys Meet The Girls (1965) with the group, Herman's Hermits. I was 13 (1968) and was spending a school vacation week in East Boston at Grandma's. My Cousin D must have been told she had to entertain me and take me around with her. At 15, she wasn't happy with this arrangement.

We walked up to the Seveille to see this movie and to meet her boyfriend. D didn't want me tagging along and she had an argument with the boyfriend. At the theater, he paid for his ticket, my ticket (even though I tried to pay for my own ticket as Ma and Dad had given me spending money), but he didn't pay for D's ticket. She was fit to be tied. Walking home, she screamed and shoved me around. I started walking in the direction of the subway. She yelled at me where was I going. I told her I was going to my dad's office in Boston. She began to panic because my dad was very strict and all the cousins were afraid of Uncle Joe, and of course I told her I would tell Dad what happened.

After making her beg me to go home with her, I gave in. Truth be told, I had no idea how to get to my dad's office by subway from the stop near her house even though I had ridden the subway with The Brother and later by myself since I was 7 years old. I knew how to get to Auntie's house via the Green and Blue lines. Dad would take us to Woodland Station (Green line) to Government Center (now back to the old name of Scollay Square), while Dad either walked to his office, we would go downstairs and change trains to the Blue Line, get off at Maverick Square and walk to Auntie's house). I knew the stops for the Green and Blue Lines, and knew the address of Dad's office, but had never been to visit at this time.

Happy Thanksgiving. Happy Thursday. Thank you all for walking down memory lane with me, for your visits, and your kind words.

Tuesday, November 24, 2020

T Stands for Cherry Pie

 

With the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday, time to do some things ahead of time. Today’s project is to bake a cherry pie. My favorite. Usually it’s an apple pie that graces the table. This year, Himself ordered a Thanksgiving feast box from Hello, Fresh. Everything in the box to prepare dinner. The dessert fixing is an apple crisp. So that’s why I chose the cherry pie for a change of pace.

I have fond memories of cherry pie.  On President Washington’ birthday, February 22,  all the big department stores would have a Wahington’s Birthday sale. Dad would pack us into the green Studebaker and drive to Woodland Station. Where he would park the car and we would take the subway to the (at that time) last station on the Green Line, Lechemere. 

Lechemere Sales was a big department store. Clothing , appliances, they had it all. To entice people to their Washington’s Birthday sale, they gave away free cherry pies. So we would go to the store, do a little shopping , and go home with a cherry pie.

It’s been a while since I made a homemade pie crust. Usually, I’m lazy and just use a refrigerated pie crust from the grocery store. This year, I have time, a lot of flour, and shortening used in another recipe that needs to be used up.

Another memory of when I first learned how to make pie crust. I was in my late teens or twenties and working at the local hospital laboratory. The receptionist called us kids that worked in reception/phlebotomy, her hospital children as we weren’t much older than her own kids. I think we all confided in her, too. 

One year, her kids had gone into a local orchard and liberated a ton of apples. She invited us to her house and she would teach us how to bake an apple pie. There was a lot of silliness, rude jokes about docking the pie crust, but I learned how to bake a pie.

I’ve assembled everything I will need. Mise en place. I watched Julia Child’s French Chef when she did a program on making pastry crust. She said working with pastry was delicate. The pastry was best when everything was cold. She suggested all utensils, shortening ,flour, and water should be refrigerated before making the pastry.


It’s good with temperatures at this time of the year, that I can put things in the “big fridge” (sun room). Last year, it was 57 degrees so that wasn’t possible. Before I begin, first things first. A cup of tea and some questions.

Do you make your own pie crust? What’s your favorite pie? Do you chill your utensils ?

 Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth’s blog to find out what the rest of the T gang is up to. If you want to play, include a beverage or beverage container in your post. Don’t forget to link your blog from Bleubeard and Elizabeth’s page.

Monday, November 23, 2020

Art Bytes: Tiny Book Tag/Ornament Zoom Workshop

 Tiny Book Gift Tag/ Ornament Zoom Workshop


Saturday, December 12, 2020

Have questions? Email Me

From the comfort of your own home, schedule some Me time out of your busy, holiday schedule. Using materials you have around the house, reduce your stress with art.

In this hour long workshop learn how to fold and cut an ordinary sheet of paper in two different ways to make two different style books. All your questions can be asked and answered in real time. The books can be used as gift tags, ornaments, albums, notebooks...

You can then add your own decorations and messages according to seasonal themes and your imagination.

Easy and fun for beginners as well as experienced crafters. Teens welcome.

Sunday, November 22, 2020

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Not much change in the garden this week so not many pictures. Did I hear a collective sigh of relief? 😺

Surprise, Blogger downloaded my images in order!



The weather station and I both wishful thinking. See the outdoor temperature upper right? A cool 43 oF? Notice to the left of the outdoor temperature in the upper right of the compass rose? The outdoor feels like temperature read 96 oF.  Don't I wish! The weather station was having issues with the feels like temperature. About five minutes earlier than this photo, the feels like temperature read 139 oF. but I didn't have the camera ready to snap it.


Somebody was too heavy and closed the hatch to the birdfeeder


A dusting of snow and this bird hung out in the feeder for a little while.


A new bird I haven't seen at the feeder before.


He/she/they wasn't/weren't shy and didn't fly off as I opened the slider and the screen door. The bird just turned and posed.


The bird is medium sized and chunky. At first I thought it might have been a female cardinal, but the cardinals are more slim.


Searching online for a brown bird with reddish back and a notched tail, it seems this bird might be a House Finch.


I also collected some seeds from Reggie's morning glories. They need to be shelled and stored until Spring.

How does your garden grow?

 

Saturday, November 21, 2020

Saturday Afternoon at the Movies

 This idea came from a Facebook meme:
Over 10 days, post your 10 all time favorite films. What movie has really made an impact on you or what films can you watch over and over and never tire of? Post either the movie poster, DVD cover or even a screenshot on your timeline. No need to explain.

Only I had a hard time picking out just 10 movies so my favorites over the next few hundred Saturdays 😸 in semi-alphabetical order my favorite films. What movie has really made an impact on you or what films can you watch over and over and never tire of? Post either the movie poster, DVD cover or even a screenshot on your timeline. No need to explain.


To Kill A Mockingbird (1962) Gregory Peck, Mary Badham, Phillip Alford

If you haven't seen this movie, it's available for rent on YouTube

Friday, November 20, 2020

The Friday Five Good Things


 Five good things that happened this week.

1. Using the Roku search I found NESN, the sports channel Himself watches. For free! Himself is a happy boy.

2.  Organized the pantry

3. Started Season 4 of The Crown

4. Had a crafting day

5. Watched the series finale of Supernatural

How was your week?

Thursday, November 19, 2020

Coming Soon


 A new venture: Art Bytes

From the comfort of your own home (via Zoom), learn a new skill or technique in a short workshop ( 1.5 hrs.) using materials you may already have on hand.

CJ Kennedy has 17 years experience teaching art to adults and teens.

When: To Be Announced

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

T Stands For I'm In Heaven

 Last Tuesday, I blogged about a London Fog, Earl Grey tea with milk or Half n Half foam.

Since Blogger uploaded my photos in reverse order, I'll tell my story in reverse.


I'm in heaven! (You only have to watch the opening ) Thanks, Robin! Your surprise blew me away! You're awesome!


Look at that fog!


Whip it! Whip it good!


A milk frother!


There's a gift card. "Enjoy your London Fog! (maybe the Young One will find more used for it too! From Robin at Pink House Studio !


What is it?


Himself said, "The fairies left something for you." Fairies is code word for a package usually delivered by Amazon. Since the pandemic, seems we've been ordering more. Every few days there's a package on the doorstep. Like the story "The Elves and the Shoemaker". Every night elves come into the shoemaker's shop and make a pair of shoes. In the morning, the shoemaker finds a beautiful pair of shoes he can sell.

"The fairies left something for me? I didn't order anything. I don't think I ordered anything? Maybe it's one of those brushing scams from Amazon.

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth’s blog to find out what the rest of the T gang is up to. If you want to play, include a beverage or beverage container in your post. Don’t forget to link your blog from Bleubeard and Elizabeth’s page.

Monday, November 16, 2020

Happy Mail

 

From Sandy in CA a lovely notecard and matching envelope of butterflies and a fabulous sketch of a pensive kitty. Thank you so much.

Sunday, November 15, 2020

How Does Your Garden Grow?

 

Temperature outside this morning is BRRRRRRR


Miracle of miracles! Blogger uploaded the pictures in numerical order. Ice on the bird bath makes a handy spot to fill the birdfeeders. The cup on the right is spread on the ground for the squirrels and ground feeders. They eat the inexpensive seed. The birds pick out the sunflower seeds but won't eat the millet.


Time to bring in Ink and the rest of the lawn gewgaws.


Sunrise


Frost on the leaves


After the lawn guy cleared all the leaves, the oak trees decided to drop their load. High winds forecast for today. Hopefully, the wind will blow the leaves to the woods.


Exploding milkweed


The Japanese maple lost its brilliant, red glow  but hasn't dropped its leaves


No more petunias or mums


Frost on Moose


One, tiny bit of Summer hanging on.


Mums not ready to give up


The inside garden lettuce is doing nicely


and the farm is starting to sprout.

How does your garden grow?




Saturday, November 14, 2020

Saturday Afternoon at the Movies

 This idea came from a Facebook meme:
Over 10 days, post your 10 all time favorite films. What movie has really made an impact on you or what films can you watch over and over and never tire of? Post either the movie poster, DVD cover or even a screenshot on your timeline. No need to explain.

Only I had a hard time picking out just 10 movies so my favorites over the next few hundred Saturdays 😸 in semi-alphabetical order my favorite films. What movie has really made an impact on you or what films can you watch over and over and never tire of? Post either the movie poster, DVD cover or 


The Time Machine (1960) Rod Taylor, Alan Young

If you haven't seen this movie, it's available for rent on YouTube.


Friday, November 13, 2020

The Friday Five Good Things

Five good things that happened this week.

An old photo of Ink and my favorite napping spot

1. The online bookbinding workshop seemed to be well received.

2. A 3.6 or 3.8 Earthquake at 9 AM on Sunday shook Southern New England. A quick jolt and a loud rumble. We were shaken, but not stirred. Himself didn't feel a thing and teased me that only cats, dogs, horses, and the Little Princess could feel such a mild earthquake.

3. The massage chair takes up a lot of room in the living room.  For more room and so I’ll be able to put the Christmas tree up, I was able to move the love seat to the sun room. All by myself. It was such a sunny and unusually warm day, I spent the afternoon sitting on the love seat and binding a journal. Still trying to hang onto Summer.

4. Though it was a grey day, it was still unusually warm for November. Another afternoon enjoying the sun room one more time by taking a nice nap on the comfy love seat. Ink would have loved this arrangement

5. Yesterday, I blogged about problems trying to comment on Blogger using the iPad. The browser, Opera, was a fix for a short time until Apple did an update. What to do? This is the screen on the iPad and I was trying to reply to Jo on my blog.


 It looks as if I’m not logged in on the blog/comment page. If I click on the Reply to: I'm taken back to the Blogger landing page with the list of my blog posts. In the upper right hand of that screen, I'm longed in. What to do?

I ignored it! Made my comment, clicked published.  The comment published while I was using Chrome! It worked with Opera, too. If that's been your problem with trying to use Blogger on an iPad, that seems to be the fix. That is, until Apple does another update. 😉

How was your week?