Pots and Pins

Venna's 86th Birthday Party...

If she wasn't such a saint...such a happy, sweet person...such a kind and caring woman...she wouldn't deserve all the love and adoration she receives from everyone who knows her.  But she is all that and more.  My neighbor and friend, Venna, turned 86 last week (I don't think she wants me to broadcast her age so keep that under your hat!) and so we had a little celebration with balloons, cake and ice cream - even though Venna doesn't eat cake and ice cream...which is why she's the ball of fire that she is!  Here's some pics of the party - it was great fun and Venna was showered with gifts and goodies and as she left she thanked me and said, "Let's do this again in TEN years!"

 

 

  

 

The Coconut Cake with Lemon Curd seemed to be the favorite - I'll have that recipe up soon.  Everyone also loved the Key Lime Cake...it was quite lovely - and that recipe will be up soon, too. 

 

In the meantime you can find the Chocolate Pound Cake recipe here (I added a chocolate ganache glaze and chocolate candy bar pieces to the top...more IS more!)  And you can find the Summer Berry Cake recipe here.  The cheesecake with blueberries was a sugar-free cheesecake...yes, I know, sick and wrong, but I do have to say it was very good.  Nancy brought it (thanks Nancy!) as she wanted me to taste it to see just how good it was...she purchased it from Top Foods in Woodinville.

  

The birthday girl.

Of course we sang Happy Birthday to her and then we lit  some candles...as everyone was waiting for her to bend down and blow out the candles she quickly grabbed each candle, one at a time, pulled it out of the cake and brought it up to her face, THEN she blew them out!  As she explained, this way no spit would get on the cake!  Who knew?!?

I'm already at work planning Venna's 96th birthday party...just hope I'M ALIVE TO DO IT - I have no doubt Venna will be!

Note to Self...

Feast your eyes on my newest Halloween decoration...given to me by Lori.  Isn't he wonderful?  And how about that Lori?!?  She brought me this great little spook because I was having a bad day and she wanted to cheer me up...and let me tell you, I was definitely cheered!  He lights up and doesn't he have the most delightful grin?  I will love having him around for Halloween!  Thanks Lori - I just love him and you too! 

About my bad day...I really do live a fabulous life...well, except for a few small annoyances, (the mister...kidding!) I am usually a happy person and not much gets me down.  Then out of the blue I'll be hit with something smack dab in the middle of my face - not literally, of course, and it will give me pause - usually I can shake it off...but sometimes I like a good wallow in self-pity...and believe me, I can throw a pity party like nobody's business!  A friend passed away over the weekend - not a close friend but someone I knew a while back.  I was very sad about her passing, of course, but also sad that I lost track of her over the years.  And I should not have lost track of her.  I should have stayed in touch, as much for her sake as mine.  These flowers were for her memorial...where her daughters reminded everyone how much fun their mom was and told us all that she never complained, not once, about the cancer that ravaged her body.  Phyllis woke up each morning and made a decision to be happy...isn't that a great way to live?  Phyllis raised two beautiful, strong, independent daughters and was a great example to them of living a life with joy.  Heidi, her youngest daughter told us that the next time we see/feel the sun to think of Phyllis - shining her warmth our way. 

Phyllis' passing was the something that smacked me in the face - a little wake-up call that life is way too short. Too short to waste on ridiculous things and people...and no, the Halloween guy is NOT ridiculous and neither is Halloween for that matter...but people who suck the life out of a room, people who use and abuse, people who trample with no regard for who's underfoot...those people will no longer be on my Hit Parade.  And ridiculous things...well, those are another matter entirely, as my definition of ridiculous varies with each passing day.  But I'm going to do better.  As my good friend Ops likes to say, "Now that you know better, you'll do better."       

Bub- Bye to the Aussie...

She came from the land down under - home of Crocodile Dundee and The Crocodile Hunter...although I never saw her wear croc, eat it, capture one and none of her children have that name.  She also never said "shrimp on the barbie" and there isn't a beach in all of America that can compete with Bondi Beach, so I have learned.  She (as her mum would say, "She?  A Female Cat?"  Which means one is not ever to say "she" but to call the person by their name) so...The Aussie came via Singapore - which, as it turned out, was just a speed-bump in her life, but it led her to us...as in the U.S.

She rode in like a hungry Dingo in pursuit of a baby - made quite an impression, too!  She introduced us to Vegemite, Pavlovas, Lamingtons, Passion Fruit Syrup, Lime Cordials, Date Pudding, Tim-Tam-slams and Anzac Biscuits...along with assorted words and phrases that have now worked their way into our vocabulary...knackered (tired) ...rocking up (coming over)...tarted up (with full-makeup on)...good value (a good person) and many more.  She also instructed us on the beauty of freshly ironed sheets(!)...influenced the reorganization of my entire house and taught me that a junk drawer was not a necessary item...along with the junk!  (Alas, that one didn't stick!)  The Aussie made me a better person...and now, after 4 short years she is gone - like the wind - to China!

Her kids are already enrolled in school in Beijing and will no doubt be fluent in Mandarin by Christmas!  I fully expect the Aussie herself to be fluent in fake handbags, wallets, coats, boots and other sundry items by the time the mister and I arrive...yes, we're planning to go and visit, as you know we are quite good at IMAGINARY trips...and on my imaginary trip to China I plan to buy imaginary fake handbags - (just in case my friends at Customs are reading this)... I like to think of China as being one big Archie McPhee's...wall to wall or should I say, border to border(?) crappola...that thought makes me so happy!-  

The Aussie, is now in China, landed this morning.  She pronounces it Chiner, seems to be unable to say her "A's"...a forgiveable offense.  We'll miss the Aussie...and her family.  They are all good value.

Good Friends...Good Times...

We woke to lakefront property yesterday and the sound of ducks quacking and swimming happily on their new pond - it just poured down rain during the night!  The mister called me on his way to work to report that 5 miles down the road there was snow everywhere...weird weather!  But the weather didn't stop me from having a great day...Helen, Stephanie and I had great plans...first stop Quiltworks Northwest (which USED to be a fabulous store and now it's just huge with NO personality)...they do have wonderful fabrics though and of course I bought some...it would have been rude not to!  I also met the most fascinating lady.  She was sitting in the back in the classroom and her garb caught my eye...and then I saw her dolls - they were fascinating and incredible and intricate and unlike anything I'd ever seen before!  Her name is Elinor Peace Bailey and when she told me I knew I was in the presence of someone special...I knew her name and knew she was "famous" in the quilting/sewing world but that's about it...but NOW I know who she is and she is amazing! 

Hoping to get a shot of her with her dolls, I asked her to stand by them but she ended up standing right in front of them and I didn't notice you couldn't see the dolls until later - although you can see the feet of one just to the right.  Pink hair, technicolor coat and an attitude to match - she is wonderful!  Elinor was there teaching a class (it hadn't started yet) and the women who were there setting up for the class were very excited to be with her - she's all personality so I'm sure it was a very fun class! 

Our next stop was the Bellevue Arts Museum to see the Bresler Collection of American Quilt Classics.  The picture above and before are the only pictures I took before a very nice museum guard told me no pictures were allowed...this is not part of the Bresler Collection but it's what greeted us right inside the door - it's totally made from fabric - and it's all pieced - the details on it are incredible!  It's a Meter Maid Mobile - hilarious, no?

After the quilts we popped into a very small exhibit of books...disturbing in a way...old encyclopedia's that had been sculpted into faces, etc., the desecrating of books is not something I'm a fan of, even though all of the books used were found in trash bins...still... 

Pictured above are the fabrics I purchased...I have something special in mind for both of these "sets" of fabrics...and I can't wait to get going on them - but first I'm still trying to finish up the halloween quilts!  I'd much rather start something new than finish what I've already started!  We had lunch at Cheesecake Factory where I had my usual - Thai Lettuce Wraps.  My sister always orders these and then picks through the lettuce until she finds a bug - which she always does - and then she points out the bug to the waiter, and he calls the manager, and she usually ends up with a slice of FREE cheesecake...it's quite fascinating to watch.  No bugs yesterday.  And just when I thought my day couldn't get any better, I came home to find a package on my front porch...I do so love that!  I opened it up and this is what fell out...  

My first thought was, "I don't remember ordering a Donut book!"  But then, I have no memory.  I quickly sat down and started to thumb through it - still trying to remember why I ordered it...and then I picked up the packaging and a card fell out...duh.  My friend Joyce and her sister, who never met a donut they didn't like, sent me the book - they found it in a shop in Philadelphia and it's great...no make that GREAT!  I read it last night while the mister watched back to back episodes of House -at every commercial - when I'm allowed to talk - I would read him bits from the book about donuts - and we both wished we'd had some to EAT!!!  Thanks Joyce...there are MANY recipes to try...I'll have the best narrowed down by the time you get home...another Donut-Off is in our future!

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"As you ramble on thru life Brother, Whatever be your goal, Keep your eye upon the Doughnut and not upon the Hole!"  ~ Anonymous Doughnut Lover

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One year ago today:  Grandbaby Goodies

Lots of Good News...

Today is the Marine Corps birthday - for 233 years the United States Marine Corps has defended our country and our allies...and still do so today.  The mister was a Marine...although, once a Marine, always a Marine...the corps taught him a lot of life lessons...and made him the man he is today.  He's been called a Jarhead, Devil Dog, and a Grunt...and much worse (usually by me) but today, no names.  I'm proud of him and his service to our country, during two tours of duty to Vietnam.  I'm also proud of my father's service in the Army during the Korean Conflict.   Tomorrow is Veteran's Day...if you know a Veteran, thank him or her...it's the least we can do.  So thanks to Dear Old Dad, thanks to the mister and thanks so Gunny Brown...3 of the finest military men on the planet. Semper Fi.  Ooorah!

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My oh my...I'm blushing!  Little Pots and Pins is featured today on one of the most fun and informative blogs in all of blogland!  Today's Creative Blog does just what the name implies...it features a creative blog just about every day.  I can't tell you how many times I've gone to Today's Creative Blog  to see who's the latest and greatest in crafts, sewing, cooking, etc.  And I'm never disappointed...so I was shocked to discover Pots and Pins made the grade!!   Shocked and surprised and tickled PINK! 

You'll want to save Today's Creative Blog to your favorites so you can check in to see who's making what ...it's a GREAT resource!   

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It looks like Pirate Booty!  I came home from an afternoon out and about with the mister...(he said he was sick of working and came home in the middle of the day...highly suspect!  The mister LIVES to work and he rarely comes home early let alone while the sun is still shining!  Something is afoot, of that I'm certain, so my attenae are already on the case...he is a man of routine and this is SO NOT routine!) 

But I'm off track...when I walked in the door I found all of this great stuff!!!  A friend used to have an on-line cake business...she no longer does so the photography equipment she purchased to take pictures of her cakes and all of her cake pans and racks she donated to her favorite charity...ME!  This is almost as good as Christmas!  I do believe a few bundt cakes will be in my future! 

That gallon jug is full of wonderful vanilla - that should last me a few weeks!  She also gave me some big white things to bounce light or block light...really I have no idea what they're for but I'm loving them!  Jennifer has obviously seen the pitiful pictures that I post on here and thinks that some professional equipment and lighting will help me take better shots...she's an optimist...and doesn't know that I only know what I know and am incapable of knowing more....But thanks anyway Jennifer - I'll have fun TRYING to take better pics!!! 

4 States in 36 Hours...

It sounded like such a good idea...a friend's son was getting married and a group of us decided we would go to the reception...that's what friends do, right?  Except the reception was in Rexburg, Idaho - a no-man's land when it comes to getting there...but we were up for a little adventure.  We flew into Salt Lake, rented a van which seemed so luxurious and spacious...and made the uneventful trip to Rexburg, 4 hours due North, arriving just in time to quickly change out of our sweats into our soiree clothes - w walked in 5 minutes before dinner was served...   

It was quite lovely - the bride and groom were happy and so were both sets of parents...the bride wanted a cupcake cake - which some people thought looked Smurf-like - but like I said, the bride was happy!   

Here's the happy couple...not a great shot of Mitch, the groom, he was hamming it up a bit, but Jessie, his bride, took it all in stride...Mitch's grandma made the bride's dress...flying in from Australia and toting silk from Singapore to do so...she made it from a picture out of a magazine - no pattern - she's quite the miracle worker and her workmanship was beautiful! 

When it was time for the first dance for the married couple, they stood in the middle of the room and held each other and  rocked back and forth...we all thought how sad it was that they didn't really know how to dance!  And just as we did they broke into a little routine that was hilarious and charming and they proved us all wrong! 

The next day the plan was to drive back to SLC and do a little shopping - two of my van-mates were to fly back to Seattle...but I had this brilliant idea of driving to Jackson Hole - which the dimwit hotel person said was only a hour away!  Well....we drove and we drove and it was a beautiful drive but it was HOURS away!  Only in Wyoming can you see this... 

A REAL cattle drive with REAL cattle and REAL cowboys!  There were hundreds of cows so it took us a while to navigate around them...and the smell was indescribable!  We continued up the steep and winding mountains into Jackson...2 1/2 hours later, on fumes, we pulled into a Jackson gas station where we asked the gas-station attendant's advice and headed to Bubba's for lunch...it was MOST excellent! 

The manager of Bubba's told us it would take about 4 1/2 hours to drive from Jackson to SLC...giving us plenty of time to shop - and except for the weather we would have...what this picture doesn't show is the POURING rain...cats and dogs!  We drove into town, stopped in ONE gift shop where we again asked about how long it would take us to drive back to SLC...this time the clerk said it was at LEAST 5 1/2 hours or longer!!!  Since they don't hold planes for peons we got back in the van - which wasn't as "fresh" as it had been the day before...and after all of an hour and a half we were headed out of town! 

The square in Jackson Hole - famous for it's elk-horn arches...just think how many elks gave their lives for ART!  Oh - we did see plenty of wild animals on our trek...   

On our way to SLC we drove through Star Valley, Wyoming - one of the most beautiful places on the planet if you ask me...SOME people I know like to claim they're from there even though they're not...it's THAT beautiful...   

Check out the name of this store...only in Wyoming!  It's good to know that Smoker's have a place to call their own! 

From Star Valley we headed straight to Paris...Paris, Idaho...and let me tell you...there is NOTHING like Paris, Idaho!  Or should I say there is nothing IN Paris, Idaho?!  We drove through torrential rains and even snow - briefly stopping to take a picture of a friend's summer home - where she and her family spend every 4th of July...waving firecrackers outside while the sheep mow their lawn out back. 

Paris is known for it's proximity to Bear Lake - an absolutely beautiful spot on the Idaho-Utah border - the water of the lake is the color of Cancun water - azure blue but colder than the polar ice cap before global warming... 

I had some great times at Bear Lake while I was still a young lass...nothing I can talk about though because my mom reads this..After 36 hours, from Washington to Utah to Idaho to Wyoming, we made it back to SLC...my friends caught their flight home and I won the lottery...at least that's how I felt when I got to see my Baby Max...

Happy Halloween...

  Jenny, who won the halloween quilt, sent me this darling picture of her beautiful baby girl, Ava...seated in a pumpkin on top of the quilt!  Ava looks quite content in her pumpkin - and I'm told she loves her new quilt!   

This little guy is Baby Hulk!  Isn't he adorable?!  I spotted him at our church halloween party last night...he was a show stopper!  I think everyone wanted to pick him up and squeeze him but didn't because they were afraid of ruining his coloring!

 

I couldn't resist posting this picture of my good friend Max...I don't dare tell you his last name because believe it or not, he's an upstanding member of our community!  His grandson, who I didn't capture a picture of was dressed as a wolf...so grandpa Max was only too happy to dress as one of the three little pigs!  He'll do anything for his grandsons! 

I went to the party dressed as a witch - not a stretch for me - and the mister stayed home in his pj's - as you know, he's not much of a party animal...he's just an animal.  I finally finished the last of my halloween projects...

Tonight, after passing out candy, I'll make my rounds ding-dong-ditching...it just wouldn't be halloween without a midnight run and a few screams!  Oh...one more thing...this was in the Seattle Times this morning: 

Cavity-fighting trick: Eat treats at once

When it comes to cavities, it might be better to let your kids eat their Halloween haul in one sitting. Dental decay is on the rise again among U.S. preschoolers, with the problem likely not so much the quantity as the frequency of snacking.

Here's Halloween advice from a dentist, if not a dietitian: Let your kids eat their sugary booty in one sitting.  Read the rest of the article in the Times.

Doens't that just give you a warm-fuzzy feeling for your dentist?  EAT ALL YOUR CANDY AT ONCE!!  Got to love that!

H A P P Y    H A L L O W E E N   ! ! !

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds...

Some of my young friends dropped by the other night, I think they like coming to the Slaughterhouse this time of year - could be the candy or the treats that lure them, but whatever it is, I'm so glad they come...it's frightfully fun for me!  They carved pumpkins - leaving me with a HUGE supply of pumpkin seeds - which is what I was hoping for!  I love roasted pumpkin seeds - they are great to eat hot out of the oven or in salads or in soups!     

 

 

 

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

3 tablespoons butter, melted

1 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

1/2 teaspoon salt

Pumpkin seeds - about a cup - usually one medium pumpkin will yield that much

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Rinse pumpkin seeds in water, removing any bits of pumpkin and/or slime.  Let drain in a colander for a few minutes.  In a medium-sized bowl, combine all ingredients, stir in pumpkin seeds, making sure all are coated.  Spray a rimmed cookie sheet with a cooking spray.  Spread pumpkin seeds onto cookie sheet.  Bake in 350 degree oven for 12 minutes, then, using a spatula, stir seeds.  Continue baking for an additional 10 to 12 minutes or until seeds are a deep golden brown or until they are as crispy as you like them.   

What do you get when you take a Werewolf to a Party?  A  H O W L I N G  good time!

Pumpkin Patch People...

When it's pouring down rain and the wind is blowing up your backside like nodoby's business, where's the LAST place you want to be?  In a PUMPKIN PATCH!  But that's exactly where I found myself...all because I had my camera with me and three crazy girls wanted to document their pumpkin-finding-event!  These three nut-jobs are really darling girls in disguise...or is it the other way around?  Darling girls marquerading as Nut-Jobs?  See their shoes?  Who would wear THOSE shoes into a muddy pumpkin patch?!?  Only a NUT-JOB!

Valerie, Katie and Amanda...three pumpkin-lovin' girls out having fun in the rain...Oh to be young and stupid again...make that just young!  I've still got the stupid part down pat!

Fabulous Friends...

I have such fabulous friends - I truly do...they remember my birthday, bring me food when I'm sick, put up with my hystrionics, listen endlessly...and they are extremely talented and creative! 

Susan, who is such a gifted artist, sent me the most amazing card today in the mail - she made it.  There are 6 layers of paper on this card - probably more counting all the little doo-dads, cut-outs and ribbon.  It's her own creation and is absolutely beautiful - there is no way I could just throw it onto the pile...so I framed it and put it right next to my computer so I can see it every "rainy" day!  Susan also wrote the perfect sentiment inside..."To a perfect summer, at least on paper!"   Susan made this card after reading my post about Velvet Mint Water, my favorite summertime drink...isn't it great how "mint" went from being in a drink to being on a card?!  Thanks Susan, I love it!!  Check out her blog to see more of her amazing work at Rainy Day Creations.

Another of my amazing friends is Jenny - I've told you about her before, she's brilliant, beautiful and the maker of amazing jewelry...Check her out at Natural Historie - you'll love her things as much as I do! 

I have one more fabulous and talented friend to tell you about today...she's been my bestus pal since we were in 7th grade...that's right, only a few years ago...Joni Hilton, former beauty queen, TV host, author of 16 books and numerous magazine articles, mother of 4, wife of 1, has a new radio show!  And you don't have to be in the Sacramento area, where she'll be broadcasting from, to hear her - she'll be streaming live at www.kahi.com (or if you are in Sacramento you can tune in to 950 am, 6 to 8:00 pm weeknights.)  She'll be dispensing "relationship advice" on The Joni Hilton Show....relationship advice...hmmm...now there's a topic the MISTER could use!  You can call in with your questions too!  1-800-950-5244...I'm sure it will be great entertainment as Joni is funny and a masterful wit...she once told me, in 7th grade, that in a battle of wits I would only be half prepared...it took me 20 years to figure out what she meant!  Of course, she was right!