Play along food.....

Grandma is at it again.... My grandsons have a play area in their classroom, with dishes to 'make believe' cooking and serving... Gina wants to give them the freedom to 'choose' their adult profession and being a 'Chef' is on the list.  She asked me to create 'felt food' for them... So here I go!
I did first look on the net for a few photos to give me some guidance and I was amazed how many people make 'Felt Food"....
I then went to my local "JoAnns" for felt.. I did find all the colors needed but "Buns", not the correct colors for "Hamburger or Hot dog buns"??  I'll have to make do and maybe add a bit of paint?

 

First let me gather all the supplies. Tacky gule or needle and thread?

Grapes? Eggs, sunny side up or scrambled?  hmmmm... scrambled seemed a but much. Sunny side up it is!

I then went to cutting the felt in the shapes of each food. 

Gina asked for "Eggs and Bacon"... 

And what would food be for three little boys, age 2, 4 and 6, without the ever present Hot Dog.

Grandma had to put "Salad" on the menu. They need their 'greens'.

The "French Frys" were a trick and not the correct color.. but, these are young boys mind you, I don't think they will mind?

Gina said "The boys love Ravoli" 

A few 'Grapes' to give them their 'fruit'

I had such fun making 'Felt Food'.... I used a needle and thread and a bit of 'craft cotton filler' to stuff them... now lets see if I can put them in a packing box without smashing them... Their on their way to "Guam" for the boys play house!   Have fun 'guys'!!

    

I'm linking up to

  We can do it Cheaper @ The Virginia House                            

"St Patty's Day"

I come from a very "Irish" Mother named "Mary Eileen Murray". Her father came to America as a young man from Ireland toting along his very English wife.
He was one of the Irish that had to work hard to establish himself living in New York, doing different trades, until he had the good sense to join the United States Coast Guard and served in WW1 and WW2.  He and his wife, Cora B Davis, created 5 children. One being my mom... 
                                                     

 

As most of you know the Irish had a rough start in America. They were considered a lesser people and most worked as laborers and house maids.  After my mom grew into a young woman she met my father. Anthony Gerbino, (who also was in the USCG) from a very Sicilian family who came to America 'on the boat".... Moms marrying an Italian was a very big "No No" in those days because it was considered beneath  the Italians  to even socialize with the Irish.  Mom told me so many stories of her early days in the 1940's when she was shunned by his family and friends. I would like to add, my son, Thomas, is a Lutinent in the USCG and my youngest daughter is married to a CG man, carrying on the family tradition.

 

Today I'm so happy to say being half Irish and half Italian is not a bad thing anymore, so celebrating "St. Patricks" day was and is a big thing in my home.  My grandfathers name was, "Thomas Partick Murray"... how much more Irish can one be?

During the time I lived in Chicago I witnessed the turning of the Chicago River, Green. 

 

Another time I lived in San Antonio TX, and walked the River Walk while it was Green.

 

 

To all of you, Irish or not, or 'just a little bit" Irish let me say 

"Happy St Patty's Day"

Follow that rainbow and let all your dreams come true!

Month long Giveaway at "Diva's Hammer"

If you want or need a new, beautiful accent chair go to this blog...


http://adivashammer.com/archives/913/comment-page-1#comment-8391


It's a contest and "A Diva's Hammer" is telling what you must do to be chosen...

I'm in and going to win,,, but, good luck to you all!

My Valentines Day dinner

While on a search for a really nice Valentines Day dinner I found this wonderful menu in the current issue of "Country Living" magazine... if anyone loves Shrimp as I do, and Lamp Chops (something I never make due to the cost of those little charmers)... this is an amazing meal.

 

Shrimp Bisque with Bourbon

  

                                 Lamb Chops with Mint Gremolata

 

                        
     Avocado and Strawberries with Honey Vinaigrette

 

Only one more part of this meal is needed. A good bottle of wine. I found this one on line, but it's much too late for me to order so I went to my local wine store.. they did not have it, so I opted for a different brand, but just as nice.  This one sounds amazing!

Alto Almanzora Este, 2006 Blueberry, plum, fruitcake, and chocolate are just some of the flavors in this six-grape blend from Spain, a favorite of Lucas Paya's at the Bazaar in Los Angeles. ($8.99; garnetwine.com)

I did think of posting the recipes for this menu but then thought better of it.. I'm sure at this late date you all have your dinners in the oven or on the stove... if you have the copy of "Country Living" look into it, for your next special occasion.

 

"Happy Valentines Day" Everyone!

 

Home Schooled Tees

I took on a task for my daughter, and what fun I had designing "Tees" for my grandsons. They live overseas and are Home Schooled. When Gina go's shopping she gets looks from others, "Why are your boys not in school" kinda looks. So we thought "if they had tees telling the story" others might understand "they don't go to public school".

 

I bought three tees in their sizes, with an added size for growth. 

 

I first cut cardboard to fit into each shirt, then using masking tape to give me a line to follow for the lettering.

At first I thought of 'free hand' painting the words, then thought better of that, I'm not that good with straight lines so I used the tape. I then found these really nice 'sponge letters' at Walmart and for the entire alphabet the price was only $2.98 and for someone who has trouble with lettering this was ideal. 

 

  

I used yellow fabric paint in a dish and dabbed the paint on the sponges then onto the tees. For the lettering "Home" I braved my skills and used "Metallic" fabric paint with a tip. The first try was a bit jittery but I managed to complete all three shirts with a "not too bad" look.  I did let the tees 'dry' for the night before putting on the little 'iron on' sports guy.

I'm happy to say "The tees turned out so cute"

Now being the fun loving Mom that I am, I had to add one last thing...I found whistles made like the sports balls the boys love so much... Gina may not like the noise but I think after years of my kids noise and always telling them to shush... now it's her turn.... sorry I have to laugh at this.. I call it "pay back".... the boys will love the whistles.....

 

 

I can't wait to see the photos of the boys in their Tees. 

I'm linking to this great party

Sew Cute Tuesday @ Creative Itch

                     

My Daughters Needle Work...

I spent this past weekend at my daughter in Palm Beach and saw the collection of Cross Stitch she made several years ago while stationed in Belgium .... She put alot of work into these designs and did the counted cross stitch...with good eyes I might add.
I wanted to share her especially good work....

 

  

 

  

Just for the fun of it, I thought I'd toss in her baby, Maya...a rather fun loving kitty that thinks she is human.

 

Valentines party at "anything goes here"

http://thepottingshed-anythinggoeshere.blogspot.com/2010/01/we-have-winner-and-vintage-valentine.html

My idea of comfort food....

 While on a road trip to my daughters house in Palm Beach I picked up a 'cold'.. yes a full blown 'head cold'.  Somehow I got myself home and needed sugar, lots of sugar and "Cherry Pie" was all I could think of....Yummmm, warm cherry pie with Ice cream.

Although I've promised myself 'no sugar' for a week, my mind was screaming for 'Cherry Pie'... so I went on the internet and pulled some photos of 'pie' to shut up my desire to bake and eat the stuff!

 No, I did not make this pie.. I found the photo somewhere on the net... sure looks good! Then I found this 'slice of pie'....

That did it for me.... I then went to baking...made myself a pie,,, a "Cherry Pie".... and know what? I then put Ice cream on top of it.. and it had to be vanilla ice cream!

 

Yep, this was lunch and my bed time snack this evening... No will power here...

Thought I'd enclose the recipe in case you all would like to make it.. sure cuts the sugar cravings!

Cherry Pie

1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch double crust pie

• 4 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup white sugar
• 4 cups pitted cherries
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 tablespoons butter

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place bottom crust in pie pan. 
2. In a large mixing bowl combine tapioca, salt, sugar, cherries and extracts. Let stand 15 minutes. Turn out into bottom crust and dot with butter. Cover with top crust, and cut vents in top. Place pie on a foil lined cookie sheet --- in case of drips!
3. Bake for 50 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown.

                  I'm satisfied now..... and yes,,, No will power here!
      

I finially found time to finish my cross stitched pillow.....

 

 In November of '09 I found this store display at JoAnn's and fell in love with the color combination. That led me to Cross Stitch a pillow design.

 

I did use a small cross stitch chart that needed to be repeated around the square of the Ada cloth. Then I added separate flowers from the chart to create the 'all over' design.

 

A new trip to JoAnn's took me to the designer fabric where I found a great 1/2 yard of a complimenting fabric to sew around the Ada.. I used about 3 inches around....Then the same fabric for the back of the pillow cover. I then bought a contrasting solid blue to make the piping.

If you have priced the ready made piping you will surly enjoy making your own and save a bundle of money.

I bought a half yard of the blue fabric and 2 yards of the cotton piping.. then cut the blue fabric on the bias into 2 yards of 4 inch legnths.. then stitched them together to make the two yards needed. Using my zipper foot on the machine, stitched the piping into the blue fabric...It's so much easier than I may have said it.

 

After stitching the entire pillow, back to front I then popped it inside out by a small opening I left for the stuffing..

 

I'm what they call "Frugle" and do not like to pay the price for most things offered in the stores, so instead of buying the pillow forms they offer, for usually about $24.00, I bought a standard bed pillow at good ol Walmart for $8.00, cut it in half and now can stuff two pillows for a fraction of the price.

 

I then hand stitched the opening. It's sew easy!

 

The back is made from the same fabric used for the surround of the Ada cloth...

My home is made up of 'blue and greens' so this pillow will join the living room in grand style.

High School and Antiques....

 

My "Moments" this weekend were in an Antique store in Gainsville, Florida.

 

And the time my  sister and I took on a road trip to meet up with a High School friend from our years in Hialeah, Florida,  What a wonderful time

we had just talking about people and places, and of course we had to look into the old "Year Book"

 

The photo is blurry but don't tell anyone,,, this is my first crush, "Jimmy"!  Have not seen him since leaving High School....might be nice to look him up... went into 'classmates.com' and did find him. Wonder if he would answer an e ? Wonder if he would remember me and our few dates? Wonder if he felt as I did? Hmmm, guess I'll never know.

 

 I need to thank "Dana" for this photo of her beautiful lamp. Her home was full of wonderful treasures. Thanks Dana for your hospitality and the good time you gave us.