Dottie About Dots

Not long ago I saw the movie Because I Said So. I was delighted that polka dots were part of the costuming. I almost always have a black and white polka dot dress in my closet. I only wish I looked like Diane Keaton in mine! The fashion police have been after me for a long time and I have taken a lot of flack about my dots but as you can see from my wallpaper-- I just love them. Polka dots always make me smile. I have been so happy to see them breaking out all over, even in Horchow's catalogue. This is not just some passing fancy with me, when I was ten or so, my parents made the mistake of telling me I could pick out the material for the curtains for my bedroom. Easy enough I picked a lovely bright pink background with dinner plate sized white dots on it! They were so beautiful to me! Sadly, not long after they were up they just disappeared! I asked and asked about them but they never again materialized (shame on you Mom and Dad!) You can imagine how thrilled I was to find the fabric above on Ebay. Now some may find this obsessive but I just couldn't help myself.

Backing for the Snowflake quilt.

Hair and There

It's just amazing to me that these cats have any hair on them. If you could see what I vacuum off the floor and pillows you would be certain these guys would be bald! Looks like they're not too concerned about the cold outside!


In this case FAT and happy apply! (Sorry Ceasar)


Ahem! Weight Watchers for Cats should be just around the corner!




Winter has definately arrived!

Done!

I banished the grumpy Scrooge and got to work on the tree. It's always so nice when it's finished!

I thought I'd share a few of my favorites with you. This tree is a combination of many years and many memories! My friend from Hawaii even sent me some Hawaiian ornaments!

This gold Santa is really old from the late 50's at the old City of Paris in San Francisco. The ornaments outlasted the building!

Next to the ship is a banana! There are all sorts of little pears, one is above the banana. Below and to the left of the ship is one of the Hawaiian ornaments!

Below is an egg with a mini tree in it. It reminds me of some of the beautiful things Ruth Welter makes over at http://artful-creations.blogspot.com/.

My son brought this lovely ship home with him when he was in college.

I can't decide whether I like it best lit or unlit!

I just love this little violin, also the grapes which are only partially shown.

This surfing Santa is probably hoping for a wave to take him back to a warmer climate!

This is one of many little stuffed and embroidered animals from China.

By the time January rolls around I can't wait to take the tree down but it's so much fun to greet my old friends in November!

So It Begins!

Thanksgiving was great - and no more rich food please! These little cuties were there as well as their parents. Sadly those pictures were on their camera so I'll just share this one! It may look to you like they are grimacing but, in fact, this is smiling with teeth. Perhaps the candid shots are best! Now that Thanksgiving is over the tree must go up! Last year we decided to get smart and buy one that already had the lights on. It worked fine last year but this year - guess what? I spent a frustrating afternoon messing with this monster and the Christmas spirit decided to go elsewhere. I was prepared to huck it onto the front lawn! I guess I'll just have to put more lights on where the gaps are. These pre-lit trees are just great- right!

Although it wasn't much of a first snow it certainly added to the holiday feel!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Although it's cold outside we send you and your loved ones the warmest Thanksgiving wishes!



A happy camper!

Winter Projects

I'm pretty sure I'm crazy and if not completely now, I will be by the time this project is finished.

This is a small portion of John's classical record collection. These are literally boxes of Bach!
It all started out as one of those happy ideas. We didn't have a record player at the moment and I saw an ad for one that would put your records on CD's. As I said before, it sounded like a good idea at the time. It has turned out to be a rather time eating endeavor with something of a learning curve!
Looks like a loooong winter!

Potato Pizza

Last night I had the experience of cooking something perfectly. I say this because although I have never made anybody sick, I always feel like something would have been better if there was more salt or it was cooked a little longer or the crust was a little crisper- you know how it is!
Of course the kiss of death for any dish is to invite someone over and tell them you are making something special for them- it will likely be inedible. Last night, however, I made potato pizza and since no one but John and I were there- it was as perfect as I can make something. The crust was perfectly crisp, but a little chewy, just the right thickness. The leeks cooked exactly right. A good amount of garlic in the oil; the potatoes not over or undercooked; just the right amount of Jarlsberg cheese-again not over or under baked. The right number of Greek olives and a sprinkle of parsley on top. No, no salt needed- just perfect. I had to take a picture and even if you can't taste it -I at least have some momento of a heavenly pizza done to my own personal best. Please don't ask me to make it for you because it will not turn out the same and then I will have been bragging and look silly!

Too Much Help!

I finally put the last stitch in my Snowflake quilt, washed it and decided to photograph it for the album of completed quilts I keep (since they usually get given to a kid). Well, as you can see there are a lot of photo hogs around here!



Cleo thought this one needed a kitty.







Adam the ham- really thought a handsome Dobermann would add something!









As usual, it's a great feeling to finish a project but you also feel a little sad that it's all over so I've started working on a Christmas quilt.

I'm sorry this is such a fuzzy photo but I guess Santa needs to bring me a lens (John pay attention). This guy has been gone for the whole summer but arrived back about a week ago. The feeder is really getting a lot of action now that the leaves have fallen.