Corky dressed for Xmas + Miscellaneous 12-06-10

Corky received this festive collar cover from Karen in Omaha. He seems indifferent, but all of his people think it is very handsome. Thanks, Karen, you are very caring.

I think this is so cool: http://www.popeater.com/2010/12/03/let-it-be-celebrity-video/?icid=main%7Chtmlws-main-n%7Cdl2%7Csec1_lnk3%7C188311

"Designer Ann" has posted photos she took of quilts in Houston - the winners in both traditional and contemporary categories AND a selection of quilts that spoke to her. Very good images and she gives the title of the quilt and the name of the maker - very considerate. www.designerann.blogspot.com/

A more traditional quilt from TCQC 12-05-10

This quilt was part of the SAQA 2010 online auction. It is more traditional than most of the quilts in the Collection and I originally bought it to give as a gift, but once it was on my wall I couldn't let it go! It is a lovely work of art - precise, gentle, calm.... what other words can I think of. Jenny has wonderful control of her FMQ and selected a lovely subject.

"May Day" Jenny K. Lyon - Granite Bay, CA 2010 12" x 12" SAQA Auction

Jenny had this to say about her quilt, "This piece reflects a beautiful May day when my yard was full of bloom and a gentle breeze was rustling all the leaves and grasses. Radiance fabric (silk/cotton blend), free-motion quilted with silk, poly and metallic threads, embellished with glass beads."

This is the back of the center of the quilt - it is as precise as the front.

Tiniest of seed beads stitched at each intersection.

Jenny's signature on the back.

The sleeve is sheer - I suppose so that all of the back can be seen.

What's for Dinner? 12-04-10

Corky's special treats are little carrots which come in one pound bags - enough carrots to last for a couple months! Obviously, a Poodle Prince can't eat ageing carrots, so... what to do? I keep trying different carrot recipes since I like cooked carrots. This time I had about one and a half pounds of both ageing and fresh carrots, so I tried one of Molly Wizenberg's recipes, posted in November. http://orangette.blogspot.com/2010/11/she-got-out-skillet.html

Molly cuts her carrots into 1/4" rounds, but I just cut the fatter ones vertically in half. Other than that I followed her recipe exactly. The carrots are delicious. Of course, there are waaaay too many for me, so when I return Corky to his parents on Monday I will take them a container. And maybe Carol and Dick Bednar will enjoy trying them. I'll cut the recipe in half (or more) in the future. And I'll still have enough for a week of meals! I suppose they will freeze okay.

This is my 10-inch cast iron skillet, but I think I should have used the 11.25-incher. Definitely if I every have to cook a full two pounds of carrots.

Delicious!

When I stopped for gas I noticed this billboard. I didn't immediately see that the large word is PLAN and then it took me some minutes to translate the Spanish to English. I only have English, but can figure out some Spanish, French and Italian if I really work at it. The sign says, "Prepare[ing] now reduces the effects of a disaster tomorrow." We all live with the threat of a major earthquake, no matter what language we speak/read.

What's For Lunch? 12-03-10

I do like to try different foods. Sometimes I am disappointed, but usually I discover something I enjoy a lot. Trader Joe's is a good source of new discoveries.

When I saw "Brussels Sprout Salad in the refrigerated case I didn't react with joy - I thought it sounded a little strange, even though I do like Brussels sprouts cooked. But, hey, it was something I had never tried.

The ingredients are cooked tiny Brussels sprouts, dried cranberries, bits of bacon, roasted hazelnuts, Manchego cheese and honey Dijon mustard vinaigrette.

It was DELICIOUS! The Brussels sprouts were very tender and very mild, the bacon was subtle and the vinaigrette was a perfect balance of sharp, sour and sweet. I may stop tomorrow for another box when I go to LBeach to pick up the Poodle Prince. It has to be a seasonal product, so I will enjoy it while it is "in".

Speaking of 'seasonal', the manager at my local TJ's admitted to me that they will not be carrying cranberry chutney this year. I guess I will have to dig out my recipe and make my own. Although I do so little cooking I'm not sure I now know any longer!

Those posts 12-02-10

These posts are not so interesting if they aren't lined up and photographed from the right angle.

This pet supply store is bright and garish, even for Southern California. And maybe that is why it is always so busy - it attracts attention. Just in the time I was there taking pictures I think about twenty cars pulled in. It almost always has a crammed parking lot.

If you are looking for a Xmas gift for someone special - check out Rayna Gillman's scarf sale: http://studio78notes.blogspot.com/2010/12/holiday-scarf-sale.html I have several of her scarves and whenever I wear them people compliment me on how great they are. And now I will have another to show off. When I am not wearing them I hang them on a rod in my dressing area so I can admire them.

You might enjoy this early look at Bergdorf's holiday windows: http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/16/first-look-bergdorfs-holiday-windows/?ref=womens-fashion

Wordless Wednesday 12-01-10

The Parking Lot 11-30-10

Most parking lots are just big lots with lots of cars parked fender to fender, nose to nose. But some are places where things happen - meetings, exchanges, conversations... who knows what! The lot at my favorite Starbuck's is one of the latter. There is an El Pollo Loco sharing the lot which backs up onto Anaheim Lakes which is a popular place for locals to fish off the banks - I don't know what they catch, I've never seen anyone catch anything! I drive to the fence , park and drink my coffee while I watch the birds, there are always rafts of seagulls and sometimes more interesting species.

If Corky is with me I have to go to the drive-thru window and be greeted by one of these guys (or gals) in the red aprons. I'd rather go inside so I can doctor my latte with a little milk if it is too bitter, but they won't let Corky in! They used to give treats out to dogs at the drive-thru, but after the business about harmful ingredients in some dog treats the corporate office put a stop to it. Now I always carry treats because Corky doesn't understand about corporate edicts.

Bicyle clubs need rendezvous at the beginning and end of a ride, and sometimes a few stops along the way. The support vehicles park way back in the lot and set up tables with water and snacks for the riders. This club does work for charity, but I didn't quite understand who they were or what they do. Their van is easy to pick out in its bright paint - and the bikes on the top!

This is one of our resident Ospreys. There are several man-made osprey nesting platforms at the less visited end of the lake and the birds go fishing anywhere they like. They are raptors who pull fish from the water to eat. Quite fascinating in this very populated area.

It is hard to see the top line on this license plate frame (click to enlarge), but it is the best of three images I took. The next best view would be if I reclined on the parking lot pavement, but I knew I wouldn't be able to get up without help! And surely not in time to keep someone from running over me.

As for the 'exchanging' - this is the lot where I meet the Poodle Parents when they need to drop off or pick up Corky; convenient for both of us and convenient for others. There is a lady who takes care of her daughter's dog when the daughter travels, so they meet here to do the "exchange". I frequently see children being exchanged by (presumably divorced) parents - it doesn't always go smoothly. Sometimes there are small groups of scouts going off or returning from a camping trip. And then there are the exchanges of kisses! One could, I suppose, write a novel about adventures in the Starbuck's parking lot - no violence, no gratuitous sex. It would never sell.