Wish I Was There!

Well, let me see.... a while back, when I was building my mothers quilt, my sewing machine broke on me. As I was sewing away, a wheel went flying rapidly through the air. I was bummed for sure; luckily, I was only putting on the edging. Hence, sandwiching the quilt. So, I was able to do the rest by hand. So, this weekend, I treated myself to a new sewing machine that was on sale. I purchased a Brother- Limited Edition Project Runway sewing machine. It is nifty! I has all of these stitches that it can do, it embroiders, cross stitches, does automatic button holes, and it self- threads its needle! Oh, this new toy will bring so much fun to my crafts and I will not get as frustrated on this machine. My other machine, my trusty Singer, I've had since college. I was taking a costume design class, which required sewing. I got the machine as a Christmas gift and I've used it a lot over the years. I do hope that it can be fixed so that I have a back-up machine. At any rate, this summer, I hope to have fun with my machine.

I watched Hamlet the other night- it was FANTASTIC! Patrick Stewart was down right evil in this movie! It was very fun to watch.

Today absolutely must be a day of relaxation and pampering. I think a cappucino is needed as well as a good home manicure. On the plus side, it's sunny with cheerful birds chirping. Although, I do wish to be at the beach today, or rather on the coast. The salt air would do my heart some good. Puppy is getting older rapidly and she is having troubles which saddens me greatly. One some days she is terribly sick and depressed and other days she's her lively self. It's hard though, we're connected to each other like "Elliott" and "E.T."

So, a little sprucing up of myself and a treat from Ladytoesocks' cafe and I'll be fabulous! Until then~ Toodaloo!

Sunshine!

What a fantastic Spring morning this has been! It is so nice to open all of the windows and let the fresh air breeze throught the house. This morning, the sun is shining and the birds are chirping and it is so easy to be in a great mood.
Today is Cinqo de Mayo, so I'll be having homemade burritos tonight.Today, however, I'll be making lemon bars. Last weekend, I made delicious coffee bars. Have you ever had those? It is something my mother used to make when I was a kid and I always loved opening my Cabbage Patch Kid lunch box after a Bewitched re-run and finding a coffee bar. The moment brightened my, otherwise, boring day at the babysitters. So, Saturday, I found a good recipe online and made some. Lately though, I've been craving a lot of citrus food. On Sunday, I made a lemon meringue pie. That is gone now, and so are the bars. So, today the lemon bars will do.
So, this weekend is mothers day and I'll be celebrating with my sisters and Mum. I'm making my traditional fancy pants meal and dessert. I'm making an herb garden as a gift for my Mum. I'm putting it near the back steps. She'll love that!
Also, here is something exciting! The other night, I couldn't sleep. So, while channel surfing in the wee hours of the morning, I stumbled on a man on PBS who looked like David Tennant- but didn't sound like him. I looked at him for a while and it occured to me that it was David Tennant. That it was Hamlet that I was watching. I remembered reading that he spoke with an English accent for the role. So, I watched it. It was fanatastic- he's a great actor. Guess who else was in it....Patrick Stewart! Yes," Cpt. Jean Luc Piccard" and "Doctor Who" as "Claudius" and "Hamlet!" I giggle, snort, and shift my glasses as I speak! Well, the movie was long; by 3:00 a.m. there was an intermission, and I hoped the show would be continued until another night. However, it kept going and I knew that if I continued on I'd be up until 5:00 am. So, at 3:30 a.m. I turned of the tv, defeated. So- I preordered it on Walmart.com and it will be arriving in a few days. When it comes, Brandy and I will lock ourselves in our cave armed with coffee, a bowl of popcorn and an adult diaper and we won't be seen until sunset. We can hardly wait! Until next time~ Toodaloo!

It's Raining!

So, yet again, it is raining. This season has had some rather, unusual weather. It makes me wonder what the summer will bring. I looked out the window to find that the trees now have leaves! I am not exactly sure when this occured, since when I took Brandy for a walk, just the other day, the trees were still budding. Perhaps, the buds were larger than I observed them to be. However, there are most certainly leaves on the trees. They are not completely open, and I am sure the rain is putting a damper on their progress. I forget how soon May will be here, so I guess it makes sense. I rarely go outside, so it's easy for me to lose track of time.

The birthday gathering came and went on Saturday. Kids were running around everywhere and the normal chaos that ensues with 10 year olds came my way. I did make a yummy hamburger cake, as promised.

I made the tomatoes out of gelatin and the shredded lettuce was tinted coconut. The sesame seeds were miniature marshmallows that had been cut in half. I used tinted frosting for the mustard and tinted strawberry jam was used for barbecue sauce. The bun was a butter cake and the burger was a devils food cake. It was yummy and it made me laugh everytime I looked at it. The kids got a kick out of it too!

I also made some yummy caramel apples. By the time I took this picture, the caramel had slumped off of the apples. I wish I'd taken a picture directly after I made them. Unfortunately, I was doing so many things that morning, in preparations, that taking a picture slipped from my mind.

Other than that, I've been working on a painting off and on since the weekend, and I hope to finish it soon. I may show a picture of it when I'm done, then again, maybe I won't? Until then~ Toodaloo!

Judy Blume and Other Things

'Tis late in the evening and realized that I neglected to talk about Judy Blume in my previous post, which is silly of me, considering. Then again, considering the title of my post, it stands to reason that I am a bit absent minded.
I should be sleeping, as I am tired and I have a busy morning ahead of me tomorrow. I felt that I needed to write about some of my favorite childrens book authors. For some strange reason, I have always confused Judy Blume and Beverly Cleary. I'm not sure why that is, but to this day, I still confuse them.
I know that Beverly Cleary wrote the "Ramona" books, while Judy Blume wrote books like "Blubber." Perhaps, I confuse them because they both had young girls as the major characters and they wrote for similar audiences. However, I think that if you read their books as an adult, you'll find bigger differences.
I never read the "Margaret" book that Judy Blume wrote. In fact, I think that a lot of her books I shyed away from as a young girl, because I was a bit skiddish about the subject matter of them. Last summer, my library was having book sales all throughout the summer. During one of these sales I grabbed the book "Blubber" and after reading it, I really wished I'd read it when I was a young lass. I'm not sure why girls act like they, sometimes, do. I think that everyone should read the book. It is odd, the movie, Mean Girls shows how girls behave when they are put together. When you watch the movie, you're sort of glad that you're out of high school. Then, you turn on the tv, and Bravo has they're own version in the form of the series Real Housewives. Oddly, a lot of the women on the show are single and I'm pretty sure they spend more time at parties than at home. At least, that is the bulk of what is shown- parties, fashion shows, and cocktail hour with the ladies. I guess the kids are with the nanny. So, that may not be what they do when the cameras are gone, and I'm sure the show is editted that way. I guess somebody thinks that seeing cat fighting at a party is more interesting than seeing these women actually being housewives.
At any rate, it's hard seeing grown women behave that way, and I wish they would all get a copy of "Blubber." I think that it would make them be better people. Maybe it's easy to revert back to behaving the way we did when we were kids. However, when you're an adult, with an adult heart and you read that book- everything comes back to mind. All the awful stuff you endured as a kid. It's harder as a grown-up reading that book, because we've all been there. The thing is, it reminds even the kindest heart to try harder. That's my thoughts. Until next time~ Toodaloo!

Are You There Sanity? It's Me, Ladytoesocks.

This title has been whirling through my head for the passed few months. This week is vacation week. I am not going away for the week, exactly. Instead, I am going back to Me! Today, I have dedicated the day to cleaning. I mean, clearing away all of the laundry, dusting, wiping down dirty surfaces, sweeping and washing floors.

This doesn't sound like much of a vacation, I know. However, it is very uplifting to remove all physical and tactile debris in order to emotionally and mentally relax. The rest of the week will be free for me to do low maintanance work. That way, I can dedicate my week to doing what I love to do. I will read lots of L.M. Montgomery books, I'll paint, I'll make sculptures, I'll bake, and I have cappucino while watching Steven & Chris.

I don't have any particular images for this post. So, I'm showing some garden photos from my garden. I think these pictures are cheerful, and evoke the feeling of Spring and Summer.

Later this week, I'll be hosting a birthday party for my nephew. I'm going with a carnival theme. I'll post about that when the time comes. Until then.~ Toodaloo!

A Task Complete

Well, I finished the quilt that I was making for my mother, last night. I tried to take a decent picture of it today. However, the one that I did take, somehow, got erased. Merlin clearly likes the quilt. I think that he'll probably try to claim it as his own, because that it just the way he is.

He couldn't understand why I was so determined to get a picture of the quilt. He was simply, minding his own business, taking a luxurious morning nap. When suddenly, a quilt was thrown on top of him as though he were some damned dirty ape! Pour Que? Perhaps it had something to do with him napping on the table, which is a flat surface on which I could lay a quilt onto. Hmmm.


At the end of the photo session, he was happy to look good for the camera.


In other news, I spent the day cleaning and that makes for a happier Ladytoesocks. This Friday school is off. So, I took today off, instead. I'll teach on Friday and get things done today. On those days when errands need to be done, it's really hard to squeeze in school and keep a kid focused. So, I'd rather get all of the stressful stuff out of the way for the week, which will make the rest of the week a breeze. I'll let you know how it all works out for me. Until then ~Toodaloo!

April Showers

I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm feeling soggy. On the bright side of things, I am able to get a lot of laundry and projects done. I'm nearing the finish line with the quilt that I am constructing for my mother. The other day, I assembled new book shelves for my bedroom. It's nice, because the clutter has gone away and I can, once again, relax in my cave. Also, my books and my DVD's are so organized now that I'm giddy.

Also this week, I made some magic in the kitchen.

After an exhausting start to the day on Wednesday, I decided to make brownies. Then I had an awful idea; rather than making the normal cheesecake marble brownies, I thought I'd make them be peanut butter cheesecake marble brownies. I don't know why I do these things! I'm just a sinister chef in the kitchen. These treats went fast. Remarkably there are a few left. However, in my family, we all want to be nice and save the last treats for others, so then they stay around longer until someone finally folds.

Also in the kitchen, I made a quiche using the left over ham and asparagus from our Easter dinner. This time, I used frozen pie crust. Honestly, some days I have so many things that I need to get done around the house, that making pie crust isn't fun and is more of a chore than anything else. I love quiche! It's one of those dishes that can be used for any meal and can be made in so many different ways. You could pretty much look in your cupboard and refridgerator and find random items to throw together in a quiche and as long as they are bound together with egg and cheese, it will come out delicious. There certainly are some things that wouldn't go together, like fruit cocktail and baked beans; but you get the idea.

So today, I'll complete the quilt, clean the laundry, watch the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice and then maybe read a little short story from Lucy Maud Montgomery. Also, Doctor Who will be on tonight. I think this is the last time for a while that they'll be airing the David Tennant episodes. Next week, I think, they'll be showing the new episodes. I think I might have to get the David Tennant episodes on DVD, starting with series two. I'm starting to get all misty eyed. Sigh.

I guess I'll cross that bridge when it comes. Until then~ Toodaloo!

Chocolate Guacamole

So, last weekend, out of boredom, I decided to be adventurous with one of my cookbooks. I pulled out one cookbook which uses trickery in the kitchen; i.e. adding vegetables to dishes without detection. Since I am not sure how copyrights go, I'll neglect to name the cookbook. I'll just say that you can find it in a lot of department stores and it is a fantastic and fun cookbook.

So, to the point.... I've used the recipes in the book before, but mainly, only the main dish recipes, never the desserts. Here is where the adventure begins.

The recipe was Chocolate Pudding. Only, it didn't include eggs, or milk, or even granulated sugar. It did have cocoa powder, powdered sugar and avocado---Jump Back!

The process of making the pudding was much less tedious than the traditional method. However, I did deviate from the recipe a bit and used a mixer to fluff it up a little.

Was it any good? Yes, it was very chocolatey; as such, I highly recommend this when you need a serious chocolate fix. Did it taste like pudding? Not exactly, this stuff was pretty dense and a little grainy. It actually tasted like brownie batter. So, if you like eating brownie batter, now you can do it without care. Did it taste like chocolate guacamole? It depends on who you talk to regarding this issue. Yes, initially, I could taste the avocado. However, after a few bites, it wasn't noticable. I think that if an unsuspecting consumer tasted it, they probably could tell there was something different about the pudding, but wouldn't know what it was.

More importantly, I had a 9 year old eating this whenever I said it was okay. So, if a kid will eat it, it was a success. He knew about the fruit in it, because he saw me making it, and was rather fascinated with the idea.

I think that if you added some flour and baking soda to the mixture, you could make some awesome brownies with it. I highly recommend this to my vegan friends because the only ingredient that would need alteration would be the margarine. That is an easy switcheroo!

In other news, today I am spring cleaning- sort of. My bedroom is getting cluttered, so I bought another set of book shelves. I think this will help me reorganize my stuff and then I'll feel less claustrophobic in my room. Also, I am nearly done with the quilt that I've been working on. So, all in all, it will be a busy week. Until next time~ Toodaloo!

Being Domestic

A few weeks back, I decided to visit my local thrift store and I found a few treasures. This apron appears to be hand made and is so gosh darn cute. I use it when I am cleaning the house. I started using aprons a few years back when I came to understand that no matter how hard I try, I am messy when baking. No matter how delicately I mix cake batter, it always seems to splatter on me. Flour is the biggest culprit when it comes to messes.


Aprons, although very "June Cleaver," really do save me from a lot of grief. So, this frilly little darling is used when I clean to keep dust, grime, and cleaners off of my duds.

This spiffy mug I purchased along with the apron and a vintage Roy Rogers book that I snagged for my Pappy. When people see me walk in the room with coffee in that mug, they know right away that I am one classy lady!







Today, I believe, is Maple Sunday. To celebrate, I made myself some crepes topped with sliced Mackintosh Apples, cinnamon sugar, and home made maple syrup. I, Ladytoesocks, certainly did not make that syrup. Yes, I do tend to go a little "Martha Stewart" most of the time. However, I cannot show this syrup without saying that my Pappy made this syrup from sap taken from the maple tree in out back yard.

Yes, it has been a rather domestic weekend, I currently have a pot roast in the oven, the laundry is being done, and off and on I've been working on a quilt for my mother. I have collected old flannel shirts from my Pappy, which I've cut up the shirts to make patches. I am now in the process of making squares. Within a few weeks, my Mum, can cozy up in a throw quilt made from her husbands shirts, and I think that is just so nice.

That is all for now. I'll keep you updated on my domestic adventures. Until then~ Toodaloo!

Ohhhhhh, It's Good to Be Back!

Yes, it HAS been a while. Do let me explain. My computer was sick, I couldn't post while it was not feeling well. Also, it took me a while to finally remember to pick up some batteries for my camera so that I could post pictures within my posts. Lastly, winter was bringing me down. I am at my least creative in the winter.


One reason I am less creative in the winter is the lack of sunshine and bird calls. As much as I love the winter holidays, looking out of doors tends to be monochromatic. It lacks inspiration for me. Also, with the holidays my creative energy is focused on making goodies and gifts for friends and family. On the practical side of the matter, it is unpleasant to paint in the winter because of the fumes. Naturally, I tend to paint more in the spring and summer months when I may air out my room with an open window.


Now, however, Spring is soon approaching. I began hearing the Phoebe in February and on random days I could smell Spring air. So, my creative urges are being rekindled.

As for March- we just had St. Patricks day.



I made a green velvet cake with minty cookies and cream frosting!
I didn't edit the photo before posting, so it's a little dark.
The cake is the color of moss.









I also made Irish soda bread!

This went great with our New England boil dinner!

Tonight, I shall work on a quilt. I hope you had a great St. Patricks Day!
Until next time~ Toodaloo!

Oh, I'm a Hermit!

Yes, it is true, I am living like a hermit. It is now February and it is freezing outside. The kind of cold, where if you step outside the water on your eyeballs and the moisture in your mouth screams "Holy Crap, what are you doing?" Still, no pictures of my doings. You cannot rely on rechargable batteries for a digital camera. The batteries may be better for the environment ~ I'm still on the fence on that one- but, they need to be charged every time you want to use them.

Today, I am going to make some cold cream. I have this pink spiral bound notebook that I've had for years. In it I've written various home remedies and recipes for girly things like facials, bubble baths, soaps, shampoos, etc. I would periodically peruse websites that had such recipes and record them in my own sort of beauty journal. So, today I am finaly going to try the cold cream recipe.

On another blog that I follow, a woman told of using her own concoction to cleanse her face that doesn't include soap. She had a link to another website that had an article about this and the recipe for the concoction and the benefits of it. Well, a month ago, I made the stuff and it really works! My face is a lot cleaner and regular facial soap dries the heck out of my face now.

I think that over time, we condition of skin to be accustomed to chemicals and less harsh ingredients. However, this often leads to unpleasant things like uneven skin tone and breakouts. Well, when I'd been using my concoction for a few weeks, I was tired and lazy one night, so I used some facial soap that I had still. It was a gel based soap, used to cleanse and fight aging etc. Wow, after using that my skin freaked out. So, the moral of the experience tells me this- be a little more conscience of what I do to myself.

In other news, I bought the movie Easy Virtue the other night. That is a fun movie with an even more fun soundtrack. The soundtrack has some music from the 1930's ( the time period of the film) but , what is even more fun about it is that they took modern songs and gave them a frisky 1930's jazz style. My favorite is the cover of the song "Sex Bomb." The version I remember was by Tom Jones- which in and of itself is a hilarious song. Turning it into a 30's jazz song is not only absurdly hilarious, it's genius! Yep, I think I'll track this down and add it to my soundtrack collection.

That is all, I must eat. I'll write later and detail how my cold cream came out. Until then~ Toodaloo!