Thinking about my Grandma

I took these out the other day to look at them and dust them . My dad gave these to me a couple of years ago for my birthday; they belonged to my grandma. I love how color coordinated they are, and I would have to say that the one with the lily of the valley in the cup is my favorite. I also have six demitasse cups that she gave me one Christmas. Grandma had many little collections, like these cup and saucers, and quite a large lladro collection.
When I was little, my grandma gave me this photo of herself and Doris Day. She gave it to me so I wouldn't feel sad that she was going home after visiting for the summer. I treasure this photo of her, because it really represents her personality. She worked in a bakery in Beverley Hills back in the day when stars were really stars. She struck up many friendships along the way, and wonderful memories as well. Doris Day was a very good friend to her, and they corresponded up until my grandma passed away. She visited Doris at her home when she lived in L.A. My grandma moved out of state in the mid-seventies, but they still wrote to each other all the time. Doris Day now lives in Carmel California,and back in 1987 I worked in Carmel. My grandma came to visit me and also to visit Doris. I remember a driver coming to pick her up to take her to her home. I never met Doris, but I did see her out and about when I was at work.
My grandma had some very amazing stories about some of the stars of Hollywood,one of them about Alfred Hitchcock. She had to go to his home once for some kind of catered event,and she said he was quite odd, and his house was rather dark and eerie, there was more to this story, but my memory fails me.I really wished that I had written down some of her stories about her days at the bakery.
She was such a friendly person, and had many friends. I love to remember all the little things too, like how she made the best shortbread ever, and being of British decent, she could sure make a mean roast beef dinner! The other thing about her, was how impeccable she use to dress. From head to toe, she was always put together, with the prettiest jewelry and accessories. I'd like to think that I inherited some of her traits.
I'm glad that I have these cups that she loved, it makes me feel like she is present in my home.
I hope this posts makes others think about fond memories of their grandparent.
Have a good rest of the week blog friends.

Just a quick little post

You have to click on these pictures to see the little birdies up close. I couldn't zoom in any closer. Growing up I saw these little California Quail a lot. Then I moved to the coast for about 7 or so years,and I never saw them. We have moved around a bit in our town,and it has always been a bit to urban for them to be around I suppose, until this house. It is more on the outskirts of town, with lots of land around. We see a lot of deer and of course these little cuties. I'm glad they are our state bird, they are so charming.
Female and male, making a run for it.


I'm popping in for a bit with this post to say hi. I'm doing a bit of sewing and cutting out of more projects, and that is why I've been absent. So, Hi everyone, and excuse me for a bit while I do some sewing. Have a great rest of the week. Hopefully I'll have something to show you all soon.

Baby cuteness

On Saturday, we went to a homecoming celebration for this little darling boy,my niece's first born. His name is: Jett Alexander. His original due date was April 1st, but because of some complications with the pregnancy, he arrived on January 5th, weighing in at only 1 lb. and 13 oz. So, this gathering was a homecoming celebration/baby shower. It was a beautiful day yesterday, perfect for an outdoor celebration.
This is my niece Jenn, and my sister Victoria
This is Jenn's sister,and my niece Elizabeth. Proud auntie!
I had to include this picture of these three gorgeous girls! From left, Caitlin, Isabella,and Natalia. They are my sisters girls.
This is my nephew, sisters little boy, Matthew
Jenn and her husband Danny.
Cute cake, but I would have a hard time cutting through the face!!
The happy little family.

Spring cleaning

I decided to clean out my closet yesterday,and decided it was time to take out my spring/summer handbags. This one is my very favorite that I bought in France, made by Lancel. I so wish that they would sell Lancel in the States. The only brand that has made it State side is "Longchamp." Which, for me, is not as nice as Lancel. This purse was inspired by the movie "Amelie." If you click on the pictures, you can see all the little streets and monuments on the pattern. When I bought this handbag, they had so many items you could get with this fabric. They had a trench coat, umbrella,and many other styles of wallets and as you can see below.....


this adorable coin purse and credit card holder. Since I bought the handbag and coin purse, the sales lady gave me the credit card holder as a gift. I thought that was so nice, and it made my day! Anyway, I thought I'd share this cute little bag, as I don't think it was ever sold in the U.S.
First off before I say anything about this little bag. I have to say that I'm no fan of the shop "Brighton." In fact, I think it is just too over the top cute. Having said that, one year they had this little number in the window, and I fell in love with the flowers. When I got it for mothers day I was so happy. When I got home, I immediately took of the "Brighton" heart fob on it,to de-Brightonize it!
I just pretend I got it from somewhere else :)

My closet is now organized and ready for some new friends to be welcomed in. Cleaning your closet always feels like you just did a deep cleansing breath. Now I'm off to tidy up my sewing space again!

Easter Celebration

Hope everyone had a very happy Easter, we sure did! It was a very low key affair, which is always nice, since you get to relax a bit more and the "entertaining" is kept to a minimum.
Above it the center piece that I put together for the Easter table. It was a pretty fun project,and very simple. I started some wheat grass a week ago,and was a bit concerned that it wouldn't be ready in time, but it sure spouted quickly with no problem. Next I lined this little twig tricycle with plastic, then placed and oasis in the center. I scooped out some of the grass bit by bit, and stuffed it around the edges. Next was a matter of pushing the tulips into the oasis. Ta da!
Here are the Easter sisters.
A view of the table
Other side of table
We had crown roast of lamb, with minted saffron rice, baby glazed carrots and turnips.
I forgot to snap a more appealing photo of dessert on my egg shaped plates, but I was a bit wiped out at that point! So here is a picture of my strawberry rhubarb pie.
Happy Easter, happy spring to all!

My little Easter craft

I had all these supplies in my craft cabinet, so why not make a cute Easter egg.
I bought these adorable little millinery goodies about a year ago at the Alameda flea market,and at the time didn't know what I wanted to do with them. I looked through and old Martha Stewart magazine and came across a project for glittered eggs. I realized I had all the supplies, so why not give it a whirl?!
after a couple coats of acrylic paint.......
I glued on the Dresden gold trim.......
Then came the fun part...Glitter!! Why is glitter so magical?
Finished product......

Instead of watching American Idol last night...........

We went to Berkeley to see "Travis." The lead singer, pictured above is Fran Healy. He is an amazing singer and lyricist. Love their music, and they are so good live. He chatted a lot with the audience last night,and it is always fun to hear that Scottish accent. The venue was the Zellerbach hall on the UC campus. I give the venue an F- for a rock concert. I have been there before, but for classical music. The acoustics are great, but it really isn't great for a rock show. Usually on the ticket stub it will say, "No cameras, or recording devices" our tickets didn't say that,and I have photographed them before at the Fillmore. When I got there, they had posted no cameras or recording devices. Well, you just know that people are not going to listen to this, given that everyone and their uncle has a camera phone or IPhone. The security tried their hardest to stop it, but really why? I was sitting near the aisle, and was told not to take pictures. This particular lady had it out for me, since I was a bit frosty towards her. I later took some more photos,and she returned to scold me and threaten my life if I didn't stop. OH BROTHER! As she is telling me this, all you see are flash bulbs going off every second. I was an easy target,since I was so close to the aisle. I put the camera away, and then decided on the last song, I would take more and not use a flash. I'm sure though that if the flashes were bothering the band, they would say something,since they are a very outspoken group. ANYWAY, aside from that minor annoyance, they were fantastic as usual. Close to the end of the set, they did a cover song, Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl." Very funny and well done, as the two men,Fran and Andy,the guitar player, decided to get cozy with one another, just short of a kiss.
This band members name is Dougie Payne. This guy is too funny! He is very tall and thin, and when he is up there he always has a smile and tends to slowly sway with the music. The smile is so cute, but every time I tried to take one of him smiling it came out blurred. Last time we saw them at the Fillmore in San Francisco, we were so close to him on a balcony that we got to wave to him,and he just smiled away at us.
If you don't know this group, go to You Tube, and watch the video "Sing." That one is my favorite!
It was a fun night out,and I hope to see them again,but according to Fran, that won't be for a while, since they plan to take some time off and craft another album and just live life for a while.

For all the cooks out there

Last weekend we went shopping for the kitchen. Most of you who know me are probably wondering, what could she possibly need that she already doesn't have! Well....I didn't have this new gadget for my Kitchen Aid mixer. If you like to make cakes etc., then you might want to get one of these babies. It is a new paddle that scrapes the whole side of the bowl, from top to bottom! No more stopping and using a spatula to scrape down the edges. I haven't used it yet, but plan to very soon......I'm excited.
I have a set of LTD. All Clad cookware,but I really needed another 4 qt. pot, so I finally decided to get this small 4qt. soup pot. It came with the beautiful ladle that you see peeking out on the bottom.
Then came time to get 4 more place settings for my everyday flatware. These are from Williams Sonoma, and they are called "Absolu." I'm slightly annoyed with the manufacture of them(French) because if you look on the next photo and click on it to make it larger, you will see that the newer one to the right, doesn't have the nifty little stamp like the other one, that is now a year old. We searched all of the Williams Sonoma stores in the Bay Area,and no one had the stamped ones anymore. So, now there are 4 odd men out when I set the table for 12. Not a big deal, since I seldom have 12 people over at once. Also, nobody would probably notice except for me. But Still!!!!!!

We also purchased another four place settings of Apilco dinnerware. Now my everyday dishes and flatwear are complete,and since we spent a chunk of change on them, I don't think we ever really need to replace them again.
I had so much fun getting this stuff! Most women love to shop for shoes or clothing, but I love housewares and especially kitchen goodies.

Bunnies and candies oh my!

This amazing chocolate shop(Joseph Schmidt) in San Francisco has been in operation for over 20 years. We have been going to it for at least 19 of those years. Sadly, with Hershey's buying them, and Scharffen Berger, they will no longer be in operation after June. To say that I hate them is putting it mildly! They took over in 2005,and now they have completed their evil plan of shutting the best chocolate shops in the Bay Area. We decided to go visit, and buy some chocolate for the last time this past Sunday. They use to have the most incredible chocolate bunnies and other little animals in the cases,but now they only had mostly packaged up goodies.
If you click on the picture to make it larger, you can see above the shop keepers head, some of the older sculptures they use to make. Back in the day, they made beautiful multi colored tulips and other amazing confections.


Here are a few goodies at my house to usher in the Easter season. Some of them you may remember from last Easter, but I included other little friends that are tucked in and around the house.
This guy is creepy and cute all in one I think. He is limited edition "toy" I bought way back in the eighties, from an art gallery where I worked in Carmel. There are only 150 of them. He is mostly ceramic with a soft body, satin shirt and corduroy pants. His face is all hand painted. He even has little painted finger nails. Quite the dandy no?
Baa Baa
My daughter, Nicole gave me this charming little bunny one year. I think he is German, and mostly made of molded paper.His head comes off, so you can fill him with candy.
This candle bunny was from the store "Illuminations." He is chocolate scented. If he were not made of wax, I would eat him. The store, "Illuminations" got bought out by NERDY Yankee Candle Co, and they shut all of the Illumination stores down!! I loved that store, it had such classy candles and decorations for the seasons. Boo hiss on Yankee Candle Co. for shutting them down!
This little guy is in an egg go cart of sorts, I love his vintage look, even though he is not.


I'm working on my center piece for my table and I hope it works out. I'm a bit nervous about it, since I haven't put one together like it before. I wish I had better skills in flower arranging.
Anyway, thought I'd share a bit of Easter fun with you all. Tomorrow I'll show you what I bought on my kitchen shopping spree.

More projects and a finnished top

Yesterday I had to go to the fabric store to get some buttons and biased tape for my red top. I ended up getting these two fabrics for another top and skirt. Funny thing though, when I got home, I noticed that the patterned fabric was very similar to the Liberty of London fabric I bought for another top! At least the colors are different. My eye just went right to it, and thought it would be great for summer.
I had no one to take a photo of me in this, so here it hangs. This fabric was going to be originally for a skirt, though it was very difficult to use on most of the skirt patterns that I had, since most of them curved at the bottom, and you would have lost some of the design. I happened to find this pattern, that actually was meant for a boarder. It looks pretty cute on, and maybe I'll actually model it at a later date.
I've got the sewing bug, so I'm off to make something else....... Maybe a dress for Caitlin this time.