tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13526953892939716692024-02-24T05:10:58.946-05:00Little KumquatThoughts of a TwinUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger348125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352695389293971669.post-82685496486867683582013-10-10T15:29:00.003-04:002013-10-10T15:29:17.755-04:00Little Kumquat Has Moved!A lot of things have been going on around here. Fall is officially here (Winter is just around the corner!), we're finished canning/freezing, Samwise turned seven and Gramma Gail came up for a visit over the weekend.<br />
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The biggest piece of news, though, is that I have moved my blog from Blogger to Weebly. So, be sure to check out my new blog at: <a href="http://littlekumquat.weebly.com/">http://littlekumquat.weebly.com</a><br />
Nothing is changing --- I've just moved (in an effort to get less "hooked in" to the Google stuff) and picked up right where this one is leaving off. Please, make sure to come over to the new blog!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352695389293971669.post-86370117299150847032013-09-20T19:04:00.001-04:002013-09-20T19:04:48.207-04:00Swan and Eggs Gourd Set and More!Things are going on here just about the same as usual, though we are all excited to be at the end of the canning/freezing season. We officially finished our freezing for the season yesterday evening! Wow! The freezer is packed to capacity with peppers, zucchinis, beans, broccoli and the like. We are almost finished with canning as well --- just a few stray batches to go. Nothing major. Tomatoes are done, and that's a big deal. We've got tomatoes canned up in all kinds of ways: stewed, spaghetti sauce, salsa, etc. We have a little Salsa Verde to go, but just a small batch. Mom and I went down to the auction this morning and ended up staying for just about fifteen minutes and buying two quarts of buckeyes. Not bad!<br />
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Last week at the Farmers' Market, I was able to get a "Swan and Eggs" gourd set. We're not really decorating much outside this year, but I've been waiting for those to come on for weeks. She's now sitting outside in my Gnome Garden looking mighty pretty! I've gotten a small pumpkin and a burgundy-colored Mum to put out there with her since taking the photo, too.<br />
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I finally remembered to take a few pictures of things before they were processed into jars or freezer containers. Poblano peppers, Autumn strawberries (the best tasting things <u>ever</u>!) and some Horticulture Beans in jars. That just shows the beans in the jars before the rings were put on and they were canned. Once they come out of the pressure canner they just look like typical brown beans. They taste amazing! Of course, Oliver had to get in on this, too! Here he is being taken for a "walk" in my gnome garden with Mom. He's the best cat in the world.<br />
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This afternoon, we took a quick run out to Berlin and Millersburg to go up to the Heini's cheese factory and the Guggisburg cheese factory. That was fun. It was a nice afternoon for a drive and we were able to stock up on cheese at $2.00 a pound! Not bad! More later.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352695389293971669.post-64364807815039528672013-09-14T11:47:00.004-04:002013-09-14T11:49:22.225-04:00Royal Baby Fever: Duke, Duchess and Prince George Wool DollsRoyal Baby Fever has really hit me. Where the world seemed to spend all of their energy on waiting for the Royal Baby to <u>arrive</u>, I have had a lot more fun <u>since</u> he arrived. After over ten years of collecting paper and memorabilia, coins and stamps and things like that having to do with the reign of King George VI, having a new little prince named George is FUN! I've ordered the New Zealand postage stamps (should arrive next week!) and even a Royal Trust "Royal Baby Loving Cup" for my hutch (to join all the KGVI china). I've spent any free moment in the evenings that I could get working on a Prince George scrapbook. What is it Elizabeth says: <i>Enjoy it now while he's a baby, and you can imagine him as any type of prince that you like</i>. As you can tell, Royal Baby Fever hasn't hit her as hard as it has me! ;)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as <i>Minikin</i> Wool Dolls --- including Prince George!</b></span></div>
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Not to forget any chance of enjoying this little Prince, we decided to make a set of <i>Minikin</i> dolls that looks like Prince William and Princess Catherine when they stepped out of the Lindo Wing at St. Mary's in London to show off their new baby to the waiting public --- via hundreds of media cameras and reporters. They really dressed for the occasion in baby blue, carrying Prince George wrapped in a merino wool shawl. It seemed like the perfect "makings" for a set of <i>Minikins</i>. Elizabeth made Duchess Kate's custom-made Jenny Packham polka dot dress out of blue wool/rayon felt --- and hand-sewed every dot on it! Prince William even has metallic thread to make the studs on his belt.<br />
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Baby Prince George of Cambridge is the "crowning" touch (bad pun, I know!) to this set --- in my opinion. He's my favorite part. I needle felted him out of merino wool. Actually, the real shawl that little George was wrapped in was made by <i>G.H. Hurt & Son</i>, a Nottingham-based company --- and it was made of merino wool!<br />
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We've just listed these in our <i>Etsy</i> store as a custom order, which means that we "make them to order" in about three weeks. If anyone reading this post is interested in ordering their own Royal Family dolls, please contact me through the e-mail address at the top of the right-hand column here on my blog. The Baby George <i>Minikin</i> is actually felted individually and is not sewn onto the Princess Catherine doll. If you'd like your little George in the arms of Prince William, well, we could do that, too! We could also make the Duke and Duchess in the outfits they wore in the first official pictures of Prince George.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSTh4VuCypNkYuVWPdx3V7fpc1Cr99OiGWbCER1jeIn2CDZ3KxoBG1XRFDqDqCy55bGUJzVG0W_uHM5V21ZmYplIi1SOjclsgxgUB2X9vOF572C1vxuNfM6OaGN8-J19xz6RJejibvfc/s1600/EMBARGOED-Duke-and-Duchess-of-Cambridge-with-Prince-George-2188609.jpg"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSTh4VuCypNkYuVWPdx3V7fpc1Cr99OiGWbCER1jeIn2CDZ3KxoBG1XRFDqDqCy55bGUJzVG0W_uHM5V21ZmYplIi1SOjclsgxgUB2X9vOF572C1vxuNfM6OaGN8-J19xz6RJejibvfc/s640/EMBARGOED-Duke-and-Duchess-of-Cambridge-with-Prince-George-2188609.jpg" width="510" /></a>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>The First Official Picture of Prince George</b></span></div>
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So, I hope that everybody is enjoying the Royal Baby --- and a peek at our newest wool felt dolls! The pictures don't really do them justice, though. You need to see them and hold them to get the <u>real</u> feeling. :) More later. <br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352695389293971669.post-53633679582520112682013-09-13T18:58:00.002-04:002013-09-13T18:58:51.551-04:00Friday the 13th . . .Today is Friday the 13th of 2013! Wow! That doesn't happen often. Elizabeth and I were having a smile over it. We're not superstitious, but it's one of those things that is always made fun of and doesn't actually occur too often.<br />
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The weather here has turned <u>freezing</u>! In the 50s today, so standing at the produce auction this morning was pretty nippy. Got another peck of jalapenos, so tomorrow I'm going to be working on freezing them for poppers. Yay!<br />
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Gotta go, but thought it would be fun to post a short one. More later.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352695389293971669.post-39090617942182892702013-09-12T12:28:00.000-04:002013-09-13T12:28:41.415-04:00More Beans and More CanningThe weeks are passing and they are all sort of blending together. We're still in the middle of canning and freezing and auctioning. The weather had been staying pretty nice, but over the last couple days we've hit record temperatures in the 90s! Of course, our tomatoes were ready in these hot days instead of the cool ones. We've been making and canning spaghetti sauce and tomatoes for soup. We have also been freezing poblano peppers and zucchini for stuffing. On top of all that, Mom and I bought nine pecks of horticulture beans at the auction yesterday! That is 2-1/4 bushels of them. We shelled them all yesterday and canned over half of them. The rest of them will be going into the pressure canner shortly. The beans start out so beautiful in various shades of white, pink and cranberry, but they cook into a typical brown-colored bean. They taste <u>fabulous</u>, though! They are good plain or in stuffed peppers or stuffed zucchini . . . or anything, really.<br />
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We have not had time to do much of anything that you would call "interesting" --- other than canning, that is. Elizabeth got a few westerns from the library that star Randolph Scott. Some were duds, but one in particular, <i>Seven Men from Now</i>, was pretty great! I've spent the evenings working on my scrapbook for the new Royal Baby, Prince George. I've pretty much got myself caught up now. Gramma is sending me one of the Spanish magazines with a Royal Baby cover --- so, I'm looking forward to that arriving.<br />
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Gotta go finish working now. I've got a few pictures to come but not had time to download them or upload them here. They'll come later!<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352695389293971669.post-88239264171255010592013-08-29T13:36:00.000-04:002013-09-01T13:43:18.717-04:00Heirloom Food and Horticulture Beans from the Produce Auction<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Due to some technical difficulties with the camera (i.e. the camera died and will not turn on!), it has been some days before I was able to get the pictures that go with this entry. I had it all ready on Thursday, so I'm publishing it with that date!</b></span></span><br />
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About twenty minutes drive from our house, there is an Amish-run produce auction. There are sales every morning on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during the season. Mom and I have been going for three years now, and it is always interesting to see what you can find. Friday auctions are usually filled with "pretty" food and only normal varieties. Vegetables that you can find in <i>Kroger</i> or <i>Publix</i> or whatever chain of grocery stores you visit. This is due to the "Farmer's Market" crowd (as we call it) --- in other words, all the people who are planning on setting up a cart or stall to sell produce over the weekend.<br />
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On Mondays and Wednesdays, though, there can usually be found some interesting and varied types of local produce. Yesterday Mom and I had a great time. We were able to get some heirloom tomatoes, which is something that we've always wanted to try. They don't look like the typical "red" tomato. They have a variety of colors on them --- anything from red, green, yellow and purple. They also grow in a shape that is not perfectly round. We cut one for our salad last night, and boy! They taste fabulous. You can certainly tell that taste is being hybridized right out of fruit and vegetables.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5q2Xq4xmxFqUyLkN-JFsbq9W_00XSJyuQIn3s3N3ukuaxdK_wQVFnB2nsLZz-431i279O9Zc9Sl_43IF6AkDCLPKWOr6COSy4OsLzdLcNQjWmtTruZ1NtfqFBDfSMyj3uP6Wsu6anus/s1600/BlogP1010126.jpg"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5q2Xq4xmxFqUyLkN-JFsbq9W_00XSJyuQIn3s3N3ukuaxdK_wQVFnB2nsLZz-431i279O9Zc9Sl_43IF6AkDCLPKWOr6COSy4OsLzdLcNQjWmtTruZ1NtfqFBDfSMyj3uP6Wsu6anus/s640/BlogP1010126.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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A nice thing that is usually available are some peck boxes of "mixed vegetables". This is a nice option for when you don't care to have a whole peck of some kind of vegetable at once. Mom and I bought two of those, which means that we got a nice mix of hot peppers, garlic, sweet peppers, potatoes, red cabbage, red and yellow onions, apples --- and horticulture beans! The apples we got were something called "Mollie's Delicious" which is a cross of something with a golden delicious, I believe. They are quite good, but we'd never seen them before. They are really cute, because they have a sort of heart shape to them.<br />
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Horticulture beans! They are an old variety of soup bean, grown in America for so long that they were probably here when the pilgrims landed at Plymouth. They are also known as "Cranberry Beans", "French Horticulture Beans" and a couple other similar titles. The first time that we bid on them, we were able to get a half peck. Well, they were so lovely that we went back two days later and were able to get five pecks. Wow! That was a LOT of shelling. My thumbs were sore all the next day --- but, it was so worth it! They are beautiful pink and white in color (some white, some pink and all kinds of patterns in between) when they are raw. They cook into a light/medium brown color and stay nice and firm and taste great!<br />
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The other thing that we've been working on is making and freezing stuffed zucchini. It's marvelous! Wow! We're freezing the zucchinis plain and ready for stuffing, but some of them we've put in stuffed for Dad to have for breakfast or lunch on a work day. This is a picture of some of the breakfast ones being made. Mom put scrambled eggs (with sauteed onions, pepper and garlic) and vegetarian sausage in them and topped that with grated cheddar cheese. Dad tried one this week and really liked it. We've made them with just about every combination of stuffing that we can think of. Beans and bacon (vegetarian bacon, of course!), pepperoni pizza (again, vegetarian), tomatoes with onions and peppers . . . and they are always topped with some kind of cheese. Definitely something that I'd recommend. Well, got to get going, so more later.<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352695389293971669.post-38988646400819198592013-08-22T09:08:00.000-04:002013-08-22T09:08:42.116-04:00Prince George: The Royal Baby is a Month Old!All of the news about the new little Prince of Great Britain, George Alexander Louis, has been a lot of fun to me. After so many years of collecting things from (and having to do with) the reign of George VI, it has been especially exciting now that he has a gg-grandson named after him. We left for Florida just two days after he was born, which meant that we had a lot of fun in Miami looking for newspaper clippings and magazines. The Spanish Paper was actually quite consistent in running news of the Royals. Even a whole-page color photo in the Sunday special the week that he was born!<br />
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And we've still been watching since we came home. As soon as the business of Summer is over, I am planning on a fun little scrapbook with pictures and clippings about Prince George. I've printed a lot already and have bunches of pictures downloaded to work on printing later. Ohio seems to be showing a decided lack of interest in little George. To the point that even the Columbus paper isn't running anything. We've got some out-of-state friends that are kind enough to be watching their papers and sending clippings to me, though!<br />
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Elizabeth and I were hoping to get postage stamps from Great Britain, but the Royal Mail has informed us that they have no plans to issue stamps for the Royal Baby. What a shame! Guess we'll be ordering from New Zealand, right?! We also found a seller on <i>Etsy</i> who makes miniature plates for dollhouses --- and she has all kinds of royalty plates, including plates for Prince George! That is really fun, as I already have plates for my dollhouse hutch that cover all the British monarchs from Queen Victoria to the Queen Mother's 100th birthday in 2000.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhznnGUwuVFn6yQwU4Hc73kb35MXhxVMzybW2-pKex7X5qBbOoreLpQQWxOELwBPlPXDn9V3qgPG0VzoM-u9gU153g0gYviH8L83Wfe93VefM3LCJRv-Wk7O4ry7diCDqmi3gBr8RuNaEw/s1600/baby-cambridge-1-768.jpg"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhznnGUwuVFn6yQwU4Hc73kb35MXhxVMzybW2-pKex7X5qBbOoreLpQQWxOELwBPlPXDn9V3qgPG0VzoM-u9gU153g0gYviH8L83Wfe93VefM3LCJRv-Wk7O4ry7diCDqmi3gBr8RuNaEw/s640/baby-cambridge-1-768.jpg" width="510" /></a>
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Well, it's time to go mow the lawn, but I figured that a post on the Royal Baby would be fun! After all, it's not every day that an heir to the throne is born!<br />
More later.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352695389293971669.post-90114748289575969162013-08-21T08:50:00.000-04:002013-08-22T08:54:21.141-04:00Bass Pro Shop in Miami: A Cool Store!Last month, while we were down visiting family in Florida, we went to the <i>Bass Pro Shop</i> in Miami, Florida. That was one <u>cool</u> store. Wow! In fact, it was so neat that we went to it two days in a row. We've been to a number of <i>Bass Pro Shops</i> and <i>Cabela's</i> over the years. Mom and the two of us even went to the <i>Bass Pro</i> "headquarters" store in Springfield, Missouri. That was an amazing place. It was so big that it was like walking through a park. Even the RV sales are indoor out there! None of us are even into the hunting/camping lifestyle. Sure, Dad likes to fly-fish, but he has all the rods and reels he'll ever need --- so, aside from the stray fly-tying supply, we don't even buy at a <i>Bass Pro</i>. That said, they are some cool stores and always worth walking around in as a sight-seeing experience. And Miami's <i>Bass Pro</i> is the coolest <u>ever</u>!<br />
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The store is not the largest one that you'll come across, though it has a very tall entrance and an indoor boat sales room before you actually enter the store. The entrance "hall" of the store is decorated in weathered wood, leather seats and antique fishing gear --- reels, etc. The store itself has a tall ceiling in the center that has been completely decorated to give you the appearance of being under the sea in a sunken ship. There were portholes and doors and ship's ladders. Models of all kinds of fish, sharks and rays were "swimming" through the ship. There was even a skin diver in there fishing with a harpoon. It really looked like something straight out of <i>Disney World</i>. For the visitor who fancies seeing real-live fish, there was even a large tank camouflaged is a large rock outcropping in the center of the store (right under the sunken ship).<br />
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Over the individual departments in the store there were other decorations. Hunting and Shoes had a ceiling made to look like you were under water with an alligator and a canoe floating over you. Fishing poles and gear had a ceiling made to look like you were under the water with mangroves and a school of fish. Fly-Fishing was inside of an area made to look like the construction of a large boat. The dressing rooms and stations throughout the store were all decorated like fishing huts and beach buildings and docks, etc.<br />
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We took a lot of pictures which will give you an idea. It's not as bright as these in real life, as they have spotlights up there and my camera did not like that. If you are ever in Miami, this is a definite place to stop!Well, it has only taken me a month to get the vacation pictures posted, so now it can go back to more casual (and hopefully more <u>regular</u>) posting! More later.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352695389293971669.post-41366350100642929222013-08-15T20:01:00.000-04:002013-08-16T20:01:24.107-04:00Spent a Week in Miami, FLAThings have been really busy, but we are finally back from our week in Miami --- having come home a week and a half ago. Life is anything but settled, but I figured that I better get a blog entry up before the whole month slips by. Hopefully, the amount of pictures included here makes up for the long time in posting. It's taken me <i>ages</i> to load them all!<br />
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Grampa called us a month or two ago and told us that he had tickets for us to come down for a visit, so this was a bit of a spontaneous trip. At first, we had been trying to work out a September date, but when that couldn't fall together, it seemed that God was really leading us to going at the end of July. We packed our bags and headed to Columbus airport of July 24th. We actually had non-stop flights both ways, so there was only a little over two hours spent in the air either time. Not bad!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>1.) View of Miami Int'l Airport from Gramma and Grampa's Condo</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>2.) Elizabeth at the Door of the Condo on Our First Day There</b></span></div>
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We arrived in the afternoon and our aunt and Grampa picked us up. Boy, was it hot down there?! The first evening was spent visiting at Gramma and Grampa's condo, and the next day was spent hanging around, shopping for groceries, etc. Elizabeth and I had a lot of fun going through the back issues of Grampa's newspaper to clip out stories about little Prince George. We'd been able to get <i>The New York Times</i> with pictures at the airport, too. That gave us fun that lasted out the week as we looked at papers and magazines.<br />
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Friday dawned sunny and hot. Plans were pretty loose, and in the end Dad changed a light and did some painting at the condo. Mom and the two of us went up to Aunt Lori's house in Hollywood. Gramma Gail came down and even Aunt Susie was down from Tennessee for the week. It was a regular family reunion! And fun! We all went to lunch at <i>Villa Rose</i>. That is a little pizza place that is almost like a family tradition when we all get together down there. Even Brian was able to go to lunch, so that was fun to visit with him. After that, we went to <i>Kohl's</i> to do some shopping together and then back to Aunt Lori's house. Uncle Jack came home in the afternoon, so we got to see him for a little while, too! It was some noisy, fun, loud "Chaffin-style" visiting until nine or ten in the evening. It was pretty late by the time that we got back to the condo.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>1.) Elizabeth and Gramma Gail</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>2.) Mom, Aunt Susie, Elizabeth, Gramma Gail, Me, (on the floor) Aunt Lori and Kelly</b></span></div>
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Saturday was quite rainy. Patty was having a party for Leilani in the afternoon, but she ended up having some kind of stomach bug. None of the four of us felt like spending part of the vacation with the same bug --- or worse yet, getting on an airplane with it, so we opted to stay behind. In the end, we drove over to Leonor's house and visited for four hours! That was great, as she is one of the people that Elizabeth and I just love to see. She is the sweetest lady you could imagine and always happy.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Pictures above are at Leonor's house on Saturday and Sunday.</b></span></div>
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Sunday was nice outside, and we spent the morning starting slowly. Gramma and Grampa's church wasn't having a service that morning on account of there being a wedding instead, so we were all at the condo. Did a little laundry and the four of us went to <i>Payless</i> and looked around. Come the afternoon, all six of us went back to Leonor's house. Eloy was over, too, so we had a nice time visiting with him. Spent about three and a half hours over there and then went straight on to Tia Ela and Clemente's house for the evening. That was fun! They are fabulous people (our great-aunt and uncle) and always so special to visit. Benny was there as well, so it was a real get together. We had dinner together and stayed pretty nice and late. Tia Ela had gotten some of the cutest mini Cuban pastries (as seen in photo). Elizabeth and I had never seen the party sized ones like that, so we had fun!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>1.) Tia Ela, Benny, Me, Dad, Gramma, Clemente, Grampa and Elizabeth.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>2.) Clemente was nice enough to save his "Royal Baby" paper for us!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>3.) The <u>BEST</u> pastelitos you'll ever eat. Wow!</b></span></div>
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Monday and Tuesday morning gave us some time to go driving around and a little casual sight-seeing. Mom and Dad drove us through Coral Gables and we got to see the Banyan trees and the Biltmore Hotel and the George Merrick House. The Merrick House wasn't open for tours that day, so Lizzy and I are hoping that we'll be able to go another time to see the inside, too! For fun, we also stopped at <i>Einstein Brothers Bagels</i> and got bagels and coffee. Yahoo! We also stopped at the <i>Whole Foods</i> down there, and that is a real cool store. More on that in another post (if I remember!). I think that the picture of Elizabeth with the coffee is my favorite one from the whole vacation.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhysDnmFNl5V164gBZ4HL1ervE8qG5SfoYx1uUvpTelmOwDFdq_CSyDotf488tmUcEcE2El4ZMa9KvIzNFTX2McYmxOXxp3rPX-jfna5TLpcETIx2uHKyxWzMOUob3BQlKP4iT5GU446qo/s1600/BlogP1010209.jpg"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhysDnmFNl5V164gBZ4HL1ervE8qG5SfoYx1uUvpTelmOwDFdq_CSyDotf488tmUcEcE2El4ZMa9KvIzNFTX2McYmxOXxp3rPX-jfna5TLpcETIx2uHKyxWzMOUob3BQlKP4iT5GU446qo/s640/BlogP1010209.jpg" width="250" /></a>
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We also went to the Miami <i>Bass Pro Shop</i>, which is one of the most amazing places. There are a <u>ton</u>
of photos from there, though, so I'll post another entry on that. We
had some time to catch up on laundry and Dad's family came over for a
visit. Leilani is sure getting big. She was such a little thing the last
time that we saw her.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfk0lYHheCGZ0Nv1KvMwcyEwGg-V8G4rcgTP32ylzi00jeuWjkA5OOCrGspDdpRJ9tH56AhMucU3Z2pLZ9yLp2hjS_Ckn9qlKhuyXI2djcdfME0dWQXJ5PgeJWABJM_fq8z16_GWgcer0/s1600/BlogP1010261.jpg"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfk0lYHheCGZ0Nv1KvMwcyEwGg-V8G4rcgTP32ylzi00jeuWjkA5OOCrGspDdpRJ9tH56AhMucU3Z2pLZ9yLp2hjS_Ckn9qlKhuyXI2djcdfME0dWQXJ5PgeJWABJM_fq8z16_GWgcer0/s640/BlogP1010261.jpg" width="250" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMBMIqlLhybTvDNwUt1xZkq2hT7S1c37adH2zOHWPaCaTUZ6NEUK5F3vtMHTTWxeA3inbOZ0Mi1HAzZDKhzMkksC_ll25SsJeq4aNGZfWjQgwYkzdy6VmrocHkZZbbO0kO1eHu-oaDO8/s1600/BlogP1010273.jpg"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMBMIqlLhybTvDNwUt1xZkq2hT7S1c37adH2zOHWPaCaTUZ6NEUK5F3vtMHTTWxeA3inbOZ0Mi1HAzZDKhzMkksC_ll25SsJeq4aNGZfWjQgwYkzdy6VmrocHkZZbbO0kO1eHu-oaDO8/s640/BlogP1010273.jpg" width="250" /></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBoSey2uhzLK0yDTsfy7H8SWheqPZ5mxdnmlSPXytfIQQ1owftR5NuycGWpVQRc_txto5OcB7YpuscimuXCieunLvqoq7qazddl4iNhP5DHdyBYNP_PsyZGlfZPgwNnhhsQGS5VcOV3N0/s1600/BlogP1010263.jpg"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBoSey2uhzLK0yDTsfy7H8SWheqPZ5mxdnmlSPXytfIQQ1owftR5NuycGWpVQRc_txto5OcB7YpuscimuXCieunLvqoq7qazddl4iNhP5DHdyBYNP_PsyZGlfZPgwNnhhsQGS5VcOV3N0/s640/BlogP1010263.jpg" width="250" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ltHACsLN0dVx8ppCZGlun0ZVyQ9-KeJXV5rckCvdF3L2Cq0XAS5NOEpLPLskLtw90E405eAG69mkqA0Y05rJZL6W5rpBcNIhB7wGiTYNRh77_-F9NDqvF6SMKYKggi1owrqtsFQhMiQ/s1600/BlogP1010268.jpg"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ltHACsLN0dVx8ppCZGlun0ZVyQ9-KeJXV5rckCvdF3L2Cq0XAS5NOEpLPLskLtw90E405eAG69mkqA0Y05rJZL6W5rpBcNIhB7wGiTYNRh77_-F9NDqvF6SMKYKggi1owrqtsFQhMiQ/s640/BlogP1010268.jpg" width="250" /></a>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Above Left: Grampa, Gramma, Dad, Leilani, Patty, Aunt Elena, Elizabeth and Mom.</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2NoD0mzTFIWwUZ7oqOE4Ss0E3Vupk61U6voruAxCkH_p78rZQNEkTaLTNuCXrhuhexoN8hvWeErMIen6PYmMrUaODQy-m2cX_aQIEndPCTMoxg2DZIPtfLRPe0YA2zyx8XIy0lur1WA/s1600/BlogP1010302.jpg"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2NoD0mzTFIWwUZ7oqOE4Ss0E3Vupk61U6voruAxCkH_p78rZQNEkTaLTNuCXrhuhexoN8hvWeErMIen6PYmMrUaODQy-m2cX_aQIEndPCTMoxg2DZIPtfLRPe0YA2zyx8XIy0lur1WA/s640/BlogP1010302.jpg" width="180" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6feL9oS2wq8YrY9y5RPO9NEpSQub3DGf742RoJDn5Jy5W8uMGkQGXkIfWIpujZfCcDyVF8ydOU_mfc_PEHg2i-jD-Ji7nJFe-yVhZ9Y3PUIEe2jtnXvO2cszUfje_lROZriOyM1JkLAw/s1600/BlogP1010296.jpg"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6feL9oS2wq8YrY9y5RPO9NEpSQub3DGf742RoJDn5Jy5W8uMGkQGXkIfWIpujZfCcDyVF8ydOU_mfc_PEHg2i-jD-Ji7nJFe-yVhZ9Y3PUIEe2jtnXvO2cszUfje_lROZriOyM1JkLAw/s640/BlogP1010296.jpg" width="320" /></a>
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<br />
The flight home on Tuesday afternoon was bumpy in a couple of spots, but otherwise uneventful. There was a pigeon in the Ft. Lauderdale airport that was the cutest thing. He just walked around and picked up food and crumbs from passengers --- and obviously gets very well fed! He was so adorable! All in all, this was the best family vacation that we've ever had. Great visiting and just a fun time. The sight of good-old Ohio was nice, though, and we were all pretty happy to make it back home where there is grass and greenery, etc.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352695389293971669.post-59791373552418660282013-07-18T11:08:00.001-04:002013-07-18T11:08:22.813-04:00Salieri Lilies and MoreThe <i>Salieri </i>day lily is my favorite flower in our garden. It sits on edge of the North-Western tip of our perennial garden, and it's always the first thing that I weed at the start of the year. It started out as one small lily with a couple of "leaves" or "fronds" or whatever is the proper name, but it has since grown into a lovely round lily that flowers beautifully. Here are three pictures of the Salieri. The third one is very red, because that particular flower was in the bright sunshine. The true color is as seen in the first couple photos, but it's beautiful in the sun as well!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfhnW-5X3178VJmMuzBeJDJ6jL5vvVgmdG9WjJ7EoHc_ZsJErrd_g3135Z5k1B3w5bNDMejKE9O93v0iXTaxbdYZ8izcxhYKGOYkw1dMMw14WRCALZRyqSsaUBFZrv0VLfsH8mEEHJlk/s1600/Blog+July+11+(24).jpg"><img border="0" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfhnW-5X3178VJmMuzBeJDJ6jL5vvVgmdG9WjJ7EoHc_ZsJErrd_g3135Z5k1B3w5bNDMejKE9O93v0iXTaxbdYZ8izcxhYKGOYkw1dMMw14WRCALZRyqSsaUBFZrv0VLfsH8mEEHJlk/s640/Blog+July+11+(24).jpg" width="510" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx6ftZgTQQsaSWkUDELz7Kgrhcx0A7nl3qcjVk8QC-RymUWahMEjlCZM1cGPrpMDwlN-HQBmveHbvipo5Nbj-cyWtd-FSlb2R5v8OhNfl68z4JYsjAPd-A7570P7BCHLoshb4oCWGl3lI/s1600/Blog+July+11+(14).jpg"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx6ftZgTQQsaSWkUDELz7Kgrhcx0A7nl3qcjVk8QC-RymUWahMEjlCZM1cGPrpMDwlN-HQBmveHbvipo5Nbj-cyWtd-FSlb2R5v8OhNfl68z4JYsjAPd-A7570P7BCHLoshb4oCWGl3lI/s640/Blog+July+11+(14).jpg" width="250" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCffPuzYnL2wdPCpC6h2vKYrMx6eFQvI4EWG9WRX9ftyIrjnN4zsnlHOdA4PaWmhzsDwBlxWXztJ7uHhAhat2y5joigGihaY_x6rE2kO2fq1bkOlQyizt7fxnR8JC6bq-pOKK8LspZPNk/s1600/Blog+July+11+(16).jpg"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCffPuzYnL2wdPCpC6h2vKYrMx6eFQvI4EWG9WRX9ftyIrjnN4zsnlHOdA4PaWmhzsDwBlxWXztJ7uHhAhat2y5joigGihaY_x6rE2kO2fq1bkOlQyizt7fxnR8JC6bq-pOKK8LspZPNk/s640/Blog+July+11+(16).jpg" width="250" /></a>
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While the <i>Salieri</i> lily may be my favorite, I love day-lilies period. I couldn't have enough of them, and that's the truth. We have quite a few spread throughout the Northern end of the garden which gets a lot of sun. They all started as little plants, but they've filled in to be touching one another and look like a beautiful green mound. Orange lilies are the very traditional kind, and we've got those --- but after the Salieri I LOVE pink. Actually, any pink flowers make me happy. So, a pink lily is perfection.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8q_bxMoDuPbhaCgpacJEQSxnXDQVn0qbvYF5NNVXA7zCHX7Maftmf_LidYxLCHQc7tHf3VXZA7QtETrfYZW280BRT5y-e3OceaifDAVkeRfx2p14oj2ge7Jju9DJebdvNfnnK0fRrH9U/s1600/Blog+July+11+(30).jpg"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8q_bxMoDuPbhaCgpacJEQSxnXDQVn0qbvYF5NNVXA7zCHX7Maftmf_LidYxLCHQc7tHf3VXZA7QtETrfYZW280BRT5y-e3OceaifDAVkeRfx2p14oj2ge7Jju9DJebdvNfnnK0fRrH9U/s640/Blog+July+11+(30).jpg" width="250" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zwOWa1XtvI55QwMcVfbp3SyUa48-qDX3RVzuOQ2UuP2hFEkaYTUQA68tqOYJNqdlUCZJr99rJVoneCbVTDqoWJMyd4w2zOU94kiFAi1cub9LIbYTxt3G4JGE8RPZ60s14f9WBqOPi7A/s1600/Blog+July+11+(28).jpg"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zwOWa1XtvI55QwMcVfbp3SyUa48-qDX3RVzuOQ2UuP2hFEkaYTUQA68tqOYJNqdlUCZJr99rJVoneCbVTDqoWJMyd4w2zOU94kiFAi1cub9LIbYTxt3G4JGE8RPZ60s14f9WBqOPi7A/s640/Blog+July+11+(28).jpg" width="250" /></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1sXlfuiG3qF4vldxJrsS2lf0n2QL41uh2nDH-zp3q3ZPxMPhqgO_MfosN0JmHZGC7t4CGLlVvpHk1bmhudm-VZRg9q0fU_4IrVYyFo5doU5DmtyCf-eLNeiXoDe1YHlAwABPEFY6mSdg/s1600/Blog+July+11+(33).jpg"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1sXlfuiG3qF4vldxJrsS2lf0n2QL41uh2nDH-zp3q3ZPxMPhqgO_MfosN0JmHZGC7t4CGLlVvpHk1bmhudm-VZRg9q0fU_4IrVYyFo5doU5DmtyCf-eLNeiXoDe1YHlAwABPEFY6mSdg/s640/Blog+July+11+(33).jpg" width="250" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_m8XdXHbLSMUyIPoLvLb0CttV_O8OawHnHvBGkMp6QAM5Cnbt_CSubQoSp6tp7j0FNsiPq5WstA5U9uMJeyi-ODIDhn3CXuXl7d7Q0mn8wET_YjOcn-nly86sy01PvvCXsi_Zob-kEBA/s1600/Blog+July+11+(35).jpg"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_m8XdXHbLSMUyIPoLvLb0CttV_O8OawHnHvBGkMp6QAM5Cnbt_CSubQoSp6tp7j0FNsiPq5WstA5U9uMJeyi-ODIDhn3CXuXl7d7Q0mn8wET_YjOcn-nly86sy01PvvCXsi_Zob-kEBA/s640/Blog+July+11+(35).jpg" width="250" /></a>
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We are in the middle of a very hot spell at the moment. A tropical storm is sitting over this whole area of the US, and it's not moved at all. Temps are in the 90'Fs in the shade and absolutely no clouds to cover that hot sun. We've been pretty good at getting things done in the morning before the heat of the day. Today is really hot, so we're trying to stay cool.<br />
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Over the past few days we have been working through the DVDs of the mini-series called <i>Cranford</i>. It is a period drama set in 1840s England, near Manchester. It was produced by the same team as the 1995 <i>Pride & Prejudice</i> mini-series. I don't know how we missed it! It's fabulous. Watched the final episode last night --- cried through most of it, but it was wonderful. You haven't seen anything until you've seen Francesca Annis as Lady Ludlow. Wow! She's <u>beautiful</u>. Well, got to go for now, but I'll try to get some more pictures to post soon.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352695389293971669.post-24561193973301120672013-07-15T14:11:00.001-04:002013-07-15T14:11:23.637-04:00Entries are in at the State Fair!We took my felting entries down to the State Fair on Saturday, so they are officially awaiting the start of the fair on the 24th of July. Hooray! This year, I took Captain Hastings and Poirot. I was really hoping to take Mark (the guitar player), but I don't have a permanent enough seat for him. Hastings looks lovely on his little wooden stand. He is what I would consider the nicest doll that I've made so far. Technically, he really has no issues --- and he looks like Hastings.<br />
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We spent a whole day last week making zucchini salsa. We managed to make enough to last the year --- and it's done before August! We filled this absolutely gigantic bowl and canned until nine in the evening. It was one long day, though. But worth it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxpNNQf4DBUUSr6WvHi64aiFGYEBr31vHP9nxPzD3WDDhIQiBDq2mBf44j7fseiSf1s_RScC8YAlnHtSia3uV1RRGrhRH8l00Fd9D9YwlJ38J7waBFisxwwYsX8WvVyjbwCHXr4ZCGoIs/s1600/Blog+July+11+(2).jpg"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxpNNQf4DBUUSr6WvHi64aiFGYEBr31vHP9nxPzD3WDDhIQiBDq2mBf44j7fseiSf1s_RScC8YAlnHtSia3uV1RRGrhRH8l00Fd9D9YwlJ38J7waBFisxwwYsX8WvVyjbwCHXr4ZCGoIs/s640/Blog+July+11+(2).jpg" width="510" /></a>
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On the same day as the salsa canning, we had a little stray kitten turn up at the door. Someone must have dropped it off and figured that people would take it in. Boy, was it cute!! It was a black-short-haired little boy kitten. Elizabeth played with it for a couple hours and it was <i>exactly</i> like Oliver must have been as a baby. What real personality. We were able to take it down to one of the local vets who have another kitten of the same age and are happy to find new owners for both.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4mt8D0F5Q2IcavFp0LYXWPyyR4q_1yhxkmN5lGiVGGs7UtldhRGiQFoyBjm8a1STWu8SxRrGTSCXH6eXfqB-wF-_8qU55rWq03GaB0CBb1FX8Jb3DKXyuAbBhVe_exja3SOzLEz4qhg/s1600/Blog+July+11+(4).jpg"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4mt8D0F5Q2IcavFp0LYXWPyyR4q_1yhxkmN5lGiVGGs7UtldhRGiQFoyBjm8a1STWu8SxRrGTSCXH6eXfqB-wF-_8qU55rWq03GaB0CBb1FX8Jb3DKXyuAbBhVe_exja3SOzLEz4qhg/s640/Blog+July+11+(4).jpg" width="510" /></a>
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Well, we're staying busy. Trying to get things ready and cleaned out. I think that I'll be looking forward to winter this year --- after another month or two of Summer, that is. Wait . . . did I say that?! Well, it's honest, anyway. ;) More later.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352695389293971669.post-89439390702966850882013-07-11T17:38:00.001-04:002013-07-11T17:38:45.662-04:00Capt. Hastings (played by Hugh Fraser) as a Needle-Felted Doll<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78s9K8lM03UW4hH_1y7UshFMjnfEoRnjmYVtEK-rkT8mOl9LH1oe_EbDwGsllw_JsCLM3jgHxe209N0ET2OIdOQxyJt6f9cFtt_KzDvVojzUYBKsmrW36aOn0jSOmKmgkgM9QG1j3O4A/s1600/Album+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78s9K8lM03UW4hH_1y7UshFMjnfEoRnjmYVtEK-rkT8mOl9LH1oe_EbDwGsllw_JsCLM3jgHxe209N0ET2OIdOQxyJt6f9cFtt_KzDvVojzUYBKsmrW36aOn0jSOmKmgkgM9QG1j3O4A/s320/Album+Cover.jpg" width="270" /></a>Just in time to go to the State Fair, my newest needle-felted wool doll (or <u>sculpture</u>, which seems to be the more technical term!) is finished. This is actually the 21st one that I have finished! This doll is based on Agatha Christie's character Captain Arthur Hastings as portrayed by Hugh Fraser in the <i>Poirot</i> TV show. After having made three little Poirot dolls, I thought it was high time that Capt. Hastings got his chance. Hastings (as played by Hugh Fraser, that is) is my favorite Christie character. Besides, I've always wanted to make one of these wool dolls with a hand in their pocket --- so, this was the perfect chance.<br />
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This doll is based on Hastings' outfit in one of the first-season episodes, <i>The Adventure of the Clapham Cook</i>. Although, he is usually wearing this type of outfit in most shows. The back of the jacket even has the belt and pleats --- as do his pants! In contrast to Hercule Poirot, Captain Hastings never wears a "suit". Always the belted jacket with large pockets (usually of some kind of tweed). This is often worn with a knit vest, though he does appear in buttoned vests on occasion. Where Poirot wears the stiff "turned-up" collar and bow tie, Hastings always has the turned-down collar and necktie.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8jxLLP0NSbR11K0dD8C30CxQo6ogcJisY9ldA6bOT0HpFUzbtiF6QPwqgqKoFeDiuSzKVWE4iDkxDkZYyyuP-SHzOuoO3dObVe8UuNWGeIEL4eEJ3eU3rVnAa5hbH2vr4xDkc61BrWU/s1600/Blog+P1010061.jpg"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8jxLLP0NSbR11K0dD8C30CxQo6ogcJisY9ldA6bOT0HpFUzbtiF6QPwqgqKoFeDiuSzKVWE4iDkxDkZYyyuP-SHzOuoO3dObVe8UuNWGeIEL4eEJ3eU3rVnAa5hbH2vr4xDkc61BrWU/s640/Blog+P1010061.jpg" width="250" /></a>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/113855477463607256131/CaptainHastings" target="_blank">CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS</a>.</div>
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This doll took 59 hours to complete. He stands 10" tall and weighs 2-3/4 ounces. He was felted with .40 and .42 gauge felting needles and is made of Merino and Cotswold roving. His hair is 100% wool doll hair.<br />
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So, Captain Hastings will soon be on his way to the State Fair. After that, he will most likely end up in our <i>Etsy</i> store. I'm planning on taking another doll down to work on while we're at Gramma and Grampa's. Figure I could have another doll finished sometime in September --- we'll see! Elizabeth is anxious for me to make an Elrond doll for her (in his costume as seen in the first part of <i>The Hobbit</i>), but I think I'll wait until late Fall to start that one. That way I'll have the Winter to work on him! More later.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352695389293971669.post-65830612795112496762013-07-06T13:26:00.000-04:002013-07-06T13:26:00.300-04:00Spring Cleaning Our Bedroom (In the Summer?!)Since we spent our Spring weather working on <i>outside</i> projects, we're doing our Spring cleaning now. We spent Monday cleaning more stuff out of the attic, but since it is just a glorified crawl-space you have to do all the hefting and heaving bending down. Very tiring. I decided that we should take a break --- not to mention that Dad needs to put a bit of flooring in up there, anyway!<br />
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So, Elizabeth and I spent two days cleaning out our bedroom and cleaning, washing and polishing the walls, the floor, the furniture, etc. Just to prove that it can happen --- here are pictures of our room in it's cleaned and picked up state. Max was enjoying the open window and wouldn't leave, so he is in the pictures, too! What a sweetie.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugAj_LynjKBpYGzeEcSthaiFGQpOLWoAAvA7O62qMWASZedmobu5NzCqZk_jhOSBJ_zyQeVs70tu5Okgqnn4afpPbGLv0UhSFGZVT2QHcpwIpJzvFWuOf6nH4pqqMNukdtQnBpWLe9RQ/s1600/July+4+(6)+Blog.jpg"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugAj_LynjKBpYGzeEcSthaiFGQpOLWoAAvA7O62qMWASZedmobu5NzCqZk_jhOSBJ_zyQeVs70tu5Okgqnn4afpPbGLv0UhSFGZVT2QHcpwIpJzvFWuOf6nH4pqqMNukdtQnBpWLe9RQ/s320/July+4+(6)+Blog.jpg" width="250" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIXGPEUjKg8hJ6Vof3Eno1S_IPZDsuCD-lXAcxoQhNIEQ1K2xbPwlIL8hecuuwK32vL9p5yV0JtSLAo69DcsEU1IVz2mBlECyAKTKxLppdIJHmMBjuxOm4LwFjzLt2O0r34ivccQOkKk/s1600/July+4+(4)+Blog.jpg"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIXGPEUjKg8hJ6Vof3Eno1S_IPZDsuCD-lXAcxoQhNIEQ1K2xbPwlIL8hecuuwK32vL9p5yV0JtSLAo69DcsEU1IVz2mBlECyAKTKxLppdIJHmMBjuxOm4LwFjzLt2O0r34ivccQOkKk/s640/July+4+(4)+Blog.jpg" width="250" /></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8796qMFDYsHHSmjq5GAUtxu9eN_Omw8AWRJHqt3i_0lIMwzANLreSY0uTMpi2g9jNhFWPlneol4dTMctjzTNv4aTshP2yHxH4wsZBKnrBbY4F2cV7V7h37kh31DVai-CoVlHe7spO5M/s1600/July+4+(2)+Blog.jpg"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8796qMFDYsHHSmjq5GAUtxu9eN_Omw8AWRJHqt3i_0lIMwzANLreSY0uTMpi2g9jNhFWPlneol4dTMctjzTNv4aTshP2yHxH4wsZBKnrBbY4F2cV7V7h37kh31DVai-CoVlHe7spO5M/s640/July+4+(2)+Blog.jpg" width="250" /></a>
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The photos above show:<br />
1.) View from the door. We are hoping to paint the beam and the doors and trim and bookshelf in the Fall. A dark brown color to give an old Tudor-style look.<br />
2.) Wall to the left (behind the door in first picture).<br />
3.) Area to the right of the door, showing the end of Elizabeth's bed. That is one huge teddy bear that we actually shipped back from Florida. The oval pictures belonged to our grandfather. Forget about the double lampshade --- I forgot it was stuck up there. Oops!<br />
4.) Behind our door is a built-in bookshelf that Pop made for us. Books always take priority in our room. We know it's bad when they start to take over the walk ways, right?!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3cz3hDCKrf4w81huzRMJ_KiPPJL0-x08h6YEe4Wf1JeuB_xQltuXT7-I3Sf_1dhyvO8vqreCsDX61qY0oYYEeJ_jY4ohlBENfEk9SxvAnUyuDdZob7nh4oTd9MStPERuIlBGUoDPO94/s1600/July+4+(7)+Blog.jpg"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3cz3hDCKrf4w81huzRMJ_KiPPJL0-x08h6YEe4Wf1JeuB_xQltuXT7-I3Sf_1dhyvO8vqreCsDX61qY0oYYEeJ_jY4ohlBENfEk9SxvAnUyuDdZob7nh4oTd9MStPERuIlBGUoDPO94/s640/July+4+(7)+Blog.jpg" width="250" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKFtDVXsWj2bOWdMsbFL8cbyWrSOlltqtYrRNRStmJSSTk2HB0gp-zF9R7gi9pjZhR9AikUG6FegoSpofS5bd2sbjpGFhItkT95uMSSqIZXkoagb_57DzPKCSZIAIPigP4hf3TVZWvlI/s1600/July+4+(8)+Blog.jpg"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKFtDVXsWj2bOWdMsbFL8cbyWrSOlltqtYrRNRStmJSSTk2HB0gp-zF9R7gi9pjZhR9AikUG6FegoSpofS5bd2sbjpGFhItkT95uMSSqIZXkoagb_57DzPKCSZIAIPigP4hf3TVZWvlI/s640/July+4+(8)+Blog.jpg" width="250" /></a>
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5.) My bed (with Max on it!). The bed is part of the bedroom set belonging to Mom's grandparents when they set up house. Mom's got the dressers that go with it in her room. The mirror belonged to her other grandmother (and probably belonged to <u>her</u> grandmother!). Of course, Edward James Eliot's portrait is hanging up next to my bed, too.<br />6.) Elizabeth's "snooze den". She's got a book shelf and a big bulletin board. The shelf that goes along the top of the room used to hold stuffed animals and the like, but it was commandeered for our various childhood mystery series books years ago!<br />
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Well, there you have it. Our bedroom. More later.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352695389293971669.post-35780852853350772862013-07-05T22:53:00.000-04:002013-07-06T12:53:50.388-04:00A Weekend in CincinnatiFinally! Enough time to throw up a quick blog entry. We spent last weekend down in Cincinnati visiting with Walt and Janice. We haven't been down to their house since last October, so it was great to get down again. It was our birthday last week, so we had been planning on going down on Friday, but as Dad had to work, we drove down on Saturday. Arrived early afternoon, which gave us some nice visiting time with Walt and Janice. They had a whole group of people over for a barbecue dinner that evening. Danny and his wife came over. We had never met them (other than meeting Danny at a convention in 2005), so it was great to talk to them. Danny must be the #1 Jimmy Stewart fan --- which was so fun to talk to someone who is nuts about old films. We've never met anyone who knew the film, <i>No Highway in the Sky</i>. Wow! Not only know it but watched it, remembered it and liked it. Cool! We covered a variety of subjects from WWII, machine guns and Army jeeps, B-17s and old TV shows.<br />
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The highlight of the evening, which Elizabeth and I have been looking forward to for months, was that Dave came! We haven't seen him in several years, actually, so it was so fun to catch up. We had a fun night talking about music, Jazz and Big Bands. He had actually seen Louis Armstrong and his band (same band that appears in <i>High Society</i> with Bing Crosby) when they played in Mankato. Wow! As usual, we didn't take much in the way of pictures. Mom seems to have snapped a few early on in the evening. Guess we'll have to do better next time. ;) Above shows Dad and Walt having some fun clowning around!<br />
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The visiting and talking lasted so long into the evening that it was way after midnight before we ended up in bed. That being the case, we all decided to stay home on Sunday morning and eat a slow breakfast and talk. We ate breakfast and second breakfast (Walt and the two of us were feeling like Hobbits that day!) and didn't leave until about noon or one. We made it all the way to <i>King's Island</i> before realizing that we forgot the pillows. Oops! So, back to Walt and Janice's we went. Didn't get home until about 6:30pm in the end. Oliver was sure glad to see us. Let's hope that we get together down there sooner! All in all, it was a fabulous weekend. More later.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352695389293971669.post-18816638669932438412013-06-29T07:41:00.000-04:002013-06-29T07:41:08.784-04:00Happy 112th Birthday, Nelson Eddy!Nelson Eddy is one of my two favorite performers (Bing Crosby is my other favorite!), and today he would have been 112 years old. So, to remember him on his birthday, here is a picture of him. Thanks to Jerry for it, as it is one that I'd never seen before. This is Nelson dressed as the Mountie for his 1936 picture, <i>Rose Marie</i>. How many people get their pictures taken while autographing a picture of themselves?! :) More later.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352695389293971669.post-73510470758399817522013-06-26T17:24:00.001-04:002013-06-26T17:25:19.662-04:00Busier than ever . . .Summer is definitely here. Not only are we having our annual round of thunder storms, but it has been in the 80'Fs <u>inside</u> the house all week --- and we went to the Farmers' Market on Saturday. That's the first time of the year. We bought a peck of peas which are now blanched and frozen in our freezer.<br />
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We've been working at cleaning out the attic again. This time we've been going through "hope chest" stuff and we-might-need-this-one-day-so-we-better-keep-it stuff. Boy! How can we have fit so much stuff that we didn't want into one small attic?! We've sent a lot of stuff to the thrift store, and the attic is much cleaner. It has kept us pretty busy, though, so I haven't been at my computer much.<br />
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We worked our way through a couple seasons of <i>Lark Rise to Candleford</i> over the past several weeks. It's kind of like a British <i>Little House on the Prairie</i>. All in all, they were really enjoyable. Could certainly do without the couple episodes having to do with ghosts and ESP --- but they were easily skipped. I'll have to do a separate blog entry about it soon, as there is quite a bit that would be worth reviewing. In one of the Third Season episodes, one of the characters sings an old song. It is SO sticky. I'm going to have to try learning it in order to sleep again. <br />
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I am now officially registered for the State Fair. Entries have to be delivered by mid-July, so I'm working and working on Captain Hastings. He is really turning out cute, and I am working on his face now. Let's hope he's done in time!<br />
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Well, it's really hot. Nobody slept last night because of the heat and because we had to chase open windows with the thunder storm last night. So, it looks like an easy evening is on the agenda. More later.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352695389293971669.post-64947391086699399052013-06-19T07:53:00.002-04:002013-06-19T07:53:44.361-04:00Guacamole and June HappeningsThe month is absolutely flying by, so I better post an update while I still remember what's been keeping us so busy! :)<br />
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The weather has been just great this year. Only a few hot days that are just starting. Plenty of rain. We have been continuing to spend time working around the yard and in the garden, so things are really coming along. Dad has done a lot of transplanting, as we have plants all of over the yard. We've been able to do all of this changing to the garden, etc., without having to go to the nursery and pick up <u>new</u> plants. Plus, we have been able to move plants and bushes from some very inconvenient spots in the yard. Dad has also been laying some brick in some of the pathways, and we've mulched others. The grass is growing like hay with the cool weather and rain, so it looks like today is another mowing day.<br />
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About a week and a half ago, Dad had to do some "fix-it" work on the freezer. That meant that it had to be completely empty. Wow! It's amazing what you can find in there. We had frozen some strawberries, so we spent a day and made strawberry jam. It turned out very nice, and we were able to do it before it's terribly hot and sticky. So, that's a start to our canning year.<br />
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I am hard at work on a Captain Hastings needle-felted doll. He is going to be the best one that I've ever made --- it looks like. ;) He is really coming along. The questions is, can he "come along" in time to go to the State Fair. Entries are due in by the middle of July, so I'm hoping --- but we'll see, of course. This is the first time that I'm going to try making a doll with his hand in his pocket, so this is proving fun!<br />
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Lots of things to fill up the time of day. Before the heat of Summer arrives, we're trying to clean out the garden and the house. I am hoping to get into the attic and do some more work up there (e.g. getting rid of things). We haven't had too much time to work on inventory for our <i>Etsy</i> store with all of this going on, but we need to do that to have stock in time for the Christmas season.<br />
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Other than that, there's not much to tell. We bought some avocados on a good sale (big ones, too!), so Elizabeth and I made guacamole. We've had guacamole sandwiches, so that has been a pretty nice occasion. Can't beat that on a warm day! More later.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352695389293971669.post-45256188094799197932013-06-11T08:32:00.000-04:002013-06-11T08:32:22.041-04:00Weeding, Mulching, Rain and Miss MarpleThe last week and a half or two around here has been spent working on the yard. I've been weeding the large flower garden (which is finally pretty much finished!). Mom and Dad went out on Saturday and got some mulch and put some of it down. Still more to go, but we're having lots of rain and big storms. The lawn needs to be mown again, but it's awfully hard to do with puddles all over the place.<br />
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We went out on Sunday afternoon and took a few pictures around the yard. It was quite beautiful that day and Oliver wanted to come so badly that we took him along. Elizabeth carried him around and let him smell the flowers. He's not allowed to get down and walk around by himself, of course, as we live much to close to the road --- as well as not wishing to take any chance of a little kitty like him getting fleas or something. :) He's so wonderful!<br />
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The peonies have had a good year, and between rains I've been able to cut some for a vase in the house. The weather has been rather good this year, as we <u>have</u> had rain and the temperatures have stayed down. Only a few hot days so far, which is nothing to complain about after the horrible Summer we had last year!<br />
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Last week, Mr. and Mrs. Keultjes came up to cut flowers for the wedding. They were making wildflower center-pieces for the tables, so they came on their way down to get daisies, asparagus greenery, privet hedge, Japanese Willow bush stems and Snow-on-the-Mountain. We cut four big buckets of stuff, which they loaded into the trailer. It's been a perfect year for flowers. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihF_KDAdcp5qmNJrG7HxpKoOXWZAviJCf0s5-deXkoDURNAGWJCTEU9fszUTGlp0WmtNWvrFc7xmtvsPukIOzfGrltpvF8KMi7cTuiv-lSCTRFVCu4jghBzQSCa2S_cR_dvIM_kbMEuGs/s1600/Blog+Miss+Marple+Doll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihF_KDAdcp5qmNJrG7HxpKoOXWZAviJCf0s5-deXkoDURNAGWJCTEU9fszUTGlp0WmtNWvrFc7xmtvsPukIOzfGrltpvF8KMi7cTuiv-lSCTRFVCu4jghBzQSCa2S_cR_dvIM_kbMEuGs/s640/Blog+Miss+Marple+Doll.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>
Elizabeth and I are trying to get caught up on the miniature Poirot and Miss Marple dolls. We managed to finish a Poirot last week (between yard work and all) and it sold after one hour of being listed on <i>eBay</i>. So, we're trying to catch up and actually get some ready-made stock --- instead of just offering custom orders. We redesigned our Miss Marple doll. New colors, new hat, new purse. This one is <u>SO</u> cute! We were really pleased with the handbag, in particular.<br />
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1950s swimming star, Esther Williams, died last Thursday. That's kind of like the end of an era. We got <i>The Columbus Dispatch</i> obituary, and thanks to Jerry (who went "newspaper shopping") we're expecting <i>The L.A. Times </i>and <i>The New York Times</i> in the mail! Guess some scrapbooking will be in order on one of the upcoming weekends. More later.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352695389293971669.post-57000881863671131652013-06-06T09:19:00.002-04:002013-06-06T09:19:30.745-04:00Seeing the Poirot Dolls in Their New HomeThe two needle-felted dolls of Poirot have arrived safely at their new home. And they are not lonely! They were a special order that I've been working on for several months. In the meantime, their owner had also ordered nine Poirot <i>Minikin</i> dolls and his four friends from our Etsy store. She was kind enough to send a picture of her whole Poirot collection in its display cabinet --- and give me permission to post it here!<br />
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So, the Poirots are happily displayed. She even has an autographed picture of David Suchet as Poirot. Elizabeth and I have had so much fun working on all of these dolls. We've always been "fans" of certain performers in the true sense of the word: <u>fanatic</u>. I've got multiple Nelson Eddy scrapbooks. One is so big that you have to lay it on the floor to even begin to open it. Elizabeth has been so crazy about Deanna Durbin for years that she's got pictures, scrapbooks, binders, boxes and who-knows-what with Deanna's picture on/in them. We like to think that we're carrying on in the style of the true fans of the 1930s and '40s. Well, we didn't think that many people like that still existed. People these days like something or someone for a fleeting moment, but as soon as they turn the movie off or the show is finished --- poof! Everything is forgotten.<br />
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Well, we have voted this Poirot fan one of the all-time greatest fans. She certainly has to be David Suchet's #1 fan! It has been so fun to see someone enjoy something like this. She has also inspired us with all kinds of ideas as to different outfits to put on the little dolls and making the Poirot's little friends. It's been very fun to be able to share this with someone who is enjoying these dolls as much (and maybe even more!) than we have. A lot of effort and time and emotion goes into making these little dolls. We've had some <i>Etsy</i> orders for custom dolls where the buyer just "bought and paid" for the doll. No contact at all. Those experiences have left us rather flat, as there is a lot tied up into making each of these. So, working on this collection has really made up for other experiences. This whole collection is certainly something that we'll always remember!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352695389293971669.post-12521811384423209962013-05-30T08:35:00.002-04:002013-05-30T08:35:49.039-04:00Things Around the Yard and Current ProjectThings are definitely blooming in the yard. I've been taking pictures and downloading them for the last two weeks, but I never seem to get around to posting them. Well, this should make up for it! Dad's been doing a really good job around the yard on the last several weekends. I've had to mow the grass about five time already and have been working on pulling thistles from the flower garden. All in all, the yard is starting to look nice and spiffy!<br />
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The first picture shows some of my transplanted Buttercups. Buttercups used to grow all around yards and banks when we were little, but the various sprays and chemicals seem to be successfully eradicating them. Before that happened, several years ago, Mom and I transplanted some of them into the flower garden. It had been a very small bunch, but it has certainly spread out. In fact, it's taken over a whole chunk of the pathway! The poppies are not doing well this year, but I did get a picture of a nice one. The hops plant had gone nuts. Dad cut a lot of the extra off the other day, so it doesn't look quite this wild anymore. It's actually growing up the clothesline beam --- it didn't even wait for the strings. The flowering trees are fabulous this year. This is the best Spring they've had in a lot of years. The locust trees have had blossoms on them for a full week now and still look beautiful.<br />
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The bottom two pictures are taken "of and at" the shed in the back. Believe it or not, you are seeing the <u>front</u> of the shed. We planted one of those Japanese Willow bushes on the right side, a Forsythia on the right front and one of those old Bridal Veil bushes on the left front. They have obviously done very well. We are beginning to realize that we need to put in some kind of arbor or something to open up a pathway to the door. The other picture shows our little bunny rabbit. We've had a rabbit living in our yard for years, and I love seeing him. He doesn't really love seeing me, though.<br />
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Now to take a look at the back of the shed! This is our current project, though I can't take any credit for any of it, yet. This is our "kitty cemetery". All of our special babes find their resting spot back here, so we wanted to fix it up. Dad has laid a bunch of bricks (a nice "free" find from Tradio some years ago) over the area where all the burials are. He's also making a border out of some left-over landscape timbers. I'm going to bring some hostas and lilies down to plant in the area. Oddly enough, one side is almost complete shade because of the Oak tree and the bushes. The other side is full, scorching sun. Hostas for one side and Lilies for the other! The pile of branches there is just from Dad's working out there.<br />
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Well, this gives everyone a pretty good idea of how things look at our house right now. More later.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352695389293971669.post-26752441094359639622013-05-23T08:18:00.002-04:002013-05-23T08:18:33.078-04:00More on Prince Hugh O'Donnell of DonegalAfter the short post yesterday about Disney's film <i>The Fighting Prince of Donegal</i>, I thought that I'd post just a little more about the <u>real</u> Prince of the O'Donnell Clan. He was born in 1572, and his story begins quite early. In 1587 , when he was fifteen years old, the British abducted the young heir of Donegal and placed him in the prison of Dublin Castle. The British recognized the power of Hugh's father and hoped to squelch an Irish uprising by capturing the young O'Donnell. Three years later, Hugh tried to escape from the Castle but failed. During his captivity, Hugh's mother and father actually bargained with the British for their son's release. The O'Donnell's returned 25 Spanish captives to Dublin Castle, as well as paying an extraordinary sum of money to the British. Of course, just as you would expect, the British "agreed" to the bargain. They took the money and the prisoners, but refused to release Young Hugh. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh2L4Cm1OYzg6B6e65w5e27Js-pEtE2eCxLUM5oWu3z3lwcZHVWJAF83IK_0wMkanAsLLB0Z7Sec4SatFeiYETqXqyTv_D1t41ipC1krnVST07NzTTRaOa43RHX5_s0VrClir63Alhu7I/s1600/Hugh+O%27Donnell+statue.jpg"><img border="0" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh2L4Cm1OYzg6B6e65w5e27Js-pEtE2eCxLUM5oWu3z3lwcZHVWJAF83IK_0wMkanAsLLB0Z7Sec4SatFeiYETqXqyTv_D1t41ipC1krnVST07NzTTRaOa43RHX5_s0VrClir63Alhu7I/s640/Hugh+O'Donnell+statue.jpg" width="510" /></a>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>"The Gaelic Chieftain"</b><br />
<b>Commemorating O'Donnell's victory at the battle at Curlew Pass in 1599</b></div>
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Finally, on Christmas night of 1591, Hugh and two O'Neil brothers escaped from the Castle. They had to walk across the mountains to reach Donegal. One of the O'Neils died of exposure on the way, and Hugh suffered from such sever frostbite that he lost both of his big toes. Hugh and Henry O'Neil did arrive at Donegal, though, which makes them the only people to successfully escape from Dublin Castle in the history of Ireland!<br />
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Hugh
rallied the Clans for multiple battles against the British. All went
well until he decided to side with the Spanish Armada at Kinsale. The
Spanish and the Irish were defeated by the British, so Hugh escaped to
Spain --- where he lived for some years. (The cause of his death seems to be debated. Some say that he died of a fever, but there was, apparently, documentation stating otherwise. I'm for the "otherwise" version, so we'll go with that!) Just as Hugh was planning to
return to Ireland to rally the clans again, the British sent an Irish
double-agent, James Blake, to poison him. Sadly for Hugh and Ireland,
Blake succeeded. The O'Donnell was buried in a monastery in Valladolid,
but that was torn down in the nineteenth century --- so, the spot of
Hugh's grave is unknown.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ehIWc-pK9JW3X-1mWve1IE4TddI1XdIkwi5FSiVTPLSa0b8HbwIk43Y7fVjSdYWetBD6P3efo5ZScbIy7FDFhG7pg84kAQFiiOtBjN-cHjYLU3lFMTdeiqUB37m3gjiT68grzNiqeoU/s1600/Red+Hugh+O%27Sonnell+Statue+Ireland.jpg"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ehIWc-pK9JW3X-1mWve1IE4TddI1XdIkwi5FSiVTPLSa0b8HbwIk43Y7fVjSdYWetBD6P3efo5ZScbIy7FDFhG7pg84kAQFiiOtBjN-cHjYLU3lFMTdeiqUB37m3gjiT68grzNiqeoU/s640/Red+Hugh+O'Sonnell+Statue+Ireland.jpg" width="510" /></a>
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<i>O'Donnell Abu</i> is considered the most famous song to sing the praises of Red Hugh of Donegal. They actually sing this at the end of the Disney film, but I didn't know that until just now! Here are the words to the song:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Proudly the note of the trumpet is sounding<br />
Loudly the war cries arise on the gale;<br />
Fleetly the steed by Lough Swilly is bounding,<br />
To join the thick squadrons in Saimear's green vale.<br />
On, ev'ry mountaineer,<br />
Strangers to flight and fear;<br />
Rush to the standard of dauntless Red Hugh!<br />
Bonnaught and Gallowglass,<br />
Throng from each mountain pass;<br />
On for old Erin, "O'Donnell Abu!"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Princely O'Neill to our aid is advancing,<br />
With many a chieftain and warrior clan;<br />
A thousand proud steeds in his vanguard are prancing,<br />
'Neath the borders brave from the banks of the Bann:<br />
Many a heart shall quail,<br />
Under its coat of mail;<br />
Deeply the merciless foeman shall rue<br />
When on his ear shall ring,<br />
Borne on the breeze's wing,<br />
Tír Chonaill's dread war-cry, "O'Donnell Abu!"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"> W</span><span style="color: black;">ildly o'er Desmond the war-wolf is howling,<br />
Fearless the eagle sweeps over the plain,<br />
The fox in the streets of the city is prowling - <br />
All, all who would scare them are banished or slain!<br />
Grasp every stalwart hand<br />
Hackbut and battle brand - <br />
Pay them all back the debt so long due;<br />
Norris and Clifford well<br />
Can of Tirconnell tell;<br />
Onward to glory - "O'Donnell Abu!"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">Sacred the cause that Clan Connell's defending - <br />
The altars we kneel at and homes of our sires;<br />
Ruthless the ruin the foe is extending - <br />
Midnight is red with the plunderer's fires.<br />
On with O'Donnell, then,<br />
Fight the old fight again,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sons of Tirconnell,<br />
All valiant and true:<br />
Make the false Saxon feel<br />
Erin's avenging steel<br />
Strike for your country! - "O'Donnell Abu!"</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352695389293971669.post-49592678369745575112013-05-22T09:01:00.001-04:002013-05-23T07:42:41.310-04:00Prince Hugh of Donegal & The Wonderful World of Disney<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJae8puZkVzW3G231NJjM1ttdhTERSzHYnnLrwKfx-lDRyp3HqIW4inTGd-Ws77Ms5xMrON9eqntKuV0dLF3KZP8s4r28e0tgVXPNGSR7HIHFJpi2iAnJc7K4rz48FQ_rd5cMRsNnBag/s1600/Prince+of+Donegal+Case.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJae8puZkVzW3G231NJjM1ttdhTERSzHYnnLrwKfx-lDRyp3HqIW4inTGd-Ws77Ms5xMrON9eqntKuV0dLF3KZP8s4r28e0tgVXPNGSR7HIHFJpi2iAnJc7K4rz48FQ_rd5cMRsNnBag/s320/Prince+of+Donegal+Case.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>
We've been enjoying <i>The Wonderful World of Disney</i> for the past week --- and more to go. When you hear the word "Disney", it's always the animated fairy tales that pop to mind. It is for me, anyway. Well, Disney made a <u>lot</u> of live-action films (just think of Fred MacMurray, Dean Jones, etc.), and it is those that we have been trying. How this came about is a long string of circumstances, but Elizabeth ordered a whole bunch from the library for us to work through. We've seen <i>Hans Brinker</i> (wonderful, sweet and definitely worth watching!), <i>The Great Locomotive Chase</i> (Fess Parker and Jeff Hunter in a real-life Civil War adventure) and <i>The Happiest Millionaire</i> (Fred MacMurray and a great cast in a <u>hilarious</u> Disney-style musical).<br />
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That's not all we've seen, though. We've been watching a bunch of them that are period stories in England, Ireland and Scotland. Specifically, <i>The Sword and the Rose </i>(the story of Mary Tudor, sister to Henry VIII), <i>Kidnapped</i> (not at all the type of story that I thought it was --- and absolutely fabulous!), <i>Rob Roy </i>(another great one!) and <i>The Fighting Prince of Donegal</i>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwSB5dYiz8mHv53UBadByG6OlwKJvTei26eQ7UrHnNylTf4AES22ktKFkdzHUWwL5sbio26A3bzfJlgswWB4c5XdwT14Zkisp9r47GM2VlWOjSxf0F9aSrkSuZYQAGpoaDwu1eT-AH0o/s1600/Prince+of+Donegal.jpg"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwSB5dYiz8mHv53UBadByG6OlwKJvTei26eQ7UrHnNylTf4AES22ktKFkdzHUWwL5sbio26A3bzfJlgswWB4c5XdwT14Zkisp9r47GM2VlWOjSxf0F9aSrkSuZYQAGpoaDwu1eT-AH0o/s640/Prince+of+Donegal.jpg" width="510" /></a>
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<i>The Fighting Prince of Donegal</i>. Wow! It's the story of Red Hugh O'Donnell, a prince of Ireland who lived from 1572 to 1602. The story is based on some real events in the life of O'Donnell (of course, it's been modified for the screen!). He gets captured by the British and held in Dublin Castle. He escapes. He gets recaptured. He escapes again. He leads the clans in a battle against the British at Donegal Castle. He falls in love. Really, it's a fabulous story. Fabulously acted and so well produced. I <u>really</u> liked it. Peter McEnery, the actor playing The O'Donnell is as good as it gets --- followed by Andrew Keir as The McSweeny. I don't want to spoil the movie for anyone, so I won't say more.<br />
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The acting in Disney's film is great. The sets are great, and you'll see some beautiful painting by Peter Ellenshaw. Disney movies wouldn't have half of their beauty without the remarkable talents of Mr. Ellenshaw. Wow! So, if you haven't seen the story of the Prince of Donegal, then you should. :) It's just fabulous. More later.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352695389293971669.post-39035855266647244192013-05-13T11:35:00.003-04:002013-05-13T11:35:46.530-04:00Group Pictures with the New Poirot DollsHere are some "group pictures" showing some of my other needle felted dolls or sculptures standing with the new Hercule Poirot dolls. It's very hard to get pictures of them together as many of the dolls vary in size --- not to mention that some of them are sitting down. So, I posed them on the piano. It shows the scale of the different dolls, anyway!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmNe3wOWeZC32X0ZfDbEB1CUJLSTo2H7WKLeRVJLSIQ8h3GMmRE2fBW_xM97zVdXBHkF4aSY6o_ZRuduk0fgj2ILRR-QrLFOa-5Yk9e6VrS9llanbLOyKFmbsQYKCdN8RHrBlRuiHfUsA/s1600/Blog+Poirot+Dolls+Together.jpg"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmNe3wOWeZC32X0ZfDbEB1CUJLSTo2H7WKLeRVJLSIQ8h3GMmRE2fBW_xM97zVdXBHkF4aSY6o_ZRuduk0fgj2ILRR-QrLFOa-5Yk9e6VrS9llanbLOyKFmbsQYKCdN8RHrBlRuiHfUsA/s640/Blog+Poirot+Dolls+Together.jpg" width="510" /></a>
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First, here is Mom's Poirot doll standing with the two new ones. This makes three large Poirot dolls that I've felted, and it's amazing how each one has its own personality. In fact, I had so much fun making them that I've decided to start a Captain Hastings doll today! Captain Hastings is my very favorite character from the Agatha Christie books (particularly as portrayed by Hugh Fraser in the TV shows), so it's only fair to make a doll of him as well. :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLHOVh-V8K9xM2rva3x0iJt0uBq9hGjMmU1cRt7q6qWUkVb-ToyMWGPMK5uud-3uKK_LCm6OEfDDjy8cnkxekz8dm3kesVrTWXIDm5lCwDpDJEy_LpoSYqeyAdyRt26ey-4ABDNRYlqHA/s1600/Blog+Felted+Sculpture+Group+Shot.jpg"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLHOVh-V8K9xM2rva3x0iJt0uBq9hGjMmU1cRt7q6qWUkVb-ToyMWGPMK5uud-3uKK_LCm6OEfDDjy8cnkxekz8dm3kesVrTWXIDm5lCwDpDJEy_LpoSYqeyAdyRt26ey-4ABDNRYlqHA/s640/Blog+Felted+Sculpture+Group+Shot.jpg" width="510" /></a>
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Next, here is a group shot that shows some of the more recent dolls (minus all of the gnomes). You can see that the Poirot shows have played a rather active part in my felting inspiration. The two dolls in center are based on the Meissen figurines and Victory Ball costumes as seen in the episode, <i>The Affair at the Victory Ball</i>. As of now, I'm planning on Captain Hastings next and, hopefully, Elrond after that . . . but things are always subject to change!<br />
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It's been absolutely freezing here all day yesterday and again today. We're actually having to heat the house again. Sad thing is, I have to go out and mow the lawn (I'm not a fan of cold and windy weather!). The good thing is that the sun is shining a bit, so maybe it won't be too bad. ;) More later.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352695389293971669.post-57039634709542405542013-05-12T19:54:00.001-04:002013-05-13T09:22:00.074-04:00Hercule Poirot Dolls: Two More Needle Felted Sculptures I can't believe it, but I have now made <u>twenty</u> needle-felted wool dolls (or "sculptures")! These dolls have quite a story, too. Two and a half years ago, I made a smaller felted Poirot doll as a surprise Christmas present for Mom and <a href="http://littlekumquat.blogspot.com/2011/01/hercule-poirot-as-needle-felted-doll.html" target="_blank">posted the story here</a> on my blog. It has been quite popular, and I've received quite a few comments and e-mails asking if I would make another Poirot doll.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjarzAhc9Zb5RyeLDUup_u6Cpt0Vf4qLKwOVjxS3Hrd4YN_0t9al0LRh1z2hpYSgcI-nkJo3A4c-59bkY4Cpf04GviHYXbzE048LJ_jZ1uKNP0va5qILNqcYY4p5fWtZNf84Ht340NBi98/s1600/Blog+Poirot+Dolls.jpg"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjarzAhc9Zb5RyeLDUup_u6Cpt0Vf4qLKwOVjxS3Hrd4YN_0t9al0LRh1z2hpYSgcI-nkJo3A4c-59bkY4Cpf04GviHYXbzE048LJ_jZ1uKNP0va5qILNqcYY4p5fWtZNf84Ht340NBi98/s640/Blog+Poirot+Dolls.jpg" width="510" /></a>
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One thing that you have to know about me is --- I <i>don't</i> duplicate any of my original handwork. I didn't always have strong feelings about this, but after a few trials of duplication (mostly because Elizabeth just had to have "the same" something) I soon learned better. When working with something handmade and without a pattern, it is <u>impossible</u> to make an exact duplicate. It never looks just the same and the person on the receiving end is always disappointed.<br />
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So, I stubbornly refused to make another Poirot. Then --- it happened. I got a really nice e-mail from a lady in another country who wanted to know if I would make a Poirot doll for her. I sent back a <u>long</u> e-mail explaining my reasons for not duplicating. And the fact that felting is really just my hobby. Well, she sent back a nice chatty reply, told me that she totally understood, but would I please keep her in mind if I ever felt like making another Poirot?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5h7MuB-DIgNDAxSJWvhJbI2NY8L57pgpvWeCXN-6mn1rpkjf9QfP_jHdZekaSAMGVFOhn4KEvnHbSFIhwpYWV9-pKafM3vjk1O8jbuIppIguTCYoleiAyf4KXjas5Q7Rp6Mdr8WgATg/s1600/Blog+Grey+Poirot+Doll+2.jpg"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5h7MuB-DIgNDAxSJWvhJbI2NY8L57pgpvWeCXN-6mn1rpkjf9QfP_jHdZekaSAMGVFOhn4KEvnHbSFIhwpYWV9-pKafM3vjk1O8jbuIppIguTCYoleiAyf4KXjas5Q7Rp6Mdr8WgATg/s320/Blog+Grey+Poirot+Doll+2.jpg" width="255" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE8uAqCsBMqC2VH7jUQRlotWz7_Gzq5xX7Q9m39tBa4C0_L9cVAL0l7LO7ZK-NV0M-yIcLMQYjwLb0xMNzjYqVkWlkfJd-vgO9RHrKY28HNkFaN1fGTHxB_bz8CZ95u9ze_NBjR0YvvYs/s1600/Blog+Travel+Poirot+Doll+2.jpg"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE8uAqCsBMqC2VH7jUQRlotWz7_Gzq5xX7Q9m39tBa4C0_L9cVAL0l7LO7ZK-NV0M-yIcLMQYjwLb0xMNzjYqVkWlkfJd-vgO9RHrKY28HNkFaN1fGTHxB_bz8CZ95u9ze_NBjR0YvvYs/s320/Blog+Travel+Poirot+Doll+2.jpg" width="255" /></a>
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Elizabeth is a great sister. She and I talk about a lot of things, and on this occasion E. did a lot of talking. In fact, she talked me into agreeing to make one more Poirot. Not only that, but she actually talked me into making <i>two</i> more Poirots --- that way we could always list the other in our <i>Etsy</i> store. So, I sent an e-mail back to the nice lady saying I would be glad to make one. I even explained that I was planning on making two, so she could have a choice of outfits and colors. What I hadn't figured on was her writing back and saying that she would like both of them --- one wearing the classic light grey suit and the other in his cream-colored "Travel" suit. Wow!<br />
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So, for the last several months I have been working on two little Poirot dolls. Finally, yesterday evening, I put the finishing touches on them. Making one of a character at a time is great, but making two of the same was a bit challenging. It kept them at a similar shape and size, but it also felt like I was always making mistakes, since I had to keep "recreating" the same pieces all along the way. In the end, it really did pay off, though, as the finished dolls are an absolutely adorable pair!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqIMC1uYm28Xn3-gJoqNLqQKKqS2JqKj5eLMLYgf9GIE5SWVicHqsabLg_9kIjOrLFpMO849mQr0BAK5sDXALPCzOt3RzHkcZix5CjsXNYfb8GzNdzuI-KXNqksN-kTnieJl73Awyj-1g/s1600/Blog+Travel+Poirot+Doll+1.jpg"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqIMC1uYm28Xn3-gJoqNLqQKKqS2JqKj5eLMLYgf9GIE5SWVicHqsabLg_9kIjOrLFpMO849mQr0BAK5sDXALPCzOt3RzHkcZix5CjsXNYfb8GzNdzuI-KXNqksN-kTnieJl73Awyj-1g/s320/Blog+Travel+Poirot+Doll+1.jpg" width="255" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDjoZl1gqTKjaOnDmIm5bM8-Wr36b5ppC2E8nKKBL0n4iI1fMGB7pqdcZB06C72fLkp5zoq_VC206aaWek213UHmqYlnklqX2LbwmcljmqG-Eory5ARZ5Gka0iLONEs9ISOZxRMSREKY/s1600/Blog+Grey+Poirot+Doll+1.jpg"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDjoZl1gqTKjaOnDmIm5bM8-Wr36b5ppC2E8nKKBL0n4iI1fMGB7pqdcZB06C72fLkp5zoq_VC206aaWek213UHmqYlnklqX2LbwmcljmqG-Eory5ARZ5Gka0iLONEs9ISOZxRMSREKY/s320/Blog+Grey+Poirot+Doll+1.jpg" width="255" /></a>
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Each doll weighs two ounces. They were made with .40 and .42 gauge felting needles and took approximately 110 hours to make as a pair. The doll in the light grey suit stands 8-1/2" tall and the doll in the "Travel" suit stands 8-1/4" tall. Dad made their canes out of wood and used metal beads for handles. The doll in the grey suit has a real sterling silver "stud" on his shirt, and the doll in the "Travel" suit has a fly-swatter made (also by Dad) of Buck Tail and Quill. The watch chains and fobs were made by Elizabeth and are made from real jewelry chain and a "dangle-y" jewelry piece for the fob. The lapel pins are made of some unidentified silver jewelry thing, and the flowers are felted. The doll in the light grey has a light pink rose the color of the "Hercule Poirot" rose as seen in the David Suchet TV episode <i>How Does Your Garden Grow?</i>.<br />
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Now that they are finished and sitting here, I am so happy that Elizabeth talked me into making them. They will be leaving for their home in a private collection in the next few days. Mom and Elizabeth are going to be sorry to see them go. Mom's just a teeny weeny bit jealous, as these two Poirots are infinitely superior to her doll. :) It is too bad that I won't be able to enter one of them in the State Fair this Summer, so the Mark Fain doll will just have to go alone! These Poirots certainly are cute, and they are even better in person than they are in photos.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3pEdPad2WfRR70trYCrOPriywCFC8y3Y9fLzvbvuadybNGZw1oxVCeECduscUTsyakyqq8jC1Qk7J-OVxDIjuxGHB-Hd4TiA6dGaaluo99Sh05VZ12eZ5LxPJQ1oFFCosmhgV8XogB8o/s1600/Blog+Travel+Poirot+Doll+3.jpg"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3pEdPad2WfRR70trYCrOPriywCFC8y3Y9fLzvbvuadybNGZw1oxVCeECduscUTsyakyqq8jC1Qk7J-OVxDIjuxGHB-Hd4TiA6dGaaluo99Sh05VZ12eZ5LxPJQ1oFFCosmhgV8XogB8o/s320/Blog+Travel+Poirot+Doll+3.jpg" width="255" /></a>
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If you'd like to see more photos of the dolls, you can see their photo albums by <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/113855477463607256131" target="_blank">CLICKING HERE</a>. So, I have made twenty dolls now --- and even duplicated a character. Poirot certainly lends himself to felt. I'm planning on taking some new "group shots" of some of the dolls tomorrow, so I'll post more later.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352695389293971669.post-84813601238846404672013-05-06T08:55:00.001-04:002013-05-06T08:55:33.642-04:00A Long Weekend, Painting and Jane AustenWe've had a pretty busy weekend. Dad took today and Friday off of work, which means that it feels like we're having an extra-long weekend. It has given him the chance to get a lot of work done outside. He's finished painting the fence at the side of the house and has been busy painting the garage. Just take a look at these before and after pictures of the fence in my Gnome Garden.<br />
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I spent Friday mowing the lawn and weeding in the flower garden. A lot of the baby Pin Oak trees that I've been nurturing since last Spring have come back and are budding. I weeded around them and checked them all out.<br />
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Thursday was a big rummage sale and we went grocery shopping. Saturday was the annual town garage sales. Not many this year, so it didn't take us very long. I've been working really hard on a custom order for two dolls. The end is in sight, which means that I want to see what they will look like finished.<br />
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Flowers are popping up and all the trees are budding. Some earlier trees, like the Crimson King Red Maple have full leaves already. We spent a couple of hours yesterday afternoon out photographing at a cemetery. We had a lot of fun, as there was a nesting Killdeer in one of the sections. She actually flew after Elizabeth once. She was out protecting her area --- acting injured and screaming her head off. Then, she would come and fly after you and flap her wings. I couldn't get really close long enough to take a good picture, but you can see her in the light circle in the right-hand picture.<br />
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We watched the 1996 version of Jane Austen's <i>Emma</i> --- for the first time, amazingly! We've loved the 1995 versions of <i>Persuasion</i>, <i>Pride and Prejudice</i> and <i>Sense and Sensibility</i> for years, but we'd never watched <i>Emma</i>. I really enjoyed it. It was just under two hours, and it wasn't as glamourous as some of the others, but I think that it was the most "realistic" of all of them. You really felt like they were real, normal people that you could meet today. Mr. Knightly was fabulous, too! Wow! Well, there isn't a lot more to report. This has all kept us pretty busy. More later.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0