thwarted by poultry!

How can you not love a gal who wears her bra on the outside of her outfit? 

What a fashion statement!

I'm using this kitschy picture for, the rubia.  Because she is a rubia!  She's sitting over in the right margin.  Click her and she'll escort you over to my web site. 

Speaking of my site, a few of you have asked about it and I'm so happy to tell you that we've experienced success in uploading it.  There was a little glitch, but MacGyver showed up and helped to figure out the problem.  Something about a missing FTP file...

It's going to take a few more weeks to get more items photographed and uploaded to the site, so please check back from time to time to see what's new in the store.

Speaking of new items, I mentioned that I'd have a photo ready for you today.  Once again, I seem to have missed my mark.  I never finished the purse.  Here's the story: I was done-in by chicken piccata.

The weather here in Jacksonville Sunday was, shall I say, like a grey overcast day in Buffalo.  I considered firing up the grill, but there was a risk getting caught in huge threatening tropical rain drops. So I decided to just make dinner easy and make old trusty chicken piccata. Just like Vosco used to make in the old country. 

As I was preparing to pour the wine into the skillet to join a pat of butter and freshly squeezed lemon juice, it seems my arm slipped and  I mistakenly spilled the wine into a lovely wine glass. What's a girl to do when that happens?  Naturally, I drank the spilled vino. 

And then to my utter horror and delight , I once again spilled the wine into my empty wine glass!

So what are the odds of spilling it a third time?  Yeah, you guessed it... 

I had tried to come in and sew in-between the bouts of spilling the wine, but it's really not a great idea to drink and sew.  There are laws against it... 

I am a law-abiding citizen, so I pulled over and parked myself on the couch.  Hence, the nap.

And lack of a finished purse...but soon, soon I will have a photo posted.

Unless I make chicken piccata again and spill the wine. 

on my table.

Since I found my c-c-courage to c-c-cut into uber c-c-cute fabric, I've decided to do something with this lucious piece of gorgeousness. 

The boys will be watching the fights tonight, so I may just hideout and sew for awhile. 

Check back on Monday to see what I've made.

Have a great weekend!

vicious circle.

I've had this fabric for a long time.

I just couldn't decide what to make from it.

The thing with those who sew is this: it's next to impossible to cut into a fabric when it takes your breath away.

But last night, the pretty fabric begged to be made into something.

So I did it.

I transformed it into an apron.

There wasn't enough fabric to make the full apron, as in the picture...so I made a half-apron.  Still so pretty.

Just one thing...

I forgot to attach the pocket.


You know how I said in a previous post that I wasn't going to buy any more fabric?  Apparently, I lied. 

Shhhhh....

At the time I meant it, but I happened to run into an online sale and crikey, I couldn't pass up these precious fabrics:

  

Blenders...

Toasters...

Aprons, potholders anybody? 

Yeah, these are priceless fabrics.  I didn't order much, so if you have any ideas for the fast-approaching holidays, give me a shout. 

'Cause the sewing machine goes into hibernation the second week of December.

And I settle in for my long winter's nap!

ahead of schedule.

Wow. 

My self-imposed projected day of completion was Friday.  Saturday at the latest.

Maybe Sunday. 

Monday, no later than Monday!

But here it is, Thursday, and the bag is finished. 

I did impose a self-punishment in the event I didn't meet my deadline.  I was to post a litany of nice things about my friend Terri, should I fail my mission.  Terri and I have a love/love relationship.  We say ugly things about each other, one trying to outdo the other.  Nothing too mean, just little snipey things.  All said with affection.  We've been doing this for years.  From the day she blew cracker crumbs all over me approximately 11 years-ago, we've been matching wits.

Nit-wits.  

Besides, we apparently amuse our friend Tim and hey, an audience makes it even more interesting.

I may just head on over to Face Book and list a few things about Terri...good or bad, I'm not sure.  I'll figure it out once I get there. 

OK, Connie.  Your bag is ready.  I hope you love it!

*This bag was made from the pattern by Rebeka Lambert, over at her fabulous blog, Artsy-Crafty Babe.  The fabric is from the Amy Butler collection.

guilty pleasure.

Every summer, since it's first airing, I've watched America's Got Talent.

I love the show.

This year, my favorite contestant is Prince Poppycock.  He is my guilty pleasure.

He's unique, creative, different...talented!

I hope he wins.

Excuse me one moment, I need to tell my dad something...

**Dad.  Don't watch this clip.  Just scroll down to my previous post,"Action Pants" and read that one again, OK?**

Thank you for waiting, people. 

And without further ado, I bring you Prince Poppycock!





So there you go. 

I adore the theater!

on my table:

I have placed a moratorium on fabric-buying. 

Unless, of course, someone has requested a special order.

Thankfully, my friend Connie came to my rescue.  Which meant that I had to go buy some fabric. 

I love it when that happens!

Three of those fabrics were already living with me...really.  Not a recent purchase.

We shall begin at the top of the stack:

~the first two fabrics most likely will be a purse.  The colors are gorgeous!
~the third and fourth will be a purse.  Special order.
~the fifth, I do believe, is going to be an apron.  The colors are unbelievably vibrant!

When will I have these completed?  Your guess is as good as mine!  Ha, ha, ho, ho.....

No, really.  I have to complete one purse by the end of the week.  

I can do it!

.....I can, right?

somebody, stop me!

My name is Patti and I have an addciton...

...to these awesome little jewelery pouches!

Crikey!  I can't stop making them!

The the fabrics, the colors...

 There are more pouches, but just how many can I photograph and plop here on my blog?

I need some serious intervention.

Perhaps I should make an apron...?

feeling lethargic? Wear these and get some action!

Wow. 

Action Pants.  Kind of sounds like a Super-Hero clothing accessory.

I found this pattern over at Sew Mama, Sew!  It's an actual pattern for "Action Pants!"

Do you need a little extra "action" in your life?

**Housewives throughout the land are screaming "NO!  Are you mad?!**

If you're young and cute and are a flat-bellied Sneetch (Dr. Seuss reference), I think these pants would be adorable! 




Here's the description for the super-duper Action Pants:

Women's Action Pants Sizes US4 to US16 ~ Bettsy Kingston PDF Sewing Pattern

Cute and sexy for women who want some fun too. A design of ruffle underwear created for woven cottons. We love fabric, all the way to the inside! A Bettsy Kingston pattern by Benita McGovern.

Once you've made your purchase, you will be sent an email which contains instructions for downloading this pdf pattern.


So, do you think I should order the pattern, make and sell these Action Pants? 

Hello?  Is anyone still here?

My blog just flat-lined.......

little jewelery pouch.

Meet my new jewelery pouches. 

They're round and cute.

You may recall this recent post, in which they were in cut circles and neatly stacked on my cutting table.  A neat cutting table is a new phen...pheono...phenomena 'round here. 

This is a special order for a bridal party...cute little wrapping, I'd say.

I was extremely happy with how these pouches turned out.

And the really neat thing is, the pouch is perfect for transporting jewelery on overnight stays or to take on vacation.  Once the pouch is cinched, nothing is going to escape.

Another view:

Inside are six little pocket that can hold earrings or rings, or chains. 

The bottom has a nice padded flat area to place a bracelet or perhaps a chunky necklace.

Beads were added to the ends of the ribbon, to prevent losing the ribbon completely within the casing.

The pouches are great fun to make.  I see a jewelery pouch in my mother's future...

wind chill vs. heat index.

Here we have the new and improved Wind Chill table.  I'm not quite sure what was wrong with the old graphing, but hey, I'm not one to argue with the egg-heads who create these charts.  I'm lucky if I can remember my multiplication tables. 

Wind chill refers to the temperature your body is telling you what the cold feels like, depending upon the actual outside  temperature and the speed of the wind. 

So if it's 20-degrees outside and the wind is whipping at 5 mph, the temperature might feel like minus 12-degrees to your body.

I'm not  a scientist, so please don't hold me to those exact numbers.

I'm here to tell you that if you live in Northern climates say, Buffalo (giving a shout-out to the land of my birth) and you go outside to shovel your driveway for the 3rd time in one day, once you return inside to the comfort of your warm cozy house, your nose will probably feel like it's going to fall off your face.

And if your nose is still intact, check to make sure both ears are still attached.  Just saying...

And then, there's this:

The hated and despised heat-index.

It works in the same manner as the wind-chill factor.  Only opposite.  But you probably knew that. 

The heat-index is evil.  Very evil.  It makes the outdoors feel like Hades.  And you sweat.  You sweat just thinking about sweating. 

Why did I go from one extreme to the other?

Buffalo to Florida.  North to South. Cold to Hot.  Freezing to Hades. 

Know this: it's easier to snuggle under a blanket and warm up than it is to come in and cool down.  Or to sit in front of a roaring fire, wearing your thermals and 5 other layers of clothing.

Here in Hades, I mean Florida, we push the thermostat button down as low as it will go and sit under the ceiling fan.  In as little clothing as humanly possible while maintaining some semblance of dignity... and maybe just causing loved-ones to heave.   Just saying....

But there's no place like Florida once the heat breaks, the temperatures cool down and the ocean breezes kick  up, bringing sweet and refreshing relief over the land. Those are the days you just don't want to go back inside.  And you can sit out on your patio all stinkin' day!

I'm so confused...

face of Jewish guilt.

This is no ordinary mouse pad.

This is "Jewish guilt" personified.

I've often wondered what Jewish guilt looks like.

Now I know.

It looks like this mouse pad.  

My Jewish friend, who also happens to be my sister-in-law, gave this to me.

She said that it is Jewish guilt.  The kind of guilt you just can't say "no" to.  

She also said that it reminded her of me, except for the fact that my hair is blonde and not accurately portrayed in the image of the Goddess.  

All other representation looks exactly like me...bwah, ha, ha, ha....

Jewish guilt works.

I am almost finished with the two boring plain white aprons (no inspiration there, thanks Linda!).

That's what Jewish guilt does.  

It taunts you and pokes at you without saying a word.

I submit to the guilt.

Even though I am a Goddess!  

we go round in cirlces.

Yes, circles!

What could she be making with all these circles, you ask?

Jewelery pouches!  Aha!

I will be spending the rest of the weekend assembling these fabulous little lovelies. 

Also, I will be embroidering some aprons for my dear sister-in-law. 

Ending the day with a few refreshing beverages, poolside. 

Anyone want to join us? 

Say, 6 PM?

Unless it rains...if it does, I'll be sewing. 

Or something...

ol' ball and chain.

K...I'm still trying to get the web site up and going.  

I'm a prisoner of my own making.

Linking the pages are what's biting me in the proverbial hiney.  

Just my luck, my IT guy is WORKING!  How dare he, when I need him so badly!

My question is this: do I sit here and fool with the darn thing for hours, or move on and do something else? 

Decisions, decisions...

Looking for a different, yet delicious Summer salad?

Here ya go, but please, keep an open mind...

CELERY SALAD

1/2  small onion, thinly sliced

4     stalks celery, thinly sliced

1     tablespoon olive oil

2     tablespoons of parsley (cilantro is good, too)

1     lemon

Soak the onion slices in a bowl of cold water, about 10 minutes. 

Drain the onion and pat dry, then toss with the celery, 1 tablespoon olive oil and parsley. 

Grate the zest from half of the lemon into the celery mixture and squeeze in all of the juice.

Season with salt and pepper and toss.

So I tried this salad and served it with a cheap marinated steak...that's it. 

You'd think the onion would be overpowering, but I guess the cold water bath must wash away the pungency of the onion.

Needless to say, the lemon gave it a fresh, light taste and when it's HOT outside, it makes for a refreshing alternative to heavy mayo-based salads.

They don't call me Julia Child for nuttin!

week in review.

What I've been up to the last few days...

• Volunteered at the WHC on Monday...
• Worked with my friends Julie, Sally & Suzanne on Tuesday, selling school uniforms.  They let me use pens and order forms...uh-oh!
• A quick trip to Paula's Fine Fabrics for a bridal order  (no luck) and to Publix on Wednesday...
• And here we are on Thursday, with one destination and the rest of the day to work on photos for the web site.  Hopefully, Friday will be the day I launch my new-improved and condensed site...

On the table up there, are some items that will be listed for sale on my site.  More is on the way, but I suffer from photo taking-anxiety.  It is a recently discovered phobia, one for which there is no cure.  I happened to isolate and identify the condition.

Plow ahead I must, accepting that I am not a photographer and coax my cute point and shoot digital to work its magic!    

And tomorrow, with the aid of flickr and picnik, purses, pouches and wristlets will be available for your perusal.

Why didn't I take a photography course when I was younger?!

life.

This is the story of BB:

She eats.

She sleeps.

The end.

photo Friday.

This photograph proves that girls, no matter the era, just want to have fun!

The 4th girl from the left is our Grandma, posing with her sisters and friends.

It just makes me want to crawl into the picture and pose with them!

Since I can't do that, this is the next best thing!

My own photo with Grandma, taken in 1990. 

I can't remember if she's just arriving or getting ready to go back to Buffalo. 

I think she must be leaving, because I look kind of sad.

We all loved her so much...she was the kindest person.

I love you, Grandma! 

Grandma, would you mind giving Grandpa an Irish Kiss for me? 

You do mind?

I know, they were kind of barbaric...ok, just give him a little peck on the cheek for me, then.

I love you, Grandma!

delicious steak salad!

I love salads.

It's what I always order when dining out...I think it drives my friends a little crazy. 

Only because I seldom waver from the beautiful greens...I don't try anything else.

And because we're back from vacation and I made some delicious, but semi-greasy sliders last night for dinner, today I'm going to share a salad recipe swiped from food network magazine (they don't capitalize the title~just so you know)...

STEAK-SPINACH SALAD WITH SOUR-CREAM POTATOES 
SERVES: 4

2       medium russet potatoes
3       tablespoons olive oil, plus more for brushing
1/2  cup sour cream
2       tablespoons buttermilk
1/4  cup chopped fresh chives
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1       3/4-pound boneless sirloin steak
1       large red onion, sliced into thick rings
6       ounces baby spinach or chopped regular spinach
2 to 3 tablespoons steak sauce

1.  Preheat the oven to 400 deg.  Pierce the potatoes with a fork and brush with olive oil.  Bake directly on the oven rack until tender, about 1 hour.  Cool slightly, then cut into chunks.  Mix the sour cream, buttermilk, chives and lemon juice in a large bowl and season with salt and pepper.  Stir in the potatoes.

2.  Meanwhile, preheat a grill to high.  Brush the steak and onion rings with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.  Grill the steak until marked on the bottom, about 7 minutes, then turn and cook 4 to 5 more minutes for medium-rare.  Grill the onion rings until charred, about 2 minutes per side.  Transfer the steak and onion rings to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes.

3.  Roughly chop the onion rings and toss with the spinach, steak sauce, 3 tablespoons olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste in a bowl.  Thinly slice the steak.  Divide the salad among plates, top with the steak and serve with potatoes.

I don't normally have buttermilk in my fridge...c'mon, who does?  Just squeeze a few drops of lemon juice or white vinegar into your milk and let sit for a few minutes.  You now have buttermilk.

Lowfat sour-cream works well...I also adjusted the amount of olive oil and steak sauce to suit my taste.  Play around with it...

I added some Romaine lettuce to the spinach, just to give it more substance and crunch. 

You can also put those onion slices under the broiler...I was afraid I was going to lose them to the grates if I cooked them on the grill.

Chives...I didn't have any, but I did have scallions, so I sliced them and used them instead.


This is a great light summer dinner!

family reunion, 2010!

The whole Fleming clan spent a fabulous week together on Lake Norman, NC. 

What a beautiful lake! 

All of us were there: grandparents, aunts & uncles, nieces, nephews, spouses and a little baby "in the oven."  Oh, and BB the human dog.

We all live in different states, so we don't get to spend time together as one big happy family. 

Surprise!  We're no different than any other family on the face of the earth.  And that is reassuring. 

Differences, likenesses...

Habits...

Preferences...

Religions...

But we love each other and that speaks volumes. 

So thank you, family, for gathering and having a great time. 

Here are just a few photos of Lake Norman:

Dad & Tom on the porch of the rented house

Jonathan kayaking & Jason on the dock

Brother Mike in the second kitchen, making his potato salad and goofing for the camera

Lake Norman

That, in a nutshell, is our family vacation.  I'll be posting more photos in the future, but for now, this will do.  

And if you ever decide to go for a visit to this beautiful lake and need lodging, visit here.  We stayed in the house called "Lakeside Living." Photos of the interior are posted on the site. Todd and Becky, the owners of the properties, were absolutely the best people to work with.

It was a great week!

please excuse the indecisiveness.

I know, I know...the look of my blog has changed.

It was an accident, a mistake!  I was playing around with the new blog designer feature and mistakenly applied the changes to my blog. 

I'm not happy.  And I can't change it back.  Well... I could try, but it could result in even more disasterous consequences. 

So hang in there with me, dear reader.  Things are going to be changing a LOT around here, as the days go by as I try new colors and layouts.

On another note, we just returned from vacation with the entire Fleming clan.  It was great fun and I hope to have some photos of our adventure posted this week. 

Unitl then...