Nor'easter Snow Day

Hi Dear Folk,

Love snow days when you can stay at home, Mr. B, The Boy and I.  Snow day mornings always feel so good, the whole day stretches ahead with promise.  By late afternoon, it's all coming to an end and there's a feeling of finality.  Lazy crochet day at home.

Friend gave me this Caribbean Rum Cake, these are good.  She was away on a cruise and this is the gift Maria brought back for me.

Tuppy looking for her great escape.  Love this boy, now a man, what a joy he is.

Playing Judy Garland.

Now this she is a warrior female. feisty and friendly.

A friend is moving into an apartment and selling up her house.  It all comes at the right time, she has been through a lot, hospital, nursing home, hospital, physio.  We have been helping her to pack up, there is a lot to pack and sort, a lifetime.  This beehive clock is one of the items that she gave to me.  An old Seth Thomas, CT.

My dear one Mr. B. making his specialty, chocolate chip cookies.

They are just so perfect and with a mug of coffee, yummy.

A friend invited me over for lunch and then we went out thrifting.  At our last stop we found this, almost complete dinner service, I thought from the 1950's but it is earlier than that circa 1930.  Made in Czechoslovakia, Royal Ivory, Windsor.  It seems the company exported to shops like Macy's from 1924 to 1939.

Led astray, because a china addict needs very little encouragement to succumb to a bargain.  Bad associations will destroy an addicts resolution.

Always like square plates very Deco.

The shape of this gravy boat is different and with the flowers inside, so sweet.  I guess it could be used for custard too.

I think the set is just missing the bottom of the sugar bowl, I have the lid, the top to the circular vegetable dish and the teapot, possibly it also had a coffee pot, as there are little demi tasse cups or espresso cups.

Very pretty.

Finished another Cape Ann shawl, this is such a nice pattern, and made a hat to match, will finish the other hat today, somewhat like the one in the picture below, but modified.  A combination of two patterns.  I always have to give things my own spin, or wouldn't be fun otherwise.

Our nor'easter.

Days end.

Christine

Up Up and Away

Hi Dear Folk,

I booked my flight to the UK this year and I'm going for a very long trip, for the months of August and September.  I was surprised to find that I had 204,000 Avios miles on BA, so used those, and upgraded to Premium Economy, but the taxes alone made it almost as much as what my son paid for his ticket flying over in May.  With that seating I'm not sure how much more space you get, I know it's not much,  I am allowed twice the luggage, but don't feel like hauling around two suitcases, but you never know, I always seem to need another suitcase when I come back and scrounge an old one out of my sister's attic.  Still I have options.

I paid the extra $25.00 and booked over the phone, so much easier than getting to the end of booking everything online and then getting kicked out.  I don't have a lot of patience for that.

I will take my chances on seat allocation, which also is another extra you have to pay, you didn't used to have to pay for that. My son paid extra.  He is travelling over to UK with Tierney and they wanted to make sure they got a window seat and sat together, I would have taken my chances, but's that's the only thing I'd take a chance on and it is easier for one.

Time has flown and I don't seem to have taken many photos, I am still getting used to my new camera, do hope to use it at the Flower Show this week., but still deciding when to go as another nor'easter is coming in tomorrow, however Wednesday is my day off.  So will probably go Thursday or Friday afternoon.

The nor'easter last Friday caused a lot of downed lines.  I caught the last train out of Dodge, well no out of the City.  We watched the wind and rain all morning out of the office windows and then sleet and then snow, and about three in the afternoon someone checked the trains and noticed all lines had been suspended except for two, one of which was my line.  My boss said you had better go before they suspend that.  Two trains were sitting at Platform 1 but were not assigned then one pulled in on Platform 2 and that was going to the stops on the other line that was open.  Just before four a train pulled in and it was announced it was for my line.  Everyone was piling in whether they usually took my line or not, because they just wanted to get out of the City and someone could pick them up down the line. Then an announcer said "do you know what train you are getting on?" I felt like saying Cassandra Crossing, remember that old movie?

My boss had to get his son to come and pick him up, his son lives in Philly, and others made it home through circuitous public transportation, but not their usual routes.  So happy I caught the last train on my line.  I am not good at circuitous routes.

Keep warm and safe, at least those Northerners.

Christine

Hannah Hauxwell - Past and Present

Hannah Hauxwell A Winter Too Many 1973 - Lower Birk Hatt Farm - The Pennines

Hi Dear Folk,

Hannah Hauxwell lived at Lower Birk Hatt Farm in the Pennines for over fifty years.  Farming as her family had for generations, only she is on her own, the last one.  Hannah just died January 2018

Thinking of my parents cottage in the countryside at Patmore Heath, in 1970 is was worth about 10,000 pounds just recently it sold for 850,000 pounds, sorry to say not by my family.

Christine

Wonders of Water - 2018 Philadelphia Flower Show

Hi Dear Folk,

It dawned on me that the Philadelphia Flower Show Starts this weekend and runs to the next weekend so will plan to take an afternoon off and walk down to the Convention Center.  It will be such a burst of color in what has been a very dull winter, should be fun and I get to use my new camera.  Will take lots of pics and share the joy,

Here is a quote from Visit Philly.

An annual blockbuster event in Philadelphia, and the world’s oldest and largest indoor event of its kind, the Philadelphia Flower Show draws hundreds of thousands of people to Center City Philadelphia every year.

Run by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), the show, which enters its 189th year in 2018, invites visitors to take in spectacular floral displays of all shapes and sizes and to take advantage of all the floral action in Philadelphia long before spring comes into full bloom.

This year's theme is "Wonders of Water", which explores and celebrates the life-sustaining connection between horticulture and water. Visitors will find displays featuring tropical jungles, temperate forests, native woodlands and arid landscapes, all showcasing the beautiful plants that live in each environment.

Water-based elements to look out for include a multi-level bamboo waterfall and a rain curtain that will guide visitors over a suspended rope bridge and through a rainforest setting.

For garden-enthusiasts, the event will showcase a variety of water-oriented concepts that gardeners can use inside their own home, including rain gardens and xeriscaping, a technique of landscaping that requires little to no irrigation.

The PHS Philadelphia Flower Show was recently awarded the Grand Pinnacle Gold award from the International Festivals & Events Association’s annual competition, which includes the world’s top festivals and events.

History
For 189 years, the PHS Philadelphia Flower Show has enthralled visitors from around the globe with stunning displays celebrating the beauty of plants and the art of gardening.

The Philadelphia Flower Show is deeply rooted in the history of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), which was founded in 1827. Charter members brought interesting plants to display at meetings and, eventually, to share with the public — the first show took place in 1829. In the 1960s, PHS took over management of the Philadelphia Flower Show, also encouraging participation by amateurs — individuals and garden clubs.

With the help of hundreds of volunteers, the show raises significant funds to support PHS’s community greening programs and other civic initiatives in Philadelphia.

Christine

Tierney

Hi Dear Folk,

Just a few photos that The Boy took.  On his last visit up to Massachusetts and Tierney's last visit down here.  We are getting a Nor Easter tomorrow and I hear there may be snow, or it could just be rain.

In Tierney's yard.

At the Farm Park.

Tierney playing chess with her older brother.

Tierney and I making the Israeli Meat Pie, lining the tin baking tray.

Tierney and I cooking in the kitchen together.

Christine

Travel Vlogger Needed

Hi Dear Folk,

My son works for a travel agency, in marketing and media, they are looking for a Travel Vlogger.  Someone in the Baby Boomer Age Group who loves to travel, is a Vlogger and has an extensive following.

The travel agency does tours all over the world and the Vlogger would get free travel and in turn they would Vlog about their trip and experience.

They are soon to be on Wheel of Fortune, that's what my son tells me.

Do you know a Travel Vlogger who fits that description or could recommend one that you follow?

I thought of applying, would suite me to tee, but The Boy says I do not have enough of a following, darn it!

USA based.

Thank you Folk for your help.

Christine

The Citadel by A. J. Cronin

Hi  Dear Folk,

I looked for this on Your Tube a while ago but did not find it, but I'm happy to say it is now there.

The Citadel by A. J. Cronin.

Staring Ben Cross and Claire Higgins.  I think this was on Masterpiece Theatre in the eighties.

Andrew Manson is a young doctor, who has just graduated from St Andrews University and has accepted a post in a small mining town in Wales.

Enjoy.

Christine

Ran Into An Old Freind

Hi Dear Folk,

Yesterday while visiting the optician for a check up and to order a new pair of glasses, I thought I'd get it all in before I do not have health coverage anymore.  I ran into an old friend who I had not seen in at least fifteen years, because they had moved to Alabama and we did not keep in touch with them.

Regina had brought her mum in for a checkup and recognized me, or maybe recognized my voice and when she said her name of course I remembered her.  Her son Timothy and my son used to play together.  They have decided to move back to Pennsylvania as both Brad and Regina's mothers are getting older and they want to be around to help them.

So I asked how was Timothy, he was about three years older then Rob, and she said that he died three years ago.  I asked if it was an illness or a tragedy and she said a tragedy and didn't elaborate and I didn't ask.  It's just been weighing on my mind.  Just so sad.  Plus the tragic shootings last week and all those young faces.

On a happier note we said we would get together and we had a lovely long chat.

My son urged me on to get a new camera, truth be I didn't need too much pushing so I settled on an a6000 Sony with the new lens that just came out for it 18-135 mm.  I already had a Sony so some features are similar but there is a lot to learn.

I treated myself to this camera then Mr. B. came to me with a surprise of, half towards the camera, his gift to me.  I will put it towards my trip to the UK.

Here are some of the photos I took with my new camera.  We will keep my old camera in the family as I always liked it.  At eight years old you would not get too much for it.

Saturday morning was bright and sunny so we headed over to our local park.

This tree, so gnarled and a wonderful shape as if it came right out of a fairy story.

After this Mr. B. and I went over to Jem's for lunch, a fifties retro diner in a small strip mall shopping area, it's been a family business there for a very long time.  The usual comfort diner food.  I had a cheese steak Zep with salami, American and provolone cheese, onions and tomatoes, a little different from the usual and Mr. B. had French toast and a side of bacon, he always gets a side of bacon.

On to a little thrifting, small silver and amber necklace $7.99, very dainty and pretty, lovely eighties style mohair jumper and a French bowl which I knew was old and turned out to be late 1800's.

Later in the evening it snowed.  I was a bit concerned about the snow as Rob went to Cape Ann for the weekend, but the next day it all melted away.  He said he had trouble getting out onto the main roads, because Tierney lives down many side roads, but once on the main highways they were all dry.

The Boy said they went for a beautiful walk on Sunday morning.  It was a very heavy wet snow while it lasted, so a dense coating on everything, and of course it's always colder up there in MA than PA where we are.

Rob bought us back a cannoli each from the famous Mike's Pastry in Boston.  I must say I think it was the best cannoli I've ever had.

The French bowl.  Before I even picked it up and turned it over I knew it was French by the shape.  When I was sixteen I visited France with a friend of my mother's, Renee, visiting from the USA, but her parents and all her family were from France.  Originally they moved to Montreal, Canada then moved down to Pennsylvania, which is how I landed up in Pennsylvania, but that's another story.

Renee wanted to visit her uncle who lived in Paris, while over in England and I had a current passport and was able to go over with her.  I remember that every morning we would pop down to the local bakers and buy fresh croissants and her old uncle Gab would brew up a fresh pot of strong coffee, which he would serve in a bowl the same shape as the one above, with heavy cream and we would dunk our croissants in.  Not sure if this is a French tradition but that's what he did and we did.  It was delicious.

Christine

Love Park Philadelphia

Hi Dear Folk,

This is the view from the other side of the building where I work in Philadelphia, taken on the day of the Eagle's Parade, not by me but by a co-worker.  The law firm opened up the office for viewing on our floor.

This is Love Park and they have been working on it for what seems years, but it will be ready for this spring.  See below for the artists impression of how it will look.  As you can see they left the very iconic sixties Welcome Center building, now all done up.  I hope the park area does look like this in spring a shame it wasn't done last summer I could have had lunch out here.

The Welcome Center known as the "flying saucer" was designed by architect Roy Larson as a futuristic celebration of postwar Philadelphia optimism.  The building survives today as one of the best and most intact examples of midcentry modern architecture in Center City Philadelphia and has been determined eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

It was partly opened over the December Holidays see here.

I feel good that on my day off I got a couple of cleaning jobs ticked of my list, well my mental list, I thought of writing an actual list but it might be too overwhelming.  I cleaned the oven that must be done in winter and also the top.  I had asked Mr. B. to buy me two new drip plates, they are in black enamel, which he did and I put those in and cleaned underneath.

My stove is original to the house so must be at least eighteen years old and still going, which is amazing because every other appliance in the kitchen has been replaced.  Fridge, dishwasher, and microwave.  They are all in almond colour and that is not such a popular colour these days for kitchen appliances.  The GE stove is almond and black.  I'm happy, I'm not one to change things out if it's still working.

Also washed the basement steps and came to realize that the three bottom steps now have a pink blush glow, from when the boy spray painted his bar for the Miata that holds his bike, that was red.  Such is life.

Christine

Fleeting, Fog and Flowers

Hi Dear Folk,

The weekend is winding down, lots of fog and rain, everything is very soggy.  I feel a bit at sea on the creative front.  I made a broach, I already had the little needlepoint given to me with other odds and ends. It was fun to do a little hand stitching.

I found the little Sylko drawer box in Clare, Suffolk on one of my forays out with sis.

For the picture I made a felt frame and put a pin on the back.

Enjoying my flowers.  Look at these deep purple calla lilies, you can hardly believe a flower can be that deep a purple colour, almost black.

As it was raining Mr. B. didn't have to work so we went out to a couple of thrifts, he found a very swanky pair of Italian dress shoes in leather and canvas, I came out with an old Italian cameo broach, some Polish plates, that match the Polish pottery I bought in Cape Ann, same pattern and a lovely modern cut lace and silk table cloth, you might call it Battenburg lace, it would look great with the Old Country Rose china.

The cameo can be worn on a chain or as a broach.  It has beautiful detail.

Christine

Pink Flowers and Pets

Hi Dear Folk,

I think I made the wise decision and stayed home on Thursday.  Friday I was feeling under the weather told my boss and took a PTO day.  I was able to get some paperwork done.  Wretched bills that need sorting out, double charged for the anesthesiologist $700 instead of $350 which is what I have to pay.  Plus more medical bills, sometimes I wonder why I pay health insurance when on top there is so much to pay.  Still I have health insurance, but won't when I give up my job.

I'm watching Dr. Finley's Case Book, and the episode touches on the beginning of the NHS National Health Service in the UK, 1948. How many opposed it, how if you were poor and couldn't pay you didn't get any help.  I personally benefited from it as a child in the fifties, having two operations on my left eye, one when I was three and one when I was six to correct a lazy muscle, regular visits every month to St. Bartholomew's Hospital in London until the age of eight and free spectacles. You don't even have to be poor not to be able to afford health care in the USA, and we're 70 years on from when the UK got NHS and the USA is still bogged in the quagmire.

The older I get the less I like doing paperwork, in fact I'm getting a total aversion to it.  I used to be the Excel spread sheet queen, double entry book keeping the whole bit.  The philosophy I live with now is the only thing you can do is not spend it, be frugal.

Here is something that bought a smile to my face, Rob's friend brought me a bouquet of flowers to thank me for Thursday night, movie night the boys have here can be rather loud.  Mostly I'm out on Thursdays, so it doesn't really bother me.  Andrew works in a florest shop.  Such a thoughtful gesture.
   

Miss Tuppy, found herself three comfortable places to sleep.  The bag I keep a lot of paperwork in.

By the fire.

In one of my fabric baskets.  Cats do make you laugh.

Christine

PS:  Think I need to do a little brass polishing

Re-Arranging Furniture In The Blood

Hi Dear Folk,

Got a lot done today.  So nice just to puts around my own house.  I think it will take at least a year to make things ship shape in the house.  When you work full time you keep it under wraps, but never get into the nitty gritty of cleaning, sorting and painting.  All on my agenda.

Today I did a little rearranging in the sitting room.  Swapped the chair and the little Eastlake sofa.  I hardly change things around that much compared with my mum and sister.  So it's in the blood.

One cold winter's night as a teenager, BB and I had friends staying over, we had the dining table out on the front lawn swapping it from one room to the other, under mother's instigation, it was easier to take it out the one big window and bring it in the front door than try and get it through the house.  There was Martin standing out on the lawn with the dining room table.  Did we have a laugh.

I think I'm going to like this arrangement.

Made soup and my Jewish Apple cake, but did not have any white sugar so made it with brown, it might be a bit heavier than usual.

Setting winter sun.

Christine

PS: I guess I'll hear what all the festivities were like for the Eagle's Parade.  I have been quite happy at home, not battling those crowds.