Pie Town, New Mexico, October 1940

Faro and Doris Caudill, Homesteaders, Pie Town, New Mexico, October 1940

This picture speaks volumes doesn't it?

I expect they are not really that old.  She stands very straight, but you can see life is hard.

If I did not know the date, it looks more like a depression era photo, but I guess in many areas 1940 was still in the throws of the depression.  

You think of all those immigrants that flocked to the States for a better life.  For some it was, but for many you do wonder if they would have been better off staying put, of course with WWII on the brink I guess not.   It's the isolation of these places and the vastness of the States.

Look at the old prints on her dress and apron.  I love the apron. 

Homesteading was such a hard life.  My son had to read Ethan Frome for school, by Evelyn Wharton, an American Classic, in the leaf there is a quote from her autobiography, where she says "I had wanted to draw life as it really was in the derelict mountain villages of New England...  The snow-bound villages of western Massachusetts were grim places, morally and physically; insanity; incest and slow mental and moral starvation were hidden away behind the paintless wooden house fronts of the long village streets."  I think that passage could be applied to many areas of the States at that time.

Christy

T.G.I. Tea, Tea on the Go

This is a favourite bench of ours at the park, and we often take a snack picnic here by Stony Creek.

So this is my Friday T.G.I. Tea.  A travel mug of tea along with peanut butter cookies/biscuits hubby made.

Doing a little something like this gives a little frugal break.

Christy

Eggcups are English

This is a gift for a friend so I can't publish this post yet until I give it to her, which might be a while.  I know this is not traditionally English, but I know C. has wanted some eggcups and I thought these were darling something like a lily in a little pond, at least that's what they remind me off.

I am a little late but will now post this.

Christy

A Quiet Evening

A quiet evening reading with my buddy Tinkerbell, and a little glass of Bailey's Irish Cream, by the fire, what could be nicer?


Christy

Sawyer, Half Moon, Siamese Fighting Fish

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Rob's fish Sawyer, although his dad calls him Red.  In the States they're call Beta Fish, in the UK, Siamese Fighting Fish.  He is a Half Moon, because of his tail.  He resides in a giant brandy shape glass I bought at the Thrift.  


I photographed him today as Rob had cleaned his bowl.  His bowl sits on a giant platter I bought from a pottery studio years ago in Vermont.  It was not quite shaped properly, so a lot cheaper.  Great for serving an anti pasta salad on.


He's getting a little lethargic because he's too cold.  We only heat our house with the wood stove, he sits in the dining room, and we will have to sit him near the fire to warm up.


Christy

#6 Colorado Quilt Square

Monday American Quilt Series, Colorado.

Christy

Reach for the Sky

Christy

Father's Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce

Tuppence aka Tiger Lilly

Tuppence is a feisty cat, not too scared of much.  She came from a not so good section of Philly, so she's a scrapper and absolutely has no taste in food, she thinks dried food is the tops, unlike her companion who has a definite taste when it comes to food,

We love her.

Christy

T.G.I.T. Thank Goodness It's Tea "T.G.I. Tea"

Everybody lives for Friday T.G.I.F.  Even a restaurant chain is named T.G.I. Friday's.  This thought made me think of how I enjoy the weekends; which for me do begin on Friday's as I don't work on Friday and have a three day weekend.  But I don't go charging off on a Friday evening to meet with friends and go out to such restaurants, well I used to when single and can still remember that feeling, that seems many moons ago.

Now my idea of a T.G.I. is Thank Goodness It's 'Tea', of course I don't have to wait to the weekend for Tea, but there is more time to take a favourite cup and saucer, set it on a tray with a teapot and jug of milk, no sugar for me, and relax with a good book.

So with this in view I thought that every Friday I would start a "T.G.I. Tea", RULES are simple:

1. Post a photograph taken by you that contains a cup or mug of tea, or even a whole set tea. 
2. After I post my T.G.I. Tea post. add your name, country and Link to McLincky
3. Be sure that your link goes directly to your T.G.I. Tea post.
4. Link T.G.I. Tea to your post so others will know where to go if they want to join.
5. If one so desires leave a comment on other T.G.I. Tea participant's blogs.

• Feel free to be a creative tea drinker, indoors or outside, how ever so humble or high.
• This meme runs Friday 12:01 AM through 11:59 PM Sunday EST
• Join the fun with "T.G.I. Tea"

P.S.  If you want to add a favourite tea or teatime recipe, tea related poem or quote please do it's meant to be fun.  Maybe you take your first cuppa in the kitchen, but later have another favourite spot, do over time share these with us.

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Christy

500th Post Give Away

500th Post

WOW!

Can't believe that milestone has come around, and since "there is more happiness in giving than in receiving"  I would like to share with you a little package of goodies.

I take a trip around the world almost every day of my life in Blog Land and I have found this to be a heart warming time, of shared thoughts, feelings and ideas.  I love to see something that bounces off creative thoughts in my mind and you just run with them and even if you don't actually create all these ideas isn't it just fun to think about them?

SO!

• If your are a follower, old or new just stop by on this 500th Post and say Hello!  That is the first entry
• Comment on any post from now until December 17th, 11:59PM that is another entry automatically (no need to refer to the 500th Post Give Away)
• Leave a comment on your Blog about this with a link to my Lil Bit Brit Blog another entry (just leave a comment stating so)
• The drawing will be on Saturday 18th December

I wanted to share something that represents where I live and that is the lil Eastern Bluebird which comes to nest here every spring in Pennsylvania.  So with that in mind I have made this broach of felt, and silk from The Working Silk Museum, in Braintree, Essex, England.  Reflecting some of my heritage.

Along with this take a little shopping spree without your purse and choose a piece of available jewelery or knitted wear, out of my Lil Bit Brit's Corner Store, have fun doing so.

And a set of four cards of North American birds. the Indigo Bunting, Scarlet Tanager, Orange-Crowned Warbler and last but not least the Northern Cardinal.

Piece of seasonal fabric.

Hooks and eyes plus press buttons from a bygone age but still from Philadelphia.

It may not seem to tie in a French item, but we live very near to Valley Forge, where the Colonial American Army encamped for the Winter, while fighting the Brits for their independence.  If the French hadn't backed and financed them they might never have kicked us out.

I thought this was a dear little piece to include in my give away.  It says the fleur de Lis symbolizes purity.

Well have fun.  Looking forward to your comments.

Christy

Royal Weddings

Royal Wedding Dress Gallery

Royal Wedding Bouquets

Princess Elizabeth's dress looks so beautiful, almost like stars.  I must admit I was not a fan of Princess Diana's wedding dress, I actually preferred Fergie's.  Fergie's dress had so much beautiful embroidery on it, representing her family and his family.  Where as Diana's was just poofy and frilly, and to be quite honest the fabric was not a good choice, looking so crushed.  Of course Diana would look beautiful in anything.

I bought books on both weddings and think I have them somewhere, so will take photos and show you what I mean about the embroidery.

It will be interesting to see Kate's dress.

Above are a couple of links to royal weddings and bouquets.

Christy

Felt and Silk Broaches

Some broaches I have been working on.

My glory space, it got a little out of control.

Italian woven tapestry, with grey seed pearls and glass beads.

Silk from The Working Silk Museum in Braintree, Essex, UK

Heart broach with vintage crystal button.

Eastern bluebird button, felt and silk, from The Working Museum.

Silk broach with Imagine button.

I started off by making the heart broach; which is why I have a bit of a glory space.  I could not find my vintage buttons.  I went through every needlework box, bag, tin and so on until I thought maybe they could be with my beads; which is where I found them.  During this search I came across my silk pieces from The Working Museum in Braintree, Essex.  So the search was rewarding and broaches are ideal to use these little pieces of silk made at the museum.  I've had such fun thinking about what to use and put with what, seed pearls, silk, Italian tapestry and vintage buttons.

Christy

#5 California Quilt Square

If you are following along, this is State #5 California Quilt Square.


Christy


P.S.  If you would like a PDF of this one or any of the previous States in the Monday series just send me an Email to lilbitbrit_007@msn.com

Fungi

As a child I had a wonderful watercolour in my bedroom painted by my grandmother.  It was little toadstool houses, with doors, windows and chimneys, picket fences and gardens of flowers.  Thus my imagination always ran riot when I saw a toadstool.

This is fungi on a tree near the creek, by our favourite local walk.

Christy

Chicken in Cream Sauce over Happy Rice

Apple Pie in a Jar

Not quite your grandma's apple pie!

Apple Pie in a Jar

Serves 8
Prep time: 30 minutes
Bake time: 45 minutes

INGREDIENTS
8 short, half-pint glass canning jars*
4 pre-packaged pie crusts, uncooked
7 cups (15-20 whole) apples, peeled and thinly sliced
2 tablespoons lemon juice
3/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

*Find glass canning jars right in your grocery store. The short, half-pint versions work best for this recipe—and though they are pre-treated to resist heat, placing them in a cold oven will allow them to heat up gradually. That means no broken glass!

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Lay out pie crusts on a clean surface. Use the lid of your jar as a cookie cutter to create 8 circles. Insert a dough circle into the base of each jar, pressing into place with your fingertips.
2. Cut the remaining pie crusts into long strips, approximately 4 inches wide. Press the dough into the inside of each jar, so the inside is completely covered.
3. In a large mixing bowl, toss the apple slices in lemon juice.
4. In a separate medium-size bowl, combine the white sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg. Pour the dry ingredients over the apples, then toss to coat.
5. Divide the apple filling equally among your jars, filling each about 2/3 full.
6. Finish each jar with the topping of your choice (see our options below).
7. Place your jars on a baking sheet and set inside a cold oven. Begin heating your oven to 375ºF and let bake for 45-60 minutes, until topping is golden brown and bubbling.

Tip: There are so many apples to choose from, namely in the cool fall months. We love sweet Golden Delicious apples for this recipe, but for more ideas, check out our complete 

3 Topping Options

• Lattice Crust: To achieve an old-fashioned look, purchase an extra pie crust or two at the supermarket, then cut the dough into very thin strips, slightly longer than the width of your jar’s mouth. Lay 3 strips vertically and 3 strips horizontally, then interweave them, pressing the edges into the inner rim of the jar. Brush with a beaten egg and sprinkle with sugar.
• Capped Crust: Repeat step 1 of the instructions, then use the dough circles to top each of your jars—but be sure to press the edges into the inner rim of the jar to prevent burning. Use the tongs of a fork to crimp the edges, or cut out a few small, festive shapes like leaves with a mini cookie cutter or stencil. Brush with a beaten egg and sprinkle with sugar.
• Crumble Topping: For something easy and extra sweet, simply follow the instructions below, then sprinkle generously on the top of each jar:
  
  INGREDIENTS
  1/4 cup brown sugar
  1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  2 tablespoons oats
  3 tablespoons cold butter
  
  INSTRUCTIONS
  1. In a small mixing bowl, combine sugar, flour and cinnamon.
  2. Add butter, blending with an electronic mixer until pieces are approximately the size of peas.
  3. Add oats, stirring with a spoon until well combined.
  
  Isn't this a great idea?  What fun this would be for an outside fall, fire pit party.
  
  
  Christy
  

Hunter's Moon

This is a November moon, a Hunter's Moon, is what they call it here in the States.  It is deer hunting season.  We do not hunt but I do like to eat venison.  Pennsylvania has a huge deer population as urban society has encroached more and more into the country they are a part of our everyday life.

They can do a lot of damage to natural habitat if not kept under control.  As always nature is a balance, and man tends to upset that natural order and balance in nature.

Christy