Freeform Friday

Don't Miss These

Hi gang. Good news! It's Friday. Oh yeah, that's what I'm talking about.

The rest of the week is behind us and the weekend lies ahead, but before we go there here's some links to peruse while you catch up on things over the next couple of days.

A lovely post on LOVE over on Strong Southerly.

Take a thrifting trip to Goodwill with Sam on the Junk House. I totally would have scored those blue willow mugs.


As a work-at-homer for the last 20 years, this post on setting deadlines by Angela at if found, make, spoke to me. I might have to do a post of my own on making it work when working from home, especially since it's a question I'm asked on a regular basis.

Oh, and have I told you lately that I love..........eggs? I know, you thought I was going to say you. And I'm here to tell you, that I'm awfully fond of the latter, but I can say with certainty I am an egg gal. Omelettes are my favorite so I had to smile when I thought about Diana trying to master an omelette this weekend. My tip, don't be afraid to make a mistake! After all, it's just an egg. And I'd go with Julia's technique. No fear.

Did you see yesterday's post? I definitely don't want you to miss the CREATE challenge  no. 1!  Are you in?



Freeform Friday

How about something classic to start us off? Well, at least in my book. The man in black and his lovely wife. Other than the fact that Johnny has a little cough in this, these two really know how to rip it up. Click here if reading via email.




Let's follow that up by something new my best pal Tina sent me this morning. An Irish lad, Hozier, I'd yet to hear of, who did quite well in his performance on Letterman. I think his voice is wonderful. Click here if you're reading via email.



Hozier performs ~ Late shows with David Letterman by HumanSlinky
 


For us, this weekend starts with a night out to dinner with my parents to the 40th annual opening of a beach institution- Mama Leone's. It's like 'Old Home Day' and there are always lots of old beach friends to chat to when Mama's opens for the season.  It's old school, no fuss Italian, complete with park benches in the waiting area. You just have to love it.  I'll also be working a bit at my desk, raking after the rain is done, and perhaps we'll be able to get a campfire in tomorrow night if the rain ends in time.  I won't be watching any hockey playoff games with my Bs in them. We lost game seven to our rivals the other night, so we won't be moving on to the final round. It was quite sad after the season we had (best record in NHL), but these things happen. No Stanley Cup for us this year. What's happening in your world?

Ciao for now,

Take A Walk With Us & Freeform Friday

On The Fly

Hi guys. In case you notice, yes- I am skipping my normal set up for Take A Walk With Us today, in exchange for expediency.  It's my birthday weekend and I'm going to play hooky this afternoon, so wanted to a 'quick' walk with us.

It was just me and the dog yesterday. Want to come along?

Lucan smells something.

But I make sure he never catches a glimpse.

Did you find the bird?

Into the woods.

And out again...here they come.

We enjoyed the sights, the smells and the sounds of fall.

Freeform Friday

Our great-nephew (or grandnephew...not sure which) Cayden went dressed up as a soldier on Halloween.

This of course caused me to do my best Bill Murray impersonation from Stripes.....'AAARRRMy Training Sir'.  He kills me. He's so ridiculous, he busts my gut. 'That's the fact jack'. Am I the only one?  If you're reading by email, click here.

We were supposed to head North with friends, but Gar has to get back in the well again to do more tweaking to the pump hook up. Fingers crossed here.  We may have a fire out back tonight, or if we wimp out, we'll have one inside.  No big plans yet. Told G I'd be happy if we go out to dinner or brunch. That's all this girl needs for her bday.

Enjoy your Friday. I think I'm off to thrift and perhaps a stop at the new Trader Joe's.

Ciao for now,

5 Years Gone And Giveaway Time....Almost

 

Five Years Ago Today

Time goes by in the blink of an eye.  On this day, five years ago, we were in Dublin to celebrate the wedding of Gar's younger brother Niall and Caragh, our current visitors.  And I do mean celebrate. Have you ever been to an Irish wedding? A real Irish wedding? They go on, and on, and on.  We started in the morning and we ended in the morning.  It was one fabulous time.

Gar, Niall and I remembered to put the Infant of Prague out for good weather. He worked his magic.

 

It was a bit cloudy as the bride stepped out of the limo but that all changed.

Don't you just love a wedding? The happiness? The love?

 

Gar was the best man. He cleaned up nice.

He doesn't like this picture because his coat is askew.  Ah well.

Like I said before, nobody was happy. Not at all.

The Brothers Bates.

Then we danced and sang.

All.

Night.

Long.

First to the dance band. Then to the traditional band.

We even danced in our pajamas.

It was one helluva wedding.

I don't know why I look so scared in this picture.

Happy Annivesary Caragh and Niall.

We love you guys.

Wishing you many happy returns of the day.

The Giveaway Is Coming

Soon.

Just so you know, in case you were wondering, this is just a tease.

Be sure to be here next week for the official start.

Are We There Yet?

The Bates of Lucan aren't our only visitors.  Bonnie from {PaperKeeper} also swung in on her coast to coast trip.  OK, it's was a virtual visit. It was fun just the same. You can read about our visit here.

Freeform Friday

This is for you Caragh and Niall.

Here's a little clip of the girls dancing. Sorry it's dark.

I think of your wedding day everytime I hear this song.  Click here if you're reading by email.

Happy Friday,

Photo Challenge Day 7 & Freeform Friday

via color canopy

Food, Glorious Food

Happy Friday all! Man, do I love Friday. Not that I don't love the other days of the week, but Friday means the weekend is just about here. It means we'll probably do a little living room and kitchen dancing later to Youtube. It means we get to kick back a little bit and enjoy some downtime for a couple of days. I'd say Friday has a lot going for it. 

This Friday has even more going for it. It's got food ala the Mercantile Muse photo challenge. Another one of my loves.  I enjoy making it, I enjoy sharing it with those I love and dammit, I'm hear to say, I enjoy eating it.  There is nothing like sitting down with people you love and having a delicious homemade meal. That's when food really says love. 

Talk about love, Ashley's little man as been bitten by the Tomato Love bug. I can relate.

'more please', via Ashley, Papyrusaurus

Happiness is a living garden at the window. Cari-Jane was wondering what on earth she would do for the food challenge when she found this lovely little living garden at Sainsbury's. How perfectly wonderful. Especially for only a £1.

'how does your garden grow?', Cari-Jane, Hybrid Handmade

Don't forget to feed your soul. Thanks to Karen for that important reminder.



'my heart in hand, my soul to feed', via Karen, Bridgit's Bell

Not a great picture of moi, thank goodness I'm not too vain. Mom and Dad sent this one over of me about to enjoy one of my favorite meals, my Dad's linguine in white clam sauce. It is hands down the best anywhere. Not that I would know because I never order it anywhere because I know it wouldn't live up to his.  I just wait to be invited over for dinner.

photo by Marge Dignam

More food love. Emma's 'Pepper' apparently likes to show her food some love.

This could be an ad for Science Diet.

'Pick ala Pepper', via Emma, My Boju Life

I'm an egg girl. I could do an egg commercial the way Pepper could do a Science Diet commercial. Anyway, any how. Scrambled, poached, soft boiled, hard boiled, omelette...well, you get the idea. Of course, it wouldn't be breakfast without my tea (in my favorite mug, greatly faded but still with Mrs. Slocumbe on it which makes me smile, see freeform friday for more on Mrs. Slocumbe).

'brekkie and cuppa scald', via Pam, Mercantile Muse

Out the back door, the apple tree is doing it's thing. This also makes me smile.

'keep the doc away', via Pam, Mercantile Muse

Personally, I'm not sure I can forgive Bonnie for taunting us all this way.

'a rainbow for lunch', via Bonnie, {PaperKeeper}

Could this beetroot raita that Reshma made be any prettier? I've never made 'beetroot' raita before. Cucumber, but not beetroot. I think it's time I tried. Luckily Reshma included the recipe.

'color me pink', via Reshma, Color Canopy

Next up in the photo challenge is 'it's in the details'. If you want to play along, just get me your photo (email me via the button under my profile) by the end of day Sunday. Read more about the photo challenge here, and you'll find our other challenges linked here. Go on, have a look. 

Freeform Friday

In honor of today's challenge, and the fact that this has been running around in Ashley's head for a few days due to the aforementioned challenge, I give you food, glorious food. There's so much more the gruel. Click here if you're reading by email.

I'd be remiss if I didn't include a clip of Mrs. Betty Slocumbe, from Are You Being Served. It's a favorite in our house and my parents. Usually we have to call each other up after an episode and talk about it, if we can stop laughing, and then laugh all over again. This group of department store workers were always up to something. This cast kills me. They broke the mold when they made Mollie Sugden. She has given us more laughs than I can count.

Here's German Week, just one of the promotions to bring more people into Grace Brothers. Mrs. Slocombe's in the pigtails. Click here if you're reading by email.

And one more. Warning:Not for the faint of heart or the easily offended. There were many, many double entendres on Are You Being Served. Things you'd never get away with on US TV. (Which in itself cracks me up, since we have no problem with violence or sex.).  However, Mrs. Slocumbe's hair alone is enough to make me smile. Of course, I have to say, this isn't nearly even the best stuff. You can't fully appreciate her if she's not playing off Mr. Humphries. Click here if you're reading by email.

Weak as water!

That's it from here. Be sure not to miss the giveaway. It's well worth an entry for a chance to win $145 of handmade goodness. Don't miss the link up party either, if you've got a blog, a shop or project, the link up is still live. And remember, you might get picked to be featured on Mercantile Muse next week!

No big plans for the weekend. Just some projects around the house and of course the youtube dancin'. What about you?

Ciao for now,

More Time With the Puppy

Meeting Lucan

Gar went over to our neighbors yesterday, to let out the puppy they are sitting.  Shane is as cute as a bug in a rug. Gorgeous coat and a very sweet puppy. Gar brought him over to meet Lucan.

The hound didn't know what to think. They walked in circles around each other for a few minutes, did nose touches and then walked away from each other.

Lucan is trying out the 'if I avert my eyes maybe he'll be gone when I look back' method.

It didn't work.

As you can see by the state of the next picture, when the little one was going, he was going. Moving and grooving. It was hard to get a good pic.

Then he plopped right down and took a break. Can you stand it?

Then my terribly mean husband said, "OK Shane, it's time to go back with the other doggies." To which I made a pouty face.

I think Shane goes home today. What a bummer. It's been nice having him next door. He immediately picks up your mood. How could he not with that much cuteness going on?

Bye bye for now Shane. See you next time.

Freeform Friday

I can't believe I haven't posted this song before. It happens to be one of my favorites and one of my all time favorite albums for that matter. Video quality isn't great, but the song is. Enjoy The Waterboys, Fisherman's Blues. Boy does this always bring back great memories. If you're reading by email, click here.




Have a fantastic kind of Friday in your corner of the world. No big plans for the weekend here. I think we'll both be doing a bit of work. Please tell me your plans are better than that!