Ani-TINGS

Retiring...

2010-11-20T19:35:00.000-05:00

..this blog. I will continue to post to: Ani-Quotes & Poems, Ani-Dolls and Ani-Quilts.

Best, Ani

Best kitty friend

2010-08-10T20:49:00.000-04:00

It is with a very sad heart that I had to lay to rest my best kitty friend ever, Pootie. She was our house kitty for 12 years, she starting having kidney/liver failure last week. By today, I knew she was in great pain so I did the humane thing and said goodbye at the vets. She was my 'mini me', always by my side at home, especially in the sewing room. I shall miss her so. I created a memorial to her at Critters.com, here is her page: http://pootie.critters.com/

Running Strong...

2010-08-03T23:44:00.001-04:00

I have always thought it good to give of what you have to those who have much less. Therefore, a few years ago, I chose to help our Native American peoples through a nonprofit called Running Strong for American Indian Youth This organization is headed by former Olympic runner Billy Mills, himself an indigenous American.

This wonderful group has been helping the native peoples for over 20 years! Being a nonprofit means they use much more of my donation dollars for the good of the people and not for lining the pockets of the administrators.

The conditions on the reservations on which the majority of American Indians live is very very dire. Poverty, alcoholism, teen pregnancies, infant mortality and many other things plague the reservations. The greatest need is food, shelter and heat in the winter. I feel good about helping someone far removed from my cozy life in the 'burbs of N.C.

Please visit the Running Strong website, I think you'll be inspired by all the good they do through donations supplied by folks just like me. http://www.indianyouth.org/

BFN, Ani

I won something on a blog give-a-way! :0)

2010-07-27T22:44:00.000-04:00

Me, who never wins anything! I was so excited to find my post was picked by the "random generator thingy" on the Abbey Lane blog and I'll be getting a handmade flower from the designers, whoohoo! I purchased one of their bag patterns, my new flower will look perfect on my Maggie May bag! Here's the pix of it on the Abbey Lane website:

Maggie May Bag finished size approx 14 x 18

I'm rather partial to orange, but not necessarily with brown, will have to plunder thru the stash of batiks I have and see what screams 'pickme, pickme'! BFN, Ani

Veggie Faces?

2010-07-17T13:09:00.000-04:00

Whilst grocery shopping this morning I spied this little face peaking out from a vegetable display. Even though I didn't need a red pepper the thing jumped into my basket! Needless to say I must be bored if I have fallen to posting veggie faces on my blog. Who do you think it looks like? An old man? A witch? A baby who just sucked on a lemon?! :0) BFN, Ani

ADDICTIONS - the GOOD kind!

2010-07-14T20:21:00.001-04:00

I never really thought I was addicted to anything until one of my family members recently pointed out the number of dolls I have, the room I have stuffed full of fabric and my penchant for reading blogs on dolls and, you guess it, anything to do with sewing! Ah well, I figure these are good addictions, no harm to anyone or anything, well maybe my wallet!

One recent sewing related blog I'm now following is Abbey Lane Quilts. The name caught my eye while reading - yes, another sewing related blog I Have A Notion, IHAN for short. I LOVE the Beatles and of course Abbey Lane was a song of theirs, ALQ names most all their designs after Beatles songs, rather cool IMHO and that the designs are fab is a plus!

Abbey Lane is currently running a give-a-way to win some fabulous items, among them their new book and oodles of the cute fabric flowers they make. Scoot on over and enter yourself, the rules are at the bottom of the post from July 12.

Happy sewing, quilting, crafting and collecting - feed your addiction if it makes you happy!
BFN, Ani

BEST banana pudding EVER! Recipe included

2010-07-04T15:16:00.000-04:00

I love banana pudding but not just any old pudding will do. Most restaurant banana pudding uses a boxed mix for the pudding or even worse, canned vanilla pudding which has the consistency of things I'd rather not mention in a public forum!

I grew up eating banana pudding as a staple of my southern diet. It was usually made on Sundays or holidays like 4th of July or Memorial day, sometimes even for funeral wakes. I even requested it for one of my birthdays instead of cake!

If you are a connoisseur of pork bar-b-que then you will most likely find 'nanner' pudding on any que restaurant's menu that has any worth at all.

I baked a nanner pudding today, as I have for as long as I can remember, because it is the USA's 'independence' day today, oft called the 4th of July. It honors the freedoms fought for and won by people who wanted a better place to live and raise their children without fear of retributions about what they had to say or what religion they chose to believe in. It is what our men and women are overseas for right now, they are trying to help others achieve the same thing for their country.

I thought I'd share my recipe for what I believe to be the best ever nanner pudding in the world! :0) Here's a photo of mine --

PEARLS' BANANA PUDDING

Ingredients:

1 12 ounce box MINI size Nilla Vanilla wafer cookies

4 medium or 3 large bananas (do not use overripe bananas for this dessert)

1 cup granulated white sugar

pinch of salt

5 tablespoons plain white flour

3 egg yolks (reserve the whites)

2 cups milk (you can use whole or 2%)

1/2 stick butter, melted (margarine will work also)

1/2 teaspoon almond flavoring

1/2 teaspoon butter flavoring

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For meringue:

3 egg whites

4 teaspoons sugar

pinch of cream of tartar (if you don't have this it isn't essential)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

In a large casserole dish, at least 5 quarts, pour 3/4 of a box of the mini Nilla wafers, slice the bananas into the same dish, slices should be approximately 1/4 inch, stir gently to mix the wafers and bananas, set aside.

In the top of a double boiler or a heavy bottomed 1 1/2 qt. pot place the egg yolks, melted butter, milk, flavorings and extract.

In a medium bowl place the flour, sugar and salt, stir thoroughly to combine.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit or 163 Celsius.

When the mixture in the pot has started to steam whisk in the dry ingredients and continue to stir until the mixture reaches the consistency of pudding, remove from heat and pour over the bananas and wafers. Gently fold the pudding into the bananas and wafers.

Beat the egg whites till almost to the stiff stage, toss in the sugar and vanilla and continue to beat till the whites form peaks. Spread meringue over the pudding completely covering to the edges. Place into preheated oven and bake 15-20 minutes or until the meringue has turned a deep golden color. Cool to room temp before serving. Chill leftovers.

Makes approximately 12 servings. (I tore this recipe from my local newspaper years ago, it is attributed to a woman born in 1912 by the name of Pearl Weaver.)

Cats having fun exercising

2010-06-30T22:58:00.000-04:00

Cats on a Treadmill - watch more funny videos

LOVE & PEACE all over this land

2010-05-27T20:25:00.000-04:00

Well again it's been too long for posting to my ol' blog, too busy for my own dang good I guess! Today I was listening to a public radio station program about the "love and peace" days of the 1960's - anybody out there come of age during the 1960s or 1970s? If so, chances are you'll remember the tune "If I had a Hammer" by the group Peter, Paul & Mary. If not, I've included a video at the bottom of the lyrics here. Enjoy.

If I Had A Hammer (Pete Seeger / Lee Hays)

If I had a hammer I'd hammer in the morning

I'd hammer in the evening all over this land

I'd hammer out danger, I'd hammer out warning

I'd hammer out love between my brothers and my sisters

All over this land

If I had a bell I'd ring it in the morning

I'd ring it in the evening all over this land

I'd ring our danger, I'd ring out warning

I'd ring out love between my brothers and my sisters

All over this land

If I had a song I'd sing it in the morning

I'd sing it in the evening all over this land

I'd sing out danger, I'd sing out warning

I'd sing out love between my sisters and my brothers

All over this land

When I've got a hammer, and I've got a bell

And I've got a song to sing all over this land

It's a hammer of justice, it's a bell of freedom

It's a song about love between my brothers and my sisters

All over this land

(as sung by Peter Paul & Mary)

Kip the dog does Easter

2010-04-04T10:12:00.000-04:00

Little Lord Kipplington wishes you a very hoppy Easter!

(the E-bunni brought him a squeaky bunni, two gourmut cookies and a new chewy bone!)

The HEAVY band

2010-03-05T22:58:00.001-05:00

A GREAT Brit band! I have always loved rockin' music that makes me move, this song "How You Like me now" is one of those. (the video is from 'late night with letterman' there is a brief commercial at the beginning).

STILL here! :0) SNOW pix!

2010-02-17T23:30:00.004-05:00

Well OK, I didn't close it down, but only because I forgot to! So, I guess I'll post a bit more and see how it goes...

First up is BIG news for my area of the country, Wilmington NC, we had an incredible amount of snow last weekend!! 8 inches in some places by gosh!! I know I know, some of you are thinking.. what is she crowing about? 8 inches when we've been buried in 30 - 50 inches in some places. Well OK, 8 inches ain't much but to us Southerners, and on the coast at that, it is a BIG DEAL!!

Here are some pix for ya, click on 'em to enlarge:

My backyard ^

The cement cat sentry with new hairdo and snowclothes ^

Part of my front yard (yes, that is a Minnesota Vikings flag - they're my hub's team, mines the N.O. Saints! Hub's still not talking to me since their superbowl win! LOL!) ^

The neighbors house, love the fairy quality the trees take on when covered in snow!

And so I'll go now, tripping down my yellow brick road. Maybe I won't wait so long till next time but I'm so lax about this blogging thing you never know! BFN, Ani

Well now, it's 2010!

2010-01-19T20:17:00.001-05:00

This blog has been so ignored since the autumn of last year, in fact, my other blogs have been too. I'm beginning to think I like to read blogs more than actually post to my own. So, I've decided I'm closing this one but keeping the Quotes and Dolls blogs going, for now at least.

Best,
Ani

Bye Bye Halloween HELLO Christmas!

2009-11-16T22:36:00.004-05:00

Halloween is a thing of the past. Santa is waiting in the shadows, waiting for the turkey to make it's entrance so the grand hollydaze can commence!! I was out shopping today and am always a bit amazed at the ways the stores mishmash all the holiday items together. Here's what the sign above the holiday aisle should state: SCAREYTHANKSMERRY DEPT - this would get Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas all on one sign. Sigh. I really think the ghosts, witches and ghouls look rather absurb hovering over the turkeys and pilgrims who are trying not to look too sad that their holidays are not near the production and size of Christmas. OH! Almost forgot, you also have the color mixes from orange/black to brown/gold to red/green, it all just takes my breath away!

In any case our halloween was spacktackalur as we are fond of saying here in North Cackalackey (Carolina). I had great fun answering the door in my spotted kitty mask. The children seemed amazed that a cat was giving them their candy. Of course there is always one wee tyke who is terrified of the whole idea of people in masks. I had one little neighbor boy, he is about 3, come up to my door with his 6 yr old sister, at first he didn't see me because he was too busy looking down into his loot bucket to notice. But when he finally looked up and saw my kitty mask the sheer look of terror that marched across his face was the precursor to the mother of all screams! I'm still hearing that scream to this day! LOL! Poor little guy turned and ran all the way back to his house! Ah the memories.

Here are a few shots of my front yard, not a whole lot but fun never the less. Oh yeah, the granny in the pix is my Mom! She does a great scaredy face eh?

BFN,
Ani

Halloween - are you ready?!

2009-10-10T15:57:00.004-04:00

Halloween, you either love it or hate it. I love to see little kids all dressed up and enjoying themselves. I don't so much enjoying seeing adults over 30, and usually drunk, in costumes as it is not a pretty sight to behold.

The most I do for Halloween is put out corn stalk bundles, pumpkins, homemade scarey signs and a homemade scarecrow. Now that my child is 15 we no longer go around the neighborhood in search of gooey treats. Not that we don't have treats mind you, my Mom sees to it that we have plenty of candy for every occasion!

Here is one of my favorite pix of my child taken 5 yrs ago on Halloween. It's funny, she can still look like this when she gets mad at me for not letting her go to the mall with her friends before she does her Saturday house chores. ;0)

Warm Towels with Kitty - a still life

2009-07-14T23:03:00.004-04:00

What happens when you don't fold the freshly dried towels and sheets right away? They turn into a kitty magnet!! By the photo you can see what occurred a few minutes after taking the laundry from the dryer. My kitty Splash was drawn like a moth to the flame by the coziness of the soft, warm towels and sheets! >^..^<

BFN, Ani

Three Generations

2009-06-20T18:13:00.002-04:00

This pix was taken on Mother's day this year. That's me, Ani to the far left, Mom Peggy in the middle and my DD Sasa. It really puts things into perspective to see the ages represented side by side. Where you came from and where you are going!

BFN,
Ani

WIN a Janome Sewing Machine - Old Red Barn Co.

2009-06-07T13:42:00.002-04:00

I've decided to participate in the 'quilt a long' at the Old Red Barn Co. blog, grand prize is a Janome sewing machine. I may just be able to finish a quilt if I have an incentive and winning a new Janome sewing machine is right up my incentive alley! :-D Check out the rules etc by clicking the button on the sidebar, it's the one at the top.

The quilt that inspired this quilt a long:

The pattern is super simple, a big plus, and I've got lots and lots of fabric, a big big plus! I'm going to pick my fabrics today, will post them later today.

BFN,
Ani

My Sewing Machine Meme for the Sew Mama Sew Blog

2009-06-05T20:08:00.003-04:00

I read the Sew Mama Sew blog everyday. It is a great resource for ideas and shopping as they have a cool store too http://sewmamasew.com/. They have asked readers to post on their blogs a questionnaire regarding the sewing machine(s) they currently own and use. And so here are my answers:

What brand and model do you have?

Pfaff 1475CD // Elna EnVision CE20

How long have you had it?

1993 // 2006

How much does that machine cost (approximately)?

The Pfaff was TOL when new, approx 2000.00 // I purchased the Elna used for 800.00.

What types of things do you sew?

Quilts clothing, handbags, home dec projects, cloth dolls and soft toys

How much do you sew?

Everyday

How much wear and tear does the machine get?

Moderate to high

Do you like/love/hate your machine?

LOVE them both

Does she have a name?

What features does your machine have that work well for you?

The built-in 'even feed' mechanism on the Pfaff and the knee lift on the Elna.

Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine?

The Pfaff has no knee lift bar like my Elna and so when I switch machines I'm frustrated with having to use my hand to lift the presser foot when I'm appliquing etc, you really get spoiled by the knee lift feature! The Elna is a great machine but it's speed is slow compared to my Pfaff.

Do you have a great story to share about your machine?

My Mom gifted the Pfaff to me along with a matching Pfaff serger for my 40th birthday. I was just floored by such a generous gift! What a great Mom! :)

Would you recommend the machine to others?

I would - if one can be found get the Pfaff 1475, it is a work horse! I see them on Ebay occasionally. They usually run around $600-$700. I would also recommend the Elna as a good beginner embroidery machine.

What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine?

#1 is QUALITY. An inferior made machine will only bring headaches and frustration. Get a lower end model of a reputable manufacturer ie: Pfaff, Bernina, Viking, Elna, Brother etc. and save up for a mid-range machine unless of course you have the bucks to lay out for a TOL machine and these days that's anywhere from $5,000-$8,000! Try to buy from a local dealer so you will have hands on support if you need it.

Do you have a dream machine?

Oh yes, two in fact. Either a Viking Sapphire 870 or a Bernina Aurora 440QE!

BFN, Ani

Have been neglectful.....

2009-05-23T00:31:00.002-04:00

...of this little blog, I have been posting on my Ani-QUOTES & Ani-DOLLS blogs though. Skip on over and have a look-see. Hope your days are wonderful!

BFN,
Ani

Spring break, teenagers & scary roller coasters OH MY!

2009-04-09T19:52:00.009-04:00

Your age becomes very apparent when you are at a gigantic theme park as I have been the last several days. My teen is on 'spring break' from middle school (why don't they give 'breaks' from work?) and so I took her and a friend on a trip to Carowinds in Charlotte, NC for a bit of fun. And fun it was, for them. My legs now ache and my right hip has decided to shut down completely which makes for hiking across the big parking lot at my workplace a challenge. Everyone asked why I was limping this morning as I dragged my right leg on the way to my desk.

Carowinds has a Paramount movie studio theme. You hear all of their copyrighted TV/movie theme songs played over & over while you are there. Remember the song from 'Happy Days'? You will, for days after you've left the park! Scooby Doo I DON"T love you now that I've heard your giggling doggy chatter blasting forth from humongous speakers at every turn!

Of course you are there to have fun right? Well if you call hurtling through the air at tremendous speed, sometimes upside down, fun - well I guess you can have fun then. There are many roller coasters for the thrill seekers at Carowinds. Roller coasters with names like CAROLINA COBRA - AFTERBURN - BORG ASSIMILATOR (renamed NightHawk) really don't make me grow giddy with excitement, more like sweating at the oncoming panic attack just looking at the things! The kids went rode them over & over - me, I couldn't even watch - but I could hear the screams of grown men from all over the park!

I rode the carousel, the haunted house and the needle tower - all safe and slow. I did go out on a limb for the last ride of the trip - the RIVER RAPIDS giant tire tube down the raging 'river' - and it was fun AND wet! I saw people even older than me getting on the coasters and wondered how they could do it and survive?! My neck and back would be mincemeat right now if I had been assimilated by the BORG! I'm in OK physical shape and I plan to stay that way. There is a reason you have the giant padded bars that lock you into place on those coasters - to keep your body parts from falling off! LOL!

BFN, Ani

Great website for cats & dogs!

2009-03-07T16:53:00.005-05:00

I LOVE animals!! All kinds, domestic, wild whatever - animals rule the world and if you have a beloved pet you know they rule your house and you too!! :-D I have 3 cats and a small Maltese/Pomeranian mix dog, they are the highlight of my day. Unconditional love from a pet is the best love going! If you're like me you like to pamper your pets and that is what prompted me to blog about buying quality playthings and treats for your sweeties.

The pet food scare a couple of years ago made me change my whole way of thinking of what my pets were eating and playing with. I now stay away from things that are made outside of the USA, especially food and treats. You'd be surprised at how many brands of treats are made in foreign countries with who knows what ingredients. And some of the dyes and paints used on chewie playthings are hazardous as well.

Even before the pet food incident I had begun to scour the Internet looking for USA made toys and treats. I found that place in Purrfect Play, a wonderful resource for natural and even some organic toys and treats for cats and dogs! There are also items that are eco friendly such as the re-purposed sweaters that have been made into leash/treat pouches. They have an email newsletter to keep you updated on new items and sales too. Purrfect Play is owned by Pam Wheelock who is prompt in answering any questions you may have about her products. And on top of all this 5% of sales are donated to no-kill shelters and rescue organizations.

Purrfect Play even has people products as well. I buy my yearly calendar there and Lip Trek lip balm which is the best lip balm for cold weather I've ever tried. I even bought the lip balm as stocking stuffers last Christmas!

My little dog Kip is even in the 'gallery' section, he is 14th down from the top left column. He was just a puppy when the pix was submitted, he is playing with one of Purrfect Play's felted wool balls.Anyhow, if you are looking for quality stuff for your cat, dog or yourself, I highly recommend shopping with Purrfect Play!! My troupe give them a high paw five!

Bye for now,
Ani

MuG sWaP gOnE wILd!!

2009-03-01T23:11:00.003-05:00

I recently participated in a 'mug' swap on the Jenny flowerblue blog and received my mug filled with amazing goodies from Jacky in Australia! My beautiful mug has a Kookaburra bird on the inside so you can see it while drinking. She also included 3 pieces of the most beautiful fabric I've ever seen, a Twix chocolate latte bar, a lovely handmade owlet softie and a gorgeous handmade owl card!! WOW! I am so in awe of all the nice things I received, this was a very fun swap.THANK YOU JENNY AND JACKY FOR AN AWESOME SWAP!!

Bye for now, Ani

FABRIC!!! I went a little crazy....

2009-03-01T20:51:00.006-05:00

... but I have an excuse. I haven't been in a quilt store for a very long time so felt the need to make up for that you see. Plus, I just love bright colors, reminds me of summer when all the flowers all in full bloom and a joy to look at all over town. We even have an azalea festival with a parade and street fairs in April when the town is popping out azaleas all over. Here is what I bought today, I think it will make a fantastic new quilt for my bed in a couple of months. Now to decide on a pattern, there are so many good ones it is hard to choose.

Here are two patterns that I like.

THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS!

2009-02-25T22:58:00.002-05:00

Some days are happy and some are sad, today was sad. I wanted to stay home and play in my creative room not go to work for 8 hrs!! But go to work I did like a good girl. :) But while I was there I kept humming a little tune from the movie The Sound of Music --- if you're as old as I, I'm sure you've heard it or know of it:

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things

When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel so bad

I have some favorite things, they are: dolls of any sort, cats, books, fabric, chocolate, the mountains of N.C., sailing, walking the beach, baking bread, good wine, espresso, laughter, silence, full moons, all things Christmas, happy old people, birds of all kinds, trees especially firs, fresh summer peaches, reading to children. I shall stop here as I could think of more I'm sure.

What are some of your favorite things?

Bye for now, Ani

OWL swap!!

2009-02-22T15:27:00.006-05:00

I had blogged earlier today about finishing up some swaps and forgot to post I had already received one of mine. My package from Karen C. in Australia arrived a couple of days ago for the owl swap hosted by Apryl Lowe .

Karen made the most darling needle keeper embroidered with an owl and my name, she also included some fun extras: cat themed playing cards, a cool doll pattern by an Australian designer and cute kitty fabric! I am so happy with my things, like having a birthday all over with no aging of course! :-D If you've never done a swap what are you waiting for??? It is fun and usually low cost and you get to meet a new friend! Can't beat it for fun! Do it!!

Bye for now,
Ani

Time to slow down and start something new!

2009-02-22T11:19:00.004-05:00

I started the new year with a bang - 3 swaps! LOL! I have finished the 'Save Handmade', 'Owl' and 'Mug' swaps as of yesterday. Now time to pull in a bit and do a few things for me, like some spring clothing. I have a large stash of fashion fabrics purchased on sale at end of summer last year to make this year's warm weather wardrobe.

Our summer begins around the middle of May and lasts through September with average temps around 87 degrees and high humidity. Clothing must be lightweight and breathable to stand those conditions. I like the rayon/linen blends and the new bamboo blends too. I make a couple of lightweight jackets for use inside over air conditioned buildings and restaurants, nothing like going from 90 degrees to 65 degrees to cause a case of giant goosebumps!

I also have many nakie dolls to sew for, I usually purchase all dolls nakie as sewing for them is too fun. To the right is one of my lovelies waiting for a fairy outfit. She is an Asian BJD (ball jointed doll) whose elf mold was named Sage by it's sculpter Kaye Wiggs, a doll artist from Australia. Yes, she is blue! Kaye also ordered them as green, lilac, dark tan, white and light tan - they're all so adorable. My girl's name is Skye.

I'll be making posts about my doll collecting and making on a different blog:
http://ani-makes-dolls.blogspot.com/
Come see what's new!

Bye for now, Ani

Happy Valentines Day!!

2009-02-14T00:10:00.004-05:00

"Life has taught us that love does not consist in gazing at each other but in looking outward together in the same direction." -Saint-Exupery

OWIE OUCH %#&**@! Sewed up a finger today!

2009-02-12T21:16:00.003-05:00

OMG! I sewed the middle finger on my right hand today with my sewing machine! I had the machine in the "needle down" position at the time of the 'accident' and I guess it was a few seconds before I realized I had impaled myself on a size 12 'universal Schmetz needle.

I've been sewing for over 40 years, I have never sewn a finger before, not even as a kid sewing on my Mom's slant Singer. I will forever and always turn the machine off now if I need to thread it or clear threads under the presser foot. I will be forever shy of that darn needle going forward.

It took me a couple of hours of ice pack and holding my hand above my head before I could say I was over the worst of it. I bandaged it and went back to sewing - I have deadlines to meet!! :-D

Bye for now, Ani

Having fun with SOFTIES!

2009-02-04T23:52:00.007-05:00

I am finishing up softies I've made for the SAVE HANDMADE swap I joined. My recipient has two small boys, one is 1, the other is 3. I made the 1 yr old a Giraffe softie (he doesn't have eyes yet!) and the 3 yr old a set of little people figures in a carry pouch. Hope they like them!

Bye for now, Ani

CAFFEINE - my drug of choice

2009-02-01T12:06:00.004-05:00

Do you get dizzy at the smell of freshly ground coffee? Do you swoon at the sight of a perfectly frothed cappucino? Do you have to go into a coffee shop just because it's there? If any of these apply you are indeed addicted to caffeine. I am. And I'm not ashamed to say so!

I start my mornings with a cappucino, the one shown here was made this morning in my little Melitta that I've had forever. For an inexpensive machine it makes the best froth! I use 2% milk and get my beans from the Java Dog in town, they roast their own beans, the smell is heavenly I tell you.

Midday and late afternoon at work I'll have a mug of Scottish blend tea, and when I return home in the early evening I can't wait to get a cappucino going in the Melitta!! No one else in my home shares the bliss with me, a shame to drink alone.

Bye for now, Ani

Humane Society Pet Contest Spay/Neuter Day

2009-01-30T10:30:00.007-05:00

I am a big supporter of spaying/neutering animals that are not going to be used for breeding by a responsible registered breeder - too many pups and kits out there with no forever home!! Today I entered my dog Kip in the Humane Societies pet photo contest to further their cause of spray/neuter day around the world. If you don't have a pet to enter please considering voting for Kip aka EWOK, he'd love-n-lick you furever for it!!

Bye for now, Ani

2009-01-29T13:08:00.006-05:00

Virtual QUILT RETREAT with PAT SLOAN!!

2009-01-26T23:39:00.010-05:00

I have another fabric related post for today! Pat Sloan, quilt and fabric designer extraordinaire is hosting a virtual quilt retreat on her BLOG from Friday Feb 20 to Sunday Feb 22 and the focus fabric has to be ORANGE!! Go to her blog to check out faqs for joining up and winning prizes! Fun FUN FuN! :-D Click the quilt at right to go to Pat's web store.

Bye for now, Ani

Great GiveAWay - read for more....

2009-01-26T23:21:00.002-05:00

Hi all,

Not much for this Monday, just relaxing after work and blog surfin'. bitty bits & pieces is having a great give-a-way, hop on over and leave a comment now!! Tell her Ani sent you - check out the cool rules for getting max chances to win what else but FABRIC and a "love notes" pillow - too cool!!

Bye for now,
Ani

2 NEW blogs!!

2009-01-24T11:30:00.001-05:00

For the sake of simplicity and to keep track of what I've posted on what, I decided to keep separate blogs for things I'm blogging about. And so, today, I now have Ani-FOOD for thoughts on food, recipes etc. And, Ani-QUOTES, because I am a quote fanatic and wanted to share my favorites I've come upon over the years. Ani-FOOD will not be live until later today.

Bye for now, Ani

SWAPS!!

2009-01-24T01:15:00.004-05:00

I'm so excited! Doing the happy crafty dance here... I've joined an OWL swap hootie hoo! AND a MUG swap AND a SAVE HANDMADE craft swap! What better way to start a new year - meet new friends and get some cool stuff to boot! WooHoo!

Bye for now, Ani
image courtesy of http://dryicons.com

FRITATTA!!

2009-01-20T22:20:00.003-05:00

This simple one pan dish is absolutely my favorite food to make on the fly! Photo'd just from the broiler this afternoon, still nestled in my big Calphalon skillet. You can use virtually any veggie/cheese/herb combo you want and it will be great! For this one today I started by thinly slicing 2 - 6 in zucchini, dicing 1 large Roma tomato, thinly slicing 6 med. mushrooms, diced 1 medium boiled, jacket on, Yukon gold potato. Sliced 8 Kalamata olives into slivers. Portioned out 1/4 cup shredded Italian cheese blend, to this cheese I added 6 large eggs and whisked till frothy. Finally, I crumbled a 1/4 cup size chunk of goat cheese which will go on top in the last step.

Heat skillet over med-hi heat, add generous portion of good olive oil - maybe 1/4 cup. Add zucchini, toss to coat, sprinkle with sea salt/ground pepper, stir around just until barely golden - scoot off to one side of pan leaving 2/3 pan free. Now toss in the mushrooms and potatoes, keep separated from the zucchini. Season with whatever herbs you have, I used fresh basil today, roughly torn into bits. Add a bit more olive oil if needed and toss around till lightly golden. Shove mushrooms and potatoes over to stay with the zucchini, pile them on top of each other if you have to, leaving 1/2 the pan now free. Lastly, saute' the tomatoes and olives in a splash of Balsamic vinegar, sprinkle with a bit of sea salt and pepper. Toss the Romas/olives for just a minute to heat.

Now the finish. Bring all sauteed items together in the pan and lightly toss to mix. Pour on the eggs/shredded cheese mixture, tilt pan so that it spreads evenly over everything. Top with crumbled goat cheese and more basil (I didn't have enough basil today so none on top this time). Turn heat to low, cook maybe 2- 3 minutes, the top will still be wet. Now move the pan to the preheated broiler, approx. 4 inches away, let stay till lightly golden and eggs are set. Slide fritatta onto a pretty serving plate. Pair with a salad and good bread - what a feast!! ENJOY!

Do you follow/know of the chef Jamie Oliver? I've watched him on TV since his "naked" chef series ran years ago. Wonderful and innovative, I have all his cookbooks, the last 2 published are absolutely wonderful. His website is excellent with lots of recipes too, pop on over for a look-see!

Bye for now, Ani

Pootie the Cat >^..^<

2009-01-19T11:03:00.008-05:00

This is my baby, Pootie, aka MeeMee, she is my constant companion when I'm at home, she moves as I move around always ready to voice her opinion, uttered in loud meows. I've never been owned by a more sweet kitty, she listens to me when no one else will, knows when I don't feel good and need some love - she is perfect! Well, except for the hairballs! Remember the movie Cats & Dogs? The main cat Mr. Tinkles and the maid that took care of him? The maid is a scream!

Bye for now, Ani

YOU ARE A WORK OF ART!

2009-01-17T21:38:00.006-05:00

What would it be like if you lived each day, each breath, as a work of art in progress? Imagine that you are a masterpiece unfolding, every second of every day, a work of art taking form with every breath. ~ Thomas Crum

Georgia O'Keeffe

2009-01-16T00:16:00.012-05:00

"I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way-things I had no words for." ~ Georgia O'Keeffe

While blogging tonight I came upon: artslice, a blog covering but what else? ART! There is a recent post on one of my favorite artists, Georgia O'Keeffe. If you ever want to study a most fascinating woman Georgia is the one! She led an interesting and free life for the time period in which she lived. Google her name and visit some of the many websites that you'll find. I do believe GK is my alter ego if there ever was one. The pix below is of one of my favorite GK paintings, titled: From the Faraway, Nearby, 1937

Bye for now, Ani

Sewing Room Disaster!

2009-01-11T22:49:00.002-05:00

One of my new years ressies is: DO something with this room! It needs a new layout, the way I've got it now is not working at all. It's my dau's old bedroom and is small, probably 10 X 11 feet. My dau now has the bigger bedroom because she outgrew this one and I had to squish me and my creativeness into this teensie room. There is one tiny closet. I have two 7ft shelving units for fabric and some of the plastic drawer units that you can see in the pix along with my ironing board that sticks out into the middle of the room and is in the way! Out of the pix is an old 1950's baby changing table that I use as a work table/storage area, a 4 door wood cabinet topped with a grid of 12 cubes, my sewing table. I have soooo many patterns and books and no where to put them - well maybe I would if I could just figure out a workable solution for this room. Think I'll get some grid paper out and doodle a bit with floor layouts.

Bye for now, Ani

A new Baby!

2009-01-09T23:51:00.005-05:00

Look what I'm getting for my birthday next month! A beautiful new baby Hilda! No labor, no diapers, no crying - all smiles all the time - wow, what a doll! She was 'birthed' by a wonderful doll artist, Suzanne McBrayer (Bisque Beauties on the web) who lives in Charlotte, N.C. I met Suzanne several years ago at a doll show where she had a table. At that time I really didn't think I'd ever care to own a doll with a porcelain head, as I was only collecting vintage composition dolls at the time. However, that has definitely changed in the last couple of years because I now own quite a few! I've always wanted a baby Hilda but the antiques at $2,000 - $4,000 weren't in my financial planner's (aka hubby) plan . I'm getting this sweet thing for a lot less, which is fine by me because I'd be too scared to play with a $4,000 doll - one oopsie dropsie and it's gone! Click the pix to make them bigger, she's soooo cute!

Nitey Nite, Ani

A Kitty that purrs and plays with you!

2009-01-06T23:16:00.007-05:00

I couldn't resist this kitty widget I saw on the web tonight! (find it on the sidebar, at the top) If there is an ad covering it just click the 'x' to make it disappear and then you will see the black and white kitty - wave your mouse pointer over his body to make him play with you, you'll get purrs if you rub his tummy! Too cute! >^..^< My kitties Pootie and Splash love photo ops!
Pootie got her catnip sushi toy from Jake and Micah - a wonderful place to find stuff for your feline friends! See the clickable logo on the sidebar. Tell Mei that Ani sent you!

Yummy treats BUT do not eat!

2009-01-04T21:51:00.002-05:00

CUPCAKES! OR NOT?

I LOVE cupcakes!! Even the kind you can't eat. These sweet beauties are actually for the bath! The 'icing' is formulated to bubble when crumbled under running water and the 'cake' part is a 'bomb' that fizzes out all kind of goods natural things to make your skin feel good and your sense of smell think you were in a bakery! Sound good? Want some? Last November I followed a lead off of the DZFantasy blog and found myself at this Etsy shop: Anita's Crafty Creations - sweet treats for bath and body. I purchased several Christmas gifts from Anita's many offerings. The cupcakes were a huge hit with my teen daughter and her friends. I gave my husband and my brother bars of the Sage/citrus/apricot/oatmeal soap along with the Bay Rum shea butter/goat's milk body cream - this stuff is incredibly smooth and silky! My Mom was gifted a soap shaped like a Parisian strawberry pastry, complete with icing drizzles and almost real looking berries! My Mom said she didn't want to wash with it because it was so pretty, instead she put it on a tiny saucer in the guest bathroom with a little sign: Do Not Eat! LOL! I will be treating myself to some of Anita's no calorie treats come February, my birthday month. Every woman needs treats on her birthday right?!

Bye for now, Ani

Baking Bread - I'm doing it!

2009-01-03T23:38:00.002-05:00

I've decided to join Sandy Smith over on her blog At the Bakers Bench and start baking all the bread products I would normally purchase at the grocer's or bakers. I've always loved to bake but mostly just cakes, cookies, muffins - easy stuff. I really thought baking my own bread would be too hard and too much of a commitment of my already tiny bit of free time. But Sandy says she has been doing just this for the last several months and she sounds lots busier than me! And so I've committed myself to try to make all of my bread from here on. Click on the BYOB (bake your own bread) badge to the right >>>> to go to Sandy's cool foodie blog, you won't be sorry!

Happy baking! Ani

Dreaming of Dolls!

2009-01-02T21:13:00.006-05:00

AnnieBeez Angelina

Sigh, if only I didn't have to work Mon-Fri I could get some dolls made!! :( I must start regulating some 'free' time (there is such a thing right?) in 2009 for my creative pursuits or I may not get anything made.

Just before Christmas I purchased a wonderful pattern for a Victorian style lady cat, Angelina, from AnnieBeez, isn't she purrfectly wonderful? I got it from Annie's Etsy shop her patterns are currently on sale while they last.

I have a fondness for cat patterns, there aren't many cool ones for sale that I've found. I also have one from the doll artist Susan Fosnot, that of course has not been made yet, the story of my life! Isn't it the cutest kitteh you've ever seen in cloth?

Susan Fosnot "Miss Kitty"

If you know of any more similar cat patterns out there please comment!

Hug a cat today! >^..^<
Ani

Mini quilt sighting!!

2009-01-01T15:10:00.007-05:00

If there's one thing I love besides quilts in general - it's quilts in miniature! If it's made of old fabrics that's even better! I just spied the one above on the RICKRACK website, under 'scraps and pieces. There is lots of eye candy on this website for fabriholics to drool over!

OK, I've been on the 'puter waaay too much already today but at least I've posted to my new blog like I said I was going to do!

It's so fun to have a day off from work to do what ya want to do - Ani

Let's make something fun for the new year!

2009-01-01T14:13:00.004-05:00

Pat Sloan is hosting a 'make a grab bag' challenge for the new year on her blog. The free pattern can be found here: pattern Even if you don't make the challenge today, print the pattern for later, I think the bags would make great birthday or other celebration gifts in the coming year.

Have fun!
Ani

SUGAR COOKIE RECIPE

2008-12-31T21:31:00.005-05:00

I just entered a photo of a plate of sugar cookies into Fine Cooking's Cookie Contest there are 164 entries so far, you'll find the recipe below. My teen daughter had made for them for Santa, they have purple sprinkles, she loves purple, no red or green for my DD! LOL!

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter (soft)
1 egg
Blend these until they are creamy, add
1 tsp vanilla

2 cups flour
1/2 tsp soda
1/4 tsp salt

1/3 cup rich milk or cream
Add the flour mix to the butter mix alternating with the cream.

Chill dough for several hours, then roll to desired thickness and
cut into shapes.

Bake at 375* for 10 minutes.

CLOTH DOLL LOVERS WANTED

2008-12-31T18:55:00.004-05:00

If you like to make any kind of cloth dolls I invite you to join the Cloth Doll Artistry blog

NEW YEAR NEW BLOG!

2008-12-29T19:41:00.004-05:00

Welcome to the new Ani-Tings blog!

I am soooo excited for 2009 to get here already! New year, new things to explore and do, can't hardly wait!!

I have so many projects I want to tackle this year - keep up with my blog/post regularly, 'seriously' start writing my first children's book (more on that later); costume all of the lovely dolls I purchased nekkid in the last 2 years; take painting classes; sew a new 'workable' wardrobe - and SO much more!

How about you? What have you got the burnin' to learn or do in 2009?

XOXO Ani