The Steam Engine

For those of you who may have thought I have been missing in action; this is a little update on what I have been doing the past month (and one more weekend to go!!!) As most of you know, besides my shop on Etsy, MagdaleneJewels.etsy.com, I also have belonged to a local theater group for the past 8 years. Although I have acted in a few of their shows, I am primarily their Costume and Makeup Designer; which seems to follow a family tradition. My mother started out as their Costume Designer then went into acting during the 1950’s; my daughter joined about 9 years ago (acting, directing, stage manager), so I guess it was only natural that I follow their paths.
I must admit that this play was one of the most enjoyable, in the way of doing costumes, as I love anything Vintage and Antique. I went to Vintage Clothing Shows in Manhattan and was able to get a few things there, bought a few things online, and then sewed my little fingers off for the rest. The picture of the young girl with the dark glasses (who is blind) is actually wearing a blouse and skirt of mine from the 30’s and my driving glasses (obviously not from the 30’s!).
The play takes place in a Radio Station in 1934, during the time of the Chicago World’s Fair, whose theme was “Century of Progress”. A young inventor (the young man in the sweater) invents a steam engine which works on water, which he hopes to patent and show at the World’s Fair. Of course, Corporate Greed takes over as people attempt to steal his blue prints, or pressure him into selling his ideas. Above a just a few of the scene from our show.
The very top picture is one of our "Production Crew" (I am the one sitting on the desk!) - the other pictures show a Radio Station of 1934; and a few of the actors in their particular scenes.

Dedication to Juelez (our Kitty!)

Juelez 3 mo old

Juelez sitting inside the Christmas Tree

This morning was not one of our best here in the Baker household; we had to put out cat to sleep. Named "Juelez Santana" (a rapper), we called her "Kitty". Sadly she wasn't even 5 yrs old yet. Last year she was diagnosed with enlarged kidney's. The vet had said she would live a few years, but not the full life of a cat. Never did we expect it to be less than a year after being diagnosed. The past two weeks have been heartbreaking, as anyone who has a sick pet will know; just watching her fail day by day. The past 3 days she stopped eating and drinking, and just laid wrapped up in a blanket. I think at this point she was down to about 2 lbs. When I woke up this morning, knowing what we would evently have to do, we knew it was time. We held her with tears streaming down out faces as they gave her an injection to euthanize her. Thanks for the words of support in the threads this week. For anyone who has gone through this, you understand how these little creatures worm their way into your hearts and become one of the family. Juelez will definitely be missed, her little friend, our other kitty, who is almost 3, has been looking around for her, and is already missing her playmate. Thought I would share a few of our favorite pics of Kitty!

What To Do With All Those Beads??????

I was just reading Terronda’s blog, http://UniqueCommodities.etsy.com regarding her dilemma as she so aptly asks, “Ok so where do you guys keep your beads left over from projects or that you open and realize it doesn't work for the project. I have sooooo many beads and they are covering my work table!” “I can’t seem to figure out where and how best to store them….”
Well, Terronda, Magdalene to the rescue. I was about to leave a comment when I thought I would share with you and other beaders who may be just as frazzled with “50,000” beads floating around. I purchased at a local craft store, Michael’s, a few bead containers which hold the many beads I use when creating my jewelry. As they come in different sizes - some with 6 compartments (I don’t know if compartments would be the correct word, since they are each about 3x3”); 10 compartments, 20 compartments of various sizes. They all have different uses, the smaller one is for seed beads I don’t use too often, another has larger beads, and pearls, bali beads, etc. The one I use the most is for my crystals, and beads spacers – items I use often. Now you ask, how does she manage to keep track of what she has? Well, I actually, (and no, I am not OCD!) I arrange them according to colors, or colors that blend (violets, lavender, amethyst, purple velvet- 4mm, 6mm 8mm), which makes it easier when I have a certain idea and color scheme in mind. When I do craft fairs and shows, I always take this particular container with me in case someone asks for something custom made. Oh, you know all those extra make-up cases you get when you purchase a certain amount of Lancome, Clinique, etc. well, they make great holders for your tools: pliers (which I have all sorts of), beading wire and string, clasps – well, you get the idea. Oh, when you do buy one of the beading compartments, make sure you get the one that says the beads won’t move, or you’ll wind up with Hemitite Jonquil’s!
So Terronda, and all my jewelry blogger friends, I hope this helps you just a little. Oh, I also bought a cheap shelve (Bed & Bath) that I keep all my jewelry items on. Knitting on another shelf, and whatever quilting project I am working on, on another shelf. Hey, does this count as a tutorial blog!

Cold Spring: A Day Along the Hudson

I am quite fortunate enough to live near the beauty of the Hudson River, which historically was the first River where the settlers escaping the religious tyranny of King Charles in England, made their home. In some of my other blogs, I have taken you along on my adventures of some the beautiful sites along the Hudson River.
Yesterday, although the temperature reading in NY was 14 degrees, it was a perfect day to visit the small historic town along the Hudson River called Cold Spring (Cold Spring-on-Hudson) NY, which was incorporated in 1846. Bundled up against the cold of 14 degrees, and the winds coming forth from the Hudson River, we walked along Main Street with its quaint antique shops, and Victorian Homes and Mansions which line the banks of the river. Full of history, the tiny town of Cold Spring dates back to the Civil War. This was to help accommodate many of the workers of West Point, which lies just South of Cold Spring. Commuter Service to Cold Spring can only be reached by its original “Cold Spring Station”. Bordered not only by the Hudson River and it mountainous view of the Catskills (mountains), the other end of town is bordered by two lakes, which as you can see by the pictures I took, were quite frozen over! Cold Spring is now listed with the National Registry of Historic Places in the US.
Although it was a perfect day for a drive along the Hudson, our main reason for going was not only to enjoy lunch in one of these historic restaurants, but to view my friend Marion’s beautiful “Fiber Art Scarf’s” which are featured in the window's of one of the many shops along Main Street. Although she currently has sold most of her scarfs from her shop on Etsy, she has some beautiful quilts and “art quilts” in her shop: http://Mademarion@etsy.com. Marion and I have also been fortunate to be a part of their summer craft fairs which they showcase right along Main Street.

Capo D'Anno: Buon Cibo

Capo D’Anno (New Year’s Day): A Special Italian New Year’s Day Recipe

I have recently become friends with a mother of one of my son’s friend Elizabeth. Her mother, also Elizabeth, and Pia, Francisco, and Pasquale (her other children or should I stay adult children) come from Rome. I love listening to her stories about her parents, and growing up in Rome. She moved here when her daughter Elizabeth was 14. Not only do I love her stories, but love when she invites me for lunch, which is always something delicious.
A few weeks ago she asking me if I knew where she could get some sausage called, Cotechino, which I admit I had never heard of before. She explained it is only made for New Year’s. It is a large pork sausage which can be cooked in a sauce or mainly in Lentil soup. So I figured it I would find it anywhere it would be Arthur Ave, a small, very Italian neighborhood in the Bronx, where most people still speak their Italian dialect. When I took Elizabeth there for the first time, she was elated to be able to speak Italian to all the shopkeepers. They have the best markets, where everything is made fresh; from their Italian pastries to the Olive Loaf Bread. Even better are there restaurants, and small cafes which serve the best Cappuccino!
Anyway, I did find the “Cotechino” sausage, and last night made Italian New Year’s Lentil Soup with this very large sausage.
Here is a great recipe to try and very easy to make!
Boil one bag of Lentils in 8 cups of water, (half of which use Chicken Stock). Continue boiling for 45 min.
While that is boiling; sauté in olive oil, celery, carrots, 1 large onion and 2 cloves of garlic.
Drain then add this to the boiling lentils, and chop up 2 tomatoes, and 1 bay leaf then add to the soup.
While this is cooking, heat the Cotechino sausage then cut into slices and sauté in a pan until golden brown.
When cooked through, add to the soup and let simmer for another hour.
When serving, add a bit of fresh grated parmesan cheese on the top.
And of course, you must have nice fresh homemade Italian bread, and a glass of Chianti to finish off the meal! Eating this on New Year’s, is a sign of good luck for the rest of the year. Buon Cibo (good eating!)
Ciao!

The Christmas Pageant 2008

Although I love all the designing and crafts I do, nothing is more rewarding to me than our annual Christmas Pageant. I have been involved in working with the Children's Masses for 18 years. The culmination of our work leads to the Christmas Eve Pageant. I started when my children were very small, and attended our Parish School, Sacred Heart in Hartsdale, NY. Now several years later, although I am still involved, it is rewarding to see my daughter as the Director of the Pageant for the past few years (she somehow has a special gift with children!)
We usually begin the planning in early October. Of course, every parent wants their child to be the star of the show! So that is our main obstacle to overcome. Once all the main characters are chosen (Mary, Joseph, Wisemen, angels, etc.), without any hurt feelings or comments from some parents; the practices begin. Besides helping my daughter with the staging of the children and doing costumes, she begins her directing. The children range in age from 3 (which are the little angels) to age 12. The older children get the main parts, which gives the other children an incentive to work up to each year. Oh sorry, I should mention, our youngest participant is only 3 months old, playing the "Infant Jesus." We have a wonderful Children's Choir who do all the singing throughout the play. As with any play, once the children put on their various costumes, their whole demeanor changes. They suddenly assume the role they are portraying. A lot of credit goes not just to the Director, but to the small group of parents who dedicated themselves each year working on the Pageant. They each automatically assume the positions they have had each year. One assembling the little angels, another for the shepherds, and still another for the Wisemen, and drummer boy and girl. It is team work that makes this so successful. The success is well noted as the Narrators (children grades 5-7) begin to tell the story of the Nativity, and you look at the smiles on the faces of each parent. Although our little angels, who I said are mostly 3-4 year old's, completely steal the show; the other children are so professional, and kneel so reverently as they portray, Mary and Jesus from the time they are approached by the Angel Gabriel, to the birth of Jesus, and the arrival of the Wisemen. The final scene is the little Drummer Girl (this year we had 2 Drummer girls, not to hurt anyone’s feelings, and the Drummer Boy who walk so very slowly down the center aisle playing their drums while the choir sings 'The Little Drummer Boy,". The most adorable thing is not only watching them, but watching the little angels singing their hearts out - pa rum pum pum pum, I could continue talking about the beauty of the children in the Pageant, but the pictures tell it all.

Thanksgiving Day Parade!

The annual Thanksgiving tradition in New York is the Macy’s Parade. This is the 82nd year of the Parade; and my daughter, Kelly with her husband celebrated her 29th birthday standing for hours in the freezing cold to wait for the Parade to begin. They arrived at 6am, and of course, had to call me to tell me they had a great spot to view the balloons, floats, clowns, etc.
Each year a new balloon is introduced. For those who are really adventurous, you can head to Central Park in the City to watch them inflating the balloons for the next morning. I started watching the Parade on TV in the days of black & white, sitting with my sister in great anticipation for the opening of the Parade which begins with the huge Turkey marching down Fifth Avenue. So it is only natural that my children followed the tradition of watching the Parade, but no black & white for them, a 42” color screen showcased the many balloons and floats that followed the Turkey down Fifth Avenue. Of course, the Parade is not complete until the finale - the arrival of Santa on his sleigh! Once Santa stands and waves to all the children, even those of us sitting in front of the TV, you know that the Christmas season has officially arrived.
Thanks to my daughter here are a few pictures from this year’s Parade.

Black Friday

☆:*¨¨*:★:*¨¨*:☆:*¨¨*:★:*¨¨*:☆:*¨¨*:★:*¨¨*:☆:*¨¨*:★:*¨¨*:☆☆ ; ;:* ¨¨*:★:
Black Friday, which refers to the Friday after Thanksgiving, which officially is the start of the Christmas shopping season. Thanks to the Macy’s Day Parade, which originated in NY City in 1924, once Santa Claus appeared at the end of the Parade, stores would begin to decorate, and people would start their shopping for Christmas. Tradition seems to move on though, as it seems each year stores start decorating earlier and earlier, and each one tries to outdo the other offering tremendous sales to draw the people to their particular store. The term “Black Friday” started sometime during the 1960’s, as many people tend to take the day after Thanksgiving off, and the sales begin. Not only are stores competing for business with their sales, but some start opening as early as 4 and 5 am.
Yes, I admit I was one of those nuts who ventured out at 5am with my son to join thousands of others rushing to take advantage of those early sales. After a quick cup of coffee, we barely had time to comb our hair and dress, before we headed to Best Buy, one of the biggest electronic stores in the US. My son bought a 42” HDTV (high definition TV), which now takes up half of his bedroom. We met some friends who were also out at that ungodly hour shopping, taking advantage of the “Black Friday” sales! By 7am, after standing on line after line, we finally were done. It is a strange feeling to leave the store to great the sun just waking up. After all that energy, we all took off to the diner for a big breakfast.
The Bloggers, one of my favorite teams on Etsy, not to be outdone by all those competing stores, are holding our own version of "Black Friday". Each shop is offering sales from today, Friday 11/28 to Monday 12/1. Hopefully we will have as much success as some of those stores today!
☆:*¨¨*:★:*¨¨*:☆:*¨¨*:★:*¨¨*:☆:*¨¨*:★:*¨¨*:☆:*¨¨*:★:*¨¨*:☆☆ ; ;:* ¨¨*:★:
H a p p y H o l i d a y s ! !The EtsyBloggers HOLIDAY S*A*L*E* is going on from Black Friday thru Cyber Monday!!That's Friday 11/28 thru Monday 12/1!!See a list of the 50+ shops having a SALE: http://etsybloggers.etsy.comH a p p y S h o p p i n g ! !☆:*¨¨*:★:*¨¨*:☆:*¨¨*:★:*¨¨*:☆:*¨¨*:★:*¨¨*:☆:*¨¨*:★:*¨¨*:☆☆ ; ;:* ¨¨*:★: