Country Tea in Sleepy Hollow

~Fain would I pause to dwell upon the world of charms that burst upon the enraptured gaze of my hero, as he entered the state parlour of Van Tassel's mansion. Not those of the bevy of buxom lasses, with their luxurious display of red and white: but the ample charms of a genuine Dutch country tea table, in the sumptuous time of autumn. Such heaped up platters of cakes of various and almost indescribable kinds, known only to experienced Dutch housewives. There was the doughty dough nut, the tenderer oly koek, and the crisp and crumbling cruller; sweet cakes and short cakes, ginger cakes and honey cakes, and the whole family of cakes. And then there were apple pies and peach pies and pumpkin pies; besides slices of ham and smoked beef; and moreover delectable dishes of preserved plums, and peaches, and pears, and quinces; not to mention broiled shad roasted chickens; together with bowls of milk and cream, all mingled higgledy-piggledy, pretty much as I have enumerated them, with the motherly tea pot sending up its clouds of vapour from the midst-Heaven bless the mark! I want breath and time to discuss this banquet as it deserves, and am too eager to get on with my story. Happily, Ichabod Crane was not in so great a hurry as his historian, but did ample justice to every dainty.

-Excerpt from 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.' Written by Washington Irving in 1820.

Can't you just picture that tea table with all of that food on it?

I read The Legend of Sleepy Hollow out of the book, 'American Short Stories,' I bought at a thrifty shop last week. It's a thick book filled with short stories and I'm glad I purchased it because I have been really enjoying the wild short tales in it. It cost me only $2.99.

So I did a little research on the tale of 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.'

By golly, did you know that there is such a city called, Sleepy Hollow, New York? I did not know that.

Also, the Old Dutch Church that is mentioned in the tale is a real church!

Again, I did not know this.

I watched The Legend of Sleepy Hollow movie in 1999. You might remember it. Johnny Depp starred in it.

Although I would like to watch it again now that I've read the story. All though it was said in the reviews that the movie was much different then the short story tale. In the movie, Ichabod Crane (Johnny Depp) was a detective trying to find out who was doing all of the killings in Sleepy Hollow. Where the book, Inchabod was trying to win over the farmer's daughter, Katrina Van Tassel's love. He was competing with another gentleman, Brom Bones. The story was set in 1790 in the Dutch settlement in Terry Town, New York. And Sleepy Hollow is inside that city.

After I read The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, of course I wanted to read reviews about the story from other readers. Again, I looked up some reviews on the Internet. I wanted to see if the comparison of what I read and what another reader might had picked up on the tale that I did not. And sure enough, Ichabod was a teacher in the short story. I thought he was a student. Don't no where I came up with that. =) But none the less, I'm glad I read it. I liked how it did have a little bit of some true history. Well maybe not the headless horseman or if you'd like to believe otherwise. =) It wasn't to scary of a tale. Just make sure when you snuggle up onto the chair tonight with your tea, and your little dog next to you....you might want to leave some extra lights on. Oh make sure all the doors are locked. Oh, and all of your curtains are closed. I think you get my drift. Oh and don't forget, you must grab a quilt to. =) And enjoy.... 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.'

I'm signing off...........from Peek-A-Boo Street!

Sew Happy!

Looky what I made................

It's been years since I've sewn anything. But all of you bloggers out there who sew have inspired me to give it a whirl again. But I have never been a real good sewer. Just did what I had to do.

So I got the old sewing machine out and cleaned it all off. I threaded it up and was fairly surprised I remembered how to do that. Even the bobbin. I'm sooo good.....lol. I'm really not!

So my next stop was the fabric store. That... was a little bit of a nightmare. I was going around and around and then decided to walk out the door. My mind was in a whirl. Patterns alone were like $16. That's just the patterns! I didn't even get the material and notions yet.

Yep....

The sewing machine was just going to have to go back into the box!

Then I made some measurements for this little accent table I have in the corner of my living room. I don't do measuring and nor do I like it. I'm just not good at that sort of thing. My husband on the other hand is like a math wizard and measures things a thousands of an inch by his automotive trade. But I was not going to ask him for his help this time. No I wasn't. I managed. Look at the pattern I came up with....

Hey, it beats $16! I taped a whole bunch of papers together. I'll be keeping this pattern for future use. I was thinking of making a Christmas table cloth for this little accent table or one that will take me through the winter season.
This little table cloth still cost me $12.67 for the material, thread & lace. I guess it's cheaper then what I could buy this table cloth at a store but I still thought it was a bit pricey.
So there you have it. My first sewing project in years. This project only took about and hour at the most to sew it all up. But the hand made pattern took awhile. Thank you all for inspiring me!
I'm signing off..............from Peek-A-Boo Street!

Air Show >>>>>

Over the weekend my family was invited to an air show over at my brother-in-laws house. I just want to thank him and his girlfriend for inviting us. We had an awesome time!

The air show happens every other year. It's so nice because my brother-in-law lives so close to the air base that we're able to get a great view of all the planes. The public was able to go inside the air base for that weekend. But we are lucky to know someone who lives so close to the airbase. So we lucked out.

I thought that it would be cool to take video of the planes. So I took a lot and only a few photos. I'm still going to post the videos even though I didn't like how the color on them turned out. The videos had a purplish tint to it for some reason. It was an over cast day so I don't know what was up with that.

A lot of the planes flew right over us. So it was nearly impossible to get a picture. So the few that I did manage to get, I just lucked out!

The ground would vibrate as the planes flew over. And boy, was it rip roaring loud! It was just awesome. The video clip does not do wonders of what it was really like to be there in person. It was something spectacular to see! I just wish you all could have been there to see it. But I'll do my best to bring it to you. I forget what the names of the planes were. I was just enjoying the show!

Here we go...........hang on!!!!! We're taking off! We'll be leaving Peek-A-Boo Street for a brief moment.

I hope you liked this little piece of the air show I sent to your way. I hope you all are having a wonderful weekend.

I'm signing off.........from Peek-A-Boo Street!

A New Project...Maybe

Well all of you bloggers have been inspiring me out there with your crafty-ness with your sewing projects.

Sew....I mean so, I thought that I would get out my old sewing machine from the ole, dusty storage room.

Yep, that's it!

Let's take it out of the box.

Needs a good dusting. I don't even no if this machine even works anymore . It's probably 12 years old and I've probably only used it maybe ten times. Yeah. I'm not much of the sewing kind. I never really got into it. I wasn't very good at all the measuring and all that kind of stuff.

But like I said, you've all been inspiring me. Maybe something will come out of this machine. But maybe not. I'll have to keep you all posted on any future projects.

All you of you who do sew probably all ready know what next month is. September is National Sewing Month. I provided you with a link to click on. It will take you directly to the web site. So all of you who sew, keep sewing so you'll inspire me! I love to see your projects!

http://www.nationalsewingmonth.org/

I'm signing off........from Peek-A-Boo Street!

More Thrifty Dishes

I did some browsing at my local Thrifty shop yesterday. Did you ever see that funny Ikea commercial? Well that is exactly how I felt yesterday leaving the thrift store.

They were having bargain prices at the thrift store if you could believe it. Everything in the store was 1/2 off!!! I was in heaven!

I did pick up a few more dishes and wanted to share them with you because I couldn't believe the prices! I walked out of the store paying.....are you ready for this? $11.10!! I couldn't believe it! So this is what I purchased.

This vintage English dessert plate was marked $8. I got it for $4!!

This plate was marked at $3.99. I got it for $2!! I didn't realize till I got home that this plate is for decorative purposes only and not to set food on it. But that's OK. I can still use it for display.

This next plate was priced at $2.99. I bought if for $1.50!!!


This shallow bowl was priced for $1.99. And I got it for $1!!!!!! Can you believe it? One dollar?!!!! Wow.

And last but not least. This glass bowl was marked up for $4. You guessed it. I got it for $2!!!!

I'm sure you can understand how I felt when I got into my car and was driving home. I was so tickled that I got all of these pretty dishes for a grand total of $11.10. My family members just looked at me and called it all junk!! Can you believe it! Yep you heard me right. The guys said it was junk. Those guys don't know a bargain when they see one. My hubby just said, "Whatever makes you happy." =) And it does. Guys just understand a great deal when they see one I guess. =) And I didn't just get these dishes because they were a great deal. I'm going to use them for entertaining. Sorry about the pictures turning out blurry this time. Maybe it was the lighting.

I hope everyone had a great week.

I'm signing off.........from Peek-A-Boo Street!

Go Albert! Go Albert!

Go Albert! Go Albert! Oh my gosh! Am I a lucky girl or what!?

Last week while out and about antiquing.....I got me this!

I'm sure many of you recognize this pattern. It's Old Country Roses by the one and only Royal Albert. Isn't this cup just so rich with color and so exquisite? It's the Queen of all tea cups. I think there's a mar on the front pattern but I don't care one bit. As I sip my tea out of this beauty, I only think of some old lady who must have drank out of this tea cup. It makes you wonder who she was, what she looked like and what she held in the depths of her heart during her life time. I do have some new tea cups in my collection but I prefer them old and vintage and full of history and mystery to for that matter. When I started out collecting tea cups, name brands did not matter to me. But when I passed by this beauty on three different occasions.....well maybe this little Royal Albert beauty was calling out my name. =) In fact I heard it speak to me..........grannie Annie.......take me home. It almost sounded ghostly, lol. =) Ok, I'm just kidding with that. Name brands don't really matter to me though as I collect tea cups. I just have to like them. And of course I have to feel the price is right.

Well after I purchased the Royal Albert Old Country Roses tea cup, I was doing some shopping and I seen this....

The back...........

Isn't this bunny just the cutest thing? I just love the two pink roses that adorn the top of each ear. I also love the way the ears hang down. Well when I turned this little bunny over.....what do you suppose I saw? Yep. Royal Albert Old Country Roses. I just immediately fell in love with it even before I turned it over. I know that this piece is probably "seconds" (I think that's what you call it?), but I don't care. I wanted it and I was able to get her. "Seconds" just means, that there is a slight imperfection and not a "true" collectible. But like I said, that does not mean anything to me.

Here is a picture of both of them together.

I have to put my tea cup back into my china cabinet before it gets broke.

It came with an extra saucer.

And the bunny is going back into my curio cabinet so she doesn't get broke.

I just love my fabulous finds and I just wanted to share it with all of you ladies. Go Albert......go Albert!

I'm signing off............from Peek-A-Boo Street!

Blogoversary!

Today is one year that I have been blogging! Woo hoo! I've so much enjoyed it. And most of all, I've enjoyed meeting new friends here in blogland.
There are so many blogs & the authors of them, who have inspired me in so many ways. There are some really beautiful blogs out there that are worth visiting every day.
I know for your blog anniversary that people usually have a give-a-way. Well since just recently I haven't had many readers, I chose not to have one at this time. But lately my followers have been picking up.
I was so surprised and so touched that so many people would want to follow my blog. A give-a-way is something that I will be thinking about in the future.

I don't have a goal to get 200 followers. But it's nice when you do have some fans out there who are genuinely interested in your blog. Lets be real. Everyone likes comments. =) I know I do! It makes you feel good as a blogger.

When I first starting blogging, I thought, no one is reading it right now anyway so I can say what I want.
Then as you continue on with blogging, I have to say, I stayed true to myself and blogged about what I wanted to blog about.
And then, I have to admit.....at times, I've been stumped on what to write about. But if I don't have nothing to say, I won't blog for a few days. That's just become my style to blogging. I don't put demands on myself that I have to have a post done every single day. I just don't worry about that.
Sometimes I worry that I may lose my readers but, I've seen in the past year that if their interested, they'll be back.
And trust me, I'm not tooting my own horn and saying that I'm in any way a good writer. But I'm so honored that there are people who are genuinely interested in my blog. And who leave me comments on a regular basis.
This is probably a good time to say thank you for the new followers who have began following me just within the past two or three weeks. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am so touched. And all of your comments are so sweet. ♥
And I love all of your blogs. You all have such beautiful blogs.
There was a time when I thought about throwing in the towel about blogging. I am such a private person. And your blog is out there for everyone to see. That is why I don't post pic's of myself or my family on my blog. I'm sure you all noticed. But that's just me. That's how I do things. Well maybe one day, I'll post my picture so you can all know what I look like. I like to see pics of other people on their blog, because then you get to put a face with their blogs. It does make it nice to see.
Thanks again to each and every one of you, for being such sweet fans of my blog over this past year. Yes, I'm going to do it again........
I'm signing off...........from Peek-A-Boo Street!

My Summer Shows

I just love watching my summer shows on t.v. And so much is going on this summer, I don't even know where to begin!
I guess I'll start with 'So You Think You Can Dance.'



Did you all see Jeanine Mason win 'So You Think You Can Dance?' Here is a clip of a short interview with her after the show if your interested.
http://http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=b034lWVeeng
I am so happy she won. When there was like six dancers left, I was really hoping she would win and she did!



I actually wanted Janette Manrara to win.



But she got voted off. She was a really good dancer. She sort of looks like my aunt when she was younger.
But like Nigel Lythgoe said last night, that he will not agree to say that "all" are winners. He said that it would take away from the person who is to win. Their journey of working hard to be the winner. So congratulations to Jeanine Mason!
I couldn't find my favorite solo dance of Jeanine's on video. The one where she was dancing with the red rose in her mouth. But I did come across this video that had a few of her dances on it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3UEWejvDIA
This next one is my favorite dance that she did with Philip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnmaBgD3uQ0
I was so glad to hear that for the first time So You Think You Can Dance? is going to have another show this fall! Wooo hooo! September 9, 2009...so mark your calenders! I can't wait!
Hell's Kitchen started up again a few weeks ago. So I've been watching that to. Love this show! You gotta love Chef Gordon Ramsey! Man is he tough! Just look at him in this picture. He looks meeeaaan.


Then my all time favorite summer show is still showing. Big Brother!



OMG!!!! I LOVE this show!!!!! It is so awesome and I just LOVE all of the drama! Did you all watch it tonight? It was so good.
The new head of household is Shima.



I wanted Lydia



to win it because I know the whole house would have been in a huge up roar. What do you think about all of her tattoos? What a pretty girl. Why, why, why did she do that?! How is she going to feel about them when she has to walk into a school one day with her child. Oh gees.
Then what do you think about America voting Jeff



to win the mystery nomination thing. Not quite sure how that is all going to play out. It'll be interesting. I like how him & Jordan have bonded. I like how Jordon is playing her game on the show.



Then Ronnie went home tonight.



Thank gosh. I actually wanted him to stay on the show but not after how he attacked Michelle. Sweet little Michelle. What did she ever do to anybody?



And what do you think about Russell. He just thinks he is so clever.



Ugh! What about Jesse? He just thinks that he's God's gift to woman and thinks he's ALL that because he is a body builder. Give me a break!



Also his sidekick Natalie. She is getting on my last nerve and she really needs to leave the Big Brother house ASAP!!



And then of course the host Julie Chen is expecting a baby boy. How sweet. She looks really good. This will be her first child.



Then another really good show premiers this Sunday, 'There goes the neighborhood!' I can't wait to watch that. That one looks like it's going to be another great show. It's suppose to be a take off of Big Brother. Several houses are fenced in amongst themselves from the neighborhood. They have to compete to win luxuries for their home. They will even be kicking other families out. They have to live without any electricity. The winner will win $125,000. The winner of big brother wins $500,000! OMG this show sounds like a fun one to watch for sure. Here is a pic I found on the Internet.



So there you have it. You know what I've been doing a lot during the summer evenings. We are lucky though. We have one of those DVR's so we can fast forward all the commercials. And that makes me happy.
I do love American Idol but that comes on in January. Did you hear the latest about Paula Abdul quitting American Idol? I think she wants to be on 'So You Think You Can Dance?' She's a choreographer to. We'll just have to wait and see. I wouldn't be surprised to see her for the fall's premier 'So You Think You Can Dance?'
I'm signing off.......from Peek-A-Boo Street!

Oh What A Day!

Today was a real busy but a fun filled day. First of all my grandson is staying with us for the weekend. I wanted him to stay with us again before school starts back up. I probably won't be able to take him again to Christmas break. Maybe I can fit an over night in here and there but not a few days all at once.

So the day started by pre-making dinner for later so that I can just pop it in the oven for when everyone gets hungry. Then I baked some M&M cookies.....

We rode our bikes and then decided we were hungry for that dinner.

We had the most awesome Italian dinner. I was going to take a picture of that to but I remembered after I ate. Ugh. Sorry. I really wanted to get a picture of that. I made my pasta stuffed shells. I made my own olive & cheese salad. I posted a pic of that a few posts down on a previous day. We also had pesto with some crunchy crackers and those crunchy little flavored toasts you can buy in a bag. For dessert we had Neapolitan ice cream and of course some more cookies!

Then we all decided to go swimming until the sun started to go down.

After swimming, we all warmed up by getting into our jammies and then settled in for the evening. The boys are watching t.v. in the bedroom.

I decided to relax in the living room for a bit. But first I lit a few candles...

Made myself my favorite evening tea.....

I just love Sleepy Time Tea. =) Mmmmm. I also like the name of it. There's something about how Sleepy Time Tea just rolls off your tongue.

Even my pooch was getting sleepy..........

Vedy sleeeepy......... =)

Well after some evening reading. I blew out the candles and we all headed off to bed. One more peek outside before I go to bed. My nightly ritual.....

Awww, a full moon tonight. Now off to beddy by time.

Yes, this is my favorite blanket and my pillow if you can't see it. It's kind of dark in here.

Well okay fellow or I mean lady bloggers. Lights out for us. What a fun filled day we had! Tomorrow's another day....God willing. That reminds me that I have to say my prayers. =)

And I pray that God will watch over each and everyone of you tonight and always! Good night!

I'm signing off.........from Peek-A-Boo Street!