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Christmas in Black and White

Posted on December 13, 2014 by oltimetv

December 13, 2014

Christmas in Black and White

The Christmas season is again, upon us, and, happily, the yuletide season gives me everyone a legitimate excuse to watch all of those beloved holiday movies to excess. :o) Being an old movie buff myself, I actually become giddy as I gaze upon my Christmas movie-watching list, filled with holiday films galore. Many of my favorites, from an era gone by, were filmed in glorious black and white, and watching them has become an annual event for my family. Over the years, several of those black and white Christmas classics have become available in the, continually improving, colorized format. Although, some film classic purists may turn up their noses at altering the original film, I find that the colorization process brings a fun new dimension to old favorites. (Often, original notes, photos, and sketches are used to determine just how the film should be colorized.) In either case, whether watching in the original black and white, or colorized version, may your Christmas be filled with all those wonderful cinematic classics. I share some of my favorites below, in hopes that you might discover a new Christmas classic from the list.

Christmas in the Movies

Holiday Inn (1942)

Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire star in this film about an inn that is only open for holidays. Of course, Christmas takes center stage in this Christmas staple.

The name of the hotel chain, Holiday Inn, was inspired by this movie. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holiday_Inn_(film)

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Bing Crosby and Marjorie Reynolds sing the song
White Christmas in the film Holiday Inn.

The Man Who Came to Dinner (1942)
A funny Christmas film starring Monty Woolley and Bette Davis, along with some real penguins! Woolley’s character turns an Ohio family’s home upside down, when he slips on their front steps and becomes a houseguest during his recovery.

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Jimmy Durante holds nurse, Mary Wickes, while Monty Woolley looks on in The Man Who Came to Dinner.

Christmas in Connecticut (1945)

Barbara Stanwyck is the Martha Stewart of the 1940’s, in this film. This housekeeping magazine maven, however, is actually a fraud, possessing no culinary, or homemaking skills whatsoever. When Stanwyck’s editor insists that she invite a WWII hero to her home for Christmas, comedy ensues.

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Barbara Stanwyck decorates the tree, while Dennis Morgan sings in Christmas in Connecticut.

I recently enjoyed watching Christmas in Connecticut on the big screen, (the two photos below were taken from that viewing) thanks to the Turner Classic Movie’s presentation last weekend throughout theater’s in the U.S.

TCM is showing White Christmas this weekend, and YES, I will be attending! :o)

I am nothing, but smiles, at the big screen showing of
Christmas in Connecticut.
December 2014

A shot from the big screen showing of
Christmas in Connecticut, a double feature that included the 1938 version of The Christmas Carol.

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

It is tradition; my family watches this holiday gem every Christmas Eve, sometimes in black and white, and other times in color/colorization. We love this story of George and his guardian angel, Clarence. Clarence shows George what the world would have been like if he had never been born.

I remember the very first time that I saw this film. It was the early 1970’s, and I was baby-sitting. The children were asleep, and I caught this wonderful movie on the late show. I was hooked. I have been an ardent fan ever since!

Donna Reed and James Stewart star as Mary and George Bailey, with Karolyn Grimes as Zuzu in
It’s a Wonderful Life.

My Cat’s Meow Village of It’s a Wonderful Life always comes out this time of year, to be proudly displayed in my entryway. In sort of a reverse of the film colorization process, the Cat’s Meow Company came out with a black and white version of this set, complete with glitter/snow, after I had bought my colorized set. Each Christmas I consider purchasing the black and white set …

My It’s a Wonderful Life display, complete with a sign made by my friend, Michele S., and a for real Zuzu ornament.

The front of my Zuzu Petals Christmas ornament

The personalized back of my Zuzu ornament, signed by Zuzu herself,
Karolyn Grimes.

Want your own? Click on the link below.
http://zuzu.net/store/memorabilia/index.html

its a wonderful life collection_0
The beautiful black and white, glittered, Cat’s Meow
It’s a Wonderful Life set, that I covet.

https://www.catsmeow.com/products?search_api_views_fulltext=its a wonderful life&f%5B0%5D=field_product_category%3A188

Never Say Goodbye (1946)
I love this lesser-known holiday jewel. This Christmas comedy stars Errol Flynn as a reluctantly divorced father, who is devoted to his young, precocious, daughter, and strives to win back his ex-wife.

Listen for an uncredited voice-over of Errol Flynn acting tough in a trench coat. Yes, that IS Humphrey Bogart’s voice you hear. :o)

Is Santa, Errol Flynn, seeing double in Never Say Goodbye?http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Never_Say_Goodbye_(1946_film)

The Bishops Wife (1947)
Cary Grant is my kind of angel! Grant stars, in this delightful film, as Dudley the angel, who is sent to earth to assist a bishop and his wife in their life, at Christmas time.

Cary Grant and Loretta Young admire the family Christmas tree in The Bishop’s Wife.

It Happened on 5th Avenue (1947)

Another lesser-known Christmas film, It Happened on 5^th Avenue is such a joy to watch. A resourceful “bum” takes up residence in an empty mansion. Others eventually move in to join him, including the owner of the mansion, who is living incognito.

Alan Hale, Jr., Charles Ruggles, Edward Ryan, Gale Storm, and Don DeFore decorate the mansion for Christmas in It Happened on 5^th Avenue.

Miracle on 34^th Street (1947)

A great cast makes this film a holiday delight. Maureen O’ Hara, John Payne, Edmund Gwynn, and a young Natalie Wood star in this movie about a man who insists that he is the actual Kris Kringle.

Edmund Gwenn stars as Santa with Natalie Wood in Miracle on 34^th Street

Come to the Stable (1949)

This is another Christmas movie that falls into the lesser-known category. I love this sweet story of two naïve, yet endearingly faithful, nuns. Loretta Young and Celeste Holm, star as nuns from France who settle in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania to build a children’s hospital.

PHOTO_14579407_66470_7681590_ap
Loretta Young and Celeste Holm visit with Dooley Wilson (of Casablanca fame) in
Come to the Stable.

Holiday Affair (1949)

This sweet Christmas story stars Robert Mitchum as a store clerk who meets war widow, Janet Leigh, and befriends her young son, played by Gordon Gebert.

Janet Leigh and Robert Mitchum star in Holiday Affair

The Lemon Drop Kid (1951)

Bob Hope stars in this often forgotten Christmas comedy. Hope has unwittingly taken money from a mobster. In his attempt to replace the money, Hope enlists his friends to raise money for a (fake) home for old ladies. In addition to the fun, and one-liners, listen for the tune Silver Bells.

Bob Hope stars with a whole lot of other Santas in The Lemon Drop Kid.

Ma and Pa Kettle at Home (1954)

The sixth in the Ma and Pa movie series, the plot revolves around a Kettle son’s quest for scholarship money to go to college. Two judges come to visit the Kettles, to decide if the young Kettle is deserving of the money.

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Pa Kettle, Percy Kilbride, dresses as Santa for his brood in
Ma and Pa Kettle at Home.

Many of the movies featured above will be shown on Turner Classic Movies this month. For a complete TCM schedule, click on the link just below.

http://www.tcm.com/this-month/article/1048237|0/Christmas-Classics-in-December.html

The Sounds of Christmas

When not watching the movies of the Christmas season, I enjoy the sounds of the holiday. I share with you what I am listening to this season, below, in the hopes that you may stumble upon an old favorite that you had forgotten, or a new song to add to your Christmas repertoire.

Click on this playlist to enlarge.

My Christmas gifts to you

I give you two recipes this Christmas. The first is for my Christmas Eve Stew. I put this into the crock-pot on Christmas Eve morning and forget about it. It is all ready for that evening after attending church in the late afternoon, and/or driving around to look at Christmas lights. And it is always a hit!

The second recipe is for a deliciously chocolate cookie that is good anytime, and takes just basic ingredients.

Also, I have included a chalkboard printable for you to use from the movie It Happened on 5^th Avenue.

Merry Christmas!

Recipes

Christmas Eve Stew

INGREDIENTS:

11/2 lbs. lean stew meat, in bite-sized chunks

2 cans cream of mushroom soup

1 can golden mushroom soup

Either,

1 small can (undrained) corn and one whole peeled onion,(I do this.)

or 1 envelope of Lipton’s onion soup

3-4 large carrots, sliced, or small bag of mini carrots, sliced, or not

(I have used canned, in a pinch.)

3-4 large potatoes, scrubbed, and chunked

frozen, or fresh, prepared green beans,

salt and pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS:

Combine all the above ingredients in a PAM sprayed crock-pot.

Cook on high for approx. 6-7 hours.

(Or place in PAM sprayed casserole and place in 250 degree oven for 5-6 hours.

Note: Serve with rice, or oyster crackers, and French bread.

Chocolate Cookies

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/4 cups (2 sticks plus 4 tablespoons) butter, room temperature
2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Directions:

1.Mix together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda. Set aside.

 2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter, 2 cups sugar, and eggs on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add vanilla, and mix to combine.

Gradually add dry ingredients, and combine with mixer on low speed.

 3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment, or Silpat baking mats, if desired.

Using spoon, or cookie scoop, put batter onto cookie sheet.

Place on prepared baking sheets about 1 1/2 inches apart.

Bake until set, about 8 minutes.

Cool on baking sheets for 5-10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Store in seal tight container.

Makes about 3 1/2 dozen

Free Movie Quote Printable

Print this movie quote (in the color of your choice) from It Happened on 5^th Avenue,
and frame it.

More from last year’s Christmas Post

Take time to look at my previous Christmas post, which includes additional Christmas movies, free printables, and a delicious and easy chocolate recipe. Click on the link below.

https://annettehoffman.wordpress.com/2013/12/06/counting-the-days-till-christmas/

Thanks for reading! :o)

Annette

Thank you to my daughter, and eldest son, for their help with some technical aspects of this post. (My photo, and the printable.)

Also, thanks to Cathe Holden for her free clip art. http://justsomethingimade.com/2010/03/jsim-tv-free-vintage-clip-art/,

and Cat’s Meow for the use of their photo.

Most importantly, a big thank you to all of my faithful blog followers!!!

I attempt to post my blog bi-monthly, look for my next post around January 15.

PLEASE JOIN MY BLOG FOLLOWING!

I hope to boost my follower numbers this year, so

Please, pretty please, become an “I’m Annette” blog follower. By doing so, you will receive “I’m Annette” via email, FREE, yes FREE, immediately upon posting, sign up on the right-hand side of this page today. :o)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted on November 27, 2014 by oltimetv

November 26, 2014

Happy Thanksgiving!

Twas the night before Thanksgiving, and all through the house…

I wear my favorite apron from Harrods of London. It is slick, and all spills wash off with a quick wipe of a cloth!

It is 10:00 pm on the night before Thanksgiving. I am thankful for my hubby arriving home today, after being overseas for five weeks, and for our eldest flying in our direction, as I type.(He should arrive in about an hour from now). I have prepared all of the foods that can be done ahead of time for tomorrow’s anticipated feast,(Dale is in charge of the frying and grilling of turkeys.) so I pause for a bit of relaxation , as my favorite, of all holidays is almost upon us!

Tomorrow, our Thanksgiving Day will most certainly begin with the watching the annual Macy’s Christmas parade, accompanied by our munching on Christmas Bacon and Eggs and Monkey Bread. (Both prepared ahead.) I share the recipes with you below.

http://www.historybyzim.com/2011/11/macys-thanksgiving-day-parades/

Around 12:30, after a prayer of thanks, our main Thanksgiving table, surrounded by many of our loved ones, will be filled with all of those traditional dishes that my family has come to love, over the years: Turkey, dressing, potatoes with gravy, green bean casserole, sweet potato “pie”, orange jello salad, black olives, cranberries, pumpkin pie, chocolate peanut clusters, and chocolate chip cheesecake. (What are your family’s favorites?)

Screen Shot 2016-05-21 at 4.28.35 PM
Freedom from Want, By Norman Rockwell (1943)
To read more about this piece of Americana, click here.

Once every last morsel is eaten, and the clean-up operation complete, the remainder of our day will be filled with leisurely family fun in the form of playing football, watching football and movies on TV, and trivia board games. This is my idea of the ideal Thanksgiving. :o)

game-over-for-trivial-pursuit-inventor-dead-at-59-2
Trivial Pursuit Gameboard

Recipes to Share

Christmas Bacon and Eggs

INGREDIENTS:

1 dozen/12 eggs

1+1/2 cup milk

2 cups grated cheddar cheese ( use sharp, 2%)

12 oz. bacon, cooked, and

cut into bite sized pieces, or crumble

salt

pepper

Preheat oven to 325-350 degrees

Directions:

Whisk milk and eggs.

Place cheese and bacon, onto greased/PAM 9 x 13 dish.

Pour egg mixture over the cheese and bacon.

Salt and pepper as desired.

Bake for 30-40 minutes.

Serves 8-10

Note: Make ahead and reheat later!

Cooked ground sausage may be substituted for bacon, if desired.

Monkey Bread

INGREDIENTS:

2-4 tubes of biscuits (2 for my own monkey bread/bundt pan)

¾ cup brown sugar

1 Tbsp. cinnamon

1 cup brown sugar

¾ cup butter /11/2 sticks (Can use 2 Tbsp. less)

1-2 Tbsp. cinnamon

Directions:

Cut each biscuit into four pieces. Combine ¾ cup brown sugar and 1 Tbsp. cinnamon. Roll all biscuit pieces in sugar mixture.

Bring to boil 1 cup of brown sugar, ¾ cup butter, and 1-2 Tbsp. cinnamon.

Put half of biscuit pieces into greased (I use PAM) bundt pan, and top with half of butter mixture.

Repeat.

Bake at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes.

Note: This may be put together the night before, place plastic wrap over the top, and put into the refrigerator. Bake in the morning!

Bullwinkle Instructions on How to Cook a Turkey

Enjoy and a Very Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

Click on the link to view this short clip.
http://vimeo.com/82052898

For my previous Thanksgiving posts, click on the links below.

https://annettehoffman.wordpress.com/2014/11/08/autumn-is-the-mellow-time-of-year/

https://annettehoffman.wordpress.com/2013/11/12/annettes-thanksgiving/

Thanks for reading! :o)

Annette

I attempt to post my blog bi-monthly, look for my next post around December 12.

Thank you to all of my blog followers!!!

Please become an “I’m Annette” blog follower and receive “I’m Annette” via email, FREE, yes FREE, immediately upon posting, sign up on the right-hand side of this page today.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Christmas Bacon and Eggs recipe, Christmas Egg Casserole recipe, Monkey Bread recipe | 7 Comments

Autumn is the Mellow Time of Year?!

Posted on November 8, 2014 by oltimetv

November 7, 2014

Autumn is the Mellow Time of Year?!

Immersing myself in all that autumn has to offer!
Photo courtesy of Trevor Hoffman

I love autumn! Those lazy, cool, fall days; trees filled with a myriad of colorful fall leaves, big bright orange pumpkins, and baskets brimming full of fresh-from-the-orchard, crisp red apples, culminating in my favorite of all holidays, Thanksgiving!

An example of the colorful beauty of autumn.
Ashtabula, Ohio’s Lakeshore Park, on Lake Erie.
October 2014

The Irish poet, William Allingham, once claimed,
Autumn (is) the mellow time (of year).

Mellow???? During this past month and a half, my mellow memorable autumn has included…

Finishing up a three-month stint living (and working) overseas
Spending a stopover (work week) in Switzerland
Family time over a three day week-end at Walt Disney World to cheer on our daughter in her first 10-mile race
Visiting a country pumpkin patch at Larriland, near home in Maryland
Taking a trip to Ohio, that included a one day business trip for Dale, and the beautiful wedding for a friend
Enjoying three days visiting family in Cape Cod

Autumn 2014, Photomontage of Fun
Please, allow me to share with you,
a brief photomontage of some fun highlights of my Autumn 2014.

Posing near the Red Sea where we were living overseas,
September 2014.

The picturesque view from our window in Switzerland,
September 2014.

Look for a future photo blog about our week in Switzerland.
Meanwhile, please click on my Swiss post from 2013, below.
https://annettehoffman.wordpress.com/2013/08/13/touring-with-swiss-missmrs/

Enjoying our long weekend at Walt Disney World
with my youngest two.
October 2014

Our oldest son, Trevor, and his family, joined us for Walt Disney World fun at The Sci-Fi Café!
The dining cars are such fun!
At one time, waitresses used to serve in roller skates!

I love the Sci-Fi Café! (The official name is now the Sci-Fi Dine-in Theater)
Part of the fun are the sci-fi movie clips shown
while the meal is being served.
(Does anyone know if this movie clip “loop” is for sale anywhere?)
In my dream world, my basement is set up, just like this! :o)
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/hollywood-studios/sci-fi-dine-in-theater/

Martese proudly displays her medal for completing the
Tower of Terror, 10 mile run, being one of the over 15,000 runners!
She ran, dressed as the original mousketeer, Annette Funicello!
Walt Disney World, October 2014
http://www.rundisney.com/tower-of-terror-10-miler/runner-info/

It was a pleasure to attend the beautiful fall wedding, in Ohio,
for Kim and Brett Fleischmann
October 10, 2014
Photo courtesy of Lauren Redmond

Chandler exhibits his pumpkin balancing skill,
while pumpkin picking at Larriland in Maryland.
Dale, and my mom (visiting from Iowa), look on.
October 2014

A spectacular autumn Cape Cod view.
October 2014

Dale and I just had to take a selfie on a Cape Cod beach
with Dale’s mom.
October 2014

Check out this awesome “Wizard of Oz” Halloween lawn display!
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
October 2014

A Recipe to Share

Autumn/Happy Thanksgiving Trash

Ingredients:

1 box (12 oz) Crispix cereal

12.6-1 lb. plain m & m’s

12.6-1 lb. peanut m & m’s

1 (8oz) bag small shaped pretzels

1 can (12.5 oz) can Spanish peanuts

20-24 oz. white almond bark

Directions:

Mix all ingredients, but almond park in large bowl.

Melt almond bark slowly per instructions. (I do this in the microwave in 30-second increments.)

Pour melted almond bark over dry ingredients, stirring until well coated.

Spread out onto wax paper over cookie sheets.

Cool. (Might need to refrigerate.)

Store in airtight container.

Note: Make this for any holiday by changing the seasonal m & m colors (if you cannot find seasonal colors, the regular colors will do. :o)) :

Happy Halloween Trash

Happy Thanksgiving Trash

Happy Valentine’s Day Trash

Happy St. Patrick’s Day Trash

Happy Easter Trash

Happy 4^th of July Trash

Thanksgiving Traditions

Many of my favorite things about Thanksgiving revolve around all of those little traditions that our family has established over the years. Everything from…

the food we eat each year,
to our family’s own version of the Turkey Bowl,
trivia board game playing, along with new games,
to the movies and classic TV shows that make their annual appearance in-between the football games of the weekend,
they all add up to making memories at our house.

Click on the link below to read about some recipes, along with movies and TV shows that my family enjoys. A free Thanksgiving printable is also included.Wishing you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving!

https://annettehoffman.wordpress.com/2013/11/12/annettes thanksgiving/

Some of our crew having fun playing “Just Dance”,
Thanksgiving 2013

Thanks for reading! :o)

Annette

I attempt to post my blog bi-monthly, look for my next post around December 8.

Thank you to all of my blog followers!!!

To become an “I’m Annette” blog follower and receive “I’m Annette” via email, FREE, yes FREE, immediately upon posting, sign up on the right-hand side of this page today.

Wishing you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Ashtabula, autumn, Cape Cod, fun Thanksgiving TV episodes, Larriland, Ohio, pumpkin patch, Sci-Fi Cafe, Switerland, Thanksgiving, Tower of Terror Run, Turkey, Walt Disney World | 15 Comments

Still MORE, confessions of a Pinterest artist: Painting #3

Posted on September 14, 2014 by oltimetv

September 15, 2014

Still MORE, confessions of a Pinterest artist: Painting #3

What American Gothic might have looked like?!

I pose in front of my Blue Blossom, inspired by Lisa DeJohn’s Blue Flower.

If it is true, what “they” say, that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then my recent attempts into the artistic realm must be an extreme compliment. Over the past few months I have been inspired via Pinterest, to paint three artistic pieces for my overseas apartment. My most recent attempt, although visually the simplest of the trio, resulted in being the most challenging. This may have been due, in part, to the black background, which tends to highlight any imperfection painted upon it. Or this may be the result of choosing a simplistic design, which again exaggerates any artistic imperfections. In other words, there is less margin of error in a less complex scheme . This point was driven home to me, in the late 1980’s, while taking tole painting classes. There, we were encouraged to “fill up” the canvas, actually a wooden shaped piece, with busy designs to compensate for any of our painting imperfections and inadequacies.

My 1980’s tole painting of a cat.
Photo courtesy of Chandler Hoffman

The Pinterest inspiration for my most recent painting came from apartmenttherapy.com. I share with you the steps of my painting process for Blue Blossom, in this post. If, instead, you prefer the pretty original and beautiful artwork, which inspired me, I have included a buying information link for Lisa DeJohn’s, Blue Flower, just below. This print was originally sold in Ikea stores, reasonably priced and available in various sizes. (I would have bought the print, but stores and mail order are quite limited where we live overseas.)

https://www.etsy.com/shop/lisadejohn?ref=l2-shopheader-name

Photo from Easy used with kind permission from Lisa DeJohn.

In the words of Sean Connery, Never Say Never…

Although, my artistic attempts are sure to continue, and I may share them with you, from time to time, I plan for this to be my final step-by-step instruction blog for my paintings. …but remembering the words of the sage Sean Connery, I know to Never say never! Never say Never Again was the name of the 1983 James Bond film. Connery took on this role, after having strongly insisted to his wife, twelve years earlier, in 1971, that he would never again play Bond in another movie. It is said that the movie title Never Say Never Again originated with Connery’s wife, referring to Connery’s “change of heart” about playing his James Bond character once again. *

Sean Connery as James Bond in Never Say Never Again

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Never_Say_Never_Again
*http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086006/trivia
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086006/faq

Grant Wood

I have enjoyed my triple painting spree and am proud of the results, yet I hold no illusions. My paintings are certainly not of the quality of a great artist; a great artist, such as one of my favorites, Grant Wood. In fact, even before I knew Wood the artist, I was very familiar with some of his work. As a student at Iowa State University in the 1970’s, I would go to the University Library, and study near the impressive mural, dominating the walls. I was awestruck each time I saw this imposing artwork, as I reflected on the subject and composition, painted in soothing muted colors, 1930’s style. It was not until some time later, after my college years, that I was to discover that “my” beloved mural, was the artistry of the renowned American artist, and fellow Iowan, Grant Wood.

I love the artistry of Grant Wood, especially in this mural,
at the Iowa State University Library.
February 2011

Grant Wood’s arrival, and eventual impact upon Iowa State, is explained in this short excerpt that I read online, The traditional public art program began during the Depression in the 1930s when Iowa State College’s President Raymond Hughes envisioned that “the arts would enrich and provide substantial intellectual exploration into our college curricula.” Hughes invited Grant Wood to create the Library’s agricultural murals that speak to the founding of Iowa and Iowa State College and Model Farm*.

*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iowa_State_University
http://www.lib.iastate.edu/info/6292

Our daughter, Martese, ponders her choice of majors, mechanical engineering, during her freshman orientation at Iowa State University.
June 2009

Martese and her dad, Dale, examine the Grant Wood Mural
at the Iowa State University Library.
February 2011

Art in Ashtabula

As a mother, and particularly, as a homeschool mother (I homeschooled my four children for ten years.), I tried to pass along my love of certain artists, and particularly, Grant Wood, to my young children. It was the fall of 1997, and our family found ourselves moving to northeast Ohio. In addition to showing us some potential houses for sale in the area, the relator took us by the Ashtabula Arts Center, as we, along with our young daughter, wanted to see the dance facilities there. While walking down the back halls of the center, I spied a cheaply framed, rumpled sketch, hanging cockeyed along the wall. I gave it a quick glance, and beckoned my youngsters to look at the artwork. I pointed out how the artist had used a technique similar to one that Grant Wood often used in his paintings, incorporating whimsical, snowball-like foliage in the trees. The relator, along with our art center guide, took an interest and came over to listen to my impromptu art lesson and have a look at the drawing. When I had finished, the relator said, “Isn’t this signed by Grant Wood?” I looked, and it did indeed, in very faint pencil, say Grant Wood in the corner! Needless to say, that our art tour guide took notice. I asked our guide if I might buy the neglected artwork, but my offer was declined. We spent quite a bit of time in the art center over the years, but the Ashtabula Grant Wood had disappeared, and I never saw it again.

Grant Wood’s Young Corn, 1931
This painting displays Grant Wood’s use of his trademark whimsical, snowball-like foliage in the trees.
http://www.crma.org/Content/Grant-Wood/Gallery.aspx
http://www.artexpertswebsite.com/pages/artists/wood.php

American Gothic

Grant Wood’s American Gothic, 1930
http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/artwork/6565
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Gothic

American Gothic, that iconic American painting, depicting a farmer and his daughter, posing stoically in front of their white farmhouse with the gothic windows, hangs at the Art Institute of Chicago. It was here, at this Institute, where Grant Wood entered his American Gothic in an art competition, winning a $300 third place prize, and the honor of selling this painting to the museum. Little did the artist realize, that this painting, for which his sister and his dentist posed as models, would become a celebrated piece of American art history. Even so, Grant found over the years, that some Iowans were less than enthusiastic about how this farmer and daughter were portrayed in the painting. It seems that women,especially, were taken aback by the supposed sagging, ahem, bust line in the feminine half of the painting*. (To read more, click on the links above and below.)

*http://artistandframer.net/post/30240831361/grant-woods-american-gothic-is-one-of-the-art

Nan Wood Graham (Grant Wood’s sister)
and Dr. Byron McKeeby (Grant Wood’s dentist)
were the models for American Gothic

That house! In addition to the American Gothic protagonists looking out at us with dour expressions, there is that cute white house with the interesting windows, ever-present in the background. This house was not a figment of Wood’s imagination, but an actual farmhouse in Eldon, Iowa. In fact, this house still exists, and is now a tourist attraction, with a visitor’s center next door. For the past few years, Iowa born author, Beth Howard, has resided inside the famous house, even at one time operating a pie stand on the front porch. The pie stand is now closed, and Beth is currently concentrating on her literary pursuits, but she still occasionally offers pie-baking classes. Click on the link below, for class information and to read about Beth’s books (I have enjoyed them both!),

Making Piece: A Memoir of Love, Loss & Pie

and

Ms. American Pie: Buttery Good Pie Recipes and Bold Tales from the American Gothic House

http://theworldneedsmorepie.com

Author Beth Howard, shown on the cover of her pie cookbook, lives in the American Gothic House in Eldon, Iowa.

To view take a tour of the house, click on the link below from April 2012.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NupHFxm0uf0

To view another short video of Beth and the house, click on the May 2012 link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPFQFjfltBo

Click on this link, to Beth Howard’s blog.
http://theworldneedsmorepie.blogspot.com

Click on this link, for information on visiting the American Gothic Visitor’s Center.
http://www.americangothichouse.net

Click on this link, for more information about the American Gothic House.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Gothic_House

Having fun with American Gothic
Check out these links to three fun tie-ins to American Gothic

Saturday Night Live

Click on the link below, to watch this funny, and family friendly,
Saturday Night Live skit from November 2012.
It stars Anne Hathaway and Jason Sudeikis.
http://vimeo.com/53332305

The Dick Van Dyke Show

The Dick Van Dyke Show: Season 3, Episode 2
“The Masterpiece”, Oct. 1963
Photos courtesy of https://www.facebook.com/MissRoseMarie

Click on the link below to watch “The Masterpiece”, and see if Dick Van Dyke and friends have really bought themselves a Grant Wood painting.
(This episode is divided into three links. You will find the other two links on the right-hand side of the youtube page.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diLRm5OSths

Green Acres

Click on the link below, to listen to the theme song from the classic TV series
Green Acres (1965-1971).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umS3XM3xAPk

Click on the link below, to read about how American Gothic relates to
Green Acres.
http://theartofilm.blogspot.com/2013/09/reel-connections-art-allusion-in-green.html

Paintings and My Inspiration

Pinterest Photo, artist Hugo Guinness / Dandelions, by Annette, July 2014

To read about Dandelions, and for instructions on how to paint this piece, click on the link below,
https://annettehoffman.wordpress.com/2014/07/23/true-confessions-of-a-pinterest-artist/

Pinterest photo, artist unknown Happy, by Annette, August 2014

To read about Happy and for instructions on how to paint your own,
click on the link below,
https://annettehoffman.wordpress.com/2014/08/30/more-true-confessions-of-a-pinterest-artist/

And My Newest Piece…

Blue Flower by Lisa DeJohn Blue Blossom, by Annette
Via Pinterest September 2014

For DIY instructions for Blue Blossom, go to the bottom of this blog.

The steps that I went through to paint this piece are shown below, just in case you wish to recreate a Blue Blossom of your own.

Painting Materials

Paint Canvas
 (24 inches x 36 inches canvas)

Drop Cloths
(When in a pinch, I use trash bags, that I have cut open.)  

Acrylic Paint 
(I used two-three bottles of glossy white as a base coat
and glossy black for the background,  
and one bottle each
of light blue for the flower,
grass green, and hunter green for the leaves.
The bottle colors are shown in the photo below.)

Paint Brushes
(I used the five brushes shown in the photo below.)

 I reserve this chalk and a brush to use as a “broom” for the chalk.

How to

Place down a drop cloth.

Give the canvas a white base coat, including the sides,
using the wide paintbrush.  I used two coats, letting it
dry in-between each coat.

I set the canvas up on four glasses to dry.

I then painted the canvas with two coats of glossy black paint on the canvas front and sides,  making sure that it was completely dry before continuing.  Use the photos below as a guide.

My paint smock apron and shirt are on the chair behind the painting.
The original painting can be viewed on the iPad to the right.

Using chalk, I sketched out the design that I wanted, using a tape measure to center it, and a photo of the original painting as my guide.

I then painted the insides of my chalk sketches, using the photo of the original as my guide.

As you can probably see, in-between the leaves, I painted over the first white stem that I did, as it seemed too wide.

It took several coats of paint before it covered the black background to achieve the look that I was going for.

Once I had finished painting and it was dry, I used the chalk brush “broom”;  and “swept” away the chalk marks from the canvas.

Still not satisfied with the look, I went back over a few areas that needed an additional punch of paint.

Signing my painting with a small paintbrush signifies that it is finished.  :o)

My painting, Blue Blossom

A Recipe

In honor of my newest painting, Blue Blossom, I thought it only fitting to share with you our family recipe for Dirt Cake (sometimes referred to as Flower Pot Cake). This dessert is not actually a cake at all, but a yummy concoction of pudding, cream cheese and Oreos. It is also fun to present this undessertlike looking dish with a clean trowel, and surprise unsuspecting guests as you dig (Yep, a pun!) into the dirt to serve them!

Dirt Cake
(This has been my son’s birthday cake choice for many years.)

This photo courtesy of Martese Ehm.

This is best made and served in a plastic pot (with no holes in the bottom).
This photo is of my daughter’s own Dirt Cake, using foil to “plug” up the drain holes.

INGREDIENTS:

1-1 lb. 2 oz. pkg. regular Oreo cookies

1 (8oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened

1 stick butter, softened

3/4 cup granulated sugar (I prefer a lesser amount, maybe ½ cup)

2(3.4 oz.) 4-serving size, instant chocolate pudding (Flavor may be varied to taste.)

23/4 cups milk

1 tsp. vanilla

Large (12 oz. or larger) cool whip, thawed

Gummy worms –optional

Artificial flowers-optional

Directions:

Finely crumble pkg. of Oreo cookies in blender, or food processor.

(I do everything in a food processor.) Set aside.

Cream together cream cheese and butter. Add sugar.

In separate bowl, mix pudding with milk and vanilla until set.

Combine the cream cheese mixture with the pudding mixture, and then stir in cool whip completely.

Beginning with the Oreo cookies, layer with

Creamed mixture, alternating several time.

Make sure that the Oreo layer is on top, with enough

“dirt” to cover.

Add a few gummy worms.

Refrigerate.

Note: This recipe will fit into a clean plastic flowerpot (no holes in the bottom), and can be decorated with a few clean silk flowers in the center, if desired, covering the stems with foil, prior to inserting into the “dirt”

May be served with a new, clean gardening spade.

Thanks for reading! :o)

Annette

I attempt to post my blog bi-monthly, but due to travel, it will be around November 7 before I next talk to you.

A big thank you to all of my blog followers!!!

To become an “I’m Annette” blog follower and receive “I’m Annette” via email, FREE, yes FREE, immediately upon posting, sign up on the right-hand side of this page.

Sign up today!

Posing in American Gothic, along with my Uncle Larry, at the
STATE OF IOWA HISTORICAL MUSEUM, September 2012
http://www.iowahistory.org/museum/

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged American Gothic, American Gothic House, Ashtabula, Beth Howard, Blue Blossom, Blue Flower, Dandelions, Dick Van Dyke, Dirt Cake Recipe, diy painting, Grant Wood, Green Acres, Happy, Iowa State University, James Bond, Lisa DeJohn, Never Say Never Again, Saturday Night Live American Gothic Skit, Sean Connery, State of Iowa Historical Museum, Still MORE confessions of a Pinterest wrist: Painting #3, The Masterpiece | 7 Comments

Chicken and Dumplings & Ma and Pa Kettle

Posted on September 7, 2014 by oltimetv

September 7, 2014

Chicken and Dumplings & Ma and Pa Kettle

It’s chicken and dumplings for dinner!

Living overseas, far from familiar surroundings, makes one appreciate those “little things” from home. Comfort food, a food which elicits “nostalgic or sentimental feelings”* is one of those things. According to Southern Living Magazine**, chicken and dumplings qualifies as one such food, falling into the comfort food category, and besides that, it’s just plain delicious! One bite of these fluffy dumplings, slathered in its chicken and gravy goodness, and this is sure to become one of your favorite comfort foods, as well. You will find my recipe for this home-cooked treat at the bottom of this blog post, along with another comfort food recipe that tickles the taste buds, Aunt Liz’s Glossy Chocolate Frosting. Enjoy!

Annette’s Chicken and Dumplings

Aunt Liz’s Glossy Chocolate Frosting over brownies.
As you can see, these treats disappear quickly, sometimes even before a photo can be taken! :o)

**http://www.southernliving.com/food/classic-comfort-food-recipes/view-all
*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comfort_food

Ma and Pa Kettle

Another “little thing” brought from back home, which evokes warm, fuzzy, cozy feelings, are my old friends. Old friends, that is, in the form of classic television and movies. My nifty portable DVD player gets quite a work out here, playing television classics daily. It, along with my DVD’s of The Dick Van Dyke Show, I Love Lucy, Bewitched, The Brady Bunch, and more, were carefully packed into my suitcase, along with other necessary items needed for our contentment and comfort here. Also in the DVD mix, are numerous favorite old movies, including the homey Ma and Pa Kettle.

Chicken and dumplings sit next to Ma and Pa Kettle, playing on my invaluable portable DVD player.

The humorously unpretentious Ma and Pa Kettle are a simple, folksy couple, and parents to 15 rambunctious offspring. In a total of nine Ma and Pa films, which were made between 1949 and 1957, audiences are invited into their unassuming world of fun and chaos. This, after the Kettle’s were first introduced to, and embraced by, the public in the 1947 film The Egg and I. This film resulted in an Academy Award nomination as best supporting actress for Marjorie Main, who starred as Ma Kettle. Percy Kilbride played her husband, the unflappable Pa Kettle. There is a comfortable and sweet chemistry between the two stars who play Ma and Pa, which carries over into all of the films they starred in together. (Percy Kilbride did not appear in the final two Ma and Pa films.) This series of successful films are unsophisticatedly entertaining, easy to watch, and are always sure to conclude in a “happy ever after” ending. (The Ma and Pa movie series, along with the seven films in the Francis the Talking Mule series (1950-1956), are said to have saved Universal Studios from impending bankruptcy. Francis, another favorite of mine, also joined me on our trip abroad.)

Ma and Pa Kettle
An interesting aside; I believe that the painting in the background is by abstract artist Fernand Leger.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fernand_Léger

Two Ma and Pa Kettle films are happily in public domain, and are available to watch for free online, thanks to https://archive.org. Click on the links below to enjoy. Note- it may take a minute to initiate play.

https://archive.org/details/MapaKettleBackOnTheFarm

https://archive.org/details/MaPaKettleOnVacation

google images pa kettle by acertaincinemacom.jpg

The whole world could be a better place to live in if everybody would do like I do. Every morning when I wake up I say “ Thank you God, for letting me live to see another day.” and at night when I go to sleep I say “Dear God, please let me live to see another tomorrow, so I can prove to You that I can be a better man than I have been today.”
Pa Kettle
Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair, 1952
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044862/quotes

To read more about Ma and Pa Kettle, check out these links below.

http://genxpose.blogspot.com/2013/09/ma-and-pa-kettle-at-internet-archive.html

http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/51287/ma-pa-kettle-complete-comedy-collection/

http://davesclassicfilms.blogspot.com/2012/01/ma-and-pa-kettle-1949.html

http://tcm.tv/this-month/article/241083|0/Ma-and-Pa-Kettle.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ma_and_Pa_Kettle

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041613/

The Gift

A beautifully colorful gift; a large scarf, from my Brazilian friend

Isn’t this scarf pretty? I received this as a gift from my Brazilian friend, Fernanda. I love the vibrant colors and bold patterns. While online the other day, I was excited to stumble upon a brief instructional YouTube video on how to, with just two quick knots, transform a large scarf into a vest. The happy result is pictured in the top photo at the beginning of this blog post. Would you like to try this “slight of hand”? Click on the video link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UR00lPJjaKE

With Fernanda, celebrating her birthday, September 2014

Recipes

Annette’s Chicken and Dumplings

When my friend, Barb, knowing my love of cookbooks, gave me an Amish cookbook several years ago, I found this delicious recipe inside. I altered it a bit to my liking, and it has become a family favorite. True comfort food!

For the “Gravy”
(This recipe is for 2-4 people, but can be increased for more people.)

1-2 cups cut up Chicken-

Cook boneless chicken breasts by, (a stewing hen may be used instead),

covering with water, add

Onion, whole, peeled

A couple of prepared celery stalks (optional),
and 1 teaspoon salt

until done,

and cut up into cubes, (if using stewing hen, remove from bone)

keep broth from cooking the chicken, reserving to prepare gravy.

(Note-a rotisserie chicken, taken off the bone and cut up, or

canned chicken, may be used instead of cooking the chicken.)

2-3 15 oz. cans chicken broth

1-2 Chicken bouillon cubes

whole onion, peeled

1 cup milk

1/3 cup sifted all-purpose flour

pepper

Place reserved broth, if cooking chicken, in pan/Dutch oven with 2-3 cans of chicken broth,and place on medium heat on the stove.
Crumble bouillon into broth.
Add pepper to taste
Whisk flour into milk until smooth, and slowly stir into the hot broth.
Cook stirring constantly, 5 minutes.
Add chicken
Add prepared dumplings (See below)

For the Dumplings

(This is for a two people batch. Double if making a bigger batch)

2 cups of sifted all-purpose flour

3 teaspoons baking powder

½-1 teaspoon salt

¼ cup butter

1-cup milk (I use skim)

Sift flour, baking powder, and salt into a bowl.
Cut in butter
Add milk to make soft dough. Do not over mix.
Spoon mixture into simmering gravy
(I use a PAM sprayed meatball/cookie scoop.)
Gently simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes, gently stirring occasionally
Cover and simmer 5-10 minutes, making sure that dumplings are done.
Serve immediately in serving bowls

Aunt Liz’s Glossy Chocolate Frosting (Especially good on brownies!)

My Aunt Liz, thus this recipe’s name, gave me this recipe.

Makes enough for an 8 x8 or a 9 x 13 pan.
I make half this amount for my 8 x 8 brownies.

Ingredients:

1/4 cup-1 cup (Scant) of packed brown sugar
(I prefer the 1/4 cup)

2-5 Tbsp. butter
(I use 2-3 T)

1/3 cup milk
(I use skim milk.)

6 oz./1 cup chocolate chips
(I prefer Ghirardelli, dark, 60% cocoa)

Directions:

Boil together, all but chocolate chips, for one minute.

This can be done in the microwave, or if doing on stovetop, stir to prevent sticking.

Add 6 oz. / 1 cup chocolate chips

Stir together.

Frost brownies while still warm.

I often cut cooled, frosted, brownies into squares, freezing them in an airtight container for later use. Remove from freezer about an hour before eating, or heat in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.

Gilding the Lilly– Reserve a little of the frosting, prior to pouring over the brownies. Serve warmed brownie with a scoop of ice cream. Garnish ice cream with a little of the warmed, reserved frosting mixture, using like a chocolate sauce.
This also makes great ice cream sauce!

Homemade brownies are best, but this brand is the second best thing. Really, though, any boxed brownie mix will work, too.

Thanks for reading! :o)
Annette

I attempt to post my blog bi-monthly. I will talk to you again around September 18.

A big thank you to all of my blog followers!!!

To become an “I’m Annette” blog follower and receive “I’m Annette” via email, FREE, yes FREE, immediately upon posting, sign up on the right-hand side of this page.

Sign up today!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Annette's Chicken and Dumplings, Aunt Liz's Glossy Chocolate Frosting, brownie frosting recipe, chicken and dumpling recipe, Chicken and Dumplings, Comfort Food, Fernand Leger, Ma and Pa Kettle, Ma and Pa Kettle films in public domain, Making a scarf into a vest, Marjorie Main, Pa Kettle quote, Painting in Ma and Pa Kettle, Percy Kilbride, The Egg and I | 10 Comments

More, True Confessions of a Pinterest Artist

Posted on August 30, 2014 by oltimetv

August 30, 2014

More, True Confessions of a Pinterest Artist

It was a rumor floating around, while I attended the University of South Carolina, in the late seventies. Supposedly, sometime during the three semesters (1947-1948) that Jasper Johns attended the land of the Gamecock, he presented a unique piece of artwork in class one day. Bringing a live chicken into the classroom, Jasper Johns proceeded to lob off the unlucky poultry’s head, in the presence of his astonished instructor and peers, presenting this bizarre demonstration as his assigned art project.

I know, this is a photo of ducks. I did not have a photo of a terrified chicken!

Sixty-seven years later, Jasper Johns is still creating art, albeit of a more tangible nature, and very profitably so. Probably best known for his 1954 pop art piece, Flag, and the (around)* twenty more subsequent Flag-themed paintings created in the years to follow, Mr. Johns’ net worth is currently estimated at $300 million dollars today! I am the first to admit that I do not fully comprehend why Johns’s pieces, although interesting, command such an exorbitant amount. At auction in 2010, the late Jurassic Park author Michael Crichton’s beloved Flag (1960-66), by his artist friend Jasper Johns, commanded a cool $28.6 million dollars!

Jasper Johns, in front of his masterpiece, Flag
Photo courtesy of alesisfraserart.tubler.com
http://alexisfraserart.tumblr.com/post/53446404566/top-10-worlds-richest-living-artists

To view more of Johns’s works, and read more about the artist,
click on the links below.
*http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2010/05/michael-ovitz-on-michael-crichton-and-the-flags-of-their-dreams.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/15/jasper-johns-birthday-flag-artist-turns-83_n_3275126.html
http://www.jasper-johns.org/flag.jsp
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2010/05/jasper-johns-flag-brings-record-price-at-auction-of-michael-crichtons-estate.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jasper_Johns

From the master to the novice, I enter apprehensively into the esoteric world of abstract/pop art. Although, a novice about this art genre, I do know what I like. And that is, I like art that makes me happy. A tour throughout our home in Maryland, (I am currently living overseas), exhibits photos of our precious family, fun art prints, mixed with a smattering of colorful travel posters of places we’ve lived and visited. Also, adorning my walls, a few special pieces created by my artist friend, Jodi Perry, but up until this point, nothing of the abstract variety.

View a few pieces from “Annette’s Art Gallery”

I fell in love with Shag’s, WDW 40th Anniversary Print, when I first spied it
at the art gallery in Epcot. It now proudly hangs over the couch in our family room, making me smile each and every time I look at it. :o)
It was this piece, which provided the impetus to changing the decor our house. For 30+ years our home had been decorated in the country style, but after acquiring this print, our entire house has been slowly transforming into, what I call, a “Pottery Barn look with a taste of mid-century”.

Our first art acquisition, Texas Blue Norther (1981), a print by talented Texas artist George Boutwell. (We lived in Texas for 16 years.)
Boutwell’s use of watercolor in this piece amazes me!
One time, while looking at this artist’s work at an art fair, our oldest, Trevor, who was about 4 years old at the time, asked Boutwell,
“How do you color so well in the lines?”
The artist’s reply, “I draw the lines!”:o)
http://www.gboutwell.com/paintingdetails.aspx?id=483

Several years ago, I bought this print from The Black Dog Tavern,
Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. I love going to this restaurant!

I like the art deconess (Is that even a word?) of this reproduction vintage railroad ad. This poster reminds me of a wonderful week that Dale and I spent in beautiful Banff (Canada), on a business trip, in 1996.

White Barn with Red Sculpture

I was drawn (Yes, that is a pun!) to this print by artist Ian Tremewen,
the first time I stumbled upon it online. I eventually bought the print.
Tremewen’s artwork is all so colorful and happy.
I like the simplicity and lines of this piece!
http://tremewenart.com/prints.html
http://www.art.com/gallery/id–a10497/ian-tremewen-posters.htm

A special gift from my friend and artist, Jodi Perry.

Journey, by Jodi Perry
I like this poster of the Iowa corn (I grew up in Iowa)
with the woman dressed in red, who looks like Jodi!
http://www.claytonmo.gov/Assets/Government/PDF+Files/News+Releases/2011-releases/ArtFair+2011+program.pdf

I LOVE my poster of Summer Daydream, by Jodi Perry!
This is a happy piece of art! Simply beautiful! :o)

For more on this piece, and how I met Jodi, click below.
https://annettehoffman.wordpress.com/2014/07/23/true-confessions-of-a-pinterest-artist/

Painting and me

It is said that desperate times call for desperate measures. I found myself living overseas, in a rented apartment with rented furniture, complete with a couple of crushed velour couches, and bare walls. With nary a Target, Home Goods, or Pier One in the vicinity, desperation dictated. I would have to tap into my (hopefully) hidden artistic skills, if I wished to decorate my generic off-white walls. I had been pleased with the results of my first artistic attempt a few months earlier (you can read about it here- https://annettehoffman.wordpress.com/2014/07/23/true-confessions-of-a-pinterest-artist/), and scoured Pinterest once again, for another source of inspiration.
I found it in this piece.

The Pinterest inspiration for my most recent painting.
http://everydayprettydotcom.wordpress.com

Here is the process I went through, below, just in case you may wish to create your own piece of art.

Painting Materials

Paint Canvas
(I used a square 80 cm 80 cm/31.5 in x 31.5 in. that was 38 mm/1.5 in deep)

Drop cloths
(When in a pinch, I use trash bags, or shopping bags, that I have cut open.)  

Acrylic Paint
(I used two-three bottles of glossy white,
two-three bottles of aqua,
and one bottle of glossy black)

Chalk and a brush reserved to use as a “broom” for the chalk

Paintbrushes
(These are four that I used.)

How to

Place down a drop cloth.

Give the canvas a white base coat, including the sides,
using the wide paintbrush.
I did two coats, letting it dry between each coat.

I set the canvas up on four glasses to dry.

I then painted two coats of aqua paint on the canvas front and sides,
letting it dry.
(See photos below. My drop cloths are pretty sorry, I know! :o))

Using chalk, I sketched out the design that I wanted.

I painted white inside the circles that I had sketched,leaving space to paint the black outline. It took several coats of white before it covered to achieve the look that I wanted.

Once the white circles were dry, I used the chalk brush “broom”,
and “swept” away the chalk marks from the canvas.

I then used black paint to outline the circles, making sure that the circles all touched one another.

And, using the small paintbrush, I signed my name at the bottom.
Presenting my painting, that I entitled Happy. :o)

My painting inspiration, on the left, and my painting, on the right.

A Pillow Talk Moment

A funny thing happened when the apartment workmen came to assist me in hanging my new painting. (The walls here are concrete, so it takes a drill to hang anything on these walls!) After the workmen had held up the painting for my approval, then measured, marked and leveled where the painting should go; they proceeded to hang it up; upside down. It took a of couple minutes, due to the language barrier, and a couple of other tries on their behalf, before we got my painting, Happy, hung up the way it should be. The whole time, I kept thinking that this was just like in Pillow Talk (I love that movie!), and I’m Doris Day, telling the deliverymen how to correctly hang this painting!
Yep, my life is a movie! :o)

Doris Day, as Jan Morrow, instructs deliverymen on the correct placement of a painting for Tony Randall/Jonathan Forbes’s office.
Ralph Du Casse is the artist who painted this colorful and interesting
Pillow Talk abstract.

Pillow Talk art information and photos courtesy of The Art of Film blog.
I am a big fan of this blog, which investigates artwork in the movies.
For more information about the art in Pillow Talk, click on the link below.
http://theartofilm.blogspot.com/2014/01/ralph-ducasse-painting-in-pillow-talk.html

Reaction to my painting, Happy (2014)

My friend, Jodi Perry, gave me some artist painting pointers and encouragement, via email, prior to the beginning of this piece. (The first paint stroke, getting started, was the hardest part!) I sent her a photo upon completion, and Jodi was very kind in her assessment of my attempt. Thank you, Jodi!

My husband, Dale, is sweet and encouraging in my endeavors. Upon arriving home from work and seeing my newest masterpiece, Dale said that it reminded him of
The Flintstones, his favorite cartoon! :o) I told my hubby that I was going for a more primitive look, so I would take that as a compliment! Actually, I can see Dale’s point. The circles in my painting are shaped in a similar fashion to the many boulders that show up on the cartoon, in the architecture of Bedrock, and the aqua background is the same color as Fred Flintstone’s perennial tie. Could there be some deep, unconscious, psychological meaning, pertaining to The Flintstones in my painting?! Nah.

A scene from the cartoon The Flintstones
Note the shape of the boulders in the fence, and the color of Fred’s tie.
Are these similarities to my painting just a coincidence?

Thanks for reading! :o)

 Annette

I attempt to post my blog bi-monthly.

I will talk to you again around September 15.

A Yabba Dabba thank you to all of my blog followers!!!

To become an “I’m Annette” blog follower and receive “I’m Annette” via email, FREE, yes FREE, immediately upon posting, sign up on the right-hand side of this page.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged artist, Banff poster, Chopping off chicken head, Doris Day, George Boutwell, Happy, Ian Tremewen, Jasper Johns, Jodi Perry, Jodi Perry art, Michael Crichton, Pillow Talk, Pinterest, Pinterest Artist, Shag, The Black Dog Tavern print, The Flintstones, University of South Carolina | 8 Comments

Dubai, the City of Gold: a photo tour

Posted on August 28, 2014 by oltimetv

August 27, 2014

Dubai, the City of Gold: a photo tour

Enjoying the array of gold available for purchase at one of the many shops in Dubai’s Old Gold Souk

Dubai is one amazing city! Skyscrapers abound, and the construction of new buildings shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. It is difficult to fathom, that just a short time ago, Dubai was more desert than buildings. It is thanks to this rapid explosion of growth, along with Dubai’s prominent position in today’s world of business, that it has gained the nickname the “City of Gold”. (Possibly a nod, also, to Dubai’s renowned Gold Souk?) It is in this land of bigger, better, taller, that Dubai currently holds over 140 Guinness Book of World Records, including everything from the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, to the world’s most expensive cocktail (costing $9,000) served at the beautiful Burj al Arab’s, Skyview Bar. So it should not have been a surprise, upon checking into our hotel, when we were informed that this Marriott was the tallest hotel in the world. Not knowing this beforehand, the news came as a pleasant revelation, as we arrived for my hubby’s week of business meetings. Unbeknownst to us, we were about to spend a wonderful week at this lovely hotel, filled with restaurants of gastronomic proportions, and armed with a hotel staff whose splendid customer service rivaled that of the gold standard of all customer service, Walt Disney World. When venturing out of the hotel confines, we delighted in some of the sights and sounds that this vibrant city has to offer. Please, sit back, relax, and join me, as I share with you a pictorial recap of our recent Dubai adventure. To read more in detail on Dubai, click on the blue links scattered throughout this post.

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_22318208/dubai-trying-live-up-its-nickname-city-gold
http://www.thenational.ae/multimedia/in-pictures-uae-holds-nearly-150-world-records – 6

The metamorphosis of Dubai’s landscape in just 23 years! Photo courtesy of The Business Insider
http://www.businessinsider.com/dubai-in-1990-is-totally-unrecognizable-2013-12

Construction is evident from the view out the window from the JW Marriott Marquis’s top/72^nd floor.
There is much construction in Dubai, and it never seems to stop, continuing 24 hours per day.
Note the Burj al Arab, the sail shaped building next to the sea in the distance, in the very top, center, of the photo.
(You may need to click on the photo to enlarge it, to see it.)

The Hotel
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JW_Marriott_Marquis_Dubai

In the beautiful JW Marriott Marquis’s lobby, Dubai, a “Blessed Eid” holiday banner greeted us upon arrival. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eid_Mubarak
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eid_al-Fitr

One of the views out our hotel room window on the 42^nd floor, with the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in the background

Looking up at the two wings of the JW Marriott Marquis, Dubai. The complex is shaped similar to the letter “U”.
This Marriott is currently the tallest hotel in the world.

A view of our hotel, the JW Marriott from our taxi window.

The hotel is filled with wonderful restaurants, including the Italian Positano with the best lasagna that I have ever tasted, and this one, La Farine, where they make the most delectable quiches.

La Farine’s delicious Quiche of the Day-Prawn/Shrimp Quiche

While enjoying the Kitchen 6’s huge breakfast buffet, daily at the hotel, I fell in love with the tea timer that is brought to each table whenever tea is ordered. When I inquired where I could purchase a tea timer, the manager presented me with one!

A top view of my fun souvenir from the JW Marriott, Dubai.

My new timer not only helps me make a better cup of tea, but it is reminiscent of the hourglass in The Wizard of Oz, which always makes me smile! :o)

I found a similar Perfect Tea Timer on Amazon.com, if you just have to have one, like I did. :o)
http://www.amazon.com/Tea-Services-3-4-5-Minute-Perfect Timer/dp/B000QSVJP6

Dale and me strolling along the pool area of our hotel, with the Burj Khalifa in the background.

The Malls and the Aquarium

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dubai_Mall
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mall_of_the_Emirates
http://www.thedubaiaquarium.com/en/Default.aspx

First things first!
Dale enjoys a “for real” American hamburger, at The Cheesecake Factory at the Dubai Mall, just after our arrival in Dubai.
(Having been overseas for a while, it was our first hamburger in some time. YUM!)

A view of the impressive waterfall inside the Dubai Mall, the world’s largest mall.

An Arabian gift shop, one of the many stores at the huge Dubai Mall.

The Dubai Fountain, coordinated to music, is a sight to see, especially at sunset, just outside the Dubai Mall.
http://www.thedubaimall.com/en/entertain/thedubaifountain.aspx

The Burj Khalifa sits next to the Dubai Mall and Dubai Fountain.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burj_Khalifa

Many of the palm trees along the main streets in Dubai are decorated with twinkling lights.
Here, we wait for the hotel van to take us back to the hotel from the Dubai Mall, at dusk.

In front of the aquarium at the Dubai Mall, which hold the Guinness Book of World’s Record for largest piece of Plexiglas, or something like that.

While Dale attended meetings one day, I enjoyed a trip to the aquarium at the Dubai Mall.

The Aquarium tunnel was fascinating.

I just had to take this selfie with Mr. Shark!

Dale and I went to the Mall of the Emirates one evening, another of the many malls to visit in Dubai,
I found the architecture and windowed ceiling beautiful.

Watching the skiers at Ski Dubai at the Mall of the Emirates.

The Old Gold Souk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubai_Gold_Souk

Standing at the entrance to Dubai’s Old Gold Souk.

Walking through the numerous gold shops that sell 18k, 22k amd 24k gold, in the Old Gold Souk.

A Kodak moment for Dale and me in the Old Gold Souk.

The backside of the Gold Souk District

Standing next to the Guinness Book of World Record’s largest gold ring, in the Old Gold Souk.
I am guessing that this ring would even be too large to fit the Sci-Fi’s 50-foot woman!

Allison Hayes stars as the 50-foot woman in Attack of the 50 Ft. Woman (1958)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attack_of_the_50_Foot_Woman

A Quick Visit to the Atlantis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantis,_The_Palm

Dale in front of the Atlantis Hotel on the hottest day that I have ever felt, with a heat index of 129 degrees!

The large water park area of the Atlantis

A photo of the imposing Atlantis, taken from the monorail as we left Palm Island.

Taking in the views of Palm Island while riding the monorail away from the Atlantis.

An aerial photo of Palm Island with the Atlantis Hotel at the top of the “tree”, on the ring around the palm tree.
Photo courtesy of http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/dubai/8697231/Trouble-in-paradise-as-plumbing-problems-hit-Dubais-Palm-island.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Islands

Watch this episode of Megastructures to see the building of the manmade Palm Island.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BXGh0EYJtE

A picturesque monorail view of Dubai

Duty Free Walnuts and Banana Bread

Look what I found at the airport shop, going back! USA walnuts!
I bought a bag. Now I can make banana bread while overseas! :o)

Alice’s Banana Bread
http://www.summitspringsinn.com
This recipe is courtesy of The Summit Springs Inn, Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania

Dale and I have stayed at this charming, quiet, single-family cabin, 15 minutes from Gettysburg, a couple of times, and each time, a loaf of this moist, tasty banana bread was waiting for us upon arrival.
The proprietor, Alice, kindly gave me the recipe.

DSCF0992_1
Dale in front of The Summit Springs Inn
Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania
May 2009

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup white sugar

½ cup butter, softened

2 eggs

½ cup buttermilk

2½ cups of flour

sifted with

1teaspoon of baking soda

and

1 teaspoon of baking powder

salt

2-3 very ripe bananas, mashed

½ cup of chopped walnuts

Directions:

Cream together the first three ingredients of sugar, butter and eggs, until light and fluffy

(About two minutes)

Add alternately the flour mixture and buttermilk

(The mixture will be thick.)

Add mashed bananas and chopped walnuts

Grease two loaf pans, and divide batter evenly into pans.

Bake at 350 (325 in glass) for about 50 -60 minutes.
Test at 50 minutes (Ovens may vary)
Place toothpick into middle, making sure that it comes out clean.

Makes two loaves

This sliced banana bread is good toasted, too!

To read more about Dubai, please click on the link below to one of my earlier blogs.
https://annettehoffman.wordpress.com/2014/03/20/delighting-in-dubai/

Thanks for reading! :o)

Annette

I attempt to post my blog bi-monthly.

I will talk to you again around September 10.

A Guinness Book of World’s Record-sized thank you to all of my blog followers!!!

To become an “I’m Annette” blog follower and receive “I’m Annette” via email, FREE, yes FREE, immediately upon posting, sign up on the right-hand side of this page.

Nighttime in Dubai

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Alice's Banana Bread, Atlantis, Attack of the 50 Ft. Woman, Banana Bread, City of Gold, Dubai, Guinness Book of World Records, JW Marriott Marquis, Mall of the Emirates, Old Gold Souk, Palm Island, Ski Dubai, Summit Springs Inn, The Dubai Aquarium, The Dubai Mall | 7 Comments

Our State Fair is a GREAT State Fair!

Posted on August 17, 2014 by oltimetv

August 15, 2014

Our State Fair is a GREAT State Fair!

Posing at the Iowa State Fair, August 2009
Dale (my hubby) who wins the blue ribbon, Martese (our daughter), and Me (Annette)
Photo courtesy of Jodie Stokke

Our State Fair is a great State Fair,

Don’t miss it, don’t even be late.

It’s dollars to doughnuts that our State Fair,

Is the best State Fair in our state!

Oscar Hammerstein II / Richard Rodgers

Click on this link to enjoy this tune:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4vy22nV64c

It always happens at this time of year, no matter where I happen to be in the world. ( I am currently overseas.) It usually begins with me absent-mindedly humming the tune Our State Fair. Then, I begin feeling a distinct tug from the general direction of the Iowa State Fair. To paraphrase an old saying, “ You can take the girl out of Iowa, but you can’t take the Iowa out of the girl.” :o)

IOWA spelled out in corncob fashion

As summer’s end begins inching toward autumn and the start of yet another school year rapidly approaches, the Iowa State Fair celebrates all that is good about Iowa, in the way of exhibits, food, and fun. As a young child, I remember going to the fair a couple of times. One year, going with my grandparents, I fondly remember riding on the live pony ride. That reminds me of a sweet story about my grandparents that relates to the Iowa State Fair. I think that my grandparents were probably in their early 60’s at the time, and they attended the fair. My grandmother, while visiting the antiques exhibit, spotted an antique moose cup for sale. After arriving home that evening, after a full day at the fair, my Grandma Westphal mentioned to my grandpa that she had once had a moose cup, just like that one, when she was growing up. Waking up the next day, my grandfather announced that they would travel the 60+ miles again to Des Moines, to the fair, to buy that cup. Today, I am the proud owner of this unique piece of family history, a testament to a sweet gesture of love made by my grandfather towards my grandmother.

My Grandma Westphal’s beloved moose mug, purchased at the Iowa State Fair

The Exhibits

2009 was the year that I became reacquainted with the Iowa State Fair. It had been a 33-year absence for me, having moved from Iowa in 1978. On a road trip from our home in Maryland, we were moving our daughter to Iowa to begin her college career at Iowa State University in Ames. With the fair just up the road in Des Moines, it was the perfect time for me to introduce my husband and daughter to the delights of the Iowa State Fair. To see some of the sights that we enjoyed on that day, browse through the photos below. :o)

That’s me, with the butter cow sculpture at the Iowa State Fair, 2009
A fair staple since 1911, the cow sculpture uses about 600 pounds of butter, taking 16 hours to create!
After the fair, the butter is frozen, to be reused again in the next year’s cow sculpture.
(The butter is replaced every 3-4 years.)

Martese and I check out the Iowa State Fair exhibits, 2009

Posing with a bovine buddy on a hot day at the Iowa State Fair, 2009

Martese, complete with a silly smile, meets a new friend at the Iowa State Fair, 2009
Martese would soon begin her freshman year at Iowa State, just a few days after this photo was taken. :o)

The Midway Attractions

As a teenager attending the Iowa State Fair, there were always a few Midway attractions that were must dos; climbing to the top of the Giant Slide and feeling the breeze play with one’s hair on the quick descent, the eerie darkness inside Ye Old Mill/Tunnel of Love boat ride, and the birds eye view, at night, of the fair from high atop the double Ferris Wheel. It was the last of these, the double Ferris Wheel, where one ride was more than enough for yours truly. It was my high school best friend, Jodie’s, idea. She assured me that I would love the views from the mammoth ride that towers above the fair. I didn’t. I must interject here that I am VERY afraid of heights. As memory serves me, I vaguely remember the beauty of the twinkling lights of The Midway as we made our way to the extreme top of the double Ferris Wheel. Unfortunately, that beauty was overshadowed by the fact that the Ferris Wheel seats are not stationary, but sway back and forth as you climb to dizzying heights. Yikes! Just thinking about it now makes my heart race!

Click on this fun video link that a dad, on the double Ferris Wheel at the Iowa State Fair, recorded for his kids who couldn’t be there. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sCKXTygL3k

View of The Iowa State Fair Midway, taken from the Grandstand, 2009

The Giant Slide at the Iowa State Fair, 2014
Photo courtesy of Brad Westphal

The Iowa State Fair Double Ferris Wheel, 2009
Photo courtesy of David Whiting, read David’s blog about his trip to the fair, by clicking below.
http://www.davidwhiting.org/my_weblog/2009/08/an-apology-46-years-late.html

Food

Anyone who has ever been to the Iowa State Fair knows that food is part of the fair experience! As a teenager, there were two items that were mandatory fair fare (Hee hee, fair fare, get it?): corndogs and made-on-the-spot fresh lemonade. These two foods will always represent the essence of Iowa State Fair food to me! In today’s Fair World, the fairgoer has an amazing variety of food from which to choose, often meaning culinary delights served on a stick. I chuckle as I read about the 69 varieties of cuisine that is served at this year’s fair, all from a stick. My friend, Barb, said while attending this year, she even enjoyed a hard- boiled egg on a stick (free in the agriculture building) and sprinkled with a taco-like spice! :o)

Martese enjoys corn on the cob, on a stick
( Not at the State Fair, but at a 4th of July celebration in Plymouth, Minnesota, 2014)
Photo courtesy of Martese Ehm

Iowa State Fair: Food On-a-Stick

The Iowa State Fair, 2014, offers 69 food options on-a-stick :

Caprese Salad On-a-Stick
Chocolate Covered Chunky Bacon Maple Nougat On-a-stick
Chocolate Covered Cookies N Cream On-a-stick
Funnel Cake Sticks
Jumbo Toasted Marshmallow On-a-stick
Mexican Grilled Corn On-the-cob
Tater Dog On-a-stick
Fair Square (Original, Peanut Butter and Fair-berry flavors)
Bacon Wrapped Riblet
Bacon-Wrapped Smokies
Cajun Chicken
Cake Pops
Caramel Apple
Carmellows
Cheese
Chicken
Chocolate-Covered Cheesecake
Chocolate Covered Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Chocolate-Covered Deep Fried Cheesecake
Chocolate-Covered Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich
Chocolate-Covered Key Lime Dream Bar
Chocolate-Covered Peanut Butter Bar
Coconut Mountain
Corn on the Cob
Cornbrat (bratwurst dipped in corndog batter)
Corndog
Cotton Candy
Crazy Tater
Deep Fried Brownie
Deep Fried Sweet Corn Corndog
Deep-Fried Milky Way
Deep-Fried Snickers
Deep-Fried Twinkie
Double Bacon Corn Dog
Dutch Letter
Fruit (with yogurt dipping sauce)
German Sausage
Griddle Stick (turkey sausage wrapped in a pancake)
Hard-Boiled Egg
Honey
Hot Bologna
Hot Dog
Hot Lips (breaded chicken breast smothered with hot sauce, served with blue cheese dressing)
Ice Cream Wonder Bar
Jalapeno Corndog
Kabob Combo
Lamb Sausage (brat)
Monkey Tail (chocolate-covered banana)
Nutty Bar
Peanut Butter & Jelly
Pickle
Pineapple (fresh pineapple dipped in funnel cake batter and deep fried)
Pork Chop
Push-ups
Rainbow Popsicle
Rib Shack Cowboy
Rock Candy
Salad
Sesame Chicken
Shrimp Corndog
Smoothie
Soft Salted Chocolate Dipped Almond Pretzel
Spicy Shrimp
Teriyaki Beef
Turkey Drumstick
Turkey Tenderloin
Twinkie Log (frozen Twinkie dipped in white chocolate and rolled in cashews)
Unicorn Lollipops
Veggie Corndog

The source for this list, as well as for much of my Iowa State Fair research for this post, is this link.
Click on it for more fair information. http://www.iowastatefair.org

DSC_0031_thumb2

Corndogs are an Iowa State Fair staple.
Above two photos courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, read her always fun blog below
http://iowagirleats.com/2011/08/14/statefair-favorites/comment-page-2/ – comment-3315815

Concerts

One of the main attractions each year at the Iowa State Fair are the concerts, providing fairgoers with a variety of acts to choose from. As a teenager, my friends and I piled into the car to hit the fair and attend a couple of concerts over the years. We were treated to The Beach Boys in 1975 and Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons in 1976. That 1975 Beach Boys concert still holds the record for the largest attendance in Iowa State Fair history at 25,400 for one show. In addition to enjoying a great day at the fair that August, and a fantastic concert that evening, I have another memory of a more chilling nature. The tickets for this concert were general admission, which basically meant that 25,000+ people were all vying for a good seat. With this in mind, my group of friends and I arrived early to stake out a spot in line, ensuring us good seats for the upcoming show. We were all feeling good about our chances of “sitting pretty”, when the concert gates were thrown open. What happened next was terrifying. My friends and I suddenly felt the force of several thousand patrons from behind us. We were being pushed and shoved, uncontrollably, toward the Grandstand. I remember a more muscular fellow trying to keep those around him from being harmed in the melee. It was pandemonium. My fellow concertgoers around me were all screaming and shouting while trying to remain upright. My little group of friends had become separated in the commotion. We were all doing our best, just not to be trampled. My one friend, Kim, suddenly found herself being crushed, wedged at a stationary metal barrier near a turnstile. Miraculously, a couple of my other friends somehow managed to pull Kim free, pushing her through the turnstile to safety. To this day, I am convinced that it was only through divine intervention that we all managed to escape the crush of the masses behind us. It was a horrifying ordeal that could have easily ended in tragedy. In fact, a few years later, several concertgoers attending a general admission Who concert in Cincinnati, lost their lives in a similar situation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Who_concert_disaster

On August 18, 1975, the good vibrations of the Beach Boys drew 25,400 in one show.
This attendance still holds the record for the biggest audience for one show at the Iowa State Fair.

Another fun concert, I remember thinking at the time, how does Frankie Valli sing so high?

Ticket stub from Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons, August 20, 1976
Photo courtesy of Jodie Stokke

Contemporary Christian artist, Jeremy Camp, rocking on stage at the Iowa State Fair
(Steven Curtis Chapman was also on the bill that night), August 13^th, 2009

It was a VERY hot night at the Iowa State Fair Grandstand, while watching the talented Jeremy Camp in concert!
August 13, 2009
Photo courtesy of Martese Ehm

Enjoying a free concert by Firefall at the Iowa State Fair, August 13, 2009
Dale’s first gift to me was a record album by this group in 1977! :o)

The Iowa State Fair in the Movies

Abel Frake (Charles Winninger) grooms Blue Boy in 1945’s State Fair

Iowa native, Phil Stong, penned the novel State Fair in 1932 about a family and their adventures at the Iowa State Fair. It wasn’t long before Hollywood took notice of the book’s popularity, adapting it into a movie by the same name, starring “I never met a man I didn’t like.” Will Rogers. Movie film crews attended the 1932 Iowa State Fair “to film background material, including the racing scenes and the midway. After the fair, they purchased three hogs, including the grand champion, Dike of Rosedale, who was cast as Blue Boy.” (Quoting imdb.com.) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0024610/

Fun Facts for ya:

On the set of State Fair, there was concern about Will Rogers’s safety, working with the “temperamental” hog, Blue Boy. Rogers was warned about the feisty animal, but Rogers’s reaction was “I’ve always been on friendly terms with hogs. Me and him’ll get along all right.” On the first day of filming with Blue Boy, Will Rogers was nowhere to be found. He was eventually located; sound asleep, in Blue Boy’s pen, with Rogers using Blue Boy’s ample side for a pillow.
http://www.tcm.com/this-month/article.html?id=455912|463931

2. Author Phil Stong was the uncle of Iowa State Fair’s fourth butter sculptor (from 1960-2005),
and the first woman to do so, Duffy Lyon.
http://www.iowastatefair.org/fair-attractions/butter-co

State_Fair_(1933_film)_poster
State Fair, 1933
To watch this film, click on this link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-ZvPdx4yVQ

In 1945, the second State Fair film was offered up to the public, this time in the form of a musical. This adaptation of the 1933 movie has music by the duo Rodgers and Hammerstein. State Fair is the only musical that the pair ever wrote directly for a film. This is my favorite of the State Fair films, filled with colorful Iowa fun and song.

StateFairPoster

Rogers and Hammerstein’s 1945 State Fair.
To watch this film, click on this link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMtuq3xX6eY

I love this scene! Margy (Jeanne Crain) sings (actually dubbed by Louanne Hogan), and day dreams about
Ronald Coleman, Charles Boyer and Bing Crosby, whose voices become audible to the audience.

Melissa (Fay Bainter) and Margy Frake (Jeanne Crain) leave victoriously from the pickle and mincemeat competition in State Fair (1945).
For you fashionistas out there, check out Jeanne Crain’s wardrobe in this film.
(Personally, I would lose the cherries on this dress! :o))

Another of my favorite scenes from the 1945 film State Fair: the fair judges sampling the spiked mincemeat entry.

The spiked mincemeat scene in the 1933 version of State Fair

If you wish to give an Iowa State Fair award-winning mincemeat recipe a try, I found this one on the Internet. If you try it, please let me know how it turns out, by leaving a comment (at the bottom of this page), or emailing me (on my ABOUT page).

Blanche Park’s Mincemeat Pie Filling

My Grandma Beulah gave this recipe to me.
It was an Iowa State Fair prizewinner.

Recipe submitted by Mary Ajzenman.

Recipe Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups pork

 2 cups beef

5 1/2 cups apples, cored, peeled and chopped

2 1/4 cups seedless raisins

1 1/2 whole lemons, ground fine

5 3/4 cups sugar

 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon vinegar

1 3/4 cups apple cider or juice, or apricot nectar

1 1/2 cups ground suet

1/2 cup sorghum

1 (16-ounce) can whole cranberry sauce

2 cups sour cherries, well drained

5 teaspoons ground cinnamon

2 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

3/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1 3/4 teaspoon salt

Cooking Directions:

Salt meat a little, cook until tender, cool, mince. Do not grind. Combine meat, apples, raisins, sugar, lemons, sorghum, suet, vinegar, and juice. Cook until apples are done, stirring occasionally. May be done a day ahead to this point.
Add cherries and cranberries, and cook until blended. Lower heat, add spices and salt. Simmer until blended.
A pint is sufficient for a small pie. For making a 9-inch pie, plan on using a quart. Any not to be used within a week may be sealed in sterilized jars while hot.
For a 2-crust pie or lattice top, bake in 425°F (220°C) oven for 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 400°F (205°C) until done. Makes about 4 quarts.

http://www.cooksrecipes.com/pie/blanche-parks-mince-meat-pie-recipe.html

I found this recipe and additional State Fair trivia here; please click on the link below.
http://t_f_mcq.tripod.com/theater/state_fair/state_fair_notes.html

Another remake of the movie State Fair followed in 1962. This version, however, strayed from the heart and roots of the original story, taking place at (GULP) …the Texas State Fair. Such impertinence!
An adapted State Fair Broadway stage musical premiered in 1996, once again, and rightfully so, taking place at the IOWA State Fair.

After all, our State Fair is a great State Fair!

Thanks for reading! :o)

Annette

I attempt to post my blog bi-monthly. I will talk to you again around September 1.
A big thank you (on a stick) to all of my blog followers!!!

To become an “I’m Annette” blog follower and receive “I’m Annette” via email, FREE, yes FREE, immediately upon posting, sign up on the right-hand side of this page. Sign up today!

An Iowa State Fair souvenir pincushion from 1938, purchased from Ebay several years ago

Screen Shot 2014-08-13 at 4.28.55 PM
A scene from the 1945 film State Fair

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged antique moose cup, Blue Boy hog, butter cow, corndogs, double Ferris Wheel, Duffy Lyon, Firefall, Food on a stick, Frankie Valli & the four season 1976, General admission concert seating, General admission tickets, Iowa State Fair, Iowa State Fair pin cushion, Iowa State Fair souvenir, Jeremy Camp Iowa State Fair, Midway, mincemeat recipe from Iowa State Fair, Our State Fair song, Phil Stong, Rodgers and Hammerstein, State Fair, State Fair movie 1933, State Fair movie 1945, State Fair novel, The Beach Boys 1975, The Who concert disaster in Cincinnati, Will Rogers, Will Rogers and Blue Boy | 7 Comments

Good Mornin’, Good Mornin’…

Posted on July 29, 2014 by oltimetv

July 29, 2014

Good Mornin’, Good Mornin’…

Yes, that’s me, Annette, in the center!
This is how Singin’ in the Rain’s, “Good Mornin” number could have looked! :o)
Photo courtesy of Trevor Hoffman

”Good Mornin’, Good Mornin’”, this perky little ditty from that great musical, Singin’ in the Rain, was frequently heard at my house, when waking up my young children in the morning. I am sure that this, partially, explains my daughter’s affinity for this movie as an adult! Great song, great movie! Join in with the movie clip below and sing along.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GB2yiIoEtXw

I just couldn’t mention Singin’ in the Rain without including my favorite part from the movie! (I always marvel at this scene, especially since I know that Gene Kelly was sick and had a fever when filming this wonderfully iconic sequence.) Enjoy the movie clip below!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w40ushYAaYA

For some Singin’ in the Rain trivia, click this link.

http://www.pictureshowman.com/articles_films_singinginrain.cfm

http://amoviescrapbook.blogspot.com/2012/02/singin-in-rain-funniest-musical-ever.html

http://www.oscars.org/collection-highlights/singin-rain

My daughter, Martese, and I playfully recreate Singin’ in the Rain
Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World
March 2008

Epcot, Walt Disney World, May 2011
Thank you, Trevor Hoffman!

Just like Winnie the Pooh, breakfast is how we happily begin our day. While growing up in the 1960’s, my family woke up to a substantial breakfast together, prepared by my mother. Even the sitcom families that I watched on TV growing up seemed to all begin their day with a hearty breakfast together. (See a few photos of these sitcom breakfasts below, and click on the blue links to learn more.) In my own domicile, when my youngsters were at home, things were not so formal in the morning. Although, we ate most of our evening meals together as a family, due to varying morning schedules, breakfast was a much more informal affair during the week. More elaborate morning meals (usually not all THAT elaborate, though) were reserved for the weekend.

Breakfast 1950’s and1960’s Sitcom Style

The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961-1966)

Laura (Mary Tyler Moore) fixing breakfast for the Petrie family, including Rob (Dick Van Dyke).
“The Curious Thing About Women” from The Dick Van Dyke Show, 1962, Season 1, Episode 16

Read about how I once “met” Dick Van Dyke, by clicking the link below.
https://annettehoffman.wordpress.com/2013/07/13/thank-you-dick-van-dyke/

Screen Shot 2016-05-15 at 3.12.49 PM

Was Laura a short order cook?! Read this breakfast dialogue
from The Dick Van Dyke Show, and decide for yourself.
“What’s in a Middle Name?”, 1962, 2, Episode 7
http://www.dickvandykeshow.com

Rob: “Where’s Rich, shouldn’t he be eating?”

Laura: “He’s already had breakfast.”

Rob: “What’d he have?”

Laura: “Waffles and bacon.”

Rob: “Hows come he gets all those good things, and I always get scrambled eggs?”

Laura: “Well, Dear, because when I ask you what you want you for breakfast, you always say scrambled eggs.”

Rob: “Well, Honey, that’s because I’m half asleep. I’ve got scrambled eggs memorized.
Next time, you ask me and I mumble scrambled eggs, give me waffles.

Laura: Well then, how will I know when you really want scrambled eggs?

Rob: When you ask me and I mumble waffles…

Laura: I’ll make scrambled eggs.

Rob: Yeah, that’s right. And if I mumble toast and jam…well, I’ll make you a little list of mumbles.

To view episodes of The Dick Van Dyke Show, click on the link below
http://www.tvland.com/shows/the-dick-van-dyke-show/full-episodes

I Love Lucy (1951-1957)

Lucy (Lucille Ball) happily experiences a role reversal, as she enjoys a breakfast prepared by her husband Ricky (Desi Arnaz).
“Job Switching” from I Love Lucy,1952, Season 2, Episode 4

To view “Job Switching”, click on the link below
http://www.tvland.com/episodes/rl2jxx/i-love-lucy-job-switching-ep-036

To view episodes of I Love Lucy, click on the link below
http://www.tvland.com/shows/i-love-lucy/full-episodes

http://www.lucy-desi.com

Leave It to Beaver (1957-1963)

leave-it-to-beaver

It seems that June Cleaver/Barbara Billingsley always served an ample breakfast,
complete with perfectly coiffed hair, and in a dress and pearls.
http://mentalfloss.com/article/21210/6-things-you-didnt-know-about-leave-it-beaver

Bewitched (1964-1972)

Good witch, Samantha (Elizabeth Montgomery), was always up early to prepare a hearty breakfast for husband, Darren (Dick York and Dick Sargent), before he headed off to work at
McMann and Tate.

I love the kitchen stove and oven unit on Bewitched !

I sometimes dream of owning a “Samantha stove” of my very own (along with her beautiful heart-shaped diamond necklace). If only a beautiful Frigidaire Flair Range would fit into my kitchen space, then I could look for one in great condition, at a decent price, minus Uncle Arthur’s (Paul Lynde) head inside, of course! Hmm…I may have to discuss this idea with my hubby! :o)

bewitchedhead

http://www.harpiesbizarre.com
http://hookedonhouses.net/2009/10/04/a-bewitched-house-1164-morning-glory-circle/
https://annettehoffman.wordpress.com/2014/02/11/if-i-only-had-a-heart/

The stylish Frigidaire Flair Range was a true product of the early 1960’s.

http://tvkitchens.blogspot.com/2012/04/samantha-stephens-stove-frigidaire.html

http://www.kitchenandresidentialdesign.com/2009/07/meet-frigidaire-flair.html

http://valanne.typepad.com/blog/2007/03/the-fantastic-fantabulous-frigidaire-flair-cat-not-included.html

http://autouniversum.wordpress.com/2013/05/07/jet-age-design-the-tappan-fabulous-400-and-frigidaire-flair-custom-imperial/

http://www.danlangdon.com/flair.htm

The Munsters (1964-1966)

Herman and Lilly Munster (Fred Gwynne and Yvonne De Carlo) enjoy their breakfast together.

Click on this link below and view this Cheerios commercial that features Herman Munster starting his day with breakfast cereal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3t-1FjXtyY

http://checkthecoolwax.blogspot.com/2007_10_01_archive.html – 1435475401725664223

It’s Dollars to Doughnuts* …
*http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4vy22nV64c

In the 1960’s, Dale’s family served breakfast to the masses in Cleveland, Ohio, owning
The Donut Shop that was once located on Northfield Road/Rt. 8.

The metal sign above, a Marty Mummert creation, hangs in my kitchen as a nod to Dale’s family’s doughnut making past. Isn’t it great? I am a mega fan of Marty Mummert’s signs!

To read more about him, click on the link below
http://www.martymummertstudio.com

To see my recipe for simple biscuit doughnuts, click here
https://annettehoffman.wordpress.com/2013/09/

The Bagel Bin

You know those places in the movies where the guy walks into a restaurant and says, “Give me the usual.”? I actually have one of those places! The Bagel Bin, near my home, is a comfortable, unpretentious spot, and makes the best bagels and eggels ever! I am addicted!

The handsome duo: My hubby and eldest, Dale and Trevor, outside of our local
Bagel Bin in Ellicott City, Maryland
December 2012

I always enjoy my usual; a delicious half of a Bagel Bin Eggel/egg sandwich and unsweetened iced tea. The kind staff always carefully wraps up the other half in foil,
for me to take home. :o)

My Bagel Bin Usual;
an 8-grain bagel (made on the premises by the friendly staff)
double toasted, egg, bacon, and cheddar cheese. YUM!
http://bagelbinanddeli.com/index.html

Three of Annette’s Breakfast Recipes
I share with you three tried and true recipes, below.

The Tale of the (Hoffman) Muffin Special

The first recipe listed, The Muffin Special, was my invention, created out of mild desperation. Many years ago, my oldest children had decided that they preferred the sugary stuff that their friends were having for breakfast, and that were being advertised on television commercials. Sugar coated cereals and pop tarts, although tasty to the tongue, offered little in the area of nutritional sustenance. I began to ponder, just what I might create that could compete as star of my children’s morning meal. My children liked peanut butter, and they like chocolate, so…the Muffin Special was born. These simple breakfast creations are still a favorite at my house today!

The (Hoffman) Muffin Special

Photo courtesy of Chandler Hoffman

INGREDIENTS:

English Muffin

Peanut Butter

Chocolate Chips

DIRECTIONS:

Split English muffin in half

Toast English muffin

Spread with peanut butter

Sprinkle with chocolate chips, or make a happy face with the chocolate chips. :o)

1 serving

Creating a Healthier Scrambled Egg Muffin Recipe

This egg muffin recipe is my version of a recipe that I found in a magazine several years ago. I have replaced a few ingredients to make this healthier, without sacrificing flavor. These “muffins” are great to make ahead, and store in the refrigerator, or freezer, to warm up for breakfast in the morning. The recipe is below, and beforehand, there are a series of photos to aid in the process.

The Ingredients; I try to get all of the things that I need ready, before I begin cooking.

Divide the dry ingredients evenly into greased tins and “spill over” ramekin.
Note my fancy trash bowl that I often keep on the counter while I am cooking.

Mixing the eggs with my hand blender, but a whisk works, too.

Carefully pour the beaten eggs into each tin and ramekin over the other ingredients.

The egg muffins just out of the oven. I use my handy dandy metal “toothpick” to test their doneness. These are delicious, and even better served with a hearty piece of multi-grain toast!

Annette’s Scrambled Egg Muffins

Ingredients

PAM cooking spray (I use olive oil PAM)

9.6-ounce package of fully cooked, Jimmy Dean Sausage turkey crumbles

8-ounce package 2% milk, natural sharp grated cheddar cheese

¼ cup chopped onion

¼ heaping chopped red bell pepper

1-dozen/12 eggs

salt

pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spray muffin tins, plus one ramekin/individual baking dish, with PAM. (This recipe makes just a little over 12 muffin tins worth, thus the additional ramekin.)

Evenly divide sausage among tins and ramekin.

Do the same with grated cheese, chopped onion, and chopped red bell pepper.

In large bowl beat eggs. (I use my Cuisinart whisk.)

Carefully, evenly pour eggs into each prepared tins and ramekin.

Sprinkle each tin and ramekin/individual small ceramic with salt and pepper.

Place in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until a knife, or toothpick, is inserted near center and comes out clean. (The ramekin may take a minute little longer to bake than the tins.)

Let cool 5 minutes, and remove with small spatula.

Store completely cooled egg muffins in sealed container, or zip lock bag, in the refrigerator, or place in the freezer.

Microwave to heat up.

Makes a dozen, plus one ramekin/ individual small ceramic

Each egg muffin is 3-weight watcher points.

Coffee Cake for Tea!

This coffee cake recipe originally came from my mom. I have made a few adjustments over the years, but it remains basically the same. This coffee cake is good warm, especially with a cup of hot tea. The recipe is below, and beforehand, there are a couple of photos to guide you in the process.

Spread half the batter into a greased 9-inch pan and top with half of the topping mixture, and then repeat.

Annette’s note update from 2021-I now use a 9-inch prepared metal cake pan,

Baked and out of the oven. Grab your cup of coffee (or tea)!

Sugar n’ Spice Coffee Cake
(9- inch cake pan, preferred.)

Ingredients

Topping:

1-cup light brown sugar

1/4 cup flour

2 teaspoons Cinnamon

4-5 Tablespoons melted butter

(For a bit sweeter topping use:
1 and 1/4 cup light brown sugar
5 Tablespoons flour
2 and 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
6 Tablespoons of melted butter)

Batter:

2 cups flour

¾ cups regular sugar

3 teaspoons baking powder

¼ teaspoon, or less, salt

6 Tablespoons softened butter

1 egg, beaten

¾ cup milk

Optional:

1/4-1/2 cup (or more) Chopped pecans for topping

Softened butter, or butter spread for eating
(I like Brummel & Brown Yogurt Spread )

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Mix together Topping ingredients, adding pecans, if desired. Set aside.
Sift together dry ingredients for batter.
Cut in softened butter until resembles coarse crumbs.
Add beaten eggs and milk, mixing lightly.
Spread half of batter into greased pan.
(There may not appear to be enough, so spread out batter the best that you can.)
Sprinkle half of topping mixture over batter.
Put on the remainder of the batter,
and cover with the rest of topping mixture.
Bake at 375 degrees fro 35-40 minutes.
Serve with butter, if desired
Enjoy!
This coffee cake is better, if served warm.
Once cold, briefly reheat individual pieces in the microwave.
*I often bake a coffee cake, cut in pieces, wrap it up tightly, and put it in the freezer for later.

Gilding the Lilly: Chopped pecans may be added to the topping mixture.

A big shout out to my talented son, Trevor, for assisting me with some technical issues for this blog post!

Thanks for reading! :o)

Annette

I attempt to post my blog bi-monthly.

I will talk to you again around August 16.

A GIANT thank you to all of my blog followers!!!

To become an “I’m Annette” blog follower and receive “I’m Annette” via email, FREE, yes FREE, immediately upon posting, sign up on the right-hand side of this page.

Why not sign up today?

Screen-shot-2010-10-07-at-12.14.13-PM1-1024x661 (1).jpg

Breakfast at the table on The Donna Reed Show (1958-1966)
http://becomingdonnareed.com/search/donna+reed

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged 3 weight watcher points, A.A. Milne, Annette's Scrambled Egg Muffins recipe, Bagel Bin, Bewitched, breakfast, Coffee Cake, Eggel, Fridgidaire Flair, Gene Kelly, Gene Kelly fever, Good Mornin", I Love Lucy, It's Dollars to Doughnuts, Job Switching, Leave it to Beaver, Marty Mummert, Marty Mummert sign, Muffin Special recipe, Singin' in the Rain, sugar n' spice coffee cake, The Dick Van Dyke Show, the Donna Reed Show, The Munsters, Walt Disney World, What's in a Middle Name, Winnie the Pooh | 3 Comments

True Confessions of a Pinterest Artist

Posted on July 23, 2014 by oltimetv

July 24, 2014

True Confessions of a Pinterest Artist

Standing next to my Dandelions painting

As a child, I imagined myself as an accomplished artist, and an acclaimed movie actress (or at the least, a local children show host who instructed youngsters on how to make simple crafts, as in the tradition of WOI-TV’s [Ames, Iowa], own Betty Lou, from The House with the Magic Window). Much of my playtime was spent creating childlike drawings and playing dress up in dramatic fashion. These two artistic childhood fantasies were in addition to the other aspirations that danced around in my young imaginative mind. Others included my being a zoo, or wild life veterinarian (think of the old TV show Daktari), an infant doctor, a schoolteacher, as well as a wife and mother.

Betty Lou McVay Varnum was the host for mid-Iowa’s children’s show
The House with the Magic Window. Running from1951-1994, this show was “America’s longest-running local children’s program”.

To read about The House with the Magic Window, click on the links below
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betty_Lou_Varnum

https://www.facebook.com/groups/magicwindow/

https://www.facebook.com/bettyloumagicwindow

The ultimate animal doctor of the 1960’s, Daktari

To read about the TV show Daktari, click the link below.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daktari

Grandma Moses

I can proudly say that, so far, I have accomplished the latter of the three “careers” previously mentioned: schoolteacher, wife, and mother. At present though, the paintbrush artist in me primarily lies dormant. The artistic springs of creativity may still bubble to the surface in the future, however. After all, one of my favorite artists, self-taught Grandma Moses, did not even begin painting until she was 76, and she continued her artistic pursuits until she was 101! She churned out over 1500 works of art in the time, AND she had arthritis!

Grandma Moses painting one of her masterpieces

I’d like to insert a little personal side note about Grandma Moses here. Many years ago, our family was on vacation, traveling up the East Coast, to New Hampshire and Maine. With the four kids asleep in the back, Dale at the wheel, I lazily took in Vermont’s green picturesque countryside. We passed through yet another little Vermont town when a sign jolted me to attention. It announced that The Grandma Moses Museum resided in this town! I loudly proclaimed this very recent revelation to my husband, and without uttering a single word; Dale promptly took a detour, turning the car around in the museum’s direction. (Does my husband know me, or what? :o)) What a wonderful hour, we spent, in that Bennington Museum, surrounded by colorful Grandma Moses creations!

Grandma Moses’s The Old Checkered House, 1853

One of the many wonderful Grandma Moses paintings at
The Bennington (Vermont) Museum

To read about Grandmas Moses, click on the links below
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5rkcPJUk14

http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/bday/0907.html

http://herstory2.wordpress.com/2011/03/14/celebrate-grandma-moses/

For information on the current Bennington Museum, click on the link below
http://www.benningtonmuseum.org

While researching for this blog, I found these two fun teaching links about Grandma Moses that I had to share, click on the links below
http://www.teachingstars.com/2012/06/20/adventures-in-art-grandma-moses/

http://kidstreetchicago.blogspot.com/2012/03/inspired-by-grandma-moses.html

The Unifying Effect of Art; My personal Experience

It has been said, that art can serve as a medium to bring people together. That certainly was the case for Jodi and me. It began several years ago, in my quest for some new artwork for my Maryland home. While perusing wallet-friendly pieces online, I stumbled upon the image of a painting, and was immediately smitten. Hoping to glean additional information about my find, I assumed my best Nora Charles form (as in Nick and Nora Charles, private detectives, of The Thin Man movie fame), and launched into sleuthing mode.

Nick and Nora Charles (William Powell and Myra Loy) with their dog, Asta

To read more about The Thin Man, click on the links below
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thin_Man_(film)
http://wordsmithonia.blogspot.com/2011/11/favortie-fictional-character-nick-nora.html

Eventually tracking down the painting on a blog post, I discovered that the painting, Summer Daydream, had been featured at the 2010 Des Moines (not far from my childhood home in Ames) Art Festival, on their promotional poster. Being well over a year after the fact, the Art Fair people no longer had any for sale. They did, however, share the New Mexico artist’s email address with me. Happily, not only did I find a print of the Summer Daydream poster with that email address, but I also met one sweet lady in Jodi Perry. Starting out as (email) pen pals, so to speak, I now proudly call Jodi a friend. Among other similar interests, we both are I Love Lucy fans. :o)

I love Summer Daydream by talented artist and friend, Jodi Perry.
I am the proud owner of a signed poster of this print!

To read the blog that eventually led me to my own copy of Summer Daydream and my sweet friend, click on the link below
http://www.thedailybe.com/2010/06/do_27.html

Click on the link below to read about another Summer Daydream fan
http://iowagirleats.com/tag/rib-eye/

Enjoying a happy day, as I stand next to Jodi Perry at my daughter
Martese’s (and Mike) wedding
Ames, Iowa
May12, 2013

A Pinterest Artist

I confess. Although, I would love to possess the artistic talent and know-how of my talented friend, Jodi, the only semi-artistic painting that I have EVER done has been of the tole painting variety. (A late 1980’s art form. Basically, you trace a pattern and paint it.) That is, until just recently, thanks to Pinterest. It was a case of artwork dictated by necessity. I found myself overseas, in an apartment with a whole lot of blank walls, and in an area devoid of stores, as I knew them. Not a Target in the whole country! Scouring over Pinterest photos of artwork, I began drooling over this piece (below). (Unfortuataly, I do not know the original source for this piece. If you have any information on this painting and its artist, please, let me know in the comments below.)

The painting that I found on Pinterest
This print is by Hugo Guinness
https://houseandhome.com/gallery/10-fashionable-spaces-by-anna-wintours-interior-designers/

The Annette Artist Wannabe inside me began to wonder, could I possibly recreate this piece? More Pinterest research revealed that I was not alone in that thought, when I found that a fellow blogger had done just that. Through the miracle of blogging, she explained how she had painted a piece similar to the painting in the Pinterest photo. Using her instructions as my guide, I began my adventure into the world of art. I share this process below, so that you may use it to create your own masterpiece.

Painting Materials

Paint Canvas

Paint Brushes

Paint

Thankfully, our local overseas bookstore/office supply had a few canvases and
art supplies for sale

I used a 30 x 48 inch artist canvas.

3 paint brushes for acrylic paint

Acrylic paint in three colors, 2 bottles each: I chose white, gray, black

How to

Place down a drop cloth. (I used trash bags that I cut open.)
Give the canvas a white base coat, including the sides, using the wide paintbrush. I did two coats, letting it dry between each coat.

I set the canvas up on glasses to dry. (See photo below)

Using the gray paint first, with the wide paintbrush, paint over the white painted canvas, leaving a 2-inch edge.
After drying, I went back with some gray paint mixed with white and painted over the gray.
Don’t worry about being perfect. This is YOUR art creation.
Cut 4 flower patterns out of paper (I used paper towels because that is what I had) to use as a guide, placing them where you want them on the canvas, making sure that you have the look you desire.

The sizes of the dandelions I painted, in inches (length by width) are from left to right about

9 x 7, 7 x 6, 7.5 x 6, 6.5 x 6.5

With the small flat paintbrush, paint the black insides of the flowers using sort of a heart shaped form. (This part was fun! :o)) See the tape measure photo above for clarification.

Paint black stems
The stems length from left to right, in inches, are about
32.5, 25.5, 30.5, 24.5
I signed my name with the small pointed brush and black paint.

When your masterpiece is completely dry, display it proudly. :o)

The Hugo Guinness print photo, on the left, that inspired my painting,
on the right.

To see Pinterest, click on the link below
http://www.pinterest.com
To follow me on Pinterest, under find friends type in Annette Raper Hoffman

To see the blog that inspired me and gave me instructions to begin,
click on the two links below.
http://redredcompletelyred.blogspot.com/2011/08/photos-of-paint-in-various-stages-of.html

http://redredcompletelyred.blogspot.com/2011/08/pinterest-challenge-fine-art-edition.html

Remember that Art /Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder, as these two cows illustrate. (Yes, that was a pun. ILLUSTRATE, get it? :o))

This is a page from this year’s Chick-fil-a calendar.
I love these cow calendars (and Chick-fil-a).
Happily, my children present me with a new Chick-fil-a cow calendar each Christmas. :o)

To view more cute pages from this year’s calendar, click on the link below
http://www.chick-fil-a.com/Cows/Calendar-2014

Two Fun Art-related Films

While writing this blog post, two fun, art-related, films came to mind. The first, How to Steal a Million, stars Audrey Hepburn and Peter O’Toole. Filmed in Paris with Hepburn drenched in Givenchy’s fashions, it is film feast for the eyes. The movie’s premise being that Hepburn’s wealthy father forges great pieces of art and sells them to the rich. All is well, until he loans a statue to a local museum and a technical examination is ordered for insurance purposes. It is all in good fun, as Hepburn and O’Toole set out to steal the forged statue from the museum before an examination can take place.

Peter O’Toole and Audrey Hepburn plan an art heist in How to Steal a Million (1966).

To see a movie trailer of the movie, see movie stills, or read more about
How to Steal a Million, click on the links below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPStHOzjQWU

http://www.doctormacro.com/Movie Summaries/H/How to Steal a Million.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_to_Steal_a_Million

The second art movie also takes place in Paris. It stars James Garner (who sadly passed away this week), Dick Van Dyke, and Elke Sommer. In a nutshell, this madcap romp has Dick Van Dyke faking his own death in order to see his, previously unappreciated, artwork come into high demand.

Elke Sommer poses for artist Dick Van Dyke in The Art of Love (1965)

To watch a clip from the movie, or read more about The Art of Love,
click the links below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aQLBvQ4brg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Art_of_Love_(1965_film)

Elke Sommer, of The Art of Love, is an artist in her own right.

To read about and see some of Elke Sommer’s artwork, click on the link below.
http://www.elkesommeronline.com/en/paintings02.htm – _self

If you find yourself inspired after reading this blog post, and paint a Dandelion piece of your own, please send me a photo in the comments below.

Thanks for reading! :o)

Annette

I attempt to post my blog bi-monthly.  I will talk to you again around August 14.

A great BIG thank you to all of my blog followers!!!

To become an “I’m Annette” blog follower and receive “I’m Annette” via email, FREE, yes FREE, immediately upon posting, sign up on the right-hand side of this page. Do it today!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged 2010 Des Moines Art Festival, Audrey Hepburn, Bennington, Betty Lou, Chick-fil-a Calendar, Daktari, Dandelions, Dick Van Dyke, Elke Sommer, Grandma Mosses, How to Steal a Million, James Garner, Jodi Perry, Peter O'Toole, Pinterest, Summer Daydream, The Art of Love, The Bennington Museum, The House with the Magic Window, The Old Checkered House 1853, The Thin Man, True Confessions of a Pinterest Artist, Vermont | 3 Comments

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