Poverty in the United States

This is a very different and interesting look into poverty, the causes and perhaps some new ideas/suggestions of tackling the problems head on. 

Follows a little information on the back of the book: 

Author, Bob Pfeiffer retired early from his position as a CPA and entrepreneur to pursue his passion of working with the poor. To learn and explain why the government has never been able to get a foothold on poverty and homelessness, Pfeiffer applied his analytical skills to wade through heavy-handed bureaucracy and make the labyrinthine $462 billion U.S. welfare system understandable to everyone. 

For more information please go to Mr. Pfeiffer's website: Federalsafetynet.com 

ISBN: 978-1-54395-134-9 (Print)

ISBN: 987-1-54395-135-6 (ebook)

"Red Work" Victorian Nursery Rhyme Quilt

Hand embroidered and hand quilted using traditional "Red Work" for this beautiful Nursery Rhyme quilt. This is one of my best! Jack be Nimble; Mary Quite Contrary; Jack and Jill plus nine other designs complete this pretty, Victorian style quilt. Every panel is hand embroidered using DMC #815 colorfast floss. It can be used as a quilt or wall hanging (a casing for a rod is on the back.)

For more details please go to:ArundelRoad on Etsy

Simit

Over the years, I have been part of an international dinner club. The host(s) decide which country they have chosen, and send an email to all participants. They chose the country of Turkey and provided lamb and chicken kebabs. One of the many things I enjoy about these evenings is that I have to research the country, so it's educational as well as a lot of fun. I decided to make a side salad, and Simit rolls using the traditional sesame seed recipe.

Simit is a sesame crusted, circular bread from Turkey. Also known as Turkish bagel, Gevrek or Koulouri, this crusty bread is probably the most common bread in Turkey. It's usually served for breakfast and it always has a ring shape. Simit is usually sold in carts in Istanbul and the people who sell them are called simitci. There is a popular chain in Turkey called Simit Saray which sells simit and other baked goods. They even have a place in NYC on 5th avenue.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/Arundelroad

Blue on Blue

 

Just had to make a blue-on-blue old Glory. Designed and handmade using the Bargello method. It is labor intensive requiring many, many strips of fabric sewn together, then cut apart and stiched together again to form a wave. Although the method doesn't change, the intensity of the wave does: no two are alike. Made in 100% cotton fabric with polyester padding, it is machine quilted. Little rings on the back allow for easy hanging. 

For more ideas and suggestions please go to:

ArundelRoad on Etsy

Bargello Old Glory with Blue Line

I made a version of Old Glory using the Bargello technique, but with a new twist. This is a complicated process of machining layers and layers of fabric together…then cutting them apart and moving them up and down as if the flag has been caught by the wind. It is made of 100% cotton. The binding is made with the same blue fabric as in the flag; the binding is hand sewn. The batting (padding) is polyester; it’s backed in the same color (cream) also as in the flag. It is machine quilted. Little rings on the back allow for easy hanging. A label stating, “Made with loving stitches” is also on the back of this sweet wall-hanging. Want to see more? If interested please go to my Etsy site at:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/Arundelroad

Citizen Cairn

 

Hi, I'm Robert ... aka Citizen Cairn. I've a passion for attempting to understand the lives of the pioneering prehistoric inhabitants of these British Isles, seeking out the remains they left behind in order to ask myself "why here ... why did it matter so... why such commitment?". Needless to say I'm still pondering such intangibles. Just as an empty house appears to retain echoes of past humanity... so does the stone circle, the chambered cairn, the long barrow and the mountain top funerary cairn. Visiting them, I think, helps engender a certain 'connection' with this land of ours, with ourselves - our past, our present and our future; a reference point for those of us perhaps struggling to make sense of this so-called 'computer world' Kraftwerk warned us was a'coming in 1981.... danke, mein herren (RIP Florian).

https://www.themodernantiquarian.com/user/10541

Pyrography -- Ancient Form of Art

Pyrography is an ancient artform of decorating wood or other materials by burning marks using a controlled form of heat...usually a a type of poker. In the hands of an artist, such a device produces beautiful yet serviceable creations such as these charming incense/votive holders. Business cards holders can also be seen on:

                                                                 ArundelRoad on Etsy

Sausage Rolls -- Pub Fare!

 I can't even imagine how many sausage rolls I've made over the years. They become a favorite with almost every person I've given them to...they are great with a bottle of beer or served for breakfast. Many years ago, I made sausage rolls (among other things) for a Barnes and Noble shop in Kansas City. I was surprised people bought them for breakfast, but then, when I considered the ingredients, they would be! Sausage wrapped in delicate pastry warmed for a few minutes make for a great breakfast with a cup of coffee.  

We in Colorado are experiencing a severe storm at the moment, so cooking and sewing are on my agenda. First the sausage rolls (and much more) but also some sewing and painting too. Got to get over these housebound days. 

If you want to take a look...please go to:

ArundelRoad on Etsy

It's Just a Trifle!

 

A little play on words here (trifle) meaning something that is nothing, trivial, a smidgeon! I hope my trifles aren’t considered as such. A good English trifle is a rare mixture of taste and texture. For those who are interested in making one....

I make a sponge split it in half and spread with strawberry preserves. Place it in the bottom of a glass bowl. Then pour about ¼ cup of sherry (I prefer Sweet Vermouth) over the top. Drain a tin of mixed fruit and place over the sponge. Allow to soak for about 10 minutes; add cooled strawberry jello (roughly two cups.) Place in the refrigerator until set. Using Bird’s Custard Powder (English you can buy it most places) – make up about two cups of custard. Allow to cool and then place on top of the jello. Top it off with double whipping cream, using two tablespoons of sugar until thick; garnish with strawberries or whatever you wish. This is good dessert to make ahead of time…takes the pressure off entertaining.

I've just started an Esty site. For those of you who are interested...please go to:

ArundelRoad on Etsy

Old Glory

 I've had this design for more than 35 years. Just recently, I decided to resurrect it, make a few flags and put them on my new Etsy site. The technique is called Bargello! Sounds like a dish doesn't it...but it's a process of stitching fabric together, then cutting it and arrranging to form a flag caught in the wind. Then stitiching it all together again. What a process! It takes time, but every single flag is different. They are padded and machine quilted and look great on a wall. 

If you want to take a look at my site go to:

www.etsy.com/shop/arundelroad

Jenni Elliott's Extraordinary Bags

Jenni Elliott’s bags are not only beautiful, hand-crafted and extremely durable, but they also express her love of cats. For other like-minded feline lovers, she provides a glimpse into her world. She loves them! She adores their funny little antics, and their personalities. In essence, she is a cat person.

However, not all bags have an image of a cat. Some are created in plain fabric as can be seen in these photos. Personally, I prefer having one of Jenni’s creations over my shoulder. It opens conversation and fun with everyone I meet---what could be better?

Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/KittyKentHandmade

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kittykenthandmade

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kittykenthandmade

Cosmic Series

The latest from Stuart John Wallace in his Cosmic Series. So different from some of his other artwork...notice the abundance of white space...so unusual for him. For more information and to see many, many more images, please go to:

www.stuartjwallace.com.

 

Singer Sewing Advice Manual from 1949

 

Although the photo in this post is not a Singer sewing machine...I have wonderful memories of learning how to sew on a Singer treadle machine, graduating quickly to a hand machine, and finally to an electric machine. Don't believe I ever followed the advice from the Singer Sewing Machine manual from 1949, but it does provide a glimpse into the thinking of that period. Lipstick indeed!!

Cockney Rhyming Slang

 

There have been so many English shows, series and films lately, that I’ve been inundated with questions about Cockney Rhyming slang. Perhaps people are watching more television during Covid-19 but shows such as Endeavor, Line of Duty, Broadchurch, etc., often throw in some slang/expression that confuses viewers. Last week, some friends sent me a list of 17 questions-- “What does trouble and strife; Skin and Blister and Breaking my neck for a Jimmy, mean? Help! It’s like a different language!” Indeed it is!

Cockney rhyming slang was created to confuse and puzzle outsiders, but more notably…the police! Traditionally, these people came from a specific area of London on the east-west thoroughfare, but more importantly…within earshot of the bells of St Mary-le-Bow church, commonly known as “Bow Bells.” It's thought these parishioners are the true Cockneys of London.

It’s believed there has been a church situated on this site since Saxon times. It’s a truly beautiful church that was burned in the Fire of London in 1666, rebuilt by Christopher Wren, and was then bombed in WWII, but still it stands today.

Anyhow, getting back to my friends’ questions (not all can be translated without blushing) but most can be found on the Internet. My friends had already tried that…then contacted me. Although I was born about 50 miles south of London, I was able to answer about 12 of the questions. The rest I sent to my brother-in-law, ironically, a retired policeman. It goes without saying; there are simply too many expressions and slang words to list them all, but here goes with a few to make you laugh:

Trouble and Strife = wife!

Skin and Blister = sister

Breaking my neck for a Jimmy = need to pee

Take a butchers = take a look

Apples and pears = stairs

Whistle and flute = suit.

Bittersweet Chocolate Icing

 

Ingredients:

 4 oz. of bittersweet chocolate (break into pieces)

4 tablespoons cornstarch

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

2 tablespoons butter

1 teas. Vanilla essence

Place cornstarch, sugar and water in a saucepan. Stir over low to medium heat until the mixture becomes opaque and thickens. Remove from heat; add broken chocolate pieces and butter. Cool and decorate.

I personally like to use two types of icing. I fill the center of the cake with chocolate butter icing and the outside with bittersweet icing. Using a cheese grater…shave a little chocolate on the top for decoration.

Cornish Pasties

Recently, I made some beef pasties that my family and friends enjoyed so much...I decided to post the recipe. I don't measure anything but I've tried to provide a general recipe that you can adapt to suit your needs.  

As the name suggests, these little delicacies originated in Cornish villages (west coast of England.) I learned to make them in school, so long ago I can barely remember. As with many dishes from the United Kingdom in post war conditions, pasties were a way to stretch the coffers using left-over meat/veggies; usually from a roast dinner. I remember my teacher telling us that sometimes, the wife of a miner would bake a large pastie with a "partition" in the middle...meat at one end, and fruit in the other therefore providing a meal in one. How that was done is beyond my ability, but here goes with a rough recipe/method. 

Pastry:

1 cup of all purpose flour

1/2 cup Crisco                        (Or buy ready made astry from the store!)

1/4 teaspoon salt

Cold water

Using a fork, combine all ingredients in a bowl. Add enough cold water to make a pliable dough by adding one tablespoon at a time to reach a consistency suitable to roll out. Set aside.

Filling:

1 cup of cooked beef (or lamb) finely chopped 

1/2 cup chopped raw potatoes, finely chopped

1/4 cup chopped onion, finely chopped

Salt/pepper to taste

3/4 cup thick gravy - make your own or use a packet

Mix ingredients together and set aside.

Method:

Roll out pastry to (about the thickness of a quarter) and cut into rounds. Depending on the size, use a saucer or small plate as a guide. Wet the edges and place a portion of the filling in the center of the ring. Pull the sides up to make a "purse shape" by bringing the dampened edges together. Pinch the lower sides first so the gravy doesn't run out...and then pinch all the way up the sides until you have the shape in the photograph. Place the pasties on a baking sheet (recommend using foil because the gravy might run out and make a mess) brush with a little egg. 

Bake at 400 degrees for about 30/40 minutes until golden brown (depending on the size of the pastie.) 

Note: After removing from the oven, pierce the top with a fork or skewer to allow the steam to escape otherwise the pastry will get soggy. Serve with mashed potatoes/veggies and gravy. 

A Blanket of Love

This recently published book by Betty Johnson Dalrymple is a collection of stories, scriptures, poems and prayers to chase away your fears and calm your anxious mind. In this book, Betty explores panic attacks, the fears, worries and concerns...and helpful ways to combat them. Dianne E. Butts, author of six books and contibutor to over twenty compilations, including "The Panic Monster" in Chicken Soup for the Soul's Say Goodbye to Stress (Harvard Medical School series) notes that "Betty Johnson Dalrymple was the first person I ever met who understood what was happening to me. She blessed by life with understanding and information. For someone who is struggling, I so highly recommend Betty's kind wisdom, understanding, and helpful information shared through her personal stories. You will find help and feel loved and comforted."

A Blanket of Love by Betty Johnson Dalrymple can be purchased on Amazon. 

ISBN: 978-1-950647-57-6