Happy Hogmanay an' aw ra best tae ye all for 2014... .

Hello to all you wonderful Bloganistas --- Can you believe it, here we are at 5p.m. on Hogmanay (New Years Eve to those who are not Scottish, Irish or English and in The Know). To the left is  my Wee Fella, he is my favourite Gargoyle;  I've had him for some 20 years and way back then I christened him "Oh Shit".  He has always sat at an entryway to my home -- each Season I have him dressed up in a different costume (I buy the costumes at Petco, a pet supplies store)  I usually buy thingies for a Chihuahua pooch and, as you know, they are the wee doggies of the canine world -- on the 25th of January (birthday of the famous Scottish Bard, I have made for him a Scottish Tartan Tammy with a wee toorie on his bonnet... .at Easter he has his Easter Bonnet and at Thanksgiving I have made him a Pilgrims hat.

2013 has been a year of mixed emotions, however, I do not want to relive them, so my dear "Mother of the Universe" - get your London derriere in gear and get on with it and make our lives easier to get on with life.
Here we have a picture of The Point in Pittsburgh - you are looking at the new football arena, Heinz Field (yep Heinz after the Ketchup, Beans and the old nom de plum, Heinz 57... . it sits on the Ohio River and is extremely, visually impressive, day or night.
 
By now you all know that my passion is ceramics, so here is my latest offering - I made this for a 
 very special friend. She collects Christmnas Houses 
and, as I keep my Santa Clauses out all year, Anna also keeps her Christmas Houses on display on her mantle-piece.  
Well. I could keep  on going, however, I am going to close here for this year -- Wee Corey, you remember him, and I are wishing each and every one of you a Happy Hogmanay and a Safe, Healthy and a Very Happy New Year - Here's tae us, wha's like us, damned few and they're aw died..,. .  Let me wish each and every one of you a Happy, Safe and Blessed New Year -- ta ra, toodle pips and aw ra best... .   "Liz" and Corey.

Gobble, Gobble Time... .

Hello to all you Fabulous Bloganistas,  Can you believe it, here we are getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving in a couple of days and then it's all a-go getting ready for Santa Claus, ho, ho, ho!!!
Nothing much is going on at the moment -- I have the Turkey brining, got my bread croutons cut and ready to toast tomorrow to get the stuffing ready.   Have all the "stuff" to make a couple of Pumpkin Pies and all the fixin's to make my casseroles etc., you all know the drill.  
The weather took a cold turn today along with some snow, however, now that it is raining it is washing away the snow and it's all slushy - we have to get some more snow tonight - let's hope it is dry and sunny on Thursday for Thanksgiving Day.  I was going to go to ceramics tonight but decided against it due to the weather - next week is another day.

Thanks to Mother Nature and my neighbour across the street I am able to share this beautiful picture with you - the autumn colours are so spectacular and each year they seem to look nicer; however, it doesn't last too long and we find ourselves looking at the bare branches that, in themselves, have a certain elegance.
Well, as I said, nothing much going on at the mo, so I will close for now and wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving.
Cheerio for now, ta ta, toodle pips, au revoir and all that jazz.  Corey says hello - he got his hair cut yesterday and is looking very dapper.  Wishing you All the Best,  "E"

Ghosts and Goblins

Hello to all you fabulous Ghostly Gooly Bloganistas -- well, it is that time of year again and I thought I would have Helga, Casper the Friendly Ghost and Sooty the Cat say Booooo and Hellooooooo to you all - I made this ceramic piece back in 1997 finished her in fired glazes and stains.  I am presently making the Three Ghosts (something like the three tenors... .) so once I get them finished, sad to say not in time for this Halloween, however, not to worry, there will be plenty more.   I also have another piece - a wee Pumpkin with a Black Cat sitting atop its head.  By now you have probably guessed that ceramics is my one true passion, after Corey that is.  In the past years I've always had to get the various holiday pieces made in time for the holidays - no longer -  I make them as I get to them... . The weather has taken a cool turn - this past Friday we had snow flurries but nothing to write home about - don't know when we last had a White Christmas, who knows, maybe this year.  I know, be careful what you wish for.    I stopped in at Soergels' Orchards today, heavens the place was like a Zoo on steroids.  I enjoyed browsing through all the stuff and found some packets of pectin, etc., that I can use in making some mixed fruit jam, however, the one prize in the shop was two little recipe books - one for Zucchini and the other for Tomatoes, yay.  There are some terrific recipes for all the green tomatoes I have and I don't even have to peel them to make some really great recipes, so guess what I'll be doing this upcoming week, yep oh, and there's even a recipe for Fried Green Tomatoes - now there was a good movie.  (Don't ask me what happened here - the print is off on its tod.  So, to get the real low-down on the History of Halloween, scroll down to last years entry and enjoy.Time to say ta ra, cheerio, toodle pips, and all that jazz - and may all your tricks be a treat... .

P.S.  If you click on the images, they enlarge that way you can get a better look at the pieces/

Love to all,  Elizabeth & Corey  xox

The Higginbottam Sisters... .

I'm baaaack... .  Hello, once again, to all you fabulous Bloganistas and Bloganisters (of the male persuasion) finally finished Zelda (with the Orange coloured hat) and Thelma (with the Blue hat)  I've only been working on them since 2002 and, when I was taking them in for final firing, I knocked Zelda's head off, yep, given the time of year, you could say she was the headless horse woman.  527 Glue to the rescue... . and it was a perfect fit, So I am quite happy.  
I've been having a busy day, made a big pot of my "kitchen sink" soup (chicken broth, lentils, split peas, grated carrots, onions and whatever scraps of veggies I found in the 'fridge veggie drawer.  Tastes really good, so we'll be having a bowl of it tonight along with stuffed Peppers over Rice.  I also got the Zucchini peeled and cut-up to make my Relish, however, my back gave out so that is another project for tomorrow.   Bob's still waiting for his Apple Pies!!!
and, guess what, I finally finished Seamus Me Boy.  
Started making him in 1996 - hey, no one ever said I was the fastest filly out the gate.
 



Hallowe'en is coming in a couple of weeks and I have out my other ceramic pieces I have been making over the years.   This is Hector the Wizard - won't tell you how long I was in getting this finished.

So let me wish you all a Happy Hallowe'en and I hope all your tricks are a treat.  Okay, time to say,  bye for now cheerio, toodle pips, au revoir,  and all that jazz. 

Lest We Forget... .

September 11 2001 - 2013

We have survived the best of times and the worst of times... .  

I have been watching the Memorial Service from New York City, The Pentagon and also Shanksville (80 miles south-east of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where I live), although Shanksville does seem to be the forgotten tragedy, not receiving the same coverage that the other two sites are given.   My daughter was friends with one of the passengers on Flight 93 who lost her life that fateful day in Shanksville - and a young man, Pierre, who worked in the World Trade Centre No: 1 from whom I ordered by perfume on a regular basis, was also taken - my perfume has never seemed the same since that day.

These fire fighters to the left, are volunteers, and they need to be counted amongst the brave men and women who risk their lives, and those who work this profession on a daily basis, keeping us safe.  Please take a moment and no matter your beliefs, say a prayer in honour of those souls lost that day, their families and friends.  

The fire fighter in the front of the picture, is my son Robert.    Bye for now and God Bless.

Not much going on at the mo... .

Hello to all you fabulous Bloganistas -- been a couple of months since I was last blogging.  Lots going on keeping up with the garden, however my veggies have been so poor this year that I didn't even bother to take any photographs.  We've had a really dry, hot summer here in Pittsburgh and it burnt my Cukes and Squash.  Pulled a few off the vines and I have enough Squash to make a few jars of relish.

This is Kya, my son's pooch - Shepherd/Husky mix. He is out of town for work, so Bob and I are doggy-sitting,  She is such a great pooch - our wee Corey has the cheek to growl at her and steal her food, of course, she steals Corey's food.  It's funny watching the two of them.  When people say dogs don't talk back, forget it, when Kya doesn't want to do something, she will argue the toss with you - just love it.
Hey, those of you who are Dr. Who aficionados, and those of you who need to be, the new series starts early September - so, let's hope Peter Capaldi brings a new twist to the series and breathes excitement in to the role as the 12th Doctor and repair the damage Matt Smith did (my opinion... .)    He, Peter, has to be good, after all he is from Glasgow... . 

When I was a little girl living in Dalmarnock Road I used to buy my ice cream cones from a Mr. & Mrs. Capaldi, very Italian, wonder if they are his relatives.  Mrs. Capaldi used to give me a free 3d (3 penny) cone until my wee dog Terry, a Rat Terrier, did a number on her cat in the shop window trashing her Christmas Tree, and the cat.  Terry hated cats and motorcycles, he used to chase both of them.

Okay, time to go get a cuppa - Corey and Kya say "...keep tuned in to our Blog... ."  ta ra, cheerio, toodle pips, au revoir and Bye y'all.  "E"

Time to say Farewell.

Good Morning to one and all... .
This will not be a chatty Blog -- at 4:30a.m. this morning, June 12, my wee dog, Buddy, that's him to the left, crossed over the Rainbow Bridge to be with Nessie and McTavish.
Buddy would have been 11 years old later this year -- if you read my earlier Blog you would have seen where Bob and I adopted Buddy and his older brother Corey - so their actual birth dates are not clear.  He was not visibly sick, however, yesterday, Tuesday 11th, I did find a lump on his tummy so I planned on taking him to the vets this morning to have it checked out.  He was restless throughout the night so I sat in the living room with him.  He checked out his favourite sofa for a little while, then laid on the cushions he had knocked to the floor (his favourite pass-time).  There will be no more Blogs from Buddy - his brother Corey is sleeping up on the sofa where Buddy did, oh well.
Don't feel like expounding on this, so to those of you who have wee 4-legged pals (unconditional love) give them an extra cuddle.
Time to say cheerio,  Love to all, "E" and Corey.

AAAAARGH!!!

Hello to all you fabulous Bloganistas and those of you in training... .
Can you put together the pictures and my caption?   Here in Pittsburgh we had horrendously torrential rains Friday night in to Saturday and my planted bed for my Weeping Cherry tree, Hostas,  Grasses and other perennials caved in to a Well that we didn't know was in our front garden.  It is a little over 4ft. perfectly round  and we have measured it to approx. 12 to 15 feet deep, that we can tell.  Seemingly about 100 years ago when the property was farmland the people pumped their water from this well.  (See my lovely wee tree hanging in there for dear life... .)  however, there is no sight of the bedding plants.  You can just see the rust encrusted pump, or part of it, still there.   It seems that this hole wasn't even 
filled in and to think that before we planted 
the tree and plants we used to run over it with the lawn tractor when we were cutting the grass.       I tell you.  Now we have to try to save my tree and figure out how to safely fill this hole in and ensure it doesn't erode over time.  I want my tree planted there again.  Okay, 'nuf said, I'm off to get a cuppa and see if I can settle down, really ticks me off.  Love to all, cheerio, toodle pips, ta ra, au revoir and all that jazz.   "E"

The Name of the Doctor --- Who???

Hello to all you fabulous Bloganistas and those of you in training... .
Well, how many of you watched the season's final episode this past Saturday night, the 18th of May???  I was left wondering what's going on 'cause in my last "personal" opinions of Matt Smith and his travelling companion, Clara (Jenna-Louise Coleman), I believe, I was reserving my thoughts and said they had  a total of 5 years for me to warm up to them.  Seems Matt Smith had a 2-year contract with a 3 year extension;  however, he's all smitten with Hollywood  and some movie he is in "How to catch a Monster" he has all his hair shaved off -- I wonder if he's heard the expression "...today's news is tomorrows' history... ." ( never know if it's 's or s' ) hey, guess what's just come on the telly again? yep, it's the season's final episode "The Name of the Doctor" so I am recording it, again.
From reading some of the Blogs, Matt will be back for the 2013-14 season that will not start here in the States until Saturday, 23rd November, due to this movie Matt Smith is appearing in - I'm sure Jenna-Louise Coleman will also be, as a recurring memory - just like Professor River Song, one classy lady -- Hello Sweetie.  I say this all the time but it never sounds the same, oh well, that's why she get's paid the big bucks.    
Alex Kingston has been a favourite of mine for a number of years and plays the roll of Professor River Song brilliantly.  We can only hope they keep on bringing her back in future episodes.  She is also an acclaimed stage actress and a member of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA) and Shakespearean Actor.
Let's see what role the famous English actor John Hurt plays in the next season.
Okay, 'nuf said -- time to get on with the lesser important things in life... .  so cheerio, toodle pip, ta ra, au revoir and all that jazz.  Until next time.  Elizabeth                         

Spring is on it's way, well at least it's trying... .

Good Morning to all you fabulous Bloganistas and those of you in training... .
This is my beautiful Crab Apple tree in my back garden - each year she blooms and makes things perfect for a few days -- she starts out deep pink and in 2 days turns this lovely shade of pale pink - that's my bird bath to the right side of the tree - so all in all, everyone is happy.
We had really warm summer-like days last week then at the weekend it was back to winter - freezing temps at night and not much warmer during the day;  however, today the weather gurus say it will be 80 far. feast or famine when it comes to temps this time of the year.
Will soon be time to get the veggie patch tilled over and planted with the cukes, tomatoes and whatever else catches my fancy.   The Garlic and Chives are well on their way - I've already snipped some of the Chives for salads and mashed potatoes - yum.   I need to find out if I can safely freeze the Chives since I have so many and I am of the old school "...waste not want not... ."  Maybe it's the Scotch in me, no, not 80 proof but DNA.

I am becoming quite domesticated, no not to worry, only in the kitchen, how do you like the pic of my latest creation - an apple pie - tasted fab - Bob has become so delusional, he thinks this will be the norm every night, ha, have I got news for him.  The slots on top look like a spooky face, don't they!  

I have some Zucchini, Red and Green Peppers in the freezer so perhaps I'll get motivated this week and make a batch of relish.
Will be going to ceramics tonight - finally finishing a tall Wizard (have been toting it around with me since the early 1990's, so I'm glad to say all I need to do is add the fancy eyes and marble to top off his staff and then seal the paints - will be showing him, probably in my next posting.
Hey, the sun it shining - time to get on the shades and hit the garden -- so I'm going to say cheerio, toodle pips, ta ra, au revoir and all that jazz.  Buddy and Corey say Hi... 'til next time, love and happy trails to all, Elizabeth

Update on The Doctor - No: 11

Hello to all you fabulous Bloganistas and those of you in training... .   Well, I gave it a month, 4 episodes in the new season -- my verdict is not quite in yet.  There is a marked difference between David Tennant and Matt Smith, such different styles -- David Tennant was a runner and Matt Smith is a yeller.  As for his new companion, well, not quite sold on her, she seems too proppa (proper).  Lets see what the next 5 years bring -- why 5 years, seems like this is how long each doctor lasts, or runs his course (catch it, runs).  Even the story themes are not quite there -- perhaps Steven Moffat and the writers need to go back to smoking what they used to.  Have you ever pondered the wild and wacky minds these writers etc., have been gifted with, I know it blows mine.
Well, keep in mind, these are my thoughts.  Nevertheless, since Dr. Who is part of my religion (kidding) I will journey on and adopt a different mind-set, hey, I've heard it said that change is good for the psyche.
Buddy and Corey had their visit to the Dawgy Parlour and, as usual, are looking very spiffy and gorgeous -- Buddy is presently sound asleep and snoring like a Banshee in heat (up on the sofa) and Corey, is in a similar mode beneath the coffee table

That is Corey looking at you and Buddy in front of him.  This picture was taken a couple of weeks ago.
Well my dear Bloganistas, time to get a move on trying to convince myself that the family room needs cleaned, perhaps a cup of PG Tips (tea) will put me in the mood.  So, until next time, cheerio, toodle pips, au revoir, ta ra and all that jazz.    "E"

Roll on March 30th... The Doctor will be here!!! .

Hello again to all you absolutely fabulous Bloganistas -- Can you believe it, here I am back again within 5 or 6 days. Can't pass this up, my favourite show, Dr. Who is starting a new season March 30th - marking 50 years this July.  That is his TARDIS (police 'phone box) above --  I actually saw the very first show back in 1963, in black and white,  when I was home living in Glasgow.  My favourite Doctor is David Tennant, not because he is Scottish, well maybe that has something to do with it.  Here's a picture of him to the right... . what can I say.   I just finished watching the 2005 episode when Christopher Eccleston was The Doctor -- (The Parting of the Ways) when, due to circumstances, Eccleston electronically evaporates and when all the flashing lights dissipate, David Tennant appears as The Doctor, great stuff.  The first episode with him as the Doctor is (The Christmas Invasion) - you have to watch both - you can get them at www.BBCAmerica.com
No.11, to the right, Matt Smith. and his travelling side-kick, Amy, did I mention she, too, is Scottish.   The new Doctor, Matt Smith, since 2010, has been slow growing on me but not outshining Doctor No. 10 whose pic is above right.
When I was bringing you all up to date last week I was saying we had 4" of snow that fell overnight,  well by the next morning it had all melted and this Saturday and Sunday the weather took me out in to the garden,  71 far. or 20c. no wonder we are all coughing and wheezing.  Just heard on the telly that by this Wednesday we will be having more snow flurries and colder weather - 5c./42 far.
Okay, time to get supper ready, Italian Sausages cooked in diced tomatoes and potatoes and diced zucchini served over rice (cooked in the slow cooker, mmm, smells really good.  So, time to say cheerio, toodle pips, ta ra, au revoir and all that jazz... .  Luv to all "E"

Time to Spring forward... .

I'm Baaack... .   Hello to all you Fabulous Bloganistas.  It's been a couple of month since I last had anything to say -- please don't believe that, I always have something to say.  This is a friendly reminder that here in the U.S.A., this upcoming weekend we put our clocks forward an hour and get ready for Spring although you wouldn't think so today, wakened up to 4" of snow and it is still coming down, not that it would snow going up.  Why don't we get this weather at Christmastime, can't remember when we last had a White Christmas.

Just as sunflowers turn their heads to catch every sunbeam, so too have we discovered a simple way to get more from our Sun.

Daylight Saving Time gives us the opportunity to enjoy sunny summer 
evenings by moving our clocks an hour forward in the spring.
Yet, the implementation of Daylight Saving Time has been fraught with controversy since Benjamin Franklin conceived of the idea. Even today, regions and countries routinely change their approaches to Daylight Saving Time.
Most U.S. residents set their clocks one hour forward in spring and one hour back in fall. However, residents of Arizona and Hawaii—along with the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, among others—will do nothing. Those locales never deviated from standard time within their particular time zones. 
So, now you have the low-down on this recurring event, the choice is yours, you can either wait until 2a.m. Sunday morning, the 10th, or as millions of us do, perform the task as we go to bed on Saturday night the 9th - either way, Happy Spring to one and all... 
 
Buddy and Corey have really settled in and, as you can imagine have taken over - here's a couple of new pics of them. It's quite the hoot, Buddy poses like a wee Haddie (Glasgow expression) and Corey, as soon as he hears the lens buzzing in to focus he takes off, so this pic is of him snoozing up on the couch in my private domain, it's the room where I have my computer, and all my hobby "stuff" so when I am in here making jewellery, scrap booking or one of my other fun-things, they are always here with me.  Bob won't cross the threshhold.
He thinks it is an awful mess, however, I know it is an organized mess.  Maybe there's method to my madness, ya think.

One other thing to say, Sunday the 10th of March is Mother's day in the UK and Ireland, so let me wish a Happy Mother's Day to all my friends.

Well, it is that time of day when I need to get a move on, post these ramblings and get some laundry done.  Just think, this time last year I was home in Glasgow with my Family and friends - oh well, perhaps, again, later this year.  So, in the meantime, cheerio, toodle pip, au revoir, ta ra and all that jazz.
Love to all, "E"  the Glasgow Maeven.

A clue to Happy Hogmanay link... .

Well here we are, Tuesday 8th day of 2013 and it seems like the same old same old... .    Jasper here is smiling, so things do look promising.
I received an email from a friend and she said there was no link to Happy Hogmanay -- if you look below where it says to click on the link below you will see in faint blue ink   http://  that's what you need to click on.
Bob built me a new set of shelves where I can show my Pepper & Salt Shakers -- have too many for the other set of shelves and I can now also display my Shot Glasses - they all bring happy memories to mind.  It's like when you are hanging the Christmas ornaments on your tree, every one has a story.
Buddy and Corey are having fun these days -- we had a snow fall after Christmas and again I'll say thank goodness I live in SoWest PA., and not the New England Coast, they always get slammed with heavy snows, anyhoo, Buddy and Corey enjoyed romping in The Angels Dandruff as I call snow, of course they had on their Red raincoats;  not so for me, I have to dry their under-carriages when they come in with snow caked in their hair.
Ceramics start up again tomorrow, the 9th, so let's see what I come up with next.   Okay, just a little update on the Hogmanay link. Time to start putting the Christmas displays/decorations away for another 11 month,  Until next time, cheerio, toodle pips, au revoir, ta ra and all that jazz.  "E"
P.S.  Any comments on the similar smiles, be kind, think only, please!!!