Life With Linus

Dragged from the depths of the closet

2010-01-03T14:53:00.003-05:00

The squares were completed many moons ago using up all my scrap and leftover yarn at the time. My buddy Christian arranged them being the artful sorta guy that he is and I finally got around to putting it all together. This will have a good home with my friend Erin.

Tree - 2008

2009-01-03T18:21:00.006-05:00

Have Yourself a Merry Vintage Christmas

2008-12-22T19:21:00.002-05:00

A vintage tree stand works well with a repro silver tree....

I passed up about 8 of these at a garage sale years ago for about 25 cents each....STUPID ME! This was an eBay find....

Gotta love "Large Collection Trash Day" - Back in June after a nice dinner my friend Christian and I were taking the scenic route home - and decided to go garbage picking since there were mounds of things everywhere...this was the one find of mine that stayed in my home.

For more photos of the rest of the trash, check out http://christianmontone.blogspot.com/2008/06/things-we-throw-away.html

Cookie-A-Palooza! - Part 2

2008-12-11T21:43:00.005-05:00

Another recipe rescued from the clippings of Mom - she made these every year and I have kept up the tradition -

Springerle

4 Eggs
4 Cups (1lb) Sifted Confectioner's Sugar
20 Drops Anise Oil
4 Cups Sifted Flour
1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
Crushed Anise Seed

With an electric mixer, beat eggs till light. Gradually add sugar and continue beating on high speed for 15 minutes or until they are a soft meringue texture. Add anise oil. Sift together flour and baking soda. Blend this into the egg mixture on low speed. Cover bowl tightly with waxed paper or foil and let stand 15 mintues (to make the dough easier to work with). Divide the dough into thirds.

On a floured surface roll each into an 8 inch square, 1/4 inch thick. Let stand one minute. Dust springerle roller or mold lightly with flour and press onto square hard enough to make a crisp design. Cut apart with a sharp knife. Place on a lightly floured surface and cover with a towel. Let stand overnight.

Grease baking sheets. Sprinkle with 1 1/2-2 teaspoons of crushed anise seeds. Brush excess four from cookies with finger. Rub bottoms very lightly with cold water. Bake at 300 degrees for about 20 minutes till a light straw color.

Makes 6 dozen cookies.

- I have been making these for years - a bit odd and somewhat disturbing that you leave un-baked cookies containing 4 eggs out overnight but thus far I have survived eating them - This year batch 1 did not work at all as the dough was way too dry. Not sure what happened but the best I can figure is that I measured the confectioner's sugar from a 5lb bag rather than just using one box. Perhaps I compacted it too much. Anywho - they are now resting for the evening and will be baked in the morning...keep your fingers crossed!

(shhhhh! They're sleeping!)

Cookie-A-Palooza! - Part 1

2008-12-11T21:32:00.005-05:00

Its been 4 solid days of baking....including my favorite Sugar Cookie recipe that my Mother had as a clipping from the newpaper circa 1945 - Kris Kringle Cookies. These say Christmas to me!

Kris Kringle Cookies

1 Cup Soft Butter
2 Cups Granulated Sugar
3 Eggs
1 1/2 Teaspoon Cream of Tartar
1 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda dissolved in 2 Tablespoons of Milk
1 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Vanilla
About 5 Cups of Flour

Cream Butter and Sugar.

Add Vanilla, Milk, Soda and Eggs.

Then add dry ingredients sifted with about 3 cups of Flour.

Add enough flour to make a dough that may be rolled.

Bake at 400 degrees for about 8-15 minutes.

- That is directly from the clipping. I find 350 degrees for about 6 minutes does it right for me - watch these as they can burn in a matter of seconds!!

Vintage finds meet Rimfrost and Skimra

2008-10-14T17:58:00.005-04:00

A $15 pair of crystal lamps missing the majority of their crystals couldn't be left behind at a flea market - they were so pretty and I figured it would be easy enough to find crystals to replace those that were missing. Well, I found them all right - averaging about $5 EACH so so much for my bargain!!

While roaming around Ikea I found a pendant light shade dripping with crystals for $12 - A Rimfrost was added to my bag of Ikea goodies.

With lots of crystal drops leftover I have a great pair of lamps for maybe a total cost of $20....what to do with all the extra sparkley goodness.....I am sure I will think of something.

This pair of dresser lamps was too good to pass up for $5 - and I needed them like I need a hole in my head, but for $5 whats a guy to do? $15 for re-wiring materials (they were wired with really scary rotted cloth wires!) and 2 nifty Ikea Skimra shades for $5 each (with a bit of work to make them fit a non-Ikea lamp...) and I have a fab pair of dresser lamps that seel to fit perfect on my dresser...

A visit to Asbury Park

2008-08-28T07:15:00.009-04:00

A fun visit to Asbuy Park to check on the progress - its nice to see the redevelopment happening -

The Walk-through to Ocean Grove has a new roof and there was lots of construction taking place in the Carousel building.

A new roof on the Carousel Building as well and the circular part of the building is currently being used as a make-shift theatre where a successful prodcution of "Hair" is currently running.

After a great burger in Sea Bright, an amazing sunset walk on the beach followed....

Christian doing what Christian does....

A super fun and nice lazy end of summer day - Thanks Asbury for a great day!! (and Christian too!!)

Renningers - Adamstown, PA

2008-08-17T10:40:00.003-04:00

A visit to my brother and sister-in-law's home in PA rewarded me with a trip to Renniger's in Adamstown, PA - a huge flea/antique's market - its always fun to see all the "stuff" and I even came home with a few nifty bargins!!

A Day at the Fair

2008-08-17T10:32:00.005-04:00

Sussex County Fair - August 2008 - A fun day was had by all!!

Welcome Avery!!

2008-07-26T09:39:00.006-04:00

My friends Steve and Janie welcomed Avery into the world on July 22 - Mom, Dad and Baby Avery are doing fine and they are a beautiful family!!

Deciding to make a baby blanket I started one in cream, didn't like the pattern, and started another one - went to get more yarn to finish it and picked up some pink yarn since Janie and Steve were having a girl - the mint green also looked so soft and pretty (and the store was having a great sale!) so that came home with me too. Figuring that babies soil things quickly I thought multiple blankies might come in handy. After the cream, pink and green ones were finished I used the scraps to make one more that turned out to be my fave.

I hate when I make a mistake and have to yank a round out from the beginning - ugh.

Welcome to the world Avery!!

Cleaning My Cell Phone....

2008-06-13T23:46:00.011-04:00

My cell phone is dying a slow death so most likely the upgrade will happen early next week - Figured it was time to clean out the photos and the following is a glimpse at my past year from my Cell Phone......

Ceiling of John's Pizzeria, NYC - July 2007

Christian at Dorney Park - August 2007

Sussex County Farm and Horse Show - August 2007

Steve and Danielle - Silly pic to send to Tracey who was stuck in Texas on business - "Lucky Stiff" Rehearsal - October 2007

Steve and Tracey - Backstage at "Lucky Stiff" performance - November 2007

Tracey's FIERCE Eyelash - "Lucky Stiff" - November 2007

Christmas Tree in my Lounge - December 2007

Holiday Window in New Brunswick, NJ - December 2007

Realizing that my cell phone camera had editing capabilities - Early 2008

I grew this!! - February 2008

Easter Cupcakes - March 2008

Seeing "Gypsy" - St. James Theatre, NYC - May 2008

Randolph Senior Art Show with Christian and Janie - Randolph High School - May 2008

Janie picking me up in the Pimp Mobile - May 2008

"Gypsy" - St. James Theatre, NYC, May 6, 2008

2008-05-08T08:48:00.004-04:00

The billboard says it all....

Gee - do you think Tracey was excited and on cloud 9 after seeing the show from the front row?

Madame Rose herself, Patti LuPone

FIERCE shoes on Ms. LuPone!

(ok - the real reason for that photo is that most everyone went immediately to the otherside for some reason so I was initially getting some really good photos of the cast's butts and footwear.)

Boyd Gaines who plays Herbie

Leigh Ann Larken who plays Dainty June - what a delight she is both onstage and off - she chatted with us for a few moments about the cast recording that took place that day.

This completed the Patti LuPone "Gypsy" Trifecta for Tracey and Me - Ravinia Festival, Chicago - 2006; City Center, NYC - 2007; and Broadway, St. James Theatre, NYC - 2008.

And yes, we will be going back!!

Rennigers Antique Extravaganza - 4/25/08 - Kutztown, PA

2008-05-07T15:55:00.002-04:00

So I have to admit that I took only a couple of photos as I have not yet mastered taking photos on the DL...

A full trunk of treasures after a fun day of shopping, hunting, seeing all sorts of things and enjoying the super great spring weather.

Visit to Duke Farms

2008-05-07T15:47:00.006-04:00

A lovely spring day when the daffodils were in full bloom - a field-trip to Duke Farms was lovely, enjoyable and most fun!

The shell of a burned out haybarn was turned into a statue garden by Ms. Duke.

A highly recommended outing if you are in the area -

http://www.dukefarms.org/

Irish Soda Bread Cookies

2008-03-16T10:19:00.003-04:00

A nice twist on the traditional Irish Soda Bread that everyone makes for St. Patrick's Day - and since the ingredients are basically the same there are always a few loaves of soda bread made as well - and I STILL have leftover buttermilk!

Crumbly mess before adding the buttermilk....

I always manage to coat my kitchen in flour....

I think the holiday should be re-named St. Peeptrick's Day!

Irish Soda Bread Cookies

2 Cups All Purpose Flour
3/4 Cup White Sugar
1/2 Teaspoon Paking Soda
1/2 Cup Butter
1/2 Cup Currants
1/4 Cup Buttermilk
1 Egg
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Caraway Seeds

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. With a pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse meal. Sitr in currants.

Mix in beaten egg. Pour in milk and mix with a fork to make a soft dough (you may need to add a little more milk).

On a floured surface, shape dough into a ball and knead lightly 5 or 6 times. Roll out dough to 1/4 inch thick and cut into squares and triangles using a knife (approximately 2 inches in diameter).

Bake for 12-14 minutes or until lightly browned.

(personally I like to overbake these just a tiny bit for a crispier texture.)

My personal version of "Design on a Dime"

2008-03-10T20:12:00.005-04:00

A $10 rummage sale table needed some TLC. Two screws in the base and the table was solid, but the table top - silly me thinking scratch coat could fix that.

Well, I didn't want to strip and sand the table top so I got out my trusty crochet hook and ball of string and went to work....

A bit larger than the table, but the flaws of the top are covered - crystal beads attached to the points of the doily and now it looks like I meant the edges to hang over - cost of doily less than $3.00 and 2 weeks of American Idol and Project Runway.

I was feeling the need to build an ark.....

2008-03-10T19:56:00.005-04:00

Another wicked rainstorm flooded the area behind my home turning it into a raging river -

A Pre-Valentine Snow Day

2008-03-10T19:07:00.010-04:00

A day that started with snow and turned to vicious rain - Figured since I was working from home that there was no reason to make some festive cupcakes to take to the office for Valentine's Day - and yes, the Christmas china FINALLY has been put away! I never have much luck with cupcakes, but these looked good and tasted pretty yummy....

Lucky Stiff - November 2007

2008-02-11T13:44:00.000-05:00

The opening number from Villager's production of "Lucky Stiff" - November 2007

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Another new musical experience....

2008-02-10T17:50:00.001-05:00

Saw Siouxsie - Mantaray and More Tour - live at Irving Plaza, NYC, 2/8/08 - Thanks Christian for another new musical experience - amazing performer, performance, and music!

Blondie Challenge

2008-02-08T06:43:00.000-05:00

My friend Norise tried this recipie twice and both times it didn't work for her - she passed it along and asked me to give it a whirl - it worked for me and the hardest part was unwrapping 10 oz of caramels...they wrap those things to survive a nuclear holocaust! Perhaps using "store" brands was the key?

Gooey mess that doesn't look like blondies at all....

A nice bedtime snack! The results are nothing that I think of as a blondie but they are buttery rich and super sweet.

Blondie Caramel Heaven

Ingredients:
10 Ounces Individually Wrapped Carames, Unwrapped
1 Cup Evaporated Milk
1 (18.25oz) Package Yellow Cake Mix
3/4 Cup Butter, Melted
3/4 Cup Milk Chocolate Chips

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a suacepan combine caramels and 1/2 cup of evaporated milk. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently until smooth, set aside. Grease an 8x10 inch baking pan.

In a large bowl, stir together the dry cake mix, melted butter and remaining 1/2 cup of evaporated milk. Press half of the mixture in the prepared pan, reserving the rest.

Bake for 6 minutes in preheated oven. Remove the pan and let cool slighty. Sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over the surface. Pour the caramel mixture over the chocolate chips then top iwth the remaining cake mixture. The top should be swirled with the caramel and cake mixture.

Return the pan to the oven for an additional 18-20 minutes until firm. Cool on wire rack then refrigerate for 1 hour before cutting into bars.

Petits Fours

2008-01-14T06:43:00.000-05:00

Truly a vintage treat - and fairly easy confection to make but a long process as there are many steps invloved....

Bake, measure, cut, trim....

Cook sugar till stupidly hot, then let cool which takes forever.....

Stir in TONS more sugar and drizzle - wasting most of the glaze on the paper below....

Decorate and enjoy!

Happy Birthday Christian! We won't even go into the cake-tastrophie that accompanied this to Christian's celebratory Birthday dinner.

What Goes Up, Must Come Down....

2008-01-14T06:41:00.000-05:00

I hate this part.....ugh!

Speechless.....

2008-01-08T06:53:00.000-05:00

It doesn't happen often at all but I truly was speechless - a photo of these appeared on my blog back in December and were part of an amazing collection by Rob and Diana of ChristmasNostalgia.com at the Somerville Center Antiques. Completely blowing me off on a couple of invites to go see the display, Norsie and Jimmy snuck down to Somerville and surprised me with these for Christmas. What an amazing surprise.

Their "origianal" home in Somerville Center Antiques....

Their new home in Basking Ridge - and its most likely the first time they have been lit in 40 years!

Mele Kalikimaka - Take 2

2008-01-07T06:58:00.000-05:00

Recieved this FUN gift from Nors and Jimmy last year for Christmas - wired it up on my balcony railing and sadly, day by day letters and words started to go out - well, several phone calls later the company made good on their merch and sent a brandy new one. I'll be able to wish all Mele Kalilimaka in December!

13 Degrees - 'nuff said

2008-01-07T06:56:00.001-05:00

Upgrade at Lanai

2008-01-02T18:24:00.000-05:00

The "hole" in my kitchen always bugged me a bit but I never wanted to completely block it off. When I moved in I hung silver IKEA lanterns in it and it was time to move past dorm room chic! You still can find nifties that aren't broken at Home Goods!

10 lbs of butter later....

2008-01-02T18:18:00.000-05:00

The finished product of my cookie baking ready to be taken to my parents house for Christmas Eve.....a generous assortment from the over 120 dozen cookies I baked this Christmas. It is nice to have the flim of flour finally off of all my kitchen surfaces!

Illuminating Reindeer - WTF?????

2007-12-20T19:11:00.000-05:00

Just what was the "designer" on when they came up with this oddity? Maybe they thought they were coming up with the new "Leg Lamp". I found this not terribly festive, but rather disturbing at 8:30am when trying to function in a mall setting, doing all your shopping, and doing so on only 1/2 cup of coffee for the day....

Holiday Treat

2007-12-16T22:40:00.000-05:00

A chilly night, impending storm, whats a guy to do? Treat himself to homemade Hot Chocolate with a homemade festive marshmallow. Yummy!

God Bless Paula Dean!

2007-12-13T22:30:00.000-05:00

Gingerbread Cookies scream Christmas to me - I have a recipe I have used for several years but always dread making it as it's a pain in the neck, the dough is difficult to work with and makes a mess, and the results vary although the taste is always yummy.

This year I surfed and found Paula Dean's recipe for Gingerbread Boys and Girls - since I have gone through numerous pounds of butter thus far I was inspired by Paula and figured I would give it a try.

The results were great - a dough thats easy to make, easy to work with, holds its shape and on top of that is quite tasty! I did start with one less cup of flour and added it in slowly till the dough came together. I made a note for next year to add a pinch of clove but other than that I was thrilled with the results!! Two batches of dough and a moderate sized gingerbread boy/girl cookie cutter and I have an army of gingerbread!!

Thanks Paula!!

Christmas Nostalgia - Part 4

2007-12-11T22:44:00.001-05:00

Candles in the windows, carols at the spinet...
I so wanted to adopt these for my very own, but alas, my budget wouldn't allow them to come home with me.

I did make a small purchase as something just kept drawing my eye to this ornament - funny that when I downloaded my photos that there were several of this one ornament so I guess I made the correct choice!

Many thanks to the folks at Somerville Center Antiques for getting me permission to take these pictures and to ChristmasNostalgia.com for granting me that permission! Check out their site and if you are in Somerville at all over the season its worth a browse - an amazing display and amazing collection.

Christmas Nostalgia - Part 3

2007-12-11T22:39:00.000-05:00

This gives a new meaning to "Blue Christmas" - a rare specimen dating back to the 1950's

I am so kicking myself for passing these up over the years at garage sales when they were almost free...now I would need to take a second mortgage to obtain one.

Christmas Nostalgia - Part 2

2007-12-11T22:33:00.000-05:00

More amazing treasures and memory inducers from Somerville, NJ

Christmas Nostalgia - Part 1

2007-12-11T22:23:00.000-05:00

An amazing disply of Christmas Nostalgia in Somerville, NJ...

The Christmas Cookie Mayhem Has Begun....

2007-12-10T18:00:00.000-05:00

3 batches of Shortbread cookies have been baked, glazed and decorated...

2 huge batches of Sugar Cookies have been baked - only some got decorated as I ran out of places to let them dry!

This is a Springerele Board used to emboss Springerele cookies...its an old German recipe from my Mother and its the oddest thing to prepare - once you emboss the cookies you let them dry overnight before baking.

Sunday afternoon view from my livingroom window

2007-12-02T18:54:00.000-05:00

An early December dusting of snow....

Remote Control Christmas

2007-11-24T11:24:00.000-05:00

I got an early Christmas present of a remote control lightshow thingy for my Christmas Tree - thankfully it has a regular on/off button for non-flashing lights....

(Humor me - I am still learning what my camera will do....lol!)

The Tree - Start to Finish

2007-11-24T10:09:00.000-05:00

and Christmas 2007 has arrived at Lanai.....

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.....

2007-11-23T23:13:00.000-05:00

I spent a chunk of summer making snowflakes and as usual I avoid "blocking" (stiffening, glittering and pinning) them as its a bit of a tedious process - but since the holidays are upon us its time to get some done!

....but now that some are blocked I have created a glittery blizzard at the end of my hallway.....

Thanksgiving 2007

2007-11-23T22:23:00.001-05:00

The contents of the china closet got it's anuual wash and polish...

The Roseville is moved to the top of the china close to make way for the food and festivities....

I found the dining room under all the stuff that accumulated since last Thanksgiving and the table is ready to be set....

Martha would be proud!

Everyone left Mom and Dad at the table....

Thanksgiving Aftermath - a fridge full of leftovers and 2 dishwasher loads of dishes - a fun and thankful day!

Christmas Mayhem - Part 1

2007-11-17T17:21:00.000-05:00

What you don't see are the mountains of tissue paper....

Some of the larger ornaments unpacked.....

Balls!

Where is Tippy Hendren when you need her?

Here's looking at you, Kid!

and the grand finale....

Saturday Cleaning Project

2007-11-08T07:38:00.000-05:00

Its amazing how much gunk comes this each time it gets taken apart and thrown in the dishwasher - but alas, the sparkle that results is worth it - and yes, I am still learning how to use my new camera so I am just taking pictures of most anything!

a Mad Halloween

2007-11-08T07:35:00.001-05:00

Someone in a nearby town must be Mad for Halloween - or for Alfred E. Newman!

Lucky Stiff - Villagers Theatre - Opening Weekend

2007-10-29T18:09:00.001-04:00

The dressing room - before the matinee

Tracey preps for BIG hair - her eyelashes are just as big!

Some cast members don't need to work so hard for big hair

The Prop Table is the Red Light district for this show

The stage waiting for its actors to bring it to life....

Favorite Flea Market

2007-10-17T23:09:00.000-04:00

A super find - the shade and lamp are no longer together but the shade has a super new home in my lounge and the lamp went to Nors and Jimmy's house to live - I love the Saylorsburg Flea Market and the pickle vendor there is THE BEST!!!

July 2007

Ready for Halloween at Lanai

2007-10-13T20:56:00.000-04:00

Bought the candy today and am ready if I get any trick-or-treaters.....

I got a popcorn ball! I got some cookies! I got a candy bar! I got a rock....

2 Weeks To Go

2007-10-13T20:53:00.000-04:00

Lucky Stiff rehearsal - 2 Weeks till opening - tons of tech to do - wish us luck!

VNA Rummage Sale Finds 10/5/07

2007-10-06T18:02:00.000-04:00

A couple of bright finds from the VNA Rummage Sale - antique ceiling fixture installed in its new home- Fall 2007

Rennigers Antique Extravaganza - 9/28/07 - Kutztown, PA

2007-10-03T16:12:00.000-04:00

A random pile of stuff at a the Antique Extravaganza or Britney Spears after a night at Club Hyde - You decide.....

"Sordid Lives" - Darress Theatre - June 29, 2007

2007-06-29T11:14:00.000-04:00

Odell in "Sordid Lives" - the 2007 incarnation....