Stars at The Market

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Variety of Bob's Donuts for the Birthday Feast

Last night we celebrated Amy Inouye's birthday at our usual Wednesday Farmers Market dinner group. Amy didn't want any big fuss, so we all just got our own dinners and then bought a big box of Bob's Donuts for the b-day dessert. Amy's nickname is Miss Donuts. She's a connoisseur of all baked and fried goods.

Rob, T.K., Amy and Stuart

Nancy, Ted

Amy, blowing out the candle....long distance

Ted and Brit

Ellen and Joan

Mr. Larry

We were almost done eating when we noticed a CELEBRITY getting an ice cream cone at Bennett's. Bobby Lee from "Mad TV" was there with Arden Myrin (I think), who is another cast member from the show. Bobby just happens to be one of Amy's FAVORITE actors! The brave Nancy, of our group, zoomed over to Bennett's and asked Bobby to drop by our table to give Amy b-day wishes. He was most gracious and adorable, posing for photos!

Bobby Lee and Amy

This proves my theory, that if you hang out at the Original Farmers Market long enough, you'll eventually see all of your movie and TV-land heroes.

Some of my faves, over the years that I've seen at the Market: Huell Howser, Mort Sahl, Stephanie Edwards, John McEuen, Bruno Kirby, Jack Sheldon, Kamar de los Reyes ("Antonio" from "One Life to Live"), Billy Vera and countless others. Who have you seen at the Farmers Market?

Amy calls the Farmers Market the "Vortex of Los Angeles." The place just sucks everyone in. Happy Birthday, Amy!!!!

Bloom Cafe

Bloom Cafe, Pico Blvd. @ Sierra Bonita, Mid-City, LA

Today's post is here. Yippee! There's a new restaurant in our neighborhood.....and it's good!

Beltastic

Crocheted Belts

I've been crocheting belts for holiday gifts! I've been stash-busting like crazy! It's so nice to have a small project that utilizes the yarn I have on hand (which is alot). I've only had to purchase belt buckles. I bought a few buckles at Michael Levine's, Downtown LA Fashion District and a few more buckles at F & S Fabrics in WLA. I am partial to the belts made with Koigu sock yarn, but since the yarn is thin, they are time-consuming and my deadlines are nearing. The thicker yarn belts are really quick! If you need a quickie gift, crochet or knit up a belt in wild colors. They're all the rage!

Thanksgiving @ Punch Grill

Private Dining Area

We had such a nice time at our family Thanksgiving last Thursday. My Aunt Mae and Uncle Marvin hosted the party at Punch Grill in Santa Monica. Everything was delicious, the ambiance was lovely and the service was good. The menu for this specical dinner is here. I definitely want to try this restaurant for lunch.

Carrot Ginger Soup

Mixed Salad with Cranberries, Bleu Cheese

Roast Turkey

Short Ribs

Cousin Laurie with Grilled Salmon

Pumpkin Pie

Bread Pudding

obligatory See's Candy

Most of my family thought it was slightly strange that I was taking photos of our food and NOT taking pictures of the family. Oh well, this shows where my true interests lie. They're lucky I didn't bring my knitting or crocheting to dinner!

Post Thanksgiving

Just a quick note. Thanksgiving dinner was delish. I will be posting photos on Monday.
Today, we have another turkey celebration at my cousin Myrna's house. It's a potluck where everyone brings their leftovers. Since we don't have any leftovers, my mac 'n cheese is bubbling in the oven right now!
In the meantime, I have to get back to my holiday knitting and crocheting. Until Monday....toodles!

Happy Thanksgiving

Yummy Web Turkey

We're going OUT for Thanksgiving! Yippee. No cooking, no muss, no fuss. HOWEVER, there are also NO LEFTOVERS. Darn. We may just have to pop over to Pann's or one of my other fave coffee shops, Rae's Diner in Santa Monica for a second meal of turkey, stuffing, cranberries, etc.

My Aunt and Uncle are hosting the family (about 20 people) at The Punch Grill in Santa Monica for dinner. It should be lovely.

I salute the Queen of Poultry Crochet as I leave you with my photo of Regina's Turkey Handbag from last season. Gobble 'till you wobble! Have a marvelous holiday.

Lady Linoleum's Crocheted Turkey Handbag, unstuffed!

Pann's Coffeeshop

The Class California Coffeeshop

Today's post is here. I've been a devotee of Pann's Coffeeshop for years and years. It's one of my fave places in Los Angeles....foodwise and architecturally!

Tin Can Hat

Designer, Meghan Fabulous'

Beer Can Bucket Hat on the Runway

Over the weekend I was very busy trying to finish up my holiday gifts. I had to take a break, however and work on something frivolous. Remember when I posted about the beer can hats? Desiger, Meghan Fabulous plopped beer can bucket hats on her models as they galloped down the runway at Fashion Week this past year. Of course, the beer cans appeared to be international and rawther fancy schmancy.

So, I thought, why shouldn't I make a bucket hat using my favorite drink, FRESCA?!? I saved 3 cans, cut them up, punched holes in them and went to work. The edges of the tin are evil. I kept scraping my knuckles while I was crocheting, but the result was worth it.

Ellen's Fresca Hat

I'm now the proud owner of a Fresca Bucket Hat. Too bad I missed the Doo Dah Parade this past weekend. I would have fit right in.

Look! We're Trendy!

I was reading the latest edition of the L.A. Weekly this morning and happened upon an article in the "La Vida" section about where to stitch and bitch in L.A. There's also a companion piece called, "A Sexy Little Yarn." I'm glad that the fiber arts have reached the rock 'n roll community. Although this is not a really complete list of yarn stores in L.A. where one can hang out and knit or crochet, it's a beginning.

We have our own stitch and bitch community every Thursday night at the Original Farmers Market. Last night was really fun. Our winter groups are smaller than our spring and summer gatherings, but it's the core people attending who are serious about this art form.

I'm making progress on my holiday gifts. The lovely Natalie was kind enough to model one of my Koigu belts for me (see below).

Koigu Belt

Natalie also brought her current project, a darling girl Sock Monkey. She's white and pink with button eyes. Darcy was working on a failed sock and donated her mistake to the Sock Monkey to use as a hat.

Natalie's Sock Monkey with Darcy's Pink Hat

Alicia is amused by Natalie's Sock Monkey Gurl

Much fun ensued as Natalie made Monkey do the flashdance while wearing the "hat" on her tail! Even our own WeHo Monkeygurrrl, aka Denise, was highly entertained.

Denise Delights in FlashMonkey's Dance

More holiday preparations planned for this weekend. Maybe I'll see you running around town!

Argyle Crochet

Crocheted Argyle from the 1970's

One of my Sisters in Crochet, Alicia, asked me if I knew of a crochet recipe for the argyle pattern. I have hundreds of old knit and crochet books and magazines at home, so I started going through them. I thought, for sure, I had one! All I could find was a pattern for the "Persian Crosses" in this great old crochet sweater book by Sylvia Cosh. The Persian Crosses are beautiful, but not really a typical argyle pattern.

Persian Cross Pattern by Sylvia Cosh

So, I started looking online and found Leisure Arts Book #284 for sale that appears to be from the 1970's. Of course, the actual recipes were nowhere to be found online. I suppose you get what you pay for!

Leisure Arts #284

It looks to me that the Leisure Arts argyle pattern is merely crocheted diamonds with top-stitching done after the diamonds are worked for the cris-crossed lines. What's your expert opinion? Inquiring minds NEED to know. Hey Faith, Sara-1, Drew, Pam G.? Do any of you have a pattern for crocheted argyle?

Headbands 'R Us

Ellen @ 4 years old with the everpresent kerchief

Taking a cue from Crazy Aunt Purl's post on bangs, I thought that I'd confess that I'm hooked on headbands. I've been wearing some form of scarf or headband since I was about 4 years old. Thanks, Mom.

When I was in grade school, you could buy a stretchy jersey or polyester band with the brand name "Pixie Band." They were soft, elastic and came in tons of solid colors. Of course, I had one for every outfit. Before the Pixie Band came out, my Mom would plunk a plastic bandeaux on my head or wrap one of her old kerchiefs around it to control my wavy curls. She was always trying to get me to cut my hair into a pixie cut (there's that pixie name again) or a little Buster Brown hairdo. The problem...both the pixie cut and Buster Brown were good for stick straight hair. Mine was wavy. My Mother just wasn't interested in fussing with my hair, she had better ways to spend her time. Oh nooooo, I'm not bitter.

Buster Brown and Ellen's Pixie Cut

In the past few years, since the knitting and crochet craze has re-emerged, I've seen many old patterns reinvented in a modern way. Like I said here, there's nothing new under the sun. I made my first headband on a dare from Regina. She gave me a pattern from the 60's that looked kind of Nordic or Eastern European....very cute. Later that year, I saw a similar pattern in Knitscene, emulating a Frida Kahlo style. Frida is very popular now, what with her free-thinking manifesto of empowerment and all, in a time of repression for women (1930's-1950's). The two patterns are almost identical. The difference is in the models. The model from the 60's is blonde and Swedish looking; the model for today's pattern has a Latin look.

My Current Wardrobe of Headbands

I've made three headbands with flowers on them. I wear the rust, burgundy and olive green one quite a bit. I made the colorful red, pink, aqua, yellow and lime green band for my Halloween Costume. I crocheted the solid burgundy band to wear on more conservative occasions.

Mom was right after all, headbands are easy and I do look good in them!

Crochet Sculpture Exhibit

Saturday night, Mr. Larry and I attended the NELA Second Saturday Gallery Night in Northeast L.A., which is Eagle Rock, Highland Park and the Arroyo Seco area of Los Angeles. Our good friends, Amy and Stuart own Future Studio Gallery in historic Highland Park, so it's really a reason just to hang out with our friends, see some artwork and meet new, like-minded people.

Regina had mentioned on her blog that she would be participating in a crochet sculpture exhibit called "Fibrous Beginnings" at That Yarn Store in Eagle Rock as part of the NELA Second Saturday Gallery Night.

We stopped in Eagle Rock first. The exhibit was small, but well-attended. There were crocheted masks, cupcakes, sea creatures, sushi, skulls and of course Regina's El Churro character and the Meat Wrestler.

Crochet Exhibit at That Yarn Company

Yummy Cupcakes and good use for novelty yarn!

Sea Creatures by the Store's Owner

El Churro by Regina

Meat Wrestler by Regina

Intarsia Scarf

Regina's Husband, Peter, holding court (right)

Regina's Latest Pirate Creation

Ellen, Regina and Lena

Our second stop was Future Studio. There was a photo exhibit by an artist who's name I can't quite remember at this time...sorry. His color photos were recent ones of Figueroa Avenue in Highland Park. They were blown up to a large size and fastened to the gallery wall with thumbtacks. It was an effective show and really interesting.

Photos by Larry Underhill