Top Ten for 2012

"Summer Flies" - I made 3 of these!

I did a lot of knitting and crocheting in 2012.  I've found that if I like a pattern, I make it multiple times.  This was extremely true in 2012.  Many times, I'll follow a pattern the first time, then when I make it a second, third, fourth time, I'll add different details and even drastically change a pattern.

Here are ten of my fave projects that I made multiples of this year.  You can find all of the information on my Ravelry projects page!

Doll clothes challenge on Ravelry

Wedding Afghan for my cousins, Gena and Alex

Natalie's Birthday Cowl

2012 Scrubbie Swap

Southbay Shawlette in Noro Taiyo Sock Yarn.  I've crocheted this pattern MANY times.

Darcy's Birthday Crown

Ravellenic Games Union Jack Pillow

Fringed Scarflette.  I'm still making multiples of these scarves!

Do you have your favorite top ten projects from 2012?

Happy New Year.  Cheers to MORE knitting and crocheting in 2013!

Vintage Photo Friday

I'm still on vacation!  Everyday seems like Saturday to me.  I'm all turned around.  I almost forgot that today was Vintage Photo Friday!  

One of my spectacular holiday gifties from my Sweet Larry was a hard-bound copy of "Beverly Hills is My Beat" (1960) by former BH Police Chief, Clinton H. Anderson.  Anderson served on the force for 39 years. When I was around 11 years old I checked this book out of the BH Public Library.  I must have checked it out at least 6 or 7 more times in the next few years.  I wanted to read and re-read this fascinating book about crime in Beverly Hills.  I was captivated with the stories about crimes that occurred in MY little City on the very streets that I walked to and from school daily.

Each chapter details unsavory characters and their misdeeds including the murder of mobster Johnny Stompanato by actress Lana Turner's daughter, Cheryl (yeah, sure); the murder of Purple Gang Mobster, Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel in Virgina Hill's home on Walden Drive and more.  There are also chapters about mishaps (not necessarily crimes) involving  royalty and screen stars.

 

I dare say that this book, along with history learned from my Dad, fostered my love of Los Angeles history.  "Beverly Hills is My Beat" has had such a long-lasting impression on me that seven years ago I named my blog in honor of Chief Anderson's book.

The book is out of print now, but the BH Public Library may still have a copy!  Larry found my present on eBay.  He's so thoughtful.  Tonight I will re-read the mischievous deeds of the citizens of my home town.

Classic Dining

Larry and I have been obsessed with the what is known as the "red leather booth" classic dining establishments.  Recently, our ModCom friend, Pete Moruzzi published a book called "Classic Dining:  Discovering America's Finest Mid-Century Restaurants." 

Ellen, inside Taylor's...check out the fine artwork!

We wanted to experience a bit of classic dining after all the hub-bub of Christmas.  Last night we drove to Taylor's Steakhouse in the West Adams area of Los Angeles for dinner.  We had mushroom soup, Caesar salad, steak, ribs, spinach and baked potato.  Everything, including the martinis were perfectly delicious and reasonable compared to today's restaurant prices.  The portions were so huge that we have dinner for tonight too!

Steak dinner @ Taylor's

Today, on a field trip to Hobby Lobby in Rancho Cucamonga, I remembered that there was this fantastic looking restaurant on Foothill Blvd. in Upland.  We cruised out to the Pomona Valley and came across the Magic Lamp Inn.   Opened in 1959, the storybook style brick building is magnificent inside and out!  

We'd already eaten lunch, so we just toured the interior.  The bar is huge, with a dance floor.  Those beautiful red leather booths are in perfect condition.  

Magic Lamp Inn

See the magic lamp in the center of the window?

There is some fine woodwork and glorious stained glass windows.  The standout feature was the copper hood over the circular fire pit!  Restaurants are not custom-designed like they were in the old days.  It's so wonderful to sit in a beautiful restaurant with wood paneling, carpets and muted SOUND while dining on a delightfully prepared and served dinner.

Fire Pit @ Magic Lamp

Wow!  I'd like to sip a martini gazing into that fire.  I looked at the menu and the lunch choices were excellent.  We must return.

An added plus and insurance that the new owners of the Magic Lamp Inn know they have a gem of a classic restaurant was that we saw Pete Moruzzi's book in the display case near the entrance!  Yes!  Fine dining does still exist in Southern California!

 

Have you been to any red leather booth, white table cloth restaurants lately?

Boxing Day

Coffee Connection Knitters and Crocheters

Today, December 26th, is Boxing Day.  This is a big deal in the U.K.  It's a holiday.  Not sure why it is called Boxing Day.  There seem to be many reasons.  Read about it here. 

For my Boxing Day, I joined the Coffee Connection knitters in Mar Vista for their weekly meet-up.  This group has been meeting for years, always on Wednesday mornings.  I'm usually working, but if I'm on vacation I like to stop by.  There are people in this knit group from a few other groups that I attend.  It's always a fun time.

Joan and Gwen

Lisa and Ana

After knitting and talking up a storm, we headed across the street to the Mitsuwa Marketplace on Centinela and Venice. There are a number of great Japanese restaurants in their food court.  I had a delicious bowl of udon.  Thanks for the perfect Boxing Day morning, Ladies!

Tradition

The tradition in our family for Christmas day consists of getting together and eating lox, bagels and cream cheese.  Everyone has the day off, there's nothing else to do.  Mom and Hal came over this morning around 11:30 and we sat down to a delicious brunch.

After brunch Larry and I exchanged gifts while Mom and Hal looked on.  We had already exchanged Chanukah gifts with the folks, so Larry and I were the entertainment portion of the afternoon.
I found this painting in an antique shop last summer.  We don't know anything about the painter or the painting, but I think the subject looks a lot like Larry.   My Sweetheart went overboard this year and bought me TONS of gifties!  Everything is wonderful!

After we watched a few videos and looked at some recent photos, Mom and Hal left.  Not more than 30 minutes later our friends Audrey and Jeff came over.  They brought some goodies from their Christmas morning feast and we celebrated all over again!

It was a fun day.  Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

The Night Before

We're very busy with holiday activities.  Here are a few photos of Christmas in Los Angeles.   Some photos are from the Facebook site, "Vintage Los Angeles," some are from my own archives.  Have a wonderful holiday, everyone!

May Co. Appliance and Furniture Annex, late 1940's, Fairfax and Wilshire, L.A.

Mary Pickford on Hollywood Blvd., 1930's

Nancy Reagan and Mr. T.

Vintage Photo Friday

Fanny, Abe and ETHEL Pellicoff, 1894.  Philadelphia, PA

Today is the Winter Solstice.  It also happens to my grandmother's birthday.  Ethel Anna Pellicoff Bloom.  She would have been 123 years old today!  Grandma Ethel died 50 years ago at the age of 73...young for today.  I can't believe it's been such a long time.  She made a great impression on me.  People say I resemble her.  She was very artistic.  She sewed and crocheted, played the piano and was a great cook.  I was just a girl when she passed.  I so wish she had been around when I was older so I could have gained more of her wisdom.  Happy Birthday, Grandma!

Ethel's High School Graduation, 1907.  New Jersey

The world was supposed to end today.  We're still here.  Have a marvelous weekend, friends!

Lawrence and Ethel Bloom, 1959.  Hollywood

Last Minute Gifties

 Yolochka

If you're scurrying around like I am, trying to get everything done before 12/25 and you need a quick handmade giftie, here are a few suggestions.  Most of the patterns are Ravelry links!

Granny Star

No pattern for this one, but I know you can figure it out!

Granny Christmas Tree

Tea Toters

My friend, Gale's new pattern!  So cute!

Decibella

 

who does NOT need one of these?

Sock Monkey Toilet Tissue Cover

Happy last-minute crafting!  If you're REALLY running short on time, fancy jam/preserves are always an excellent giftie!  Happy Holidays!

ModCom Holiday Party

DWP at Night, from Hive Mind's Flickr Page

On Monday night Larry and I attended the Modern Committee's Holiday Party.  The Modern Committee is part of the Los Angeles Conservancy.   "The Los Angeles Conservancy Modern Committee is a volunteer group formed in 1984 in response to the rapid destruction of a generation of postwar buildings."  We're very interested in the architecture of the 1950's, '60's and '70's.  

This year's party was held in the DWP headquarters, The John Ferraro Building.  This gorgeous building was built in 1965.   It was designed by A.C. Martin and Associates. There are some wonderful photos of the building under construction here.   This building is so forward-looking and hip, that Nancy Sinatra filmed one of her TV shows in front of it in 1967.

Metal Gate in DWP Parking Lot

Many old and new friends were there.  The interior of the DWP is beautifully modern and spare.  The central staircase is hypnotizing.

Photo by Chris Green

After drinks and dinner we were ushered into the DWP Auditorium for a presentation about the architecture of the building.  Also included in this presentation were awards to three of our Modern Masters:  Architect, W.A. Sarmiento; Claremont Artist Betty Davenport Ford; and Landscape Designer Howard Troller.  A band performed after the presentation, but I had to leave.

Photo by Chris Green

We had dessert.  There were gifties and a grand time was had by all!  Thank you Chris and Charlene Nichols for organizing another grand event!

Charlene Nichols Constructed a "replica" of the DWP in cookies and frosting!

Mr. Larry wore his customary holiday outfit!