Gluttony: Happy Chanukah with Challah!

So I just made my first two loaves of bread!! I was researching Chanukah this time around (I celebrated it last year, but we didn't really know all of the traditions behind it so we played with a dreidel and ate some sweets), and found some recipes for tonight's dinner. So far on the menu we have potato latkes, roasted chicken and cherry cheese blintzes. Among these was a recipe for Challah, of which I had never heard of before. Turns out I've eaten this bread many times (now that I've tasted my own!) and I was determined to make it even though I've never baked bread before on my own. Here are a couple of photos from my adventure:

This is the recipe I used: Miriam's Not-So-Secret Challah from allrecipes.com
Awesome... Happy Chanukah!

Wrath: Some Days I Just Can't Control Myself

For those day that require a river of love flowing from your mouth when everything seems to go JUST RIGHT:

 

FUCK YA

Pride: Tea/Coffee Party Preview

As I'm sure some of you are aware, it's that time of the year again: 'tis the season for my semi-annual Tea and Coffee Party! This winter it will be held on Sunday, December 19th from 1pm - 5pm (drop by anytime). If you're really serious about attending I will give you my new address. This marks the 6th annual Winter Tea/Coffee Party, and the 12th semi-annual Tea/Coffee Party... I'm getting pretty serious about bouquets, TGFOPs and boldness now. This winter's "theme" is INDIA; below is a preview.

From Nectar: Fine Teas on Wellington Street in Ottawa comes a White tea from India: Assam Silver Needle. White and Green teas from India are pretty rare, the majority of tea estates in this region produce Black teas. The leaves are slightly rolled into tubes and the flavour is very subtle, but clear and refreshing (almost like a green tea). It was interesting to watch steep because the leaves were tightly rolled when the water was first poured over top and they floated up on the surface, but as the leaves softened, the air was released and they slowly sank to the bottom of the cup one by one like a little tea ballet.

Ian Pratt Memory Knives

(a slightly different view of the handles)

Photos by Maryellen Pratt.

Mike Agee Bag

Photographed at the 2010 CLA Show by Jan Riser.

English Flintlock Carriage Pistol by Steve Lodding

This fine double barrel pistol measures just at 15" in overall length. Its 8" fine twist damascus barrels & rib have 24 karat gold bands and maker's mark at the breech and a sterling front sight. The barrels hook into the tang which is fully engraved with scroll and acanthus leaf elements, a sun burst, and 2 symetrically blended wolf heads. The tang screw is also engraved with typical flower motif. The locks are reworked L&R Mantons with gold lined pans. Both locks have the cock screws engraved and the maker's name on the the right lock.The pistol is stocked in fine figured English Walnut, and the grip is chequered except for a plain strip on each side. Both locks are orperated with the one trigger. The right barrel discharges first when both locks are on full cock. The trigger guard, entry pipe, and escutcheon plates are all Sterling and engraved as you will see in the photos. The pistol shoots fine!! A .600" round ball with heavy patch and 40 grns. of FF powder worked just fine in the few shots I took to check the ignition.

Copy and photos supplied by Steve Lodding.

Amanda Webster Quilled Small Bag

Photographed at the 2010 Lake Cumberland CLA Show by Jan Riser.

Randy Hedden Hunting Pouch and Horn

This hunting pouch and horn were designed and made with the small game hunter hunter in mind. It would work well with any small caliber hunting rifle. It is a small pouch and horn, but is large enough to carry the necessaties for a one to two day hunt for small game.

The pouch is made of veg tanned calf hide and measures 5-1/2" wide by a scant 5-1/2" long. The pouch flap is lined with blue striped mattress ticking. The strap is 1" wide and is adjustable from 44" to 49" by means of a vintage brass English harness buckle. The horn measures 9" long on the outside curve and 2-1/8" wide at the red painted cherry buttplug. Extras on the pouch include a pair of torpedo type game hangers, a 30 grain powder measure made from horn and a handmade brass wire vent pick. The brass wire vent pick is sturdy enough for continued use yet small enough to clean out a 1/16" vent hole without any wear or damage to the vent hole. The powder measure and vent pick are attached in a manner so that they can be up and out of the way at most times, but can be quickly accessed when needed.

Both the pouch and horn have been lightly aged.

Copy and photos supplied by Randy Hedden.

Accessories by Mel and Isaac Hankla

Flint Bag and Pan Brush by Mel with the Flints by Isaac

Photo by Robert Weil.

Jerry Fisher Knife and Sheath

I forged this knife from 1084 with an overall length of 9 1/2 inches and a blade length of 5 . The blade features and aggressively etched patina and holds a fine edge. Very sharp! The handle is octagon to round from some of the offcuts of a past rifle build and has great color and warmth. I forged and drift fit the solid copper ferrule and complimented it with an inlet butt cap also of copper . Both have a beaten surface with a nice plum color.

To compliment the nature of this knife I fabricated a standing center seam sheath. The sheath consist of a veg-tanned cowhide liner with pigskin outer, topped off with a scalloped skirt with twisted fringe accented with subtle traces of reds and dark browns. The belt attachment will accommodate a sash or belt to 3 inches.

Copy and photos by Jerry Fisher.

Doll from The Old Pretender

I love this doll for many obvious reasons like her face and patina, but one reason for sure would be her fabric. This is one of the rarest of the rare mid 18th century fabrics that one can find today. It is a early painted Indian cotton print. In its day, this import fabric was not costly like silks and would have been far more utilitarian in use. Because so little of it has survived today, its become such a rare treasure.

it is all about the fabric

Copy and photos from The Old Pretenders.