Fried Green Tomatoes

Cafe window from the movie 'Fried Green Tomatoes'

Fried Green Tomatoes At The Whistle Stop Cafe

 A 1987 Novel and Film By Fannie Flagg

I found this book and film several years ago and was totally wowed by it. Have you read/seen it? If not, then do so as you are in for a real treat! How about an evening with friends, a film and nibbles of fried green tomatoes with a glass of wine?

Film 'Fried Green Tomatoes'

Kathy Bates in Fried Green Tomatoes

Jessica Tandy in Fried Green Tomatoes

Scene from the movie 'Fried Green Tomatoes'

The film is set in Juliette in Alabama in the deep south of  USA, at  The Whistle Stop Cafe and is narrated over a period of several decades.  The story of the Threadgoods tackles the issues of families, marriage, lesbianism, menopause, ageing, and loss. Apparently it is based on a real life cafe in Irondale, Alabama, which is still in existence today and still known for its fried green tomatoes recipes.

Fried Green Tomato Recipe

Green tomatoes 4-6

Handfull of cornmeal

Olive oil

Slice the tomatoes half inch thick

Salt and pepper them

Dip in cornmeal

Fry for five minutes in olive oil

Drain and serve as side dish

Via Simplyrecipes

Serve with something sparkly.
 Enjoy!

Another Multi Pocket Bag

That Snazzy Bag Again!

My first attempt at the Keyka Luu  "Lots Of Pockets Tote"  was not a total success - although it looks fairly good at a distance, so this is a second attempt with just the right materials to hand!

"Shell Montage" in beige and lavender colourway by Philip Jacobs

"Shell Montage" in beige and coral colourway by Philip Jacobs

I have chosen a lovely fabric called "Shell Montage" designed by Philip Jacobs for Rowan Westminster Fabrics. I think it is exactly the same, or similar, to a Kaffe Fassett material I saw a little while ago although the colour-ways are not quite so vibrant and distinctive. I bought the fabric in two colourways intending originally to use one for the exterior and the other for the interior but I have changed my mind and used the lavender colour fabric for the exterior and interior with a bright purple tie and dye fabric from Hobby Lobby for the trims and handles instead, which I think complement the exterior better - so I now have enough for two "Shell" bags.

Now to cut the twenty-one fiddly pieces

The purple fabric is for the straps/handles/pocket lining

Button Sensations

I found these buttons, which seem to go rather well with the shells and decided to use them along with a magnetic snap - my buttonholes are rubbish! They are made by Blumenthal Lancing Company and come in lots of interesting colours. They are rather large and yet cost just under a pound each.

I bought some also for the previous bag after deciding the button that I originally used was not suitable as it did not lay flat. These are the choices for the first bag ... not sure yet which I shall use.

Which would you choose?

They all go rather well

I chose this one!

Now to cut the interfacing for the second bag and iron it on ...

I hate ironing!

The first pocket went well

As did the second

This is what the back of the first piece should look like

Now for the inner pockets and handles

The bag is now coming together - see the two exterior pockets?

All tidied up and with a fastening - do you like the button?

Not too sure about the colours but Mr Whizz Kid liked it
(This is a worry as he really IS colour blind!)

A very colourful interior with three pockets

This bag was more successful, although I liked the fabric less,  and now I have made the bag twice I think I could easily go into production as the second was very fast indeed!

It was nice to get back to my sewing machine

A Little Choosing

My Favourite Portrait
Dame (Alice) Ellen Terry

Dame (Alice) Ellen Terry
"Choosing"
George Frederic Watts
The National Portrait Gallery
via Google images

I have always loved this painting, "Choosing", which hangs in   The National Portrait Gallery  in London. It was given to the gallery in 1975 by George Frederic Watts in lieu of taxes owed to the Government. It is a small painting barely eighteen inches by fifteen inches but has a huge depth and grandeur belying its size.

A wonderful London venue
via Google images

Ellen Terry was born in 1847 and died in 1928 and was an immensely popular Shakespearean actress.
She started acting at an early age, travelling with her family of actors and taking small parts in their productions.

She married the artist George Frederic Watts when barely sixteen, but the marriage lasted under a year. It was during this time that this beautiful painting was completed.

A new relationship with an architect Edward Godwin took her away from the stage for six years during which time she gave birth to two children. When their relationship cooled she returned to the stage and became a highly sought after star right up until her death.

She married Charles Wardell a journalist, in 1877, another marriage which did not last, and after their divorce in 1907 she married for the third time to an American actor James Carew.

With three husbands, two children, many lovers and liasons, and a wonderful long and fulfilling career she sure had a full and busy life. She died at the age of eighty-one in 1928 at her home in Kent and her ashes rest at St. Pauls, Covent Garden, London.

Photo by Julia Cameron
via Tumblr

I recently visited the beautiful home of the actress Ellen Terry, Smallhythe Place, in Kent.
While I was there, I was fascinated to find the following quotation by William Allingham, on which Ellen had written, 'I should wish my children, relatives and friends to observe this when I die.'

"No funeral gloom, my dears, when I am gone;
Corpse-gazings, tears, black raiment, graveyard grimness.
Think of me as withdrawn into the dimness,
Yours still, you mine. Remember all the best
Of our past moments, and forget the rest.
And so, to where I wait, come gently on."

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/smallhythe-place/

Fifty Shades Of Grey?

Grey Felt Flower via Polydor.com

Via Screenrave.com

I heard today that this is the most Internet searched for title at present  - "Fifty Shades Of  Grey" ... so ... not being one to miss an opportunity here are my fifty shades of  grey!  ...

Grey Teddy by Wizpan

Grey Mulberry Bayswater Bag

Grey Jumper via Weheartit

Grey Prado Spazzolette via Flickr

Grey Doll via Alicedays

Grey Hair via Anneofcarvesville

Grey Dress by Thisnext.com

Grey Shawl via Doiliesarestylish.com

Grey Socks via Tumblr

Grey Necklace via Stylehive

Grey Bib in Liberty Cars

Grey Fabric via Keyka.Typepad.com

Grey Earrings via Pidgeonhole.com

Grey Bracelet via Friendshipbracelet.co.uk

Grey Hat via Polyvore.com

Grey Socks via Savannahchik.com

Grey Shoes vis Vibramfivefingers.com

Grey wristlet via Etsy

Grey Owl via Alexander Henry

Grey Skies via Flickr

Grey Teapot via Harmony VanLuuTanquay

Fifty Shades Of Grey by E.L. James is a novel of romance, suspense, erotica and has taken the literary world by storm. I reserve my right to comment upon it until I read it (next week)!

Grey Rose via Flickr

Grey necklace via thethisletree.com