EWESPECIAL

Monday, April 29, 2019

Hill Country Film Fest

This past weekend we have been attending Hill Country Film Fest in Fredericksburg, Texas--This is our seventh year to view some outstanding films--some of these films are released to the public, so watch for them; although the films might not play on the big screen, sometimes, you can find them on the small screen.

Here you not only see the film, but there is Q and A with

the film maker and sometimes, the actors are in the theater

to answer questions. This year it was David Arquette with

his film--"Amanda and Jack Go Glamping"

Our houseguests had their photo taken with David after

the movie.

There were over 80 short films, 17 feature films from 12

different countries. Nothing was shown twice. you just needed

to check the program to decide what you wanted to see and

when. sometimes it was a conflict--but decisions had to be made.

Another film, 1989, shown was "Great Balls of Fire" starring Dennis Quaid--

really interesting to hear him speak about the film and Jerry Lee Lewis!

Five years ago, this large screen was set up in the Marktplatz where we viewed some of the short films nominated--a great experience!

Saturday, April 27, 2019

How To Wear a Kilt!!

Recently we were at an outdoor event and I met a young gentleman wearing a kilt--that is something you don't see often in United States. We got into a discussion about his clan and the tartan--Each clan has their own

tartan--I've done extensive research into tartans; have numerous books too--our name is related to MacFarlane tartan but since our name is Mc--that means it's Irish--that's whole other topic. I've woven several tartan swatches--never a complete yardage of tartan!

Wearing of the tartan is always an interesting topic--so when I came across this video--I had to share--wait to the end--you might find out the answer to another questionable topic--what do they wear under their kilts??

A kilt (Scottish Gaelic: fèileadh [ˈfeːləɣ])^[1] is a type of knee-length non-bifurcated skirt with pleats at the back, originating in the traditional dress of Gaelicmen and boys in the Scottish Highlands. It is first recorded in the 16th century as the great kilt, a full-length garment whose upper half could be worn as a cloak. The small kilt or modern kilt emerged in the 18th century, and is essentially the bottom half of the great kilt. Since the 19th century, it has become associated with the wider culture of Scotland, and more broadly with Gaelic or Celtic heritage. It is most often made of woollen cloth in a tartan pattern.

Although the kilt is most often worn on formal occasions and at Highland games and sports events, it has also been adapted as an item of informal male clothing in recent years, returning to its roots as an everyday garment. Particularly in North America, kilts are now made for casual wear in a variety of materials. Alternative fastenings may be used and pockets inserted to avoid the need for a sporran. Kilts have also been adopted as female wear for some sports.

Thursday, April 25, 2019

Weaving with Natural

My loom has been warped for months now with another set of

handspun cotton dish towels. I had finished one set last year and

thought it would be great to use up all my handspun cotton that

has been in my stash. Besides, I could just tie on another

warp and pull through--lazy me!

There are small bits of this and that--some brown cotton

plied with white. Some with white cotton and hand dyed

indigo cotton.

And then--you would think there would be enough yarn

for the loom--but, my brain doesn't function that way--

I thought I had enough--and I did to WARP but

not for weft--oh bother! There are times more needs to

be spun--here is a small ball of handspun brown and

blue dyed cotton--don't you have any idea how long

it takes to spin a bobbin of cotton? Neither did I--

of course, I'm an optimist and yes, there was enough

in the stash for weft--NOT!

it takes time to spin and ply what is needed...

Here is woven areas--looks great! Loving the feel

and the pattern that is generated just with plain weave.

A bobbin of handspun white cotton ready to throw

Behind the loom there still seems to be miles and miles

of unwoven warp--does it multiply during the night or

when I'm away from the loom?

Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Eggs! Eggs! Eggs!

Here it is couple days passed Easter and we still have several

hard boiled eggs in refrigerator! If you are like me before the big

Easter day, you boil eggs for dyeing--I did a dozen and half--

I use my Instant Pot--great way to get all the eggs

finished at the same time and they peel so easy!

Anyway, now I'm left with all these eggs--so what do you

do with them? Of course, I deviled some--then my brain

went off the deep end--why are they are called

deviled eggs when they taste so good? Everyone has

their own special recipe to make these delicious foods.

But, deviled they are--here's what Chowhound states:

"It turns out, the history goes back further than you think. The first documented usage for the word “devil” as a culinary term dates back to 1786 when, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, it was used to describe a “(highly seasoned) fried or boiled dish.” By 1800, the term “deviling” caught on and was primarily used to refer to the process of making a spicy or condiment-laden dish, like ham or even kidneys, as was common for the time.

The OED claims,”the term was presumably adopted because of the connection between the devil and the excessive heat in Hell.” This association makes sense. Even while the spice level of deviled eggs can definitely vary based on filling ingredients, they certainly have the potential to pack heat. I mean, you can literally put anything in a deviled egg. Beyond mustard, mayo, and paprika, you can throw in cayenne, kimchi, and even wasabi to kick it up a notch. At their mildest, they are still heavily seasoned and chock-full of condiments, so the original “deviled” definition still holds up."

Okay, that answers that question--but, you know what? No one has ever asked me why they are called 'deviled' when they are digging into that richness!

Before Easter, I was having a discussion with a friend who said they were attending a potluck in their community--"what are you bringing?" I asked. "Pea Salad", she answered--"it's what I always bring for potluck". She said a friend was bringing funeral potatoes--"what are funeral potatoes?" I asked--