Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Here is one of my favorite pics.  I was having a photo session with a just finished bunny and my Russian Blue, Pixie, jumped up with the bunny as if to say "You're not the ONLY photogenic furry thingy around here!!"

Diane, we will miss you SOOOOOO much, but you also just need to do what you can to relieve that pain!!  Both my daughters have migraines from time to time and I know what misery they go through.  Take good care of yourself and we will be happy when you return!

Jane, I'm so very sorry for your health problems and hope you aren't in too much pain at the moment.  Bummer on missing your bear show, but there will certainly be others for you to attend and your health should come first right now.  Hope your surgery goes well and that your recovery will be swift.

Hi, all . . . I'm back and just finished reading all the new posts!!  Whoa . . . I'm waaaaaaay behind.  Paul's (hubby) new poetry book has been beautifully printed and he did a super job with his reading.  Veeeerrry proud of the ol' man!!  I finished one bear and got the head stuffed on another, so I was able to accomplish a wee bit of bearwork.  Now I need to get started on posting . . . you ladies certainly have been a busy bunch!! 

Hi, Everybody . . . I will be out of town for a few days, so don't anyone post anything until I get back!!!
Awww, guess that would be asking toooooo much from this board.  Am going to Austin with Paul to pick up his newly published book of poetry at the publishers, then he will be reading exerpts from it at the Poetry Society of Texas' Summer Conference.  Soooo . . . I will miss being here and chatting with you all, but it will be fun catching up when I get back.  Y'all take care!!  Big hugs,

Meg, I've already got you up as a text link on my site.  http://www.pasttimebears.com  Thanks a bunch in advance for adding mine to your list!!

Well hopefully, sometime in this life we will run into one another at some point.  If not, then guess we'll have to be grateful for being able to chat and bond with each other on this board.  I hope to see some of you in San Diego shortly!!

I had such anxiety at my first show, I threatened to spend the whole day in the ladies' room, but my hubby talked me out of it!  It's a fact that the first few shows are frightening, but, hey . . . all the people that are in that showroom are teddy bear lovers, so how bad can it really be?  Hang in, girls, and it will be a piece of cake not too long from now!!!

Glad you liked the Kookie Brittle, Shelli!!  I can eat a whole pan at one time (if my husband isn't watching)!  QUITE addictive . . . almost like teddy bears.  Too bad it's so easy to make . . . I make double recipes of it when I finally let myself make something decadent.

WHat a GREAT photo, Dilu!!  Cute kitties!!

Jennifer Laing has a book out called Constructing Teddy and His Friends that has a rat, elephant, monkey, koala, emu, and elf patterns in it.  Also, CRs Crafts has a few animal patterns.  www.crscrafts.com  Hope you find something you like!!

Okay, Ladies, here is my daughter's favorite dish . . . . Texican Squash (hope you like squash!!).
 
2 1/2 lbs, summer squash (yellow, zucchini, etc.) cubed or sliced
4 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 lb. Monterey Jack cheese, cubed or grated
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking powder
3 tblsp. flour
1/2 cup chopped parsley
1  4 oz. can chopped green chiles (mild)
1 chopped, seeded jalapeno pepper (very optional!)
1 1/2 cups crushed tostados
1/2 cup chopped onion

Cook squash in 2 cups water until barely tender (about 7 minutes) at a boil.  Drain and cool in a colander.  Mix eggs, milk, cheese, salt, baking powder, flour, parsley, onion, and chiles together.  Fold into squash.  Butter an oblong pyrex 3 quart dish, 9" x 13".  Sprinkle bottom with tostado crumbs.  Pour in squash mixture and sprinkle with more crumbs.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. 

Now this is one of my (if not THE) favorite desserts.    Kookie Brittle

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

1 cup margarine or butter
1 1/2 tsps. vanilla
3/4 tsp. salt   Blend ingredients well.
Gradually beat in
1 cup sugar
Add
2 cups sifted flour and
1 6 oz. package semi-sweet chocolate chips and mix well.

Press evenly into greased 15" x 10" x 1" pan.  Sprinkle 3/4 cup finely chopped pecans over top and bake at 375 degrees for approximately 15 to 20 minutes.  Cool and break into irregular pieces. 

Enjoy!!

LLLOOOOOVVE the photo, Catherine!!  I am sooooo jealous that you had horses growing up!  I've wanted them all my life, but it was never to be, I guess.   You and Skelm show wonderful form and you are quite the cutie!!

Yes, Kelly, that polar bear is a very wonderful work of art!!  He's gorgeous!  I agree, Catherine . . . it is MUCH easier to understand when we can see it done in person . . . maybe some day!

Yummy, Laura!

Oooooh, yuck . . . domestic chores!!  I could do without those!!  HB, anyway!!

Whew!  Glad someone else digs Barry!  Thanks for commenting!  
I'm aware of some of your faves, but not all.  Whatever music tastes we have . . . more power to us!!

Well, but you'll sell all nine, I'm sure!!  GREAT looking table, Paula!

PLEASE don't feel bad about asking questions!!  All of us are here to help if we can and learn from others at the same time!!  We ALL need questions answered at one time or another, so just join in with the rest of us to give suggestions and to receive information.  When I made my first and only (so far) double jointed neck, I set the eyes before finishing the neck as I would a regular jointed head.  I always finish the head entirely before I start jointing.  Also, I used the nut/bolt method of jointing . . . it's just always been easier for me . . . and yes, mark the center of the circles for the joint placement.  Again, ask questions . . . it's a great way to get informed!!

Cute, cute bears, Judi!!  You have SO much imagination!!

What a gorgeous dish, Marie!!  Bet it tastes just as good as it looks, too!

I don't know girls . . . you want Tex-Mex from Texas, or BBQ, or chili . . . . . oh I'll pick out something!

He's a sweetie, Dilu!!  Google "baby names" and you'll have resources 'til kingdom come!

Great avatar, Rita and Shelli!!!

Can't wait to see them!!!

And my childhood hero, Roy Rogers, was one of the best at yodeling!!  Sing it, Roy!!  I'm sure he and Dale are crooning together in that big corral in the sky!!