tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post8112903519018815173..comments2024-03-04T20:05:59.474+01:00Comments on MaiTai's Picture Book: Playtime with Blue - Capsule wardrobe #159Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-37860904468134070742016-03-08T02:25:34.265+01:002016-03-08T02:25:34.265+01:00MaiTai, could you comment on the quality and durab...MaiTai, could you comment on the quality and durability of the new GM blend? Are they holding up well after a season of use? I've heard the quality is not as it used to be and it's scaring me away from investing in one.<br />Kindest thanks!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02967324256537776711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-36849645270200172062016-02-21T22:29:27.791+01:002016-02-21T22:29:27.791+01:00A warm welcome to my site! Re your question, I wea...A warm welcome to my site! Re your question, I wear jeans across the board.. the ones pictured here are by 'Paige', my most comfortable pair yet! MaiTaihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02256110739626579757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-56661925413379871462016-02-21T22:20:00.122+01:002016-02-21T22:20:00.122+01:00Who is the designer of the denim jeans? They are p...Who is the designer of the denim jeans? They are perfection! I recently discovered your site and really like it! Thank you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-23606331464939022702015-12-25T19:20:12.465+01:002015-12-25T19:20:12.465+01:00Jerrine, you have a wealth of fantastic laundering...Jerrine, you have a wealth of fantastic laundering tips. I already use products from the Laundress, but I will definitely add the Shout Color Catchall! Great ironing tips as well. I,too, am a fan of ironed bed linens. There's nothing better than the feel of crisply pressed sheets against freshly showered and powdered skin! Wishing all of the lovely swans an "ealthy", "appy", Hermes 2016!! haverfordgalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16585599880422370056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-21922227636943075332015-12-14T19:59:32.939+01:002015-12-14T19:59:32.939+01:00Dearest beautiful Swans,- I am so sad not to have ...Dearest beautiful Swans,- I am so sad not to have joined the merry banter this time, but reading everyones comments brought many fun, happy and lovely moments into a very hectic week...big hugs and mwahs to you all! I am so thrilled the swan lake is rocking with laughter and friendship, and also that it has become a place of great advice for almost everything... from how to get to grips with grits on to how to wash scarves. Thanks so much everyone for making this place so special and so much fun <3 MaiTaihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02256110739626579757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-87091813296272338432015-12-14T09:06:46.350+01:002015-12-14T09:06:46.350+01:00I'm losing track on the comments- so I just an...I'm losing track on the comments- so I just answer at the bottom... <br />I think that Jerrine's care instructions are excellent and it would be worthwhile to save them in an extra entry for easier access later on...such as "all about washing silk" with Jerrine :))) Maybe our dearest MaiTai can help us with that:) <br />Have a wonderful time running towards x-Mas - yes, Fifi, endurance sounds great, it certainly feels like a 5k race...enjoy, dear swans! 10 days to go...<br />KatjaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-64355702105899757902015-12-13T14:51:39.982+01:002015-12-13T14:51:39.982+01:00Hi très Chère ! Not ready at all as usual ! Conce...Hi très Chère ! Not ready at all as usual ! Concerning the famous grits I have to decline your offer, I'm far too traditional for Christmas certainly due to a mix of French, Swiss, Italian roots…. but bring some when you’ll come for the book ;-)<br />This year I finally found some time to prepare MaiTai’ super recipe of Christmas pudding, I’ll have a cheers for her and all the swans when tasting on dec 24th!<br /><br />Wishing you and all the ladies around good luck for the last sprint before this festive season (maybe Fifi would give us a tip concerning endurance?)<br /><br />Amitiés,<br />CatherineAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-40674908268022864622015-12-12T04:45:30.245+01:002015-12-12T04:45:30.245+01:00Those recipes do sound very tasty, Greta. I focus...Those recipes do sound very tasty, Greta. I focused right in on "cheesy." But, as I said before, you can never go wrong with cheese.<br /><br />Now, you had better explain "Y'all." I think there may be only three Southern swans on the pond.<br /><br />Best,<br />JerrineAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-23762475273559890882015-12-12T04:41:24.473+01:002015-12-12T04:41:24.473+01:00Hi Catherine. I'm so glad you enjoyed my grit...Hi Catherine. I'm so glad you enjoyed my grits story. Wow, if I can enthral you by writing about the lowly grits, maybe I should aspire to a loftier subject, lol.<br /><br />I hope you have a lovely Christmas. Are you all ready for it? Should I send grits?<br /><br />With all best wishes,<br />JerrineAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-33867607612927201982015-12-12T04:36:56.171+01:002015-12-12T04:36:56.171+01:00Katja, thank God, there's another bed linens n...Katja, thank God, there's another bed linens nut out there! But, isn't it lovely to fall into bed with freshly ironed sheets? It's a little luxury I enjoy, and it doesn't cost anything other than a bit of time, and oddly, I find it relaxing.<br /><br />If you think your scarf is off kilter after washing it, let it dry for a bit and then fold it in half to see if everything lines up. If not, just hand block it back into shape with a few gentle tugs. That always works for me.<br /><br />As Hermes sets the scarves in a water bath after printing, I'm not at all afraid to wash them, knowing that it's better for the silk in the long run. One warning though - never soak them. A few minutes of swishing them in the bath is all they need, followed by a thorough rinse. I do put a Shout Color Caatcher in with them, which will catch any escaping dye, but I've never had that happen anyway.<br /><br />And, Manuela, don't worry too much about that finish. Hermes uses something to give them that stiff hand, but that will also diminish with dry cleaning and even with normal wear. They must vary the amount of whatever it is they use, as sometimes a new scarf is particularly stiff, and other times, they seem to be softer and more supple. Lately, they seem to be getting away from that really stiff finish.<br /><br />In any case, ladies, enjoy your scarves and your holidays. Katja, back away from the goose!<br /><br />JerrineAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-14591283529670646692015-12-11T19:19:23.337+01:002015-12-11T19:19:23.337+01:00We have the same in Portugal and in Denmark, where...We have the same in Portugal and in Denmark, where I live. It's delicious!!!!<br />Manuela xxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-90158424891378132862015-12-10T23:13:16.886+01:002015-12-10T23:13:16.886+01:00See, not everything is about grits...that is a ver...See, not everything is about grits...that is a very good instruction indeed and I'm going to print it out and pin it in my laundry room;-) THANKS! And by the way, I'm odd, too - I also iron bed linens...<br />I just didn't have too much luck with a vintage 70 scarf - it had lost a bit of its shape after washing. Dread to think of ironing a 140 silk scarf...<br />Will turn to you again after the next too-close-encounter with sauce (hopefully not from the X-mas goose;-)<br />Enjoy your ironing, <br />Katja<br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-41083902241922479972015-12-10T22:53:08.051+01:002015-12-10T22:53:08.051+01:00You really make me laugh, dear Jerrine and Greta- ...You really make me laugh, dear Jerrine and Greta- no, I'm not at all sorry to have asked! I just learned another culinary lesson:) Thanks so much for your elaborate answers- I'm sure there were more swans in complete darkness when it comes to grits. Sounds very interesting and will go in my list of things I have to try once - maybe it will only be once, but hey... <br />Just for the record: in Germany there is a dish called "milk rice" - round rice boiled in milk, sugar and cinnamon and a dollop of butter on top...not in the least more healthy, but tastes good (if you grow up on it:)...<br />Sweet greetings, <br />Katja Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-39442874955108572752015-12-10T18:59:06.668+01:002015-12-10T18:59:06.668+01:00Very very interesting indeed. I'm enthraled by...Very very interesting indeed. I'm enthraled by your talent of writing about grits Jerrine!. <br />Greetings.<br />CatherineAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-34389073566502610722015-12-10T16:47:26.300+01:002015-12-10T16:47:26.300+01:00Thanks for the detailed explanation, dear Jerrine....Thanks for the detailed explanation, dear Jerrine. I only washed a gavroche once but it lost its 'body' so I haven't tried it since. I usually use a very good dry cleaner but what you wrote about the product they use made me think...<br />Hugs, ManuelaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-66503555074760628522015-12-10T04:16:34.381+01:002015-12-10T04:16:34.381+01:00Okay, Katya, I have the answer as to how this corn...Okay, Katya, I have the answer as to how this corn mixture became known as grits. One source claims that the word "grits" is derived from the Old English word "grytt," meaning coarse meal. But, another source states that it may have come from either the German word "grutze" or the Italian word, "gruzzi," both of which mean crushed or coarsely ground corn.<br /><br />It is the first truly "American" food. When the pilgrims first came ashore at what is known as Jamestown, Virginia, their first experience with Native Americans probably involved discovering a traditional dish the natives called "rockahominie." The steaming porridge was made of softened ground corn, seasoned with salt and animal fat. <br /><br />It was one of the great gifts from the Native Americans to the pilgrims and was responsible for sustaining much of the population through the first difficult years in the new land.<br /><br />Gee, I have a new found respect for grits. Still don't like them, though.<br /><br />MT, Katya and I are sorry for highjacking the post and veering away from lovely scarves and shawls to a discussion of the lowly grits (it can be either singular or plural.) We will try to behave ourselves in the future.<br /><br />Katya, I'm going to send you a big ole bag of grits!<br /><br />Cheers,<br />JerrineAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-49759624410473172312015-12-10T03:51:13.597+01:002015-12-10T03:51:13.597+01:00Okay, Katja, this should be good - a Yankee girl a...Okay, Katja, this should be good - a Yankee girl attempts to explain Southern grits. Here goes.<br /><br />Grits are basically ground corn - yellow corn, white corn, blue corn; it doesn't matter. They'll turn it all into grits down here. The corn is removed from the cob (I think it has to be dried first), and it can be ground between two large grinding stones, but there are also modern machines that do it faster. The purists still prefer stone ground grits, though. Basically, I can't tell the difference - they're still grits to me.<br /><br />Once it's ground, the meal is put through a series of sifting screens to get the right consistency. To cook it, you boil it much as you would rice or oatmeal. Before the chefs took grits under their wing, they were primarily a breakfast side dish, served with a large dollop of butter (yes, the South loves its butter, too!) Children like it with sugar sprinkled on top (Southern cooking is far from a healthy cuisine.) Now, they add all kinds of things to grits, and shrimp and grits are one of the most favorite renditions. You can make them into a cheese/grits souffle; you can do most anything with them. They're very versatile as a neutral base for all kinds of ingredients and flavorings. But, I still don't like them. I think your description of "pebble stones" just about hits the mark, but people raised on grits from childhood would skin me alive. They love them, and they bring back all kinds of good childhood memories.<br /><br />I guess a close cousin is Italian polenta. For the life of me, though, I don't know how or why they became known as grits. I'll do a little research and see if I can find out. I'm sure it involves some profound Southern lore, though.<br /><br />Now, aren't you sorry you asked?<br /><br />Gritty greetings,<br />JerrineAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-9666075700601337622015-12-10T03:31:37.354+01:002015-12-10T03:31:37.354+01:00The trick, Katja, is to press the scarf while it&#...The trick, Katja, is to press the scarf while it's still just barely damp to the touch. And, I find that the silk setting on your iron just won't do the job, so I use a sheer, white cotton handkerchief as a pressing cloth, so I can use a higher, hotter setting.<br /><br />The key is to find a handkerchief or cloth that is sheer enough so you can see the hems as you're approaching them. Afterall, we hate flat hems!<br /><br />I press the scarf first on the wrong side and then make the initial fold and then iron both of the front sides, pressing in a good crisp fold mark. Then I make the next fold and press that one in, etc. <br /><br />And, if the scarf is an older vintage without much body left, I spray the back side with a bit of Magic Spray Sizing to restore a bit of the crisp hand.<br /><br />I actually enjoy ironing the scarves and find it relaxing. But then, I'm odd . . . I like to iron my bed linens, too!<br /><br />Best,<br />JerrineAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-20135846931697375442015-12-10T01:03:47.556+01:002015-12-10T01:03:47.556+01:00Y'all are so funny! I didn't care for them...Y'all are so funny! I didn't care for them when I first moved to New Orleans, but now I enjoy them--especially with plenty of cheese! It is one of my go-to entertaining recipes--so simple and so delicious!<br /><br />Katja, grits are coarsely ground corn kernels that are boiled with water or milk. They are usually served at breakfast (similar to Cream of Wheat, which is SO GROSS), but have become haute cuisine here in the Southern US. I'm linking to some delicious grits recipes so as to spread the love! Check out http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/cheesy-shrimp-grits and http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/shrimp-and-grits-biscuits.Gretanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-88173958675121529412015-12-09T21:01:37.754+01:002015-12-09T21:01:37.754+01:00That is the right attitude and I feel
greatly reli...That is the right attitude and I feel<br />greatly relieved that I'm not the only one in the world who ends up with sauce on silk:) Thanks for the advice regarding dry cleaning- my trust in them is forever spoiled. Unfortunately, my skills at ironing hand-washed scarves are also limited...you'd better get that bib designed soon:)<br />To spotless dining, <br />Katja Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-62084192474593893862015-12-09T20:48:18.025+01:002015-12-09T20:48:18.025+01:00Please help me...what on Earth are grits?? Diction...Please help me...what on Earth are grits?? Dictionary isn't helpful at all- I don't suppose you're having tiny pebble stones with your cheese...?!? And then- in a pudding? <br />Curious greetings, <br />Katja Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-23383354084102062712015-12-09T19:47:46.473+01:002015-12-09T19:47:46.473+01:00That's the key, Greta - cheese and lots of it....That's the key, Greta - cheese and lots of it. But, really, cheese makes even cardboard taste good!<br /><br />I'll bet your shrimp and grits is delicious, and it doesn't get any more southern than that.<br /><br />Best,<br />JerrineAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-78206435005446395542015-12-09T16:24:13.883+01:002015-12-09T16:24:13.883+01:00Have you tried adding cheese to your grits? It can...Have you tried adding cheese to your grits? It can be something as simple as the South's beloved Velveeta, or you can be fancier and add some nice Gouda. It really adds a great flavor and smooth texture, and I serve it with shrimp. In fact, when I host Thanksgiving, my entree is shrimp and grits! (That said, I'm not asked to host it often...)<br />Merry, Merry!<br />GretaGretanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-4147302131062744532015-12-09T15:56:55.147+01:002015-12-09T15:56:55.147+01:00I am tempted to take mine off, too, ladyjane, but ...I am tempted to take mine off, too, ladyjane, but I did that once, and the scarf slipped off my lap unbeknownst to me, and I ran the chair over it! <br /><br />Sometimes, I will turn the scarf around, so it hangs down my back, but usually I just chance it and hope for the best. I figure they're to be enjoyed, and I no longer get upset if there's a tiny spot or two. Heck, I have spots on me, too!<br /><br />Merry Christmas,<br />Jerrine<br /><br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-13240368238493049072015-12-09T15:43:47.392+01:002015-12-09T15:43:47.392+01:00Katya,
Yes, a dog is a great floor cleaner. My s...Katya,<br /><br />Yes, a dog is a great floor cleaner. My sister's Labrador would thoroughly vacuum and "mop" the kitchen floor when anything fell on it - even just a spec of flour sent her into a cleaning frenzy. But then we'd have a lot of dog fur and dog spit to deal with. There is no easy solution!<br /><br />I agree about the perils of handing over a scarf to the dry cleaners. They don't understand about the no pins in the silk rule, and it doesn't matter how many times you remind them - they insist on those deadly safety pins.<br /><br />And the dry cleaning solution, even the perc-free ones, is detrimental to the silk, as well. Eventually, it will yellow light colored silk and actually break down the fibers. Plus, the "fragrance" isn't particularly pleasant either.<br /><br />I guess I'd better get going on that bib!<br /><br />Cheers,<br />JerrineAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com