Birds, Ponies, Chemises, Friends & Toffee Bars

Second Post of the Day

(Like that title? Much better than the usual "Mish Mosh" or "Hodge Podge," right? LOL)

First, I can now confirm that there ARE two baby barn swallows in the nest cup over our front porch.

Here they are, sitting on the edge of the nest and just about ready to fledge. The parents were swooping in and out with food, and at one point I saw all four at once, confirming the presence of the second baby. I suspect they will be leaving the nest soon.

I will really miss watching them.

I've begun sunning the PAF I found during my BreyerFest virtual "CHIN" shopping (a local antique store.) 

There is just a hint of pink on its muzzle, so I've covered it with masking tape to protect the color from fading.

Currently the outside temperatures are moderate so I feel comfortable letting it sit outside and get some sun.

An alarm on my phone is set to go off every two hours to remind me to go outside and check on it, turn it, etc. I think this little foal will look nice when done!

Sewing for The Feast of the Hunters' Moon has begun and the first chemise has been completed.

The ends of the sleeves are pleated when the cuffs are added. (An option would be to gather them, but I prefer the look of pleats.)

I love how pleats look on the finished garment, but pleating two sleeves takes up almost every one of my favorite pins. (Not to worry, I have nine pincushions and more pins if I need them; I just prefer these.)

I love the look of sleeve buttons in the cuffs, too.

Today's sewing plan is to complete another chemise and then either cut out some pockets or to start working on the green cloak that is cut out and prepped.

"I know it's very short notice, but I'm going to be in town tomorrow. Could I stop by around 2:00 for a quick visit?"

When your bestie (who moved away two years ago) sends you that kind of text, you rearrange your schedule and reply, "YES!!

Lisa and I had the best time being together again, and I baked her some toffee bars to nibble on as she drove home.

Here's the recipe:

Toffee Bars 

1 c. butter, softened

1 c. brown sugar

1 egg yolk 

2 c. flour

2 c. chocolate chips (approx.)

chopped almonds (optional)

Preheat oven to 350. Cream butter, brown sugar, and egg yolk. (Do not use the egg white - it will change the consistency of the bars.) Beat in the flour.  Spray a 9 x 13 pan with cooking spray (or line with parchment paper - my choice.) Pat the dough evenly into the pan. Bake 20 minutes until firm and golden brown.

Turn off oven and pull the pan out of oven. Immediately top with the chocolate chips, sprinkling them evenly over the top of the bars.  Put the pan back into the oven (leave the door ajar) for 3 - 5 minutes until the chocolate chips are softened. (They will look shiny.) Pull the pan out again and spread the softened chocolate chips over the bars and if you wish, sprinkle with the chopped almonds. Cool, cut, and eat!

Enjoy, and stay 'tooned!

Copy, Copy, Copy

Hagen Renaker introduced the beautiful Large Arabian Mare, Zara, sculpted by Maureen Love, in 1957.

Current reissue Zara in bay. 

Breyer copied Zara and released what they called the Proud Arabian Mare in 1958.

My mahogany bay Proud Arabian Mare made by Breyer 1972 - 1980. 

Needless to say, Hagen Renaker took exception to Breyer copying their sculpture, went to court, and Breyer had to discontinue production of the Proud Arabian Mare. 

Artist Chris Hess then made a new but similar sculpture for Breyer which was called the Family Arabian Mare and released in 1961. (This is my carpet herd Family Arabian Mare who is still in my collection.)

It was just a few days ago that I realized that Breyer's Family Arabian Mare had been copied by Marx when they introduced Thunderbolt and the Best of the West series in 1965.

Same long neck, same short back, same awkward tail, overly long legs in the same position... 

It may be 1:6 scale compared to Breyer's 1:9 scale, but I would call Thunderbolt a copy of the Family Arabian Mare. But Thunderbolt isn't Marx's only copy.

Take a look at Thundercolt.

And compare him to Breyer's Proud Arabian Foal, also released in 1958 and also a copy of a Hagen Renaker foal, Zilla.

Zilla was sculpted by Maureen Love and is Zara's foal.

As far as I know, Hagen Renaker did not take Marx to court like they did Breyer. Perhaps the subtle differences between the foals were enough that the case would not have held up in court. Regardless, I find it interesting to see that two different companies copied Hagen Renaker's sculptures.

That speaks well of their quality and of the skill of their sculptor, Maureen Love.

All photos of Marx horses taken from Google Images. Hagen Renaker photos are from Identify Your Hagen Renaker.