And why is this important information for quilters, you might ask?
My friend Linda called me and asked if I would help her spend money on some new fabric. What do you think I said?? Ok — so there’s a new quilt shop, Family Threads in nearby San Juan Bautista, that Linda hadn’t visited yet. (I love being an enabler ; )
Thinking about where we were going to meet, I thought, “hmmm, how can I tie this in with quilting and a new blog post?” So here you go …
Do you know where
Alfred Hitchcock’s
was filmed? Well, in California, of course!
Not exactly in my backyard, but close enough. San Francisco, at Fort Point, Monterey and Carmel, and San Juan Bautista — actually, the mission at San Juan Bautista!
Please indulge me while I share some pictures that I took there yesterday:
San Juan Bautista is well known for its’
who use the crosswalks in the town…
but best known for its’
Mission San Juan Bautista, one of 21 Missions in California. They span from San Diego to Sonoma. Many have played key roles in Hitchcock’s films. All of the kids you will see in these pictures are here on school field trips. In California, fourth graders study the missions of California history. There must have been several hundred kids there…
Here is what is directly behind me…
The Stable, from the infamous “stable scene”…
and here are Kim Novak and James Stewart inside the Stable.
After that, she runs into the church. Hitch filmed it so it looked like such a long run and struggle. It’s actually about 50 yards from the doors of the Stable to the doors of the church. Here’s another view point…
inside the archway in front of the church doors. (The church doors were locked)
Here is the door that leads to those set of wood stairs (gives ME vertigo and sweaty palms every time I see the movie, especially because I know the ending…)
There’s a padlock on those doors for a reason. Seems everyone wants to climb them…
To recreate this famous scene:
only there’s no way to recreate it, becuase…
…there is NO tower… yep, look closely. There are the bells but there’s no tower inside the bells. Hitch used a set for this scene — the magic of the big screen.
And Now, behind the scenes of the Mission…
Just 10 yards outside the church doors, is this look-out point:
Have you ever heard of or driven the El Camino Real? It means the avenue of the King, basically. And it stretches from San Diego to Sonoma, snaking it’s way from mission to mission, connecting them from town to town.
From this viewpoint, is another important point. Look closer…
closer still…
In a gulley, just in between the bushes at the top of the walking path and the palm trees is… the San Andreas Fault… if you’re thinking Earthquakes, you’d be right!
Here’s some other interesting info at the mission, (not regarding any movies made there)
Uh huh…
on the premises, people!
And yet, they have these:
guarding the place, so it’s safe to visit ; )
And of course, while I was walking around the mission grounds, I found some quilts. For real!
On the property, there is a building that has been at times City Office buildings, a Hotel, and a family residence since it’s been built. They have it furnished now with original pieces from the last resident who made it their family home. Two quilts in the first bedroom, both antiques in pretty good shape. The furniture in this house is unbelievably gorgeous and probably weighs a ton a piece.
A close-up of this beauty. I have to find out what the applique pattern is.
The Nursery, where the kids slept and played. I love the victorian pieced quilt.
Another bedroom with another beauty.
Victorian throw for an elderly woman of the family, on a cane wheel chair. I don’t know which I find more fascinating, the throw or the wheelchair!
And here’s the “reese’s pieces” of the whole house:
this baby is O-L-D !!
I also found inspiration for quilts, back in the church. (I find in everywhere ; )
Ideas for applique:
and…
one of the stations of the cross, and…
detail in the piano (sorry it’s blurry, it’s the only one I took)
See– you can find inspiration for quilts every where, not just in quilt shops…
But there is plenty of that at Family Threads in San Juan Bautista!
just look!
and..
and…
if these look familiar, it might be because these patterns were designed by my friend, Holly..
who is cutting fabric for Linda, because Holly is the shop manager! So say hi when you go to visit! She really is sweet ; )
I bought some fabric at the shop for me, (I couldn’t resist) and I bought some fabric for YOU.
Here is the Give-Away for today:
one-yard yard of yummy fabrics with chocolates on it, and two bags of yummy chocolates! Earthquakes to be exact… (Oh, ok — you get it now, right? Hitchcock – earthquakes – chocolate, yeah!)
Because, I love visiting here when I go to the quilt shop:
DeBrito Chocolate Factory in Hollister, CA.
For years, I saw the sign on the highway and just kept driving to my sister’s house … unaware of the chocolatey goodness that awaited me here.
Is THIS any indication of what I’d been missing??!!
Then what about THIS…
or THIS…
well, how about this…
Gourmet dessert apples that have been served on Oprah’s table, featured on Martha Stewart’s radio show, to name a few.
BUT! You’ll be able to see them up close and personal on The Food Network, May 9th, on a episode of Kid in a Candy Store! Yep, cutie Adam Gertler spent two days at DeBrito and I can’t wait to see it! I’m so happy for them.
Now, about the Earthquakes — the chocolate kind: They are wonderful little chocolates that are filled with rice krispy treat, caramel, peanut butter and peanuts, covered in milk chocolate and drizzled with a white chocolate earthquake jolt. The BEST chocolates, ever. And DeBrito ships… everything.
so…. here’s the deal: leave a comment about Alfred Hitchcock movies, earthquakes, or how chocolate inspires you to make loverly quilts and I’ll put you in the drawing.
Now — About Those Drawings…
The Deadline is midnight PACIFIC time, not your time, if you don’t live in California ; ) So enter, will ya?? And don’t forget that the posts go up a little later in the day because of my time difference.
Now, there’s one last picture that I want to share with you that I see every day as I drive around the two-lane highway roads where I live:
thousands of acres of Mustard plant. The yellow is vibrant, it almost hurts your eyes to look at it — but it’s so beautiful. The mustard grows wild, like a weed, and sterilizes the ground when it’s plowed under to make furrows for…
Oh yes, it’s that time again. So here is my favorite recipe:
Cream-filled Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
one-half flat -or- 6 baskets of strawberries (if you do a whole flat, you’ll be able to feed an army)
1 8 oz. pkg. softened cream cheese
vanilla and powdered sugar to sweeten cream cheese to taste
12 oz. bag of Milk chocolate chips, melt in a double boiler
Wash off all of the strawberries just before you fill and dip. Strawberries should be dry and at room temperature* when you’re ready to work with them.
Remove the top greens of the strawberry, making sure the the strawberry is hollow on the inside.
Mix cream cheese with vanilla and powdered sugar to sweeten to taste — and just firm enough for spreading.
Fill a piping bag or a kitchen syringe (1/4″ opening) with the cream cheese mixture.
Fill the cavity of the strawberry with cream cheese, then dip the top of the berry in the chocolate to seal in the cream.
Place on a wax-paper lined cookie sheet and allow chocolate to harden.
Repeat until all of the berries are filled and dipped.
These strawberries are so lovely and decadent and great for gift giving. One year, for Mother’s Day, we filled and dipped an entire flat of strawberries. We had so many, that we drove around and delivered strawberries to my Mom and mommy friends. A warning: if you eat these as you make them (heavenly!!), you can lose track of how many you eat until you are in a bliss of a chocolate coma.
*Did you know that you should not put strawberries in the refrigerator, nor wash them until you are ready to eat them? It’s true! Strawberries will begin to rot when they are wet and when kept in the refrigerator, they lose their taste and pick up the odors in the fridge. I had strawberries at a restaurant that were served with whipped cream and hot fudge to dip them in. Great idea — except the strawberries tasted like onions that were dipped in fudge and cream instead… kinda gross.
So how do you keep strawberries before they go bad? The answer is, thanks to the strawberry growers that I buy from: keep them on the counter covered with a brown bag. And only buy as many strawberries as you’re going to use/consume. They’re best fresh and they really don’t keep.
Well, quilters — ENJOY!! And leave a comment!
©2011 Annie Smith All Rights Reserved
Interesting your tales of the missions – I’ve been to the one in Sonoma about 6 years ago when we were on a trip to San Francisco – I found them fascinating – is there something about chickens and these missions ??- as I recall a rooster and chickens strutting around there too – lol!
That “dipped strawberry” recipe sounds yummy and very appropriate as I have a quantity of milk choc. chips hubby bought by mistake and was looking for some way to use them – now all I need are fresh strawberries – that could be a while here! We try to use them when we have them fresh, I freeze some too for pies, etc. plus I have a special container I bought for keeping berries a few extra days (also good for mushrooms!) – it’s like a “container-in-a-container” that allows air to circulate I guess and moisture to drain off – it works quite well!
Really enjoying your back to back podcasts – don’t know how you’re managing to do so many plus all the great pics in your blog!
Hi Annie,
Thanks for the fun trip! I head to Monterey periodically, so I’ll have to look for the chocolate shop. I am Recchiuti girl, mostly, but never too snobby to stop and test some chocolate. BTW, I have a chocolate stash somewhere close to my workroom (you never know who is reading these comments!) which I delve into when my DH and I are passive aggressively trying to get the other to make dinner. 😉
Jaye
Great tour!
And love the chocolate shots!
I love the photos of the mission, Del Brito’s in Hollister and oh, a new quilt shop to visit Family Threads. I will add that to my list of must visits. I didn’t know the earthquake fault was so close to the mission.
I have lived in the Bay Area since 1958 and I remember walking to school in Berkeley and we could feel the little 3.0 earthquakes rolling through town.
I also lived down in El Centro CA (Imperial county) and we could actually hear the earthquakes coming as the were rolling ones. I was sitting in the living room one day and could hear one coming and I looked at the door and literally watched the door frame roll up and down going from the left had side of the door frame to the right hand side. That was totally amazing.
When we had the Lomita Preata earthquake I was living in the Richmond hills right on the Hayward fault. We had quite a shake but nothing broke or collapsed.
Earthquakes are one of the most amazing events on Planet Earth in my opinion.
Well, chocolate and quilting. I’ve wondered until now why I do almost all my quilting in the afternoon, and I think it must be because after lunch I eat exactly three dark chocolate Wilbur Buds from Wilbur Chocolates in Lititz, PA. After that I’m ready to get going and work on my newest quilting project. Really – I think that’s the connection, and that’s my story, and I’m sticking to it!
The Birds! Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds scared the bejeebers out of me. To this day whenever I see lots of birds sitting on a power line or flocking to a tree I wonder…are they coming for me? I also remember his television show, equally frightening.
Annie, it’s so good to hear your dulcet tones again! I have missed you!
I’m originally from California, and your photos made me homesick. Gotta plan a trip back there soon. (Hmmm…IQF in July in Long Beach?)
I can’t really give you specifics about what I like best about your podcast, because I love EVERYTHING. I’ve listened to every show.
I liked the comment from another listener who asked you to speak about the Modern Quilt Guild movement. I’m an art quilter, and always love to hear what more traditional quilters think about art quilts. If you like them–why?
I love traditional quilts because they are warm–literally like a big hug. It’s still getting down to 30 degrees F at night here in Santa Fe, NM, so my quilt is still on my bed.
Again–welcome back, Annie!
Enjoyed the podcast. The chocolate pictures reminded me that I have a Lizzie B pattern I have put away to do someday. Think I’ll pick up a treat and get to work on it – that’s a double dose of sweetness!
I have heard the praises of Wilbur buds before, but never tried them, despite having grown up practically right down the road from them. I need to track them soon.
I think I have to try Annie’s strawberries real soon too.
Rear Window was my favorite Hitchcock film.
Sorry, I just can’t connect quilts, Hitch, chocolates and earthquakes though.
Well Annie–the Hitchcock movies are just too scary for me–about as scary as the thought of this prairie girl standing on the San Andres fault!
You can’t usually go wrong with chocolate and those earthquakes sound very good.
I live in California so I have felt earthquakes and I’m still here. 🙂 Chocolate sustains me through those long quilting and piecing sessions. Thank you for this wonderful give-away. Take care and God bless, Cory
Hi again! Wow I can hardly keep up with your new posts- I love it. I love Alfred Hitchcock and of course chocolate too. Nice connections. When I was at art school in the early 80′ Hitchcock was still alive. I remember when they re-mastered 5 of his later films and re-released them. Vertigo was one, along with The Man Who Knew Too Much, Rear Window, and North By Northwest…. anyone know the 5th one? I got to see them at a repertory theater in all their glory. I also remember the TV series call Alfred Hitchcock presents. It came on late in those days, but I was a college student…What fun memories.
Loved the tour, Annie. What fun! (Shhh. Bring chocolates when you come)
Annie, I’m so glad you’re back! I missed you! Sorry to hear about all the turmoil in your life – but remember it makes you stronger.
Love the remastered Hitchcock movies. It is so nice to see them on the big screen. But I don’t think I ever want to see The Birds. I read the short story as a kid, and have been scared of flapping birds ever since!
I hope I’m in on one of the giveaways! I’m a week behind on the podcasts, because I can’t update the iPod very often … hate missing things!
I enjoy the photos about the missions and the movie. I will have to rent the movie and watch it. It has been such a long time since I have seen the movie.
When I think of California I never think of two-lane roads with mustard growing along side of it. I don’t think of California as being out in the country.
Thanks for the tips on the strawberries and the recipe.
I love chocolate covered strawberries, and no one else in the house does. Poor them!
When are you coming back to the Bay Area, Pat? I’m looking forward to meeting you too!
I’ve just made the podcast/blog my top priority, so I’m not getting a lot of extra stuff done. I try to think ahead for my topic, so I have the next few in my mind– although not in the computer or camera yet. If you have any ideas for topics, let me know!
Hiya, Jaye! Hwne you come this way, let me know and maybe we can do lunch or something. You definitely have try them at least once. I’ve seen you talk about recchiuti — and I gotta get up to the City and check them out. I used to go in with Robin a lot… But now that he’s gone, I don’t have a reason. Maybe I’ll have to grab Kirsten!
Oh, I love the idea of chocolate stash in your workroom : )
Where are you in the Bay Area?? Oh, I need your address to send you your fabulous prize, Linda.
Yeah, I remember the Loma Prieta too well. Not looking forward to that again, but we ARE prepared with more than my fabric stash ready to barter for food : )
Nancy — oooooooh, Wilbur Buds…. How I miss those!! Thank you so much for telling me about them. I get the catalog but have yet to order any.
I love your story — it’s so good to see you here! Am I right in thinking that you live in NC? I’m teaching there this summer and in November. Sorry if i’m not remembering right– i don’t have former emails from friends to look back and review. I’m rebuilding ; )
Sue! Me too!! My great-grandpa had a home in Inverness, pretty close to where the movie was filmed. I like the movie from that aspect, but it is pretty ghoulish, isn’t it? The one that really gets me is Psycho — don’t watch that show no mo’!
Julie — SO good to hear from you!! I love art quilts because of the realistic, museum quality nature of them. Does that make sense? I don’t know how else to explain it. Thanks for elaborating — and yes, I took the suggestion seriously, as you will see in the near future.
Hello, Chris!! You know,I was thinking fo the Lizzie B girls when I did that podcast! I love their Chocolate Day of the week quilt. Eat chocolate while working on the quilt — how could you resist?!
Hi Diane — have you really not been to the Wilbur factory? Nancy told me about them and my kind hostess took me there. They have other oh-so yummy chocolates, like with caramel and nuts that they don’t offer in their catalog. Oh they ARE yummy. So now you have to go there. Lititz will start the Friday Nights again soon and that was a load o’ fun.
I have to agree with you that Rear Window is my favorite too. I LOVE James Stewart and Grace Kelly is just such a lady. She was such a good actress.
In the 192 podcast, i connected the dots ; )
Yeah, Hitchcock movies are pretty scary, mostly because they are so macabre. He was brilliant. It’s kind of daunting, really, standing there knowing what it is. Earthquakes of the geological kind are not my favorites, unlike the chocolate.
Hey, Cory — congratulations!! Where are you in California?
WebGuy thinks it’s Marnie — another movie I cannot watch due to the subject matter. I was thinking it was To Catch a Thief. Oh, The Man Who Knew Too Much! I remember seeing that at the theater with my family when I was little. Scared the heck out of me. Now as an adult, I love the nuances of it.
I think you have some of the best chocolate EVER down the street from YOU, Claire! I can actually get the little bars at Whole Foods here. I was SO happy to see it, right my the checkout : ) it always makes me think of my trip to VT with lots of fondness.
Glad you’re enjoying my activity ; ) and great to talk with you recently!
(Indeed, Valerie!) and we’llmhave to go that way the next time you visit. Hope it’s not two years away, though.
Glad to hear from you, Paula — yes, that which does not kill me makes me stronger : ). It just still bugs me a lot.
I’ve gone to making sure that there is a blog post for every podcast, so you get the condensed version with pictures. Then you can listen when you can : )
Hi Janet! Actually Santa Clara valley, where I was raised was absolutely beautiful back then. My granddad used to have a 13 acre bing cherry ranch that was sold to a developer for a huge apartment complex. San Jose and it’s surrounds are now all homes and malls. Where I live is all agriculture, cows and horses, and QUIET. It is a little piece of heaven on earth, only 15 minutes away from the thriving metropolis that is now SanJose. There is quite a lot of “country” land in CA. Fortunately, it’s not all “Hollywood” and craziness — yet.
Hiya Sandi — really — more for YOU!! GREAT to hear from you!!
Annie, I am in the Modesto area. This post makes me want to visit the Hollister area. I have driven through on my way to Santa Cruz and Monterey. I am so excited about winning this give-away. Thank you. Take care and God bless, Cory
Let’s see if this works. Thanks for the help Annie.
I really enjoyed reading this post. I’ve never been to the missions but find them interesting. Hitchcock made scary movies without much gore so I find them good too.
I have been to that Mission and was surprised to be able to seen the fault. Living in San Diego county I have been in a few earthquacks but nothing like that.
Put me in the drawing. How could you ever forget that part of the movie at the mission.
I use chocolate to keep my brain inspired.