Woodstock

Fab reader Alison G. sends in this smorgasbord of free things and one over-taped sign from in front of the wooden kazoo sign in Woodstock. A carton of Mop-n-glo goes out to A Grr as out little way of saying "thanks."

Place

Newly loyal reader Eric S. sends in this little gem from Who-knows-where, (which is right next to E. Bumfuck on Googlemaps). Anyway, it's a lovely sign and a lovely shot and we're sending out a gross of mini U.S. flags to Eric as our little way of saying "thanks."

Memorial day free signs

Well, the Memorial Day holiday has come and gone and, like most holidays these days, I wanna do it all over again: it was filled with fun and frolic and (yes, alliteration fans) free signs. So without further ado, here are a few from this weekend:

O, Free!

From our neighbor to the north and NAFTA partner extraordinaire, comes this fab free photo courtesy of loyal reader Anne CH. 

In honor of this, the post that makes us a truly international blog, we reproduce the first verse of their national anthem, "O, Canada."

O Canada! Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide, O Canada,
We stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land, glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee;
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

2 "frees" in that verse. Not too bad, but really, some of those "thee's" could be changed to "free's", non? Anyway, a big "merci" to reader ACH and, perhaps, that Canada plate from the post below, as our little way of saying "thanks".

Cleaning out the free file

A gaggle of free signs from the last few months; I'm pretty sure none of these have been posted before, but if so, I beg your pardon.

Still life with free sign

New contributor Janet B. sends in this lovely free sign of unknown provenance. A roll of perfectly preserved Kodachrome goes out to J.B. as our little way of saying "thanks."

Post season free

Awesome reader Alice M. sends in a pic of this bouquet of candy canes. Yum. A magnum of Piper-Heidsieck Rare Millésime goes out to AM as our little way of saying 'thanks'.

Fries? Friend? Frumpy?

Fab photog and loyal reader Patti M. sends in this snow covered and presumed-to-be free sign from Germantown, NY. A red snow ball maker goes out to Patti as our little way of saying 'thanks.'

Orange ya glad?

From Durham, S.C., comes this sweet spray paint typography, courtesy of lovely loyal reader Yvette Y. 

A pack of matches goes out to YY as our little way of saying "thanks." Oh. Also this recipe:

Bananas flambé

Ingredients
1 orange
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
1/4 cup orange liqueur or brandy
Kosher salt
3 ripe bananas, peeled, halved lengthwise and crosswise
1/2 cup dark rum
Whipped cream, for serving
Directions
Remove 4 strips orange zest with a vegetable peeler. Squeeze the orange and strain the juice.

Melt the butter with the sugar, orange zest and vanilla bean in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until the sugar caramelizes, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the liqueur, orange juice and a pinch of salt.

Return the skillet to medium heat, add the bananas, cut-side down, and cook until glazed and golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and divide among bowls.

Add the rum to the pan and return to medium heat. Warm for a few seconds without stirring, then carefully tilt the pan so the rum ignites (if using an electric stove, hold a lit match near the sauce to ignite it). Spoon the flaming sauce over the bananas. Garnish with whipped cream and the glazed orange zest.

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/bananas-flambe-recipe/index.html?oc=linkback

An instant classic

Saw this in Rhinebeck mid October. Met the guy who made it. With a chain saw. Of course. Spectacular.

Labor day freebies

South street!

Just a few doors down! Lots of fun stuff.

End o' summer freebies from all over.

Not sure where most of them are from or who sent them in but here they are. Enjoy!

Mt. Tremper, NY.  Sent in by new reader Jackie O, whose boy is accepting offers for his big brother. A case of yummy chardonnay goes out to JO as our little way of saying "thanks".

Not sure. Nice chair though.

Hmm. Rhinebeck?

No idea.

Hmmm.

Bearsville.

Rhinebeck area.

Any guesses? (above)

I forget.

Nope.

Rhinebeck! South street!  A few doors down from home!!

And from lovely loyal reader Patti M, comes this gem from points north, no doubt.  Patti: "Rembrandt's - Philosophe en Lisant, with this particular print having come from the Louvre (it says so on the bottom right hand corner)! I think it's an original, which would explain the WOW...?" Yes, the wow factor is huge on this one. A vintage copy of the board game Masterpiece goes out to Patti as our little way of saying "thanks".