pennys art room blog

Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

2012-01-20T22:10:00.000-05:00

Click on the link for the recipe,yum!

Spaghetti with Mussels and Tomatoes

2011-11-24T20:18:00.000-05:00

Spaghetti with Mussels and Tomatoes

2 lbs mussels
2fl oz dry white wine
4 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
5 cloves garlic, very finely sliced
generous pinch of red pepper flakes
1lb cherry tomatoes, seeded and roughly chopped
1lb spaghetti
2 tbsp roughly chopped flat-leaf parsley
extra-virgin olive oil

Clean and debeard the mussels. Put them into a large saucepan with the wine. Cover and cook over a medium heat for about four minutes or until the mussels have opened, shaking the pan a couple of times. Remove any mussels that haven’t opened.

Heat the olive oil in a saucepan, add the onion and cook until soft but not colored. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and turn the heat up. Sauté until the onions and garlic are pale gold. Now add the tomatoes and cook on a low heat for about five minutes, until the tomatoes are soft. While this is happening cook the spaghetti in plenty of boiling salted water in a very large pan (one that will contain the mussels).

Now strain the mussel cooking liquor into the tomato pan. Simmer all this together until the mixture takes on a sauce-like consistency (it should be able to coat the spaghetti) then stir in the parsley. Drain the pasta, put it back in its pan and quickly add the tomatoes and mussels. Toss everything together gently with a slug of olive oil and some salt and pepper (you might not need much – the mussel liquor is quite salty). Serve immediately.

Beautiful Music

2011-11-11T09:33:00.002-05:00

Source: youtube.com via Nathalie on Pinterest

Buttermilk-Blueberry Breakfast Cake

2011-10-29T16:24:00.001-04:00

Buttermilk-Blueberry Breakfast Cake
Serves 6-8
½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
2 tsp. lemon zest or more — zest from 1 large lemon
7/8 cup + 1 T. sugar
1 egg, room temperature
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. kosher salt
2 cups fresh blueberries
½ cup buttermilk
1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Cream butter with lemon zest and 7/8 cup of the sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until combined. Meanwhile, toss the blueberries with ¼ cup of flour, then whisk together the remaining flour, baking powder and salt.
3. Add the flour mixture to the batter a little at a time, alternating with the buttermilk. Fold in the blueberries.
4. Grease a 9-inch square baking pan (or something similar) with butter or coat with non-stick spray. Spread batter into pan. Sprinkle batter with remaining tablespoon of sugar. Bake for 35 minutes. Check with a toothpick for doneness. If necessary, return pan to oven for a couple of more minutes. (Note: Baking for as long as 10 minutes more might be necessary.) Let cool at least 15 minutes before serving. Yummy! (This recipe is from alexandracooks.com)

Pinterest Music

2011-10-26T21:59:00.001-04:00

Play a little music...

Summer Vacation in Alaska

2011-09-12T15:07:00.000-04:00

We took a Summer vacation in Alaska for two weeks. My daughter Sarah, husband Tony and their two children, Arion & Sofia live in Anchorage. Tony is stationed there in the Air Force. We visited many places while there, and tried to do as much site seeing that we could fit in to the two weeks. We had a great time, I hope you enjoy the pictures.

One of the Glaciers you could see from the top of the Tram.

View looking down from the Tram.

A Lay over in Seattle

Flying Home

Penny & JR

Tony & Sarah Taking Sofia to her first day of Pre-School!

Sofia's first day of Pre-School

JR In the Hanger on Base by Tony's Plane

Tony on a cot on his Plane

JR ON THE PLANE

Tony (this is his Plane that he Flies on for the Air Force)

Tony & Sarah

Top of Tram, Museum & Restaurant

Arion on his first day of School (1st grade)

A Painting outside the Anchorage Aquarium

Driving to Exit Glacier

Sarah & Arion walking down from the Glacier

A stone stair way walking down from the Glacier.

Penny at the Glacier

Exit Glacier

Penny & JR At the Glacier, (this was JR'S first trip out of Maine & first time Flying!)

Up close, Exit Glacier.

Walking up to the Glacier!

Very friendly Moose at the Reindeer Farm in Girdwood Alaska.

JR & Sofia feeding the Reindeer!

Arion didn't quite know what to think!

ELK

Sarah-do you like the purple in her hair?

A view from the nature center in Eagle River.

Arion watching the Red Salmon.

Arion making a huge bubble at the Museum.

Sofia loved this, when you step on or touch this it changes colors and moves!

Sofia at the Play Ground.

Arion on the bars.

Polar Bear at the Anchorage Zoo.

An Owl at the Zoo.

Alpaca at the Zoo.

Musk Ox

On the prowl!

JR & Sarah at the Zoo.

Caribou

On the Plane.

Bear at the Zoo.

JR & Penny

Puffin at the Aquarium

Moose at the Reindeer Farm.

Exit Glacier.

Arion & Sarah, Exit Glacier.

JR in the Cock Pit, (Tony's Plane)

JR, We were out for lunch the day before coming home.

Arion on a Tram, Girdwood Alaska

madeit - the handmade market open all day every day :: buy & sell australian handmade :: art :: craft :: design

2011-08-31T07:48:00.001-04:00

Here are some fun finds on madeit, the hand made market.
madeit - the handmade market open all day every day :: buy & sell australian handmade :: art :: craft :: design

Peach Cupcakes with Peach Cream Cheese Frosting

2011-08-25T20:03:00.000-04:00

Peach Cake

Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

2 ⅔ cups all-purpose flour

2 ½ teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups granulated sugar

3 large eggs

1.75 oz (49 grams) freeze dried peaches, pulverized in a mini food processor

3/4 cup low-fat buttermilk

1/2 cup pureed fresh peach

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Method

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake tins with liners.

Mix together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In a large measuring cup or bowl, mix together buttermilk, peach puree and vanilla extract. Set aside until needed.

Using an electric mixer, beat butter and granulated sugar in a mixing bowl until pale, about 2 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in pulverized peaches.

Mix in flour mixture in three batches, alternating with two batches of buttermilk mixture. Mix until just combined, scraping down bowl as needed. (I like to mix the last bit by hand using a spatula to make sure I get all the stuff at the bottom.) Scoop batter into cupcake tins.

Bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean, about 21 to 24 minutes. Allow cupcakes to cool in tins for 10 minutes, and then remove cupcakes and place them on a cooling rack.

Peach Cream Cheese Frosting

Makes enough to frost 24 cupcakes

Ingredients

1 cup of butter, softened

8 oz of cream cheese, softened

1.75 oz (49grams) freeze dried peaches (Target has Archer Farms brand), pulverized in a mini food processor

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3-5 cups of confectioners sugar

Method

In a large mixing bowl, mix butter until it is softened and uniform. Add cream cheese and beat together until it is uniform. Add vanilla extract and mix. Add pulverized peaches and mix. Add 3 cups of sugar to the mixture and mix. Add more sugar if necessary. Mix again until mixture is creamy and spreadable. Add more sugar if necessary, otherwise prepare to frost cake.

Red Velvet Brownies with White Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

2011-08-25T18:37:00.000-04:00

This recipe is from http://smells-like-home.com

For the brownies:
3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
2 oz red food coloring (this is one small bottle or a scant 2 tbsp)
2 tsp pure vanilla extract, divided
1/2 cup (8 tbsp) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
For the white chocolate buttercream frosting:1/2 cup (8 tbsp) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
4 oz good-quality white chocolate (not chips), melted – I recommend Callebaut
1 – 2 tbsp heavy cream
To make the brownies:Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour an 8″x8″ baking pan.
In a small bowl, slowly stir together the cocoa powder, food coloring, and 1 tsp vanilla into a thick paste until no lumps of cocoa remain. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the remaining 1 tsp of vanilla. With the mixer off, add in the cocoa mixture, then turn the mixer to medium and beat the two mixtures together until they are one uniform color. Slowly add in the flour and salt and mix on medium-low speed, just until combined. Do not overmix.
Remove the bowl from the mixer and stir up the batter with a rubber spatula once or twice just to ensure all of the flour has incorporated from the sides of the bowl and there isn’t anything stuck on the bottom of the bowl. You’ll want one uniformly colored (red) batter.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center of the brownies. Allow brownies to completely cool in the pan on a baking rack, about 45-60 minutes. Frost brownies in the pan, cut into 12 bars, and serve, or remove the entire batch from the pan to a cutting board, cut into 12 bars, frost, and serve.
To make the frosting:In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter until soft and fluffy then beat in the vanilla. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add in powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time; allow the sugar to mix in before adding the next 1/2 cup. Once all of the sugar has been added, beat on medium speed for 30 seconds and scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add in the melted white chocolate and beat on medium speed until incorporated. With the mixer on low, add in heavy cream 1 tbsp at a time and beat at medium speed until the frosting has reached your desired consistency.

Vermilion Fly Catcher

2011-07-25T19:47:00.000-04:00

This sweet little bird (Vermilion Fly Catcher) is in Ecuador. My neighbors daughter and friend recently went to Ecuador for a vacation. They were on a hike and this little bird decided to stay by their side.

The Short and the Sweet of It: Seltzer Bottles.

2011-07-22T21:28:00.000-04:00

The Short and the Sweet of It: Seltzer Bottles.: "Vintage seltzer bottles are perfect for decor (both inside and outside) of your house. Matt and I bought one in Buenos Aires. I only wish w..."

Our Wedding Invitation

2011-07-22T16:16:00.000-04:00

I used a free down load from www.weddingchicks.com I discovered their site through another Blog. I had fun trying a few different one's, and this is what I decided to go with. We aren't getting married until next year, but I want to be well prepared.

"The Brewster Inn"

2011-07-20T23:18:00.000-04:00

Hi every one, I really have been trying to post more often and find some time to create. But I work a lot, (which I tend to challenge my self with how many assignments I accept!) I wanted to share these pictures of the Brewster Inn in Dexter Maine. This beautiful location is where we are getting married next June! To see more of The Brewster Inn and/or more info if your planning a trip: http://www.brewsterinn.com/

Chick Video

2011-07-20T22:54:00.000-04:00

They are so cute running around the yard! (Sorry no sound)

Beautiful Blooms

2011-07-01T21:50:00.000-04:00

Our Back Yard Birds

2011-06-18T23:24:00.000-04:00

I think I missed a couple, but it has been a good year for our little friends!

Lady Antebellum - American Honey

2011-06-12T07:24:00.000-04:00

I really like this video, I was reminded of it on a new Blog I came across through Holly Becker,(Decor 8). This new Blog is Melissa Jaine. She watches videos and caputures stills from it. It is awesome to see and watch! http://www.melissajaine.com/blog/

Interviews with Creatives

2011-05-14T19:48:00.001-04:00

Hi every one, hope your having a fabulous day! I wanted to share the above link, to Art Muse Dog and Carol. (just click on Interviews with Creatives) She is interviewing a variety of people about Blogging and more. The current post is an interview with me. Let me know what you think. Thank You Carol!

In The Mood For Cake

2011-05-14T16:32:00.000-04:00

i heart

2011-05-09T20:49:00.000-04:00

i heart Visit Sadie Olive for a chance to win!

ELIZABETH FILLMORE: DREAMS IN LACE

2011-05-09T20:18:00.000-04:00

ELIZABETH FILLMORE: DREAMS IN LACE

Hand Dance

2011-05-06T20:18:00.002-04:00

Treats!

2011-05-05T22:56:00.000-04:00

Chocolate dipped strawberry's, (from my sister-n-law)

and have you tried the new Cake Pops from Starbucks? Oh my goodness-very yummy!!! Cake on a stick!!!

New PEEP'S

2011-05-05T22:43:00.000-04:00

Two white Leghorns and four Aracauna's...

Sparkle

2011-04-25T21:07:00.000-04:00

My new Cuff.

Maine

2011-04-25T20:43:00.000-04:00

Some great scenery pictures, a Moose, Hawk and more... Enjoy!

Some Fabulous Wedding Ideas

2011-03-27T08:34:00.001-04:00

This post is a selection of some various special touches from some Weddings. Most of these pictures are from Style me Pretty. We have set a Wedding date for June 15, 2013. I know it's two years away but I'm excited to plan. We are planning on an out door Wedding so a lot of these ideas pertain to that. Enjoy! I welcome any input or Wedding ideas you might like to share. This will be my third marriage so I probably won't be wearing a traditional gown. I do love this gown that I have included here, I would just try to find one like it in another color.

All Because...

2011-03-20T19:26:00.000-04:00

We set a Wedding Date! June 15th, 2013-Yes it's a way's off but I'm still excited, and have plenty of planning time!

No Snow Shoes Needed

2011-03-09T07:49:00.000-05:00

I took these pictures after our recent sleet and freezing rain storm. Some parts of the state had a foot of snow, others had just rain. But this is what we had. What a messy day, but the view when it was over is magical. (of course except for the broken limbs and trees)

Using my Fiesta Collection

2011-03-06T17:47:00.000-05:00

I've been building my collection of Fiesta for a while and it was out growing it's space. (my Mother bought me a lot of it) So I decided to be brave and use it for our every day dishes. This envolved cleaning out the cupboards and giving away some of our old dishes. (we didn't have to many that matched) We did keep a few other plates and bowls that we use often.

Video/France

2011-03-06T11:18:00.003-05:00

Wildfox Couture - Vive La France from ny lon on Vimeo.

Books

2011-02-28T19:31:00.001-05:00

BlogHer

I know the gifting season has passed, but I thought you might like this too! Click on the post title (Books) to take you to the site.

Give Books From Bloggers This Season

by sassymonkey

Books are one of my favorite gifts to give. Over the last couple of years I've been able to combine my joy of giving books with the fabulous writing I see online by giving people books written by some of my favorite bloggers. There used to be a time when such books were a rarity, but now more and more bloggers are making the transition to books. Here are some recent publications that would be an excellent addition to the bookshelves of those near and dear to you. I interviewed Melissa here on BlogHer, and I wish that I wasn't done shopping so I could buy it for more people. It's the perfect book to read while snuggled under a blanket on a chilly winter evening. Contributing Editor Melissa Ford has new novel out called Life From Scratch I interviewed Melissa here on BlogHer, and I wish that I wasn't done shopping so I could buy it for more people. It's the perfect book to read while snuggled under a blanket on a chilly winter evening

Contributing Editor Karen Walrond also has a book out. The Beauty of Different combines photographs, essays and interviews and challenges us to redefine beauty. Our differences, not our similarities, are really where our beauty lies. This is a book to share with someone you love, like Dana did with her six year-old daughter.

She surprised me when I asked her how it felt to be different in the ways she mentioned. "Happy," she said, then looked at me smiling. "Because I like the way I am."

A wonderful book to pair with The Beauty of Different would be Caitlin Boyle's Operation Beautiful: Transforming the Way You See Yourself One Post-It Note at a Time. You might be aware of the Operation Beautiful website where people share Post-Its and stories with the positive message that we are all beautiful. You can now share that message with people you love by giving them the book.

Gives Me Hope: 127 Most Inspiring Bite-Sized Stories, edited by Emerson and Gaby Sparz is a combination of favorites from the Kids Give Me Hope website and never seen before stories. It would make a fantastic stocking stuffer.

Have you ever wondered why some recipes work and others don't but never really had the time to sit down and try to figure it out? If so, you need to get your hands on a copy of Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work by Aki Kamozawa and H. Alexander Talbot. Kamozawa and Talbot began their Ideas in Food blog in 2004, and really, this book is long overdue. It's a must-have for the foodie in your life.

I wish that by Susan Russo, perhaps better know to some of you as FoodBlogga, had released her book Recipes Every Man Should Know a few years ago when one of my friends was living alone, and his idea of homecooking was to reheat a frozen pizza. This cookbook sold out so fast at BlogHer Food I didn't even get a chance to look at it. Taste Bud Travels called it "a perfect pocket companion for a would be cooking master."

Some of you might know Joanne Bamberger better as PunditMom. Her book PunditMom's Mothers of Intention: How Women & Social Media are Revolutionizing Politics in America doesn't come out until January 1, 2011. If it's the perfect gift for the politico in your life, I'm sure they'd appreciate a card with a notification of the pre-order in it.

I am really quite fond of "year of x" books, and I own more than my fair share of them. Charlotte Hilton Anderson's The Great Fitness Experience: One Year of Trying Everything, based on her blog is right up my alley. She tried a different workout routine each month for an entire year. I think it might be the perfect January read.

Are you gifting a book written by a blogger this year?

Going through the Car Wash

2011-02-27T18:31:00.000-05:00

My car's first Winter bath! You know it's bad when you can't begin to get close to the out side of your car because it's so filthy!

Fabulous Shoes from Free People

2011-02-25T15:46:00.000-05:00

High Plains Boots, Marion Flat Sandal, Mustang Ankle Boot, and Tea & Cake Mary Janes.

Free People: Rainbow Braid

2011-02-22T20:28:00.000-05:00

I don't have long hair, but I thought this was pretty cool!

Chef Alex on Nate

2011-02-18T11:02:00.000-05:00

Great recipes: From the Nate Berkus show- Creme Caramel, Mashed Potatoes "Chantilly", and Flattened Chicken Breasts. Follow the link up top for the recipes-enjoy!

Kid Party Scrap Book

2011-02-13T16:43:00.000-05:00

I finally put together a scrap book/album of our Kid Party from last summer. (The theme of the Party was Alice in Wonderland) So here are a few page's a long with the inside of the front and back cover.

A Nice Cup of Tea

2011-02-10T20:19:00.000-05:00

I have a small tea cup collection as well as Tea Pots. I'd have a larger collection but I don't have the room.

Beautiful Winter Sites

2011-02-09T22:50:00.000-05:00

A New Couch and Coffee Table

2011-02-09T22:04:00.000-05:00

We had two Love seat's, and I so wanted a full size sofa. I really like the deep chocolate brown. I found the coffee table at TJ Maxx, (which doubles as extra seating).

Bald Eagles captured in the back yard

2011-02-02T20:35:00.000-05:00

I tried enlarging the photo's, but they were to blurry. But I think you can see how wonderful they are! My brother set up a camera in his back yard to capture them feasting on a deer that was road kill. (I know thats a little graphic)

aRT creation "Bluescape"

2011-01-28T10:32:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday to me

2011-01-23T09:02:00.002-05:00

Bird Watching

2011-01-15T22:00:00.000-05:00

I added a picture of one of my chickens and two of my Dove's. We have quite a lot of Turkeys stopping by, Chickadee's, Finches, Blue Jays and a Wood Pecker.

A Cup Cake for a Blue Snowy Day

2011-01-12T21:50:00.000-05:00

It was a good day for a cup cake! Our second big snow storm was very blustery.

Our small town Church through the icy glass.

Miranda Lambert

2011-01-09T19:10:00.000-05:00

First Big Snow

2011-01-01T16:37:00.000-05:00

Dove's in the tree-not on the day of the snow storm.

It's a little late seeing this was last week... These were through the window, it was very nasty out side.

Raspberry

2010-12-30T20:49:00.000-05:00

from Venus and Adonis Fore d to content, but never to obey, Panting he lies, and breatheth in her face; She feedeth on the steam, as on a prey, And calls it heavenly moisture, air of grace; Wishing her cheeks were gardens full of flowers, So they were dew d with such distilling showers. Look! how a bird lies tangled in a net, So fasten d in her arms Adonis lies; Pure shame and aw d resistance made him fret, Which bred more beauty in his angry eyes; Rain added to a river that is rank Perforce will force it overflow the bank. William Shakespeare

( One of the fun little things I put in to my Honey's stocking was a raspberry- dark chocolate bar. It came wrapped in a love poem by William Shakespeare. )

Merry Christmas 2010

2010-12-25T21:16:00.000-05:00

Snow Princess

2010-12-20T18:53:00.000-05:00

( Credit for these picture's go to: Lace and Cake Blog.) In the first photo she looks like a snow princess or Goddess to me. I really like how she looks like the snow. And the perfect pine cone hanging by it self just reminds me of a simple Christmas on a crisp day. I hope every one has a wonderful holiday season filled with Love and Joy!

Calendars

2010-11-25T20:54:00.000-05:00

This is a 2011 twelve month calendar with lovely flowers on each month. I can make these to order with your photo's or to a theme. They are now available in my Etsy Shop.

Vintage Beads and Funky Old School Inspired New Shoes

2010-11-25T20:39:00.000-05:00

I thought I would share a couple of my recent purchases. I found a great vintage store in a small town I visit twice a week for work. I fell in love with the beads right away, and I noticed the shoes one of the next times I was in. She has very many wonderful pieces of jewelry, and a wide variety of clothing, from funky, to cute, and of course vintage! I stop in to the shop often..

fp nashville!

2010-11-23T19:47:00.001-05:00

fp nashville! Free People new store in Nashville, link takes you to more photo's on Facebook.

Whining not Allowed

2010-11-19T23:09:00.001-05:00

What a Lovely 60's Gown! I didn't purchase it-but thought about it...

Okay I want to whine a little... Sorry it's been so long since I've posted! I'm so busy with work during the week and craft fairs on the week end. I'm going to be opening a second shop in Etsy, it's going to be an online thrift shop. I wanted to keep it separate from my other one which primarily has items I make. I'll keep you posted on it's Grand opening. I miss spending time here, but some times it can't be helped. This sign hangs in a shop I like to visit...

The Red Girl

2010-10-23T20:52:00.000-04:00

I purchased this painting quite a while ago from a college art show next to where I used to be a waitress. The Theatre where I purchased the painting features different Artists each month, and each year in early summer they display students work from a local college. Some piece's are for sale while some are just for viewing. The "Red Girl" just stood out to me, what is she saying, what was the artists thinking? To much time in the sun, let me out of here, or I'm really upset? She has definitely been a conversation piece, and currently occupies a spot in my art room. What do you think of the "Red Girl", what is she saying to you?

Beautiful Fall

2010-10-14T23:11:00.000-04:00

Fall is such a beautiful and lovely time of year, I would love it if it lasted longer!

What Would Winnie the Pooh Do?

2010-10-01T19:18:00.000-04:00

Hanging from a tiny branch is this huge hornet's nest. Among the beautiful fall color's of the trees these hornets have been very, very busy. Look how it's just dangling there, above the gravel road. I was a little nervous getting close for picture's. What a wonderful view!

My Favorite Fair

2010-09-28T20:06:00.001-04:00

The Common Ground Fair come's to town for three day's each September. It's an agricultural event, home grown, home made, completly organic. From the fluffy bunny to my henna tattoo, fresh flower's and veggie's. Fun and Funky jewelry, planter's made of stone, mini felted critter's and hand made doll's. Hand spun yarn, delightful soaps! Scarcrow's, bath salt's, bread and blanket's. A wonderful place to sit enjoying a strawberry cream puff with delicious hot apple cider!

A Beautiful Crane

2010-09-18T21:05:00.000-04:00

He knew I had stopped my car to take some pictures. I think he thought if he stood perfectly still I wouldn't see him. Luckily my car is very quiet. This is the third time I've seen him at this little farm pond. (It's on the way to my daughters house)

Harvest Time

2010-09-15T22:26:00.000-04:00

Other then some carrot's and tomato's our garden is cleaned out. I truly welcome Fall, even though winter comes close behind. I grew a few pumpkins, we had a little corn, these flowers continue to bloom, and we couldn't leave out Lou Lou the guitar playing scare crow!

Rainbow Smiles

2010-09-14T21:17:00.000-04:00

I was on my way home from work today and this Rainbow made me smile!

1st Grapes

2010-09-07T20:20:00.000-04:00

This is the first year our Grape vines have produced! Just a few, but maybe we'll get more next year!

A Late Summer Rose

2010-09-07T20:14:00.000-04:00

We cut the roses back a couple of times, and this beauty decided to bloom one more time for us!

Family

2010-09-06T10:47:00.000-04:00

A Family collage, all the Grand Children a long with a few other family members.

Preserves-What would you like to preserve for a winter treat?

2010-08-29T22:09:00.000-04:00

When cleaning out an Estate there were a lot of canning jars. We kept out a few dozen for our selves and plan to sell these on our next yard sale. (The jars pictured above are older ones with glass tops.) They are also great for storage! We plan to can tomato's and spaghetti sauce.

Sitting Under The Apple Tree

2010-08-25T20:17:00.000-04:00

Won't you sit under the apple tree with me? A perfect spot for our little one's! Sweet conversations are held here, games played, and a lot of swinging.

I Wonder by Susan Justice

2010-08-24T21:53:00.001-04:00

I Wonder by Susan Justice

Meet Susan Justice, I was looking at a Self magazine and Kara Dioguardi felt her music will touch many and inspire. So I listened...

A Road Trip By The Ocean

2010-08-19T22:05:00.000-04:00

My job takes me across our beautiful state. I brought along my camera today, and took a little time to stop, and in this case-smell the ocean, and enjoy the view. (This view is of Lincolnville, ME.)

My Newest Publications

2010-08-08T17:33:00.000-04:00

I was away when my issues came in the mail. A hat I had made from a sweater in Altered Couture, and a couple of shopping bags in Green Craft. I knew that I was going to be in Altered Couture, but I didn't know about Green Craft, so what a nice surprise that was!

Recycled Composting

2010-08-08T16:28:00.000-04:00

While I was away on my trip to Alaska J.R. made a composter out of an old barrel, angle iron, swivels from an old chair, and used nuts and bolts. We had been talking about having a composter for a while now, but one that turned ,(like this one does), was around 200.00 dollars. So as we fill this with many weeds and left over's each day or once or twice a week it can be spun around to mix it up and to help it break down. J.R. made the composter so you would be able to empty the compost into a wheel barrow. The best part was it didn't cost any thing to make! This was definitely an upcycle project, using all recycled materials.

My Trip to Alaska

2010-08-07T03:09:00.000-04:00

My trip to Alaska was very busy and fun! We went to an Air force Air Show, played with my Grand Children, did a little shopping, went to the Aquarium, and to see a Glacier. A lot in one week, I didn't want to leave, but can't miss any more time at work. While visiting I was able to use my daughters computer to post and load pictures. So I'm flying as of 1:40am on Saturday the 7th, then I arrive home at 8:30 Saturday eve.

Third Annual Kid Party

2010-08-05T01:00:00.000-04:00

This was our third annual "kid party!" The theme this year was Alice and Wonderland, I was the White Queen. This party is for our Grand children, nieces and nephews. We can't always spend the time with our Grand children, nieces and nephews that we would like to, so this party is just for them! To make them feel special, a day to spoil them and just for fun!

Birds Live Here...

2010-07-11T08:22:00.000-04:00

A visiting yellow Finch!

I love this bird house, it is a replica of Jr's mothers house that his Dad made years ago. The vine that goes up the pole fills out nicely every year!

Art

2010-07-09T21:32:00.000-04:00

I really enjoy this video. I posted it quite a while back, and thought it would be fun to share again!

Kerli - Tea Party

2010-07-09T21:21:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the Tea Party!

Tokio Hotel-Strange feat. Kerli - alice in wonderland soundtrack

2010-07-09T21:19:00.000-04:00

A little more Alice...

Arion, Tony, Sarah & Sofia

2010-07-09T20:05:00.000-04:00

This is a picture of my daughter Sarah and her family on their way to Alaska, where they are now living. (This picture was taken March 2009) Just wanted to share a snap shot. (and I can't upload photo's right now on my computer from my camera!)

Hand Crafted

2010-07-04T08:12:00.000-04:00

I'm so excited! This is the first time I've been published in Hand Crafted. I'm on pg's 145 to 147. I tried to load some more pictures, but my computer just wouldn't budge!

Afiori Blog

2010-06-28T20:55:00.000-04:00

I just paid Afiori a visit through the rabbit hole, (Mad Hatter Tea Party that is), and she is offering a delightful give away. So please stop by her blog on your way to all the fun parties to check it out.

Items for a Mad Hatter Tea Party

2010-06-27T13:15:00.000-04:00

Any one for Tea? One lump or two?I Made the garland with paper butterfly's and flower tops. This will hang out side next month for my "Kid Party", (and yes the theme is Alice and Wonderland)!I have a variety of Tea cups and saucers that we will be sipping from...Off with her head! the Bloody Red Queen, off with her head!

A warm Pig belly for my tired feet! Twas not I Queen-I did not eat your Tart! (I hope to post more, I'm experiencing trouble with my computer. I appoligize for not more detail, and I'm unable to adjust my photo's.) Make sure you visit http://afancifultwist.typepad.com/ for many more: at a varity of Mad Hatter Tea Party's!

Lovely Flowers

2010-06-12T19:52:00.000-04:00

Won't you walk through we me?

Dear friends, Just to let you know, I'm having some major issues with my computer, hopefully it will be fixed by Tuesday. So if I don't respond right away, or seem not to be posting much-it's because I can't get onto my computer. Hope you enjoy the flowers!

Lou Lou The Guitar Playing Scare Crow

2010-06-07T19:46:00.000-04:00

She's made from an old guitar, a plant stand, a tennis racket, carved wooden hands, curtain hooks, costume jewelry, craft wire, a straw hat, a little ribbon, a cork nose and eyes made of wooden circles and bells! We are into creating some fun yard art lately, some how I will probably incorporate them into decorations for my Alice and Wonderland Kid Party this summer.

A Butterfly Scare Crow

2010-06-06T12:39:00.000-04:00

I have a very fun book filled with a variety of Scare Crows to make for your garden, or just for yard art! So we decided to make a Butterfly, it probally will also be part of my decorations for my "summer kid party." (This years theme is Alice and Wonderland) I plan to decorate the yard with a lot of color, flowers and characters!

Fun Finds

2010-06-06T12:21:00.000-04:00

I found the bottle's at a yard sale, I'll use them to put beads or some trinkets in! And I love this stepping stone for my garden.

A Garden Guardian

2010-06-03T20:01:00.000-04:00

Among the Bee Balm, and cups of little seedlings...

A Morning Walk

2010-06-03T19:53:00.000-04:00

This time of year is so lovely in Maine. We like to go for walks down the long winding drive way to Miss Martha's little paradise, (as she refers to her little camp.) This Butterfly just happened to come a long.

This Little Piggy

2010-06-03T19:42:00.000-04:00

These little piggy's are next door. I just found out about them, so we went for a visit. They were hillarious! I really wish I had room for a couple of them!

Summer is here!

2010-05-30T11:16:00.000-04:00

Yes the apple blossoms are gone now, but can't you smell them in this photo?

And we had some visitors stop by in the field next door. Then a wild Turkey took a stroll through our yard! The hens are setting, we keep thinking we could have some chicks, but one hen, (Flossy, she's the white hen in front with the folded over comb.) will set for two or three days on some, then move to another nest box to set on a new batch of eggs. I think she wants to be the mother to all!

Prom Night

2010-05-28T20:06:00.000-04:00

Meet Dakota, (the oldest Grandson), and his girl friend Julia. Dakota graduates High School this year, and plans to start college in August. (I love the last picture of them in the Pick-up, Dakota's pride and joy!)

MMCA Marketplace: Book Review & Giveaway :: Digital Expressions by Susan Tuttle

2010-05-19T20:06:00.001-04:00

A chance to win a copy of Susan Tuttle's new book, Digital Expressions.

MMCA Marketplace: Book Review & Giveaway :: Digital Expressions by Susan Tuttle

Ramblings of my Busy Life

2010-05-11T19:08:00.000-04:00

My cup is definitely full! Sorry it's been so long in between posts, I wish I had a completed project to share with you, or many great photo's, and more. Instead I thought I'd share a little of my busy life. (I'm still waiting for my new issue of Altered Couture, I have a necklace in the newest issue-(in the gallery). When it arrives I will share.) Life is good lately, very good... Busy, but good! Of course you've seen the pictures of the new Grand Baby-Jayna, and I'm missing her as I'm writing this post. Last week I started a new job, well I trained last week and today was officially my first day on the road. (I'm a retail merchandiser) The most challenging part to my new position is learning how to use the hand held for data entry. My brain got a little taxed today, hence the rambling! I also kept my part time job at Michael's, one or two days a week. The next new venture is school, I'm supposed to start on the seventeenth, but I think I'll post pone it until Fall, I don't think my brain can handle it right now. Being one of those non-traditional students ya know! My new job involves a lot of traveling so I decided to trade in my car, (the Subaru has been good in some ways, but mostly a money pit)! I traded it for a VW Jetta Wagon. (hoping it might be a little better on gas?) So I wanted to touch base with my Blogging friends and followers to let you know I'm still here, trying to find time to visit, create, write, work, see the Grand Babies, spend time with the man, my Mother and more. I'm not complaining, just explaining. Rambling again! I need to think about working in my flower gardens, and planting the vegetable garden. Our arbor is filling in nicely with greenery, maybe we will get some grapes this year! So yes life is good to me lately, there just is never enough time in a day to do all the things you'd like to accomplish. By the way my hens are laying very well, do you need any eggs? Ha! Ha! I truly LOVE my Blogging world!

A Blanket for Jayna

2010-05-04T16:52:00.001-04:00

I haven't had a lot of time lately for creating or posting, but I did start this blanket for Jayna! I still need to make it wider, and put a back on it.

Gallery – Moomah

2010-04-28T08:32:00.001-04:00

I found this Great place for children and adults on Decor 8. It's a creative cafe', I would love to open one here in Maine! (this one is in New York) I went all through their site, how delightful, from the concept to their cafe and activates, classes too! Check it out.

Gallery – Moomah

God Exists Quietly

2010-04-22T11:46:00.000-04:00

God exists quietly.

When I sit still and contemplate the breeze that moves upon me I can hear him.For hours I would lay flat upon the meadows stare at the endless field of blue sky and revel in the divine placement of all things.I would walk alone in the woods and let my mind wander freely, stumble across theories on the origins of myself and all things.In nature I knew all things had their place. None supreme, none insignificant and so great peace would come to me as I fit neatly in the folds between dawn and twilight. Living in sync with the rhythm of the earth, eating what we grew, warming ourselves by the coal fire, creating myself in the vast silence that existed between the wild mountains of Alaska and our front porch. I grew to love the Nature of god. I knew him best not in churches, but alone with the sun shining on me through the trees. It birthed a space in me that would continue to crave the sacred and demand sanctity as my life took flight and lit out to travel the world.It has grounded me and held me steady in the strong winds that have carried me so far from where I have been. Prayer is the greatest swiftest ship my heart could sail upon.

(Poem by Jewel, (book)-a night without armor)

Transfer with Sheer Heaven

2010-04-19T10:14:00.003-04:00

Some of you may have already seen this, but I thought I'd share.

treehouse « KRISATOMIC

2010-04-16T21:26:00.002-04:00

Oh my goodness! So I was reading my e-mail today and I was visiting Decor 8 Blog, (one of my favorites!), and she was featuring this Blog: Krisatomic. I spent a lot of time on her blog-the photo's and illustrations are amazing! Then I came across this post that she had done last summer, and just had to share! I'm such a fan of a Tree House, and theses are awesome! Enjoy... I added a few pictures, but she has more. How fun would it be to live in one of these!
treehouse « KRISATOMIC

Family Collage

2010-04-04T09:55:00.000-04:00

I Painted the canvas first...

I wanted some color visible under the pictures. (I also painted some flowers and birds to give it a little whimsy) I like to add a lot of layers when I make a collage. I pick out Family pictures, magazine clippings, and more-any thing relating to my theme. (The theme for this collage is Children & Family) This collage was made for my Daughter, who just had a birthday. She also recently lost all of her belongings, and she had another collage that I had made, (it was 4x8, this one is about half that size). So in making this one I kept it simple, most of the pictures are her and her three children, and of course Grammy and Grandpa! (There are a few other Family members as well.) My Daughters youngest is just 22 days old today, The other two are 5 and 8. She teared up when she saw it, and a little surprised that I made this for her.

Dreamy Whites

2010-04-02T11:50:00.001-04:00

I found this Blog through Decor 8. She is having an awesome give away of a beautiful duvet!

Dreamy Whites

You & I

2010-03-28T21:50:00.001-04:00

I found this on Paper*Crown, Sarah ahearn bellemare, thought I'd share!

NYPL Digital Gallery | At Home in Brooklyn: The Nooney Brooklyn Photographs, 1978-1979

2010-03-27T09:20:00.001-04:00

I found this great site from PaPaYa Living Blog, thought I'd share. The link is below...

NYPL Digital Gallery | At Home in Brooklyn: The Nooney Brooklyn Photographs, 1978-1979