Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Three Muses Challenge--Something Old--Something New


This challenge, along with spending time with my family this Christmas, got me thinking about how amazingly the human race constantly renews itself and the vast road of experience we all travel on the journey from birth to death, youth to age, new to old.
Who knew that having this blog would lead to deep thoughts...

Anyway,
the images were googled, the backgrounds are from Emma Cox and Dan Snyder at Textures for Layers.

Thanks for visiting

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Very Special Christmas Gift


My sister, sister-in-law, daughter and I all received a wonderful surprise Christmas gift form our Aunt Yvonne this year. it was a a loaf of Zucchini Bread made from our great-aunt Clara's recipe. But even better, we also got the RECIPE! It's probably not a secret recipe, but oh my, it's good--mine is almost GONE already!

My Aunt Clara was a hairdresser and had her own salon, with my Uncle Bobby and his wife, Terry. I had my first haircut there, which I don't rremember really, because I was very young. Uncle Bobby always said he had cut off enough of my hair "to stuff a matttess" every time. He cut my hair throughout my childhood--until I graduated from high school.
My mother went every week to get her hair done there, and still goes to the salon, though not as often. Bobby retired quite a while ago, and Aunt Clara's been gone for many years.

And here's the recipe. Do your part to rid the world of surplus Zucchini!

Aunt Clara Pichette’s Zucchini Bread

Makes two large loaves or 4 small ones. Baking time is for large loaves

Preheat oven to 350’
Grease or spray pans with non-stick spray.

INGREDIENTS
2 eggs
2 cups sugar
3 cups flour
2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup cooking oil (your choice)
2 cups grated zucchini
1tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1tsp. cinnamon
¾ tsp baking powder
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

TO MAKE
In a large bowl:
Beat eggs well.
Add sugar and beat well
Add vanilla, oil and zucchini and mix well
In a smaller bowl:
Sift flour with baking soda, salt, cinnamon and baking powder
Add to zucchini mixture and mix to combine ingredients
Add nuts

TO BAKE
Divide mixture between pans
Bake at 350’ for 15 minutes
Turn oven down to 325’ and bake for 1 hour (adjust time for smaller loaves)
Loaves are done when toothpick comes out clean.

Let cool and ENJOY!

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Sunday Postcard Art--Open Theme


Still in a musical mood.
Here is my entry.
Background from Bittbox, bird image and musical scraps from Graphics Fairy, I think. I don't know where I found the alphabet, but isn't it great?

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Soartful Challenge - Relax and enjoy


I recieved an invitation this morning to join in the Soartful challenges.
This is all so much fun!

Here's my entry. I'm relaxing, but Jack's not quite ready yet.
Backgrounds are from Bittbox and from Rubyblosson at Textures 4 Layers. Jack and Bunnie are from Dover, and the stockings were googled.
Thanks for inviting me.

Art Creations Friday Challenge 55--Open theme


Here is my entry for this week. We listened to classical music on the way home last night after the wonderful orgy of Christmas with my family. This was inspired by that music.

background by una cierta mirada and Rubyblossom at Textures 4 Layers, image from Dover, colored, music tag from Frannie60 at Totally Free Textures. Quote by Robert Fripp.

Friday, December 25, 2009

Merry Christmas


WIshing everyone a wonderful, wonderful Christmas.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Three Muses Challenge-Home Sweet Home


Ladies,
I know I'm posting twice with the same entry, BUT now I have a blog!!!
So here it is again. Thanks for the encouragement.

Ahh...I know

I know what I want my first real post to be...a big THANK YOU to all of the people I have "met" through the blogs, Yahoo groups and Flickr sites that I have visited since I began this journey a little over a year ago.

This extended community of artists and craftspeople is so welcoming and encouraging to everyone. You all have given me the courage to put my own photographs and pieces of art up for all to see. I have learned so much from all of you who are so willing to share your knowledge and ideas.

This is going to be fun!

I did it!

Well, I did it! I started a blog.

Now what?