My Heart's Desire

Moving! Moving! Moving!!!

2010-01-15T07:58:00.000-08:00

I now have a NEW website and blog, all in one great new place.

For those who have followed this blog I hope you'll update your bookmarks and/or RSS feeders. My goal is to post new recipes and those tried and true family favorites on a regular basis.

The new look, banner, website design is the work of my awesome designer kids, Sara Giessen and Peter Lawton, and their spouses Casey and Gloria. Be sure and check out the new look on etsy site too. I just LOVE my new look!!!

maryhanks.etsy.com

earlybirdcafe.etsy.com

Apple Crisp Recipe

2009-11-02T12:58:00.000-08:00

3 pounds of apples, peeled and chopped
1 teaspoon cornstarch
additional sugar & spices, if desired
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla, optional

Topping:
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup brown sugar
4 Tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice
1/2 cup oatmeal
dash of salt
6 Tablespoons melted or softened butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray baking dish with no-stick spray. Sprinkle corn starch, additional sugar and spices over chopped apples. Add lemon juice, vanilla, if desired. Toss. Spread the coated apples into prepared baking dish. Bake for about 20 minutes.

While apples begin to cook in the oven, prepare the topping. Combine chopped pecans, dry ingredients, spices and oatmeal. Add the softened or melted butter and mix. When apples have baked the first 20 minutes, remove from oven and crumble the topping mixture evenly over the apples. Return to the oven for another 20-25 minutes or until crisp topping begins to brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool about 15 minutes before serving.

We like this with a good vanilla bean ice cream!

I wish I could send you the awesome smell that fills the house while this is baking! Use this topping for other crisps such as pear or peach, even a combination of fruits. Adjust the amount of sugar depending or the tartness of your fruits and the spices as to your family's tastes.

Mmmmm!

The great orange bowl with dry ingredients in the top pic, I purchased from utilemud.etsy.com.

More of my recipes can be found on my other website, maryhanks.com.

See the Food for Thought page for an index of recipes.

Orchid Happiness

2009-10-15T07:48:00.000-07:00

A couple of years ago I asked for an orchid rather than cut flowers for Mother's Day. After the blooms faded the plant stayed healthy but didn't bloom again until I repotted it with new orchid soil from MiracleGro. Since then I have divided and will divide again after this bloom event.

There are three branches of blooms, one large branch with now nine open flowers, the smaller ones with just a couple but I'm not complaining!

This is one of those plants that I thought I'd never be able to grow as I consider myself mainly an outside gardener.

This is just a bit of sunshine and happiness on an otherwise dreary day. Think about asking for this or GIVING this next time a flower giving occasion rolls around!

A Quilt for Baby Zoie

2009-10-10T14:16:00.001-07:00

I had to make a bib too! The front brown dotted fabric is a pocket...inside that is a detatchable keeper for a pacifier or small teether or toy.

This was fun! All my favorite colors, patterns and prints coming together for a special quilt. I wanted something that she would be able to use as she grew, not the typical nursery fabrics. A lot of the fabrics I used were purchased from Karen at another etsy shop, ModFabric.etsy.com . Quality fabrics that were terrific to work with. A special thanks to my friend Kim Chambers who did the monogramming.

She's not here yet but it won't be long....Nov. 13th. Heidi and Chris, my oldest son will become parents to their first girl. She will join three older brothers!

Kitchen Now Open!

2009-09-17T06:29:00.001-07:00

We are REALLY enjoying the new kitchen floor AND the new dishwasher! Although this project took longer than expected (isn't that always the case?) we are now open and funcitoning with a punch list of details still left on the to-do list.

Here you can see the tile is laid out on the diagonal.

This view is coming in from the garage into the kitchen. The entrance from the garage as well as the main cabinet wall is a trompe l'oeil bricks that I painted and continue to work on occasionally. Thank you Rhonda for teaching me how!!!

A new faucet, compliments of Peter, Gloria, Sara and Casey was the perfect birthday gift for Scott & I and makes a huge difference in the look of the room. The counter tops still need to be redone. The house had Formica that was a yellow/tan color that I faux finished 5-6 years ago. It has stood up pretty well but will need to go asap.

The lower cabinets have been re-painted a fantastic find; an Ooops paint from Home Depot in a gray, new stainless/satin finished hardware, also from HD adds to the face-lift. I still need to paint the uppers.

Here is a view from the living room, over the breakfast bar. Behind the bi-fold doors in the laundry room and pantry space. These doors and all the trim have fresh paint and a bit of a color change. I had a bright white on all the trim throughout the house for as long as I can remember but am moving to a creamy white. This color is Whitewashed Oak from Lowe's in a semigloss.

More on the colors I've used. The wall color is called Raindrop and is from Sherwin-Williams. A couple of years ago I repainted my dining room in Meander Blue, the living room in a light shade called Buoyant Blue both SW color. One of the tools on their site is a color visualizer that helps see how a room would look with various paint colors. Kindof fun!!!

I hope you've enjoyed my little on-line tour. Come back anytime!!!

Raindrop

Meandering Blue

Bouyant Blue

This is Vacation? or The New Kitchen Tile!

2009-08-19T18:32:00.000-07:00

Jonathan is back in school but Scott has taken this week as "vacation" to work on installing new tile in our kitchen. The renovation is great fun when you're a kid! We used lots of 3 day weekends to tackle projects around the house when I was growing up. What will Jonathan's memories be of these work days? He LOVED getting right in there, helping pull up the particle board as the project got started.

This was earlier today, (above) middle of Day 5, more tile is down by now but Scott is taking his time to get it right! Look at those straight lines!!! It's one of those rooms that was difficult to decide on what to make as the starting point (usually the center) because of the shape and flow of it all and I had to go make it even crazier by asking for the tiles to be on the diagonal. The vinyl square tiles (see last picture) looked okay 7 years ago when we 1st installed them but didn't hold up to having appliances moved. Although we had some extras for repairs the color had changed, they didn't stay stuck so out they went along with the particle board.

Here we are soooooooo tired but mudding the spaces between the wonderboard underlayment. What teamwork!

I found that a kitchen spatula worked best for me, like icing a cake only no licking this stuff!

This last picture is the before; the vinyl square tiles.

The old dishwasher is now G O N E, GONE. Today is our day to take it all to the curb and as we suspected, it was picked up before the trash company made their rounds tomorrow. I'm very happy to see it being recycled!!! Now, what dishwasher to get as a replacement....anyone have one you lover? or hate?

Square Foot Gardening

2009-07-14T05:04:00.000-07:00

The first picture was taken yesterday; a bed of squash, cucumber, cantaloupe along with okra, peas, green beans and some flowers in front of a bed of azaleas. The second picture was taken of the same area 6 weeks ago (6/8/09). Most of my vegetable gardening has been in raised beds. This area had been filled with daylilies but was replaced with veggies.

Watermelon from the Mother's Day plant Jonathan gave me is coming right along. It may be hard to tell from this picture but this little melon is almost the size of a tennis ball.

Bees are busy in this bed of various vines getting pollination underway. I planted cucumber and squash along with the watermelon plan but have a cantaloupes and a honeydew, volunteers, that fit right in sprouted from the compost that I'd added at planting time.

Cute little cucumbers...triplets on a vine! In a couple of more beds butternut squash have also come up from the compost. It has been interesting to see these surprise bonus plants. I guess the compost bin NOT being hot enough in its old location has some benefits!

A resource I found after I'd started the raised beds but one you might also find helpful is by Mel Bartholomew, All New Square Foot Gardening.

Pickled Green Tomatoes & Peach Preserves

2009-07-13T18:43:00.000-07:00

My favorite helper & favorite hen; Jonathan & Lucy!

A new batch of peach preserves.

Trying new recipes is always fun but today's new kitchen adventure was special, pickling for the first time since I was a kid with 10 year old son. The tomatoes came from my garden, the recipe from the latest issue of my Food Network magazine, Aug/Sept 2009. Iron Chef Michael Symon used regular tomatoes but most of mine are roma & heirloom yellow pear so we'll see if these also work. Jonathan was my sous chef, helping with almost every phase; the picking, washing, slicing and all the measuring. He was exempt for the sterilizing and handling of hot jars. Now is the hard part....waiting until they are at their prime in about 3 months!

Pickled Green Tomatoes Recipe from Michael Symon.

More of my favorite recipes can be found at maryhanks.com on the Food for Thought page.

Biscotti for Breakfast!

2009-07-06T06:13:00.000-07:00

Sugar the Hen serving biscotti and Dunkin Donuts coffee for breakfast.

Last week at Whole Foods I tasted a really yummy biscotti, picked up one biscuit to buy but quickly put it back when I saw the price tag....$2.39 for ONE piece.

It didn't take me long to go to Martha Stewart website, search and find a couple of recipes to try. Double Chocolate Pistachio Biscotti and Pecan Cranberry Biscotti were the ones that I made.Loved them both and will experiment more with these goodies. My new RED KitchenAid mixer that my sweet hubby gave me for our anniversary made the process pretty easy, lots of fun and the house smelled SOOOO good while these baked.

More of my favorite recipes on my website, maryhanks.com.

See the Food for Thought link for recipes.

Victory Garden 2009

2009-06-09T08:13:00.000-07:00

I've been gardening for a long, long time but have concentrated my efforts of perennials, flowers, etc. and not so much on a vegetable garden. A few tomato plants here and there and herbs but that was the extent of it. This year we are enjoying the fresh produce from our yard, more specifically, planted in raised beds - boxes that my sweet hubby built for me. Our own bit of a Victory Garden is planted with peas, green beans, tomatoes, lettuces, cucumbers, squash and okra. There's a special watermelon too that Jonathan (my 10yr old) gave me for Mother's Day. Watermelon IS my favorite food in the whole wide world! I also have a fig tree & blueberry bushes that are several years old with their best crop ever, coming right along. Victory Garden isn't just the name of the PBS show. Victory gardens were vegetable, fruit and herb gardens planted at private residences in United States, UK, Canada and Germany during World War I and World War II to reduce the pressure on the public food supply brought on by the war effort. In addition to indirectly aiding the war effort these gardens were also considered a civil "morale booster" — in that gardeners could feel empowered by their contribution of labor and rewarded by the produce grown. Making victory gardens became a part of daily life on the home front.

This bed was the last to be planted. It is at the back side of our garage and was a large bed of day lilies. I was afraid that my planting efforts were ruined last week when we had a new roof installed and the workers arrived and promptly began yanking out the support trellises, stepping on the young veggies, tossed large plastic tarps on top for shingles to be thrown down on. I just had to go inside and couldn't watch what they were doing to this plot. Someone came to the rescue and put down a large sheet of plywood on top of two packages of shingles, on each side of the bed which kept the young plants from further damage. Gracias señor!

These are the first of many tomatoes that we harvested yesterday. The yellow pear tomatoes are a heirloom variety that were a tasty and pretty addition to last night's salad and homemade pizza.

Here are two of the raised beds. In front are peas growing up a bamboo trellis. The other box is home to 5 tomato bushes and a squash that got into the mix.

Tonight we'll enjoy squash and green beans, fresh picked and some cornbread would be nice, incorporating Buttercup and Gretchen's eggs. I'll be sure and have some hydrangea blossoms on the table too!

Gretchen...aka Bubbles

2009-06-02T17:07:00.001-07:00

Bubbles has a new name and shall now be known as Gretchen! She's a Lakenvelder, a German breed and I really wanted a name to suit her heritage. Crazy, I know.

They are enjoying a spell of free range time in the flower garden and where the compost pile used to be. Finding fat, juicy worms is delightful. Crazy, I know!

Me and Lucy, my big girl.

Jonathan and Buttercup. (See her cup shaped comb?) We celebrated his birthday last week with a trip to Orlando. He knew we were going on the trip but didn't know that we were flying, his 1st trip on a plane! We surprised him the morning we left and got the biggest kick out of his reaction to it all. Fun for him AND for us! Hollywood Studios was the fav and we could've done both days there. Disney was good too and glad we did it but going back to a park again, Hollywood Studios will be the place, for sure.

Can't believe Jonathan is 10! Crazy, I know!

Mi Casa de Pollo

2009-05-23T09:59:00.000-07:00

My oak leaf hydrangea was a Mother's Day gift a couple of years back from my son & daughter-in-law. Peter & Gloria's choice was most excellent, a gift that keeps on giving! Love it!

The chicken house is in place & the girls seem very happy in their new home. It's tucked into the corner of my garden, fits right in & I can see the girls moving about in the run while I'm standing at my kitchen sink. Love that!

We shortened up this side of the run, taking out part of the A-frame because of the plantings already in place. The path & pavers still need to be situated a bit better but for now, it all works.

The little girls, Bubbles and Buttercup are a bit camera shy. Bubbles has turned out to be a pretty good layer. I still feel a bit like a kid on Easter morning ever time I find an egg. Love'n being the chicken lady!

Chicks in the City

2009-05-14T10:19:00.001-07:00

This was taken on Saturday and is our first egg!

Here are my new girls. They've been here almost a week now and I'm having so much fun watching there goings on and listening to their sounds. So far we've gotten 3 eggs, all from Lucy, the biggest hen. She's an Athen's Rare Breed. I actually witnessed one of the eggs as it was being laid and that was pretty cool! The coop is in place but still needs a bit more work and I'll be posting pictures as soon as it's complete. The other two ladies are Bubbles, a Lakenvelder and Buttercup, her name and breed. (Newsflash!!! Soon after I wrote this one of the smaller girls laid their 1st egg, didn't want to be outdone, I guess.)

Lucy has been my layer. She's a sweet girl who is easy to hold, fun to watch and can really kick up the dirt. They've had a hay day scratching around where my compost bin used to be!

Bubbles is a Lakenvelder and boy does she make a racket when you pick her up. Missing some feathers but hoping she'll start filling in soon.

Buttercup. See her comb? It's a cupshaped crown with a complete circle of medium sized regular points. Not too crazy about being picked up (yet) but a very pretty bird!

A Dirty Little Workout!

2009-04-29T08:11:00.000-07:00

Do you workout on a regular basis? At home or a gym? Solo or with a buddy? Do you walk or run? wii fit, treadmill, swim, bike?
Having been a personal trainer and an aerobic instructor, worked full time in the fitness arena (YMCA!) for years I know the importance of cross-training, varying the mode of training. Also important when trying to lose weight is understanding calories in vs calories burned. One of the BEST training tools is a Polar F4. The great little device lets me know when I'm in my training zone, keeping me working out hard enough, not too hard, keeping track of calories and I'm writing down the summary at the end of the workout. Keeping a notebook or workout diary helps me with motivation and accountability.

This morning I went to the park with Cesar, walked and ran 3.75 miles. My journal entry for today:

time, 52 minutes, time in zone, 50 minutes, average heart rate 136 bpm, highest heart rate 156 bpm, calories 346. (I still have my core workout to do!)

My daily workout goal has been 500 workout calories a day. The workouts vary from walking & now running, solo or with one or two dogs, wii fit, Fitness Coach (another wii game workout) pilates, Reebok slide, stability ball, hand weights and bands. Lots of variety!!!

So why did I call the "A Dirty Little Workout". Saturday was a great day for gardening, my favorite activity and I was curious to see how many calories I'd burn during this activity. On this particular day I was making digging up grass, making a new bed and transplanting 2 rose bushes. Summary: time 5 hours, time in zone, 3 hours and 28 minutes, average heart rate 117, highest heart rate 145, calories...drum roll please.....are you ready for this? 1484!!! Ok, maybe it wasn't so "little"!

I have more pictures of my garden posted here.

Letter from a Law Student

2009-04-21T17:34:00.000-07:00

Dear American liberals, leftists, social progressives, socialists, Marxists and Obama supporters,

We've stuck together since the late 1950s, but the whole of this latest election process has made me realize that I want a divorce. I know that we tolerated each other for many years for the sake of future generations, but sadly this relationship has run its course. Our two ideological sides of America cannot and just will not ever agree on what's right. So let's just end it right now while we can do it on friendly terms. We can smile, shake hands, chalk it up to irreconcilable differences and each go our own way.

So here's a model separation agreement.
Our two groups can equitably divide up the country by land mass, each taking a portion. That's going to be the difficult part, but I'm sure our two sides can come to a friendly agreement. After that, it should be relatively easy. Our respective representatives can effortlessly divide other assets since both sides have such distinct and disparate taste. We don't like redistributive taxes so you can have those. You are welcome to the liberal judges and the ACLU. And since you hate guns and you hate war, we'll take the firearms, the cops, the NRA and the military. You can keep Oprah, Michael Moore and Rosie O'Donnell. But you are going to be responsible for finding a biodiesel vehicle big enough to haul them around.

We'll keep the capitalism, the greedy corporations, the pharmaceutical companies; we will keep Wal-Mart and Wall Street. You can have the homeless, the homeboys, the hippies and illegal aliens. We will keep the hot Alaskan hockey moms, the greedy CEOS and all of the rednecks. We'll keep the Bibles and we'll let you have NBC and Hollywood.

You can be nice to Iran and Palestine and we'll retain the right to invade and hammer anybody that threatens us. You can have the peaceniks and the war protesters. When our allies or our way of life are under assault, we will provide them with security. You won't have to worry about it. We will keep our Judeo-Christian values. You are welcome to Islam, Scientology, Humanism and Shirley Maclaine. You can also have the UN, but we will no longer pay the bill.

We will keep the SUVs, the pickup trucks and the oversize luxury cars. You can have the compacts, the subcompacts and every Subaru station wagon you can find. You can give everybody healthcare, if you can find any practicing doctors. We will continue to believe that healthcare is a privilege and not a right. We will keep "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and the national anthem, and I am sure you will be happy to substitute in their place "Imagine." I'd like to teach the world to sing "Kumbaya" or "We are the world." We will practice trickle-down economics and you can give trickle-up poverty your best shot. And since it so offends you, we will keep our history, our name and our flag.

Would you agree to this? If so, please pass it along other like-minded liberal and conservative patriots. And if you do not agree, just hit delete. In the friendly spirit of parting, I'll bet you ANWAR which one of us will need whose help in about 15 years.

Sincerely,
John J Wall
Law student and an American

P.S. You can also have Barbara Streisand and Jane Fonda.

In a Happy Place!

2009-04-09T14:57:00.000-07:00

It's been one of those glorious spring days here in Georgia! (This after cold & snow flurries Monday & Tuesday.) Easter is just around the corner ...my white azaleas in FULL bloom.

The "Mother's Day Red" variety is just beginning to open.

No make-up! Work clothes, garden gloves and sunscreen were the order of the day. Knees are the color of our Georgia clay but are oh-so-happy! Tomato plants, 5 varieties, have gone into their 4' x 4' raised bed along with some sweet banana peppers (seeds). Bush beans & squash are in another box. Those I started in my kitchen in peat pots.
The perfect ending to a perfect day? Watermelon I picked up yesterday! Watermelon stains will go perfect with my dirty hands & knees!

Oh Bother! April Freeze in Georgia

2009-04-07T17:33:00.000-07:00

Calendar says "spring" but thermometer screams winter. Drop cloths, old sheets & table cloths, up-turned emptied storage bins & trash cans, even a rain slicker surrounds a near blooming rose. What lengths will I go to to protect the tender vegetation! Peonies have buds waiting to burst. Same with roses & azaleas. Hydrangeas have their leaves and are subject to damage if not protected. Lots and lots of hostas up and unfurled.

Cherry tree has already bloomed but Mr. C doesn't seem to mind.

The 2007 Easter freeze reeked havoc on all of the above so I'm not about to let it happen again!!! This too shall pass and the temps should rise during the day tomorrow. Yee-haw!!! My sweet hubby has made me boxes for raised bed vegetable gardening. Two are in place and half filled with some black gold from my compost pile. The back of my workhorse Suburban is filled with bags of soil conditioner, garden soil (the good stuff!) ready to worked in ASAP!

My kitchen has become my make-shift greenhouse with starter peat pots of vegetables getting a head start with some shop lights. Scott set up the video camera & got a bit of time lapse photography of their growth!

More garden pics from seasons past at maryhanks.com - "Welcome to My Garden".

Bringing Kellsey Home Auction Item

2009-03-24T17:29:00.000-07:00

One of my latest little projects was another collaboration with Sara. She designed the candy motif that I've appliqued on this little onesie. Unlike almost everything that I make it is not for sale at my etsy shop but up for auction at Bringing Kellsey Home. (Scroll toward the end of the list to see this item & bid!) The auction will end at 11:59 PM on March 30, 2009.

Daughter Kellsey is from the Ukraine and the newest member to be added to the home of Frank & Renee Garcia of Clarksville, TN. They found Kellsey through Reece's Rainbow an organization that facilitates international adoptions of children with special needs. "We feel so blessed to add Kellsey to our family! We can't wait until she is home where she belongs!"

Design Sponge meets (my) Designer Daughter!

2009-03-19T12:22:00.000-07:00

Sara is having a RED letter day with a feature post on her favorite blog, Design Sponge. Their table, before and after pictures AND their wedding are highlighted today! You go girl!!!

Another Rabbit Pillow

2009-03-05T14:17:00.000-08:00

This has been so popular that I had to repeat, just finished this one today!

Teflon Pressor Foot to the Rescue!

2009-03-04T13:06:00.000-08:00

Dotty Diaper Tote Bag made of canvas and a similar tote in oilcloth.

My first three oilcloth bags! Two totes and a lunch sack.

On my long list of projects has been finding and making some items out of oilcloth. In the "old days" is was a canvas that was painted with linseed oil to give it a durable, waterproof finish. Now the products that I'm finding are more of a vinyl cloth...not the same as the tablecloth with the flannel on the back but not a linseed oil finish. Finding it locally proved to be impossible so I ordered some on-line from another etsy shop, oilclothshop.etsy.com. My first attempts at sewing on this material were rather frustrating as the stitches skipped & made an awful mess! I read several suggestions about tape on the presser foot, sewing between tissue paper, between notebook paper but none did the trick. My hunt was then on for a Teflon presser foot for my little Singer and it made all the difference in the world! So what's next on the list of things to sew? Another rabbit pillow! The one shown in the previous post has already sold! Yeah!!! Time to make another....thank you Sara!

Grand Slams

2009-02-27T09:16:00.000-08:00

NEW ITEMS!!! Rabbit Rabbit Pillow and Doggie Diaper Bag

An index and links to more recipes at maryhanks.com on my Food For Thought page.

These mouthfuls get their crunch from a trio of pantry ingredients-cereal, coconut and nuts.

Grand Slams
1 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup crispy rice cereal
1 cup flaked coconut
1/2 cup chopped pecans

BEAT shortening at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy. Gradually add sugars, beating mixture well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well.
COMBINE flour and next 3 ingredients; gradually add to sugar mixture, beating until smooth. Stir in cereal, coconut, and pecans. Cover and chill 10 minutes.
DROP dough by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets. (I like to line with parchment paper.) Bake at 325 degrees for 10 minutes. Cool slightly on baking sheets; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Yield: 6 dozen

Another cookie recipe that I had to pass on comes from a Southern Living cookbook, Homestyle Cooking. It made it's way to Southern Living after being published in Bully's Bet Bites, a cookbook from The Junior Auxiliary of Starkville, Mississippi.

Food For Thought

2009-02-20T09:27:00.000-08:00

In an effort to put the recipes that are favorites on-line my posting began with a "non-blog" website, before I tried my hand at blogging. It was a way to post pics of faux finish, mural & etsy work plus some gardening pictures. Sort of an on-line portfolio, maryhanks.com.

I've added recipes to this blog but starting to feel like it's been too hard to find & wanted them in one place, to be easier to get to. So, the Food For Thought page now has links to any and all of the recipes.

Let me know if you find something you like!

Happy Valentine's Day, Cookie!

2009-02-14T07:07:00.001-08:00

This recipe comes from Martha Stewart, Espresso Double Chocolate Chunk. I've made this several times and think you'll enjoy too. Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine Sweets

2009-02-13T06:23:00.000-08:00

Sweets for Jonathan's class party today have turned my green thumbs a rosy pink but were so fun to make. These are Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing and various sprinkles. Next post will have the recipe for Espresso Double Chocolate Chunk that were not for the kids but for his teacher. Can't beat the combo of coffee and chocolate!

Recipe Repeat, Guacamole for Gameday

2009-01-30T13:34:00.000-08:00

Some things just need to be repeated and this recipe is one of them! Always a hit. Never goes to waste. Charred Corn Guacamole is another tried and true recipe that I think you'll all enjoy. I love the idea of grilling the corn as Bobby Flay recommends but IF grilling isn't possible then a skillet such as this makes a good substitute. Two seasonings that I've now added are a bit of smoked black pepper which give a hint of the "grill" and some Adobo seasoning. Do enjoy!

Margarita Pie

2009-01-29T05:46:00.000-08:00

It's that time of the year where everyone is looking for great recipes for Super Bowl Parties so I'm throwing my favorites in for consideration! This pie recipe is a make ahead dessert that makes entertaining easy. The crust is made of crushed pretzels giving a bit of crunch and saltiness that contrasts the creamy filling! I hope that Margarita Pie will become your favorite too!

Want more recipe ideas?

Southwest Dinner Party Menu

Best Lemonade
Strawberry Lemonade
Crispy Corn Cakes
Avocado Sauce
Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
Green Onion Sauce
Sesame-Chile Chicken with Gingered Watermelon Salsa

Congratulations Peter!

2008-12-21T14:51:00.000-08:00

What a year this has been!!! This time a year ago...Sara newly engaged, us all anticipating Peter & Gloria's wedding, just after Christmas. We now have 2 weddings & 2 graduations behind us.

Friday was graduation for my designer son, Peter! His oh-so-sweet-and lovely bride Gloria whisked him away for a much needed vacation and time away, visiting family in New Orleans. I just have to say how incredibly proud I am!!! The Creative Circus has been an awesome training ground for both Peter & his little sis, Sara, launching them each into a promising future. . Each has inspired the other, brought out the best in each other and closer together than ever before. I love you guys!!! You make me proud.

Here's a sampling of their work: Sara and Peter.

Thanks Casey for the photography (that's a bit of my kitchen). See more here!

A Singer Spills Its Guts

2008-10-16T14:47:00.000-07:00

There was a lots of sewing that I'd started and was ready to complete. Tuesday was going to be a super day of finishing up projects and beginning to list brand new things in my ETSY shop. Suddenly the motor locked up in this sound that I hate and it's usually a zipper foot is on and I forget and try to zig-zag or perhaps I accidentally hit a straight pin with the needle. Not this time. Cleaning didn't help although it was overdue. Slowly I began to disassemble, hoping I could fix it myself. WRONG! Called to see what an inspection, repair, etc. would run. Um, no thanks! So the fixer of all broke things, the computer guy, my husband, to the rescue!

He spent the rest of the evening gutting, cleaning, oiling (very important, by the way, trust me on that!), putting back together the part he'd taken apart. I worked the next day on reassembling what I had taken apart with only one little mystery piece. I'm sure that the right screws are not in the right place and the bobbin winder isn't exactly right but it sews! And without strain now that it's had a nice little dose of oil and a good clean'n!

This blanket, above, and burp cloth set, below, were already made before the sudden failure of said SINGER and I was able to take pictures and write new listings today. The most NEW listings in one day since, I can't remember when. Here's to getting back to business --- now go clean YOUR machine!

Also new today, Pink Stripe Flannel Crib Sheet, Diaper Clutch, Sky Miles Bib and Burp Set.

More of Ivy Walk

2008-10-09T12:10:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of more pics of the townhouse at One Ivy Walk. The Lusterstone dining room walls pairs nice with the glazing on all of the wood trim and coffered ceiling.

Good Morning Atlanta!

2008-10-03T12:23:00.000-07:00

A beautiful spot to enjoy a morning cup of coffee here in this new townhouse in Smyrna, GA!
One Ivy Walk is the place where our little team has worked all week on a long list of projects in this beautiful, brand new townhome! Each morning Rhonda leaves her side of town at the crack of dawn, picking us up one by one. The big Atlanta gas shortage didn't slow us down as we carpooled the 2-5 of us each day, loaded with ladders, brushes, woolies, a variety of paint products & tape!!! Lots & lots of tape!!! Ipods, sack lunches & gingersnaps kept up going.

The toughest room was this master bathroom; stripes, sky, clouds, glaze. I love the layout of this space; foyer leads from bedroom into either walk-in closet or to bathroom. His & hers vanity areas, flanking the barrel ceiling hallway, an enormous tub & mirror at the far end of the room. Double walk-in shower with built in bench opposite another foyer type area with built in linen storage armoire that leads to the separate toilet area.

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Soups On!!! Pasta E Fagioli

2008-09-27T16:20:00.000-07:00

To the Mom who I talked to in Kroger tonight, looking for something new for dinner...this is for you! Enjoy!!!

Olive Garden Pasta E Fagioli

1 T oil
2 lbs lean ground beef
12 oz onion, chopped
14 oz carrots, slivered
14 oz celery, diced
48 oz canned tomatoes, diced
2 C red kidney beans
2 C white kidney beans
88 oz beef stock
1 T oregano
2 ½ t pepper
5 t parsley -- fresh, chopped
1 ½ t Tabasco sauce
48 oz spaghetti sauce
8 oz dry pasta shells

Sauté beef in oil in large 10 quart pot until beef starts to brown. Add onions, carrots, celery, tomatoes and simmer for about 10 minutes. Drain and rinse beans and add to the pot. Also add beef stock, oregano, pepper, Tabasco, spaghetti sauce. Simmer until celery and carrots are tender, about 45 minutes. Add pasta to cook about 15-20 minutes before ready to serve.

Makes 9 quarts of soup! Just cut the recipe in half if this is too much.

For more recipes, check out maryhanks.com !

Be sure & check out the Moroccan Chickpea Stew.

Going, going, gone!

2008-09-25T09:47:00.000-07:00

With the help of Craigslist, Goodwill, Men's Warehouse Suit Drive, a weekend garage sale. You name it!

STUFF that has accumulated over the years is all finding its way out of here & boy does it feel good! I have had enough saving this & that. With Peter & Gloria married, Sara & Casey, married --- beautiful wedding gifts & don't need my old stuff. I've cleaned out closets, cupboards & cabinets, boxes of books in the attic. The fridge, the pantry, the freezer...scraps of wood from a variety of projects. More still needs to be done but I sure got things going & am on a roll.

I still have a few book boxes to go through --- a HUGE box of personal trainer/fitness manuals that needs to go. My YMCA days are over. Retired from aerobics, personal training, etc. Any takers on these things?

Tiffany (warmfuzzies) made this great treasury today with my "Lemon Square Yo Yo Pillow" as one of the items. This fantastic collection of grey & yellow items made the Front Page on Etsy. Thank you to Jill in Utah for snagging my pillow!!! Be sure & check out warmfuzzies and her amazing shop. I especially am loving her Cathedral Window Pillow Covers .

What Shall I Be?

2008-09-12T16:56:00.000-07:00

When I was growing up I had a board game called * "What Shall I Be?" ; designed for girls with choices you'd expect; nurse, teacher, etc. There was one that I always would pick but never ever did --- "actress". But the music lessons, choir, sewing lessons certainly shaped the things I do & enjoy today, as well as those jobs that I've had & "retired" from.

I've retired my aerobic shoes and microphone, the personal trainer clipboard...retired are the church organ & piano offertory, wedding & hymn books...

Some days now it's my ladder, a paint brush & faux finishing tools. Other days, garden gloves, a shovel & pruners. Often it's the sewing machine calling my name, something for my etsy shop. I need to spend MORE time working on new recipes, maybe a cookbook. For now, I hope you enjoy my shop, this blog & my other recipes!

PS...don't miss my daughter Sara's wedding pictures & blog!

*Object of the game is to the first player to become a Career Girl.
Players move around the board collecting School Cards, Subject Cards and Personality Cards.

Game ends when one of the players has collected 4 School Cards of one Profession and 2 Subject Cards and 2 Personality Cards that are good for that Profession.

Professions and their respective schools are:
College - Teacher

Airline Training School - Airline Hostess

Drama School - Actress

Nursing School - Nurse

Charm School - Model

Ballet School - Ballet Dancer

(No doctors, lawyers, designers....certainly not Vice President or President!)

Treasury Madness!

2008-09-10T13:34:00.000-07:00

Type O!

buckcountryframes couragemylove 19Moons

photolena SuzanneClements FuzzyMemories

porkchopshow littlebrownsparrow alexandraleah

galleryoncentral FriendlyMade Allstrungoutjewelry

Photographs of typewriters, an actual typewriter or cool jewelry made of old pieces.

Labor of Love, Etsy Treasury

2008-09-02T06:27:00.000-07:00

This treasury took me by surprise! Guess I was in the right place at the right time but then there's that box, looking for a title...Labor Day I suppose...my birthday usually falls sometime during that weekend but this year the holiday came early but we'll use the theme & found some CUTE maternity t's in honor of my mom, laboring away --- we won't say how many years ago! The "Maker Maternity" shirt sold but another was relisted in it's place so check out these great shops!

jennsphotography DripStick SunshineandRavioli

vol25 baileydoesntbark FriendlyMade

CarmelTurtle warmnfuzzies phippsart

rabbitsmoon misslo photobird

norajane

Middleburg

19Moons

SunshineandRavioli

Charred Corn Guacamole with Corn Chips

2008-08-28T18:18:00.000-07:00

My collection of recipes with southwest flavors just grows and grows. I've been anxious to try this one for a couple of weeks but haven't had the occasion until a couple of days ago. It was a hit even with the non-guacamole eaters so you know that made me happy!

Charred Corn Guacamole with Corn Chips is a Bobby Flay recipe, one of my many fabulous finds on Food Network. The instructions for actually grilling the corn is included but I'd like to add a side note:

Tuesday, when I was preparing the side dishes for dinner the remnants of Hurricane Fay brought much needed rain to drought stricken Georgia! Very happy to have the rain but the grilling was impossible. Plan B....I used my Calphalon Griddle to char the corn & start the cooking, brushed the ears with oil before putting onto the hot griddle. I felt they were not as done as I wanted but not to worry. Onto a plate, 3 minutes in the microwave, covering to steam after cooking, leaving until cool enough to handle & cut from the cob. I'm sure that the grilling would've added even more but as it was, we certainly did enjoy and will definitely make again!

No Worries, continues...

2008-08-24T05:22:00.000-07:00

This was Clinton on his own horse.

A beautiful demonstration, unbelievable control, gorgeous animal!

Just wanted to add a few more pics.

Heading back for the 2nd day, hope to have some more tonight!

No Worries! ...horsemanship by Clint Anderson

2008-08-23T17:44:00.000-07:00

A wonderful day of "innovation, inspriration, & instruction", today in Conyers at the Georgia International Horse Park with Clinton Anderson leading the way!

Looking forward to tomorrow &
thanks to Charles & Suzanne for a great day!

And thanks to Jonathan for most of these pics!

(down front & down under)

The Ultimate Mango Salsa

2008-08-18T17:58:00.000-07:00

Mango Morning II by Sandra Blazel*

I've made & we've thoroughly enjoyed several salsa recipes that involve a mango! Earlier in the summer when my son Peter & his lovely bride Gloria were giving a bridal shower for his sister, (my daughter) Sara & (now son-in-law) Casey, I needed to make a double batch of to take to the party. So, the birth of this recipe, the combination of two great recipes that I've found on Food Network plus another recipe in a magazine...alas...

The Ultimate Mango Salsa

2 ripe mangoes, peeled and diced
1 cup watermelon, diced small
1 small red bell pepper, seeded and diced
1/2 cup peeled, diced European or English cucumber
1 finely chopped jalapeno
1 inch fresh ginger root, grated or minced
1/3 cup diced red onion
20 blades fresh chives, finely chopped
lime juice
1/3 cup roughly chopped cilantro leaves

Salt and pepper

Combine the mango, watermelon, cucumber, jalapeno, ginger root, red onion, chives, lime juice and cilantro leaves and mix well. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Use as a condiment to chips, the Rice & Black Bean Salad recipe, also on this blog, along side your favorite grilled chicken, shrimp or fish! ....which brings me back to Tortilla Soup! I now have a new addition to this recipe; adding a can of black beans & the kernals from 2 ears of corn gave this already great recipe an added bit of color, texture, flavor and took it to the next level....making a note to self AND in my recipe...

*Sandra suggests pouring the salsa over a block of cream cheese and spread that on crackers as is sometimes done with chutney. Great idea from this etsyian in beautiful Hawaii.

Aloha and Mahalo, I hope you all enjoy!

Delicious, Nutritious AND Economical Dinner!?!

2008-08-13T18:38:00.000-07:00

I'm always looking for all of the above and have to please the less adventurous male eaters in the house but stumbled upon a keeper! We've had black beans & rice before but the addition of the corn and spices, cumin and coriander, update this classic combination.
For me, this was dinner, the salad and watermelon, of course! For the guys, they had to have a serving of meat--- tonight it was pork chops for them, but this salad can stand alone as a complete protein---delicious, nutritious AND economical.

Rice, Black Bean, and Corn Salad

2 cloves garlic

2 onions

2 ears of corn

1 1/2 cups water

2 teaspoons cumin

1 teaspon ground coriander

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

2/3 cup long-grain rice (not converted)

1 1/2 cups drained canned black beans

1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves

2 tablespoons lime juice

Mince garlic and finely chop enough onion to measure 1 cup. Cut enough kernels from cob to measure 1 1/2 cups.

In a small heavy saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, bring water to a boil with garlic, onion, cumin, coriander, and season with salt and pepper. Stir in rice and cook, covered, over low heat 15 minutes. Stir in corn and cook, covered, 3 minutes, or until water is absorbed and rice is just tender. Fluff with a fork and transfer to a large bowl to cool completely.

Rinse and drain black beans. Stir cilantro into rice with beans, lime juice, and season with salt and pepper.

Lemon Square

2008-08-12T15:21:00.001-07:00

I finished this little project this morning & hoped to have a new listing in my etsy shop by early afternoon. Problems uploading my images mean that I've got to wait until my technical help makes his way home for dinner. So....I'll post here, just to show that I did something today! And, just so you're not disappointed if you thought there might be a recipe? Keep reading! It's here too!!!

Lemon Square Yo Yo Pillow
A bright modern lemon print by Alexander Henry combined with an old fashion yo-yo technique will add a cheery punch of sunshine to any room. Yellow buttons accent the center of each circle.

This is a 9.25" little lemon square with finished edges of yellow rick rack & white piping. Back is finished with a flap and a removable insert for easy cleaning. Insert was made of super soft fiberfill and is included.

Creamy Lemon Squares

1/2 cup (1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for the pan

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar, plus more for dusting

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)

4 large egg yolks

1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk

3/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 3 lemons)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter an 8-inch square baking pan. Line bottom with parchment paper leaving an overhang on two sides: butter paper.
Make crust: Using an electric mixer, beat butter, sugar, and salt until light and fluffy. Add flour, and mix on low just until combined. Press dough into the bottom and 1/2 inch up sides of prepared pan; prick all over with a fork. Bake until lightly golden, 15 to 20 minutes.
Make filling: In a large bowl, whisk together yolks, condensed milk and lemon juice until smooth. Pour over hot crust in pan; return to oven, and bake until filling is set, 25-30 minutes. Cool completely in pan.
Refrigerate until filling is firm, about 2 hours or up to 3 days. Using paper overhang, lift cake onto a work surface; cut into 16 squares, and dust with confectioners sugar.

Back to School

2008-08-11T05:44:00.000-07:00

My youngest is now a 4th grader...so hard to believe! Isn't it great to have a backpack full of new pencils, crayons, and the classic composition notebook? New NIKE sneakers & don't you know I love TARGET for new school threads?!? Today's lunch won't be the usual sandwich but leftover cheese pizza from Mellow Mushroom---last nights dinner.

These pics are from earlier in the summer in his awesome lemonade stand. The sign was a product of his newlywed-designer-big-sis Sara.

As the bus pulled away this morning I hit the pavement with Charlie & Cesar, back to working on the walk, putting into practice the idea that I'm the pack leader of these 2 canines!

On to the "to-do" list with the house to myself!!!

It takes a village

2008-08-09T08:04:00.002-07:00

and an awesome family & friends to pull off a wedding like this!

Thank you isn't enough for all who helped make Saturday, August 2nd such a fantastic day for my daughter Sara & her new husband Casey.

The picture above in the pasture where the ceremony took place. Antique windows from my daughter-in-law's family property in Cumming, GA set in frames of 2 x 4's, sided with deconstructed wood pallets & scrap lumber. The antique mantel & doors were furnished to us by Ian Keith Henderson at Warehouse Antique Mall, 216 Davis Street, Monroe, GA 30655. He has 2 great shops in Monroe; North building (770)266-6696, South Building (770)207-4976.

The outdoor wedding chapel was built primarily by Sara's dad/my fab. husband, Scott & the groom, Casey with help from little bro, Jonathan, pulling nails with Casey's dad Jeff.

Wedding location at my in-law's in Monroe, GA. They opened their hearts, home, land & life in order to make the dream wedding a reality! I couldn't have hung all those lights without the awesome tractor & its driver! Thanks Charles!!!

Neighbor, Charlene opened her property for parking, church friends Stephanie, Howard & Penny also volunteered their time & energy for the big day. The whole Hanks & Toombs family there & were active participants in so many jobs before & after the event to get the show going & disassemble the aftermath! A million times "THANK YOU!!!" to you all!!! Much love!

In the background but no less appreciated, Mom & Dad helping me make tea & lemonade, moving flower arrangements for delivery, picking up my house while I was in Monroe....my brother Jeff, his wife & my parents stepped in with caring for the young ones during the ceremony & reception. Ron & family for taking care of sound.

More to come! Blogging begins again in earnest!

Custom Canvas Banner or Sign

2008-04-30T17:55:00.000-07:00

This is the second table banner for Carole Axium Designs & I'm so pleased with the way that it turned out. She has a beautiful jewelry shop! Used at craft shows, these are a great way to have your logo & name displayed. Each are hand painted (by me) on canvas & come with a canvas carrying bag that I make to store & transport. Below are 2 pieces for Tuscan Sun, a wellness center in Decatur, GA. A table banner that is used at health fairs & a large canvas mounted on board that now hangs in the studio. Contact me with any requests to have a custom banner for your shop!

Earth Day & Beyond

2008-04-22T17:51:00.000-07:00

Everybody had great ideas for earthday today but I didn't see this anywhere. This is my all-time-favorite-couldn't-live-without tool...
I purchased this tool from a vendor at the Southeastern Flower Show in Atlanta, GA about 8 years ago. This sweet lady is still selling these and I'm told that they also come in a longer handled version (I know what I want for my birthday this year!!!). Sun Garden is in North Carolina. As you can see, mine is well worn! The handle was painted by me to make it easier to see when I set it down in the garden. The Homie Hand Plow, this Korean tool does it all!!! Last time I checked she was not selling on-line but does have a toll-free number 1 (800) 579-1722. Similiar items can be found in a search of
"korean garden hoe" and you may find a similiar tool at an Asian market in your area.
It's a handtool that is great for digging, weeding, hoeing of course!

Viburnum is in full bloom right now while the cherry tree has done it's thing. This cardinal coesn't seem to mind.

More pics from my garden.

Margarita Pie

2008-04-16T18:45:00.000-07:00

Tonight's menu was another Southwestern inspired with Margarita Pie for dessert. A pretzel crust and creamy lime filling with bit of tequilla is simple & a make-ahead ending for easy entertaining. More of the menu & recipes here. The Sesame-Ginger Chicken with Watermelon Salsa was the main course. I used a Rachel Ray recipe tonight for the Curry Couscous & Mango Salsa. "Yumm-O!"

Celebration? You bet!!! Date & plans are coming together for my daughter Sara's wedding! Son, Peter & his new bride were here as well. It's all good!

Homemade Granola

2008-04-15T14:35:00.000-07:00

Full of dried fruits, nuts, sweetened with honey,

this granola is perfect for breakfast.

I like mine with yogurt! Also makes a great snack.

Homemade Granola

4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

2 cups sweetened shredded coconut

2 cups nuts

(sliced almonds, walnuts, pecan pieces)

3/4 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup good honey

4 1/2 cups of dried fruit combonation

(small diced dried apricots*, figs, dried cherries, craisins, banana chips,

trail mix blend also works well)

1 cup roasted lightly salted cashews (add at the end)

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Toss the oats, coconut, and nuts (except for the cashews) together in a large bowl. Whisk together the oil and honey in a small bowl. Pour the liquids over the oat mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until all the oats and nuts are coated. Pour onto a 13 by 18 by 1-inch sheet pan.

Bake, stirring occasionally with a spatula, until the mixture turns a nice, even, golden brown, about 40-45 minutes.

Remove the granola from the oven and allow to cool, stirring occasionally. Add the dried fruit combo and cashews. Store the cooled granola in an airtight container.

* This is my variation of a recipe I found. It called for dried apricots which I LOVE but the preservative used is a sulfate that many of us find as an asthma trigger so read your label and use other fruit if it may be a problem for anyone you may be serving. The original recipe called for 2 cups sliced almonds. I used a combination of almonds, pecans & walnuts to make the 2 cups.

House Beautiful!

2008-04-11T05:44:00.000-07:00

Working in a beautiful kitchen this past week, glazing cabinets & trim in the fabulous home. This is the breakfast area, picture is taken from the edge of a very large wrap around island. It's where the sink is along with set of bar stools---perfect spot for after-school or late-night snack, homework, etc.

This chandelier was off-white with the leaves a light green...until I took some paints & glazes to this piece. A closer view is below. With 50+ cabinet doors & drawers, PLUS the crown molding, baseboards, etc., it took the hands of 5 of us over about 5 days to complete. Many hands make light work...OK, not exactly light work!
Stove, hood and island receive a different treatment; painted black & distressed.

Grand Old House

2008-04-02T06:44:00.000-07:00

Our dinner at the restaurant on Grand Cayman Island was phenomenal!

This is me on the veranda where we dined,

overlooking the Caribbean Sea under the intimate gazebos.

Grand Old House Celebrates its 100th Anniversary

Built in 1908 by the Lambert family from Boston, Massachusetts, Grand Old House was originally called 'Petra' after an old biblical name meaning 'place of refuge'. Later the house became known as 'Petra Plantation' because of the abundance of coconut and banana trees.

Thirty years ago it was converted into a fine dining restaurant.

Dinner Menu

Medley of organic mixed green salad
Roma tomatoes, cucumber, palm hearts,

bell peppers and alfalfa sprouts, topped with slivers

of Scottish smoked salmon, Sherry vinaigrette

Caribbean "Voodoo" Soup
Curried red bean, peanut and red chili

Duo of herb marinated flamed grilled
Angus beef tenderloin, & citrus marinated

Wahoo with Jumbo shrimp skewer
presented on sweet potato mash,

topped with mango and papaya salsa
Tequila-lemongrass sauce

Grand Old House Dessert Buffet

See previous post with more about our trip!

Grand Cayman, Oh So Grand

2008-03-30T16:07:00.000-07:00

Gorgeous beaches and water that changes from turquoise to sapphire and aquamarine in a glorious swirl of color! My husband Scott received this trip as a recognition along with 127 others from his company, all recipients of the "STAR" awards, given to the top 1% in his company. We were all treated to an outstanding four day, all expense get-away for two on Grand Cayman Island.

O, land of soft, fresh breezes, or verdant trees so fair
With Thy Creator's glory, reflected ev'rywhere.
(a portion of the Cayman Islands National Song)

The Westin Casuarina on Seven Mile Beach was wonderful with a friendly staff and fabulous food. We arrived Tuesday afternoon, were treated to a seaside evening of music with a steel drum band, cocktails and dinner buffet on the lawn.

Wednesday afternoon was a cookout on the beach and a choice of water activities; banana boats, waverunners, kayacks, etc. Scott drove and I hung on as we raced around, took in the ocean view and salt spray. Our hats were the only casualties --- lost at sea.

More about the Wednesday evening dinner at the Grand Old House in a later post!

Getting up close and personal with stingrays was the adventure Thursday morning. The trip to and from the sandbar on a fabulous catamaran - Red Sail Sports was great by itself. There were too many boats in the shallowest of the sandbars where it is only 3-4 feet deep so our Australian captian took us to another location about 12 feet deep, threw out some squid. Into the Caribean Sea we went with mask, snorkel and fins---some, like me with a vest on too, watching these graceful rays below. The stronger, more coordinated ones ventured further out and below. It was rather choppy and I, in my vest stayed fairly close to boat! They are gentle, sociable, incredible sea creatures that interact with visitors, brushing their velvety underbellies against us passengers. One of the other cruise staff was a Caymanian, dove straight in, brought a ray up, cradled in his arms for me to spend some time with. I think this was my favorite adventure of the trip!

A WaveRunner snorkeling safari on Friday morning was an exciting adventure. I've been on the back of these machines but had never driven one myself until this beautiful morning. WOW!!! An incredible feeling! After slowly clearing the 200-yard, no-wake zone that runs along the Seven Mile Beach we take off at about 50 mph, stopping at two different coral reefs, don the masks, snorkel & fins. I'm a rookie, a surface snorkeler but still enjoyed to view below.

If I were younger...and taller...

2008-03-20T08:26:00.000-07:00

UPDATE: this item sold this week (April 1st) but I'll be making this pattern again!

This is my latest etsy listing....Spring Fashion Ladies Mini Dress Tunic.

When I first bought this pattern it reminded me of Kelly Ripa & some of the oh-so-cute outfits you see her wear. If I were younger, taller then I'd keep this for myself!

The Mulberry Elementary School Mural pictures are now posted in a bit more organized way.

Still Life for Breakfast, Peach Cobbler for Dessert!

2008-03-19T14:15:00.000-07:00

It was really hard to decide what to include because there are so many great items. For that reason I'm showing the alternates too. Do enjoy & thank you to this set of great artists!

Peach Cobbler

Dinner tonight? Chicken Enchiladas.

Instead of my usual Pace salsa, tonight I used Newman's Own Black Bean & Corn Salsa plus a tablespoon of adobo sauce from a can of chipotle peppers and a couple of tablespoons of Pace Chipotle Salsa.

Dessert? Quick Peach Cobbler.

1 stick butter or margarine
1 C self-rising flour
1 C sugar
1 C milk
1 large can peaches, sliced
Ice Cream, Cool Whip or whip cream is optional

Melt butter in medium Pyrex dish in the microwave. Mix flour, sugar and milk (will be thin). Add peaches to butter and pour dough over peaches. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until cobbler is completely cooked and brown on top. If desired, serve with ice cream, Cool Whip or whip cream.

This easy recipe makes a nice family dessert.
When fresh fruit is available, substitute 2 cups fresh sliced
sweetened peaches, blueberries, blackberries or a combination of fruits!

More recipes at maryhanks.com. See Food for Thought for a complete listing.

Cooking My Way Around the Globe

2008-03-14T05:19:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure what has gotten into me this past week. It was more accidental than planned and thought out but I realized last night that our menus have covered the globe. Starting with homemade Macaroni and Cheese last Saturday, I emptied the cheese drawer in the fridge with this American favorite, Provolone, a couple of different sharp Cheddars, Parmesan & whatever else needed to be used.

Moroccan Chickpea Stew on Sunday, Tortilla Soup made it's way to the table both Monday & Tuesday. Orange Chicken from Panda Express is Jonathan's FAVORITE but Wednesday night I made it myself from an America's Test Kitchen recipe that I've had printed & waiting to be made for almost 2 years. Last night was Italian with Spaghetti. One of those dishes I just make but have no recipe for, just letting it simmer all afternoon.

This salad is really simple, maybe not really Italian but a current favorite. A bed of fresh baby spinach, pear slices, sometimes orange slices, onion (green onion on this night but red onion is nice too), pecans or walnuts that have been gently toasted in a skillet with a little butter, finished with a light sprinkle of sea salt. Toss in some craisins or other dried fruit if you'd like. A simple dressing of balsamic vinegar with something sweet; honey, some fig or other preserves perhaps, top it all with bit of cheese. It's just the right combination of flavors and texture to make a really great salad that makes me never want to eat iceberg lettuce again!

Art Smith's Goat Cheese Drop Biscuits, another recipe I'd printed out but not made until now. I usually prefer a cut, not drop biscuit but these were outstanding! The preheated iron skillet gave the bottoms a lovely color and texture. This will be a keeper!

Many more of my favorites are available at maryhanks.com, see Food for Thought.

Where shall we travel to tonight?

So You Think You Can Paint!?! Part 4

2008-03-12T19:26:00.000-07:00

Trying to get some other angles & shots to show the effect & an idea of the size!

Above is a shot of the main, front area, stage, rock wall. Below is the same area from further back.

Side wall...to the right you can see Kim's grandmother's Kentucky farm house shown up close on the last post.
This scene is on the opposite side wall between 2 outside windows. A path through a stand of trees with a deer crossing. Below is the same wall but to the left, a large lake scene.

Back to the front....

So You Think You Can Paint!?! Part 3

2008-03-12T18:54:00.000-07:00

Six days.
Five artists.
Paints, ladders, brushes, sponges...
2000 square feet of cinderblock wall in an elementary cafeteria.

See earlier posts of this work in progress!

Also see Alcovy Elementary, Monarch School.

Coming soon: pics from Corley & Shiloh Elementary Schools.

RX in a bowl!

2008-03-11T17:16:00.000-07:00

If you get hit by the bug & want something a bit more interesting than the traditional chicken soup then I've got the recipe for you!!! It's become a family favorite --- note to self...make a DOUBLE batch! I'd love to claim as my own but must give due credit to America's Test Kitchen. Even my picky eater (that's him with Cesar) wants seconds of this warm & spicy southwestern soup.

You may use some leftover chicken or shred one of the rotisserie chickens available at the supermarket.

Before I send you to the soup recipe let me note a NEW recipe that I tried this past weekend. Moroccan Chickpea Stew was a winner with my daughter Sara & her fiance'. This won rave reviews from them & will definitely be a keeper in my recipe go-to file!
Thank you anodyne designs for this great new recipe!

Tortilla Soup from America’s Test Kitchen Despite its somewhat lengthy list, this recipe is very easy to prepare. If you desire a soup with mild spiciness, trim the ribs and seeds from the jalapeno (or omit jalapeno altogether) and use the minimum about of chipotle in adobo sauce (1 teaspoon, pureed with the tomatoes in step 3). Our preferred brand of low-sodium chicken broth is Swanson’s Natural Goodness. If advance preparation suits you, the soup can be completed short of adding the shredded chicken to the pot at the end of step 3. Return the soup to a simmer over medium-high heat before proceeding. The tortilla strips and the garnishes are best prepared the day of serving.

Tortilla Strips
8 corn tortillas (6-inch), cut into ½-inch strips
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Table salt

Soup
2 split bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts (about 1 ½ pounds) (skin removed and well trimmed of excess fat)
8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 very large white onion (about 1 pound), trimmed of root end, quartered, and peeled
4 medium cloves garlic, peeled
2 sprigs epazote, fresh, or 8-10 sprigs fresh cilantro plus 1 sprig fresh oregano
Table salt
2 medium tomatoes, cored & quartered
½ medium jalapeno chile
1 chipotle chili en adobo, plus up to 1 tablespoon adobo sauce
1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Garnishes
1 lime, cut into wedges
1 Hass avocado, diced fine
8 ounces cotija cheese, crumbles, or Monterey Jack cheese, dices fine
Fresh cilantro leaves
Minced jalapeno pepper
Mexican crema or sour cream

FOR THE TORTILLA STRIPS: Adjust oven rack to middle position; heat oven to 425 degrees. Spread tortilla strips on rimmed baking sheet; drizzle with oil and toss until evenly coated. Bake until strips are deep golden brown and crisped, about 14 minutes, rotating pan and shaking strips (to redistribute) halfway through baking time. Season strips lightly with salt; transfer to plate lined with several paper towels.
(Note: You may want to make extra strips!)

FOR THE SOUP: While tortilla strips bake, bring chicken, broth, 2 onion quarters, 2 garlic cloves, epazote, and ½ teaspoon salt to boil over medium-high heat in large saucepan; reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until chicken is just cooked through, about 20 minutes. Using tongs, transfer chicken to large plate. Pour broth through fine-mesh strainer; discard solids. When cool enough to handle, shred chicken into bite-sized pieces; discard bones.

Puree tomatoes, 2 remaining onion quarters, 2 remaining garlic cloves, jalapeno, chipotle chile, and 1 teaspoon adobo sauce in food processor until smooth. Heat oil in Dutch oven over high heat until shimmering; add tomato/onion puree and 1/8 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring frequently, until mixture had darkened in color, about 10 minutes. (This is when I go crazy because the smell is so absolutely WONDERFUL!) Stir strained broth into tomato mixture, bring to boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer to blend flavors, about 15 minutes. Taste soup; if desired, add up to 2 teaspoons additional adobo sauce. Add shredded chicken and simmer until heated through, about 5 minutes. To serve, place portions of tortilla strips in bottom of individual bowls and ladle soup into bowls; pass garnishes separately.

So You Think You Can Paint!?! Part 2

2008-03-08T04:28:00.001-08:00

More pics from the Mulberry Elementary School Mural we began on Wednesday. These were taken at the end of day 3 with 2-3 more days of work to go!

See more info on the previous post from last night.

This is the school cafeteria, a pull out stage is shown in the foreground with a ramp/block wall that I'm painting to look like a stone wall. Even the other side of the wall has been painted with this technique! Thanks Richie!!!

(Please excuse all the junk---we are still "under construction"!)

The beginning stages of another landmark red barn.

Graced by a stand of pines, the entrance into the cafeteria .

Another shot of the main mural's pond with the a herd of cows just started.

In yesterday's post the pics of the main mural were too close-up to get the prospective of the room so I've added this to get a better fix on the ramp/stone wall & the barn. Just a few more feet of stone to lay...

So You Think You Can Paint!?!

2008-03-07T17:46:00.000-08:00

I think we should start a new reality TV show & see how others might do when put to the challenge!

What can 5 artists do with dozens of paintbrushes, photos of area landmarks, ump-teen bottles of acrylic paint in just 3 days?

Ron re-created this old barn that was on the site before Mulberry Elementary (a brand new Gwinnett County School) was built. His wife Rhonda Storer is the leader of our pack & lushly landscaped the fields & acreage. Below is Union Grove Baptist Church, just around the corner from the school. Again, building rendered by Ron, landscaped by Rhonda.

This beautiful spot was painted by Kim Chambers & is her grandmother's Kentucky home! While not specifically a landmark from just around this school, this growing but still rural area of the county still has picturesque scenes such as this.
My contribution? Lots & LOTS of stone wall!!! I began with this area of tumbled down wall on Wednesday...moved over to the area around the water fountains....(more landscaping to come!)

Three of the 5 of us have done mural work with this same principal in another county school (Shiloh Elementaty) a few years ago. It has been a pleasure to work with Vivian Stranahan & her great group of teachers and kids!

More to come! This was all done in just THREE DAYS!!! We have 2-3 days more to finish this phase. Please check back!!!

Preserving the area landmarks within a new school's cafeteria...

Food For Thought

2008-02-27T17:45:00.000-08:00

Best Lemonade

This blogging thing is still very new to me & I'm trying to catch up a bit. I was resistant to try my hand when this all began & instead focused my attention at the computer to putting together other websites. Etsy was the beginning.

My son Peter was in college & had started selling some of his ceramic pieces there & encouraged me to start my own shop. I began with my own etsy shop in Sept. of '06 maryhanks.etsy.com.

Besides the desire to have that special shop of mine, I've always wanted to put together a cookbook. I'd compiled, organized, printed & given several copies family & friends. It was also nice to have recipes that I could easily email to anyone interested.

Not long after the "etsy experiment" began I started work on putting my recipes in yet another format --- sharing recipes via another website. I also use the site as an on-line portfolio of my other work, decorative painting, faux finishing, some sculpture work. I have posted a recipe here on my blog - see Chicken & Blueberry Muffins post - but am torn between adding more recipes here or hoping that I can direct those interested to the original project. Any thoughts or comments are very welcome, of course! You can use this blog for comments or see the "contact" link on the other site!

So please let me introduce you to "Food for Thought"...thanks for taking the time to look!

One more thing....I've also discovered TasteBook, and am experimenting with that format. FoodNetwork.com is another one of many go-to sites for lots of great tasting dishes!

Chicken & Blueberry Muffins

2008-02-15T09:39:00.000-08:00

This treasury has expired but I REALLY loved all these items & wanted to go ahead & post. Some of these items, like BELLACOSAART piece, Hank the Rooster, I've used before because I just LOVE it so. I just purchased a print of this great painting...can't wait!

Yesterday was Valentine's Day & I'd made homemade blueberry muffins for the kids & Jonathan's teacher. These are super easy & so much better than even the best muffin mix. I used a can of blueberries, well drained. There's just the right amount of sweetness. If you you fresh or frozen be sure to sweeten first. I've also given variations for Apple Cinnamon & Banana Nut muffins. With this basic recipe you can add your favorite ingredients, toppings, etc....(chocolate chips are good too!)

Sweet Best-Ever Muffins

1 ¾ C all-purpose flour
½ C sugar
2 ½ t baking powder *
¾ t salt
1 egg, beaten
¾ C milk *
1/3 C oil

* To substitute buttermilk, reduce baking powder to 1 t and add ¼ t baking soda.

Stir together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt; make a well in the center. Combine egg, milk and oil; add all at once to dry ingredients, stirring just until moistened (do not over mix). Fill muffin pans which have been either papered or greased 2/3 full. Bake at 375 degrees for 18-20 minutes.

Use this basic recipe to create your own wonderful sweet muffins. Toss in some fruit, alter liquid or dress up the tops.

Blueberry Muffins

Prepare Sweet Muffin recipe; add fresh, frozen or a drained can of blueberries to the batter. You may need to add a bit more sugar if using fresh or frozen depending on how sweet you want the muffins. Bake 20-25 minutes.

Apple Cinnamon Muffins

Prepare Sweet Muffin recipe adding 1t ground cinnamon in with the dry ingredients. Mix as directed then carefully fold 1 cup finely chopped apple, ½ cup finely chopped pecans, ½ cup chopped dates, optional.

Banana-Nut Muffins

Prepare Sweet Muffin recipe; add a ripe, mashed banana to the milk, egg and oil mixture. Add ½ cup finely chopped pecans to the batter. Bake for 20-25 minutes.

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

2008-02-14T05:31:00.000-08:00

We are shaped and fashioned by what we love.

Goethe

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched.

They must be felt with the heart.

Helen Keller

This painting (above) I did a couple of years ago.

Can't bear to part with this one but I'm posting as a Valentine's wish to all!

Below, a Treasury dedicated to my husband on Valentine's Day!!!

So looking forward to our Grand Cayman Islands trip next month!!!

X O x o X O x o X O

Treasury West - Fresh!

2008-02-10T11:20:00.000-08:00

AriaImages

breathingbesideus

juliebcreative

RozArt

CreationsAnew

flandersfield

Teha

caroleaxium

BELLACOSAART

curioush

Emmalynne

couragemylove

Flower Power Baby Girl Dress and Panties

2008-02-07T13:20:00.000-08:00

This is fabric that I've had for a few months but just now got around to making something with it! Also trying out a new pattern that I really like. Instead of using prepackaged bias tape to finish the arm holes, neck and leg openings, I made my own using an orange dotted fabric. I really love the bit a accent that it provides!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9421989

Jonathan's Art & a Wacky Hair Day!

2008-02-06T14:56:00.001-08:00

Jonathan's the youngest artist in the family & will be displaying this piece in the school art show next week. This is a done with cut and torn paper. Looks nice and warm and tropical!!! I'm ready!!!
This is the Relay for Life Spirit Week at school. The students and teachers can participate in the day's theme with a $1 donation. Today was Wacky Hair Day, one of Jonathan's favorites! It's a good thing that tomorrow is Hat Day!!! Cesar is glad he didn't get sprayed blue too. (Although, that's a thought ... Blue's Clue...)

This is his 1st grade entry from a couple of years ago. The Blue Peanut.

Let's hear it for the art & music teachers out there!!! (*applause*)

So Engaging...

2008-02-04T12:59:00.001-08:00

Sara & Casey at Peter & Gloria's December '07 wedding!

So much fun!!!

...more pics from my son & new daughter-in-law's wedding...

http://adriannekimbrell.wordpress.com/ scroll to 1/4/08 entry

http://www.imagesbyadrianne.com/

Although they've been engaged for a couple of months now, we are beginning the planning process of Sara & Casey's fall wedding ------October '08 is the projected time frame...
When I saw the barn photo from NicksPics & saw that it might be in Georgia I got REALLY excited!!!! That's just the type of place they'd like for their one-of-a-kind-wedding. The chandelier, photographed by chicalookate, hanging inside (the REAL chandelier!!!) would also be just perfect. Casey's niece, Mia, will be such a precious little flower girl & featured are a couple of finds that I can easily see her in on the BIG day! The necklace from nuovovita is similiar to ones that Gloria special ordered for all of her bridesmaids. They were a perfect compliment to the girl's dresses!!!
The illustration on the card from seasprayblue, "and then he kissed her" just reminds me of Sara & Casey...as does the ampersand...music has been a HUGE part of our lives, thus the bird song from synchronicity313...

( links to Peter & Sara's blogs: http://peetah.blogspot.com/
http://sarahanks.blogspot.com/)

Love you guys!

Mom

Formally Yours - Part 2

2008-02-01T16:41:00.000-08:00

The bridal dressing rooms now have names --- each flowers that are often used in weddings. I love the way the brown lettering looks on this blue!

In the prom & bridesmaid area are more dressing rooms which now have these two pairs of silver shoes above the mirrors. Done in silver leaf, I added large jewels today but forgot my camera...these are actually yesterday's pictures...

"This is no day for sensible shoes."

Formally Yours is located in Lilburn, GA

Call (770) 923-5800

formallyyoursga@yahoo.com

Formally Yours

2008-01-31T14:02:00.000-08:00

A work in progress, now wrapping up, I've been working on some decorative painting projects at this BRIDAL shop in the Atlanta/Lilburn, Georgia area. Brides, bridesmaids, mothers of the bride will all find this a fun place to shop for your dresses.

Yesterday I painted the numbers to this VERY LARGE wall clock. The outside diameter is 41"...no mistaking the time here...tick-tick'n away!

Store policies concerning alterations & returns are no longer on a printed sign but handpainted on the wall behind the front desk. this was work I did in late 2007.

Above the mirrors is a quote that has become the store's motto,

"Creating a lifetime of elegant beauty"! Again, work done in 2007 after I'd painted beige walls with the blue & green.

More pics and info tomorrow....

Flirty Wire Dress Sculpture

2008-01-28T17:59:00.000-08:00

Wire is an interesting medium that I have enjoyed working with and this piece has attracted some nice attention...almost 1000 views!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7204691

A feminine and flirty dress constructed of wire and displayed on a stand. This sculpture is woven with 22 gauge steel galvanized wire with some copper wire added to accent. The dress alone stand 8" high. approx. 7" wide at the hem, approx. 4" across at the bust. The stand, alone is 10" high. The dress sits on the stand with the hip area of the dress resting on the stand. The total height of the two pieces together is just under 16".

Above is a treasury from Tanushka, another etsy artist who makes beautiful jewelry! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7204691 My favorite piece from Tanushka's etsy shop is this Pearl Charm bracelet.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php ?listing_id=5990217

Thanks again for including me in your treasury!!!

Team Work in Action

2008-01-25T16:10:00.000-08:00

It's been a fun week working with Rhonda & Kim again on a school mural. Monarch is a school offering special education services, special needs pre-K, ADAPT, and early childhood programs in Gwinnett County. Transportation was the theme that totally changed this media center in just one week!

Once we had an OK from the higher-ups, the off-white walls were base coated a sky blue with a green by Rhonda's husband Ron. Rhonda roughed in the basic areas; mountains and the area for the train, lake, farm, barn, large tree. Kim & I joined Rhonda Tuesday-Friday, adding more detail and helping Rhonda in developing the project.

While we've worked together for some time on all sorts of fun & interesting projects over the years, I am still amazed at how great the final project comes together in a relatively small amount of time. Rhonda & Kim are able to do amazing things with a pile of brushes, acrylics paints!!! I'm able to fill in background, some mountains, add some fence posts, fill in foliage, highlights here & there...my biggest contribution on this one was the hot air balloons.

Vitamin C Treasury

2008-01-23T18:53:00.000-08:00

Georgia's BIG Snow Day!

2008-01-19T14:20:00.000-08:00

The sun did not shine...but the snow came today, give'n kids a fun way to play...

Here's an Etsy treasury that I was able to snag, enjoying the snow from inside!

Cesar wasn't sure what to think!

We've had snow twice this week. Kids have been VERY excited & it has been pretty.

Inspired!!!

2008-01-17T17:49:00.000-08:00

Watching "bios day" of our favorite Food Network personalities I was truely inspired by Ina Garten! A trip to our local library landed me her Barefoot Contessa Family Style & Barefoot Contessa Parties! While not an avid reader of novels & such, I do enjoy reading a great cookbook, pouring through recipes, imagining just how a dish will taste. Who would really enjoy this or that and when can I try this latest creation?!

Last week I made the Real Meatballs & Spaghetti one night, Mac & Cheese another --- not exactly dishes for any January New Year's resolutions!!! This week I wanted to take a meal to a friend who was under the weather. For the guys I made Chicken Tetrazini (not from the cookbook...recipe to follow), for Kim, Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup. We had a batch of both too!!! Great comfort food on a cold & even snowy week here in Georgia!

Chicken Tetrazini

8oz. cooked vermicilli
small can of muchrooms
4T butter
1/2 t celery salt
cayenne pepper to taste
1/4 t marjoram
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can evaporated milk
2 C chicken (or turkey)
Parmesean cheese

Cook vermicilli. Melt butter with liquid from mushrooms. Add soup and stir.

Gradually add evaporated milk while stirring. Add seasonings.
Spray 8 1/2 x 11 glass baking dish with cooking spray.

Add cooked pasta, meat & mushrooms.

Pour in sauce and sprinkle with lots of parmesean cheese.

Bake for 350 for 1/2 hour or until bubbly.

Make something new! Share a meal with a friend.