simple magic

Autumn has been magical
as I begin nesting for the winter
immersing myself in simple pleasures

Toasty warm home
Catching up on reading
Fresh, crisp apples
Sudoku contests with my hubby
Baking pies
Doggie walks to the woods
Cuddling under a fuzzy blankie
Pot Roasts, Chowders, Stews
Creating gifts
Leaf pile jumps
Sewing
Cold noses
Trying new art techniques

enjoying every single, simple second of it

passing the torch

For years I have been the "Chutney Queen" at our Thanksgiving, going overboard with the relish trays and homemade chutneys & pickles...



This year I have passed the torch to my sister who is excited to try some new recipes
For last year's post and chutney recipes click here

So I am now in charge of desserts - I will miss my bubbling chutneys on the stove but look forward to adding my own twist to the dessert line-up

we will have the old favorites of Pumpkin Pie and Chocolate Cream Pie, an assortment of Sweet Breads ( I LOVE baking bread :)
plus 3 new additions that I am ultra-excited to try:

Plum Cobbler

1/2 cup sugar, divided
4 cups plums, pitted/sliced
1 cup flour, divided
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp allspice
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup butter
1/3 cup milk
2 Tbsp packed brown sugar



Preheat oven 425 degrees. Reserve 1 Tbsp sugar. In a medium bowl, mix remaining sugar, plums, 2 Tbsp flour and spices; pour into an 8inch cake pan. Combine and mix remaining flour, reserved sugar, baking powder and salt. Add butter and cut into flour mixture, mixing until moistened. Spoon eight mounds of dough on top of the plum mixture. Sprinkle brown sugar over dough. Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until plum mixture bubbles/thickens and topping browns. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped topping.
~ old Maine recipe

Mrs. Salter's Peanut Butter Pie
This looks ultra easy and my Dad just adores peanut butter pie so I wanted to surprise him with it...click here for the recipe courtesy of Paula Deen

Indian Pudding
I am most excited about making this one as I haven't had Indian Pudding since I was a child and I loved it - traditionally this is made in a double-boiler and baked but I thought this crockpot version sounded interesting...it is either going to be the hit of the dessert table or my biggest disaster. we shall see...



3 cups milk
1/2 cup cornmeal
1/2 tsp salt
3 eggs
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1/3 cup molasses
2 Tbsp butter
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp allspice
1/2 tsp ginger
2/3 cup chopped raisins (optional)

Lightly grease crockpot. Preheat on high for 20 minutes. Meanwhile bring milk, cornmeal and salt to a boil. Boil, stirring constantly, for 5 minutes. Cover and simmer an additional 10 minutes. In a large bowl, combine eggs, brown sugar, molasses, butter and spices. Gradually beat in hot cornmeal mixture; whisk until smooth. Stir in raisins. Pour into crock and cook on Low 6-8 hrs or High 2-3 hrs. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.
~ courtesy Food.com

autumn on the farm

crunch underfoot


wise, old trees


raspberry canes aflame in color


willow light


plump wax-black berries


queen anne has lost her lace


golden sedum


winter rye glowing green


humble beauty


strawberries running


serene


seeds float ethereal


rusty elegance


miss geranium shows her rosy underskirts


sepia softness


flown the coop


hide n seek sunlight


twig trappings


twisted


left behind

AitR 2010 - REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

We are pleased to announce...
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

ART IN THE ROUGH ~ ART RETREAT FOR WOMEN
August 13 - 16, 2010


“If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy
If a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you
If the simple things of nature have a message that you understand
Rejoice, for your soul is alive.” ~Eleonora Duse



WORKSHOPS
INFORMATION
SCHEDULE



Art in the Rough ~ Art Retreat for Women is an intimate gathering of like-minded souls, set in the countryside of Charleston, Maine. If you enjoy creating, celebrating simple pleasures, exploring new techniques and want a truly unique experience...join us for a fabulous weekend of funky art & friendship.


REGISTER NOW - SPACE IS LIMITED



Our instructor line-up is very exciting - some really wonderful workshops are being offered...

KECIA DEVENEY - ultra-talented and amazing work!
For more information, please visit www.lemoncholys.com
Check out Kecia’s blog www.lemoncholys.blogspot.com

ROBIN BETTERLEY - wonderful instructor, back by popular demand!
For more information, please visit www.robinbetterley.com
Check out Robin’s blog www.starfeatherfarm.blogspot.com

TARYN REECE - founder of NavelJelly Studios :)
For more information, please visit www.naveljellystudios.com
Check out Taryn’s blog www.thewhitefarmhouse.blogspot.com


REGISTER NOW - SPACE IS LIMITED

demented

although belated, I wanted to share a few Halloween pics...
I helped my mom host a haunted dinner and although not planned we decided to get into the spirit and threw together last minute costumes. The weather was perfect and the moon & clouds were beautiful...

mom and I hamming it up - she was a demented dollmaker and I was her bewitched doll (wish we had better pics - she had a great creepy dollhead necklace and parts strewn in her hair...I had pigtails, a big crinoline skirt & bright striped stockings)


still looking for better pics but you get the idea - we had pickled zombie fingers (shrimp cocktail), brain du jour (cauliflower), creamy witch gut pie (pumpkin pie) and many others...my fave was the "Lady Fingers" which were white asparagus dipped in red food coloring on one end - they were very creepy looking! We also had all sorts of bottles filled with different concoctions like crushed bones, blood of Mary, roasted bat and more

The kids had a blast and so did the adults - hope you had a wonderful Halloween as well :)