settlers peace

Labor of sweet love

The last two weeks we have been in recovery mode, from a major labor of love.

When we were expecting the birth of our children, there was a lot of prep work and some anxiousness over the labor and delivery which can last upwards of a day. Luckily, I was done in under 5 hours both times. It is a time of joy and anticipation.

In this season of our life, we have been blessed with the addition of another to the family, but let me tell you, the labor lasted more than a day!

In the time that it took to get from the last blog post to this kiss

The garden has gone from an explosion of weeds, (where are the pathways?)

To the manicured garden that it was intended to be

The barn went from storage of the unimagined, unwanted, and the cherished (though it was hard to tell),

To dance hall and reception venue

It was a rather great day and I am so excited to see the photos from the photographer, I was there and still couldn't take it all in. Having the wedding at home was pure joy and excitement, even though the labor was long and hard. We are still reaping the rewards, enjoying the yard, the barn, the trimmed trees, the pastures and the new swing next to the fire pit. Ultimately, enjoying the blessing of getting to watch them build a life together, it is a beautiful thing. I am certain that we'd do it all over again, the only thing I'd change? Delegate, delegate, delegate, we did way too much right up unto the last moment. The rain in the midst of a drought only added to the intensity of the day and the sweetness of what brought us all together. While not what we planned on, I cannot imagine it being any more perfect.

Posted with Blogsy

A Good Time Was Had

I've been home for over two weeks, and am still smiling. I have long admired the work of DJ Pettitt and was quick to sign up for a workshop that Cindy happened to discover. Oh my, the inspiration, creativity and laughter was at a level so far beyond what I had hoped for.

This is DJ Pettitt, myself, Cindy and Donna Downey

My book cover

Inside cover and a signature wrap

And a few pages

The whole gang, twenty three other amazing artists and women. So many stories shared, and you know how I love a good story.

And then an awesome story, after I returned home, my daughters boyfriend proposed at a Ranger's baseball game! So fun and exciting, and wedding plans are in full swing :)

Life is good!

Posted with Blogsy

Celebration Food

We had a milestone birthday this week, and there was NO interest in a big party or celebration drawing attention to it.  So a quiet dinner at home with the girls in his life was the request, along with my Pecan Chicken and an attempt to recreate a dessert from his childhood memories of the Cape May boardwalk.  

First up, the Pecan Chicken.  This recipe came to be as an assemblage of ideas from various recipes and hugely influenced by my mom's oven fried chicken that I grew up on.  Super simple, tender, juicy, and a buttery crust that will have you chipping away at every morsel left in the pan so that you can devour it.

I don't really measure anything in it, the key is to keep the portions somewhat equal between the rice krispies, pecans, and baking mix.  

For 4 chicken breasts, your will need about

1/2 cup Rice Krispie cereal

1/2 cup pecans, finely chopped

1/2 cup baking mix - I use Pamela's baking mix as it is gluten free, for those without that concern, use Bisquick

1/4 butter, melted

Lawry's Seasoned salt

Trim the chicken as desired.  Okay, so I always thought that dipping the 'meat' in milk or egg was simply to help the coating stick, turns out that there is some science to it.  If you let the meat-be it chicken or beef- soak in milk, half & half, or such, the lactic acid in the milk product begins to break down the tissue of the meat and causes it to be fork tender and juicy!  This is the big secret to 'old school cafe' chicken fried steak and chicken fried chicken.  For beef, I'd let it marinate for an hour or more, but for this recipe, I simply soak the chicken in milk or cream, whatever is handy, while I am assembling the coating mix.

First, put the rice krispie cereal in a baggie and crush by hand.  It's kinda like bubble wrap therapy, with the reward of a delicious meal to follow.  But don't go so far as to create dust, you want the cereal to still have some puffs left.  

Add the finely chopped pecans and the baking mix to the cereal and mix.  Dredge the chicken breasts in coating mix, it's fun to hear the snap, crackle, pop of the cereal as it encounters the moist chicken, and place in a butter baking dish.  Pile the remaining coating mix atop the breasts.  Season with the Lawry's seasoned salt and drizzle each breast with the melted butter, use it all.  Bake at 375 for about 45 minutes, or until the coating is nicely browned and chicken is done.

We served it along with roasted asparagus spears and a broccoli salad.  Yummy-licious!

For dessert, D. has often talked about an ice cream sandwich that he had as a kid.  A hot Belgian waffle with a slice of Neapolitan ice cream, dusted with powdered sugar.  He was so excited that he couldn't wait for the sugar dusting and gobbled it up.  The girls were both converts, too, we have a new ice cream sandwich in the house.

Such an enjoyable evening, favorite recipes, new creations, and the best dinner company ever.  

All In A Month!

It's overwhelming to think about it all at one time, but day by day, we made it through S.'s final days of high school.

First there was prom.

Then there was graduation.

The very next day, paint roller in hand, she created a blank canvas for the next phase of life. Wow, can we say "Ready to move on"?

Moving on? Oh, yes, O. signed a lease on an apartment for the fall when she will be transferring to University. It seems like it's all spinning so fast, such a daily adventure.

Speaking of adventures, S. and I took a 'spontaneous artistic adventure' to Austin, Tx. and opted to stay in the heart of the "Keep Austin Weird" district. The Austin Motel is a step back in time, very cool. Every room a different theme, color all around. We had turquoise plumbing-sink, tub and toilet with pink tiled floor and walls and a lime green shower curtainin the bathroom, and this shock of pink on the main room wall.

I think she found her tribe in Austin, definitely a vibe that she can relate to and feed off of.

The idea of a trip had been bouncing around in my head, and the only fuel that it took to make us hit the road was a gift card to Jerry's Art-A-Rama, an on-line shop, that just so happens to have an actual store in Austin, 4 1/2 hours away! The rush? Austin Kleon, author of 'Steal Like An Artist' was giving a talk and book signing at Book People. We packed the car and were off.

Other stops of note: Roadside Relics-artist Todd Sanders studio, one cool guy.

Uncommon Objects-antique mall supreme! South Congress Cafe for yummy eats, and the thrift store next door for great vintage fashion finds (Bohemian something or other).

Jo's Coffee for morning power.

That pretty much covers the major bits, and I have been sewing, which surprises even me! I'll try and play catch up on that soon. Hope that you're enjoying the adventures of daily life, they are a blessing and fly right by wether we are paying attention or not.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Prop Shop

Every now and then, I think that I could really love photography, then I realize that what I really love are the props.  O. had her senior pictures done yesterday and I loaded the van with some things, just in case we needed them.  

I am happy to say that the photographer made use of them and I am anxious to see the photos.  Really anxious.

Tonight is her prom, she looked lovely and amazingly grown-up.  My how time flies.

Maybe something more creative than alterations soon.

Pipe Dreams

Man, oh man, life is crazy.  AKA-Parenting is not for wimps.  I want to sit down and write a creative blog post and tell you about my latest inspiration, a pile of fabric.

Okay, that about covers it.  

In real world, I want to write 'the diary of a wimpy parent'.  As in, it would be so much easier to just bury my head and let life go on, but that is just not who I am.  I'm simply feeling rather overwhelmed with the approaching year-end of school.  I know it's a few months away, but with a junior and a senior in the house, they are counting down the days.  Last week S. was awarded a very significant award, called the Circle of Success, the only junior to receive it this year.  There was a very intimate banquet to honor the students and teachers that were being recognized for their significance in the school.  So proud.  Tonight is the last soccer game for O. in high school and will be Senior Night, a farewell of sorts.  She also got her college acceptance letter yesterday from her number one pick, so happy for and proud of her.  There is just so much excitement going on.

While they are both so happy and supportive of one another, tears soon followed at the thought that what they have had for so many years together, is about to change.  Drastically.  To even be a bystander is difficult, to be the parent can make one a wreck, it all comes back to knowing that I, too, will have a drastically different life in days to come.  I embrace change and see it as a chance to grow, and I think that they will too, when the time arrives.  But man, oh man, until it happens, I'm expecting roller-coaster ride living.

May creativity be my escape.

Words of wisdom, encouragement, and prayers much appreciated.  

Dazed and Confused

S. was conspiring with a friend today on how to completely annoy another friend through text bombing.  She was wondering aloud when I overheard her say, " I wonder what A. hates?  Oh! Oh!  Let's send her pictures of us!!!"  I guess mean and ornery can be funny, too.

The weather has had me so discombobulated lately that I can't seem to find my way up.  I was crazy busy finishing the pink stack n whack quilt and prepping the house for a baby shower. The quilt went home with the baby, and I forgot to get pictures of any of it.  However, I did have a leftover piece of this

Food photography is down right difficult when you're hungry and others are swarming around you asking "Is that the last piece?"  I let them have the crust crumbs that were still in the pan.  I made a gluten free version, just to try it.  Yummy good, but so rich that I will pass on birthday desserts next week.

We went to an Antique Show this past weekend and had a good time looking around.  I love old buttons, fabrics, and trims, but was in complete overload by the third booth.  So many beatiful things.  I made it home with this calling card and 3 flower buttons from the 1860's.

No ideas on what to do with them as of yet but to look upon them and admire them.  It was very inspiring to see so many lovely things, and made me want to come home and dig through my treasures that are stashed away, and them the overwhelming feeling comes right back.  It's time to do some spring cleaning and a bit of de-stashing!

Day 4

Well, the weather here has been quite the topic.  Today was the 4th day this week with school cancelled due to snow.  This cartoon says it all!

Day 1, I went into the sewing room and worked like crazy.  So much fun!  Day 2, I began losing steam, but finished the projects of Day 1.  This was really against my grain as I wanted to start a new project each day, but I am so happy to have these little guys done.

Pattern is Effie and Ollie Elephant by Heather Bailey.  Now to choose one to put into a pincushion swap at The Quilt Asylum.  Day 3, I awoke the girls early so as to keep somewhat of a schedule, and paid the price ALL day long.  Teens can be so annoying.  Day 4, I avoided the lioness' dens completely and retreated into the sewing room adding sashing to some blocks on the design wall, simply hiding from the kids and avoiding looking out the windows at our captor.  Photos to come when I remember to carry the camera upstairs.

In an act of desperation, D. has bought us a Wii and Just Dance 2.  An attempt to keep us entertained and burning off some of the calories that we've been consuming while creating sweets in the kitchen.  I don't know if we are burning more calories dancing or laughing at each others attempts!  

So far, I guess that we are fairing pretty well, but really, I am over the snow.

Oh, and just last Saturday, yes, back when it was 70+ degrees outside, we celebrated my Grandmothers 90th birthday!  Such a firecracker she is.  Happy Birthday, Grandma!  

Packing up

Before I put these away, I wanted to share with you what I brought home from a handmade ornament swap.

Pipe cleaner tree by Julie Upshaw, embellished wool heart by Tonya Littmann, painted inside and out-glass ball by Judy Kriehn, felt and metal snowflake by Carol Morrissey, worlds smallest tablerunner :) by Sharon Zeiner, Zentangled stocking by Sandy Brawner, melted glass tree by Becky Jackson, and the tin house I made.  The funny thing was that they were supposed to be fiber related as we are all part of an art quilt group known as the Twisted Stitchers.  Rebels, that's what we are, unwilling to believe that the rules apply to us, even if we do make them.  What a fun night and a great group of very talented women!

Another bit that was recently packed, was a submission that I made 2 years ago to Stampington, I finally got it back.  As much as I'd love to brag and celebrate that my work was published in the winter issue of Sew Somerset, I'm much more relieved to have the submission returned after such a lengthy visit.

I've learned that submissions to publications are a great way to grow and stretch, AND that you should not submit your most cherished work.  I felt that it had to be something that meant a lot to me to be worthy of publication, it really only amounted to added stress.  I have no doubt that the submissions were well cared for, but I would have been so much further ahead to have sent something that I wasn't too attached to.  Lesson learned.

Here's hoping that the new year doesn't pass as quickly as last, and that we find laughter, love, and adventure around every corner, and........that I get to the computer to blog about it!  Happy Creative New Year!