Through My Lens - Wordless Wednesday

One Afternoon by Denise Dion-Sullivan

Tuesdays Treasures

Sugarplum Silhouettes

Deck the Halls is the theme this week for Tuesday Treasures. It is that time of year to begin decorating for the upcoming Holiday season. Here are a few shops on Etsy that offer some rather unique and interesting Holiday decorating items. Click on the shop name under the photo to be swept up in the Holiday spirit!

Geezee's Custom Canvas

The Living Art

Fox Tail Creek

Beautiful Details by the Seashore

Cyber Monday Sales

Today is Cyber Monday and I am offering a 20% discount in all three of my Shops on Etsy. Simply type in blog20 in the coupon area on the check out page and automatically save 20% all day today until midnight! Dion Designs, my jewelry shop also offers free shipping. Click on the name of the shop below the photo to stop shopping. If you would like a bit higher discount coupon code "like" my facebook page by clicking here: Dion Designs.

Dion Designs

The Artists Closet

Seasonal Vignettes

Monday Musings

It's just about December and so is that time of year for wrapping our necks with a scarf to stay cozy and warm. I love this video by Wendy on "25 Ways to Wear a Scarf in 4 1/2 Minutes". Just in time for old man Winter! Check it out:

Reflections

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year;  to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow.  - Edward Sandford Martin

Through My Lens - Wordless Wednesday

Fall Walk by Denise Dion-Sullivan

Tuesdays Treasures

Since Thanksgiving is this week I thought a theme of gratefulness apropos for todays treasure choices. Here are a few shops on Etsy with some unique items to remind us of how we should all feel throughout the whole year. Click on the shop name under the photo to be taken to their storefront on Etsy: 

Typography Art Print by Renaissance Days

Thankful Pumpkin Blossom by Imagination Couture

Wishbone Wish by The Silver Diva

Image Transfer by Room 29

Monday Musings

Another place to add to my "bucket list" - Glass Beach in Fort Bragg, California. Back in 1949 this area was actually a "open to the public" dumping ground. Hard to believe but people would actually dispose of all types of garbage straight into this gorgeous oceanfront location. Dumping household garbage was common thus back in pre-recycling times it included lots of glass. Over the years the pounding surf rounded all the sharp edges so now all that remains is an amazing carpet of sparkling sea glass along the shoreline. What a treasure trove to Sea glass Jewelers, myself included! However, since Glass Beach is part of MacKerricher State Park, collecting sea glass is no longer allowed. It would still be a wonderful place to photograph and send time on it's glistening shores.

Reflections

Source: bravegirlsclub.com via Linda on Pinterest

Saturday Simplify

Source: bravegirlsclub.com 

Friday Food Feature

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

Combing:

• Blend 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
• 1/2 cup vanilla soy milk
• 1/2 cup crushed ice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice.
   

Pour and enjoy!

recipe and photo via Organic Gardening 

Thinking Green

Wine Cork Coasters are a great gift for the Oenphile in your life (wine lover).  This is a great DIY project that even I can follow. You will need the following materials to get started:

• 25 wine corks
• hot glue gun with glue sticks
• thin cork paper circles
• pocket knife
• cutting board
• coarse sand paper

For step by step instructions complete with clear photos, visit the blog Heartmade. What a great idea for recycling corks.  Add a bottle of favorite wine and you have a fabulous gift!

Through My Lens - Wordless Wednesday

Work by Denise Dion-Sullivan

Tuesdays Treasure

This rocking chair is amazing. The "Sway" is big enough for me and my sweetie pie to sit and chat face to face. Designed by Markus Strauss from Germany, it has a steel frame and padded seat. It morphs into various positions - simply genius and....I want one! via Bless This Stuff.

Monday Musings

Very cool video - check it out:

Reflections

Life's a voyage that's homeward bound. ~ Herman Melville

Saturday Simplify

Friday Food Feature

Pumpkin Pie Pop Tarts with Maple Glaze
adapted from Joy the Baker


For the Crust:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 Tbs granulated sugar
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold, cut into cubes
• 1 large egg
• 2 Tbs milk
• 1 large egg (for brushing the dough)

For the Filling:

• 3/4 cup pureed pumpkin
• 1 large egg
• 1/8 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar

For the Maple Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 3 tsp maple syrup
• 2 Tbs milk

In the bowl of a food processor, pulse together flour, sugar and salt.  Add the cold butter and pulse in 1-second increments until the butter is the size of peas.  The mixture should also hold together when squeezed into a ball.

In a small bowl, beat the egg with the milk.  Add the mixture all at once to the dry ingredients and process to make sure that moisture is introduced to all of the flour mixture.  On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough  for a few turns until it really starts to come together.  Divide the dough in two, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 30 minutes 

While the dough is chilling, prepare the filling:

In a medium bowl, stir together the pumpkin puree and spices.  Whisk in egg, salt and sugar and place in the fridge to rest while you roll out the dough.

On a well floured work surface, press dough into a 3×5-inch rectangle, roll the dough out to about 1/8-inch thickness.  The dough should be slightly larger than 9×12-inches.  Trim dough with a pizza cutter, creating a perfect rectangle that is 9-inches tall and 12-inches long.  Using the pizza cutter, cut each side into thirds, creating 9 squares.  Place dough squares in the fridge while you roll out the second piece of dough in the same way.

Brush one set of 9 squares with beaten egg.  This will act as the glue for the top layer of dough.  Spoon about one tablespoon of pie filling into the center of each brushed dough square.  Top with a second piece of dough and use a floured fork to crimp the sides closed.  Use the tines of the fork to create vent holes in each tart.

Position a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F.  Let tarts rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes while the oven preheats.

Remove tarts from the fridge and place in the oven to bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown on top.

While the tarts bake, whisk together ingredients for the glaze and set aside.

Let baked tarts rest on a cooling rack to cool completely before glazing.  Best served within 2 days.

photo via wikipedia

Thinking Green

It is almost the Holidays with Thanksgiving in just a few weeks. From now until Christmas I will focus these Thursday Green Posts on Upcycling products to create Holiday decorations or gifts.

This week I would like to share a gift using a bike innertube to create a men's wallet. Here is a list of materials needed to create this gift:
- innertube - a 26 x 1.9/195 tube is the perfect height without having to trim.
- sewing machine - you'll need one with adjustable tensioning
- black thread
- scissors
- currency
- a license or card
- a ruler
For the complete tutorial with photos, visit KenhFisher's post on Instructables by clicking here - bike wallet.

Through My Lens - Wordless Wednesday

Falling by Denise Dion-Sullivan

Tuesday's Treasures

Rachelle Levingston

One of my favorite animals is sheep.  I'm not sure why but I have always had an affinity for this farm animal.  I even rescued two Shetland Sheep dogs. I think we would be in trouble if I had a barn. I would probably rescue a few sheep as well (if sheep can be rescued).  They have sincere faces filled with trust and innocence.  It is one type of meat (well okay, that and veal) which I refuse to purchase or cook for my carnivore husband.  Here are some great items I found on Etsy with a sheep theme. Simply click on the link below the photo and visit the shops.

Lucy Snow Photography

Water Song Soap

Topix

Keep Calm Shop

Monday Musings -

I have always loved images of children in Art. Talented Artists such as Mary Cassatt, were so precise in capturing the innocence of childhood. Here is a YouTube video of gorgeous art with children as a theme accompanied with lovely music.Have a great week! 

Saturday Simplify

photo via poppytalk on flickr

Friday Food Feature

Yum! My favorite comfort food!

Chicken Pot Pie

2 c diced peeled potatoes
1¾ c sliced carrots
⅔ c chopped onion
1 c butter
1 c all-purpose flour
1¾ t salt
1 t dried thyme
¾ t pepper
3 c chicken broth
1½ c milk
4 c cooked chicken
1 c  peas
1 pastry for a 9 inch double crust pie

Cook potatoes and carrots until tender. Drain and set aside. In a large skillet, sauté onion in butter until tender. Stir in the flour, salt, thyme, and pepper and blend, gradually stir in broth and milk. Bring to a boil, cooking with constant stirring for about 2 minutes or until thickened. Add the chicken, peas, potatoes and carrots; remove from the heat.

Line two 9-inch pie plates with bottom pastry. Fill pastry shells with chicken mixture. Roll remaining pastry to fit top of pies.  Place top crust over filling; trim, seal and flute edges.

Bake one pot pie at 425˚ for 35-40 minutes or until crust is lightly browned. Let stand for 15 minutes before cutting. 

Yields 12 servings.

image via Artist Gloria West

Thinking Green

My husband and I keep our house at a cool 64-65 degrees in the daytime and 60 at night (lots of down comforters). We both work at home - he dresses in sweats, I in yoga pants with sweaters. So far this works for us and we save money on our oil bill. If I have to do computer work you can usually find me in front of the fireplace with my laptop.  
I recently came across a new type of Thermostat called the NEST that might be able to save you some money by conserving energy through controlling the temperature in your home. You can even lower it from your iPhone. Check out the Youtube video below:
  

Through My Lens - Wordless Wednesday

On a ridge by Denise Dion-Sullivan

Tuesday's Treasures

My November Guest by Robert Frost

My Sorrow, when she's here with me,
Thinks these dark days of autumn rain
Are beautiful as days can be;
She loves the bare, the withered tree;
She walks the sodden pasture lane.

Her pleasure will not let me stay.
She talks and I am fain to list:
She's glad the birds are gone away,
She's glad her simple worsted grady
Is silver now with clinging mist.

The desolate, deserted trees,
The faded earth, the heavy sky,
The beauties she so ryly sees,
She thinks I have no eye for these,
And vexes me for reason why.

Not yesterday I learned to know
The love of bare November days
Before the coming of the snow,
But it were vain to tell he so,
And they are better for her praise.

Now go on over to the Artisan website Etsy and purchase some wonderful Citrine jewelry for a loved one. Click on the name of the shop below the photo to visit three fabulous shops:

One 9 Designs

Aubepine

Dangling Jewelry