Cranberry Apple Pie

This is my favorite apple pie! Not too sweet, not too tart. Although, my recipe is more like a guideline for making the pie since I don't really measure anything. The quantities of the ingredients are to my best approximation. You can substitute fresh cranberries for dried but may want to double the sugar added.

Enjoy!

Ingredients

• Bag or approx 8-10, peeled, cored and thinly sliced apples 
• 1 cup dried craisons or cranberries
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon mace
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened

Pastry for double crust pie

• 2 cups flour
• 2/3 cup + 2 tablespoons butter or shortening
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• approx 4- 5 tablespoons cold water

Directions

1. Pastry for double crust pie.
2. Combine flour, butter and salt with a pastry blender or fork until balls are the size of a large pea.
3. Sprinkle enough cold water to mixture until dough starts to clean itself off sides of bowl as you work and knead the dough.
4. Separate dough into 2 equal balls and roll out each one to fit a 9" pie pan.
5. Preheat oven to 425°F.
6. Combine sugar, flour, and spices in large bowl.
7. Stir in apples and cranberries.
8. Sprinkle lemon juice over mixture and blend.
9. Line pie pan with unbaked pie crust, trim pastry, crimp to edge of pie plate. Fill pie crust with apple mixture and dot with softened butter.
10. Brush crust edge with water and place pie crust top on top of pie, crimp to the bottom crust. Make some slits in the top crust for steam to escape. 
11. Here you can use any remaining pastry for pie decorations. Roll out and cut shapes or use cookie cutter. Then lightly press onto top.
12. Brush top of pie with egg whites for a nice glaze
13. Bake for 15 minutes. 
14. Brush top of pie with egg whites again. 
15. Turn oven down to 350°F and bake for 40 minutes longer or until crust is brown and juice begins to bubble through slits. 

Walking

..".in our most trivial walks, we are constantly, though unconsciously, steering like pilots by certain well-known beacons and headlands, and if we go beyond our usual course we still carry in our mind the bearing of some neighboring cape; and not till we are completely lost, or turned around, - for a man needs only to be turned around once with his eyes shut in this world to be lost, - do we appreciate the vastness and strangeness of nature. every man has to learn the points of compass again as often as he awakes, whether from sleep or any abstraction. not till we are lost, in other words not till we have lost the world, do we begin to find ourselves, and realize where we are and the infinite extent of our relations."

Henry David Thoreau

Fall Bulbs for Spring Blooms

One of my simple pleasures in life is the much needed burst of color of spring flowers after a long, white, and drab winter! To ensure a burst of color this spring (and each spring thereafter) plant bulbs right now in the fall.  I found that it is much easier and more affordable than I thought. I picked up these bulbs half off (approx $3/each) at Ocean State Job Lot. Your odds are better to find them on sale if you wait until later in the planting season. Make sure that the bulbs are not crushed or dried out before you purchase them. I chose these particular flowers based on they're bloom season- so that I will have a colorful display from approximately late March to early June. Crocus bloom early in the spring, Daffodils bloom early to mid spring and finally Iris's bloom mid to late spring. Once you get them home just decide where you want the blooms to come up and then plant. (Keep in mind they will multiply over the years.) Planting is as simple as cutting the shovel in the ground, pulling up the earth enough to place the bulb in, and then gently pull the shovel out. The general rule of thumb is to plant before the ground freezes. You don't even have to rake any leaves away from the area as they actually help insulate the bulbs throughout the winter. In the spring, say sometime in March, rake the leaves away and wait for the display. I'll post some photos once they start to come up this spring and would welcome anyone else to post pictures of their spring flowers as well. Happy planting.

Halloween Pumpkins

My husband decided he wanted to carve a Frankenstein pumpkin for Halloween this year, so of course I had to carve the Bride of Frankenstein! I found a couple of great old movie photos online and brought them into Photoshop to tweak and change into a template. The problem was that our pumpkins were wet from the rain the other day, so we couldn't use the template's after all, and ended up drawing them freehand. I think they turned out fabulous! Even though we think ours are pretty cool, they're nothing compared to some others! There are really some incredible portraits and carved pumpkins, to the point of sculptures, out there! I couldn't find out who created this Jack Nicholson portrait but, boy, is it scary! Probably the best pumpkin sculptor I've seen is Ray Villafane. I can just imagine the kids walking up to his house on Halloween!

I <3 Autumn

This is my favorite time of year! I love everything about it; the temperature, the changing colors, the crisp smell of the air, the thin layer of ice on the water in the mornings, the sound of crunching leaves under my feet, squash, apples and hot spiked cider... There is just one thing I don't like about autumn- the short days.

Wildlife Cam: Fox, Coyote, Bobcats, Oh My!

My husband has a motion censored wildlife cam that he puts out in the woods to monitor what kind and how many animals live and go through the woods abutting our property. Most of the photos are not a surprise- deer, raccoon, squirrel, fox, possum, you know, your typical woodland animals, but it was a surprise to see the two photos that are posted above. You can probably tell but the first picture is a coyote and the second picture is a bobcat. The bobcat was the biggest surprise of all. I had no idea that this was bobcat territory. I'm glad that my cat is an indoor cat, but I'm going to worry about my little Boston terrier if he runs off in the woods. Thinking back, we did find a small skeleton (probably a cat) on our property when we first moved here. It's kind of cool but also a bit unnerving to know as I'm walking the dogs on the rails to trails through the woods that there are coyote and bobcat lurking about.

Painting Storage Unit

One day after my studio renovations were finished I looked around and realized that my paintings were taking up too much wall space. If I stacked them (which I often did) it became difficult to get at one particular piece, so I decided to build a painting storage unit. It was obvious to me where I should install it in the studio so as not to take up too much precious space so I began designing it based on it's location. It needed to be 3' wide x 8' tall x 3.5' deep. I planned the shelf heights based on my work- I had to make sure I had slots for 6', 4', 3' and  2' paintings and then I divided up the left over space for the smaller work. Figuring out materials was a matter of math, which resulted in a 2nd trip to home depot anyway. Sometimes I underestimate the time & work involved in a project- I think eh, I'll just throw up some crown molding (my husbands rip on me), but it turns out to be much more difficult than I originally thought. I think it's because I see the finished work in my head so clearly it seems like I have it all figured out. Not quite. Where I thought I could build it in one day like my work tables, it actually took me three days. This storage unit literally kicked my butt! I smashed my foot (maybe broke a toe), got tons of splinters, and drilled my finger (lol), but it was worth it! Now, my work is stored all tidy and organized in one location which opened up a ton of wall space to work off of.

Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da....

I've got to stop starting blogs and not finishing them till days-weeks later. I usually start my blog entries with an image and a quick blurb so that I don't forget the idea I want to write about. The strategy works well if I were to actually finish them right away, but alas, sometimes life gets in the way and there they sit. I hope that  the delay in posting hasn't disappointed any readers. I'm not even sure if I have any readers... is there anybody out there?

Fav Flix Friday - Down By Law

Down by Law, directed by Jim Jarmusch 1986

The first time I saw Down by Law I was immediately spellbound by the opening scene- a montage of traveling shots of New Orleans with a husky Tom Waits sound over. The film is shot in black and white with a rich tonal range. Every still is a perfect photograph- exquisite cinematography! Not everyone likes a Jim Jarmusch film, but anyone who appreciates film as art will. What Hollywood or mainstream film considers extraneous and unimportant, Jarmusch considers significant and essential. He has a particular way of focusing on characters over plot and accentuating life's mundane moments that usually occur in between events. The main characters, Zack (Tom Waits), Jack (John Lurie- who also composed the great and moody score), and Bob (Roberto Benigni) are all marginal characters that live for the moment and literally go where the road takes them. The basic story is about a jail break yet all the details of the jail break are left out because the real story is about the characters, their relationship, and their journey.  This film is poetic, atmospheric, human, and funny. I highly recommend it!

Other Jarmusch films I loved: Coffee and Cigarettes (which has a super awesome cast!), Night on Earth (especially Roberto Benigni's bit!), and Dead Man (with the beautiful Johnny Depp)

Guerilla Art Update

Last month I posted a couple of pictures of a guerrilla artist (!?) in my neighborhood who put up a humorous road sign and airmail mailbox. The last time I drove by, I noticed that the sign appeared to have changed and grown so I had to stop and check it out. It certainly had grown! Where once there were 13 directionals, there were now 16, a town stats sign at the top, rocks at the base and a smiley face. There's not really any more room on it, but it would be funny if it just kept growing. I love the idea of a work of art changing and growing!

Even though I have a great appreciation of this anonymous project (probably because I'm an artist and I have a sense of humor) there are a couple of things I've been wondering about ...

I'm curious to know if it is posted on public or private property? If it is posted on private property that is one thing but if it is public property do they have permission? If not, why isn't it viewed in the same (negative) way as graffiti? Not that I want it to be, it is just that it recalls an experience I had with a public moss graffiti experiment I did in the spring and I am curious to know why one would be viewed as acceptable while another is not. For my moss graffiti project, I mixed moss and beer in a blender to make a kind of emulsion which you can then brush on to an object like a pot, rock, brick or whatever and the moss is supposed to grow on it. My idea was to brush this emulsion onto the barren concrete overpass tunnel and create life where there was none. When I was in the middle of doing it some passerby had called the police on me and they came to check it out. I told them what I was doing and explained that possibly it would grow into moss or the rain may end up just washing it away, it was up to nature. They said, "Well, we can't control nature" and they let me continue. The next day when I went to water and check on it someone had painted over it to cover it up. As if it were offensive. It was so annoying to me because if you looked at it up close, you could tell that it was not paint. It just looked like mud brushed on the concrete. The actual graffiti there was the paint covering it. I guess the real question here is what is acceptable as public art and why.

"After" Pics of Studio Renovation

As I promised, here are a couple of after shots of the studio renovations. There is still some things to do like organize and put away the art supplies on the floor to the right in the picture, bring my books, and organize my art files, but the dirty work (not including my artwork) is finished. It feels fresh and inspiring like a brand new space. I have a renewed desire to be there! (Which is good because I have about 50+ pieces that need to be resolved and finished.) Renovating is the best cure for the doldrums.

Kick-Ass Work Tables

I've never loved a table before now.
As I was renovating and reorganizing my studio I decided that it would be very beneficial to have some good work tables on casters so I could move them around easily and accommodate various working conditions. First I looked online to see if I could find any on craigslist or eBay but then I decided it would be better to just make two myself. That way I would have exactly what I wanted. First I drew out a quick design sketch and then figured out dimensions and materials. I then decided to add a flat file drawer to store my sketch pads and papers (which normally sit on the floor under a table). The bottom photo shows all the materials (for both tables). For each table I used: 6 2x4's for the frame, 1 4x8 sheet 3/4" top quality plywood for the table top, 2 4x8 sheets 1/2" plywood for the bottom shelf and drawer base, 3 1x4x6 top quality pine for the drawer frame, 4 3" heavy duty swivel and locking casters, 22" drawer tracks, a bunch of 2 1/2" and 1 1/2" screws and some wood glue. My tools: 2 saw horses, a circular saw, a miter saw, drill, t-square and level. After a lot of hard work, scrapes, bruises and splinters I now have two really kick-ass work tables!

Studio Renovation Pics

It figures that my camera batteries were dead at the time I started my studio renovations. It's a shame I don't have any "before" pictures of the studio. Oh well. Below I have posted some photos taken while painting.You can still see the old wall color and the carpet and how the painting alone is brightening the space. Later I'll post some photos of the finished renovation. Cha-cha-cha-changes!

My Babies

Here are some photos of my animal babies. Hunter- after his first visit to the groomer looking all fresh and dapper. Which actually only lasted for a few hours until he took off down his self made trail through the woods collecting burrs. He prefers to be dirty. We have a song about it- "Swamp Thing".

Rocco- wearing his new autumn punk skull sweater. I never thought I'd be one to dress my animals but Rocco is always cold (which he hates) and putting clothes on him helps.) In the winter he barely makes it off the porch to pee before he's at the door again. Unlike Hunter, he knows how to entertain himself indoors.

Sasha-hanging out, being the chill queen of  my laptop. You can't tell from the photo but she is actually a bug not a cat. Every day she jumps up on my vanity when I am getting ready and gets into whatever it is I'm trying to use whether it be my brush or blush. Every night in bed, as soon as one of us move, she thinks we might be awake enough for petting. Several times through out the night I wake up to her scratchy tongue raking across my skin. It's funny how each one has their own distinct personality and peculiarities.Got to love them all!

Speaking of Zucchini

Besides fishing zucchini out of Stump Pond, I am also growing them in my container garden. After waiting for what seems like an eternity, my zucchini plant has finally begun to fruit. I'm a little nervous about it's timing though because the mornings are beginning to frost. So far, so good, but will the frost end up taking them before I do? Same thing with the eggplant and peppers- they are just now really starting to fruit. Will they make it into my kitchen?!

The Big Zucchini

When you go kayaking there are certain things you expect to see and then there might be a few surprises like catching a deer in the woods or maybe finding a tire in the water. But when a friend and I went kayaking in Rhode Island down some small channels off of Stump Pond (that's what the locals call it anyway) we didn't expect to find what we found! As we were paddling around discovering our unfolding surroundings we noticed something floating in the water stuck under a branch. At first we thought it was some kind of water fruit- but what? Nothing we knew of. I decided to try to get a closer look......ah ha! A ZUCCHINI!  A BIG ZUCCHINI! Actually, it was the biggest zucchini I've ever seen. What the...? I scooped it up to show my friend since by this time she was far ahead of  me. Once I reached her she said, "A big zucchini!?" Yep, and there was nothing wrong with it. Not even one bruise. It appeared to have been cut off at the stem and we speculated how it ended up floating in the channel... The farmer decided it was too big (?) and threw it in the woods, where it landed in the water and went for a little trip until it got caught up under a branch and we found it. I imagined a short film about it. I ended up bringing it back to her house and showed it off during a small dinner party. We all had a good laugh.

What's For Dinner Tonight?

Otoro's Ultimate Baked Ziti
Well, it's September and with it comes the cooler weather. Whenever the cooler weather sets in and less time is spent outdoors grilling, my husband hand's the dinner torch over to me. We each have our cooking specialties. He's the grill man and saucier, and I'm the maker of "weird stuff" (ethnic/vegetarian) and the baker. I don't know why but it seems like the majority of what I cook well is baked or roasted. I make lasagna, pizza, bread, casseroles, quiche, cookies... too much to name. I love my oven in the fall and winter! It's the perfect time to warm up the kitchen and pull out those comfort food recipes. I found this recipe and thought it sounded much better (though more fattening) than the traditional baked ziti I usually make. So that's going to be what's for dinner tonight. I'll post a comment later about how it turned out.

Guerilla Art!?

One day I came upon this home-made street sign close to my house. It made me smile and I thought that whoever posted it was maybe having a party or something. After a while I noticed it was still there and apparently not going anywhere. Upon further inspection, I decided that my favorite place (?) was the "Confused Way" pointing in both directions. Then, the other day I noticed a mailbox on a 10-12' post across the street from the sign marked "Airmail". Funny stuff! Whoever is publicly posting these is either a guerrilla artist or just has a great and creative sense of humor! I hope that they continue to surprise me. Maybe I'll leave them a thank you note in their Airmail mailbox if I can get up there.

Art Studio

I moved to Connecticut while I was was working toward my MFA in visual art and I needed an art studio right away. I actually worked out of my tiny, low-ceiling basement for almost a year while I searched for another studio. My basement was the worst work space I ever had! One half of it is cement and the other half is a dirt crawl space. Even though we sealed the concrete with waterproofing and put up a plywood wall separating the crawl space, it was still so damp that everything grew a layer of mold. (Making me sick and ruining many of my paintings!) It became crucial to get a new work space!
I had called to check for space in an old mill building the year earlier but thought I would call again. This time I talked to the right person and went to see a space that day. It was big enough and the rent was cheap enough, so I took it. Because I was in my final semester in grad school I just threw everything in with out any real plan and started working. The clutter and disorganization became worse over time. So recently, I moved my office into the studio. First, for the convenience of doing all my art "work" in one location, but also, for an incentive to organize! For me, clutter is a killer! You forget what you have if you can't find it easily. As I started moving things around I began to notice that everything- the walls, doors and ceiling of the interior and exterior of the space was painted a kind of dirty looking mauvey-beige color and the floor was covered with icky dark green commercial carpeting. Right then I made the decision that it was time to finally take ownership of my studio and completely overhaul it! (I will have to ask permission to remove the carpet though.) It will be a lot of work but after the basement studio I now realize how stifling a bad space can be.
(Photos to come.)

Book Review - A Language Older than Words

A Language Older Than Words
by Derrick Jensen

I don't remember how I learned of this book but it sounded as though it was right up my alley. After a quick review of the table of contents, the philosophical chapter titles (Cultural Eyeglasses, Safety of Metaphor, Metamorphosis, Instability) intrigued me and I decided to get it. (As an artist these are concepts I am interested in.) I wanted to like it, although, the further I read the more I began to have mixed feelings about it. On the one hand, I could appreciate the poetic form of the writing  and Jensen makes some good points about the delusions of mankind, paralleling his abusive childhood to the abuse of our world. On the other hand, however, it is all talk and little substance. He disdainfully points his finger yet doesn't accept responsibility for his own actions (or lack of action). But the thing that really bothers me most about this book is the absence of source citations! With all the numbers and statistics Jensen refers to he should have a complete list of citations available for the reader to reference. In the back of the book he has a vague "Notes on Sources" section which only furthers my suspicion about the validity of his information and virtually discredits the entire book. Although I didn't completely hate it- there are some gems in there worth reading- I would suggest reading it with a discerning and critical eye.

Dream Vacation Location

If you're looking for a remote tropical paradise like me, you may want to check out the Caribbean's Ladera Resort in St Lucia. I just discovered it last year by accident and have been planning an escape ever since. It is located about 1000 feet above sea level in Soufrière's lush mountainside between the Gros and Petite Pitons overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Every room is open to a breathtaking view with a "missing" fourth wall and a private plunge pool. I can just imagine waking up to that view! I'd probably think I died and gone to heaven. It's a perfect destination for a honeymoon or romantic getaway.

Dock Project

My husband had a simple plan when he took the dock apart- pull up the top boards that were placed longways on a slope (which sometimes became slippery and hazardous) and cut them in half and lay them down in planks like the end of the dock. Once the boards were pulled up though, we realized that between the termites and wood rot the boards were no longer reusable. Now we're rethinking the plan. If the top wood was bad maybe it's time to replace the whole dock. I'm stoked about it because one side of the dock is beginning to sink and I've been wanting to do something about it. I have some great visions of a multi-level deck that connects to the dock. The only thing I'm worried about is how to build the dock so that it doesn't eventually sink again. I can design and build stuff but I'm no engineer. I don't think either one of us know how to solve that problem. This simple project has turned into a big project that probably won't get finished this year. Maybe?

Garden Update

My little garden is doing quite well. Last night I had the green beans I've been harvesting for the last week for dinner. I don't know if it's all in my mind or if they actually tasted better than store bought, but they were sweet and crisp and delicious!
The other day I took a small cutting of the cilantro and added it to a turkey wrap. It was great! Just a little added a really nice fresh lemony zest.
My cherry tomatoes have finally started to fruit. I can't wait to start harvesting them and make a fresh garden salsa! I thought they grew bushy but they grew taller than I expected. Maybe I should have pinched off some height before they grew that tall. (Anyone know?) Oh well, as long as they are healthy and produce tomatoes I'm happy.
The cucumber plant is also doing well. So far I've counted 5 baby cuc's. One of them should be ready to harvest in another week or so. You may see the bee in the center flower in the photo. The bee's appear to be very happy to have some nector to collect and I am very happy that they are pollinating the female flowers!
I am a novice but I should be an excellent gardener! I spent most of my childhood with my grandparents who always had a huge garden! They grew everything! My grandmother made some killer pickles and soups too! I remember some things, but now I wish I had paid more attention. Mostly I remember snapping never ending beans and having really dirty feet!

Loie Fuller's

The other day a friend suggested we check out Loie Fuller's, a fairly new restaurant in Providence. She had been there just once before for a drink and apps in the bar and fell in love with the Art Nouveau decor and thought it would be nice to check out the entree's as well. It was Saturday night and there was a Waterfire going on that evening and we knew that all the restaurants downtown would be packed. So we thought that Loie Fuller's would be perfect since it is off the beaten path on Westminster Street. Parking was a breeze! We got a spot on the street right in front of the building. Once inside, it was clear that my friend was right about the decor! The most striking and best part of all the decor is the great mural painted on all the walls. Bravo to the artist (with whom we both agree must be a woman). I then noticed the custom Art Nouveau woodwork (oak?) and mosaic's. Beautiful. Even the host looked as though they teleported her there from the year 1897.
We decided to sit at the bar and have a drink and check out the menu prior to committing to having dinner there (just in case). The bar area was very small- sitting maybe 10 to 12 people. We were the only people at the bar. The bartender was nice- friendly and responsive but respectful of our privacy. We asked for a wine similiar to a Pinot Grigio and he suggested the Italian Orvieto. (Which was way better than any Pinot I've ever had!) We each ordered the Mussels and Frites appetizer which were delectable little morsels but there was only three- two more would have been perfect. After looking through the (minimal) entree selections we spotted the Spicy Shellfish Bouillabaisse and decided to move to a table and stay for dinner. As we knew what we were having we ordered right away. All of the entrees come a la carte. Normally, I would have been disappointed that salad was not included with the entree, but the wine and mussels were satisfying. After another glass of wine and a long conversation we realized that it had been at least 30 minutes and our patience began to wear. Finally our meals were served and our impatience dissipated as we waffed in the fragrance of the Bouillabaisse. It was delishious! If our server had come any later we may have licked our dishes. Overall, my experience at Loie Fuller's was a good one. I would recommend it to others (especially for the wine selection) with some caution about the wait time.

Steamers & Beer

I am not a native New Englander so when I first heard of steamers I didn't know what they were. I'm pretty adventurous when it comes to food though, so I gave them a try. At first it was a little creepy peeling the skin away from the neck and all but after the first taste- yummy, I was hooked. Today my husband and I polished off 5 lbs and a couple of Heineken's! The best thing in the world is digging for them yourself! Low tide is usually around four to six hours so you have a good window for digging. It's great being out in the sun, in the sand digging around. It makes you feel like a kid again hunting for the buried treasure. If you've never done it, you should.

Tarot Reading

I decided today that it has been awhile since I gave myself a Tarot reading. Usually, when I do a reading, I have a particular question or concern (whether I am consciously aware of it or not) and prefer a one card spread for a more specific reading as opposed to a multiple card spread which presents a broader reading. My process is simple. I cut the deck three times and then just shuffle until one card pops out and lands face up. Sometimes I get sloppy and a bunch fall out but I just add them back to the deck and continue shuffling. Eventually (especially if you are focused on your question- not necessarily the cards) one will deliberately pop out. One time I was giving someone a reading in this way and he kept not getting a card. Finally a blank card (I accidentally left in the deck) popped out. I asked him if he was focusing on his question or concern and he said he couldn't think of anything. Funny, no question- no answer. I have books on Tarot that interpret the cards that I mostly use for reference. Its good as far as what the numbers represent and things like Pages representing messengers. But your best interpretation of the card comes from your own immediate impression(s) of the images. Keep in mind that everyone's reaction to an object or image is different. Think about a maple tree- to you it may represent your country home, but to someone who has a maple syrup business, it represents money.
Today, I got The Sun. As soon as I saw it I felt warmth in my heart. This card is an all around good card! I see warmth, happiness, freedom, child-like innocence, carefree! To me, the child is my spirit. It tells me to keep an open mind. The sunflowers suggest abundance. The number nineteen numerologically breaks down to the number one (1+9=10 and then 1+0=1), which represents new beginnings. So my reading of this card is that with an open mind, new beginnings will bring abundance.

Quick and Easy Summer Seashell Project

Ever wonder what to do with all those great seashells you picked up at the beach? Instead of stashing them away or arranging them in a basket, here is a quick and easy way to display and feature your findings. All you need is a small shadow box which you can pick up at any craft store such as Michaels or AC Moore. I actually got mine at the dollar store but it had some cheesy picture in it that I just removed. Other materials you will need for the project is a hot glue gun, elmers glue, some funky papers, and acrylic paint. Once you have the materials for your project, just follow the simple steps below:

1. paint your shadow box.
I wanted to maintain that "beach" feel so I painted a tan (or sandy color) undercoat and then I dry brushed white over that.
2. after it is dry, cut out and glue some colored or textured paper inside to the back of the box.
I chose texture over color- simple white corrugated paper.
3. cut out a simple mat from some colored paper.
You can decide how thick you want it by using the window frame as a reference. Depending on the size of your shadow box, I would say a good mat thickness is about a half inch. I chose a cool sky gray to compliment the rich warm tones of the shells.
4. glue your shell(s) inside to the back of the box using hot glue.
Since my shadow boxes were small, I chose to keep it simple and display just one item.
5. glue your pre-cut mat to the outside lip of the box. Some shadow boxes are different than this one and you may have to glue it to another spot.
6. Put the box together.

Voila! Enjoy!

The Fish

This is "The Fish", my dogs' favorite toy. All day long one of them brings it over to me and drops at my feet or in my lap. Sometimes I throw it but usually, it's gross & slobbery, so I kick it, and they both scramble and race after it. A fish fight is a daily occurrence. You can tell by the photo that it's been through the wringer! Surprisingly, it is the only toy that they haven't completely demolished. Rocco (the Boston Terrier) is a little bully. His name and collar are very befitting! little tough guy punk! He always has to have possession of whatever is the object of Hunter (the English Springer's) attention.

Kayaking on Tankeroosen Lake

My property is bordered by a nature trail great for biking and walking our dogs and a small but charming lake. Though the lake is small it accommodates quite a large ecological community. The community consists of a variety of species of fish and frogs, as well as turtles, ducks, geese, blue heron, deer, fox and beaver (who took my neighbors apple tree). It is a beautiful and peaceful sanctuary. I love to have coffee on my deck in the morning when the mist of the dew is lingering above the water. It is so magical and surreal. Sometimes in the evening the frogs are so loud it seems they are having a competition... and perhaps they are.
The lake is too mooky for swimming (especially off of my dock) and too shallow for any motor boats, but it is great for fishing and canoeing, and most excellent for kayaking! Yesterday a friend came over and we took the kayaks out. The weather was perfect! It was sunny- a bit warm- but with a nice soft breeze. One side of the lake is open and spills into a damn. The other goes under the nature trail and tapers into separate mysterious channels through the woods. It is not a journey for a beginning kayaker I learned, as the paddling is a bit challenging through the woods and against the current (though it usually isn't that strong). Even though we didn't get to complete the whole journey and had to turn back at the threshold of the woods, we still had a great experience and my friend got in a nice workout. I love kayaking. It was a good day.

Picnic Basket Makeover

When we decided that we were going to elope to a cute little B&B in New Hampshire (The Wentworth Inn at Jackson Falls) I knew I had to plan a romantic picnic for two. A romantic picnic just isn't a romantic picnic without the quaint romance of a classic picnic basket and so I began my search for one. I searched high & low for the perfect basket but I just couldn't find what I was really looking for unless I wanted to pay a ton of cash. Now I may be a little OCD and a bit of a perfectionist but I had to have what was in my imagination or nothing at all. I then started checking the thrift and 2nd hand stores. Nothing. Finally a friend found one and sent me a photo. It wasn't quite what I was looking for but I saw some potential in it and it only cost $14 so I had her pick it up for me. Once I got the basket in hand I knew what I had to do to make it over... and although the traditional red & white checkered cloth and thermos were cute, they just didn't have the level of romance I envisioned. I suddenly remembered some vintage fabric I had been saving ... you know, for something. When I dug it out I knew it was a match! A makeover with this fabric was exactly the character I was going for. I do have to say that it turned out wonderfully and our romantic picnic couldn't have been more perfect! (The location added to it, you might guess!)

Now that I'm not looking for a picnic basket anymore, I keep finding them at various thrift stores. So I decided that I would start to pick them up and make them over to sell and give as gifts.

Eggplant Parmesan

I've only had Eggplant Parmesan a couple of times in my life. I don't remember if I liked it the first time -I guess it left no lasting impression- but the second time I did. It's kind of like how all of a sudden I liked mushrooms. I remember acting as though I was about to die as soon as I felt one on my tongue. But then one day I was ordering them on my pizza. So today I decided that because I am growing eggplant in my garden I should learn how to make a good Eggplant Parmesan. After searching around for a bit I found one that really sounds great! It goes beyond the traditional recipe becomeing a kind of lasagna. I can't wait to try it out- it sounds delich!