Last Sunrise of 2010

The last sunrise of 2010 -
A warming sun to tempt me into contemplation of the year that is ending and the year that is starting. Wishing all a safe, warm day & an evening of fun-filled celebration of the New Year just on the horizon.

Countdown to 2011 - Last Tuesday Teaser of 2010

 December has been filled with holiday delights. With the new year right around the corner, most of us reflect a bit on the old year and start making plans for the new one. Being creative and seeing things from different perspectives is important to me, and this little exercise has proved to be a door opener for ideas. Try it out... you'll understand what I mean.

The Tuesday Teaser subject this week is:
as you walked through the door

  Join in fun, and share with others your own Tuesday Teaser
drawing & collage, or words & short tale.

It’s easy, so grab your sketchbook or some paper.
1. make a timed drawing (5 minutes) of something/ anything that comes to mind when you think about the teaser
2. create a collage (15 minutes) using the drawing ideas to guide your way

Or if you love is of words…
1. make a list of all the words this week’s teaser makes you think up (5 minutes)
2. create a short tale (15 minutes) using your word list

I'll be posting the design group's sketchbook results on Monday-next.
I'd love to share yours, too so email your drawings or word wanderings to me... Tuesday Teaser and I'll include as many as possible!

Sketchbook Postings - Humidity

Last week's Tuesday Teaser was HUMIDITY
And, while it made me think about walls of air,
others thought about things like rain or a frizzy hair day.
What do you think of when someone mentions humidity?
Hope you enjoy some of the sketchbook exercises posted here,
and you stop by tomorrow to find out what this week's teaser will be.

  

Come...Grab A Cookie!

This season the cookie jar has been filled, emptied and filled again many times. I have had a great time making and sharing a bunch of holiday cookies.

Some were old favorite recipes -- you know -- the one that is frayed and ikky looking from so much use. (The page most ikky in my book is the Peanut Star Blossoms-my husband's favorite). There are many pages like this one in my Merry Cookie book - given to me by sister, Sherene, many, many Christmases ago. The pages of this book are well worn and marked up... after all there were several years in the '90s that I had a convection only oven and every recipe had it's own special temp&time notation.

I think you get the idea about the old recipes, but there's no one I know that doesn't like to try on a few new ones. This year I tried a few and was really happy with the results.

One of these was for Pecan Pie Cookies -- mmmm, a definite thumbs up!
Then in honor of my niece Tiffany, who sadly moved too far away from me this year to join in the baking, there was a great recipe for Cinnamon Sticks. -- this one turned out to be one of tray favs almost everywhere they were served. I had torn the recipe out from a 2005 Good Housekeeping magazine and can find it nowhere on line... so I've included it here. (btw - I love refrigerator cookies - for you can make the dough ahead of time and have fresh cookies all season long)

3 1/2 C flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 C butter - softened
1 C granulated sugar
1 C packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 C pecans - finely chopped

Line 9x5 loaf pan with plastic wrap.
In large bowl, beat butter and sugars together; Add eggs
Then slowly add dry ingredients.
Lastly, stir in pecans.
Turn dough out into loaf pan, and pat down firmly.
Refrigerate dough for 4 hours -
Then for the magic ....
Invert dough onto cutting board, cut dough crosswise into 1/4" slices,
Then cut each slice into 1/4" sticks. Place them 1" apart on prepared cookie sheet & bake 12-13 minutes at 325 degrees

Lastly, was one made for the first time last year - Chocolate Expresso Sparklers -- these amazing little cookies melt in you mouth and are rich & yummy. (the ginger molasses ones out there were great, too)

Wishing you and yours a Wonder-Filled Holiday!
Enjoy....

Tuesday's Teaser

I walked in a bit late today for DG-and I thought they were kind of kidding with the word pulled out of the basket. We here in So.CA have had rain, rain, rain for a solid week with more on the way, so when 'HUMIDITY' popped up you can see why I thought they were trying to be funny. Being raised in Florida I have 'way, too' strong feelings about humidity, and I was able to jump right in and catch up with the group.

SO....

The Tuesday Teaser subject this week is:
HUMIDITY

  And, I hope that you too, will now join in and share with others your own Tuesday Teaser
drawing & collage, or words & short tale.

It’s easy, so grab your sketchbook or some paper.
1. make a timed drawing (5 minutes) of something/ anything that comes to mind when you think about the teaser
2. create a collage (15 minutes) using the drawing ideas to guide your way

Or if you love is of words…
1. make a list of all the words this week’s teaser makes you think up (5 minutes)
2. create a short tale (15 minutes) using your word list

I'll be posting the design group's sketchbook results on Monday-next.
I'd love to share yours, too so take a quick photo and email it to me... Tuesday Teaser and I'll include as many as possible!

Interlock - Musings

I had received requests to not post the design group's sketchbooks when I initially posted the Tuesday Teaser, but to do it later in the week. Well, later in the week for INTERLOCK has turned into Monday. This might work out.
Below are a few sketchbook results:

An artist that immediately came to my mind when I thought about interlock was M.C. Escher.
The master of symmetry. Who do you think of?

Holiday Mojo Pattern

The rain here stopped long enough for me to put on my walking shoes and head out. It was a cool and drippy walk, but nothing is better than getting outside and getting a bit of fresh air. If you too are a bit house bound right now you may want to give a try to making a little Holiday Mojo for yourself. I am including the basic patterns here for my little dolls. I cut mine out on the line, then pin it to fabric pieces that have been place right sides together. Then I stitch just to the outside of the pattern, and make sure that I leave an opening on the bottom as indicated. Once I stitch them I trim the edges back to about 1/16" and clip my curves before turning them rightside out. I use a hemostat to turn them, and to stuff them too. It makes quick work, so the little mojos are soon ready to embellish. I've included a close-up of the embellished mojos my design group worked on this week.

If you make one... I'd love to see them!  Have fun.