Monday, October 31, 2011

Happy Halloween


I have missed all of you the past couple weeks. I have been traveling and visiting friends.  One of my dear friends here in Alabama was in a very bad car accident. She was thrown out of the car and the car rolled over on top of her.  Knocking her out for three days and fracturing multiple bones, etc. A quick helocopter ride to the hospital. "Lucky to be alive" is one quote she has heard over and over. Prayers needed please. She is recuperating. Scared us all. Just another reminder that life is fragile, spend your time wisely and with people who you cherish and that cherish you. Do not settle for less.

Digital Photograph - Faded Glory


Faded Glory
All the summer flowers are fading.  Dropping their petals like the trees dropping their leaves.  It is hard to believe that fall is almost over and winter is just around the corner.  I thought I would post this delicious rose.  It reminded me of the snow that fell on the Northeast.  Mother nature is so amazing.

Some Halloween Freebies...





I am hoping everyone is having a trick or treat day filled with lots of candy and cool costumes!

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Postcards from along the Road...






Thought I would share some of the barns I have been seeing along the way to Alabama.  All of these I found in Tennessee.  It is a beautiful state full of a rich history.  I have been impressed by all of the beautiful farms.  I have been going through the backroads.  It is amazing. I wish everyone could spend a week off the grid just enjoying the sights. I have not been on the internet for awhile. I have been nourishing my spirit, body, and mind.

Basic Pumpkin Soup


Pumpkin Soup has been prepared by many different cultures for a long time. It is one of Autumn's signature dishes.  Everyone should have a basic recipe.  You can add and alter this recipe to fit your mood. This recipe is good with a dollop of sourcream and a sprinkle of Hungarian paprika. Or a dash of curry and add a cup of wild rice while simmering. Or add a leek or apple instead of onions for another taste and serve with thick slices of bread topped with stilton cheese. I could go on but I am sure you have gotten the idea.

Basic Pumpkin Soup

1 tablespoon butter
1 medium onion finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic crushed
1 pound of pumpkin,peeled,seeded,cut into one inch cubes
3 cups of either chicken or vegetable stock
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

1. Melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat.  Add onion and garlic. Cook till translucent.
2. Add cubed pumpkin. Cook 3 minutes until lightly softened.
3. Add stock of your choice, tomato paste. Stir to mix. Bring to a boil over high heat. Lower temperature, simmer and cover pan. Cook for 20 minutes until pumpkin is tender.
4. Transfer the contents of pan to blender or food processor. Puree until smooth. Add cheese, salt, and pepper. Mix. Serve Warm with a sprinkle of cheese as a gnarish. Enjoy!


Friday, October 14, 2011

Cosmos - Digital Photograph


I am on the road this week traveling. I thought I would post these flowers for all of you. These were some of the first flowers from a seed packet I ever tried to grow. They were amazing.  After growing them I just knew I could try anything.  They seem so fragile on their thin stems. Don't let them fool you. Hardy is their name. Hope every one is having a great week.

On the road again...



I am on the road again. Looking forward to traveling the backroads and seeing the sights.

Digital Photograph...The Stick Barn


I found this old barn outside of Asheville North Carolina. It once stood proud. Today it is slowly becoming a skeleton of it's former self. I could not believe it when I first saw it. They used such thin boards to put this barn together. I have never seen anything like it before.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Brothers and Sisters...Freebies

These look like well loved children. His bow tie is lovely and her lacy dress just beautiful.
Twins? They have that unsaid closeness.
I bet these two had a lot of fun together. He looks like a protector.
Aren't these two just precious!


I love how the little boy is sort of blurry. All movement. While the little girl is so lady like.

I have been remiss about getting my freebies out to ya'll. This week I decided to do brothers and sisters. Yesterday was my brother's birthday.  I thought alot about how the relationship between between brothers and sisters is so special. My brother was a really good brother when we were growing up - except of course when he was tattling on me. Now all grown up and the father of three boys, he is still a great brother, but more important he has turned into a great man.  I am so proud of him. I hope you will take a moment and remember the special men in your lives. Enjoy these freebies.

Antique Bottles... Iphone Picture


Saw these sitting in a window of an Antique store this weekend. I loved the way my Hipstamatic camera on my iphone captured them.

The Little Red House... Digital Photograph


A little red house I ran across in the mountains. 

Digital Collage...A Glass Door Knob


This is a glass door knob from a house built in 1938 that I was considering buying. Cute as a button house. One that says Grand Ma's house and you expect the smell of cookies or fried chicken when you open the door.  However, it was a little far out - real wild turkeys came walking out of the woods - and the neighbors were a bit close. I am on the right track though.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Digital Photographs - Mountain Barns

Beautiful barn with quilt star pattern.

I could not make out the quilt pattern on this barn but it looked interesting.

The flower basket pattern. I love the red, white, and blue against the gray. Beautiful.

There seems to be an artist up in the mountains who is doing barn art. I saw about twenty or more barns with these quilt patterns on them. It really made the barns stand out. Hope you enjoy.



Digital Photograph - Orange Mountain


Thought I would share this photograph with you.  I turned the corner and this sight was just there waiting for me.  It was late in the day and I was heading back into town. The sun was hitting the mountain, everything was Orange. It was just one of those moments. Hope you enjoy!

Saturday in the Mountains - The Flea Markets...

The road to the flea market. Isn't this just lovely? You turn off the main road to a small country road, then down this dirt road. The trees all have faded signs on them that read books, quilts, chairs, and on and on. It is a small flea market but the people are wonderful.

Retro casseroles and bowls. I find these at Goodwill for a third of the price.
I love these old metal cookie cutters. They are so graphic. My grandmother had several and they bring back memories of making cookies and sipping lemonade.  These were very expensive, almost $20.00 a piece.
Some beautiful bottles. I love bottles. They just fascinate me. Big ones little ones. Soon everything will be plastic and we will not have anymore bottles.

This is a North Carolina face jug.  These were originally made at the end of the day with scraps of clay left over from the days work.  Each potter made their own jug to keep their refreshments in. Now several potters do nothing but face jugs. Each one is unique and different. I have several and think they are really fun.


Saturday I spent the day having meals with my children and taking photographs of the sights.  It was one of those clear and crisp days that told you winter is on the way enjoy this while you can.  I took it to heart and decided to shoot and shop. I went to one of the local flea markets, some antique stores and hit the mountain roads. It was a beautiful day ending with a moutain dinner with people I love. Perfect day.

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Honey Bee - Digital Photograph


    A little honey bee working hard to make that delicious honey.

Mountain Honey - Digital Photograph


These are the jars of honey I purchased from a little mountain road stand.  Don't they look delicious? Can't wait to make some honey and biscuits. My mouth is watering.

Digital Photograph - Mountain Honey and Jam


All over the mountains you will find these stands full of local produce.  Sometimes they will be garden  vegetables, home made items, and honey and jams.  This is one I have gone to for years.  It is an older couple set up on a little pull off on a mountain road.  Their whole stand fits in the bed of their pick up truck.  They sell homemade jellies, jams, honey, apple butter, and apples.  I always stop and get something. Yum!

Digital Photographs - Up in the Mountains...





I have been up in the mountains most of the week looking at houses.  When not looking at houses I have been enjoying the mountain roads. The leaves have started putting on their colors.  The higher elevations have the most color right now. Every morning I get up and it is a new world.  A deeper orange, more red, and  who knew there were so many yellows?  The air is crisp and clear.  Everyone walks with a bit more purpose in their step. Strangers talking to strangers about how nice the weather is. Everyone enjoying the last few weeks of falls.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Digital Photograph...The Beach


I am still grooving at the beach. It was a wonderful, relaxing weekend.  My spirit has been renourished. Hope everyone had a great weekend. I will be back to blogging in a day or so. I am traveling again.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Some freebies for You... Magicians






I thought since we are into October already - can you believe it? I would share some posters of Magicians and a scary movie poster. These make excellent background for Halloween projects.  Also, great decorations for your home for Halloween. I wish I could have seen them all perform. I bet they were really amazing.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Digital Collage - dear God...



I am off to the beach this weekend to visit some friends.  I am so looking forward to seeing them, smelling the salt air, playing with their pups, and being in a real home.  The other plus is that she does art! It is always fun to be around someone who understands and shares your passion. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.