Yesterday afternoon was cold, dreary and gray. I happened to have the afternoon off so decided to go with Mr. Pear (still recuperating) on a short road trip.

We stopped at the gallery which has my bird watercolors for sale.

It was energizing to see these bright happy paintings on the cloudy day! Other works in the gallery were inspiring too. I hope to be painting more again soon!

Besides the art gallery and a coffee shop for a pumpkin scone to share, we visited a store with fabrics and a couple of flea markets and charity thrift stores.

These are the fat quarters (10) I picked up and below that, a pair of soft rayon pull on pants from April Cornell (a surprise find at the thrift store!). The pants are perfect for lounging or pj bottoms next summer!

top of pants in scanner....

More thrift store finds! A Japanese tea cup, a wooden serving dish (origin?) and a "holly" plate from England.
It was fun! Now back to work. [Maybe these new "things" can pose in a still life painting for me!]

We're still having a sunny warm week! Today, my day off, I remembered to plant these daffodil bulbs which I bought a month ago. The variety is "Tahiti" which is a double daffodil with and orange ruffle. I planted a dozen. They should come along to brighten our world next March!

It has been an altogether good day, laundry, housework (a little), a walk in the park with Mr. Pear. Slowly, carefully. Still to be seen.... a maple tree or two with pretty leaves!

Then reading "The Lacuna" by Barbara Kingsolver. I have only just begun reading it and it is GOOD!

I have finished quilting on the Dresden plate quilt which I have been handquilting for the last few months. Today, I am sewing down the pastel scrappy binding. It is a classic!

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More creative fun here....a page from a collaborative altered book/scrapbook/art journal. This page was done by my friend Paula who found the wonderful book at a thrift store, an older decorating book by Tricia Guild. Wonderful photos for us to play with. Great color throughout the entire book....this will be fun! [click on the photo to see the page larger].

Table runner class this week!

This is the holiday table runner pieced from 3 fat quarters which is our project of the month at the store where I work. The pattern is free at www.quiltbug.com! I added the embroidered motif in the center, from our embroidery machines at the shop.

No Frost Yet!!

This 9 day run of gorgeous weather, warmer than the cool rainy October which we experienced, has led to more time spent outdoors. Here is a garden update.

On October 20th, I felt that the time had come to bring in most of the tomatoes (photo is of them that day, on the vine) before the frost came....so I brought in lots and wrapped them in newspaper in a box. I left some small ones out on the vine to see what would happen.

Today, you can see that some of those which were wrapped in newspaper are now ripe. Less tasty than vine ripened, but ripe! Meanwhile, those left on the vine (below, a photo from this afternoon) are still growing and MAY eventually ripen unless the frost comes first.

One big task this time of year is raking the leaves. I raked some onto layers of watered down newspaper and topped them with brown paper bags held down with fallen tree branches. [Photo below] This organic material will start to decompose... In early spring, I will come back here and make another "lasagna" garden, hoping to have found a more sunny spot for future tomatoes and cucumbers!

Even though he is less than 3 weeks out from his total knee replacement, Mr. Pear is not one to rest (sadly! it is a bit worrisome, and he is not feeling well this evening!). Here he finishes up some bags of leaves to be put on the curb for the pick-up tomorrow.

I often bake something on Sunday. Today, I found a can of pumpkin (supposedly there is a shortage of canned pumpkin?). Should I make pumpkin bread or this delicious soup ( or just relax and knit for awhile? There are some wonderful shows on PBS tonight!).

The recipe is from my friend, Cheryl.

Spiced Pumpkin Soup
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon butter

1 cup onion, chopped

3 tablespoons whole wheat flour

1/2 teaspoon curry powder

1/4 teaspoon cumin

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 garlic cloves, crushed

1 cup peeled and cubed sweet potato

1/4 teaspoon salt

2,14 oz. cans of low sodium chicken broth

1 15 oz. can of pumpkin

1 cup 1% milk

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

Directions

1. Melt butter in a Dutch oven or large suacepan over medium-high heat. Saute onion for 3-4 minutes then add flour, curry, garlic, cumin and nutmeg and saute for 1 minute.

2. Add sweet potato, salt, chicken broth and pumpkin and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, partially covered for about 20-25 minutes or until sweet potatoes are cooked through and softened. Remove from heat and let stand for 10 minutes to cool.

3. Place half of the pumpkin mixture in a blender and process until smooth. Using a strainer, pour soup back into pan. Repeat with rest of soup.

4. Raise heat to medium then stir in milk and cook for 5 minutes or until soup is heated through. 5. Remove from heat and add lime juice. Serves 6.

A wonderful annual event!

Thursday evening we attended a silent auction of donated paintings and other art. The format had to be 5 inches X 5 inches. This was a wonderful evening, and Mr. Pear's birthday too! The room was filled with artists and art lovers, all enjoying catered goodies and wine from a local (Wiederkehr's) winery! We could bid on these small works of art while watching to see if our painting drew any bids. There were over 300 paintings! I did not get one of the pieces I bid on.....it featured Greek doorways (I may have to paint one myself!). Most are done in oil or acrylics. I did find this abstract watercolor and love it! The artist is Richard Nicholson, whom I know as "Nick"! [Living in a fairly small art community, many of us know each other so that makes the party even more fun!]

My donated painting, below in an almost finished state....and the photo from which I painted it. I didn't get a photo of it in the final version....now it is gracing someone's wall.

The Secret History of the Pink Carnation

I am adding this book to my reading list....and will see if the local library can reserve it for me.[I'm no doubt drawn to the beautiful pink dress on the cover...]

I love armchair travel and this one has some time travel too, I think.

Have any of you read this????

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Mr. Pear update...He is walking around the block AND driving all over town. (no longer on strong pain medicine or he wouldn't be driving!)

In spite of weather in the 70's and a week of sunshine in the forecast, I am in a knitting phase again. The hoodie sweater for my grandson is coming along nicely! I get the newsletter from "Knitting Daily" today they featured this book. Very basic and very good to own I am sure!

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I also tried a new recipe. This one is for butternut squash lasagna. Different and yummy! Mr. Pear wasn't sure about this recipe when he heard the descriptive name, but one look and the fabulous smell after it was baked,and he was willing to like it!

We are thankful for all the wonderful foods we have in the fall....even popcorn balls and a wee bit of leftover Halloween candy!

A rainy Thursday, my day off again. It has rained on Thursday for the last twelve weeks.

Can't rake leaves, but I can do art and entertain myself many ways....above, a collage/watercolor of three mini ghost pumpkins (grown by my friend, Paula) and a luscious pomegranate.

Below, two books I am perusing, as if I need more creative ideas! LOL!

"life is a verb" by Patti Digh is more than and "art" book. Her exercises in each chapter are to help us learn to see more deeply and be more fully alive. Wonderful!

Finally, the sweater I have started knitting for my grandson who will be 2 years old in November. I am practicing my new knitting technique and watching old movies with Mr. Pear who is struggling with getting the pain meds he needs....

A real treat for Frida Kahlo and Barbara Kingsolver fans..... coming November 3rd!

A wonderful novelist tells the story of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera from a different viewpoint.I can't wait!

"The very least you can do in your life is to figure out what you hope for. And the most you can do is live inside that hope." -Barbara Kingsolver

Baking (and raking) on Sunday, again!


Above, the baked crumb crust and the fruits for the pie. Below, the finished pie!

~~~~~~~~~The recipe I used~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pear Cranberry Yogurt Pie
1 baked pie shell*
2 eggs
1/2 c. granulated sugar
3 T all Purpose Flour
12 oz Plain Yogurt
1 tsp of Vanilla Extract
Ripe Pears and Cranberries




Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place sheet pan in oven. Place eggs and sugar into a bowl and whisk together. Add flour and mix with whisk until smooth. Mix in yogurt until smooth. Pour into pre-baked, cooled pie shell approximately 3/4 to the top. Add thinly sliced, peeled and ripe pears neatly and decoratively on the top. Add cranberries on top. Place in oven for 35-40 minutes or until it is fully baked. It will puff up and there will be no jiggle. Refrigerate over night and serve.
* Toasted Almond Crust
1 1/4 c. flour
1/2 c. butter, softened
1/4 c. almonds, toasted and finely chopped
3 T. sugar
1/4 t. salt
Mix well with hands until pliable. Press into bottom and sides of pie plate. Make the top edge as attractive as you can, and bake at 400 degrees 10-12 min. or until golden. Cool completely.

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This recipe was from Claire Murray's newsletter in September. It was impossible to find fresh cranberries here at that time. I found them yesterday. Of course, they add a pretty red touch to the pie, but I wonder if they will be TOO TART!...(groan about the pun...) We have yet to taste the pie which is still cooling. I did glaze it with a little apricot (apple jelly would work too) jam after taking it from the oven. [NOTE: (later) this was delicious! The cranberries were fine, and one could even use a little less sugar. It would still be good!]

It is a cloudy, cool day with light rain from time to time. I will be out raking leaves today (wearing those new boots) to work up an appetite for the pie.

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Mr. Pear is very mobile for having had knee surgery less than a week ago. He is doing great (unless he is supposed to be taking it easy....), he keeps showing off by walking around without the walker or crutches. Of course the pain medicine probably makes him feel invincible!

He walked out to our mailbox, using crutches, yesterday.

Art journal page for today......"He's Home!"

Doing very well. Thank-you for all your thoughts and encouragement!

We have the walker (and crutches), the pain medicine, the old movies to help pass the time, the computer to share and lots of time to play Scrabble with my mom. I have a job nearby so I can manage to work and still get home quickly if I am needed.

Many Blessings!

I have a couple of days off...maybe this whole week....I am finding more time to be on-line.
Today, I found this tutorial for making BOO banners. Of course, that meant that I have made two trips to Hobby Lobby for supplies (the hospital is very close to Hobby Lobby). Mom and I have had a successful time making these!

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Mr. Pear update....

My darling (sometimes) husband does not like being called "Mr. Pear". However, I can't resist because it makes writing a post so easy....easier than saying "DH" or "STEVE" or "my husband"......so, with him very much on my mind, as he is still in hospital with the total knee replacement surgery now 36 hours behind him, I wanted to write about it...

Then, I had a sudden urge to "Google" "mr. pear" and then hit "images".

Several VERY UNUSUAL photos came up....a guy with a pear tattoo on top of his shaved head, another guy with a pear-shaped face painted pear green. But the BEST ONE is the debonair pear on the INDIGO BLUE label....with his top hat and cane. AND note the smile and glasses...... *

This photo from my birthday evening shows Mr. Pear in fine form, clowning with the red reading glasses from my friend Lizzzie! I ask you, is he or is he not "Mr. Pear"???????

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In a more serious vein, please remember Steve in your prayers. This is a very painful operation, and he has a couple of hard weeks ahead before the wonderful benefits of the new knee are evident!

* old orange crate artwork by Richard Ankrom

About 4:30 this morning, I pulled on those new boots and drove Steve/Mr. Pear to our local hospital so he could be checked in for scheduled surgery.

He had a total knee replacement and seems to be doing very well. The hospital will be his home for the next 3 days...I will be there a lot and on call of course! They have him using a machine which gently flexes the knee. We have several weeks of recuperation and time off from work for him. [3 months off] Once he is up and around, we will travel to see family!

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When I came home this afternoon, the autumn sun was making the yellow maple leaves so brilliant and they just happened to be behind a pot of purple (red-violet) Tradescantia zebrina which is the complement of the yellow. The sun was also coming through the Tradscantia leaves! Wow! It was worth a quick sketch for my journal!

I always go a little bit crazy around my birthday, feeling like I need to buy something to celebrate, SO, it didn't help me to "resist" when my daughter sent me on a quest to help her find some boots. To make a long story shorter, I hunted for hers with no luck, in the mean time, she located some. So I could put them out of my mind.....yes????

Today, I was making a quick run to the mall for a charitable donation and passed the shoe/boot section in Penneys.

There they were, the only size left being MY size and ON SALE. So I quickly became my favorite charity and added the boots to the items I was getting for the donation. [BUT I AM KEEPING THESE!]

How should these comfortable boots be worn??? With skinny jeans, or skirts.....for more great looks, check this post.

It also occurs to me that the boots could be featured in a still life with some chrysanthemums and autumn items.

The end of a perfect birthday.....

Thanks to all of you who shared this day with me, through cards, e-cards, best wishes and even dropping by in the last day or so. This card shows peaceful slumber with fairies bringing sweet dreams. I can hardly wait to fall into my cozy bed, sleep for hours, and then get up tomorrow....as Emily Dickinson wrote, "Not knowing when the dawn will come, I open every door*" [..just not too early please!]

The illustration is by artist Cicely Mary Barker and was sent to me by my friend Cheryl.

Not knowing when the Dawn will come,I open every Door,

Or has it Feathers, like a Bird,

Or Billows, like a Shore — Emily Dickinson

~~~~~~~~~~~~~Still learning new things~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I love reading a quiet novel which may be full of extra tid-bits of information from the real world in which the novel is set. The latest one which I am reading is "The Lost Art of Gratitude" by Alexander McCall Smith.
In it there is a reference to Scottish artist Anne Redpath (1895-1965). I had not heard of her before... Wow! Do I love her work! So much red, pink and lots of gray (it rains a lot in Scotland!)
Enjoy! [Images from the Internet]



(above---she did travel and live in continental Europe too...this window seems to look out on the Mediterranean coast)

I can definitely say that reading (which two of the subjects are doing!) may seem like a very passive activity but it continues to broaden and deepen my world!

I requested 5 more words..... these are from Gemma. They are,"Venus, luminous, moonlit, pearl, fawn". As it is that spooky, frightful, scary time of year, I thought this was perfect *---

"Like Venus, she emerges from the luminous, moonlit mist.
The Moon is a pearl at her throat.
She is an October fawn."
[art print by artist
David Stoupakis]

* Autumn can mean it's time for a macabre costume as well as homey and delicious like pumpkin bread!

If you would like 5 words, just leave a comment and request your 5!

AUTUMN QUEST......THE ALMOST "STARBUCKS" PUMPKIN LOAF RECIPE

Yesterday, I brought home a slice of this autumn treat from our local Starbucks to share with Steve. The slices are quite large and I had read that the calorie count is over 400, so sharing was perfect! There has been a lot of on-line discussion about trying to find the recipe. [My friend Gayle got me started on this by sending me the original "top secret recipes" version. It had no spices, so we knew we had to keep searching. ] The Starbucks loaf is topped with chopped pumpkin seeds.

I have a can of pumpkin, should I bake this morning???? (one can of pumpkin should make a double recipe....) [in the photo, the "real thing" from an Internet photo.]

I found this recipe in a comment at the Wooden Spoon blog..

Connie aka The Goddess (CrimsonDove) said...
Starbucks Pumpkin Bread

1 ½ cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon ground clove
¼ teaspoon ground allspice
½ teaspoon salt
4 eggs
1 cup sugar
¼ cup dark brown sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla
¾ cup canned pumpkin
¾ cup vegetable oil (I used canola)
¼ cup pumpkin seeds, chopped

[NOTE: one could substitute 13/4 t. pumpkin pie spice for all the spices]

Preheat oven to 350F.Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and 
salt, set aside. Beat eggs, sugars, and vanilla in large bowl on high speed for about 30 seconds. Add dry ingredients and mix. Add pumpkin and oil, mix. Pour batter into a greased loaf pan. Bake approximately 70 min. or until the top of the bread begins to brown. When the bread is cool, slice into approximately 1 inch slices. Serves 8.

Here is my pumpkin loaf. I think it was a great success. I DID have to bake it about 90 minutes to have it done in the middle!

My 5 words [from beautiful creative Carmen] are family, visual, flowers, watercolors, indigo. I am using art which relates to each word.

You can click on the photos to see more detail!
family (a page by my granddaughter, Lilia!)

visual (a page with beautiful Madison Ave. photography)

flowers (a painting of summer flowers by ME!)

watercolor (also by ME!)

indigo (love those blues!)

If you would like to have 5 words to write about or do art about, just leave a request in the comments and I will send you 5 special words!

This Saturday October 3rd (tomorrow!) I will be participating in a blogging studio tour to celebrate this publication!

Some of you may not know that I have other blogs for my various creative outlets. The tour will be here! I hope you will come by and see the studio! [and my other blogs!]
Meanwhile, I will be working today and tomorrow. Looking forward to more creative time on Sunday!