Really???

Is it Dec already??? Well....it will be in the morning!!!
Wow....I never seem to know where the time goes. If Dec. goes as quickly as Nov. did....I'd better get really busy...now!
The beginning of the month started with getting my new car...well, "new to me". She's a 2012 Mini, and in the most yummy color!!
Then, I finally got to hold the workshop for a private club...The Providence Handicraft Club. Had to cancel the previous date due to that being the day my old car got hit on the highway while trying to get there that morning. It was a great group of gals and a beautiful old building. This is just one (swimmer) of the works created that day!!
Well....I did manage to get some of my own art done.
I've been creating not only some 6"x6" Torn Paper Paintings ornament "paintings"....but I've also been doing some actual 3D ornaments. They are created on paper mache forms and layered with paper and varnish just as the paintings are. They are already a bit of a hit and I've got a batch going off to The Little Beach Gallery in Hyannis tomorrow! I also dropped off two more Whale Tail paintings at the gallery just over a week ago!
Then of course....Yes....we've just had thanksgiving!!!
It was a really lovely day. My husband & I & my MIL were invited to spend this holiday with our daughters new in-laws! It worked out beautifully and made for a nice way to all be able to enjoy the day together without the issue of who is going to who's house to see who!! We all know how tough that can be on newlyweds!! For this event I was to bring the cake. Well....I saw one on pinterest that caught my interest....and just had to make it. Almond/choco fudge shaped into pinecones with sliced almonds were the top of the cake.....a winner!
No....didn't get into the Black Friday thing....but I do plan to take a bit of advantage of Cyper Monday tomorrow!!
Soo....I do believe I've caught you up on what's been happening! Will try to do better :)
If you ever find me going MIA again....check in on the Torn Paper Paintings fan page. You don't have to have a Facebook account to see the page.
It'll bring you right up to date till I get back here again!!
Happy Dec!

A Butternut gift to you.

As a Thanksgiving present...I'm going to share my Butternut Squash recipe.

If you're wondering what to do with your side dishes and have always wanted to do something different with a squash...enjoy!

Pick a good-sized butternut for your meal.
(It’s soooo good and goes sooo quickly that you may need extra!)

Peal and cut off ends. Cut down the center lengthwise and scoop out the fibers and seeds.
Cut a V shaped canal down the middle of the long part, but don’t throw away the part that you’ve cut out. You can cut that into chunks and throw into the hollowed out round section.

I normally place these into glass oven dishes, but feel free to use what works.
Peel and chop a couple of nice McIntosh apples….more if you like as they get soft as they cook. Toss these all over the squash.
Cranberries…..lots of lovely cranberries!!
Chop a bunch as well as add some whole ones. Use as much as you like!!

Raisins…..I sometimes use one or two of the small snack packages.
These are optional. I don’t use them all the time.
Check to be sure there are no stem pieces. Toss them all over the squash as well.

Since I have no real measurements for anything, just done by sight…..place small chunks of butter all around this.
Liberally sprinkle dark brown sugar all over everything. Add a good sprinkle of cinnamon and a touch of nutmeg if you have it.

Cover the dish with foil and bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees.
Start checking on it after about 40 min.They are done when thickest part of squash is soft when poked with a fork.

Being Thankful

Hope everyone has had a great Thanksgiving Day!!!
While so many problems surround us at this time....it's still time to sit back and look at what we DO have to be thankful for!
I know I have much to give thanks for....a wonderful husband and family, a comfortable warm home, enough food, logs for the fire, a nice cup of tea, a good book......all the simple things. Things that get overlooked everyday!
Stop and take a good look at them today.
All the bigger things will all work themselves out in time.

Well.....off to take care of business now.
Gotta go get my Etsy shop ready for tomorrow's big sales!
Geesh....hard to believe we are now into the big Christmas crunch.
Take care and be careful out there tomorrow. I personally don't intend to get up and join the throngs of 4am shoppers. Yikes. I think I'll sit in my pj's with my coffee and see what sales there are online!