Fragile Illumination

The December artist lecture at the Customs House Museum in Clarksville was given by glass artist Thomas Spake.  ( http://thomasspakestudios.com/ )

His signature is removing layers of glass by either sand blasting or etching.

Isn't it interesting how you can see the layers of color in the internal glass?

Beautiful swirls.

On this one, the solid yellow lines are etched away.

Same technique as the first one.  Does it remind you of an orange?

He is inspired by photos from nature.  Can you see a waterfall going down a mossy cliff?

There is texture to this one that I just could not capture.

Mr. Spake's lecture was excellent.  He told about his training as a glass artist and how he has evolved.  Now much of his inspiration comes from the colors and patterns he sees in nature.  He doesn't try to copy what he sees but rather, like an Impressionistic artist, renders a piece of art that speaks differently to every person.

Salud! at Whole Foods: Sauteed Brussels Sprouts with Apricots and Bacon

This recipe is just short of a Brussels Sprouts miracle...

You see... Himself does NOT like Brussels sprouts.  Never have I been able to entice him to take more than a bite, no matter how I fixed them.

That's all changed now.

This recipe was one for the "Couples Cook: Thanksgiving" class at Whole Foods last month.  Himself took his 'polite' bite... then another...and another.  He cleaned his plate up folks!  Totally unheard of in our entire marriage.

So here it is for you to enjoy!

(Recipe note:  make sure you use small tender Brussels sprout!)

Two Toucans

In my last Travel Trinkets post, I mentioned how excited I was to see my first wild toucan.  On our next cruise stop - Nicaragua - a few artist vendors were selling their paintings.  

Of course these cute toucans had to come home with me!

It is a small painting, about 8" x 16".  Perfect for an area in our hallway.  After seven years it still makes me smile.

Our First Christmas Presents... Operation Christmas Child

As always, Operation Christmas Child is the start of our holiday season!

When we were in MO in October, we went shopping (our third year) with Little Bird and Little Hoss.  They were so excited and told us all about the things we did last year.  Wow.

Both kids wanted to do a box for a baby rather than one for a child their own age.

Little Bird and her bounty.

Getting it packed up.

Hoss did a good shopping too.  (He wanted his OCC child to see his cool 'tools').

Looking over the bag for his child.

I picked these up at TJ Maxx.  I like for the children to have something to put their things in so they can get them home safely.

When we got back to Tennessee, Himself and I did our four boxes for the oldest boys. 

Getting everything laid out in four piles.

Everything I managed to fit into one box!

This year we put in some small tools.  In many countries a 14 year old boy is practically a man.  We hope these things will help him learn a trade.

Of course Persia had to check everything out.

Nosy cat!

Church also had a Shoebox project.  The materials set out in the Fellowship Hall for about a month.

On Collection Sunday there were 225 shoe boxes brought in.  Our final total was (I think) 241 boxes.

Not bad!

Here are our six boxes.

Filling out the paperwork!

On the last day of collection, many relay sites brought in their boxes.  There were so many volunteers helping; including soldiers from Ft. Campbell.

They moved cartons from the relay station truck into the shipment truck.

Those are full size Semi trailers... one full and one getting that way quickly.

Himself got in on the unloading when a church brought in their boxes.

Little Bird's box.

I wonder where our boxes will go...

Spaghetti Squash with Sage Pesto (Improv Cooking)

 At Improv Cooking, the challenge for November was "squash and sage".  I knew just what I wanted to do... sage pesto!  My sage really went crazy this summer and I am up to my ears (literally!) in beautiful sage.

And for the squash, I used our favorite - spaghetti squash.

Spaghetti Squash with Sage Pesto

1 fresh spaghetti squash, cooked

Approx 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

For Pesto:

2 cups fresh sage

1 cup fresh parsley

1 cup pine nuts

1/2 cup olive oil

1 T chopped garlic - or to taste

1/3 cup lemon juice

salt and pepper to taste (I used smoked salt)

Cook spaghetti sauce as to the method you prefer.

While it is cooking, put all the pesto ingredients in a food processor and pulse until it is pureed.  You will need to push down the ingredients occasionally to get a good blend. 

Taste pesto and adjust seasonings to your taste.

Serve pesto on the side or on top of the finished squash.  Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese when you serve.

Enjoy!

Note:  The pesto is really delicious on a pork roast.

Six Months of Persia

Monday was Persia's six month "Gotcha Day".  My how that little kitty has grown!

All two pounds of her, newly arrived to her new home.  That cardboard box didn't last too many more outings...

And now... with her pretty pink crate that I'm afraid she's going to outgrow soon.  Miss Persia is weighing in at 9 pounds!!  Her paws are huge so we think she's going to be a big cat.

Didn't take long for her to decide that the bed was a wonderful place.

She is still of that opinion!

She is a wonderful little cat and we are so glad we have her.

Well "Hello" December...

Wow... it's December...

How did that happen?  I can't possibly be done with November yet.

WOW!  It's December!!

Time to bring out the Christmas decorations.  Time for Christmas parties.  Time to write the Christmas cards.

Time to slow down and enjoy the Season.

Time for Christmas carols.  Time for Advent devotions.  Time for for thinking about that wee Baby and why He came.

Time to finish my home projects for the year.

Time to FINISH (yes... F-I-N-I-S-H) my decluttering.  Time to finish setting up my studio.  Time to get the yard closed for winter.

It's definitely going to be the "most wonderful time of the year".

Welcome December!!