Artist's Date

There's an artist in everyone of us. Or I like to believe there is, she just needs to be set free. Whether it's a visit to a museum, a long hike communing with nature, or a poetry reading, the practice is just as important as the end result. Today I'm taking baby steps to feed my creative hunger. I've decided to set a monthly artist's date for myself. Weekly if I can find the time.


I came across a craft project while reading one my favorite blogs, Gussying Up The Tuttle, that excited me and I decided to give it a try. It's still a work in progress, but once finished will hang in my newly painted office at home. Perfect for posting notes of inspiration!

Secret Fascination

Why am I so fascinated by old cemeteries? This blog is supposed to be about happy things and a graveyard is anything but happy. And yet, I must confess that wandering through an old cemetery brings me a sense of peace. I love to stop and read the carvings on each headstone, and then imagine how that person lived, whom they loved, and what their life was like. I can almost hear the story each one has to tell.


Now don't get me wrong, the very notion of death scares me, but there's a mystery surrounding old cemeteries that simply calls to the romantic in me.


I'm happy to realize I'm not the only person on the planet with this odd fascination. In this months' issue of Martha Stewart Living there is an interesting article on New England's Oldest cemeteries.


Historic Cemetery in Newport, RI

Paris is Always a Good Idea

I'm currently reading My Life in France by Julia Child and I can honestly say...j'adore Paris. The food, the architecture, and the language. Simply inspiring. Le sigh. 


After watching the movie Julie and Julia, I was motivated to try my hand at cooking the quintessential French Stew, Beef Bourguignon. Of course a somewhat simpler version thanks to the folks at Food and Wine Magazine. It's a perfect dish for a cold Sunday afternoon. I will definitely be adding it to my winter repertoire.


Ingredients

• 3 1/2 tablespoons of pure olive oil
• 4 pounds of beef chuck, cut into 2 1/2 inch cubes
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 2 medium onions, coarsely chopped
• 3 cups full-bodied red wine
• 3 sage leaves
• 2 whole cloves
• 1 bay leave

Directions
Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large enameled cast-iron casserole. Add one-third of the meat and season with salt and pepper, then brown well on all sides over moderately high heat, about 5 minutes. Adjust the heat if the bits on the bottom of the casserole get too dark. Transfer the meat to a plate. Repeat 2 more times, using 1 tablespoon of olive oil and half of the remaining meat for each batch.


When all of the meat has browned, add the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil to the casserole. Add the onions and cook, stirring, over moderate heat until softened but not browned, about 5 minutes. Add 1/4 cup of the wine and simmer, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pot, until the wine is almost evaporated, about 2 minutes. Repeat 3 more times, adding 1/4 cup of the wine each time and using a total of 1 cup of wine.


Return the meat to the casserole and add the remaining 2 cups of wine, the sage, cloves and bay leaf. Cover and simmer over low heat until the meat is very tender, about 2 hours. Skim the stew and season with salt and pepper. Remove the sage, cloves and bay leaf and serve in shallow bowls over egg noodles.

I'm in love with textiles! I've recently started collecting books related to printmaking and my most recent discovery is by the talented textile designer Lena Corwin. Her first book, Printing By Hand, is perfect for the newbie printmaker like myself.


Lena's designs are inspiring and most important, simple. I'm ready to dive right in.

Welcome Fall

This is my favorite time of the year. When the cool breeze blows through my bedroom window and the smell of wood burning in fireplaces tickles my nose, I know fall has arrived. I love the melancholy of it. A time to burrow down with a good book and a hot mug of tea. To grab a journal, find a quite place and drum up a scary ghost story. A time to venture outside and enjoy Mother Nature's firework display of colorful leaves.


Fall has always held wonderful memories for me. I remember sitting on my grandfather's lap carving the perfect pumpkin to place on our front porch. The excitement of choosing my Halloween costume and donning my favorite red sweater to go apple picking with my cousins at the local farm.


Here are a few things I plan to do this Fall

• Indulge in yoga
• Attend a bonfire
• Start meditating
• Learn to knit
• Begin art journaling
• Search for vintage goodies
• Go for long walks
• Take photos with my camera
• Explore an historic mansion

What are some of your favorite Fall pastimes?

Here I Go!

I’ve read somewhere that the scariest thing a person can face is public speaking. Public speaking is actually more frightening than the fear of death. I believe the rational behind this fear is that most of us are introverts at some level. But with the dawn of social networking and internet journaling, a shy person like myself can set out to conquer this personality setback without having to imagine the whole audience naked. Something I never could do anyway.

So here I go, after years of scribbling in my journal, I’m quietly stepping into the world of blogging. Relinquishing my fear and facing the public head-on. Or behind a computer screen. Oh, I still have some trepidation, but after reading many of my favorite blogs these past few months I am now ready to try my hand with fingers crossed.

Please join me on this journey as I share my thoughts, feelings and the simple things in life that give me the greatest pleasure.