Lovely Share...

One of my readers was nice enough to share this photo with me.  I'm a bit late in posting (isn't the end of year overwhelming for all of us?), but I wanted to share it with you all still.

Vicky used my freebie pattern to make these cute little bird ornaments.  I'd made them out of paper, but think they look oh so cute in fabric.  Can't you just imagine them in lovely springtime colours to welcome in the warmer weather?

You can still find the pattern to download for free over in the right sidebar.  And if you feel so inclined, I'd love to see what you make of it as well!

Thank you, Vicky for sharing!

Martha Stewart Butternut Squash and Apple Soup

I had a request from somewhere else after mentioning this, one of my favourite soup recipes for this time of year, so I thought I would share it here as well.  I got it from one of my Martha Stewart Living mags many years ago so thank you, Martha and crew for such a delicious recipe!

Ingredients:
1 Tbs unsalted butter
1 medium onion, diced
1 butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and chopped
4 red or golden apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
2 tsp coarse salt
1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
2 C chicken or vegetable stock
2 1/2 C water, plus more if needed
1 jalapeno chili, thinly sliced for garnish
Sour cream

Directions:
Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.  Add onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to soften, about 4 minutes.  Add squash and cook, stirring occasionally until soft, about 10 minutes

Add apples, salt, cumin, coriander, ginger, cayenne, black pepper, stock and water (just enough to cover) and bring to a boil.  Reduce to a simmer and cook until vegetables are soft.

Puree and thin with more water if necessary.

Garnish with diced apples, jalapenos and sour cream if desired.

I hope you try this and enjoy it as much as we do!  Bon appétit!

Recipe and photo courtesy of Martha Stewart.  All can be found here:
http://www.marthastewart.com/284268/apple-butternut-squash-soup

As I'm Waiting...

... to recover from the end-of-year festivities (which can be pretty heavy duty in France, believe me!), I thought I would share the finished product of the Red Mini mixed media painting I was working on as a special order present.  I love this technique and hope to be making more soon!

Also, to celebrate my big 4-0 which just passed, I'm offering 10% off all orders in both my Chichiboulie and Atelier&Cie shops for the next week.  


To take advantage, all you have to do is enter the code ENCORE at checkout and 10% will be taken off your order.


Best wishes for the new year!

Normand Apple Pie

...to celebrate the season!

I've been meaning to share this recipe for some time, but between making it and taking photos, it's not always an easy mix.  But I've finally managed to do both.

This pie is a bit of a mixture of a few recipes I've tweaked and added to or taken away from myself.  It's very simple (as you'll soon see), but receives accolades every time I make it.  I hope you'll try it and enjoy!

Ingredients:
For the topping
3 Tbs unsalted butter at room temperature
1/4 C sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
2 Tbs flour

For the pie1 pie crust (either pre-made or homemade, the choice is yours)
1 C sour cream
2/3 C sugar
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla
2 large eggs
3 Tbs flour
5-6 apples (I prefer more acidic varieties)
2-3 Tbs Cognac

Method:
For the topping
- Blend all ingredients together until well combined

- Cover and chill

For the pie
- Peel and slice the apples in approximately 1/2 inch slices

- Whisk together sour cream, sugar, salt, vanilla, eggs, flour and cognac in a large bowl

- Add the apples to this mixture and combine

- Spoon filling into the pie crust (in a pie tin of course)

- Crumble topping over the top

- Bake in the middle of the oven for 60-75 minutes.  You may need to cover the top of the pie with aluminum foil near the end in order to prevent over-browning.


Enjoy!

Finally!

... but I've run out of paper to make it up properly. I hope you'll excuse me and enjoy this printable calendar anyway!

24 templates for 24 days of wee tiny boxes, perfect for hiding goodies and sweets!  And a perfect crafting opportunity with the kids.  You supply the paper and glue.

Finished boxes look like the ones below, but with a little something more.

NYC...

...from a different point of view.  Once again, it's a painting in the works for my art class, but it's almost there.  Almost.  Just a few minor touches here and there and I think it will be done.  That is, of course, until I bring it back to class next week and am informed that there is, in fact, more to be done.  Until then, I'll enjoy my ignorant bliss thinking that I've pretty much completed this project.

I absolutely loved working on this and am in love with the technique.  Definitely one I'll be using in the future.  A mix of photo and paint and so big and bold and completely in your face.  Just love it!

And as a bonus, it's gotten the thumbs up all around the house which isn't a guarantee with this crowd.  Something must be working!

Newness...

... a set of new templates for your crafting pleasure.  Wee little boxes in reds and greens for all sorts of fun uses - in particular hiding wee little pressies!