My First ACEO!

Ok, where has August gone?

We are in back to school mode, but I want 

to stretch out summer just a wee bit, don't you?

I will be posting on all of the goodies 

we saw (and ate) at the State Fair very soon...

(here's a little preview)

a gorgeous cream draft horse named "Prince"

Today, though, I would love to share a beautiful work of art by the wondrous Anne of A Little Fur in the Paint .

Anne is a master water color artist and clay sculptor....

"Tea With the Earl"

 amazing fairy house

 one of a series of "Gourdfolk"





Anne also paints the most delightful and gorgeous ACEOs, and I was thrilled to find out that I won her latest Ebay auction...
ACEO stands for "art card editions and originals"...
please click here to read more about them.
This is a wee little gem of a painting...it fits in the palm of one's hand...

The colors and details are spectacular, 
and the subject matter is especially dear to me...

One of Anne's adorable kitties, Tallulah, 
served as the inspiration for this painting...

 

She is assisting little "Rita" with her watercolor...so darling!!

 

Love the detail...

Thank you, dear Anne! I am very honored to start off my ACEO collection with one of your magical and whimsical creations...

You can visit Anne 
(one of the kindest blog friends you will ever meet)  
here .
If you are interested in taking a peek at her Ebay ACEO page, 
it can be found here.

Wishing everyone a beautiful and happy weekend!

 

 

"In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, 
and sharing of pleasures. 
For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed."

Khalil Gibran 

 

Cook Up With Dzintra!

Summer seems to be whizzing by, but for our friends in the S.H., a fresh, new Spring is right around the corner....

Dear Dzintra, in Australia, has a luscious new Donna Hay cook up...
do take a look!

We are cooking from the Fall issue...

Of course, the recipes are all cozy and rich...
 I decided to go outside of my comfort zone 
and try my hand at cooking polenta...
Have you ever cooked it? Do you love it? 
I will say, this is a time sensitive dish! If you want to retain the creaminess, you must eat it immediately, for polenta solidifies quickly.
The recipe called for luscious sauteed portobello mushrooms, as well as bagna cauda. I figured that even if I messed up with the polenta, the latter two components would save the day.

:)

 
 Polenta with Bagna Cauda and Mushrooms



It was yummy, creamy, garlicky, and totally satisfying...


And for dessert:

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

 (seems as if I had a color theme going!)



I went a bit too thick with the chocolate...just need to keep that in mind for next time!

Yum. So easy to make.
 Store bought can't compare... 


What have you been cooking up lately?


Wishing you all a beautiful week!!!
xoxo

 

Just down the road...

Happy Weekend Dear Friends!

Today I would like to share with you a lovely and special place....

just a short walk from our home...

We are very blessed to live in a town with many beautiful parks, but this one is my absolute favorite...

An idyllic setting, reminiscent of the scene in Mary Poppins where they all jump into Bert's drawing...do you remember?

Down to the sweet little turtles!

Explore hidden gardens and cozy spots under the willows...

Take a paddleboat around the sparkling lake, or relax on one of the many swings built for two....

Look up!

and dream.....

If you're up for a walking meditation, the labyrinth will ease your mind and soothe your spirit....

It surrounds a most beautiful and gleaming sculpture of a pine cone...(Elizabeth, this one's for you!) 

A lovely rainbow in the mist of the fountains...

A beautiful weekend to each and every one of you....
Please take time to dream and smell the flowers!

Love and blessings....
xoxo