{Virtual Coffee} Van Gogh brightens a rainy day

The back of my van Gogh chair features Irises

I'm glad you are here with me this morning to share a cup of {Virtual Coffee} with me. Here, let me pour you a cup of coffee into one of my Wheat Field Under Clouded Sky mugs. I was thrilled to find a set of these clever Vincent van Gogh mugs at Goodwill some time ago. It's always great to add to my Van Gogh collection!

Please, have a seat. You can sit in my the van Gogh arm chair I painted, if you wish. I take my coffee with cream. How do you take yours?

How is the weather where you are? After several years living in near drought conditions, we've had our fair share of rain this summer. I love the rain. It's rejuvenating, life giving and music to my ears. It may sound hokey, but ~ although the rain may darken the skies, it refreshes my heart. I always feel so alive when it rains. I even have a Degas Ballerina Art Umbrella which my mom gave to me years ago...

Isn't it beautiful?
Do you think it would go with my Vincent Irises tote bag?

It looks like you're almost finished your coffee. Please check out the Lucky Number 13 blog to see who is participating in this week's {Virtual Coffee}. You may even want to grab a second cup of java on your way. Thanks for stopping by!

Oh Canada!

 Now Playing:

Andy Warhol Manufactured at the Alberta Gallery of Art. 

We saw it.

We loved it.

We wanna see it again.

Andy Warhol: Campbell's Soup (1968)

Andy Warhol: Wayne Gretzky 99, 4 variations

Canadian Kinetic Art ~ who wouldn't love it?

Playing in the kids room at the art gallery

In other news, yesterday was Canada's 144th birthday. We celebrated by hosting a potluck at our house and shared a lovely afternoon and evening with a handful of our favourite people.

 Everyone's height must be measured ... why, we're not sure.

  

 I made some cupcakes for the occasion and had help decorating the delicious morsels.

Canada Day yumminess!

Canada Day Cupcakes

Pour two unbeaten eggs into a 1 cup measuring cup. Fill rest of cup with cream.

Stir and pour into mixing bowl.

Add:

1 cup sugar

1-1/2 cups flour

3 tsp baking powder

Beat well until light and pour into paper cupcake holders. Fill 2/3 full.

Bake approximately 20 minutes at 350 degrees. 

Cool while you prepare the frosting.
(see recipe below).

Baker's Frosting

1 cup solid vegetable shortening4 cups powdered sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 Tablespoons heavy creamliquid or paste food coloring (optional)

Cream shortening until fluffy. Add powdered sugar and continue creaming until well blended. Add salt, vanilla, and cream. Blend on low speed until moistened. Add additional cream a teaspoon at a time if necessary to achieve the right consistency. Beat at high speed until frosting is fluffy. If desired, divide frosting into several small bowls, stir in food coloring to create various colours of 
frosting.

City of Edmonton Skyline

God keep our land, glorious and free!