Remember me ...?

I used to blog here. Actually I still do, but I haven't since September!! Yes, that is outrageous, but to say 2011 has been an upside down year is a bit of an understatement. At the moment, I am busy preparing for a Christmas Craft Sale at Kings University this weekend. Here's a sneak peek at some of the goodies I will have for sale ...

Christmas Craft SaleSaturday, November 26th

10 a.m.- 3 p.m.

at King's University College Gym 

9125 - 50 Street, Edmonton

Dinner Parties: 3 versions

The bright idea was to have three dinner parties -- the first in July, second in August and the third in September. Each of us would play host to each other, along with our respective husbands. We drew  names  to determine what order we would host these dinner parties. We mutually agreed to choose a theme for our own dinner parties which would be comprised of at least 5 courses.  Here's a look at some of the deliciousness that followed during Dinner 1, "Comforts of Home"; Dinner 2 "Peruvian Palate" and Dinner 3 "Starry Night"

Appetizers

Pan Bread served with  Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar

Dippers & Olive Assortment

Cilantro & Sweet Red Pepper Hummus, Salsa and Garlic Herb Cheese

Starry Night Chippies

Ceviche

Salads

Peruvian Causa

Salad Rolls with Thai Dipping Sauce

Starry Night Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette 

Quinoa

Soups

Chicken Noodle Soup

Dill Pickle Soup

Italian Wedding Soup

Palate Cleanser: Lime Sherbet

Main Courses

Meatloaf, Creamy Scalloped Potatoes & Snap Peas

Loma Costada

Apricot Chicken, Roasted Greek Potatoes & Fresh Garden Veggies

 Desserts

Pumpkin Crisp

Creme Brulee

Devonshire Angel Food

After Dinner Hot Punch

The happy and well fed participants!

{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!

A DIY wedding: "I get by with a little help from my friends"

Today, for Tea Time Tuesday, I'd like to share a few photos, in no particular order of a

Bridal Tea and the Wedding of our friends, Elisabeth and Roger.

My friend Brittni (shown in above photo, the day we started looking for wedding flowers), and I were the (un)official wedding planners for this beautiful June wedding.

Country Living

Elisabeth models newspaper dress designed by some of the guests of the shower!

The new Mr. & Mrs.

Cutting of the cake ~ with swords, of course!

One of my favourite shots of the bridal party ~ so fun!

We officially add "Wedding Planner" to their resumes

Yummy Homemade Cupcakes at the Bridal Shower ~ fun!

Please take a trip over to Rose Chintz Cottage to share in Tea Time Tuesday!

I finally finished ~ and it only took a year!

Ridiculously slow, I know, but my life has been getting in the way of my art. 

So I am thrilled to show you my latest fine art chair. 

It is a tribute to Marc Chagall's art.

"I work in whatever medium likes me at the moment" is a quote from Chagall that I understand and embrace as an artist, so I painted the quote on one side of the chair's seat cushion.

This chair makes me happy!

"In our life there is a single colour,
as on an artist's palette,which provides the meaning of life and art.
It is the colour of love."

~ Marc Chagall