Artful Journey

 Here’s my Halloween Beverage card for my favorite G and T fan Mill River Festivities  The Halloween Sangria with Apple Cider and Cinnamon was delicious. This Halloween concoction made with wine, apple cider and cinnamon is my  T for Tuesday beverage of choice.  The atmosphere was great too even with social distancing. Haunting hello from Frankenstein  and a thumbs up from Ted Lasso Believe  Loved the Halloween atmosphere, weather, decorations and Ted Lasso. It’s worth the apple subscription for that show alone. 

 With vacation days piling up and no trips on the horizon, we enjoyed a mini day out last week. A Reuben sandwich…good for a treat Especial Usually, I wouldn’t have a beer at lunch but we were celebrating…a trip to Costco after lunch. Between Red’s and Costco, I suggested a stop at Endicott Park for a walk to work off some of our lunch.  The grounds were beautiful and the dahlias in the community gardens were still going strong. It was great to have this little sojourn before this rainy week arrived. This flower bed showcased perfect autumn colors.  Being out for a walk is something I am so appreciative of, especially after being off my feet for months last winter.  I can hear the wind gusting and the rain lashing down, so at the moment I am grateful to enjoy the warmth and comforts of home.

Looking at the garden, it’s hard to believe it’s mid October   These warm temperatures are keeping my roses in full bloom. And the dahlias keep doing their thing, adding pop and color to the back garden. Some sunflowers for the kitchen table. I am loving the beautiful weather and the opportunity to work in the garden..

 I made an apple pie with some of our apple picking supply. It’s my mom’s recipe not the one on her pie plate, but suffice it to say it was lovely with a cup of Irish tea.  The pie was polished off before I knew it. I am way up on my reading for 2021 and there have been so many fun, interesting reads. Here’s a favorite creative book from the list. I read it through and am starting on the creative challenges now. Lots of Inspiration here… And inspiration in the mail too! Fun mail from Leslie And a shimmery envelope  Cathy’s great calligraphy and card I think this is great advice. Sometimes you just have to just put the pen in the ink, make a mark and take it from there.  Last Month’s outgoing mail…a challenge to incorporate a more modern vibe with the Emilio Sanchez stamps. Driven to….Abstraction 

 Ok, so it’s Tuesday, but it’s a rainy Tuesday and I have been doing some artsy things while listening to the audiobook  So clever and funny! I think I will characterize it as Miss Marple meets The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel meets Waiting for God tv series. Thoroughly enjoying it. Stephen Spielberg has optioned it; it will make fabulous viewing. Making some envelopes to match Ellsworth Kelly USPS stamps And a little abstract watercolor  More outgoing mail With watercolor flowers  And with rain comes Rainbows…make mine a double We watched the movie Grownups for a little light entertainment. They mentioned Voss water which I had never heard of, but there it was on the shelf at CVS. A rainbow of Voss for  T day

Our first taste of fall included a beautiful day and the crisp smell of apples.   Apple picking at Honeypot Hill. Climbing to pick the best apples Our tradition continues  They told us this was a great year for the apple harvest. We have plans for another visit, once we are baked through our haul. Apple pie is up first! We also enjoyed one of our favorite treats…apple cider donuts. Yum! Still warm and delicious. A good night with a harvest moon

Tyrone won the All Ireland football final on Saturday in front of 41,150 Mayo and Tyrone supporters.  This is half capacity of Croke Park due to Covid restrictions. GAA football is not a professional league and Tyrone counts among it’s players teachers, sales representatives, plasterers, accountants and carpenters. They aren’t paid for playing, but their commitment, passion and excellence is second to no professional team. Beyond the players themselves is a back room team committed to their success. They hail from all parts of the county and have deep community ties to their local clubs. Playing for the county is an honor for the player and the local club. The work rate, fitness and athleticism are an inspiration for all the fans.   I loved this article about the heartwarming moment fan  Patrick Trainor  was lifted from the stands to raise the Sam Maguire.There is a short clip in the article that shows Patrick’s joy in being included in this fantastic moment.  I...

 The last time I was up at Stonewall Kitchen’s flagship store, I picked up one of their cooking school brochures. I love all of Stonewall Kitchen’s products, their garden and recipes, so taking a class up there has been on my bucket list. Greeted by a butterfly at Stonewall kitchen The dahlias were fabulous  Love this planter idea. Stonewall class kitchen Covid limited to 15 students Grilled Radicchio and Fennel salad with Braised Articholes The main, raspberry chicken, couscous and smashed peas Triple chocolate mousse and a  Coffee The class format is a demonstration only, but all participants enjoy a delicious meal. The chef John Bickerstaff was low key, friendly and informative. The entire staff was great, typical of Stonewall employees.  I came away with some really good tips, including using grape seed oil instead of olive oil for cooking with high heat. Everything was delicious and I am inspired to make some recipes of these at home. I am already looking at the...