Friday, December 10, 2010

One Little Note!

Hello Loves!

'Tis the Season'...and I have found myself way too busy...as usual!
How about you?...are you realizing, right about now, that there just isn't enough time to make it or bake it or create it?...me too!...and so for today, I have decided to do just one little thing...Write a note!...just one...by hand...that tells one person one thing about them that is special to me.
That's all...and then I am going to walk to the mail box and mail it.



It is 'The Season'...but each and everyday is too, and...if we could always remember that one sweet thought, from our heart, to someone else truly is a gift, we would realize that what we can make or bake or create really isn't so important. Our heart touching theirs is what matters most!

All of a sudden you may find yourself, as I did, thinking of many wonderful moments... don't get overwhelmed!...This is for today... Just Today!...there will be other days for... "One Little Note"...for one special person... when it isn't even 'The Season'.

Who are You thinking of today, Loves?
Is there a precious person that blessed you by being with you when you needed them most? Was there a loving look that encouraged you or is there someone that you admire and love...Tell them!

Just..."One Little Note"...one little  thing...to one special person, today...written by hand...and mailed!

We may all be surprised at how many "One Little Notes" we can write...one little day at a time!

Blessings To All...






Monday, November 8, 2010

A Day For Cooking

This cool autumn morning has me thinking of my Grandma and how she loved to cook. I remember her always in the kitchen and that she never had her apron on without her pearls!
Everything she did was lovely and beautiful and everything she made was absolutely scrumptious!

Thinking of her has made me miss her and my tummy homesick for her cooking...and so, without further ado, I am going to make My Grandma's Apple Pie!..out with the rolling pin and apples and on with the pearls and the "Cutest Apron Ever"!




You can find Your Very Own Perfect Apron at... 
The Best Kitchen Shop Ever! 
The Kitchen Sync                                                     http://thekitchensync.com/
 

My Grandma's Apple Pie
   Crust 
2 sticks of butter 
2cups of flour 
3 tbsp brown sugar 
bit of salt 
1/4 teaspoon baking powder 
4 tablespoon ice cold water with 1 tbsp. vanilla

Stir flour, salt and baking powder together cut in chilled butter with fork or pastry blender until crumby, (I use the food processor). Add the vanilla ice water mixture one tablespoon at a time, stirring with fork until dough sticks together but not really wet.
Make two balls and chill for a while before rolling it out.

   Filling
10 apples sliced thin
1 1/2 cups of brown sugar (a little less if apples are really sweet) Honey Crisps...if you can find them are wonderful!
2/3 cup water minus 1 tablespoon
1 tablespoon lemon juice
3 tablespoons of flour
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 cup of sugar
1 tablespoon of Brandy
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix the brown sugar and water in saucepan add lemon juice and apples. Cover and cook for about 10 minutes or until apples are starting to get tender. Using a slotted spoon, put apples into a bowl and set aside. Add flour and granulated sugar to saucepan, stir and cook until it thickens...then add butter, salt, vanilla, brandy, apples and cinnamon. Cool a bit, add to rolled out bottom crust in pie dish.
Roll out the top crust and place over apples, cut vent slits. Brush with beaten egg white  decorate with leaves cut from left over dough and sprinkle it with raw sugar.

Bake at 400 degrees for about 35 to 45 minutes
or until crust is perfect. If browning too fast reduce heat to 375 degrees and cover edges with foil.

My Grandfather loved his pie with a huge slice of sharp cheddar cheese...I prefer mine with vanilla whipping cream.
I promise that you will want to lick your plate!


My Beautiful "Incanto" Dinnerware by Vietri at...    
The Kitchen Sync

Does Your tummy ever get homesick?
Is there a recipe that makes You think of someone You love?...or maybe You just might want to try...
My Grandma's Apple Pie!

Happy Cooking Day To You!







Thursday, November 4, 2010

A Gift

On the sunlight path to my studio...A Gift!
The most beautiful nest and perfect blue eggs!

Why was it on my path?

I love nests! I am always pondering...how on earth can one tiny bird, with no hands, build such a perfect home for something as fragile and delicate as teeny eggs and babies without feathers?

"A nest is a perfect home, one without any nails"

Marveling at My Gift, I began to think of Our Nests and that this time of year always makes for "cozy-ing" them up.
and so...a precious reminder to me to make My Nest cozy and warm and soft and wonderful for a winter season at home with my loved ones.
 
I made an oil painting of My Gift to be always reminded of how important Our Nests are and what a Gift it is to have one to make wonderful!

Is there A Gift on your path?

or...has the smell of Fall in the air touched your heart and inspired you to start "cozy-ing" up Your Nest to make it warm and wonderful for your loved ones?

Happy Nesting, Loves!

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Forever Leaves

The ground is covered with the most beautiful color and light this Fall, and there are leaves everywhere! Not just gorgeous normal leaves, but amazing enormous ones! Our Chinese Empress Tree is their mother and...


every year when they begin to fall, I am so inspired!
Doing lovely things with them is very fun. One year I ironed them and they were our Thanksgiving place mats. Another time they were so wonderful decoupaged onto a dressing screen, but this year..."Something Forever" is what popped in my little head!

And so...from Leaf...to Forever...became a Platter!

Making them... as each leaf falls, (before the frost) is quite a challenge, but I have been smiling the entire time!

Does the beauty of this Fall catch your eye in a special way, Loves?
Is there "Something Forever" you can create this year?

Whatever it may be....Keep Smiling!!!


Monday, November 1, 2010

Five Dollars In My Pocket...

My new studio is really wonderful and finding sweet things to use in it is so much fun!
I stopped at the thrift store yesterday, with five dollars in my pocket, and guess who came home a happy girl!

one broken lamp....1 dollar
one torn shade....25 cents
one dirty lace dresser scarf...50 cents
one dented silver champagne bucket...2 dollars
one rusted frame...25 cents
one ugly brass tin...1 dollar

Transformed into...

one, very cute, rewired lamp
one shade covered with clean lace dresser scarf...tied with ribbon
one polished champagne bucket...filled with paint brush bouquet 
one frame, painted...with a new mirror
one brass tin sprayed cream...filled with erasers

Perfect!
A darling arrangement of usable things for my work station!

What corner of YOUR world are you going to transform?
You could be surprised, you may just have some treasures right under your nose...or a stop at the thrift shop (with five dollars in your pocket) might be a treat after your morning coffee!

I hope you have fun creating something new today, Loves!
















Saturday, October 30, 2010

Pumpkin Cake In A Bowl





Inspiration... a little round pumpkin and one of my little round bowls!....and out popped a little round Pumpkin Cake!
You can do this too, Loves, with any round bowls and your yummiest spice cake recipe. 
Put a recipe in each bowl, whip up a warm caramel filling  and stick the rounds together just after they come out of the oven... wrap tight and put in freezer, (makes them really moist and cools them quick.)
"Pumpkin Orange" frosting was really fun to make...(cream cheesy, of course)...lots of yellow and a bit of red.
Frost when cool enough and find the perfect pumpkin stem...and there you have it! Delicious, Darling, Fun ...and You created it!!!

Happy Day to you all!


Friday, October 29, 2010

On The Path To My Studio......








I was struck with wonder on the path to my studio this morning!
Dewy fall leaves were sprinkled on the ground, twinkling in the morning light,the colors and textures were absolutely illuminated...and as I walked, God blessed me with inspiration! ...so much beauty in such a tiny spot...just think of what He has done in the Whole Wide World!

Inspiration is all around us, even... right where we are!

What inspires you today, Loves? 


Thursday, October 28, 2010

A Peek At Where I Create....

My wonderful husband surprised me last month and is redoing my studio! I am so excited!

Where a girl creates is very important to her heart and this little heart is singing, dancing and painting...painting..painting!!!


Where do you create? Do you have a special spot?
If you can make your creative space a place that you feel completely comfy and at home your imagination may just sprout wings!

Happy Creating, Loves!


Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Good Morning, Loves! 


Thank You for visiting Poppy House!


This is my very first post and I thought it would be fun to tell you a bit about my inspirations.


Art has been my lifelong passion and to create...for me...is to breathe! 
I am constantly inspired by all of the beauty that God has created...whether it be the softness of a pink petal or the laugh of a child.


In the last few years, my focus has shifted from large-scale murals in private homes to hand painting my original designs on handmade earthenware clay pottery.


Each and every one of my designs are straight from my heart.


I hope you enjoy!




Time For A Treasure Hunt


This design was so much fun! I am always drawing "all over design" with little treasures hiding in them..birds and feathers and nests and bugs and such...This piece is a part of my childhood, I think, because looking for hidden surprises in those fun coloring books always made me so happy!

What do you see, Loves?

Beauty in Blue and White


We just got home from staying at the sea...the air was moist and fresh and the beautiful blue water inspired this sweet bowl. It could be filled to the brim with fresh fruit and all things delicious or would be lovely just sitting on your counter as a pretty bright spot!

Are there colors that make you think of the sea, Loves?

New Pieces of Pottery are "Poppy-ing" out daily!


Thought it would be fun to show you some of my new designs!


My Geraniums are still in full bloom and so I just had to honor them and paint this pitcher. It looks like a Garden Party and is perfect for lemonade or anything yummy!