Woodridge Village Folk Art Print, Chicken Pot Pie, and Tea

Ellen and Richard Ekelstein have lived in Woodridge their entire lives. One of Ellen's favorite Bible verses is Romans 12:13, "Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality". She and her husband practice this verse in their daily lives. They are always ready to lend a helping hand and their home is always open to friends and family. Tonight Ellen is making her homemade "Chicken Pot Pie" to take to a dear friend who is under the weather.

" Ellen's Recipe"

Chicken Pot Pie

1 (15 oz.) pkg refrigerated pie crust (these are yummy if you've never tried them)

Filling:

1/3 Cup margarine or butter

1/3 Cup chopped onion

1/3 Cup flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

1 1/2 Cups chicken broth, (14.5 oz.) can

2/3 Cup milk

2 1/2 - 3 Cups shredded cooked chicken

2 Cups frozen mixed vegetables

Heat oven to 425 degrees. Prepare pie crusts using directions on pkg. for a 2 crust pie in a 9 inch pan.

In medium sauce pan, melt margarine over med. heat. Add onion & cook 2 minutes or until tender. Stir in flour, salt, & pepper until well blended. Gradually stir in broth & milk; cook, stirring constantly, until bubbly and thickened.

Add chicken & mixed vegetables; remove from heat. Spoon chicken mixture into crust-lined pan. Top with second crust & flute; cut slits in several places.

Bake @ 425 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Let stand 5 min. before serving. Serves 6.

How about showing your hospitality by having a tea party. I've always dreamed of having a "tea party" in the garden and really need to learn from Ellen how to entertain. Your home is never going to be good enough, clean enough, etc., etc. We need to realize how important people are in our lives and invite them into our home. They won't notice the dust or that our homes look lived in, but will feel honored that you took the time for them in your hectic life.

I painted this little table years ago. It's actually a sewing box, but has been used instead to display a tiny tea cup and saucer and Mary Engelbreit's "Time For Tea" book. The table is painted with tiny pink roses and is antiqued and crackled to give it an aged look.

The spindles around the side of the box are for thread.

Even the inside of the box & lower shelf are painted with a border of tiny pink rose buds.

I bought this shelf at a flea market a few years ago in Iowa and it is now a place to display some of my tea cups.

On the top shelf is a little teapot shaped box that has a minature tea set inside.

One of my tiny painted cat ornaments hangs from a knob and a vintage linen towel hangs from the drawer.

I painted this shelf to match the faux hydrangea rug that I painted in our guest bedroom. Matching tea cups and a photo of my husband's grandfather adorn the top of the shelf.

Wickford Village Halloween Folk Art Print

I had every intention of sharing something completely different this morning, but for some reason I keep accidentally erasing my photos from my camera. Not sure if it's old age or what the problem is. So, instead today I'll share a little early "Halloween" print.

Smoke stirs in the air along with the scent of crisp autumn leaves in the Village of Wickford. Tired children drop off to sleep after a busy evening going door to door for treats. Another Halloween has come and gone as jack-o-lanterns burn one last time lighting up the cold crisp evening.

Almond Tea and Chalk One Up

Yesterday was our anniversary. I've been married to the same sweet man for 35 years and I've been blessed by his friendship since early childhood. We went to school together as children and had been neighbors. Rick was reading what friends had written in our old year books and ran across several of my friends in the 8th grade that had written "Good Luck with R.H." We both couldn't figure out why his initials were referred to since we didn't date until high school. I told him it must have stood for Roosevelt High, but he's convinced that I had a crush on him before we dated. I'm sure he's right.

It's time to open those windows and fill your home with the scent of freshly mowed grass before cold weather sets in. I know that sounds crazy since it's August, but our weather has been heavenly. I ran around the house opening all the windows and cleaned out all the window sills yesterday. I cleaned the house thoroughly and then sat down to enjoy a glass of "Almond Tea". I've shared the recipe below so you can enjoy a glass yourself.
"Almond Tea"

2 quarts (8 cups) water

1 1/2 cup sugar

4 tsp. slightly rounded instant tea

1 Tablespoon almond extract

1/2 cup lemon concentrate (bottle)

1 tsp. vanilla

Mix above then add:

3 cups of cold water & serve iced.

Makes 3 quarts.

Enjoy a tall glass and count your blessings!

Thanksgiving in Kirkwood Folk Art Print & Mayonnaise Cake Recipe

Opal,Pastor Leon's wife, spent the afternoon making a Mayonnaise Cake with peanut butter frosting for the pot luck dinner after the evening service. They've become family to their parishioners since their arrival two years ago. They feel blessed to live in a community where a helping hand is always ready.

This is an old, old recipe and if you've never heard of it before, the name will probably be a turn off. But, Opal is going to share it anyway. I have to admit that this is my families favorite cake. It is a very moist chocolate cake with delicious peanut butter frosting.

"Mayonnaise Cake"

1 Cup Mayo

1 1/2 Cup Sugar

2 Heaping Tablespoons Cocoa

1 Cup Hot Water

2 Cups Flour

2 Teaspoons Baking Soda

2 Teaspoons Vanilla

Sift dry ingredients together. Mix mayo, hot water and vanilla. Add to dry ingredients and beat by hand. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Allow cake to cool before frosting.

"Peanut Butter Frosting"

3/4 Box Powdered Sugar

1 Stick Butter

1/2 Cup Peanut Butter (I use about 2/3 Cup)

Add a little milk until desired consistency.

Dreamy Cupcake Painting

I've been working hard on a rather large (18" x 24") autumn painting and didn't want to wait much longer before listing another painting on eBay. So, yesterday I whipped this one up and listed it last night.

This moist yellow cupcake is topped with fluffy turquoise, piped frosting. White buttercream dots are applied as a finishing touch. This cute little cupcake sits atop it's own little ornate black cakestand and is covered with a glass cloche. A black and white check bow is tied around the glass knob. The letters "Dreamy" are dripping with frosting.
Have a great weekend everyone! I may have to go and make some cupcakes.

Sarah's Diner Folk Art Print & Apple Dumplins & Sir Charles King of the Toads

Everyone meets at Sarah's Diner on Sunday evening after church. Meals are served home style in huge bowls in the center of the table. Platters are piled high with their famous fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, etc., Dessert is a choice of warm apple pie or gooey cinnamon rolls. When tummies are full and the little ones start to doze, it's time for families to head home, walking in the cool evening air.

This time of year Sarah also offers her favorite dessert,

Apple Dumplins. Sarah got this from one of my favorite blogs and you can get this wonderful recipe here!

I think I forgot to share this little guy who thinks he reigns supreme over the garden, Sir Charles the "King of the Toads." I put him here to keep a watch out for the squirrels who keep digging up my potted plants looking for nuts. He's not been proven to be very reliable though.

Pumpkin Valley Folk Art Print & Pumpkin Pie Squares Recipe & More Fairies

Betty's pumpkins were enormous this year. She's been dreaming of all the wonderful pies, breads, and desserts that she'll be able to make for the county fair. Her neighbor Hank thinks she should enter her "Pumpkin Pie Squares" that she had him sample. He's willing to try any new recipes she comes up with because Betty's smile is as pretty as her desserts!

Betty's recipe for:

Pumpkin Pie Squares

1 - 13 oz. can evaporated milk

2 teasp. pumpkin pie spice

1 C. sugar

3 beaten eggs

1/2 teasp. salt

1 - 1lb. 13 oz. can pumpkin

1 pkg. yellow cake mix

1/2 to 1 C. chopped nuts

3/4 C. margarine

Combine evaporated milk, eggs, spice, salt, sugar, & pumpkin. Pour into a 9 x 13 pan. Sprinkle dry cake mix over top. Thinly slice margarine. Place margarine squares over top of cake mix. Sprinkle with chopped nuts. Bake 50 min. @ 350 degrees. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream. Serves 1-15.

Fairy in the birdbath...

Fairies taking a bath...

this one looks even prettier from the front...

and this is definitely not a fairy. This little guy is 35 years old and has grown into this tree trunk since we moved here 7 years ago. This is now his permanent home.

Pray Also For Me Print & Chocolate Banana, Coconut Cream Pie Recipe

Fairies live in my garden under trees...

on benches...
among flowers...
reading in the strangest places... I will share a couple more next time.

Pray also for me...Ephesians 6:19

With the August Homecoming in full swing at the village church, Pastor Adam, and his wife,Ethel, are staying up late to put the finishing touches on their Chocolate, Banana, Coconut Cream Pie for tomorrow's picnic lunch. Families come from far and wide to visit with old friends at the little country church and to share a meal on old quilts in the soft grass while children play in the nearby creek.

Ethel would like to share her pie recipe with everyone. This has been posted before, but bears repeating:

Widow's Cove Print & German Apple Cake Recipe

I've decided I need to take time to enjoy this cooler weather. I love to sit outside and have my coffee on the porch. The cool morning breeze is amazing for this time of year and it looks like it's going to stay this way for a while according to the weather forecast. I added this new autumn print to all of my online stores.

The beauty of autumn has arrived at Widow's Cove where lighthouse keeper, Mel and his wife Molly reside. The leaves fall from the trees creating a tapestry of color on the ground and in the water. Molly is fixing a thermos of coffee and warm apple cake to take to her husband as he makes his nightly rounds at the lighthouse.

Here is Molly's yummy recipe:

(Actually came from my dear friend Winne)

"German Apple Cake"

1 1/2 Cup oil 1 1/2 Teaspoon cinnamon

2 Cups sugar 1 Teaspoon soda

2 Eggs 1 Teaspoon salt

3 Cups flour 1 Teaspoon vanilla

4 Cups sliced apples 1 Cup chopped pecans/walnuts

Mix together all ingredients except apples. Blend in apples. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour in an ungreased 9 x 13 pan. Recipe can be halved and baked in an 8 x 8 pan if it's just you and your hubby!

Rooms With a View

Can you tell I'm looking for something to blog? I've worked hard for the last two days categorizing my posts and they are now listed in the right sidebar by subject matter. So, if you don't want to read about my boring life, recipes, view my paintings, etc., etc., you can pick the subject that you are interested in.

I'm working on a large 18 inch x 24 inch autumn painting which could take a while. Don't get the idea that I'm not painting.

Below is the view from my second floor landing out onto the backyard.

I apologize for not raising the screens. This view is from my dining room window. I love being able to enjoy my flowers from inside too! We had new windows put in so all I have to do is raise the screens to water the window boxes.
Here is one view from my living room window into the backyard.
...and here is another view from this window. Can you see how much the Creeping Jenny and the Sweet Potato vine have grown in the fountain birdbath since I showed you previously?
I love this view of my zinnias from the lodge room/television room. I can sit on my sofa to watch t.v. or look at my flowers.
I did have to trot outside to get a shot of my children's old wagon with my .25 cent begonias from Wal-Mart. They looked pretty poorly a couple of weeks ago. I think this was money well spent. Yesterday I bought more .25 cent flowers from Wal-Mart and I'll share where I put them when they are looking a little better. I bought something on a recent trip to a flea market and was inspired with a purchase for my garden. The flowers and this purchase go hand in hand, so I'll share them soon.

Pumpkin Spice Cake Folk Art Painting

This little 4 inch x 4 inch painting was listed on eBay this evening. I'm not only ready for the fall weather, I'm ready for pumpkins, pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, etc. Too bad this isn't a scratch and sniff photo! Check out the recipe below that inspired this painting.

The aroma of pumpkin spice fills the air and entices you to sample this warm Pumpkin Spice Cake. Orange tinted glaze is drizzled over the top and runs down the sides clinging to ridges and valleys of this moist, delicious bundt cake.
This is a very moist bread. I don't put any frosting on mine, but thought it would look nice in the painting. It's great with coffee!

More Great Junk!!

I've blogged before about my husband's grandmother, Grandma Chickie as she is known to the children of the family. She is now home from the nursing home and doing very well. She is so happy to be back on the farm with her dog Shelby. She had suffered a broken hip in a fall and had to have a hip replacement. Edna is walking now without her walker most of the time. She asked my husband and I to clean out some of her cabinets and here is what I came home with:

These great dessert cans from Watkins still had the powdered mix inside. I love them and I'm claiming these!
The above containers as well as the little clip on bird are for my daughter, Amber.
Isn't this the cutest little pink box?
Look what was inside!
Look at these great retro curlers. Aren't the colors wonderful? My daughter is going to want these too. Any ideas on how to display these?
Not sure who is getting these two vases.
My daughter is going to jump on these little ornaments too!
Amber or my son, Eric, will want this set of 8 amber colored glasses. Eric also got an old tin globe bank which I've already given him and didn't get photographed.
This old chocolate box is mine!
Not sure who is getting this very retro turquoise and white Holiday thermos, but I'm sure Amber will have an idea.
This jar is mine! Notice how I stake my claim.

...and finally these four season Robert Wood aged, yellowed, and very curled prints will surely find a home in one of my kids homes.