Thanksgiving Giveaway!

My mother, husband, and I have spent the day preparing for Thanksgiving dinner. My mother got all her pumpkin pies ready to go in the oven. I mixed up my Sweet Potato Casserole (now ready to go in the oven tomorrow), baked a pecan pie, and mixed up and cut homemade noodles. Tomorrow will be so much easier with this much prepared ahead. My hubby will be spending the night running back and forth outside to keep an eye on the smoker. He's decided to smoke a turkey and a ham and must keep the fire going and adding water throughout the evening. My daughter, Amber, and son in law, Scott, will be staying with us this evening to help with the rest of the cooking.

Our son, Eric, will be in Spain until June and will be dearing missed. You can check out his adventures in Spain on his blog Shuffle the Cards. He and some of the other teachers from the US are making a Thanksgiving meal for their new friends. I'm looking forward to hearing how their turkey turned out!

With our son not home this year, it's really hit home how hard it must be for the families of our service men and women. Please keep them in your prayers this year when you give thanks around the table. These brave people are the reason for the freedoms that we have.

I'm so thankful for all my blog readers and want to "giveaway" a free print of your choice. I appreciate all the comments and read each and eveyone. Just go to my Etsy Store, and come back here to leave a comment telling me which print you would choose if you win. I will draw a name on Monday. Please leave me your email address in with your comment if you don't have a blog so that I can contact you if you win. Good luck!

Yuletide Cottage Folk Art Painting

This weekend I did a little Christmas decorating outside and finished this little painting.  I loved the wreaths in the windows of this cottage so much that I adapted the same idea at our house this year.  I'll share a photo comparison soon.  In the meantime if you are interested in this little painting it's up for bid here.

As evening settles in and the snow gently falls the McNeel family gather round the old baby grand piano arm in arm raising their voices in unison singing "O come all ye faithful". As Allyson's hands run back and forth over the piano keys playing this song from memory, she says a silent prayer thanking God for her lovely family. What a blessing to have their family home for Christmas. The grandchildren couldn't wait to get their little bodies into their snow gear as they headed out the door ready to play in the snow this morning. As Frosty was coming to life outside, Allyson and her two daughters, Libby and Crystal, worked magic in the kitchen making cookies, cakes, and pies. The men will hurry the children to bed as the women folk prepare the turkey and dressing for tomorrow's dinner. As their beautiful voices finish the final chorus, a big smile comes over Allyson's face as she thanks God once again for this beautiful blessing!

Frozen Frosty Cupcake Painting

I have so many Christmas and winter cupcakes floating around in my head, so this blog may get a little cupcake crazy!  I listed this little painting on eBay this past Thursday.  A few weeks ago I purchased an old cook book on eBay titled, The American Family Cook Book (published in 1952) and I found the perfect recipe for this painting.  I've included it at the end of this post if you'd like to try it out.

"Frozen Frosty Cupcake"

The background for this little painting is a recipe from an old cookbook that I decoupaged onto the front of the canvas. Frosty waves from his perch on top of this cupcake decorated for Christmas. Fluffy white frosting mimicking snow, is edged with a border of green piped frosting and red dots. Tiny white snowflakes adorn this scene and silver glitter outlines the recipe. A black and white checked grosgrain ribbon is wrapped around the edges of the canvas and is tied in a bow at the top.

"Frozen Cupcakes"

1 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup sugar

2 1/2 Tablespoons chopped nuts

1 1/2 cups crumbled sponge cake crumbs

1/16 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 tablespoon maraschino cherry juice

3 tablespoons chopped maraschino cherries

Whip the cream stiff and then fold in the rest of the ingredients, lightly but thoroughly.  Fill tiny cups with the mixture and place in freezing tray of refrigerator.  Garnish with maraschino cherries and candied ginger.  Serves 4.

Gingerbread Cookie Cupcake Painting

Believe it or not, Christmas is just a few short weeks away!  Yesterday I finished this little cupcake painting and put it up for auction on eBay.  One down and several more to go!!

A warm little gingerbread, hot from the oven, is tucked into the snow like frosting in this Christmas cupcake. A red liner is decorated with white snowflakes and a little tag stating the flavor. Tiny red sprinkles adorn the fluffy frosting and evergreen is tucked in at the base of the cupcake. Snow falls gently giving this cupcake a very wintery feeling. A red and white polka dot grosgrain ribbon is wrapped around the edges of the canvas and is tied in a bow at the top.

Give Thanks to our Veterans!

Before I sit down with brush in hand, I want to thank each and every veteran out there for our freedom in this beautiful country!  May God bless each of you for your service.

Soldiers come from all over the country including these quaint little villages that I so love to paint.  They come from all walks of life, yet they share one thing in common, a love for this beautiful land of ours.  You are in my prayers each and every day!

Copper Springs Autumn Village Folk Art Painting

"Copper Springs"

I've been working on this painting for a few weeks which is longer than it usually takes me to paint a scene this size.  I listed this last night on ebay and you can find it here.

Stella gets up before daylight every morning and goes downstairs to start mixing her sweet confections at the Cupcake Cottage. Her best friend Dorothy, lives just down the street above Willow Fashions and joins her every morning bright and early. Dorothy sips her first cup of coffee as she leans her elbows on the counter cradling the mug between her hands. All the while Stella is mixing a batch of her pumpkin cupcakes while her friend recounts the events of the previous day. This routine has been going on for years and isn't likely to change anytime soon. They both have lots of work to do at their respective shops preparing for the Fall Festival which is in two days. Families will be filling the streets sampling treats like warm sugared pecans, candied peppers, funnel cakes, and fudge from street vendors. Craft booths will line the streets and music will fill the air as local students play the fiddle gathering a crowd of people clapping their hands and stomping their feet. This is a yearly event in the little village of Copper Springs nestled in the hilly countryside.

I would like to thank everyone for the continued well wishes for my mother.  She is doing much better and is now driving once again. 
I will be decorating my blog for Christmas soon!