Monthly Archives: November 2012

Instagram turned Painting

Instagram has proven to be my favorite phone app again and again.  I have taken quite a few photos with Instagram only to say, “I should make that into an artwork.”  I finally did just that.  I took an Instagram photo from Sticks and Stones and turned it into a watercolor.  See below.   BeerContinue reading “Instagram turned Painting”

Melted Crayon Art

Untitled, mixed media on mat board, 2012.  This is a lesson that came about from Pinterest.  I needed a short filler lesson for between major units and this one was a smashing success.  Sometimes I think I come across as a staunch neat freak to these kids because they were so excited that I wasContinue reading “Melted Crayon Art”

Thanksgiving 2012 + Apple Pie

We started Thanksgiving off with baking and cooking and a fridge clean-out to make room for the goods.  Greta was a big helper to Eric’s fridge cleaning.  She wanted to carry the salad dressing bottles. We gathered at a friend, Mary Elise and David’s house with Julie and Dipesh for a noon-time meal.  This wasContinue reading “Thanksgiving 2012 + Apple Pie”

Cranberry Ginger Relish

What have you done so far today?  I was up at 6 AM making apple pie (my best one yet!) and this yummy cranberry relish.  Today is the perfect time to make your Thanksgiving day cranberry sauce.  This is one I have been making since 2007.  It has the perfect zing with the addition ofContinue reading “Cranberry Ginger Relish”

Quick Wheat Buns

There is just something magic about bread.  Specifically home made from scratch yeast bread.  Nothing compares.  Just look at the crusty top and you know there is a soft, chewy bread interior in this bun, right?  I could go on and on about this recipe. These buns are the easiest from scratch rolls I’ve everContinue reading “Quick Wheat Buns”

Roasted Carrot Ginger Soup

Here is another option for a Thanksgiving side.  Soup is a fantastic way to feed a large crowd, especially as a starter or a side.  This can be made a day or two in advance and refrigerated or even frozen a week or more in advance.  Simply put in the slow cooker on warm.  BeContinue reading “Roasted Carrot Ginger Soup”

Pumpkin Banana Bread

Greta has been home sick the past couple days.  Yesterday afternoon she napped for a lengthy four hours.  In that time, I worked on lesson plans, organized the kitchen, and baked banana pumpkin bread.  This is a recipe my sister gave me at my bridal shower and it’s only taken me 5 some years toContinue reading “Pumpkin Banana Bread”

Hanging Rock State Park – Moore’s Wall Loop Trail

As quoted in the Hanging Rock State Park brochure: “Not far from the cities of the Triad area, off the four-lane highways, there’s another North Carolina to be discovered — sheer cliffs and peaks of bare rock, quiet forests and cascading waterfalls, views of the piedmont plateau that stretch for miles.” One of the perks ofContinue reading “Hanging Rock State Park – Moore’s Wall Loop Trail”

Pumpkin Butter

I admit, I tend to over do it every year with pumpkin: pumpkin chai tea, pumpkin waffles, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin funnel cake, pumpkin coffee, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin brownies, pumpkin chocolate, chocolate pumpkin pie, pumpkin pizza, pumpkin pasta, and of course pumpkin butter.  Last week my a dreadful thing happened – my pumpkin butter ran out.  GONE!  This mayContinue reading “Pumpkin Butter”