Happy Pink Saturday!

Do you ever have a creative block?

There are days when I walk past my art room and think that I should do something,

but what?

I peek in as I pass.

I might sit at my desk staring at paper, paint, beads and ribbon,

but I don't know what to do with them.

Odds and Ends

What can I do with these?

I find I like pink these days. 

Pink fabrics, pink beads, etc.

Maybe I'll fool around with a few items.

A piece of fabric, a bit of string, a little print.

I don't know how to sew clothing, but I can fool around with my machine

and use it for a mixed-media piece.

I think this little piece would be cute in a baby girls room. 

I need to frame it with a white frame.

I may hang it in my Barnes and Nobles display coming in November,

NOT October as I had previously posted!

Or

In my Etsy shop that needs to be restocked!

Thanks for stopping by

and

Happy Pink Saturday!

-Lynn

Today I am joining Beverly for Pink Saturday at How Sweet The Sound.

Make sure to stop by How Sweet The Sound to see more PINK!

Beans And Escarole

When the weather cools down,

I tend to cook more soups and chili.

Beans and escarole is one of our favorite cool weather meals.

And, it's quick, easy and healthy.

What's better than that?

 Beans and Escarole


2 heads Escarole, wash well and chop
4 cans Small White Beans, drain and rinse
1 can Garbanzo Beans, drain and rinse
1 small can Tomato Paste
4 cups Water
Salt to taste
Garlic Powder to taste
Red Pepper Flakes to taste
Fresh shaved Parmesan

Wash escarole well, sometimes you'll find a bit of sand between the leaves. Once washed, chop and add to a large stock pot. I add 4 cups of water to pot and cook down escarole until wilted. When wilted add drained and rinsed beans to pot.  Add salt, garlic powder and red pepper flakes to taste and add tomato paste. Bring to medium boil, stirring gently. Lower heat to simmer and cook for about 1-2 hours. During this time add more water as the beans thicken. Add according to your preference-thick or more like a soup.  (We like the consistency as shown in the photo above.) Serve and top with fresh shaved parmesan. We also like a nice piece of Italian bread on the side. Enjoy!

-Lynn

I'm joining:

Stone Gable for On-The-Menu-Monday
This Chick Cooks for These Chicks Cooked

Miz Helen's Country Cottage for Full Plate Thursday

Flowers Around Town

My friends and I spent the day in Rhinebeck yesterday.

A little shopping, a little eating, a lot of fun!

Since my garden is fading, I thought I'd take a few photos

of flowers around town.

So delicate and pretty.

Is this Honey Suckle? A beautiful mass of white, fragrant flowers.

Bright, cheery, little Sunflowers.

Hope you enjoyed the flowers around town!

Have a great day!

-Lynn

I'm joining:

Fishtail Cottage for Cottage Flora Thursday
How Sweet The Sound for Pink Saturday

Deadlines

I admit it-

I am a procrastinator.

When I know something needs to be done, I mark the calendar right away.

I never miss a deadline, but for some reason I wait until the last minute to get going. Guess I work best under pressure. That's when I get creative! I think that's why I loved working in the advertising industry. 

Everything was always changing and needed yesterday!

Well, I have a display going up in the local Barnes and Nobles cafe on Oct. 1st.

Now, I've known about it since last Fall when I had my last display there.

Did I make a plan and create something new each week?

I can't create a little at a time. I need pressure to get those wheels turning!

I'll start pulling out paintings to see what I've done. If I don't like a painting, I'll use it in a mixed-media piece.

Now here it is, about 2 weeks until Oct. 1st!

See, it's not like I don't have anything!  

I do have pieces to work with.

This is the fun part, putting it all together!
Cutting, tearing, gluing, matting, framing.

The worst part is actually going into the cafe and hanging my work. 

I'm always embarrassed! I bring my good friend with me each time

to hurry along the process so I can get out of there.

Who else out there creates like this?

 Do you?

I'd love to hear about your creative process!

Now I'd better get to my creative space and get creating!

Have a great day!

-Lynn

Today I'm joining:
 Honey at 2805 for Potpourri Party #3
Debbiedoos Newbie Party

Garden Textures

My Summer garden is fading. 

But, that doesn't mean we can't find something beautiful!

This beauty is a weed or a wildflower.

We added a barberry to our front garden.

And a boxwood.

I love the grasses swaying in the breeze.

A bit of color and texture.

A little ivy growing up the wall.

My favorite, a globe blue spruce.

Hope you enjoyed your stroll through my garden.

Have a wonderful day!

-Lynn

Today I am joining:

Fishtail Cottage for Cottage Flora Thursday

Niagara Falls

I hadn't been to Niagara Falls since childhood.

I forgot how pretty it is.

Not only are the Falls beautiful, the gardens are stunning!

We did the touristy thing this time, we took all the tours.

This was taken from a tower in town. We also went on the Maid-Of-The-Mist.
See that tiny boat below!

I love the botanical gardens

My daughter and I in Niagara-On-The-Lake, an absolutely beautiful town. I wish we had been able to stay longer. Another time.
Wish I had more photos-they're somewhere on the other computer!
Hope you enjoyed the mini tour.
Have a great day!
-Lynn

Today I'm joining:

Beyond The Garden Gate for Travels Near and Far

Tiny Pink Flowers

These tiny pink flowers bloom at the end of every Summer.

Now, is this a weed or is it a wild flower?

Whatever it is, I love it!

Aren't they sweet?

Happy Pink Saturday!

-Lynn

Today I'm Linking To:

How Sweet The Sound for Pink Saturday

Flora In Chicago

I love Chicago!

Join me for a walk around town and enjoy some of the gardens.

I sure miss my old neighborhood. Isn't it lovely? It's so clean! I didn't appreciate it while I was running to work each day!

The Art Institue

Flowers everywhere!

Michigan Avenue

Around The Art Institiute

Lincoln Park-Gardens

Conservatory-Lincoln Park

I use to walk here after a stressful week-so peaceful and pretty.

 There are flowers all over Chicago,

down Michigan Avenue, throughout the parks, in window boxes. 

I really noticed this when I took my daughter back for a visit.

I hope you enjoyed your stroll around Chicago!

-Lynn

I'm joining:

Fishtail Cottage for Cottage Flora Thursday

Apple Pie Season

Apple picking season is here! 

I love apple pie, apple crisp, apple cake, anything apple.

So every Fall I do a lot of baking.

Here's a quick and easy recipe if you're suddenly craving an apple pie.

(like I was this afternoon!)

 Simple Apple Pie


2   Pastry crusts- for this recipe I use 1 box of Pillsbury refrigerated crust (2 in a box)
5-6 cups of peeled, sliced apples ( I usually use MacIntosh, sometimes I mixed it up)
1/2 cup sugar
2    tablespoons flour
1    teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

In a 9" pie plate place one crust and form to pie plate. (thaw according to package directions.Toss sliced apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg together until apples are coated. When blended, add to pie crust in plate. Place 2nd crust over mixture. Pinch bottom and top crusts together-I use a fork. Cut a few slits into top crust.  I sprinkle a little sugar over the crust. Then cover the edge of the crust with foil collar. Bake at 375 for 25-30 minutes. Remove pie collar from crust, bake an additional 25-30 minutes. When done, cool on wire rack.

We also love a scoop of vanilla ice cream with a slice of warm apple pie. I just enjoyed a slice myself!
Hope you enjoy it too! Bon Appetite!

-Lynn

I am joining:

Miz Helen's Country Cottage for Full Plate Thursday

Designs By Gollum for Foodie Friday
Stone Gable for On The Menu Monday

Little Treasures

Who doesn't love a deal?

I love to hunt for old jewelry, pieces that I can take apart and use to create something new.

Here's a find from a quick stop at a local flea market.

This flower pin was $1.00, I love it!

The gold pin with a pink stone was $1.00 also.

Aren't they pretty? I'm not sure what I'll make with these. Maybe a brooch, a necklace? 

Thanks for stopping by today! Have a great week.

-Lynn

Today I'm joining Linda at

 Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday #78

My Uncommon Slice Of Suburbia for Tuesday Treasures

Momma Hen's Coop for Whatever Wednesday

On Sutton Place for An Open House Party

2805 for Potpourri Friday Party #2