Nutty Squares

1 cup (2 sticks) plus 2 Tablespoon butter, softened and divided
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 1/2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
2 large eggs, beaten
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups chopped mixed nuts
1 cup M&M's
Preheat oven to 325. Lightly grease 13x9 pan; set aside. In large bowl beat 1 cup (2 sticks) butter
and powdered sugar; gradually add flour and salt until well blended. Press dough evenly onto bottom and 1/2 inch up sides of prepared pan. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until light golden brown. In small saucepan melt remaining 2 Tablespoons butter; let cool slightly. In large bowl combine melted butter, granulated sugar, corn syrup, eggs and vanilla. Pour filling over baked crust; sprinkle with nuts and M&M's. Return to oven and bake 30 to 35 minutes or until filling is set. Remove pan to rack and cool completely. Cut into bars. Store in tightly covered container. Makes 2 dozen.

November Days

Hi Everyone! Ty is helping Andy burn (more like playing).....and my Dad is sleeping in the old patio chair that my parents had in the 50's....These chairs have been painted many times over...and I can still say they are my very favorite chairs to relax in on the back porch ......
The nights are 'brisk'...but the days are in the 60's.....I just got back from a brisk little walk around the house a few times....it felt so good to be out...I have been limping around since before Thanksgiving. The Monday before I was cleaning the bathroom...I removed some throw rugs to be washed...and went walking around in my socks....I slipped on the floor...caught myself and heard a "POP" in my knee...the next day it was swollen and painful...I have been going very slow ever since...thank goodness Andy was home for 5 days...he was a huge help! It is still not 100% healed....but its really starting to drive me crazy! I am trying to walk around more and more...I made turkey soup yesterday using the last of the leftovers from Thanksgiving...and I started my list for the Christmas baking....been doing lots of reading...and started dusting.....keeping a nice fire going during the day...the house is warm and cozy. I've also been enjoying some of those delicious holiday teas.....gingerbread spice...sugarplum...and eggnog teas...yum! XXXXXXXOOOOOOOOOOOO

I am THINKING of you all! with love...XXXXOOOOOO

More ART

This Friday came around so fast! Seems like I woke up last Monday morning....and in a flash it's Friday! Good Day !!!!!! I have more art to post....Here are more pages for the "shape-design" book ...these are the tag pages that belong to Tina...I have 2 designs left to work on.
This is a round robin...there are seven of us participating....it was started by Jo Wholohan who calls Australia her home....also...Debbi Baker, Tricia Scott, Fiona Mortimore, Tina Shoaga,and Patti Gramza. We each created our own books based on a different shape....such as octagons...circles...tags....arches....squares....diamonds, and hearts......we mail the books to each other, and each of us does our own brand of 'magic'......in each one. This has been so much fun...I'm going to hate to see it come to an end....maybe I'll start another one...if anyone is interested ???????? please let me know....I'll have some sort of an idea...I will post my book as soon as it gets home!
It's been absolutely perfect here as far as the weather goes....today is really the first day that I feel a cooler change...only in the low 60's today...we have been having 70's weather for weeks...it's supposed to rain tomorrow....yippee.....we need it!
Hope everyone has a great weekend...and... have fun getting ready for Thanksgiving....stay warm and cozy......Big Hug to all...XXXXOOOOOOOOO

November Art

Finally.....something to post from the studio! These are some pages for Fiona's heart-shaped book....I'm working on some tag pages now....and waiting for octagons and circles! AND..."A Happy Monday Morning TO ALL"......it's beautiful here....November temps. are in the 70's....the days are bright and clear....its such a busy time of year....I'm getting ready for Thanksgiving.....and stocking up on butter for this year's holiday baking....
Still cleaning and re-organizing the studio.....doing lots of raking outside in this great weather... reading two really good books called....... "The Thirteenth Tale"....."You Staying Young" (by Dr. Oz)......and managing to get in to a really good movie now and then....I am also trying to get caught up on some long overdue letter writing...I am bound and determined not to let letter writing become a 'thing of the past'....it is a simple joy in life to get a letter in the mail from a friend.....
My Dad will be finished taking antibiotics in a day....then we will schedule his cataract surgery...I know he's going to be able to see so much better...so ...I'm anxious for this to happen...
I hope everyone is enjoying the Fall...trying not to stress over the holidays that are 'fastly' approaching.......enjoying all the colorful days...and giving thanks...... .....XXXXXXXOOOOOOOOOO BIG HUGS........

Eggnog Coffee Cake

Since they are selling eggnog in the grocery stores right now..thought I'd share this delicious recipe for eggnog coffee cake...it's really easy...and yummy!
1 cup butter, room temperature
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 cup eggnog
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
Topping:
1 1/4 cups chpped pecans or walnuts
1/4 cup sugar
1 Tbs. cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-inch fluted or plain tube pan. In large bowl cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, eggnog and vanilla. Stir together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to butter mixture. Prepare topping by combining nuts, sugar and cinnamon. Scatter half the topping evenly over bottom of pan. Spoon in half batter. Add remaining topping and spoon on remaining batter. Bake 50 to 60 minutes. Cool 15 minutes before removing from pan.

In Motion

I snapped this photo of the humminbird the other day......I guess he is taking advantage of the last of the Fall flowers for awhile....
Hope everyone has a wonderful November weekend.......

Lots of red berries on the Holly right now..........

Art Journal Workshop: Layers

Happy November !!!!!!

November leaves...I'd say we have some raking to do!