New Art & Soul Web-isode

Stencil, Sparkle & Shine! This is the newest Close To My Heart web-isode! (Each web-isdoe is about 10 minutes long. Take a look! Just click on the logo.)

I've been MIA for quite a while ... doing lots of family activities AND getting ready for a Vendors Fair. Picture me eyeball deep in paper, adhesive, and ink. I'll post pix soon. But now I have to get back to the serious studio stuff! It's my goal to be ready for next weekend's fair, and also be able to enjoy Thanksgiving. Next year I vow I'll work ahead and not feel so crunched. You know that feeling, right?!

Savory Beef Stew in a Pumpkin

Want your house to smell so good this Fall?

And have a delicious meal in its own serving bowl?

1. Get yourself a nice pie pumpkin.

2. Cut out the lid. Scoop out the seeds.

3. Place the pumpkin on a cookie sheet. Brush the outside of the pumpkin with vegetable oil.

4. Fill the pumpkin with your favorite beef stew mixture. (When I don't make it "from scratch" I use a frozen mix such as Stouffer's.)

5. Put on the lid. Bake at 350 degrees. Timing will vary on the size of your pumpkin. A small one usually takes 60-90 minutes. A large one takes up to 2 hours to bake. You'll want the pumpkin "meat" to be tender to scoop.

6. Serve on a pretty platter (oops! not shown here).

Scoop helpings so that each serving includes the beef stew and the baked pumpkin too. It's yummy and so healthy too.

Enjoy!

A Dog and His Boy

This photo depicts Bryan and Torrie's "BFF" -- they are Buds --

nothing compares to a boy and his dog-love.

Bryan is off to college now, studying to be a physical therapist.

I've never met a more caring, kind, compassionate young man.

He spends time with his neighbors, and during his summers,

he gives of himself by doing mission work

and rebuilding projects in the storm-stricken south.

My parents are so blessed to have known Bryan since his birth

and to have him and his parents for their neighbors.

Now they just don't get to see Bryan often enough.

But Torrie does come by for her treats.