Hand-Made Monday

What fun, Mary Ann of Follow Your Bliss has designed a new challenge called Hand-Made Monday. Today's was a "What's Left" craft made from scraps and bits. Mary Ann has set up a blog just for Hand-Made Monday


I have lots of small blank canvas in my art studio. They looked a bit sad sitting there all blank, so I thought of a way to create Christmas gifts using my favorite medium - Mixed Medium or what we called in the olden days...Collage. I have loved collage since I was in kindergarten and we got to glue elbow macaroni on paper using elmer's glue and then we painted the pasta. Ta dah a masterpiece and it soon became my addiction. I just love material and fabric notions but I can't even sew on a button properly. So I started using glue to adhere fabric to my paintings.

This mind you, was before the birth of fiber art and many of my art friends snubbed these kinds of creations. "Not reeeeeeeeeeeal art dahling". Well, tell that to the mainstream art world today. I love what the new young generation has done to make collage explode into a brand new world defined as ART. This creative genius has redefined collage by naming it "Altered Art", "Mixed Media" and "Fiber Art".

For my Bluebird "What's Left" entry, I took a small fat canvas (gallery canvas) and painted it with a taupe/gray oil paint. Then I cut out the shape of a birdhouse using a lovely greeting card. I embellished this birdhouse, using bits of ribbons, cards, my own bluebird art printed on Xerox pearlized paper (love it), a bit of glitter and a vintage notecard with words. Then I used this wonderful aqua organza ribbon with tinsel trim instead of a frame and finished it with a bow. Yay! Better than coloring in my coloring book. I love using glitter, paper and trim to make things.


Well, I am certainly excited that Mary Ann has created this wonderful venue to inspire all of us crafty people. I know that her Hand-Made Monday group will be a wonderful addition to all the creative inspiration in blogland.

The long and winding road thru illustrating, watercolor, and oil has led me back to my first love Collage. So, the song for this post is an old Beatles favorite, which I used to listen to when I collaged pop art back in the day...so here is the song, The Long and Winding Road.

Bluebirds, Baskets & Ribbons

"It's the Blue Bird we were looking for! We have been miles and miles and miles and he was here all the time!..."




Many of my paintings are inspired by dreams. I recently had this beautiful dream of a tree in Springtime, with beautiful pink blossoms. Each branch held a basket secured to the branch with blue satin ribbons tied in a bow and the ends cascaded down and blew in the warm Spring breeze. Bluebirds covered the branches on the tree in abundance, and the vivid blue of the bluebird contrasted with the soft pink color in the blossoms in full bloom. When I awoke I carried this beautiful image with me all day. I started a watercolor painting of this image and it is a work in progress. Instead of trying to capture the entire tree, I decided to crop it to a single branch with two bluebirds, a basket hung from the branch and tied with blue satin ribbons. I only wish I could paint the vivid colors that I saw in this dream. The dream carried with it so much beauty and hope.

I collect old children's books, and one of my most treasured belongings is a book called The Bluebird for Children by Georgette LeBlanc (Madame Maurice Maeterlinck), written in 1913. This book was used by teachers to read in class, I own the teacher's copy. I always loved how our teacher's copy of our books were a bit thicker than our study version. When the teacher would gather us children around her, and she would read to us in class, I would stare at the large volume she would have in her lap. It was larger than ours beacuse it was the teacher's copy. I always wanted to hold the teacher's copy of a book because it held all the answers. The Children's Bluebird of Happiness holds a magical story and so many spiritual lessons. The teacher's copy explained those spiritual lessons and it did in fact house the answers to the questions.

The story is about a little girl Mytyl and little boy named Tyltyl they are poor and ashamed of their poverty. Tyltyl is the hero's name, he was ten years old, and Mytyl is his little sister who was only six. The story begins...
"Once upon a time, a woodcutter and his wife lived in their cottage on the edge of a large and ancient forest. They had two dear little children who met with a most wonderful adventure..."




They meet Light who takes them on a magical adventure and they meet up with all the things that we deal with on earth and they even visit heaven. Light takes them through lands of life and reveals the truth about what appears beautiful. When they have been exhausted by all the lands that they had visited they want to go home. When they return to the bird that they once thought was ugly and useless, they realize that it was a beautiful and valuable bluebird all along. They returned to their lot in life a bit wiser and gave their treasured bluebird to a little girl who was blind. They realized that to be thankful for the blessing we have in life is to truly treasure our bluebird of happiness and when we share what we have, this is the most valuable lesson of all. "Dear Light revealed nothing to the woodcutter's Children, but she showed them the road to happiness by teaching them to be good and kind and generous."


I love this story and felt so blessed to have found this treasure. I believe the reason I adore bluebirds is because of the wisdom that is in this book. We each have bluebirds in our life and sometimes it is when we lose them for a while that we come to treasure them the most.

From the book "We can only appreciate our bluebird in life if we are forever grateful for what we have been given...Our bluebird."

I love the dream that I was blessed with and each time I work on the painting I am reminded of it's beauty. The last line in the book The Children's Bluebird is:


"Each of us must seek our happiness for himself; and he has to take endless pains and undergo many a cruel disappointment before he learns to become happy by appreciating the simple and perfect pleasures that are always within easy reach of his mind and heart."
Such wisdom in this lovely story for children, perhaps the author meant the message to reach all the children...big and small. I know that I love the lessons in this book and I am reminded of it's wisdom every time I see a bluebird.

For those of you with little children, I found this delightful site for bluebird activities for children, with coloring pages, arts, crafts and games to play.

The song for this post is It's Blue Skies sung by old blue eyes, Frank Sinatra

October's Autumn Glow

Autumn Glow, originally uploaded by bluebirdsandteapots.

Today it started out looking gray and cloudy with a chance of rain. Later in the morning the sun came out and it turned out to be a lovely warm Autumn day. My plan was to stay at home and do some artwork, but I knew that these Autumn days will soon be gone, so I took a ride to quaint and historical Concord.

Winston Flowers

Winston Flowers, originally uploaded by bluebirdsandteapots.

I love window shopping in Concord, and my favorite shop is Winston Flowers.

It is the presentation that I go crazy for, rows and rows of large glass vases displaying gorgeous Hydrangea. Stacks and stacks of planters with flowers all in the same shades of color arranged in perfectly cut proportion. It is not just the arrangements that make this shop so spectacular, but it is the special way that the shop celebrates bouquets of the most beautiful freshly cut flowers.

I have been to several of their shops, each one is equally as gorgeous, but I especially love Winston Flowers in Concord.

This lovely bluebird card came from the wonderful Thoreauly Antiques on Walden Street. I love browsing in this shop, everything is so beautifully displayed. Each card, notion, button and sheet music is wrapped and carefully displayed. I found some great sheet music for some tussie mussie projects for Christmas.

Window Shopping in Concord

Window Shopping in Concord, originally uploaded by bluebirdsandteapots.

Window shopping in Concord is delightful, and whether you are browsing in an antique store, one of the old book shops or enjoying a great cup of coffee from the cafe, this place is such a treat.



I love the way the old stores are lined up and looking so English. The buildings are just as interesting as the shops that they house. Another favorite is called Nesting on Main. You have to climb up a flight of stairs above the cafe to get to the shop.



Once you are inside you will spend hours browsing through antique and vinatge charm. Oh, and there are many objects relating to the bird theme of the shop, and curious little objects that help you to spruce up your own little nest.




A wonderful place to stay if you travel to Concord or just to have a wonderful meal, is Concord's Colonial Inn.

The day I was in Concord they were hosting a Mother - Daughter tea.

Here is their tea menu:
~High Tea~
Assorted Fine English, Chinese & Indian Teas with our Elegant Bone China Tea Cups
Homemade Tea Scones Served with Devonshire Cream, Preserves & Whipped Butter
Assorted Specialty Sandwiches (3 pieces per person)
Fresh Berries Topped with Whipped Cream
A Panache of Pastries & English Toffee

~Kids Tea
Choice of Hot Chocolate, Tea or Milk
Homemade Chocolate Chip Scone Served with Devonshire Cream, Preserves & Whipped Butter
Peanut Butter Banana Finger Sandwich
Mini Brownie with Vanilla Ice Cream

A Stroll Through Concord

A Stroll Through Concord, originally uploaded by bluebirdsandteapots.

The most charming town in New England this time of year. The trees are brighter, the fall seems more vivid and the quaint little place awakens with the promise of a golden Autumn and the most exciting Halloween. I love October in Concord, and the history of the place is just so wonderful.

Louisa May Alcott's house, sleepy hollow cemetary, houses decorated for Halloween and the beautiful fall leaves really embrace the charm of New England in Autumn. Soon the leaves will be gone, and the cold winter months will be here, so I just had to spend this beautiful fall day in Concord.

As soon as Halloween rolls around these lovely warm days of Autumn will be replaced with cold blustery nights. It's hard to believe on such a gorgeous sunny day as this...that the days of snow might be just a few weeks away.

The song for this post is When October Goes.

One Day at a Time

One Day at a Time, originally uploaded by bluebirdsandteapots.

"For God through ways we have not known, will lead His own"

"Never say in your heart what you will or will not do but wait until God reveals His way to you. As long as that way is hidden, it is clear that there is no need of action and that He holds Himself acountable for all the results of keeping you exactlly where you are." From Streams in the Desert, a devotional

"Whenever God's finger points, His hand will clear a way".

I love that quote, isn't that the way in life, you seem to know that God is pointing in a certain direction, now the hard part is to wait until He clears the way. As I stood watching the setting sun and it's beauty captured in the reflection of this lighthouse window, everything seemed so still. The colors so magically painted serenity, and the sight of this seagull also reflected the stillness of the message".


"Knowing this, the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing".
James 1:3-4

I chose Wherever You are for the song for this short post. The music is so haunting, like a song so familiar that you recognize the melody resonating from your heart.

Adventures in Podcastville

The more time I spend browsing through blogs, the more that I realize that there is a never ending array of places to go. There are neighborhoods of writers, artists, musicians, actors, artisans, interior designers, homemakers and chefs. I find myself wandering in so many different directions, and now I have discovered this exciting world of podcasts. The map seems to stretch out beyond what I can see and I only know that every day I learn something new.

I found a wonderful place that I must share called The Prince Edward County Podcast. On this Prince Edward Island site Janet Kellough narrates her novel titled, Palace of The Moon. Together Janet Kellough and Don Edwards create a magical place that is guaranteed to add the same charm as stories of Lake Wobegon and to take you to far away places. Podcasts are available for various subjects found on their sidebar neatly arranged by category of interest. I love the Studio Gallery Tour presented by Peta Hali under the Events category.

Oh, now for such a treat the Grow See This, urban garden spotting is a fun garden journal, a photo blog, landscape design, and the Video podcasts are charming.

I love children’s books, and I follow the podcast of Just One More Book every chance I get. Their site is so full of information about everything current regarding Kidlit. Esme' Raji Codell has written many children books and some books for us grown-ups too on how to make reading exciting for our children. Esme calls herself a certified readiologist, which is her whimsical side, but her book called Educating Esme: Diary of a Teacher's First Year, plus her awards for writing her delightful children’s books indicate, she is someone to get to know. Her blog and web pages are such a treat. Her Planet Esme and her blog which is a book-a-day plan to get kids excited about reading. Make sure you play her whimsical video about Diary of a Fairy Godmother found on her front page.

Now for that rainy day that you promised yourself an “Art Date”, but you just want to lounge around in your pj’s with a nice hot cup of coffee, I found the perfect solution. I found a blog SMARThistory written by two Art Historians, Beth Harris and Steven Zucker, who dabble in new technology to bring you on a museum tour and provide lots of other goodies via their own podcasts, videos and posts. I took a walk with them through the Metropolitan Museum of Art from my comfy seat in front of my computer. It is a real treat and I am sure a new trend in podcast blog creations. Check out their categories on the sidebar and enjoy and learn.

I am always looking for new recipes, but I found a great site called Start Cooking. I am a very visual person, and although I am pretty good about following a recipe, any picture is worth more than a thousand words to help me follow along. This is such a fun recipe file with pictures, video, podcast and printables.

Well, I hope you bookmarked these places for that night of insomnia, or perhaps a rainy day. When I find something wonderful in Blogland, I just need to share it with you. The Blogland souls inside this magical box never fail to amaze me with their creative genius.

Now remember to mark your calendars for this Saturday, October 20, 2007...on this day Olive turns 108 years old. She is the oldest blogger and the prettiest too. Stop by her site and leave her a Birthday Wish will ya? She deserves all the applause you can muster...afterall, one hundred eight is quite an accomlishment.


Before you board your Hot Air Balloon home, take a few minutes to listen to the wonderful world of Oz music that I have chosen for this post. We are so lucky to have our own magical world of Oz that we can visit any time we want.

The Creative Bazaar

A collage of all the treasures from the Creative Bazaar


Displayed on my bakers rack in my kitchen this morning are all the treasures from The Creative Bazaar which was held in Hyannis on Saturday, October 13th. The bazaar was like stepping into the magical world of Blogland. Here were all the lovely and talented ladies I have met through flickr and in Blogland. They were even friendlier and more gracious than I know them to be on their blogs and flickr. The artwork was even better in person and I had so much fun chatting and shopping. I was thrilled just to be able to meet these creative souls that I visit with every day in Brigadoon.




I even got a goodie bag when I first walked in the door.
The first thing I wanted to do was meet the delightful Melanie McMullin of Just Be Connected, who was respsonible for coordinating this lovely event.

I couldn’t make up my mind what to buy from her lovely and creative crafts. I chose this sweet magnetic photo frame with her signature flower.





Yay, Artsy Mama was the next table. Kari Ramstrom's crafts are spectacular of course. Everyone loves Artsy Mama, no matter what blog I visit I find Artsy Mama on their favorite blogs to read. I had to buy one of her dresses, and they are made so well and have such pretty embellishments. Her table was filled with so many treasures of Artsy Mama Originals.










Sweetpeas had the most delightful things and I was so thrilled to find this beautifully presented sheet music for Christmas presents I am working on. She had so many sweet temptations, like these wonderful collage kits with ribbons, notions, papers of all sorts and old photos.

Look at this treasure that was in my goodie bag...a miniature of what she sells called Artsy emphemera packs. If you would like to see more of her incredible creativity her web site is called Junque Revival. I especially loved her decoupaged mannequin display. Jessica Moreau-Berry is as adorable and fun as you would imagine her to be, I just added her blog to my favorites to read.















I recently discovered paper Tussie Mussies on a crafters blog.







I love Tussie Mussies but I had never seen paper ones before. It opened up a whole new idea category for things to make for Christmas. What a treat to meet the person behind one of my flickr contacts, the lovely and vibrant Mary Ann. Her crafts were amazing and she had even more beautiful crafts on her Etsy store.



Look at this totally enchanting card by follow your bliss. I am going to frame it and put it alongside my favorite treasures. She makes wonderful things and you can find them on her Etsy store of course. I especially love her ballerinas which are so reminiscent of the ones my mom put on my birthday cake when I was a little girl.














Heidi of Birds of a Feather had so many gorgeous things, I bought two of her lovely cards One I already sent to my mom, the other was hung near my favorite things. Her work was so lovely and wonderfully made.










Traveling all the way from Indiana I had the pleasure of meeting Jana of Jana's Journeys. I found this wonderful embellised box to display next to my sheet music.















Linda Pare designs everything from pillows, and material bags to jewelry. I bought these cute pumpkin earrings for my sister from crafts from the heart, What was really nice too was the way she wrapped the earrings in a box with a little shopping bag with matching tissue paper. What a treasure from such a lovely lady.
















Darlene Belisle from Ursula and Olive handmade crafty goodyness had so many treasures. I found these wonderful tags made from vintage recipe cards, and she included a handmade button of vintage children's art in my goodie bag.







I loved her tins and her buttons really caught my eye. She takes vintage books and recycles the artwork into these button sets.












One of my Christmas purchases was this wonderful framed collage from Kaleido Soul . She had so many wonderful things to buy and gives workshops on soul art.

I have tucked some of the trinkets away for Christmas gifts and have displayed some on my bakers rack for inspiration. I love to put inspiration in the kitchen so I can dream about what I want to make while I cook. The kitchen table is still my favorite place to create.

I hope you visit these wonderful artisans, I know that I have bookmarked their shops to do my Christmas shopping.

I found a delightful song which describes the wares at the Bazaar, it is called Treasures of the Heart.

Lessons In Light And Shadow

Lessons In Light And Shadow, originally uploaded by bluebirdsandteapots.

Lessons of Light and Shadow

As a young woman living and working in Manhattan, I had the good fortune to live in walking distance to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I visited there often and felt that I was coming home when I walked amongst the artists who memorized life. My favorite section was where the paintings of the great Impressionists were hung. I remember the awe I felt the first time I saw Renoir’s painting of a forest. The light and shadow danced within his painting of the wooded landscape. As such a young woman and artist, I had no idea how he could capture the morning sun reflected against the leaves.

I often wonder if digital photography had been invented when the great Impressionists lived, if perhaps they too would be confused as to which medium to use to memorize the moment. Would Monet have played with Photoshop to perhaps find just the right hue of purple to express his interpretation of the water lily and neglected his gifts of painting?

As I drove home this morning, I turned down a lovely road with wooded landscape on either side. The sun was bright against the fall scene, and the light seemed to glow on the orange and yellow leaves. The deep brown and gray of the bark was even more exaggerated having been wet from the morning shower. The rich contrast of the vivid light and shadows playing magic in the forest landscape brought me back to the memory of staring at Renoir’s paintings as a young woman.

The wisdom of years gone by and life lessons makes me analyze what beauty I see with a different perspective. Years of painting have taught me that If I approached a canvas with oils I would use the skill taught of layering paint to achieve the depth and to add light in the final stages of the painting. If I painted in watercolor the passages of white would be there first and washes and negative painting would add the necessary depth to express the landscape’s truth. Using my camera to memorize the morning might require a special lens to capture the light and perhaps after placing it on my computer require a digital enhancement or two.


There is much to be taught by the landscape of life, and the light and dark discernment is equally as valid as that of the technique used to paint the contrasts one observes. Sometimes it is the very darkness found in adversity that provokes the light within to shine. In Renoir’s painting the dark burnt umber was equally as important as the bright yellow and orange ocre paint used to highlight the the light that speckled the wooded scene. I was reminded of a great poem which sings a melody of lyric into our spirit and resonates in our hearts the truth of why our days are speckled with light and dark circumstances.


The Weaver

My life is but a weaving Between my Lord and me
I cannot choose the colors,
He worketh steadily.

Oft-times He weaveth sorrow,
And I, in foolish pride forget
He sees the upper,
And I the under side.

Not till the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly,
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful,
In the Weaver's skillful hand,
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern he has planned.

He knows, He loves, He cares
Nothing this truth can dim;
He gives the very best to those
Who leave the choice with Him.





I am living somewhere between being that innocent young woman who visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art instead of having lunch, and being an old woman who reflects back on her life’s canvas. Yet, the middle is a glorious place to be. I have learned to lean on God to paint His will for the rest of my life, though I take time to reflect with wonder on the blessings and bittersweet moments that He has used to create my landscape. I know for sure that it was not only the beauty I so easilly learned to love in life, but the adversity and dark circumstances that made the light within shine. I suppose it does not matter which medium we use to capture the beauty around us, but rather that we see it, memorize the blessings, see hope in the light, embrace the joy and give the glory to the Lord.



The song for Lessons of Light and Shadow is Seasons Change by Paula Arlich from her albumn named appropriately A Ray Of Hope.

A CUP OF COFFEE AND A GOOD BLOG TO READ

Watercolor by Susan Messier


I love getting lost in Blogland. Visiting a blog and taking unknown roads into their favorite blogs and making a right hand turn into their favorite blogs and continue...until I am totally lost in beautiful images of unknown places, reading wonderful stories, getting crafting ideas, artful inspiration, and learning life lessons. Traveling the globe in my pj's with a cup of hot coffee and nothing to distract me as I meander into new journals, read memoirs in the making and make new friends. I have recently discovered some very interesting blogs.

This lovely artwork for this post of my favorite coffee cup was created by my sister, Susan who has a very lovely blog called Sew His Word. Susan has been creating fiber art since she was a child. I believe her first fiber art was a frog design that that she embroidered onto one of my father's teeshirts, which he wore by mistake one day and we all had a good laugh when the frog peeked through his white dress shirt. Her knitting, fiber art, quilting and designing always surprises me. I love her new music that she has found for her blog and I can't wait to see what she creates next after a recent visit to Manhattan and drop in at the Tinsel Trading Company. To quote my sister, "I just found Abundance."

All About Olive has to be my very very best find. Olive approaches her 108th birthday on October 20th. This blog is All About Olive and is narrated by Mike Rubbo. Mike Rubbo is one of the pioneers of the personal documentary, and I find it no surprise that blogland would be his new interest. He has thrown himself into helping Olive Riley put out a blog, making her the oldest blogger in the world. Mike Rubbo is equally as interesting born in 1939 in Melbourne, Australia has produced countless films and documentaries and has recently been teaching a Masters course in documentary theory. This blog, All About Olive is really special and Mike includes utube links to help tell her story. There is also a DVD available, directed b Mike Rubbo, which documents Olive's trip back to Broken Hill in New South Wales, where she was born.

Now for one of the prettiest blogs that I have discovered, even the name Chez Fifi. is pretty. Francoise has been a freelance writer and photo stylist for some of my favorite magazines: Coastal Lliving, Creative Homes, Home Companion, Country Living, Romantic Country and many more. Her blog is a magazine in itself, and is one of the best places that I have found filled with eye candy, interesting things and links to fabulous other places. Make sure you have a peek into the corners of her home and be inspired to redecorate your home. If you have time to go on an adventure in blogland, visit some of her favorite friend's sites too.

Brenda of Coffee, Tea, Books and Me says that she is a wife, mother, Grammie, Homemaker, Homeschooler and Keeper of Kittens. To quote her blog, "She has a passion for books, tea, coffee, gracious living and the love of the Lord." Her blog is filled with wonderful reflections, book reviews and resources. The images are nostalgic but the information is current and special. I have fallen in love with her blog and her writing and have gotten so much inspriation when I visit her site.

Shopping in Blogland is quite an experience, and I think what I love most about it is all the hand-made things on Etsy and the Vintage inspired trinkets found on the Internet. One lovely place I meandered to is called The French Garden House. I love Lidy Baars' entrance to her gorgeous store, which houses wonderful things.

In addition to Blogger I have two blogs on Wordpress. I recently found a wonderful resource which contains all the things we need to know about blogging. Lorelle Van Fossen of lorelle of Wordpress also wrote a book on tips to blogging that is a must read. There is more to this glorous place than just posting our daily words. Lorelle is a public speaker, instructor, writer and consultant on web writing, web design and blogging. She has written Blogging Tips and Taking Your Camera On The Road. Her site is filled with all the things we need to know to keep up with trends, security and insight into the world of blogging.

Well, I hope that I have enticed you into unchartered territory, beyond the places that are safe and familiar. If I sound passionate about Blogland it is because I am. Every time I take a stroll through these wonderful avenues that exist beyond my cozy corner, I am reminded that this place called Blogland is growing minute by minute into a very grand world.

The music for this post is I Remember Bill,

Let's Take A Drive In The Country

Let's Take A Drive, originally uploaded by bluebirdsandteapots.

Here We Are At Wilson Farm

Let's take a drive, shall we? I decided to drive down a few country roads and to head up North to a wonderful farm called Wilson Farm. They are located in the historical town called Lexington, Massachusetts. The farm was founded in the year 1884 and has become one of the most visited farmstands in the area. I say farmstand, but it is so much more.

There are flowers, pumpkins, produce, and goodies.





As you arrive you are greeted by acres of manicured farmland and can see the farmers tending to the flowers and produce. As you walk through the entrance the seasonal adventure begins.

Today they were making cider donuts and the aroma was enough to entice you to spend your entire allowance buying food.


Next to the donut man was a man selling delicious carmel apples rolled in nuts. Yum.










Now comes the good stuff, rows and rows of pumpkins, shiny gords, painted pumpkins, scarecrows to adorn your lawn, Halloween decorations galore and mums.


Mums and mums and mums looking so fresh and colorful against the backdrop of gorgeous flowers. Wilson Farm also has a beautiful flower shop off the large tent canopy housing the seasonal treasures.





As we walk towards the flower shop we can see that today they are giving demonstations on how to create gorgeous fall flower arrangements.


Once inside the flower shop you can see above many baskets hung alongside beautiful wreaths on the walls of the shop. Haloween has arrived there too, and so tables are displaying lots of decorations.




Across from the flower shop back into the tent I spot rows and rows of Halloween splendor. Ghosts and Pumpkin Headed witches wearing a lovely tutu and Oh there is so much more there.

As we walk into the store itself, we are greeted by the gorgeous displays of produce, bakery goods, coffees, cheeses, fruits and the gorgeous fower stand.

This flower stand always takes my breath away. Not since I lived in Asia have I seen such an array of exotic and domestic flora all under the same roof.


This place even makes the Boston Flower market pale in comparison. I think that it is the knack that Wilson Farm has for display that makes you want to run home and prepare a feast using fresh produce, fine cuts of meat, and flowers for the table.

Well, I hope that you enjoyed our ride today. I have included some lovely recipes that are free when you visit their store.

They also have a divine cookbook. Mine is stained on all my favorite recipe pages, so I thought I would include the recipe here for Pumpkin Muffins.

Pumpkin (Winter Squash) Muffins

1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup of sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon clove
1 egg, beaten
4 tablespoons butter or margarine melted and cooled
1/2 cup milk
3/4 cup pumpkin or squash, cooked and mashed

Sift the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove into a large mixing blow. In another bowl, mix together the remaining ingredients. When thouroughly mixed, stir the milk mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir only until the dry ingredients are moistened. Do not beat. Spoon into well greased muffin pan.

Makes 8 large muffins.
Bake at 400 degrees approximately 20 minutes.

My suggestion when done sit down with a cup of tea and serve one on your prettiest dish. Spread a little butter which will melt on the warm muffin...Enjoy. Fall is such a great time to cook. If you would like more recipes, check out Wilson Farm's web site.

The music for this post is a lovely jazz melody I can imagine listening to as we drive down country roads, the name of the song is Conversations.