WheatonArts Annual Holiday Studio Sale!

WheatonArts offers a tranquil place to shop for unique holiday gifts for your loved ones. The museum stores are one of my favorite places to shop.

I would like to personally invite you to The Annual Holiday Studio Sale at WheatonArts. The sale takes place on November 26, 27 & 28 and then again on December 4 & 5. This is a once a year chance to purchase items that have been reduced 30% to 70%!

Artists featured in the sale include Terry Plasket, WheatonArts Ceramic Artist, and Melanie and David Leppla, two extraordinary glass artists. Glass art, including vases, bowls, platters and much more created by WheatonArts Studio glass artists, will also be on sale.

For more information about WheatonArts and the museum stores please visit their website at wheatonarts.org

Yummy Apple Compote

My husband bought a cheesecake to benefit a children's sports team of a nearby city. I am normally not a fan of cheesecake but today I was craving it and I thought, "It definitely needs a topping". In keeping with the season I thought a warm apple compote would compliment a chilled cheesecake perfectly. Below is my recipe for warm apple compote. In the words of my husband, it's divine!



2 apples, cored and peeled
1/8 cup white sugar
1/8 cup brown sugar
1/2 of a lemon, juice squeezed
5 dashes of cinnamon

First, peel two apples. I bought this magnificent little tool that cuts an apple into sections in one push. You can buy them at any kitchen supply store. I bought mine at Bed Bath and Beyond. Once you cut the apple into 8 wedges, cut each wedge in half lengthwise and then in half again widthwise.



Place your peeled and sectioned apples in a small pot. Sprinkle the juice of 1/2 a lemon, sugar and cinnamon over the apples. Cook the apples covered on low heat for 15 to 20 minutes.

Enjoy!

Baked Apples

This is my first time making baked apples. They are a wonderful fall comfort food so I thought it was about time I tried to make them! I must admit I do not follow exact measuring for these. Here is the very simple recipe for 2 baked apples:


1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 whole all spice pieces, ground (or nutmeg)
1/2 cup sugar
2 apples (I used empire but granny smith would be good as well)
soy nog
2 teaspoons butter

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees



Mix the sugar, cinnamon and all spice in a small bowl, place aside. Core two apples while making sure to keep the bottoms solid. This will keep the juices in the apples instead of them leaking out the bottom. I like to use a spoon to scoop out the remaining core after I've used a knife to loosen it. Trim 1/2 inch of the apple peel off the top of the apple.



Fill each apple with the sugar/spice mixture. Place 1 teaspoon of butter on the top of each apple. Place the apples in a baking dish and poor just enough nutmeg in the dish so that the bottom is covered.



Place a piece of tin foil over the dish. (Do not forget this part...as I have done). The tin foil traps the juices and keeps your apples moist.

Bake for 45 minutes.

(I accidently baked my for too long and they fell apart...they are still very good but messy.)

The Sketchbook Project (2011)!

Hubby and I are participating in the 2011 Sketchbook project! Anyone can participate in this project. When you decide to participate you sign up on their website and shortly thereafter you will be sent a sketchbook. At time of sign up you must choose a theme (we choose lines and grids). We will have until January to finish our books. These books will travel to galleries and museums located around the country. To learn more or to participate visit http://www.arthousecoop.com/projects/sketchbookproject.

All sketchbooks will tour in the following cities:
Brooklyn, NY
Austin, TX
San Francisco, CA
Portland, ME
Atlanta, GA
Chicago, IL
Washington, DC
Winter Park, FL

After the tour all sketchbooks enter into the permanent collection of the Brooklyn Art Library.