We LOVE Key Lime Pie...even tho' we don't use key limes. We just use the regular limes we buy in the Store. Key Limes are about the diameter of a Nickel and you'd need to squeeze about 50 of them to get 1/2 Cup of juice :-( Anyway, I came across this low-fat recipe and you cannot tell that it is low-fat. I thought painting all of the ingredients and the recipe in my watercolor/sketch journal would be colorful :-) Also, I like to use a Shortbread Ready-Crust instead of the Graham Cracker Ready-Crust. They don't always have them--or they sell them faster. Notice: the Fat-Free Sweetened Condensed Milk has a GREEN label (not the red one.)

Falling Leaves

I may have posted this before, but I like it...and this is what we have been looking at for the past several days! Autumn is far too short here in Michigan--but it has been beautiful, warm and colorful weather for about 2 weeks now. Today it was a little dreary--but there are a few colorful leaves still left on the trees. BTW, the Juncos (birds) arrived today--a sure sign of cooler weather coming. They come and stay all winter and leave in early Spring.

I DID IT MYSELF

Can't believe I did it!!! After making (bookbinding) my own book in a class--I actually did this at home by myself :-) Plaid Petunia's instructions were very good! I did stumble a few places--but would lay it aside, look at my Class-made book and try to figure what to do next. The Spine is the hardest part (I think)...and I will never cut the bookboards (by hand) again--They are too thick to be cut with an exacto-type knife...even a heavy duty one. Thanks for taking my phone call early on Catherine :-) I am already planning my next one! Tonight, the book is being "pressed" under my VERY HEAVY BOOK. I can't wait until morning to see it. I need to find out where to get the clear plastic cover to protect it.

FARM MARKET

I bought a "tree" of Brussel Sprouts (and shared half with my daughter). Then I looked up C. Carey's Brussel Sprouts and recipe (on her blog--"older posts") and got them ready to Roast (with garlic & walnuts). Before that, I thought I'd better paint them for posterity. Also liked the sign stuck in the driveway of the market which meant we could only go ONE WAY! They had propped it up with a couple pumpkins, in keeping with the season. We have had a busy Fall season--cleaning out the old flowers, planting Aliums, etc...then taking each beautiful afternoon to cruise around and photograph (Cliff) and I would Sketch/WC/Journal. Can you tell I love painting in my new book. I haven't posted ALL my pics, but I'm tempted.
Now I will need to get back to my bookbinding...I've got all my paper measured and torn and folded--and now am ready to start on the spine. I will have to do this a step at a time to make sure I get it right. Hope Catherine's got her phone handy :-)

Fall Foliage

We have been taking advantage of the beautiful Fall weather in our area...I watercolor and
my husband takes photographs. However, the two photos are mine. The tree one was taken from my kitchen window and you can see my birdfeeders too. The pumpkins were in front of the Cider Mill/Apple Orchard we visited and had our treats there (homemade apple-cinnamon doughnuts and hot cider--Yummm! Haven't indulged in that in 10 years (always trying to save calories :-)

Title Page in My First Book

I finally did my "Title Page" in my new bound book. I had picked up a pinecone in the area where I had the Bookbinding Class and had never painted one...I decided to make it a part of my first page, since I made this book in September. Now I can "get on" with making my new "bound" book. I'm up to the spine part--and I'll need to go at it very carefully--I tend to rush ahead--So am trying to do it step by step the way Cathy wrote the instructions. It's quite exciting to make your own book.

Ann Arbor Michigan

This week we took a trip out to Ann Arbor, Michigan to visit the Bookbinding Store (Hollander's) ! What a wonderful Store. But we discovered our favorite Deli just around the corner--Zingerman's. You must visit sometime just to see the (imported from everywhere) Cheese Display! Then sample whatever they have out...usually brownies from the Bakery, maybe some dipping oils, breads, or a snippet of Cheese. We had our favorite Sandwiches there for a late Lunch (or early Supper ?).
The trees are just starting to turn red around the edges--so it was a colorful trip. While I was at Hollander's, I was able to select some papers for my next Book that I will bind myself...it's a fun project--with a lot of steps--to completion. I'm not writing a book, I'm filling it with watercolor paper to use for a sketchbook/watercolor memory journal.

Sermon Notes

We had a special presentation this Sunday Morning. I sketched quite quickly--and then watercolored when I got home. It's a method to remember Old Testament events in order and is a fun and interesting way to keep these events in mind (with "motions" and hand signals too). Also it was Communion Sunday, and another big event in "our" minds--(my husband & I)--it was our 57th anniversary :-)