~Merry Halloween~

Good afternoon....(she said spookily) ;~). Tis an odd sort of Halloween in Vermont this year..we've snow on the ground..and not just a mere dusting....we have several inches. I can not ever recall having snow on the ground on Halloween. Now, you all know how I LOVE snow..but I must admit..it's quite unhalloweenish...when I think of Halloween..I think of swirling leaves, gusty winds..dark skies with a golden glowing moon....corn stalks rustling, jack-o-lanterns glowing, cats howling in the distance...dark forms of ghost and witch bedecked trick-or-treaters, dogs barking in the distance.....and maybe..just maybe snowflakes swirling in the air...

No matter...we shall enjoy ourselves nonetheless. I've beef stew in the crock pot, rolls rising and apple crisp cooling, the candy bowl is full and awaiting treaters and I have a large lovely pumpkin resting on the old wooden chest in the dining room (it needed a warm up after spending the last few days being snowed upon) which I shall carve later this afternoon whilst enjoying a mug of hot cider and a cozy fire.

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May Jack-o-lanterns burning bright
Of soft and golden hue
Pierce through the future’s veil and show
What fate now holds for you.

May those that love us, love us;
and those that don't love us,
May God turn their hearts;
and if He doesn't turn their hearts,
may He turn their ankles
so we'll know them by their limping. - Old Irish Toast

I bid you good afternoon and wish for you a lovely and spooktacular Halloween.

~Butternut Squash Soup & Other Lovely Tidbits~

Good day to you. Tis cold this morning! I do believe we have some foul weather coming our way as our sky was quite pink at daybreak. It was oddly quiet as well as I stood on the porch, bundled up against the cold in my flannel pajamas and wool sweater, enjoying my coffee. There was not a sound to be heard except for the river. I love being outside as daybreak arrives..., I'm not out there for long, just long enough for a few sips of coffee and to take in the sights and sounds of the changing landscape as we go from dark to light....night to day. I especially love it when snow is falling and the world is so quiet you can actually hear those soft flakes hitting the ground. I was just looking at our weather forecast for this week and they said "snow likely" overnight on Thursday...yippee!!! I very much love this time of year..Fall is one of my favorite seasons but Winter...that is who I am...I can not wait for SNOW! I love the anticipation that the changing of seasons brings. I do believe, going from one thing to the next, is a big part of who I am. I love to watch the sun rise...I love to be outside when dusk arrives..I love the changing of season..I love the start of new things..taking classes, learning new things, trying something new..ordering new supplies sends me directly to heaven!!! I guess I am not one of those people who does not like change...apparently I embrace it and I never realized it until right now as I was writing this... See how great writing is..you learn new things about yourself all the time.

Anyway, goodness I seem to be rambling today, speaking of all these changes and such..have you begun your Yuletide creations yet? I have officially moved from pumpkins, witches and the like to Christmas and I could not be happier!

I have been watching Holiday movies as I create and even listening to a bit of Christmas music :). All of it has really helped to inspire my work as I busily create for my next web show~"As Winter Begins".

I am actually doing quite well, save for the pesky owl I spoke of in an earlier post and who's behind you see below....

(doesn't he just have the cutest behind!!!) He is still not cooperating with his facial details..I really think I am going to have to make a separate head and attach it to him....I think that may be the problem..it's either that..or I'll skip his face and just have him shown from behind...;)

I also have three bears in the works..one is a large honey brown fello that is pictured above and the other two are smaller and were not quite ready for photo's yet.... I ordered supplies (♥♥♥) the other day to create handmade accompaniments for my bears..I can not wait until they arrive and I can start working on them!!!

I also picked up this wonderful creamy white, wool flannel blanket at a thrift shop the other day that I plan on finding a use for.


I have also been working on a few more greeting cards and will be offering them at my next Web Show..I've been hoping to do this for a while now and am finally getting around to it.
And...lastly on the studio front..I have a big project in the works..it's something that I have been hoping to do, literally, for years now and I am finally doing it. I am not going to say anything more about it other than, it is Yuletide themed, combines several of my passions and I think (and hope) will be very well received. :)

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And finally...(geesh, I did not expect this post be so long winded)....I wanted to share this wonderful soup recipe that I made the other day..OH MY GOODNESS..it was wonderful. I've actually never cared for root vegetables however, this year I am loving them. It's funny how our taste change over the years isn't it.

Butternut Squash Soup
(Adapted from The Italian Dish Blog)

3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, grated or minced
1 teaspoon chopped fresh sage (about 3 leaves)
2 to 2-1/2 pounds butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into cubes
1/8 cup vermouth
4 cups chicken broth
4 ounces bacon, chopped
1/3 cup cream
salt and pepper
Instructions:
Melt the butter and olive oil in a large, heavy pot over medium heat. Add the onion & sauté until soft, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic & sage and sauté another minute. Add squash cubes and sauté 5 minutes. Add the vermouth & broth, cover and simmer on low for about 25 minutes.
Meanwhile, fry the bacon until nicely crisped. Drain on paper towel.
Puree soup ( using an immersion blender, food processor regular blender) Return to the cook pot & stir in the cream. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Dish into nice big bowls and sprinkle the bacon on top. Enjoy! :)
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Let me know how you like it :)

wishing you a most wonderful week, doreen

~A Harvest Haunting & S'mores Cups....deeeelightful!!!~

Good afternoon. Just a quick note to all of you to let you know that A Harvest Haunting is now taking place on My Website. Won't you stop by if you have a moment. Young Hubbardton Harvest would love to meet you.

I do apologize for this post being so very short...however, before I go..I wanted to share this recipe with you..I found it last week and OH MY GOODNESS..they are delightful!!!

S'more Cups


7 whole graham crackers (1 cup finely crushed)
1/4 cup powdered sugar
6 tablespoons butter, melted
4 bars (1.55 oz each) milk chocolate candy, divided

12 large marshmallows

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place graham crackers into a large resealable plastic bag. Finely crush into crumbs. Combine graham cracker crumbs, powdered sugar, and butter in a small bowl.
Place 1 tablespoon of crumb mixture in each cup of a mini muffin pan. Press crumbs to form shallow cups. Bake 4-5 minutes or until edges are bubbling. Meanwhile, break two of the candy bars into rectangles. Remove pan from oven; place one rectangle into each cup.
Cut marshmallows in half crosswise using shears dipped in cold water. Place one marshmallow half, cut-side down, into each cup. Return to oven 1-2 minutes or until marshmallows are slightly softened. Remove pans from oven to cooling rack; cool 15 minutes. Carefully remove cups from pan. Cool completely.
Break remaining candy bars and place in small microwavable bowl. Microwave on high 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until melted and smooth, stirring every 20 seconds. Dip the top of each marshmallow in melted chocolate. Turn top-side up and let stand 40 to 60 minutes or until set. Makes 24 cups.

Wishing you a very lovely afternoon. Hugs, D

~Whooo Knew....~

.....owls were so Persnickety.

Sir Hoot or (Percy for short) has absolutely refused to participate in "A Harvest Haunting" (Sunday's Web Show). He does not wish to engage in Halloween activities, he feels they are juvenile and far to rudimentary for someone of his stature. He wishes to pause briefly and await his true calling......



....the "As Winter Begins" Web Show. In the beginning when Sir Hoot attempted to make me aware of this situation, I was against it and did my very best to persuade him to change his mind...however, after much insistence on his part, I came round to his desires. After all, how can I blame him.....being the Winter lover that I am! :)

Hopefully between now and the first week of November. snow flakes while swirl and twirl about... and inspire him to FINALLY chose his attire and accompaniments!

I should have known something was up when he insisted on being made from white wool.....my original notes, etc...had him brown with dark "spooky" accents...he would have NOTHING to do with it.............

Wishing you a wonderful day, doreen

~The Moppet's & I Have VERY Exciting News~

Good morning.

This is SO exciting and truly still SO hard for me to believe that it is actually happening.


You see...my sweet and humble little Moppets will be appearing in a book....This wonderful book......

~The Romantic Prairie Cookbook~
Field-fresh recipes and homespun settings
by Fifi O'Neill

The very lovely & talented Fifi O'Neill contacted me a while back and asked if she might invite a few moppets into her home and feature them in her upcoming book ....after pinching myself to be sure I was not dreaming...We said YES..yes...yes!!! I am sure, I do not have to tell you that after I hung up the phone, there was much jumping for joy among the moppets and I!!!

I truly can not believe that I am going to be holding a Book in my hand...a book that can be purchase anywhere by anyone..that will have something I created in it!!!!!!!!!

So....

Mrs. Fairfield..featured in the photo at the top of this post (which was taken on location) is an example of the type of photo's that will appear in the book...isn't it just beautiful. I have actually seen the other photo's, but of course, I am not able to share those until the book is released....(ohhhh, such a hard thing to do) But I CAN tell you that they are absolutely stunning AND.... along with Mrs. Fairfield Mouse...my other moppets that will be appearing on the pages of this gorgeous book are......

~ Pawlet ~

~ Killington~
...And these vintage wool hearts. :)

(The five photo's above were taken by me..they a not the one's that will appear in the book)

I think it is especially wonderful that my moppets are appearing in a cookbook...given my love for cooking ..it just seems so perfect!

If you would like to read more about the book "Romantic Prairie Cookbook" & Fifi O'Neill as well as her other wonderful book, Romantic Prairie Homes, visit her website at CHEZ FIFI.

If you would like to pre order the "Romantic Prairie Cookbook" visit HERE.

Fifi and I have developed a friendship, she is such a sweet and wonderful lady. I can not thank her enough for giving The Moppets and I this wonderful opportunity.

Wishing you all a wonderful Wednesday..the wind is gusting here...causing the leaves to rain down from the trees and then swirl and gust about..I LOVE it.

:)Doreen

~Holiday Web Show Schedule ~

Good day to you. Monday has dawned sunny and warm here in Vermont with gorgeous leaves floating gently to the ground on a gentle breeze. Yesterday was spent resting, relaxing, making notes, planning and getting organized for the upcoming holiday season...my favorite time of year! After Saturdays wonderful Open house..I am feeling so inspired and excited and I can not wait for next years.

As I am sure you noticed, I have posted my Holiday Web Show Schedule. :) The first web show, on October 16th will include remaining offerings from A Harvest Gathering Open House as well as some offerings that I had hoped to finish for the Open House but ran out of time.

I have an owl in the works that I am very excited about as well as a new Catchpenny home and possibly a mixed media collage piece. AND..I am very pleased to announce that I will be having web shows in November and December.....Oh..and number 4 in my Winter Series will be available during the November Web Show.

I'm off now to shower and head into the studio for the day. Wishing you a most wonderful and joyous Columbus Day.

ps..I just looked at the Farmers almanac 2011/2012 Winter forecast.....they are saying another old fashioned snowy winter for us!!!!! Woohooo!!!!

~It's Finally Here ...A Harvest Gathering Open House Is Tomorrow~

Fall has indeed arrived here in Vermont..the air is crisp, the sun is shining, geese are flying high overhead, honking a greeting as they pass by, leaves float gently to the ground & then swirl about on an errant gust of wind. Mums and cornstalks decorate front porches, bales of hay appear along walkways, pumpkins don faces and smile as you pass by, apples turn a brilliant red and give off their fantastic scent.

Come enjoy the wonder of Fall at........

~A Harvest Gathering Open House ~

Vermont Harvest Folk Art by Doreen Frost

West Pawlet, VT

Saturday, October 8th Noon to 4pm

Fine Folk Art, Fare & Merriment

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Should you have any questions, need directions, etc...please visit my website or contact me at Doreen@vermontharvestfolkart.com.

Thank you and hope to see you tomorrow. :)
Doreen