Through The Keyhole

Mail Art

Post card love headed to an east coast friend in need of art.

Autumn Garden

For as long as I can remember I have dreamed of having a garden large enough to eat out of for the summer.  Somehow though, in the joy of late winter turning to spring, the days slip away and I find myself shopping at the farmer's market, purchasing my annual batch of tomato plants dreaming of how it will be different next year. 

This year, oh this year was different.  Finally.  No thanks to me though.  I was still filled with dreams, even went so far as to purchase a pile of seeds, to add to the pile from years past but that was it.  This year, when Debbie wasn't studying she worked in our yard weeding the beds, trimming back overgrown plants that have been untended for a year or two, and planning for the garden we've dreamed of.  One day while I was at work, she ordered a pile of compost and started building raised beds.  All of those seeds I'd purchased finally had a place to be used.  I had purchased several varieties of heirloom tomatoe seeds that we split with my father.  They both planted seeds that thrived with very little fuss.  In the spring, we started eating baby lettuce and other greens.

 

By summer pretty much all of our vegetables came from our garden.  It was my dream come true.  We're still getting chard and beets that I predict will last at least another month.  The chard because there's that much and the beets because two people can only eat a few beets a week, even when you love them as much as we do.

I wasn't ready to let that garden go though.  I wanted to see if we could continue to supplement our groceries with our own vegetables.  So last month we cleaned up the beds, pulled the kale that was filled with white flies, the overgrown cucumbers, the remaining delacata squash, the wormy carrots, and the last of the beans.  I think we're just finishing up the last of those cucumbers and squash. 

I talked to a master gardener at work about what to plant and we began making plans for cold frames.  One gorgeous weekend in September, we planted our seeds.  They are growing well and we'll be adding a variety of home grown greens to our menu in about a week.  Yesterday Debbie added several plant starts and build the cold frames.  I'm a lucky lucky girl.

I'm already planning how "we" can expand next year.

Doughnut Days

Autumn Northwest style has arrived with it's grey days and rain.  It's time for hot cider, pumpkins, and doughnuts. 

We're going to be with my family for the day and I wanted to bring a dessert.  Doughnuts seem just the thing. 

I haven't made doughnuts in several years so I went with the recipe of my childhood, from Betty Crocker. 

Delicious while fresh and hot but only so so after they've cooled.  A jar of salted caramel sauce we made last week has been whispering to me from the fridge should solve that problem.  Doughnuts with a bit of caramel sauce for dipping it will be.  A bit of hot cider and it will all be delicious.

 

Now I'm on the hunt for the perfect doughnut recipe.  A slightly dense, melt in your mouth sort of thing.  If you have a recipe you love do share.

Edited to add:  There's been a request for the recipe and I agree, it should be here.  So here you go.

Cake Doughnuts

Vegetable oil for frying

3 1/3 c all purpose flour

1 c sugar

3/4 c milk

2 T shortening

3 t baking powder

1/2 t salt

1/2 t ground cinnamon

1/2 t ground nutmeg

2 eggs

Heat 2-3 inches oil in deep fryer or dutch oven to 375 degrees.  Beat 1 1/2 c of flower and remaining ingredients on low speed, scraping bowl constantly, 30 seconds.  Beat on medium speed, scraping bowl occasionally, 2 minutes.  Stir in remaining flour.

Turn the dough onto generously floured cloth covered board (I used parchment paper); roll around lightly to coat with flour.  Gently roll 3/8 inch thick.  Cut with floured doughnut cutter.  Slide doughnuts into hot oil with wide spatula.  Turn doughnuts as they rise to surface.  Fry until golden brown.  Drain (I drain on brown paper grocery bags).  Serve plain or shake one at a time in a bag with powdered sugar.  2 dozen doughnuts.

From 1985 edition of Betty Crocker's Cookbook

Sal's Place pt. 2

I'm crazy about the pasta foriani! The view wasn't bad either.

Sal's Place pt. 1

I've been looking forward to this dinner for months. My favorite meal at my favorite Cape Cod restaurant.

Stitched and Waxed

A series of three 6"x8" pieces, all stitched and waxed. Another take on patchwork and rhythm.

I began by exploring pattern and texture with fabric and stitching then added the texture if the wax.

Nesting

A 12"x6" encaustic mixed media.

I've been writing these posts from my phone so am unable to edit, manage the layout of a post, or add links easily. I'm thrilled to be able to post at all but I miss my computer. It's in for repairs. Hopefully it will be ready for pickup when I'm home next week.

The good camera has developed a serious malfunction. No good any time. Even worse while traveling.

Off to Cape Cod today with a side trip to Plymouth.

Journeying

The show and tell continues. This is a 12"x12" encaustic mixed media.

This summer I took an online acrylic painting class, Get Your Paint On with Lisa Congdon and Mati McDonough (http://getyourpainton.typepad.com/get-your-paint-on/). The first assignment was to explore patchwork. I've been returning to variations of it repeatedly since. It both represents and illustrates a number of themes that resonate for me.

We visited Salem yesterday. I should have done more research before going. It turned out to be a tourist town through and through. I was saddened to discover that there was so little of actual historical interest remaining.

There was an arcade that had some lovely vintage machines. More when I download photos.

Watching

Another new painting for the art walk. This one is a 10"x10" encaustic.

I've been spending long days meandering the streets of Boston and Cambridge this week. It's such a beautiful place that oozes history. It was kind of crazy to be here on a holiday weekend though. Iuch prefer the quiet of a weekday. I'd planned to journal in our apartment in the evenings but I'm too exhausted by the time we get back. Looking forward to the slower pace of Cape Cod next week.

Ballard Art Walk

Three new pieces for the Ballard Art Walk 9/10 at Annie's Art & Frame. The first and third pieces are 4"x6". The second piece is 6"x6". All are enca rustic mixed media.

The art walk is 6:00-10:00. I hear there will be wine and munchies. I wish I could be there.

I'm in Boston enjoying an astonishing amount of pizza. I've been looking forward to Thalia sand hoagies since we started planning this trip.