Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Texture Tuesday - Autumn Urn







































This still life was created for Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday using lightpaper3 texture.  Learning a lot of new tricks taking Kim Klassen's online Picture Pro-cess class for Photoshop CS6 and loving it.

The metal urn was $3 dollars well spent at a garage sale and my favorite green pumpkin was a Trader Joe's find.



Linked to:  Boogie Board CottageAlderberry Hill, DwellingsRain on a Tin Roof, The Chicken ChickA Stroll thru LifeMy uncommon Slice of SuburiaSavvy Southern StyleGingerly MadeLive laugh Rowe, Farm House PorchDomestic Super HeroJennifer RizzoCostal CharmCedar Hill RanchLamberts LatelyTextured TuesdayFriday Finds, Quotography 


Sunday, October 27, 2013

Sunday Walk - Piermont Avenue







































Today's Sunday walk was a bit crisper than last week, but equally as spectacular in color.  It seems Autumn is going on forever with so many sunny weekends.  Neighbors we met today on our walk pointed out that the large size of the acorns means a snowy winter...

As the days are getting shorter, preparing for the cold weather fills most of my time.  This week as November approaches I'll definitely make a pot of soup and get out my Thanksgiving notes.   



Friday, October 25, 2013

Friday Find - Old Saint Joseph's Church







































Today's Friday Find was taken last weekend at a wedding in the Old St. Joseph's Church in the heart of Philadelphia. It is the oldest church in Philadelphia dating back to 1733.  The light in this church was beautiful as was the wedding.  I'm sharing today with Kim Klassen's Friday Finds.  Stop by and check it out.




Linked to:  Boogie Board CottageAlderberry Hill, DwellingsRain on a Tin Roof, The Chicken ChickA Stroll thru LifeMy uncommon Slice of SuburiaSavvy Southern StyleGingerly MadeLive laugh Rowe, Farm House PorchDomestic Super HeroJennifer RizzoCostal CharmCedar Hill RanchLamberts LatelyTextured TuesdayFriday Finds, Quotography 

Monday, October 21, 2013

Texture Tuesday - Sunday Walk







































Sunday was a gorgeous day in Northern New Jersey with the trees starting to peak.  My daughter and I took a walk, hit the farmers market, chatted with an assortment of dog owners, and ended it with a late lunch at our favorite Bistro.  The St. Bernard puppy is just a few months old and stole our hearts.  

Today I'm joining Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday by adding my favorite fall texture KK_pumpkingrunge to the above photo. 






































Linked to:  Boogie Board CottageAlderberry Hill, DwellingsRain on a Tin Roof, The Chicken ChickA Stroll thru LifeMy uncommon Slice of SuburiaSavvy Southern StyleGingerly MadeLive laugh Rowe, Farm House PorchDomestic Super HeroJennifer RizzoCostal CharmCedar Hill RanchLamberts LatelyTextured TuesdayFriday Finds, Quotography 










Friday, October 18, 2013

Friday Finds - Oakleaf Hydrangea


Can't believe the weekend is here already.  This is a picture of the leaves of my Oakleaf Hydrangea.  The Oakleaf is native to the United States and it gets is name from the shape of it's beautiful large leaves.  The leaves turn colors of red, orange, yellow and burgundy in the fall if planted in a sunny location with a little afternoon shade.  I think it is quite happy in my garden.  

I'm linking to Kim Klassen's Friday Finds today.



Linked to:  Boogie Board CottageAlderberry Hill, DwellingsRain on a Tin Roof, The Chicken ChickA Stroll thru LifeMy uncommon Slice of SuburiaSavvy Southern StyleGingerly MadeLive laugh Rowe, Farm House PorchDomestic Super HeroJennifer RizzoCostal CharmCedar Hill RanchLamberts LatelyTextured TuesdayFriday Finds, Quotography 

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Spicy Meatballs


















I love my Irish descent, but I must admit that I am an Italian-want-to-be.  Which isn't a bad thing.  Not
having an Italian Mother or Grandmother to hand me down all the secret family recipes has made me work harder to find the perfect recipes.  Picking the brains of every Italian friend or co-worker in my lifetime, testing their recipes, and finding what works for me, has made me a better cook.  Just recently, my friend Stephanie shared with me her meatball recipe.  Voila, after all these years the perfect recipe for meatballs was sitting right across from me at work.

The reason why I love this meatball recipe is because it's packed with flavor with just the right amount of spiciness, and they're moist but holds together well.  These meatballs can stand on their own.  I think the secret is the addition of beef broth to the mixture and baking them in beef broth.  If you're not a fan of spicy meatballs, cut back on the crushed red pepper.  So my search for the perfect meatball recipe is over, thanks Steph!




































Spicy Meatballs - makes 30 Meatballs

1 cup unseasoned bread crumbs
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated.
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup beef broth (I used low-sodium)
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
3 eggs, beaten
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons dried basil
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg

2 lbs. ground veal/pork/beef mix
1 cup beef broth (low sodium)

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Mix the first 13 ingredients together in a large bowl.  Next gently add meat mixing with  a fork, do not over mix.

With an ice cream scoop, measure out meat mixture and form into a ball.  Spray a sheet pan with cooking spray and place meatballs evenly on sheet pan (making sure they don't touch).  Pour 1 cup of beef broth around meatballs covering the pan.  Bake for 25 minutes.  Save cooked pan dripping for your sauce.

This recipe was originally adapted from Cuisine at Home.



Linked to:  Boogie Board CottageAlderberry Hill, DwellingsRain on a Tin Roof, The Chicken ChickA Stroll thru LifeMy uncommon Slice of SuburiaSavvy Southern StyleGingerly MadeLive laugh Rowe, Farm House PorchDomestic Super HeroJennifer RizzoCostal CharmCedar Hill RanchLamberts LatelyTextured TuesdayFriday Finds, Quotography 

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Texture Tuesday - Diana Bust







































This photo was taken in an Italian restaurant this weekend, so I assume it's Diana Roman Goddess.  The light was perfect.  Used Kim Klassen's KK_Abstract in photoshop which gave it that warm dreamy feeling.  Stop by Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday today to check out other textured photos.





Linked to:  Boogie Board CottageAlderberry Hill, DwellingsRain on a Tin Roof, The Chicken ChickA Stroll thru LifeMy uncommon Slice of SuburiaSavvy Southern StyleGingerly MadeLive laugh Rowe, Farm House PorchDomestic Super HeroJennifer RizzoCostal CharmCedar Hill RanchLamberts LatelyTextured TuesdayFriday Finds, Quotography 

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month



As you know October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The facts on this chart are startling. Having had breast cancer and the BRCA gene, I know first hand that this is a very important message we need to pass on to all family members and friends.  Be proactive and an advocate for your own health - get a mammogram once a year.  It could save your life.  

If you would like more information, please visit The Edith Sanford Breast Cancer Foundation and The American Cancer Society.  Also, to find out more about the BRCA gene and inherited genes mutations visit Susan G. Komen for information.  

Have a great day and pass the word! 

Margie