Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Downton Abbey Update! Bailey's Irish Cream Cupcakes


I was reading online last night and I came across these images. I have to tell you, being a huge fan of Downton Abbey, I practically danced a jig when I saw them!



These images show Shirley MacLaine filming her first scenes on Downton Abbey. I think Shirley looks great, she is going to be a firecracker.  I mean what is not to love, Shirley and Maggie facing off? Two strong women that I think are going to add yet another spark to a show that was already spectacular
.



The only downside, Season 3 is not supposed to air in Britain until September, which means that we will not see it here in the States until 2013!!! Honestly, I may have to join a support group, I cannot wait that long.




In the meantime, I will share a delicious recipe with you for some cupcakes that I made this weekend inspired by all the  treats on Pinterest.


Chocolate Cupcakes with Bailey's Irish Cream Frosting.

Guinness Cupcakes
Recipe from Food Network

1 cup of Guinness Stout
1 cup unsalted butter
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 cups all purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
2/3 cup sour cream

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 24 cupcake cups with liners. Bring 1 cup stout and 1 cup butter to simmer in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add cocoa powder and whisk until mixture is smooth. Cool slightly. 

Whisk flour, sugar, baking soda, and 3/4 teaspoon salt in large bowl to blend. Using electric mixer, beat eggs and sour cream in another large bowl to blend. Add stout-chocolate mixture to egg mixture and beat just to combine. Add flour mixture and beat briefly on slow speed. Using rubber spatula, fold batter until completely combined. Divide batter among cupcake liners, filling them 2/3 of the way. Bake cake until tester inserted into center comes out clean. Cool cupcakes on a rack completely.
 


For the Bailey's Buttercream:

1 cup butter softened
4 cups powdered sugar
3 tbsp Bailey's Irish Cream
Food Coloring Optional

Place room temperature, softened butter into the bowl of mixer. Cream for three minutes. Add powdered sugar slowly and not all at once or it will fly all over the room. Add Bailey's Irish cream and then mix on medium high for another 3 minutes. Add food coloring if desired.





These cupcakes are delicious if I do say so myself, they are moist, chocolaty and the Bailey's Irish Cream frosting puts them over the top. I love Bailey's which explains why I love this frosting, I think I ate most of the bowl before I even frosted the cupcakes, which also explains why my clothes felt a bit snug this morning.

In addition to encouraging you to try these scrumptious cupcakes, I encourage you to visit the blogs I tagged in yesterdays post. All of blogs and the women are fabulous; each is interesting, informative, entertaining, intelligent and leads a life of adventure, whether it be in the arts, traveling the world, collecting antiques, or just living life.
 
Jeanne at  Collage of Life
Diane at Yonks
Irina at Witty and Wise
Suzanne at Privet and Holly
Sunday at Ciao Domenica
Sarah at Sarah Jane Down the Lane

Have a fabulous day!




Faded Charm White Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style Wow Us Wednesday
Ivy and Elephants What's It Wednesday
Primp Your Stuff Wednesday
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Inspiration Friday at the Picket Fence
Friday Unfolded at Stuff and Nonsense
Potpourri Friday at 2805
Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home
What Have You Redone at Redoux

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Tagged by Tina at The Enchanted Home


Hello! I hope you had a great weekend! Did you watch the Oscars? I thought they were good, apparently I am in the minority though as I heard they received terrible reviews. I am not sure they could have gotten much worse than last year but what do I know.
  




Today though, my mind is occupied by other things, as I was tagged last Thursday, by Tina at The Enchanted Home. If you do not know of  Tina and her breathtaking blog, The Enchanted Home you must go over and take a look. Tina has just spent the last four years building her dream home and let me tell you it is spectacular. It reminds me of  the old Country Houses the aristocracy in England would go to spend their weekends at. Anyway, the idea of this game is to answer the 11 questions that Tina has posed and then to pass this tag off to 11 other bloggers with a new set of 11 questions. I love the idea, I think that it gives us the chance to get to know more about the bloggers that we log on everyday to read.
 
Without further adieu, here are the questions that I am to answer.
 
1. Do you have a hobby? Tell me about it, if not tell me a hobby you wish you had!
 
I do not really have a hobby, unless you call baking and making candy a hobby. Baking is really therapy for me, that and washing dishes. But if I had a hobby I would love to be an artist! Perhaps that is more of a talent but for the purpose of this question, I would really enjoy knowing how to paint in many mediums: oil, acrylic, and watercolor.
  

Image HERE

 2. What's worse, failing at something or never trying to begin with?


I think it is worse to never try than to try and fail. What is the worst that can happen? You won't be any good? If you never try you will always have regret, I promise you.
 
 I always wanted to play the violin, I simply love its sound, I love the emotion it conveys, the way I feel when I hear it,  so many things.  So when I was 28 I decided to learn to play and I I loved it.  I even had a few recitals. Let me tell you, the first one felt a bit embarrassing, especially as I thought I was the oldest person taking lessons. But when I found out there was also an 80 year old man, my tune changed and I believed that anything was possible. 
 
 




I am not a prodigy, no Joshua Belll, Regina Carter, Nadja Salerno Sonnenberg or anyone else, but me, and frankly, when I have my concerts for myself I think I sound pretty fabulous.


3. Would you rather be a great cook or a great designer?


I would love to be a great designer.
 
I would love to be a great designer. What a wonderful experience that must be most of the time, meeting interesting people, seeing all manner of houses, going around the world finding beautiful treasures to fill these houses with. Taking a blank canvas and making it into a beautiful space and a beautiful home for the occupants to make wonderful memories; cooking for holidays, decorating for Christmas, tucking the kids into bed and living life.
 
4. If you could only have two rooms in your house which would they be?
 
I could live in just my bedroom and my kitchen. My bedroom with attached bath of course, which is comfortable and cosy, and filled with stacks of magazines and books. I love to sit in my bed and see the tops of the trees! And I love to take long, hot baths, with candles, book and a cup of tea. 
 
 

Ralph Lauren Home
 The kitchen is the other room that I have to have, it is the place where I relax and bake and get rid of all of the stresses in my life. It is also where I prepare my cocoa and frankly, if I do not have a cocoa a day than I am like a bear sort of like people who do not get their morning coffee.


Image here

5. Tell me which 2 famous people you would choose to have dinner with (dead or alive)?

I would love to have dinner with Pope John Paul II and Leonardo DaVinci
 



Being Catholic and he being the Pope for most of my adult life I am fascinated by the changes John Paul II made in the church, his role in the end of Communism and his life. I want to know what it was like to grow up in Poland wanting to be an actor and then ending up the Pope. I want to hear what it is like to live in Vatican City and have access to one of the most fabulous art collections in the world, all to yourself, if you prefer. I am also curious to hear about the "secret" library where everything from letters from Galileo, to Napoleon, to the Dead Sea Scrolls are. What other secrets are there that we do not know about? 
 


My second choice,  which I think would be a great accompaniment to Pope John Paul,  would be Leonardo Da Vinci, after all they could also converse about the fabulous Pieta which stands at the entrance of St. Peter's Basilica as well as many other fabulous works of art in the Vatican collection.  I am a great admirer of Da Vinci, and I would love to find out what was going on in his mind and his life when he designed not only fabulous sculptures like the David, but the paintings La  Gioconda otherwise known as the Mona Lisa, and the last the Last Supper. I for one would love to know who the real Mona Lisa was, and if that is a self portrait in the Last Supper, or perhaps if one of the people at the table is Mary Magdalen? What was he thinking when he designed  a tank, a flying machine, and even a handbag! Not to mention his work as an architect, a musician, writer, botanist, and to many other things to list here.


6. What are four descriptive words that describe you well?

Shy, unless I know you. Talkative once I do know you. Honest, and Friendly.
 
7. Best book or two that you read in the last year?
 
I have read many great books in the last year but my favorites,( not necessarily the best of all I have read) were writtern by Marlena di Blasi. She is the author of  One Thousand Days in Venice, A Thousand DAys in Tuscany, The LAdy in the Palazzo, and several more books including cookbooks about Italian cuisine. I loved these books for the simple fact that they combine my love of Italy, food, romance, life and culture; all of which are described with love and in great detail in these books.
 
 
here
8. What do you miss most about being a kid?
 
The thing I miss most about being a kid is spending time with my brother and sisters. As we currently live all over the place the only time we are all together is at Christmas, otherwise, between work, kids, in-laws, it is hard to balance life and all be together more frequently. Often times there will be three of us together and one on the phone. But when we are together we love telling stories about growing up, travels and adventures we have had and frankly, just enjoying one anothers company.
 
here
 
9. If you had a freaky Friday experience and had to trade places with one person for one day, who would it be? Why that person?
 
If I had a "freaky Friday" experience I would love to be Queen Elizabeth! I want to see the inside of Buckingham Palace, all 700 plus rooms, then hop over the Windson Castle and take in the art there. In addition a "spot of tea" with William, Kate and Harry would be great. They seem as if they are very funny and so animated with their grandmother and I would like to witness it myself. I think she is an incredibly talented, intellegent woman and would be so interesting to spend a day in her shoes.
 



 
 
10. Describe a perfect day for you from morning till evening.....
  
My perfect day is at home with my husband and pup, I would be in a pair of flannel pj's, the snow would be lightly falling outside, a roaring fire would be going in the fireplace and I would be happily ensconced on the couch with a cup of cocoa and a stack of magazines and books nearby. I could snack on junk food most of the day, hopefully it is nearby so that I do not have to move to far from my cosy little perch. Then for dinner we would have pizza, watch a funny movie and then bed with a hot water bottle and a snuggle with my husband and pup.


here


11. A place in the world you have never been that you would love to go......
 
I would love to go to Ireland. In fact I have dreamed of going there forever but other trips come up instead, not to mention the fact that I think that to really experience Ireland I need to spend at least 3 weeks minimum.  I need to see the beauty of the countryside and experience the excitement of the city.

I want to kiss the blarney stone, eat some colcannon, drink a Guinness in the pub and listen to an Irish jig.


Now, I would like to know:

1. What is your favorite season and why?
2. Do you prefer to watch TV or read? What is your favorite genre of books or television?
3. If you could step into a time machine and go anywhere in time where would you visit? Why?
4. Are you a dog or a cat lover?
5. What is your favorite aspect of blogging?
6. What is your dream holiday? A stay- cation, visit with family, a cruise or a trip around the world?
7. Sweet or Salty? What is your go to junk food snack?
8. What is your dream job? Advertising, Engineer, Designer, Full time Blogger, Artist?
9. Who is your favorite artist? Warhol, Manet, Monet, Dali?
10.What is your favorite city in the world, either one your have visited or hope to see one day?
11. Do you have a favorite saying? Or a motto?

I tag the following  fabulous blogger's:

Jeanne at  Collage of Life
Diane at Yonks
Irina at Witty and Wise
Suzanne at Privet and Holly
Sunday at Ciao Domenica


I hope you visit these fabulous blog, everyone of these blogs is an adventure, a learning experience and a joy to follow. Have a great week! Thank you for playing along.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Snowflakes are one of a kind...



Snowflakes
by Linda A. Copp

Snowflakes spill from heaven's hand
Lovely and chaste like smooth white sand.
A veil of wonder laced in light
Falling Gently on a winters night.
Graceful beauty raining down
Giving magic to the lifeless ground.
Each snowflake like a falling star
Smiling beauty that's spun afar.
Till earth is dressed in a robe of white
Unspoken poem the hush of night.


I love snow! If you have read my posts for any length of time you know that Fall and Winter are my favorite times of the year. I grew up where we experienced four seasons, and  I even lived in Alaska for a two years, perhaps that is where my love of the snow comes from ?




Whatever the case, for the last 12 years my life has taken me to live where we do not have the four seasons. Sometimes it seems like we only have summer...in any case, I have been spending a considerable amount of time in Wisconsin this winter and although it is the 4th warmest winter on record I have managed to experience some really beautiful snowfalls.




When it snows, in addition to wanting to be the first person to make the tracks in the snow, my other favorite thing to do is to shovel the snow in the dark ( no snow blower or help needed), I love to be the only one out, with the wind whistling through the trees, the snow softly falling and the stars shining bright in the sky. The last few days have been just like that and they have been magical.


All snow images above taken by me in Wisconsin.


All the snow in the last few days reminded me that each snowflake is unique and there are "no two alike." This  fact was first noted and photographed by Wilson A. Bentley, or Snowflake Bentley as he has been affectionately named.



 From the time he was a small boy on his family farm Wilson was fascinated by ice crystals or snowflakes and this passion led him through trial and error to develop and take the first images of a single snowflake in 1885. In his lifetime Snowflake Bentley  would go on to capture 5000 slides. In fact it was this very passion that led to his death, after walking six miles to take photos of snowflakes he caught pneumonia and died.





These images are obviously just a few of the many thousands that were taken. I think they are beautiful and magical? What do you think?


All snowflake images from The Wilson Snowflake Bentley Collection


I hope you are having a wonderful weekend! As Downton Abbey is not on I guess I will have to watch the Oscars, although Suzanne from Privet and Holly suggested that the new Upstairs Downstairs on PBS might be an alternative until Downton comes back on, so I think I might check that out as well.

Enjoy your day!

Friday, February 24, 2012

Happy Friday, Happy Weekend!


Happy Friday! Yippee! Another beautiful snowy morning; it is like a winter wonderland. The weathermen always seem to have some difficulty with predicting the weather...we were suppose to get 2 to 3 inches, I actually think we have 5 with another 2 by noon. No matter, it is the weekend! I just wish it would have been a snow day...I was having a hard time getting out of bed this morning.


I  hope you have a fabulous weekend! I have plans to stay in my jammies tomorrow and read, my husband has other plans like a trip to a museum or two. Or perhaps we could go out and build a snowman?

 Or wouldn't it be great to go away for the weekend and spend sometime is a beautiful place like this? Reading, sitting in front of the fire and gazing out at the snow and the beautiful trees?

Maybe do a little of my favorite sport, snowshoeing!

Whatever you do my friends, be safe, and enjoy!


Thursday, February 23, 2012

Christine Hooker: Still Life Paitinings


The joy's of blogging and there are many, first and foremost are the friendships you make and second is all of the wonderful information that you receive from other bloggers. Yesterday, Tina from The Enchanted Home sent me a link to a  painter called Christine Hooker after reading my post on Toby McFarlan Pond. I immediately followed the link and I came upon a treasure trove of beautiful art.







Christine also paints landscapes, but as I was featuring still life painters this week, I have only included those here.






.

As I said, a treasure trove of beautiful images, do you have a favorite? I love the teacup! It makes me think of two friends sitting across from one another for a few hours enjoying a long chat and a delicious cup of tea.

Do you have any favorite still life artists, or are you an artist yourself? I would love to see or hear of them!

Thank you Tina for your friendship and for the link to this very talented artist! Enjoy your day!

ALL IMAGES from CHRISTINE HOOKER

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Toby McFarlan Pond Still Life Photography

  
As I mentioned, I love still life's; paintings, photographs, or vignette's on a table. I came across some fabulous images by British photographer Toby McFarlan Pond a few years ago and had his name and work stored in my files. As I was searching for the images I featured yesterday of Tim Gustard I came across them again and thought I would share them with you.


 

Toby McFarland Pond works in fashion, music and advertising and has been featured in numerous publications, as well as photographing campaigns for many luxury goods, mainly jewelery, handbags, and shoes.




I think they are spectacular! The images are modern day photos of the old Dutch Masters.



All Images Toby McFarlan Pond

 What do you think? Do you know of any other still life artists that I may be interested in? Leave me a comment I am always interested in learning about new books, art, or whatever else you think is interesting!

I think that is one of the great things about Pinterest too, the exposure to so many new ideas all in one place. If you have not been, you must check it out, but only if you have A LOT of time, because you can lose hours of your day looking at wonderful art, recipes, books, and any other thing you could possibly imagine.

I hope that you have a wonderful day!

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Tim Gustard Exhibition




Mark your calendars if you are a lover of original art, more importantly still life's, because May 19-27, 2012. You will vie with many others who often line up around the block for a piece of Tim Gustard's stunning masterpieces at the Beckstones Gallery in Cumbria, the Lakes District.



Tim Gustard is regarded by many to be the greatest living still life painter. If you have seen any of his work you can see why, it is breathtaking, and each piece captures the subjects masterfully.



 As you gaze at the paintings, you feel as if you can pluck the glass of wine or grape from the canvas and take a drink or pop the grape into your mouth.


May 2012 Exhibition

My favorite paintings, along with many other fans are the ones which have a reflection, such as the silver pitcher below. Often times when Gustard paints a piece that has a reflections you can see him in the object. Those are the first pieces of each collection to sell out, some even sight unseen!







If you want to learn more about Tim Gustard go to this link to watch The Dales Diary with Luke Casey, it is a fascinating look at the artist, his process and his life. I enjoyed every minute of this video and I loved seeing a master at work.



What about you? What sort of art do you like? Do you enjoy still life's? Abstracts? Are you an artist yourself? Do you have some recommendations for the rest of us? If so, we would love to hear!



On a different note, if you are looking for a quick and easy brownie recipe, visit my other blog, Once Upon a Chocolate Life for Chocolate Caramel Brownies!

Have a great day!
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