Winsome Wednesday November 28, 2012

I{HEART}ART: Inspiration: TABLE

I have rotating art in my home...as well as rotating decor, dishes, and color schemes. I guess my artist nature gets a little bored and needs to change it up. For me, seasons are a natural path to change the decor. My house is pretty small, so the question is always “WHERE do you keep all this stuff?” Fortunately, my little cottage has an attic! I feel like Ariel from The Little Mermaid when she goes to her sea cave where she keeps her found treasures.  
We are all changing our home decor this season, as Christmas demands. I always take out these two paintings I did a couple of years ago; they are a compliment to this season when there is much gathering around the table together.

"Serving Pieces" by Tina C. Wells, acrylic on canvas

"Silverware" by Tina C. Wells, acrylic on canvas

Reprints on canvas of these paintings are available for sale at my Etsy store:  www.etsy.com/shop/WinsomeWren

November 19, 2012

My friend Leeana Tankersley is a touching author and writer. Her blog, Gypsy Ink, is thought provoking, insightful, and touching. She interviewed me this week, and I'd love to for you to take a look:

Here is the link: 

http://www.gypsyink.com/2012/11/women-in-the-trenches-tina-wells/

Have a blessed Thanksgiving, Friends!

November 16, 2012

I{HEART}ART: Inspiration: TREES

"Steadfast" by Tina C. Wells

This tree of paint, if it were real, would be a full of life, abundance, and shelter. I love its strong roots. Life giving.

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Custom Name Cards With a Twist

SIMPLY CREATIVE: Thanksgiving Name Cards

11/13/12

Thanksgiving is such a wonderful holiday, and uniquely American. I experienced a homesick Thanksgiving in Germany, back in college. Our whole group was in a funk as we imagined our families gathering together, the smell of the turkey filling the house, mixed with that of pies and cider... 

It is a great tradition to take a day to celebrate all that we have to be thankful for. We will be spending Thanksgiving week with my in-laws in Phoenix. I enjoy helping my mother-in-law take out her china and linens and decorating the table. This year, I thought it would be fun to make a simple place card at each spot with a fresh sprig from the garden with each name tied on. In addition, to be intentional about the reason for the holiday, I want to attach a question to each one: “What was your greatest blessing this year?” “What was the best event of the year?” “What are you hopeful for?” “What are you most thankful for?”...etc. Then, take turns around the table answering the question you were given. Initially, this can feel uncomfortable, or awkward, but in the end, we will all share a moment together, listening to one another around the table, instead of just small talk with Uncle Bob. While I am a really big fan of tradition, I also like to add a twist to the gathering, or a new addition to the menu. It keeps it fresh. 

Blessings to you.

Supplies:
Card stock
Hole punch
Raffia
Garden Sprig
(Alphabet stamps optional)

Make the tags using a paper cutter and card stock about the size of a business card 2"x3"(if you don't have a paper cutter, measure and cut). Punch a hole at the top. On one side write the guest's name, on the back write a question to be answered around the table. 
I stumbled upon this berry laden sprig on a shrub in the backyard. Any sprig will do as long as it doesn't have thorns. String the raffia or other ribbon through the hole and tie around the napkin and sprig. 

Baked Sweet Potato Entree

RECIPE: Sweet Potatoes Topped with Blue Cheese and Brussels Sprouts

Ingredients:

Sweet Potatoes

Brussels Sprouts

Blue Cheese

Toasted Pecans

Dried Cranberries

Olive Oil

Salt/Pepper

After reading how to prep this dish, you will have to decide how much you want of each ingredient.

Make a deep, long slit down each sweet potato. Bake sweet potatoes at 375 for an hour, or until soft (if they are large, you will need to bake them for over an hour). Steam brussels sprouts until bright green, about 5 minutes (place about 1/2 inch of water in the bottom of the pan, boil, add sprouts, cover on medium for about 5 minutes, then test for doneness). Toss warm brussels sprouts in olive oil, salt, pepper.

Open steaming sweet potato, heavily sprinkle:  good quality blue cheese (cheese will start to melt), toasted pecans, dried cranberries, and brussels sprouts. Bon Appetite.  

November 7, 2012

RECIPE: Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Carrots

I’m so excited it’s “that time of year.” There are so many wonderful traditions and dishes that we only make for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Carrots is one of those recipes. We typically spend Thanksgiving with my in-laws and I have added this tasty side dish to our feast. It has become a favorite with the Wells; maybe it will become a favorite with you and yours too.

Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Carrots
(adapted from Silver Palate Cookbook)
4 large sweet potatoes (2 lbs.)
1 lb baby carrots
2 1/2 cups water
1 TBS sugar
3/4 cup butter
salt/pepper to taste
1/2 c sour cream
1/2 tsp nutmeg
pinch cayenne pepper

Preheat oven to 370 degrees
Clean potatoes, cut a deep, long slit in the top of each potato
Bake 1 hour until tender

Put carrots in a saucepan with the water, sugar, and 2 TBS of butter, salt/pepper, on medium heat, boil and cook uncovered until water has evaporated and carrots sizzle in butter, about 30 minutes.

Scrape out flesh of sweet potatoes into saucepan with carrots. Add remaining butter and sour cream. Mash until almost smooth.

Add nutmeg, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, to taste and blend/mash until incorporated.

May be made ahead. To heat/reheat, place in covered casserole dish in preheated 350 degree oven for 25 minutes or until steaming hot.

ENJOY!

Winsome Wednesday! November 7, 2012

I{HEART}ART: Inspiration: BOUNTY

"Bountiful" acrylic on canvas 18x18, by Tina C. Wells

We are quickly approaching the big feast, Thanksgiving. While it is still a few weeks off, I look forward to looking around the table at my true blessings, the faces of people I love. The bountiful meal is an added benefit. May you be overwhelmed this season with all you have to be thankful for. Cheers!