Woodland Creatures

Woodland Friends

They All Had Heard Such Good Things About the Clouds

My sweet Hubbs AND baby were sick sick sick
the last few days so it has been GOOD TIMES
around here! :)
Something like three hours of sleep last night.

. . . but i am always so happy when at the end of an especially
long day i still have something new to post
that my mind and hands have created.

My Blue Period. . . apparently

Well i guess i can't get away from the color bleu. . for now.
I don't mean to keep using it. . .. . . it just happens!
I very much like White Bird . :)
I'm glad i left her unpainted too. . . she's so gentle looking.

White Bird

With My Antlers. . .

Blue Tree

Copyright
Rachael Anderson

Pop round The Shop when you have a chance.
I have marked ever so many more favorite
sellers for many a good Christmas gift
purchase.

New

Well it was a classic mommy day. . holding tight to my one
year old son who was sick with his first touch of the hurls.
Poor little thing.
On an alter ego note . . here is a small sampling of some of
my newest work.
I am loving the Narwhale ( yes i know it's spelled wrong. . but it looks
wrong spelled like this. . Narwhal. . doesn't it? is it just me?? im ok with that even if
it is. )
Well i Love all of them really.
I hope you all are going to have a fabulously fun weekend.
Do something hilarious and very nonsensical
. . if at all possible.

Narwhale

Plant Things

Sometimes Birds Use Ladders

Copyright
Rachael Anderson

Staying Warm and . . .

Our new wood stove which we couldn't love more.. .keeping us
ever warmer then years past both day and night.

Getting started baking baking baking for the holidays season
ahead and these are one of our
favorites . A traditional Maine
Treat . .. properly called Needhams but we
are still trying to come up with
a modern name. . that is perhaps easier to know how to pronounce.
:)
Suggestions are welcome. :)

Here is the recipe should you want to make some of these delicious
goodies yourself. They freeze amazingly well
and are darling for a quick Christmas Giftie.

I will tell you first that i HALF the sugar from the classic recipe
AND add more potato and coconut. This leaves you with
a more flavorful then too sugary treat.

1 c mashed potato
1/2 tsp salt ( added to potato while being mashed )
1 stick of butter totally melted
1 pound powdered sugar
1 pound of grated coconut ( i use unsweetened organic almost granular coconut )
( you might have to look for this in a health food store most likely sold loose in a bin. )
2 tsp vanilla

melt butter, add all the other ingredients and mix well with your hands.
press with a firm spatula into a buttered cookie sheet ( i use about half the sheet because i like them to be
nice squares once cut )

chill for a bit in the freezer till firm
cut into small squares
( press the flaking coconut back into squares with your fingers )

dip into chocolate

For chocolate. . in a metal bowl set into a skillet of hot but not simmering water
( i just read that this is a better way to melt chocolate since in a double
boiler you can't see what the water is doing and it can scorch
the chocolate very quickly. )
melt 12 oz choc chips , 4 oz bittersweet or unsweetened choc, and
half a cake of paraffin wax
keep rewarming as you need to while you dip the coconut squares.

after the squares are set a minute or two on wax paper
i may drizzel a few drops of choc on top and /or
add some more flakes of coconut. .
you can also add roasted nuts on top before the
choc has set.

all good.
. . and i can't tell you how delicious these are so do try to make them yourself.
Everyone you share them with will be very impressed :)

Do stay warm friends.
Warm and Cozy

Lemon Lime

I LOVE anything having to do with citrus fruits . esp cookies made with them
so finding this recipe made me especially happy.

Lemon Lime Butter Waffers
especially best with a nice hot cup tea or coffee

2 1/4 C flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 C unsalted butter room temp
1 Tbsp finely grated lemon zest ( from about 1 large lemon )
1 Tbsp lime zest ( from about 1 large lime )
1 1/4 C white sugar
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Sift flour and salt. . set aside

Beat butter and zests on low for about two minutes
Add one cup of the sugar in a steady stream and mix for another
two minutes
until well blended

Blend in lemon juice, lime juice and vanilla.

Reduce speed to low and add the flour in two additions
mixing just until blended.

Shape into logs that are about 1 1/2 inches thick
and roll in remaining sugar
then wrap in plastic wrap
and chill for at least two hours
or can freeze for up to three months.

Cut with thin sharp knife 1/8 inch thick
slices and place on parchment paper lined cookie
sheet about 1 inch apart.
Bake for about 10 minutes in a 375 oven till slightly golden edges.

Let cool on pan for a few minutes before moving to
cooling rack.
Store between sheets of wax paper in air tight container
for approx a week or freeze for up to three months.

Great Christmas cookies to make ahead of time!

Learning From the Best

Me and my son painted this the other day.
It's my new favorite painting. . .like FAVORITE
favorite.
I am learning from this.
I love children's artwork.
It's a whole experience for them.
So messy and FUN!
I want at least SOME of my work to be more like that.
I think i may have to start doing BIG paintings.
For ever and ever i always paint small. . sometimes TINY!. .
but i think im ready to make a freaking BIG MESS!

today i love . . .

This Board full of goodies


The Feeling of this Space

This outfit

This funny bird
from the Black Lark Gallery

This Calender
Blogged HERE on Decor 8

These Chairs

This Painting by Emily Martin

This Idea
( i just asked my hubby if he would make it for me
for my christmas present so im very excited ! )
Blogged with step by step instructions HERE

This painting by Shelby Healey
Her Etsy Shop

This cardboard Heart.
LOVE LOVE LOVE it.

.. . .. . and much love
to you all!