Amazing Designs by Marlene

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Jewelry School's Blog Hop

The wonderful Rita from Jewelry School Friends and Toltec Jewels is at it again. This time she is hosting a virtual window shopping event.

RELAX, SIT BACK and ENJOY!

Here is a picture of the Holiday Happenings at Island Cove Beads and Gallery who were kind enough to supply the beads for my Kalmbach Bead Soup entry.

It is not currently available in my shop but many others are, and where I am having a Hurricane Sandy recovery promotion all month.

Details in the window below!

SHOP HERE ALL MONTH AND HELP THE RED CROSS RECOVERY EFFORT

Window Shop Holiday Hop Participants

Jewel School Friends (host)
www.JewelSchoolFriends.com

A Grateful Artist
http://gratefulartist.blogspot.com/

Libellula Jewelry
http://libellulajewelry.blogspot.com/

Knot Just Macrame
http://www.knotjustmacrame.com

Amazing Designs by Marlene - YOU ARE HERE
http://amazingdesigns-marlene.blogspot.com

Antiquity Travelers
http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com/

Spice Box Designs
http://spiceboxdesigns.blogspot.com/

Freestyle Elements
http://freestyleelements.blogspot.com/

Alankarshilpa
http://www.alankarshilpa.blogspot.com

Pretty Things
http://www.prettythingsblog.com/

Lindy's Designs
http://lindysdesigns.blogspot.com/

The Adventures of Belle Wes
http://bellewest925.blogspot.com/

Fabric of my Life
http://shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com/

Sunday, November 4, 2012

I have been in NJ for the past 2 weeks, a captive of SANDY, and have been a witness to the utter destruction. To do my small part to help the victims, I am donating all profits from sales for the month of November to the American Red Cross. Please help me to help those who so desperately need it. Use the Promo Code: REDCROSS at check out, to earmark your purchase, and receive 10% off your entire purchase price and free shipping. www.amazingdesigns.artfire.com

After Sandy

Sunday, October 28, 2012

October Fest 10-28-2012 - Reveal

To me October means only one thing: Getting ready for the "funnest holiday" of the year!

And, of course,

TRICK OR TREATERS!

Oh, how I love seeing how excited the grand kids get.

There is so much preparation: "We have to get just the right pumpkin!" Then there's the decorating, and the inevitable "I wanna be!" The ritual of carving the pumpkin!

As much as it takes to prepare, so soon it's over. Let's pretend it is November 1^st and you are looking at that Jack-o-Lantern the kids had so much fun watching you carve (never mind those “eeeew that’s ichy” comments) and wondering when you can chuck it without them getting all upset.
DON’T! Remember Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Yes, I know, canned pumpkin is readily available on the store shelves, but a pie made with fresh pumpkin can’t be beat.

Extra benefits: Teach the kids to waste not, want not, and with a medium to large pumpkin you can get enough to make anywhere between 6-8 pies to share with whom you are thankful.

To begin: Fill a large pot with chunks of the pumpkin, any size and don’t peel first. Cover with water and put on stove to cook until flesh is soft (Add additional water as needed). Once it is soft drain off the water and allow to cool completely. You will find the skin peels off very easily then. Now just put pieces in a colander or bowl with a cheese cloth liner and allow the water to drain out of the flesh. If you are in a hurry, you can put the pieces, a few at a time, in a food processor, and then drain the water from the top. This also saves having to mash the pieces after they have drained. One final drain of the chopped, mushed, smooshed pumpkin (preferably over night) and you are ready for the baking. Extra pumpkin can be frozen for use later on.

A simple vintage (from a 1950’s cookbook) Pumpkin Pie Recipe

1/8 teaspoon of salt

2/3 cup sugar

2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

2 eggs, slightly beaten

1 2/3 cups evaporated milk

1 1/2 cups cooked, mashed pumpkin

1 pastry shell

Sift dry ingredients together, and stir into eggs. Add milk and pumpkin, and stir well. Line pie pan with pastry and pour in filling. Bake in very hot oven (450 degrees F) 10 minutes; reduce temperature to slow (325 degrees F) and bake 45 minutes longer, or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Cool.