Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Dalton Ghetti Artwork

Artists have been using pencils forever to create art...but I have never seen anything like this. Beautiful pieces of art crafted out of the graphite of a pencil.

These miniature masterpieces are a side project for the professional carpenter, who has been perfecting this art for the last 25 years. Dalton Ghetti uses a razor blade, sewing needle, a sculpting knife, a steady hand and lots of patience to meticulously carve the graphite which can take anywhere between a few months to a few years.

I am in awe!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Something for the Sweet Tooth

Just couldn't resist posting this photo and recipe which I saw on Pinterest.com - the perfect fall treat...

Baked Pumpkin Spice Donut Holes

Adapted from Tasty Kitchen
Makes 20-24 mini muffins

Don’t worry – you don’t actually use the whole stick of butter for the coating, it just makes it easier to dip the muffins. If you’re looking for a somewhat lighter treat, skip the coating – the muffins are moist and pumpkin packed all on their own. These are best dipped and coated the same day you are going to eat them, otherwise the coating tends to get soggy.
Ingredients

For Donuts
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoons nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/8 teaspoons ground cloves
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup canned plain pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
1/2 cup low-fat milk

For Coating
1 stick of unsalted butter, melted
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons cinnamon
Directions

Preheat oven 350°F. Spray each cup in a 24-cup mini muffin tin with baking spray or butter generously.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt and spices (through cloves). In a separate, large bowl whisk together oil, brown sugar, egg, vanilla, pumpkin and milk until smooth. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until just combined – do not over mix!

Divide batter evenly among muffin cups. (Using a 2-tablespoon scoop will ensure uniform size.) Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

While the muffins bake, melt butter in one bowl and combine granulated sugar and cinnamon in another bowl. Remove muffins from oven and cool for 2 minutes, or until just cool enough to handle. Dip each muffin in melted butter, then roll in cinnamon sugar to coat.

Monday, September 12, 2011

Monday Inspirations & Thoughts

Following yesterday's remembrance services/ceremonies, I am taking a few moments today to be grateful and share my thoughts...

I take a moment…
to look at the faces of those I love

I am grateful…
to live in a community committed to compassion
(check out One Naperville)

I am feeling…
so very blessed and grateful for the abundance in my life

I can see…
the tips of some of the trees starting to turn their beautiful fall colors

I am creating…
some new pieces based on ideas that came to me during the One Naperville service yesterday

I am missing…
my beautiful grandmother

I am hoping…
for creative growth in new ways that I haven't even thought of