Now or later - muffins

Drawings of silliness dance in my head pushing aside all the normal activities that usually fill my days. (Want to see some of the things everyone is doing? Go here - Art of Silliness 2 group)


In the meantime, there are still the not so silly things, like laundry, bills, and food... So here's a really good recipe for hot muffins.

Refrigerator Bran Muffin Mix
Makes 12 muffins

In a mixing bowl, thoroughly stir together:
1-1/2 cups flour
1 cup unprocessed wheat bran
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp nutmeg
Make a well in the center.

In another bowl, combine:
2 beaten eggs
3/4 cup milk
1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup oil
Add this to the flour mixture; stir just till moistened.

Fold in any of these good, but optional extras:
1 tsp finely grated orange peel
1/3 cup golden raisins
1/3 cup chopped nuts

Grease (or use paper liners) muffin pan; fill 2/3 full. Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Serve warm.

*The minute these come out of the oven, I drizzle them with a thin confectioners sugar glaze. Although it adds no nutritional value, it makes them absolutely irresistible to the kids at church... and, who am I kidding? Me too.

This muffin mix can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. Although I haven't tried this, the recipe says that you can make just 1 or 2 in the microwave. (Paper liner in 1 or 2 custard cups. Spoon 2 tbsp batter into each cup. Cook 35 seconds for one - 50 seconds for two.) Let me know if that works.

It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4

Silly guerrilla

So, I'm six days into my Silly2 class. I've gotta' say... I'm having so much fun.


A while ago, I promised my Dearly Beloved that I would travel with him during this week of September. Haven't yet figured a way to manage travel and "Silly" at the same time. Hmmm, I wonder if he'd mind holding my pens-pencils-markers-glue-eraser while he drives?

However, "on the road" does mean fresh opportunities for planting my stash of guerrilla art.



Sneaky and silly... I do lead a thrilling life!

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32

Mushroom prints

For some inexplicable reason, mushroom prints have always intrigued me. The design is so natural and simple. The process is much the same.

The 3 fat specimens I discovered in the yard yesterday were carefully de-stemmed, then placed right-side up on a plain piece of paper. So-o-o many times I went to check the progress. And just as many times, I said (in my fiercest voice), "Barb! Walk away!"

After almost 24 hours, I lifted the mushroom head and found this...


The spores that dropped are so thick you can see the ridges. Where the ridges soften, it looks like velvet. So beautiful.



I don't know what I will do with these. What I do know is that it's a dangerous pastime ... you begin talking to yourself ... in a fierce voice, no less. I must have inhaled some of those spores.

Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
Isaiah 6:3

This is silly

I have finished 2 days of the "Art of Silliness" class. I discovered that it's not easy to be silly.

You have to forget the to-do list... forget what makes sense... move wa-a-a-ay beyond any comfort zone... forget about the show-and-tell...


... just go where the Sharpie leads. That's right, a permanent black Sharpie! No erasing. No fixing.

These are just bits of the first two pictures. I wonder what changes will come by day 30?

Casting all your care upon Him; for he careth for you. I Peter 5:7

Lessons

Things I know for sure... this week.

1) Glass cook top cleaner and silver polish are not interchangeable.

2) Always start with a low speed when a mixer bowl is filled with a dry flour mixture.

3) Dryers and gum are not a good combination - even if the gum is unchewed.

4) Handling hot peppers? Use gloves!

I signed up for my first online class, The Art of Silliness. Tomorrow is the first day and I can't wait.

I know it will be better than the self inflicted lessons I have arranged on my own!!!

Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge. Poverbs 23:12

Seizing the day

Things are quiet here, so I seized the day to do guerrilla art.

Image transfers in general never cease to amaze me - and this one did not disappoint. This gesso transfer turned out even better than I hoped.


The little jewels are one of my favorite embellishments. Just the right amount of sparkle.


This is a piece of the fabric paper I stitched and cut up. The jury that sits here at my house is divided... but it was fun to do. Great verse.


This was a different process. Old Masters art cut and pasted to a gesso/ink stamped paper. Yes... I do love the sparkly jewels. sigh



It's not a light thing to make artful carriers for such precious words... and I long to please their Author.

Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it. Psalm 119:140

Point of view

Whether or not you find a bright spot depends upon your point of view.


I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13

Tempus fugit

Where did August go? No chance to finish the list of things "to do" now. It's gone. Vanished. History.

One planned task that we did accomplish was our family memorial dinner near the end of the month... three days ago to be exact. It was supposed to be a time of "remember when?", food and comfort.

We had food. We had a few "remember when?" moments. There was good company. But the thing we will all recall from the 2010 dinner is the broken arm.


Zip lines and adventurous kids aren't always ideal companions. (Praise God it was only a broken arm!!)

So August, with all of its memories, new and old, is out the door.

... when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me. Micah 7:8