PRESSURE COOKING

 

My new toy in the kitchen  -  A Wolfgang Puck 7 quart Pressure Cooker.

Although Christmas is a time for giving to others, you know me, I had to but myself a few toys.

One new toy is this great pressure cooker.

I've always wanted one and since Mr. Puck was nice enough to make one in green, how could I resist.

I tried making a pot roast in it and didn't really use the recipe in the book but kinda threw in this and that (which is my favorite way to cook) and you know what........ 

I LOVE THIS THING!!!!!!!!

Yeah, yeah, yeah......  I know, I know......  Now you are wondering why I did not take a picture of my meal and you are wondering why I didn't use an actual picture of MY pressure cooker instead of stealing one off the internet but HEY......... AT LEAST I BLOGGED ABOUT IT!!!!!!!!

Okay, I'm off to search for pressure cooker recipes........




Les Halles - NYC

What a wonderful day...   I took the train in to the City to meet Greg who had to work on this Friday after Thanksgiving.  Sure to some a train ride is no big deal but this was the first time I was taking the ride by myself and if you know me, you know that I get a little nervouse when I am doing something new.

I got to Grand Central Station and faught the temptations of browsing too much at the craft vendors that were set up in the hallways, then outside I faught the temptations of drooling at the store windows.  Made my way to Greg's office where I got the grand tour and then off we went to our destination - Anthony Bourdain's Les Halles..........

Drinks at the bar were just the start of a perfect evening.  We met a nice English couple and of course Greg was happy to discuss West Ham United - I was very happy to sit back, listen and sip my drink...

Seated at a cozy corner table we browsed the menu - assisted by my tiny flashlight since it was a bit dark in there and several other diners had the same trouble so my little light made its rounds.
Having already checked out the menu on line, I knew exactly what I was having.......   The Boeuf Bourguignon, and for dessert - The Crepes Suzette and a Cappuccino........  Greg chose the Betteraves roties au fromage de chevre (beet salad with goat cheese), Choucroute Garnie - And for dessert - Mousse Au Chocolat.  Note - He is a smart man, he knew well in advanced that he would have to let me taste test everything....   LOL

 

This may have been my first time at Les Halles but it certainly will not be the last.  Thank you Anthony Bourdain - Hope to meet you one day....... Until then, I look foward to watching you on TV.

http://leshalles.net/brasserie/

FOR THE LOVE OF NORMAN ROCKWELL

I remember about 20 years ago I was at an auction in Upstate New York.  There were lots of things that caught my eye that day but for some reason I kept looking at a lot of Norman Rockwell plates. 

There is just something about his work that makes you look at a simple scene and in your head you start imagining a whole story....  

I ended up only getting one plate that day but I still love it!!!!

It is called "A Young Girl's Dream"

I really don't know what the story is about this girl but in my mind I've imagined hundreds of stories about here... Some good... Some sad... Just depends on my mood I guess.......  

So recently I found several Norman Rockwell Counted Cross Stitch pattern books and I listed them for sale on ArtFire.

The next day, I already had a sale......  The pattern was for "The Runaway" - A young boy sitting next to a police officer....  No surprise that it sold so fast because it really is a great pattern.......

The day after that I had another sale...........   This time it was for a book with two patterns:  "Saying Grace" and "Grandpa's Girl"........  Again, no surprise that someone would want to buy this book because again, it was great patterns.......

The part that DID surprise me is that it was not the same buyer.........

There were TWO different people in two different states who bought Norman Rockwell patterns.

Kinda made me smile........  I guess I'm not the only one who loves and appreciates his work.

UPDATE

Well, it's been a long time since I posted.  Lots of stuff happening but I'm not going to bore you because you know me - Once I start talking I can go onnnnnnnnnnn and onnnnnnnnn and onnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.......

Let's stick to the crafty stuff.
I have been very busy posting tons of Plastic Canvas and Cross Stitch pattern books on ArtFire.
225 active items so far and thousands more to add..... 
Whew..... This is a lot of work!!!!
March was a very good month for sales which ofcourse makes me very happy!!!!

I've also started stitching my own plastic canvas projects again. 
The sad part is I've started about 5 projects and haven't finished one.... 
I really need to work on getting some of this stuff finished....  Sigh.....

I've also created a Facebook Page for M.Y. Creative Rose Garden. 
So if you are reading this, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE go and "like" my page........ 
PLEASE!!!!!!!!!   (That's right, I am not too proud to beg... )

Well, I'm going back to listing more stuff on Artfire...... 
And you need to go check out the Shop: 
http://www.artfire.com/users/MYCREATIVEROSEGARDEN
And please go "Like" my Facebook Page:  
http://www.facebook.com/?sk=lf#!/pages/MY-Creative-Rose-Garden/160132967379283


:0)



.

WIZARDS OF WINTER

WOW......
I guess my little Wizard Guys are really loved on ArtFire.....
http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=1119217

They are now a part of a wonderful Collection called "The Wizards Of Winter"

Go check out the collection. :
http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=collections&op=details&cid=8650



And check out ArtFire.

What a wonderful place......

:0)



.

I'M A FEATURED ARTIST....... YAY!!!!

As you know I've been selling stuff on ArtFire but this week I had two very nice surprises.

1. - I am a "FEATURED ARTIST" on the Krafty Max Originals Blog:   http://kraftymax.blogspot.com/2010/10/wicked-wednesday_20.html


Yes, those are my cute little wizards!!!!
I feel so honored....... 
Thank You - Thank You - Thank You......

2. - I sold another instruction book.  I really hate to sell these because I alway think that one day I'll find time to create the projects in these books, but who are we kidding.....  I would have to live till I'm 1,000 to finish everything so needless to say, I need to put lots and lots of more books up for sale.....

If you have not checked out ArtFire yet, I strongly suggest that you do.....  http://www.artfire.com/
It's a wonderful place not only to buy but to showcase your art.
Here is a link to my store:  www.artfire.com/users/MYCREATIVEROSEGARDEN

PROVIDENCETOWN, MASSACHUSSETS

Bob has been telling me that he wanted to take me to Providencetown for years so for my Birthday he decided that we should take a day-trip up there.  We had such a good time. 
First stop was the Pilgrim Monument.  This was the 100th anniversary of the completion of the Monument.
We actually climbed aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaall the way to the top.  Acording to their web site ( http://www.pilgrim-monument.org/ )  "The heart-healthy walk to the top on 116 steps and 60 ramps only takes about 10 minutes at a leisurely pace."   Are they kidding me????????  OMG I thought I was going to pass out!!!!!!!!!
Well, at least from the top of the tower I got some really great pictures -  Here are some, plus a picture of the staircase looking down from the top.......  - Uh...  Did I mention I'm scared of heights!!!!

After the Pilgrim Monument we went into the town where there is a strip of all sorts of stores.  It was fun to browse at everything in the stores but actually it was a lot of fun to browse at what was going on outside the stores......  Providencetown is a very popular place for homosexual couples.  There were several shows with men either wearing barely anything or dressed fully in drag.  I tried to get Bob to go see one of the shows but he wasn't going for it.... 
Well, at least I got a couple of pictures..........  LOL

Providencetown is definitely an interesting place.......