Jekyll Island Morning Glories

One rainy afternoon while in Jekyll I decided to start a little watercolor painting from a photo I had taken on the beach.  It was of a pink flower that looked like a morning glory, but I'm not sure of the correct name.  It was such a bright pink and just stood out from everything else on the beach.  I just sketched it from my computer and enjoyed painting while it rained outside.

JEKYLL ISLAND TEXTURES

SUMMER ZUCCHINI

My son brought me a huge zucchini from his garden the other day.  It reminded me how much I miss really fresh vegetables.  We had a large garden about 30 years ago in Greenville SC and had fresh vegetables all summer.  

I cut it open to make some zucchini bread.  It sparkled like little diamonds.

The recipe called for 3 cups of shredded zucchini.  I had just enough.

And here is the freshly baked Zucchini Bread.  I got the recipe from a 1982 cookbook that my mother in law gave me.  Here is the recipe if you want to make some for yourself.

makes 2 loaves......so you can share this yumminess!

3 large eggs
2 cups brown sugar (dark)
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon soda
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1 cup salad oil
3 cups zucchini, peeled and grated
1 1/2 cup nuts (I used walnuts)
2 teaspoon vanilla

Combine eggs and sugar in large mixing bowl.  Add salad oil.  Stir in dry ingredients which have been sifted together.  Add zucchini and nuts.  Stir in vanilla.  Pour into prepared pans and bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until browned.    Bake at 350 degrees.....


Here is my son about 28 years ago holding another huge zucchini in our garden.

THE AMY BUTLER WEEKENDER TRAVEL BAG

OK, I've had this Amy Butler Weekender Travel Bag pattern in my sewing room for a long time.  It seems to move around from my desk to cutting table to shelves to fabric shelf to hiding under my watercolor supplies, to my knitting stash and then to my bag of toilet paper rolls that I'm sure I'll use someday.  I keep thinking I REALLY SHOULD MAKE THIS BAG.  But it's just too intimidating.  I started reading blogs with pointers on the WEEKENDER.  I broke down, ordered some Amy Butler fabulous fabric and started cutting it out today.  Already, I love it.  I'm pretty sure I'll soon be saying I hate this, but for now I'm still in la-la land and can't wait to start on it tomorrow.  Stay tuned................

AUBURN'S POISONED OAK TREES

I travelled to Auburn this weekend to help my daughter move into her new apartment.  We took a break and drove downtown.  I wanted to take a photo of Toomer's Corner and the oak trees that are rolled with toilet paper after every winning football game.  They were poisoned several months ago by a crazy U. of Alabama fan.  So far, they are still standing.  The oak tree on Magnolia was looking a little yellow to me and the one on College has lost a lot of leaves but they both had new leaves.  The specialists say now that they just may survive.

These signs were posted in front of the trees.

I was surprised to see so many people there doing the same thing I was.......taking pictures of the oak trees.  I thought it may be the last time that I'd see them.  You can see from this angle that they have lost several branches.

The roots are massive.  It would be such a shame if they died.  

ANOTHER LISETTE BLOUSE

I made another Lisette blouse today for my daughter.  This pattern is Lisette's Market Blouse Simplicity #2211.  I think it turned out so cute.  The darts make it a little more fitted.  The short sleeves have a little gathering so they are very flattering.  The faux placket makes for no buttonholes or zippers.  I was looking for an Anna Maria Horner fabric or Amy Butler fabric for this blouse.  Everything I found was too busy.  I decided on this piece of Michael Miller fabric that I bought at Red Hen Fabrics in Marietta.  It has a little retro feel and I liked the scale.  I thought Kelly would like it to wear with jeans or a skirt.  Plus it's a great summer weight for a fun easy peasy summery blouse.

BIRTHDAY DINNER

We went to Vingenzo's restaurant in Woodstock tonight for my birthday dinner.  It was spectacular, as usual!

We started off by splitting a Caprese salad.  Isn't it beautiful?  See that mozzarella?  It's made right there in the restaurant!

Tonight the special was homemade fettucini.  Yes, they make their pastas right there too!   I chose the Alla Sorrento.

And here it is.  I can't even describe how delicious it was!  The perfect blend of cherry tomatoes, garlic, fresh basil and cheeses.

Here is Michael, the owner and chef who designs the menus each night.  I ordered Pistachio gelato for dessert.  They were completely out but Michael went into the deep freeze to get some for me.  I am so glad he did.  He makes all of his own gelato and he even roasts the pistachios.  It was to die for!  If you are near Woodstock stop in for a wonderful meal at Vingenzo's behind the downtown gazebo.  You will be glad you did!

FINISHED LISETTE PORTFOLIO TOP

I just finished my Lisette Portfolio top I made from Simplicity pattern #2245.  It was just the easy breezy summer top that I was looking for!  It was really easy to make, the instructions were very clear and I love the little details, even though it's hard to see on the patterned fabric.

LISETTE PORTFOLIO TOP

I've been in the mood to do a little sewing lately.  I want to make a few cut summer tops so I scoured the internet to see what people liked and what was EASY.  I came across a MADE BY WENDY top that I really wanted but it is no longer available.  Then, I found this Simplicity Lisette pattern.  I stopped by Joann's and picked up the pattern and this batik fabric.  

I cut it out this afternoon.

And started sewing.  I still need to add the sleeve cuffs and neck trim.  Stay tuned and I'll post the finished top tomorrow.  So far I really like the way it is coming together.  Although the fabric I chose doesn't show off the details, it is constructed nicely with a little gather in the front and just one button in the back.

MOSAIC