Weight, Witches and Hags

Giant Pumpkin contest has been extended to October 27. Lots of interest! This is one hot contest!

I caught the blue heron on our beachfront but he went down over the bank and disappeared.

Either the Lake Hag or the Storm Witch frightened him away. I know they scared me!

   Please click on image to view larger   

 I wonder what else the next days will bring?

Local Artist Tour

Artist Open House Weekend, 2018
Columbus Day Weekend, October 6, 7, 8, 2018 10 - 6 Daily

This weekend is our local annual Artist Open House Studio Tours event.  Our grandson is friends with the fellow who has donated space in his studio for an artist to display her artwork. He has helped our grandson set up, load and display his giant pumpkin in front of the studio as a guessing contest! Entry fees are $2.00. Whoever can guess the closest weight of the pumpkin will win half of the total entry fees and the other half will be donated to the American Cancer Society.  

At a business establishment they weighed two empty pallets and then a forklift weighed the pumpkin on the pallets. Deducting the weight of the two empty pallets determined the actual weight of the pumpkin. I cannot tell you the result yet! Can you guess?

Alex and his giant pumpkin
Photos by Denise Repsher 

Artist web page

Winner to be announced

please click on image to view larger

Challenging

All day yesterday I experienced a physical phenomena that I have had a couple of times in the past few years. I was so convinced that something outside the cabin was causing it that I insisted the Mister go out and inspect the area all around. Nope! It wasn’t the sewer pump. Nope! It wasn’t the freezer in the carport that had tilted and was leaning on the logs. Nope! there wasn’t construction in the nearby area. Nope! The automatic generator wasn’t the cause. Nope! The well and water pump were quiet. Nope! There wasn’t any type of aircraft above.  It was coming from myself! Nope! I wasn’t going to la la land yet. I was just vibrating and hearing a steady low-tone hum which was coming from the floor under me right up and through the top of my head. WHOA! No matter what I did it wouldn’t stop. ALL DAY LONG!

Today I know it was my inner mind creating. It was trying to squeeze out the conglomeration of deeply embedded thoughts about something I had considered doing and then didn’t do anything about it. Today the vibration and hums have totally disappeared. The cause has been appeased.

On January 1 of this year, a very talented sea glass jeweler, with whom I have had the personal pleasure of meeting and sharing, had posted a challenge on her website. I have been following her growth since meeting her in SC in 2010. The challenge sounded like something I might like to try. 

Since I don't think anyone who reads this blog and contest will be entering, I submit to you mine.

First the pebbles dumped from the pot and spread out on the table with the 6 pieces of sea glass laid on top:

Then I layered my dog fennel photograph on top:

My Challenge Description:

After reading the poem, I continuously thought about my beach pebble collection and my 6 remaining pieces of sea glass hidden away in a trinket box.  Then the older photo I took several years ago of the wild and beautiful dog fennel, invaded my thoughts and demanded inclusion of rebirth and growth and future. Somehow my fingers found their way into this “Future Grains of Sand” photo manipulation. The pebbles have been resting in an old enamel potty and needed to be revived. My glass is the colors of peace. The architecture of body and mind, hand and eye all became creative fire. 

Click on image to feel my rebirth inspiration

Link to Challenge

"CONTEST TERMS: By entering in the Carter Sea Glass Design Challenge, I have read and understand the rules stated. I have used genuine sea glass or sea pottery in my creation. I have at least one physical piece of sea glass or sea pottery included in my artwork. I am only entering one submission with one image. I am the sole artist of the submitted artwork and it does not include any trademarked or copyrighted content not owned by myself. I grant Made By Meg permission to use the information and media I submit through this form."

And the Winner is.......!

                   LEMON COOKIES

1 cup sugar

grated zest of 1 lemon YES! DO THE WORK!

1 stick butter (room temperature) NO MARGARINE!

2 1/2 cup sifted flour (I didn’t sift)

1 large egg (room temperature)

1 1/2 tbsp. lemon juice YES! USE AN HONEST-TO GOODNESS LEMON.

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

Additional sugar on which to roll cookie logs

Blend and beat together the zest, sugar, butter and egg. Add the flour, baking powder, salt and lemon juice. Blend well. Divide the mixture into 2 portions. On *foil, form each into a long cylinder. Wrap and chill for **several hours. When ready to bake, roll the dough in sugar and slice 1/4-inch thick. Place on buttered baking sheets, leaving room between each cookie. Bake at 400°F for 8 to 10 minutes.

Makes 2 1/2 dozen Large ones or 4 1/2 dozen small ones, depending on how long and broad your rolled dough cylinders are.

(*I used parchment paper instead of foil.) (**I chilled for 4 hours.)

~~~Cookie Contest~~~

What will win? Beauty? Texture? Flavor? The complexion is free of blemishes and bright, the shapes are varied, the bottoms are quite tan and they smell really nice! They also have a reputation for being easy.

Everyone has an old cheese slicer with the roller missing!

You all have your favorite cookie sheet, correct?

YES! The tan bottoms show they are fully baked.

Well, we did have to taste a few. There are only about 48 left!

And the winner is…..

     FLAVOR!!!

The runner up is…..

          TEXTURE!!!

Last but, oh well, never mind…..

                  BEAUTY!

click on cookie image to enjoy the view