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Thursday, December 23, 2010

Do You See What I See?


Look what I found on my morning stroll. Nature has everything under control. The daffodils are on their way. Doesn't that make you happy?


And the Christmas camellia is blooming once again. She loves freezing rain, snow, icicles, anything you can throw at her. She is an ice princess.


While inside the snug little cottage mama bear bakes up a nice batch of toffee graham crackers. These are so easy even I could pull off a win.


Graham Cracker Toffee
Ingredients:
  • About 12 whole (24 squares), (honey) graham crackers (perforated) broken into quarter sections
  • 1/2 lb  butter (2 sticks)
  • 3/4 C light brown sugar
  • 3/4 C chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
  • 3/4 C Chocolate chips
  • 1T milk
Line up the 44 pieces in a jelly roll pan (or cookie sheet with low sides), sides touching. Over low heat melt butter. Stir in the sugar – simmer (not boil) about 10 minutes – until it melts.  Occasionally stir. Pour mix over crackers – spread evenly. Sprinkle w/nuts. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.  Keep an eye on them so they don’t burn. Cool & separate onto aluminum foil.
Over low heat melt chocolate chips and stir in milk. Top crackers with ribbons of melted chocolate by dribbling off a spoon. Add more milk if chocolate is too thick to form a ribbon. Package and give away to friends!



Not much going on for the past few days beside keeping up with the season and doing my morning pages. Everything waits for winter and then winter is very busy.


It's a time of making out the teaching schedule for 2011 and dreaming of travel, friends and looking back on the last year's journey. That long journey that took so many dives and turns, darknesses and light, loss and redemption. I was lost and then I was found. Amazing grace.


This is a good time to remind you again that I'll be teaching at Malibu in March; a deep, thorough class in art journalling where we will share in sacred play, stare dreamily at the ocean and explore our love of writing and painting. All experience levels welcome; join me for a journey into self discovery.


I've been making sample boards for the wax classes. So many ways to play in wax. To experiment with a fascinating medium. Sometimes it's fun just to wax on the colors and blow the molten wax around to see what happens.


And one thing I forgot to mention when I showed you this piece of Kay's - the stencil used to make the Greek key design is from a set given to me by Mary Beth Shaw. She designed the stencils and has them on offer here: thank you Mary Beth for such useful and inspiring stencils and especially for giving me a second set after I misplaced the first set. (Duh!)

Okay, time to put on my dancing shoes and head into the last days of 2010. I'll try to post at least one more time before the year turns. Sending out love to each of you; stay warm and share yourselves with each other. I wish you all moments of magic and safety.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh the signs of spring make me very happy! Hoping a Judy Wise class is in my future! Here is to a wonderful, safe, happy journal filled year for us all!

Sending you much love!

Cheers!

Ro Bruhn said...

Ah daffodils, my favorite flower, we have to wait until August for ours to appear. Your tray of toffee looks delicious but I have no idea what Graham crackers are, something we don't have down under. You could have a book published on your journals alone, they are so full of stories and inspiration. Have a lovely holiday season and may 2011 be your best year yet.

Jan said...

Yes, the circle begins again. I made these graham cracker bites for my Christmas party last week. Your journal pages are, as always, very inspiring. Happy Holidays to you!

Clare Wassermann said...

A lovely post - your biscuits look so yummy and your daffs remind me that eventually we shall emerge from an extremely frozen Britain into the light once more. Love your diary and your own amazing grace.

Jennifer White said...

Get out!!! Daffodils shooting through already???? I can't stand it, the jealousy is oozing from me... Portland is looking more and more attractive, Judy! Have a wonderful holiday... may 2011 bring you good health and happiness... xo

Lynn Cohen said...

Happy Holidays Judy. I have been "vacationing at home" on my third book! Reading, not creating much...a different kind of being. Feels good.
Wishing everything good in the coming year! Hugs ♥♥♥

Unknown said...

so great post
enjoy holidays

Jacky said...

Ooohhhh that looks yummy. I must look for something similar to the graham crackers here in Australia! Delish!!!!

Beautiful art as always, looks like the encaustic workshops will be amazing. I hope one day you come out to Australia. Would be lovely to do a class and meet you.

Wishing you joy, health, happiness and all the good things for the festive season.

Jacky xox

Jill said...

My daffs are still under blankety beds of snow, but they'll be back. Have a great holiday and thanks for sharing you creativity.

Jan's Art and Musings said...

Happy Holidays to you Judy! Did I tell you how excited I am to be finally meeting you in Malibu?

Agni said...

Dear Judy, have a nice Christmas!!!

jill nalette said...

judy, daffodils you lucky duck! i won't be seeing those for awhile. your journal pages are amazing as usual ; )
love you dear!
xo and smiles~ jill

Anonymous said...

Great pages, I love all the collages and writing going on there. The shocked look on the queen's face .. lol
Hope you had a nice day today.

femminismo said...

Your green shoots remind me that spring is always just outside of reach until Mother Nature is ready. So I will just be patient for another winter. I am going to do another "disintegration" project, I so enjoyed the last. I enjoyed your journal pages, especially the Pee-wee Herman caricature! And the elderly woman looks the picture of love!

Donna Heart said...

Judy - Merry Christmas to you and yours! Do you know of a substitute for a Graham Cracker? I was in teh states 15 years ago and had s'mores, but now cant remember the texture or taste of a graham cracker - and we don't have them in Oz!!! This looks decadent!
x Donna
How about a house swap - I'll take your cold winter and you can have our 40 degrees C ok ;)!!!

Anonymous said...

As we brace for 18+ inches of snow, I am enjoying your daffodils sprouting their green heads. Toffee, yum, but I am full up after yesterday's joyful Christmas. Hope yours was too! xox Corrine

Laura Twiford said...

Merry Christmas Judy! We typically won't see daffodils until March here so it was fun to see yours peeping. I used to make the graham cracker toffee but haven't in years, your picture makes me want to do it again! Wishing you a brighter, healthier 2011 !

Unknown said...

What a wonderful post...I love your nature walk and love the recipe, thank you! Best wishes for your upcoming class, wish I could be there to attend.

Aloha,

Connie

donna joy said...

try that same recipe on saltines! the sweet/salt mix is great (and i've had them both ways)

donna joy said...

try that same recipe on saltines! the sweet/salt mix is great (and i've had them both ways)

Parabolic Muse said...

Okay, I've missed too much, and now I'm talking too mcuh! There's just a lot to comment on! Malibu?! quit kidding around! I'm checking that out.

I must make that toffee. I do think the salty and sweet would be a stunner.

Suzanne said...

Oh, those daffodils worry me. I'm afraid they may get covered in snow before they've reached their full height.

I can attest to the yumminess of your graham cracker recipe. I think that's the exact recipe my friend made and I had quite a few of them before Christmas. They are so good.