Happy Halloween!

Wishing everyone a very Happy and Safe Halloween...

and Boo!

~ Karen

A Night of Champagne and Serenity

A recent night out with my sorority sisters found us

drinking wine and champagne - something we enjoy -
and, painting... Serenity.
Sounds like we went to a relaxing spa but Serenity is the
name of the painting we were to create that night,
with a lot of help thank goodness!

There are drink-wine-as-you-paint venues popping up all over
where persons can bring their own wine and paint a 
painting with the assistance of an artist.

On our night, our painting was called Serenity.

We were at Paint n Vineyard.

We began by putting on a smock.

And along with about 40 other persons in the room we began.
Beginning with blank canvases as you can see,
the night continued with our closely following directions from
our artist (while listening to Michael Jackson songs!!) for each
step, as we sipped on champagne.  With only the primary
colors on our plastic plate "palette", we mixed colors to
achieve the colors we were asked to use.

And.... Voila! Our masterpieces!
I'd like to say the alcohol hindered my painting ability, but the

painting speaks for itself.  Alcohol or no alcohol.

What a fun evening!

Thank you for stopping by!

Fondly,

~ Karen

Pumpkins, Pumpkins Everywhere!

This time of the year, we see pumpkins everywhere!

On tables...

And more tables...

I found these pewter and gold pumpkins half-priced at Michael's.

I like the way they coordinate with the neutral fireplace and gold mirror.

The pewter-colored ones are my favorite!

Here is another gold one! 

We still have lovely roses here in Southern California!

And here they are all lined up, as if they are watching outdoors!

Where do you have your pumpkins?

I will be linking up with

Fondly,

~ Karen

It's Autumn and a Vegetarian Chili

It's Fall Y'all!

We seem to start a little later here in Southern California but

I'm beginning to feel it in the air and mornings have been crisp!

Fall to me screams warm soups and making bread!

I was looking through a local newspaper insert

and found this delicious (and healthy) vegetarian chili recipe.

Tomato Lentil Chili

served from my ever-faithful Le Crueset pot (stove to table!)

and served in lion head bowls from Sur Le Table.

Pick up a bowl (and spoon!) and enjoy!

This recipe includes bulgur along with the lentils for

a quick-cooking, high-fiber vegetarian chili that is perfect for fall!

I used Schilling's Mexican-Style Chili Powder which has a

respectable punch of heat, but I like it hot! so I added a bottle

of El Pato hotsauce on the side to add additional heat!

So let's bring out our Fall decorations and enjoy a great bowl of chili!

Do you have a favorite soup or chili recipe for Fall?

Tomato Lentil Chili

Source: Recipe by Serena Ball for Relish.com

Serves 6

2 tablespoons canola oil

1 medium onion, chopped

1 medium red bell pepper, chopped

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 cup dry lentils (red or brown)

1/2 cup quick-cooking bulgur

2 (14 1/2 oz) cans fat-free, reduced-sodium vegetable broth

1 1/2 cups water

1 (14 1/2 oz) can petite diced tomatoes

2 tablespoons chili powder

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Yogurt, chopped red onion and hot sauce (optional)

Heat oil in large saucepan.  Add onion, bell pepper and garlic; cook 7 minutes.  Add remaining ingredients except toppings.  Simmer 30 minutes.  Serve with yogurt, onion and hot sauce.  

Please join me this week at

   

Have a great and delicious week!

Fondly,

~ Karen