Wine, Canvas and Giggles!

 What a great evening! We decided we'd try out the new business in town called "Wine and Canvas". We're not artist but had heard thru the grapevine that it was a fun filled evening and no talent was needed. Lucky for us that part was true. Living Social also had a coupon out for 1/2 price so that made the deal even sweeter!

I wasn't to sure what to expect but was told to arrive 15 to 30 minutes early to stake out our spot and get comfy. We were first to arrive, imagine that, and was greeted and asked if this was our first visit. We were told to grab an apron and a canvas and have a seat. So we did!  We did buy a glass of wine which is purchased separate for our registration. They had a nice wine selection but not too over done either. I was a bit disappointed in that the wine was served in disposable little plastic glasses. I guess in my mind I saw us all sipping wine in beautiful glasses. They also had pop and water available and snacks. A cute little popcorn machine was set up to the side and that was free. 

Our table was already set up with our easel and paints. At the corner of the room was a small stage area where the artist leading the class was set up. There was also a a copy of the painting we were going to do on the wall behind her.

 When the class began started by asking how many of us had attended an event before. Several had but was glad to see several newbies like us in the crowd. That was a relief! I was sure I was going to end up with some stick figures on a canvas! Our instructor got started immediately explaining about the brushes and we began with the background of the picture. It was very interesting to see everyone's take on how to do it and what each picture looked like.  Miranda's went softly with her colors and I went boldly with mine even though we were using the same paint and brushes.

The instructor went slowly thru the background steps and we followed. Pretty simple. .I can do this! Her next step was the tree trunk. .okay a little bit more difficult but we handled it like pro's. But then came the limbs! Oh my. .that was a bit different. For some reason our instructor seemed to go very quickly thru this process and we were sort of left on our own. Which I guess that is what it's about. .doing your own thing!

The leaves and flowers were an event themselves! We all took the directions a bit differently. The girls turned out like leaves. .mine turned out more like flower leaves and not as big as they were suppose to be. We added the little flowers and stars. Then it was off to blow dry our piece of art!

We really had a good time laughing and giggling at each other. I decided my painting looked like something out of a Dr. Sussex book! Miranda is hanging her's in her dorm room. Not sure mine will ever see a wall. We decided though we would love to go back and do a few more paintings now that we know what it's all about! Wine, Canvas and Giggles!!

Bridgett with an "E"

This is my beautiful friend Bridgett(e) on the right! Bridgett(e) and I meet our freshman year of high school. She moved in and was in one of my classes. Honestly can't remember which one it was. But either a keyboarding class which was called typing at that time or a shorthand class. Yes we took shorthand! This is where the story of "e" on her name comes in. I would always spell her name with an "e" on the end. I had previously known one other Bridgette and yes she spelled it with an "e" on the end. I don't even remember when Bridgett(e) informed me that she didn't have an "e". It's been so long ago but ever since then I've always put an "e" in parenthesis at the end of her name. One of those silly inside jokes but I have always done it and now her name doesn't look right to me unless it's there. Then when she got married it got worse! Her married name is Alltop. .sounds and looks simple right? Well it has taken me forever to learn the correct way to spell it. .two L's? one L'? I seriously to this day still have to stop when I write and think about it! and her and hubby have been married almost 25 years!

Moving on with this story before internet and cellphones were so handy and dandy Bridgett(e) and I would write letters to each other.We live about 30 minutes from each other and it was long distance but we both enjoyed writing letters and finding fun stationary. We'd write every week to each other. Sometimes we'd just say something silly or sometimes really talk. After internet become a household item for everyone and then cell phones our letters sort of went away. I do miss getting snail mail. There is something just knowing someone took time out to send you something personal and that they were thinking of you. Bridgett(e) surprised me a few weeks ago with a beautiful Vera Bradly card in the mail with a note. So of course I needed to send her a return card just as cute! Knowing I had my Cricut Cutting system sitting in my craft room was in my favor! I haven't made a lot of cards on it but I knew this would give me something to play with and try my hand at it more. Besides I had a newspaper clipping I needed to send her.

I'm still learning on how to adjust the sizes of things on the Cricut and envelopes are so hard and learning layer pieces is even more aggravating but I'm working on it. So I decided on the cute little owl and a saying of "You're A Hoot" because Bridgett(e) keeps me laughing and the fact that she works at a lake and is around nature. So here it is!

I wrote my notes to Bridgett(e) on the inside of the oval which is the frame from the oval on the front. I forgot to take a photo of the envelope. I think this will be just the beginning of Bridgett(e) receiving cards from me! 

Grilled Zucchini Italian Style

I really had no intention making my next blog entry about food again but after telling a friend about my attempt and trial at grilled zucchini she told me I should blog about it. So here I am blogging about a veggie!

My daughter had went to visit her college room mate over the weekend and when she returned they had sent a couple of nice zucchini's home with her. I love zucchini bread but she mentioned baking it or grilling it so off I set on the hunt on the internet to see what I could find about grilling it. Of course I turned to Pinterest! It seems to be my "go-to" place anymore.  I took a couple of idea's from several people and decided to just go for it.

I couldn't decide if I should peel the zucchini's or leave the skin on. After some thought I decided it would be best to peel them. I just used a potato peeler and skimmed them lightly. Next came how to cut them. .round slices? wedges? halves? I decided to try wedges this time. About the size of pickle spears. I sprayed a piece of foil with cooking spray before putting the wedge on.

Seasoning came next. I brushed each pieces with olive oil. Not heavily just enough so that the seasoning would stick. We use Bertolli Frangrante Extra Virgin and really like it There are so many olive oils on the market it's hard to know what to buy. We don't like a strong flavoring of it but something light.

I was going to use an italian blend seasoning but after rummaging thru the cabinets realized that I was out of it so I decided to go with straight oregano. No fancy brand or organic or anything just the stuff you buy at the grocery store.

I just sprinkled some on the wedges.

and then it was off to the grill. I wasn't sure how long it would take and honestly I forgot to even watch the clock.

I wasn't sure about leaving them on foil or putting them directly on the grates but decided to leave them on the foil in case they would stick to the grates. I turned them over once and let them brown a bit and then turned them back up.

Right before taking them off the grill I sprinkled fresh Parmesan cheese over them, closed the lid on the grill and let it melt a bit. The final results were good and after a family discussion over dinner we decided it wasn't a strong taste flavor and really needed something else. Hubby declared after eating several that they grew on you and were a mild flavor. My daughter suggested rolling in bread crumbs and baking with the cheese. I think I will fix it again on the grill but with more spices or a different blend. I will also try baking it as well.