Dog Days of Summer

This is my dog Hurley; a Brittney Spaniel. I didn't like the original colors of the photo so the black and white was a good choice for the final photo.

This is our neighbor's dog Chloe who is normally called, "Dirty Girl." Any time she comes over to run around with Hurley she manages to get into some kind of mess, even on a dry day she'll find some mud.
I enjoy shooting most portraits around dusk just before the sun starts setting beyond the horizon. Our back yard lets a lot of light in and at this time of day the lighting is perfect and warm for portraits.
Another shot of Chloe whose recently learned to swim. She's "jumped" into the hobby and spends most of the hot and humid days by the pool.
Gunner is as obedient as a dog can be. A puppy Chocolate Lab, he is a thrill to shoot photos with as he's not running around chaotically around the yard. He's a master at the game of fetch.
Oliver is a young, energetic, Cavalier King Charles who can never make up his mind in the yard. As he's sprinting after the thrown tennis ball, his attention will randomly shift to the dragon fly floating by.
Tiger-Lily can't live without attention. Though an Australian Sheep Dog, Lily does not enjoy chasing animals or balls in the back yard, but yet would rather hang out on the porch with whoever can keep her company.
Though Chloe normally wreaks havoc while playing in the backyard, she has her days where she stays clean. I liked the black and white version of this image better than the original one in color.

My name is Pat Nolan, I'm a senior in highschool, and photography has always been something that I enjoy doing. Mrs. Collins asked me to do a blog entry involving my photography and all of the local dogs. I really enjoyed doing the entry and getting a chance to shoot a lot of different and fun dogs. You can check out my other photo work on my flickr or website at...

www.flickr.com/patnolan

www.cargocollective.com/patnolanphotography

Low Calorie Favorites

As my mom is relaxing off the coast of Maine I thought I would share a few of my favorite low calorie recipes.

OK being 100% honest, these lemon bars are so good, I kept eating one every time I passed the fridge.

Light Lemon Bars (makes 16 servings, 100 calories per bar)

Nonstick Cooking Spray

3/4 cup all-purpose flour plus 2 tablespoons

2/3 cup granulated sugar plus 3 tablespoons

1/2 stick cold cutter cut into 1/2 include cubes (no paster cutter just pinch and run the mix between your fingers and thumbs until you have coarse crumbs the size of peas)

1 egg

1 egg white

1/4 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 tablespoon of water

1/4 teaspoon of baking powder

1 tablespoon of powdered sugar

1. Coat an 8x8x2 inch pan with nonstick spray and set aside


2. In a small mixing bowl, combine 3/4 cup of flour and 3 tablespoons of sugar, cut in butter until crumbly. Pat mixture onto the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 15 minutes.


3. Meanwhile in the same bowl, combine the egg and egg white and beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until frothy. Add remaining sugar and flour, lemon zest, lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of water and baking powder. Beat on medium for 3 minutes or until slightly thickened. Pour mixture over baked layer in pan. Bake 20-25 mins more or until the edges are set. Cool in pan on a wire rack.


4. Sift powdered sugar over top and cut into 16 bars. Store in refrigerator.

**This recipe is taken from Fitness Magazine July/August 2010 issue

This is one of my favorite healthy tricks! I know whole grain rice is a great healthy option but when you are looking for a lower calorie substitute just pick up a head of cauliflower.

Cauliflower Rice

1 head of cauliflower

1. Grate one head of cauliflower using a cheese grater or a food processor (yes it can be messy)


2. place shavings in a microwave bowl and cook in the microwave for 6 minutes

THAT'S IT!!! Just fluff and you have a perfect side dish. Great mixed with sauteed vegetables or with a stir fry dish.

Enjoy! I just started my own blog and would love for you to check it out www.highheelsnsneakers@blogspot.com

Christine

Table Runners - DIY

I loved this picture of a table runner! It makes me want to have a Tapas party.

Cute runner from Pottery Barn

Another Fall inspired table. I have a party every year in October and make all different types of fall dishes and my friends bring the sides or desserts. The only restriction is it has to have a fall veggie or fruit like pumpkin or apple.

Love this holiday table

I like the runner going down the middle.

DIY part - It is so easy to make your own table runner. You don't have to be a seamstress or even have a sewing machine. I made this one in less than an hour using "steam a seam" for the hems.

Mark your hems with a ruler. I made my runner 20" wide and 90" long. I cut the fabric 23 inches wide for my hems

I turned the fabric up 1 1/2" and pressed with my iron.

You can buy Steam a Seam at Joann fabrics or even Walmart

I then took my 1 1/2" seam and tucked in 3/4", so I had a double 3/4" seam, and then I took the Steam a Seam tape and used my iron to bond the hem.

The finished project!

As you all know, Michelle is away this week on a much needed vacation with her painting friends. Michelle is famous for saying to me "You need to challenge yourself". The last set of banquet cushions I made for her client were "a challenge"! Did I say how much I dislike making cushions? I have gotten better at them because Michelle has had a run on cushions. Besides having a lot of work to get done in my workroom while she is away, she gave me another "challenge" in writing this blog. Like the shoemaker's son without any shoes, I am the last on the list to make anything for myself. I have had this beautiful fabric for about two years that I have wanted to make a runner with. Thank you Michelle for giving me another challenge with this blog. It was fun to make and search for pictures to post. For those of you who need a challenge or just want an easy and quick project to do, go out and get a couple of yards of fabric and do something for yourself today. I promise it will put a smile on your face and a sense of accomplishment! Have a great day - Diana

Windsong on Wesley Part 7

This is Marcy's room "Crisp Linen" A small sun room behind the dining space. Marcy's careful planning turned this very adorable space into a super adorable useful family area. The colors are fun and please notice the creative window treatments. Above the wainscoting is dark blue Venetian plaster, nice texture.
I think I could sit here and pretend this was my room.
Commercial design is a big part of Dashing Designs.
From traditional to contemporary , they do it all.
And always with a little fun.


I can not believe the show house has been opened two weeks. I would like to give you a peak at another much admired designer, Marcy Dash Friedman. Her design company Dashing Designs Inc. is located in Cherry Hill N.J. My first show house Marcy did the dining room next to me and I remember people just sighing when the viewed her work. It was truly beautiful. Her choice of colors, creative window treatments and bold approach to decorating always turn heads. At the same time I find her rooms very approachable and family friendly. Check out Dashing Designs and see for yourself. www.dashingdesignsinc.

Banquett Seating

Here is the one we finished yesterday. Is this not the perfect spot to read a paper, play games or just gossip. Diana did a great job on the cushions.

The cute chair is from Lee Industries, we slip covered is in a washable cotton so we are carefree at the beach.

Part of the Ballard Design collection. They have different sizes, corner pieces, and pretty fabrics to choose from. Prices are $359 to $743
(Diana this is your next project) I can see this with a large farm table.






The above photo is a job we completed a few months ago. Sorry about the clipped photo but you can see we used a curved bench from Lee Industries to create a cozy nook feeling. Just right for sipping wine.

The photo below is the same look.





This looks like they gained new seating.
Our very mid century look. We had this banquette made from straight grained maple, with lots of pillows.
Not a banquette but we created a very cocktail friendly nook instead of another table. We used two chair and 1/2's Good for a light lunch with conversation.


Could it be that America is returning to family dinners. I really hope so! I was installing the cushions on a rather large banquette yesterday and realized I have completed several of these in the last few months. My seamstress ( who is a bit pushy, you will see, she is writing a guest blog next week) said "can't you find a cushion at Ballard Designs or someplace". She is definitely sick of making cushions. Banquettes are a great place for family's to gather. For eating, playing games, or just hanging out. They offer more comfort than a chair and have a cozier feeling. The new Victorian style home I was installing in yesterday had a bay window in the living area. It was dead space until the banquette was built. Now, I bet it is the most used space in the house. If you are not up for construction lots of furniture manufacturers are offering dinning benches. Ballard does have a series of pieces to build your own cozy corner. ( Maybe Diana I'll just go there next.)

Monhegan Here I come

This is where the ferry docks, I am getting chills just thinking about it.

Fish beach a great subject to paint.

Sometimes the fog rolls in, that water is about 50 degrees !!!
The light house and a museum there is also an art gallery and museum. Many famous artist painted here- Rockwell Kent, N.C. Wyeth, Andrew Wyeth, James browning, James Fitzgerald just to name a few.
There are views everywhere.

Our home away from home-The Field House. Its not fancy, but it's on the highest point on the Island so the view in insane. When we first get there the hike up the hill is very difficult, we stop and rest half way. By the end of the week we are all a little healthier and zip right up.
Lobsters for 11.00 (every night girls?)
Cathedral Woods, you see fairy houses tucked in among the trails. I hope to see a fairy this year.


I grabbed the new August issue of Martha Stewart Living to read tonight , glanced at the cover, and read- Summer Simplified. Just what I want , a more carefree life, no more rushing, time to do what I want. I love you Martha. Then I opened it up %&#%!!!*&^ WHAT.... How to grow a thriving tropical garden anywhere ? Collecting swizzle sticks ? Dip Dyeing my own shirts ? Dip Dying my own candles ?? Amass a collection of glass jars ? Cooking, biking, flower arranging and on and on. Not what I was looking for. But I do know what to do to simplify summer - a trip to Monhegan Island. I leave tomorrow for a week of bliss, along with my sister and three friends. We paint every day, drink every night and eat lobster. Monhegan is a small Island about 10 miles off the coast of Maine. There are no cars and only nice people. The Island works its magic on everyone who visits. There are Fairy Houses in Cathedral Woods, trails to hike on, and cliffs with views to stop your heart. For more than 100 years it has been a summer haven for artist. It is truly a unhurried place.
I have a few blogs in store for you, and several guest bloggers for next week. You will be viewing The Dog days of Summer by a very talented young photographer, How to design and make a table runner, and the introduction of a new blog High Heels 'n' Sneakers. So I am not being completely selfish, just resting up and coming home with lots of new paintings and stories to show and tell. See you on the 26th. Mikie