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Sweet Sunday Night at the Buttercupland Fair...New Jerusalem Workshop

Blogging has been a tremendous gift. I've met wonderful people from all over the world. Some of them have given me a look into issues and experiences I never would have encountered and others have deepened my interest in topics in which I had an interest. My sweet friend, Paula, at Home in Douglas, has done both. I enjoy reading about her life in Alaska, which is so different from mine. I also have enjoyed seeing the beautiful art that her husband Charles creates at New Jerusalem Workshop. 


My college major was Religion, with an emphasis in European Religious History. My parents were aghast. They were so concerned that I would never get a job. But with the ignorance/confidence of youth I was sure I would one day teach Religion on the college level. I didn't teach, but I did study some wonderful and fascinating topics. I spent one semester studying medieval Russian History and Religion and enjoyed it immensely. In this class I learned about icons and the important place they had in Russian Religion.

The icons of New Jerusalem Workshop are beautiful. You can commission one of a favorite saint, which would be a lovely and meaningful gift. There is also a Nativity Set, a perfect Christmas gift. I also think this would be a thoughtful and unusual wedding gift that would be treasured and enjoyed for many years.


Thank you, Paula, for your friendship and for introducing me to these beautiful works of art and devotion.

Today was a day for cooking. I made my first batch of kale chips. After some searching I decided to use the oven and it was really easy. I did leave the kale in longer than the recipes I read suggested, but otherwise they didn't seem crispy enough. I will never mistake them for potato chips, but with a little salt and some grated cheese they were crispy and tasty. I was also pleased by the cost. A package of prepare kale chips is at minimum over five dollars. My entire bunch of kale was $2.79, and a little kale goes a long way. I've got kale for chips for the next week. I also made a batch of curried butternut squash soup. I bought a frozen bag of cut-up butternut squash and saved myself the work of hacking the squash. It came out very well and was the perfect Sunday night autumn supper.

I hope you had a good Sunday and send wishes for a great week. As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care of yourself. 

13 comments

Ms Sparrow said...

It seems like eating kale is really trendy right now but I haven't broken down and tried it yet. It looks awful! I'm not a big greens eater--iceberg lettuce is more my speed. If all goes well, I may never have to eat the stuff!

Melinda said...

I will leave the Kale to you!
Enjoy.

Other religions are always intersting to check out.

M :)

Grammy Staffy said...

I would like to know how to do the kale chips. Could you send me the recipe? Are they good?

Guess what???? We had butternut soup at dinner today too. Mindy made it and it was delicious. They say that great minds think alike ...haha

Have a great week. Hugs, Lura

Linda said...

Very nice photos and the reasoning behind them. Never had kale chips..not sure about that one, lol. Blessings

Anonymous said...

Such beautiful art.

Kale is so good for us - I'm glad you can enjoy them for the week.

Your soup sounds like the perfect autumn supper!

Theresa said...

Beautiful colors! I will have to try the kale chips! Have a blessed day dear friend, HUGS!

Nellie said...

Well, I was also a religion major in college, emphasis on Christian education, and actually worked in that field for three years.

I've never tried to make kale chips. I like it too well sauteed in olive oil with garlic.:-)

I must look for butternut squash in that form at my supermarket. Adding it to the list!

Have a great Monday!

EG CameraGirl said...

You were smart to purchase the already cut-up squash. I made butternut squash for one vegetable at Saturday night dinner and it was a lot of work to peel and cut up! ;) Kale chips spund interesting. I will have to check into that.

Susan said...

Oh gosh, I'm not a big kale fan. Glad you liked the chips, though.

Thanks so much for visiting and commenting on my blog. Loved that you stopped by! Susan

Susie said...

Buttercup, Glad your kale chips turn out well. The art piece is beautiful. Many people get degrees and never get into the field they studied for...but you are degreed and smart:):) xoxo,Susie

Nancy said...

I've always admired this type of artwork -- just beautiful!

And I have some kale in the fridge -- I must look up a recipe for kale chips now! :)

Mevely317 said...

Hurrying to catch up over here! Whew, it's comforting and a bit "grounding" (in a good way) to visit Buttercup-land!

Love the idea of this nativity for a wedding gift ... or, perhaps a young lady's hope chest? (Do they even DO that anymore?)

The kale sounds really GOOD.... but with my silly thyroid issues, wonder about the iodine levels. When in doubt, Google!

Hugs,
Myra

Marie Rayner said...

BEautiful paintings. I have never tried Kale other than cooking it. I will have to try this sometime! I hear they are very good. xx