• Welcome!

    So glad you dropped by! There is always something brewing here at the painted apron, cooking, painting, party planning, gift making, organizing, tablescaping...I hope you will spend a few minutes here and find some inspiration for your next creation.

Wine Time

Let’s enjoy some wine today in sort of funky way I almost didn’t post this today because it’s not very good, but I want to encourage you experiment and have fun! Everything you do is not going to be perfect, the important thing is that you’re doing it, and you will be practicing and learning! … Continue reading

Crazy Croutons!

Instead of garnishing your your soup or salad with the same old toasted bread croutons, amp it up with something different A crazy crouton! Fresh Butternut Squash Ravioli will cook in 3-4 minutes Then it’s topped with Parmesan and broiled for 2-3 minutes~ A delightful surprise to your Power Greens Salad Lucky Croutons will make … Continue reading

Southern Scalloped Pineapple

You probably aren’t thinking about pineapple this time of year, but this baked pineapple casserole is a tried and true Southern classic AND is a wonderful side dish for the holidays! It has shown up regularly on Southern tables for years It’s perfect for brunches, luncheons, and dinners A great side dish with ham, BBQ … Continue reading

Spooky Food

With Halloween coming up, you’ll want serve up some slightly spooky food! Start out with Skellie Bone Bites Cheese curds, [or white cheddar cheese pieces,] fried in a light Tempura batter are frightfully good~ But don’t put them on display, the ghosts will want to stay! Follow up with Hocus Pocus Party Dip Perfect with … Continue reading

Bouquet with Small Shapes & Dots

This photo on Pinterest caught my eye I was fascinated by how all the small strokes came together to form flowers I decided to paint it with markers As you can see, my version turned out quite differently! This is why I am always saying it’s okay to “copy” other artists, your work will turn … Continue reading

Bites of Autumn

Whether it’s football watching or just a gathering with friends, be sure to provide lovely Fall decor and a tasty Autumn flavored bite! These Parmesan Pumpkin & Bacon Spirals will be gobbled up in no time! Every year I find these mini pumpkin stems at Trader Joe’s, they are so perfect for Fall arrangements Autumn … Continue reading

Pumpkin & Sausage Stuffed Shells with Chardonnay Bechamel

This is a perfect Fall comfort meal… Soft pillows of pumpkin and sausage stuffed pasta covered in a chardonnay* cream sauce *substitute chicken broth or any white wine It sounds complicated, but I promise it’s not Here are the ingredients Start by browning the sausage and cooking the pasta shells Drain pasta when just done … Continue reading

Create Magic with Leftovers

Sometimes you don’t want to cook, or you don’t know what to cook, or you have leftovers you want to use up… BBQ chicken or pork have endless possibilies and it’s fun to create something totally unexpected Turn BBQ chicken into a BBQ Chicken & Corn Pizza with Spinach Salad Topping Save leftovers from Fajita … Continue reading

Falling Leaves

Autumn leaves are falling everywhere, I love to see them floating through the air… Today let’s paint a simple leaf with watercolor using the wet into wet technique Start by putting a puddle of water on your paper in a very loose/absract leaf shape Load your brush with water and yellow and then touch brush … Continue reading

It’s almost time for Halloween!

I must warn you… It’s time to Set the Scene… It’s almost time for Halloween! With ghosts and goblins and witches galore It’s time to get ready and pull out your decor A Spooky Centerpiece adds to the fun Spooky Halloween has just begun! A Pumpkin Witch might show up at your door The likes … Continue reading

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