Holiday Show

Speaking of Holidays, I will be involved in a 7 vendor holiday show on Thursday, December 3. The event will be from 9:30-2:30 and 6:30-9:30. If you are in Wilton and would like an invitation, email me at shawn@shawnsthings.com.

'tis the season

to be jolly....though the retailers keep making it sooner and sooner that we should "think" about the holidays. The day after Halloween is the new "official" start to the holidays. Scary!!! Again this year I am trying to enjoy each day of the season and trying to remember the reason for the season. I am excited about a grass-roots program I am working on called Help Portraits. With the help of the local FCA, we will find families that are in crisis who would not otherwise be able to have a family portrait taken. I am donating my time and working with a local printer to donate the prints. If anyone is interested in donating an 8x10 frame, please email me at shawn@shawnsthings.com I can't think of a better way for me to give back than this!!

making wine

Tonight's the night. We are finally ready to press!!! After 6 days of fermenting and punching down the wine grapes, we are ready to see the juice and should have our first taste of the fruits of our labor!

chasing the sun

Got to see this family again last night-though we were chasing the sun a little! Miss "L" got her braces off and couldn't wait to smile for me! We went to Weir Farm and we caught some gorgeous end of day lighting but then the sun slipped behind a giant cloud and some trees. Luckily they were all good sports and we made a dash to Ambler Farm where we were able to catch an amazing sunset! Anything in the interest of photography!!! Check out that sunset in the window in this last shot!

curry soup

It's that time of year again when homemade soup sounds sooo good. I had a sick one home so there was time to make soup. I did cheat a little with the CurrySimple sauce, but oh, this soup was goooood-and SPICY!!! Serves four.

You need:

2 boneless chicken thighs cut into one inch chunks

2 boneless chicken breasts cut into one inch chunks

1 tbsp olive oil

2tsp curry powder

2tsp cardamom

2tsp ground coriander

3 cups chicken broth

carrots cut into 1/4 inch rounds

medium red onion, coarsely chopped

red bell pepper, chopped

pineapple, chopped (optional)

curry simple base (see picture)

cilantro

2 limes

Peel carrots and par boil until firm, but slightly soft. Slice into 1/4 inch rounds set aside. Chop onions and bell pepper coarsely. Set aside. Cut up chicken, and salt and pepper. Heat oil in simmer pan or large pot over medium heat. Add chicken and cook about 5 mins until chicken is brown turning to get all sides. Then add the spices and saute another minute until fragrant. Add chicken broth, carrots, onion, bell pepper, pineapple and the CurrySimple. Simmer about 20 mins. Finish with fresh lime juice and serve with limes and cilantro for garnish. Be careful, it's spic-Y!!!!

cabernet

yes, the cab grapes are FINALLY in!!! We can't wait to get working on our first batch of Napa cabernet. The Chilean cab/syrah/malbec grapes are all aging nicely. This week will be a busy one of fermenting, punching down the grape skins and waiting. Lovely smells will be floating around our house. I can't wait!

what a day

The other day I was out to shoot the "H" kids. Mom went off to do some errands while the kiddos and I had some fun with my camera. Earlier that day I was concerned about the weather-a grey day, but then the sun popped out just in time for a spectacular golden hour.