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Happy Father’s Day

I love our little community. This morning we went to the Annual Father’s Day Pancake Breakfast Fly-In at the little air strip down the road and around the corner. We took Farmboy’s dad- Farmer Russ to the breakfast and watched numerous planes fly in throughout the morning. The whole community turns out for this event and the kids get to see their cousins and friends from school. People bring their old cars to share with other old car appreciating folks. The Beatles and country music blast from the DJ’s tent, periodically interrupted with 50/50 raffle giveaways. I feel very fortunate to live in this community and to share this event with my terrific hubby and his father. What a blessing.

Have a great day all of you dads out there! See you next year at the Pancake Breakfast Fly-In!




Happy Mother’s Day

LaLa’s Drawing

My other Artist, The Bean. We love to draw bunnies together. I can feel the LOVE.*so thankful*  Hope your day is simple, fun, full and Blessed!




Topiary Designs for Mother’s Day

A fragrant sachet filled with French Lavender Buds featuring the MOM Topiary

Lilac Bouquet with Topiary Table and Chickadees… Oh so sweet!

Lavender Sachet, Linen Guest Towel, Lilac Handcrafted Soap and Greeting Card all featuring the Lilac Bouquet.

Greeting Card Inside: Thank you for being the wonderful woman that you are.

Happy Mother’s Day






Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Wishing you a little luck of the Irish today! Don’t forget to wear some green and for all things Ireland… stop in an visit my friends Cory and Liam at irishfireside.com. For more charming Celtic and Irish designs on stationery, fine linens and fine art prints- go to michellemasters.com.




Valentine’s Day Dinner Menu

Heart-TopiaryHeart-TopiaryHeart-Topiary

Rosemary’s Pink Diamond Fizz Cocktail

Baked Brie with Dried Cherries & Thyme

Blood Orange and Radicchio Salad with Hazelnuts and Shaved Parmigiano

Creamy Potato Soup with Pancetta Croutons

Sauteed Asparagus and Snap Peas

Beef Tenderloin with Rosemary and Chocolate

Dark Chocolate Souffle’ Cakes with Espresso-Chocolate Sauce

Heart-Knot-Red

Thanks to our friends Eric and Joanne Tills from our dinner club for letting me post the menu for our upcoming dinner. I’m certain it will be delish! Farmboy and I will be bringing the Chocolate Souffle Cakes so I will be certain to post about that later. I can’t wait to taste that Beef Tenderloin with Rosemary and Chocolate! Be sure to click on the titles above to view the recipes.




Happy New Year!

2010-Illustration

A charming little design to ring in the New Year. Hope you like!




Emmanuel- God with Us

Nativity-scene

Happy Holidays from our family to yours!




Happy Winter Solstice

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Did you know that as the days get longer it triggers the horse’s coat to begin to shed? I had always assumed that it was warmer temps that brought on those full grooming brushes. This is my fuzzy Paley with snowy whiskers that need trimming. She’s a delight. A long time friend.




The Holidays

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This has to be my favorite time of the year. My senses are estatic. The music, the smells, the snow, the lights. What joy. I go back and forth between the present and the past Christmas’ of my childhood. It’s really all good. I had an ideal childhood… until the my parents’ divorce. Apparently it wasn’t that ideal. But, life… it is what it is. And I’m glad. I know that I have been blessed. Perfection and imperfection. It’s okay with me. At least it is today.

I have a strong desire to give my children a healthy investment of tradition, memories, smells, tastes and sounds to fill their present as well as their past when they are old enough to look back. I wonder what shape it will take for them. Hmmm. I hope they remember that they are loved with an everlasting love and that their parents are absolutely crazy about each other. That would make me happy.




The Blue Peanut

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The Blue Peanut. Baby Blue Peanut. Plastic with a string tied around it Peanut. We have numerous ornaments. Whenever Farmboy and I travel we purchase an ornament to remind us of our trip. This is the first year decorating our Christmas tree that both of our children were old enough to tell our “stories” to. What a treat. I told my daughter about the “passie” ornament. A little pooh pacifier with a red ribbon tied around it. That ornament was how Farmboy found out that LaLa was on the way. Oh, what a thrill.

The Blue Peanut. I in inherited it. It’s something I’ve always wanted. In fact, I would like it willed to me. I’m nervous that someone else may one day want to claim it. I want it in writing. When my five year old was busily unpacking ornaments for the tree, she kept asking, “Where is the Blue Peanut?”. How did she remember? She can hardly remember where she left her blankie, much less something she hasn’t seen in a year,  yet she wanted to get her hot little hands on that peanut.

It was my stepfather’s when he was a child. I don’t know much more about it. I think it was something from Mr. Peanut but after a quick google search for “Blue Mr. Peanut”, I only found the Mr. Peanut with arms, legs, glasses and a hat… definitely not my peanut. I don’t think ours opens. I say “ours” because we have the peanut now.  Yep, you read that right. We HAVE the coveted peanut. But, as I’ve said before I want that baby in writing. I know there are items perhaps of more “value” but because it was given to Poppa by his mom, it has become very important to me… to us. So, maybe La La or the Bean will one day request the Blue Peanut. Until then the anticipation of unveiling the peanut from year to year will greatly enhance the Christmas tradition in our home. What can I say… its the simple, lovely, meaningful things that make my world go around.




ABOUT

Hi, I'm Michelle. I am an artist/designer specializing in unique topiary themed illustrations for the Home & Gardener. I live on a farm in Upstate New York with my husband, aka Farmboy, my two children affectionately known as "La La" and "the Bean" and a small petting zoo of other family members.

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