Halloween . . Long , long ago . . .

I hope everyone had a very fun Halloween!

Here in our neighborhood the leaves were rustling just so as the little goblins ran up and down the street collecting their goodies! We did our best to help fill their sacks!

Of course this all made me remember a time long...long...LONG!!! . . . Ago when as a young 20-something year old I made matching Halloween costumes for a friend and myself ! Was it working with this fake fur back then that brought me to my present occupation ?

Looking back . . . what were we thinking? Real chicken bones in our hair, tights stuffed and stitched between our toes . . real dirt on our faces . . . but we had fun . . . and in life you just gotta laugh . . . right ?

So have a laugh at my expense . . . I hope I never look like this again!

Happy Halloween to all!!

Lori Ann

"Hallelujah"

Tuesday, October 27 . . . . . this day began as any other, but by the end of the night I was truly "feeling the music" and (almost) speechless.

You see . . we attended a concert by the brilliant "master of chansons", writer & poet the great LEONARD COHEN. I am still without proper words to describe the night . . . I have been to great concerts before, But I don't remember feeling so in awe.

This man of 75 years, dressed in a fine suit & Fedora held us all rapt as he sang. He knelt to "sing to" band member (Javier Mas) then popped up like a 20 year old. As he recited poetry the theatre was so still. The whole evening was mesmerizing . . . until at last he skipped off the stage.

Then . . . he was back . . . 4 encores & we could have listened to 400!

This man is truly gracious in his appreciation of the "unsung heroes" in his band, introducing them each, not once, but 2 times during the evening. These band members are some of the most individually talented musicians I have ever heard.

Together they created a night of true musical magic!

If you are not familiar with LEONARD COHEN . . . . take a peek and a listen !

Thank you, my dear husband for a wonderful early Christmas present!

Lori Ann

A Little Sad . . .

I'm feeling a little sad this week as we begin to put the kitchen garden to sleep. Where once there were lush plants bearing yummy vegetables, now we have the beginnings of mini compost piles.

I so enjoyed the new garden this year, that I will miss her terribly. Luckily we do have bags of frozen tomatoes, jars of refrigerator pickles, frozen roasted peppers and more to enjoy this fall and winter and many memories.

But . . . I will miss those eggplant!! No real way to preserve them.

As we say good night to the garden, let me leave you with one of our favorite summer dinners. (Tho it's just as good in the winter!)

We call them "Stacks" !

(Makes enough for 2 people for dinner or 3-4 as sides)

Slice one large eggplant into 3/8" slices, and rub or spritz with olive oil.

Grill slices on both sides until soft.

Meanwhile slice about 2 tomatoes into similar slices

Slice a ball of soft mozzarella into 1/4" slices. (Trader Joes sells "medallions" which makes it easy!)

Wash some nice leaves of basil, either 10-15 small leaves or larger ones cut up.

On a foil lined pan (that can go back into the grill) . . . .

Lie out about 6 slices of eggplant, top each with a tomato slice, basil and mozzarella, add another eggplant slice, tomato, basil and top with mozzarella.

Pop back into the grill until the cheese melts! Yum!!

Drizzle with a Balsamic glaze or reduction.

Serve with Crusty multigrain bread and a luscious red wine such as Shiraz or Cabernet!

(Try Molly Dooker "2 Left Feet" or Layer Cake - Shiraz or Primitivo !)

Bon Appetit!

Lori Ann

A HalLOwEeN WeB ShOw !!!

Things are beginning to go "Bump In The Night" in my Studio!

I have been hearing strange noises 'round about 2 am !

Oops . . . maybe that was just the sound of my head hitting the worktable as I fell asleep sewing!

Please joins all the little goblins for a festive fall update :

THIS Sunday . . .

October 18th. at 8pm EST

(In the "gallery" of my website)

www.Lorianncorelis.com

Boo,

Lori Ann

Our annual trek to the pumpkins patch makes us feel a bit like Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus & of course Pig Pen! What fun from something so simple as picking out pumkins !

Sunday, along with our friends Lisa & Will we drove to the country. It was a perfect day .. a little brisk and very sunny! Of course what you see in our hands is not all we bought . . it took a few trips through the check out and to the car to get all our finds loaded! (Including the pie pumpkins which will become soup and pie . . YUM!)

The day ends with a home made donut . . . still warm and ozeing sugar frosting and a little grease! Why is it that the slimmest of us 4 can eat the most of these ??? There are things in life that just aren't fair!

Enjoy . . and HAPPY FALL !!!

Lori Ann

Ghoultide Gathering . . . till next year

HOME SWEET HOME is truly a perfect sentiment!

A fter travelling for 3 shows in 3 states in 3 weeks we are plum tired . . . but with smiles on our faces !

Ghoultide Gathering last weekend was just wonderful! Many, many thanks to Scott and Stephanie who work very hard to make this show the wonder that it is !

Each and every artist involved in the show created outstanding work. It was great fun to meet new friends as well as catch up with old ones. I hope you enjoy these pictures . . . I have split them up into 2 posts . . . and funny . . . . I took nice photos of everyones work but my own! Silly me!

Names are posted in order of the pictures top to Bottom.

Nicol Sayre

Scott Smith

Will Bezek

Sheila - Primdolly

Vaughn & Stephanie Rawson

Jerry & Darla Arnold

Paul Gordon

Soft in the Head

King of Mice Studio

Lori Ann

Ghoultide Fun . . . Continued

Ghoultide Gathering: Continued, top to bottom.

Deborah - Hop Hop Jingle Boo

Kristen Beason

Pat Murphy

Debbie -He-Be-Je-Bes

Lori - Notforgotten Farm

Irene Gates

Tony Costanza

Alan Cunningham

Dara DiMagno

Vaillancourt Folk Art

Peter Hafford - Antiques