Thursday, August 28, 2008

Woodridge Village Folk Art Print, Chicken Pot Pie, and Tea

Ellen and Richard Ekelstein have lived in Woodridge their entire lives. One of Ellen's favorite Bible verses is Romans 12:13, "Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality". She and her husband practice this verse in their daily lives. They are always ready to lend a helping hand and their home is always open to friends and family. Tonight Ellen is making her homemade "Chicken Pot Pie" to take to a dear friend who is under the weather.



" Ellen's Recipe"

Chicken Pot Pie


1 (15 oz.) pkg refrigerated pie crust (these are yummy if you've never tried them)

Filling:

1/3 Cup margarine or butter

1/3 Cup chopped onion

1/3 Cup flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

1 1/2 Cups chicken broth, (14.5 oz.) can

2/3 Cup milk

2 1/2 - 3 Cups shredded cooked chicken

2 Cups frozen mixed vegetables


Heat oven to 425 degrees. Prepare pie crusts using directions on pkg. for a 2 crust pie in a 9 inch pan.


In medium sauce pan, melt margarine over med. heat. Add onion & cook 2 minutes or until tender. Stir in flour, salt, & pepper until well blended. Gradually stir in broth & milk; cook, stirring constantly, until bubbly and thickened.


Add chicken & mixed vegetables; remove from heat. Spoon chicken mixture into crust-lined pan. Top with second crust & flute; cut slits in several places.


Bake @ 425 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Let stand 5 min. before serving. Serves 6.


How about showing your hospitality by having a tea party. I've always dreamed of having a "tea party" in the garden and really need to learn from Ellen how to entertain. Your home is never going to be good enough, clean enough, etc., etc. We need to realize how important people are in our lives and invite them into our home. They won't notice the dust or that our homes look lived in, but will feel honored that you took the time for them in your hectic life.

I painted this little table years ago. It's actually a sewing box, but has been used instead to display a tiny tea cup and saucer and Mary Engelbreit's "Time For Tea" book. The table is painted with tiny pink roses and is antiqued and crackled to give it an aged look.


The spindles around the side of the box are for thread.

Even the inside of the box & lower shelf are painted with a border of tiny pink rose buds.

I bought this shelf at a flea market a few years ago in Iowa and it is now a place to display some of my tea cups.

On the top shelf is a little teapot shaped box that has a minature tea set inside.

One of my tiny painted cat ornaments hangs from a knob and a vintage linen towel hangs from the drawer.

I painted this shelf to match the faux hydrangea rug that I painted in our guest bedroom. Matching tea cups and a photo of my husband's grandfather adorn the top of the shelf.



17 comments:

  1. I appreciate what you've written about being willing to have people over despite our homes looking "lived in". I need to remember that more often. I always assume that the first thing visitors see is some cobweb I missed. ;)

    Hugs,
    Cindy

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  2. You always make me feel warm and toasty inside! That recipe sounds so yummy. I could use some comfort food right about now! I LOVE that little table and your tea cup collection is beautiful. I have some lovely little tea cups which I hung on the wall by a long strand of faux pearls. I love to see the way that people display theirs.

    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  3. That recipe sounds delicious. What a wonderful idea for someone who is under the weather. I'm going to save that idea. And the table is lovely. I have my mothers tea-cup collection and I need some ideas for how to display them...that shelf has my creative juices going ;) Thanks for sharing your lovely pieces ;)

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  4. Wow! I like it all. You are an inspiration. It makes me want to paint everything in sight, but I'll resist. Thanks for sharing.

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  5. I have been following your blog for the last week or so Catherine. I love your work and I have to buy one on your prints~I just can't decide which one yet!

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  6. Your little sewing table is very unique and really lovely. The colors and flowers just make it very special. I wish I had some painting talent but mine is strictly for painting walls and simple crafts. Being a tea drinker myself, I love your collection of tea cups.

    Gretchen

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  7. I love chicken pot pie! My grandmother used to make it all the time. The painting is beautiful!
    Love the little sewing table you painted.

    Hugs,
    Donna

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  8. Thanks ladies for all your kind words. I appreciate the feedback on my new format.
    Hugs,
    Cathie

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  9. Love your painted table and shelf Catherine...they are just beautiful.

    Your paintings, as always are beautiful.

    Will have to give this pot pie a try one of these days...looks really good...much better then the frozen stuff in the store. : ) Have a super weekend.

    Ruth

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  10. Your talent is astounding.

    It's funny. I wrote recently on my blog, that I was not fond of Folk Art. I take that back. You have given me a new love of folk art. I truly love your work.

    Happy Weekend!

    Melissa

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  11. Thanks for sharing the recipes! Love your fall paintings too.

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  12. You are really putting me in the mood for fall! That recipe sounds delicious and much simpler than the long version I make. I am going to try that soon!

    Your painted pieces are so lovely Cathie! My favorite is your sewing box...so pretty!
    xo
    Penny

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  13. I tried the chicken Pot Pie recipe last night and got rave reviews from my husband! He asked where I found the recipe and I said from my new love~blogs and my favorite blogger - Catherine! Getting ready to decorate my house for fall and decided I have to have one of your fall paintings to display! Going to ebay/etsy right now.
    deb

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  14. Beautiful! Thank you for all your prayers and blessings!
    Have a wonderful Labor Day,
    kari & kijsa

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  15. I absolutely love your artwork and am feverishly hunting for some wall space for one of your prints - I keep stalking your etsy shop and have narrowed my favourites down! I also love your blog, it is an oasis of peace in an otherwise chaotic world (I have added you to my favorite blogs) Keep on blogging you talented lady,
    Kim

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  16. I can't wait to try your chicken pot pie recipe, yummy! And your sewing box is adorable, especially how you have it displayed.
    Love everything.
    Hugs,
    Rose

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  17. All I can say is WOW! Love the sewing box!

    The Chicken Pot Pie sounds so yummy!

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Thanks for taking the time to share your sweet comments!