Changing Seasons

 First off, I'd like to send out prayers for all those in Hurricane Dorian's path and wishing everyone safety.

 Here in the Northern Hemisphere we are welcoming the coming of Autumn and in the Southern Hemisphere Spring is coming. I won't lament Fall approaching because at least where I live summer usually extends through September- minus earlier sunset times, so I'm OK with that!

 Going to start off here with a party, food and drinks which I will share with T Stands For Tuesday:

 We, our friends Lynn, Andrew and baby Warren, along with Todd and Kyra had another fun, fun record/vinyl party Saturday evening and these were the records we took to play. I have every Hall and Oates album made and specifically searched fervently for this one album from our vast record collection because it has a song on it titled "August Day" and I wanted to hear it our last day of August:)  Some of you may remember my sharing a few other record parties we've had. SO FUN!!

 Andrew and Lynn hosted and provided pizzas, drinks and popcorn to snack on. Kyra made a buffalo chicken dip-yum! and for the first time I made falafels. I knew they'd be gracious guinea pigs. And.... the falafels turned out so good so I will share the easy recipe at the bottom of the page. Definitely making these again- they make great sides or appetizers!

               Falafels (Recipe at bottom of this post, and I will also link it 

under the "recipes" tab under my blog header.

 I made them just before leaving, and served them with Tzaziki sauce.

For the Simon Wednesday Challenge(Anything Goes), and the Simon Monday Challenge (Something Clear) I made this card, along with a matching envie: 

 Products: patterned notecard and white envie (the Paper Studio); Clustered Leaves die, heavy vellum, Moonshine Sequins (Simon Says Stamp); sentiment- Label love set (Altenew); Adirondak  Eggplant ink (Ranger); Tim Holtz mini stapler. On the envie- Floral Shadow stamps (Altenew; inks- Adirondak Eggplant, Currant ; Archival inks- Leaf Green, Sunflower.

 There is a new theme for the Art Journal Journey Challenge for the month of September! Erika is the guest host and she has chosen the theme of  "Polka Dots, Stripes, Plaids , or Patterns". Here is my journal page (it's 9" x 12"):

 A Detail shot:

 and the colorful rainbow background I painted to start the page with:

  This page was inspired by a You Tube video I watched by Julie Kotenko. I grabbed my most vibrant paints for this page and had a blast splattering, dripping, and finger painting!

 As always I will join Paint Party Friday this week. Have a super week!

"By all these lovely tokens, September days are here. With summer's best of weather, and autumn's best of cheer."    Helen Hunt Jackson

          Falafels (recipe courtesy of The Minimalist Baker)

1 15oz. can chick peas (rinsed, drained and patted dry)

1/3 c. fresh parsley                    4 cloves garlic (minced)

2 medium shallots, minced       2 Tbsp. raw sesame seeds

1 1/2 tsp. cumin                         1/4 tsp. each of salt and pepper

1 healthy pinch each of cardamom and coriander

3-4 Tbsp. flour                          3-4 Tbsp. vegetable oil

Panko breadcrumbs for coating (optional)

Add chick peas, parsley, shallot, garlic, sesame seeds, cumin, salt, pepper, coriander and cardamom to a food processor and pulse to combine, scraping down sides as needed. Add flour 1 Tbsp. at a time and pulse to combine until no longer wet and you can mold the dough into a ball without it being sticky.  Cover and refrigerate up to 2 hours to firm up.

Form dough into 12 patties. Optional: sprinkle on Panko breadcrumbs and press to adhere- both sides for crispier outsides.

Heat a large skillet over med. heat and add enough oil to just coat the pan. Cook 2-3 min. til golden then flip and cook 2-3 min. more.( you may need to add a Tbsp. or two more oil). Best eaten fresh. Leftovers will keep in fridge 4-5 days. Can also freeze. Serve with your favorite hummus and/or Tzaziki sauce.