Mary Hanks

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It takes a village

August 9th, 2008

and an awesome family & friends to pull off a wedding like this!

Thank you isn’t enough for all who helped make Saturday, August 2nd such a fantastic day for my daughter Sara & her new husband Casey.

The picture above in the pasture where the ceremony took place. Antique windows from my daughter-in-law’s family property in Cumming, GA set in frames of 2 x 4’s, sided with deconstructed wood pallets & scrap lumber. The antique mantel & doors were furnished to us by Ian Keith Henderson at Warehouse Antique Mall, 216 Davis Street, Monroe, GA 30655. He has 2 great shops in Monroe; North building (770)266-6696, South Building (770)207-4976.

The outdoor wedding chapel was built primarily by Sara’s dad/my fab. husband, Scott & the groom, Casey with help from little bro, Jonathan, pulling nails with Casey’s dad Jeff.

Wedding location at my in-law’s in Monroe, GA. They opened their hearts, home, land & life in order to make the dream wedding a reality! I couldn’t have hung all those lights without the awesome tractor & its driver! Thanks Charles!!!

Neighbor, Charlene opened her property for parking, church friends Stephanie, Howard & Penny also volunteered their time & energy for the big day. The whole Hanks & Toombs family there & were active participants in so many jobs before & after the event to get the show going & disassemble the aftermath! A million times “THANK YOU!!!” to you all!!! Much love!

In the background but no less appreciated, Mom & Dad helping me make tea & lemonade, moving flower arrangements for delivery, picking up my house while I was in Monroe….my brother Jeff, his wife & my parents stepped in with caring for the young ones during the ceremony & reception. Ron & family for taking care of sound.

More to come! Blogging begins again in earnest!

Posted in Crafts, Everyday | No Comments »

Custom Canvas Banner or Sign

April 30th, 2008

This is the second table banner for Carole Axium Designs & I’m so pleased with the way that it turned out. She has a beautiful jewelry shop! Used at craft shows, these are a great way to have your logo & name displayed. Each are hand painted (by me) on canvas & come with a canvas carrying bag that I make to store & transport. Below are 2 pieces for Tuscan Sun, a wellness center in Decatur, GA. A table banner that is used at health fairs & a large canvas mounted on board that now hangs in the studio. Contact me with any requests to have a custom banner for your shop!

Posted in Art, Crafts, My Heart's Desire, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Earth Day & Beyond

April 22nd, 2008

Everybody had great ideas for earthday today but I didn’t see this anywhere. This is my all-time-favorite-couldn’t-live-without tool…
I purchased this tool from a vendor at the Southeastern Flower Show in Atlanta, GA about 8 years ago. This sweet lady is still selling these and I’m told that they also come in a longer handled version (I know what I want for my birthday this year!!!). Sun Garden is in North Carolina. As you can see, mine is well worn! The handle was painted by me to make it easier to see when I set it down in the garden. The Homie Hand Plow, this Korean tool does it all!!! Last time I checked she was not selling on-line but does have a toll-free number 1 (800) 579-1722. Similiar items can be found in a search of
“korean garden hoe” and you may find a similiar tool at an Asian market in your area.
It’s a handtool that is great for digging, weeding, hoeing of course!

Viburnum is in full bloom right now while the cherry tree has done it’s thing. This cardinal coesn’t seem to mind.

More pics from my garden.

Posted in Garden | 3 Comments »

Margarita Pie

April 16th, 2008

Tonight’s menu was another Southwestern inspired with Margarita Pie for dessert. A pretzel crust and creamy lime filling with bit of tequilla is simple & a make-ahead ending for easy entertaining. More of the menu & recipes here. The Sesame-Ginger Chicken with Watermelon Salsa was the main course. I used a Rachel Ray recipe tonight for the Curry Couscous & Mango Salsa. “Yumm-O!”

Celebration? You bet!!! Date & plans are coming together for my daughter Sara’s wedding! Son, Peter & his new bride were here as well. It’s all good!

Posted in Food, Recipe | 4 Comments »

Homemade Granola

April 15th, 2008

Full of dried fruits, nuts, sweetened with honey,

this granola is perfect for breakfast.

I like mine with yogurt! Also makes a great snack.

Homemade Granola

4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

2 cups sweetened shredded coconut

2 cups nuts

(sliced almonds, walnuts, pecan pieces)

3/4 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup good honey

4 1/2 cups of dried fruit combonation

(small diced dried apricots*, figs, dried cherries, craisins, banana chips,

trail mix blend also works well)

1 cup roasted lightly salted cashews (add at the end)

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Toss the oats, coconut, and nuts (except for the cashews) together in a large bowl. Whisk together the oil and honey in a small bowl. Pour the liquids over the oat mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until all the oats and nuts are coated. Pour onto a 13 by 18 by 1-inch sheet pan.

Bake, stirring occasionally with a spatula, until the mixture turns a nice, even, golden brown, about 40-45 minutes.

Remove the granola from the oven and allow to cool, stirring occasionally. Add the dried fruit combo and cashews. Store the cooled granola in an airtight container.

* This is my variation of a recipe I found. It called for dried apricots which I LOVE but the preservative used is a sulfate that many of us find as an asthma trigger so read your label and use other fruit if it may be a problem for anyone you may be serving. The original recipe called for 2 cups sliced almonds. I used a combination of almonds, pecans & walnuts to make the 2 cups.

Posted in Food, Recipe | 2 Comments »

House Beautiful!

April 11th, 2008

Working in a beautiful kitchen this past week, glazing cabinets & trim in the fabulous home. This is the breakfast area, picture is taken from the edge of a very large wrap around island. It’s where the sink is along with set of bar stools—perfect spot for after-school or late-night snack, homework, etc.

This chandelier was off-white with the leaves a light green…until I took some paints & glazes to this piece. A closer view is below.

With 50+ cabinet doors & drawers, PLUS the crown molding, baseboards, etc., it took the hands of 5 of us over about 5 days to complete. Many hands make light work…OK, not exactly light work!

Stove, hood and island receive a different treatment; painted black & distressed.

Posted in Art, Uncategorized | 3 Comments »

Grand Old House

April 2nd, 2008

Our dinner at the restaurant on Grand Cayman Island was phenomenal!

This is me on the veranda where we dined,

overlooking the Caribbean Sea under the intimate gazebos.

Grand Old House Celebrates its 100th Anniversary

Built in 1908 by the Lambert family from Boston, Massachusetts, Grand Old House was originally called ‘Petra’ after an old biblical name meaning ‘place of refuge’. Later the house became known as ‘Petra Plantation’ because of the abundance of coconut and banana trees.

Thirty years ago it was converted into a fine dining restaurant.

Dinner Menu

Medley of organic mixed green salad
Roma tomatoes, cucumber, palm hearts,

bell peppers and alfalfa sprouts, topped with slivers

of Scottish smoked salmon, Sherry vinaigrette

Caribbean “Voodoo” Soup
Curried red bean, peanut and red chili

Duo of herb marinated flamed grilled
Angus beef tenderloin, & citrus marinated

Wahoo with Jumbo shrimp skewer
presented on sweet potato mash,

topped with mango and papaya salsa
Tequila-lemongrass sauce

Grand Old House Dessert Buffet

See previous post with more about our trip!

Posted in Food | 1 Comment »

Grand Cayman, Oh So Grand

March 30th, 2008

Gorgeous beaches and water that changes from turquoise to sapphire and aquamarine in a glorious swirl of color! My husband Scott received this trip as a recognition along with 127 others from his company, all recipients of the “STAR” awards, given to the top 1% in his company. We were all treated to an outstanding four day, all expense get-away for two on Grand Cayman Island.

O, land of soft, fresh breezes, or verdant trees so fair
With Thy Creator’s glory, reflected ev’rywhere.
(a portion of the Cayman Islands National Song)

The Westin Casuarina on Seven Mile Beach was wonderful with a friendly staff and fabulous food. We arrived Tuesday afternoon, were treated to a seaside evening of music with a steel drum band, cocktails and dinner buffet on the lawn.

Wednesday afternoon was a cookout on the beach and a choice of water activities; banana boats, waverunners, kayacks, etc. Scott drove and I hung on as we raced around, took in the ocean view and salt spray. Our hats were the only casualties — lost at sea.

More about the Wednesday evening dinner at the Grand Old House in a later post!

Getting up close and personal with stingrays was the adventure Thursday morning. The trip to and from the sandbar on a fabulous catamaran – Red Sail Sports was great by itself. There were too many boats in the shallowest of the sandbars where it is only 3-4 feet deep so our Australian captian took us to another location about 12 feet deep, threw out some squid. Into the Caribean Sea we went with mask, snorkel and fins—some, like me with a vest on too, watching these graceful rays below. The stronger, more coordinated ones ventured further out and below. It was rather choppy and I, in my vest stayed fairly close to boat! They are gentle, sociable, incredible sea creatures that interact with visitors, brushing their velvety underbellies against us passengers. One of the other cruise staff was a Caymanian, dove straight in, brought a ray up, cradled in his arms for me to spend some time with. I think this was my favorite adventure of the trip!

A WaveRunner snorkeling safari on Friday morning was an exciting adventure. I’ve been on the back of these machines but had never driven one myself until this beautiful morning. WOW!!! An incredible feeling! After slowly clearing the 200-yard, no-wake zone that runs along the Seven Mile Beach we take off at about 50 mph, stopping at two different coral reefs, don the masks, snorkel & fins. I’m a rookie, a surface snorkeler but still enjoyed to view below.

If I were younger…and taller…

March 20th, 2008

UPDATE: this item sold this week (April 1st) but I’ll be making this pattern again!

This is my latest etsy listing….Spring Fashion Ladies Mini Dress Tunic.

When I first bought this pattern it reminded me of Kelly Ripa & some of the oh-so-cute outfits you see her wear. If I were younger, taller then I’d keep this for myself!

The Mulberry Elementary School Mural pictures are now posted in a bit more organized way.

Posted in Everyday, My Heart's Desire, Uncategorized | 7 Comments »

Still Life for Breakfast, Peach Cobbler for Dessert!

March 19th, 2008

It was really hard to decide what to include because there are so many great items. For that reason I’m showing the alternates too. Do enjoy & thank you to this set of great artists!

Peach Cobbler

Dinner tonight? Chicken Enchiladas.

Instead of my usual Pace salsa, tonight I used Newman’s Own Black Bean & Corn Salsa plus a tablespoon of adobo sauce from a can of chipotle peppers and a couple of tablespoons of Pace Chipotle Salsa.

Dessert? Quick Peach Cobbler.

1 stick butter or margarine
1 C self-rising flour
1 C sugar
1 C milk
1 large can peaches, sliced
Ice Cream, Cool Whip or whip cream is optional

Melt butter in medium Pyrex dish in the microwave. Mix flour, sugar and milk (will be thin). Add peaches to butter and pour dough over peaches. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until cobbler is completely cooked and brown on top. If desired, serve with ice cream, Cool Whip or whip cream.

This easy recipe makes a nice family dessert.
When fresh fruit is available, substitute 2 cups fresh sliced
sweetened peaches, blueberries, blackberries or a combination of fruits!

More recipes at maryhanks.com. See Food for Thought for a complete listing.

Posted in Food, Recipe | 2 Comments »

I’m in my happy place when my hands are busy; creating in the kitchen or garden, sewing or painting, even occasionally sculpting this and that.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart.” Colossians 3:23