Define Art

The definition of art is controversial in contemporary philosophy. Whether art can be defined has also been a matter of controversy. The philosophical usefulness of a definition of art has also been debated.

What is the first thing that comes to mind? Do you picture a famous painting, statue, musical or literary work? I think one of the best definitions of the idea of art is that it is something that asks the observer a question. Should this three-letter word be abstract and hard to define? Perhaps, considering the fact that one classic painting, statue, symphony or literary work cannot sum up the meaning of the word or the depth that it implies.

Just a few examples to describe the word Art:

• the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.
• the products of human creativity
• the creation of beautiful or significant things
• a superior skill that you can learn by study and practice and observation
• the process or product of deliberately arranging elements in a way to affect the senses or emotions.
• created to have an impact, to change someone else.

BAR-B-QUED BEEF BRISKET

Whenever I have out of town guest this is my first go-to recipe that was handed down from my Husbands family. Its super easy to make. I love that it cooks in the oven all day leaving you time to entertain or in my case usually run around the house cleaning up trying to make it look like we live like civilized people before our guest arrive.

The house will have the most incredible aromas that make us pause, breathe deeply, and sigh. Your mouth will water and yes, it taste’s just as good!

Ingredients:

3 to 4 Pound Beef Brisket
2 TBSP Liquid Smoke
1 TSP Garlic Salt
1 TSP Onion Salt
2 TSP Celery Seed
2 TSP Worchestershire
1 TSP Salkt
2 TSP Ground Pepper
1 Cup BBQ Sauce

Directions:

Place Brisket in a Baking Pan. (like a 9x13 glass casserole dish)
Cover both sides of brisket with:
Liquid smoke
Garlic Salt
Onion Salt
Celery Seed
Worchestershire

Refrigerate in Marinade Overnight.
Add Salt and Pepper
Cover with Foil
Bake at 300 for 5 Hours

Add BBQ Sauce
Uncover for one more Hour of Baking
Baste occasionally (I dont think I ever do this - lol)
Serves 4-6

Cut in slices or Shred the brisket for serving and add BBQ if you want more. We usually add a bunch to the shredded version, makes great sandwiches.

Enjoy!

Twitter Giveaway for the Month of Februrary

Here's your chance to win your very own Mini Message in a Bottle! I'm giving away this one with the Key along with your choice of Color and one of the Pre-Written Messages you'll find at the product listing.

All you have to do is follow @MysticMessages on Twitter and then RT this message and thats it! Super easy!! The contest ends 2/28/11. Please tweet me any questions you have, Good luck everyone!!!

Follow @MysticMessages and R/T this to win a Mini Message in a Bottle http://tweetsw.in/693/ #contest #giveaway

Crock-pot Ravioli with Meatballs

By popular demand I am going to share this recipe with you all.  I recently asked for a new Crockpot for Christmas this year after losing mine in a move a few years back and got a brand new shiny pretty one that I’m so proud to own.

Now, I don’t know about you but when 6pm rolls around, I’m about spent for the day and will find any excuse to take the family out for dinner! I’m one of those people that has a lot of energy in the morning, so preparing dinner and throwing it in the oven or a crock-pot to cook all day is sooo for me.  Plus, it makes the house smell awesome and makes me feel like a domesticated housewife when I’m really a urban type of gal that would rather hire a maid and a cook … I so wish!

Needless to say, this crock-pot is getting a workout with all the new recipes I’ve been trying.  I made this last night and it was a big hit and super easy to make. Pick up some frozen garlic bread and throw a little flour on your apron and let the praise begin!

By the way, I should mention that I did not create this recipe, remember “Urban Girl” here :)

Ingredients

• Nonstick cooking spray

• 2 26-ounce jars spaghetti sauce with mushrooms and onions (I just bought one of those really big 4 lb jars of Ragu and used the whole thing)

• 2 24-ounce packages frozen meat-filled ravioli

• 1 12-ounce package frozen cooked Italian meatballs, thawed [12] (pay attention to the word “thawed” I didn’t and had to thaw them in the microwave .. no biggie)

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (8 ounces)

• 1/2 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese (2 ounces) (yep, I just used the good old Kraft grated parmesan cheese)

Directions

1. Lightly coat a 5 1/2-or 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Add 1 cup of the spaghetti sauce.
    

2. Add one package of the frozen ravioli and the meatballs. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Top with remaining spaghetti sauce from first jar.

3. Add remaining package of ravioli and remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Pour spaghetti sauce from second jar over mixture in slow cooker.

4. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 4 1/2 to 5 hours or on high-heat setting for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Turn off slow cooker.

5. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Cover and let stand for 15 minutes before serving.

Serves 10-12

Music To My Ears

This is so bizarre, but my cute little Music pouch has been featured in 4 Treasuries on Etsy! I’m so very Touched and Honored that I just had to share.  There are some really cool items to check out!

A special Thanks to:

13th Floor Vinyl  |  Rosin Jewelry  |  chloe333  |  diva loves silver

The New Website is Now OPEN!!

After months of hard work, learning all sorts of new things like php and css for starters, becoming addicted to Advil and at times … zoning into the computer screen and almost feeling like we are one …. TaDaaa … its finally finished!!

I’m super excited and proud of my accomplishment. Now that it is complete I will be able to focus on bringing in some new products .. some of my own handmade items and some of the fun things that I find that are cool and unique and I want to share with the world!

Take advantage of the Grand Opening 15% OFF Sale!!

www.Demure.co

Winner Announcement for the Giveaway!!!

Congratulations to the following winners in my Giveaway Celebration! Thanks to everyone who participated, I cant wait to do another :)

Naiya has won the “Heart Necklace”

FruitsOFtheBLooM.etsy.com has won the “Red Messenger Bag”

Ava Cado has won the “Red Wallet”

Giveaway Celebration (CLOSED)

I’m throwing a Giveaway to celebrate reaching 1000 Facebook Followers (and my “soon to be”  new webpage that will have some fun products in addition to the ones I hand make - it's going to be so cool!).

There will be 3 winners. Here's a picture of the prizes to be won:

 

Here's how YOU can join the celebration (Note: you can do just one or all of these  - just make sure you leave a way to contact you if you win! Also, please leave a separate comment for each entry or else all your comments will only count as one entry when entered into a random generator at random.org!):

• Visit Demure on Etsy or Artifre and tell me your favorite item.
• Visit Mystic Messages (my exclusive Message in a Bottle Shop) and tell me your favorite item.
• Follow this blog
• Blog about this giveaway and link back here.
• Like Demure on Facebook
• Mention the give away on Facebook with the link
• Follow Demure4you and MysticMessages on Twitter
• Tweet the following: Check out this awesome #giveaway by @demure4you and @MysticMessages at  http://bit.ly/bCDw7t (can be done daily)
• Buy anything at any of the shops listed above and leave a comment about what you got here (note--if you win on one of these comments, you'll get more than one prize!).

The giveaway closes at midnight EST on Wednesday September 15th. Winners will be chosen by random.org and will be contacted by me. Open worldwide!

Have fun, and happy entering!

Memorial Day Sale

  ♥♥♥♥♥♥  Memorial Day Sale   ♥♥♥♥♥♥
10% off your entire order ~~~ Demure Artistic Designs




MYSTIC MESSAGES is having a HUGE sale right now!

• MysticMessages.etsy.com

1/2 off!!! All prices have been reduced by 50%

Sun and Sand

I really want to give a big shout out to a friend of mine Natalie. She really has a kind heart and I’m so grateful to have her support and friendship. Please stop by to support this beautiful treasury she put together and check out her shop too!

 

 

Sweet Spring

Two fabulous Treasury’s this week!

Thanks to Deb, Cindy and Marilyn for making these fabulous treasury’s.  Here’s some great finds from their shops!

DEB’S DESIGNS

CK SILVER

In a Moment you’ll get Blue Skies and …Karma

Stop by and take a closer look at these great treasuries!!

The 1st treasury titled Blue Skies was created by Deb’s Design’s.  She specializes in Lanyards, Eyeglass Holders and Jewelry. A few of my favorites from Deb’s shop …

The 2nd treasury titled In a Moment … was created by the very talented  Jennifer Lynn Studio. Her shop is full of fabulous handmade jewelry. A few of my favorites from Kathy’s shop …

  

The 3rd treasury titled …Karma was created by my favorite T-Shirt shop RCTees. They specialize in Earthy & Unique T-shirts, Tunics and Bags. A few of my favorites from Toni’s shop …