Publisher's Notes

Thanksgiving is one day away and I have pies to finish!!       But, Vic has been working for months now, perfecting a Cinnamon-Apple Muffin recipe and I wanted to share it with you (because they are SOOOO good.)  You will find the recipe at the end of this blog entry.      



I have been working so hard to change THE PAINTING RAG's format over to web-based AND on my new launch which will take place in January 2010.  I am so excited (and nervous) about the new launch, I hope I can hold out until January!       Please urge your friends to join my Email Club, I am certain that they won't want to miss out, and the new addition will be FOR CLUB MEMBERS ONLY.    Sorry, maybe that's a little overkill but I really want everyone to understand that this will not be available to the general public, but members only.    There, I said it again. 

I just finished a new set of winter ornaments called Winter Fun that are available as an e-packet for only $3.00.  I chose the $3.00 rate because when you place your order the website is going to charge you for shipping so I took that into consideration in the pricing.  I thought I would give this a try.  It saves me printing and mailing fees and you get the packet as soon as I'm notified of your order.  Instant Gratification!! 

I'm keeping this short and sweet....I've got to get to those pies!    Below is the muffin recipe.  Enjoy!  Tracy

Giant Cinnamon-Apple Muffin

Muffin Ingredients

3 cups all purpose flour

1 ½ cups white sugar

1 tsp salt

4 tsp baking powder

2/3 cup canola oil

2 eggs

2/3 cup milk

3 tsp ground cinnamon

2 cups diced apple or a little more (about 2 large apples)

Cinnamon Topping Ingredients



1/2 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup all purpose flour

1/4 cup butter

1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Either grease or line Texas size muffin tins.  If you want big muffins that spill over the top be sure to grease the top of the tin as well.  (Vic likes his muffins big, so he really fills the tins up and he gets about 8-9 muffins out of this recipe instead of 12.)  Mix cinnamon topping ingredients together in bowl until crumbly and set aside.

Combine dry ingredients for muffins (excluding cinnamon) in large bowl.  Make a well in the center.  Combine oil eggs and milk in a separate bowl.  Pour into dry ingredients and mix until blended.  Fold in diced apple and cinnamon.  Fill muffin tins with batter and top with topping. 

Bake 20 – 25 minutes - until done.   You’re gonna luv em!

  Yes, it has been a busy few months…….............I prepared for and then exhibited at the New England Traditions trade show in early October.  What fun!   I have been writing articles, taking photos and putting the November/December issue of TPR together, which is a giant of a job (and I love doing, by the way).

And now you have probably read The Story of THE PAINTING RAG that is on our Home page and are feeling a little confused.  “You kept telling us that TPR was doing well and that it was successful” is just one of the things that may have run through your mind, and it’s true.  TPR was doing well and was very successful.  You see, I don’t measure success by money, don’t get me wrong I really like getting paid for what I do, but I have found that success is something more than money. 

During my time of publishing the newspaper there have been very few (less than I can count on one hand) negative comments given to us, and more than I could ever count of positive comments.  As I have met Readers at shows and shops they told me over and over how much they LOVE the paper and look forward to receiving each issue.  I’m told that many call it “dessert” and they sit and curl up with TPR and a cup of tea or coffee.  Still others read it cover to cover as soon as it arrives.   The newspaper has been a useful tool for finding websites and businesses, introducing shops & businesses that many didn’t know existed, giving  us an inside look at our favorite artists  and inspiring us to paint and grow as artists.  To me that is SUCCESS!   However, success or not, it takes money to publish and a lot of hard work to produce the newspaper.  A decision had to be made.   Honestly, I was very sad…….I mean after all the time and energy I have put in to it, but I can’t dwell there, I have to move on with optimism and keep trying new things.  And I will put more time into painting! 

I hope you will continue to visit this website and read the articles that I will be posting on it.  I would like to make the website a lot like the newspaper with photos and recipes and everything so keep checking back.   The Nov/Dec issue information will be up on the site until the end of December but that doesn’t mean that I won’t sneak a few things on during that time, so check back!   Better still, join the email club and you will be notified whenever something new happens.  …….and something new is going to happen in January for email club members.   (54 days to go)

I am looking forward to Thanksgiving this year.  My sister’s family will be coming.….remember my niece Brooke that was married in February?   She will be here with her new husband and my brother in law who made it through his bypass surgery, and my nephew Eric (my godchild) with his girlfriend Sarah who was featured in TPR, and MY SON!   I love it when my son, Alex comes home!

Happiest of Thanksgiving’s to you and your family!  Be safe, be thankful, be blessed…