Blog Break

I have decided to take a blog break for most of July, starting today. I just need some time to get things done around here, the blog will be one less thing to attend to. It will be strange, as I rarely take blog breaks. Take care everyone!

Hummus

A friend was tellling me how easy it is to make your own hummus in a food processor or even in a blender.  So I tried it in my food processor the other day. It is really easy to do.

1 large can of chick peas
1/4 c liquid from the can
3-5 tbs lemon juice (juice of half a lemon)
1 1/2 tbs tahini (a sesame seed paste)
2 cloves of garlic crushed
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbs olive oil

blend all ingredients together with a few pulses of the food processor. It is delicious with slices of sweet peppers or perhaps with pita bread or crackers.

Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies

These cookies were inspired by a recipe I saw on Natalia's blog.  I had a couple of them for breakfast.  I like the idea of adding sunflower seeds to the recipe, some added protein to make you feel full for longer.

preheat oven to 350F (makes 12 cookies)

4 tbs stevia powder (or 2/3 c suger)
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
1 1/2 c whole wheat flour
1/3 c butter
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 c oats
1/2 c cranberries
1-2 tbs sunflower seeds
1 c water

cream butter, sugar
add egg
in a separate bowl, mix baking soda with flour
add oats, cranberries, sunflower seeds
gradually add dry ingredients to the wet
drop by spoonfuls onto a cookie sheet with lined with parchment paper

bake 10-15 mins until golden brown

Alligator Nuggets

Did you know you can get alligator meat in the markets in Florida? A friend's son was visiting and shared these photos with us of the time he made them. He said the meat is like chicken but sweet tasting. It has more of a texture of salmon. Apparently it is delicious. I would give this a try, would you? He breaded it much like chicken nuggets and then deep fried them.

Paint Party Friday - Birthday Cake

Welcome to Paint Party Friday! It is the longest day of the year and my 60th birthday today! Coincidentally I did a birthday cake painting (6" x 6") on textured cardstock in permanent markers.

Art Date with Rain - Lonely

Welcome to Art Date with Rain! The theme this week is 'Lonely'. My piece is done in my sketchbook (9" x 12") in permanent markers outlined with a PITT fine point marker.

A good thing

I was browsing a current magazine in a doctor's office and was surprised to see this article featuring swimsuits being worn by normal women with realistic body types. This is a good thing!

And for some more trivia, we discovered that Amazon sells Communion Bread.  They sell it all don't they.

Sea Beans

Toronto had a huge Raptor basketball parade yesterday to celebrate their championship. Record crowds perhaps 2 million people filled the city. The prime minister and all the dignitaries were there. Unfortunately the celebration was marred by shootings where 4 people were shot at the site and crowds started pushing. The situation was controlled and no one was killed. The joyous celebration was marred.


I was browsing 'Fine Cooking' magazine and discovered Sea Beans. '...harvested them from beds in shallow coastal waters and inland alkaline marshes, sea beans have recently become more widely appreciated. Nowadays, you’ll find them at farmers’ markets as well as specialty grocers...Sea beans are beloved for their salty, slightly grassy taste (thus the comparison to beans and asparagus) as well as their crisp, snappy bite.'  Have you heard of them?

Neighbourhood Peony

I went for a walk more than a week ago and took this photo of these peony flowers blooming in the neighbourhood. It was a perfect day in late spring.

Roasted Acorn Squash

I was watching a Barefoot Contessa episode on the food channel where Ina Garten was making maple-roasted acorn squash, so I decided to make some. I used some Manuka honey I had instead of maple syrup and also substituted some Himalayan pink salt.

It tasted like candied yams, and was very good with baked chicken.

NBA Champs 2019 -Toronto Raptors

Congrats to our Toronto Raptors, there is a big parade on Monday in the downtown area to celebrate our basketball champs.  There has been so much excitement in the city and in all of Canada.  It has brought a country together.

Paint Party Friday - Flared Dress

Welcome to Paint Party Friday! I saw this lady in church wearing the cutest dress with a flared skirt. It made me want to paint one. This is quick sketch is done in permanent markers outlined with a PITT pen in my sketchbook (9" x 12").

Rain's Thursday Art Date - Garden

Welcome to Rain's Thursday Art Date, the theme this week is 'Garden'. I did this mixed media piece a couple of years ago for Scribble Picnic and thought it would fit perfectly here. It is done on cardstock (6" x 6").

Caught My Eye

I thought this was a pretty dress at the mall when I passed by this store the other day, it caught my eye!

Fresh Asparagus

My friend S gave me some fresh asparagus from her sister's farm. It is that time of year again. I roasted them the same day and they were enjoyed.

Junk Mail

Well I got some good junk mail for a change! They are a bunch of instant coffee sample packs from Tim Horton's coffee shops. There were also some decent coupons to be put towards the purchase of their coffee.

The Purse

Husband M and I were inside a coffee shop when I noticed this purse sitting the table without an owner in sight. The lady had gone to the washroom! I wanted to tell her to be careful upon her return but I didn't feel comfortable doing that.

The Walking Stick

I was in McDonald's one day getting a $1 iced coffee (an any size special on all summer, but I will try to  limit this due to the extra calories).  An the older man in front of me told the cashier that someone had left their walking stick behind. Hopefully they will come back for it, it looks like a nice one.

Paint Party Friday - Summer Flowers

Welcome to Paint Party Friday. I did some summer flowers for you today. It is on textured cardstock (6" x 6") in permanent markers and sharpie oil paint markers, outlined with a PITT fine point marker.

Rain's Thursday Art Date - Trees

Welcome to Rain's Thursday art date. The theme is 'trees'. I have done many tree sketches over the years and am showing this one today done on cardstock (4 1/2" x 6 1/2") in permanent markers. Here is the original post.

On Steak

I got this fun meme from Pam's blog. I like one or two. How about you?

Ice Cream Season

salted caramel truffle

We had our first really nice summery day last week. So it called for ice cream from the ice cream store! The next day was pretty dismal unfortunately.

Jammy Eggs

I have been experimenting with soft boiled eggs. There is the perfect jammy egg where the yolk is 'waxy' as pictured above. It was delicious. I achieved this by bringing a couple of eggs to the boil and covering them for about 2 minutes. This time can vary so you have to practice. I am fine if they turn into hard boiled eggs otherwise. How do you like your eggs?

Funnies

This was funny beause the older wines are considered better wines. Although I did learn that some wines are good until a certain number of years and must be consumed before that.  This article explains it well.  Generally the cheaper wines under $30 are meant to be consumed within 3 to 5 years.

June 2019 Calendar page

Welcome to June! Sharing my June 2019 calendar art with you. The quote I chose says 'keep calm and eat hot dogs'.