Friday Art - Red blue footed booby

 Welcome to Friday Art!  This is a red blue footed booby from Ecuador (not!). After I painted it I realized the photo I saw was a joke as there are either red or blue footed boobies, not combined like that haha.  It is an ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2").

Linking to Nicole's Friday Face Off and to Gillena's Art For Fun Friday.

And here we are at the end of January!

Rain's Thursday Art and Dinner Date - Mittens and Potato Wedges baked in garlic sauce

 Welcome to Rain's Thursday Art and Dinner Date!  The theme is 'Mittens' and here is my ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2").

For the dinner date I am sharing some potato wedges I baked up with the Papa John's garlic sauce that comes with their pizzas.  We prefer other dips for pizza.

5 small/medium potatoes peeled and sliced into wedges

1/2 tsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp paprika

Garlic sauce

400F

bake 40 mins and enjoy!

Wednesday Memes and Chinese New Year

Happy Chinese New Year if you celebrate!

 

 

Organic Celery

 Husband M bought a bunch of organic celery because it was on sale and there was no regular celery at the grocery store that day.  They are smaller, tighter bunches than the larger regular celery.  They did not look particularly appetizing but when we tried them they are surprisingly crunchy and fresh tasting, greener, crispier and so delicious!  They are much more expensive but we would get them on sale again.

On Peanuts

 If I knew this I had forgotten.  They even look like legumes.

Sunday Smiles - Apricity

 Linking to Gillena's Sunday Smiles.

Knockoff Pregnancy Pillow

 So I decided to get myself a knockoff pregnancy pillow.   It is half the price daughter L paid for hers. I learned that if you have high blood pressure, it is better to sleep on your left side.  This is a comfortable way for me to try doing this.

Then I realized it is better for me to sleep on my back for my sleep machine!  Luckily husband M loves it and will use as support under his knees, so it is a win!

Friday Art - Shoebill

 Welcome to Friday Art!  This is a shoebill.  It is an ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2").

Linking to Nicole's Friday Face Off and to Gillena's Art For Fun Friday.

Rain's Thursday Art and Dinner Date - Pyjamas and Snow Pea Stir Fry

Welcome to Rain's Thursday Art and Dinner Date. The theme is 'Pyjamas' and here is my ACEO (2 1/2" 3 1/2").

For the Dinner Date, I did a snow pea stir fry.  It cooks up quickly, you can even eat them raw.

snow peas (stringed)

2 cloves garlic minced

2-3 gr onions diced

2-3 tbs canola oil

Sauce:

1 tbs dark soy sauce

2 tbs light soy sauce

2 tbs oyster sauce

1 tbs corn starch

1/2 c water

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp sriracha sauce (or other hot sauce)

 In a pan (I use my new'ish wok these days), saute garlic in canola oil.  When the cloves start to brown, add snow peas and green onions.  Saute for 2 minutes.  Mix in sauce and simmer for another 2 mins.

Wednesday Memes

 

Maternity Pillow

 Daughter L who is expecting bought a comfortable maternity pillow that allows you to sleep easily on your left side which is apparently the best side to sleep on in pregnancy.  Two of her friends had done the same.  So many new things these are available these days.

Here is a photo from the website of what it looks like.

Amaryllis Update

 So 2 weeks after bringing the 6 amaryllis plants out of dormancy I noticed leaves appearing on 3 of the plants.  Then a few days later leaves on 2 others.  I will see what the last one decides to do!  

Sunday Smiles - Pruning Tips

 This is a very good chart on pruning tips.  It is great for those who have trees.

Linking to Gillena's Sunday Smiles.

Multi Grain Cheerios

 I have been having Multi Grain Cheerios for  breakfast.  It is nutritious and even has iron! One of my sisters think processed foods aren't healthy but multigrain is considered healthy I think.  Husband M says his sugar readings are fine with this cereal, he is diabetic.

Friday Art - Seal

 Welcome to Friday Art!  Showing a seal ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2").

Linking to Nicole's Friday Face Off and to Gillena's Art For Fun Friday.

Rain's Thursday Art and Dinner Date - Snow Creatures and Beef Bulgogi

Welcome to Rain's Thursday Art and Dinner Date! Here is my Snow Creatures piece, I went with a Yeti puppet (Abominable Snowman). It is an ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2").

For the Dinner Date, I made beef bulgogi.
 

 I had a pound of extra lean ground beef and got the idea to use a store bought bulgogi marinade.  It is very tasty no to mention quick and easy.

1 pound extra lean ground beef

1/4 carrot thinly sliced

1 onion sliced (I used a colourful red onion as pictured) 

2 green onions diced

2  tbs canola oil

3 tbs bulgogi marinade

Heat oil, saute carrots, onions until softened.  Mix in ground beef.  When is it browned add green onions and stir for a few more minutes.  Enjoy!

Wednesday Memes

 

Amaryllis plants out of dormancy

 

So I brought these 6 amaryllis plants out of dormancy and started watering them.  I hope they will bloom. If they do I can give some to friends and family.  Let's  hope!

Pretty photo

 Husband M took this photo at the park a few weeks ago.  Isn't it pretty?  It was close to sunset and a bit foggy.

Sunday Smiles - Lefty Spatula

 So have you ever seen a lefty spatula?  I am a lefty but have never had one.

Linking to Gillena's Sunday Smiles.

Ice Wine Dark Chocolate

 I decided to sample this ice wine dark chocolate bar that came in a gift basket.  It was ok, nothing special in my opinion.  

Friday Art Day - Hedgehog

 Welcome to Friday Art Day!  I did a hedgehog for you, an ACEO (2 2/" x 3 1/2").

Linking to Nicole's Friday Face Off and to Gillena's Art For Fun Friday.

Rain's Thursday Art and Dinner Date - Bodybuilding and Cottage Cheese Dip

Welcome to Rain's Thursday Art and Dinner Date! This is my piece for 'Bodybuilding'. It is an ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") based on a classic photo of Arnold Schwartzenegger.

 For the Dinner Date, I tried this cottage cheese dip and it is really creamy and good!

1/4c pickled jalapeno (or to taste)

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 c cottage cheese (I used 2% fat)

1 green onion diced

1 tbs olive oil

2 sundried tomatoes

1/2 tsp garlic powder

Blend together and serve with crackers or chips!  Daughter L says I should try a cottage cheese spinach dip, maybe next time!

I really liked this dip, after a few days the flavours seemed to meld in deliciously.

Wednesday Memes