Sunday Smiles - Swift Bricks

 

I did a Swift ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") in watercolour pencil for you.

Linking to Gillena's Sunday Smiles and to Nicole's SITAR.

Friday Art - Madagascar Giraffe Weevil

 

Welcome to Friday Art!

I did a Madagascar Giraffe Weevil for you today.  ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") in watercolour pencil.

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

Wednesday Memes

 

Sunday Smiles and SITAR - On Fingerprints

 

Here is my fingerprint ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") based on the fun fact above.

Linking to Gillena's Sunday Smiles and to Nicole's SITAR.

It's my birthday today, the longest day of the year!

Sardine Burgers

 

Husband M wanted to make sardine burgers for grandson C.  I found this recipe and used it as a guide. 

4 tins of sardines (in spring water, drained)

2 eggs

1 c breadcrumbs

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 c mayonnaise

a spring of fresh tarragon leaves chopped (or 1 tsp dried)

a few squeezes of lemon juice

1/2 tsp paprika

1/4 tsp black pepper

Preheat oven to 350 F

Mix all ingredients together, form 8 burgers.

bake 30 min on one side, flip for another 10 mins on the other side.

They are delicious! It is the time of year when I can cut fresh tarragon from the garden, such a treat!

Friday Art - Dimples

 

Welcome to Friday Art!

I am showing a Dimples ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") in watercolour pencil based on the fun fact above.

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

Cute love story

 

Sharing this cute Toronto love story I saw in the newspaper more than a week ago. The couple kept meeting at a subway station and eventually decided to marry at that same TTC station when the time came. The TTC sent them a history book and a picture of the subway station as a wedding gift.

Wednesday Memes

 

Homemade Pasta Sauce

 

I made my own pasta sauce recently.  I usually use my favourite supermarket sauce but we wanted to see if Grandson C (who is now a 1 year old) would like pasta sauce.  He didn't on first try but maybe he will eventually. Here is my recipe anyway:

1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes

1/2 tsp dried basil

1/2 tsp dried oregano

1 onion finely chopped

2 cloves garlic minced

1 carrot chopped

2-3 stalks celery chopped

pinch red pepper flakes

1 tbs tomato paste

2 c water

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

2 tbs olive oil

1 tbs unsalted butter

saute onions, carrots, celery, garlic in butter and olive oil until softened. Add salt, pepper, basil, oregano. Add crushed tomatoes and tomato paste, water. Simmer 1 hour.  Blend the sauce to a smooth paste.

Viral Dubai chocolate bar

 

Daughter L's friend gifted her a bar of this viral Dubai chocolate bar called Kunafa Pistachio.  It has a phyllo pastry filling combined with pistachio cream.  It is a sweet tasting chocolate bar, sweeter than what I like.  

Have you tasted it?

Sunday Smiles and SITAR - Penguin Poop and Eye update

 I had successful eye surgery June12th but cannot blog for a few weeks.  Meanwhile enjoy my post dated entries I have  for the June so far.

Here is my penguin ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") acrylic pen on canvas.

Linking to Gillena's Sunday Smiles and to Nicole's SITAR.

Fresh Artichoke

 

My sister encouraged me to try cooking a fresh artichoke which she loves eating.  I had used the jarred kind once in a chicken dish which was ok.  I trimmed the end and cut a bit off the top. Then I trimmed the tops of the leaves slightly. Then I placed it face down in a bowl filled with a couple inches of water, covered it with a wet paper towel and microwaved it for 12 minutes.  Then I made a dip with butter, minced garlic, salt, pepper, lemon juice but microwaving all these ingredients together. 

You eat the artichoke by peeling the leaves off and dipping them one by one into the dip.  You just eat the ends.  When you get to the heart many think it is the best part.

Do you like artichokes?

Friday Art - Tulip Faces

 

Welcome to Friday Art.

I am showing some tulip faces, an ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") done using my acrylic pens on canvas.

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

Freebie - A Healthier Soda and Retinal Detachment

 

I got this freebie in the mail, it is a healthier soda. Here is more information on the company.  I like the soda.

Adding to this post with some breaking news:

In some bad news I was at the eye doctor yesterday and he discovered I have a retinal detachment, central vision in my right eye.  I was having symptoms of a change in my vision since the beginning of May then by Jun 3 it started to affect my vision which was scary.  I finally saw the doctor yesterday as I was waiting for my regular checkup.  I never suspected such bad news.  This is treated as an emergency so I will get a call from a clinic in the morning.  I will keep you updated as best I can.  The doctor said it is treatable but cannot give a percentage on its success at this point.  

Wednesday Memes

 

On Wood in the Universe

 

I found this fact fascinating. 

Crispy Red Bell Peppers

 

Daughter L loves this Chick Fil A salad with their crispy red bell pepper topping. Sometimes you have to remind them to give you the topping packets.  

Sunday Smiles and Sunday in the Art Room - Provence Art Print

 

One of my sisters is planning a trip to France, including Provence. It made me think of this print I have hanging in my bathroom.  I had got it at a church garage sale decades ago and I still enjoy it.  I am able to google the artist and les Baux de Provence.  How neat is that.

Linking to Gillena's Sunday Smiles and to Nicole's SITAR.

German Currywurst

 

Angie gave me the idea to try German Currywurst.  I went with this recipe as I liked the idea of using an onion in it as well.  I didn't have any sausages but I used a pack of hot dogs to pair the currywurst with.  It was quite good.

one pack of hotdogs (or sausages)

2 tbs olive oil for hotdogs

2 tbs olive for onions

1 onion finely chopped

1 c ketchup

2 tbs tomato paste

1 tbs curry powder

1 tsp paprika

1 tbs brown sugar

1 tbs apple cider vinegar

1 tsp worcestershire sauce

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

saute hot dogs in olive oil until browned and then slice on the diagonal

In a separate small saucepan brown onions in olive oil.  Add ketchup, tomato paste, curry powder, paprika, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper. Simmer 10-15 mins.  Pour sauce over sliced hot dogs.  Serve with toasted buns or with fries.

Friday Art - Baby Platypus

 

Welcome to Friday Art! 

I am showing a baby platypus ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") in watercolour pencil. It is based on this interesting fact I found below.  It is an egg laying mammal that has always fascinated me.

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

Banana Bread

 

My sister's friend love her banana bread and she shared it with us.  I decided to make it and it is really delicious. Here is the recipe.

3/4 c sugar

1/2 c oil or 8 tbs unsalted butter

2 eggs

1 c mashed ripe bananas (approx 3 bananas)

1/2 c sourcream (I used Greek yogurt)

1 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 c flour (I used half whole wheat flour)

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

(my sister adds raisins, walnuts and uses 1/2 pk vanilla pudding)

Preheat oven to 350F

grease and flour a 9x5" loaf pan

Whisk sugar, oil. Add eggs, bananas, sour cream, vanilla. Mix together flour, baking soda, salt and add it.  Pour into loaf pan. Bake 50-60 min.

add eggs bananas

Wednesday Memes