Cute

 Daughter L's Fiance's mother got this kid-sized picnic table for the chipmunks around their cottage.

Isn't it cute?

Eggplant Pizza

 It's been awhile since I made eggplant pizzas.  

I used japanese long eggplants.  I cut them in half lengthwise and then into smaller strips as pictured above.  I mix olive oil, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, dried basil and brush this over the eggplant strips.  Then I top with pizza sauce and then with cheese slices cut to size.  Bake at 375F for 15 minutes.  You can omit the pizza sauce and cheese if you like, it is still flavourful baked without.

Linking to Kathy's Food Wednesdays.

Microwaved Cauliflower with Cheese

 Elizabeth shared that she microwaved her cauliflower and I decided to try it.  It is so quick and quite delicious, thanks Elizabeth!

I cut half a cauliflower into bite sized pieces.  I added 2-3 tablespoons of water and microwaved the bowl of cauliflower for 4 minutes.  Then I added a few slices of swiss cheese torn into pieces, some parsley, salt, pepper, olive oil, butter, onion powder, garlic powder.  After mixing it all together I microwaved for 2 more minutes. It is good.  You can add whatever you like, it may be just salt, pepper and butter.

I may try this with broccoli next.

Roasted Diced Butternut Squash

 I roasted some diced butternut squash, inspired by some I had in a restaurant recently.

1 butternut squash

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp garlic

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp oregano or your favourite herb

2 tbs olive oil

The toughest part is peeling and dicing the squash.  A potato peeler works well to get the hard skin off.  Then you remove the seeds and dice.  Mix with all the ingredients.

Bake 400F 25-30 minutes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Friday Art - New Paint Markers and an Abstract

 I got these new Manuscript watercolour paint markers and a couple of new white pen markers using a gift card I had won.  It was fun testing them out and it resulted in my abstract below.  I have seriously seen this kind of art at my dentist for example.  The owners have very minimalist art taste.  You ask yourself  'is that a painting really?'  But my black and white abstract is growing on me haha.

Also joining in with Nicole's Friday Face Off.  Sharing an old portrait I did of my late mom who passed in 2017.  She loved her ice cream.

Linking to Gillena's Art for Fun Friday.

Rain's Thursday Art Date - Sun and Water

 Welcome to Rain's Thursday Art Date's 'May Flowers' Month.  Her theme this week is 'Sun and Water'.  Here is my ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2).

Meme Wednesday