On cycling

 There is a lot of truth to this meme don't you think?  There are benefits to a simple life.

Friday Art - Abundant and Dahlia

 This piece is called 'Abundant' which I did for an Instagram challenge in February.  I chose to depict a lavender field.  Linking to Gillena's Art for Fun Friday.

This is my Dahlia piece that I did for an Instagram challenge in February.  I was happy with the way this one turned out.  It is a face of sorts isn't it?  linking to Nicole's Friday Face Off.

Rain's Thursday Art and Dinner Date - Library Theme and Chickpea Pasta Dish

Welcome to Rain's Thursday Art and Dinner Date! For this week's 'Library' theme I did a greeting card (4 1/4" x 5 1/2") in permanent marker.  

 For the dinner ate, I had some leftover cooked chickpea pasta.  I made a garlic butter sauce with parsley and parmesan and mixed in into the pasta.  It was a tasty win!

Garlic butter sauce with parsley and parmesan:

1c chopped fresh parsley

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

1/2 tsp salt 

1/2c grated parmesan

3-4 cloves garlic minced

1/4c (4 tbs unsalted butter)

Melt butter in a saute pan.  Add garlic.  Then add chopped parsley, salt, red pepper flakes.  Mix in pasta with 1/2c water.

Wednesday Memes

 

Got the one above from Grannie Annie.

German Currywurst Recipe

 I want to try Oma's German Currywurst Recipe.  You make the ketchup first then the currywurst.  Are you game to try it too?  Use a pre-cooked sausage with it, no need to make your own.

Ketchup recipe

INGREDIENTS:

• 6 oz can tomato paste
• ¼ cup honey
• ½ cup white wine vinegar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• 3 tablespoons water

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Mix everything together in a small saucepan.
2. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly.
3. Simmer for about 5 minutes or until it is as thick as you like. Let it cool.
4. Either store in the fridge in a covered container or continue with the curry sauce.

Currywurst Recipe

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup of tomato ketchup (from above or purchased)
• 4 - 5 teaspoons mild curry powder
• ½ - 1 teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• pinch ground cloves
• 2 teaspoons sweet or smoked paprika powder
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon water
• cooked German bratwurst 

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Put ketchup in a bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients (except bratwurst) and mix well.
2. Cover and let sit in the fridge for at least 12 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
3. Cut the sausage into thick slices. Pour the curry ketchup sauce on top and sprinkle with additional curry powder.
4. Serve with Brötchen (crispy bread roll) or Pommes Frites (French fries).

German Cucumber Salad

 I want to try Oma's German cucumber salad and thought I would share this recipe I found with you.  It seems easy enough to try, what do you think?

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cucumbers, peeled and thinly sliced 
  
• 4 tablespoons white vinegar
• 4 tablespoons water
• 1 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
  
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill or ½ tsp dried dill

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Put thinly sliced cucumbers into serving bowl.
   
2. In separate bowl, mix together vinegar, water, sugar, and salt. Pour over cucumbers.
3. Sprinkle with dill and stir. Season with additional salt and/or sugar if needed.

Ice Cream vs Gelato and puzzle answers

 I found this chart comparing ice cream versus gelato.  Gelato wins in my book!  It is not made with eggs and uses cream versus milk.  Both are delicious but I should eat more gelato.

And here are the answers to yesterday's puzzle on finding 13 hidden faces in the photo.  The hairband has 4 faces.  Her left cheek has a face pointing toward her hair.  Also there is a face on her ear.  The other faces are all over her hair as indicated by arrows.