Sunday Sketches - Owl

Welcome to Sunday Sketches, hosted as always by Alexandra!  I did an owl in my (9" x 12") sketchbook today, in watercolour crayon. I was inspired by a photo of a pearl spotted owl but gave up on the feather details.  Aren't the eyes stunning though, eerie how human they look.

Wow, it's already going to be February tomorrow.

Sauteed Beet Greens

I made these sauteed beet greens from a recipe I had saved. It is a keeper.  You know when you buy beets it always seems a waste to toss the leaves and stems, so this is a pretty handy recipe to have.

I adapted my recipe from Simply Recipes Beet Greens

I really just don't use the bacon it calls for.

Paint Party Friday - Red Fox

This is a quick sketch of a red fox (9" x 12") done in my sketchbook in watercolour crayon from a photo I saw.  Happy Paint Party Friday and thanks to Kristin and Eva for always hosting!

Some Mature Humour

At the gym the other day I decided to ask a friend how old she was, I didn't think she would mind.  She said she was 69.  I told her she would be my inspiration (now that I am 56) to keep going.  She said there are a lot of people her age at the gym.  She will just keep on going and of course limit things to what she can reasonably do. 

In my exercise class the same day, this lady was talking to a friend and turned away to reclaim her spot.  'Oops, I just tripped on a flat floor' she observed incredulously.  I thought that was funny, middle-aged humour if you will.  Then afterward I was on the treadmill doing a bit of a cool down, and spoke to another friend in her sixties.  I told her she was lucky she decided not to attend the aerobics class that morning.  It was a particularly brutal session with all these 'burpee' jumping movements.  She said 'I think they are trying to get rid of us older people'...and I had to laugh.  They always give us options we can take on the harder moves and of course you just do what you can.

Kale Chips and Beet Salad

Kale Chips

As I mentioned yesterday I did a lot of cooking this past Saturday. The kale chips are from a recipe I had saved awhile back. It turned out perfectly. The beet salad tasted like a pickle, and was suggested to me by Wanda. It was delicious.  Grate raw beets, add olive oil, apple cider vinegar and a little sugar.  I also added salt, pepper and some Italian seasoning. 

Beet Salad

Chicken Marscapone

I did a lot of cooking this past Saturday. We had this leftover marscapone cheese in the fridge for months and I was about to toss it when I opened it and saw there was still quite a bit left and it appeared to be just fine. I found this wonderful recipe for chicken marscapone and it turned out very successfully:

On the Social Impact of Technology

Son K was at the video game store on the weekend.  He had the idea to sell some of his old video games to clear the clutter and maybe make some money.  It turns out they just give a store credit and he ended up using it to get a new video game, but for a lot less money.  Well at least he used up the store credit.

He waited in line for a long time as there was only one employee working.  There was a mom in front of him buying a video game set for her 9 year old son.  She had a lot of questions.  K started talking to the guy behind him and ended up getting a new online gaming partner.  They remarked on how young the kids were, that are starting to play video games.  K told the guy that he was outside playing tennis at that age.  The guy remarked on how he saw toddlers playing on Ipads in the restaurants these days.  They both felt they should be relating and talking to the people around them instead of having themselves immersed in technology all the time.  K remembered a school trip he took to Europe in 2014.  He thought it was so nice there, that people seemed to talk to each other more, as there were less people on their phones all the time.

Well I thought these were interesting observations coming from twenty year olds.

Sunday Sketches - Snowy Owl

This is my 'Snowy Owl' for Sunday Sketches.  It's done in acrylic on good quality grey cardstock
 (8 1/2" x 11").

Winter Vignette

I took a photo of this winter vignette in the neighbourhood recently with the intention of painting it, stay tuned for an upcoming art challenge!

Have you ever heard of a 'Poke' cake? I've been seeing them on Pinterest. It is a cake that is baked normally then poked and filled with sauce or jello or pudding so that it seeps into the holes. For example, here is a raspberry poke cake from Betty Crocker.

Click here if you would like a virtual reality tour of Buckingham Palace!  I've never been there have you?

Paint Party Friday - The Birds

This piece is called 'The Birds', done for Paint Party Friday.  It is done in my (9" x 12") sketchbook in watercolour crayon.

Vicarious Living

One of my sisters shared some more photos of her trip to Costa Rica.  These are wonderful shots from the weekend Alajuela market.  She raves about the fresh taste of the produce.

Added to the Bucket List

One of my sisters is visiting Costa Rica and shared these photos with us. It reminded me to add this to my travel bucket list, especially those hot springs.

Arenal Volcano Costa Rica

Weekend Market Alajuela Costa Rica

The Springs Costa Rica

Creative Tuesdays - Love is in the Air

Lissa is having a giveaway please visit! And Happy Birthday to Michael tomorrow!

Welcome to Creative Tuesdays! The current challenge is 'Love is in the Air', and this is my piece
 (5" x 7") done in watercolour paints, something new for me. I usually work with watercolour pencils or acrylics. It was fun!

Faux Pho Noodle Soup

I found this recipe for a healthier version of the Vietnamese Pho noodle soup in a local paper and decided to try it.  I love Pho but I never order in anymore in the restaurants as I discovered it has a high sodium content.

I added whole chicken breasts to the recipe although it calls for thinly sliced chicken.  The reason is that is stays more tender after 25 minutes of simmering.  I'm thinking vegetarians can substitute a package of tofu. 

Instead of rice vermicelli I found these yam noodles in the supermarket.  It has a lot less carbs than rice vermicelli and I discovered it is very similar in looks and taste.

You know, I didn't enjoy the process of making it, so many little steps to take although it is simple enough.  I resolved not to make it again...and then I tasted it.  It is so fragrant and delicious and the fresh vegetables give the dish a wonderful texture.  Hmm.  I had 2 bowls!  A warning that fish sauce is very stinky but does wonders to the broth along with the coconut milk.

Here is the recipe with my modifications:

Ingredients

• 2 tbs canola oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• a thumb of fresh ginger, sliced thinly
• 7 oz pkg of yam noodles (or rice vermicelli)
• 3 1/2 cups chicken or beef or vegetable stock
• 1 cup water
• 14 oz can of coconut milk
• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (vegetarians can substitute a pkg of tofu)
• 6 tbs fresh lime juice
• 3 tbs fish sauce
• 2 tsp sugar
• handful of loosely chopped fresh cilantro
• handful of rinsed beansprouts
• 1 cup julienned carrots
• 1 cup julienned red pepper

Directions

In a large pot, saute garlic and ginger in the oil until the garlic starts to brown. Add the stock, coconut milk, water and bring to a simmer. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 25 minutes.
Meanwhile soak the noodles in lukewarm water in a large bowl. Once the chicken has been cooking for 25 minutes, add the noodles and stir. Add the lime, fish sauce and sugar.  Remove the chicken and slice thinly, return to the soup.  Mix in carrots, sprouts, peppers and cilantro.

Sunday Sketches - Woman in Profile

For Sunday Sketches I've done a 'woman in profile' (5" x 7") in watercolour paint, which I am still getting used to.  It's kind of fun, in a softer, less forgiving way.

And Lissa is having a giveway please visit! 

Sandra asked what was my inspiration for this painting and here it is, the photo I saw in the newspaper:

 

Questions and Random Things

Lissa is having a giveaway.  Please visit!

Martha had this fun way for us to learn more about each other.  I thought it would be fun to answer these 'questions and random things'. 

1] Which literary genre do you prefer?

I like non-fiction, biographies, news, stuff like that.

2] Why did you start blogging?

I needed another outlet, email wasn't enough at the time and I was curious about blogging.


3] Order or chaos?

Definitely order.  I do dislike clutter, not to say that I don't have any.


4] Where would you like to live?

I was going to say a tropical beach, but I like it here in Toronto, Canada.


5] Starry sky or sunset?

Starry sky as I don't see them often and they are magical.


6] Paper book or e-book?

Paper as I haven't gotten around to e-books yet although I am reading an online version of the paper on our Ipad.  I still also read the paper version as it is still different.


7] What is the writing for?

It's a very important communication medium.


8] TV or not TV?

I don't watch a lot of TV, when I do it's usually the Food Channel, The HGTV channel or news.


9] What do you think about social networks?

It certainly has an important place in society today, it's a good thing I would say.


10] Favorite food?

A prime rib au jus dinner, medium rare with baked potato, sour cream, and vegetables.  Really it's difficult to choose because I am a food lover in general.


11] Favorite music genres?

Pop music in general whatever is popular although I've never taken to Adele.  I actually like Justin Bieber's music!

1. I took Latin in High School, it was ok

2.I have a math degree

3. I hate walking in bare feet if there are crumbs or any kind of debris on the floor, no idea why it bothers me so much.

4. Greedy, mean, miserly, stingy, (the opposite of the word generous), these are the qualities in people that bother me.  I think you can be frugal yet kind and thoughtful if you know what I mean.

5. I am left handed, it seems to run in my family on my mother's side

6.When I was about 3 years old, I ate a whole bottle of aspirin because it tasted good.  It must
have been children's aspirin.  Then I started vomiting blood the next day and was rushed to the hospital and was lucky to recover.  I remember them telling me not to do that but they never said why.

7. When I was a toddler I remember them telling me never to stick anything into an electrical outlet because I would get a dangerous electrical shock.  Of course, I had to try it out, I think I stuck a fork into the outlet quickly and it wasn't fun so I learned an important lesson.

8. I don't like flying in airplanes, the turbulence you know

9. I love ice cubes in my drinks and just eating them in general

10.I collected stamps as a kid

11. I’m a worrier

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And there you have it!  Please feel free to try these questions and random things if you feel it would be something you might enjoy doing.    

Paint Party Friday - A Nice View

I have 'A Nice View' for you today.  It's done in my sketchbook in watercolour crayon (9" x 12").  Linking to Paint Party Friday.

On Entrepreneurs

Husband M, son K and I went to a community presentation earlier this week featuring 7 local entrepreneurs.  They each spent 15 minutes talking about their personal experiences and on how they got started in their businesses.  We learned we are not entrepreneur material.  These people have boundless energy and motivation.

However I did enjoy listening to their stories.  This one young woman ended up starting her own auto repair company.  Her first degree was in psychology and she became one for a few years.  Then she studied some more and got her masters degree in Human Resources.  It was when she was home on her 2nd maternity leave that she decided to go to trade school to study auto repair.  She had a very clear idea on what is needed to have a successful business, what leadership means, on being mentally ready and so on.  Well, she was clearly a superwoman! 

Making a Difference

I stepped out for a walk last week on a cloudy but mild day.  I liked the look of the sun peeking through the trees.

Then, a couple of days ago, I was hunkered down at home in the afternoon trying to escape a sudden cold turn in the weather, it was icy and cold outside.  I started flipping the TV channels to see what was on.  Well Dr Oz was on interviewing Charlie Sheen, I quickly flipped to the Ellen Show, so much better and more uplifting.  She was gifting a young couple Ashlyn and Brett DeLoach with 5 Ipads for Ashlyn's school.  They swiped the Ipads revealing $10,000 from Shutterfly on each screen.  Ashlyn works with low income kids in Georgia and at 24 it is surprising to see such a young person wanting to make a difference.  Then Hillary Clinton came on!  I love the Ellen Show.   I found a preview of that show here in this video.

Hillary Clinton said on the Ellen show that her mother ended up being raised by her grandparents who didn't really want the responsibility.  By age 14 her mother had to fend for herself.  It meant she often went hungry and survived on the kindness of strangers.  For example, one of her mom's teachers would ask if she wanted to share her lunch because it was too much for her to finish.  That was often her mom's only meal for the day.

Cheesy Fast Fry Pork Chops

I was thinking of chicken parmesan but wanted to make an easy version.  I had a packet of thin boneless fast fry pork chops.  Here is my recipe and the chops were all eaten up!

Ingredients

8 to 10 thin fast fry pork chops
salt to taste
pepper to taste
onion powder to taste
garlic powder to taste
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
1/4c milk
3 tbs olive oil
1/2 c flour
8 - 10 tsp tomato paste
3 - 4 slices cheddar cheese


 Directions

Marinate chops in milk, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder and  italian seasoning.

Cost each chop with flour.  Then saute in olive oil for about 2 minutes per side.

Preheat oven 350F

Line a baking tray with parchment paper.  Place the cooked chops on the sheet.  Spread  a teaspoon of tomato paste on each chop.  Then top each chop with some sliced cheddar cheese.

Bake 10 minutes until cheese is melted.

Greeting the Dawn

Adam mentioned on his blog that he loved Domino's pan pizza and we decided to try it.  He was right, it is REALLY good.


I saved this article for you, it is someone's favourite travel memory in a photo.  Would you add 'greeting the dawn' in a hot air balloon over Goreme National Park in Turkey to your bucket list?  I loved reading about the idea anyway!

Sunday Sketches - Beachscape

For Sunday Sketches, I did a beachscape in my sketchbook (9" x 12") in watercolour crayon.

We watched a movie called 'The Internship' on TV last night starring Vince Vaughn. It was funny, inspiring and enjoyable! Have you seen it?

Skinny Spinach Dip

I bought this small watercolour paint set including a few sheets of watercolour paper.  After so many years of using only watercolour pencils, I should really give this medium a try!
  

I found a skinny spinach dip in the paper this week.  It seems simple and is served with pita chips.  It uses Greek yogurt instead of sourcream and incorporates lots of chopped vegetables.

Paint Party Friday - A Country Drive

This is called 'A Country Drive', submitting for Paint Party Friday.  The piece (9" x 12") in watercolour crayon is done in my sketchbook.  Enjoy the sunrise!

Get your Dark Chocolate!

According to this article, dark chocolate will help ward off pancreatic cancer.  So a single square, an ounce will provide a quarter of your day's magnesium needs!  I think it's reason enough to add dark chocolate to my daily diet how about you?  Magnesium is also found in spinach, cashews, sunflower seed and pumpkins seeds.

Steel Cut Oats

I bought this large bag of quick cooking steel cut oats at Costco and tried them recently. They taste pretty good, but it takes a long time to eat them, they are full of so much texture. I can see why they are healthy and low on the glycemic index. First you boil 2 cups of water, then add a cup of the oats with 1/4 tsp of salt and I add a 1/2 tsp of nutmeg. Simmer for 5 to 10 minutes to your preference. Have you tried steel cut oats?

Creative Tuesdays - Stained Glass Window

Welcome to Creative Tuesdays! This is my 'Stained Glass Window' for the current theme. It's done in acrylic on good quality (6" x 6") cardstock.  It was a most interesting challenge Michael, right after doing this one, I was thinking of ideas of how I could've made it better.  It had never occurred to me before to even wonder how stained glass pieces are made, it brought a new appreciation for the painstaking detail required for the most fabulous pieces.  Fortunately my piece is just a painting, haha.

On Tomato Paste

I used to add ketchup to a lot of my dishes but since husband M became diabetic, I started using tomato paste as a base instead.  The can on the right is a generic brand, which is usually a bit less expensive.  I was surprised to notice they both contain one ingredient, tomatoes!  So I would assume the quality is similar.  I noticed the Walmart 'Great Value' tomato paste also  contains citric acid and some other things, likely preservatives.  I didn't buy that kind.

In other news, I've started a happiness journal for this year.  It is a physical notepad and I've always enjoyed journalling.  I was in church yesterday and felt pretty happy when the 30 strong choir (usually only about 10 strong) sang 'We Three Kings'.  You may remember the chorus 'O star of wonder, star of night, star of royal beauty bright...'  it brought me back to my childhood when we memorized all these songs!  Ironically, later that day husband M said he is so tired of Christmas music at this point.

Sunday Sketches - Tepee under the Northern Lights

Welcome to Sunday Sketches! This piece is called 'Tepee under the Northern Lights', it's done in acrylic on textured purple cardstock (6" x 6"). Unfortunately the scanned version doesn't show the fuschia colour I used for some the the lights, so I took a photo to show you the intended effect.  I have never seen the Northern Lights so this is based on some photos I saw.  The tepee is  lit up inside,  under the night sky.

Photo

Scanned Version

On Being Late

Son K was at the dentist last week.  He had a good checkup although they thought he could floss a bit more.  They gave him these sample floss picks to try using.

K said the hygienist who cleaned his teeth was telling him about this client who had an 8.30am appointment and arrived at 9.10am.  She was so annoyed but maintained her composure and casually asked how come he was so late.  At which point the client apologized and said that he is a firefighter and had to pull someone out of a ditch and that was the reason for being late.  She then felt so bad and told K that this is one of the reasons never to jump to conclusions that people are just being thoughtless.  It's important to find out reasons before you become angry.

Paint Party Friday - Gannet

Happy New Year and welcome to Paint Party Friday! This is a portrait of a gannet on good quality blue cardstock (6" x 6") in acrylic. It's a large seabird with a voracious appetite for fish that lives in the UK, Australia and New Zealand.  It led to an expression 'eat like a gannet' meaning you are a glutton.