WATERCOLOR & INK PAINTING
It feels like Autumn here today.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
POPPY SEED PODS
WATERCOLOR & INK
Quickie sketch...still thinking about whether to do a background on this one??? ...:)
Saturday, August 27, 2011
OLD ROSE
OLD ROSE
Watercolor painting
I resisted using Ink on this one...:) It is purely Watercolor for a change...:)
Friday, August 26, 2011
CHEESE ENCHILADA CASSEROLE WITH CILANTRO CREAM SAUCE
CHEESE ENCHILADA CASSEROLE WITH CILANTRO CREAM SAUCE
I was hungry for enchiladas and decided to make a casserole.
It looked so pretty I decided to photo it...:)
Here is my recipe...if you'd like to try it...:)
CHEESE ENCHILADA CASSEROLE WITH CILANTRO CREAM SAUCE
(Can be made with 3 cooked/shredded chicken breasts...or canned chicken added to the sauce )
1 JAR SALSA VERDE (16 OZ) I used Herdez brand, the kind made with Tomatillos
6 LARGE CLOVES GARLIC(A MUST)..sounds like a lot but it is not strong after baking!
1 and 1/2 CUP CREAM or HALF AND HALF..or HALF S. CREAM AND HALF MILK.
1 CUP Grated cheese...I like a combination of Asiago, Jack & cheddar....but any works.
1/4 TO 1/2 CUP CHOPPED FRESH CILANTRO...I LIKE A LOT..:)(or freeze dried that I keep on hand).
(I use no salt as there is plenty for me in the green sauce and cheese.)
10/12 CORN TORTILLAS
GRATED CHEESE for topping...I LIKE ASIAGO..BUT ALSO HAVE USED THE MIXED ITALIAN or MEXICAN BLEND...ANY WILL DO.
IN A LARGE BOWL MIX SALSA VERDE AND CREAM AND CH. CILANTRO.
Saute finely minced garlic for just couple of minutes AND MIX INTO BOWL OF SAUCE.
ADD 1 CUP GR. CHEESE OR more if you like a lot. MIX WELL.
Cover bottom of greased casserole dish with an inch of sauce and cover it with 2-3 torn tortillas.
Add a layer of sauce...alternate with more layers of each ending with sauce on top.
TOP WITH AS MUCH CHEESE AS NEEDED TO COVER.
BAKE UNCOVERED IN PREHEATED OVEN AT 350-375....ABOUT 30-40 OR SO MINUTES.
This recipe is extremely flexible....I have added olives and/or sauteed chopped onions also.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
REVISITING THE TEASELS
Checked on the Teasels today...no Butterflies around, but the Teasels are beginning to dry. This is just a small section of them as they run along a waterway for maybe a hundred yards.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
CORAL LILY
A Coral Lily Birthday Card, painted for a neighbor.
Watercolor, Ink, & Watercolor Pencil.
My neighbor bought this lily last year and this year it's blooms were such a glorious Coral color.
I took a photo of it and tried to capture the color in my painting. It is pretty close but what a job to get this color!!!!!!!!
Monday, August 22, 2011
THISTLE MANIA
THISTLE MANIA
I seem to be on a Thistle ''streak '' again..:)
Watercolor Pencil & Ink
These might be the New Mexico Thistle
Cirsium neomexicanum
Sunday, August 21, 2011
BABY ARTICHOKE
WATERCOLOR PENCIL & INK
Artichokes are possibly my favorite green vegetable, even though it is a Thistle.
This one, however probably would not be eaten since it is already going to flower, and will open to the most glorious iridescent fuzzy pink ''hat'' on top...:)
There is a restaurant in Castroville, California, that prepares them in almost any way you can think of! Castroville is near the coast and is known as the Artichoke Center of the World.
The origin of artichokes is unknown, though they are said to have come from the Maghreb (North Africa), where they are still found in the wild state; the seeds of artichokes, probably cultivated, were found during the excavation of Roman-period Mons Claudianus in Egypt.[2] Names for the artichoke in many European languages come from the Arabic الخرشوف al-khurshūf.[3] The Arabic term ardi-shoki (ارضي شوكي), which means "ground thorny" is a false etymology of the English name. The cardoon (Cynara cardunculus),[4][5] a naturally occurring variant of the same species, is native to the South Mediterranean, even though it has not been mentioned in extant classic literature. Artichokes were cultivated in Sicily during the Greek occupation, the Greeks calling them kaktos. In this period, the leaves and flower heads, which cultivation had already improved from the wild form, were eaten. The Romans, who called the vegetable carduus, received the plant from the Greeks. Further improvement in the cultivated form appear to have taken place in the Muslim period in the Maghreb, although the evidence is inferential only.[6]
Globe artichokes are known to have been cultivated at Naples around the middle of the 9th century. Modern scholar Le Roy Ladurie, in his book Les Paysans de Languedoc, has documented the spread of the artichoke:
"The blossom of the thistle, improved by the Arabs, passed from Naples to Florence in 1466, carried by Filippo Strozzi. Towards 1480 it is noticed in Venice, as a curiosity. But very soon veers towards the northwest...Artichoke beds are mentioned in Avignon by the notaries from 1532 onward; from the principle [sic] towns they spread into the hinterlands...appearing as carchofas at Cavaillon in 1541, at Chateauneuf du Pape in 1553, at Orange in 1554. The local name remains carchofas, from the Italian carciofo...They are very small, the size of a hen's egg...and are still considered a luxury, a vaguely aphrodisiac tidbit which one preserved in sugar syrup."[7]
The Dutch introduced artichokes to England, where they grew in Henry VIII's garden at Newhall in 1530. They were brought to the United States in the 19th century, to Louisiana by French immigrants and to California by Spanish immigrants. The name has originated from the Arabic al-kharshof, through a northern Italian dialect word, articiocco.
Today, globe artichoke cultivation is concentrated in the countries bordering the Mediterranean basin. The main producers are Italy, Spain, and France. In the United States, California provides nearly 100% of the U.S. crop, and approximately 80 percent of that is grown in Monterey County; there, Castroville proclaims itself to be "The Artichoke Center of the World", and holds an annual artichoke festival.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Saturday, August 13, 2011
SUNFLOWERS IN THE RAIN
This morning we had about 3 hours of intense thunder and lightening and rain.
Don't have to water the garden today!!!...:)
This is a Birthday card for a neighbor.
WATERCOLOR, INK, ACRYLIC
MIXED MEDIA
Friday, August 12, 2011
MORE CONEFLOWERS
I just can't resist taking more photos of these Echinacea.
We have had cooler days, now in the high 70's...and the garden seems to like it.
So do I !!!!!!!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
BLACKEYED SUSAN TODAY
These look so bright and sparkly in the garden today. The insects love them too!...:)
Sunday, August 07, 2011
PEONY CARD
This is another Birthday card for a neighbor, who loves Peonies.
I painted it with Watercolor, Ink, and Acrylic.
Happy Sunday to everyone and thank you all for your wonderful comments and encouragement.
Friday, August 05, 2011
TEASELS & CATTAILS
I had a mystical, magical experience today and I am still feeling the Joy of it, hours later.
I went to a place nearby to take photos of some Teasels & Cattails I had spotted last week.
The teasels were extraordinary, up to 7 feet tall, and there were masses of them for about 100 yards along a ditch bank that was lush and green.
As I approached and got my camera ready a BUTTERFLY flew to a Teasel right in front of me. I quickly snapped a photo and then it flew to another teasel and waited for me to take my picture. It allowed me to put the camera very close to it. It was posing!!! A different pose for each teasel as it flitted from one to another.
We were in Synch as it posed and I clicked....It was one of those special things that happens...being One with Nature.
"BUTTERFLY SIXTH POSE"
I had a mystical, magical experience today and I am still feeling the Joy of it, hours later.
I went to a place nearby to take photos of some Teasels & Cattails I had spotted last week.
The teasels were extraordinary, up to 7 feet tall, and there were masses of them for about 100 yards along a ditch bank that was lush and green.
As I approached and got my camera ready a BUTTERFLY flew to a Teasel right in front of me. I quickly snapped a photo and then it flew to another teasel and waited for me to take my picture. It allowed me to put the camera very close to it. It was posing!!! A different pose for each teasel as it flitted from one to another.
We were in Synch as it posed and I clicked....It was one of those special things that happens...being One with Nature.
"BUTTERFLY FIFTH POSE"
I had a mystical, magical experience today and I am still feeling the Joy of it, hours later.
I went to a place nearby to take photos of some Teasels & Cattails I had spotted last week.
The teasels were extraordinary, up to 7 feet tall, and there were masses of them for about 100 yards along a ditch bank that was lush and green.
As I approached and got my camera ready a BUTTERFLY flew to a Teasel right in front of me. I quickly snapped a photo and then it flew to another teasel and waited for me to take my picture. It allowed me to put the camera very close to it. It was posing!!! A different pose for each teasel as it flitted from one to another.
We were in Synch as it posed and I clicked....It was one of those special things that happens...being One with Nature.
"BUTTERFLY FOURTH POSE"
I had a mystical, magical experience today and I am still feeling the Joy of it, hours later.
I went to a place nearby to take photos of some Teasels & Cattails I had spotted last week.
The teasels were extraordinary, up to 7 feet tall, and there were masses of them for about 100 yards along a ditch bank that was lush and green.
As I approached and got my camera ready a BUTTERFLY flew to a Teasel right in front of me. I quickly snapped a photo and then it flew to another teasel and waited for me to take my picture. It allowed me to put the camera very close to it. It was posing!!! A different pose for each teasel as it flitted from one to another.
We were in Synch as it posed and I clicked....It was one of those special things that happens...being One with Nature.
BUTTERFLY THIRD POSE
I had a mystical, magical experience today and I am still feeling the Joy of it, hours later.
I went to a place nearby to take photos of some Teasels & Cattails I had spotted last week.
The teasels were extraordinary, up to 7 feet tall, and there were masses of them for about 100 yards along a ditch bank that was lush and green.
As I approached and got my camera ready a BUTTERFLY flew to a Teasel right in front of me. I quickly snapped a photo and then it flew to another teasel and waited for me to take my picture. It allowed me to put the camera very close to it. It was posing!!! A different pose for each teasel as it flitted from one to another.
We were in Synch as it posed and I clicked....It was one of those special things that happens...being One with Nature.
BUTTERFLY SECOND POSE
I had a mystical, magical experience today and I am still feeling the Joy of it, hours later.
I went to a place nearby to take photos of some Teasels & Cattails I had spotted last week.
The teasels were extraordinary, up to 7 feet tall, and there were masses of them for about 100 yards along a ditch bank that was lush and green.
As I approached and got my camera ready a BUTTERFLY flew to a Teasel right in front of me. I quickly snapped a photo and then it flew to another teasel and waited for me to take my picture. It allowed me to put the camera very close to it. It was posing!!! A different pose for each teasel as it flitted from one to another.
We were in Synch as it posed and I clicked....It was one of those special things that happens...being One with Nature.
BUTTERFLY ON TEASELS
I had a mystical, magical experience today and I am still feeling the Joy of it, hours later.
I went to a place nearby to take photos of some Teasels & Cattails I had spotted last week.
The teasels were extraordinary, up to 7 feet tall, and there were masses of them for about 100 yards along a ditch bank that was lush and green.
As I approached and got my camera ready a BUTTERFLY flew to a Teasel right in front of me. I quickly snapped a photo and then it flew to another teasel and waited for me to take my picture. It allowed me to put the camera very close to it. It was posing!!! A different pose for each teasel as it flitted from one to another.
We were in Synch as it posed and I clicked....It was one of those special things that happens...being One with Nature.
MY FIELD IN AUGUST 2011
MY FIELD HAS BEEN MOWED!
I was so distressed yesterday when I heard the sounds of the mower out back. I ran to look out and sure enough they were mowing my field. I ran to get my camera and managed to get a few photos before all of this beauty was gone. It is not a pretty site, nor sight today...:(
QUEEN ANNE VIGNETTE
MY FIELD HAS BEEN MOWED!
I was so distressed yesterday when I heard the sounds of the mower out back. I ran to look out and sure enough they were mowing my field. I ran to get my camera and managed to get a few photos before all of this beauty was gone. It is not a pretty site, nor sight today...:(
QUEEN ANNE IN ALL STAGES
MY FIELD HAS BEEN MOWED!
I was so distressed yesterday when I heard the sounds of the mower out back. I ran to look out and sure enough they were mowing my field. I ran to get my camera and managed to get a few photos before all of this beauty was gone. It is not a pretty site, nor sight today...:(
QUEEN ANNE IN GREEN
QUEEN ANNE IN GREEN
MY FIELD HAS BEEN MOWED!
I was so distressed yesterday when I heard the sounds of the mower out back. I ran to look out and sure enough they were mowing my field. I ran to get my camera and managed to get a few photos before all of this beauty was gone. It is not a pretty site, nor sight today...:(
Thursday, August 04, 2011
SUNFLOWER REDO CARD
SUNFLOWER REDO CARD
WATERCOLOR, INK, & ACRYLIC MIXED MEDIA PAINTING
This is a redo of a painting. The first one is about 28 photos back on my photo stream.
This will be a Birthday card for a neighbor.
I kept looking at the original and wanting to improve it, and decided a background might help. I also added more color to the flower.
Now after I posted it I see a glaring error but I wont post it again even though I will fix it before I give it as a Birthday card.
The error is along the flower stem. Notice one side of the stem shows up as much darker than the other side...not quite as glaring on the card as it is here...:)
Wednesday, August 03, 2011
SEMPERVIVUM BATIK PAINTING
SEMPERVIVUM BATIK PAINTING
I was so happy to achieve this Batik look and this glowing painting using ONLY Watercolor & Ink.....:)
This is a Succulent plant. A Sempervivum named ''Pacific Devil's Food''.
Tuesday, August 02, 2011
POPPY FIELD FANTASY
POPPY FIELD FANTASY
MIXED MEDIA PAINTING...WATERCOLOR, INK, & ACRYLIC
I want to use this opportunity to tell you all about an experience I have had.
I am not one to complain of health issues, but I have had a pain filled couple of weeks with serious pain beginning in my lower back and hip and shooting down my thigh. It hurt to sit, or lie down...or move it.
After a week of putting up with it, I remembered a book I used about 5 years ago that helped me to heal of something similar to this.
I read the book and in 2 days after starting to read, the pain vanished.
So I now have read it again and am pain free. (I only had to read a few pages this time).
It works for many things and I personally know others who have had ''miraculous'' results with this book and in fact one of them recommended it to me.
I will give you the title and if you choose to read it, it may help you if you are in pain.
What do you have to lose?....You can get it used from Amazon for very few dollars.
The book is called ''The Mindbody Prescription'' ...Healing the body, Healing the pain.
It is written by John E. Sarno M.D. It is highly recommended by reputable people and many have been ''cured'' using its principles.
It also helps arthritis and all sorts of things.
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