Category: Uncategorized

Zenday!

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Zentangle Dare #46 by Erin of The Bright Owl

Colored Pencil and Micron on Card

I will start off by saying that I do not like this at all.  It is too busy and too confusing.  The paper choice did not help much, but live and learn I guess.  It is all about the journey right?   I do love the card stock and I think the scallops are very pretty.  If you are interested, I bought the cards at Michael’s Arts and Crafts.  It was in the dollar bins that are located in front of the checkout area.  I think there are at least 10 cards w/envelopes and it is available in cream.

I guess that is about it for me.  I am going to head on over to Erin’s blog and then  I am going to find another drawing project.  I do not know if it is going to be man, barn or beast.   But I’m committing to something today.

I hope you guys have a great Monday!

Be Well and Happy!

Well Hello, Sweet Potato ;)

sweet potato

I do not know about you but I was the kind of girl who was brought up on meat breaded and fried in a cast iron pan.  Our biscuits were made of lard and in pons (not in little discs).  The veggies were tasty and pressure cooked with fatback and a fist full of salt.  And our fruit cobblers had so much butter that it would bubble and spray like the blow-hole of a whale.  I do miss my southern style eating.  I guess if I had to name what I missed the most, it would have to be scrambled eggs, sausage gravy and biscuits. But no more! Now, it’s mostly egg whites, turkey sausage, no gravy and the occasional piece of whole wheat bread  😦

This healthy eating stuff blows about half the time.  I mean I’m daydreaming about biscuits and sausage gravy over here!  I don’t how  people do it honestly. How in the world can someone get excited about eating all that health food stuff. I know, I know…if you respect your body, you will put good things in it.     <insert whine here>    It is so hard!

I am not giving up and I will  find things that are good for me and my family to eat, no matter how much crap I make them eat, LOL   Thank Goodness, these sweet potatoes are really good.  And if you close your eyes, you could swear that you are eating sweet potato pie.  Not really, but it is pretty good. And here is how I make them:

Sweet Potato Medallions

Sweet potatoes

Olive oil spray

Honey

Cinnamon

Coconut

Wash sweet potatoes.  Pre Heat oven 350 degrees.  Leaving the peel, cut potatoes in half-inch medallions.  Spray pan with olive oil and lay potatoes flat on the pan.  (Do not layer potatoes on top of each other because it will make them stick).  Spray another light layer of olive oil on top of potatoes then sprinkle with cinnamon.  Every 15 minutes or so flip potatoes until they are cooked all the way through.  Then drizzle with honey and sprinkle 2 tbsp. of flaked dry coconut over the batch.

Enjoy!

Be Well and Happy!

Worth the Likes…

I have a designated studio/office space to house and to work on my hobbies. But usually I will paint in the kitchen, bead and Zentangle in the living room, draw on my bed and I’ll read anywhere!

Did you notice none of the places mentioned was the studio/office space?   In my defense, I paint in the kitchen because I need the water and Acrylic can be easily removed from the counter but a nightmare to remove from the hardwood floor or my desk.  Also,  the lighting is much better in the kitchen.  As for the rest, I have no good excuse except maybe I am just an odd duck.

So, depending on what I am working on, one room (if not all 3) is a mess!

One day  I came across OrganizedlikeJen.   In this video, she was talking about counter space (I think) and as an afterthought really, she starting talking about this bin that she kept on a stool in the bar area of her kitchen.  I thought it was such a good idea so I began to acclimate a bin to suit my needs and it has been perfect in keeping the hobby clutter to a minimum.  I can take this in any room and at arm’s reach.

In  lieu of the fact that I can not find her video, I am posting pictures of my take of the “office on the  go”  or would it be “hobbyist on the go?”

portable office

We are still working on the kitchen and at the moment we have no baseboards…Sorry….  Anyway, this is my portable hobbyist on the go.  It could stand be a little wider, but so far it is working well for me.

Normally, there would be a book in there and beading supplies.  But I am not beading at the moment and I am reading on my tablet. The planner would be housed in the kitchen, and will be after the remodel.

office contents

It holds all of the everyday stuff that I enjoy so much.  I can put my things away without actually having to put them away.

And if I wanted to,  I could put in my tablet and chargers, throw it in my back seat of my car to take on trips:)

If you are interested in learning more about Organizedlikejen check out her new blog at organizedjen.com and there you will find links to all of her channels.

Be Well and Happy!

Disclaimer:  I am not affiliated with any site, product or third party featured in this post, nor am I responsible for negative experiences incurred from using products or visiting the above sites.  My opinions are my own.

Zenday

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Front

Back

Back

Challenge #45 Designed by Erin from the brightowl

Micron and Colored Pencil on Card stock

I hope everyone is having a great Monday so far.   Alana is out of school for President’s Day so that should be fun.  However, it is still early so the tides may turn.  Teenagers are an illusive breed and you can never be sure when eye contact will spook them 🙂

My card stash is growing quickly and  this design from Erin is one of my favorites!  Because there are three Zendalas, it took a little while to complete.   I was surprised how well the pink and orange compliment each other and I may go a little darker.   I love how it turned out and I thought it was worth the extra time.

I love these challenges and they are fast becoming a Sunday evening tradition for me, as a good way to wind down the day.

Well, I guess that’s about it for me.   I have a bunch of chores to do that I did not feel like doing Friday, Saturday or Sunday.  The fairies did not come to help me out, so it is all still waiting for me!

Be Well and Happy!

Well, Finally!

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Untitled

Graphite on Bristol Smooth

This little guy is probably the most copied animal on the Internet (legally of course) and I guess you can see why. SO CUTE! And unfortunately a beast to draw. I have never drawn a blurred background, that part was a little hard. I did want to throw it away quite a few times and I am very glad that I did not have to. But it was still a struggle.

This is a gift for my nephew. He really wanted a cheetah but I could not find a decent picture anywhere. I do hope he still likes the portrait. I’m sure I will have to tell him that I will still be on the hunt for his cheetah.

I guess that’s about all I have to share today and if this post seems a bit off it is because I am posting from my phone in the car and the WordPress App is still difficult for me.

I hope you guys have a wonderful weekend.

Be Well and Happy!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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It’s almost Valentine’s Day and I thought it was a good time to post a quick and easy treat.  Since I can not give you the chocolate you so richly deserve, I’m giving you one of our favorite recipes.

I’m the kind of  girl who hides chocolate in my sock drawer.  It may be there a day, a week or month, but I know it  is waiting for me when I need a good fix.  My family is jealous of my stash, but I feel no guilt.  It’s mine! And if they want a stash?  They are able-bodied enough to get their own.

Sadly, sometimes my stash is gone.  So I keep the ingredients to this cake in my cupboards for emergencies.  It’s pretty easy to keep the supplies on hand since it does not require eggs.  And you may already have everything at home to make this tonight 🙂

Hot Fudge Cake

Preheat oven at 350 degrees.

Mix

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. salt

4 tsp. baking powder

(I use 2 cups self rising flour so I skip the salt and baking powder)

6 tbsp. cocoa

2/3 cup melted butter

3 tsp. vanilla

Add all ingredients and beat until smooth.  Pour ingredients in a greased 9 x 13 pan.

In a small bowl combine:

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

8 tbsp. cocoa

Blend and then sprinkle evenly over batter.

Pour 2 1/2 cups of hot water over cake.  DO NOT STIR.  Bake 40 minutes or until cake is almost set.  Let stand 15 minutes. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

DIG IN!

That’s my Valentine to you!

Zenday…

Zen card 44

Challenge #  44 Designed by Erin from Brightowl

Colored pencil and Micron on Card

I’m over run with zentangle patterns!  Do I want to get rid of them? No!  But storing and keeping them organized has become a problem.  I have been storing my patterns in a 3- ring binder with  eight patterns to a page (f & b).  This method of storage worked well for a while.  But now binder is popping at the seams and there is nothing conducive in choosing a pattern, so I use the same ones over and over.  I keep using the same patterns because I have them memorized, because I just don’t want to deal with that binder.

So, I guess I’m going to end this post with a question.  How do you store your patterns and how do you keep them organized for full and easy access?  Have a very creative Monday!

Be Well and Happy!

Randomness:)

Below, is a couple of pictures of projects that has occupied me this week:

wip  This is the other ear of my drawing project.  I have about 12 hours invested in this so far and it is half completed.  This is a very slow process, but I think it is going to be one of my better pieces. If it doesn’t end up in File 13.  That is the relationship that I have with drawing.  The more I struggle? The better the outcome.

ear rings I also made myself these sterling silver earrings.  The two pieces were from an old necklace that belonged to Grandma Ottaway that I took apart and refashioned.  They are a little long, but I have really long hair so everything is in balance.  I really am enjoying making myself some jewelry for a change.

I guess that is about it.  What can I say?  My life is a Valium.  I have not been mindful of the my happenings this week.  I guess I just dribbled in a bowl, LOL

Do you ever have days or weeks like that?  Just lose track of time?

Have a wonderful weekend!

Be Well and Happy,

Free ebooks…

Tablet

“How do I love thee, let me count the ways…”   The above picture is my much-loved tablet that David and Alana gave me for Christmas.  I love it!!!  I had researched e readers and tablets for a couple of months, weighing pros and cons, price and features.  The Samsung Galaxy tablet has fulfilled all my expectations and more.  I have Photoshop and I can  even draw on it.  Other than my  Baby Tenderlove this has been my favorite toy EV-ERR!

Another reason that I  chose a tablet over an eReader is that IMO, with the wonderful invention of Apps. I have a plethora of options when downloading books, I am not to chained to one site or the other.

I have never read the same book twice.  There are too many wonderful books out there and I want to read as much and as many as I can.  I will buy art books and some religious material  (only if I need it for more than 3 weeks or so) but other than that I do not want to buy a book unless I have exhausted all of my resources in finding it for free or getting a book on loan.

So, with that in mind, I wanted to share some links you may find helpful.  Some of the links may seem redundant, but you may find that you prefer one site over the other:

Kindle – (Amazon)

1.) Amazon – Go to the website. Choose Kindle books, then pick low to high in price range, then choose your genre..

2.)  Inspired Reads – Free Christian and Discounted books.  Subscribe to the blog and  you will receive an email daily.  The site will take to directly to Amazon.

~ links that will be directed to Amazon sites :

Hundred Zeros   /  ebooks Habit  /   Fiction Steals  /   Kindle buffet  /   Shelf buzz  /  World Library  /  The ereader Café   /

Many Books   /   Free books Hub

3.)  Overdrive –  Check to see if your local library partners with this site.  With this App, you choose your library, put in your card number and password then browse their selection of books.  I use this app quite a bit.  With my library policy, I can check out 2 library books at a time with a 14 day lending period.  No driving to the library and no late fees!!!

****Barnes and Noble does not participate with overdrive…And I don’t see them  participating within the foreseeable future …bummer!

4 .) Pixels of Ink – Free books of different subjects for a limited time from Amazon. What’s great about this site is that they have young editions section.

5.) Daily Cheap Reads – Daily post of free kindle books that also have a junior section.

6. ) Digilibraries – gathers free books from independent authors and publishers directly from their website.

7.) Book Lending – After you register with this site, you can borrow or lend books from other individuals for a period of 14 days.  You lend a book, you get a book.

8.) Power Reads – Non fiction books.

9.) Open Library – downloading and  lending books, specializing in classic literature.

Nook (Barnes and Noble)

1.) Barnes and Noble – Go to the website. Choose Nook books, then pick low to high in price range, then choose your genre..

2.)  Nook Free Fridays –  Each Friday Barnes and Noble offers a free ebook.  The weekly book offered is one that you would normally be charged for, but they offer it free to you for only one day.  Sooo, if you snooze you lose.

3.) ManyBooks, Open Library (you find the links above.)

4.) Ebook Fling – Works the same as Book Lending (#7 in Amazon)

5.) Google Books – download millions of books in both PDF and EPUB. Both of the formats should work for the nook.

6.) Scribed – website to help you find the last , most popular free ebooks.

7.)Free Ebook – not only can you download free ebooks, you can join their book club.

I guess that’s about it for me today.  If you happen upon this site and can think of another ebook site, place it my comment box and I will added it right along.  You guys have a good day!

Be Well and Happy!

Disclaimer:   I am not affiliated with any site or product featured in this post, nor am I responsible for parental ratings of the material or negative experiences incurred from visiting the above sites.  My opinions are my own.

Zenday…

Zendare 43

Micron and Colored Pencil on Card

I hope this finds everyone in good spirits post Superbowl.  I guess there are some very happy people and also some very sad people.  For me?  The only thing that is really awesome about football is the credits rolling after the game.  I am not in to sports at all.  I have seen a game live (not professional…but semi?  I don’t know the correct term)  and did find it a little more exciting than watching it on TV.  I’m always surprised how emotionally  invested people are to “their team”  and some get very angry.  I’m just glad it is over.

This is Challenge 43 from Bright Owl.  I like the zentangling better on this design than the last one.  I lost the challenge because I used more tangles, than I probably should have.  But I chose these tangles because the reminded of Spring.  The patterns chosen were to resemble flower, flower buds,  leaves and vines.  Now, I’m a newbie and coloring the designs and it’s still a little tricky for me. But I still like it a lot.   So, far I’ve seen some AMAZING Zentangle work from the participants of these Zendala challenges.  So, you have not done so, when you get some time go to Bright Owl site and click on the names and the bottom of the post.  It will take you directly to artist’s blog.

I hope you enjoy your day!

Be Well and Happy!