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Baking – Put the masks back on?

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It looks like our mask freedom was short lived. Back to wearing masks indoors even if we are vaccinated. So, with that in mind, I thought I might as well brush up on my baking skills. Fall is coming, who knows what will happen in September. If we are house bound again, back to cooking/baking at home.

I haven’t made peanut butter cookies since I was a child. I’m not a vegan, but I saw this recipe on The Simple Veganista. So easy, seven ingredients in one bowl. Mix and bake.

If you live where there is hot weather, you should let the cookie dough set in the refrigerator for 30 minutes; otherwise, when you put the cookies on the cookie sheet, and into the oven — they melt and all blend together.

I would have been so dismayed, if I looked in the oven window and saw a sheet of peanut butter cake, instead of individual cookies. Another tip, I used a cookie scooper, so cookies look uniform. However, my cookie scooper is medium size and even though I used a fork to press the cookies down, they were chunky and took longer to cook.

Final Result — Excellent!

BONUS – so fast to make, little cleanup!

ART NEWS – SOLD – World’s Largest Painting, $62M, Dubai Auction

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When I say, “world’s largest painting,” I mean Guinness World Record. Imagine 17,000 sq ft equivalent to 2 football fields or 4 basketball courts of art. That’s a lot of work. “The Journey of Humanity” consists of 70 art panels.

This is a fabulous story of Sacha Jafri, British Artist, who took advantage of COVID lockdown in Dubai to create a painting that would raise money for charity (disadvantaged children specifically). What is really wonderful and inspiring is that he included children’s art from around the world into his painting. His goal was to raise $30 million, he doubled that raising $62 million.

Crypto businessman Andre Abdoune from France purchased the entire painting. Abdoune plans to build a museum for this painting. So happy to hear this, because the painting as a whole tells a story of COVID, lockdown, children suffering, etc. It should be seen as “one” piece.

I’m not an art expert, so glad by chance I came upon this article. I wish the media would share MORE stories like this. It proves there is more LOVE than hate in this world. Do away with the negative media and our world would start to work together and flourish.

I look forward to hearing more about Sacha Jafri in the future!

Pizza in a MUG? Breakfast Burrito in a MUG? Cooking just got easier.

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Recently, I was doing a search for mug cakes. I found this site by Irish Chef & Baker Gemma Stafford, Bigger Bolder Baking, that had a pizza in a mug recipe. I watched the video of her making the mug pizza, it sure was quick and easy. I admit, I would never have thought of that. In fact, she has 100 different mug recipes. So many creative ideas.

She had one video where she was making pancakes with her husband. He was doing the video taping. She’s definitely a perfectionist and was bossing him around, that was funny. The pancakes looked yummy too.

So, if you are still stuck at home and need some fresh cooking/baking ideas, mosey on over to Bigger Bolder Baking. Chef Gemma will dazzle you with healthy exciting spins on old recipes. Also, she just started a Knead to Know podcast. When I go walking, I’ll listen to that.

Happy cooking! (Isn’t that what Chef Pepin says. He has good videos too.)

Art, sketching… new Dual Brush pens

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Recently, I walked by an art store. It was actually open, so I went in. I’ve always  loved colorful markers. I immediately went to the marker and sketch pad section. After being quarantined for a few months, it was refreshing to be in a store and see all the beautiful marker colors.

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These Tombow markers caught my attention, because they were dual brush pens, which seemed like fun. Also, they came in different packs of colors. I liked that idea too, rather than buying individually.

This was going to be an investment toward COVID creativity.  The markers are expensive, but testing one out made me feel HAPPY, so why not give it a try.  If we need to be at home, why not touch on our creative side, right. Also, I smiled to myself, now that we have to wear masks, women can’t wear lipstick, so money saved on lipstick, goes toward markers. An even exchange!

I did a quick YouTube search and found a great video of an “experienced artist” showing the versatility of these markers. I didn’t realize they could be used with water, so they become like a water color pen. I’ve always wanted to try and paint with water colors, so I’m getting my feet wet, starting out with the markers.

It’s been FUN, I have to say.

BUT, now I need MORE colors. We KNEW that would happen!

On to the next drawing. One day soon, real water colors.

Baking/cooking – BEST mixing bowls

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Years ago, I had white mixing bowls like these in the photo. They were wonderful. They came in three sizes and were very durable. Having small children, I didn’t have to worry that the bowls would break. I mixed everything in these bowls from pancake/cake/ brownie/cookie batter to meat balls, mac ‘n cheese to… you get the idea. These were my “go to” mixing bowls.

Tragedy struck. I lost my bowls. One day I went to get a bowl and couldn’t find them. I searched HIGH and LOW, they were no where to be found. I felt like a little kid who had lost the favorite pair of shoes. So, I thought — HOW could this have happened. Then I remembered, I had moved. Somehow in the move, bowls were gone.

Those bowls had been old, true, but they still worked. Now, I was forced to use other bowls. I tried using glass bowls, metal bowls, ceramic bowls… ahh, it just wasn’t the same. I longed for my white bowls. When shopping, I looked for these plastic bowls, they weren’t the same.

UNTIL, I walked into Crate & Barrel the other day, looking for a loaf pan.

Suddenly, my eye caught this pretty green moss color. Walking over I couldn’t believe it!  MY bowls — my bowls — I found them! Prettier in pale green, shinnier than my old worn out bowls.

My gosh, COVID worked a miracle! Without COVID I would not have shopped for a loaf pan, which brought me to my mixing bowls.

MORE GOOD NEWS!

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The reason I liked these bowls so much was because they were named after Danish Princess Margrethe. Now, I understood why I felt like a Princess using these bowls all these years…

SURPRISES — MIRACLES — THEY DO HAPPEN!

Travel -> Visiting Claybanks Pottery in Michigan

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Traveling in Michigan, I saw this really fun Fish fountain at Claybanks Pottery.  They opened in January 1980. Before that they had done art fairs. While I don’t buy a lot of pottery, I enjoy seeing what they are making.

Fish Fountain Michigan 2I fell in love with this fish fountain, so clever. They had some lovely fish platters, I was tempted, but where would I store it. Unfortunately, my phone was low on battery, so that ended my photo spree.

Look at their website. If you are a pottery fan and happen to be in Michigan, pay them a visit. My friend said her brother had some wine cups made by them. I’m sure you could even specify the color you would like. They had some lovely bird houses; however, they were very heavy, not sure how you would hang them.

Michigan is beautiful, I have to do more exploring there…

Street Art… A cute squirrel.

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Squirrel - street artHappy Monday!

I walked past this street art yesterday. I loved it.

The squirrel on the red brick, the acorn resting on the top of the window, the flowers blooming — it’s WONDERFUL, such a clever idea.

Here is a close up of the squirrel.

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In life, it takes something small like this to LIFT our SPIRITS.

I could not stop smiling, it’s SO PERFECT. I hope YOU smile too!

Have a great day.

Puzzle time… I found a table.

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Remember, I told you, I wanted to make a puzzle, but I didn’t have a table BIG ENOUGH? For weeks now, I kept putting out to the Universe the table I wanted. I thought about the size, the cost (very little) and envisioned my puzzle on the table.

Well, a MIRACLE HAPPENED! My neighbor next door was moving, she had a small kitchen table that she was giving away. A little old, looks like something I might find in my grandmother’s house, but I LOVE IT. Perfect size.

So, I started my puzzle. Gee, it’s a big puzzle — a lot of fun.

While I was working away, I turned on this audio book, “Women of the Silk,” by Gail Tsukiyama. Really good book, so I am enriching my brain in two ways – wonderful!

WordPress Editor – Have you been using it?

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Frustration - Learning something newHave you been using the WordPress Editor? Apparently, June 1st, we all have to use it, like it or not — it seems. If you are like me, I find comfort in having my writing tools the same, i.e. same paper, same journal, same pen/markers, same WordPress…. same everything.

When this is changed and I am “forced” to learn something NEW, there is a “slow down” in my writing process. Suddenly, creativity goes out the window and angst replaces it.

Some of you might say, “I LOVE LEARNING SOMETHING NEW.”

GOOD FOR YOU!

First issue, I want to add a photo — hum, hum, hum. Can’t find where to do that? There must be a place to find/insert my photos, BUT WHERE.

First time in 5 years, no photo in my post?

Ugh… Eureka! I can switch back to Classic Editor. A temporary fix, while I learn WordPress Editor. I’m sure in a month I will say, “I LOVE IT,” but right now, it feels like one more COVID obstacle I need to surpass.

Bear with me… I need to figure this all out.

Writing inspiration during a THUNDERSTORM

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Thunderstorm - ManI awoke to a thunderstorm and the crackling sound of lightening. What is it about this “roar” that makes a writer jump out of bed, quickly find his/her journal, head to the window and start furiously writing?

The lightening thrilled and scared him. He was on the mountain top. He should be taking cover. Instead, he stood tall in “defiance” to God!” The thunder howling, the rain pounding down on his face, he didn’t care.

Arms raised to the sky, he was saying, “Go ahead God, strike me if you dare.”

Where did this strength and courage come from. Why did he think he could TEST God like this? Was he INSANE? He was ANGRY, God had let him down. He was alone, he was READY TO FIGHT and TODAY… God would not win!

If he made it out of this alive, his enemies beware, he was coming after them!

The thunder has died down, I’m waiting for the next round, so I can create ANOTHER amazing scene for my book.

What inspires YOU to write?