Art in My World

My sister started me buying this flour about a year ago. I had tried several homemade flour blends trying to achieve an easy sandwich bread for my son. For two years I kept trying to perfect a bread machine gluten free bread, but they never quite achieved the height I thought it should and they were too dense.  The bread flour for this company did say you can use it in a bread machine, but it never turned out like I felt it should: it didn't rise enough and again too dense. Then I bought some wonderful 8 by 4 inch bread pans from King Author flour. I had read, that if you used this size and created a foil collar to allow the bread to rise above the pans the bread would turn out beautifully. So I gave it a try...and it worked! So my method was this: I make the dough using the recipe on the bag. I don't use the mixer method, but I put all the ingredients in my bread machine and set it on the dough setting. So I let the bread machine do the work. I don't run it through ...

Several months back I painted the large middle part of this triptych, but thought, it needs something. I knew the wall I wanted to hang it on and it was a large wall. So, it was back to the drawing board to add two more parts to this colorful piece. Matching the colors and style was a bit difficult, but with a bit of trial and error it didn't turn out all that bad.  These type of paintings are all about the color of the paint. This style appeals to me, because it isn't about the exact replica of an object, but about the color and texture and movement of the paint. I want to pursue more of these this year, particularly some abstract landscape. Painting simply, with large blocks of color will be the goal.  Karen Hale is wonderful abstract artist who has some interesting landscapes. I enjoy her use of color, texture and simple shapes. The beauty of this type of work is worth the study, and study I hope to do in the near future. This type of painting catches my eye. I am n...

A few weeks ago, while looking through several cookbooks, I came across one that looked interesting. Interesting because of my struggle with eating as clean as possible, without chemicals or preservatives.  My family has always loved tortillas, but I have always been bothered by something: what causes store bought tortillas to last months and months in their plastic bags? They never seem to grow mold or stale. And of course with my household trying to get rid of wheat, I saw a recipe cookbook: Against the Grain that basically uses just tapioca flour for making tortillas...so I bought the cookbook and a tortilla press. This recipe turned out wonderful and I now keep these in our freezer, ready to microwave for 10 seconds and fill. They are soft, stretchy and roll without cracking.  Flour Tortillas 2 3/4 tapioca starch {the original recipe called for only 1 3/4 cups of tapioca starch, but it was too runny and I could not make it work) 1/4 cup canola oil 1 teaspoon sa...

YES! I finally finished my first shawl! These are now my knitting obsession, not only because they are beautiful, fun to knit, but they are lovely to wear over sleeveless dresses at church or out to a dinner date. This was my fourth try. One of my shawls I got all the way to the end and I was trying a new binding off method, accidentally slipped a stitch, and the it all began to unravel. Oh the frustration!  I have bought some wonderful colors of yarn to try my hand at a few more designs. There are two books by Jen Lucas that have some easy to follow instructions on making what she calls Sock Yarn Shawls. All 15 shawls in each book are beautiful; I could spend the year making each one. These books are so worth the price if you are interested in the journey of knitting shawls. If it weren't for the fact that you have to block the shawl after washing it each time, I would love to give them as gifts. In the picture above I am blocking it on my carpeted floor in my office. It is a...

It has been years since I have spent time trying to scan in the large amount of old slides that my mother has given me. Since then, I have have acquired a new computer, (just last week), a new scanner, (a few years back), and Photoshop has greatly improved.  So here is the thing. Now I need to go back and redo quite a few slides, because of course, now I can do them better. Take for example the bottom picture in this series: this is what the slide looks like right after it is scanned. The one above that is how I fixed it several years ago. The one above that is how I fixed it today...after learning my new scanner. Which only took half the day. Sigh. But now I think, well, the top picture looks more accurate right? Though, maybe not quite as accurate as it might if I spend a few more hours learning a bit more about color correction. So, before I fool around a bit more, it is off to Lynda.com to check out some of her videos on color restoration...and scanning. I miss my old...

Here are my favorite jars again filled with, not almond milk, but my favorite green juice recipe. This juice has it all:    Pineapple juice Pineapple juice contains the enzyme bromelain, which is a natural anti-inflammatory agent and digestive enzyme. Bromelain helps reduce inflammation and pain following surgery and encourages the healing of bruises, according to New York University's Langone Medical Center. It may also help reduce inflammation caused by sinusitis. As an enzyme, bromelain promotes good digestion by helping the body break down proteins. Green Apples   Apple juice is one of the best sources of malic acid that plays an important role in improving muscle performance, reversing muscle tiredness after exercise, prevent muscle stiffness, and generally reducing lethargy and increasing energy levels. This makes it a great help for people suffering from fibromyalgia.  Celery  Drinking fresh celery juice neutralizes acidity, alkalizes the...

I have been making almond milk for years with a metal strainer. It was very time consuming. Every now and then I have heard of these nut bags to use to strain the milk, but put off buying one.  Buy one! These things are so fast and leave no sentiments behind, and they give me so much more milk too. Buy Here If you make nut milks you will not regret the $6. They rinse easily and are tough! Also, if you are interested, these glass milk jugs can also be bought at Amazon Here . They are a bit pricey, they run a little less than $5 a bottle/$60 for a case of 12. They are high quality canning jars from Italy with replaceable lids for when they wear out. To make Almond Milk: Soak 1 cup of almonds overnight. Place almonds in blender with 4 cups of water, 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/8 cup succunat or 4 dates. Sweetener is optional. Blend until smooth. Pour into nut bag over bowl and squeeze until all liquid is out. Store in glass container in refrigerator for up to 5-6 days. ...