Pickled eggs have been a tradition in our family for as long as I can remember. We come from Pennsylvania Dutch country where a big family dinner isn’t complete without a big bowl of colorful pickled eggs and beets on the table. This is the recipe my mom has always used, and my grandmother before […]
Category: Sketching
Pasta with Asparagus – Delicious!
When my parents lived on the farm, my mother used to have an asparagus bed that produced a huge crop every spring, which she generously shared with me, so I have quite a collection of asparagus recipes. This is the one that I pull out most often when the those pretty green spears find their […]
Creative Therapy – Trying Something Different is a Good Thing
Sometimes it’s fun to try something different. Step outside your comfort zone and get a little funky and crazy! It might mean making an exotic dish for dinner, or buying a wild pair of shoes to jazz up a dull wardrobe, or just tuning into a radio station that’s different from what you usually listen […]
Hoppin’ Robins
Robins are one of the happiest signs of spring. I spied the first arrivals way back in January, and now there are lots of them visiting every day. They always give my heart a little lift, knowing that when they arrive, warmer weather can’t be far behind. They’re so comical, bobbing around, all plump and […]
March Days
It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it’s summer in the light, and winter in the shade. Charles Dickens It feels so good to be outside this time of year, even if there is still a nip in the air. The fields are showing […]
Waiting and Sketching
What do you do when you have to sit around a car dealership waiting for your vehicle to be serviced? The local Dodge dealer where I take my van has a grungy, depressing waiting room with ancient, grimy chairs, 5 year old magazines, and a TV that blares inane TV shows all day long. Sitting […]
Gallery Views
I spent a few hours working at our local gallery, Artisans, this afternoon. I had the place to myself, so I grabbed my little 3.5″ x 5″ sketchbook and spent some time with my pens and watercolors. It was so peaceful and quiet as I sat there sketching, looking out the windows at a bright […]
Snowy Days
It’s been a hard winter so far, and it’s not over by a long shot, but instead of complaining about it, I try to see the beauty in these stark, cold days with their deep purple shadows and cobalt blue skies. Even on the gray days, the contrast of a maple tree silhouetted against a […]
Friends for Life
I am one of those lucky people who has been blessed with the gift of a lifelong friend. I first met Betty when she was in 7th grade and I was in 9th. Betty, me, my brother Garry, and sister Donni – 1968 – Camping in the Texas hill country She was my sister’s best […]
Super Quick Taco Soup
I’m almost embarrassed to call this recipe Taco Soup. It’s not at all spicy, and it doesn’t call for taco seasoning or salsa. But the woman who gave me the recipe years ago titled it Taco Soup, and Taco Soup it shall remain. I had a crazy day today and definitely didn’t have a lot […]