"Bugs"

Here's the latest "hot off the easel"!!! Casein, 3"x2". This post should be about the correct actual size for you. I have such a hard time with titles...

Off to Elder Gallery, Houston, Texas...

I packaged up my entries for the Houston, TX miniature show and they are off on their way. Whew- glad that's done. Always "issues" getting things all finished up- finding all the hanging wire, running out of hooks to attach the wire, then finding more, etc. Here's a few of the minis that will be at the show I don't think you've seen...

Iowa Farmscape

This is my first attempt from some of the photos I shot while on my Iowa jaunt with my aunt. I intend to give this to her as a memento of our time together and to say "thanks" for putting up with me. :-) She doesn't use computers, so this will stay a surprise until I give it to her- hopefully in Sept.
I redid this several times to get it more the way I wanted it. I hope I have the colors adjusted correctly- it's night and I can't see on the computer so may have to readjust tomorrow- if I have time!

Rice Pudding!

Here it is- my Grandmother's recipe from 1923 when she worked at Altoma Hall, Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa! Very easy to make. Different from "fluffy" rice puddings- it's a carmelized version. Make sure not to over-bake and dry it out.

Rice Pudding
4 c. milk, heated
1/2 c. rice
1/2-2/3 c. sugar (more or less to taste)
1/2 c. raisins
Mix together adn sprinkle heavily with cinnamon. Stir in. Bake at 325 degrees until browned, (approximately 30 min.) then stir down. Bake another 25-30 min. until browned, stir down. Bake again until browned one last time.

I love to cook- I used to enter cooking contests now and then, won several with my own original recipes (I've always loved to create, be it with paint or with food!). I also enjoy exchanging recipes and would love to hear from you with your favorites. I believe I'll share more of mine down the road from time to time.
Just for fun I added the photo of my 2 granddaughters making play dough. I like photos, can you tell I love kids books? They have lots of pictures!

Castles

I happened upon the most interesting website today- that is if you enjoy castles- and I DO!!! When I and my family were in England and Scotland a number of years ago we visited several castle ruins, museums, and abbeys. We all loved them. It was my favorite part of the trip and also my daughters- who were only 11 and 13. Some of them were just magical- very mystical to walk around in. If I ever get to return I am going to research and visit every castle I can find!!! Until then- I'm going to enjoy this site. Hope you enjoy it too.

http://www.castlewales.com/home.html.

Out of the Mire

Says Coyote, "Continue on the journey of the art. Give a hint of the sadness which has filled a life, let it be known that great sadness can lead to great depth of feeling. That is enough."
So Crow continues the story of the woman...

The woman sank deep into her despair, nearly drowning in it. But there came a time when she grew strength. In that strength she gathered herself and became determined to find her life again. She did not know how, but she did know if she were to once again be whole she must continue her artistic journey. She must take back her artistic soul. It was who she was. Once again she took up the search for more knowledge, more ability to express herself, and once begun her world became clearer and brighter. There would always be a cloud, it would perhaps never be quite as bright, but in that shadow was the ability to not be blinded by the brightness and to feel more deeply than ever before.
To feel what another might feel in an experience not personally known, because of what her life had taught her. She had more depth to her soul. Gradually her world became a happier place and she could look back upon that darkness with an inner pride. She had not been overcome by the despair, but instead it had enriched her being!

Sun-Kissed King

Well, he's almost complete- he still needs a title!!! As you can see by the edited post title- he has a name!!!

Just a little "aside" for your next trivia game: they've done studies and the lions with the blacker/darker manes are more "attractive" to the ladies! Guess if you're a boy lion, blondes don't have more fun!!!

I can't believe how quickly the summer has been slipping away- I'm going to blink and the trees will be turning! We've had very little warm weather here- a week or 2 of HOT, HOT, then the rest has been cool and nice- but we do need rain badly here.

I think I'm going to make some rice pudding from a recipe of my Grandmother's. She made it back in 1923 when she was a cook at Cornell University (Mt. Vernon, Iowa). It is a recipe dear to my heart. Perhaps I'll post it, along with a few other favorites now and then. Hmmm... I do love to cook, another way to share with my readers. :-)