A Day in the Life: New Work
Silver Heart Necklace
I am adding new romantic items to my blog and online boutique in honor of the romantic month of February. Check out my Etsy site to see my offerings! I have beautiful lockets, silver necklaces, and artwork!
I also have a new print of the month for sale that reminded me of romance.
Red Lilies
This is a beautiful print of a watercolor done a few months ago.
What else am I up to? I am continuously working on my cook book of vegetarian comfort food. My son developed an awesome recipe for Cream of Mushroom soup.
Cream of Mushroom Soup
Will keep you posted about this awesome cookbook!
Read more at: Musings.
Nourishing my Artistic Soul and Making a List
Late afternoon haystacks by Monet
Ohhh, I have to admit it, I have been quite happy this week reading, working in my fabric studio, being with my family, cooking, and…..having time off from my computer!! I have been nourishing my artistic soul by letting myself be led by my creative desires. Winter break for me has always meant a time to contemplate, be inside with family, and play. I have thoroughly enjoyed time with family. Reading as always been pervasive in my schedule. I spent time absorbed in the new reading biography of Pat Conroy, “My Reading Life”, now I am reading a short biography of Winston Churchill. Always wanted to know more about that courageous British fellow! I also started in earnest working on my vegetarian cookbook that I am writing with my son, JJ. Very excited about this endeavor! And, I puttered and created in my fabric studio. There is nothing more splendid for me than to be sequestered in my fabric room surrounded with wool, colorful fabrics, ribbons, beads, books, and my trusty iron and to make whatever comes to mind. And many things have come to mind. Here is my latest project that I finished this week:
Blue and yellow sweater with material
I am into designing my own pieces lately, thinking of fabric, yarn, buttons as my palette and the clothing my sculpture. This sweater is knit with hand spun yarn infused with blues, yellows, and purples. I added blue batik fabric on the hem and the sleeves, and put glass hand made buttons on the button band. Love it, nice and warm!!
Now, to look forward! I have made many cyber friends this year, and one of my new friends, Emily, has started a list party along with 2 of her other blogging friends. I will be joining this fun and every week I will post the latest list. To start it off, we are to list our goals for 2011. So here are mine…..
1) Play my violin more and jam with my sons
2) Finish my vegetarian cookbook
3) Write the children’s book that I have in my head
4) Finish at least half of all my fabric projects I have thought of
5) Spend more time in my painting studio
6) Paint a portrait of my grandson(already did his sisters, can’t leave him out!)
7) Make some mixed media pieces
Continue to feel grateful everyday for all the blessings I haveThat is it, to tell the truth, I am pretty satisfied with my life, which was on my list long ago to be satisfied with what I have.
Horses
Have a happy new year, keep safe and see you all next week!!!
Food is Good: Seitan
One of my favorite vegetarian protein foods is seitan, or wheat gluten. A flavorful winning way to use this high protein food is to saute it with tamari sauce, and then add it to whatever food dish you are preparing.
sauteed seitan
A yummy possibility of dishes to add to is chili.
Vegetarian chili
Bon Appetit!
Read more at: Vegetarian Chili.
Food is Good: Comfort Split Pea Soup
With the weather staying cold and getting dark so early here on the East Coast, nothing is better than a thick hearty soup for dinner.
I made a chunky, heart split pea soup for dinner tonight and here is the recipe:
1 bag of split peas( I get them in bulk at Whole Foods)
baby carrots or 1 peeled carrot, sliced
chopped zucchini
clove garlic diced
1 peeled potato chopped
1 small onion chopped
salt and pepper
First soak the peas, preferably over night, but at least a few hours to soften them up.
soaking peas
Rinse the peas in clear water, then put in large soup pot. Cover with water so that there is about 3 inches above the peas. Put on to boil, and add the other ingredients. bring to boil, then simmer and stir often for 2 to 4 hours. Keep checking the pot, more water will most likely be needed.
Finished soup
Now this is a hearty soup for a cold, gray day!!
Read more recipes at: Vegetarian Chili.
Food is Good: Winter Squash
Keeping with my love of autumn theme, I want to offer a simple recipe for making a winter squash dish, specifically, butternut.
First go to a nice farmer’s market and pick nice, big healthy looking squashes, just kidding , you can easily buy them at your local grocer, but buying from local farmers is always preferred!
Then slice the butternut squash in half, scoop out the seeds and bake for about an hour and a half at 350 oven. Let cool a bit and carve out the pulp and mash in a bowl. Add cardamon, cinnamon, and nutmeg to taste. You can add a little sugar if you need a real sweet taste, but I don’t feel it needs it. Then add about a handful of flax seed flour. This is in place of oil and eggs. Mix all these together and put in a shallow baking dish. Bake this at 350 for about a half an hour.
Winter Squash
Enjoy this sweet, delicious vegetable side dish!
It has been a very busy day for me! I received lots of new merchandise for my Etsy shop that I need to photograph and list, so keep checking, I will be constantly adding new things! Also, I have a new piece for my November Art Sale, my lovely Breath Of Spring!
Breath of Spring
This beautiful watercolor is now available as a giclee and is on sale!!
Click here for Sale Shop.
Read more at: Vegetarian Chili.
Food is Good: Tortillas and Veggie Burgers
Flower card set
Whew, I have been so busy the last few days! I have been continuously adding more inventory to my Joyefulart Etsy Shop, have been working on my large watercolor of spring flowers (almost finished!!), getting paintings ready for my 4 shows in November and December, and organizing inventory for my 2 gift shows in November! It is a whirlwind time!!
So, for dinner I wanted something quick and easy. I had saved some veggie burgers I made last week. Kept them very cold in the fridge, but uncooked.
fresh made patties
I then fried them with simple canola oil.
Burgers Frying
Then comes the good part, stuffing them in a tortilla with all the trimmings! I crumbled them with mozzarella cheese, sliced avocado,salsa, and some shredded lettuce. Put all these ingredients in a tortilla and microwave for about a minute and a half.
veggie burger tortilla
Serve with a sald and it is a filling and healthy meal!
Ok, back to work! Don’t forget to check out my Etsy Store, new things listed everyday!
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Hi I'm Joye!!
Welcome to Joyefulart! Make yourself at home in my blog where you can can learn to master the art of appreciating the colorful world around you through living a creative life. Featured Artwork of the Month Sale
Check out my Summer Art Sale! "Smiling Faces" Giclee Print 25% off! To view this sale print in my Gallery Shop Click Here.- To visit my site for classes, exhibition schedule and more artwork Click Here.
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