March Means Garden Planning

Now that March has arrived. It's time for me to start mapping out a plan for my vegetable garden on paper. Around this time of year I get so anxious about getting outside to work in the soil. As usual I will reserve a spot in my garden for a patch of cheery sunflowers to grow. The sunflowers in the photo above, were in my garden last year. Not only do they add happiness to a garden, they also attract bees, which is essential for a successful growing season.

Eva's Wonderful, Inspirational Blog

My friend Eva has a wonderful and inspirational blog I visit often. It's full of very interesting, spiritual, artistic and creative posts. The photos she uses are very nice. Every time I finish reading Eva's posts, it leaves me feeling inspired all day long. If you get a chance I suggest you go and visit her. All you need to do to get to her blog is, go to "my favorite blogs" on my blog, and click on "give them hell." This will bring you right to Eva's lovely blog.

Wise Words From The Little Book Of Buddha

The greatest protection is a loving heart. Protecting yourself, you protect others. Protecting others you protect yourself.

Sauteed Kale With Garlic and Tofu

Greens are very healthy for all of us to include in our diets. They contain folate and calcium, which is beneficial for us vegans who do not eat dairy products. Greens contain other important nutrients which protect against cognitive decline, support bone health, and prevent age-related eye problems.
Leafy greens like kale, escarole,and collard greens make tasty additions to all kinds of dishes, including salads, soups, and stir- fries.
Yesterday afternoon while cooking myself up some sauteed kale and tofu, my hubby snapped this shot of me by the stove. Now for of you who want to get adventurous, or just love eating greens, just follow the recipe I've listed below.

Ingredients;
1 box of whole wheat pasta
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tub of extra firm tofu, rinsed and cut into cubes
3 medium cloves of garlic, minced
One bunch of fresh kale leaves, rinsed and chopped
1/3 cup of water
1 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
Sea salt and black pepper to taste

1. prepare pasta by following the directions on the back of the box.
2. In a large frying pan heat 3 tbsp of olive oil over medium heat and add the cubed tofu. Saute for 10 minutes. Stir the tofu frequently to prevent sticking.
3. add the minced garlic and continue to saute for an additional 3 minutes.
4. Add all the rest of the ingredients and cover. continue stirring occasionally. Cook the kale for 20 minutes or until it's soft.
5. When all is finished serve the sauteed kale and tofu over wheat pasta.

For added flavor you can add crushed red pepper flakes, an extra squeeze of lemon, and grated cheese to each dish before serving. This is truly one of the healthiest dinners you will eat if you decide to try it.

Violets In Vase

Since it's so dreary where I'm at today, I decided to write a post about one of my more colorful watercolors. This watercolor was painted by me back in 1998. The name of this painting is called"Violets in Vase." I hope the colors will cheer those up who are bored of these dreary, cold days the same way I am, also the god awful repetition of repeated every day occurrences .

More Words Of Wisdom From My Favorite Little Book

Every life has a measure of sorrow. Sometimes it is this that awakens us.

Cabbage Salad

IMG_3480, originally uploaded by dragonx.

Cabbage salad is a hardy winter salad that's loaded with flavor. It's a definite must to try for those who love cabbage. This colorful side dish would go great along side a steak for all you meat eaters, and some mixed tofu with greens for us vegetarians.

Ingredients;

4 cups of chopped cabbage

4 cups of chopped radicchio

1 sliced red onion

1 large grapefruit, peeled

1 1/2 tbs brown sugar

Salt and pepper to taste

Red wine vinegar

Extra virgin olive oil

Crumbled blue cheese (optional)

In a large salad bowl, add chopped cabbage, radicchio, and red onion. Cut the flesh out of a peeled grapefruit and add it to the salad. Squeeze the leftover grapefruit juice into the salad after adding the flesh. Sprinkle the brown sugar, salt and pepper, and blue cheese into the mixture. Toss well. After tossing the salad add red wine vinegar and extra virgin olive oil. Toss well and serve.

Buddha's Little Instruction Book

a tiny cosmo, originally uploaded by june_c_oka.

Today I wanted to share Some words of wisdom that come from one of my favorite books called "Buddha's Little Instruction Book."

Forgiveness is primarily for our own sake, so that we no longer carry the burden of resentment. But to forgive does not mean we will allow injustice again.

New Butterfly Painting

This butterfly painting is done in guasche. It's been sitting under my bed, half finished for over a year now. Yesterday I decided to pick it up and finish it. I haven't named it yet, but it will be part of the butterfly cards I'm creating. If anyone has any ideas of a name for this painting, I'd love the input. Have a wonderful weekend. For those of you who live where it's cold, stay warm and cozy!

LADYBUG

This ladybug painting was created for my daughter. It was done in oils and I decided to use an analogous color scheme for this composition. I still have yet to mat and frame it, so that I can finally get it hanging in her room. By the time I do get around to hanging it, she'll be too old to like this ladybug painting.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

valentine, originally uploaded by pretty peony.

I just wanted to wish everyone a nice valentine's day!

Close Up Of A Pansy

This watercolor is called "The close up of a pansy," created by me for my pansy series. A few years back I went on this obsessive and crazy pansy kick. Everything I painted had to do with this species of flowers. I even started planting them all through out my landscape when I lived at my first home. The colors were just beautiful, so I started bringing them in and painting them. Nowadays I just have to stop making excuses and carve out some time to pick up my brush. Painting can be very therapeutic for me.

Daisies in Vase

This is a watercolor I painted back a few years ago. Since I'm missing summer and all the flora that comes along with it, I've decided to use this daisy painting for my post. I have to admit I have a bad case of cabin fever right now.

Watercolor Butterfly Painting

This is a watercolor I did in 1997. At the time I was pumping out artwork like crazy. I hope to do that again soon. It feels so good just to get lost in my creativity when I get the time. This may be used in one of the projects I'm presently working on, which is creating a deck of butterfly knowledge cards. This particular painting was named "The Chrysalis."
While I was painting this piece I was thinking of the times when life can seem so dull and negative. If only we can look past the darkness that may be in our lives, we will know that light, love and change are waiting for us. During times of trouble we have to get through that door and out of the blackness to feel and see that good things are indeed presented in front of us.