I'll Be On A Two Week Blog Break

Since it's the first of May, I find myself extremely busy in my gardens and spring cleaning indoors. I've decided to take a two week blog break, so that I can focus on gardening, cleaning, painting, working on my unfinished cookbook and meditating. I will continue to visit blogs periodically during my break and I will be returning on the week of the fourteenth to share more delicious recipes, gardening tips, quotes and hopefully some new paintings I've completed during the time I'm off.

Happy May day and happy blogging to all! I'll Be back in a few weeks.

Tropical Papaya Dessert

The dessert carnival has arrived. My recipe is called "Tropical papaya dessert." It 's so refreshing and delicious.
Throughout history papayas have been used as food as well as to soften skin, clean and to tenderize meat. Christopher Columbus called this exotic fruit the "fruit of the angels," because of the heavenly things it did for a persons health. With papayas being sky high in vitamin C and A, fiber, calcium, phosphate, magnesium and potassium, this dessert is worth a try. They also taste sweet, while being relatively low in sugar.

Filippijnen - Metro Manila / dessert :), originally uploaded by tinnne.

Ingredients;

3 medium to large ripe papaya

1 (11 oz) can of mandarin oranges

1 small banana, peeled and sliced

1 kiwi, peeled and sliced

1 star fruit peeled and sliced

1 cup or a can of chopped pineapple, juice drained

1 cup of low-fat vanilla yogurt

3 tbs honey

2 tbs fresh chopped mint

Cut papayas in half lengthwise and scoop out seeds. Place oranges,banana,kiwi, star fruit and pineapple chunks in a bowl. Add the yogurt, honey and chopped mint to the bowl. mix everything together well and fill each papaya with the mixture. Garnish with additional mint sprigs and serve. This dessert would finish off a light summer dinner perfectly.

For more delicious dessert recipes from the dessert carnival please give Cielo's blog a visit at

houseinroses.blogspot.com

Or you can go over to "my favorite blogs list" and click on "The house of roses"

I'm sure you'll find many great desserts and other recipes you would love to try and not to forget to mention Cielo's absolutely beautiful blog and posts she has to share with others.

My Award From Kat

What an honor it was for me to receive this great reward from Kat. Thank you so much kat! I love it. I will display it proudly on my blog!

Happy Birthday Eva!

Painting By Claude Monet

Here is a pot of Anemones for my dear friend Eva for her birthday.

Happy Birthday Eva!

If you would like to visit Eva's blog just go to:

givethemhell.wordpress.com

Or you can go to my link list and click on "give them hell".

May all of your birthday wishes come true for you Eva! Enjoy your day!

Spring's Now Blooming In My Front Landscape

My flowers and trees are finally waking up from their winter rest. It was so exciting to see that Mr. handsome sun was nourishing my beautiful blooms, with his golden rays of sunshine. I just had to run outdoors with my camera to take some photos. Here are some of the photos I took this morning;

My bright red tulips which grow next to my rugosa rose bush.My daffodils in bloom

in front of my star magnolia.

A close up of my red tulips in my front landscape

Bananas Flambe

With summer just around the corner, I felt this would be an appropriate dessert recipe to share with everyone. It also has a nice tropical flavor you'll just savor. It's short, easy to put together and pretty impressive to serve to dinner guests.

Ingredients;
1/4 c. orange juice concentrate
1 1/2 T. lemon juice
2 T. butter
1/3 c. brown sugar, packed
2 bananas, peeled and sliced diagonally (once the bananas are sliced sprinkle with lemon juice to keep them from browning)
1/4 c. of rum
1 qt. vanilla ice cream


In a large skillet, heat orange juice, lemon juice, butter and sugar until bubbling. Add the bananas. In another sauce pan, warm the rum, then remove from heat. Very carefully, ignite with a long kitchen match. Remove bananas and sauce from heat and pour the rum over it while still in the pan. pour the banana mixture over each bowl of ice cream and serve.

Guacamole

Now that the weather is finally getting warmer, light, quick and easy meals are popular at my house. With spring here and summer just around the bend my local grocery store always has great deals on avocados.
Below I've listed a great guacamole recipe. It's very quick and easy to make.
Ingredients;
2 tbs fresh lime juice
2 medium ripe avocado
3 large garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp of salt
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp chili powder
Black pepper and Cayenne pepper to taste
small amounts of: peeled, seeded and chopped finely cucumber, diced tomatoes and black olives.
Place lime juice in a bowl. Add avocado (cut it open and scoop it out of it's skin), and mash it with a fork. stir in the remaining ingredients. Cover and chill for two hours. Once chilled serve with your favorite salsa and tortilla chips.

Abstract Acrylic Painting

This is an abstract I did about 8 years ago. Though I never named this painting, It is a part of "my feelings" series. This was done in acrylics. It was stored in my Father's storage unit for a few years and while cleaning out his unit a few weeks ago, I came across this piece. It's now hanging in my living room until I become tired of it.

Quote Of The Day

Painting Of Nefertari

If you wish to know the divine, feel the wind on your face and the warm sun on you hand.

Buddha's Little Instruction Book

Learn to let go. That is the key to happiness.

Porch Of The Home I Grew Up In

This piece of art was created by a woman who my dad knew briefly, after my mother passed away. She use to work with pen and ink. She made this composition for my dad, while sitting outside of the home I grew up in. Unfortunately, my father had to sell his house shortly after my mom died, because it was way too big for him to take care of on his own. This picture brings back many pleasant memories. One in particular being the chair that use to sit on the front porch. I remember my mom sitting in it while she was waiting for me to pick her up, so we could go out and about. The kitties walking on the side walk were both living at my father's at the time. The silver cat is Tessa who now resides with me and the black cat is Louis who now resides in Florida. I hope Louis is doing well.
This picture now hangs in my house and I just love staring at it, so I can remember my childhood.

Another Quote From "Buddha's Little Instruction Book"

Simplicity brings more happiness than complexity.

Mango Soy Shake

The mango, which is an exotic fruit that comes from many countries located in the tropics, is a delicious alternative to the common fruits we are use to eating. These bright orange fruits, full of sweetness are loaded with vitamin A.

This morning while reading one of my health magazines, I came across this refreshing mango soy shake recipe. It would make for a great breakfast shake or a healthy mid afternoon snack.

Ingredients;

2 cups of soy milk

1 cup of mango chunks, frozen

1 tbs honey

1/2 tsp orange extract

Place all ingredients in a blender and process until everything is pureed. This should take between one and two minutes. Pour into two tall glasses and garnish with a sprig of mint if desired, then serve.

This mango shake will lend a nice tropical aroma, not to mention the high levels of fiber and vitamin A you'll receive in every sip.

Another Quote from "Buddha's Little Instruction Book

There is no fire greater than greed or hatred.

by John William Waterhouse

Calm and compassion are so precious. Make sure not to lose them through intoxication.

Another Quote From "Buddha's Little Instruction Book"

"Ophelia" by John William Waterhouse

There are no holy places and no holy people, only holy moments, only holy moments of wisdom.

What matters most!!!!!!!!!!!

When someone with Ugliness, Hatred, malice and evil turns their ill intentions your way, it is important to be aware of the negativity around you, but at the same time look away, because for every mean spirited, evil, hateful person, there are many more compassionate good people out there ready to embrace you with their unconditional love and goodness which is the most important thing that matters in this world.

Quote From "Buddha's Little Instruction Book"

Whatever path of action you find that brings good and happiness to all, follow this way like the moon in the path of the stars.