10 in 10 for 10 - Day 5

click the pic...amazing mural!

As I headed out to run my errands, I grabbed my camera unsure of what I would find today. Then I saw that someone had yarn bombed a telephone pole near where I parked my car, perfect!
All of my shots are taken on one street close to where I live, this one street is full of amazing and colorful murals and art work. "Street Art" if you will. It may not be to everyone's taste but, I truly believe that Community Art is vital, meaningful, and necessary to the fabric of our communities. A vibrant expression of the energy and spirit of our neighborhoods. By the people, for the people.

Also playing along:
Little House in Paradise
Colette
Loess Is More(stay tuned!)
Fledge - flying is easy
Flaming Nora
Handmade - Homegrown
Mad Crafty Mama

10 in 10 for 10 - x 2

Days 3 and 4 rolled into one...

Yesterday I never got out to take my ten. It was raining, pouring, the old man was snoring, and I had a date with some denim and the 'Fraulein' for some stitchery. So today I decided to double the flavor, double the fun and take 20 in 20.

I have to say these are the first I really like. I just focused on color, shape and texture and I think they are pretty ok.

click on the pic for a good look-see

Now for the second 10...

Just don't tell Pony Girl that I went to the park without her.


This is fun, wanna see who else is playing along?
Fledge - flying is easy
Flaming Nora
Handmade - Homegrown
Mad Crafty Mama

I know another one or two who might be joining in soon, I'll keep you posted. Thanks so much to Nancy for putting this into motion!

P.S. I did fix my settings before I went out to take the shots but, I did not touch a thing once I started my photo shoot - nor did I edit after.

Making my list

As we swing into this bright and shiny new year, I am still making my list. My list of goals and hopes and dreams I guess. What wonders will this year hold, what adventures? I am going to be brave this year, I am going to do new things.

Like learn a new craft/art.

...and spend some time with an old flame.

What is on your list?

I will be back later today with my day 3 of 10.10.10 - that is if the rain lets up just a little.

10 in 10 for 10 - Day 2

I wasn't sure I'd make it today, struck down as I was with a nasty cold. I thought I had it licked but, in the middle of the night it sneaked up on me and took me down.
Todays photos may not be so inspired but, I am pretty chuffed that I got the shots. Thanks go to The Engineer for his help and support.

I will hopefully be back tomorrow with a little less fog in the brain.

10 in 10 for 10 - Day One

Happy New Year!

In the words of Spongebob Squarepants, "I'm Ready!"

I am considering this Monday to be my official New Year's Day. Engineer back at work, the small one back to school - both of them none to pleased about it. I so enjoyed having my family around, spending relaxed time with them. When they are present, I find it hard to do anything else but just hang out together.

And though it has been so nice, I am feeling ready to get back to a little routine as well as a little adventure. One of the things on my 2011 "To Do" list, is to get out more...I mean to spend time out there in the city I love, to bring my camera and capture some Portland heart and soul. So, when I saw my friend Nancy, of Fledge had started a meme called "10 in 10 for 10", I thought it a great way to get myself into the thick of it right away.

Nancy writes:
"Today, I thought up a meme (which, in my head, I pronounce "Me-Me", because I can, because it's my head). 10-10-10. Ten photos. Ten minutes. Ten days. It's intended to exercise my mindfulness and stretch my photographic eye. No time to fidget with settings (which I cannot, because I cracked the LCD display on the back of my camera. Perfect.). No time to stage anything. No photo editing.

Just walk/see/shoot/look/post."

Here is the original post Nancy has extended an open invitation if you would like to play along!

So, with my top photo being 1, here are the other 9. I have to tell you that not fiddling with settings and skipping photo editing is hard for me. Not to mention it was freezing out and my hands went numb completely in the 10 minutes I was out shooting. I did see a whole world of "Possibility"!

Still, what a great experiment! To get out and look and shoot and see things a little differently.

I have lots to tell in this new year and I promise I will get to it all soon. I hope your first days of the new year are treating you well!

Red Lentil Stew

After the over-indulgence of the holidays, I was craving something a bit healthy, fresh, delicious and comforting. Hmmmm...
As I looked 'round the kitchen, I spied a jar of gorgeous red lentils and had my "AH HA!" moment. I began gathering ingredients and working out the details in my mind. Now, I was ready to create. The end result was just what I was after, it hit the spot.

I thought I would share the recipe with you here. Whilst it may appear to have quite a few ingredients, it is a simple recipe and only takes about 20 minutes of active time and then simmers away. I hope you like it.

Red Lentil Stew

Ingredients:
1 1/2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 lg carrot, diced
1 celery rib, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 tomato, chopped (you can substitute 1 cup of canned diced tomatoes)
1 rounded teaspoon ground cumin
pinch of red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup dried red lentils
4 cups broth/stock (I used homemade chicken stock but, you can use vegetable if you want to make it vegetarian/vegan)
1/2 cup white wine
2 Tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (you could substitute parsley if you aren't fond of cilantro)
juice from 1/2 lemon

Preparation:
Heat oil in a 4 -5 quart heavy saucepan over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then saute onion, stirring until golden, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, carrots, celery, pepper, tomato, cumin, red pepper flakes, and salt and saute, stirring for about 3 minutes. Add lentils, broth, and wine. Bring to a soft boil then lower heat and let simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until lentils are tender, about 30 minutes. Once the lentils are tender, remove from heat.
Stir in cilantro, lemon juice and season to taste with salt and pepper.

I spooned it over cooked brown rice and served it with whole wheat pita bread. The Engineer liked his with hot chili sauce drizzled on top, while I preferred a dollop of plain low fat yogurt on mine. Yum!

What are you having for dinner?

Calm After the Storm

Good heavens, what a weekend! We are all a little tuckered out like little Baby Moonface here. Who, by the way, was born at the last minute in the wee hours. Her mama and accompanying receiving quilt of Pegasus magic, caused me to break a good number of my sewing rules and to utter a few unpleasants upon discovering a dearth of stuffing material.

Any imperfections were overlooked and the sheer number of ponies and pony related items found under the tree were vastly more intriguing anyway.

We had an amazing holiday feast with family. The Engineer and I joined forces to become a team of super chefs, creating a complete Middle Eastern vegetarian Mezza spread. Tabbouleh, Falafel, Fatayer (spinach pastry), Hummus...all from scratch, even the Pita were handmade. It was delicious! Yes, much feasting has been done! Our wee kitchen was put through it's paces and performed beautifully. Another night there was a roast chicken, mash potato, gravy with homemade rolls...not to mention the 6 dozen cookies made earlier in the week. I must admit, that never before have I had so many dishwasher fantasies. Still, unless we put one in the living room, I just don't think it's going to happen.

After all the hubbub, we have been soaking up a little lazy time. Pajamas have been worn long after the morning's gone, thankful for leftovers giving us respite from the cooking, and generally just hanging out as a family. There is a vague plan to motor up the mountain in search of snow play but, for now we are just letting it roll.
What have you been up to?

Comfort and Joy

Thank you for joining me in my little shiny place here...for reading, commenting, encouraging, inspiring and making this a most amazing journey! However it is that you mark the passing of another year, I hope that you and yours are blessed with comfort and joy, love and peace, health and happiness!

I wish you a most beautiful New Year!