Monday, June 16, 2014

Splashes of Bright Colors

  Last week we had fog and dark grey days along with some storms and a lot of misty rain much of the week. How to brighten those days? with COLOR of course! So first I brought out my pretty rainbow mug for my coffee, then while grocery shopping I couldn't resist buying a vibrant bouquet of flowers:

  That made me feel much better:) And we have had gorgeous sunny weather since the weekend. Joining Bleubeard and Elizabeth for "T Stands For Tuesday". Oh, and thank you for those who directed me to the type of flower growing wild in my yard which I shared a photo of last Tuesday. I have discovered that it is a Scarlet Trumpet Honeysuckle-one of the non-invasive varieties, known to be a handsome, dense vine-good for fences-and the hummingbirds love them:)

 We also got some special visitors last week-in my neighbors yard:

  They got pretty comfy but as we already have lots of rabbits-and even a groundhog family visiting our yards (much to my neighbor's chagrin-mostly because of the vegetable garden) she scooted them away. But I saw earlier today the female-I'm guessing it was the same one - very slowly walking up our back alley just as I was coming up in the car to park. No horn blowing or creeping close was moving her so I actually had to get out of the car and shoo her away. Not sure where she is right now but I  have a feeling she's nearby.

 Seems I've been posting more of my foodie shots on Tuesdays. And here's another :

                                                 ( RECIPES AT END OF POST)

 Saturday eve. I made Flounder Paprika with garlic, shallots, white wine and lemon. I had some of this Watercress Pasta leftover from the previous eve. so we had that with it. It's made with orecchiette, fresh watercress, peas, lemon and fresh tarragon. It was the first time I made both dishes but after years of cooking I knew these would be good. Well, it was a hit and hubby paid me the nicest complement telling me it was like eating out at a fine restaurant! I love trying new things and cannot tell you how much I have expanded his palate:) If anyone ever wants a recipe just let me know. I was thinking about having a category with the recipes typed up to print out if there's enough interest.

  And for more wonderful color I have made two tags inspired by Kristin's Summer Of Color Week 2 palette which is:

Coral & Teal 
with a Smudge, Splash or Pop of Bright White
 
  Anyone can join in, there is a FABULOUS prize given away randomly each week, and this is one happening gathering!



   Products used for both-gelli plate printed tags, teal flowers (Prima), white card stock, teal card stock, and orange brads (JoAnne's). For the tag on the left I drew a house shape, trimmed it, outlined it with a Pitt pen and stamped the script (Love to Stamp) with Onyx Black Versafine ink(Tsukineko). Added a recycled postage stamp for the door. Wrote and trimmed words using a uni-ball Signo white pen and finished it with hand dyed ribbon and the flower. On the right tag I used a vintage image from my stash, trimmed and edges sponged with the black ink. Sponged Distress Peacock Feathers ink (Ranger) around edges of tag and also used it to stamp the flower (Magenta) onto teal banner I cut out. Sentiment (Think Big Favorites #3-Papertrey Ink) was trimmed and glued on. Finished with teal flower, white flower(the Paper Studio) and metallic dots (JoAnne's).  I was so excited about these colors that I have a prayer flag in progress:) I know you can only link up once but if I get it done I'll share it here on Friday.

  I'm also linking to the Simon Monday challenge blog (theme is "anything goes"), Mix It Monthly (theme is "home") and Art Journal Journey (theme is "houses"). Thanks so much for coming by. I'll be seeing you!

                             "Creativity is a drug I cannot live without."  Cecil B. DeMille


                                                      Flounder Paprika (serves 4)

  4 flounder filets     1 Tbsp. olive oil     1/2 tsp. paprika      1/2 c. thinly sliced shallots

  1 Tbsp. butter      garlic- 2 cloves thinly sliced    1/2 c. dry white wine   1/2 tsp.. salt

  1/4 tsp. fresh ground pepper        1 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley       4 lemon wedges

 Place oven rack in middle of oven. Preheat broiler to high. Drizzle oil in a roasting pan. Pat fish dry and arrange in pan. Sprinkle fish evenly with paprika. Sprinkle shallots, butter and garlic around pan. Pour wine in pan around the fish. Broil 10 min or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork, basting frequently. When done remove from oven , sprinkle evenly with salt, pepper and parsley. Serve with lemon wedges. Note - I use Smart Balance in place of butter.


                                 Orecchiette With Cress and Spring Pea Sauce (serves 4 )

  1 1/2 c. fresh or frozen peas(thawed)      8 oz. orecchiette pasta    3 Tbsp. water

  2 Tbsp. fresh tarragon leaves, divided      1 Tbsp. EVOO     1 1/2 tsp. grated lemon rind

  1/4 tsp. salt    1/4 tsp.. fresh ground pepper    1 garlic clove    4 oz. watercress, trimmed

  1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice     1 oz. feta cheese, crumbled (about  1/4 c.)

 Place 1 c. of the peas in a blender or food processor; reserve remaining peas. Cook past in boiling water according to pkg. directions, omitting fat and salt; drain. Rinse under cold water until cool and drain.  Add 3 Tbsp. water, 1 Tbsp. tarragon, oil, rind, salt, pepper, and garlic to peas in blender. Process until smooth. Combine pea mixture and pasta in lg. bowl; toss to coat. Add reserved peas, remaining 1 Tbsp. tarragon, watercress, and juice; toss to gently combine. Sprinkle with feta; serve immediately. Note- I use fat free feta.
 

40 comments:

  1. Wow, I'm always hungry when I leave your blog, no matter what time of day or night it is. Your rainbow mug works well with those lovely flowers. And speaking of flowers, the ones you used on the tags are the perfect teal color. PERFECT. I really like both tags and using your gelli plate made me want to get mine out and play. Maybe later in the week, I can squeeze some time in.

    Thank you for bringing so much color into T this week.

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  2. Your food looks great. Your tags came of perfect for this weeks color. It's good to treat yourself once in a while and a mug and flowers is a way to do it.:)

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  3. This is a great post. Photos, food, and art. It is always a pleasure checking out what you are doing.
    Nicole/Beadwright

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  4. yummy food
    beautiful flowers
    and sweet art
    summer is good

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  5. Great use of the colors for this week.

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  6. Wonderful tags Linda... and I love this couple of ducks- that really colorful bouquet and your funny cup! --- and I am glad that I had breakfast now.. otherwise I would be too hungry to do my blogging now! Yummie food!

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  7. Yes, colour s so important to brighten our days. Love the photos, and your SOC tags are beautiful. Valerie

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  8. Linda, your food shots are lovely. I'm interested in the recipes, especially the ones that are easy and healthy to make. The flowers look beautiful. I'm inspired to sketch them. Wonderful tags, the colors are so bright and cheerful.
    Have a wonderful Tuesday
    Susan

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  9. Your pasta dish looks really good, I think I'll try it.
    I very much like your tags and the description of how you made them was fascinating.
    I like the text house with the flowery door, very pretty.

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  10. I love that cheerful bouquet and your colorful mug. Looks like Summer! :) I'm always up for food and recipe posts. I'm not much of a cook, but it's fun to try new things. Happy T Day :)

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  11. Linda your tags are gorgeous! What a super job you did, they look beautiful with these colours!
    Your food looks scrumptious, I'd definitely visit and appreciate any recipes you decide to post.

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  12. Ooooo love the colors together! Great tags! And....now I am hungry! It does look like fine dining! Happy T-Day!
    donna

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  13. These are truly beautiful. And thanks for giving us a synopsis of how you made your designs. I see so many gelli-plate users and I've never tried those.

    Thanks for stopping by to view my Summer of color post.

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  14. Fab, Fab, Fab. It is all scrumptious.

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  15. What a wonderful picture of your mug and flowers together. LOVE it!
    Great take on the SOC challenge, I've yet to start mine.
    Happy T-day

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  16. What gorgeous SOC tags the colours really pop. BJ

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  17. I love rainbows! coral and teal- I'll work on it!

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  18. thank you for this colorful beauty break dear Linda!
    You've made me hungry too...
    wonder if your duck couple are looking for a nesting place :)
    Happy T Day
    oxo

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  19. Absolutely fab tags Linda....I LOVE those colours.

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  20. Love the flowers and rainbow mug!! When I was growing up we had mallards nesting all over the neighborhood, but people liked them in their yards. Rabbits were another story--LOL! ;)
    Happy T-Day!

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  21. I agree Linda that flowers can really brighten your day.
    Love the tags you made.
    :-)

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  22. I love to try new recipes--the pasta one sounds like a winner here. I like flounder but unfortunately DH is not a fan of fish with potential bones. Sigh.

    Both of your tags are amazing! You got the color to play so well together. I'm still thinking on this combination.

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  23. That food looks delish!!!! Love your tags for SOC too! It's a 2-fer on T Tuesday. :)

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  24. Happy T-Day!
    Yum ... your food pics look so good! Love your tags. Beautiful use of such rich colors.

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  25. Hi Linda - your cards are delightful! So pretty and beautifully composed. Thanks for dropping by my blog last week - glad to reconnect with you too!

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  26. Super tags for this weeks SOC challenge.

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  27. These tags are lovely! You have lovely shades of teal and coral going on there!

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  28. Such lovely tags! I am so in love with the sweet house with its stamp-door! and wow these colors go so well together, thats for sure :) Thanks for that cute house for Mix It Monthly ♥ Conny

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  29. Why shouldn't you treat yourself to flowers just because? They're beautiful. And so are the tags. The white really pops.

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  30. Two stunning Tags which use the colours really well :-) x

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  31. Love this colorful post, Linda! Your tags are so pretty! Looks like you enjoy cooking and I'm sure your hubby enjoys your wonderful meals, too.

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  32. Love your tags! It's fabulous to see how everyone interprets this challenge. :) I love it!

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  33. These are just the best!!!
    I adore your header!

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  34. Wonderful tags and I love the wonderful burst of colour! Thank you for sharing your project and for joining us over on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog... :)

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  35. Hi! I didn't do a T Day post this week, but I'm glad that I'm catching you for SOC. The gelli print backgrounds on your tags are great, and I love how you uocycled the cute postage stamps. :)

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  36. Beautiful tags and lovely quote Linda :)
    Deepa
    http://www.deepazworld.blogspot.in/

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  37. I love your beautiful photography! And the tags that you made using this week's colors are absolutely gorgeous!

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  38. Love your photos and creative tags are wonderful ~ Happy Creating ~ xoxo

    artmusedog and carol (A Creative Harbor)

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Thank you so much for your comments; it's a pleasure to connect with you!