Monday, September 5, 2016

T is For Taking It Easy

 and that is precisely what hubby and I did over our long holiday weekend. Sometimes it's really nice to just chill don't ya think?
 

 
 Another Carolina wren update: this was the last shot I got on Friday afternoon. By Saturday afternoon-at just over a week old!- they were gone. I never got to see it. My neighbor said she heard a lot of commotion from them very early AM to find they were finding their way around in her yard. Have not seen nor heard them since. But, look what was in that "empty" nest when I looked to water the plant:

definitely a wren egg! I have not seen any action at the nest so I will look into it tomorrow...


for my T Stands For Tuesday gang. A veggie quesadilla I had for lunch recently at a local restaurant and it was fabulous! Speaking of, I made this over the weekend:

                                   Bean and Corn Salad  (recipe at end of post)

A great vegetarian salad with protein and crunch and sweet and sour-yum.

 For the Simon Monday challenge (theme is "Stamp It") and the Simon Wednesday challenge (theme is "anything goes") I have this card and matching envie:

Products: stamps- frame stamp on envie (Art Gone Wild), Fuschia (PSX), sentiment (Our Daily Bread Designs), bubbles (Magenta). Distress inks- Worn Lipstick, Shaded Lilac, Peeled Paint; Versafine Onyx Black ink; white gel pen.

 For Moo Mania and More (theme is Nature's Beauty), and also Paint Party Friday :

a journal page created around the beautiful and unique postcard my dear friend Patty sent recently. It's a copy of an original sailor's valentine. The background is a painted deli paper. I added the words around the postcard digitally. Thank you Patty!

 And for the theme of "Back To School" at Art Journal Journey hosted this month by the multi talented Elizabeth I have this page:


  I pasted a Stampington and Co. paper to the page after sponging the edges . The image is from Paper Whimsy. I added a bit more color and the star doodle and word, then added the printed quote which was also sponged with inks. Reading was always one of my very favorite subjects and pastimes ever since I can remember.
 What was your favorite subject? Or did you like school or not?

 I'll be around to visit throughout the week. Have a super week and weekend ahead!

           " Never stop learning because life never stops teaching. " 


                                        Bean and Corn Salad

scant 1/4  c. sugar     1/4 c. apple cider vinegar     1 1/4 c. frozen corn, thawed

1/4 c. veg. oil        1 c. each of diced celery and onion        salt to taste

1 can black eyed peas, drained, rinsed          1 can black beans, drained, rinsed

 Combine sugar and vinegar in lg microwave safe bowl. Heat in microwave about 1 min. til sugar is dissolved. Add corn and oil and stir to combine. Add celery, onions and beans; toss to combine. Season with salt if desired.




45 comments:

  1. Loving the quote on your school page. Your page is very beautiful. It is so rich. And I think that quesadilla looks extremely yummy. Along with the salad-which looks like it would taste great on a quesadilla. I love Mexican food. :) Happy T day Linda. Hugs-Erika

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  2. This was fun packed post, especially since it revolved around a relaxing weekend. Seems birds have a way of leaving the nest, but I was surprised by the wren egg. I hope it wasn't forgotten.

    Your quesadilla plate looks very yummy, because I love Mexican food. And your recipe for the salad is something I might try soon.

    Your art is fantastic this week, and your lovely Back to School entry made me smile. It was a wonderful vintage piece, with a fantastic sentiment. Yes, I loved school and all subjects were fun. I had no real favorites.

    Thanks for sharing your art and your wonderful meal (and water) with us for T this soon-to-be Tuesday.

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  3. I loved school. My favorite subject was English.. It was something i was good at... math...history not so much although i love history now...funny... I love to read fiction. I always have a book at hand and a drawing pad... I love your journal page and quote about books....

    I have never tried making a matching envelope with a card...i need to try that! Yours is beautiful! happy happy T day Linda!! Hugs! deb

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  4. What a great post with so much to see. Thanks for joining us with your beautiful art work at AJJ and MM&M, much appreciated. The card you got from Patty is fantastic. The AJJ page is wonderful, and the quote about books is very true for me. Good food and drinks, too - what more can one want? Happy T Day, hugs, Valerie

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  5. Your page for AJJ is just beautiful and so is the lovely page you made with Patty's postcard - Thank you for joining AJJ and Moo Mania dear Linda♥!
    Lovely post - love the photos and that super yummie food!
    Thank you for the recipe - my daughter will love this -
    I will love it too but the farts will make me take off for sure...lol!
    oxo
    Susi

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  6. These beautiful carolina wrens really kept you busy over this summer, and it was nice to watch the nest with you.
    i just love your School page - monochrome, but lots of decent texture, and a nice Quote. i´m a passionate Reader, too.
    happy t-day and a nice rest of the week!

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  7. Now you have a wonderful journalpage with this postcard! Your schoolpage is very fine too, I like the quote on it, and the one you wrote under it.

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  8. A lovely post to read today, wonderful photos delicious food and an awesome selection of fantastic projects. The page with book quote I can relate to, as I do love reading a good book, it makes you escape to another place.
    Happy T Day
    Yvonne xx

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  9. I've only see one bird egg that fell out of a tree. Such a tiny thing

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  10. Your post is exploding with so much creativity and more!
    Thank you for sharing the recipe and you are sweet to give me a shout out. How pretty that seashell card looks with your lovely deli paper background Linda!
    L♥ve your monotone PW girl piece too!
    My guess about the remaining wren egg is that it was a dud.
    The workmen were here over the long weekend transforming our garage with drywall and paint. OH THE DUST! We keep thinking of things that need attention while we have them here.
    oxo

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  11. You created some nice art, I especially like the book quote page. The salad sounds good. We always have most of the ingredients on hand too which makes it easy.

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  12. Wrens are such fun little birds to watch. We had a pair of Carolina wrens raise babies on our patio earlier in the summer, but they didn't come back to use that nesting spot. We do see them gathering nesting materials here, though. Quesadillas are one of my favorite foods. Yours looks tasty :) Happy T Tuesday!

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  13. Linda, I enjoyed reading your post - so many varied things to take in. Your recipe sounds delighful, and something a little different. And the card you entered into our challenge is lovely - and a matching envelope, too! Thanks so much for sharing with us at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge!

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  14. Sorry to read that you missed the wrens flying! Your artwork is wonderful (and Patty's) I especially love the vintage look to the journal page! I have never tried Quessadilla but it looks delicious! When I was at school I loved all my lessons -except Maths and PE - I enjoyed Art and History especially - nothing changes much!!Chrisx

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  15. Lots of variety on your post and delish food ~ and lovely creativity ~ Love the wren update and yes 'pausing' for the weekend sounds delightful!

    Wishing you a smooth sailing week ~ ^_^

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  16. Fabulous post! To have wrens nesting in your garden is so special and you have taken some wonderful photos, thanks so much for sharing their story - I can imagine them visiting you often even though they have flown the nest :-). Your veggie quesadilla served with salsa, quacamole and sour cream looks delicious, I love Mexican food and make it often! Lovely artwork - the postcard is unique and so beautiful, what a lovely gift. And your 'Back to School' page is enchanting! Wishing you a very Happy T Day! J :-)

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  17. Hi Linda!! Ooooh, I love your soft white piece!! (I pinned it ;) and I know that background paper - I think I saved mine too! I also really love those bubbles on your feminine cards. Thank you for your sweet comment and for sharing the bird nest picture! Kendra loves them :) Favorite subject in school? Drama. Does that count? xoxo

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  18. Such lovely art today Linda!!!! That salad is so yummy I forget how much I like those simple things until someone reminds me... Thanks! Now I'm off to buy blackeyed peas and black beans :) I have the other stuff already :)

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  19. I love the variety in your posts :)

    Puzzling about the egg... funny how the others ended up in your neighbours garden :)

    Good looking food and art!

    I loved school.... my favourite subjects were Home Economics and English Literature and History.

    Karen x

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  20. Lots of lovely art and food, one nourishing the soul and the orher the body!

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  21. As always there's a wee bit of everything in your post, Linda, nature - it's so exciting to see the nest progress from egg to hatchlings to fledglings and those veggie meals look great. Your card and envelope are gorgeous and that journal page of the school theme is wonderfully vintage - I love that old photo. Art was my favourite subject (no great surprise!) closely followed by English literature - I love reading too!

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  22. Happy PPF, have a great weekend, too. Hugs, Valerie and Susi

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  23. So much to see and enjoy here. Delicious food, beautiful card and great journaling page. Love all ❤
    Happy PPF ☺

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  24. your salad looks tasty, thanks for the recipe! Lovely work for the challenges Linda. First I'm hearing of a veggie quesadilla, looks so good! I love taking it easy.

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  25. lovely salad, vintage art and gorgeous magical birds and eggs

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  26. I did a screen shot of the recipe and will definitely try it. Looks wonderful as does veggie quesadilla. Your journal page using Patty's postcard is beautiful and colorful. (I think Patty is one of the world's nicest bloggers!) Your page with the old fashioned girl brings back all sorts of memories. I remember my mother showing me photos of her mother in that same hair bow! Lovely.

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  27. Linda this is a great post. I am happy you kept us up on the Wrens. That is a nice egg to clean and create with. The food looks wonderful and I will make that corn salad. Love cars and back to school. Have a great weekend, just taking it easy. :)

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  28. That bean salad sounds yumm, a must try; thanksfor dropping over at my blog today

    much love...

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  29. You are a busy girl! :) I can feel the creativity oozing out of you! :) You've tempted me to consider trying that recipe!

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  30. Hi Linda! For a post named "...taking it easy", you sure did a lot of delicious fun! Love the cards. I am not a card maker and was wondering if card makers sell their cards? make copies?

    Too bad you missed the babies taking their first leaps. I wonder if the egg left in the nest was a sibling that didn't make it. Maybe they will make your yard their new home. That would be fun to watch them grow up.

    And the yummy salad! I am making this one! Looks delicious. Happy PPF and have a great week. Hugs, Rasz

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  31. Some really fun pieces, love your bird and the little girl!!!

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  32. I agree. It is sometimes great to chill and recharge. Your meal looks scrumptious. Both pieces of art are unique. I especially like the quote and image on the journal page. I read every book I could growing up and much of my adult life. Now as I paint more I read less. I wonder if that will change.

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  33. Wonderful post Linda! Great bird photos! Love all your creative artwork! Your card is gorgeous and I'm lovin' the colorful journal page! Thank you for keeping my sister in your thoughts and prayers :) Happy PPF!

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  34. A great post. Glad you took time off.
    (ツ) from Cottage Country Ontario , ON, Canada!

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  35. How wonderful--lovely food, images, and a warm feeling of home. Happy PPF and thanks! xo

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  36. Great post Linda...love your little snuggled wren...and all your yummy art!! We made a similar salad as a meal by adding quinoa, and feta! Instead of your dressing we use balsamic vingar dressing! You can eat it plain, or wrap it in tortillas, or stuff a pita!! We love it! Love the peach and purple in your Wishing card!! Sorry your wrens are gone..must be a bit sad.

    Hugs Giggles

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  37. I'm going to try your recipe, Linda. It's sounds tasty. Here's to having rest time! We all need it now and then.

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  38. So much to see here Linda. A great post. I have never seen a wren in the nest and it's one of my favourite birds, so thank you for sharing.
    It's sad when they leave, but I think you might spot him at a later date. We have quite a few around here, but I've yet to find their nests.
    I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

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  39. I think it's great to take it easy sometimes! I love your wren photo, I hope a bird is watching over that egg... The food looks delicious. The card and envelope are lovely.

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  40. a beautiful psot covering many things in life. Love vrens so, sad you did not get to see them.

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  41. Hi Linda, what a wonderful post ..beautiful art and creations.. I especially love the one with the quote about books! Beautiful! Gorgeous recipes..thanks for sharing..deliscousness! So very special to see the wrens..magical indeed!
    Thanks for adding sparkles to my day!
    happy PPF
    Victoria

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  42. love the colour choice for your card, and the bubbles. So sad you didn't see the wrens fly out! I really hope they didn't forget about the egg they left behind ...

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  43. Oh, I loved English but my teacher hated me. I still love English :) even if my grammar sucks...
    I liked math even if I wasn't very good...art and music were the best :)
    Have a great week!

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  44. Lovely card and journal pages. I am going to try the salad recipe today!

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  45. Great post with so much to read and see. The card and the journal page are lovely. The food is yum!

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