Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Blue Dory Lane







































This 5X7 oil painting on Gessobord was painted from a photo taken on Block Island of the lane behind the Blue Dory Inn.  Walking by I caught a glimpse of the sea between the buildings and had to paint it. This painting is available in my Etsy Shop.



Linked to:  Boogie Board CottageAlderberry Hill, DwellingsRain on a Tin Roof, The Chicken ChickA Stroll thru LifeMy uncommon Slice of SuburiaSavvy Southern StyleGingerly MadeLive laugh Rowe, Farm House PorchDomestic Super HeroJennifer RizzoCostal CharmCedar Hill RanchLamberts Lately

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Vacation

Left for vacation to stay in a tiny cottage by the sea to catch some beautiful summer sunsets from our deck, hike, fish,  clam, exercise, paint and put my feet in the sand.  Very excited that our cottage has internet this year.  My plan is to post some pictures every day to capture my stay on the Block this year.  














































































Linked to:  Boogie Board CottageAlderberry Hill, DwellingsRain on a Tin Roof, The Chicken ChickA Stroll thru LifeMy uncommon Slice of SuburiaSavvy Southern StyleGingerly MadeLive laugh Rowe, Farm House PorchDomestic Super HeroJennifer RizzoCostal CharmCedar Hill RanchLamberts Lately







Thursday, July 18, 2013

Piermont on the Hudson





























This is my first plein aire painting in a while.  It was painted in Piermont NY on a pier out on the Hudson River.  The view is looking towards NYC on a summer morning.   9X12 oil on Gessobord is available in my Etsy Shop.




Linked to:  Boogie Board CottageAlderberry Hill, DwellingsRain on a Tin Roof, The Chicken ChickA Stroll thru LifeMy uncommon Slice of SuburiaSavvy Southern StyleGingerly MadeLive laugh Rowe, Farm House PorchDomestic Super HeroJennifer RizzoCostal CharmCedar Hill RanchLamberts Lately

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Peaches in Blue Bowl







































I love the colors orange and blue together.  The peaches are perfect this week at the market and were begging to be painted in my new blue bowl. They smelled so good I ate the top peach before the painting was completed.  This 5x7 oil painting is available in my Esty Shop.




Linked to:  Boogie Board CottageAlderberry Hill, DwellingsRain on a Tin Roof, The Chicken ChickA Stroll thru LifeMy uncommon Slice of SuburiaSavvy Southern StyleGingerly MadeLive laugh Rowe, Farm House PorchDomestic Super HeroJennifer Rizzo, Costal Charm, Cedar Hill Ranch, Lamberts Lately

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Garden Crudités with Sour Cream Dip

































For a quick summer appetizer, I love to make crudités with sour cream dip.  My mother always made this dressing for her "cucumbers and sour cream" recipe, which was on every holiday table, and I'm sure this was her mother's recipe.  Since I love the cool, creamy, tang to this dressing, I use it for a go-to dipping sauce for crisp fresh vegetables from the garden.  

Sour Cream Dip

1 container of sour cream, 8 oz.
1/4 cup of finely chopped red onion
2 tablespoons of mayonnaise
2 tablespoons of white wine vinegar
1/8 teaspoon of pepper
1/2 teaspoon of sugar
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons chopped chives

Mix all ingredients and chill.  Makes 1 cup.




Linked to:  Boogie Board CottageAlderberry Hill, DwellingsRain on a Tin Roof, The Chicken ChickA Stroll thru LifeMy uncommon Slice of SuburiaSavvy Southern StyleGingerly MadeLive laugh Rowe, Farm House Porch, Domestic Super HeroJennifer Rizzo

Monday, July 8, 2013

Strawberries in Strainer


This oil painting was created from a still life set up in my studio.  I had to work quickly to keep the strawberries fresh in this July heat.  Another metal conquered: stainless steel.  Love this little gem.   This 5x7 oil painting on Gessobord is available in my Esty Shop.  




Linked to:  Boogie Board Cottage, Alderberry Hill, Dwellings, Rain on a Tin Roof, The Chicken Chick, A Stroll thru Life, My uncommon Slice of Suburia, Savvy Southern Style, Gingerly Made, Live laugh Rowe, Farm House PorchDomestic Super HeroJennifer Rizzo

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Summer Garden Pasta



This recipe took some critiquing before it was the perfect bite.  Since peas, string beans and arugula are peaking this week in the garden, I wanted to spotlight them in a special pasta dish.   The first time I made it - delicious but ... it needed something salty. The second time I made it (same week, my poor husband) just adding some chopped proscuitto made it my new favorite summer pasta dish.  Fresh, creamy, salty, a hint of lemon, and the orchecetta "little ears" catch the peas and sauce perfectly.  You don't need a garden to make this dish, this could be a farmers market pasta, but there is something very calming about shelling your own peas. 

Enjoy.

Garden Pasta

1/2 lb. orecchiette pasta
1/2 cup mascarpone cheese
1/2 cup chopped proscuitto
1/2 cup fresh or frozen peas
1 handful of string beans (Hericot vert or young thin beans)
1 small lemon, juiced
1 small onion chopped
1 clove of garlic, chopped
1 tomato chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 cup arugula, chopped
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.  Cook pasta according to directions adding string beans to the pasta during the last 3 minutes.   Drain pasta and string beans saving 1/4 cup of pasta water.  

In the meantime, add olive oil  and crushed pepper to a saucepan.  Saute onion and garlic until soft,  add peas and tomato sautéing for 3 minutes.  Add mascarpone cheese and heat until melted.  Add 1/4 cup of pasta water, lemon juice, proscuitto, arugula, pasta and stir to combine.  Serve with grated parmesan cheese. Salt and pepper to taste.  

Linked with Savvy Southern Style, Gingerly Made, Jennifer Rizzo Live Laugh Rowe


Tuesday, July 2, 2013

What's in the Garden July 2nd








All the seeds I planted in the Spring are ready to be picked in my NJ garden.  The amount of rain and sun has been a gardeners friend this year.  We have carrots, peas, and string beans this week along with plenty of herbs.  My own farmers market.



































Linked with My Uncommon Slice of SurburiaSavvy Southern Style,  A Stroll Thru Life