Gracie in the Snow

Gracie is an 11 week old English Bulldog puppy.  She has such a sweet face, but doesn't look too happy being walked in the heavy snow we had a few weeks ago.  6X6 oil on Gessobord.

Eggs, Spinach and Goat Cheese

Weekend breakfast happens to be one of my favorites meals and it always includes eggs of some kind.  Slow cooked scrambled eggs are one of my specialties that I have mastered and is always requested when my daughter comes to town.  A tartine with a schmear of goat cheese, piled high with eggs and topped with spinach and some more goat cheese is the perfect Sunday breakfast.

9 eggs
1/2 tsp of salt
1/8 tsp of pepper
Chives - 1 tablespoon chopped
3 slices of whole wheat panella bread toasted
Goat cheese Chevere - 3 tablespoons
1 package of baby spinach
1 clove of garlic finely chopped
olive oil

Heat oil in a non-stick pan, add garlic and heat for one minute.  Add baby spinach and sauté until wilted.  Remove spinach and set aside to drain the a strainer.   In a medium size bowl crack eggs, add salt & pepper and chopped chives and whisk with a fork until just combined.  Heat non-stick pan  to medium, spray with Pam,  add eggs and lower heat to lowest setting.  Stir eggs constantly with a spatular very slowly pushing eggs around pan, it should take at least five minutes or more.  Do not over cook.  Eggs should be wet and moist and are done when they no longer stick to bottom.  Remove immediately from pan.  Toast your bread and schmear with goat cheese, pile on eggs, top with drained spinach and some more goat cheese.  Serves three.

French Petit Green Lentils and Sausage

I’ve been obsessed with French lentils ever since I ordered them in a Mediterranean restaurant this fall. They were served with African Sausages and a dollop of yogurt...I fell in love.   Lentils are probably the perfect food – low fat and high fiber and they fill you up.  They are very satisfying over brown rice, as a soup or with a poached egg on top.  Add yogurt, feta cheese, or parmesan on top to cool the heat and you have the perfect meal.  My favorite brand is Bob’s Red Mill Petit French Green Lentils from France which are firm and hold up to a long simmer. This is the type of dish that you make once and eat all week long.  If you are not sold by now, you will be after one taste.   

2 tablespoons of olive oil

1 onion minced

2 carrots peeled and chopped

2 celery stalks chopped

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon cayenne

1 teaspoon of salt

2 cups water or chicken broth

¾ cups Petit French Green Lentils, rinsed and drained

1 cup of swiss chard (or baby spinach), stems removed and chopped

1 can diced fire roasted chopped tomatoes (14 ozs.)

3 turkey sausages (hot or mild) casing removed

Toppings - plain yogurt, feta cheese, or parmesan cheese

Heat oil in a dutch oven and brown sausage.   Add onions, carrots, celery, cumin, cinnamon, cayenne, salt and sauté over medium heat until vegetables are soft about 10 minutes.  Add lentils, swiss chard, water or broth and bring to a boil.  Cover and reduce heat to a simmer for 30 minutes.  Add tomatoes and stir until heated for an additional five minutes.    Serve over brown rice with a dollop of feta, yogurt or parmesan cheese.  

Alpaca Socks

Winter is not my favorite season, so every year I need something to get me through the cold months.  Last year it was my electric blanket, and this year my favorite comfort is my warm and cozy Alpaca socks purchased from North Light Fibers on Block Island.  The mill is in the middle of Abrams Farm which among other animals is the home to eight beautiful alpacas.  We visit the farm often when on the island, and I’ve photographed several of these adorable animals.  For Christmas I purchased alpaca socks for my family and I like to think they came from this sheared alpaca.  This 5x7 oil painting on Gessobord is available in my Esty Shop.  

Oranges and Cruet on Cloth

This 6X6 oil on Gessobord is my first painting in my new class.   Working for two sessions on one painting is usually not my style, but I'm happy with the results.  I had wanted to paint something on cloth for the Daily Paintworks Challenge.  I'm fortunate that I have a special interest that gives me such a high. This oil painting on Gessobord is available in my Esty Shop.

View from Amy Dodge Lane, BI

This plein aire 5X7 oil on Art Board panel was painted a few years ago.   I had framed it and never photographed it until today.  It was painted from the deck of our vacation rental on Block Island.  How could you ever become tired of this view?

Been very busy and excited with new projects including learning Photoshop CS6 and a new oil painting art class.  Love the challenge of learning new things.

Moo II

This is my second and larger (11X14) oil painting of Moo.   My son wanted my original 5x7, but I wanted to keep it for a grouping in my kitchen.  I actually painting Moo for this grouping.  So I painted him a larger version of the original.  

Wellfleet Oysters, Moo, and Beef it's Whats for Dinner

It's very interesting painting something for the second time because the freedom for happy accidents is very controlled.  When I first showed my son the painting, he thought the eyes were too sad.  So I let the painting dry for a few days then went back in and played with the eyes to give her a happier demeanor.

I hope Jackie is happy with Moo II.