Shopping (Part 2)

We did visit the Livestock Show one more time and finished up the window shopping adventure. Remember the candy store? Well, we didn't go back, but we did find a shop that sold fudge. We bought 4 different kinds: Chocolate Pecan, Chocolate Mint, Peanut Butter and Maple Pecan. Sorry, no pictures. We ate it all!

Mr. Dragon couldn't pass up a photo of the eagle and friends.

How about some cowgirl bling? A belt or two?

More belts and the handbags with the dog faces were adorable.

Closeup of a handbag. There were no bags with cats.
I'm thinking cowpokes think cats are only good for ratting.
They are missing something.

Jackets were lovely.

Think these were my favorites.

I've felt like this more than once!
I'll have one of those to go, please!

Love the *unattended children will be given an espresso and a free puppy*!!!

It wouldn't be a livestock show without saddles.

Just in case you needed a reminder that you're in Texas.

We are already looking forward to next year!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

May the heavens smile upon you.

May bright sunshine fill your days.

May the joy of special blessings

Warm your heart in countless ways.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Here's a recipe for you from Zabar's. Enjoy!

Anna Marie's Corned Beef and
Cabbage Dinner with Applesauce

From Tiffany Ludwig

Corned Beef Ingredients:
1	pre-seasoned Corned Beef (leanest cut available)
2	cups Dry White Wine
	Water to cover
Side Dish Ingredients:
12 – 18	Small Red Potatoes
7 – 8	Carrots
1	Large White Onion
1	Cabbage
	Butter, Salt and Pepper to taste
	Water for boiling
Applesauce Ingredients:
12	Macintosh Apples
	Water for boiling
Corned Beef Instructions:
1.	Put corned beef into large pot or Dutch oven.
2.	Add wine and enough water to cover.
3.	Add seasoning packet (seasoning packet should be included in package of corned beef).
4.	Bring to boil and cover.
5.	Reduce heat and simmer for 40 minutes per pound of meat or until tender.
	(You can also cook this in a slow-cooker on low heat 8-9 hours or until tender.)
6.	Remove Corned Beef from pot and let sit covered for about 10 minutes. Slice against the grain.
Potato Instructions:
1.	When Corned Beef is almost done, put 12 – 18 (depending on size and appetites of diners) washed red potatoes in a large pot of enough water to cover twice over.
2.	Simmer 15 – 25 minutes or until just beginning to get tender.
3.	Once cooked toss potatoes with a pat of butter, salt and pepper to taste.
Cabbage Instructions:
1.	Wash, scrape and cut 7-8 carrots into 1-1 ½ inch lengths.
2.	Add to pot of boiling water along with one large white onion, sliced.
3.	Simmer for 5 minutes.
4.	Add the head of cabbage cut into eighths.
5.	Simmer 15 minutes more or until tender.
	Serve with Homemade Applesauce and Irish Soda Bread and Dijon Mustard.
Homemade Applesauce Instructions:
1.	Put 12 Macintosh apples, peeled, cut into 1-inch pieces into steamer basket.
2.	Place in pot over boiling water.
3.	Steam until apples are tender.
4.	Remove from basket and mash.
5.	Allow to cool to room temperature or may be chilled.

Redgrass!

This great YouTube video marries two distinctly different musical styles. Red Chamber is a quartet of traditional Chinese musicians. Its members play Chinese string instruments. The Jaybirds, on the other hand, are a band of bluegrass all-stars.

It’s tough to imagine a world where these two would meet. But it happened. And they sound great together. These incredibly accomplished musicians play a unique rendition of Katy Hill.

You’d be hard pressed to find a more traditional bluegrass song. But the ancient Chinese instruments fit in perfectly. Who would have guessed?

This was sent to me by a very good friend -- another of my tribe members. She knows I have the Arts of China Gallery to work on very soon and thought I would enjoy this. She was right.Enjoy!

Camera Critters 49

It's back to the Livestock Show!

Start off with a long horn.

Twins!
Mr. Dragon had to take this picture over kids (the two-legged variety).
It's kind of hard to see the lambs ... one lying in the straw in the corner
and the other standing up by his Mom. His little tail was going 90 miles an hour!
Too cute!

This is a lion head bunny.

Same bunny. Apparently as they mature the hair around their neck
and face gets very long like a lion's mane. The fur/hair on
their body gets much shorter.

This is the little lamb in the corner.

This mom had two black lambs.

This is what I remember about going to the state fair ...
Elsie, Beauregard, and Elmer (the steer).
No Elmer at this livestock show, but Elsie was there ...

and Beauregard (who didn't want his portrait taken)!

Happy Weekend!

Buddhism Books

Several of you asked what books I'm reading on Buddhism. Here are a few I use for research that I've had in my collection for years. Most are texts used at university. They help me to get my facts right! I like to give some historical background before I talk about the *art*.

The first is Religions of Asia. The general editor is Robert K.C. Forman and is the third edition. It was used as a text.

The next is my all time favorite for figuring out the iconography of Buddhist art. Reading Buddhist Art: An Illustrated Guide To Buddhist Signs and Symbols by Meher McArthur, published by Thames and Hudson, 2002.

India:The Cultural Companion by Richard Waterstone is a book I found remaindered at Barnes and Noble. This book describes the main themes in the Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and other spiritual traditions of India.


The Buddhist Religion: A Historical Introduction (fourth edition) by Robinson and Johnson was used as a textbook. This may be my favorite as far as historical information on the Buddhist tradition worldwide.

I don't know if this helps anyone! There are others in our library. Many art books from the Met.
Loads of books on the Dalai Lama and Tibetan Buddhism.