Mr. Dragon's Art

Mr. Dragon took two workshops at the Glassell School of Art this summer - one in pen and ink (eight 3 hour classes) and the other in color pencils (four 3 hour classes). These are my favorites. There are others, but these were easy for me to scan. He says he will photograph all his artwork from this summer. I'll share when it happens (at least my favorites). I'm happy to report that he really liked both of his instructors for these workshops.

This is Rocket and I plan on framing his portrait.

The color pencil class was the first color class for Mr. Dragon.
All of the work was based on photos one or the other of us had taken.
The apricot rose from Musashi's Garden was his first ever color pencil.

Next he tried the iris.
The original photo was taken at the Japanese Garden in Hermann Park.

The seagull is my favorite and the last one he did in the class.
(Taken in Seattle.)
It has a frame in its future.
Mr. D said the instructor said "see, you've gotten better".
He said it took him a week and a half to figure out what questions to ask!

Happy Friday!

Joy to You!

Whatnots

I have a folder on my desk top that says potpourri. It's where I stick all of my photos and whatnots that might make a blog post. I clicked on that folder yesterday and it was overflowing. I decided that I'd take a couple of whatnots from there for today.

First, Ro asked for the recipe for Red Curry Beef Stew (one of Mr. Dragon's favorites), so Ro, this is for you. I did have a photo, but for some reason, it turned a very unappetizing blue color (probably because I snatched it from the Taste of Thai web site).

RED CURRY BEEF STEW
(Comfort food is the same the world over.)

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
  
• 2 Tbsp Red Curry Paste
• 2lbs (908g) stew meat
• 2 medium onions
• 3 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
• 3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
• 1 can coconut milk
• 3 Tbsp Fish Sauce
• 2 tsp brown sugar
• 1 cup roasted, unsalted peanuts

Directions:

1. In large pot, heat oil. Add Curry Paste. Saute for 1 minute
2. Add stew meat and brown on all sides.
3. Add onions and carrots and saute for 3 minutes.
4. Add potatoes, Coconut Milk, Fish Sauce and brown sugar
5. Cover and simmer for approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until meat is tender
6. Garnish with peanuts

As you all know, I never make a recipe the same way twice. I had sweet potatoes and used those the last time I made this recipe. I had some red bell pepper left over and tossed that in. I didn't add the peanuts. Sometimes peanuts and I don't get along, so I didn't take the chance this would be one of those times. One of the times I made this stew, I had some asparagus left over and tossed that in. It is a stew! This recipe is from the Taste of Thai web site. I've tried several recipes from their site and they have all been delicious. There you go, Ro. Enjoy!

***

I thought I'd close with a short review of The Death of An Irish Sinner: A Peter McGarr Mystery by Bartholomew Gill. The McGarr mysteries are a series of rather dark police procedurals. I've read most of them and in order. Superb plotting, riveting background, storyteller type of prose, tongue in cheek humor, interesting, entertaining, evil, dark, charming -- all of these words come to mind when I think about this series. Gill (Mark McGarrity) died several years ago in a freak accident, but that's another story. If you are at all interested in this series, don't start with this book!

From the book flap "local benefactress and celebrated biographer Mary-Jo Stanton is a supplicant to death - left lifeless on her knees in a patch of daffodils, a barbaric religious implement wrapped tightly around her neck. A clergyman has approached Peter McGarr, requesting that the Chief Superintendent quietly investigate this outrage that occurred at Barbastro, the slain grand lady's compoundlike Dublin estate. Murder is McGarr's business, this one might be his undoing, as it draws him ever-closer to Opus Dei, a secret order of religious zealots devoted to enforcing the Lord's edicts no mater what the cost in money - or human life- it has ensnared the dedicated policeman in its lethal web. And now its madness is reaching out across a century to touch the place Peter McGarr is most vulnerable: the precious heart of his own adored family." This book has a copyright date of June, 2001. I'm sure Opus Dei will remind you of another book out about the same time, DaVinci Code. That's a whole other post that will probably never happen!

Enjoy your day.

Funky Fun

I have been playing with a journal page. The stamps around the edges are from an Inkadinkado Stamp Set called Scrollworks. This was part of my birthday sack from Mar and I wanted to try them out on something so around the edge they went. The center of each page -- no rhyme or reason -- just continuing the black. Then I added the *cool* parts -- ice, watermelon, drink, man relaxing. I've thought about adding the words -- across both pages -- TOO BLOOMIN HOT -- but I think that message is already there -- unwritten!

Then I went to BeFunky (thank you Kim) and played around with the pages.
Here are my favorites.

That's it.

Some Funky Fun

Enjoy your day.

My World

It's Time for My World.

Go visit the My World site to see more of our world or, even better, to participate yourself!

I was trying to decide what pictures I would share with you about My World. I was watching the Home Run Derby, part of the Baseball All-Star Game and decided that I would show you my two favorite baseball parks in Houston.


This is the scoreboard at Minute Maid Stadium, home of the Houston Astros. The Minute Maid corporate offices are located in Houston and they paid for the naming rights to the stadium. The stadium is built on the grounds of the old Union Station and is attached to part of the old Station building. That's why you see a lot of railroad trains around the park.


The roof opens and closes. Good thing in this horrible heat. No one would be able to play if it was open. You can see the shadows the window and roof cast on the field. Makes fielding interesting sometimes.

Batting practice at Minute Maid.

Here's my other favorite park, Reckling Park home of the Rice University Owls. These pictures were taken during Fall Ball last year. Scoreboard first.

The Owls have been quite successful -- scholar athletes. They take their studies seriously along with their baseball.

Batting practice at Reckling Park. In the background you can see the Texas Medical Center.

We do enjoy baseball!

A Simple Woman's Daybook

Simple Woman’s Daybook

For Today...July 13, 2009

Outside my window... the sun is shining brightly. Not a cloud in the sky.

I am thinking...that I’d better get a move on. Off to the gym.

I am thankful for...another day on Mother Earth.

From the kitchen...bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches. Still using home grown tomatoes. It has amazed both of us how long our tomatoes have lasted on our balcony in all this heat. They came to an end today when I picked the last one.

I am wearing...my standard gym clothes - red shorts, gray Planet Hollywood T-shirt, tennis shoes

I am reading... Miss Julia Takes Over by Ann B. Ross. This is the second book in the Miss Julia series. It is a southern cozy with just a little bit of mystery. Quoting from Publishers Weekly “Imagine Aunt Bee from the Andy Griffith Show with a lot more backbone and confidence and drop her smack in the middle of a humorous, rollicking plot akin to that of the movie Smokey and the Bandit and you have the tone and pace of Ross’s entertaining second novel.” What’s funny -- Ross’s characters remind of people I know (or have heard about)! Great summer reading and I have 8 more in the series before I’m caught up.

I am hoping...for a break in the heat! We did have some rain last week -- one day when it rained in the morning, stayed cloudy, and broke the heat advisory (feels like temperatures are between 105-110 degrees F. or more). Wish the high pressure would move on down the road!

I am creating...Mrs. Piggy is finished (crochet), but I have to get some more yarn to finish up the little piglets. Here’s the finished Mrs. Piggy. Piglet photos to follow when they are done.

I wanted to make sure you saw her tail. She makes me laugh out loud!

I am praying... for Anne Marie and Cydney Marie, Jean and Carol

Around the house... it’s too quiet! I wonder what the kitties are doing? Mr. Dragon has feed the birds -- I can hear them outside talking to each other (Mr. Dragon and the birds).

One of my favorite things...rain!

A few plans for the rest of the week...staying cool is big on the list. I need to get to Sam’s Club. Make a dermatology appointment. Mr. Dragon has two more color pencil workshops. I need more pink yarn to finish the piglets -- Michaels here I come. Otherwise, stay at home and stay cool.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...I’ve always had a fondness for Mary Engelbreit and this card was in my mail this week from my Saurian Sister in California.

To read more Daybook posts or learn how to participate, visit The Simple Woman’s Daybook. While Peggy is on summer vacation, more Daybook posts can be found at Grandmother Wren’s