Friday, August 31, 2012

Identical Iguanas

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This is an easy one.  Most wild animals are identical.   Except when it comes to their personalities. Some might like to eat you right now, where as some might like to bury you and eat you later.  You get the drift.  Did everyone see the calico cat last week who had 1/2 a black face with one green eye?  And the other 1/2 was orange with a blue eye.  Split straight down the middle like and arrow.  Well, that image would be perfect for the www.illustrationfriday.com different theme. In fact, the first thing that popped into my head when I saw the cat was how much I'd like to do a portrait of her.

 But today the theme is identical.  It seems like I used to talk about Art House Co-op a lot in my art posts.  But I haven't participated in a project for awhile.  For more info on Art House see my side bar.  Today's entry is from my,"There's an Iguana on my Roof" journal.  Inspired by real life identical sunbathing Iguanas in Costa Rica. 

Happy labor Day!



Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Potato and Poblano Pesto pizza

I was inspired by the pesto I bought at the Farmer's Market last weekend to make a potato pizza.  And the result was a winner, winner, no-chicken dinner.  Yum.  The first time I had a potato pizza was at the State Fair.  Now I make it at home.  But with all the fresh vegetables from the garden and this new pesto.  It was my best version ever.

You start with a  crust.  I always pre-bake it around 10 minutes on my pizza pan with holes.  It gets crisper that way.  For the millionth time you can find my crust recipe under my labels for savory or pizza and my meal on death row pizza post.  Then spread on your favorite pesto.  Add some cheddar cheese.  Then some cooked and sliced new potatoes.  Round it out with onions, peppers and tomatoes.  Boy, they taste so good when you just step outside your door and pull them off the vine.  I sure am going to miss Summer.  Sniff.  Before you pop it back in the oven add some Parmesan cheese and freshly cracked pepper.  

Bake for around 10 minutes at 450.  Then add some crispy fried bacon.  Yum!

If you want to spice things up add some green hot sauce.  My favorite is Marie Sharpe's Green Habanero.  Enjoy! 

Monday, August 27, 2012

Wild Cat Mound


This just might be my most favorite post to date.  And the best part is this awesome hike is just a stone's throw from where I grew up.  In fact, one time I was hiking here with a boyfriend from long ago and we managed to lock our keys in the car.  Well, lucky for us my friend Michelle lived within walking distance.  She drove back with us, hanger in tow.  Thanks Michelle!  But today there were no shenanigans.  But I will say that I saw this hike with fresh eyes.  The rock formations had never looked so amazing.  We listened for birds and quietly made our way through the sandstone bluffs.  It seemed to be painted by an artist much more talented than me.  Mother Nature.


I'm so strong...





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We were starting to see Mother Nature's paintbrush at work...


And some unnatural carvings...


Amazing patterns...






See the spider?




Smile!


The view from the top. 

If you enjoyed this post please pass it on to a friend or share the link.  I'm just glad I have a blog so I can share our love of the great outdoors! 

P.S.  For more rural adventures visit www.aruraljournal.com

Friday, August 24, 2012

The tallest of them all...

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I've posted my Girbra many times.  But what else could I pick for the www.illustrationfriday.com  Tall theme.  As everyone knows, Girbras are shorter than Giraffes.  They inherit a zebras short legs.  But with the long neck of a Giraffe they are still pretty darn tall.  Even though I painted this back in 2009 it is still a favorite.  Have you seen a Girbra at your local Zoo?  Well, you better go check...

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Thai Pizza!

The last time we were at my favorite pizza place www.nelsonstonebarn.com they had a Thai pizza on the menu.  Genius!  I can't believe I hadn't thought of it before.  So I had to attempt my own version.  And it is the perfect time of year to try this because of all the fresh peppers I have in my garden.  I started with a pre-baked crust.  For the crust recipe just look under my labels for savory and my Mexican pizza post.  Then spread on the Thai peanut satay sauce that you see peeking out at the top of the photo.  I actually rubbed the crust with a cut garlic clove first.  Then add Mozzarella cheese and rotisserie chicken.  Now add what ever spice level of peppers you can tolerate.  And of course some onions. 

Bake for 10 minutes at 450.  Then add some fresh basil.

I minced some red and green chili peppers to add as needed.  Flaming hot!

 It was delicious!

Friday, August 17, 2012

Me at the MIA!

I rarely show a photo of myself.  But my husband snapped quite a few on this night.  I waded through the cringe worthy files and found two I liked.  Whew.  And Black and White made the top one even better.  This is me dressed up.  It is just my normal clothes except with jewelry.  
Oh, and my favorite shoes.  See at the bottom?  These beautiful pillars can be found at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.  Or the MIA for short.  And do you know what else you can find there?  

My art!!!!  Well, at least for one night.  But hey.  That is better than nothing.  A print of my award winning Cat on a Blue Stairway was juried into Art Perchance this year.  It is a fun night where 10 bucks might win you a piece of art to take home.  First you try your hand at the MIA's version of carnival games.  And for every win you get a ticket.

 Then you can drop your tickets into your bucket of choice.  The best part is that the games are relatively easy to win.  And even if you don't win you get a boobie prize.  A glow necklace, Salvador Dali mustache, Sheriff's badge, and other must haves!  

And for the first time my bucket was full!  The last two years it was a much lesser measurement.  But I suppose it is all how you look at it.  Glass 1/2 full or 1/2 empty.  My pail really was full by the end of the night.  But they snatched them away before I could get a final shot. 

So here's my shoes.  Aren't they cool?

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Wrench and Stone Necklace


My friend Amy makes heartfelt jewelry that has a story to tell.  She can tell her story much better than I so check out her link Sprite Creations  She always has a new piece of jewelry to showcase on her blog.

The Ingredients in her magical Wrench and Stone necklace include a Hand-crafted Treasure Bottle, Sterling and Bali silver, Swarovski Crystal four-leaf clover, Secret Garden mood bead and Czech glass.  

My favorite part of this piece is the treasure bottle.  Resin holds the secret ingredients. But a little fairy whispered in my ear what you might find.  A goldstone star, wrench charm, fire opal, a pearl and a tiny pinecone. Will the wrench charm fix what ails you?  There is only one way to find out.  Wear it!  

Friday, August 10, 2012

Icy waters...



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The Swan is still swimming.  But the icy waters are ready to freeze.  Brrrrrrrrr.  Freeze is the theme at  Frigid Fridays this week. 
If you are just dropping by be sure to check out my new website and book over at Sharon's Studio!



Monday, August 6, 2012

My new website!


I would normally tell you to click to enlarge.  But today is a very exciting day!  Today I'm unveiling the new blog website I designed.  And some of my favorite illustrations from my first book with Author Ivan Jensen.  Mary Rode To Bethlehem On Me.  I've put a link on both blogs for purchasing the book online. The sweet poem like Christmas story is told through the animal's perspective.  Especially the famous donkey that Mary rode on.  EeeAww!  

I had a lot of fun designing this new site. I added some new art in the sidebar .  And I have some fun news under things of note.  An area I've set aside for current events.  So without further ado.  Here's the link!


Friday, August 3, 2012

Weird but true things that bounce.

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What kind of things bounce?  Balls, kneaded erasers, trampolines, and oddly round and fat cats of course!  Bounce wouldn't be the first thought that popped into my head when viewing this piece.  But the cats really do bounce and float around the page.  I did this piece way back in 1997.  Holy crap!  I call it Devil Cat.  Because the cat on the bottom right has devil ears.  All cats have a little devil in them after all.  My cat Akua has the devilish habit of chewing my kneaded erasers. Grrrrr!!!!!


P.S. Tune in on Monday for some big art news! 



Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake


Only one person played along and requested a recipe. Aw shucks!  But the good news is that it is super easy and delicious.  I've brought it to family picnics to rave reviews.  I know my photography sometimes leaves much to be desired.  Food photography is so hard!  

First, remove the filling from 18 Oreo cookies and pulse in a food processor until you have crumbs.  (or start with a ready made crust)  Then add 6 tbsp melted butter.  Press the crumbs into a 9" pie tin.

Now with a mixer cream 1 pkg. room temperature cream cheese, 1 can sweetened condensed milk, 1 egg, 3 tbsp lemon juice and 1 tsp vanilla extract.  

Arrange around 1 cup (more or less) fresh raspberries on the Oreo crust.  Then pour your cream cheese mixture over the top.  Bake at 350 for around 30-35 minutes.  Cool.

Then heat 1/4 cup whipping cream in a small sauce pan just until the edges simmer.  Remove from the heat and stir in 3/4 cup chocolate chips until smooth.  I use bittersweet.  But most people would have semi on hand.  

Chill and serve!