My Crafty Self

If my life were judged by my activity on here, the conclusion would easily be that I need to get out and live! Thankfully, this sad conclusion would be false. I've been quite busy on several projects, and life has been quite busy. I previously shared a 3 panel painting I simply titled, Koi. Since then, I've completed a mural, several crafty things. I impatiently waited for spring to get here while I started a few seedlings inside and improved on my craftiness. These photos aren't in chronological order, and are just a tad bit of all I've been up to these past several months.

One of several doodles I've done. This is one of my favorite! I love my cats!

One of several murals I've completed. This is actually my first big painting I've done. Since this photo, I've added a few squirells, and an owl.

Upclose of the blue bird.

The this and the following photo are my first two
attempts of antiquing items. the light blue
birdhouse is my favorite.

Recent sign I completed. This is my best lettering I've done yet.

This was a really easy wreath idea I had. I should do a How-To post.

Another recent item I had bought at a yardsale.
This jar w/lid was $1! I hated the lid, so I decided
to antique the top. It was really easy and I think it
turned out really well. I think I'm starting to get better.

This is the color of the top. I left the underneath unchanged.

I've seen these sold for $35 or more! I made mine for well under 5 dollars.
The frame was something I found at an estate sale for 25 cents. I had
paints, and the staple gun already. The chicken wire was given to me
but a whole roll was around 8 dollars if bought at the store.
 I may make a few more to sell!

I live up on the 3rd floor of an apartment building so
I don't have much of a yard. While waiting for spring
to make it's way to the NW, I decided to bring a little
greenery/feel of a yard indoors. I've made a few of
these.

Another first for me: starting a garden indoors from scratch. 

I'm a little obsessed with country/rustic/birdhouse type items. lol

I made this out of yard sticks I bought at Lowes'.
It's uneven, but has character.

My 'yard' out front.  This is just the beginning!

This is the start of a mural I did for a friend. I had dedicated myself to
for well over a month. The finished project is too personal to post online,
but the people I did it for really enjoy it.  

Experimentations with Spices: Paprika

Yesterday I took a trip to the store to replenish and expand on the seasonings I use in the kitchen. This evening I decided to try out one of my new spices. Glancing over my new inventory, I chose to use paprika.  I can't recall ever using this specific one before. Holding up the bag,  it looks like it could be a specimen of fine dust from Mars. The vibrantly red seasoning would seem to possess a fiery mesquite smoky flavour. Although there are many that do, the one I have bought lacks the heat.  Its characteristics are more of a mildly dry sweet flavour. Paprika gives a dishe quite an appetizing quality as well when used as a garnish or rubbed over the meat I've found.

 

Recipe:

• 1 Bone in chicken breast
• 1 stalk of celery
• 2 small onions
• 2 cloves of garlic (minced)
• 3 table spoons of paprika
• salt
• pepper
• 3 stripped sprigs of thyme (plus a few for on top the chicken)
• 1 table spoon of basil
• extra virgin olive oil

Simply place the chicken in a casserole dish and begine to prepare.

Drizzle some olive oil over the chicken and massage all over to thoroughly coat.

In a bowl, mix paprika, basil, thyme, garlic and a pinch of salt.

Take the mixture and rub it all over the chicken breast, making sure to place the mixture under the skin as well.

Slice up the onions and celery any way you like. (I julienned my onions)

Place around the prepared meat and season with salt and pepper.

Drizzle the oninons and celery with olive oil.

Place a few sprigs of thyme on the top of the chicken.

Cover with foil and cook at 350 in the oven for approximately 45 mins or until done and enjoy.

 

 

 

This is a before picture. 

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After. 

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For show, I put a few celery leaves as garnish. I really enjoyed the dish. The garlic saturated the meat quite well, the chicken was juicy, and the paprika gave it a very subtle flavour. The side of onions and celery really obsorbed the color of the paprika and had a great carmalization over all.  This is one dish I will be making again maybe next time I will finally have friends over for sampling. If anyone tries this dish or have suggestions to improve it, let me know!