Category / Fav Pics

by princesshotflash

Fav Pics: Blooms

It’s been a while since I posted a Fav Pics. And I was inspired by the blooms in Cora’s garden to look back at my flower shots from my garden in NJ. All the shots are of annuals from the garden center, nothing too fancy, probably on the distress plant rack.

I loved these shots of these pink geranium buds against their velvety green leaves. The buds look like a rosebud. I tried to get a geranium every spring after Mother’s Day. I’d bring them in for the winter with hopes of them surviving till next year.

This is the self-seeding Pentas, which most likely came from the distress plant rack. They are always great to have as they keep blooming.

I bought these garlic chives, so I didn’t have to buy them from the store. They are also self-seeding, like the pentas. These flowers can be eaten, though I haven’t tried them. I used garlic chives in Oisobagi Kimchi (stuffed cucumber) recipe from No Recipe, which is so good. Or simply added to an omelet. Delicious

Here’s a sneak peek of more blooms from my stitching project I’m soon to begin. This is the Hexagon cushion kit from Kate at The Last Homely House. This is an English paper piecing (epp) project, my first. I’m using it as a gauge to see if I enjoy doing epp. Kate made a beautiful quilt for her granddaughter that inspired me to try out this kit. I hope I like.

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by princesshotflash

Fav Pics: My walks to work

I used to walk to the office when I worked in Hoboken. I’d get off my bus in Jersey City (the next town over) and do a three miler with my laptop in tow. It was an excellent start for my day of mostly sitting.

I walked on the Hudson River walkway from Bayonne to the George Washington Bridge. My section was from Exchange Place to Hoboken, approximately 3 miles. Most of it was on the waterfront, with beautiful morning views of the Manhattan skyline.

I decided to capture images of my morning walks to take advantage of having the opportunity to be at these locations at beautiful times of the day. I walked in all seasons and types of weather. The city of Jersey City and Hoboken kept the walkway as clear as possible to make these images happen. Here are some of my favorites.

by princesshotflash

Fav Pic: Arches NP

Haha. This is one of the few pictures Oat took of me that can’t see my double chin or the super roundness of my face. Whenever he took a picture of me, I always said, “make me look skinny.” This one may not be skinny, but it’s much better than most others.

Going through these photos has me dreaming of a vacation, like one’s Oat and I took many years ago. Covid has stopped my adventuring for a while.

One of many arches to see.

My Arches trip was in 2009, part of a triple park tour: Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Arches. There was lots of driving, beautiful mountains, and an abundance of wildlife. The parks were great, but the rock formations at Arches were spectacular. Making me want to go and visit again.

What I would do differently

Don’t go to Moab in July, too hot. There is so much to do outside but visiting in the middle of summer wasn’t the best idea. We went out by six, explored for lunch, and spent the afternoon resting in the ac of the hotel room. In the late afternoon, we would go out for more exploring and dinner. Not a bad use of time, but I would like to be out on the trail between 7-8 and come back to the room around 4ish to relax and shower before dinner.

from one of the early morning hikes

Spend more time in the area. A two-week triple park tour was not enough time to explore Moab. Next time, I’ll want to spend at least a week in Arches the places we didn’t have to see on my last trip.

Be brave. I’m not really afraid of height but on this trip, heights seem to bother me. I was a bit apprehensive when scrambling over the large boulders. And the slopping area by the slopping made me very nervous, that I didn’t walk up to it. I did feel very disappointed. I hope on my next trip I will be able to summon up the courage to do it.

The Delicate Arch from afar

What I would do again

I most definitely would do the Fiery Furnace guided hike with park ranger again. We hike through narrow canyons and scrambled over boulders with the ranger leading the way and pointing out the interesting rock formations and the hows and whys they were formed. I also really like being lead so I could concentrate on the beautiful rock and not where I was going and how I was going to get back.

From the Fiery Furnace hike
by princesshotflash

Fav Pics: Sketching

I’ve forgotten to post a Fav Pics. I have the time and should be posting; I guess I’m just distracted. But I found one for this month.

Lying upside down

I should be sketching more as I don’t want this skill to disappear. But picking up a pencil to draw doesn’t come naturally to me. But then I realize I do sketch without a pencil. I do this by laying out my fabric pieces to inspire new projects.

Here’s an example of my textile sketching. I found a bunch of vintage crocheted doilies at the thrift shop. They are stunning, and I couldn’t pass them up. I knew I could do some brilliant with them.

This piece needed the background to make the intricate pattern pop. I looked for a large enough scrap of fabric (in my evergrowing scrap pile), and after several fabric changes, I found this beautiful orange piece. And once I placed it under the doily, I knew I had found the perfect fabric for my beautifully antique doily.

Finding the perfect fabric leads me to what I will make with this doily. I’m turning it into a foldable clutch. I’ll probably add some trim to the solid crocheted edge. Oh no, now I need to find the trim. Haha.

by princesshotflash

Fav Pics: Grilled Tomato Salsa

Veggies on the grill.

I haven’t posted one of these in a while. I’m still cleaning out my images. Lots of memories make it hard to eliminate. I decided to post this grouping as I just made this recipe and remembered how easy and delicious it was. This salsa is versatile. I made it for the chips that I bought, but it is also excellent on eggs, salads, fish . . . etc.

I can’t find the recipe initially used, but it is so easy and versatile to your taste. Here’s the list of ingredients and what I did for my recent batch.

  • Tomatoes, sliced in half–for the last batch I made I use about six medium size tomatoes, locally grown
  • Bell peppers, sliced in half, deseed–I use the mini peppers, about six, what I had in my refrigerator
  • Round onions, sliced in half–two large
  • Garlic–four cloves
  • Serrano peppers-two, could use more if like hot or use spicer peppers
  • Green onions-didn’t use because I didn’t have any in my fridge
  • Cilantro to taste
  • Lime–I use local lemon to taste
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

I placed all the ingredients, except cilantro and lime, on a baking sheet, cut side up. Placing them cut side up captures the juices they produce during the cooking process. I set the oven at 400ยบ and cooked for about 30 minutes. Veggies should be charred but not burnt to a crisp. (my veggies were a bit more burnt than I wanted)

*Note: after grilling, remove the root from the scallions, seeds from the bell peppers, and stems and seeds from serranos (if you like it hot, leave the seed in)

Placed the grilled veggies in the food processor or blender and process till pureed. Depending on your food processor or blender, you may have to do it in two batches. Add coarsely chopped cilantro, lime (or lemon) juice, salt, and pepper to taste. The recent batch made about a quart and a half of salsa.

Four quarts from NJ tomatoes

If you use a grill, this salsa takes on a smokey quality. This recipe is worth trying, and it makes a lot to share. Enjoy!