Mozzarella Stix

If you know me you know that I love cheese. Mozzarella is a favorite, especially when battered and fried. I thought I would try a recipe I found on Pinterest for baking Panko covered mozzarella. 

They recommend you cut moz Stix in half and freeze for 15 min to avoid cheese leakage. 

Next dip in egg, then Panko and put on baking sheet. I baked for about 5 minutes @ 350. 

They are tasty but flattened little blobs of cheese. Maybe i'll freeze longer next time??

The babies are multiplying and growing

I couldn't resist going out and buying another tray of 72 little seed pods. I started lettuce, African Daisys and another type of marigold. The lavender seeds never sprouted so I used those pods to grow more marigolds.

It looks like a miniature forest in my office.
I can hardly wait to plant these little babies.


This is the 4 x 4 raised bed garden where the seedlings will live, grow and hopefully not die!

I transplanted 2 basil and 2 tomato plants into small mason jars. I think they need a little more room to grow before they venture outside. You can see the raised bed in the background filled with dirt.

Maggie is helping watch over the plants and catch a little sun.

My Story in Art

I have just discovered the amazingly creative art journal. Where have I been? How could I have missed all of this awesome creativity? Well it's high time I catch up. I started with The End, the back of my journal. I bought my spiral bound Canson mixed media spiral and off I go..............
I decided to start with the back cover incase it stinks then I won't have to look at it as much. Well, I am happy so far. I used acrylics to begin a beautiful rainbow of colors. I'm sure I will add more but for now I am pleased.
* note to self, completely wash hands before you start to blog. I guess a little paint won't kill my keyboard ;-)

Salt Dough Fossils

1 C salt
2 C flour
1 C water/coffee
Mix all ingredients. Roll out dough and stamp fossils using Dino feet, shells, bark, leaves, seeds, nuts, pretty much whatever you want.
Bake 200 for 2 hours or let dry for a few days.

A Planting We Will Go

Every year I think to myself how nice it would be if I planned ahead and started just a few plants and flowers from seeds. A few years ago I tried but I really wasn't paying attention to the poor little things and they dried up. Was it their fault?  Goodness no. I just keep on trying. (I've been listening to Pete the Cat lately)
My seeds, my seeds, my growing little seeds. I am tryingn to grow lavender, basil (love to make pesto!! and last year I spend almost $4 for a little bushel.), marigolds, and 2 kinds of tomatos.

Here are all of my little pods, 72 to be exact. I gave them a little warm water and they plumped right up. ( I think  my first attemp a few years ago I just threw the seeds on top and squired them a bit.)  With much more care this time I gingerly poked my finger in the middle to make a bigger hole and then in went the seeds. I covered them up a little bit. Put the plastic lid on the little guys and turned on the grow light.
Warmth and lighting was another area that I ignored last time. Our house is pretty chilly and I know the little seeds need the light and warmth. I bought a 60 watt bulb and I point it at the seeds for about 8 hours a day.

Let's see what happens.
Day 3. Good Morning little marigolds.

Please don't die :-)
The marigolds are the first ones to show a little green.

So this is week 5 and everything but the lavender is doing well. Tomatoes, marigolds, and basil are doing fine. I think I will start new flowers soon to replace the lavender.

Smoked Chicken Pasta Salad

1 1/2 lb smoked chicken or 1 small can chicken
2c penne pasta cooked drained cooled
1/2 c thinly sliced red onion
1/2 t pepper
Dash cayenne
1/4 c bacon bits
1/3 c mayonnaise
1/2 t minced garlic
1/2 t salt
1/2 t paprika
1/4 t thyme
1/4 t sage
1/4t dried mustard

In large bowl toss chicken pasta pepper onion and bacon combine set aside.

In a small bowl will mayo and remaining ingredients until smooth. Spoon mayo mixture over salad and toss to coat. Serve immediately

Bento Lunch #2

Bento Lunch #2

Smoked Chicken Pasta Salad

5 carrots with poppyseed dressing

Strawberries

Hummus and pita chips