It’s In The Bottle: Mixed Media Mail Art
Couch Talk
I have always loved food, but I find myself thinking of it more and more. I just want to bake all the deliciousness that I see on Social Media. Photography has come a long way, as well as photo staging. After browsing Instagram for a few minutes, I am drooling and wishing I could reach through the screen to grab a taste. But seriously, how have they not invented that yet? Problem is, I can’t eat it all anyway as I frequently get sick from my sensitive digestive system. As I get older, I find my list of safe foods shorter and shorter. My husband is the Jiminy Cricket on my shoulder, urging me to eat properly. I love that he helps me make good choices. Granted, I don’t always listen to him when my cravings take root but I think more and more about my choices as of late. So, you may be seeing a mix of regular and healthy foods as I try out all the recipes that I bookmarked.
Baking
I did some baking again this weekend and this time I tried a few vegan recipes. I am not vegan but I am gluten and dairy free so vegan pretty much covers that. These banana breakfast bars are from the Deliciously Ella Every Day: Quick and Easy Recipes for Gluten-Free Snacks, Packed Lunches. My kids weren’t a fan but I think they are delicious. I have been eating them everyday as a supplement to my meals. And it is a great way to use up old bananas.
Next, I made the low calorie Lemon Loaf by (@peanutbutterandjillybeans).I substituted the cream cheese frosting. It was my first time using this gluten free flour and I am thinking I may need some practice. My cake wasn’t cooked all the way through (even though my tester came out clean) so I just cut that part out and ate the rest. It was very tasty and I would love to make it again but fully cooked.
Lastly, I made a regular Sourdough Lemon Cake with Glaze. This cake is SO moist and delicious that my family wolfs it down. If you haven’t tried it, you should. It is a great way to use up sourdough starter.
Mail art
A while ago, I made this series of mail art for PaperArtsy. I can finally share it here on my blog. The theme was masterboards, so I made 3 different ones, one piece of mail art for each.
I used some of the newer Lynne Perrella stamps for these. Aren’t they pretty? I think the bottles are my favorite.
IIf you want to see the full tutorial you can see it HERE.
Tea Day
I am joining the Tea Day ladies, hosted by Elizabeth and Bleubeard. My tea today, Harney and Sons Chai Hara was recently purchased by the pound. I love spicy teas, as many of you know. This chai tea was different than I was expecting as I am used to spicy tea leaning towards cinnamon and cloves. It contains cinnamon but this tea also contains coriander, which accounts for the unusual taste. While I didn’t find this tea unpleasant, I don’t think I can drink it in large quantities.
Happy Tea Day,
Kate
Yes, your baked goods look yummy. I have asked my hubby to get me some yeast, (he does the shopping). I want to make this special braided bread for Easter. If turns out nice as it had years ago when I made it, I will photograph it for tea day next week.
Your art projects are amazing as always. I like those bottles too, and the teal color you used. Happy t day!
Fabulous art and your baking looks very good, so delicious! I am looking forward to baking and cooking again when I can eat normally. Have a wonderful week, take care, hugs, Valerie
Your baking looks great Kate. I am with you about wishing I could get a taste either on the internet sites or the TV. It is probably just as well because I would weigh 1000 pounds otherwise. There are so many yummy things to try and not enough time nor eaters to do that. I do want to try that lemon loaf cake sometime. Thanks for the frig advice too. I do use that and even have a second frig in the basement (our covid purchase so we could shop less) with space to rise bread more slowly. I love your mail art too. Lynne Perrella is a favorite designer of mine. Hope all is well and happy T day. Hugs-Erika
You have done some fine baking Kate- it all looks so good. Thanks for including the links too.
Your mail art is gorgeous!! I always love to take in all your wonderful layers in your art projects. Did not know that Lynn Perrella still makes stamps;)
Happy T day!
These look delicious! I look forward to seeing what you try 🙂 Happy T Tuesday!
Kate your baking looks so delicious, I find when I decide to cut back I crave things even more, ha,ha I do resist and have now stopped eating chocolate and only baking at the weekend as a treat. I haven’t lost any weight though!
I love paperartsy stamps although I mainly have the flowers, your artwork is lovely, love all the detail
Happy T day
Jan S
My digestive system has settled since we live in Spain but when we were in the UK I was mostly gluten free. I have had a few run ins with gluten free flour. But back then they were not so good as they are now, so just keep practicing. You could try keeping it in the oven longer, in which case you might have to cover the cake with foil for the last half hour to prevent it burning. Or lower the temperature and increase the cooking time. Kathy will be able to give you advice too as she makes cakes with gluten free flour.
Your artwork is beautiful. I agree that those stamps are exquisite.
I love chai tea. And I love the spicy type, so I would probably prefer the traditional chai spices. I’m not a lover of coriander.
Happy T-Day,
Hugs,
Lisca
Fabulous art Kate. I love Lynne Perrella’s Paper Artsy Stamps and you showcase them so well! Your baking looks great I love lemon cake so really should try this recipe! Happy T Day, Chrisx
Your recipes and bakes look so yummy! I have to watch my foods too but as I bake and tend to make everything from scratch I find it makes it easier and
over the years I’ve learned to substitute ingredients too 😁. Loving your new stamp sets and as always your art looks so amazing! I’d happily join you for a cuppa too – wishing you a very Happy T Day! Hugs, Jo x
I don’t know what happened to my comment. Your art work is lovely. You have inspired me to bake bread for Easter. The last comment was longer. sorry.
Happy Easter
Sad that you have so many restrictions on your foods, but want so many other things. I’ve heard that gluten free baking is quite a challenge.So you are probably making good progress.
best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com
I might have to try the banana recipe as I still have bananas leftover from the too many bananas order. Fun art and I like the Harnety Hot Cinnamon tea. Happy T Day