Salsa Across the Page : Watercolor
Couch Talk
I didn’t get to post last week as we came off a busy weekend and fell into the new school year. The first day was met with unexpected delays as the school server crashed due to the amount of traffic. Our charter school enrolled an extra 17,000 students this year. Imagine all those people logging in at once. Needless to say, it overwhelmed the server. It took a while but they fixed the problem and the day went smoothly despite the delays. So far, my kids are loving the freedom to work at their own pace. It confirms my suspicion that brick and mortar schools waste a lot of time throughout the year. Granted, we are only through the first week of school but my oldest has a full schedule and he is still finished before noon everyday. Quiet time is still on the schedule. What more can I ask?
Let’s Salsa
My hubby’s family has a tradition where the woman gather and make salsa every fall. I joined in when we moved to Pennsylvania and I have had so much fun that it is a must every year. My hubby’s grandmother has stopped hosting as she is unable to stand on her feet all day. The last three years, my MIL and I have been carrying on the tradition. We usually use 1 bushel of tomatoes which yields about 52 quarts of salsa. This year we did a bushel and a half which gave us 72 quarts with plenty of veggies left over to can more. Our county had a shortage of canning jars and lids and we had to run to the next county to get jars. We were still unable to get enough lids so that is why I had leftover veggie mix. This blue tub is sitting on the floor and it was full to the top!
Muffin Top?
This week I baked several different kinds of muffins but the most interesting combination was Ginger Carrot Muffins. Surprisingly, everyone like them. I used grated fresh ginger, carrots and raisins.
The recipe is from the book, Specialties of the House: A Country Inn and Bed & Breakfast Cookbook by Julia M Pitkin. This book has so many great baked goods and breakfast recipes from award winning bed and breakfast’s in each state. Everything I have made out of this book my family has loved.
Mail Art
Today was the first time in weeks that I was able to have some creative time! I got a few things started and a few things completed. Overall, it was a successful day. First, I made this piece of mail art using stamps and watercolors.
This baby card was made using the StencilGirl Art Deco Alphabet and watercolors. Not my best work because it is on cardstock instead of watercolor paper.
I completed this page in my watercolor book. I love that you can work right in the book since the pages are made using watercolor paper. The sketch is already there so no drawing skills required. My piece is on the left and the example is on the right. This watercolor series is really fun for beginners and a lot more challenging than I thought it would be.
Lastly, is my work in progress. I am working on a anatomical heart with watercolor in my ARTEZA 3.5×5.5″ Watercolor Journal
Can you believe I got most of this accomplished today?
Tea Day
I am joining the T Day ladies hosted by Elizabeth and Bleubeard. My tea today is Sunflower Jasmine Tea 1 LB (454 g)
What have you been canning or baking?
Happy Tea Day,
Kate
Happy for you and family that school is going so well Kate.
And wow- that is some salsa canning feat-I don’t know how you all make that much every year!
Beautiful art-love the caterpillar.
And your muffins and teat sound wonderful! Thanks for sharing the book!
Happy T day!
You got lots of lovely art made in spite of yor busy schedule. Glad the kids have started off well with schooling. The salsa looks great, as do those muffins. Happy T Day, have a good and safe week, Valerie
And Hubby just threw theold tomatoes in the bin, argh! The last I tried was ketchup. It is tomatoe-sauce 😉
Love your art, happy family- and T-day!
Sounds like you’re hitting the right balance home schooling your children! I was amazed by all those tomato boxes and how much salsa you made – fabulous 😁. Your mail art paintings are beautiful and that jasmine tea sounds just right for a cuppa today! Wishing you a very happy T Day 😁. Hugs, Jo x
Wow. That sounds like canning heaven. My garden was a disaster this year so all I made was some grape jelly. And that school has tons of kids. Wow. Does it cover a big area? Sounds like you’ve been busy. Hope your day is going well and happy T day hugs Erika
Lovely art I had been looking at the watercolor book-she has several. sorry you couldn’t get lids In the beginning of the season I bought several package online hoping to can more-but the produce was pretty bad do to our extreme summer. what did you do with the extra?
the baking book sounds good-I love reading cookbooks glad the charter school is working out well. Happy T Kathy
The family tradition of canning salsa together sounds wonderful. I keep hearing about the shortage of canning lids — there have been so many shortages because people are forced to live so differently in this not-so-brave new world!
be well… mae at maefood.blogspot.com
I’m so glad the new school system works well and that the children are happy to do it.
You certainly have been busy doing art. Water color is not easy at all, but that book I think makes it more accessible. Well done.
Your muffins looks absolutely yummy. I can almost smell them.
Happy T-Day,
Hugs,
Lisca
I agree about the time management issues in schools. I’ve read that school schedules are built more around parents’ work schedules than around educational needs. The muffins look delicious! Happy T Tuesday 🙂
You’re the 2nd T-lady I’ve visited today that mentioned the shortage of canning lids. It makes sense that with more home-time, we’re returning to some of the old ways. The effects of this pandemic are becoming less scary and more interesting to me.
I love your salsa tradition. Boy, that’s a ton of salsa!
I’m fascinated by the watercolor in the forest book. What a fun way to practice. I have to see if I can order that (to Mexico) from Amazon or Amazon.mx.
I haven’t been canning or baking anything. With just two of us, cooking a basic meal is enough.
Happy T-Day. Stay safe and well. Hugs, Eileen
I just loved this entire post. Getting together to make salsa. What a great tradition. The same here for canning supplies. I had to 3 hours away to find them. I am stocked up now. I love ginger carrot muffins. These look wonderful. Love your watercolor art too.
Glad to hear your school year is off to a good start .That is a lot of salsa.. Good thing you were able to find enough canning jars. Delicious muffins and art. Happy T Day
Glad the schooling is going well now! That is a LOT of Salsa but how great to get together and make lots! I don’t bake often as I would be tempted to eat it and at the moment my sugar levels are not just down they are good! Your art is fabulous – I especially love the Mail art! Have a good week. Belated T Day Wishes, Chrisxx
I apologize for taking so long to visit. It was definitely beyond my control. I’m trying to catch up, but it’s harder than I actually imagined it would be.
That was a TON of salsa. I told Halle I had 2 unopened boxes of Ball lids and rings. Wish I’d known. I used to can some, but not lately. Seems when I have time, I’d rather be making art than working in a hot kitchen sterilizing, cooking, filling, waiting for the lids to pop, etc.
Sounds like your children are doing OK with their new arrangements. In KS, grades K-6 are required to attend classes, while 7-12 are distance learning. The governor figured if a parent had to work, it wouldn’t spoil their work schedule, while older children can look after themselves. I actually like CA rule. All kids stay home, regardless of age, but I apparently am in the minority on that one.
Your tea sounds lovely,. Thanks for sharing it and your week with us at T this week.
How fun it must be to get together with family and create some exciting Salsa! I’m allergic to onions, so it is something I never get to eat. I’ve thought about finding a recipe, but omitting the onions. I also don’t like cilantro. I love bell peppers, radishes and cabbage for my taco add ons!