Bits 'n' Pieces

Do-Something-Everyday, July 3, 2016

Bits and pieces of backyard detritus and painted rocks. Linked to Our Beautiful World this week's theme Bits 'n' Pieces. 

Also linked to Image-in-ing.

Twenty Shades of Robin

Do-Something-Everyday, June 30, 2016

Ball pen sketches from observations of a couple of robins in the backyard. They stayed perched on a tree stump for several minutes and were so close to where I was standing with my camera that I could not resist taking several pictures. Seeing their many expressions, I had to sketch them. I am planning to rework them into a more formal drawing/painting at some point.

Linked to Paint Party Friday. Thanks for Kristin and Eve for hosting.

Y is for Yellow

Do-Something-Everyday, June 29, 2016

It is letter Y at ABC Wednesday this week. Though Y for yellow is quite trite, I chose it because it is not only my favorite color, I also tend to photograph objects that are yellow. Like the one above which I found at a church parking lot in Banbury, England. Some of the other yellow objects here come from my backyard.

Moving on to other topics, the challenge at Try it on Tuesday is 'I believe I can Fly'. I am submitting the canvas collage below for the challenge. This collage is done using pieces of sari fabric and a original watercolor bird painting.

Thanks for visiting.

Remaking Old into New

Do-Something-Everyday, June 28, 2016

It is called Tangle Remix at the I am the Diva czt. The challenge is to take an old tangle and spruce it up. I did two. The picture at the top is a remix of tiny wood journal cover I did below.

The piece below is a remix of the bottom piece.

Thanks for visiting.

What a Wonderful World

Do-Something-Everyday, June 27, 2016

It is amusing to see how birds stake their claim to a food source. I have observed several resident robins standing protectively around the berry bush when passing migratory birds land on the yard in search of food. I planted this apple tree last year and it is not a fully grown yet. It is producing a small amount of fruits and a group of sparrows have started to park themselves on the branches. Other birds occasionally scope out the tree but the sparrows seem to have secured it.

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Three is Just a Number

Do-Something-Everyday, June 26, 2016

This week's theme at Our Beautiful World is Three. As I was going through my photo folders, I noticed that many of my samples of three came from museum exhibitions and architectural elements. Take a look.

Thanks for visiting. Linked to Image-in-ing.

Paper Cut Art: Saffron

Papercut by Indira

Do-Something-Everyday, June 23, 2016

 Saffron, mainly used in the cuisines of India and the Middle East, is the most expensive spice in the world. It is derived from the flower of Crocus sativus.  Each crocus bears about four flowers, each with three red stigmas known as threads.

Photo courtesy Wikipedia

Photo courtesy Wikipedia

The threads are harvested by hand and dried to be used both as a flavoring and a colorant in food. Each flower produces about twelve threads and about 125 flowers are needed to produce one gram of saffron threads. The labor costs involved in the cultivation and the limited amount produced by the plants are the main reasons for the high cost of saffron. Thankfully, only a small amount is needed to add distinctive flavor and yellow color to food. To make the most of  the small amount of dried saffron, soak it in a few teaspoons of warm milk for a few minutes before adding it just as the dish approaches doneness. When buying saffron, which are sold at all Indian grocery stores, buy a small amount at a time, and store it in the freezer.

I love the taste and the color of saffron and it finds its way in many of the milk based desserts that I make. Below is Eggless Indian Tapioca Pudding topped with threads of saffron.  The complete recipe post is found here.

Thanks for visiting. Linked to Paint Party Friday.