Inspiration Cafe IC

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Rothko Inspired Art - Polka Dots and Paisley

Hello Inspiration Cafe readers. I'm Al from Polka Dots and Paisley. Thanks for having me here today to share a project that I posted several days ago.

I'm really thrilled to be here at the Cafe with you today sharing my Rothko Inspired Art. It started when I saw this Rothko Rip Off. I loved the simplicity of it and decided to make some of my own. Please keep in mind I am not an artist nor do I have aspirations of being one. However, I like art and really can’t afford to buy pieces for all my space.

First I took the cardboard from the back of the frame. That’s what I used as my background. While it was apart I spray painted the frame white.

Next I painted the white. I went all the way around and drew a line across each page. I made a point of not having it perfect and left some wonky lines and edges.

The I added my wide rectangles. There was no rhyme or reason. I just went with what I was feeling.

I thought that would be the end but I still felt like I was missing something so I added the few smaller rectangles inside the wider rectangles.

There you have it; cheap and easy artwork that can be customized to match your colours. Feel free to stop by Polka Dots and Paisley and check out some of the other art projects I've made for my house, like my bathroom drip art, orange and blue art, or tree art.

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Strong Shoes - The Rusty Pearl

Hey Everyone, Sherry from The Rusty Pearl is here today, sharing an inspirational message.

If God gives us STONY paths .. He will give us GOOD shoes ....God has no problems ...ONLY plans. .. I read this in a mothers inspirational book today and LOVED it !!! Not to mention was able to use one of my pics for the title picture... YAY !!!

Day 2 Picture ... I found this old shell.... I took pictures of all sides... YOU cant really see it but its very weathered and has little holes in it. Prompted me to hold it feel it ...TOUCH it and appreciate the textures of it and the edges etc.. I then thought ..WOW wonder where it came from. What journey it had been thru to be now in my hands.. What it survived .. made me feel thankful. So this i will write in my book for Day 2.. I have now placed it at the end of my desk (shell) desk that is a constant project LOL .. BUT it has a home...and FREE 90 FREE cant put a price on that kind of beauty or GIFT from GOD .............The simple things.......

There is my shell desk that I have been working on for awhile.. It is all the shells over the years that i have saved or kids have given to me etc... Special vacations you name it . PRICELESS to me ..

The shell now has a home on my desk for me to admire and ponder where it came from and what JOURNEY it took to get here............... (knowing full well its a gift from GOD )

Now Little Jelly - Bean has been part of it all !!!!!! She is for sure My little gift from GOD !!! OMGOSH who knew she could be such a JOY and bright spot in life .. LOVE little Jelly

She is not RUSTY but she sure is a PEARL (a PEARL to me is all things special)

I will close with this ....

I am ever so near you, hovering over your shoulder, reading every thought . People think that thoughts are fleeting and worthless, but yours are precious to me. (says the LORD) ..

Isnt that awesome to think about GOD being near us .. I really do feel like I know GOD . I talk to him daily . I do have a relationship with him. I loved when I read this .. Made me feel accountable for my thoughts and more conscious of my thoughts.. OUT with the YUCKY and only putting positive in sort of thing. ........................Thanks for following along.. HUGS and going to start a paint project this week YAY ................................... GOD bless and have a great rest of the day ...

TOODLEPIP !!!!!!!

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Traditional Food Series - Durban Beef Bunny Chow

**Disclaimer: No actual bunnies were harmed in the making of this dish**

Today I'm really excited to be kicking off a new series here at the cafe. For the next 5 weeks we will each share a dish that comes from our heritage, culture or has a special meaning to us. On the 6th week we'll be hosting a link party and asking you all to link up your special recipes.

As you all know I live in New Zealand, but some of you may not know that I grew up in Durban in South Africa.

So I am sharing a traditional Durban street food called Bunny Chow, which basically consists of curry served in a scooped out loaf of bread.

As theories go, this dish originated in the early 1900s, when Indian workers would get their curry "to go" the shopkeepers served the curry in hollowed out loaves of bread. The name "bunny came from the word "banias" which was the term for the Indian shopkeepers at the time.

The curry used in a bunny chow can be chicken, beef, lamb or vegetable and the level of heat varies... a lot! Now I like a tomato based curry, so mine has tomato in it, but you can make it without.
I couldn't decide if I should make a beef or chicken curry, as both are really delicious. Finally I decided to go with a mild beef, I hope you all like it too...

Ingredients I used:

500g cubed beef

2-3 potatoes

1 onion

a clove or 2 of garlic

crushed ginger

a teaspoon of curry powder

1 can of chopped tomatoes

3/4 sachet of Indian simmer sauce ( I used Taste of India)

coriander

A loaf of fresh bread (unsliced)

Fry onion, garlic and ginger together with curry powder. Brown the beef.

Add all the ingredients to the slow cooker and leave on high for 6 hours.

Alternatively you can cook this on the stove top if you prefer. I just like to toss everything together and leave it.

Cut the load of bread into half or quarters. I like mine to be a quarter and hubby likes the half size helping. Hollow out the bread and keep the soft bread aside.

Once the curry is ready, serve immediately into the bread "bowl" and place the chunk of bread on top, this is used to dip into the gravy. The whole meal is eaten by hand, breaking off pieces of the bread and using it to scoop up the curry.

Be warned though...this can be a pretty messy meal, but really worth it. Yum!

Take care and have a great week, don't forget to follow us on Facebook,

xxx

Inspiration Cafe is looking for guest posters. If you would like to guest please let us know, we would love to have you. If you would prefer a feature instead, feel free to drop us a line. New or old posts welcome.

Sharing with these great parties

and these:

http://www.twiggstudios.com/2013/03/sunday-show-off-linky-party-and-hot.html

http://www.threemangoseeds.blogspot.co.nz/2013/03/its-party-time-3-24-13.html

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Saturday Weekly Wrap Up 10

Happy Saturday Everyone,

Hope you have all had a great week,

Want to see what we have all been doing this week?

Natalie...NorthShore Days

Cute Easter Chicks

Mary...Sweet Little Bluebird

Tried & True Tuesday ~ DIY Lip Exfoliator ~ Home Cure for Dry Chapped Lips

Heather ...The Beating Hearth

Let's get cutting!

Add a completion to my long, long, WIP to do list

Danni ...Silo Hill Farm

Sweet Spring Mini Wreath

Bloggers I Admire: Tuula at The Thrifty Rebel

Spring Mini Wreath

Egg Vase and Envy

Danni is also co-hosting a BLOGLOVIN' BLOG HOP

so head on over, add your blog and we can all follow along.

Mel...Mellywood's Mansion

Menu Planner

Wet Your Pants Wednesday #19

Game Changer - Gamer Keyhooks

I Spy With My Little Eye....A Quilt

Polymer Clay Football Bangles

It was Mel's turn at the Cafe this week, sharing these fantastic

Organizing Buckets

Have a great weekend everyone.

xxx

Nat, Mary, Heather, Danni and Mel

Inspiration Cafe is looking for guest posters and contributors. If you would like to guest please let us know, we would love to have you. If you would prefer a feature instead, feel free to drop us a line. New or old posts welcome.

Friday, March 22, 2013

The Real Reason My Husband Married Me - A Few Miner Adjustments

Recipe: Mac N' Cheese

When we got married almost 13 years ago, I didn't know the real reason why my husband proposed. He kept it on the down-low for a very long time. We just went about our business like a normal everyday couple. I never suspected anything. And every once in awhile the hubs would say, "Some of your mac n' cheese would be really good in my belly." Yep. That is how he says it. And happily, I would make this dish for him.

Then one cold and snowy day, about 8 years in, I figured out his secret.

My husband did not marry me for my smile.

He did not marry me for my savvy money sense.

Indeed, he did not marry for my green eyes {although he would tell you otherwise}.

Nope. He married me for my Mac N' Cheese. And I have to admit....I am alright with that. So here you go, Friends....the recipe.

Ingredients:

3 cups of elbow macaroni 3 Tbs of Butter 3 Tbs of Flour 3 cups skim milk Large brick (22 oz) of Extra Sharp Cheddar (Cabot's Extra Sharp is the best) Nonstick cooking spray

Steps:

1. Boil elbows. 2. Melt butter on medium heat. 3. Stir in flour with butter. 4. Add milk to flour and butter. 5. Cut or shred about 3/4 of the cheese and add to the milk. 6. Stir cheese until melted. 7. Drain elbows and put them in a oven safe dish that has been sprayed. 8. After cheese is melted pour that over the elbows.

9. Bake for 60 minutes at 350. Take it out when it is bubbly and brown on top.

Sometimes we like to make a few Miner adjustments to the ordinary, everyday dish. Just add: Garlic and Onions Shredded Spinach Broccoli (fresh or florets...not cooked prior) Bacon If you want to add some of these (and I highly recommend it) mix them in 10 minutes before it is done baking. Then they will be crisp (well not the spinach).

Why did your spouse marry you? Go ahead...ask. You might be surprised at the answer!

{Trina}

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Naturally Dyed Easter Eggs - Grace Grits and Gardening

Although my nest is empty, I still love to dye Easter eggs. This year I decided to dye eggs using food and spices on hand.

I started with red onion skins, blackberries, cinnamon (ground & sticks), green onion tops and cilantro, beet juice and turmeric.

After boiling water, steep each ingredient for ten minutes while grinding and stirring the various ingredients to release the juices. Add 1 Tablespoon of white vinegar to each glass.

To enhance a few of the colors, I added a bit of ground cayenne pepper to the cinnamon, spinach leaves to the green and a splash of red wine to the blackberry. (Next time, I would not use green onions—spinach worked better.)

The beet juice produced a beautiful rose color. The turmeric was vibrant.

(left to right) purple onion, spinach/cilantro, blackberry/wine, cinnamon/cayenne, beet, turmeric

After soaking a couple of hours, my eggs turned a soft pastel color. Soak in the refrigerator overnight for best results.

A word about boiling eggs: The eggs we buy today are very fresh (i.e. free range, etc.) The fresher the egg, the harder to peel—the white membrane is not mature and sticks to the shell. A teaspoon of baking soda in the boiling water will make the egg easier to peel.

White eggs will produce the colors above. Brown eggs will produce different shades. Mix and match for more color variety.

And don't forget to use the eggshells in your garden. Crushed and sprinkled around flowerbeds, they will fend off slugs. Or mix with your soil as compost.

Happy Easter!

talya

Grace Grits and Gardening

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Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Rothko Inspired Art - Polka Dots and Paisley