Summer Vegetarian Soup

My friend brought over some veggies from her garden and I also had purchased some veggies at the store. So it was time for veggie soup. This is a photo of what I have in it so far and just covered it with water: Cabbage, Zucchini Squash, Garden Butternut Squash, Carrots, Sweet Onions, Garden Green Beans and Celery. I am sure before it is all over with I am going to be adding some more things to it such as some more veggies and some spices. But here is the start of it. Like the "Stone Soup" story, my soup isn't finished yet, but just wanted to show a photo of it as it just looked colorful and healthy and I am sure any of us can use some ideas for healthy foods. (What else did I add about 10 minutes before it was done cooking and veggies almost soft? I added some Onion Soup Mix for flavor, some frozen broccoli I had on hand and one can of Chopped Tomatoes with Green Chili's. I also added some seasoning salt, pepper, Italian Seasonings and Garlic Powder.) Taste tested on a teenager who said it was good, so it is worth trying. And it is nice that this is a low-calorie meal for anyone wanting to cut down on fats. I did have my soup with a rice cake and I found out this was a soup worth making again. Takes a bit with chopping up veggies, but it is worth it. Plus you can just take out any anger you have with the chopping up part, too, and you have a nice soup to show for your hard work.

Sixty Second Writing by me

I found this site called oneword.com. They give you a word and you have 60 seconds to write about that word. The word was "delay" and this is what I wrote today:

I will not delay being the best me I can be. I will create and I will capture life's wonderful memories through photos, through art, through fabric and through leaving behind good memories of who I am. I won't delay in being loving and I will know I am loveable.

Notebook Project Craft

Inspire Me Thursday http://www.inspiremethursday.com/ had the theme of Notebook for the project this week. I decided to cover an old theme book notebook. I used some wrapping paper, white drawing sketchbook paper, little animal foil things that I glued on with a glue stick, 2 of my cat photos cut out and a couple of hand made paper hearts. Then when I was done, I covered it all with some of that clear duct tape. You could use clear contact paper instead which may be easier. This was a fun little project to do. I am going to call this my happy journal and only write good thoughts in this journal.

Ugliest Dog Show 2008 with lots of cute dogs

This was at Paul Bunyan Days Ugliest Dog Show Contest 2008. Here are just some of the dogs walking around. They had a best costume entry, too. That is why you see some dogs with costumes. And there also was a Frisbee dog competition. This Dog Show was not just about the ugliest dog and even the ugliest dog that won was cute in his own way. :-)

Paul Bunyan Days 2008 Ugliest Dog Contest with Cute Dogs

I went to this Dog Show today. It has been going annually at Paul Bunyan Days in Fort Bragg, California since 1967. They have all kinds of winning dogs. There are the biggest, the smallest, the smartest, the cutest and of course the ugliest. It was a fun event to attend. If you are in Fort Bragg, there will be a parade on Monday and the winners of the contest are invited to walk in the parade. The photos here are of some dogs I really thought were cute.

Drawing - I Love Cats Bookmark

Well, today we had a heat wave in our town. It was actually tough to sleep last night. So I did a little drawing and it was calming. This is one of the drawings. I was thinking of just making my little drawings into bookmarks. Here is one I came up with.

Busy Couple Of Days

Well, I had a busy couple of days here. Just busy doing lots of things. Family stuff. Made some good meals. Watched a movie. Went for a walk. Went for a bike ride. Visited with some friends. So I guess I will have some quieter days, but I like the busy life, too.

Drawing - Cat

Today's drawing was learned from the book "Draw 50 Cats" by Lee J. Ames. I had a good time doing this drawing. There are step by step directions in the book on how to draw all these different breeds of cats. Until I learn how to draw on my own (without steps), I love the step by step books that show you how. It is instant gratification to see you can actually draw a cat by following steps. I love cats, so I really would like to be able to eventually just draw one on my own. So I will keep practicing with my step by step books for now.

A Quote I Like

To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, this is to have succeeded. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

And here is where the quote came from:

To laugh often and love much;
to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children;
to earn the approbation of honest citizens and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty;
to find the best in others;
to give of one's self;
to leave the world a bit better,
whether by a healthy child,
a garden patch,
or a redeemed social condition;
to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation;
to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived... this is to have succeeded. -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Bad Girl Drawing

Tonight I tried my hand at the "Bad Girl" drawing example from pages 44 and 45 of the book "Manga Secrets" by Lea Hernandez. I had a fun time doing this one. It is hard to believe that I had my days of being wild, but haven't we all?

Beautiful Day At The Beach Today

Today was a beautiful day at the beach. I went with my family on a nice walk to this pretty spot and then back home. It was great getting out and I was so grateful that I live in this nice place. I just have to get to this spot more often. :-)

Manga Hippie Drawing by me

Today was the "Manga" workshop with Karen Luk (http://www.karenluk.net/) at Racine's (http://www.racinesfortbragg.com/) in town. I had a fun time there learning different techniques. Now I just have to practice them. I also am new to drawing so Karen was kind enough to recommend some good drawing books for me. I was grateful for that. Luckily they had some of those books right at our own Fort Bragg Library. So I am ready now with books and pencil and plenty of paper.

Just wanted to add that Karen did a great job with the kids, too. We made our own two page comic as a group and it was fun. Karen Luk is a very good artist. I kind of felt like a little kid again with all the kids around, but why not do something lighthearted for a change? I am going to look into other fun things to do around town and will write about them when I attend them. Also, Becky from Racine's gave away some nice things to people that attended the event and so did Karen Luk and that was nice of them. Cheshire books gave away certificates at the event, too. Becky from Racine's even gave us discounts on supplies to do our Manga drawings. We are lucky to live in such a nice little town. :-)

Drawing Troll - 1 hour

And here is the troll drawing for 1 hour. This was a fun assignment to do. I will think about trying something like this again. :-)

Drawing Troll 10 minutes

Inspire Me Thursday - http://www.inspiremethursday.com/ had the assignment of create against the clock. Do something creative for 10 minutes. Then for 1 hour. So I drew a troll for 10 minutes and for 1 hour. It was fun doing this assignment.

My Drawing Scrapblog

Just made a scrapblog of my drawings I have done so far since I started a few weeks back. When I get more drawings done, hope to make more scrapblogs of them. Seems to be an easier way to share them.

Dog Cartoon Drawing

Today I drew this cartoon dog with help from the book "Fantasy Cartooning" by Ben Caldwell. I really am liking to take little breaks and trying my hand at drawing things. It is relaxing.

Safeway Parking Lot, Flowers, Soundwaves

Went on a little bus ride today to Safeway. Thought I would let you all get a view of our parking lot with our trees in the background. Took a photo of a mural on the way home from the bus window. And the flowers are at Safeway growing in their parking lot. Very pretty. :-)

Athlete Girl Drawing

I have been watching the Olympics lots the past few days, so I thought I would try my attempt at drawing an athletic type of a girl. The Olympics sure have some prime examples of humans at their best possible physical health. I have been enjoying watching them all compete.

I wonder what she is looking at?

Have you ever noticed a cat really staring at something and there is nothing there? I always wonder just what they see that we don't.

My Scary Leaf Fairy Drawing

I just did this tonight and I realize how much help I need in learning to draw. I am hoping in posting this frightful drawing that I will get better in the months to come with practice!