Riverside

Today was outdoor art class in Riverside. I sat outside the library, thinking this was a lovely little nook of the building. The direction of the stone was a challenge. I didn't get very far, but I have my photographs to go by to finish it.

It was a beautiful day in a beautiful town.

Below is the library. Our time was limited and choosing that one little spot was not the answer to finishing quickly.

The Des Plaines River. A lovely landscape adorned with Queen Anne's Lace.

And even a fisherman!

The moon

A beautiful full moon last night.

The August full moon is often called theSturgeon Moon in North America. The Sturgeon Moon harks back to the bygone centuries when this large fish roamed plentifully in the Great Lakes and Hudson Bay. The August full moon is also known as the Green Corn Moon or the Grain Moon. www.earthsky.org/skywatching/

A Book for Freda

After we read "All God's Creatures Go To Heaven" today, Danielle wanted to make a book like that for Freda.

She painted Freda, the goldfish, flying to heaven with her angel wings.

The cover of her book, with the title "I Love Freda".

We cut the painting up to fit into her book. Here is Freda, along with blue skies and flowers that Danielle is sure are in Heaven.

Here she wrote some text. "I love you and I miss you, Freda."

the End.

"Freda" the goldfish

09/08 - 08/09

Public Enemies and Manitowish

Yesterday morning, hubby and I went to the movies! The morning summer special. $5.50. Hubby wanted to see "Public Enemies". I find interest in the stories about the gansters and this one was with Johnny Depp! Be still my heart. I loved the movie! All perfect actors for the parts. Had to close my eyes sometimes and then, through some parts, I think I was just looking at Johnny Depp. The scenery was wonderful though, up in northern Wisconsin. The famous Dillinger shoot-out of 1934 took place at "Little Bohemia" in Manitowish Waters. I remember the beautiful drive up to the resort there. We used to vacation in Winchester, Wisconsin in the 60's and 70's and always made a point to go to Little Bohemia for a special dinner. They had very popular extra-large shrimp served with drawn butter, just like lobster. Have never had a dinner like that anywhere else since then. Wonderful memories and, wow, now Johnny Depp was right there where I stood!

Rob's potato recipe

Rob's Famous Grilled Potatoes

Into a cast iron skillet:
1 dozen little red or yellow potatoes (12-15)
1 extra-large or 1 medium Vidalia onion
Cut potatoes into chunks and onion in half and then into thick rings.
Put into skillet.

Sprinkle with:
1 T. olive oil
1/2 T. black pepper
1/2 T. sharp paprika
1/2 T. Sea Salt or Kosher Salt (or if you use regular table salt, then cut amount in half)

Make sure grill is hot. Put skillet on hot grill. After it begins to brown on bottom, turn mixture over and this will distribute spices through. Turn occasionally as it browns again. Continue to cook until all is browned and the onions are carmelized. When almost done, add 1 T. melted butter for flavor.

(The photo above is the prepared dish before grilling.)

And here is the fish before battering!

I forgot to take pictures when it was done! I was too busy eating!

Sunday

Going to try to work on this past week's drawing from Sonya's garden and the week's before drawings too! I will set them all out, along with my photographs, and see if the art muse will visit me.

Yesterday, we had a yummy lunch/supper at Julie and Rob's. A fish fry! Alaskan whitefish, northern and perch that they had caught in Canada. Choice of breading - beer batter or cornmeal. And Rob made his special potato/sweet onion dish on the grill. We picked up fresh corn from the farmer's market...and it was a meal! Brent was home and Danielle was with us. A special meal. We were all together.