Painting a Week 52 Week Challenge, Painting #11

Peacock, watercolor on paper, 9x12, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

He's not finished but I am sharing the progress... hope to complete his turquoise beauty this weekend.

Festive Fall Harvest Gluten Free Tablescape

Every meal should be a celebration.

And every meal that brings you closer to good health and healing is just that.

I was inspired by the colors of Indian summer, and one of my favorite blogs, Between Naps on the Porch, to create a special tablescape, one that spoke of freshness and flavor and the Fall harvest…  and being brought fully awake by healthy eating.

Now, I don’t have an abundance of dishes and extras, but I do have towels – lots of them!  So, I repurposed my rooster towels, with a little folding magic, to create placemats. 

And, another version of my rooster towels for the hefty size napkin (25x27) that we would need for dinner. 

We were having one of our favorites, which can get a little messy, but the messier the better!  Balsamic grilled chicken, with arugala, red onions, tomatoes and fresh mozzarella (or asiago) on Against the Grain Gourmet rosemary baguettes. The bread is gluten-free and I make the dressing so we are in heaven – and I am safe!  Sorry no photos of the food – we ate as soon as it was ready.

Mangia!

Placemats and napkins are my natural unbleached cotton flour sack towels available at Erin Go Paint

Red plates and bowls from target

Rooster glasses were a wedding present by April Glass.

Pitcher from Crate & Barrel

Recycled mason jars serve as vases
I used my bracelets for the napkin rings

Painting a Week 52 Week Challenge, Painting #10

"Red Hot", watercolor & ink on paper, 7x8, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

I definitely went off course this summer for too many reasons.  I broke a promise to myself, and I can’t let it happen again.  I can not let my painting get pushed to the bottom of the to-do list… and I need to be especially aware of it when crisis or chaos hits (and there were a few of those recently). But,
I’m back in the game.  

Funny thing is… I don’t do that with my diet, for any reason.  When I committed to eating gluten-free 2 ½ years ago I made a promise to myself (and my husband & daughter)… and I have stuck with it come hell or high water.  Now I need to apply that level of commitment and determination here.

So… I present you with #10, a majestic cardinal that has lived all around our yard last winter and spring.  Relentlessly pursuing his bride…  they had their family in the bush right outside our living room window. We had the pleasure of seeing the babies up close when they were oh so small.

See you in a week with #11!

PS - I did manage to create 9 new shoe illustrations for my Holiday Collection in the last 6 weeks, so my brush hasn’t been completely idle.  New shoes will be posted soon.

National Celiac Awareness Day

"Naturally Gluten-Free Pears" watercolor & ink on paper, 5x7, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

Today is National Celiac Awareness Day. September 13th is the birthday of Samuel Gee... In 1888, Gee published the first complete modern description of the clinical picture of celiac disease.

I kicked the day off by answering an email, to a friend of a friend, who is very new to gf eating (as in starting this week) that was looking for some tips from someone she knew.

I am more than happy to share everything I've learned in the last few years. And offer as much support as needed in navigating the gluten-free waters. It gives me a chance to help spread awareness, and also, to pay it forward. I am very grateful for all that I read, learned, and was helped with when I was starting out on my journey.

The early stages can be so damn overwhelming... I know how useful it is to have someone who's been through it to use as a resource and sounding board. The first thing I tell someone starting out on their gluten-free journey is to remember patience. It takes time to get used to and to learn new eating habits, and find the hidden sources. But, with time - and healing - it gets easier. Nothing like knowing how sick you'll get if you go off track - to keep you focused. Then I give them a list of all my favorite gluten-free foods.

What is your #1 tip to share with someone who is just starting out gluten-free?