Freezing Berries

From the July/August issue of Simply Gluten Free Magazine

Frozen strawberries on a brutally hot day!  An ideal treat.  Lucky I had some leftover from a recent assignment at Simply Gluten Free Magazine. It's been really hot by us, and truth be told - I have been melting.  Finding these ruby red, icy cold beauties in my freezer was a score!!

And, they make a terrific starting point for a refreshing smoothie.  

Ahhhhh!

Making Spaghetti Squash... a tasty, gluten-free grain-free alternative to Pasta

Last weekend I was cooking for a crowd and made my first spaghetti squash to serve as a pasta alternative for those who didn't eat grains... and was seriously surprised at how easy and super tasty it was!

Now, I am not saying you would eat it and not know the difference between the squash and a spaghetti noodle, but it was delicious and  it did the trick for me.

1. The most difficult part is cutting it in half. Be sure to use a strong knife and watch your fingers!

2. Scoop out the seeds and pulp with a spoon.  You can save the seeds for roasting later if you like.

3. Place both sides face down on an olive-oiled roasting pan.

4. Bake for 40-45 minutes at 375 degrees.

5. Remove from pan and allow to cool enough to handle.
Using a fork scrape out the insides of the squash - it really comes out like thin noodles.

6. Eat - and Enjoy!

Happy 4th of July!!

Wishing everyone a safe and happy 4th of July!!

Use coupon code HOLIDAY25 and save 25% on all art prints today through Tuesday July 8th!

Lakeside - Summer Sketchbook Project

"Lakeside", watercolor & ink on paper, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

There is nothing quite like a weekend by a lake... so relaxing and restorative!  Quiet mornings of reading, sketching, walking, and canoeing. Sunny afternoons filled with boating, skiing, swimming and corn hole. Fun evenings playing board games and ping-pong, and roasting marshmallows over a blazing campfire.  

Great times with family! And our daughter now has friends her age at the lake... so the weekend was perfection.  And, hard to say goodbye to.

I finished up my sketch with paint this morning and it brought me right back to the peacefulness.   Looking forward to the next time and holding on to that relaxed feeling until then!!

Welcome... The Color of Doors

There is growing trend by us to paint the front door in a bright or unexpected color.  And, I love it.
From the charcoal grey house around the corner with the lemon yellow door.
To the colonial blue beauty with a vibrant orange door.
And, most especially the turquoise and teal gem-tone doors I have seen on a variety of homes.
I LOVE them!  So intriguing and inviting.

The Turquoise Door, watercolor & ink on paper, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

This is not a trend where you then match all the trim and the shutters to the door - the beauty of it is the bright and compelling front door that invites you in.  Like a secret treasure chest, I would think entering a home greeted with color like that would be a daily treat!  
It would be for me.  

Unfortunately our front door is not a paintable surface or I might be compelled to experiment with a few choices, week to week.

Welcome, watercolor & ink on paper, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

If our next home does have a paintable door, look out - the color fun begins!

All about Choices - Bridal Note Cards

So the best feedback I received on the Bridal flat note cards, was instead of one or other - offer choices!  Sometimes the answer is a clear as a bell... and yet you don't see  it!

Glad I asked the question.

There are 3 personalized options available:

1. Your name

2. "thank you"

3. Blank

So all bases are covered, I think.  If not these are customizable so I can add whatever the Bride may wish.

They make a great gift for a shoe loving bride to be!!

Bridal Flat Note Cards

I am all about the flat note cards these days.  Sometimes I get an idea in my head and it won't stop pestering me until I make it come to life!  And, I have learned not to ignore the incessant call of my creative imagination.  If for nothing else but to give me peace!

But, mostly because if I give life to a creative idea it increases the flow of more and more!

So today I am getting my first cards together... Bridal flat note cards. They are 5x7 printed on a creamy, smooth white card stock. Lovely to the touch, and will have matching envelopes.  

But, I am wondering... with or without the "thank you" printed on the top?  Would love any and all input.
Thanks!