At 8:30 I turned on my big oven, in spite of it's sucking up every molecule of electricity on the entire block. I popped the lasagne in with the tented top and waited. Let it be known that I DID take it out of the freezer the day before to thaw before cooking.
Forty five minutes later it was still hard in the middle. Are you kidding me? I sent off a text message saying I would be late to the party. It seems my oven just isn't up to temperature, or there isn't enough electricity in the neighborhood to make it happy.
I punched in 450 on my Breville oven, measured the pan (yup ... got out my tape measure to be sure it would fit) and stuffed it in. In no time, I could smell it, meaning the oven was too hot. OH NO ... it's going to BURN!! And you wonder why I'm the Queen of Microwaves!!
With no time left, I wrapped it in foil, then in a huge bath towel and placed it in a cardboard box. Surprisingly, it stayed hot until 11:30 when we ate. They loved it, or more probably, were nice enough to say so. The taste was fine, but the texture of those overcooked noodles isn't my favorite.
The next thing I know, the teacher Carol says "let's paint a tree". Her mother (very well known around here for her paintings) didn't like her trees, nor did Carol like her own. I hadn't a clue how to paint a tree. We all grabbed brushes and followed her directions. So here's my first tree(s).
It wasn't a matter of color, we just used what was already on our pallets. Carol added to my red tree, saying it was too skimpy. So there you have it, my SECOND masterpiece! Honestly, I have no idea how to paint ANYTHING. Where do you start? Too bad Bob Ross isn't still around.
They critiqued my cup and said it was great. I doubt they would say different, because they are such a nice group of people. I did finally get up the nerve to add a little more color to it.
Onward and upward. The group won't meet again until sometime in February. In the meantime, this is my next piece to paint. I went through all my pictures of the Oregon coast and picked this one, mostly because it looked to be the easiest!
In the meantime, I packed a few more things for the RV rally while the sun was shining and added a container of DEF. It was a gorgeous 65 degrees all day long. I soaked in as much sun and warm as I could because tomorrow morning I'll be up even earlier and it is reported to be foggy.
The Elks Lodge Honor Guard places wreaths on every member Veteran's headstone at all the cemeteries in our County every Christmas. Since many of the Honor Guards are also Knights of the Magic Kingdom, I'll be helping them this year. It's going to be a long day, but an honorable one.
Your trees are beautiful! They look easy and a wonderful thing to start with. Now, your cup is awesome!! It looks exactly like a cup too! ha ha I'm quite impressed.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the lighthouse, it looks like a great goal. :)
Thank you Patsy! It's going to be a slow process, learning an entirely new art form.
DeleteHow interesting you chose the lighthouse at Cape Disappointment, WASHINGTON. I almost said, yesterday, that my son in law is famous for his watercolors of that lighthouse and view. He is Don Nisbett of Ilwaco, Wa. His gallery is at the port. He is on Instagram, facebook, etc.,If you would like to see. I know a lot about watercolor because of Don. I learned about tossing salt on wet watercolor and then letting it dry b4 removing to create some unusual effects. (Like sky or water, for instance). I understand the greatest temptation is to 'overpaint'with watercolor, when leaving the white background in is better. I paint with acrylics. It is easier!
ReplyDeleteWell it's a small world. Yes I know of Don and have seen some of his work. I'll check him out on FB. I saw some of the salt effects on Thursday. Pretty cool. So much to learn when you are a total newbie!!
DeleteP.S. Also you may want to check out Vivian Swift's Blog. One of my favorite blogs, as she is hilarious, but also because of her watercolor instructions. She has a good index in order to find them easily. Self taught, she illustrated both of her books.
ReplyDeleteI'll look her up. Sounds like someone I would enjoy reading.
DeleteYou are quite the artist along with being a chef! I'm very envious as I have no artistic talent..about 45 years ago I did a paint by number and that's as talented as I am haha. The cup is incredible! You are too funny with the lasagna, gave us a good chuckle this am!!
ReplyDeleteWell I don't know about the artist part and my chef hat is only imaginary! LOL
DeleteI really like your tree painting!
ReplyDeleteThank you Carol! I appreciate your kind words.
DeleteI thought you wee painting a REAL live tree, here lies look wonderful.
ReplyDeleteHahahaha ... I would probably be better at that!
DeleteBob Ross always made it look so easy. I loved how he would say something like, and I think a little tree lives here, don't remember his exact words but as I recall they were always, Happy Trees. I think your tree is very happy looking.
ReplyDeleteYes that's exactly what he would say. I wish I had paid more attention.
DeleteThe wreath laying is a good thing to do. So many of our soldiers have been forgotten.
ReplyDeleteI love your cup. My mother was an amateur painter and I have her painting of a covered bridge done in only shades of brown and white hanging on my wall. Dave's mother was also a painter but she never mastered shadows the way you did on that cup. You go, girl!
Thank you! It's nice to know it at least looks like a cup! LOL It was an orange cup too!! I'm so surprised at so many people who paint.
DeleteI'm very impressed with your painting talent. Like Shirley, I'm a paint by number person. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteThank you Elva!
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