I plunked my rear end down in a park a few blocks from the office the other day hoping to do some quick sketches of the squirrels getting ready for winter. None of the would hold still long enough for me to get a good sketch started so I picked a more suitable model...



I took the photo using the camera on my new G1 (wish it wasn't soooo blue - that paper is bright white!)

So apparently Anna Maria is a big soup gal and is hosting a give away in exchange for recipes.

Mind you I am not a cook, but this is one of the few recipes I have in my tiny arsenal of food...

Here's my only soup recipe....

Simple Black Bean Soup (fancy name, I know):

one can whole black beans
one can refried black beans
one can of corn
one can of rotel tomatoes
milk
salt

- Dump all the cans into one pot, juice and all.
- Stir until the ingredients are mixed - refried beans should be smoothed out and not clumped together.
- Add a little milk to smooth out the mix more (it should be a very dark purple color).
- Add salt to your liking

Cook over medium flame in a large pot until ingredients are thoroughly cooked. (you should bring the mix to a boil at least once, but the mix should mostly simmer)

Serve with tortillas and a sprinkle of grated cheese on top

Freeze remaining in separate serving containers appropriate for the microwave. I usually get about 4 large sized bowls with this recipe. I like to make a big batch, freeze it and take to work for lunch.

Since it is wide open to additions, I'll sometimes put corn tortillas in the soup or other vegetables.

Perfect recipe for non-foody types like me. I would love to post some photos of a gorgeous pot of purple soup, but alas - I have not made this recipe in YEARS.

Pop over to Ana Maria Horner's site to enter your favorite recipe.

I finally have a G1! I'm really excited to see how this goes. I'll post a more detailed review, etc. right now I'm trying to kill my battery for it's first charge by playing "Bubble Wrap." Bubble Wrap is exactly what it sounds like - pictures of bubble wrap that you can click to get that weird popping satisfaction. Clicking causes the image to change to a "popped" image, vibrate the phone, and emit a sound similar to the real thing.

Oh my - found an AWESOME clothing company - it's a futuristic version of 20's fashion. LOVE IT!

Garland Coo

their most recent collection is here...

found via the shiny squirrel via Maquette

YEAH!! the pattern I've been trying to get to work for weeks finally got sorted out. YEAH!!

take a peek:



It's simple and NOT colored at all - I just wanted to see if the repeat would work with these shapes.

Comments, Suggestions?

Editing to add some info for the commenters...

I'm planning on doing 2 color sets, one in greens and another in blue. Also contemplating on in sandy colors as well.

love her art, love the repeats. Go check out this fab artist when you have a chance - she puts up downloads of brushes and assorted art on a regular basis.

A PRINT A DAY

Here we go again. Illustration Friday's topic this week was "Wise."

I drew this while waiting for the subway this morning. when I saw the topic in my email box this morning, I knew I wanted to draw and old man. It's very stereotypical, but it was the first thing that came to mind. His perspective is a little off, but all in all I like it. I started out with his big mustache and built up the rest of the face & head around that.

We have a new president!! President Elect Obama will be sworn in shortly after the beginning of the year.

YES WE CAN!!

Seriously, if you are in the US and a registered voter, GO VOTE! I'm not kidding, go vote.

I went this morning to my regular polling place a block away from my apartment. I was there at 7:40 AM and it was an hour and half before I walked out of the building after voting.

The turn out will be huge this year! I know so many people who are voting even in California where Obama is sure to win.

Stay in line! It's really important. No matter what, no matter how long it takes, do not let a long line get in the way of you casting a ballot. This is your country for the next four years we're talking about. Remember what has happened the last two elections? Do you want that to happen again?

NO!

GO VOTE!

Below is what my polling place looks like...

below is my contribution to Illustration Friday. I signed up just to get the inspirational topics each week, but I'm going out on a limb and posting.



I started drawing a little too close to the edge of the sketch pad, which is why it's so crowded at the top.