Picture a Day #302 – Falling Back to Summer

Yesterday Californians “fell back” to Pacific Standard Time. Today we fell back further, from the middle of Fall to summer weather. It won’t last. Another cold front is on its way, and as the East Coast prepares to be slammed once more, we anticipate a milder version of seasonal weather. We would send it their way if we could!

The first bell pepper I have managed to grow is now almost two inches long. How much further will it get before the nighttime temperature falls below freezing at the end of the week? It’s hard to say. I’ll hope for the best: at least one edible bell pepper from the dozens of seeds that I planted in the spring.

 

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Picture a Day #301 – Evening Sky

This is an image taken in western Utah at sunset, during our recent trip to Colorado.

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Picture a Day #300 – Not Another Oatmeal Cookie Recipe!

OK, so I have a thing for oatmeal cookies. Someday I will write a cookbook full of oatmeal cookie recipes. For now, add this one to the list.

Carrot Pineapple Oatmeal Cookies

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil a 13 x 9 inch glass baking dish. In a large bowl, combine 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 1 cup packed brown sugar, and 2 eggs.

Add 1 cup grated carrot and 1 cup crushed pineapple, drained. Combine 1  and 1/2 cups unbleached flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Add to the first mixture and mix well.

Stir in 3 cups oats, 1 cup golden raisins, 1 cup chocolate chips, and 1 cup chopped almonds.

Spread the dough in the baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes, until a fork inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool and cut into 24 bars.

Rich and gooey, but wholesome ingredients!

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Picture a Day #299 – Ready, Set, Go NaNoWriMo!

Yesterday was the first of November, and I got off to a slow start on my 50,000 words in celebration of National Novel Writing Month. Last year was my first. I won, completing my goal by November 30th. I have a lot to live up to this year.

Recently I returned from a week-long trip into the Four Corners area of the southwestern US. It was natural for me to plan my new novel’s setting in this part of the country. Now I am ready to make it happen.

Here is my picture of the day to put me in a southwestern state of mind. It is a Pinon pine tree with open, seed-bearing cones, taken in the Four Corners area of Southwestern Colorado.

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Picture a Day #298 – Moon in Pink

The moon approached the western horizon as a storm moved in on Wednesday morning.

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Picture a Day #297 – Halloween Visitor

This horseman lost his head over the Halloween celebration at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley, California.

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Picture a Day #296 – My Completed Watercolor Arch

Not exactly red rock, but this arch is inspired by the marvelous formations of southeastern Utah. I added some details to yesterday’s work, using Alizarin Crimson along with my other hues, and I am finished. Now I think I’ll try something brighter.

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Picture a Day #295 – A Southwestern Watercolor

My recent trip across the southwestern US motivated me to try a watercolor landscape of the red rock country of southeastern Utah. This particular project was inspired by Landscape Arch in Arches National Park. I hope to capture the feeling that you can reach right out and touch the monoliths that dominate the terrain in this part of the country.

I began with a Prismacolor pencil outline using Goldenrod, and blocked in the rock area with Yellow Ochre watercolor.

Next I used Prussian Blue to define the sky and some shadows.

I continued to layer Cerulean Blue, Cadmium Red Light, and Cadmium Yellow Pale.

It is not finished yet. I still need to add some more contrast and details. Time to step back and meditate!

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Picture a Day #294 – October Marigold

This late season marigold is ready for Dia de los Muertos later this week!

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Picture a Day #293 – Neighborhood Giants Fan

Giants fans are everywhere! Here is some driveway art from my neighborhood.

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