Hello 2018!

     I thought it was time I made an appearance, before LivingTastefully no longer recognizes me and refuses to let me post onto my blog.
     I also want to let you know what I've been up to the past couple of months.  You might find this hard to believe, but I haven't been spending as much time in my kitchen.  I have a new granddaughter who was born in September.  Monday is Liv's day with "Oma Lady"... a name not chosen by me.  The other days of the week, I am usually in my studio (a.k.a. the sunroom).  I started painting again last spring after stopping 45 years ago (geez, that's a long time!) when, at the last minute, I switched from painting to fiber before classes started at the Kansas City Art Institute.  It scared me how consumed I was by painting and didn't think I could live like that.  I'm seeing signs of it again now, but I'm so happy to be painting it doesn't matter.  I feel I have so much lost time to make up.  I had always painted in oils, but decided this time to plunge into watercolor.  It's a struggle.  I found oils easy... watercolor for me is a challenge.  I like to layer...
     After doing a couple of paintings for Liv, my daughter convinced me to start a little business with her.  It will be called Winks & Inks Design.  I abhor the business part of anything I do creatively. That's my daughter's job in our collaboration.  But she has recently returned to her real job after having baby Liv and that has slowed down the launch of Winks & Inks.  Our offerings will consist of birth certificates for framing, invitations, etc., and what I've really enjoyed... paintings with French phrases.  Of course, dogs are playing a starring role in all of these.  The majority of items will be archival pigment ink prints (giclée, if you like), but I will also have some originals for sale, framed in vintage frames (examples below).  I have my sister to thank for that.  She deals in European antiques (German and French) and concentrates heavily on frames and mirrors -- tramp art being both of our passion.  Although, she deals in what I consider rare and sometimes extravagant frames, I prefer them to be very simple. 
    

    

---

     I may occasionally put framed paintings and prints that are available onto Instagram.  If interested, follow me HERE.  Those of you as passionate about French Bulldogs as I am, can also see the occasional photo of Bisous on my Instagram.  He will be, unfortunately, having surgery this month on a Luxating Patella.  Oddly enough, this hasn't slowed him down.  But the constant limping/skipping made it quite obvious that something was terribly wrong.  He/we will endure an 8 week recovery.  Anyone who knows Bisous well, understands how difficult those 8 weeks will be.  Bisous is not about sitting still. 
     And above...  the Bacon, Green Peas, and Tarragon Tart (recipe HERE).  This tart, and several other recipes, are in David Lebovitz's latest book, L'appart, where he writes about the grueling year-long purchase and renovation of his home in the 10th arrondissement of Paris.  This book totally confirmed my husband's belief that buying an apartment in Paris (or France for that matter) would not be in our best interest.  This week, for the second time this year, I will be making David's French Beef Stew with Olives (also in the book).  My son-in-law said he could eat it everyday.  I might have to agree with him.  The deep-freeze has returned and this stew is perfect Minnesota winter food!