January 2015 Desktop Calendar

2015 January desktop calendar

Black capped chickadees aka pig birds as they're affectionally called around my place. They can empty a feeder in no time flat. They're not shy birds and will chatter at you as you're trying to refill the feeders as fast as you can.  These guys winter here on the West Coast. I love watching them from our kitchen window.

What I've learned in watercolour class does translate to digital painting. I have yet to try this painting on paper but really liking the painting on Artrage. Despite the awful lags, it is still the best app for watercolour painting on the iPad.

Bird painted with Artrage, imported to Sketchclub to combine into desktop calendar.

Easy Quince Tart

Easy Quince Tart

When I came across a recipe called Easy Jam Tart, I can't help but wondered if it's easy for normal people or easy for me, the baking challenged.  I tested it out yesterday and it really is that easy. In fact, so easy and so tasty that I'm making this for Christmas. Quince jelly provided by my friend, Gloria. She regularly gives me a jar of this wonderful heavenly goodness and it is absolutely perfect for this tart. I have enough to make one more tart.

Yummy!

The pastry is a short crust pastry, more crumbly than flaky, and no rolling is needed. Super easy, everything goes in the stand mixer. Super yummy!

My variations:
Bake at 375 deg for 22 mins.
Save the egg white from the second egg to make a wash to brush over the top before sprinkling the Turbinado sugar.
Jam amount used - 1 1/3 cups.

Needlefelted Totoro

Every year, my sister hosts her Annual Christmas Breakfast. You have to bring an handmade ornament. This year's offering is a needlefelted Totoro, just under an inch and half tall with ears.  She loved it.  I used the little blue felted balls I made in the summer. 

Needlefelted Totoro