Make Friends

I made a new friend recently. More of a reacquaintance, really.

Not of human form, but of an art medium form. That is of gouache. It was in college when we were first introduced. I wasn't too interested then. Maybe it was because my college instructor only supplied our art bins with black and white.

Months ago I purchased a fine gouache colour set on a whim from a local art store.

It hasn't been 'til late that I decided to open them up. The newness of the year can sure motivate you to look back and think of the things you wanted to accomplish in the past year.

As a result,  I'm so delighted to have gained a new friend in gouache paint.

Gouache are traditional water based opaque colours which give flat, smooth washes.

I've been hauling them around with me... even bringing them to morning lattes, instead of drawing.

My friend Kim knitting some fingerless gloves at 3 Friends Coffee House.

Saw this lil' guy... one of my favorite plant eating dinosaurs.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon print :: 8” x 10” :: View in Etsy Shop

"Cinnamon, the bark of a tree, is one of the oldest known spices. Arab traders brought it from China in 1700 B.C. Its sweet, warm flavor makes it the most important baking spice."

Just drawing this made my mouth water for Apple Crisp. Mmmm! I think I might try this recipe on Martha Stewart.

(Click on the image below to be taken to it.)

Oatmeal-Butterscotch Cookies

This weekend was full of making all sorts of wonderful things, including fresh baked cookies! I seriously love cookies. To be honest... no doubt about it... I'm a cookieaholic. A few minutes after that first batch has been out of the oven... I'm biting down on that warm, mouthwatering, gooey goodness. Can we say Heaven?

I thought I would share my recipe with you. Enjoy!

Oatmeal-Butterscotch Cookies (About 3 dozen)

2/3 cup granulated sugar 2/3 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 cup butter or stick margarine (softened) 1/2 cup shortening 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 large eggs 3 cups quick-cooking or old-fashioned oats 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup butterscotch chips

1. Heat oven to 375°.
2. Beat all ingredients except oats, flour, and butterscotch chips in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon. Stir in oats, flour, and butterscotch chips.
3. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet.
4. Bake 9 to 11 minutes or until light brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.

Check back throughout this week to see more wonderful weekend creations of mine.

Hope your week has started out swell!