Justine’s Tea Party

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I have been wanting to go to one of Justine’s virtual tea parties for some time. I could make lots of excuses for my lack of attendance. The only one I will mention is that in February I ate an incredible S’more tart at the Columbia City Bakery in Seattle. I finally had found something I could bring to Tea Time!

The problem was that I didn’t have the idea until I had left the bakery. There was no way for me to get a photograph of the tart that day. The next day, I called the bakery and asked when they would be serving it again. I was dismayed to be told that had been a Valentine’s Day special and would not be re-made, at least not until February 2016.

A few months ago I discovered a website that I have come to love. It is called Minimalist Baker. The recipes are healthy, generally 10 or less ingredients and are easy, and quick, to make.

I decided I would bring their “Immune Booster Orange Smoothie” to the tea party. It is remarkable that I love this smoothie so much, because sweet potatoes are a major ingredient. I have disliked sweet potatoes for as long as I can remember. Almost all of the vegetables my mother served when I was a kid were canned. Canned sweet potatoes….. yuuuuuccccckkkkkkkk.  No wonder I didn’t like them.

But this smoothie is delicious… and doesn’t taste at all like canned sweet potatoes! I will show some of the process of making it and then give you the link to the recipe.

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You can make the smoothie thick and creamy, like this one, or add more liquid to thin it out.

Click here to see the detailed recipe.

It’s time for me to leave for the tea party.  I hope they enjoy the smoothie, and if you make it I hope you do too!

Written for Tea Time #12

Eclectic Corner: Perspective (Quote)

 

 

Some people see the glass half full. Others see it half empty.
I see a glass that’s twice as big as it needs to be.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eclectic Corner: Perspective (Photography)

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Perspective is an interesting thing.  Each of these photographs show the artichoke plants from a different perspective.  I don’t think it is possible to know the size of the plants from looking at any of the photos.  If I had walked into my neighbor’s garden and stood next to the plants, which I didn’t, I believe they would have been about my height (5 ft 7 in).

 

eclectic-corner-heat-medumWritten for Eclectic Corner: Perspective (Photography)

Eclectic Corner: Perspective (Written Piece)

Perspective means different ways of seeing things.

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When some people see worms they get squeamish.  They wouldn’t even think holding them and letting them run through their fingers.

The picture above is of the worms in my vermicomposting bin.  I feed the worms and in turn they create fertilizer!  I love watching the worms.  I particularly enjoy it when the time comes to separate the worms from the fertilizer (the fertilizer goes to the garden and the worms go back into the vermicomposting bin) because I get to pick them up and feel them squiggle in my hand.

As I look at the vegetable plants that are growing in my garden now, I know the worms have played a significant role in making them so healthy. I feel immensely grateful that they are doing such an important service for me and for the earth.

Perspective can make such a difference.

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eclectic-corner-heat-medumWritten for Eclectic Corner: Perspective (Written Piece)

Splash of Color

 

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Justine’s checlectic-corner-heat-medumallenge for this week was to present a photo, quote or poem representing “Splash of Color.”  I decided to use a photo of the Fremont troll, which is a gigantic sculpture located under the Aurora Bridge in Seattle.

Posted for Eclectic Corner: A Splash of Color

 

 

The Hing Hay Park Dragon

This beautiful and incredible mural is located at Hing Hay Park (409 Maynard Ave. S) in the International District of Seattle.  It was painted by John Woo in 1977 using acrylic paint on concrete.  The painting depicts Asian American struggles with dragon.

Wikipedia has this to say about dragons in Chinese culture:

Chinese dragons traditionally symbolize potent and auspicious powers, particularly control over water, rainfall, hurricane, and floods. The dragon is also a symbol of power, strength, and good luck for people who are worthy of it.

Post written for the Eclectic Corner: Street Life Challenge and the Weekly Photo Challenge: Walls