The Beaded Branch

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Art Class Masterpieces

In August 2013, I started a whole new adventure. I volunteered to teach art at my children's school. Two afternoons a week, I am up at their school, introducing a wide range of children to all different kinds of artists and techniques. I can honestly say it is one of the most fantastic experiences of my life.
I'm sorry I missed taking pictures of the fantastic "Braille Paintings" the kids did a couple of weeks ago, but I am making up for it by having pictures of their GORGEOUS vinyl window clings that they created.
We talked about the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright, his buildings, furniture, and all the wonderful things he created, including his wonderful stained glass windows, or "light screens", as he liked to call them.
The children in the school either colored in a vinyl cling that already had one of his designs traced onto it, or designed their own using a view from one of the windows of their home as inspiration.
Here are the beautiful, unique results of two weeks worth of work!

Until next week, make sure your sand is always blue.

Monday, April 22, 2013

West African Chicken - Recipe

I'll admit it. I'm a recipe Hoarder. I'm one of those people that has a ton of recipes, most of which I have never, ever tried. I don't know why. Maybe some nights it's just easier to fall back on the tried and true recipes. Maybe it's just habit. I really don't know.
So, my goal this year is to try at least 4 new recipes every week. It's been going well, and we've discovered a lot of new, yummy recipes that we never would have ever tried if I wasn't trying to break out of a rut.
Tonight, we're trying a recipe that was given to me as part of a wedding gift (about 9 years ago) that somehow got buried in my collection. Now, this is one of those recipes that I know will be good, because the lovely lady that gave it to me is a wonderful cook, and I grew up looking forward to neighborhood pot luck dinners, knowing that whatever she brought would be just fabulous. Here's tonight's special:

WEST AFRICAN CHICKEN from Joan H.

2 Tablespoons oil (I used olive oil)
1 onion, chopped
1 4 oz can of chopped green chiles
1 16 oz can of chopped tomatoes with liquid
1 chicken flavored bouillon cube
1/4 teaspoon EACH: salt, ground ginger, and ground red pepper
1 Cup chunky peanut butter (I used smooth, because that's what I had)
6 chicken thighs (or drumsticks) (I used a whole cut up chicken tonight, because that's what I had)

Saute onion in oil. Add chicken and everything else, except peanut butter to pan. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer until chicken is done (when it gets up to around 165F with a meat thermometer). Stir in peanut butter until smooth. Heat through. Serve with rice.

While it's cooking: