A to Z Blogging Challenge - Z is for Zingiber Officinale

Z is for Zingiber Officinal
Ginger

ginger rhizome

Ginger not only tastes great, but it has many great health benefits, too.    Ginger is used quite effectively to ease nausea caused from morning sickness and motion sickness.  They are also studying how ginger can help reduce the pain and inflammation of arthritis.

A to Z Blogging Challenge - V is for Violet

African Violet
Saintpaulia ionantha

Please note, the African Violet is NOT considered edible!

(This is actually a sneak peak at my Mom's birthday gift)

"Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it."
– Mark Twain

Free Penzeys Fajita Seasoning Coupon

The new Penzeys Spices Early Summer catalog has a coupon for a free jar of Fajita Seasoning.
Click on the link to redeem when you order online or use Coupon Code 21458C for telephone orders.
This is a good one - a $7.29 value!  You can use it on fajitas, naturally, but also tacos and to add a little kick to your pasta salad.

A to Z Blogging Challenge - U is for Urtica Dioica

U is for Urtica Dioica

Stinging Nettle

ouchie!

Bonus:  What has been so fun about this challenge is trying and learning new watercolor techniques.  With this one, I learned to add the "needles" with, how simple is this, a #2 pencil. 

Stinging nettle is used in herbal medicine for urinary tract issues and controlling inflammation - internally and externally.  You may find it in shampoos and products for hay fever & allergy symptom relief.  As I am discovering with many of these herbs, it also helps with osteoarthritis.

Galveston Gadabouting - Get back to painting, girl! (I will!)

G for Galveston, R for Rose, S for lunch at ShyKatz, Y for Yellow…

Found this pretty yellow flower along the sand dunes of Stewart Beach in Galveston, Texas today.
After Googling, I learned this is a Yellow Evening Primrose or Ozark Sundrop.  Which is strange because this was taken around Noon.  (special shout out to my iPhone 5 which captured this shot in sustained 20 mile per hour winds with gusts over 30.)

Then I snapped this riot of roses along the white picket fence of the John Hanna House on Market Street.

Source:  The East End Historical District --

1417 Market, John Hanna Home, c. 1893. Hanna, owner of the city’s second oldest real estate firm, built this asymmetrical Queen Anne style home.

Actually both of these photographs will be inspiration for future watercolors. . .One must feed the soul with beauty and nourish the body with Peach Bread Pudding at ShyKatz!

(notice there is not a photo of that, ahem!)

Love Waits

Market Street

Galveston, Texas

Watercolor Wednesday - Ox Galling

We also experimented with allowing the watercolors to mix and play together, using Ox Gall mixed with water and "painted" on the paper first.
To be honest, in the beginning I wasn't was impressed with this.  My Wet in Wet looks almost the same.  But I started to have more fun and get the hang of it the more I played -- the top section was the last one.

Third time's the charm

A to Z Blogging Challenge - S is for Sage

S is for Sage
Salvia officinalis

Recent studies are beginning to indicate that sage leaves can help lower and control blood sugar levels.  As with many of the herbs I've profiled, this one is another anti-inflammatory with lots of antioxidants.  You even find it in mouthwashes for gingivitis and cold sore medication.  They say it can also help reduce hot flashes.

And as a spice, you'll recognize its distinct scent and addition in Poultry Seasoning.

Hello Kitty, Hello Earth Day!

A to Z Blogging Challenge - R is for Rose Hips

R is for Rose

Rosa canina

Not the original picture I had planned, but the more I look at it, the more I like it and the how the colors all combined!

Rose hips are the round fruit portion of the rose flower and contain its seeds.
They are a good source of Vitamin C, which helps boost your immune system, and also have a lot of Vitamin A, which is great for your skin.  It's properties can regenerate skin cells, expediting the healing of scars and burns.  Studies are also discovering the rose hips' anti-inflammatory properties could be helpful in reducing pain from osteoarthritis.

Texas Independence Day

"Victory," a bronze statue by Louis Amateis, atop the Texas Heroes Monument  at the intersection of Broadway and 25th Street (Rosenberg Avenue) in Galveston, Texas.

Upcoming Jo-Ann's Pattern Sales

Daffodil Dash - April 27/May 3

McCall's - 5 for $7
Vogue - $4.99

Happy Easter!

Love my Papaya! Easter Bunny card.  Paper Bear in San Marcos carries their line, and you can also find them online.

Happy Easter!

A to Z Blogging Challenge - Q is for Quercus Robur

Q is for Quercus Robur (Oak bark)

You can brew oak bark as tea and use as a cold compress for burns and cuts.  Used externally, it is said its astringent and antiseptic properties help fight staph infections and skin inflammations.
Many believe the oak tree was the first tree - the Tree of Life - and consider it sacred.

A to Z Blogging Challenge - P is for Parsley

P is for Parsley
petroselinum crispum

Parsely is often used as Karpas in a Passover Seder

Parsley has an abundance of volatile oils and flavonoids which help optimize your health.
Plus iron, and Vitamins C and A.   It's an herb and a vegetable, which can help your cardiovascular system and ease the discomfort of arthritis.  Parsley also freshens breath and helps your digestion.  So don't just admire the parsley decorating your plate, eat it and reap all its benefits.

Thursday Tea Time - Toast

This week - The Republic of Tea Hi Caf Teas - Toasted Coconut Black

Cost:   $12.99 at Whole Foods
Number of teabags:  50
Caffeine:  Yes
Type of tea:  Black
Ingredients:  Black tea, green tea extract, licorice and natural coconut flavor
Steeping time:  3-5 minutes
Add ins:  Nothing helped!  Plain, sugar, Natural Bliss Sweet Cream.  Yuck.
Fragrance:  Faint coconut
Opinion:  I loved all the other HiCaf teas, but not this one.  I couldn't even finish the cup as I kept adding anything and everything to it to make it taste better.  I didn't even taste that coconut-y, which really bummed me out.  I love coconut and licorice, and was expecting a stronger flavor of both, especially being from the Republic of Tea.  Despite it having 140 mg of caffeine, if it gave me a boost, I couldn't tell - I don't think I drank enough.  : P
Rating: 0

A to Z Blogging Challenge - O is for Oregano

O is for Oregano
Origanum

Oregano is not only a tasty culinary herb, it has Vitamin K (which promotes bone growth and density) antioxidants and anti-bacterial properties from thymol and carvacrol.  It's also a good source of fiber, manganese, iron and calcium.  Enjoy oregano's wonderful flavor and health benefits.  Greek and Roman brides were often crowned with laurels of this symbol of happiness and joy.

A to Z Blogging Challenge - N is for Nasturtium

N is for Nasturtium
Tropaeolum

Nasturtium

Not only are the flowers and leaves beautiful, but they are edible and look great in a salad -- it's loaded with Vitamin C.  Nasturtiums ease muscle pain when applied directly to the skin.  It has a natural antimicrobial effect, and it has been mentioned it can help with upper respiratory infections and urinary tract infections.

Watercolor Wednesday - Gum Arabic Printing

I like the embossed wrinkles

Chakra'd

In class this week, we experimented with making watercolor prints.  These two were made with Gum Arabic.   Using distressed (sandpapered) plexiglass, you applied the Gum Arabic and let it dry.  Then you used mostly opaque watercolors painted randomly or in a preconceived design.   All best intentions with mine!  Place sketching paper (Bristol Smooth was also suggested) over the top and transfer the paint using a brayer on the wrong side.

The first was the original...the second, the "ghost print" with some added color touches.
I couldn't tell if inspired by Easter eggs, jelly beans, or a 1 1/2 hour Yin and Yang yoga class.  Perhaps all three!