Another Anagram from Mona Lisa (5)

How many other words can you make from the name 'Mona Lisa' ?  Try using other languages such as French, Italian and Latin.

The background frame is based on an e-processed blue brolly. 

Mona Lisa Anagram (1), Mona Lisa Anagram (2), Mona Lisa Anagram (3), Mona Lisa Anagram (4), Mona Lisa Anagram (5)

Leonardo Da Vinci’s, A cloudburst of material possessions c1506 -12 
Black chalk pen and ink (part 6)

I recalled seeing a section of Leonardo's sketch that included a number of animals 
that one would see if in Africa or India.

What can you see?

Yellow and green Brolly fabric have been superimposed and made semi-transparent on this section.

Leonardo Da Vinci’s, A cloudburst of material possessions c1506 -12 
Black chalk pen and ink
Link to:  Part One , Part Two, Part 3 , Part 4 , Part 5 , Part 6 , Part 7 , Part 8, Part 9

Adapted Panch Phodoner Kaddu

I made an adapted version of panch phodoner kaddu.  I did not have all five usual seeds in my cupboard, (cumin, fennel, fenugreek, black mustard, black onion).  So instead I part fried some: spring onion, red pepper, small green chilli, cumin and coriander seeds before adding the cubed pumpkin pieces. Then I garnished it with chopped spring onion.  

I would try this again but use a regular onion at the start rather than frying the spring onion.

You can find a plethora of other pumpkin suggested dishes on the 

BBC Food website.  Just search for ‘pumpkin’.

The background frame is based on an e-processed pink brolly fabric.

Pumpkins (1), Pumpkin (2), Pumpkin (3), Pumpkin (4), Pumpkin (5), Pumpkin (6)

Pumpkin in with the Rice and Peas

I have cooked a number of items that I would not usually mix with pumpkins but they tasted great all the same.

This time I mixed the pumpkin, (grown in our garden) in with the Caribbean style rice and peas. There was a tin of black peas in the cupboard so I used that.  The good thing with tinned peas is that you do not have to boil it in water for a long time!

You can find a plethora of other pumpkin suggested dishes on the BBC Food website.  Just search for ‘pumpkin’.

The background frame is based on an e-processed orange brolly fabric.

Pumpkins (1), Pumpkin (2), Pumpkin (3), Pumpkin (4), Pumpkin (5), Pumpkin (6)

Waterproofing holey Smiley pots

I ran out of regular plant pot saucers and needed a method of holding plants without the water running out of the holes.

After a little consideration, (about the time it took to eat the contents) I decided to cut a crisp packet in half. I used one part for holding the plant, (with compost) and the other with the bottom sealed to capture any drainage.

The section holding the plant was partially taped leaving two small holes at the bottom.

The holey smiley pots are now being used without saucers.

The background frame is based on an e-processed green brolly fabric.

World Smile Day 1, World Smile Day 2, Waterproofing Smiley Pots

Some Pumpkin Meals

Roasted Vegetables

I have cooked some items that I would not usually combine with pumpkins but they tasted great all the same. Below are two versions of roasted vegetables I made.  One dish included white yam and the other an aubergine. I will think about giving the aubergine more of a crunch for next time.  The red cabbage sauerkraut was added after, (not roasted).  Both dishes have black pepper sprinkled on top too.

You can find a plethora of other pumpkin suggested dishes on the 

BBC Food website.  Just search for ‘pumpkin’.

The background frames are based on some e-processed green brolly fabric.

Pumpkins (1), Pumpkin (2), Pumpkin (3), Pumpkin (4), Pumpkin (5), Pumpkin (6)

Culinary Pumpkins are Amazing!

Pumpkins come in just about every colour reflecting the tints of Autumn.  I have attempted to grow pumpkins for a number of years, this being the first year of some success, albeit not the colours I expected!  I planted seeds from the Crown Prince and Kabucha varieties – both shades of light and dark green respectively, on the outside.

The first two that I have used had lovely dense textures and tasted delicious.  More about the produce to follow.  I have added the deep green South African Gem pumpkin bought from the Moseley Farmer’s Market to show size comparison.  The South African Gem standard size is around that of a tennis ball.

Pumpkins are reputed to be rich in beta carotene and also contains calcium, iron, folate and vitamin C.

The background frame is based on an e-processed orange brolly fabric.

Pumpkins (1), Pumpkin (2), Pumpkin (3), Pumpkin (4), Pumpkin (5), Pumpkin (6)

Bullace Produce (6)

The bullace tasted sweet enough to eat as is, so some were eaten in their primary state.

The jam I made in September included the following from our garden: Blackberries, Blackcurrants, Bullace and Victoria Plums, (sliced and checked for grubs!).  All of these fruits contain vitamin C amongst other minerals.

All previously washed and frozen then half used in September and the rest will be used just before Christmas.

As the bullace looked like large sloes, some are now fermenting in London Gin!

You can see a sketch of the sloes and bullace side by side on pages 156-157 of Edith Holden's 1905 Nature Notes.

The scones shown in the photo are homemade, not by me though.

The background frame is based on an e-processed pink brolly fabric.

Bullace 1, Bullace 2, Bullace 3, Bullace 4,  Bullace 5, Bullace 6

World Smile Day ( 2)

Motto, "Do an act of kindness. Help one person”. 

‘Smile a while and give your face a rest!

Then shake hands with the ones you like the best

Now turn round to those near by

And greet them with a smile’

Adaptation

The background frame is based on an e-processed yellow brolly fabric.  

World Smile Day 1, World Smile Day 2, Waterproofing Smiley Pots