One pot painted, four more to go

photo taken on the ledge of the small balcony

To give myself a simple creative push, and to rekindle my younger former craft days in after-school programs when I was in primary school, I wanted to paint some terracotta pot planters for the summer.  I purchased about seven basic terracotta pots at Michael's craft store (any hardware or craft store will most likely sell them) and some bottles of cheery outdoor acrylic paint; choosing between a white, marigold yellow, salmon-pink, and a sky/light turquoise blue as my color palette.  

It's been a much slower process than I recall as a child, but I would only paint one pot at a time too.  I really feel that it's worth the effort to bring a little individuality to my small container garden.  I'm sure most of you can recall this simple craft and painting a pot at least once in your life to plant a marigold or other plant in.  

Small, simple crafts like this helps to awaken my artistic self-esteem, even if it's painting cheap clay pots with cheap acrylic paint.  And of course, for those who know me well, I still end up with paint on myself and/or my clothes with each painting session.  I secretly really like the paint marks and smudges I find on some of my clothes and/or hands/fingers/arms/legs; it makes me feel fantastically artsy.   

...And if you've been counting at home, yes, I did purchase seven pots and am only painting five.  To give it to you straight, the last two are the largest of the seven and I'm getting a little bored with mini painting sessions and various drying times.  I got a little lethargic and left the largest in their natural dried clay color for my cucumbers and cherry tomatoes to grow in. Yes, one solid color would have been easier to just do, but one solid color is just a little dull for my tastes, when my artistic being screams, "put more detail into it! Rawr!"

Homestyle Cooking: Pickled Yellow Squash

I realized that all I've been about is the pickled yellow squash without dishing out the recipe for anyone to share...if you're jonesing for a unique pickle side dish!

The photograph above was snapped while Gregory and I shared a small dish as an afternoon snack together on our day off.  Light, crisp, and pickily (I know that isn't a proper word-but it fits perfectly). :)

I came across this recipe from one of my personal favorite food sites, TheKitchn.  This website is a mecca for food recipes, inspiration, advice on the simplest to the complex kitchen methods, and just all around gorgeous food photography!  The articles are well written and short, but certainly have gotten me motivated to trying new dishes. The specific recipe for these pickled yellow squash can be found here. 

I chose to pickle these squash in old salsa jars from the supermarket.  I cleaned them beforehand as well as boiled the jars and lids while the brine was boiling for an extra step.  I like the size and re-usability these jar have about them.  They're also quite the nice snacking size for this condiment dish.  

Happy Picklin'!

-Caroline 

End of August Goal Update!

I had made a goal for myself to finish two illustrations I had started before and to try out a pickling recipe.  Well, it's officially August 31st and I am here to update.  

I did not finish the two illustrations I was so motivated to take on at the beginning of the month, but I am proud of the progress I have completed on them this month.  

The last illustration I started in 2010 and it is still very much in progress.  Sometimes I get feel really ashamed or embarrassed that I start so many drawings, illustrations, or projects and just leave them unfinished.  I do return to complete most of them, though a good handful remain as-is. 

I started to lose my mojo again, so these pieces are on standby once more (life's imperative things and work tend to get mixed about).  I've left them within eye-sight so I am constantly reminded of their unfinished state until I pick them up again. 

I did, however, pickle up some yellow squash with diced sweet onions and bell peppers yesterday!! I have them currently stored in the refrigerator to let them soak in the brine for twenty-four hours before a taste test.  This is my first attempt EVER at any sort of pickling and I am hoping the squash will turn out well. 

They look really delicious in their little containers (I cleaned and boiled old salsa jars).  I'm thinking that tonight after work I'll have a forkful just to see how I really did. :)

-Caroline


***ALL ORIGINAL ARTWORK IS OWNED AND CREATED BY CAROLINE A. LOCATELLI.