May~ Le mois de Mai~

This coming weekend is Mother's Day weekend..

I wish everyone a lovely one~

Mother or not..we're all nurturers:)

I want to tell my daughters that my mom..their nana..would be very proud of the young women/mothers they are themselves.
I am sure she is so enamoured with her great-grandsons and hopes they can feel it in some way through me~

I made Ricardo's bread again because nothing beats it as garlic bread on the grill and grilling season is here..
Jacques grills all winter but now it's on the deck..
I really like using the brotform because it leaves a lovely design on the bread..
A brotform makes a fine gift also:)

One grilled chicken salad I love is a recipe from Robert..a friend.

I worked with him..actually met Sylvie first:)

Anyway one day a few years back he brought over a salad dressing he makes to put over the grilled chicken..it was so good..I have made it and made it and made it..
he had been working with my husband on some outdoor jobs too big for us to handle.

You top it w/ candied pecans..which are simply pecans coated in maple syrup/sugar..not too much sugar..there were no proportions given..and yet they work.. that you bake at relatively low heat 325F until the coating  is baked on..once dry..and cooled they keep well for weeks...in a sealed glass jar..

The dressing is never the same as I tweak it every time..because I usually double or triple it..

it has sesame oil in it..mayo..teriyaki..some sugar.

1 tsp  roasted sesame oil (I love sesame oil)
2 tbsps Kikkoman Teriyaki sauce 
3 Tbsps sugar
mix well then add 5 tbsps Hellman's mayo.Blend until homogenous..
pepper.
***I use less sugar.And I add a bit of water to create the consistency I like.
A few spring green onions..some mesclun or romaine..slice your grilled chicken atop..then the nuts.
I serve the dressing on the side..those are our chives..and the first reseeded pansy here.I only have 1.Soon we will be able to get our plants and herbs and baskets.

I have a few warm chicken salads I like..I'll share more as warmer weather arrives..
I still favor Gina's Skinnytaste Baked  Chicken Milanese one  very much also..

Roasted beet salds are almost my favorite salads...apart from grilled chicken ones:)

You know that though..here..HERE..here..I know there are more..cannot find them right now:)

This one ..simply golden beets..roasted with evoo salt and garlic..save the sauce:)  Add white balsamic to taste and pepper..
use mesclun..romaine or arugula as the base..top with the gorgeous sunny beets and feta..pour dressing on top..and home chives..dandelions are just a plus.
As you know,weeds are but an unloved flower.
Dandelions..pesticide free..are good for you.

Tarts..anything cuter?

I fell upon this..at Tutti Dolci..
and decided to make mini versions..I used strawberries and figs..
The little lemon addition is very yum.

I have had those molds for maybe 20 yrs..
I recently found another use for them and hope to share it soon..if they work~
Google translate isn't always literate.

My garlic brings me such pleasure..still no leaves in the trees..yet these babies..shine..my serviceberry is a breath close to blooming..I adore that tree.

Been gardening..
and..signed up for new Craftsy art lessons..Marc Taro Holmes..People In Motion.I have  such a long long long way to grasp it all..
The Craftsy classes I have taken are way way out of my league..but one picks up helpful hints while learning.
Still I am LOVING it..I keep practicing on Jacques..

there is one main reason why I am taking this class..there is another artist that I admire..Rita at Sketchbook Wandering..her watercolors are so alive..you can feel them all..I asked her if this was innate or learned..and one of the commentors suggested Marc's class..
so I went for it.
Pop by Rita's blog if you never have..her art makes me smile and feel something.

Although I can appreciate perfect art that reflects an object or person as if photographed..my true loves swerve for more charm in art..such as the artists I refer to in many of my posts.
And I love to learn.

I have  been practicing calligraphy w/ that oblique pen..
Jacques said ..:"it must be so hard to write with that!"..
And..it's not.
I ♥ it.
Let me just say flourishes ABOUND on Instagram.
Thanks Instagram and all the EXTREMELY talented calligraphy artists that share their tips and tricks and tools of the trade~

Have a great week and weekend~

Hopefully it will start to warm up here..moreso than Tuesday's glimmers ..I sound so discontent~ I am just anxious to get this show on the road I think.
Just want warmth on my face and in my earth now:)
To sit and watch my garden grow.