Christine's Blog

Sunday Smiles - Enroute to the Cayman Islands

noreply@blogger.com (Christine) — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000

One of my sisters shared a photo she took enroute to the Cayman Islands last month (pictured above). It inspired my painting (4 1/2" x 7") on a reworked canvas in acrylic paint:

Linking to Gillena's Sunday Smiles. Unfortunately SITAR is cancelled this week.

On Dolphins

noreply@blogger.com (Christine) — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000

Sharing an interesting fact on Dophins for you today.

Friday Art - Viola Davis portrait

noreply@blogger.com (Christine) — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000

Welcome to Friday Art! Nicole is hosting FFO Challenge Face today.

I took a screenshot of actress Viola Davis at the NAACP Image awards on TV last month, I thought she looked great and happy to win her award!

I decided to draw her portrait ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") in acrylic and watercolour pencil.

Linking to Nicole's Friday Face Off and to Gillena's Art for Fun Friday.

Almond Crisp Cookies

noreply@blogger.com (Christine) — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000

One of my sisters sent me an instagram recipe for almond crisp cookies and I decided to make them. We enjoyed them.

2 egg whites

3 tbs sugar

1 1/2 tbs melted butter

1 tsp vanilla

2 tbs flour

1 c sliced blanched almonds

Mix all ingredients. Spread mixture evenly onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper.

Bake 320 F for 30 mins rotating the tray half way while baking.

Cut into slices and cool.

Wednesday Memes

noreply@blogger.com (Christine) — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000

Brie on Sourdough

noreply@blogger.com (Christine) — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000

We had some brie cheese in the house so I made this yummy breakfast one morning, brie on sourdough.

Cottage Cheese Avocado Brownies, 2 versions

noreply@blogger.com (Christine) — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000

I got these recipes from frostyrecipes.com but there are a lot of pop ups which make the recipe difficult to read so I put them here for you with my adjustments. Both versions are good, the 2nd version is a bit sweeter with the use of chocolate chips. I would make the 2nd version again.

Version 1

1 ripe avocado smashed

1/2c cottage cheese

1/2 c cocoa powder

2 eggs

1/3c syrup

350F

In a blender mix avocado, cottage cheese, eggs cocoa powder, syrup

I poured into a 6 1/4" round pan (sprayed with Pam flour)

Bake 25 min or until a toothpick comes out clean

Version 2

1 c cottage cheese

1 ripe avocado mashed

1/2c cocoa powder

1/2 c syrup

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp baking powder

pinch salt

1/2 c choc chips (optional)

350F

In a blender mix avocado, cottage cheese, cocoa, syrup, salt, eggs, vanilla, baking powder, salt. Fold in choc chips if using.

I used a 6 1/4" round pan (sprayed with Pam flour).

Bake 50 mins or until toothpick comes out clean

Sunday Smiles and SITAR - Penguin rescue

noreply@blogger.com (Christine) — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000

Sunday Smiles

I drew some emperor penguins ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") in watercolour pencil for SITAR.

Linking to Gillena's Sunday Smiles and to Nicole's SITAR.

Ramen dishes

noreply@blogger.com (Christine) — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000

Tonkotsu

fried chicken

Tonkotsu black

Customize your order

It has been years since I tried a ramen dish. We went to Sansotei Ramen restaurant, they have a number of locations in the city. We had a couple of Tonkotsu ramen dishes along with an order of fried chicken. You can customize your order requesting how salty you want your ramen dish, choose your noodle thickness and texture. We just ordered regular everything. It was delicious, a simple classic formula that has worked for centuries I imagine.

Friday Art - Amaryllis Faces

noreply@blogger.com (Christine) — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000

Welcome to Friday Art. Here are some amaryllis faces in watercolour pencil ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2").

Linking to Nicole's Friday Face Off and to Gillena's Art for Fun Friday.

On bananas

noreply@blogger.com (Christine) — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000

This is an interesting chart, I use the very ripe for banana breads, cakes.

Wednesday Memes

noreply@blogger.com (Christine) — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000

Hello Kitty Bags

noreply@blogger.com (Christine) — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000

My sister and her husband are travelling in Asia and are now in Japan. She sent a photo of these 'Hello Kitty' bags she saw in Kyoto. I am wondering about that one that looks like a plant. Why?

Oh sorry Elkes noticed it is just a decorative plant in the middle!

The unbloomed amaryllis

noreply@blogger.com (Christine) — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000

So on March 20 the first day of spring I was being overly efficient and decided to cut the spent bloom off my star amaryllis plant, only to realize I also cut off an unbloomed stem! My only choice was to wait to see if the cut stem could still bloom after I placed it in a vase with water as pictured. I was mad at myself

So here it is on March 22nd, two days later. I think it will bloom fully!

March 24th:

March 25th:

March 27th:

Here it is in full bloom! Hooray!

Sunday Smiles and SITAR - Baby Pangolin and a newcomer's success in $2 art

noreply@blogger.com (Christine) — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000

Sunday Smiles

SITAR

Welcome to Sunday Smiles and SITAR. I am featuring a baby pangolin ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") in watercolour pencil along with a fun pangolin fact above.

There was an interesting article in the newspaper and I thought it would be perfect to share on SITAR. This architect turned artist (originally from England) finds success in $2 art which she sells through mini vending machines across the city. Her art features her favourite spots across the city with her focus on community and accessibility.

Linking to Gillena's Sunday Smiles and to Nicole's SITAR.

Chongquin China

noreply@blogger.com (Christine) — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000

What a view

hotpot meal

My sister is on a long trip to Asia and sent a photo from Chongqing China where they had a hotpot meal at a restaurant at the top of a hill. I was amazed at the view from the restaurant while they were dining.

Hotpot is where you cook all your food on a grill.

Friday Art - Happy Face

noreply@blogger.com (Christine) — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000

Actress Sophia Walker

Welcome to Friday Art!

Nicole is hosting a special portrait day Apr 24th. Here is a happy piece I made ahead of time ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") ins watercolour pencil and acrylic pen. This is a local actress Sophia Walker whose photo I saw in the newspaper as pictured above.

I have another Portrait ready for the 24th.

Linking to Nicole's Friday Face Off and to Gillena's Art for Fun Friday.

Healthy Snacks for Grandson C

noreply@blogger.com (Christine) — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000

Husband M loves to eat snacks himself so he picked up these healthy snacks for Grandson C which were on sale.

Wednesday Memes

noreply@blogger.com (Christine) — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000

A Teppanyaki Dinner

noreply@blogger.com (Christine) — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000

Peachy mocktail, miso soup, salad

shrimp, scallops, the steak to come

Easter chocolates

chocolate peanut butter eggs

Husband M and I met with some good friends over the Easter weekend. We decided to do a Teppanyaki dinner. It had been awhile since we did such a dinner. My friend brought us some yummy peanut butter chocolate eggs.

Happy Easter 2026

noreply@blogger.com (Christine) — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000

Sunday Smiles - Chocolate

noreply@blogger.com (Christine) — Sun, 05 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000

I should do this, good tip don't you think?

Linking to Gillena's Sunday Smiles. Nicole's SITAR has been postponed until next week due to Easter and her health.

Stuffed peppers

noreply@blogger.com (Christine) — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000

I was inspired to make these peppers stuffed with brie and sundried tomatoes. I baked them at 375F for 20 mins.

Friday Art - Baby Owl

noreply@blogger.com (Christine) — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000

Wishing you a blessed Good Friday.

Welcome to Friday Art!

Here is my baby owl ACEO (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") in watercolour pencil inspired by the photo above. It is interesting that baby owls sleep face down at first until they are strong enough to sleep upright.

Linking to Nicole's Friday Face Off and to Gillena's Art for Fun Friday.

A great pick-me-up

noreply@blogger.com (Christine) — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000

This article appeared in The Toronto Star recently asking readers to wish Rosemarie a happy 90th birthday, leaving an email for us. Without hesitation, I sent my wishes telling her that 'Toronto is thinking of her.'

It was a pleasant 'feel good' surprise to receive the following reply some days later. I was feeling a little down that morning and it was a great pick-me-up.

Hello Christine

Thank you so much for sending birthday wishes to Mom. You certainly added to making Mom's 90th birthday such a special day. Mom is still smiling while reading all of the messages from Star readers over and over again. Mom keeps saying, "You see, there are so many beautiful people in our world!" Have a wonderful day and thank you for being such a kind, caring person.

Sincerely, Mike

Rosemarie O'Reilly's son