April, you were full of lovely weather, good food, and lots of love. This month I gardened a bit, took near daily walks by the lake, cooked a little and ate a lot, spent lots of time with dear friends and my favorite toddler, and doodled and painted too.
Things I cooked!
My dabbles in the culinary arts continued with some Japanese golden curry, a Tuscan bean and kale soup, and egg drop soup. But my proudest accomplishment was rhubarb jam. I was given a few stalks from my friend’s garden to take home, and after watching a few YouTube videos on different recipes, tried my hand at jam-making. Chopped up a few stalks, threw in a third cup of turbinado sugar, a squeeze of lemon and a dash of vanilla and boiled it down til jammy. It was delicious! Also made a rhubarb, celery, cabbage, carrot slaw with the leftover stalks.
Things I saw!
Got some closeups of a mallard through the binoculars, and this turtle (Red-eared slider, I believe?) just happened to be relaxing right at the water’s edge. I’ve loved spotting the baby turtles at a distance, but they tend to be more skittish and will plop back into the water if you stop to take a photo. This ol’ turtle had more life experience, it seems, and could sense I meant no harm, just wanted a quick snap! The classic cherry blossoms came and went without my getting a good photo, but did catch the kanzan, or double blossom, variety at peak bloom! So pretty!
Things I ate!
In addition to cooking, lots of good eats with friends this month. Hot chicken sandwiches by (a different) lake, homemade Indian food, and teeny but yummy tacos. Also joined a friend’s family for Passover dinner, and got to experience the beautiful ritual and delicious foods of the holiday. Pictured is the matzo ball soup, my first time having it! Not pictured is the charoset I helped make for the feast. My friend loosely based it off this recipe, except instead of OJ or wine, she added a bit of apple cider, some cardamom, and a pinch of salt. I definitely want to recreate the recipe because it was delicious!
Things I drew!
Lucky me, I got to spend every weekend with my dear friends and their toddler son. Don’t tell him, but he is my muse and I love drawing him. This month, I started adding a bit of colored pencil and watercolor to some of the drawings. The last one was his (read: mostly his dad’s) stamp artwork from an Easter egg hunt activity. I took it home after I heard they might throw it out (I guess kids bring home drawings like this every day from day care) and added some drawings from the egg hunt to the border. It’s now saved in a nice green frame from the thrift store, and am thinking I’ll give it to my friend for mother’s day.
And that’s a wrap for April. How was your month, friends? I hope you’re getting some good quality time with nature, loved ones, and good eats!
This post is part of the Changing Seasons challenge. You can visit Ju-Lyn’s post to see how other creatives around the world have spent their April.
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I probably shouldn’t have looked at this when I’m hungry. I’d even eat that duck and turtle. Maybe the flower too. 😉 😛
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Ahaha not the duck and turtle! 😄 Hope you find something else yummy to feed your belly. Thanks for stopping by 🥰
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Your drawings are darling and I have never heard of matzo ball soup. It looks interesting and tasty. But you caught my attention with the rhubarb jam. I am going to try this one day.
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I knew of matzo before but never had the chance to try it properly. It definitely tasted better with a sweet topping like charoset, or balled up in the soup. The rhubarb jam turned out much better than I expected! Just the perfect amount of sweet and tart. And it was quite easy to do. Happy jamming!
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Lovely drawings!
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Thank you very much! 😀
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Love your artwork – thank you for sharing them. I recall very vividly your doodle calendars but I think this could be the first time I’ve seen so many of your subject paintings. I love that you have a muse who inspires so many of your works.
Ooooooo the things that come from your kitchen are mouthwatering! I love the look of the kale and bean soup. It has been a while since I’ve made a bean soup … now I must go tackle me some. And that jam: good job you! and I love that you used the leftover rhubarb to make slaw.
What a joy to share in a Passover meal with your friends. I don’t think I’ve ever had matzo ball soup – it looks delicious.
Thank you so much for sharing your April with us! Delightful!
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Thank you for remembering my doodle calendars. Your comment made me think it’s not too late to start one for May- I do like looking back at them from years past. Thank you for continuing the tradition of the Changing Seasons. I have enjoyed intentionally making notes of what I want to share at the end of the month, and always enjoy reading others’ posts. Wishing you a wonderful rest of May 🙂
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I am so very glad The Changing Seasons is helpful for you – it certainly is for me! The reflection, as you say, makes a great difference in my attempt to be mindful and grateful!
If you do start your doodle calenders again, please do share – I really do love them!
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Quite a month. I am happy I have had breakfast before looking at your post.
Thanks for joining in The Changing Seasons 😀
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Here’s to more good eats in May for all! Thanks for keeping Changing Seasons going 🙂
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