Sunset over the water

I’m back with messing with how to best share each week with you, especially while trying to keep to two days a week posting schedule.  This may change but for now,  I’m going to slide Thursday Art Dates on Wednesday every other week. 

I saw an art video shared on FB where the artist transformed a wood surface with a beautiful sunset scene.  He made it look easy masking off, applying layers of paint, blending the colors, and adding subtle details.  I haven’t mastered getting my digital art to feel or look like those created with on canvas or texture paper with real paint but I’m having fun experimenting.  

Feeling inspired, I ventured to illustrate a sunset over the water scene.  In the slide show below,  you’ll  first see my Procreate design followed by three Brushstrokes painting-like variations.

 

  • Procreate Sketch
  • Brushstrokes Oil
  • Brushstrokes Illustration
  • Brushstrokes Simple

Setting sun reminded me of a Bible verse instructing us to not let the sun go down while we’re mad at someone. Obviously, it makes for troubled night’s sleep but none of us are promised another day. It’s best to set things right before the day ends.

I draw for the enjoyment it brings me and for you. If you decide to use my artwork, please provide a link back to me at CAAC. Thank you! 😘

I’m thankful for a new direction in our house search. I won’t say much more than that as things are contingent on lots of things falling the right way.  Regardless how it turns out, I’m enjoying the moment.  When you talk to the Lord, please ask Him to lead us every step of the way.  Thank you!

I’m thankful for the close relationships we have with our children.   I/we love my/our kids so much.  Sometimes, I feel like I can’t express enough my love for my family, it’s bigger than words. 

And, as always I’m thankful for you. My Blogosphere friendships are treasures to me. 😘

I used Brushstrokes on the revamped culinary arts pinup girl to create this new illustration design.

What’s cookin’ with Cathy? Well, for the first time in many years I made Lentil & Sausage soup. I read several recipes tweaking the one I have. DH said it’s the best I’ve made and perhaps just as good as one of our favorite Italian restaurant. His enjoyment is rewarding enough but his praises do make me happy. I made enough changes to the original that I feel I can call my own.

With the soup, I used the French Bread recipe I previously shared with you, modifying it slightly to make adding one teaspoon of my Italian seasonings blend to the mix to make Italian bread. Next time, I will increase the amount to two teaspoons but still it was good.

I finally got around to making lasagne. I didn’t have a recipe.  I used to wing it and it tasted good enough but this time I wanted to nail that authentic Italian flavor.  I followed loosely a recipe found on AllRecipes World’s Best Lasagne. The changes made produced a nice lasagne, which rivals some of the best restaurant versions we’ve had.  Sometime in the future I plan to share my take on this entree. 

Pictured is Cathy’s Spicy Lentil & Sausage soup, Italian bread, and World’s Best Lasagne

I’ll be back with Monday’s Music Moves Me where you’ll find me boogieing on the dance floor.  If you have music to share then this is the party for you, so come join the fun! This is CAAC signing off,  have a doodletastic day. X💋X💋, Cathy

Are you looking for new Thursday blog connections? Consider visiting a few of my friends!

 

 

 

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36 comments

  1. Hi, Cathy! I enjoyed your art and your delicious-looking meal. Good luck with your house hunting!

    1. I’m glad you found time to visit and thank you for the good luck wishes. We really need that a lot! The market price on land and homes are a real killer. This will take the divine help of the Almighty to put us in just the right place and it’s in Him that I trust 110%. 🙂

  2. What’s Cookin’ With Cathy!!! I love it! The food looks SOOO delicious! And I do like the oil filter on the sunset piece! ♥♥

  3. Hi Dear, You must tell me what days you blog on. Oh what does it matter if I’m around I’m gonna say HELLO MY SWEETIE!!!! HUGS TO YA! TALK AT YA LATER!!! 🙂

    1. Marie,

      Typically, I blog on Mondays and Wednesdays. I have a list of recent posts in my side menu just in case you want to see what I’m sharing. 😉

  4. Well, Cathy, you will be hard pressed to top this post. The sunset paintings are beautiful (hard to choose a favorite) and the Bible verse is the perfect fit and oh so true. We (my FH and I) have lived by that verse forever.
    Maybe I missed it, but I wasn’t aware you were house searching … OMG stress and excitement! I will say a prayer for you as will many others and I know the best results will happen for you. And, I think you must have the worlds largest soup pot … so many ingredients and broth and water … I have to say, I will gladly eat at your house any day. I don’t do much from scratch cooking at least not in a big way. I used to make lasagna but haven’t for years … hmmm maybe I should spend more time in the kitchen 🙂 Enjoyed listening to Air Supply while I wrote this comment … lovely music … Lovely post 🙂

    Andrea @ From the Sol

    1. Thank you Andrea! It’s interesting how God lays things on your heart. No sooner did I create this Procreate design something happened and God whispered in my ear His words from the Holy Book. I sent it the design to the companion of someone dealing with an upsetting situation left unresolved. My hope was God’s word would soften and heal the “companion’s heart” and since I have not heard anything I’m assuming the person is too stubborn or selfish for God’s words to work in his heart. It’s so sad because there is so much hurt going on in that relationship. All I can do is leave it in God’s hands. The soup recipe does make a nice large pot. I think it filled two half gallon Mason jars which is wonderful. The lasagne made a good sized amount, too. You won’t hear us complaining, though. We love left-overs and it’s so nice to have home made foods ready to heat and serve for a no fuss meal. 🙂

  5. OMGosh Cathy, this painting is spectacular. I love seeing your art. Ohhh cooking with Cathy love it. I could invite myself over for that meal. LOL I’m trying to catch up with blogging. Just been a tough few months. However, your post has made my day so thank you. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

    1. Nicole,

      I’m sorry for the rough few months you’ve had. Hopefully, things will get better going forward. Thank you for your kind words and continued support encouraging me in my art endeavors. Have a doodletastic weekend, dear friend! XO

  6. All your cooking is making me very hungry Cathy. And I just love your chef. She looks like she loves being in the kitchen and serving up food made with love. I hope May is going well for you. hugs-Erika

    1. Erika,

      Although it’s quite early still in this brand new month but so far May is going well for us. My little chef adores being in the kitchen cheerfully cooking and baking for her fella! 🙂 Thanks for visiting, my dear!

    1. Thank you, Christine! I love Rain’s art prompts and community support. It’s great sharing the love with one another this way. 😉

  8. Hi Cathy, your artful sunset is beautiful in every example! And the food looks delicious. You have many talents, my friend. Thanks for sharing them here.

    1. John,

      This Air Supply song title I can’t say with certainty I remembered it when it came out but it sure is pretty to the ear and the video works beautifully for this post.

  12. HOLY COW! You’re quite the cook young lady!!! I bet your hubby loves it! I’m still having a few problems making my blog. Last night I did it and it came out perfect… no help….no nothing, but it put my post in no mans land. I don’t know why or how I got there or how to get it back to where I’m supposed to be. This is getting very depressing!!! Well, have a great weekend and the rest of your week of course. I have doctor appointments for the next two days which stinks too! I’m so tired of doctors. If they could take the pain away I wouldn’t mind, but they can’t. I just don’t get it. Nope… sure don’t! Sometimes I think the Lord is punishing me for something I did. Wish I knew what it was!!! 🙁 Have a great rest of your week my lil’ southern belle! Sending a BIG HUG to you!!! Have a great weekend too! Luv, Marie

    1. Marie,

      I’m sorry that cyberspace either ate or misplaced your post. I know how bummed you must be, but keep at it. Practice, practice, practice will make you good, better, best! Some pain the doctors can’t take away. One has to find solutions to make it better or learn how to manage it in a healthy way. I hate this for you and have you in my prayers. I know you’re mostly Italian right? Do you have a good lasagne recipe to share? If so, I’d love to read it! 😉 Thanks for visiting, darlin’! I hope appointments are smooth sailing and you’re able to get your next blog post done without a hitch. 🙂

      1. CATHY, CATHY, CATHY I’M SO EXCITED! I DID IT ALL BY MYSELF & IT WORKED! Sandee told me a few things to do and after I let it alone for a while I went back and tried again AND IT WORKED WOO HOO! PLEASE STOP BY & SEE ME! WOO HOO I CAN’T WAIT UNTIL MONDAY NOW!!!! LOL – LUV YA GIRLFRIEND & HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND…. Hmmmm I don’t know I might do something on Friday! hehehehe WOO HOO I MEAN DANG, I’M PROUD OF ME!!! Here’s my link! https://xmasdollyisback.com/2023/05/04/wordless-wednesday-6/ hugs, Marie

        2. Thank you my dearest, dearest friend!!! I’m so happy that you had more faith in me than I did. I can’t believe it happened to me FINALLY! All by myself. Now I hope it happens again, and again, AND YET AGAIN!!! I just hope this old brain can remember what I did. I was SOOOOOOOOOOOO HAPPY! YOU & SANDEE REALLY HAD MORE FAITH IN ME THAN I DID! WHEW! Now lets just hope it happens again and again!!!! LOL Have a wonderful weekend my dearest and wish me luck at the doctor’s tomorrow. They’re going to check out my back again! 🙁 x-rays and poking around! YUK!!! Luv ya my lil’ southern-belle!!!! HUGS AND WOW Just look at this great food! Mmmmm I think I can smell it all the way over here!!!! Is there a Fox River anywhere by you??? I have one about 6 to 8 blks away! I can’t wait until we can go walking over there again!!! It’s so pretty & fun! HUGS, MARIE!

  13. Thank you for joining the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.

    Have a fabulous Wordless Wednesday. More love and hugs. ♥

  14. You are so talented. Beautiful. I love that Bible verse too. So very true.

    Oh the food. Yummy.

    Have a fabulous day and rest of the week. Love and hugs. ♥

  15. That’s a very sad and shocking story, Cathy. I can see how you must have felt responsible for your GM’s death and understand how it took years to get over it. My observations are as follows. He probably already had a bad heart and was under a lot of daily stress, so it was just a matter of time before he suffered a fatal attack. He sounds like a “Type-A” personality, easily upset and angered. Surely that also contributed to his early demise. Most importantly, you did nothing wrong. You had every right to resign your job at his company and seek higher paying employment someplace else. That’s how the business world operates. I feel very badly that you, a young woman trying to make a decent living, was a victim of bad timing and unfortunate circumstances and wound up saddled with guilt. You are too nice a person to have to bear that burden.

    1. Tom,

      You’re so kind. Thank you for you comforting words. The GM had a family history of heart disease. He was only 33 years old at the time of his death. His wife said her husband’s dad died young of a massive heart attack as well. The office was owned by company out of Nashville. I was told it was a write off company. Did they not expect to make money for them? I don’t know. The GM, a retired armed forced guy, was friends’ of the son of the owner. I know he was under the gun to produce an income for the owners. He had to be. He and his wife were the only salary paid employees. The rest of us worked off commission. You’re right it was just bad timing and for someone with little experience and whole lot heart unable to see through circumstance to the real picture. I am okay with things now free from guilt but I feel bad for the GM. Poor fella, had to have the weigh of the world on us shoulders!

  16. Hi, Cathy!

    I’m backed-up and stacked-up again this morning, dear friend, but made it over for your Thursday Art Date With Rain on Wednesday! 🙂 Your “Sunset Over The Water” creation is… how can I best put it?… a work of art! 🙂 My favorite versions are the original Procreate and the Brushstrokes Oil rendering. The scene brings to mind one of the many times I vacationed in Ocean City, MD, and dined on the deck of a dockside restaurant. The sun was setting over the water and I experienced serenity.

    Yessum, you should never go to bed angry with someone or in the midst of an argument with your spouse. You will not sleep peacefully, if at all. How many times do we read about someone losing a loved one in a traffic accident or to an act of violence and deeply regretting that the last words they spoke to that person before they died were harsh and unkind? When you lash out in anger and say things you come to regret, it is a bell that cannot be unrung.

    Awww… I love your “selfie” entitled “What’s Cookin’ With Cathy.” I will certainly share your recipe for spicy Italian sausage lentil soup with Mrs. Shady because she has come to trust in your culinary skill. Mrs. S enjoys making and serving lentils but they are usually bland. In recent years, I have developed a taste for spicy foods, and therefore welcome the chance to taste this spicy soup of yours. The French bread and lasagna combo also has my mouth watering big time. I read your reply to my comment on yesterday’s CAAC post, the advice your dentist gave you. There’s no way I can imagine DH happily munching donuts and eating ice cream in front of you while you just sit there and watch. That’s a mighty big “ask,” as they say. 🙂

    “Sunset” by Air Supply is new to my years this morning and I like it. I will indeed be here for your 4M dance party next week, and my next post comes the day before that on Sunday, May 7.

    I bring you breaking news this morning, Cathy. You are the first friend I am telling. Mrs. Shady and I are also on a house hunt and planning a big move in the coming weeks or months. We plan to move back up north to where the snow flies in winter. A life changing move of this magnitude will require me to take most of the rest of the year off from blogging. I won’t be posting and I won’t be making the rounds and visiting. The significant amount of time I invest in blogging every day is unsustainable if I am to devote myself to the awesome task of planning the move, executing the move and getting settled in our new home. I could “phone it in,” as they say, but that is not my style. I need to make a complete break. I’ll keep you and others informed when the actual dates are set. In the meantime, I wish you and DH great success in finding just the right setting for the next chapter of your life together.

    Enjoy the rest of your week, dear friend Cathy!

    1. Tom,

      If you and Mrs. Shady like lentils then you’ll really enjoy the soup. It’s very much like what they serve at Carraba’s Italian Restaurant. It makes me happy that she likes my recipes.

      Oh DH would never eat anything in front of me that he knows that I love. He’s so considered. Even, when I do the Colon prep, he says, that he’ll eat what I’m eating but I won’t hear of it. I tell him, it’s perfectly fine and that I want him to eat regular foods. Honestly, it doesn’t bother me in the least.

      I was inspired to put the Bible scripture on my image to share with a friend’s significant other with the hope of smoothing things over but it just without a response. That situation isn’t very good and I’m afraid it’s doomed. God knows all about it, so all I can do is pray for this couple. I totally agree with you in every way, none of us should let the sun go down on while we’re angry or upset. DH and I always do our best to resolve any differences that we have before we going to bed. It’s horrible trying to sleep with stuff hanging in the air. Also, like you said you just don’t know if you’ll ever have the chance tomorrow to fix the problem because we aren’t promised tomorrows. This brings to mind every time a situation in my early 20s with my first boss. After months of trying to make it in computer sales, it wasn’t working with little to no income stream. We spent more money for me to drive on the other side of the town than I was making. I began looking for position that paid hourly. Somehow my GM learned that I was “looking”. He called me into his office, disappointed, and hurt that I was considering leaving. In retrospect, it all seemed more harsh than it should’ve been and I’m sure there was a lot going on with the business then I understood but I felt like I betrayed him. I reckon that’s a normal feeling for someone so young just starting out and I felt horrible when I left that day. I was actually in tears. Anyway, I woke up the next morning getting ready as usual when I got a call to find out my GM had a massive heart attack during the night and died. I was devastated and haunted for days, weeks afterwards. I couldn’t undo the hurt feelings. I couldn’t leave things on a peaceful note ever. It took me years to get over and still to this day, it bothers me to a degree. I wasn’t the angry one and I really wasn’t didn’t do anything wrong. It’s just the way the whole thing panned out. Regardless if you’re right or wrong in the situation, someone else has to pick up the pieces when you’re no longer around so it’s wise to not leave things unresolved.

      What exciting news! I hope for you and Mrs. Shady the best in your move. I do understand you need to cut ties, hopefully temporarily, in Blogosphere to get things in order. At the end of the month, I plan to fall back into my summer hiatus routine of blogging mostly once per week but it things progress more rapidly which I hope they do, then I may have to step away completely for awhile, too. Touch base whenever and however you can. You’re welcome to leave a message here, send an email, or even call. Take care of yourself and enjoy the planning, my friend!

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