Category: minimalism

Organizing Before the Holidays
lifestyle blog · mindfulness · minimalism · organizing · personal blog · personal development · self-care · simple life

Organizing Before the Holidays

Featured caroline

It has been a difficult last few months. I got the flu and recovered then I got Covid.

In between the flu and COVID, I was working and trying to catch up on things I needed to do. But Thanksgiving came and before I knew it I was sick for two weeks with COVID. I am still recovering from the fatigue it brings. But of course I started to get sinus and allergy problems.

The To Do List

Today is Monday. I have been going to the adoration chapel for an hour to fulfill my ministry. It’s a nice place to talk to God and just take time to reflect on all his goodness.

But starting this week I’m going to take time to clean and reorganize my belongings and maybe find items to donate or sell.

Etsy disappoints Me

I tried selling my items on Etsy. But I took my art off of it. I was being harassed by a “customer” I won’t go into the details but I’m disappointed in that site. It’s hard to get noticed unless you pay for ads.

I’m not sure if I was to pursue selling my art anymore. I lost my motivation for it and feel my interests moved into learning to sew and make a quilt.

Purging myself and my items is the goal today.

Before and After

I forgot to take a before photo.

Here’s the after photo

The downstairs is finished.

The next room will be my bedroom.

Caroline

Rue Paris Cross Stitch
cross stitch · lifestyle blog · mindfulness · minimalism · personal blog · Uncategorized

Rue Paris Cross Stitch

caroline

Second page out of 18 pages are completed!

It’s been a long time since I worked on my cross stitching.

Update Photos

There’s so much detail and changing of colors. I have been enjoying it.

I will get to work on it more because I’m working from home now. And in between my breaks I can stitch a little.

Happy Day

Caroline

acrylic painting · art · art journal · art studio · lifestyle blog · minimalism · painting · personal blog

Sunday Expressive Painting

caroline

The Process

Place the acrylic paint colors into my pallet. Then played relaxing instrumental music. I used deep breathing and focus on the intention of painting. I used sketch book paper for the mini expressive paintings. Then I started to paint on canvas using the Expressive art techniques.

Before I closed up the studio, I drew out a scribble of my next painting.

Acrylic paint on sketchbook paper

I used modeling paste medium on this mini expressive painting. I wanted to make it textured and learn how to incorporate it in my painting.

Acrylic on canvas…in progress painting

What’s On My Mind

I have been working on being in my art studio daily, either drawing, watching art videos, or painting.

I have not decided what I want to do as far as if I want to set up a shop, do more vlogging, or just make art with no intention of doing anything other than this blog.

I think I can’t decide because there’s so much going on. I started my new job which has taken off in such a successful way. And I’ll be taking on a new part time job soon. I am consumed by health issues. So do I want the stress of an art business along with working my jobs? I need to work as the medical expenses has been getting expensive.

I have an urge to concentrate on my knitted blanket and cross stitch and embroidery projects. I find those relaxing. The fine arts tend to bring more anxiety provoking because I never know if it would be good enough to invest in my time to sell it.

So what to do? That is a question to answer.

Happy Day

Caroline

Fruit Ice Cream
dairy free · gluten free · kitchen · lifestyle blog · minimalism · personal blog · personal development · recipes · self-care · simple life

Fruit Ice Cream

caroline

dairy free, gluten free

It’s been a hot and humid few days. My air conditioner works but it takes forever for it to cool the house down. So there are times, I don’t have it on because that would be an expensive electric bill!

What’s the next best thing to have to cool down from a humid day? It is ice cream!

Dairy free ice cream is very expensive. It also leaves my stomach is a little pain and feeling uncomfortable. So I decided to try making a FRUIT ICE CREAM.

OMG it is so simple!

Fruit Ice Cream Recipe

  • 4 cups frozen mixed berries-use any fruit combination you want
  • 1 cup coconut milk or any milk of your choice
  • 1/2 tbsp powdered stevia or more to taste, also can use honey or maple syrup

Use a food processor. Place the frozen berries in the processor, along with the milk and sugar. Process until it is smooth. I had to make small portions because my processor wouldn’t work with it completely full.

Then place the smooth fruit mixture in a metal pan(bread pan), cover with cling wrap and freeze.

set it out for 5-10 minutes to soften before you want to eat it.

Happy Day

Caroline

Gluten Free Rice Noodles with Salmon and a Salad
dairy free · dinner · gluten free · lifestyle blog · mindfulness · minimalism · personal blog · personal development · recipes · simple life

Gluten Free Rice Noodles with Salmon and a Salad

caroline

This is a gluten free dairy free and soy free meal. It is a meal for autoimmune.

Ingredients

  • Gluten free Rice noodles
  • Sesame oil
  • Lime
  • Cilantro
  • Salmon
  • Lettuce
  • Tomatoes
  • Cucumbers
  • Green onion
  • Black olives
  • Lemon basil dressing
  • Watermelon
  • Cantelop

Boil 3 tbsp water with sesame oil. Add the Rice noodles to the boiling water, cover and cook for 3 minutes. The noodles will break apart. Turn off the heat. Add cilantro and lime juice when it is finished

While the noodles and salmon cooks, make a salad.

Combine the noodles and salmon on a plate add watermelon and cantelop for a side along with the salad.

For the Drink

Ice water

Happy Day

Caroline

Illustrating Flowers
art · drawing · illustration · mindfulness · minimalism · personal blog · personal development · self-care · simple life

Illustrating Flowers

caroline

I started a new journal. This one is 5″x8″ journal that will be dedicated to flowers.

The book In Bloom, has wonderful illustrations and directions on how to draw flowers from around the world.

Currently I am sketching the flowers. Then next week while waiting to be called in for jury duty. I will finish the sketch using pens or color pencils. Not sure yet.

I will post more as they get completed.

Happy Day

Wednesday in the Studio
art · art studio · art therapy · mindfulness · minimalism · painting · personal blog · personal development · simple life

Wednesday in the Studio

caroline

I had a few hours of personal time in-between client appointments. It was time to paint again.

The Paintings

I might reopen the Etsy shop, but under a different name. It might be open by the fall. I want to keep painting and have a larger collection.

I have the bottom colors finished. Next will be more detail using acrylic markers..

Maybe I can spend more time in the studio later this week.

Happy Day

Caroline

Gluten Free Spaghetti with Veggies
anti-inflammatory · autoimmune · dairy free · dinner · gluten free · lifestyle blog · minimalism · personal blog · personal development · rheumatoid arthritis · simple life

Gluten Free Spaghetti with Veggies

caroline

This is a gluten free and dairy free spaghetti dish. Great for lunch and dinner.

Ingredients

  • Gluten free spaghetti
  • Garlic
  • Mushrooms
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Spinach
  • Nutritional yeast

Boil water and cook spaghetti until it is to your liking. While it is boiling saute the mushrooms and garlic. Add tomatoes until the skin peels off. Set aside and pour olive oil in another pan and saute the spinach.

When spaghetti it done. Mix all ingredients together and add some nutritional yeast.

Place basil on top as a decoration.

Serve with a salad and gluten free bread.

Happy Day

Caroline

Gluten Free Lunch and Dinner Ideas
art studio · dairy free · dinner · gluten free · kitchen · lifestyle blog · lunch · minimalism · personal blog · personal development · recipes · rheumatoid arthritis · simple life

Gluten Free Lunch and Dinner Ideas

caroline

Lunch

Eating gluten free and dairy free has helped me to be more inventive with my meal ideas.

Today I made a plate of cucumbers, tomato cut in wedges, guacamole and gluten free crackers. With hot tea. Then I had a few gluten free Oreos.

Dinner

The new Dutch oven was used, along with the new pans. They cooked this meal wonderfully.

Make rice. Then cut in slices zucchini and yellow squash and cut red onion in thin sliced. Saute with salt and pepper. Then add the mushrooms.

Then cook the shrimp. I used frozen cooked shrimp. I put cold water on the shrimp before it was heated up. I put butter in the pan. Then later I added coconut aminos for added flavor.

I put a sliced avocado on the side along with watermelon and cantaloupe.

Happy Day

Caroline

art studio · kitchen · lifestyle blog · minimalism · personal blog · personal development · simple life

New cookware

caroline

I have been searching for new cookware. I like using nonstick pans but once they get scratched it’s not healthy to keep using them.

I was looking at stainless steel, but the cost of them has increased and I couldn’t justify spending that money on pots and pans that I don’t use. So I opted for nonstick pans. I also chose to buy the pans only not the entire set.

I wanted a smaller Dutch oven as well.

These products are amazing. The quality and how it cooks food evenly is unbelievable.

I’m very happy I spent my money on these products.

Happy Day

Caroline