Rainbow over NYC II

Here is another piece of the New York City rainbow!

Rainbow Over NYC

Last Thursday, after an oppressively hot day, there was a brief thunderstorm. Looking out the window after, I was amazed to see a beautiful rainbow arching over New York City! I took a quick photo and then created the piece below.

L is for Lemon

Lemons grow on small evergreen trees. Most lemons contain 3 Tbsp. of juice.

Refreshing Lemon Water

1. Pour cold water into a pitcher
2. Add slices of lemon and a few tablespoons of lemon juice.
3. Enjoy in a glass with a lemon slice on the side.

It's very refreshing to drink cold water with a healthy squeeze of lemon on hot, summer days. When I brainstormed lemon recipes, I originally intended to include a "healthy" recipe for lemonade, i.e. without loads of sugar. It's such a cooling summer drink and is so popular with children. It's really hard to find a good substitute for sugar, though. Many recipes use artificial sweeteners that are probably just as bad, if not worse than sugar. Do you have any thoughts on how to make lemonade healthier?

I is for Italian Plum

Italian plums are in season in late summer and early fall. When ripe, Italian plums will be deep purple and firm.

Italian Plum Crisp

1. Cut 3 lbs. of Italian plums into quarters and remove pits. Place in a 9"x13" baking pan.
2. Combine 1 cup oats, 1 cup flour, 4 Tbsp. canola oil, 4 Tbsp. brown sugar and 1 Tbsp. cinnamon.
3. Spread mixture over plums and bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes.

H is for Honeydew melon

Honeydew melon is a sweet, refreshing fruit to enjoy in the summer! In the U.S., honeydew melon is grown in California, Arizona and Texas.

Honeydew melon Smoothie

1. Cut 1/4 of a melon into chunks and remove skin.
2. Place in a blender and add 1 cup of milk or milk substitute (soy, rice, almond).
3. Blend until frothy and pour into glasses.

I think this will be delicious on a hot, summer day!

C is for Cherry

Cherries are stone fruits, meaning they have a pit inside. In the U.S., most cherries are grown in Washington, California, Oregon and Michigan. Cherries are in season for such a short time every summer. The best way to enjoy them is wash, place in a bowl and munch away!

Sandpiper Family

I couldn't resist creating another sandpiper piece. The little birds are such fun! Enjoy!

Tomatoes

Watermelon

Watermelon is one of my all-time favorite summer fruits! There is no better way to cool down on a hot summer day than with a refreshing slice of watermelon.

Cherries

I'm creating a small series of some favorite summer fruits. More to come ...

Sandpipers

As fall approaches, I'm thinking about the sunny days spent at the beach this summer! On one trip to Robert Moses State Park, I was captivated by the sandpipers darting up and down the beach. With their stick-like legs, they would race toward the waves, presumably looking for food, and then scurry away as the wave crashed against the sand. Somehow they managed to escape a thorough soaking!

Summer by the Ocean

Somehow it doesn't quite feel like summer without a trip to the beach! Of course, it would be even better to live by the ocean. Here I created a home with picturesque views of the ocean ... and refreshing watermelon for visitors!

Summer's Bounty

I really enjoyed creating this piece! I wanted to showcase the bounty of fruits and vegetables available in late summer. What better way then on display in a modern, sun-drenched apartment!

Beach Umbrella

It's steamy hot in New York City and that makes me think of the beach!

Morningside Farmers' Market

Every Saturday from June through September there is a farmers' market at Morningside Park. I always see them setting up early Saturday morning as I bike to Central Park. On my way back, I usually stop to admire the display of colorful fruits and vegetables. There is always a table with berries, cherries and peaches and another with greens, root vegetables and squahes. I love the artful composition of colors, shapes and textures!

Summer Orchid

A fresh summer orchid to brighten your day!

Summer Afternoon with Watermelon

I cannot think of a nicer way to spend a sultry summer afternoon then with cooling slices of fresh watermelon! In this piece, I depicted a Manhattan apartment with a breathtaking view of Central Park and Midtown.

Ice Cream Cone II

Sailboat

Ice Cream

Today is a real scorcher in New York City with temperatures soaring into the 90s! It's the perfect day for a frozen treat. Hope you all stay cool!