Happy Daylight Savings Time! Now that we’ve made it through the first few days of the time change, I’m ready to wander and admire the daffodils, camellias, and blooming trees. Spring is right around the corner. :)
After a long and super-rainy fall and winter, I know so many of us in the Pacific Northwest are really looking forward to sunnier days. Here is the March story and recipe from my 2017 Vegetable Calendar, in which the surprising and summery combination of red onion and watermelon make a wonderful salad.
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Red Onion
12" x 12" oil on 1" cradled panel
$285
Click here to purchase
Red Onion and Watermelon Salad
As someone who doesn’t eat any animal products, I eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, so I’m always coming up with new ways to pair flavors together. In this recipe, I wanted to make something really interesting for my monthly potluck that would really tingle everyone’s taste buds. You might not naturally mix watermelon with onions, but this one is always a big hit. I love making this salad when I have watermelon coming out of my garden in summer.
—Katharine Nilbrink, www.katharinenilbrink.com
Red Onion and Watermelon Salad
Serves four
4 cups seedless watermelon cubes
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
1 Tbsp. seasoned rice vinegar
2 Tbsp. fresh mint, finely chopped
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
Combine all ingredients in a salad bowl and toss to mix. If possible, chill before serving.
And on one of the class days, I like to invite my students over for lunch. Below are my painting class members recently gathering around my dining room table.
Now, this might seem out of the ordinary for a painting class...
... but why I love it is that it gives us a chance to:
- sit and talk
- laugh
- bond
- see my studio
- appreciate each other
- learn more about our families and what we do.
Our day-to-day, digital world can be so fast-paced and disconnected. The times we actually linger and connect with people we enjoy are rare. I treasure these gatherings and love making these lunches an important element in my painting classes and my life.
I am teaching again in April, Thursdays, 6-9pm. Click here to check it out or register.
Pandora - Music makes a difference on these dreary days! Spending time alone, I need upbeat, happy songs, like "Thanksgiving Radio", "Bing Crosby Radio", "Maroon 5 Radio", "Stevie Wonder Radio"...
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DIY salad bar
Why I LOVE Making Lunch for My Students
For the past several years, I've taught beginning and intermediate painting classes either at my house or right down the street at the Village Gallery.
And on one of the class days, I like to invite my students over for lunch. Below are my painting class members recently gathering around my dining room table.
Now, this might seem out of the ordinary for a painting class...
Painters at lunch
... but why I love it is that it gives us a chance to:
- sit and talk
- laugh
- bond
- see my studio
- appreciate each other
- learn more about our families and what we do.
My home studio
Our day-to-day, digital world can be so fast-paced and disconnected. The times we actually linger and connect with people we enjoy are rare. I treasure these gatherings and love making these lunches an important element in my painting classes and my life.
I am teaching again in April, Thursdays, 6-9pm. Click here to check it out or register.
Listening to while I paint:
Audiobook: I need a new one....any suggestions???
Podcasts:
Building a Story Brand, hosted by Donald Miller
Milk Street Radio, hosted by Christopher Kimball
American's Test Kitchen, hosted by Bridget Lancaster
Online Marketing Made Easy, hosted by Amy Porterfield
Beyond the To-Do List, hosted by Erik Fisher
Artists Helping Artists, hosted by Leslie Saeta
Social Media Examiner, hosted by Michael Stelzner
Splendid Table, hosted by Francis Lam
Online Marketing Made Easy, hosted by Amy Porterfield
Pack Your Mics, Top Chef
Music:
My iPodPandora - Music makes a difference on these dreary days! Spending time alone, I need upbeat, happy songs, like "Thanksgiving Radio", "Bing Crosby Radio", "Maroon 5 Radio", "Stevie Wonder Radio"...
