u/befit2

6x8 acrylic painting on cold pressed paper.

Silent Watcher

I reworked this from the first post. Which version do you like best?

6x8 acrylic on cold pressed paper

Spent the morning learning my offset smoker and I'm pretty happy with the results. Smoked chicken wings, chicken thighs, pork chops, a smoked red potato, and corn over hickory using a mix of lump charcoal and briquettes. Still learning fire management and vent control, but I think it turned out pretty well. I'd love to hear your thoughts or any tips for my next cook!

I painted this little guy on cold press paper with acrylic paints

There's something about seeing a cardinal in winter that always makes me stop. Even on the coldest mornings, they seem to bring a little warmth and color to an otherwise quiet landscape.

This is my original acrylic painting, inspired by that peaceful moment when a cardinal fluffs its feathers against the cold and simply waits.

I hope it brings you a little of that same winter calm.

The chicken is baked in a homemade sweet-and-tangy glaze made with sugar-free cinnamon applesauce, no-sugar-added peaches, apple cider vinegar, garlic, ginger, smoked paprika, cumin, onion powder, a touch of stevia, and just a teaspoon of molasses for color and depth.

I paired it with a fresh spinach salad dressed in a homemade peach vinaigrette and an ear of corn. It turned out even better than I hoped, and this recipe is definitely going into my regular rotation.

The chicken is baked in a homemade sweet-and-tangy glaze made with sugar-free cinnamon applesauce, no-sugar-added peaches, apple cider vinegar, garlic, ginger, smoked paprika, cumin, onion powder, a touch of stevia, and just a teaspoon of molasses for color and depth.

I paired it with a fresh spinach salad dressed in a homemade peach vinaigrette and an ear of corn. It turned out even better than I hoped, and this recipe is definitely going into my regular rotation. TF

The chicken is baked in a homemade sweet-and-tangy glaze made with sugar-free cinnamon applesauce, no-sugar-added peaches, apple cider vinegar, garlic, ginger, smoked paprika, cumin, onion powder, a touch of stevia, and just a teaspoon of molasses for color and depth.

I paired it with a fresh spinach salad dressed in a homemade peach vinaigrette and an ear of corn.

The chicken is baked in a homemade sweet-and-tangy glaze made with sugar-free cinnamon applesauce, no-sugar-added peaches, apple cider vinegar, garlic, ginger, smoked paprika, cumin, onion powder, a touch of stevia, and just a teaspoon of molasses for color and depth.

I paired it with a fresh spinach salad dressed in a homemade peach vinaigrette and an ear of corn.

I've been maintaining a 35–40 lb weight loss, but lately I've been struggling with severe hip and sciatic nerve pain. On top of that, I was completely burned out on eating the same meals over and over. I was about two steps away from grabbing junk food.

Instead, I challenged myself to create something with what I already had in the pantry.

Tonight's dinner turned out far better than I expected.

Sweet & Tangy Glazed Chicken Thighs: I baked four chicken thighs in a homemade glaze made with sugar-free cinnamon applesauce, no-sugar-added peaches, apple cider vinegar, stevia, ginger, garlic, onion powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and just one teaspoon of Grandma's molasses for color and depth. As it baked, the glaze caramelized into a rich, sticky coating that was sweet, tangy, and full of flavor.

On the side is a fresh spinach salad with red onion and peaches, tossed in a homemade fat-free vinaigrette made from the reserved peach juice, apple cider vinegar, garlic, black pepper, and a touch of stevia.

I finished the meal with an ear of corn on the cob for extra fiber and a little summer comfort.

This recipe uses no added fat, is low in sodium, fits my kidney-friendly and prediabetes goals, and most importantly...it was absolutely delicious.

Sometimes the best meals aren't planned. They're created from whatever is already sitting in your pantry.

I've been maintaining a 35–40 lb weight loss, but lately I've been struggling with severe hip and sciatic nerve pain. On top of that, I was completely burned out on eating the same meals over and over. I was about two steps away from grabbing junk food.

Instead, I challenged myself to create something with what I already had in the pantry.

Tonight's dinner turned out far better than I expected.

Sweet & Tangy Glazed Chicken Thighs: I baked four chicken thighs in a homemade glaze made with sugar-free cinnamon applesauce, no-sugar-added peaches, apple cider vinegar, stevia, ginger, garlic, onion powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and just one teaspoon of Grandma's molasses for color and depth. As it baked, the glaze caramelized into a rich, sticky coating that was sweet, tangy, and full of flavor.

On the side is a fresh spinach salad with red onion and peaches, tossed in a homemade fat-free vinaigrette made from the reserved peach juice, apple cider vinegar, garlic, black pepper, and a touch of stevia.

I finished the meal with an ear of corn on the cob for extra fiber and a little summer comfort.

This recipe uses no added fat, is low in sodium, fits my kidney-friendly and prediabetes goals, and most importantly...it was absolutely delicious.

Sometimes the best meals aren't planned. They're created from whatever is already sitting in your pantry.

Unshaken

Acrylic on 11x14 canvas board.

I wanted this bald eagle to convey quiet strength rather than aggression. The focus was on the eye and expression—the kind of confidence that comes from experience, resilience, and standing firm through whatever comes your way.

I wanted to capture the feeling of discovering a hidden corner of nature that seems unchanged by time. The layers of foliage, filtered light, and winding path create a sense of quiet exploration and solitude.

9x12 acrylic on cold pressed paper

"Keeper of the Sea"

Sea turtles have always seemed timeless to me—quiet travelers moving through a world much older than our own. In this painting, I wanted to capture a moment of peace as the turtle rises through the water into the light above.

Acrylic on 11x14 canvas board.

This remodel started unexpectedly. After discovering a leak from the original shower that eventually showed up in my kitchen ceiling, I decided that instead of repairing a 30-plus-year-old shower, I would completely redesign the bathroom.

The home was built in 1993, and I moved in during 2005. Aside from normal maintenance, the bathroom remained largely unchanged until this renovation in 2026.

I designed the remodel myself. The project included a custom walk-in shower with frameless glass, river rock flooring and matching niches, quartz countertops, new lighting, updated fixtures in Old World Bronze, repainted walls, and hand-painted cabinetry. The original floor tile and garden tub were retained because both were still in excellent condition and fit the overall design.

The artwork displayed in the bathroom was also painted by me and incorporated into the finished space as part of the design.

I'm happy with how it turned out and thought I'd share the transformation.

7x14 acrylic on stretched canvas