Remember, you must be 21 years of age or older. Do not drink and drive. Drink responsibly.
Continue readingRed Dead Redemption II Inspired Mixed Drink
Posts by Denise
The Universe May Bring Them Back, But the Stars are Already Dead
“…the universe may bring them back in your life, but always remember the stars (individual(s)) are already dead.”
Continue readingCross Training
For those of you who have been following my Instagram since era 2009/10, including my deleted posts, you know I have been cross-training for quite some time. I ran, cycled, lifted weights, yoga, etc. Then life happened. Unfortunately, stress makes me lose weight, no gains. What is even crazier is my metabolism is super fast. I am not asking my metabolism to slow completely down, but if it can slow down 15% or even 10%, I will be happy. I miss cross-training and for people who say, oh you should not be biking or running, makes me wonder if they are a truly certified trainer. No offense, but a lot of people sit around and pop supplements of CoQ10. Cardio is good for your cardiovascular health and you should never take that out of your cross-training. That is why you also must lift and increase your calorie intake (the caloric surplus).
I finally had gotten my bikes serviced. I have a total of three bikes: 1 mountain bike, which can also be used for on road biking. I used this bike at one time for both. Very heavy. Now my other 2 bikes are Trek. I am just excited to be back and the gym, riding bikes, and focusing on getting back to the lb club of at least 130/5+!
The ‘Intimidating’ Resume
Have you ever been to an interview and honesty just came out and hit you like an 18-wheeler? Well, it had happened to me. I used to think about this a lot as a YA (Young Adult). What would someone think of me based on my resume? Based on my experience, would they hire me or move onto someone who has less experience? Would they find me to be overqualified for the job? It happens to the best of us. Most people, my students included, based on my resume and/or background, will think I am significantly older than what I truly am. I will always get, she’s in her mid-30’s because she looks very young. When you correct and say, “No, I am in my twenties; please do not age me so quickly.” I do not know if we have reached this grand misjudgement that millennials are lazy, incompetent, or feel we are entitled, but it just isn’t the case. Certain prejudgements should not be assumed based on what is written. No lie, some of those things are true, but do not put everyone in the same box.
Keep in mind I am in my twenties. Before embarking the age of 26 (no, I am no longer 26), I have had a lot of different jobs and played the role of many hats. I have had a job as a Cashier, Cashier manager, Office Assistant, Sales, Marketing, Advertisement, Print Advertisement (Graphic Design), Graphic & Web Designer, Photographer, Writer, Packaging Designer, Groundskeeper, Manager, Supervisor, Receiving Manager, Store Support, Office/Receptionist, Cook, Server, TESOL Instructor, TESOL Teacher, Teacher, Professor (26 or 27), and an Ice Cream Scooper (1x in LA, CA and 2x in AR)! I have done everything almost under the sun, but it all correlates. I love what I do no matter the job.
I was at my last interview of the day, the interviewer’s name is, Hayley. Since I do not want to use her real name, this is what I will call her on this blog post. However, during the interview after asking me questions she said you do not want to come off as double intimidating. You have an intimidating resume already. She had offered some tips, which I will offer in a list below and pass it on because maybe this will help others who are in the same situation as me. She had many, many valid points/suggestions because everything she had brought up literally every interviewer that day brought up the same things. Here were a lot of things she brought up:
Instead of having the different overseas teaching jobs in physical classrooms, just group them under one thing. Say where you taught and still say you taught overseas, but just take away the details unless you are applying to an actual Teacher’s job. However, I can see how Teaching experience could greatly help you with the Advertising Coordinator and also your Graphic Design experience helps you as well. But she had opened my eyes to how a lot of people will look at the overseas teaching as a potential person who would leave their workplace depending upon what opportunity it is. As she stated, no one, unless its their actual career stays anywhere too long, but you want to make it seem like, even if you are not. She was so right. Literally, every person who had interviewed me that day asked about am I willing to stay, fulfill a contract, etc. One job even offered me pay and stated, after 3 months, we will then give you this salary.
The other thing is I had a job where I almost did everything under the sun that was there. I could not help that because it is a non-profit organization (FFA Camp), can’t hire too many people (money), and I enjoyed it there! I even got to lay concrete and bricks. I also got to work in a shop where you will only find majority males, but there are women out there too that can do carpentry and build things (me!!), haha. I also got to be a Photographer, Graphic Designer, and so much more. But we could not figure out how to dumb that down so we left it as is. I also had management and supervisory jobs there. It was one of the best the opened me to other opportunities. My resume is my experience and it is one reason why I will no longer work for anything under $22.50 per hour. There are only under certain circumstances where I will take less, for an example, an in-house Art job I will take no less than $17/$18.75. Because of that interview, she was also kind and told me about the same job was looking for a photographer as well. So I made one resume for the Photographer job and the other resume (See screenshot above in post) for the Advertising Coordinator.
So what is the solution, you may
- For me, when I am am applying for Graphic Design jobs, I leave my teaching experience on my resume in detail. Why? Because a lot of Graphic Design companies in the areas also work for different school districts. It shows not only have I had experience as a Teacher, but also as a Graphic Designer. However, this is what you want to avoid. Just put the Teaching experience over in the other column and list off the schools/colleges you’ve worked.
- All other work, lets say not related to Graphic Design and Art, put it in a different category as Other Work Experience. Make sure you have the starting month/year with ending month/year. This way you do not have to ask questions about gaps, what were you doing during this time (did you have a job or not), or where were you working during this time, i.e., questions alike you can avoid answering by already having it there.
- Organization is key! Although, my resume is already organized but do keep in mind your jobs need to be in chronological order, easy to read, and it is okay if you have to use two different fonts, max three, in order to differentiate between certain information. This is good if you are only using the black and no color on your resume.
- Dumb down your resume (Lupe Fiasco’s – Dumb it Down comes to my mind every time someone say’s this phrase, LOL)! Yes, just dumb it down. Do not make it intimidating, highlight key points, and talk about everything else in detail when you are being interviewed.
- What is the worse that can happen? You still do not get hired. That is okay, you move on, find a better job, better pay, and someone who really wants you there due to your expertise. Always, always, always know your worth!!
3 Meat, Veggie, & Biscuit Breakfast Casserole
I have made this dish numerous of times, but this one is the sweet spot! I decided to take most breakfast components (omelettes with add-ins, eggs, sausage, bacon, etc.) and combine it all in one dish, but also with veggies. This can last up to a week only from the date it is made if you refrigerate the dish. If you decide to put it in the freezer, you can eat it up to 3 months from cook date. This recipe is perfect for family size, friends, or if you do not feel like waking up day-to-day to make breakfast. As a teacher, I definitely did not like waking up around 04:00 ish hours just to cook, eat, get myself together around 06:15 ish and try to be out of the house by 06:30 just to make it to work on time. One thing about this dish, I would suggest preparing it the night before or you can prep everything during that morning, just make sure you have some help. I made it on my own.
Bottom Layer Add Ins
Now, lets make this delicious mouthwatering three meat veggie & biscuit breakfast casserole! This is a 3 to 4 layer dish.
- Whatever your add-ins are, they will go on the bottom.
- Eggs and milk mixture go in the middle.
- You can save some of the add-ins (bell peppers, chives, Italian parsley, & broccoli) to add a third layer. Otherwise, just put everything on the bottom.
- Biscuits go on top
For the add ins, I use bell peppers (red, green, & yellow), jalapeño pepper, Italian parsley, chives, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, bacon (Kroger’s hardwood smoked-thick cut), Canadian Bacon (Boar’s Head), and ground sausage (regular (1/2) & maple (1/2) -Jimmy Dean).
Eggs & Milk Middle Layer
Season your eggs and milk! I suggest seasoning your eggs first. Then, once you add in the milk, season it again. You want as much flavor as much as possible. All seasonings are from the brand McCormick Gourmet Organic, Simple Truth Organic, and Private Selection can be found at your local Kroger. Any bulk spices came from Natural Grocers. If you are wondering what I used, here it is: cracked black pepper, sriracha, paprika, red pepper, turmeric, onion powder, 3 minced chopped garlic cloves,
Biscuit Top Layer
I made my biscuits from scratch. I also used some of the leftover peppers from the middle layer and parsley and placed it into the batter after mixing. All you need is flour, butter (cold), and milk. I whisked together the dry ingredients and then put the dry ingredients into my Kitchen Aid bowl mixer and added in the wet ingredients. Before you put the biscuits in the oven for cooking, PLEASE, do not forget to butter them with melted butter and with the leftover add ins you have, put the remaining on top of the entire dish, along with extra cheese. This will help your biscuits come out flaky, perfect crunch, and melt in your mouth.
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @dlbryantart on Instagram and hashtag it #dlbryantart
Serves 12
3 Meat Veggie & Biscuit Breakfast Casserole
Denise L. Bryant
Yields serves 12
Welcome to a hodgepodge of many things; I am, Denise!
I am an Artist, Blogger, Teacher, & Professor. My goal here is to share my journey: travels, food, my recipes, books, life as a professional Artist, Professor, and Teacher. I hope you have fun exploring my blog! When I am not in my kitchen, I love to relax, cycling, write, and other things. Want to know more? About Me
15 minPrep Time
45 minCook Time
1 hrTotal Time
Save RecipeIngredients
- 1/2 cup broccoli
- 3 carrots
- 1/2 cup cauliflower
- 2 stems chives
- 1/4 tsp. cracked black pepper
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 and 1/2 cups hemp milk (Tempt's Original)
- 1/4 tsp. Himalayan salt
- 1 tbsp. Italian parsley (fresh)
- 1/4 tsp. onion powder
- 1/4 tsp. paprika
- 1/4 tsp. red pepper
- 1/4 tsp. turmeric
- 1/2 green bell pepper
- 1/2 red bell pepper
- 1/2 yellow bell pepper
- 1 jalapeño pepper
- 7 Bacon (Kroger's hardwood smoked-thick cut) - slice in half, makes 14
- 3 Canadian Bacon (Boar's Head)
- 1/2 Regular Sausage (Jimmy Dean)
- 1/2 Maple Sausage (Jimmy Dean)
- 2 cups all-purposed unbleached flour (leveled and spoon)
- 1 tbsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted European style butter, divided (6 tbsp cold, 2 tbs. melted) *melted is for brushing the top of the biscuits before putting it into the oven.
- 1 cup Hemp Milk
- topping: cracked black pepper, fresh Italian parsley, & cheese
Bottom Layer
Biscuit Topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Generously grease baking dish 9 x 13 in.
- Layer the meat mixture first (sausage (maple and regular), Canadian bacon, and hardwood smoked bacon. Whisk the eggs, milk, fresh Italian parsley, salt, cracked black pepper, bell peppers (red, green, & yellow), jalapeño pepper, chives, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, paprika, turmeric, onion powder, & chopped garlic. Pour evenly over meat & cheese. Set aside.
- Biscuit topping: Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a food processor or large bowl. Add the 6 tbsp. of cubed cold butter and cut into the dry ingredients with a fork, pastry cutter, or pulse several times in the processor. Cut/pulse until coarse crumbs form. Add the milk, then stir/pulse until the dough comes together. Dough will be a bit wet. If it is too dry, add another tbsp of milk. With floured hands, so it does not stick, form the biscuit dough into medium size balls. You will arrange this on top of the egg mixture.
- Brush the biscuits with 2 tbs of melted butter and top with a sprinkle of fresh ground pepper, extra parsley, & cheese.
- Bake for 48 minutes or until the biscuits are golden brown on top. Remove from oven and allow to cool before serving.
- Cover leftover casserole tightly and refrigerate for up to 1 week.
Notes
Cheese: I used sharp cheddar cheese. However, you can use whatever cheese you decide or combination of different cheese.
Meat: Cook and crumble the sausage in a skillet before using. Cook the bacon before using.
Peppers & Veggies:I sautéed all peppers, carrots, broccoli and cauliflower in a skillet before putting them in the dish. I did steam the Broccoli and Cauliflower first.
7.8.1.2
1
https://dlbryant.com/artventures/2019/05/20/3-meat-veggie-biscuit-breakfast-casserole/
Denise L. Bryant
Health Hiatus
Due to health issues I am taking a break from my blog. I promise to be back soon. Maybe sometime in May or June.
Sempervirens
Sequoia, girl, your eight feet palmar flexion creases chokes the fog around you. Having the thickest skin and run miles and miles from NorCal to SoCal. Your tallness and redness can be seen from miles and miles away, even in the thickest heaviest fog. I cherished you as a child. I hugged you. I have mourned you. I am always reminded, there is no other tree in the world that could put me in much awe as you. When I walk into your redwoods, I know I am in a place of gracefulness. A place of reflection. A place to fill a room.
Sequoia Sempervirens, also known as, California Redwood is one of the most awe eye dropping trees!! They are amazing and I photographed these beauties up and down the coast along HWY 1 (Pacific Coast). Big Sur is also beautiful and a place I always love to go to tackle down my creative writing as a writer (poetry). Hwy 1 is also gorgeous. It is something very special about this place. I biked it and it is considered one of the most dangerous roads to bike. The bike shop was very concerned about me biking alone. However, I knew and told myself over in my head, you got this! I literally biked Big Sur; I did it! I can take it off my bucket list and I am looking forward to doing it again.
時々 Sometimes
Even though it was before my time and I saw the VHS recorded versions of Astro Boy and I saw actual TV footage of the 2003 series, Prince Planet, Eighth Man, and the list continues. Astro Boy was the first black and white Anime I have ever seen on television. I would watch Pokemon every morning with my brothers before getting on the bus or driven to school. Hayao Miyazaki is one of the best and has a great amount of wonderful work. The Wind Rises is still one of the best Anime’s, in my opinion, I could watch it over and over. There were other things sent home from my father from Asia: A Korean Mink blanket. It was dark pink/red on one side and light pink on the other. It was heavy, but the most softest material I have ever touched. I also received manga, china, kyoto and kokeshi dolls, and other things. The one thing I will always hold dear to me are the mangas, mink blanket, and the kokeshi dolls. They say, 時々, you have to grow up. I do not believe anime has anything with “growing up” per say.
The enriched history behind Anime, culture, my Father, and my family, and so many other things of why the culture of Anime will be something I will always love until I grow old. Anime was and still is, a voice for Asian people; it was a way of life to speak out against injustices. It was their (Japanese) ambassador. Moreso, in America, I see more otaku culture and not even a full understanding of manga or anime itself. It is quite interesting because a lot of Americans are quick to talk about how some people rob others of their cultures, dress like them, carry conversations, but will not ask themselves about this very thing when it comes to cosplay, the allusions to Asian culture in the very Anime you watch, most do not even catch on (gods, culture, practice of life, their way of life, etc.) to the allusions in the anime, and if you do not think it is important, you are sadly wrong. Most people do not even know the origins of Mickey Mouse and still to this day believe it is an American cartoon; it is not. If you are curious, you can read a paper I wrote more pertaining to this by clicking the download button.
I believe there is no other artist who captures the very otaku culture of America and mixture of Asian culture (Anime and Manga) like the artist, Simone Legno. Legno is an artist I watched as a teenager, followed every blog post posted, every drawing, watched his career take off, and he is still one of the greatest artist of my generation. Visiting this store in Los Angeles was one of the best decisions I have ever made, but also due to the fact it is no longer opened and it was the only store (Tokidoki) in the U.S. A newer location will be announced soon. I will do a follow up on the new location once they have fully moved. The packaging (the shopping bag) I will never throw away. It is heavy duty, but I use it to keep my drawing markers and pens in. With your purchase you get at least 2 stickers and my beach rucksack (MSRP $165) came with a tokidoki keychain.
This Tokidoki location was located at 7965 1/2 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA., 90046 | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest
28 Things About Me
- I am the most shyest and extreme introverted person you will ever meet. But if I really get to know you, I can talk and talk and talk and talk…haha
- I am a self taught Artist and I love art. With a lot of guidance from my Father.
- I wish someone told me Art school would be a waste a time.
- I lived in Asia for 2 years.
- I have taught College, Higher Education, & Middle and High School.
- I LOVE to eat! I eat a lot.
- I am goofy as hell.
- I don’t have a favorite anything and I do not do favorites of any kind. Not even food.
9. I have a lot of life savers! They are everywhere!!
10. I am always looking to collaborate with other artists, vloggers, &
bloggers!
11. I am a gamer. I still own a OG Gameboy, Gameboy Pocket, SNS, NES,
& N64. I still game on those, but I also have PS4, XBOX 1, & Nintendo Wii U.
I would like a Nintendo Switch. If you game, I'll share my gamer's tag
with you.
12. I always and still plan on opening a Boutique shop. I will blog about
this journey on my blog. It will have its own category on the blog as well.
13. The color I love the most is Teal.
14. In this current blog posts are probably the most selfies you will ever
see of myself. I just do not understand taking selfies, but Snapchat has sort
of changed that for me.
15. I love for my house to be spotless. I am compulsive.
16. My logo stands for my initials, D.L.B. I created my logo when I was a
long senior in College.
16. I absolutely love plants & tulips! I strongly hate it when one of my
babies die and cannot be revived.
17. I want to train my next dogs to be a rescue animal and companion.
18. Believe it or not, I rarely get my hair, nails, or makeup done.
19. I like all four seasons, but when Spring comes, so do my allergies.
20. I would rather live overseas again, but I am highly reconsidering it.
21. If I were to move anywhere in the states, it would be in a small town
in California; Austin, TX; or somewhere on the east coastal area.
22. I want to start back building furniture.
23. My goal during the summer is to read at least fifteen to twenty new
books and review them on my blog & YouTube channel.
24. I am a very playful person, just don't cross me wrong and we will not
have any issues.
25. I listen to all music, but I will forever be a Lupe Fiasco fan! Also, SZA is
ah-mazing!
26. I want to get more of my artwork in museums.
27. I would like to complete my first book of published poems.
28. I always wanted a Basenji as a pet. A female and a male so I can breed
them. The coat color I would like: chestnut red and brindle.
Tea…With ♥
Song Tea
On a beautiful morning, with opened windows, the sun rays prances origami shapes casts by plants outside of the shop onto the walls and floor. The smells of tea leaves dances closely together and creates a sense of calm aroma. It matches the personalities of both owners and mood of tea and song. I once was addicted to coffee. I would drink coffee every day. Some people say coffee wakes them up, keeps them going or awake, etc. Coffee never gave me that feeling and I never drank coffee because of it. Coffee always did the opposite for me. I would spend a lot of money at Starbucks and still do have Gold Membership, except, I cut down the spending on coffee. Coffee made me drowsy and I notice I did not sleep well throughout the night. My migraines and anxiety weren’t as bad once I cut away my coffee intake. I had finally made my switch fully back to tea. I love tea, tea is ♥, and tea makes me happy!
I stopped by this place, Song Tea & Ceramics, at the time they were not even open for a year. However, it was by far, one of the most beautiful tea spots I have ever been and here is why.:
- Both owners go over to Asia (China and Taiwan) to help pick their tea leaves along with the farmers.
- The farmers also receive profit on the tea bought and the tea leaves they pick.
- Both owners (of Song Tea & Ceramics) have enriched historical information not only on tea, but also Asia where they get their tea, the farmers, the tea process, and so much more.
- They are willing to share their endeavors with you! When you buy tea, you help the farmers!
- Ceramics made by local and non-local artists (international and national) you can buy here and they receive majority of the profit; how wonderful is that!
You can walk over to the shelves and pick up the containers, open the lid, and smell the tea. Tea is something you can smell and the smell is exactly how it taste. Also, they always have their tea of the day, for you to sample along with other tea for you to try. And for $10 you can have a flight of three teas from the Song collection. It is a very intimate experience. When I went, you can just drop in and have a flight of tea as pictured above before the blog starts. You may want to check and see if that has changed.
There are many options to choose from. There are traditional and non-traditional tea cups. I bought myself a traditional set and it comes in beautiful packaging.
I bought 2 traditional tea cups. Support other artists!
They even have tea pots!
Song Tea & Ceramics is located in San Francisco at 2120 Sutter Street. Instagram | Facebook | Twitter