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Sunday, July 20, 2014

Oatmeal Cookies - The Real Kind







It's been a big food week around here at our house. This week the husband made his pickles (it's own post I'll save for later) and I have been a baking fiend because it's the birthday season (Dad, Husband and Brother in Law) not to mention it's our Anniversary today!

My husband loves those Mother's Brand Oatmeal Cookies. But I don't love it when he eats them because they are full of preservatives that he really doesn't need. Also, the un-frosted ones are difficult to find.

So I made some for him from scratch today and they are off the charts! They are raisin free (not everyone loves raisins) and great with coffee or tea.

I adapted the recipe from Smitten Kitchen for my taste buds. The recipe she uses and adapted from "Good to the Grain" cookbook, uses icing which I omitted. The measurements are funny because everything in "Good to the Grain" is in grams.

Raisin Free Oatmeal Cookies
Ingredients 
  • 2 1/2 Cups + 1 Tbs. quick cook oats
  • 1 1/2 Cup all purpose flour
  • 1 Tbs + 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 3/4 Cup brown sugar
  • 3/4 Cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 Cup butter, melted (she calls for unsalted butter but instead I omitted the salt in the recipe and used what I had in the fridge - plain 'ol butter.)
  • 2 large eggs
Instructions 
  1. Preheat oven to 350.
  2. Line cookie sheets with parchment.
  3. Sift all dry ingredients together.
  4. In a separate bowl, cream together butter, sugar, vanilla extract and eggs.
  5. Fold in dry ingredients.
  6. Round into balls that equal 2 Tbs. or use a cookie scoop (she uses a #40 scoop).
  7. Bake at 350 for about 15-18 minutes.
  8. Remove from oven and transfer cookies to cool on a wire rack.




Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Pickles!

It's pickle season!

Tomatoes, Peppers and Cucumbers! My husband challenged me to a pickle off so I made a batch last night.

It's the easiest recipe and they are quick fridge pickles, BONUS. No toiling over the stove on these hot summer nights. Eat them within a week or so, unless you do a traditional water bath and then they'll last on the shelf without refrigeration for up to a year. Directions are below:


Ingredients:
  • 1 pound cucumbers
  • 6 large cloves garlic
  • 1 bunch dill
  • 2 Tbs. black peppercorns
  • 1 1/2 Tbs. salt
  • 1 Tbs. sugar
  • 1 Cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 Cup water

Directions:

  1. Collect 1 pound of cucumbers from the garden or get them at the farmer's market. We grew "Mercury Persian," in our garden this year. They're small (between 6" and 8" long), seedless, completely burp-less and very tender, with a thin, mild skin. But you could do equally well with any Persian or Persian Hybrid which are similar to the English variety of cukes, such as "Sweeter Yet."
  2. Wash a large mouth pickling jar and lid/band with warm soapy water.
  3. Let the jar air dry.
  4. While the jar is drying, cut the cucumbers and the garlic cloves into quartered pieces.
  5. Place half the peppercorns, garlic cloves and dill in the bottom of the jar.
  6. Add half of the cucumber slices.
  7. Add the rest of the peppercorns, garlic cloves and dill.
  8. In a separate jar with a lid, mix the apple cider vinegar, water, sugar and salt. Shake jar until salt and sugar are dissolved.
  9. Pour pickling solution over the cucumbers.
  10. Place lid on the pickle jar and refrigerate overnight.
  11. Enjoy!
Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Summer Salsa

I hate it when I am so busy with work and housekeeping and merry making that I cannot find the time to sit down to write a post (Joan, I'm sorry!).

So to keep myself accountable, let me say that I have a couple good ones on their way which include: Santa Cruz for the 4th of July and Nectarine Plum Preserves with Cardamom.

Today it is my summer salsa.

The garden is brimming with Cilantro and tomatoes and while I love salsa anytime of the year, it is especially good in the summer with tons of Cilantro. I truly cannot live without my chips and salsa. Plus, we live in California! Let's represent! Not just for our farm to fork culture but the embracing of the diversity we share.


Summer Salsa



Ingredients
  • 5 medium very ripe tomatoes (skin and seeds removed)
  • 5 large cloves of garlic 
  • 3 green onions chopped
  • 1 ENTIRE bunch Cilantro (Coriander) including stems - wash bunch well.
  • 2 roasted Anaheim peppers - To roast peppers: put in broiler for 10 minutes turning often or if you have a gas stove put the peppers directly on the flame and turn frequently.
  • Juice of 4 limes
  • Salt generously and pepper to taste 


Instructions
  1. Put all ingredients in the blender or food processor 
  2. Blend well very well, scraping down sides of processor or blender
  3. Chill for an hour to meld flavors
  4. Serve cold with your favorite chips, or use in eggs or put on grilled chicken or make a steak sandwich and use this as the condiment!
Friday, May 9, 2014

Chia Pets

I love Chia Seeds. They are something I learned to incorporate regularly into my diet from Tara. You know Tara; I have blogged her bathroom re-model and her little North West Cottage and a host of other cool things that her spirit has touched. The next post I will do with her will be about home economics. Keep your eyes peeled if your interested in saving money and diminishing your carbon footprint - she is a maven!

In any case, when I went for a visit to Portland last month, she made smoothies every morning with Chia Seeds. I have had many a Kombucha with Chia, my friend Kendra said once that it's great before a workout - she was right. But I had never actually considered Chia as a nutritional supplement until Tara and I discussed it. Chia seeds mixed with a drink will help you sail through cravings with hardly a notice. Here is a recipe: 1 Tbs. Chia Seeds, 2 Tbs. Apple Cider Vinegar, 1 Liter water mixed with lemon juice to your taste and stevia for sweetness: and I promise - YOU WILL NOT BE HUNGRY!

Chia seeds also grow into cute tiny sprouts that the whole family loves including the cat! I discussed the possibility of growing Chia Seeds (as in Chia Pet) with Tara. During my last day in Portland, my sweet friend took me to an antique shop. She spied a tiny ceramic duck and showed it to me, exclaiming that all I'd need is a cheap sponge inside the duck and a daily watering.

Here are the results:
The materials: Cheap sponges (you'll discard after each sowing),  cute planter, and chia seeds (Costco $13.99).

Cut the sponge so that it will fit inside the planter.

Insert the sponge so it creates a little planting mound.

Mix 1 teaspoon chia seeds with 1 tbs water.

Here is a better angle so you can see consistency.

Day 2

Day 3

Day 5

Day 7


Friday, April 25, 2014

WARNING - EXPLICIT - Fun, Exciting, and Unusual for Poppies

But I had to share this. It's a music video some friends shared on Facebook and while I am not on Facebook (I have an account but can't be bothered to engage), my husband often shares things with me, especially when it might evoke a giggle. He showed this to me just this morning and giggle I did! It involves a party. It starts with a tiny earthquake which rolls into a full out emotional, rageful, sexy romp coupled with a catchy beat. The video/song is DJ Snake and Lil Jon, "Turn Down for What."

I'm not heavy into rap per se, but every once in a while, something turns up which becomes (to quote German phraseology) an ear worm. This is one such "song." And the video is how I feel inside sometimes. I hope lots of people feel this way otherwise (and unfortunately) I suspect I may be certifiable.

Enjoy!


Monday, April 21, 2014

"The Women"

I have some really talented friends.
Stacy is a music maven who is well equipped to rock a turntable. She is the type of hostess who plays just the right playlist for every gathering and finds creativity in all kinds of music.
It was our latest book club meeting that inspired this post with her as a guest blogger. I hope you love this mix as much as I do. Her words below match this playlist epically and I recommend listening to this as she would, "Laying on the living room floor,  next to the speaker."



"The Women"
1.  Painful Like by Austra
2.  Wolf & I by Oh Land
3.  If Looks Could Kill by Camera Obscura
4.  Marilyn by Bat for Lashes
5.  Landfill by Daughter
6.  Falling by Haim
7.  Iota by Angel Olsen
8.  Running Up That Hill by Chromatics
9.  Silver Soul by Beach House
10.  Sprawl II by Arcade Fire
11.  Call Out by Kaskade featuring Mindy Gledhill
12.  I've Been Let Down by Mazzy Star

Night driving.  Needing just 5 minutes away from the kids,locked in my room, with my headphones on.  Going through a divorce.  Running at 6 AM.  Crazy, addictive love.  Singing without reservation in the car.  Laying on the living room floor close to the speakers, feeling desperate and lost. Late nights with a lover.  Feeling feelings!  It's all in this emotional roller coaster of a playlist.  Enjoy.  

Monday, March 10, 2014

Curly Girl

I learned lots of things by reading the original book "Curly Girl" and for most of my life I had no idea how to deal with this mop. I often still have difficulty and sometimes look like a fraggle or Animal the Muppet.



 I have consulted The Curly Girl Method and only of late feel confident about my curls. Thank goodness for Lorraine Massey!

So I invented this half up/half down do that's fast, easy and pretty for the curly girl! Especially on a rainy day like today! 

Instructions:
Wash hair as usual; product (I love Deva Curl Firl Hold Gel) and diffusion (without touching) is essential.
Leaving several tendril around your face, loosely gather your hair at the nape of your neck.
Pin, being sure to hide the bobbies as well as possible but using as many as you feel comfortable with to make your hair stay.
And Voila! Ready for your day.




Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Moonbeam Chili

You've never had chili like this before - music in your mouth.


Moonbeam Chili
Ingredients:
1 Tbs Butter
1 Tbs Olive oil
1 Large yellow onion, chopped
3 Large Garlic cloves, minced
1 package ground turkey
2 Cans S&W lightly seasoned white beans
1 can Herdez Salsa Verde
1 can chopped black olives
1 package Uncle Bens Spanish Rice
1 16oz. container of Sour Cream
1 Tbs. Chili Powder
1 Tsp. Garlic Salt
1 Tbs. Cumin
1 bunch green onions
Salt and Pepper to taste
Directions:
In a Dutch oven or similar sauce pan, heat butter and olive oil on medium heat, add chopped onions and minced garlic. Cook until onions are translucent about 7 minutes.
Add turkey, chili powder, cumin and garlic salt. Cook turkey until browned and cooked through.
Turn heat to low and add beans, Salsa Verde, black olives, Spanish Rice and 1 cup sour cream and salt and pepper to taste. Cook until chili is heated through.

Serve in a bowl with dollop of sour cream and garnish with green onion cut on the bias.
Monday, February 10, 2014

Adrien Broom - Surprise!

I have seen a few things. Not tons of stuff, mind you - a few things - more than the average Joe...well, Josephine in my case, I suppose.

I've been to a few other countries. I speak (albeit marginally) another language, I can cook world cuisine and I married a Mediterranean man. At this point, I feel like I've been surprised, titillated, hypnotized, mesmerized, wowed, and awed as much as I can be. It's disconcerting to walk into middle age thinking this.

I went to art school knowing full well that I need - no, thirst for - stimulation; that's just me. As, I've grown older, I find that it is harder for me to feel viscerally stimulated. And then there was today...

Today, I searched #somethingnew. And what came up was a world of color by Adrien Broom. She is a Connecticut artist whose imagination matches that of Erin Morgenstern in The Night Circus. Her creativity and vision is captivating at the least.

She has started "The Color Project" which I found on My Modern Metropolis. Her art is nothing short of genius. As I look at my Art History background, I remember studying artistic movements. We are in a new movement currently but which lacks a name. In a world where Dystopic novels are translated to the screen and where electronics have taken the place of relationships, it is comforting to see that imagination and expressiveness still win out. Enjoy this part of her series but please follow the links above so you can see more of Adrien's fascinating virtuosity.














You also know how much I love Vimeo. So here is a film that chronicles a behind the scenes look at this artist and her art.



Behind the Scenes of Orange from Adrien Broom on Vimeo.
Thursday, January 23, 2014

Minted


There are hundreds of ways to announce your new baby's arrival. You can text it, email it, tweet it, Facebook it, Instagram it or e-card it. My favorite way to announce anything whether it's a birth announcement or a birthday celebration is the old fashioned way. Get a beautiful card customized for a reasonable fee and send it by snail mail!

Minted has literally hundreds of options for birth announcements and celebrations to fit any taste and most budgets!

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, it dawned on me that with all the holiday hullabaloo, perhaps a great idea next year, instead of Christmas cards how about Valentine's cards? Why not? Who says we have to stick with the Christmas card?






Or, if you sort of a stickler for tradition, how about a New Year's card? Check these little sweeties out! I especially love the Roman Numerals!




Just go see Minted. You can live chat if you need help. And there are plenty of possibilities not just with cards and stationery. You can also get party decorations like bunting flags and art prints too!





I can't say enough about he goodness that is this company! They have an affiliate program which helps launch living, breathing real people to artistic success. And a separate affiliate program for photographers as well. It's a savvy company for savvy customers.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

The Inspired: Being Human


Flickr

Pain that just sits
Like a lazy student shits
all over respect for others
it burns like brothers
who steal wives
it festers like wounds that take lives
It's human I guess
I wear it today like an ugly dress
apathy runs in me
I don't care about the handsome man
I don't care about the giggling girl
I'm Free
Except for the 
Pain that just sits.
Monday, January 20, 2014

DIY Lace Resin Cuff Bracelet


Oh this is a fun one. I feel like I haven't done an in depth post about anything arty or do-it-yourself-ish for a while. As today is  free day from work (thank God), I decided to go for it. Not without some trial and error, such is experimentation.

A cuff is my favorite kind of body embellishment. It is a statement without being IN YOUR FACE. I like a statement necklace as well, but since I am petite I often feel like the necklace swallows me. A cuff bracelet is more subtle but just as statement making.

This one happens to be made of Shrinky-Dink resin paper. You can get it at Michaels or any comparable craft store.

Your materials:

1 sheet shrinky dink matte sided 'paper.'
1 pair scissors
1 design you like (I used an image of lace)
1 oven

Directions:

  1. Print the design you've chosen onto the sheet of Shrinky-Dink paper (make sure your printer can handle it and that the color will not rub off on your skin - if you're so inclined, you can buy special printable Shrinky-Dink paper but it's a bit dear for the wallet).
  2. Pre-heat the oven to 325,
  3. You'll use the entire length of the paper but the width is up to you. If your paper is 8x10, use all 10 inches, but you may want to trim the 8 inch width down to 6 or 7 inches - I trimmed it to 6 inches.
  4. Punch holes on either end of your shrink paper. These are where you'll add the leather or wire or whatever element you'll use to close the cuff (that which will keep it on your arm).
  5. Lay the prepared piece on a parchment lined cookie sheet printed side up.
  6. Put the cookie sheet in the oven and check your design after about a minute. *when you check the piece it will look curled in the oven - don't fret - remove it, wrap it around a glass or anything of similar size to your wrist - and put it back in the oven to remove bumps and blemishes.
  7. After you've removed your piece, move quickly and re-shape it if you've put it in the oven for a second go 'round.
  8. Let it cool and add your leather. The closure type is up to you. I originally did a double slide knot but the leather kept breaking so I didn't use that type of thing, instead I wove the leather.
  9. Voila! You have an enviable cuff. If you can find Shrinky paper that is longer than 10 inches you could forgo the leather part altogether.
  10. NOTE: Using this medium is trial an error. It can be a frustrating material to work with but hang in there. The end product is worth the trouble.





This was my first attempt. You can see the break in the plastic on the upper right part of the bracelet.




I should've re-though the wearer; my arm renders as if I am an 80 year old. But you get the idea.



Sunday, January 5, 2014

"The Salt" - There's Talk

I love to give a shout out to my local peeps. I've loved this San Francisco trio - "There's Talk" - for a little while and I am so happy they are growing. I saw them at Bottom of the Hill back in November and I was hooked. I visit their website from time to time and since they are now releasing their first EP - "Tiny Strands" - I thought I'd give a look see! And voila - A simply stunning video of "The Salt," on the front page of Vimeo.

They are a folk/electronic band, fully listenable by anyone at anytime. They are fronted by Olivia Lee whose vocals carry you to other lands much like your favorite book - both angelic and haunting. Her range is amazing and the bands lyrics are ethereal and prophetic.

This beautiful art piece supports the fact that often times we don't know we are incomplete until we meet a complementary counter-piece. I could bathe in the sound of this for days - the visual makes the lyricism all the more sumptuous.

Enjoy!



THERE'S TALK : THE SALT from marta m. m. dymek on Vimeo.