Bring Your A Game

Bring Your A Game from poppiesandpaperbacks on 8tracks Radio.

It's a good Autumn Music Mix. I've published it before but 8 Tracks has since changed their formatting and so I am re-publishing it. Sadly, there are ads.

 Also, I want to give a shout out to my standby therapist. If you need a boost today or any day, I never don't (pretty sure this is a double negative - let's go with it) learn something from Jenny at The Bloggess. All the songs start with A! 1. Across the Sky - Emilie Autumn 2. Any Second Now - Depeche Mode 3. Another Sky - Scenic 4. Alfie - Lily Allen 5. Animal - Miike Snow 6. Actor Out of Work - St. Vincent 7. Adult Education - Hall and Oates 8. Addicted - Amy Winehouse 9. All I Believe In - The Magic Number + Amadou & Miriam 10. Aha! - Imogen Heap 11. Australia - The Shins 12. April In Paris - Count Basie

Wilted Chard with Citrus Vinaigrette and Roasted Walnuts

It's nearing the end of Chard season here in Northern California, so I thought it only appropriate to do something with some. My mom used to make "Swiss Chard" when we were young and pair it with a roast chicken. I got a great recipe for sausage and bean soup with Chard from a friend when I lived in Italy. And, now, it's a pretty common green (when it's in season) in our house. This recipe, even if you hate greens is really yummy and even though it seems really fancy (pinky up) it's super easy to make. (I really wish my photography skills were a little better - sorry, guys.)

Ingredients:

1 bunch any color chard
1/2 cup whole walnuts
1 orange zested and juiced
1 clove garlic crushed
1/2 Cup + 1 Tbsp. olive oil
3 Tbs. apple cider vinegar
pinch sugar
salt, black pepper and red pepper flakes (to taste)

Directions:

Roughly chop chard
Add 1 Tbsp olive oil to pan on medium/low heat
Add chard to pan and cook stirring frequently so you don't overcook it
Add walnut halves in second pan, dry roast over medium low heat (watch them closely) and remove when they are brown with some "roasted" black bits - remove from heat
When Chard is wilted (all leaves moistened and stalks a bit tender - cooking chard mellows the flavor of the green) remove from heat and set aside.

Now that both the walnuts and the greens are off the heat, time to assemble the dish
Make the dressing using the rest of the olive oil, the vinegar, the orange juice and the crushed garlic, then add pinch sugar - emulsify
Toss greens with dressing, scant orange zest (reserving the rest for garnish), some walnuts (also reserving the rest) and salt and pepper - plate on serving dish
Grind some red pepper on top
Garnish with the reserved orange zest and walnuts
Enjoy!

Treasures 3 - Dear Dottie and Old Dead Ned

Oh, man I love these two. Much to Dottie's dismay and every effort to thwart, Ned just won't take no for an answer. The poor dear; he's dead, for crying out loud.

Tara sent me Ned. He is actually a tiny finger puppet for tiny fingers. But somehow he made his way to Dottie. And why wouldn't he? She's a beauty. Dottie is a tiny (probably German) porcelain bust. Very tiny; about the size of the tip of your finger. But just the right size for Ned.

The White Pepper Clothing

I have been going nuts about this label I recently found - The White Pepper . Perhaps it is the dolly influence in my life or the fact that I have finally embraced that I AM AN ARTIST - Shouty caps for personal impact - lest I forget. In any case these clothes are comfortable, well priced, made of natural fabrics (mostly) and are wear anywhere items. I mean they're not for sexy, sexy time, but they are super cute. I love a style/fashion house with a sense of friggin' humor. We all tend to take ourselves WAY too seriously in this world.

Check it out!

This one is my favorite of the examples I've posted here. Oh a pressed white anything makes me go nutty - but this is LEATHER!!!! MIND BLOWN! And that high/low hem tease - oh so great! And that contrasting lace? OY VEY! It is both little girlish and avantgarde. I need it!

I've been enjoying looking for other little places that I can find high quality, fashionable clothing at a reasonable price. Here are few: Olive and Pepper, the beloved Lulu's and how about this one called Albumip (probably a Chinese company; great prices and interesting things) follow the links to see what I've found.

Art!

I have been away because in addition to tons of work travel and Walt Disney World, I have also been embroiled in making mass amounts of art. Blogging is sort of like your "network." Some people in your network have more priority than others. Family and work are obviously at the top of that hierarchy. Unfortunately, blogging had to take a little backseat. I am not one of those bloggers you see on Pinterest, "Make $10,000 a month blogging."

I am part of a group show at Art of Toys in July and I am feverishly getting my little monsters together. I never want to let a garbage monster out of my paws though so I have had to work and rework some of these guys. I think you may know them if you follow my Poppies page on IG. I haven't always thought of myself as an actual artist and I have certainly not called myself an artist but now that I am the age I am and have accrued the body of work that I have, I have crossed over and now actually quite confidently call myself an artist.

I have been sculpting monsters. Here are a few examples:

 I was planning to post lots of other things since I last posted in December. Maybe I still can. I'd love to post our Christmas Dinner. Is it silly to post a winter meal in the Spring?

Treasures 2 - A Knitted Spaceship and Wizzle, Twizzle and Betty

When I was a little girl, we lived in Connecticut where my father practiced medicine in an office that was part of our house. Many of his patients were neighborhood folks, some of whom lacked resources with which to pay the doctor. So my father took tomatoes, pickles and hand knitted items in return for tetanus shots and check ups.

One such knitted item was this flying saucer. At the time, dad and I would sit in the evening and watch hours of Sagan and Nova. I think he probably shared some of this info with his patients. And now, I have inherited this magnificent piece of art.

It is one of my greatest treasures, although Wizzle, Twizzle and Betty only make their appearances during the Christmas season. Perhaps I'll keep them out all year 'round?

What I Love About Christmas

Sometimes, during the Christmas season, we get lost in the "GET."

But what really "FEELS" good are these things...

Whats the stuff that evokes your favorite Christmas feelings?

source

John S. Goodall

It's the whole ENTIRE film, guys! The whole thing!!! (Thanks You Tube!!!!)

And....THIS! UNCLE!

Diversions #2 - How to Get Dressed

I'd say I am what some might a call a "slave to fashion," or perhaps a "fashion maven," or a "clothes horse." whatever the nomenclature is, I'd say it's true. I, like my mother and grandmother and sister, truly love fashion. I love textiles, the culture of clothing and dressing, the fashion world glossy magazines and shopping. But I also love history. In fact, I have curated an art show about fashion and published an academic paper in a university art magazine about the fashion of Elsa Schiaparelli and the costumes of Walter Schnakenberg.

Today we will look over something like this:

Mrs. Cadoux at The Tate

A friend of mine shared this with me becasue she knows my great love of clothing and fashion history. She's pretty thoughtful.

In the 18th Century (Britain specifically - for our purposes), wealthy women had servants to dress them. They needed lots of help getting dressed becasue the chore was sheer drudgery. See the video below which delineates all of the extraordinary details and the great undertaking that getting dressed was. This was the time of the Rococo art movement in Europe so opulence was a mark of high society and the fashion reflects that as well as the art.

This is from The Lady Lever Art Gallery 

   

But you can read more here at the Encyclopedia of Fashion.
And here at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
And here, too, at Jane Austen's World.

A Gentleman in Moscow

I haven't posted about a book in a while. In fact, it's been years. But this was such a great read that I cannot pass it by. I want to share it with the world! It is "A Gentleman in Moscow" by Amor Towles. My friend Joan told me about it. It was a selection for her book club (which I have inserted myself into). At first I was reluctant to read it (fearful it was a dramatic novel) but I am so glad I did. It is one of my Top 10 favorite books!

Below is the trailer for the brilliant novel "A Gentleman in Moscow." This little film is equally magnificent!

 

from Delphine Burrus on Vimeo.