She's Crafty

Been a long time

2009-07-08T14:20:00.002-04:00

Just a couple of goodies to tell about. This blog is probably going by the wayside, soon. However, I am tweeting (see sidebar to follow me), and have started a Tumbler post at Sketchy Grrl. That's much more fun for me than trying to actually write about my life. Plus you'll see the sketches from my drawing class there.

Like this one:

Hope to see you there

Earth Hour

2009-03-26T10:23:00.003-04:00

Now here's a cool idea. Light a candle on Saturday night for one hour, turn off the lights and cast a vote for earth. You can sign up here.

Big Birthday Weekend

2009-02-24T11:48:00.005-05:00

I turned 41 on Saturday, and have the scars to prove it. It was a wonderful, busy, fun birthday weekend, and I still have two more "gatherings" to go. I love the fact that I am connected with many different people and groups; it allows me to spend time with a myriad of types and helps me to keep expanding my own beliefs and question the way I see the world.

Here's how I spent my birthday weekend-
Friday after work; a couple of quick drinks with co-workers (and friends) at a great local spot, the Daily Planet. It's a cool and funky place with great food, and fairly well-priced, especially if you eat off the bar menu. We got a surprise visit from the college president, who bought the first round! Thanks, Tim.

I ran home, showered, changed, flattened my hair for serious rock-star stylin' and headed out to meet my dear friend Ian, and another couple for dinner at Pacific Rim. It's a terrifically tiny place on St. Paul Street that serves, well, yes, Asian food. Delicious and cheap. Then it was off to Higher Ground in South Burlington! It's been several months since I've been to a show at the club there, Neko Case was my last one, I think. Railroad Earth was playing. They were not my usual fare, but a very talented group of musicians, nonetheless. Here's a couple of shots from the club.

(that's Ian)

Saturday was a bit more low-key. During the day I cleaned the house and ran a few errands, then met Mom and Dad for an early dinner at Shanty on the Shore by the Burlington Waterfront. Mom and Dad gave me a fantastic 6 quart All-Clad Dutch Oven, hooray!

The Shanty has been there since the mid-80's and is just a fun, family-friendly fish house. Nothing fancy, but if you want deep-fried seafood, give it a go. After dinner, Dad and I went up to UVM to watch the dullest hockey game I've seen in years. Go Cats?

Sunday rolled around. I got right up and moving; hit the laundry-mat and then met my friend Jennaflower and her daughter Uma to go to the Mind & Body Expo at the Sheraton. We dropped Uma off with a friend and had brunch at Penny Cluse Cafe, yet another wonderful food destination in downtown. I'm telling you, it's like I ate my way through B-town this weekend.

Finally, Sunday evening I got myself all glammed up and headed out to Koi & Eric's place in Westford for their annual Oscar Party. And let's just say here and now that it was one of the best Oscar events in a long time. Well, the party wasn't the usual crowd, thanks to the big storm that rolled in that evening. Most folks stayed home. This is a photo I took on the way back into town on Monday morning.

Yes, I took Monday off and relaxed!

Cheese Alert

2009-02-05T09:06:00.001-05:00

Okay, this is totally hokey, but I love it!

The Wrath of God

2009-01-29T09:06:00.003-05:00

I finished a new piece in the crow line last night. This time crow is almost missing; a tiny speck in the upper-middle portion of the painting. Crow Flees the Approaching Storm is acrylic and found images on canvas board, 16"x 20". An atomic storm? The hand of the almighty? Perhaps a bit of each. All rights reserved, please!

Flying above it all

2009-01-15T08:42:00.002-05:00

Two days ago I finished a new painting that continues the crow theme. This one if very hippie-art inspired in my mind, but I love it. Acrylic on canvas, 12 x 16", it's called Crow's Dream.

Art from the Heart

2009-01-06T09:20:00.004-05:00

There is a new art fundraiser happening in February at the Firehouse Gallery in Burlington.

Art from the Heart was started in 1994 by Abby Rose, and is modeled after the Harlem Art Studio in Harlem NY. Our goal with this program is to facilitate self-expression with recovering children. Our philosophy is simple and direct: allow children to grow and heal through their own creative process.

Art from the Heart's official partnership with Fletcher Allen began when it became a program of Burlington City Arts in 1997 and has remained strong ever since. Each year, the program showcases the young artists' work by producing an assortment of greeting cards that can be pre-ordered for the holiday season or a special occasion. Art from the Heart also exhibits patient's work several times throughout the year, where families of participating children, donors, volunteers and administrations from BCA and Fletcher Allen come together to celebrate the children, volunteers, and the art of healing.

Please come if you can, the even is on February 10th, 2009 from 5:30-7:00 pm. Raffle tickets are $25 and includes the price of admission. To make a donation to this worth cause, go here. For more information about the event, click on the Art from the Heart link above.

Brrrr...

2008-12-22T08:43:00.001-05:00

Yes, very cold, with lots and lots of snow here in B-town. At least it's just in time for Christmas.

Let it snow

2008-12-12T10:03:00.002-05:00

First real snow arrived in B-town today. I took these photos standing in the atrium space at work and looking up at the glass ceiling. hahahahaha! Glass Ceiling! Wow.

I like the first one better. Both of these feel almost like stained glass to me. Very cool.

Fresh Paint

2008-12-11T15:49:00.003-05:00

I just finished up my first "real" painting in about 6 months. It was nice to be working directly on a stretched canvas, with nothing other than paint and gesso. I'm very happy with the results. For a long time I've wanted to do a bird painting; I've discovered they seem to be my totem animal (I have a tattoo of a Phoenix on my back) and lately I've either been collecting other work with birds in it, or using birds in some of my collage work. Prior to now, however, I've never tackled the subject head on. This piece is 16 x 20" and is titled Crow Gets Rejected. All rights reserved. It's a bad photograph, the top area should be a much brighter pink, but there's basically no natural light in Vermont anymore.

More mixed media art

2008-12-03T10:16:00.003-05:00

I just finished a new piece, in time for a show at Opportunities Credit Union on the corner of North Street and North Avenue. Ric, from Kasini House called and asked if I would put some work up there for the months of December - February. There are currently 9 pieces of mine in the show. Stop by and take a gander!

This one is called Meet Virginia, and is 18 x 24 on vellum. Very much mixed media. Acrylic paint, found images (including that great print on handmade paper of the woman's face), colored pencil, and glitter. This was a fun piece to work on; I had actually started on it months ago, and then, of course, got busy working on other projects. Having to put up a show is great for lighting a fire under my ever-widening bottom. God, I need to start doing Yoga again.

There's a New Kid in Town

2008-11-05T08:15:00.002-05:00

Nuff' said.

Just Because I'm Paranoid...

2008-10-30T08:49:00.003-04:00

I know you know the rest of the line. The election is less than one week from today. I know my choice, I'm proud to say I'm voting for Obama. However, I also recognize that while part of me wants to believe that he'll sweep the electoral college, part of me is terrified of what could happen instead. What if he doesn't win? I'm not kidding, I've not been sleeping well for the last several days, and I honestly believe it's because I'm so worried about the outcome of this election.

I'm 40 years old and I've seen enough Presidents to know what I want and what's important to me. I hate that our country is so desperately divided right now, and that our economy is in the toilet and that I and a few others are actually worried about our civil rights. I hate that we are in an illegal war and that every day we go deeper in debt because of it. I hate that our current President has lied to his country over and over again, has abused his power, and, quite frankly, is less intelligent than I am.

So much of my hopes for this nation, THAT I LOVE, are riding on what happens on November 5th. Not the 4th, because I believe that people will turn up, and that most folks will vote the way I want them to. No, I worry about the next day. The day of the returns. I'm not the only one who feels this way. Mitchell Bard, writing for the Huffington Post, put it beautifully- talking about voter fraud:

The Ohio problems are not unique. Early voters in West Virginia had their computer monitors flip their Obama votes to McCain, and a confusing North Carolina ballot, which excludes the presidential race when someone chooses to vote a party line, may cost Obama, by one estimate, tens of thousands of votes. Today brought news of a flyer in Virginia telling Democrats to vote on November 5 (the day after the election), and a man in Florida posing as a worker for a Democratic candidate for Congress (but whose information was traced back to a consultant of the Republican incumbent) taking ballots from Democrats and promising to deliver them. And that doesn't even include the widespread purges of voters in Democratic neighborhoods conducted by Republican state officials.

Writing about race:

Both the New York Times (Pennsylvania) and the New Yorker (Ohio) have recently done features on rust-belt white voters, and in each case, it's clear that Obama has to overcome some pretty strong race-based biases. The Times piece features one voter saying, "I'm no racist, but I'm not crazy about him either. I don't know, maybe 'cause he's black" (the person claimed to be voting for Obama anyway), while another remarks, "He scares me. The coloreds are excited, but my friends and I plan to write in Hillary's name." When I read the last line, chills of fear and disgust literally shot up my spine. I don't know what bothered me the most: that someone would care so much about a candidate's race (the positions of Clinton and Obama are so similar), that the person would admit it to a New York Times reporter, or that the person would use the term "colored." It's 2008. How often do you, in your day-to-day life, hear that word? I can remember someone using it to me once in the last 20 years (and, oddly, it happened a few weeks ago, but it had nothing to do with Obama).

So, yes, I'm having trouble falling asleep at night. But at least I'm not the only one thinking about it.

Flu Shot Drama

2008-10-21T10:56:00.000-04:00

I ran over to my Doctor’s office for a 5-minute flu shot.

Waiting for a spot in parking lot to open up: 5 minutes.
Waiting to be called: 5 minutes.
Shot’s potentially lethal side effects read to me: 4 minutes.
Shot given: 1 minute.
Explanation of the fact that the nurse somehow got a spot of my blood on her finger: 2 minutes.
Coaxing of patient to allow them to draw blood to be tested for HIV, Hepatitis B & C: 3 minutes.
Patient sits and waits for paperwork and needles: 15 minutes.
Patient has to sign release form and give out life’s sweet nectar: 5 minutes.
Patient is allowed to leave: Priceless

Life In A Jar

2008-10-16T11:13:00.004-04:00

Irena Sender and her daughter, 1950. Photo from Irena Sender.org

I just found out about this, and thought I'd share the news:

Two performances of Life in a Jar, the heroic story of Irena Sendler, a Catholic social worker who saved 2,500 Jewish children from certain death in the Warsaw ghetto will take place Sunday, October 19 at 2:30 PM and again at 7:30 PM at Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, 188 North Prospect Street. This play was written by three girls from a poor, rural high school in Kansas, who found a brief reference to Sendler's heroism while doing research for a school history project and were moved to use the story. Governor Douglas has proclaimed October 17th as IRENA SENDLER DAY to honor both her legacy and the Life in a Jar students, who rescued Sendler's remarkable story from obscurity. The performance is suitable for all adults and for children in middle school and high school.

Six Kansas students and their teacher, Norm Conard, are coming to Vermont to present the play in Montpelier, Middlebury and Burlington. These Kansas students have performed their play in the U.S., Canada and Poland. Their presentation highlights the legacy of Irena Sendler, her belief in the worth and dignity of all people, the need to respect all people and the power of one person to make a difference in the world. Due to their efforts, Sendler, who recently died at the age of 98, became a national hero in Poland. In 2007, the President of Poland and the Prime Minister of Israel jointly nominated her for the Nobel Peace Prize.

The local performance at Ohavi Zedek Synagogue is sponsored by Christ Church Presbyterian, Merchants Bank, The University of Vermont Carolyn and Leonard Miller Center for Holocaust Studies and the University of Vermont Hillel Center. Tickets are only $5.00 apiece and are available at the door.

She's Crafty! (again)

2008-10-13T14:39:00.003-04:00

I managed to do it; make things. I've started making jewelry using scraps left-over from all the collage work I was doing. So far just a few simple earrings and some pins. So far, I like the pins best. I have ordered some beads, however, and will be testing the waters and trying to make some bracelets and necklaces.

Here are a few images from the test runs:

Summer of Love earrings

Wild style earrings,

Modern girl pin, and

Virgin pin.

The Gwiz! name I am using for now, but that will probably change. I'm meeting with a few folks to talk about where to try and sell these, and am starting to think more about what I want my "look" to be. Pop art meets vintage? Yes, but how to pull it off... sigh. For a complete view of what I've documented so far, go here.

Education Change

2008-10-13T08:50:00.000-04:00

Theresa is a good friend of mine.

Inside/Outside

2008-10-10T11:24:00.003-04:00

I just finished reading a very interesting book by Greg Bottoms, who is an English professor up at UVM. It's titled The colorful Apocalypse and is about visionary Outsider artists. I looked up a few images, and it's really amazing work:

This is Idolatry by William Thompson and Norbert Kox (who is also a VA), and this image:

I'm calling River of Jordan (since I don't know the title) is by Howard Finster, who did the cover of the Talking Heads Album Little Creatures.
Bizzare and cool.

October 15, 2008

2008-09-26T08:32:00.002-04:00

Blog Action Day will take place on October 15, 2008. On that day, you are invited to post about poverty in any way, shape or form. You just have to think about it.

Go here for more information.

More about the book

2008-09-23T13:03:00.003-04:00

The book is getting close (I think) to finishing. At this point I have 25 images created. I dropped it off at the gallery on Friday after work, and Ric is deciding whether or not we continue. It is taking me much longer to create the images than I thought it would. I'm worried about their production schedule, and Ric's worried about the artistic process; which he wants to have be the driving factor, not when they need to publish by. I love him for that.

I had a last big push to finish up 4 different images, and here are the results:

Polar Choices,

Past Desire,

Wishful Thinking, and finally,

Some Choice. All images, all rights reserved.

One other thing- I found this in the stairwell at work after lunch today-

Seriously, they need to be reminded to turn in the lotto tickets?

Art Opening this Friday

2008-09-23T09:39:00.003-04:00

Carol MacDonald is a local artist and faculty member of the college I work for. She's also a kind, intelligent, warm human being. Her work is beautiful and mindful. Please come! The show is in the main gallery of the Firehouse Center for the Visual Arts.

That same evening, another wonderful, funny, warm, talented local artist and faculty member will be having her opening in the gallery's Community Darkroom. Ann Clayton Barlow's work is stunning. Come check it out - below is one of her Industrial Landscapes.

Education and Politics

2008-09-18T10:32:00.001-04:00

Educational background of candidates:
Obama:
Occidental College - Two years.
Columbia University - B.A. political science with a specialization in international relations.
Harvard - Juris Doctor (J.D.) Magna Cum Laude

Biden:
University of Delaware - B.A. in history and B.A. in political science.
Syracuse University College of Law - Juris Doctor (J.D.)

McCain:
United States Naval Academy - Class rank 894 of 899

Palin:
Hawaii Pacific University - 1 semesterNorth Idaho College - 2 semesters - general study
University of Idaho - 2 semesters - journalism
Matanuska-Susitna College - 1 semester
University of Idaho - 3 semesters - B.A. in journalism

You pick, really.

How Can I resist?

2008-09-17T09:09:00.003-04:00

This great quote showed up in my alerts today thanks to the Huffington Post:

According to London's Daily Telegraph, the architects of the Palin Doctrine are a group of people who have been singularly wrong about virtually everything in the last decade -- the neocons, who have been briefing Palin for weeks. She's perfect for the neocons: likeable on the outside, a blank slate on the inside.

Go here for the blog about it.

Turn the page

2008-09-13T11:38:00.003-04:00

Vinnie’s book continues to make headway. Although I discovered today that the pages that I’ve been listing on my Flickr account don’t actually match up with the number of works I have created. I must have forgotten to take photos of some of them. I’m finished with 19 pages now, and am completing up to 25 and handing that in by Thursday of next week. At that point, we will re-evaluate and decide if more work is needed and change our production schedule, or if we can just publish as is.

That being said, here’s a look at the most recent stuff I’ve done:

What you don't know

Why limit yourself?

The Pink O; a mighty breath

Tethered

Drawbridge Moderne

And finally, I'm taking part in the Dance Dance Marathon again this year! I start at 6 pm tonight, and go until Midnight. If you are in downtown Burlington, Vermont tonight, swing by City Hall Park and say hello.

Wedded bliss

2008-09-11T15:47:00.001-04:00

Look! I was crafty! I made these signs for my good friends Mark and Amy for this past Saturday. Yippee!

Fairyland

2008-09-10T12:51:00.002-04:00

Where you can trip gaily along through the sage colored meadows...

My friend Julie is moving to the town of Bishop's Castle in another month or so, and that's on the town's website. It's really, really pretty, however, and a new excuse for me to get my passport. Plus, if Obama doesn't win the election, I'm not going to put myself through another 4 years of Republican control, and will need to leave the country.

Catch Up

2008-09-03T09:15:00.003-04:00

So very much has been happening, I need to bring everyone up to speed, and get better about posting again.

First, Bonestock. Yes, we had a blast. The weather turned fine by late in the day on Friday, the clouds finally moving away and opening up the scenic views we were all hoping for.

This was the view on Friday evening, from the top of the hill looking down over the valley. The remainder of the weekend was picture perfect; sun, blue skies, little puffy clouds.

That's the flagpole at the top of the hill on Saturday morning. We created a wall of art,

this was the final product on Sunday morning. We listened to fantastic bands,

like The Noisy Neighbors, and we sat by a raging fire at night.

Could it have been better? Well, a bike was stolen and then found a day later in Northfield, and my tent got moved into the woods and my stuff thrown around. We had folks show up who weren't invited, and they caused some trouble. But, next year we'll do invite only and will post a watch at the bottom of the hill.

After a few days of recovery, I got back into the studio, to continue work on Vinnie's book:

Page 5,

page 6, Virginia's Room, and below, page 7, Big Bad Woolf.

Whew! Okay, I'm close to caught up, and there will be more soon...

Wordle

2008-08-22T08:49:00.004-04:00

I have so much more posting I need to do, I realize. For now, however, just something fun.

That's my blog!

Coming Soon...Bonestock 2008!

2008-08-13T13:58:00.005-04:00

Gearing up this weekend for Bonestock, a wonderful, one-of-a-kind music festival in Central Vermont. I haven't been for about 3 years now. This photo was taken last year, probably by my friend Erik, who owns the land. I stole it from the website. Here is my list of needs:

Cooler from Emily (she's got one with wheels)
Tent
Sleeping Bag/Pillow
Chair
Beer & Wine
Chicken (for grillin’)
Cheese & Crackers
Fruit
Eggs & sausage for breakfast
Bread
Various other snacky things
Bottled water
Toilet Paper
Insect repellent
Sun block (if I’m lucky)
Camera
Flashlight & batteries
Book in case of rain
Ice, Ice, Baby

I'll store my drinks behind the bar, and Don will dish them out as I go get:

The Bar...
It's gotten a lot bigger than the last time I was there. Lots of pictures after this weekend, I promise. I'll be down there Friday and Saturday night, as long as we don't have a ton of rain again, and back in town on Sunday.

Updated Gallery Link

2008-08-12T13:21:00.001-04:00

For more information about Vinnie's book; go here.

Sheep & Chocolate?

2008-08-11T13:43:00.004-04:00

This is owned by a friend of mine. Coming soon! And OMG the logo is soooo damn cute.

New Gallery Opening

2008-08-05T09:19:00.002-04:00

‘STAMINA’
Brian Zeigler and Tara Jensen

An installation completed by Zeigler and Jensen during a twenty-four hour drawing marathon. Explores time, endurance and the meaning of life. Featuring a Q&A with the artists and DJ John Brinker.Saturday, August 9th 6-10 PMFort Can Gallery & StudiosFort Can Gallery was founded in partnership with May Day Studios in July of 2008. Featuring installation art, musical happenings and month long artist residencies, Fort Can was named in tribute to childhood hideouts and military training grounds. The gallery is open Saturdays from 10:00AM to 1:00PM and by appointment: (802) 505-0714. FortCan Blog.

Tara in front of her work in the gallery. She's a FANTASTIC artist. Go see the show.

Just because

2008-08-01T10:27:00.000-04:00

Death by kittens

Picture Pages

2008-07-31T08:28:00.004-04:00

More work on Vinnie's book project:

Page 3 Frida's Choice

Page 4 Requim

I will be in the studio this Friday evening until 8pm, and Saturday from 10-4. Stop by if you can.
AND, The return of Covet of the Week

Skel-E-Flamingo from PushinDaisies.com

No Foolin'!

2008-07-30T16:03:00.001-04:00

From BCA, the weekend of August 9th, 2008. Fun, fun, fun!

First Images from Vinnie's Book

2008-07-17T08:17:00.003-04:00

Cover Page

Pages 1 & 2.

If you go to my Flickr page you'll see the close up shots of each of those.

Gogh your own way

2008-07-15T09:35:00.003-04:00

The Van Gogh project has begun!

I have officially started work at the Kasini Gallery on North Street in Burlington. I have my own studio there for the months of July & August, and began working on my altered book over the weekend. At the end of this time period, I will (hopefully) have completed 40 images, with roughly the equivlant amount of writing. We anticipate an October show opening with the original art on the walls, to coincide with the publication of the book! Yes, yes, I said a book! My artwork, my writing, and possibly an essay about the work written by someone else. Very exciting. First press will be a run of 1,000. The original work will then be rebound (haven't figured out this piece yet), and sold as a set. Think museums! Think collectors! Think positive thoughts!

God. I'm terrified.
I'm happy to have folks pop in and say hello during hours that I'm there and the gallery is open. Gallery hours are:
Thursday, Noon to 6PM
Friday, Noon to 6PM
Saturday, 10AM to 4PM

I shall try and post images when I am able to; and please come for the South End Ramble on July 26th!

What's Not to love?

2008-07-01T13:39:00.001-04:00

I mean, really. Don't ask where I found it. Couldn't find it again if I tried.

First Ride

2008-06-16T09:51:00.002-04:00

This was the path of my first real bike ride of the season. Mom, dad, and I left from Battery Park in downtown Burlington, and fell 1/2 miles short of the Colchester causeway. I did 16.6 miles! Not bad for my first trip out. The day was just about as perfect as you can get; this is a view from the bridge on the bikepath:

And here are Mom and Dad posing with Mom's new bike. They are soooo damn cute! It was a wonderful father's day, I'm really lucky to have the relationship I do with my parents.

Surprise!

2008-06-13T09:49:00.001-04:00

This photo showed up in my email today, along with this note from my office mate:

Well, something came up this morning, and I’m going to need to work from home and take some time off this afternoon. My brother and family are headed out of town today for the weekend, and Mom was going to dog sit their two dogs at their home. However, they have an unwelcome guest (see pic below) who’s been in their yard two days in a row. So I will be taking care of them here and need to pick the dogs up today before they leave. It will be mayhem here for a little while.

Sorry ‘bout that.

Is she kidding?

Tornado! (Maybe)

2008-06-10T15:32:00.003-04:00

There are possible tornados in our area (which happens very rarely). This is an email that just went out:
Vermont Department of Health Severe Weather Guidelines for June 10, 2008
I. Severe Weather/Tornado Status

Although a tornado is a possible by-product of the adverse weather conditions headed toward Vermont, a tornado is not likely. What is likely is severe weather, including high winds and large hail today.

II. Severe Weather Alerts

The National Weather Service tracks weather conditions. When severe high wind or tornado is likely for a given area, the Weather Service will issue an automatic warning via radio and television. Employees may wish to keep radio(s) turned on today.

III. Sheltering Procedure in the Event of Severe Weather/Tornado

When a warning has been issued by the National Weather Service, or when a severe weather has otherwise been sighted in the vicinity, or when notified by an emergency e-mail, employees should seek shelter as follows:

A. If Underground Shelter Is Present (Parking Garage or other building):
1. Proceed in an orderly manner to the P1 parking level..
2. Check in with their office evacuation coordinator just as in a fire drill.
3. Position yourself on the true north side of the parking garage (US Post Office side).
4. Stand near a large object (automobile) next to which you can curl up in the event of a building collapse. Do not get under the object, but rather next to it.
In the event of a building collapse, the object will create a “pyramid of life” between the collapse ceiling and the crushed auto.

B. If No Underground Shelter is Present:
1. Go into an interior room or interior hallway as low in the building as possible and away from windows.
2. Position yourself near the true north side of the room and next to a large sturdy object if such is available.
3. In the event of a building collapse, curl up next to the large sturdy object in order to take advantage of any pyramid of life that may be created during the collapse.
C. If Outdoors or in an auto:
1. Seek shelter, as above.
2. If no shelter, seek the lowest possible depression available.
Remember, a tornado is not a likely occurrence today, however high wind and heavy hail are a distinct possibility.

Really. A pyramid of life. Lovely, thanks.

Little piece of my heart

2008-05-21T11:42:00.003-04:00

Or of my paintbrush and muse.

These are two very tiny acrylic and colored pencil pieces I just finished. Vellum paper is my base. I am finding working on paper very organic for me; the images just appear and it all feels very natural and loose. Sorry for the terrible photography, my tripod was at work and it was very early in the morning on a grey and rainy day when I took the pictures.

Dwelling by the Sea. 2008, 8.5 x 9.5", and

Beyond the Gate. 2008, 5 x 5". Both pieces, all rights reserved. There is another piece called Sway with me that I have yet to take a decent photo of, but once I do, I'll post it.

Can we call him Speedy?

2008-05-01T08:27:00.000-04:00

It's Alive!

2008-04-24T14:06:00.001-04:00

I’m happy to report that I have been accepted as one of the artists participating in the Arts Alive Festival of Fine Art this year. This juried show has long been a highlight of the Burlington artistic community, and I am excited to be one of the fifty-six artists chosen to participate. The website is just up and more information will be available there soon, but for a sneak peak, go here.

Two more paintings

2008-04-23T09:45:00.003-04:00

I finished these up last night:

Corner Study. Acrylic, graphite, oil stick on vellum. 24x18", all rights reserved. It's an abstract of my studio. Then I started another abstracted studio piece, but it ended up like this:

After the 14th Argument. Acrylic, graphite, colored pencil on vellum. 24x18", all rights reserved. Funny how one thing turns into another. Here's a detail shot:

I love how silly and quirky these feel- very hand of the artist. They're much looser in feel than the rest of the work I had been doing for the past few months. I'm going to try staying on paper for a few more piece, and then try doing this on canvas and see what happens.

You'd think it's summer

2008-04-22T16:13:00.003-04:00

Burlington has been enjoying unseasonably high temperatures for the last several days. I took advantage of the beautiful weather and finally got around to fixing up my little porch.

These two chairs I got free of charge from a neighbor who was cleaning house. They needed to be scraped and cleaned, which I did, and the black & white one now has a nice new coat of powder blue paint! I also bought some plants, a couple of colorful hurricane lamps, and I found a great acrylic painting at Junktiques on South Willard Street.

It only cost me twelve dollars. How could I pass that up? I also found a small pine table at Upstairs Antiques on Flynn Avenue for only $16. The final result?

Honestly, the flowers cost me more than everything else combined.

First Crush, Third Memory

2008-04-09T10:42:00.002-04:00

I finished another painting in the False Memory series last night, it's called Third False Memory; Only the light was different. Acrylic on canvas, 16 x 20". I'm very happy with the piece, and may not be able to put it up for sale. I think it would look great in my kitchen.

(all rights reserved).

Also, my friend Em sent me a link to this wonderful video, and since I'm working with memory for the painting series, I thought I'd post it here.

Duh

2008-04-03T15:32:00.001-04:00

I am mortified.

Love of simple things

2008-03-31T14:34:00.002-04:00

*Sigh*

Small things that are very cute:
Sleeping kittens and little pink tongues.
Piglets.
Ryan Seacrest.
Darren Perron
These great potholders:

And more on the way. Wish I made them.

Nooooooo!!!!!

2008-03-28T11:26:00.001-04:00

MIA:Kosher Crackers

Vermont Folk Life Museum

2008-03-25T13:05:00.004-04:00

There is a fantastic exhibit at the Vermont Folk Life Museum right now titled In their own words.

In Their Own Words is a collection of personal histories from refugees who are living in Vermont. These narratives offer a glimpse into the remarkable diversity of life experiences that refugees bring to our community. While most Vermonters will never know how it feels to be a refugee, there is value in trying to consider perspectives that differ greatly from our own. These individuals have offered to share their lives as a way to deepen public understanding of a group of Vermonters that is growing everyday.

The two young men pictured below are former students of the college I currently work for. I hope you'll consider checking out the show.

Not my art, but what the heck

2008-03-25T10:47:00.004-04:00

I can't stop. Two new prints for the apartment. I love buying prints. It's an addiction, I admit. All of the other art in my apartment are my own pieces, so for me, it's a way to have other people's art on my walls. I also seem to be drawn to anything that has animals in it. For example:

So in love by Margin on Etsy.

And then there is this:

Winged Cowboy by BerkleyIllustration on Etsy. I know, not technically an animal. Still.

On another note, I've been watching the first season of NYPD Blue on DVD. I forgot how much I used to love the show. David Caruso before he got too full of himself. Okay, yes, that was rather catty. I also forgot, however, the joys of women fashions in the 90's. I mean really, how did anyone ever get laid? The shiny fabric, the shoulder pads, the bad prints. And yet, it was a sexy, sexy show. Bare asses all over the place. Take, for example, Sharon Lawrence:

Um, yes, I did, at one point have just about that hair cut.

Sun?

2008-03-21T16:14:00.002-04:00

Not here.

But in New Mexico, that's a different story. Lucky parents.

I've hit the big time

2008-03-17T13:11:00.003-04:00

It's my new site. I'm just loading the images now, so more to come later. A perma link is found on this blog under "goodies".

Thanks for looking!

Say it isn't so!

2008-03-14T10:23:00.002-04:00

Polaroid Film is running out of stock. Buy it while you can. I'm totally stocking up.

3rd Party Choice

2008-03-11T09:09:00.001-04:00

Anthony Pollina is officially running for Governor of Vermont. Please consider choosing him.

Anthony Pollina

Creature Comforts

2008-03-10T09:47:00.001-04:00

Have you seen it? No?
Sit down.

They like me!

2008-03-07T13:04:00.002-05:00

I as the individual am not the only one affected. Collage on paper.

I'm almost afraid to post this, because it makes me sound amazing, and I'm sitting here blushing as I read it.

But, press is good. Please check it out for First Friday Art Walk.

Kasini Gallery Geiger Page.

'Nuff said

2008-02-29T11:58:00.001-05:00

Still Painting

2008-02-27T10:59:00.004-05:00

I have finished 2 pieces in the last 2 weeks. They are both acrylic on stretched canvas, 14x16".

This is River Walk

and this

is Too late to wish upon a star, First False Memory. The false memory piece is the beginning of a series I am working on. I've already started on the second piece, and am beginning the third tonight. I'm hoping for at least 4 in the series, but am betting on six.

I'm sorry the photos are so crappy, it's really hard to take good pictures of art work when there is NOT A BIT OF NATURAL LIGHT TO BE FOUND. Vermont is pretty, but please, God, bring me some sunlight.

It's your birthday...

2008-02-21T09:25:00.002-05:00

That was me, at 39. (Yesterday)

Today in history:

1925 1st issue of "New Yorker" magazine published
1958 Egypt-Syria as UAR elect Nasser president with 99.9 percent of the vote
1965 former Black Muslim leader Malcolm X was shot and killed by assassins identified as Black Muslims as he was about to address a rally in New York City; he was 39.
1968 I am born.
1970 Jackson 5 make TV debut on American Bandstand
1986 AIDS patient Ryan White returns to classes at Western Middle School

A few folks who share my birthday:
Anais Nin, 1903, novelist
Nina Simone, 1933, singer
Alan Rickman, 1946, actor.

I’ve been trying to come up with something deep and meaningful to say about turning 40. Here is what I know.

I know that the sun will always rise in the morning, and set at night.
I know that tomorrow has potential.
I know that I am strong; emotionally, spiritually, and physically, even when I don’t feel like it.
I know that life unfolds and expands before me, and I can either move with it or fight against it, but fighting it is harder.
I know that I can make life changing decisions and live with my choice.
I know that I am a beautiful, sexual being.
I know that I am creative, and will embrace those skills for the rest of my life.
I know that I am passionate; in my beliefs, and in my loves.
I know that I will never again apologize for being me.
I know that my family and friends are the most important, most constant things in my life.
I know that fun is fun and done is done.

Poke 'em if you got 'em.

2008-02-20T08:29:00.002-05:00

This video is appearing on 7 Days. There was also an editorial in the Burlington Free Press today about the cost of attending college in Vermont.

For Vermonters, a year at the University of Vermont costs about $22,500; and at the state colleges, just over $14,600. The in-state tuition at UVM is the most expensive in the country, according to the College Board. Unfortunately, schools like UVM and the state colleges lack the kind of endowments or other resources that allow them to subsidize in-state tuition further.

Higher Education is so important. Please consider giving a donation to your local college.

Another cheesy title

2008-02-10T10:48:00.000-05:00

For another cheesy paiting. It's acrylic on canvas, with oil stick. 8 x 6". Greener Pastures. I mean, really.

E_to_the_M took me out Friday night for dinner, to Tilley's Cafe in downtown Burlington.

Is the fish that fresh? Just about. The food was delish and the company could not have been better. We had a great time.
Okay, maybe being single has it's perks.

Art Overload

2008-02-05T16:19:00.000-05:00

Two images for you.
This one, I just bought, for my new apartment.

It's title is Sushi.

This one is a detail shot of a still life I am working on:

I'm calling it Orange Still Life.

Creep

2008-02-04T16:32:00.000-05:00

Thanks, George. Someone, tell me again, how much longer do I have to wait for a new one?

This year, the largest number of program terminations — 47 — are in education including elimination of programs to encourage arts in schools, bring low-income students on trips to Washington and provide mental health services.
Bush's budget budget proposes eliminating the $283 million federal program to help people make their homes more energy efficient and would cut energy aid to poor households by $500 million, a 22 percent drop over this year's spending.

Like I said, creep.

New Wall Art

2008-01-29T14:06:00.000-05:00

They will be so pretty!

Just imagine them together on a wall. From Etsy.

Covet of the Week

2008-01-29T09:23:00.000-05:00

I'll be moving soon. It's tough, and I don't want to bore you with the gorey details. New apartments, do, however, lend themselves to new decorating. Hence, the covet of the week. Once again, courtesy of DWR, the Theatre Armchair.

Also, this Friday, please come to the First 50 opening if you can, in downtown Burlington. I have a new painting in there. It's called, "Love in the telegraph office". I'm watching too much Deadwood. February 1st, 5-8pm.

Geek Speak

2008-01-25T08:34:00.000-05:00

Jobs you never knew you wanted:
Metaverse evangelist

As Second Life and other virtual worlds, called metaverses, have grown in popularity, they've transformed from a gaming novelty into a communications boon for job-hunters as well as corporate leaders. Ian Hughes, an IT specialist at IBM Hursley in Hampshire County, England, has taken on a new title -- metaverse evangelist -- to advise how these virtual worlds can benefit individuals and companies. Hughes also joined a team of specialists at IBM to develop a metaverse on the company's intranet so that employees could have a more private place to discuss their work.
While technically, Hughes, along with his colleagues, works a standard forty-hour week, as an evangelist, he continuously promotes the technology, which means plenty of hours spent in Second Life. But for the metaverse enthusiast, that's definitely a perk, along with "freedom to operate and explore," says Hughes.
Regarding salary, Hughes only comments, "Probably not as much as you would think," though the standard salary range of $60,000 to $80,000 for a computer developer is far from shabby.

R.I.P.

2008-01-18T09:26:00.000-05:00

Sigh.

Paint! Canvas!

2008-01-12T10:06:00.000-05:00

I finally started to paint again. Here's a detail shot of the piece I just finished. You can see the whole painting by clicking here. I'm really happy to be painting again. It's Acrylic on stretched canvas, and will be the piece I enter in the First 50 show if my name get's pulled out of the hat. Ah! Art by lottery, how much more utopian can you get?

I also never posted any Christmas lights photos, so go here if you want to see some. The shot above is from a house that is around the corner from us.

No Chaser

2007-12-14T14:56:00.000-05:00

This is awesome.

Wait, What?

2007-12-13T09:18:00.000-05:00

Just really, really strange.

These stars, however, may be sweetest ever.

Not-so-sound-bite

2007-12-06T09:17:00.000-05:00

Deconstructed Beans & Rice
This was dinner last night. I was on my own, because my love was out working late with his students. Brown rice, crushed tomatoes with habanero sauce, EVOO, kosher salt and pepper. The beans portion: onions, garlic, fake meat, black beans, chopped spinach, cumin, coriander, salt, pepper, oregano, apple cider vinegar, and a splash of Reisling. Not too shabby. The bread we bought, potato from Red Hen.

I'm into serious Christmas shopping now. Plus, put up lights at home, which I need to take a photo of. This evening I'm meeting mom after work for a bite to eat and hopefully a little mother-daughter shopping.

Gifts, again

2007-11-26T17:50:00.000-05:00

Another wonderful purchase, found on Etsy. Who get's? Not tellin.

Catching Up

2007-11-25T12:27:00.000-05:00

I love holiday weekends. First, I only worked for 2 ½ days, so it’s like having an entire week of vacation. Second, I got to catch up on house projects, and do lots of cooking. Third, I got to spend time with all of my family and friends that I love. Fourth, I get to blog! So, this entry is mainly about getting caught up on a lot of things that I never got to over the last week.

Cooking

I need to share the delicious recipe I used from Smitten Kitchen for one dinner last week. Stuffed Peppers with couscous and feta cheese. Fantastic! I won’t print the recipe here, you’ll have to go to the SK blog to find it, but it’s well worth the click. The only thing I would suggest is to bump up the amount of spices a bit. The stuffing on its own tastes perfect, great for a leftover lunch the next day. However, in the peppers it is a little weak. I would add some fresh parsley and lemon zest, more salt and fresh ground black pepper. For full photos, go here.

House

This is the big reveal; our new Living Room. We worked very hard, between playtimes, this weekend, and got the living room and the hallway primed and painted. The finished color is Edgecomb Grey from Benjamin Moore’s Historical collection. Turns out, Pottery Barn likes it too. We have excellent taste. For before and after photos, try this.

Thanksgiving

That’s Abu & Mom, with Jackie’s dog, Freddy. We had a wonderful time gathering with friends and family on Thursday at Jackie’s house; then met up with other friends on Friday for an early dinner at American Flatbread in downtown Burlington. There is much to be grateful for. My family, the man I love, my home, no major snow storms yet, good food, and always enough of it. My job, my friends, and the chance to spend time with people I love, to share laughter and warmth. Clean clothes, money to spend, a car to drive. Good health, both physically and mentally, for myself and my loved ones; all this and more.

My wish for you is a beautiful, loving, peaceful, bounteous season.

Holiday Shopping begun

2007-11-20T17:21:00.001-05:00

From Etsy's Maryink:

and . Sweet.

And the winner is...

2007-11-20T09:07:00.000-05:00

Lancaster Whitewash. Benjamin Moore paints.

Pick a card, any card

2007-11-19T16:51:00.000-05:00

We primed the living room on Sunday, and now we really must pick a color. Our current thought process is this; if the walls don't become the focal point, then we can really pop the eye and have more interest and contrast with other color and textures with furniture, accents, art, and the like.

Here are the three front runners for colors, thank you, Benjamin Moore paint:

November Rain, Elmira White, Edgcomb Gray. I like them all. Ugh! Too many choices. Any thoughts?

Wish List I

2007-11-13T13:11:00.000-05:00

The first item on my holiday wish list. From DWR. Cause, you know, it's a wish list. Plus, I'm redoing the living room, and it would look great in there.

More on wall color choices tomorrow.

Slackers R Us

2007-11-12T08:50:00.000-05:00

I'm jumping all over, but I saw a posting on the Front Porch Forum today about the proposal at the Moran Plant in Burlington, and thought people should be aware of it. There is a City Council Meeting on November 13th with information being presented.

Remember When?

2007-09-27T13:05:00.001-04:00

Many of you are too young to remember what it used to be like before the landmark case of Roe v Wade made abortion legal.

This is from Abbie Hoffman’s famous book about sticking it to the man, Steal This Book.

The best way to find out about abortions is to contact your local woman’s liberation organization through your underground newspaper or radio station. Some Family Planning Clinics and even some liberal churches set up abortions, but these might run as high as $700. Underground newspapers often have ads that read “Any girl in trouble call - -,” or something similar. The usual rate for an abortion is about $500 and it’s awful hard to bargain when you need one badly. Only go to a physician who is practicing or might have just lost his license. Forget the stereotype image of these doctors as they are performing a vital service. Friends who have had an abortion can usually recommend a good doctor and fill you in on what’s going to happen.
Abortions are very minor operations if done correctly. They can be done almost any time, but after three months, it’s no longer so casual and more surgical skill is required. Start making plans as soon as you find out. The sooner the better, in terms of the operation.
Get a pregnancy test at a clinic. If it is positive and you want an abortion, start that day to make plans. If you get negative results from the test and still miss your period, have a gynecologist perform an examination if you are still worried.
If you cannot arrange an abortion through woman’s liberation, Family Planning, a sympathetic clergyman or a friend who has had one, search out a liberal hospital and talk to one of their social workers. Almost all hospitals perform “therapeutic” abortions. Tell a sob story about the desertion of your boy friend or that you take LSD every day or that defects run in your family. Act mentally disturbed. If you qualify, you can get an abortion that will be free under Medicaid or other welfare medical plans. The safest form of abortion is the vacuum-curettage method, but not all doctors are hip to it. It is safer and quicker with less chance of complications than the old-fashioned scrape method.
Many states have recently passed liberalized abortion laws, such as New York* (by far the most extensive), Hawaii and Maryland, due to the continuing pressure of radical women. The battle for abortion and certainly for free abortion is far from over even in the states with liberal laws. They are far too expensive for the ten to twenty minute minor operation involved and the red tape is horrendous. Free abortions must be look-on as a fundamental right, not a sneaky, messy trauma.
*There is a residence requirement for New York but using a friend’s New York address at the hospital will be good enough. The procedure takes only a few days and costs between $200 and $500, depending on the place. The best advice is to call one of the New York Abortion Referral Services or Birth Control Groups listed in the New York Directory section.

Don't you love living now? Thank you to Offsprung for posting it first.

Goin' to the chapel

2007-09-17T15:54:00.000-04:00

This weekend we all celebrated Chris & Emily’s wedding. And I do mean celebrate.

Here is the happy couple, getting ready to cut the cake:

people dancing:

a very tired baby:

and just a cool shot:

We had a great time. Now, back to the grind. I'm so tired from the wedding, working too much, and cleaning my house that I'm putting a frozen pizza in the oven for dinner. Sad. Just sad.

Covet of the Week

2007-09-14T15:40:00.000-04:00

Engleby by Sebastian Faulks

Little fishy in the brook...

2007-09-12T19:48:00.000-04:00

I’m calling it Poor Woman’s Fish Stew, and I'm reeeeaaaallly sorry about the picture quality. Terrible lighting!

At any rate, I had some nice swai fillets that we had picked up two days ago and I needed to cook them. I sautéed up ½ a sliced small onion, 3 medium carrots, 1 medium zucchini, about 4 baby bella mushrooms, 1 clove garlic, fresh ground ginger. All of this in a saucepan with olive oil and curry oil over medium heat. I then added the zest of 1 lime, with the juice from ½ of it. I threw in salt and pepper, fresh thyme and chopped parsley. After that I added 1 tablespoon of tomato paste, some fake chicken stock, turmeric, and enough water to cover the vegetables. Let it simmer for a while. Finally, I added the swai and poached them on one side for 4 minutes, then flipped them and let cook for another three. I served all of this over brown rice.

It wasn’t half bad. But, not quite enough spice. Good amount of heat. I didn’t measure anything, of course. I’ll try it again and really measure out the spices this time and try to crank it up. I’d take some suggestions, of course!

OMG! I forgot to tell, I sold a piece from the Art Hop. I mean this to sound totally blasé. Did it sound totally blasé? Next round is on me!

Transportation Overload

2007-09-11T16:42:00.000-04:00

I was proudly involved with The Bus, Jim Lantz’s first production. His newest is coming soon, and I can’t wait.

Support local theatre!

Art Hop 2007

2007-09-08T14:29:00.000-04:00

I'm not going to waste a lot of time on words, just show a few photos of Friday night. You can see more if you follow the link.

These were taken on Pine Street at the BCA area.

And this morning I had time to set up a bit more at the Soda Plant.

Who's Got the Time?

2007-09-06T18:44:00.000-04:00

Busy, busy, busy. Art Hop is this weekend. I went today and checked out my pieces. That's one view- I'm in the Soda Plant on Pine Street. I submitted work from my "Stills" series. Rockin'- come see.

Next weekend a wedding for good friends, up in Johnson (say it with a VT accent, please!), and then on the 29th Dance Dance Marathon.

Support the arts and shake your bootie.

Covet of the Week #3

2007-08-24T15:10:00.000-04:00

Sometimes, your heart just isn't in it. My covet this week is true love. It’s been a painful week. I’ve been nursing wounds and healing. Hence no blogging. I’m not going into details, there is no need to share every little thing with the entire world. My family and friends have been fantastic; supportive and loving.

I’m back to feeling like life is better, if not fantastic. Next week I’ll step up to the plate again, but my heart was just too bruised this week, and my brain power focused elsewhere. If anyone wants to send a little positive vibe action my way, I wouldn't turn it down.

Thanks.

Covet II

2007-08-17T13:56:00.000-04:00

Can you have both good design and sustainability? Apparently so. David Trubridge, the world salutes you.

To market, to market

2007-08-17T08:57:00.000-04:00

Thank you Onion.

Not so much

2007-08-15T16:34:00.000-04:00

Remember this book?

Ummm...bad idea.

Slacker

2007-08-15T09:05:00.000-04:00

I know, I know. No blogging about crafts, or food, or the garden. I told you I get easily distracted.

I’ve been promising to tell you about the champagne from our trip to Castine. Really, it just was the best I’ve ever tasted in my life. I don’t know a lot about wine, but I’m trying to learn. Abu knows more than I do, and he’s helping, and I’m trying to read more, and try more. I like reds, mostly, and I like them big and fairly dry. I tend to really enjoy traditional French wines; Cabernet and Bordeaux are my two favorites. We’ve been trying a lot of Spanish and Chilean wines lately, and have found those very good. Often they have some spicy and chocolate under notes that I find very appealing. At any rate, while in Maine we met this fantastic couple from just outside of Melbourne, Australia. Phil and Rochelle are very warm and funny, well-traveled and intelligent. And, just our luck, Phil is a master wine-maker! They had brought a couple of bottles with them from last year, and the final Friday we were in Maine, we got to try their bubbly. God, I wish there was a way to buy it here in the states!

Keep an eye on the winery and label. If you can find a bottle anywhere, pick it up. You can read more about it here.

Coincidence?

2007-08-14T10:42:00.000-04:00

Last night, on HGTV’s Colorsplash, David gave a firehouse a new outdoor patio area. These little “poufs” were used. Today, they are on sale at DWR. Hmmm….seems fishy.

Covet

2007-08-10T11:52:00.000-04:00

A new feature! Something beautiful or fun, craft or home related. Today is the first week.
As usual, beautiful things for your home from DWR.

Can I have the plant, too?

Glass Ceilings

2007-08-08T08:26:00.000-04:00

It seems like no matter what women do, we just can never really reach those upper echelons of our chosen fields.

No woman has ever won an Academy Award for best director, and only three have ever been nominated: Lena Wertmuller for 1975's "Seven Beauties," Jane Campion for 1993's "The Piano" and Sofia Coppola for 2003's "Lost in Translation." A woman has never won the Directors Guild's top honor, either, though six have been nominated.

Troubling. I once took a fantastic class at UVM called Feminist Art Theory and one of the most interesting articles we read was an essay titled Why have there been no great women artists by art historian Linda Nochlin. The final answer came down to a similar essay and thought process by the late great Virginia Woolf in A Room of One’s Own. Women were never given the proper training, support, and freedom to be able to study their chosen craft/field the way men have always been able to do.

*sigh* Keep the faith, sisters.

Je me souviens

2007-08-07T08:35:00.000-04:00

The big find of our trip? Abu’s lucky stop into a little antique shop in Bar Harbor, Maine. We had just come down out of the hills of Acadia National Park and were poking around, looking for a souvenir, hoping to find a little ice cream (gelato was found instead) and a bathroom. We popped into this great little shop that specialized in Asian and East Asian pieces, and this is what Abu discovered:

Beautiful, isn’t it? Apparently it’s a souvenir from a Spanish Mosque, created circa 1890. The detail work is fantastic, and the lower insert is an actual photograph taken of the mosque. The Arabic isn’t perfect (yes, my love can read Arabic- how cool is that?), so Abu was able to dicker down a bit on the price. We are trying to find just the right place to hang it.

Last night’s diner was courtesy of Debra Madison, sesame tofu. Here it is getting all soaked up:

I know, it doesn’t sound fancy, but it was fantastic! Marinate firm tofu in 2 T dark sesame oil, 1 T light sesame oil (I substituted peanut), 1 ½ T sugar, 5 T balsamic or rice wine vinegar, ¼ t. red pepper flakes, 1 ½ T chopped cilantro, and ¼ cup tamari soy. I used the rice vinegar because our balsamic is very sweet and with the sugar I thought it would be too cloying. When I make it again, I’ll use a bit less soy sauce, because it was, honestly, too salty for me, and I love salt!

Let it marinate for at least 1 hour, drain and reserve the marinade, fry tofu in non-stick skillet for 5 minutes on each side with 1 T. sesame oil. Add reserved marinade and let cook down. Serve over brown rice with sesame seeds and garnish with cilantro.

I also made a quick Sweet Broccoli Stir Fry (my own recipe). You’ll need:
Broccoli florets, green beans, cleaned and prepped, and 4 large sliced mushrooms- either white button or baby bella.
1 T olive or peanut oil
¼ Cup finely chopped red onion
1 medium garlic clove, split
2 T freshly grated ginger
1 T honey (roughly)
¼ to 1/3 Cup Mango or Orange juice (I used mango)
¼ t. ground ginger, if needed
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

I was making enough for 2 people

Start by blanching Broccoli and Green Beans for 1 minute then plunge into ice water to stop cooking process. Drain well. Heat a skillet on medium and add oil. When hot, add onion and garlic and stir occasionally, cooking until onion is slightly translucent. Add grated ginger and stir, cooking for 1 minute. Remove garlic clove. Add broccoli, green beans, and sliced mushrooms, and season with salt and pepper. Stir occasionally, cooking until broccoli just starts to get a bit crispy and green beans are slightly tender. Now add the honey, stir and taste. If needed, add the ground ginger and a dash more honey. Stir to coat. Add the juice and let simmer for a few minutes.

It was FANTASTIC. Seriously, please try.

No pictures of the finished product, cause I was too hungry and just wanted to eat.

Wow. I never even got to talking about the Champagne, which I promised I would do in my last post. Okay, next time for sure.

Well fed, well rested, and tan

2007-08-06T08:54:00.000-04:00

Castine, Maine is, quite possibly, one of the prettiest places I have ever seen in my life. It’s old. The town was settled in 1610, which makes it older than Plymouth Plantation. The houses are big and beautiful; Colonial’s, Victorian’s, and farmhouses. It is a little slice of Americana, even if it is a tourist town. But not too touristy, if that makes sense. It’s just pretty and quaint, and located right on the mid-coast of Maine. I mostly shot film, so I’m waiting for those to be developed, and then will have a lot more to share.

This was looking out of our loft toward the harbor,

and this

was taken by a kind soul by a pond in Acadia National Park. The restaurant there has the best popovers I’ve tried in my life.

We ate great seafood, saw lots of little towns, laid on the beach, went sailing, got tan, drank good beer every night (except for the champagne, but more on that later), and took several naps.

I also developed a new guilty pleasure- “Scott Baio is 45 and single”. Thank you, VH1, for your inspired programming. Watch it. You’ll feel so much better about your life.

For a few more digital photos of the journey, click here. And more later, I promise.

Now I have lots of work to catch up on.

Castine, ME

2007-07-31T11:18:00.000-04:00

I'm here until Saturday. The town in beautiful, and looks just like an historical costal Maine port should look. More when I get home!

I'm a Rambler

2007-07-25T15:31:00.000-04:00

Coming this weekend. No, I won't be there on Saturday, cause I'll be in Maine, but it's worth going!

Perfection

2007-07-23T09:07:00.000-04:00

There was no way I was doing anything on the sewing machine over the last couple of days. We had the most perfect weekend of the summer yet here in Vermont. Saturday I spent the day with friends and their daughter Xandra, at Leddy Park in Burlington. Then, friends and I went to see Transformers at the movies.

Can I just state for the record- possibly the coolest movie I’ve ever seen in my life?

Seriously. Beat out the original Matrix.

Optimus Prime kicked ass. And Megatron scared the crap out of me.

I’m such a geek.

Sunday we drove to Bristol and spent the late morning at Rocky Dale Nursery checking out their perennials. Into town for lunch, (here’s a shot of Main Street)
and back to the nursery to eat gelato on a bench surrounded by flowers and bumblebees. We bought two daylilies, Capacian fiesta and Ed Murray. No pictures yet, but I’ll take some tomorrow.
This is one of our Echinacea, a strain called Summer Sky.

And, finally, local corn with diner on Sunday night, and the opportunity to find out who won The Next FoodNetwork Star.

Perfect end to a perfect weekend.