Love-in, Lovin', Le Vin?

Fab Feb is here! The sun tells me winter is waning, but with the frigid temps we're experiencing it can't happen fast enough. Thankfully, 'tis the season for love, lovers and all things romantic and lovely - that helps to warm my heart, as I scheme elaborate dreams involving rose petals, strawberries, chocolate, and other fanciful things. If only I could host a body paint event with different shades of chocolate, like some living sepia photograph composed of luscious mocha tones -- even if the art had a brief "shelf life", think of how fun the clean up would be! I've been to spas where they do chocolate beauty treatments (mani-pedis, body wraps etc.) and I've witnessed toddlers finger painting with chocolate pudding, so surely art and beauty could meet somewhere in the middle this Valentine's Day? Hmmmm....

Birthdays, Birthdays, Birthdays...

Two of my children are February babies -- so this adds to the Feb love-fest and helps to banish the winter blahs, blues; what-have-you... I never tire of finding ways to make their special days memorable. To this end, like a lesser star in deep space with plans for supernova greatness, I am attracting some interesting edibles in my pantry orbit: chocolate chili and pumpkin spice flavoured pastas are two especially inspiring recent additions. Now I am sleuthing to find interesting ways to prepare these exotic items and pair them with some lovely vino - pure, joyful fun :)

A lot of the recipes I am finding are for chocolate dessert pasta, and I was considering a more savory approach, so I may just have to "wing it"! Nothing like experimenting on the taste buds of one's friends and family...will keep you posted on the outcomes!

Oh Cupcake - Come to Mama!

For B-Day One, I am considering an Arnold Palmer cupcake experience - there's something about the mingling of lemon and black tea flavours that intrigues me. Here is the recipe, courtesy of the fabulous Paula Dean - I love her no-fuss, no-fear approach with simple, everyday ingredients; she always manages to find a new twist with old favourites:

Arnold Palmer Cupcakes

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup milk

5 black tea bags

1 cup unsalted butter

2 cups sugar

4 large eggs

1 tsp. lemon zest

1 tsp. fresh lemon juice

2-1/2 cups all purpose flour

3/4 Tbsp. baking powder

3/4 tsp. salt

Arnold Palmer Frosting - recipe follows

METHOD:

Heat milk in a saucepan and steep the tea for 15-20 minutes - do not boil. Remove the tea bags, squeezing to release the tea essence and allow the milk to cool to room temp. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line 12 muffin cups with paper liners.

Beat sugar and butter together in large bowl until light and creamy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each additions. Gradually add the tea-milk mixture, along with the lemon juice and zest - reserve 1/2 cup of the tea-milk for the Frosting recipe.

In a medium bowl, combine the dry ingredients; then add gradually to the wet mixture, stirring just to combine. Spoon batter into muffin cups and bake 20-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove cupcakes from tins and allow to cool on a baking rack. When completely cool, pipe or spread on Arnold Palmer Frosting.

Arnold Palmer Frosting

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

2 cups confectioners sugar

1/2 cup tea-milk mixture (reserved)

1 tsp. fresh lemon juice

METHOD:

In a large bowl beat the butter, gradually mixing in the sugar alternately with the tea-milk mixture. Stir in the lemon juice and mix to form a smooth, creamy consistency. Ice the cupcakes and serve.

My Dude xo

More Toscana... my little guy just had a blast! He now compares everything to the Italian experience, having had "the best of the best"!

I Dream in Colour!

Had some time today to go through my photos, in between errands and loads of laundry - felt so wonderful to dive into the Tuscan landscape; I could feel the sun and smell the air. I was wishing I had the time to go to my studio and paint today, but that was not the case - the yellows, greens, and coral colours were all calling to me.

Surreal Beauty

When you land in Firenze you are struck by the velvety green folds of the landscape - personally, my breath caught in my throat, it was so amazingly lovely, and a rich loden green unlike anything I have other seen - that is Toscana!

Driving north to Pisa, and then to the coastal city of Livorno, peaches, pinks and brighter yellows used in the buildings brighten the landscape. Here are a few of my favourite photos from my March 2010 trip to that glorious place - hope you will enjoy and feel the Italian sunshine xo!

Apples, Chicken, Comfort, Art

So very very cold this weekend - really makes me want to hibernate! No excuse not to get my laundry done, I suppose; standing by that hot clothes dryer and dreaming I am near the Mediterranean in the summer.... hmmmmm.... I can work with that -- thank goodness for my over-active imagination!

I am also thinking it is a good day to roast a farm chicken and to actually sit down and dine with the kids. There have been too many gobbled meals and far too much nibbling while standing/noshing in the car! I feel like a "wanted woman" ((...and, no, NOT in the romantic sense, btw)) -- just grubby, pasty, distracted; on-the-lam-from-joyful-living with a Tim Horton's ham & Swiss in one hand! It's a "get 'er done" kind of life, what can I say?

Homage to C. Dukes
Highlight of the week for me last week was definitely the visit to Caroline Dukes' art studio - so amazing to see everything in place years after her passing, and to see some of her major works in their birth place. Strange to think that in a few months those canvasses will be in other spaces, including the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

Also tremendously encouraging to see another female artist beginning to make use of Caroline's space. What a great view from that atelier/lucky gal -Winnipeg looks so European from those windows! Brought me waaay back to long afternoon hours spent in figure drawing and painting studio sessions -- my student life seems so luxe and indulgent to me now LOL :) Can't imagine having that time on my hands - just surreal; fantastic! I am so grateful for that experience in my life.

I still can't quite believe I have a couple of C.D.'s rough sketches from the Apple Pickers period -- can still remember visiting her studio with all of those big canvasses, freshly painted and glowing, around tiny Caroline. They were dynamic, vibrant and summer-like on that cold winter evening; what an extraordinary treat.

So today I am thinking that I will make some classic baked apples for my kids and fill the house with cinnamonny and savory chicken goodness. A hearty, heart-felt gastronomic celebration of thanks for the influence of a gentle artist on my somewhat grey little life.

Pam's Baked Apples

Ingredients:
4 Granny Smith Apples, cored
4 teaspoons butter, portioned
4 teaspoons brown sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
Dash cloves
Dash nutmeg
Few grains of salt
1 Tbsp. real maple syrup
2 Tbsp. finely chopped walnuts or pecans
1/4 cup water or apple juice

Method:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Core the apples, but do not remove the core right through to the bottom -- you need to have a little "cup" to hold the filling. Place apples close together in a oven-proof baking dish.

In a small bowl, combine the sugar, spices and nuts. Spoon these evenly into the cored apple cavities. Evenly drizzle the maple syrup inside each apple and top each apple with a teaspoon of the portioned butter. Pour the water or juice into the dish, around the apples. Loosely cover with foil and bake 35 - 40 minutes. Apples will be tender,but not mushy when ready. Serve as-is, or with a bit of cream, whipped cream or ice cream. A nice breakfast paired with oatmeal, a side with dinner, or homey dessert.

Quick, easy and delish xo!

Perfect Sunrise

Well, it's one of those white-on-white mornings on the prairies - just a few grey lines and faded brown blurs to let me know my house is not floating inside a giant cloud. At least it's a bit milder... (maybe -15 C) but oh I love and crave those brilliant blue skies that stretch for as far as I can see; not to mention the HEAT! Still can't quite believe that I was born here...

Craving Summer & Sun

I spent a bit of time last night editing through some photos taken this past summer - 2010 may have fallen short for many of us in many ways, but in our part of the world we were treated to exceptional sunrises and sunsets - some kind of celestial consolation prize. I have truly never experienced a year that treated me to such beauty each and every day.

So, here a few canvasses painted by the universe, to put a little colour and warmth in your day. xo!

Impeccable With Your Word

My best friend is reading the New York Times bestseller, The Four Agreements written by Don Miguel Ruiz right now. As I am already reading two books ((The Snowball (bio of Warren Buffet) and The Love of Reading by Robert Adams)), but I AM quite captivated by what I have heard about Ruiz, I have asked her to give me updates, and she is very kindly obliging my interest! The ideas the author promotes are said to be based on ancient Toltec teachings - teachings which allow us to eliminate patterns of self-sabotage and thus enjoy richer, more rewarding lives. So the ideas of personal empowerment and balanced living appealed greatly to me!

The Four
Also, as my mantra this year is EMERGENCE, any support that nudges me along my creative path is welcome. There is much more to the Ruiz book I am told, but for starters the four agreements are as follows, and they are to be repeated each day after the phrase "I choose to honour the Four Agreements".

1) Be impeccable with your word
2) Don't take anything personally
3) Don't make assumptions
4) Always do your best

I don't know about you, but if you have been disappointed enough in life and in business, number two will be the toughest area to re-train! ("number two" indeed! LOL). Particularly for creative people as we tend to pour every cell of our person into what we do each day.

Creation, Creation, Creation
The word EMERGENCE came to me in the last few hours of 2010 and immediately inspired images of a woman completely submerged in dark blue water swimming upward, toward the light. It was at once peaceful and exciting; quiet but with the buzzing anticipation of the surface-breaking splash and the raucous sounds of life above, in the sunshine.

For many years I wished that I could be different and felt quite guilty about my twin urges: to create art and to write. Society and even close family and friends are not always appreciative or understanding of artistic souls! The artist's vocation can be seen as low in value and frivolous/flaky.

In recent years, through the support of three dear girlfriends (Wendy, Gail and Carol - all wonderfully creative women!), I have come to appreciate that this is simply "who I am", and that the world needs people like me too - just like the world needs doctors, accountants, mechanics etc... (Thank you, my girlfriends, for loving me as I am and encouraging me simply to be and to enjoy my state of being!).

Vrooooooom!
So, needless to say, I am really revved up for a year of productivity relating to my art. Whatever inspires you, I hope you will trust in the path and follow it with great joy and an open spirit. We aren't meant to fight life all the time; life is truly for the living. To be continued :)

Get Your Motor Runnin'

Whew! Made it through another holiday season. Still not 100% healthy, having been knocked to the floor boards by one nasty virus December 23 -- and here I was, so damn proud of being cold and flu free for several years.... well, that old "pride cometh before a fall..." saying definitely applies here ;)

Time to Be - Time for Me?
A couple of sleeps and I'll be back to the rat race - wonder if I will be able to handle the pace??? (excuse the bad rhymes, btw, completely unintended and likely a by-product of my never-ending virus LOL!).

Just mulling over what to do today -- my guitar has been dormant in the corner for a while - still would really like to be able to strum a few tunes by the campfire or at folk fest (I know - dorks r us!). I am also itching to start a new canvas, but not sure of the inspiration -- something abstract or photo-realism or... Also, I do have paint (wall paint!) touch ups to complete in my little dude's bedroom and the chalk paint door panel to start/complete. And... I would like to just get outside and walk or skate -- if only it wasn't freeze-in-your-tracks-deathly-cold!!! Yes, viral girl is officially cooped up :(

Fuelling Creativity and Happiness
I have been reading a bit on health and nutrition - trying to get myself in a good head space for a successful "first quarter" and beyond! Was reading a bit from Dr. Oz -- specifically his green drinks. I am thinking this would be a good way to gulp down my mid-morning veg: spinach, celery, ginger etc... we'll see, I like all of the ingredients. Here is the recipe for you to try - hope it is a nice boost to your first week of the New Year. Just think of the odd looks you'll get from co-workers as you slurp the thick, dark green goo... fun stuff indeed xo!

Dr. Oz's Green Juice

Makes 3-4 servings - Ingredients:
2 cups fresh spinach
1 head of chopped celery
1/2" slice of fresh ginger root
1 bunch parsley
2 apples, cored and coarsely chopped
Juice of one lime
Juice of 1/2 lemon

Method:
Blend 30 seconds, or until smooth. Enjoy -easy to half this recipe.

Emergeance

Winding down one year to wind up for another... seems like we just booted 2009 to the side to make way for 2010! I have never been one for resolutions - really think one day is as good as another to get moving, try new things, revisit favourite pass-times etc. One day at a time and one foot in front of the other - after all none of us comes with a guarantee ;)

Hope-filled; Dreaming Always
One thing I do know for certain is that I need to persist in my quest for life balance - too often I am caught in this cycle of busy-ness, raw motion without passion and joy factored into the mix. I am concurrently thankful for and frustrated by my hyper-creative tendencies! My time to paint, time to photograph, time to write etc. is always in a state of tension with my need to earn a living and take care of the basics for my kids.

The Recipe Project Continues...
I continue to make an electronic recipe favourites book for my friends and family. Have finished entering my Mom's Best selections and am now sorting thru the entrees - finding this is a bit thin, as I think I have mostly relied on those tried and true favs from Mom! Also, we tend to have pretty straightforward meals - some kind of grilled meat with raw veggies and rice or pasta! Anyway, I am looking forward to taking the file to the quick print place and having everything neat and accessible - and easy to share.

Vodka for Lunch??? Hey it's the Holidays!
So, let's toast the old year in a comforting way - here is a wonderful recipe for pasta with vodka sauce. I received this recipe at a fundraiser event at De Luca's Cooking School - like much of Italian cuisine, it is simple to prepare and fantastico on the old taste buds. Hope you will try and enjoy with a nice glass of red wine - buon appetitto!

Pasta With Vodka Sauce - Serves 4

Ingredients:
500g (about 16 ounces) of your favourite pasta
3-4 Tbsp. of butter
1/3 lb of back bacon, finely chopped
2 cups whipping cream
1/2 cup premium vodka (no cheap stuff - you are what you eat!)
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
4 Tbsp. chopped Italian parsley
Dried chilies and salt to taste
Pepper to taste

Method:
Melt butter in a heavy saucepan, add the bacon and saute for 4-5 minutes. Add the vodka and cook for 1-2 minutes longer. Add the cream, season to taste with salt and chili pepper and then stir in 1/2 of the parsley. Allow to come to a boil, reduce heat and set aside; covering loosely to keep warm.

Meanwhile cook the pasta to al dente in boiling salted water. Drain and return to cooking pot, tossing with parmesan, and half of the prepared sauce. Transfer to a serving platter, top with remaining sauce and cheese, garnish with parsley. Add a little black pepper if desired.