Redwood Coast Creative Arts

What's In My Kitchen?????

I have been spending time in the kitchen making some of my favorite things.

This is what I had for breakfast.  Yogurt, banana, FFTY strawberries, almonds, and flax seeds.

Lunch..............Fried green platano (plantain) with a ton of garlic and a touch of sea salt.

White rice and black beans.

Buttery, candied almonds and walnuts.

Last week's Kiwi Lasse that never got posted.

I baked this bread on Monday night.  It is one of my all time favorites and I never tire of it.  Challah, pronounced as ḥallah, is a traditional Jewish egg bread.  It is usually served for Sabbath meals and holidays.  I love it and think it is a wonderfully rich bread that is very versatile and beautiful.  I made a small 3 strand braid and a large 5 strand braid.  Both loaves are brushed with an egg wash and sprinkled with poppy and sesame seeds.

What's in your kitchen?

The Wandering Gypsy Faerie

I was very fortunate to make it through the snow storm in the Sierras to take a cable mechanised puppetry workshop with Toby Froud in Reno, Nevada this past weekend. 

My usual 1-1/2 hour commute dragged out into a 6 hour adventure.  Not a very exciting, fast action adventure but a stuck on the road, in the mountains, in a snow storm, at a dead stop type of adventure!  Will I make it over the Summit tonight?  Will I get to sleep in a bed at the hotel or will I be stuck in the car for the night?  Will I make it to the workshop on time?  Will I be so burnt out from the journey that I am just not into the project?????  So, that was my adventure.  Not bad at all since I am the odd type of person that likes to push on through the uncertainty.  I get a kick out of it!!!

It all turned out just fine.  I made it to Reno by 10 PM, had a baked potato for dinner and headed off to bed.

Here is a pic of the head that I sculpted the first day of our workshop:

At this point she is a raw head of clay sculpted over a ball of aluminum foil.  At this stage she had not yet told me her story but I knew that she was a wise and wordly woman, of a certain age, and not a young pippy still green and wet behind the ears.

Even at this very "fresh" stage she held her head high and gazed upon the horizon of unlimited possibility...............................................................................................................

 

Here she is fully cured.  She found a body and got a little bit of sun.

Her close up

She hasn't told me her name yet but, I know that she travels and follows the whispers of the wind.  Perhaps once her eyes come through she will be able and willing to give me her name.

 

Star Cane Tutorial Coming Soon............................

I am sorry for the absence.  I have been at the clay table.  Please accept this tutorial as a peace offerring!  

Photos are taken.  I just need a bit more time to write it all out.

Blood Orange-Mango Lasse

This drink is so delicious yet nutritious at the same time.  It is basically a fruit and yogurt smoothie made with what ever fresh fruits you have available.  Lasse is a traditional yogurt based drink of India and I believe other Middle Eastern countries.  It is blended with fresh fruit, herbs, and spices, such as cardomom or turmeric and served chilled. 

My Blood Orange-Mango Lasse recipe:

Juice and some pulp of 4 or 5 (about 1-1/2 to 2 Cups) blood oranges

2 ripe mangoes, coarse chopped

Approxamately 2 cups of plain yogurt

Blood orange zest and slices for garnish

Honey to taste

Chill all ingtredients in advance (except for honey.  But you knew that, right?)

Blend it up, and enjoy!

 

P.S. My Blood Orange tree gave me a basket full of fruit for the first time in 6 years.  I am so proud!  The Meyer Lemons look great as well.  Next I will attempt Meyer Lemon Curd for the first time ever.  Come back and see how I do!

Miss Bumbalina Bumble Butt helping with the harvest!