The Low Anthem

Just saw The Low Anthem the other night in New York City. It was a great show and their music is really unique. They are most entertaining to watch between songs... four people running around stage, switching instruments for almost every tune. The link below is their music video for one of their best songs. I'm not one to really follow music videos, but this one is pretty great.

Little Minds, Little Stories

In 3rd grade my teacher gave the class a packet of images. Some of these images were paintings, some drawings, but all of them only gave enough information to simply stimulate our little minds into forming stories of our own. The assignment was to pick three of the images and write poems about each of them. It was one of my most favorite projects that year.

For the month of May I will be showing my work at Harborview Market in Black Rock, CT. The series I have been working on, "Little Minds, Little Stories" was inspired from that 3rd grade assignment. Thank you, Mrs. Hedge, for still encouraging me so many years later!

Hope you enjoy the sneak peek!

See you at Harborview in May!

Goin' to the Chapel!

Last fall my brother became a husband! The ceremony was touching and sweet. After so many years of dating long distance, it was a beautiful thing to see Jonathan and Allie happily married. The reception was unbelievable! All of their friends and family gathered under enormous white tents set up on the in-laws property over looking Long Island Sound. Candles dripped from the trees, yellow and orange flowers covered the tables, and the dance floor was hoppin' all night long.

I felt so honored when Allie and Jonathan asked me earlier in the year to create their invitations. It branched into other great pieces for the wedding and ended up being quite a learning experience for me. I really enjoyed working on theses different elements for the ceremony and reception. The bride had such a great vision for what colors and feel she desired and from there came all of the following pieces: save-the-dates, invitations, ceremony program, name cards and table placements, cake topper, and wedding favors. What a joy!

Every person had a namecard with a small, hand drawn picture of something that Jonathan and/or Allie love. For instance, cooking, hiking, photography, music, ice cream, etc. The guests were then directed into the tented area to find their table that had the matching image at the center of the table. It worked out nicely and, I think, everyone enjoyed the alternative to just having numbered seating.

Happy Marriage Jon and Allie!

Caprese Bells

Since I was a little girl I have always loved to cook. Before I could really follow a recipe on my own, my mother would let me sit on the kitchen counter with a huge bowl and raid her spice cupboard. My "dish" usually ended up being a milky, green concoction with bits of ingredients like cinnamon, bay leaf, oregano, and sugar floating about. Yum! But I'm thankful for those fun "cooking" experiences. It got me in the kitchen and it gave me a love for mixing, pouring, smelling and, in the end, learning to clean up along the way... Thanks, mom!

Since I've been living on my own for the past three years I have had the great opportunity of experimenting (in a more edible way) with my cooking. It's nice when there is no one to impress or family you HAVE to make sure is fed. If something is really terrible I'm the only one who has to taste it. Likewise, if something is absolutely amazing, I get it ALL TO MYSELF! However, I've found that the bit of cooking I love the most is the eventual sharing of the end product. I love food and I love people... it's a good combination.

What is especially enjoyable is when I find a traditional dish that can be morphed into a new eating experience. I find that appetizers and tapas are great for this endeavor. My example today it that of the traditional Caprese Salad. It's a wonderfully tasty, easy dish to have before a meal... when you are at a table. However, often times I am cooking for family and friends no one is sitting at a table during appetizers. Finger foods are the only way to go. So I turned the salad into finger-friendly food.

CAPRESE BELLS

1 Pint Grape or Cherry Tomatoes (Heirloom tomatoes provide an assortment of colors!)

1- 1 1/2 c. medium mozzarella balls

6 large fresh basil leaves.

olive oil

salt & pepper

20+ toothpicks

Cut the tomatoes in half and stand up on its cut surface. Quarter the mozzarella balls. Rip or cut basil leaves with scissors into small pieces. Assemblage: place mozzarella on top of the halved tomato, and the small basil piece on top of the mozzarella. Insert toothpick through all three ingredients. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Arrange on a flat surfaced tray. Drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately or let chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.

Baby Steps Get on the Bus...

In an attempt to eventually build my own website, this is a small step in sharing my work with others. Comments, opinions, criticism, and encouragement are all welcomed. Here I go! Come along for the ride...