October 30, 2009 | Posted By: Annie
Filed Under Our Artwork
So it turns out since my mom is here I actually do have more time to work on art and post. . .
Since I took these photos of the pieces in progress, I have actually finished them and they await several coats of glossy varnish. Yes, I did draw the fantasy rainbow violets from life. . .they were blooming bright and sweet under the tired fig tree, its few leaves withered and speckled. And yes I was inspired by the James Jean book. . .
October 29, 2009 | Posted By: Annie
Filed Under Our Artwork
Found some violets under one of the fig trees, in bloom! I felt I should leave them there, but I plucked some leaves. It was rainy light, a little bit dim, but nice to draw in. These are just begun, slightly unsure of where they will end up. Probably white around and a little bit of color. . . I think I have found that is my zone, white, gray, and a little bit of color.
October 27, 2009 | Posted By: Annie
Filed Under Artist Love, Like + Love
How have I not known about this guy? I think I stumbled across it by looking at a bag on etsy that was sewn from a textile that had been designed by Mark Herald. So of course I forgot to see who made the bag, sorry who ever it was, it was very nice. Googled the man and found St. Jude galleries. Really fabulous collections on there, I had seen some of the artists before but not Herald. These prints have everything I love to paint in them, birds, plants, particularly strawberries, moths, the color hot pink and blue/green. . .
I did three posts today because I probably won’t be doing any the next few days. . .my momma is coming for a visit.
October 27, 2009 | Posted By: Annie
Filed Under Life
I really don’t intend to do this often, this isn’t a food blog. But I feel compelled to share this with the world, one, because it is the best macaroni I have ever had, two, because it has an entire butternut squash in it and my squash hating husband loves this recipe, three, because I have a couple of friends who I think would like it. And do you know how much beta carotene is in a squash?! 298% of your daily value !!! And I do love squash anyways. And cheese.
First disclaimer, these are night photos, I am really not sure if they are appetizing to you or not, the light wasn’t very good. I am embarrassed. Second disclaimer, I am not good at writing recipes, I tend to get used to throwing things together until they taste they way I intend them too, and somehow it works every time. I tried to measure this time.
I wish I had taken a photo of the squash freshly sawed in two, it was so pretty all the pearly seeds and the wet web of their filaments. I think you may be seeing some squash art soon. I feel strange saying that.
Oven: 400*
Cut up one large butternut squash, peeled, into inch and half chunks and one medium onion into large chunks and spread on a baking sheet lined with foil, you’ll thank your self later. Sprinkle on 4 fresh garlic cloves minced, or if using the ever convenient jar, use 6 heaping teaspoons. Season with coarse salt and black pepper. Roast until squash is soft and beginning to brown, about 20-25 min. Remove and leave oven on.
First, before doing anything with the squash, process enough old bread to make 1-1/2 cup bread crums, and add some garlic salt and 2 Tbls. of melted butter with the processor going. Dump in a bowl and rinse out processor, you’ll need it again.
Transfer everything to a blender or food processor, puree several seconds and then gradually add 1-1/2 cups milk until it is a lovely thick sauce. The color will knock you off your feet, it is so golden. Transfer all that to a large pot over low-med heat, meanwhile start another pot for pasta and boil about a pound of penne, I think one of those boxes. To your sauce add 1/2 tsp. kosher salt (taste first, and do less or more depending on what you wish), 1/4 heaping tsp. white pepper (must be white, it tastes best with cheese) 1/8 tsp. cloves, 1/8 tsp. of nutmeg. Feel free to add a little red pepper too if you like things spicy I recommend it, or if you have no toddlers. Stir in 12 oz. shredded sharp chedder and 4 to 6 0z. mozz. simmer until cheese is stringy through the sauce and remove from heat. Add al dente pasta. Mix thoroughly, it should look like there is alot of sauce.
Spray a 9 x 10 or bigger casserole dish with nonstick spray and pour in saucy noodles, cover the top with the pre-prepared bread crumbs ( the ones from the can are gross, please make your own)(old asiago cheese bread is the best) Bake in the preheated oven until crumbs are crunchy and golden. Eat without guilt, knowing that there is huge squash hidden in there. Everyone will think the cheese is just really orange.
October 26, 2009 | Posted By: Annie
Filed Under Uncategorized
Found this black and white bag over the weekend. I love love love the diamond pattern on it. Reminds me of this guy, Max L. Holyoke-Hirsch (first two) and Betsy Walton (middle) and then she made me think of local artist Diane Kilgore Congdon (bottom). . . Except I couldn’t find images of the works I was thinking of, but this one is great anyways. Somehow I always am drawn to the same weird color scheme, but the colors are sort of random so I don’t really know how to describe it, I think it just usually involves hot pink and turquoise. I think possibly because of my crazy persian that is always underfoot.
October 25, 2009 | Posted By: Annie
Filed Under Life
Marshall and I have been in the habit lately of taking afternoon tea. If I don’t make it, he often reminds me. This trembling ball of chaos is somehow very connected to rituals, especially the part where we clink our cups and say cheers. The party doesn’t last long, the teapot gets frightened easily.
Notice the strange rabbit he invited along. “Munny” he calls it, his second favorite thing to carry around the living room, the first being his bff elmo. I took a close up just to show how terrifying it really is. I rescued it with 50 cents from the thriftstore.
October 24, 2009 | Posted By: Annie
Filed Under Artist Love, Like + Love, Uncategorized
Sophie Culevier has a lovely brain, I really wish I could watch her nimble fingers twisting all those colorful petals together. Her work has never ceased to amaze me.
Photos of a Lines and Shapes book from Lena’s blog. . . I wish that I could say that the book was on my table and that I had photographed them. . .someday soon maybe. I want too many books.
October 23, 2009 | Posted By: Annie
Filed Under Life, Our Artwork
Once upon a time we had a large living room with a nice big window, then it got turned into a studio. . . and finally, it has returned to its wonderful original living room state. That wording makes it sound like we waved a magic wand and it all swirled around with sparkle dust and settled neatly into order. . .more like hours of shifting and cleaning and organizing and the help of our friend Josh, who is tall and very patient .
I’m so excited! I discovered these saloon style doors at the thriftstore, I think they will be a great thing to paint an owl on, I think I can predict a moon glimmering through those slots. Still haven’t decided whether I should leave those fancy rods in there or remove them.
