Spring Things

It's wet on the west coast. Cold, too. My peas are up and the beans are starting - but oh my! It's cold in the garden. I just returned from our home-away-from-home in sunny Scottsdale and it is spring in the desert, too. Different though. Very different. How? Glad you asked.

Sunny.
Dry.
Blue, blue sky.
Hot.

Did I mention sunny?

One of my favourite trees around the pool at our complex in Scottsdale. See that sky? Blue.

Lots to see and do, too. If you're inclined. Mostly, I was reclined - by the pool. Because it was hot. Did I mention hot?

Here we are on a tour of Taliesen West - Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home/studio/school.
See how everyone is clustered into that litlle wee patch of shade? Because it is hot. And sunny.
(The elegant looking woman in the white hat is my mother-in-law. How does she do it? Elegant in shorts and a shirt.)

Here is what we are all looking at. Taliesen West. See that sky? Still blue.

Of course it wasn't all fun and games. We had to paint the condo. Well, Painter-Don did. I was busy. By the pool.

Here's Painter-Don waving to all you blog readers. Is he sweating?
He should get by the pool! ....it's hot.

And did I mention sunny? It's sunny, too.

Here I am. By the pool. I can't figure out why I am so happy looking.
Oh yes. I'm by the pool. It's hot. And sunny.

Here are some things I like...

Here is a nice mid-month round up of some things I like:

Here is my china cabinet. I'm really fond of it. Also fond of the china in it. It's our wedding china. Hubby chose it. Also very fond of him. Ditto the little chair next door. Oh, and the china tea-mugs. They belonged to my great Aunt Helen. So did this very groovy vase...

I love the 'dots' pattern on this vase - I have no idea where it originated, or how long my Great-Aunt had it before it came to me - I recently received a jug with a similar pattern, which was delightful - a sort of synchronicity of glassware - like one big circle (or a bunch of little ones).

And daffodils - my one weakness, and one of my favourite flowers. They come out in April, my birthday month (ahem). And here is a whole beautiful birthday bouquet, alongside a new treasure - a beautiful birthday bird plate.

These are just some of the things I like: China. April. Chairs. Birds. Glassware. My Great-Aunty's treasures. My hubby. And birthdays. Especially mine.

Happy Easter!

ART: what are we fighting for?

Spent a happy hour this weekend moodling through a local art exhibit. "In Pursuit of Excellence" is an annual juried art exhibit featuring local artists, and this one had the added juiciness of featuring three paintings by my talented friend Diane Speirs.  Even better!

The Garibaldi Art Club: One of many local groups celebrating the arts this week.

I can really lose myself at an art show, drinking in the various subjects, themes and media, and --- invariably --- I end up buying a piece or two. Our home is filled with original work from local artists and work by artists from places we've visited. I can't say whether or not it is 'good' art, only that it is art that speaks to our hearts, and enriches our home. Each piece is personal, has its own story and its own place at our place.  

Here are a few tasty samples from the show...

Its BC Arts and Culture Week and artists and arts groups across the province are hosting events and celebrating the arts.  A video clip is making the rounds on the internet this week. The divine Kevin Spacey (yes, I DO have a crush on him!) making an eloquent and beautiful appeal to support arts funding in the US. In it, he refers to the following quote:


During the Second World War, Winston Churchill’s finance minister said Britain should cut arts funding to support the war effort. Churchill’s response: “Then what are we fighting for?”


Kevin, in the same piece says: "Countries go to war, but it is culture that unites us." *sigh* How can you not love him? 


So, here in my small corner of the world, hubby and I do our best to support local art, artists and cultural groups and events. We have a happy little time with it - make a home, feed our souls, dabble in music, painting, theatre. We write. He sings. I appreciate. And here's a little beauty we picked up this weekend to grace our home-away-from-home in Scottsdale. Culture unites us indeed. 

"Dancing Peppers" by Maple Ridge artist, Margaret Bale.
Now, proudly owned by us!

My challenge: How can you support the arts this week?
My tip: Visit www.theactmapleridge.org and see what's happening locally. Buy a ticket. Take a class. Purchase an artist's work...
Have fun!


Visit Diane Speirs here: Alouette Mountain Studio
You can view the video here: Kevin Spacey on the arts
Find out more about BC Arts and Cultural Week: BC Arts And Culture

Yes, April is well upon us and I haven't posted the new Recipe of the Month (ROM) yet! I'm quickly reposting the March recipe and then saving it with the ROM tag, so you can always find it if you want (and really, you should want it - it's fab!) April's Asparagus will be next!

Yes, April is well upon us and I haven't posted the new Recipe of the Month (ROM) yet! I'm quickly reposting the March recipe and then saving it with the ROM tag, so you can always find it if you want (and really, you should want it - it's fab!) April's Asparagus will be next!

Aunty Val's Irish Soda Bread

Aunty O'Valerie. (Not exactly as pictured)

This bread is a breeze to make and is an absolute must-have with homemade soups and stews. I recently served it warm from the oven alongside vegetarian chili to my visiting nieces and it was a hit. The girls eagerly tore into it - (girls after my own heart *sigh*) - and wisely preferred it to a store bought olive bread also on offer (no surprise to me. Ahem.).

This is one of my dear Aunty O'Valerie's stand-by recipes and has become one of mine, too -  as have so many of her recipes. I offer it to you just in time for St. Patrick's Day!

2 c whole wheat flour


2 c white flour


1 tsp baking soda


1/2 tsp salt


2 c buttermilk


1 egg


1-2 Tbsp sugar


1/4 c oil (canola)

Sift dry ingredients together. Mix in wet. Shape dough into an oval on a greased baking sheet (the dough will be sticky so use flour on your hands). Slightly score the top. Bake at 300 degrees F for 1 hour in the middle of the oven.

This recipe can be successfully doubled - just be sure to use two baking sheets. 

Soda Bread (pretty much as pictured)

Asparagus!

This amazing pic is by Jenn Co-McMillan at Alchemy Photographic Arts.
Check out her work on her blog 365 Days of Alchemy (on my list).

This post is dedicated to Lisa S, for her perseverance, foodiness, and generally being a good sport. She has hounded me (in the good way) for this recipe. I think it is a perfect one to launch spring - and yes - you know what that means: ASPARAGUS SEASON.

Asparagus is my one weakness (ahem) and this is my favourite way to serve it. This recipe is from the amazing Diane Clements of The Tomato Cafe restaurant fame (among other things - like being an Olympian!)

Asparagus Nicoise Salad

Asparagus
Tomatoes
Nicoise or calamata olives
Capers

Dressing:
3 T red wine vinegar
2 t Dijon mustard
2/3 c olive oil
salt + freshly ground pepper to taste

Trim and cook asparagus until just al dente. Plunge into an ice bath to prevent continued cooking.
Drain and lay out on paper towelling to absorb any moisture. (at this point it can be refrigerated until later or even overnight)
Whisk together vinegar and mustard, add olive oil and mix well. S + P to taste.
Seed and chop 2-4 ripe tomatoes
When ready to serve lay out asparagus on a pretty platter, spread chopped tomatoes, 1/2 c olives (drained) and 2 T of capers on top of asparagus. Drizzle salad dressing over all or pass dressing at the table.

Et Voila!