bethsblog

One more little vacation.

Tomorrow I'm heading to Ann Arbor for several days. I have important appointments with Sophia to paint some watercolors, and with Cassidy May for some serious peek-a-booing.

See you real soon... 

"Keep it simple."

It takes guts!

Yesterday I received a comment from a reader who has given up a lot of beloved foods for the sake of her health. 

NJ said: ... After 6 months on the diet I stopped bleeding. Only eating meat, eggs and applesauce. I branched out to veggies and more fruit. But had to keep going back to just meat. Finally was feeling better and started the (almond flour) bread again. Too many veggies and bread did me in. I'm back to meat and eggs again.

Crohn's disease can really test your mettle.

Last weekend I met a young man... who just happens to be a professional chef... newly diagnosed with Crohn's. He has suffered for years with a touchy tummy, but 3 months ago, stricken with a major gut upset, he decided to get himself to the doctor. I spent the better part of Sunday afternoon with him, sharing information about the Specific Carbohydrate Diet and how it has promoted intestinal healing in the case of my daughter, Amy.

As we spoke, I could see his inner wheels spinning as he tried to wrap his head around how his life has suddenly turned upside-down, how he will undoubtedly deal with this capricious and potentially life threatening disease for the rest of his days. A tall order for one not-yet-30.

As I said before it takes guts!

"Keep it Simple."

Chicken Paprika

This is really easy, delicious and completely SCD legal:

Chicken Paprika

Chicken thighs and/or drumsticks
olive oil
salt
pepper
garlic powder
smoked paprika

Preheat oven to 375.
Coat a shallow baking dish with olive oil.
Place chicken in baking dish and drizzle with additional olive oil.
Rub chicken parts with oil to thoroughly coat.
Sprinkle generously on all sides with seasonings.
Bake 40-45 minutes, uncovered.
Transfer chicken to serving platter and cover with aluminum foil.
Let chicken rest for 10-20 minutes... the foil cover will help juices stay in the meat.

Serve,
Enjoy.

Click here for information on how you can get a copy of this beautiful Turtle Soup Cookbook Cover and a set of printer-friendly recipes.

"Keep it simple."

Zazzle Update

This year I decided that it's high time I have more fun with my art. I have spent 15 years as a "serious" painter of traditional subjects... portrait, landscape, floral ... and don't get me wrong, they're
fine paintings, but last summer I stumbled upon a new way of working, and a whole world of fun, color and design opened up for me.

Then Christopher at SlowDownNow.org  inspired me to buy one of his "Multi-Tasking is a Moral Weakness" mugs, and I fell head-long into the world of blatant commercialism. 

In shorter order MyZazzle was born and I now have a cool dozen note cards for sale. I am really pleased with and excited about these note cards. I have ordered a few for myself and they are of the highest quality both in terms of art reproduction and materials. All of the art images are from my original watercolor paintings. If you decide to order several, there are some nice quantity discounts. I also have designed some beautiful bags, mugs and postage stamps. Designing for Zazzle has been a whole lot of fun. Happy to share the fun with you!

"Keep it Simple."

Spring Break Southern-Style

We came, we saw, we ate 'em... Nashville's famous Loveless Café buttermilk biscuits. Check the album in the sidebar for, among other things, a tutorial on proper biscuit-eating technique featuring, Sara... who, by the way, was the main reason that Gary and I traveled south this year for our Annual Spring Break Adventure.

It was a pleasure to watch things get greener and greener as we progressed through Kentucky and into Tennessee, which graced us with Wild Eastern Redbud, blooming along the roadsides. Generally preferring the road-less-traveled to the hair-raising interstate... we drove US 31 most of the way. We really love to see all the little towns and farms... Every community has its own special personality, and you get a little bit of a feel for the real folks that live in this great country when you get off the fast lane.

Friday was devoted to touring Mammoth Cave. We signed up for 2 cave walks: a 3 hour hike in the morning punctuated by a lunch break in the famous Snowball Dining Room, and a 1 hour Frozen Niagara tour in the afternoon, which highlighted the only area of the cave where stalagmites and stalactites exist. This was our 3rd visit to the cave in 30 years and things were much as we remembered, but with digital cameras, our photography was more successful than in previous trips, when all we had were film cameras. Mammoth Cave has been a popular location for photography buffs for generations. The tour guide shared some amazing stereo images of the cave that had been taken in the mid-1800's. In those days, only professional photographers had cameras and they would spend hours and hours setting up a shot, and only get 2 or 3 pictures of the cave per day.

The Cave City Comfort Inn... rather the Discomfort Inn had one of those beds that rolls you into the center... as if it's been slept in by a 400 lb. man, right smack dab in the middle for several years. It also featured the world's smallest hot water supply... you could get about half a shower or half a bath before the water ran cold... right about the time you're ready to rinse out the shampoo! Brrrr!

We arrived in Nashville, TN, in dire need of a comfortable bed and a hot shower. Sara graciously accommodated us, letting us sleep in her delightful bed, while she took up residence for the night on her sofa.

Saturday night was the main event. We had tickets to see Sara, as Sally Brown, in You're a Good Man Charlie Brown. Proud parents, we nearly burst our buttons as she lit up the stage with her hilarious interpretation of the 5-year old ditzy-blonde Sally. All the actors were wonderful, especially Christian Sawyer, whose face... I swear... had to be made of rubber... he had perfected Charlie Brown's every scowl, pout, grimace, and wistful smile.

Sunday morning we feasted on buttered biscuits with jam, country bacon and scrambled eggs at the aforementioned Loveless Café , and then bade goodbye to Sara who had to be back to the theater for a matinee performance. We hit the road about noon, bound for Columbus, IN, and another motel with unique plumbing and mattress issues. I'll spare you the details.

Columbus, however, was a total delight! Since the 1940's, Columbus has committed itself to being a world-class city, utilizing the talents of top-notch architects and artists. With funds provided by the late J. Irwin Miller, founder of Cummins Engine Company, the town grew brick by brick into what it is today, "...the nation's 6th most architecturally significant city". (Smithsonian Magazine December 2005.) Monday morning, Gary and I took a walking tour of the downtown and experienced many of Columbus' architectural delights. We will definitely return to this lovely and exciting city... next time we hope to stay in the Historic Columbus Inn. The building, circa. 1895, was originally Columbus' City Hall.

That afternoon we drove over to Nashville, IN, an historic artist colony, which was established in the early 1900's. It's a treasure trove of galleries, gift shops, restaurants, ice cream and fudge emporiums, and has managed to maintain a fair balance of class and charm with only a sprinkling of crass commercialism.  (A marked contrast to places like Cave City, KY, where on the road leading to the main event, which is THE CAVE, one is assaulted by numerous tourist traps... waterslides, rock shops, bumper car rides, and the famous Dinosaur World.)

While wandering up and down the picturesque Nashville streets, we were lured into a shop by a catchy little tune played on bells, which issued from outdoor speakers. Inside the shop, Joybell Theater and Gifts, was a display of various musical souvenirs... bumper stickers, coffee mugs and the like. We were warmly greeted by a charming young woman... Kristine Stout, the owner. In the back of the shop, through an open door, there was a small room draped from floor to ceiling with a rainbow of colored satin. In the center stood a long table laid with a complete set of handbells. I asked, "Who plays the handbells?" Kristine replied eagerly, "I do. Would you like a demonstration?" 

What followed can best be described as a bell ringing ballet... graceful, beautiful, and a bit otherworldly. It was one of the most unique performances we have ever attended. Kristine plays 30 minute solo concerts daily and graciously treats customers to 5-minute free performances. Kristine gets the prize for being one of the most unique individuals we met on our Southern Vacation... possibly in
our lifetime.

During the long drive home, through the farming communities and small towns of Indiana, we passed many churches. Most of them had signs out front with some sort of proclamation or word to the wise... some aimed at rattling the non-believers into thinking that the only place that they'll really find "God" is inside the four walls of their building. 

Well as you probably know, I'm not too big on church. And my definition of "God" is much broader than any particular religion's definition. I'd never presume to put "God" into a small box of brick and mortar. All I need to do is to open my eyes to the wonder and beauty that is all around... makes me feel grateful... makes me feel blessed... makes me feel Presence.

So here's to:

Redbuds... and the return of spring year after year...
just like clockwork.
Awesome natural wonders like Mammoth Cave.
Awesome man-made wonders like the architecture of  Columbus.
Delicious food... especially those amazing biscuits.
Sweet, loving and talented daughters like Sara.
New friends in new places.
Beds for our tired heads...
Clean, running water for our road weary faces...
even the lumpy, the saggy, the drippy, and the nippy.

"Keep it simple."

A Little Bit Fatter

Before I went on vacation, I tried on my summer clothes... wishfully thinking I might wear them in Nashville... which is normally summery this time of year. But alas, the average temp, according to weather.com was predicted to be in the 40's with rain almost every day, so I packed accordingly.

It's a good thing, because almost none of last season's summer shorts and Capri slacks fit me. Something furtive and evil seems to be happening to my waistline... they call it middle-aged spread. And I can't face the idea of eating less or exercising more... I really am pretty faithful about eating healthily and exercising... I swear... what's happening is some sort of sinister plot!

So I decided that it's time to come out of denial, swallow my pride, and go up a size.

On our way back from Nashville, we stopped at this really great mall. Edinburgh Premium Outlets. I hit the Bass and Eddie Bauer stores. Got some nice roomy Capris and shorts... also several, beautiful, jewel-tone tank tops. Now I'm all set for summer. So bring it on!

Tomorrow I'll post... my Complete Vacation Report... I promise.

"Keep it simple."

We had a wonderful time...

...and now we're home from our Nashville adventure. After 4 nights of sleeping in strange motel rooms with somewhat uncomfortable mattresses and weird plumbing, it's nice to be back to our own cozy bed and plumbing peculiarities. We did have one superior night's sleep at Sara's ...thanks, Sara, for sleeping on your sofa so our old bones could get a good night's rest in your heavenly bed! 

I'll be spending today and tomorrow catching up on mail, groceries, laundry and all the myriad details that need attending to
after being away.

I'm uploading my vacation photos as we speak... soon to be posted.

To quote one of my favorite philosophers: 
"There's  no place like home!" Dorothy Gale

"Keep it simple."

Travelin' Shoes

We're off to Nashville tomorrow, with intermediate stops at Mammoth Cave, KY on the way there, and the historic artist's colony, Nashville, IN on our way home. But the main reason for our trip: an eagerly anticipated visit with daughter Sara, whom we have not seen since Christmas, and who just happens to be starring as Sally Brown in a local production of You're a Good Man Charlie Brown.

While I'm gone, for your viewing pleasure, here's a nice carpet of crocus from my front garden:

 

"Keep it Simple."

Missing the Moment

The sin* of inadvertence, not being alert, not being quite awake, is the sin of missing the moment of life: whereas the whole of the art of the non-action that is action (wu-wei) is unremitting alertness. One is then fully conscious all the time and since life is an expression of consciousness, life is then lived, as it were, of itself. There is no need to instruct or direct it."

Joseph Campbell, Myths to Live By p. 120

* for those to whom the word sin raises eyebrows or hackles... here's my preferred definition from Wikipedia: sin derives from the Greek word hamartia. It means 'to miss the mark' or to 'miss the target' which was also used in Old English archery."

"Keep it simple."
 

Whirlwind Weekend

I tackled a number of items on both the "to do" and the "fun" list this weekend:

1. Cleaned the kitchen cupboards, inside and out and boxed up a pile of kitchen implements that I never use... destination... Goodwill. Trying not to get overly anal, I actually only cleaned what really needed it, like the slop on the cupboard door next to the garbage basket, and the crumbs in the thingie that holds the silverware. That really high shelf where I store the Christmas plates... I managed to ignore it completely.

2. Got last years leaves raked out of the ivy, the gardens and from under the bushes. Now the tulips and daffodils can bound joyfully into the spring sunshine without having to push through 4 inches of debris. After 29 years of living with messy oak trees, Gary and I have it down to a science... I mostly rake, he mostly bags... two half days of work in the Spring and Fall... done.

3. Re-photographed several of my older paintings... digitally... after discovering that the slides I took 10 years ago are discolored.

4. Took my first bike ride of the season. It was 60 degrees and sunny. Delightful. Gary and I want to work our way up to doing a weekly 2-hour jaunt on a beautiful, lakeside bike trail near our home.

5. Watched the season 2 discs of Extras. I got hooked on this terrific HBO comedy when I watched the season finale with Amy and Stephen, in Ann Arbor last month. Since then I've been catching up on what I missed.

6. Began to think about my spring wardrobe, my pasty/pale flesh, and that we're heading to the warmer climes of Nashville, for a visit with Sara on Thursday. I'm hoping my spring clothes still fit. Got a little pudgy over the long, cold winter...

"Keep it simple."

Spring has definitely sprung!

Have a glorious weekend.

"Keep it simple."

Wu-wei

"There is an important Chinese term wu-wei, "not doing", the meaning of which is not "doing nothing", but "not forcing". Things will open up of themselves, according to their nature... The idea of the universe coming to form with a spontaneity of its own, which is at one, finally, with the spontaneity of the nature of the artist, and the spontaneity, then, of the brush as it renders... is one that is altogether essential." Joseph Campbell, Myths to Live By p. 117

I need this. 
I need it as I approach a new season of art making.
I need it as I look at my spring-cleaning list and decide to do only that which is necessary and not one speck more.
I need it as try to approach each day as a clean slate of moments, in simplicity, and with the question:
What do I do today?

"Keep it simple."

Thanks to the dynamic...

...computer duo, Amy and Stephen, I have been saved from the heartbreak and embarrassment of HTML illiteracy once again. I spent the last hour converting  Glace' to  Glacé... in all my posts and product descriptions on bethsart and Zazzle. Everything looks a lot classier now and... well... French. Amy, my star editor and eldest daughter, (she is an actual elder now, since she turned 30 last week) sent me the tip via e-mail this morning, and Stephen, her co-brilliant, web designer husband, lent me the code.

Now that that's all fixed, I can continue having fun with fishes. ( I have a date with 4 very-brand-new-fancy-fish Watercolor Glacé paintings-in-progress this afternoon.)

Thanks kids!

"Keep it simple... and classy."

Gallery of the Month

I'm starting a new feature today: Gallery of the Month. I'll comb the internet for what I think are cool art and artists, and every month I'll feature a favorite.

But my first pick has to me from my home-town: Art Cats Gallery in Muskegon, Michigan. With her lively ceramic creations, artist/owner Louise Hopson explores the whimsical and the colorful. 

Here's a bit from her bio: "What am I doing and why am I doing it? These are questions an artist asks many times over the course of a lifetime. As we change and grow, re-focus and re-direct our energies, we reinvent ourselves. My artwork is an extension of myself. I am using white earthenware clay and under-glazes, pencils, crayons and markers as materials... The colors are bright and the patterns bold. I often use symbols and details to cement more intimate meaning to my works and words to create and complement the imagery I present. Themes of joy, celebration, empowerment, romance, environment and self-awareness are some of my favorites to explore... My work is whimsical and serious at the same time. I hope that people see a little of themselves in my figurative imagery. As they could be, should be, and may someday be."

Just goes to show that it's possible to be both fun and profound!  Best of luck to you, Louise, and all the contributing artists at Art Cats. It's been a long, tedious winter and art sales have been generally flat in the current sluggish economy. Perhaps warmer weather and signs of spring will bring out our whimsical sides... and maybe our checkbooks too!

"Keep it simple."