I Love Choir Music and I'm Not Ashamed of it!

Morten Lauridsen's "O Magnum Mysterium" may be the most calming piece of music I have ever heard.  Each time the holiday season comes around I remember how much I love it!  And yes, that does mean that I have busted out the seasonal tunes...I just couldn't help myself! Enjoy this version, performed by the Luther College's lovely Nordic Choir.  The swells in volume are so incredible. 

I heart plants

Check out these lovely ideas for decorating with plants!

I am especially in love with succulents right now, since they are so prevalent in Northern California.  To this Iowa girl, they seem so exotic!

This is such a great idea!

I wanted to post a pic of the great plants on our porch (which we happily kept after they were abandoned by the previous renters), but didn't get home early enough last night to get a snapshot before it was dark.  Oh, winter. Maybe I'll get to that soon.

Wisdom from "The Glass Castle," by Jeannette Walls

Here is a snippet of dialogue between two people in this book, which I find a useful perspective on life!  Take it as you will...

Jeannie's mother:
"Things always work out in the end"

Jeannie:
"What if they don't?"

Jeannie's mother: 
"That just means you haven't come to the end yet"

Weekend!!

Here's what's in store for my weekend!  What are you going to do??

 

Haven't been to the first Friday Oakland Art Murmur in awhile; its time to go get some inspiration!

 

The Iowa girl in me just has to root for the Hawkeyes, who are undefeated so far!

Going Christmas shopping at this art fair.  Hopefully I'll be able to show off some of my finds next week!

New Designs

Here are some of my latest poster design projects.  Looking at them all together, I am seeing quite a few similarities in style.  Stay tuned--Next project I am breaking out from this look!

I hope your day is just...

Not Your Average Pancake

 

I made  these delicious little yummies with my family last Easter and forgot about them for awhile (got the recipe from the NY times).  I'm going to try them again soon, and hope you do too!

Tortillitas with Shrimp

1/2 cup chickpea flour
1/2 cup white flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup chopped onion or scallions
About 1/2 cup raw shrimp, chopped, or scallops or other shellfish or fish-- you can also leave the shrimp out, or try chicken! 

2 to 3 tablespoons chopped chives, parsley, thyme or cilantro
Olive oil.

1. In a bowl, combine flours and baking powder with salt and pepper. Add a little more than a cup of water and stir to combine; consistency should resemble pancake batter (if batter is too thick, add more water, a little at a time). Stir in the onions, chopped seafood and herbs.
2. Put a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and film its bottom generously with olive oil. When oil is hot, pour in half the batter until it fills center of pan; spread gently with a spoon to form a large pancake.
3. Cook about 3 minutes, or until pancake is set around edges; flip pancake and continue cooking for another 3 minutes, then flip it again and cook for another 30 seconds or so, until it is crisp on outside but still moist inside. Remove from pan and serve immediately, while remaining batter cooks.
Yield: 4 or more servings.