Spring Through the Window

IN MY THIRD FLOOR OFFICE, STANDING AT THE END OF THE HALL, I LOOK OUT THE WINDOW AND SEE THIS HUGE WILLOW DANCING IN THE WIND. SHE'S THE FIRST TO DRESS IN GREEN IN SPRING, AND LAST TO CHANGE TO YELLOW IN THE FALL. TODAY WAS SO WINDY, SHE WAS SWAYING WILDLY.

Tomato Politics

I HAD NO IDEA THAT EATING TOMATOES (IN THE U.S.) IN THE WINTER SUPPORTED SLAVERY. I DISCOVERED THIS ARTICLE THROUGH GLUTEN FREE GIRL'S BLOG. IT'S NOT WHAT EXPECTED FROM GOURMET MAGAZINE. READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE - IT'S WORTH IT!
I'M GLAD I BOUGHT THESE LITTLE GRAPE TOMATOES (THE ONLY KIND THAT HAVE FLAVOR IN WINTER ANYWAY) AT WHOLE FOODS - APPARENTLY THEY ARE THE ONLY GROCERY CHAIN THAT HAS PROMISED NOT TO BUY FROM GROWERS WHO TOLERATE WORKER ABUSE. THEY ALSO PLEDGED TO PAY A PRICE THAT SUPPORTS A LIVING WAGE.

Look Ma - No Crust!

EATING GLUTEN FREE DOESN'T MEAN NO QUICHE - IT JUST MEANS LOSE THE CRUST! HONESTLY, WHO NEEDS ALL THAT EXTRA FAT ANYWAY? I MADE THESE WITH LOTS OF ONIONS, GARLIC, ASPARAGUS AND ROASTED RED PEPPERS, AND PEPPERJACK & PARMESAN CHEESES. WITH A SALAD ON THE SIDE, IT'S A LOVELY MEAL. LET ME KNOW IF YOU WANT THE RECIPE (LEAVE A COMMENT), I'M HAPPY TO SEND IT ALONG.

At the Guggenheim: The Third Mind

Brice Marden, Cold Mountain Painting, 1989-91
(This painting is not actually in the show, but there are similar works by this artist.)
THERE'S AN AWESOME SHOW AT THE GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM. FOR AMERICAN BUDDHISTS WHO APPRECIATE CONTEMPORARY ART, IT IS, AS THEY SAY, A "MUST SEE." ORGANIZED INTO CONSECUTIVELY PRESENTED TIME PERIODS, BEGINNING WITH THE MID-19TH CENTURY, THROUGH THE PRESENT, I RELATED MOST WITH THE POSTWAR ABSTRACT, AND PERFORMANCE & VIDEO (1970'S THROUGH 1989) SECTIONS. ANN HAMILTON'S SITE SPECIFIC PIECE IS THOUGHTFUL, LOVELY, AND WILL MAKE YOU SMILE.
I WISH I LIVED CLOSE TO NYC, SO I COULD GO BACK AND SIT WITH SOME OF THE PIECES WE HAD TO RUSH THROUGH YESTERDAY. SO, SO GOOD.
IF YOU GO, I RECOMMEND THAT YOU ARRIVE EARLY AND STAY LATE. WATCH ALL OF THE VIDEOS!

Hot Dogs? Really?

SOMETIMES A HOT DOG CAN BE VERY SOPHISTICATED - WELL, AT LEAST I CAN TRY!
I COMBINED AN ONION, LOTS OF GARLIC, A COUPLE OF CARROTS CUT TO MATCHSTICKS, A BUNCH OF PERFECT MEXICAN ASPARAGUS WITH ORGANIC CHICKEN HOT DOGS, SLICED ON THE DIAGONAL TO CLASS THEM UP - ALL SAUTEED, HOT AND FAST, IN OLIVE OIL. SALT, PEPPER, AND A LITTLE GRATED PEPPER JACK MELTED ON AT THE END, SERVED OVER TEXMATI RICE - WOW - REALLY GOOD!
LOOKING FOR A WAY TO SAVE A FEW BUCKS, I BOUGHT CHICKEN HOT DOGS ON AN IMPULSE. YUM!

How We Feel in Late Winter

OUR TOES, FROZEN SOLID THROUGH THE WINTER, CAN PEEK OUT INTO THE SUN!

How Can You Mess Up Corn Bread?

THIS IS THE BATCH I MADE TONIGHT - BEING EXTRA CAREFUL TO MEASURE CORRECTLY AND INCLUDE ALL THE INGREDIENTS. IT'S QUITE LOVELY!
LAST NIGHT S. AND I MADE A TERRIBLE BATCH - TO GO WITH OUR SPLIT PEA SOUP. OH, THE CORN BREAD WAS JUST AWFUL - SOGGY AND TART TASTING. IT WAS SO SAD.
DRINK YOUR WINE DURING DINNER - DON'T DRINK AND BAKE! :-)

Milarepa

MILAREPA, THE GREAT YOGI SAINT OF TIBET

TOMORROW WE WILL CELEBRATE MILAREPA DAY - A DAY-LONG READING OF THE SONGS OF THE KAGYU LINEAGE - AT SKY LAKE LODGE IN ROSENDALE, NY. THIS PAINTING IS A DETAIL OF A KAGYU LINEAGE THANGKA PAINTED BY MY FORMER PAINTING TEACHER, THE LATE GLEN EDDY. APPARENTLY THE THANGKA WAS MAILED TO SOMEONE (in the 1970s) AND NEVER RECEIVED. I WONDER WHERE IT IS NOW.

It's Melting!

THIS WEEKEND HAS BEEN A BREATH OF FRESH AIR - WARM, SPRINGY FRESH AIR. THE SNOW IS FINALLY MAKING ITS RETREAT, REVEALING THE LONG WINTER'S COLLECTION OF DETRITUS. IT'S SUCH A JOYFUL TIME - EVERYONE IS OUT AND ABOUT ENJOYING THE WARMTH AND SUN.

Homemade Greek Yogurt

THIS HAS BEEN A FUN EXPERIMENT. I'VE BEEN CONSUMING ONE 7 OZ. CUP PER DAY OF PLAIN FAGE GREEK YOGURT. AT $1.89 A POP, I'M OVER BUDGET! I THOUGHT I'D TRY MY LUCK AT A HOMEMADE VERSION.

I HEATED 1/2 GALLON OF 2% ORGANIC MILK TO A SCALD: 180 F. THEN COOLED IT TO 115 DEGREES. I ADDED ABOUT 3Tbs OF FAGE YOGURT TO THE MILK, AND WHISKED UNTIL THOROUGHLY BLENDED. I POURED THE MILK INTO 2 CLEAN PLASTIC YOGURT CONTAINERS, AND SNAPPED ON THE LIDS. (IF I HAD 2 GLASS QUART JARS, I'D HAVE USED THOSE INSTEAD.) I PUT THE 2 CONTAINERS IN A LARGE SOUP POT, AND ADDED 115 DEGREE WATER NEARLY UP TO THE RIMS OF THE YOGURT CONTAINERS. I PUT THE POT LID ON, WRAPPED IT IN A TOWEL, AND PLACED THE BUNDLE THE OVEN, WHICH I HAD PREVIOUSLY WARMED TO 180F AND TURNED OFF. I LEFT IT OVER NIGHT, AND THIS MORNING HAD 2 QUARTS OF YOGURT!

SINCE MY STRAINER IS NOT VERY BIG, I STRAINED THE YOGURT IN 2 BATCHES. I LINED THE STRAINER WITH A PAPER TOWEL, DUMPED IN A QUART OF YOGURT, PLACED IT OVER A BOWL, COVERED WITH SARAN WRAP AND PUT IN THE FRIDGE TO DRIP. EACH QUART YIELDED 1.5 CUPS OF WHEY AFTER 3 HOURS.

USING THIS METHOD, TWO QUARTS OF MILK YIELDS 3 CUPS OF WHEY AND ABOUT ONE QUART + 1/4 CUP OR SO, OF STRAINED YOGURT, WHICH COST $4.19. (IT LOSES SOME VOLUME WHEN STIRRED AND PUT INTO ITS FINAL CONTAINER.) IT'S TAKEN QUITE A BIT OF EFFORT, BUT WITH SOME MODIFICATIONS IN MY PROCESS, I CAN IMAGINE DOING THIS ON A REGULAR BASIS.

OH . . . AND THE TASTE? IT'S FANTASTIC. SMOOTH AND CREAMY. I JUST ATE A LITTLE BOWLFUL WITH MAPLE SYRUP. YUM!

Treasure

ANANDA GAVE ME THIS LOTUS CANDLE HOLDER WHEN SHE WAS SIX YEARS OLD. SHE SAVED HER ALLOWANCE TO BUY IT. I CAN STILL SEE THE TEARS IN HER EYES THE DAY SHE GAVE IT TO ME - 26 YEARS AGO.

What We're Up To . . .

MEMBERS OF THE PIONEER VALLEY SHAMBHALA CENTER ARE RENOVATING 2000 SQUARE FEET OF SPACE AT 191 MAIN STREET IN NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS, FOR OUR NEW MEDITATION CENTER.WE'RE GOING THROUGH LOTS AND LOTS OF PAINT . . .

WE HAVE AN ELEVATOR - WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE!

JD INSTALLS CROWN MOLDING ON THE ENTRY ACCENT WALL . . .

LOTS OF LIGHT COMING INTO THE MAIN SHRINE ROOM, LOOKING SOUTH . . .

MAIN SHRINE ROOM FACING NORTH. CZ PAINTS TRIM . . .

PEOPLE ARE WORKING SO HARD! IT'S EXCITING AND EXHAUSTING.
I'LL POST MORE AS THE PROJECT COMES ALONG.

Happy Valentines Day!

HELLO AGAIN! IT'S BEEN ABOUT 2 WEEKS SINCE MY LAST POST. I'VE BEEN SO BUSY WITH THE DESIGN COMMITTEE FOR THE NEW SHAMBHALA CENTER IN NORTHAMPTON, I HAVEN'T HAD THE TIME OR FREE ATTENTION TO COME UP WITH ANYTHING TO POST. HERE'S A LITTLE HEARTFUL FELLOW THAT ANANDA GAVE TO ME FOR CHRISTMAS. IN SPITE OF HIS CONDITION, AND HIS RESIDENCE IN A WALNUT SHELL, HE SEEMS TO BE IMPARTING A WARM VALENTINES DAY MESSAGE, NO?
WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR VALENTINES DAY?

The Icy World

YES, IT'S BEEN A COLD, SNOWY WINTER HERE IN NEW ENGLAND. THERE'S BEEN A GREAT DEAL OF COMPLAINING GOING ON THIS WEEK ABOUT THE WEATHER. IT'S HARD ON US, TRUE. AND I'M NOT POINTING FINGERS - I'VE EXPRESSED MY LONGING FOR SPRING ALONG WITH EVERYONE ELSE. BUT LET'S TRY THIS: LIKE STOPPING TO SMELL THE PROVERBIAL ROSES, LET'S STOP TO SAVOR THE AWESOME BEAUTY OF THE FROZEN LANDSCAPE.
HERE'S A LINK TO WARM YOUR HEART - A FINE THING THAT HAPPENED ON A VERY COLD DAY.

A Late Blooming Christmas Gift

THIS GORGEOUS AMARYLLIS IS JUST OPENING TODAY. IT WAS A CHRISTMAS GIFT FROM DEBORAH. THERE'S A PINK ONE COMING ALONG TOO - A CHRISTMAS GIFT FROM SUNSHINE. THANKS LADIES!

Snow Day Cookie Baking, Gluten Free

WITH ALL THE SNOW & SLEET TODAY, I DIDN'T HAVE TO GO TO WORK, SO I FINALLY MADE THESE GLUTEN FREE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES. I USED THIS RECIPE FROM GLUTEN FREE GIRL'S BLOG. IT WAS DEVELOPED BY HER FRIEND NINA.
IN THIS RECIPE THE GLUTEN FREE REPLACEMENTS FOR WHEAT FLOUR ARE TEFF, SORGHUM AND SWEET RICE FLOURS, AND FLAX SEED MEAL.
FULL OF CHOCOLATE CHIPS AND WALNUTS, THESE COOKIES TASTE GREAT RIGHT OUT OF THE OVEN. I CHECKED BY EATING THREE OF THEM! I'LL TRY ANOTHER WHEN THEY'VE COOLED. (I DID - AND THEY'RE EVEN BETTER WHEN THEY'VE HAD A CHANCE TO COOL!)

A Different Kind of Project

I'M WORKING ON A LAYOUT AND MATERIALS ESTIMATE FOR THE KITCHENETTE AT THE NEW SHAMBHALA CENTER. I'M SO GLAD TODAY IS A SNOW DAY AND UMASS IS CLOSED. IT'S DIVINE TO HAVE SOME TIME TO PUT INTO THIS PROJECT!

What Colors?

SOME FRIENDS AND I ARE ON THE COLOR COMMITTEE FOR THE NEW SHAMBHALA CENTER IN NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS. HERE WE ARE - STRUGGLING OVER WHAT COLORS TO PAINT THE ROOMS. IT'S MUCH MORE DIFFICULT THAN ANY OF US EXPECTED. WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE THE SPACE WILL BE WONDERFUL, BUT THIS PROCESS IS QUITE HARD!

A Pretty Breakfast

I'M NOT ONE TO MAKE A BIG DEAL OUT OF BREAKFAST. I JUST HAVE TO EAT SOMETHING QUICK TO GET GOING IN THE MORNING. MY USUAL THESE DAYS IS A MESA SUNRISE GLUTEN FREE TOASTER WAFFLE WITH GREEK YOGURT & MAPLE SYRUP.
THE OTHER DAY I WAS READING ABOUT THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF BLUEBERRIES, AND THOUGHT THEY'D BE A NICE ADDITION. WHILE BUYING A BAG OF FROZEN BLUEBERRIES I SPOTTED FROZEN PEACHES - SO I PICKED THOSE UP TOO. I JUST POURED A FEW OF EACH INTO A LITTLE BOWL, MICROWAVED THEM FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES AND ADDED THEM TO THE MIX.
THE PEACHES LOOK GOOD, DON'T THEY? THEY'RE AWFUL - UNRIPE AND TASTELESS. I'LL BE STICKING WITH THE BERRIES THOUGH - THEY REALLY TOOK IT UP A NOTCH.

Baking Gluten Free Bread

WELL, HERE IT IS - MY FIRST ATTEMPT AT GLUTEN FREE BREAD. INSPIRED BY THIS POST ON GLUTI GIRLS BLOG, I USED THE MILLET-OATMEAL BREAD RECIPE FROM GLUTEN FREE MOMMY, FOUND HERE. I FOLLOWED THE RECIPE FAITHFULLY, USING THE BREAD MACHINE ADAPTATION. THE TEXTURE IS REALLY GOOD! IT'S REALLY BREAD. SO COOL!
EXCEPT . . . THERE IS SOME VERY SLIGHT BITTER/SOUR SMELL AND AFTERTASTE THAT I HAVE TO IDENTIFY. WHAT COULD IT BE? FLAX SEED MEAL? XANTHAN GUM? IF YOU'D LIKE TO HELP SOLVE THE MYSTERY, TAKE A PEEK AT THE RECIPE AND PLEASE LET ME KNOW. (I USED CORN STARCH IN PLACE OF ARROWROOT STARCH - I COULDN'T FIND ANY AT WHOLE FOODS; THE BLACKSTRAP MOLASSES I USED IS QUITE DARK, MAKING THE BREAD A DARKER COLOR THAN THE OTHER PICTURES OF IT ON THE WEB.)
OF COURSE IT DIDN'T STOP ME FROM CUTTING A THICK SLICE, SLATHERING IT WITH BUTTER AND ENJOYING IT QUITE THOROUGHLY!

On The Shelf

I HAVEN'T POSTED IN QUITE WHILE. I GUESS I'M IN A BIT OF A WINTER FUNK.
I SUPPOSE IT'S TIME FOR SOME ADDED EXERTION!

TOP SHELF, L TO R: FEMINIST AND FEMININE ART BOOKS; A WOODEN ELEPHANT GIVEN TO ME BY ANANDA; THE BUTTON HOLE ATTACHMENT TO MY 1951 SINGER SEWING MACHINE; BOOKS BY LYNDA BARRY ON TOP OF SOME OM YOGA INSTRUCTION CARDS.

MIDDLE SHELF: A COCONUT SHELL I'VE BEEN SAVING FOR 25 YEARS - I KEEP THINKING I MIGHT MAKE A HANGING PLANT BASKET OUT OF IT; MEXICAN DAY OF THE DEAD SKULLS; A LITTLE BOOKLET ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHY ARCHIVES OF CHOGYAM TRUNGPA RINPOCHE; A PAPER MACHIE PIG HEAD MADE BY ANANDA IN SECOND GRADE (HER TINSEL HAIR FELL OFF YEARS AGO); A BASKET, CONTENTS UNKNOWN!

BOTTOM SHELF: A NAUTILUS SHELL I GAVE TO MY DAD AS A GIFT - WHEN HE DIED I BROUGHT IT HOME; A LITTLE SOFTIE THAT FOR SOME REASON REMINDS ME OF MY CHILDHOOD ELEPHANT PINKY, EVEN THOUGH IT LOOKS NOTHING LIKE HIM; A CHICKEN PINCUSHION MADE BY ELISABETH RADYSH, WITH A POSTCARD OF A JAPANESE MASK; A BUNCH OF TINY TOYS MADE BY ELISABETH RADYSH.

ELISABETH MAKES WONDERFUL TOYS IN THE WALDORF TRADITION. CHECK HER WEBSITE OUT BY CLICKING HERE.

Phase Two

I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY PHASES THERE WILL BE, BUT HERE'S NUMBER TWO.
I HAVE TO STOP NOW - MORE TOMORROW!

Phase One

I'M TRYING A NEW WAY OF PAINTING. JUST GET SOMETHING ON THE SURFACE, AND THEN RESPOND TO IT, WITHOUT ANY AGENDA OR PLAN. JUST SEE WHAT ARISES. LAST NIGHT I COMPLETELY PAINTED OVER AN OLD CANVAS, AND GOT THIS FAR. IT WAS FUN, FRUSTRATING, AND JUST FELT RIGHT. I'M ABOUT TO GET BACK INTO IT. I'LL SHOW YOU THE NEXT PHASE LATER.

Happy New Year!

WHAT BETTER WAY TO WELCOME THE NEW YEAR THAN WITH A NEW BABY? I MET LITTLE ELAN FOR THE FIRST TIME WHEN SHE VISITED ANANDA & NATHAN'S HOUSE ON DECEMBER 15 - SHE ALREADY LOOKS SO MUCH MORE GROWN UP THAN THIS. YOU CAN CLICK HERE TO VISIT ELAN'S BLOG FOR THE LATEST PICTURES.

I WISH YOU ALL A WONDER-FILLED, PROSPEROUS AND PEACEFUL 2009!

Winter Wonderland Weekend

WHAT TO DO ON SUCH A SNOWY WEEKEND?

COOK LOVELY POTATOES, OF COURSE! I MADE THE CURRY STUFFED ONES AGAIN, FOR A PARTY ON SATURDAY EVENING.

Oh Christmas Tree!

BETTIE AND I BOTH LOVE THE CHRISTMAS TREE. I'VE BEEN COLLECTING ORNAMENTS FOR YEARS. SO MANY OF THEM HOLD MEMORIES OR SPECIAL MEANING. IT MAKES DECORATING THE TREE A TENDER EXPERIENCE.
I HOPE YOU WILL HELP KEEP THE LIGHT ALIVE IN THE DARK TIMES!

Welcome to the Snowflake Palace

THESE THREE WINDOWS ARE STACKED NEXT TO MY FRONT DOOR. I'VE BEEN BUSY FILLING THEM WITH PAPER SNOWFLAKES. I LOVE THE SWEET SIMPLICITY OF FOLDING AND SNIPPING THE SCRAP PAPER, AND THE SURPRISE OF THE PATTERN AS I UNFOLD THE DELICATE, LACEY PAPER. I CAN'T FILL THE SPACE ON THE BOTTOM WINDOW - THAT'S WHERE BETTIE SITS TO LOOK OUT UPON THE FROSTY WINTER WORLD.

Early Morning Winter Window

THANKS TO CAMILLA ENGMAN FOR POSTING A PAPER SNOWFLAKE TUTORIAL AT STUDIO VIOLET. I HAD A LOVELY TIME MAKING SOME LAST NIGHT. IF YOU HAVEN'T MADE ANY SINCE CHILDHOOD, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!

That's a Big Kitty!

YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU'LL SEE IN NEW YORK . . .
THESE HUGE BRONZE SCULPTURES BY TOM SACHS, ON DISPLAY OUTSIDE OF LEVER HOUSE AT 390 PARK AVENUE, WERE QUITE A SURPRISE.

December City Lights

I'M STARTING TO GET IN THE CHRISTMAS MOOD . . .
I HOPE YOU ARE ENJOYING YOUR HOLIDAY PREPARATIONS.