Katie Pfeiffer’s World of Art, Food & Culture

I ‘m giving up drinking Coca Cola for political reasons. I even wrote in past blogs how much I enjoy drinking it with certain dishes. My Kindergarten teacher tried her best to dissuade our class back in 1969 from drinking Coca Cola. She dissolved a baby tooth in a large glass bottle. It disintegrated about 20 minutes later. Because my mother was an extreme health food nut, I didn’t drink sodas until I was a teenager. My pathetic love of sugar was/is a sad & stupid rebellion against my mother. Everything she taught me about nutrition turned out to be the truth. I need to give up sodas and sugary drinks entirely. They are so bad for the body. I know this. I’m working it on it. Slowly. Baby Steps. That’s me- 5 planets in Taurus- the slow moving woman. Eventually I get to my goals. It just takes me longer than most people.
My birthday was Mother’s day. This year I had two birthday dinners. The first being the night before at a wonderful seafood restaurant ( I’m keeping the name to myself). Raw oyster variety platter, lobster bisque and fried soft shell crab in a wonderful lemon butter sauce. Everything was excellent. The next night ( my real birthday), I decided to have pate with crackers, cornichon, olives, Humboldt Fog Cheese, French bread, a simple green salad with my special homemade salad dressing and pommes frites ( French fries) cooked in duck fat. Yes I said Duck fat.

I had been consumed with finding duck fat after reading Ruth Reichl’s book GARLIC AND SAPPHIRES. I asked at one of the farmer’s markets I shop at if they carried duck fat. They did not. This led me on a journey to find duck fat in Philadelphia. At first I went to the internet and quickly found a site in Florida that sell duck and goose fat but they wanted about $9 plus shipping for 7 ounces. I figured 7 ounces wouldn’t be enough. A friend mentioned checking Asssouline & Ting- a shop in downtown Philadelphia that sells caviar. I went to their website and my friend was absolutely right- they sell duck fat and get this in 6 lb tubs! The price for 6 lbs is $30. So much cheaper than the Florida site and local. I ended up driving to their warehouse ( getting lost- thank you Map Quest) and finally getting the the big plastic tub of fat. I made the French fries from Russet Potatoes- rinsed out the starch and flavored them with salt from the Camargue. I decided to go all out and made a aioli ( garlic mayonaise) to dip the fries into. Heaven. I have frozen the rest of the huge tub of Duck Fat. I haven’t decided upon its future.

Last Weekend I went to visit a friend in NYC. We went to see the Takashi Murakami show at the Brooklyn Museum. While I like some of Mr. Murakami’s images ( the 60s Mod pop art smiling flowers and his wild cartoons), I was dismayed to see lots of little kids at the show. His work aside from the smiling flowers, was very adult in nature. I am not going to write about it . No I am definitely not a prude ( see my work) but even my friend (who is a teacher) felt the show was inappropriate for small children. We wandered around Brooklyn. I just adore Brooklyn. We stopped in ONE GIRL COOKIES and had hot chocolate topped with huge homemade marshmallows and assortment of their cookies. I love the lemon cookies the best- oh yes and the brownies-sinful! Full of butter. I had a difficult time not buying anything in FLIGHT 001 but eventually caved in at EXIT 9 and bought some very cool change purses and a much needed wallet. I love NYC ( of course). My friend has a miracle. The force of the shower reminds me of the hose they spray the elephants with at the zoo. My body and aura was clean in about 10 seconds. No joke. My friend could charge people lots of money to spend 10 seconds in the miracle shower. I wish I had that kind of water pressure.

I had promised my friend that I would cook when I stayed over. We went to Union Square farmer’s market so I could buy the ingredients for the meal. I decided to make my friend a dish I call ” P.M.S. Pasta”- which I created several months ago during that time of the month. The night I created the dish I was craving a creamy pasta dish. I like Trader Joe’s Frozen Mac N’ Cheese but sometimes it can be too cheesy and salty for my palate. Originally I used pancetta but at the market I opted for lamb sausage flavored with fresh rosemary. The recipe appears below. Once again I am sharing this recipe freely but it is my own invention.

Katie Pfeiffer’s P.M.S. Pasta- Great Any time of the month!

Serves 2 to 3 people

*8 oz package Fettucine ( you need a wide noodle for the sauce of the dish)- I like to use Spinach Fettucine

*4 Tablespoons Olive Oil

*small onion chopped fine

*3 cloves garlic finely mined

*1/4 lb pancetta or bacon diced (can substitute sausage)

*1/2 stick of unsalted butter ( you may add more if you wish)

*small basket of cherry tomatoes sliced in quarters

*1 Cup Heavy Cream OR 1/2 Cup of Heavy Cream +1/2 Half N Half

*small bag of baby spinach- washed- if the spinach has stems please remove them

*1/4 cup grated Parmesean or Pecorino or any other good Italian hard

cheese you would usually top pasta with.

*1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

*Freshly cracked pepper

Prepare pot cook the pasta. Get the water simmering almost boiling. Wait to cook pasta when the sauce is almost done.

In a skillet heat olive oil on medium high heat. add garlic. Saute for a couple of minutes, add onions. Saute approximately 5 to 8 minutes. Add diced pancetta. Cook until pancetta is done. Add butter. Add cherry tomatoes. Cook about 2 minutes. Add cream. Cook another 5 minutes. Add spinach. Add grated cheese, red pepper flakes, cracked ground pepper ( to taste). Turn the sauce down LOW or off.

Follow the directions for cooking the Fettucine. I like my pasta al dente. Drain pasta and add pasta to the skillet of sauce thoroughly coating the pasta.

Serve with hot crusty French or Italian bread.

This pasta is obviously not low cal but I figure it is full of iron and calcium.

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DVD Recommendation:

A must see documentary for all artists is “THE CATS OF MIRIKITANI“. This documentary is about a woman who befriends an elderly Japanese Artist who is homeless. I have to say this is one of the best documentaries I have ever seen. It is bursting with Buddhist themes and shows how love and kindness transforms and unites people. I think this documentary should be shown in every public school to everyone. Life changing. Life affirming. Wonderful!

Other Treasure Hunts or Material THINGS I’m Currently Obsessed with ( besides cooking with duck fat):

1. Vintage reading glasses from the 50s/60s- really difficult to find even on eBAY. I’m talking about the plastic kind made in Japan and also the half glasses plastic.

2. Vintage Overalls- I just bought a fabulous pair of vintage never worn U.S.A. made Osh Kosh Men’s Railroad Stripe overalls- they are a wee bit big but I love them anyway. I’m tempted not paint in them but probably will.

3. Hee Haw Overalls in my size. I have a friend who has a pair of these and wears them to work. Finding them in adult sizes ( on eBAY) is tough.

4. Asian Noodle Dishes- I just bought a book on Asian Noodle dishes ( used) and was hoping it would fulfill my desire to find the right cookbook that has the kind of noodle dishes and noodle soups I’m looking to make at home. I enjoy eating at a nearby upscale Asian restaurant but they charge $10 for a small dish of lo Mein or Chow Fun!

5. Latvian Artist Janis Tidemanis- ( Oct 1, 1897- April 12, 1964)- His Artwork is

incredible. I swoon and salivate over it. Mr. Tidemanis spent time in the U.S. studying art. If you do an internet search you will see examples of his work. Incredible. Stunning.

6.  BIGELOW’S CONSTANT COMMENT GREEN TEA- I ‘m off the coffee train
once again ( I managed to stay off it for 7 months and then fell off the wagon.  I am back drinking Green Tea.  I loved Constant Comment when I was  young- the orange, cloves and other spices.   I went through a box last week.  I keep buying out the stock from one of my Super Markets.  Tried to find  it NYC for my friend- went to several stores.   You can order this on the internet.  Excellent with honey or sugar- brings out the flavor of the oranges and spices.

Tashi Delek,

Katie

Happy May Day! May is my favorite month- o.k. I love this month because it’s my birthday month.

Several weeks ago I went to get my driver’s license renewed. Of course they asked me on the touch screen if I wanted to be an organ donor. I said yes.

I recently read about a man who just committed suicide. He had received the heart many years ago from a much younger man who had committed suicide too. That coincidence was odd. What was very weird about the story was the second man ending up marrying the widow of the man whose heart he had received. Man number one also drank beer. Man number two never drank beer until after receiving man#1’s heart- then he got a craving for beer. There is a phenomenon called “cell memory” where the organ of someone has things stored in it like pain, happiness, cravings etc.The recipient of an organ transplant will frequently take on the characteristics of the previous person the organ originally came from.

Heaven help the person or persons who receive my organs. They will develop a craving for Disco music, Red Vines, Korean fried chicken. They will get weird food cravings, decide to cook the food they are craving and after all that, not want to eat it in the end. They won’t put up with people who are posers. They will have a love of animals, astrology and want to spend lots of time in nature, etc. etc.

A few years ago I went on a trip to New Orleans and stopped in THE BOTTOM OF THE CUP TEA ROOM - a famous psychic parlor in the French quarter. The woman who read my tarot cards told me I was living out an Asian past life in this lifetime ( I BELIEVE IT!). What is odd is when my mother was pregnant with me ( back in the 60s), she couldn’t eat Chinese food. Then, one day she and my father were taking a walk and she suddenly developed a craving for Chinese food. Unfortunately, on the way to the restaurant my mother started having labor pains. 24 hours later, I was born via C- Section. My birthday is coming up very soon. I can’t believe I’m going to be 44. Thank God my family has great genes. I’m not one of those women who lie about my age or who fake things. I bought myself an early birthday present- a Tempurpedic Symphony Memory foam Pillow ( it retails for $99 but with a 20% coupon from Bed, Bath & Beyond it ends up being around $84 with tax). I had been sleeping on a cheaper neck memory foam pillow which I had bought years ago for half the price. It was terrible. I thought I was being clever-saving some money buying a different brand ( not Tempurpedic). Big mistake! sometimes you have to spend money for quality items. Just in the last few days, I have been sleeping so much better.

Speaking of food, I finally was able to satisfy an obsession ( of sorts). It started last year when I read about OREOs Cereal (POST) on AMAZON dot com. Amazon for those of you who don’t know have a large grocery section of various food products. I ‘m not a huge cereal lover but sometimes I get a crunchy craving or a sweet/crunchy craving. As I was surfing the various cereals, I discovered Kellogg’s Fruit Harvest with Strawberries and blueberries. Amazon sells this cereal - a 4 pack for $15.05 plus shipping. I went on a fruitless search ( no pun intended) to all the local grocery stores. No luck. On Saturday, I just happened to be at a Walmart and found it. I have to agree with the reviewers on Amazon- it is really good- sweet and crunchy. As for the Post’s brand of Oreo’s cereal, I found that at my local Rite Aid. Soon after, they either sold out or stopped carrying Oreo’s cereal. It is a great cereal- especially if you get weird cravings. The cereal kind of tastes like a hard, crunchy not-too-sweet brownie. With whole organic milk it is divine. A great PMS food!

I also made my first batch of Koolickles. Koolickles are dill pickles soaked in Kool Aid- it is a Southern thing. I know it sounds yucky but the taste sensation of sweet, sour and crunchy is great. I got the recipe off the internet. I felt bad about using Kool -Aid because it is full of red dye number two. I probably could have substituted kool aid with a natural jello mix, sugar and a strawberry oil flavor or something along those lines. I probably won’t be making Koolickles again for a long time ( as I do suffer from allergies and I usually avoid foods with dye in them) but it was fun making them. The longer ( more days) they soak the better. The recipe says soak them for at least 24 hours but I would advise soaking them for at least 72 hours before eating.

Today- April 30th I just listed a new painting on eBAY. I am loading up a photo of it to this blog. The title is ” MY DOG IS WAY CUTER THAN YOUR BABY”. This painting is inspired by a real life event . A friend build and stretched the canvas. I used acrlic paints and Deco paint pens . If the painting doesn’t sell, I will be happy to keep it. It is very cool ( in my opinion). Little Miss Sunshine is on her way to fame and fortune as a painting I made of her ( not this one) will be exhibited this summer in a gallery. I am so proud of her.

Well I was going to give some film and DVD recommendations here but I will save it for the next blog.

Tashi Delek,

Katie

March 11, 2008

FREE TIBET!

Kudos to Bjork! Thank you for mentioning Tibet at your concert in Shanghai. I listed two art pieces I made today on eBAY. 100% of the proceeds are being donated to STUDENTS FOR A FREE TIBET. You can see these paintings by going to the link on my art website on typing in OUTSIDER ART TIBET on the EBAY search. I will be listing more art items and other things to donate to Tibetan causes. So please bid. I appreciate it!

I’m fully aware that my blog entries have mostly been about movies and food. So here is something about art.

I went on Sunday to see the Frida Kahlo exhibit today at the Philadelphia Museum of Art ( PMA). The show was crowded ( obviously) and very padded ( meaning filled with lots of things other than Frida’s few paintings- lots of photographs of her and Diego as well as painting from other Mexican painters). PMA is always big on selling merchandise in connection with their “block buster art shows”. I broke down and bought a coffee mug for a friend with one of Frida’s paintings on it. Back in the late 80s, I was able to get a private viewing of her paintings in a small space at theFolk Art Museum at Fort Mason ( San Francisco). This was before the Frida craze. I love Frida’s work. I made a painting of Frida a few weeks ago and am adding it to this blog, Yes it is for sale.

My journey with cooking and food the last 4 years has been driven by my food cravings. Usually I get a craving for something creamy, crunchy, salty or sweet and thus begins a journey of research . I love comfort foods as well as dishes from bygone eras. Last week I had a craving for some kind of ice cream concoction. I suppose I could have just made myself a root beer float with Vanilla ice cream or even made myself a quick New York Egg cream with U Bet Chocolate syrup, half n’ half and seltzer water. As I started looking on the internet for old fashioned ice cream sodas, I came across a recipe for something that was popular in the 1920s & 30s called a Chop Suey Sundae. A ice cream sundae made with vanilla ice cream, shredded coconut, and a warm compote of raisins, dates and water all topped with Chow Mein noodles. As I read the ingredients my stomach turned. My initial response was “Yuck!”. Chop suey is a fake Chinese dish- called American Chinese. The recipe I found online sounded revolting. I went to sleep that night thinking about the concept of a Chop Suey Sundae- something I could revise and make my own and original.

Well I am happy to report I have come up with a tasty version of this weird sundae . I have looked high and low to see if something like what I have created exists- it does not. Here is my version of a Chop Suey Sundae. My version is called (modestly) Katie Pfeiffer’s Cherry Bling Chop Suey Sundae. I am posting the recipe- freely but I invented this.

This version is a two step dessert process. I am not mentioning the brand name of a puffed rice cereal but you know what I am talking about. Recipe will appear at the bottom of the blog.

Now on to two films I love about Soulmates. These films will go great with my Cherry Bling Chop Suey Sundae. The first movie is

“DEJA VU” ( 1998)- There are several films with this title but this is the film directed by Henry Jaglom which stars Stephen Dillane and Victoria Hoyt. This film is mostly talking and you would think boring- but you couldn’t be more wrong. This film is absorbing and fascinating. It explores the relationship of two strangers who happen to meet. This movie explores the subject of past lives, soul mates and mysticism and will leave you feeling happy and reflecting on your own relationships in a more positive light. I feel there are no coincidences. Rent it, buy it- just see it!!!!!!

The second film which is also about soulmates and one I became obsessed over is “THE MIRROR HAS TWO FACES” ( 1996) Starring Barbra Streisand and Jeff Bridges, Lauren Bacall and George Segal ( who previously starred with La Streisand in another wonderful film ” THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT”. Anyway this film is very George Bernard Shaw/Shakesperean- a comedy of errors/ miscommunication and assumptions. All I will say about this film is I have seen it at least twelve times in the last few months and it is full of wit, humor and truth about men, women & relationships. I feel Streisand did not receive the recognition she deserved for this film. I consider this my favorite film now ( at least in the Romance/Comedy genre).

O.k. Here is my recipe for Cherry Bling Chop Suey Sundae. It is pretty awesome.

KATIE PFEIFFER’S CHERRY BLING CHOP SUEY SUNDAE

( serves 2)

*1 cup Vanilla Frozen Yogurt or Vanilla Ice Cream- buy a decent brand

*Puffed Rice marshmallow treats- follow the recipe on the Puffed Rice

Box or look it up on the internet - you will need two average squares- one for each bowl plus extra to top the sundae. TIP from me- when I am making the puffed rice marshmallow treats, I add 1/2 teaspoon of real Vanilla Extract to the recipe and this makes it SO much better!

*1/4 Cup chopped dates

*1/4 Cup Dried Sour Cherries

*1/4 Cup Water

*About 10 Maraschino Cherries chopped up plus about 2 Tablespoons of Maraschino Cherry syrup- I buy Maraschino Cherries WITHOUT Red dye no.2 at Whole Foods. the brand is called SILVER PALATE and you can buy them over the internet.

*1/4 Cup Roasted and Salted Almonds- chopped

*1/4 Cup Toasted Shredded Sweetened Coconut flaked

*Optional Chocolate Syrup

*Extra puffed rice marshmallow treat- crumbled for topping

In two small ice cream dishes or bowls break up up the squares of the puffed rice marshmallow treat. Push them down on the bottom of the bowls. In a small saucepan combine the dates, sour cherries, maraschino cherries, maraschino cherry syrup and water on low. Bring to a bowl and cook for 5 minutes until the liquid gets syrupy and the dates break down. Add the frozen yogurt or ice cream to the dishes. Spoon the hot cherry and date compote over the ice cream. Add the coconut and chopped almonds. Top with crumbled puff rice marshmallow treats. Drizzle with chocolate syrup if desired.

Enjoy!

One last thing- yesterday was the annual March 10th March  for Tibet-  Freedom for Tibet and its people.   I wanted to March in NYC  but a personal injury  has made this impossible this year.    Hopefully next year I will be there in front marching.

Tashi Delek,

Katie

Well Valentine’s Day is coming up this week. I thought I would mention the fact that last week I made homemade rolled sugar cookies and used my new Wilton Cookie cutter set to make heart shaped cookies which had the words “LOVE” and “BE MINE” in the center. I tweaked the recipe I found online for the “best rolled sugar cookies” and added several magical ingredients. I couldn’t believe the recipe called for only 1 teaspoon of Vanilla. I doubled that and then added lemon rind, orange flower water and Moroccan Rose water. The end result is a magical taste that is just right. Several of the ingredients I added to tweak the recipe have love properities in them. I photographed a few of them on a red glitter heart shaped plate ( see photo). I think I gained several pounds- God they were good!

Speaking of love cookies , I have found several recipes on the internet for a Sri Lanka Love Cake. Here is one link:

http://www.asiafood.org/recipe_list_link.cfm?recipeid=126&startno=1&endno=1&keyword=test&dish=

I haven’t tried this out yet, but this recipe is bursting with love ingredients. I would probably alter it some more by adding cinnamon and crystalized ginger instead of Pineapple. Also A cake which has coconut, cherries and lemon is good for love. So many possibilities. I’m thinking of a lemon pound cake with a coconut and Maraschino cherry frosting or a coconut cake with dried cherries and a lemon glaze. I discovered Whole Foods sells maraschino cherries without the horrible & toxic red dye no.2 and they also sell love tea ( name and brand) in the tea section. A quick look at the ingredients show even more herbs and ingredients in the love tea that have historical love drawing properities- orange peel, licorice etc.

Within in the last two weeks, I have discovered two fascinating people both with the first name Florence ( a coincidence?). The first I read about in the Philadelphia Inquirer is Florence Foster Jenkins. Whose life was made into a documentary called “A WORLD OF HER OWN” ( the DVD is available on AMAZON) and a play written about her life in 2001 called “SOUVENIR” . Florence Foster Jenkins (1868–November 26, 1944) was an American soprano who became famous for her complete lack of rhythm, pitch, tone, and overall singing ability. I wonder if her fame was the result of being somewhat of a “joke” or was she mentally ill ? ( delusions of grandeur). I emailed Netflix and asked them to carry this DVD for rental. I hope they will buy it. It would make a great double feature with ” GREY GARDENS”.

The second Florence I discovered is Florence Broadhurst. ( 1899- 1977) She was a famous AUstralian wallpaper and fabric designer who didn’t start her designing career until she was in her 60s. I just saw the documentary on her life by Australian director Gillian Armstrong (”MY BRILLIANT CAREER”) called “UNFOLDING FLORENCE” on the IFC channel. I felt an immediate connection because I lived in Australia for a year and did an apprenticeship in fabric silk screen and design. Both these women led fascinating lives. The DVD of Florence Broadhurst is not available in U.S. format yet. You can find it on eBAY for the U.K. region and if you have a DVD player that is code free, you can get it. Netflix has ordered the DVD on Florence Broadhurst .

The last Florence I am mentioning in this blog is someone I consider to be a teacher; Florence Scovel Shinn. She was an artist ( trained at the Pennsylvania Academy) who later became a famous metaphysics ( New thought) teacher. She was married to Ashcan painter Everett Shinn . They divorced because she did not want children but had a very close life long friendship. She wrote several books on spirituality and dealing with life. Her most famous book - “THE GAME OF LIFE AND HOW TO PLAY IT” is a must own for everyone on the planet. I have seen some of her artwork in books and she possessed equal talent as an artist and a metaphysics teacher. In a future blog I will be writing about my favorite books which deal with “new thought”, creative visualization and positive thinking.

I would like to end this blog with a dvd suggestion. There is a connection to Valentine’s Day. To me, Valentine’s Day is about celebrating love. However, without self love- really loving and accepting yourself how can you expect others to love you? This is why I strongly recommend BUYING Louise Hay’s ” HEAL YOUR LIFE” the movie. It is available on at www.hayhouse.com The extended version which is about $25 comes with 2 DVDs and includes affirmations and extra interviews. Louise Hay has been called the mother of positive thinking but that title is misleading. Ms. Hay is really an advocate of affirmations and mirror work to change one’s thinking and develop self love so you can heal your life. I highly recommend her book ” HEAL YOUR LIFE” or anything else she has written or spoken. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Tashi Delek,

Katie

I know Valentine’s Day is not for several more weeks. I wanted to mention 4 films ( movies) that I love. They all have the same theme; time travel romance. Now I am not a science fiction person but these four movies make me feel good and since I follow the writings of Esther and Jerry Hicks ( among others), I would like my blogs to center around things in my life that make me feel good. There is a big sap/sentimental element to these time travel romance movies. You have to forget reality in every sense of the word to buy the premise of these films. I don’t do drugs, drink or smoke and I think my one drug is my fantasy life ( well that and my sweet tooth). These films are able to transport me into an alternate reality quickly and without and harsh side effects.

The first time travel romance movie that I love is

“SOMEWHERE IN TIME” ( 1980) starring Christopher Reeve, Jane Seymour and Christopher Plummer ( who ironically is in another favorite time travel romance film). This movie was filmed at the Grand Hotel in Mackinaw Island, Michigan. I was 16 when the film first came out and I saw it several times. Now when I see it I get sad when I think of the late GREAT Christopher Reeve- he was a good man. Wish more men could be like him. I did have a teenage crush on Christopher Plummer. It is great seeing him in films today. I like how the character Christopher Reeve plays uses self hypnosis to induce time travel. It’s available for rental or to own.

Another film ( movie) that I just adore is “THE LOVE LETTER” ( 1998) starring Campbell Scott and Jennifer Jason Leigh. I love Campbell Scott’s sexy voice. This movie originally was a Hallmark made for television movie. I know it’s available for rental or to own. I like the sappy Hallmark made for t.v. movies. This movie is set in Boston. The vehicle in which the lovers are communicating is through an antique wood desk. The film goes back and forth in time between the 1800s and present day. This made for t.vv. movie is also available to rent or own.

My third favorite time travel romance film is another Made for television movie- “FOR ALL TIME” which original aired on CBS in 2000. It stars Mark Harmon and Mary McDonell. If you look on the internet you can find some unauthorized copies. This movie was loosely based on a Twilight Zone episode;” A Stop At Willoughby . The focus item of time travel is a watch and a train. They have also aired this movie a few times on the LIFETIME channel. I emailed LIFETIME practically begging them to air it again.

The last time travel romance film which I really enjoy is “ THE LAKE HOUSE” ( 2006) starring Sandra Bullock, Keanu Reeves and Christopher Plummer. The lovers in this film communicate via a mailbox at a lake house. The lake house is real estate porn so I like it just for the visuals. I will be hopefully writing about films I love with great real estate porn in the future. This film is available for rental or can be easily purchased.

Now after explaining and recommending these films, let me briefly mention the subject of time travel. This is my opinion only. I do believe time travel is possible. I have experienced it. I have taken a course in Robert Monroe’s deep hypnosis tapes. There is a website for the Robert Monroe Institute. Here is the link:

www.monroeinstitute.com

Mr. Monroe is no longer alive ( he died in 1995) but his institute & his tapes & books live on. I spent a weekend many years ago listening to his tapes in California and experienced hypnosis projections into the future. The things I saw all came to pass for me. But the way I feel I need to live my life is to be as conscious in the present moment as possible. Being in the present in mind, body & spirit is where your greatest power lies. The past is over and the future isn’t here yet. All we really have is this moment; NOW. And then the now is gone and it is the past. The weekend I spent with a group of people from my art school in the Marin Headlands listening to these tapes changed my life forever. I am grateful to have been introduced to the works of Mr. Monroe.

One last thing- You maybe wondering what to eat or munch on while watching any or all of the films I have mentioned. Right now I am overdosing on a trail mix called ” Cherry Blossom” which they have at the Head Nut in Ardmore. They do have a website

www.theheadnut.com

but sad to tell you they don’t offer Cherry Blossom mix but maybe if you email them and beg they will ship it to you. What’s in the Cherry Blossom mix? dried cherries, cranberries, cherry chips, white chocolate chips, chocolate covered cherries, almonds etc.

I received a Mr. Coffee Cocomotion Hot Chocolate machine for Xmas. I got mine new off of eBAY and I think they still sell them at Walmart, but they are becoming difficult to find. I love my cocomotion machine. However, much to my dismay, I discovered my favorite hot chocolate mix- Spicy Hot Chocolate mix from the Chocolate Bar in NYC, didn’t fair too well in the cocomotion machine. The mix turn to sludge and mucked up the bottom of the machine. So far I discovered Ghiradelli Double Chocolate Hot Chocolate mix work I use Organic Whole Milk to make it extra creamy. Hot chocolate is really such a wonderful cure-all for P.M.S.

Enjoy!

Tashi Delek,

Katie

January 14, 2008

I have listed two paintings I created inspired by two famous Big eyed gals- Sophie Dahl Model/writer & granddaughter of author Roald Dahl and Actress Anne Hathaway. I created these paintings in my New tiny studio at home. The paintings were done with acrylic paint, paint pens & glitter paint on stretched canvas. They are up for auction now on eBAY. Here is the link:

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ25QQsassZkitschQ2ameQ2akate

These women kind of remind me of Blythe dolls with their huge alien eyes. Speaking of Blythe, I just happen to be selling a new Blythe doll ( mint in the box) which I won from the Fred Flare website a couple of years ago. It was a trivia contest and I had to read their blog to get the answers. I love all things French and it turns out they sent me a Samedi Marche Blythe Doll. She comes with several outfits and accessories. It also is ironic that I won her because for many years I kept visualizing finding a Blythe doll in a thrift store or at a flea market. A friend of mine found a Blythe doll with some physical issues at a yard sale and I was hoping to be as lucky. Winning a new Blythe doll was just as good. It confirms my continuing belief in the Law of Attraction: What you focus comes to you. So true So true.

I love noodles- especially noodle soups. Noodle soups in packages ( like Ramen) usually taste terrible to me. Many years ago, someone told me about Shin Ramyun- a VERY spicy noodle soup which looks like ramen but the taste is something completely different. Shin Ramyun can be found at any Asian grocery store and it is easily obtained online. It comes in a red package as well in a cup of noodles size and in a bowl-just-add water size. I played around with adding ingredients to the Shin Ramyun and have come up with my own unique recipe. This soup is great on a cold wet day or when you are sick. It contains cayenne pepper. Please note this soup does contain MSG.

Katie’s Shin Ramyun Noodle Soup- Serves 2 hungry people or 3 not so hungry people

*1 package Shin Ramyun Noodle Soup

*3 Cups Water ( ignore what the package says to use 19 ounces is not enough water to dilute the heat)

*4 to 5 Hot Dogs chopped up into small bite sized pieces- You can use Turkey Hot dogs or Tofu Dogs. (Beef hot dogs taste the best . I have tried shrimp, chicken, sausage etc. etc. in the past. Hot dogs taste the best)

*3 eggs beaten

1/2 Cup frozen peas

*BBQ potato Chips

Directions: open both the flavor packages in the Shin package add the water & hot dogs. Boil for 2 minutes. Add the noodles. Cook on medium heat for exactly 2 minutes. Add frozen peas. Cook another 30 seconds. Stir in egg mixture. Cook another 30 to 40 seconds. Serve in large bowls and top with crushed BBQ potato chips. Leftovers can be reheated the next day and taste great.

As with my previous blog about the Chili, Coke ( cola) goes great with this soup. The hot spicy mixed with the cold sweet drink is wonderful.

Tashi Delek,

Katie

Hi Everyone!
This is my first post on my blog. I have so much I want to talk about share. I don’t know where to begin. I have been reflecting about writing and sharing with others. I finally decided today to just jump in.

I feel grateful for two films- specifically documentaries which have enriched my life. Both were made by the same couple; Shari Springer Berman & Robert Pulcini- AMERICAN SPLENDOR (2003) and OFF THE MENU:THE LAST DAYS OF CHASEN’S (1997).

Both documentaries are available on DVD. AMERICAN SPLENDOR is about the comics writer Harvey Pekar. He writes comics about his everyday life. He worked for decades as a file clerk at a V.A. Hospital. After seeing the film, my art style radically changed. I felt like I had been given permission to make ugly personal paintings which depicted painful scenerios in my life. I also added writing. I put them up on eBAY and people bought them. I came to the realization that we are all connected. We all go through the same crap. I view these paintings as self therapy and they have helped me get through some negative interactions with some less than wonderful people.

The other documentary by Berman & Pulcini which has greatly enriched my life is OFF THE MENU: THE LAST DAYS OF CHASENS a documentary about Chasen’s restaurant in Los Angeles. The restaurant was a haven for movie stars and famous people. I had heard about their famous Chili, which Elizabeth Taylor had flown to the set of CLEOPATRA in the 60s because she was craving it. Here is a link to the recipe:

http://www.cooksrecipes.com/gmeat/chasens-chili-recipe.html

When I make this chili which is more of a meat stew, I top it off with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream and Frito Lay Corn Chips ( original). Drink it with Coke ( cola), it is pure heaven. And no, I am not going to apologize for eating meat or drinking soda. Yes I have read SKINNY BITCH. I do love and care for animals and I buy local and organic produce. This doesn’t mean I am a vegetarian or Vegan. I buy the best meats available at several different local farmer’s markets. This chili is very rich, I consider it a “special occasion” comfort food dish.

The documentary is full of eccentric characters who worked at Chasens and were devoted to the restaurant.

I ended up buying a cookbook of recipes from Chasens which I continue to test out.

So I am thanking Ms. Berman and Mr. Pulcini ( whom I discovered were born the same year I was- 1964- yeah!) for making my life better- artistically and culinary.

Tashi Delek,

Katie