Hallway Dancer

Here's a little fantastical something I drew on an old Anthropologie receipt envelope.  I thought she had a Chagall-like charm.  As soon as I posted her on Facebook, someone de-friended me.

Remember dear ones, It's always good to separate yourself from conformists. (-;

By the way, I was listening to a very old Robert Plant song, (post-Led Zepplin) called "Big Log."  Click here for that atmospheric gem.

For the Love of Chocolate

I recently had a birthday, and I celebrated not with cake, but with the finest of chocolates!  My two favorite chocolatiers, Vosges Chocolates out of Chicago and a box of heaven from La Maison Du Chocolat.  I've gotten the latter delicacy several times over the years, and they never fail to amaze. If I can't visit Paris, at least I can pretend at home, n'est pas?  The confections are so intensely flavored and they dissolve like liquid silk down your throat.  Just incredible!  The "Salvador" is one of my favorites--"dark chocolate ganache with raspberry pulp from France."  You just can't imagine how intense that raspberry is!  Here's a few more to give you an idea of the lusciousness inside this brown box:

The "Jolika" with almond paste and pistachios,

the "Bacchus" - dark chocolate ganache with raisins flambèed in rum; 

the "Maracuja - dark chocolate ganache with fresh passion fruit juice and pulp; 

the "Cristal" with almond and hazelnut praline with crushed hazelnuts and grains of Maldon Sea Salt (OH MY!)

Well, you get the picture.  They're all incredible!

The Vosges box is also a dream and you can order from their website here:  http://www.vosgeschocolate.com.  Sign up for their mailing list and some coupon codes with come your way to help make these a little more affordable for you.  I was able to get 15% off of my box of milk chocolate truffles.  It made them all the more delightful!

Anyway, hope you celebrate your birthday exactly the way you want to as well!

La Maison Du Chocolate

Vosges

Some shots from a visit to one of my favorite stores:  

Anthropologie

You Make Me Giggle

I've been working on this little fellow for awhile.  I usually do have a little piece sitting on the side that I add and add to while working on other things, while listening to music, while daydreaming, or in my case I should say, nightdreaming before sleeping.

What is it saying?  "You make me giggle,"  "Don't make me laugh,"  "Mum's the word," "I was just thinking of you," "Oops, I just let a fluffy?"  I left a glimpse of a little Anthropologie bowl on top of its head--thought it looked like a cute little hat. (-:

ANYWAY,

in this case, I finished this fellow after re-listening to this fantastic podcast that my friend, Tanja, clued me into: Marc Maron interviewing Roseanne Cash.  Start listening at about 13 minutes in order to bypass commercials/and intro.

I was listening to it driving home from Chicago last Saturday, but I couldn't always concentrate on it, seeing as how I was avoiding potential collisions on the highway.  Around about 40 minutes, they start talking about the blues, and Marc says this:  "The power of the blues to ease your heart is so fucking phenomenal." My sentiments exactly, baby.  They go on to talk about being an artist, and an artist's life, saying how it's impossible to quit being an artist...well, man, listen for yourself.

At one point, Marc mentions the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame and the Stones' "Love in Vain" playing.  And, since the Rolling Stones are one of the biggest lovers and promoters of the original blues singers (and Mick Jagger is one of the producers for the James Brown biopic, "Get on Up") let's have you listen to it below, o.k.?  O.K.  Maybe you can let your mind wander, and you can draw your own little creature.

"Love in Vain"  Rolling Stones

THE CLASSIC:  Robert Johnson, "Love in Vain"

Eh, this sucks.  I wrote this blog, and probably anyone who checked it already won't be checkin' in on this post again, but here's one more thing I wished I had added before:  Keith Richards talking about the Blues in Britain.  Geez, Louise!  How did this feathery fellow become my dissertation on the blues?  Sorry, folks, but you know, I always like a good mind meandering!

Woman in Her Blossom Hat

A little bit of time plus the following equals this little lady:  Piece of extra paper, oil, pastel, ink, glitter, charcoal, acrylic, watercolor pencil, and heavyweight paper from a bar of expensive soap I bought from Anthropologie.  Yes, it's true!  I like to use it all!  (See, when I say something is "mixed media," well baby, you better believe it's super mixed!

I recently cleaned off my entire desk, and then found I was stymied.  I need all my "stuff" around me and easily available.  Being organized does not work for the way I work!

I think this lady is much prettier in person.  You can't see the purple glitter that well in her face, but it shimmers in reality.

Day 23. Simple wants - Hashbrowns (No Longer Available)

At times all you want from life are some hash browns--the cubed kind--with a little shredded cheese and a few drops of sriracha sauce in a little Anthropologie bowl.  When you're tired and cold...the comfort of carbs, dear ones, are what you need.

I'm a little crooked here.  I could say, the picture is askew, because potatoes will skew your weight, but omg, that's a little much!

Now for some fingerling potatoes, Irish butter, and crème fraîche.  So good!

Here's a little savory pie rampage I went on:

Bacon, cheddar, Broccoli--the entire pie and a slice

Here's a roasted acorn squash, red onion, and sage galette: