Through The Keyhole

Art at the Hummingbird Saloon

I hung these 6 paintings last Sunday at the Hummingbird Saloon in my neighborhood.  It's a crappy picture because I waited to take it until after the overhead lights had been turned off and it was one of a series of dark gray days.  The large paintings are 30" x 30".  There's a 20" x 20" and I think the rectangular one is 20" x 27".  All acrylics and all but the bottom middle are for sale.  The food at the Hummingbird is delicious.  On Saturdays they open 12-4 for the kiddos to come in and play games. The owners also own Full Tilt Ice Cream two doors down.  Come by to see the art, have a bite to eat, play some pinball, then head to the Ark Lodge Cinemas for a movie.

I'll be posting better photos of each piece in the next few days.

NaPhoPoMo #9 Tucking In For The Night

Winter Beach

I'm working on a project for Tending The Fire (http://www.nurturearts.com), the art project my friends Gwen, Celeste and I are developing. If you haven't visited me over there stop on by. I have a feeling you'll love it.

Food Photography @ The Pantry

I took a food photography class taught by Ashley and Gabe Rodriguez at The Pantry At Delancey.  It was such a lovely day.  I went for the lighting and styling tips. 

I also learned a bit more about my camera and photography equipment.  The best part though might have been the delicious lunch and meeting all the Seattle area food bloggers there.

 

And the props.  Oh, I love the props.  It requires thrifting.  What could possibly be better?

I had to pick up a few lovely treats while I was there.  Who doesn't need a Weck jar with long Madigascar vanilla beans hmmm?  Or a bit of delicious olive oil?

Check out my class mates.
Hannah Morgan http://www.panaceafood.com
Galen & Kim Maynard http://www.kitchencollaboration.com
Alex Wu http://www.yumsandloves.com
Rachel Dedrickson http://www.foodpearl.com
Stephanie Thompson http://www.twicecookedhalfbaked.com
Dawn Klinghuffer http://www.firstlookthencook.com
Hannah Cordes http://www.bluekaleroad.com
Amy Lechner http://www.cookbeautifully.com
Jennifer Love http://writemyselfahappyending.blogspot.com/

On a related note check out this lovely bit in the New York Times 

Road Trip (part 2) Keep Portland Weird

Day two of our road trip included a stroll around Nye Beach (Newport), lunch at Ona Restaurant (Yachats) where my fabulously sister cooks the most delicious food, a short hike at Cape Perpetua where we discovered the remains of a Conservation Corp Camp, agate hunting on a nearby beach, and yummy dinner with my sister's family. 

Day three found us headed home with a stop in Portland.  Browsing at Powell's, not to be missed truffle oil fries at Little Big Burger, and sweets for the road courtesy of Voodoo Donuts.  Imelda May serenaded us much of the way home.

 

Road Trip (part 1)

A long weekend and an upcoming birthday for a very important someone often leads to a road trip in our family.  This weekend has been no different.  Complete with gorgeous knitting, delicious food and tea, art, beaches, and relaxing.  Lots of relaxing.

 

Doughnut Days

Autumn Northwest style has arrived with it's grey days and rain.  It's time for hot cider, pumpkins, and doughnuts. 

We're going to be with my family for the day and I wanted to bring a dessert.  Doughnuts seem just the thing. 

I haven't made doughnuts in several years so I went with the recipe of my childhood, from Betty Crocker. 

Delicious while fresh and hot but only so so after they've cooled.  A jar of salted caramel sauce we made last week has been whispering to me from the fridge should solve that problem.  Doughnuts with a bit of caramel sauce for dipping it will be.  A bit of hot cider and it will all be delicious.

 

Now I'm on the hunt for the perfect doughnut recipe.  A slightly dense, melt in your mouth sort of thing.  If you have a recipe you love do share.

Edited to add:  There's been a request for the recipe and I agree, it should be here.  So here you go.

Cake Doughnuts

Vegetable oil for frying

3 1/3 c all purpose flour

1 c sugar

3/4 c milk

2 T shortening

3 t baking powder

1/2 t salt

1/2 t ground cinnamon

1/2 t ground nutmeg

2 eggs

Heat 2-3 inches oil in deep fryer or dutch oven to 375 degrees.  Beat 1 1/2 c of flower and remaining ingredients on low speed, scraping bowl constantly, 30 seconds.  Beat on medium speed, scraping bowl occasionally, 2 minutes.  Stir in remaining flour.

Turn the dough onto generously floured cloth covered board (I used parchment paper); roll around lightly to coat with flour.  Gently roll 3/8 inch thick.  Cut with floured doughnut cutter.  Slide doughnuts into hot oil with wide spatula.  Turn doughnuts as they rise to surface.  Fry until golden brown.  Drain (I drain on brown paper grocery bags).  Serve plain or shake one at a time in a bag with powdered sugar.  2 dozen doughnuts.

From 1985 edition of Betty Crocker's Cookbook

Sal's Place pt. 2

I'm crazy about the pasta foriani! The view wasn't bad either.

Sal's Place pt. 1

I've been looking forward to this dinner for months. My favorite meal at my favorite Cape Cod restaurant.

Homemade Ketchup

 

One of my favorite past-times is reading cookbooks.  Imagining the flavors, dreaming about selecting the produce, fantasizing about the delicious meals, planning the sweet picnics we'll go on.  It's all part of the joy of a good cookbook.  The reality is I rarely do the cooking around here.  I'm great at the daydreaming, not so great on the follow though.  I don't know why because I love cooking.

 

This weekend my family took advantage of the lovely weather and gathered at my brother's for a first day of spring BBQ.  I decided to make ketchup to bring along.  It's a crazy thing to bring to a potluck but man am I glad I did. 

Homemade ketchup is crazy good.  The flavor is complex, intense and addictive.  Never will I go back to the pale imitation sold in the grocery.  I may have to eat french fries every day. 

 
Aren't they beautiful?  Go ahead, try it.  I guarantee you'll never go back.  I can't wait to try it this summer with fresh roasted tomatoes.  Or with a bit of chipotle.  Mmmm...