New Recipe #2: Spinach and Pancetta Strata

 

Decided to make this from a recipe I got by Giada De Laurentiis. It was good. I made the mistake of making this for dinner instead of a lunch, which is what I think it's better suited for. I think next time I'll make this in a muffin pan to portion it out better.

Book Report #1: Electric Kiln Ceramics (a guide to clays and glazes) by Richard Zakin

Two and a half years ago I quit my retail job in order to pursue learning an art. I took a pottery class because it was something I've always wanted to do. I immediately took to it and found that I had a talent for it. I started reading all the books I could find on the subject, and found they were a bit out of my league. So for a time I stayed away from some of the more technical ceramic books

The other day I picked up Electric Kiln Ceramics from the library and read it in a day. I found it informative and exciting. I know its weird to describe something that's almost like a textbook exciting, it wasn't because of how it was written, but because I realized how far I've come in the past 2 years. Not only did I understand the book, I felt encouraged by it.

As I'm starting to plan out my own studio, this book has given me ideas on to what I want and may need for it. I may check out more of his books and even buy this one to keep in the studio as reference.

The Art of 42... thus far.

So far listening to new music has been the easiest part of this experiment of mine. There are so many opportunities to add a new album into ones life. While driving, at the studio, or even while dicking around on the computer. At the end of the year I'm going to make a mix tape of all the songs that I've really liked.

The new recipes are a bit tricky. I think the problem is I have to sit down and start planning them out. I found that even though I'm in the mood to cook, I might not have all the ingredients needed. Also I need to define what a new recipe is. If I make it up as I go, it doesn't count... that's just me being me. In order to introduce new foods and flavors into my life (and my husbands), it has to be a recipe from a book or a TV chef. I think it also needs to include an ingredient that I've never tried or normally don't use.

New places/things is slow to start. I feel though that with a few weekend trips planned out it'll be a few at once.

I am currently making new things to sell. I need to set aside a day to photograph and upload things into my etsy store.

Surprisingly reading has been the hardest. I thought it would be the easiest since I love to read and am a fast reader. However, I picked a book that is long and boring the shit out of me.

There's still 341 days left to complete things so no worries yet. Or 331 days if Mayan doomsday happens, in which case none of this shit really matters ;)

New Album #3: Attack & Release by The Black Keys

I'm not blown away by this album. It has a real radio safe sound to me. Not bad, just not holy shit awesome either.

The song "Lies" might make it on to a mix tape.

I'm willing to check out more of their stuff because what I do like is the blues vibe throughout Attack & Release. 

New Album #2: Ágætis Byrjun by Sigur Rós

As I finish the album, I'm asking myself why I haven't been listening to this for the past 10 years. It's wonderful. Svefn-g-englar is a song that movies and TV have used and I always like it. I never knew I was missing out on so much more.  


Ágætis Byrjun is a 71 minute foreign landscape that the language can't be understood, but the meaning and soul of it are quite clear.    


I'm hitting repeat.

New Album #1: Swoon by Silversun Pickups

Gave Swoon a shot this morning in the studio. I enjoyed it. It wasn't too distracting while I was throwing on the wheel, but it wasn't totally white noise either. Gave it a second listen on the way home since its not too long and there was some traffic.  There was a nice flow to it from start to finish.  I'd be willing to listen to their other albums.

I really enjoyed the tracks "The Royal We" and "Catch and Release". I can definitely see these tracks making there way on to some mix tapes.

Silversun Pickups

New Recipe #1: French Madeleine's

From Julia Child's Kitchen 

by Julia Child

2 large eggs, beaten
2/3 cup sugar
1 cup unbleached, all-purpose flour
4 ounces unsalted butter and 1 1/2 tablespoons for buttering the molds (total of 5 1/4 ounces)
Pinch of salt
1 tablespoon flour
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Grated lemon zest from 1/2 lemon
3 drops of lemon juice (or 2 of lemon and 2 of bergamot)

2012

The Art of 42 is a challenge for the new year.

I will read 42 new books.

I will try 42 new recipes.

Listen to 42 albums I haven't heard before.

Sell 42 pieces of artwork.

Go to and/or try 42 places/things I haven't been to before or done. Can include museums, restaurants, stores, beaches, parks, new activities... all the places and things one sees and says "hey, I should check this place out and try this."