Orchids, Soap, and Tabbouleh

I{HEART}ART: Inspiration: ORCHIDS

"Orchid Spray" by Tina C. Wells, Acrylic on Canvas

I find orchids unique and beautiful. They are one of the few flowers that can grow well indoors. 
A few tips:
Water only every 5-12 days. Overwatering is the most common mistake. 
Not blooming? Try more light.
The leaves are an indicator of enough light; they should be bright green. 
(Dark green, not enough light... Reddish green, too much light)

SIMPLY CREATIVE: Sparkly Clean, 

Fine Wine Dish Soap Dispenser

Fine Wine Dish Soap Dispensers

Last week for Valentine's Day, I made up several of these for gifts for friends. It makes a clever thank you gift or hostess gift as well. Pair it with a cute dish towel to complete.

Steps:

1. Soak empty wine bottle in warm water for a few minutes and then scrape off the label. Take off the remaining glue with BarKeepers Friend, or other mild abrasive cleaner.

2. Re-label with a permanent label (many shipping labels are removable). This label is Martha Stewart brand found at Staples...permanent and water resistant, perfect for the kitchen. 

3. Create a label. Before attaching, I opted to pencil on my design and go over it with Sharpie permanent markers, as the ink from my computer kept smearing.

4. Fill with dish soap. Or, fill with bath soap instead for the tub.

5. Cork the bottles using old corks. I then used sealing wax and a stamp over the top (optional). 

6. Tie on a spout, like the kind used for olive oil or shot pourer.

RECIPE: Tabbouleh

Tabbouleh, Mid-Eastern Salad

This wonderful salad originates in Syria. Fresh, healthy, and full of flavor! I think my Syrian Great-Grandmother Jalayla would approve :)

Tabbouleh

1 cup bulgar (or use quinoa for a gluten-free version)

1 c chopped flat leaf parsley
1 c finely chopped green onion
1/2 c finely chopped fresh mint
2 med tomatoes chopped
1/3 c lemon juice
1/3 c olive oil
salt/pepper
2 cucumbers cubed

Soak bulgar in hot water for 10 minutes to plump grains. Drain well and add parsley, onions, mint , tomatoes, lemon juice, and oil. Toss well. Season and decorate with cucumber.

I{HEART}ART: Inspiration: Valentine

This piece was born out of experimentation and whim. It is layered with images that make me smile, and ended up looking like a big homemade valentine...the best kind.

"My Favorite Valentines" mixed media on canvas by Tina C. Wells

SIMPLY CREATIVE: Valentine’s Day Celebration

I grew up in a home where we always celebrated Valentine’s day as a family. Both my parents always had a small gift and cards for us, as well as decorations and a special dinner. Our family still gets together for Valentine’s day. We gather together for a great meal; small gifts are exchanged, often something homemade. This year, the kids and I will be decorating valentine cards, and making heart-shaped pizzas as part of our celebration.

Sweet homemade valentines incorporating photos,  kids art, handprints, etc.

I like to display past valentines on  branches, attached with wooden clothes pins

Valentine Pizza with goat cheese, spinach, and sun dried tomatoes

Pizza tips:
I haven't found the directions on the back of raw pizza dough (trader joe's) to work very well, so here is how I have made it and had it turn out well (thanks to some guidance from my friend Laurel).

Preheat oven to 450. Roll out the dough with a little flour. Stretch and shape the dough into a heart shape (or just round). Place on a greased cookie sheet. Poke multiple times with a fork (like pie crust). Bake 8-12 minutes, depending on thickness. Remove from oven and brush with olive oil; add sauce, cheese, and toppings. Bake 5 more minutes. ENJOY!

Having fun with pizza dough!

I{HEART}ART: Inspiration: LOVE!

"Love Never Fails" Acrylic on canvas by Tina C. Wells

I absolutely love Valentine's Day! While viewed by many as a romantic celebration, I think of it as a time to shower a little affection on all those I love...friends, family, kids, spouse. The nice thing about Valentine's Day is that there are not a lot of expectations; no one expects a valentine card or gift, except perhaps your significant other. A sweet little remembrance in the form of a card or homemade goodie is then an unexpected treat that delights. 

"Love Never Fails"...inspiration from I Corinthians 13.

RECIPE: Buttermilk Waffles with Heart Strawberries

Homemade Waffles topped with Heart-shaped Strawberries

These delicious homemade waffles were a Saturday morning favorite growing up...now enjoyed by my kiddos (I freeze whatever is left and heat up in the toaster). Strawberries are easily cut into hearts...great for a sweet Valentine breakfast, or top with ice cream for dessert instead.

cut a V shape out of the top, and then slice in half

Buttermilk Waffles

4 Eggs
2 cups Buttermilk* 
1 1/2 tsp Vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 TBS sugar
2 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter melted
*Don't have buttermilk on hand? Who does? easy substitute: in a liquid measuring cup, add 2 TBS cider vinegar, fill to 2 cup mark with milk, stir

In a mixer, blend ingredients together on medium speed, in above order. Bake in waffle iron. 
Enjoy!

I{HEART}ART: Inspiration: Mammoth!

"Winter" by Tina C. Wells, Acrylic on canvas

This icy cold scene was created in anticipation of SKIING! My annual Mammoth ski trip with my Dad, sister, and uncle is coming up. Can't wait! I am a big fan of the Eastern Sierra mountains. And Mammoth is the quintessential high Sierra town.

JOURNEY: Eastern Sierra, Mammoth

Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort

The Eastern Sierra mountains stole my heart long ago.  I'm not sure exactly when it happened, as I have been journeying there since early childhood. Every winter, our family would make the 7 hr. trek from San Diego to Mammoth Mountain to hit the slopes; and several months later, in the summer, we would make it again for a quick overnight on our way to Lake Tahoe.

The rugged Owens Valley; along hwy 395 

After the first 2 hours of smoggy So Cal traffic, it starts to get interesting.  The Mojave Desert is sparse and bland, except for the Joshua trees that are so strange and cool.  In the summer, it can be 110 in the desert, or more, but this past July was a treat, 85 and showers.  Have you ever smelled the desert in the rain?  It will awaken your soul...rich, full of sage and wildness. As you wind your way up to Red Mountain, you wonder where in the world you are.  Strange shacks and abandoned cars, and void of people.  Honestly, I've never seen a living soul there.  As you continue along highway 395, there's the first glimpse of the Eastern Sierra mountains, dry and brown, the valley below heaped with huge piles of black volcanic rock.  The colors are earthy, umbers, ochres, sienna and grey-green sage.  Lone Pine is next; the tiny town at the base of Mount Whitney, tallest mountain in the continental U.S.  This town, as well as the other bumps in the road along Highway 395 has a vibe of days gone past, old fashioned, western, rugged, yet charming.  As you look up to the west, you see the craggy peaks of "the 3 Sisters" and Mt. Whitney. Amazing.  Traveling along, the road is dotted with old western ranches, cattle of all colors and beautiful horses.  There are so many old abandoned cottages, country stores, old mines, gas stations, made of stone and wood, boarded up and dilapidated, much like the imaginary "Radiator Springs" from the movie "Cars."  They are the fingerprints left behind of a time gone by.  The road is also full of historical markers and sites to visit.  Someday I want to go slow and stop along the way, have lunch at the Ranch House Cafe (that always seems to be busy), stop at the historical sites, walk the streets of the little town of Big Pine, and visit the Ancient Bristlecone Forest.  Someday I will. But not this trip; I have some serious skiing to get to.

Along Hwy 395 in the Eastern Sierra 

As I journey further into the Sierra, the scenery is rich, purple glacier formed mountains, deep, rich green trees, large rocks and caves, streams and meadows.  When I finally reach Mammoth and step out of the car, the scent of the pines and the cold mountain air is overwhelming.  Suddenly, I am 8 years old.  This is all so deeply ingrained in me.  I am awed. 

Have I mentioned that I absolutely love Mammoth?  It is some kind of weird California mix of rustic and glam with its old mountain town feel, juxtaposed to the new up scale Village with its boutiques and restaurants.  We are old school, though, and we have a tradition- dinner at Tamarack.  One word: FANTASTIC!  The old lodge from the 20's sits on the glacier Twin Lakes.  It is amazingly beautiful with ancient pines, caves, a waterfall.  If that weren't enough, the lodge has a tiny dining room overlooking the lake with about 10 tables, and incredible cuisine.  Last night I had white sea bass with saffron, coconut milk and cherries, wonderful wine, and finished with a trio sampling of homemade gelatos.  A delicious meal shared with people I adore makes for a memorable evening.

Skiing with "Wooly"

View from the Top at Mammoth Mountain

Mammoth Mountain is such a large resort that you can ski all day without going down the same run twice, if you like. There is something there for every level of skier.  My Dad has been skiing Mammoth since the 60's.  He and his brother CLIMBED to the top of the cornice, before there was a chair lift, to sign a book encased in a metal box, and then ski down! While I am not a snow boarder, those guys seemed to be lovin' it too. My new favorite is the lodge and visitor center at the TOP. The gondola will take you all the way from the Village up to the top at over 12,000 feet in elevation. There you can experience an amazing view of those rugged, craggy, snow covered peaks, all nice and warm inside with your lunch. For those who are not willing to ski down the black diamond runs at the top, you can take the gondola back down. But I am with the hard-core viking skiers and we ski down! It's a rush!

Top of Mammoth, over 12,000 feet in elevation

After an amazing, sunny day of skiing, we are ready for apres ski! A little wine and cheese back at the condo, and then we have reservations at the restaurant at Convict Lake. Leave Mammoth and head south on 395 for 5 minutes follow the signs to Convict Lake, yet another glacier formed beauty. The restaurant serves an upscale intercontinental cuisine that is not to be missed. Love it.

Convict Lake, Summer

 A few more restaurant favorites:

Tamarack Lodge (description above)

The Restaurant at Convict Lake (description above)

Giovanni's Pizza: a locals favorite with great pizza and pasta

Nevado's: excellent food, upscale yet casual

Skadi: good, interesting food, upscale yet casual 

Mammoth in the summer is a great "base camp" for exploring the whole area. 

Twin Lakes in the Summer, Mammoth

                 Life-like sculpture in the new Village          Tamarack Lodge, Mammoth, CA

An ancient beauty

Mammoth Lakes on Dwellable

SIMPLY CREATIVE {RECIPE}: “March of the Penguins” CUPCAKES

There was going to be a party at school, and I was asked to bring cupcakes. “Of course!” I said. Always a good opportunity to try something fun with cupcakes, right? So, I took out the “Hello Cupcake” cookbook (by Karen Tack and Alan Richardson), full of adorable ideas for kids cupcakes. I read through the directions for the penguins and decided it looked easy enough to try. It was easy...BUT time consuming, especially when making 24 of them! Then, the issue of transportation...let’s just say that my 9 year old, who is clearly smarter than me, said “next time, maybe you should make these for a party at home, so we won’t have to take them in the car.” Good advice. I survived, and so did most the penguins; the delight on the kiddos faces was worth all the effort. I will close saying this: this is a fun, easy, slightly time consuming project; if you make about 8 of them for a party at your house, you’ll be glad you did. Perfect for January!

For 8 penguins:
8 white cake cupcakes in white liners 
4 plain or chocolate mini donuts, sliced in half like a bagel
8 glazed or plain donut holes
16 oz vanilla frosting
16 oz dark chocolate frosting
black food coloring (Michael’s has it)
4 marshmallows
8 thin chocolate cookies (I used Oreos pulled apart, but Famous Chocolate Wafers are better)
4 yellow Starburst candy squares
16 mini chocolate chips
gummy fish or small colored fish candies

Use vanilla frosting as GLUE to hold this together: 

Place in freezer for 10 minutes. 

Meanwhile, tint the chocolate frosting black, microwave approximately 30 seconds, stir frequently.

Hold cupcake liner and dip frozen cupcake in black, warm frosting, coated to the edge of the liner. Set back upright. This gives the penguin the black shiny glaze.

To decorate the penguin, see diagram. It is easiest to do this in an assembly line.

For remaining 4 cupcakes, white frosting with coconut has a snow-like effect; add chunks of blue rock candy for “iceberg” cupcakes.

Enjoy the happy faces of the kiddos when they see these perky penguins!

I{HEART}ART: Inspiration: WHIMSY 

"Fantastic Ride" by Tina C. Wells, mixed media on canvas

January needed a little whimsy. Several months back, I started painting photo collages (see below). I am now putting together a collection to hang together. My goal is 12 paintings; they are small, only 10"x 10", but hung together will fill a good size space. I started this piece with a base coat of turquoise paint, then added newsprint (with mod podge) and painted over top a bit. I then added the elephant and balloons, and the photo of my kiddos. Finally, a little photo touch up with paint.