Noodling

It's not really traditional pasta, it's zucchini that I cut with a peeler to create thin slices that look similar to fettuccine. And it's wonderful! A simple and quick recipe; you leave the squash raw and poor warm tomato sauce on top, which softens the "noodles." Three zucchini make enough pasta for two people. The sauce is a combination of olive oil, fresh tomato puree, garlic, and fresh basil.

Salad Days

The salad days are good when you have local fresh produce. This week I made several salad dishes including an Insalata Caprese using yellow cherry tomatoes and a balsamic vinaigrette.  I also made a batch of my favorite homemade Goddess Dressing.

Goddess Dressing
garlic
tahini
lemon juice
soy sauce or brags
apple cider vinegar
                                     zatar

Community and the Public Realm

“The street is the river of life of the city, the place where we come together, the pathway to the center.”
-William H. Whyte, the founder of the Project for Public Spaces

I spend a lot of my time walking around cities, observing other people, and thinking about the public realm. The summer, in particular, is a wonderful time to see how the built environment can encourage a sense of community and place. From music in the park to street closures that allow for night movies and farmer's markets, cities near and far are showcasing a host of creative ideas. This blog entry is part of a larger series about reclaiming the urban landscape . . . and having fun in the process.

Tonight I went to Temescal Street Cinema and saw the documentary Trust about an amazing arts organization called the Albany Park Theater Project.

Art and Spirituality

Creativity is one way I connect with myself and others. For this reason, I enjoy when art is formally combined with spirituality. Tonight I went to the Summer Solstice Concert at the Chapel of Chimes; a building designed by famous Arts and Crafts era architect, Julia Morgan. The concert is put on each year by New Music Bay Area. Thirty nine performers played throughout the chapel and adjoining mausoleum. I love weaving through the hidden passageways, exploring the architectural details and beautiful spaces, to find intimate gatherings and a variety of sounds. Other chapels that integrate art and architecture well are Wayfarers Chapel by Frank Lloyd Wright and the Rothko Chapel.

Ceramics

I try to go to a nearby ceramics studio a couple of times a month. Here are a few of the projects I recently made.

First, I designed a vase for my sister, Sabrina. I used slab construction and stamps for the texture. I painted the piece with a pink under-glaze and a white finish.

Next, I made a bowl using hand building techniques. I also used under-glaze followed by a two tone clear/blue finish. I am definitely still learning, but it is fun to try different approaches.