Bubble Bath & Deadly Zins

Midwest Coffee

Ellie — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 13:54:22 +0000

I can’t survive without my coffee. Coming from Minnesota, my go-to was Caribou Coffee. It’s like the “midwest-nice” version of Starbucks, and they’re all over in Minnesota.

There’s nothing like a nice, straightforward coffee latte made by someone else. It beats brewing at home any day. It just tastes better, in my opinion. Or the spiced chai latte. It’s a pretty standard Indian-chai imposter, but it’s still lovely.

I had no idea that Caribou Coffee wouldn’t be big in Colorado. In fact, turns out there are only 11 in the entire state (something I did NOT check before I moved!). Luckily one just happens to be down the road. Starbucks may be closer with basically the same menu, but it’s worth a little extra distance to support something so Minnesotan and wonderful. :)

Elephants in Ink

Ellie — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:11:01 +0000

Well Intaglio (that’s in-TAL-io, NOT in-TAG-lio tyvm!) class is over and I’ve got my prints. Some are “better” than others, but overall I’d say my elephant plate was a success. Clement’s “Valkyrie” also turned out well (Congrats to him on his first ever intaglio prints!)

It was nice to get back into the studio, but this time around I found that I definitely had more of an aversion to black ink-stained hands and fingernails. Back in my college days I recall pulling plates out of acid, inking them, etc. all without any gloves! And somehow back then it was easier to pull consistent prints. For this class I just wanted *one* I could be satisfied with.

Here’s the “closest to perfect” I could get:

The edges aren’t as clean as they should be and I couldn’t seem to get my print dark enough no matter how much ink I tried to leave. But overall I’m happy with the result.

Soup Season

Ellie — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:39:02 +0000

So here we are in the middle of October. Leaves are changing, air is crisp, snow has already fallen…! It’s definitely crock pot season (football season… ha!)

And to kick off the season I’ve started with soups. My freezer is now full of them– They’re great for quick, easy homemade meals. Plus, I really like knowing *exactly* what ingredients went into each one.

Here’s what I’ve mastered so far:

15 Bean Soup (with ham)- Who even knew there were 15 types of beans?? Rated “3.5 spoons” by Clement, my official soup-sampler.

Sausage and Bean Soup- So far this is the only way I’ve figured out how to make kielbasa work for me. This was a lovely soup with white beans, onions, potatoes and other good stuff. 5 spoons!

Wild Rice Soup- This is an essential soup for a true Minnesotan. 4 spoons by Clement (not a Minnesotan, but a good sport nonetheless!).

Beef and Barley Stew- Super-thick and hearty. If I do it over again it’ll have fewer veggies and more potatoes. 5 spoons!

So as you can guess, I’ve come to really appreciate my crock pot. Next up is chili, a winter staple!

Tumbleweeds!

Ellie — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 14:59:51 +0000

I was surprised to find that tumbleweeds are real, right here in Denver. I guess I expected them only to be found in ghost towns and deserts.

I first encountered a real live (ok- dead) tumbleweed when I moved out here to Colorado last October. I thought I had missed them all as they rolled across the highway, but I found one stubborn weed clinging to my front bumper when I arrived at work.

“Ok, that looks a little ridiculous,” I thought. And then, as I pulled it off my car, inspiration struck! I started picking up the larger, more impressive tumbleweeds and taking them home. I still need about two more, so hopefully this will be a productive tumbleweed season.

My plan is to spray paint them metallic bronze and display them on top of my wardrobe. Sounds strange, I know, but it’s gonna be good!

Back to Intaglio

Ellie — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 04:27:44 +0000

I decided to jump back into Intaglio printmaking by taking a class I found down in Colorado Springs. It’s a fair distance to drive, but well worth it for a chance to get back into the studio!

Intaglio isn’t for the impatient. The process involves prepping a copper plate (filing/burnishing), covering it with hard ground (a wax sealant), drawing an image into the hard ground, exposing the plate to acid to make an etching, cleaning the plate off, covering it with ink, and sending it through a press. So like I said- it’s a rather involved process, but with a very satisfying outcome, imo.

I’m still working on my current plate, so for now I’m just posting this print from wayyy back in college. ;)

Touring the Tea

Ellie — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 23:12:15 +0000

Today my mom and I took a tour of the Celestial Seasonings tea factory in Boulder, CO. They do a great job of engaging all your senses, from unlimited sampling of hundreds of teas to beautiful artwork commissioned for each and every flavor. Then of course there’s the smell; from the minute you drive up you’re greeted with an almost-heavenly mixture of scents.

We perused the art, sampled the teas, and took a tour of the factory. We learned the difference between white, green and black leaf tea, herbal vs. caffeinated teas, and saw the special, separate room where the mint has to be stored. Apparently if the door to the mint room is left open for 24 hours, the mint would be smelled within a four-mile radius!

The whole deal is a great marketing scheme, but after all that celestial sampling and touring you feel a definite sense of well-being. We left only after buying way too much tea at the gift shop (and I’m a coffee-drinker)!

Shopping in English

Ellie — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 04:17:54 +0000

Thursday nights I teach an adult ESL (English as a Second Language) class at the local library. It’s a lively bunch with quite a few characters– a Cambodian Buddhist monk in his bright orange robe, a quiet but studious older couple from Vietnam, a cheeky Mexican fellow… I usually have 15-20 students in class (most are regulars) and it’s always fun.

Tonight we practiced “shopping.” Seven students set up shops- auto parts, bookstore, grocery store, health and beauty, toy store, etc. and the rest were shoppers. It was amazing to see how creative they got- bargaining with each other, making signs for “50% off everything!” and calling out familiar phrases like “Everything must go!” It was great- made my night! :)

“Elementary”

Ellie — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 04:00:51 +0000

Lately I’ve been rediscovering an old childhood hobby/interest– Sherlock Holmes. My first memories of Sherlock Holmes are of my father reading to me when I was about six or seven. We’d sit together in his overstuffed chair and I’d listen to story after story. There weren’t any pictures and I suppose I didn’t understand everything, but I loved the stories anyway. I also remember that my family kept a brick with “221b Baker Street” stamped on the front (apparently a souvenir from time spent in London).

Later on in high school I found that old Sherlock Holmes book laying around and reread it cover to cover. Holmes’ personality really grew on me– his addictions, his love of the violin, his mannerisms (which came to life for me through the actor Jeremy Brett). In college I even insisted that a friend and I visit the Sherlock Holmes Museum on our fall break in London. :)

So Sherlock Holmes has been a thread of interest throughout my life. I’m honestly not thrilled that a new S.H. movie is coming out this December, but we’ll see…

In my mind Jeremy Brett epitomizes Sherlock, and there can be no better!

A Different Story

Ellie — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 20:59:40 +0000

When you walk into the MIA (Minneapolis Institute of Art), one of the first things you’ll notice is the giant glass ”sunburst” hanging from the ceiling. After my first visit to the MIA years ago I was so intrigued by the piece that I had to learn more about the creator- Dale Chihuly. He’s an amazing artist and I’ve found that although most sculptures in general don’t really interest me, Chihuly glass is a different story.

Though all the glass is amazing, I’m most drawn to Chihuly’s installations. I’ve only seen the “Persians” collection in pictures (above middle), but if I ever have a chance to see an exhibit in person I wouldn’t miss it. The oversized organic pieces installed on walls, ceilings and windows seem to engulf the viewer with colored form and light. The garden installations are equally impressive– Chihuly’s work blends with nature and makes you take a second look and question what you’re seeing. It’s quite beautiful.

Momijis

Ellie — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 21:09:26 +0000

I just had to post a little blog about these dolls. I happened upon them last year and thought they were adorable. Don’t ask me why I’m drawn to these quirky little “momijis.” Maybe it’s the colors and the little personalities. Maybe it’s the unique message associated with each one.

~Some of my favorites~

“Always when we dancing, oh boy! I’m happy happy happy! I like fancy dress and tea time treats.”

“The memories of us brings me giggles! I like jam tarts and ornithology.”

“Sundays are my favourite days for dreaming. A big stretch and then some tea! I like quantum mechanics, las vegas and surprises!”

“Once upon a time there was a clever clogs and her name was you. I like boys who wear glasses.”

Even better, each doll has a little slip of paper tucked inside for a hand-written message. Like I said- adorable!