Lady of 'The Arts': November 2010

30.11.10

Unstick With Feng Shui

We are all creative beings. There are times when we are mentally sharp, clear and can attack projects with vigor. At other times we feel stuck and unable to take the next step. Depending on what your creative outlet is, there are various methods that you may use to unstick yourself- Feng Shui has methods that are applicable to all areas of the Bagua.
If you ever feel in need of an over all 'lift' I would suggest doing these two things:
Wash your air vents. There is nothing more symbolically linked with being 'stuck' than a blocked air flow. Vents should be cleaned-unscrew them, take them down/out, get them in water and soap. Filters should be replaced every 3-6 months-
Secondly, wipe down light fixtures and light bulbs- replace any burnt out light bulbs. It is impossible to see clearly when there is dirt and dust to cloud your vision.
I would also like to add- if you didn't change the batteries in your smoke detectors during day-light saving do so now- Especially before you put up your holiday lights.

I took down every vent on the first floor today- I washed them, took the dust buster to the inside of the air vent and wiped them down. I did the same with the fans and the light bulbs and light fixtures- Tomorrow second floor-

Are you inspired?

To learn more about the Feng Shui Bagua Map: http://openspacesfengshui.com/resources/Residential-Bagua.pdf

29.11.10

Latkes

Potato pancakes are traditionally served at Hanukkah.

Jews eat foods cooked in oil to commemorate the miracle of Hanukkah.

After the desecration of the the Temple there was only enough oil left to light the menorah for one night.

Then a miracle happened there (Israel) and the oil lasted for eight days.

Potato pancakes are a staple for many different cultures, especially in Eastern Europe.

I grew up eating these as a quick and easy meal.

During the year we often make 'fritki' (Polish for Hash browns) and really it's the same recipe.

There are many variations, this is the one I use:

5 potatoes

1 onion

1 cup of flour

1 teaspoon of salt

dash of pepper

2 tablespoons of matzah meal

2 eggs

oil for frying

Peel the potatoes

Grate the potatoes and onion

mix up the eggs

Squeeze as much of the liquid as possible out of the potatoes-

this makes them crispier

Add all the dry ingredients then mix in the eggs

Fry them up

Eat them- or quick freeze them on a cookie sheet then transfer to an air tight container-

Traditionally they are served with apple sauce and sour cream.

Our family tradition is to have a Latke Party where we blast Hanukkah tunes construct an assembly line and make several batches (over a hundred) then freeze them so they are ready to bake and serve when we host our Hanukkah parties.

I generally serve them as an appetizer as well as a 'kids meal' option during our annual bash.

28.11.10

Around The World

Come 'meet' and promote bloggers in:

People and Places Around The World

Through a series of four photographs- featuring interpretation of:

Inside, Outside, Creative Space and Wild Card-

With the intention of stimulating dialogue and promoting creativity.

Inside

Outside

Creative Space

Wild Card

If you have not already 'met' Heather- she is the lovely lady behind

A Measure Of...

Isn't her 'creation' space perfect?!

Stop by to find out where she lives, where she is moving and what she blogs about.

27.11.10

Feng Shui-This Much I Know Is True

Part of what appeals to me about Feng Shui is that it is a philosophy that is seeped in common sense. Common sense stipulates that if you have a cupboard filled to the brim with 'stuff' then if you get more stuff- you will have no where to put it. Thus, you need to get rid of things that are of no use, little use or less use- in order to invite new things into your life. Furthermore, common sense stipulates that when everything has it’s own place then you spend less time looking for it.

Every few months I like to take sections of my house and purge, reorganize and redefine them. I also use this time to do a deep cleanse.

Here is the kitchen cleanse

I like to keep the items that I use the least but enjoy looking at at the top

We live in a hard water area so I give all my glassware a rinse in a white vinegar solution

Because we have monkeys who graze on food- I have an abundance of 'little dishes'.

Easy to cut up an apple or toss a handful of almonds into.

Dr. J is a saucier so we also use them for condiments.

Tupperware without a lid drives me nutz.

I love coffee and tea and am particular about which cups I use for what.

We call this the sharp things drawer- if it can cut you it goes in here

Metal drawer and Wood drawer

Cutlery- again I gave it a rinse with vinegar

My 'junk' drawer is a mini office in the kitchen- easy for homework supplies.

When the kids bring home papers I recycle them by cutting them into fours

and making a note paper pile that is easily accessible.

In my plastic drawer I have one carton that holds all the ziploc bags that are washed and ready to reuse

I am much happier when everything is in order- keep in mind I do this every few months and that I would never imagine posting the before photos.

26.11.10

Pages

Pretty please take a look at my new pages/tabs above.

I have worked my nerve damaged arms into a spastic mess.

Time to rest

24.11.10

My Uniform

yoo-nuh-fawrm- an identifying outfit or style of dress worn by the members of a given profession, organization, or rank.

In high school I went to an all girls school. Our uniform consisted of green knee length socks (pulled up), a green tartan kilt, cream button up blouse, a tie and blazer. I loved wearing a uniform. It made life easy, it helped me feel scholarly and the blazer had an inside pocket for contraband.

This is from my alma mater's website

My monkeys wear a uniform. They take great pride, especially on Fridays (our Shabbat day) when they wear their uniforms.
Dr. J wears a uniform- consistent, neat, professional.
I also wear a uniform- not sure what my organization represents but my winter uniform consist of these things:
A tee shirt with a long sweater- the first one is from Anthropologie and the second one is from Urban Outfitters-

I really see no reason to wear any pants expect for Lululemon- they are simply the best- it is all I wear.

I wear two types of shoes, short and tall Uggs-depends on if I am feeling too lazy to bend down- I'm kinda in love with my tall grey ones though- they keep my toes warm and I HATE having cold toes.

It is not Toronto cold in the desert but certainly it gets cold at night and I wear a coat- this is the one I'm going to wear this season- again- I love it.

J.Crew

And finally I always wear a scarf- a big pashmina that can be used to cover my ears if it gets too windy or cover my back when the only seating in Starbucks is by the door-

This is my uniform- call it what you will- I prefer not to label-

Do you wear a uniform?

22.11.10

Soojin Kim-

These yummy painting are by Soojin Kim. A recipient of the Dana Pond Award as well as a Bolt Award- Ms. Kim's artist statement reads:

Objects have the power of carrying the memories across space, time, culture and generations. I interpret the images of objects in the languages of paints and brushes to create an emotional and sensual communication.

Originally completing her Masters in Electrical Engineering at Boston University-Ms. Kim recently finished her Fifth Year Certificate Program at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

Ms. Kim recounts in her bio that she has fond memories of eating American sweets with her father when they were living in Korea. I find her painting to be quintessentially American in their portrayal of the ordinary while demonstrating a keen talent for creating realistic images.

The two images above I took while I was visiting the Museum of Fine Art in Boston- They are oil on canvas and much more impressive in color than my Iphone could do justice- The image below is a drawing from Ms. Kim's website.