I planted zucchini, now what?

Well no, actually, we didn't plant zucchini because of our space limitations, but anyone who has, knows what I'm talking about. Zucchini plants just keep on giving and giving, and if you don't keep on top of it, you wind up with baseball bats practically overnight. I think I must be feeling some strange need to recreate this frenzied experience, because I keep buying way too many zucchini at the farmers' market. I just can't help it. And, to make matters worse, I'm way behind on a project due today, so I thought I would procrastinate the morning away by throwing some zucchini bread together. Thankfully, it comes together in less than twenty minutes including doing the dishes. So while I wait for it to come out of the oven, I thought I'd share the recipe here:

Zucchini Bread
Makes two loaves.

Beat together until smooth:
3 eggs
2 c. sugar

Add:
1 c. vegetable oil
1 Tb vanilla

Add:
2 c. grated zucchini (from 2 small to medium zucchinis)

Combine and add:
2 c. flour
1 Tb cinnamon
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder

Optional add-ins:
1 c. walnuts
1 c. raisins

Bake in two greased and floored loaf pans at 350º for one hour until middle is firm. Cool in pan 10 minutes and then remove to rack to cool.


I'm always looking for zucchini bread recipes because it would be nice to have one for 1 loaf rather than two (this one doesn't divide well). But I keep coming back to this one because it's what my mom always made for us growing up. Plus it freezes well. Yum!

And if you have a bit of extra grated zucchini — as I did this morning — it's great thrown together into this incredibly refreshing and easy salad:

Grated Zucchini Salad
2 c. Grated zucchini
1 Tb. Olive Oil
2 tsp. Lemon juice
Handful of toasted pine nuts
1/4 c. Grated parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all together and let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes or so for the flavors to meld. I'll admit I'm guessing at the measurements here — I just throw in a bit of this and that. And, as you can see in the photo, I didn't have any pine nuts today, so I toasted some sliced almonds. Not quite as good, but not bad in a pinch.

I'm still contemplating the blackberries I picked up yesterday at the market (though there are many fewer now!) I may make a blueberry/blackberry crumble tonight. Check back on Monday to find out… and have a great weekend!

Blackberries and purslane

There were blackberries the size of small potatoes at the farmers market today. Needless to say, I had to get some. They are so much sweeter than any blackberry I can remember.

And another score today — purslane. In the U.S. most people consider it a weed, but purslane is eaten like any other green in many parts of the world. I first read about it early this spring and have been on the lookout for it since. Unfortunately, I wasn't really sure what it was or what it looked like. But I finally lucked out today. I went to visit Vandalia Farms for Edible WOW and they were weeding out the purslane from the rest of the garden beds. I snagged a huge bag to take home. Eaten straight from the field, it was delicious and I can't wait to make it into a salad tonight.

Flitting from the rafters

I couldn't help myself. I saw this gorgeous mobile from Royal Buffet's shop on the front page of Etsy a while back and had to have it. I love all of the cut paper pieces in this shop — they are really beautiful and intricate. I was so curious to see how they are put together. It took a couple of weeks to arrive and I was getting quite anxious for it to appear. Mollie Greene who is Royal Buffet is based in Greenville, SC where my brother lives. I was tempted to send him over to knock on her door. Given the intricate nature of all the paper pieces Mollie is making — and the popularity of her shop, I can understand why it did take so long. It was so worth the wait. I have even more respect for her after trying to photograph the mobile — it wouldn't stop flitting about! You can see more of this talented woman's photos in her charming, and charmingly-named, blog: Fresh Milk Delivered Daily. I hope you'll check out this shop and blog and enjoy them as much as I do.

A blank canvas…

Yes, that is a wee little blank canvas. I received this package in the mail yesterday and am very excited about it. The folks over at Charmingwall Gallery have started a new project that grew out of the success of their Tiny Art shows. I first found Charmingwall through Gina Triplett's portfolio. She did their amazing splash page. I absolutely adore all of their artists. If you haven't been over there, check it out! Their new gallery, Six by Six, will feature all six-inch square canvases. You can purchase your own submission kit at their site here. The package guarantees a month-long exhibit in their NYC gallery, the canvas, materials to promote your work and even the packaging to mail it back to them!

Also, I've posted a new print to the shop. (Actually, I posted it over the weekend and it sold this morning. But has now been relisted — yippee!) Some of you may recognize it as my entry to the DWR Design the Modern Board snowboard design contest. I thought it would also make a nice print… have a look, won't you?

Lake views and a new exhibit

I thought I would start the week by sharing this photo from an absolutely lovely day at the lake on Saturday. I felt so lucky to be able to get away to such an idyllic place. The boy grew up around this lake, so it is extra special.

I'm very excited to be included in the latest group of shop exhibitors over at Paper N Stitch, a terrific online exhibition space. The current exhibit lasts until August 16 and at the end of that time, the shops with the most votes wins a little prize, so pretty please, go have a look and cast a vote or two, okay? Thanks!

From the sketchbook…

I haven't done a whole lot of drawing lately and haven't done any drawing on site in a very long time. I had set some time aside yesterday and the weather was so nice, I decide to draw in town. Here is the result. A little rusty, but it felt good! I am hoping for more drawing time today. I hope you all have a great weekend and I'll be back Monday. Cheers!

Motown and biscuits

I thought I'd share a couple of photos from my day in Detroit. I really enjoy exploring there. There are some unique finds, though you really have to hunt. The storefronts along Woodward Ave. had some interesting displays going on… though there was no signage to explain whether this was some kind of organized exhibition, or even who the artists are.




I was intrigued by this colorful synagogue downtown with oddly matched curtains in the windows of the seemingly empty top floors.

And, as promised, the chive biscuits from last night. I'm realizing now, that I already shared this biscuit recipe once before. The last time I had substituted dill for the chives. This time I cut the recipe in half and added parsley to the herbs because I had less than a 1/4 cup of chives. Delicious!

Off to Detroit…

400 year old oak tree in Airlie Gardens. Wilmington, NC

Just a quick note to share this lovely tree with you. If you ever get to Wilmington, these public gardens are worth a long leisurely afternoon visit. But now I have to dash — I'm off to explore Detroit a bit with my Design*Sponge guide in hand and to meet Chef Norberto of El Barzon for EdibleWOW. I plan to make biscuits with chives from our garden tonight so check back tomorrow for the results and recipe. Cheers!

Salad by the handful

The boy did a great job of tending the balcony solo in my absence and I returned home to happy, healthy garden. Given the nature of balcony gardening, our yields have been by the handful.

The radishes are literally bursting out of the soil. I think because I couldn't bear to thin things out enough, the plants are all fighting each other — so instead of yanking the young seedlings, I am making them suffer in their teen years, hah! Many of the little radish tops are above the soil and none of them have gotten very large. I suppose that's to be expected of a root vegetable planted in a window box. That said, they are spicy and delicious. Yesterday I made a salad with tuna and Bibb lettuce, radishes and parsley straight from the garden:

In the space where I pulled the lettuces, we have spread out our basil collection in the hopes that they will grow even bigger than they already are. Our snap peas have been growing tall, though with only four plants, the harvest was small:

Yes, very small. Eight pods, in fact. (Seven shown above, one eaten straight from the vine.) The boy doesn't eat these, so thankfully we didn't have to split them down to four a piece — these beauties were all mine!

The one area where the growth has been booming — surprise, surprise — mint. We whipped up frozen mojitos as part of our Fourth of July celebration:

These things are addictive. My brother made this recipe for us a few years back and with all the mint growing and hot weather, it is the perfect summer drink. I don't know where the recipe came from, but try it!

Frozen Mojitos
Makes 2.

4 shots light rum
1/2 can frozen limeade
1/4 cup mint
1/2 tray of ice cubes

Whir it all together in the blender and serve.

Eating my way through Wilmington, NC

Hello, everyone! I'm finally back at my desk. After more than a week away, I am happy and refreshed to be back to blogging and work. I got back from North Carolina on Thursday night and was anxious to jump right in, but with the holiday weekend and all, it just didn't happen. I hope everyone had a festive holiday. I know here the weather is magnificent — I hope it is where you are, too.

Wilmington and visiting my parents was wonderful. The trip revolved around good food, lots of beach time and visiting. I thought for today I would share some of the fantastic meals I had…

Within an hour of landing, I was lounging at Dockside staring at the Intracoastal Waterway about to dig into this fried flounder sandwich and cole slaw. Vacation is good!

We had what I think of as the quintessential summer meal from when I was growing up: barbecue chicken, rice and beans and salad. The best!


Of course I had to have my fill of shrimp while in town. Above is my mom's beer-marinated shrimp on the grill with local corn picked that day.

More shrimp in this fantastic salad at The Basics in Wilmington: Spinach salad with horseradish ranch dressing, pesto marinated, grilled and chilled shrimp, fried green tomatoes and bacon. Decadent!!

A corn and tomato pie. It took longer to cook than expected, so with an extended cocktail hour, my shot of the finished result is blurry to say the least — but it was delicious!!

Incredible fresh grouper salad, enjoyed dockside in Southport.


Final night's meal in Wilmington at Indochine. This Thai/Vietnamese restaurant is so fantastic — we were seated outside in our own little hut. If you are ever in Wilmington, this would be the go-to spot!!

And that's all for now from my North Carolina eating adventure. Have a great day!!

Bon voyage! (to me)

I leave you all this week with this lovely glimpse of the Art Institute of Chicago. I know I have much to update you on and many things to share, but I am skipping town today to visit my parents in North Carolina. I am very much looking forward to it, and after making lists of all the things I want to do and organize and accomplish while I am away, I realize that relaxing may just take priority. So, with that, I leave you, knowing that I may drop in for a short visit here and there… but then again, I may not! Happy summer everyone!

And the winner is…

Hi all! This past Sunday marked the last day to enter my 100th post SUPER-FANTASTIC giveaway. So now it's time to announce the winner… selected by using random.org, the prize of her choice from Sloe Gin Fizz goes to:

Barbaraellen Koch!!! Yippee!

Thanks so much to everyone who commented. Stay tuned for future fun times!

CAPTAIN RIBBIT is here…

Available NOW at RIPT Apparel

Now's the time!!! The Sloe Gin Fizz Super Frog t-shirt design is NOW available at RIPT Apparel for the next 24 hours ONLY. Not only that, but it's only $10. Get 'em while they're hot!

Don't forget!

Just a quick hello! and have a good weekend. I'm down in Chicago for a couple of days with internet access more limited than expected. Don't forget to check in with RIPT Apparel tomorrow to see the Sloe Gin Fizz t-shirt design!

The announcement… Limited time only!

I am really happy to announce that my t-shirt design for RIPT Apparel will be released this Saturday, June 20 at 12:01 a.m. CST (that's 1:01 a.m. EST). RIPT is a new online t-shirt retailer based in Chicago, specializing in one of a kind tee designs that are available for purchase during 24-hour periods after which, they “Rest In Peace” forever.

The image above is just a little teaser of what you'll see when the design is released Saturday… click here to check out the site, or make a purchase if it's Saturday!

Still making that awkward face…

This is the latest rendition of the Awkward Face project for the comedy group that is part of Oakland/San Francisco's Pan Theater. Still a little rough, but getting closer, I think… stay tuned for an announcement at high noon today…

The new UMMA

As promised, here are some photos from my visit to the University of Michigan Museum of Art. They did a great job with the building in that it looks beautiful, though it is a bit hard to navigate the newer section. I was really surprised at the things I was drawn to. I have to say that I haven't been to a museum in quite some time and artists that I have seen before and not thought much about, really intrigued me here. Interesting.

I was greeted by this lovely Helen Frankenthaler piece when I entered the new wing.


Giacommeti is always one of my favorites.

I loved all of the little seating nooks the museum has created with this fantastically comfortable yellow-y leather chairs — not just your standard bench in the middle of the gallery.

I loved the collection of Yoruba pieces like this staff that had octopus-like strands of cowrie shells hanging down in huge clumps that would rattle and shake when shaking the staff. You can see a glimpse of a tapestry in the background, too, that I really loved. These photographs were interesting in that the negatives are hand-drawn and then photographically printed. Great to see in the context of today's digital photographs. Unfortunately, I didn't take note of the artist's name.

And lastly, I fell in love with this painting by Jenny Holzer (this photo is just a detail from it). I have seen her work many times before, but for some reason yesterday it really spoke to me. I love the line work, the layering and depth of it and the splashes of color.

If you read my post yesterday, you know that I set off to the museum to try to jog my creativity in working on a poster project. I am happy to report that, yes, in fact, it did.I only have a rough sketch on paper at this point, but I think it's a solid concept. I'll share with you when i get it fleshed out.

AND, last but not least. I have an exciting announcement that I will reveal in the coming days. Stay tuned…

Where inspiration lurks…

I've been a bit stuck on a project I've been working on (the Awkward Face poster for those of you following along), and have decided that as inspiring as the interwebs are, I need to tear myself away from the computer and get out for some other form of inspiration. So, before I go, I am sharing with you this amazing allium-type flower I saw yesterday: it was bigger than my head (insert joke here, ha ha!) I have three hours until I have to be at work, so am FINALLY going to check out the newly renovated and reopened University of Michigan Museum of Art. Pathetically enough, it is only about ONE block from where I work and yet I haven't even seen the outside of the building yet. So, I'm off… have a lovely afternoon and I hope to have some pix to post tomorrow — and maybe even a completed poster design!

Meet the pie

Well, I was finally cooking something new again last night — meat pies with spicy buttermilk dip from Food & Wine. We had some ground beef in the freezer to use up, and this was one of the few non-burger/meatball recipes I could find that also didn't involve deep-frying. I felt a bit like Cher in Mermaids making hors d'oeuvres for dinner, but hey, that's not so bad…

Natchitoches Meat Pies with Spicy Buttermilk Dip
adapted from Food & Wine

DOUGH
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup ice water

FILLING
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 pound ground beef chuck
1 large garlic clove, minced
1/2 onion, finely diced
1/4 green bell pepper, finely diced
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon chopped thyme
1/8 teaspoon ground coriander
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice (I didn't have allspice, so added a dash each of nutmeg, cinnamon and pepper)
Salt
Hot sauce, preferably Tabasco

1 egg beaten with 2 tablespoons of milk

BUTTERMILK DIP
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon sour cream
1 1/2 teaspoons celery salt
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Salt
Hot sauce, preferably Tabasco
1 scallion, thinly sliced

1. Make the dough: In a food processor, combine the flour and salt. With the machine on, add the oil and process until the flour is moistened. Sprinkle on the ice water and pulse 5 or 6 times, just until the dough is moistened. Transfer the dough to a work surface and knead just until smooth. Form the dough into 2 disks, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, make the filling: In a large skillet, melt the butter. Add the ground beef and cook over moderately high heat until no pink remains, breaking up the meat with a spoon, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, onion, bell pepper and bay leaf and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent, 7 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste, cayenne, cloves, thyme, coriander and allspice and cook over moderately low heat for 3 minutes. Season with salt and hot sauce and let cool.
3. Discard the bay leaf. Transfer the filling to a food processor and pulse until chopped.
4. Preheat the oven to 350° and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. On a floured work surface, roll out each disk of dough to a 12-inch round. Using a 4-inch biscuit cutter, stamp out 6 rounds from each piece of dough. Brush the edges of the rounds with some of the egg wash and place a rounded tablespoon of filling to one side of each circle. Fold the other half of the dough over the filling and press to seal. Crimp the edges with a fork. Transfer the pies to the baking sheet and brush with the egg wash. Bake for 25 minutes, until golden brown.
5. Make the buttermilk dip: In a bowl, combine the mayonnaise, buttermilk, sour cream, celery salt and lemon juice. Season with salt and hot sauce. Transfer to a serving bowl and top with the scallion. Serve the pies with the buttermilk dip.
   

I cut the recipe in half for the dip part because we didn't have a whole lot of sour cream and I figured we wouldn't eat all of them anyway. BUT, I'm pretty sure the sour cream was too sour (i.e. bad!). The whole thing tasted skunky, so I kept adding things to try to fix it: more lemon, a little lime, some dill, more salt… it never was quite right. But the pies themselves had great flavor. The boy thought they were a bit on the dry side, but I happen to disagree. I think the proper dip would have made them perfect.

Best breakfast ever…

This hit the spot this morning like nothing else could… one of our neighbors is constantly giving us gifts of fruit — earlier this week she gave us a couple of mangoes. I let them sit a little too long, so this morning I whipped up a quick and easy smoothie/lassi. Chopped up the mango into the blender (all done hovering over the blender so all the juice would drip down my arms into the blender), added a dollop of honey, a couple of ice cubes and a bit of water to make it mix nicely. The result was DELICIOUS! I know I haven't posted about cooking in quite some time — with my new schedule of working two weeknights in a row at the beginning of the week, I just can't seem to get on a regular grocery shopping, cooking routine. But I am determined to figure it out — there are too many delicious recipes waiting to be tried out there! Stay tuned…

Balcony harvest

This was one of the first things to be harvested out of the balcony garden. Bibb lettuce enjoyed immensely in a lunch time salad. So tender and tasty! The herbs have been going like gangbusters, so we've enjoyed lots of fresh oregano, parsley, chives, thyme and cilantro.

This little guy is a sunflower seed making it's way out into the world. Unfortunately, three others like it got nipped off by something yesterday. I thought it was a bird, or squirrel possibly, but then this morning I watched our neighbors' dog scarf down the one strawberry, so that makes me wonder… hmm, sunflower-eating dog, yes? On that note, have a great weekend and feel free to tell others about the giveaway: 7 more days…

100th post: SUPER-FANTASTIC GIVEAWAY EVENT!!

Yippee! That's right — this is my one hundredth post of 2009. And to mark the occasion, I am hosting my first ever super-fantastic giveaway event. Here's how it works: Leave a charming, lovely comment below telling me all the things you love about Sloe Gin Fizz… wait no, that's not it. Really, just leave a comment below by Sunday, June 21st at high noon EST letting me know what your favorite item is in my Etsy shop (Sloe Gin Fizz found right here). Don't forget to include your email so that I know how to reach you. As a great big thank you, one lucky commentator will receive the print or card of their choice shipped directly to their doorstep, lickety-split. A big, huge thank you in advance to all you dedicated and new readers alike — I look forward to the feedback, and to sharing many more posts before the year's end!

Works in progress…

I've been working on a couple of projects for Pan Theater out in San Francisco. They are a terrific improv theater that always has something new in the works. Above is the poster I worked up for their free improv jam nights. If you're in the area, check it out and let me know how it is — I'll be uber-jealous!

This poster was the first concept I presented for the new comedy troupe they've organized called Awkward Face. I was pretty happy with it, but it doesn't really convey the sense of awkwardness they wanted, which I totally get. The idea is awkward, but it doesn't really look that awkward. I think the peachy keen colors don't help. Back to the drawing board…

P.S. This is my 99th post of the year!!! I've got something special planned for number 100, so stay tuned!!!

Rock star illustrator

Karen Cheung via Design for Mankind

I am loving the illustration of Karen Cheung and just had to share it. I found her through Design for Mankind and just can't get enough of her line work, crazy characters and even her site design (she, of course, does it all herself!! impressive.) Above is a screen shot from her web site. AND, she can be found at Alternative Eagle Print & Design shop. Over there, it says that her web site is out-of-date, but I'd say it's still fantastic. GO SEE IT NOW!! and have a good day.

To market, to market…

Yesterday was GREAT fun! As I mentioned on Friday, I participated in the Ann Arbor Artisan Market with MICE (Michigan Indie Crafters on Etsy). When I woke up at six in the morning, it was absolutely pouring and I rolled over and went back to sleep. By the time I actually got up, it had stopped raining, though it was still cold and grey. Thankfully, the rains held off all day. Set up went smoothly and I actually felt pretty organized. There was not a ton of traffic, but rather a slow, but steady day and a great intro to the world of craft shows. I met such lovely people among the other Etsy folks and had great neighbors on either sides. Yippee! I can't wait to do more shows.