Spring Cardigan

















By this time of year, I'm ready for Spring even when Mother Nature may not be. In my area, it's cold and rainy today; and there is snow in the forecast for Sunday morning!!

Wearing this fun floral cardigan with a black skirt and red patent flats has already lifted my spirits. Scroll down to see the black/brown rendition of this outfit, winterized with tights and boots.

It's not too early to start thinking about new colors (black and white) or a statement accessory (oversized necklace?) and updating the wardrobe while cleaning out the closet.

What are you wearing in anticipation of Spring?

Eggs, Balogh and Culture


Would you hang this picture in your home?


You will find it at http://www.freespiritart.com/

A righteous life and rigorous training without a heart full of grace is like an
egg without a yolk — a fragile shell that will break under the slightest
pressure.

Not only are Pharisees a bore and an active bother, they
eventually crack under the strain of impossible expectations.

That is
only one side of the truth, however,

for though Pharisees are eggs without
yolks, those who try to exist solely on mercy without structure or discipline
are like eggs without shells —

a sticky, gooey mess.

Gary Thomas
Seeking the Face of God


I happened upon this egg quote on Cindy's sidebar... and kept mulling it over. I guess because I like eggs .... for several reasons.

I like paintings of them and poems about them.

I like to eat them, too. I think they are good for me. In fact, I know they are.

Here's a link to my *egg* training.

Furthermore, here's a link to an insightful article about culture addressing the issue of the artist versus the entertainer. Again I found it at Cindy's.

The author, Endre Balogh, who is new to me appears to be a talented musician and artist.

Here's a link to his version of a broken egg.

Who is new on your cultural horizon?

Myers and Murder Mystery

Great art, she felt, had a calming effect on the viewer. It made one
stop in awe, which is exactly what Damien Hirst and Andy Warhol did
not do. You didnt stop in awe; they stopped you in your tracks
perhaps, but that wasnt the same thing as awe. Awe was something entirely
different.

These are the words of Isabel Dalhousie, the main character in Alexander McCall Smith's book, The Sunday Philosophy Club (chapt 21), which I listened to over the weekend and reviewed here.

It may seem that I'm stuck in chapter seven of Ken Myer's book, All God's Children and Blue Suede Shoes, but I am continuing to mull over in my mind the pregnant propositions he's making. As such, it is particularly appropriate to remember the above quote by Dalhousie found in the light murder mystery I enjoyed on my weekend jaunt to see my daughters in Michigan.

In addition to being an amateur sleuth, Dalhousie appreciates fine art. That means that I need to go back through the book and make a list of the paintings she has in her own home plus highlight the description of a suspect's living room in which she mentions over six artists.

Where are you finding applications of your Myers' reading?

Yellow Cake with Chocolate Frosting


See what I did this afternoon!

A virtual birthday cake for DD#3 who turns 21 tomorrow.

Virtual because she's in Michigan and I'm in Georgia.

Close your eyes and make a wish!







1-2-3-4 Cake
(my grandmother's recipe)

1 C real butter
2 C granulated white sugar
3 C sifted flour (sift all purpose flour then measure out)
4 eggs (5 are better, but then the *title* doesnt match)

3 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 C water (or milk)

Sift together dry ingredients and set aside. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs on at the time. Alternately add water and flour mixture. Add vanilla. Bake in three 9" prepared cake pans at 325 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

Invert pans onto wire racks and remove cakes from pans immediately to prevent overcooking. Cover each layer with damp paper towel, while they cool.

Chocolate Frosting

3/4 Cup butter, softened
4 cups XXX sugar
6 oz unsweetened chocolate, (i.e. Bakers squares), melted
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 oz water
1 oz choc liqueur

Using wire wisk blend until fluffy in mixer.
Makes enough to ice a 3-layer 9" cake.

Before the Revolution
Chapter Seven
All Gods Children and Blue Suede Shoes


Feeling pretty depressed at the situation after reading Myers, I'm not sure what to say

except that

now I understand better why I have never connected with pop art.


More later.