I Docent Know

The forgiving party of nine who composed my first adult garden walk at RSABG happily went along with my descriptions of the plant collection in the garden. One knowledgeable guest inquired if she were seeing Sisyrinchium bellum in bloom? I replied that she was seeing Blue-Eyed Grass and the dear lady sweetly informed me that they were the same. I have much to learn.

Formworker Farmworker

Laura Burkhalter Design Studio soft concrete fabric tests - innovators and cheerleaders for clean and modern living. I love the idea of dressing up the garden with forms and textures! More about Laura and the Institute for Bionomic Urbanism here.

Live from the Museum

Frequently I see styles that seem inspired by works of art. The gorgeous vintage Krizia silk wrap dress from an ebay store looks like it was inspired by this work of mechanical genius, Jean Tinguely. I love the geometry and femininity fitting together.

Why is this Woman Smiling?

 Solveig finished finals and messaged a preview of a post-winter term self-portrait. She looks serious. Serious about calculus and chemistry. She must be glad that's over; however, her expression says otherwise. Being in your twenties isn't all airy as I remember.

That was Easy

We are taking stock of everything that stays and goes. Our collection of used (and loved) forays into instrumental music, includes a cheesy electric guitar, a reasonable clarinet, a sassy marimba set, an excessive cello and the sweetest little violin you have ever seen. Not only is it cute, it has a pleasing sound, as well! Seamus played the wee violin from age 8-10. I loved that violin and his beginner songs, the suzuki method CD during the rainy trips in the dark, waiting for the end of the lesson in the book-filled basement of his patient violin teacher while 4 year-olds warmed up with Mozart waiting for my boy to finish - happy memories. Today I wonder why I'm still messing around with moving these instruments after 6 years? I vow to share these treasured instruments with some young prodigy, who's parents will thrill at the music making. A quick repair of the broken string and a tune from the helpful musicians at the Folk Music Center here in our new town, and it's good to go! This place teaches beginning ukelele and now we will move forward making music for our new life.

Style a la Sena

beachy is a way of life for this one.

Interpreting Nature

Hope I make a decent docent! This day it is certain I will NOT remember the names of the wildflowers blooming in the garden. This day the members of the Desert Rose Garden Club will school me in the ways of native flora. I am embarrassed. I should be grateful.

Green Revolution

My niece, Sam arrived in cloudy California for spring break from snow-bound Washington last week. Sena and I took her to Laguna Beach and on the way had  lunch at The Seabirds Truck!

Beer-battered avocado tacos spiced up with orange ginger sriracha, recipe (here) and they were so damn good we cooked them up at home the next day with fantastic results. Even better, downloaded the seabirds vegan revolution e-cookbook published by the seabirds themselves on i-tunes. Thank ya, seabirds.

The One That Got Away - Las Casas

The tour of affordable luxury continues even though we're settled in our Claremont home. The truth is that we are addicted to looking for new houses. We first visited Las Casas last summer  - it was out of our price range and needed a lot of work outside around the garden and pool. Recently re-listed at a more down to earth price! Some lucky folks will get to live here in this spacious, warm home. It was built in the 50's and remodeled by local architect, Everett Tozier in the 80's. The house is open and a great vibe with a gated courtyard and a casita with a stunning wisteria entwined all over the pool house.

Home Tour - Frank Sinatra

Chris Benz RTW Fall 2012

"And now girls are making the effort to be glam like that again." - Chris Benz

On the Road

On the road, heading to Palm Springs on a quest for gorgeous vintage anything!

Modernism Week Palm Springs

Mid Century madness in the desert 16-26 February for Modernism Week Palm Springs. Most of the events charge admission and one of the few free tours is the Del Marcos Hotel Open House on Friday, February 17 from 11:45 am-1:45 pm. This open house is scheduled before the William F. Cody star dedication. Guests will be able to view availalble rooms and enjoy refreshments. The hotel is located at 225 West Baristo Road, one block west of the Star placement at 300 South Palm Canyon Drive.

Desert Shoot

Ceci and Beet

Sometimes this blog ends up on the subject of food - especially around holidays and celebrations. Also, when I'm long gone the only thing my kids will have left of me are these pretty vintage clothes and this blog. I'm sharing my cultivated gluten free cupcake recipe so my offspring will remember my thrills in the kitchen. These cupcakes are soft and delicate with deep chocolate flavor. I didn't have any fancy cocoa on hand, only Ghiradelli.

I've been experimenting with chickpea flour for the last couple of weeks and for valentine's day made my darlings red velvet cupcakes from a pool of three recipes including food 52, babycakesnyc and the back panel of bob's red mill gluten free baking flour (chickpea flour). It's not because I've celiac or allergic to gluten, just want to mess around with chickpeas and chickpea flour. Lola in Belltown makes delicious chickpea frites that I will attempt some time.

roast and puree beets for the sticky, deep magenta

mixing wet

mixing dry

sifting dry

folding in the beets, beautiful!

ready for the miniature gas oven

et voila! no valentine hearts on these - just icing.

Red Velvet Chocolate Beet Cupcakes

1 cup roasted beets, mashed

1 cup butter melted

1/2 cup coconut oil

2 cups of granulated sugar

3 eggs

1/2 cup warm water

1 1/2 cup Bob's Red Mill GF Baking Flour

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp xanthum gum

1/2 tsp salt

1. Preheat oven 350 degrees. Line muffin pans with large muffin liners.

2. In a large mixing bowl, beat togethers melted butter, sugar, oil, eggs and water.

3. In a separate bowl, sift dry ingredients until thoroughly combined.

4. Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet

5. Fold in mashed beets and mix to combine.

6. Pour batter into prepared cupcake tin. Bake for 20 minutes, until set.

Cream Cheese Icing

1 cup cream cheese, softened

4 cups powdered sugar

1 Tbs vanilla

4 Tbs heavy cream

Beat cream cheese until fluffy, add powdered sugar and mix with cream cheese until smooth, add vanilla and cream until desired consistency. Frost. Enjoy!