Claimed by the vortex . . .

that is Facebook. Sorry chums and chumettes! I've put the links to my other sites (you know, the ones I, uh, actually update) on my blogroll so you can drool over my pretty pictures and see what I'm up to Every. Single. Minute. Or so. (Thanks, Twitter. Oversharing is so IN right now.)

I've also linked to some other blogs that I've been reading lately that have really excellent posts and update all frequently-like, in the manner which your truly cannot seem to accustom herself. I am planning to update with a few more blogs that have consistently wonderful photos that I check when I'm feeling blah and uninspired and yet really REALLY need to get some work done.

In other news, my SHOP! (Boneflowers is at 1747 Polk St in San Francisco, for those of you who have just gotten into the theater and are even now settling in with your popcorn and fizzy drink. I think you may have just spilled some on the lady sitting in front of you. Hopefully she won't notice.) Where was I? Oh yes, the SHOP! is having a holiday special -- spend $250 and get a free $50 gift certificate. It's like two presents in one! Or one for someone on your list and one for you. Or both for you -- come on, we all know how gift shopping works.

I have many MANY pretty dresses and coats and hats and suits and fiddly handmade necklaces for your purchasing pleasure. Go here for the whole shebang.

Long time no see!

Hallo, friends. It's been a while, no? Well, I've been a busy, busy bee with my new shop (also called Boneflowers -- I'm all about branding) at 1747 Polk Street at Washington. I don't know if you guessed, but setting up shop is a fair load of work! It was giving me the droop for a bit there, but my naturally springy disposition has reasserted itself at last. The big hurdles are out of the way, and you can pop by anytime you feel like sipping some champagne and trying on some fabulous vintage clothing. Luxury at low prices, that's my motto. Well, actually it's 'If you can't have morals, you can at least have standards,' but that's not the point.

So, anyway, as a conciliatory nugget, here is my version of the top secret recipe for Vietnamese garlic noodles as prepared by the loving hands at Thanh Long and Crustacean.

Ingredients:
4 oz. thick egg noodles, chow mien style (try Auntie Chungs)
4 cups chicken stock
4 tbsp butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp nam pla (fish sauce)
salt
fresh grated Parmesan

Image from gogonoodles
Boil the chicken stock, then add noodles and cook according to package directions. Drain and set aside. While the noodles are boiling, melt the butter in a sauce pan over medium-low heat. After it melts, keep cooking and shaking the pan from time to time until the butter is foamy with golden brown flecks at the bottom. Remove from heat immediately and add the garlic. Let the garlic sizzle in the hot butter for a minute, then add the sugar and nam pla. Toss in the drained noodles and taste. Add salt and/or sugar to taste. Top with Parmesan and serve warm.

Do not eat the entire thing, though I am sure you will be tempted. This is a good dish to serve with a light salad and grilled seafood, to people you wish to impress.

Have fun, dahlings!

Through the Magic of Technology. . .

We all know that science never rests in its pursuit of excellence, innovation, and (most importantly) life-altering consumer goods. Thus, my dear friends, we come to today's topic: the spreadable biscuit. Known as cookies to Americans, lab techs have been working tirelessly to create a substance retaining all flavor properties of said comestible whilst translating the texture to something not unadjacent to pate. Impossible you say? Not so! In fact, a team in Belgium has already slung to market gallons of this exact product! See the leading experts discuss this phenomenal discovery here. I am positive that with this landmark achievement, curing cancer can only be moments away.


NABISCO! You lazy slackers! What's wrong with you? Surely spreadable Oreos is not too much of a stretch for a massive conglommerate such as yourself. You have obviously lost touch with your target market. Your adoring public has been waiting patiently for jugs of that white goop, and they have been spurned for their continued patronage! You have been scooped by a European bakery that doesn't even DO focus groups in America. For shame. Watch yourself, R&D. Your executive shareholders are circling like sharks around chum.

For those of you who wish to distance yourself from this disgraceful spectacle, a recipe for making your own Oreos can be found here.

Rolling It Old-School

Have you seen those knobby brown beads used as prayer beads or on rosaries? Those are imitation rose petal beads. Hence ROSArie -- get it? Yeah, well, you didn't need much of a sense of humor in the Middle Ages, ok? So if you are feeling at a loose end, or just want to fulfill your New Year's Day resolution of being more crafty or spiritual or something, here is a very simple recipe for making these beads. They smell lovely, and look fabulous. Much nicer than the imitations. These will be black, because we are using a cast iron pot and the magic of ferrous oxide. Aren't you glad you didn't skip chemistry now?

Remove outer petals from a dozen roses, and put the rest of the petals into a food processor, blender, or mortar and pestle. Add some water and grind into a paste You should end up with grains about the size of couscous.

Put the paste and add water to cover in a cast iron pot over low heat. Don't let it boil or the scent will evaporate. If you use another type of pot, like steel or enamel, the beads will be brownish instead of black.

Simmer for about 3 1/2 hours, adding water as necessary so it doesn't get dry. Dump the petal mush into a wire mesh sieve over a bowl and press down on the mush with a spatula to squeeze as much water out as possible. It will take on the consistency of clay.

Put on some latex gloves. Then hold a paper towel in one hand and squish a pinch of the petal mush into it, and form into a ball. The more water the towel absorbs, the easier it is to shape the bead. Beads will shrink by half when fully dry, so make the bead twice as large as you want.

Thread the bead onto a hat pin or wire and hang in a 200 degree oven until they are as hard as a dried bean. Twist the beads on the wire every half hour so they don't stick. Store dried beads in a soft cloth scented with rose oil.

The Power of Greyskull

Man, I feel like I've been sick for ages. Two months is a long time. BUT. I have not been idle lo these many empty weeks. I have been designing (and modeling for) some trading cards for my art group, WAM. That's the Women's Art Movement for the uninitiated. Behold the wonders of my new project!



Arrrrrr!

Peace and Quiet. . .

I live about two miles away from a really beautiful cemetery. I like to go for walks there -- it's quiet, there are no other people to bug you when you're lost in thought, and it has really nice landscaping and architecture. All of this may sound a bit disingenuous, but I am serious. There is no better place to collect your thoughts if you live in a city.

I was lucky enough to live near one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the country while I was in college, the Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, VA. You can take a virtual tour and read about the local legends here. It's just a few blocks away from the campus, and a lot of art students would go there to sketch the stone angels.

It really sparked my interest, and every city I visit, I try to find a beautiful or famous cemetery. I didn't even know about the one near my house until I had been here a month, but I'm very glad I've found it now!

Ahhhh! Cute Monsters!

That's right, folk! The long-awaited time is here: I have unveiled the first in my series "Cute Monsters" to thunderous applause. (OK, so it's mostly mine, but applause is applause). Please step right up and grab yourself a few!
www.boneflowersprints.etsy.com

Haven't started your Christmas shopping yet, have you? Well, let me be your good fairy and provide you with a flurry of $15 prints to give the adorable weirdos in your life.

I will be adding several prints a week to this shop, so be sure to check back often! I will be posting the newest additions here, so you can preview the menagerie. Enjoy!