What a fantastic Versailles: Let Them Eat Cake themed dress up party to celebrate with friends The Fabulous Flying Morgans on their birthdays!
Vloggercafe: July 4th Sizzle and Fireworks in Pacific Palisades! 3 Parts: From the Deck, Peeps and Pups, Happy Birthday America
The pandemic hit us hard. Like many, I kept myself busy while inside. Creating art gives me such pleasure: a remedy to soothe the soul.
As I continue on this artistic journey, one thing has become clear. I do want to see my art on things and in places where people love to look at it.
Thank you for your support!
FYCs are back as we move into #emmys season. These events are both enlightening and fun. This series deals with a difficult subject matter in such a unique way with stellar performances 🎭 from #rosebyrne #roryscovel #murraybartlett #dierdrefriel #dellasaba #loutaylorpucci directed by 🎬#stephanielaing and created by ✍️ #annieweisman 📝 #HarmonyGold theatre has gone through a lovely renovation all around, complete with a gathering space and swift valet service. #appletvplus #physical #vloggercafe
Fun with Jenn Bowman, Beverly Pomerantz, George & Kendra - who are getting married soon!
First time inside Disney Animation in Burbank, CA! At our Emmy FYC, scenes from "Sketchbook" were screened along with a panel of artist/animators. The series brings us closer to our favorite characters and their animators. Here, my vlog features clips from Mark Henn's story. Dubbed "The Princess Guy" for his wonderful work on leading ladies, details of how he made it in the biz offers such heart and inspiration. He likens an animator to an actor with a pencil. Watch as he draws "Simba," from The Lion King and also take a look inside and what's on the walls of the building. You know, when I was a little girl, Disney animators went out in the Disneyland park, and at that time the lines to get them to draw a transparency, the cool tech of the day, were overwhelming. But I got one! Then, I watched Walt Disney lead the parade, finishing with a wave up in Cinderella's castle. Sweet memories!
So great to reconnect with Chris Miller and Phil Lord at The After Party FYC! I love how creative these two guys are. I have to say it again, what a treat to be featured in Xavier’s Imma Live Forever music video! Thank you guys. xoxox
P.S. The Hollywood American Legion Post 43 houses a lot of history. The theatre has updated seating for movies and screenings and there are rooms that are full of old photos and posters and a lot of that Old Hollywood dark wood vibe. I’ve included a few shots of the interiors.
Here’s some fun from the FYC!
It is so great to be back in our lovely state-of-the-art Wolf Theatre at the Television Academy! And what a fantastic evening watching the first episode of Outlander Season 6 and listening to the cast, the writer, and co-producer share their thoughts on the work.
Enjoy!
Initially, I thought I'd just go for it and do a sweeping watercolor in the vein of The Lunch, but as I got into it, I became more focused on recreating the details. Yes, my perspective is off and some things aren't quite right, but I had to forgive myself because I didn't pre-sketch or plan to focus so deeply. It's OK though. I'm happy with the results.
Enjoy!
After my mother passed, I began watercolor painting to take my mind off of how sad I truly was inside. I had so many tears, I didn’t need water. But the still, focused activity helped. And through it, I found my own delight at what was becoming right in front of me. Others were encouraging after I posted some of my pieces. It’s been 3 years since that first effort and I still enjoy watercolor work. But how could I share this with more people and perhaps make some steady money along the way?
Typically, I paint on card stock. They are one-of-a-kind canvasses that might take days to complete. Not an easy effort to monetize to the masses. I just couldn’t equate my time and effort and charge a typical under $20 price for a collection of these particular cards. Each being works of art. While digitally documenting my work, I stumbled upon the idea of creating reprinted cards I could offer in that typical card price range. While I was working, words came to me. So I nurtured that inspiration and decided to also offer a version with original inscriptions.
Fun Fact: Not everyone knows that every piece of art requires copyright protection. My goal is to at least recoup that expense!
And here they are.
Click on the image for a larger view.
… best made while savoring a wee dram.
In homage to a favorite series, Outlander, I’ve modified and romanticized a cookie recipe from Bon Appetit by using organic ingredients and adding a variety of flavorful dried fruit to compliment raisins used so successfully in many oatmeal cookie recipes. These cookies are thin, soft, and sweet with just right amount of crunch around the bits in the center.
You will need over an hour to make this recipe. And that’s after you’ve brought the butter and egg to room temperature and toasted the oats and nuts.
The time it takes is worth it. Just like true love. Perhaps have a wee dram nearby to pass the time?
Heather’s Highlander Oatmeal Cookies
Don’t forget to bring the egg and butter to room temperature first! And preheat your oven now to 425 degrees to toast the oats and nuts.
2 cups organic old-fashioned oats
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup raisins, dried sour cherries, and or dried cranberries. Feel free to mix and match or simply use the dried fruit of your choice.
1 cup buckwheat or rice flour (for a more blonde version)
1 teaspoon kosher or course salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg (if possible)
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted organic butter at room temperature
3/4 cup packed organic light brown sugar - or “make your own” with a generous pour of barley malt into organic cane sugar spun in a food processor. This switch requires a longer blending time for the sugar to break up and fall in love with the butter, like Claire eventually does with Jamie in the series, Outlander.
1/4 cup organic cane sugar
1 large egg at room temperature
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
As a reminder, this recipe takes some time as you’ll need to:
1) Bring both the butter and the egg to room temperature, like a honeymoon night after an arranged marriage.
2) Toast the oats in 425 degree oven. Let them become golden. Watch ‘em cuz they like to burn … like Jamie’s strong and knowing eyes staring right into your secret soul. I tossed and turned my oats periodically. Remove when ready and let them cool down.
3) Toast the nuts. Same toasting method.
4) Using an electric mixer on medium, beat butter, brown sugar, and cane sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. 3-4 minutes
5) Add egg, syrup, vanilla and beat until they’ve shared a dance. 1 minute.
6) Add dry ingredients, dried fruit, and nuts only until combined. Use mixing spoon or spatula for this bit.
7) After mixing all ingredients, LET IT SIT FOR 1 HOUR to soften the oats and flours. We all know this is code for consummate the marriage.
8) Line 2 rimmed baking sheets or a flat sheet covered with parchment paper.
This HOUR is a perfect time to finish your wee dram …
perhaps while listening to a soundtrack of Outlander, so beautifully composed by Bear Mccreary.
Dance around if you want to.
I did!
Time to bake! I used an ice cream scoop, firmly packed each time, to drop the mix on the parchment covered baking sheet.
The recipe makes about 12 big fat cookies that will spread on the parchment, so be sure to leave AMPLE room for them to swell with LOVE. 3 inches apart.
With alternative flour, I baked them for 7 minutes, turned the baking sheet front to back and baked another 7, and then back again for about 3 minutes. That added 10 minutes if you’re doing the math.
Of course, you know your oven, but the centers can be tricky to time, especially if you like a little goo without burning the bottom and sides! This recipe is a bit more work, but as I stated earlier, I think these are worth it!
~Slainte
