Searching...

I've been searching for Christmas gift ideas that, considering my budget, cost little to nothing to make. In my searching I keep coming across stories of people in third world countries that are creating amazing art objects out of trash. If they can envision and create these haut couture items out of nothing more than refuse, why is it that we have such a hard time in this country finding our creative sense? Or is it that we will only see trash as creative potential if our financial status reaches that of a third world citizen?


Items to experience (click on images for more information):

Basura Bags from Honduras

Coin Purses from the Philippines

Vietnamese Paper Vase

You've Been Spammed

Recently, I've been collecting those rather fluxian spam names that have popped up in my email box. I have yet to decide what to do with them, trying to stretch beyond the initial urge to make wall or toilet paper from them... I was thinking of something with embroidery.



The List... (so far)

Mervin Ochsner
Dada Gregoire
Ailpein St Louis
Chad Eidem
Peri Wimpy
Mora Bash
Sergius Pillar
Isidora Lovingood
Efrai Riese
Daciana Street
Avocatio Phosphoresc
Arto Restor
Greenis Judge
Sepp Heron
Jabbr Satterfield
Allud Traumati

Creativity in the Kitchen

Photo by matthew dean martin.

One really easy way to add a little creativity to your world is by re-introducing a standard dish or meal in a new way. The great thing is, you don't have to come up with it. There are so many great resources out there for fabulous foods, all you need to do is come up with the main ingredient, and Web sites like The Food Network, All Recipes, or Epicurious will do the work for you.

Most all of us grew up eating peanut butter or tuna sandwiches - well, why not enliven the old standards with new twists?

I saw this recipe on Everyday Food (season 1 repeat) & fell in love with it:

Tuscan Open-Faced Tuna Sandwich:

1 can cannellini beans, rinsed
1 (6 ounce) can solid white tuna packed in water
2 TBSP capers, rinsed
1/4 red onion, chopped (optional)
1-2 Roma tomatoes, chopped
2 TBSPextra virgin olive oil
2 TBSP fresh lemon juice
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup parsely chopped
salt and pepper to taste
Slice of toasted Sourdough bread

1. Rinse the Cannellini beans and capers
   
2. Drain tuna, empty into a bowl & flake with fork
   
3. Mix Tuna, Capers, Beans, Onion, and Tomato in bowl
   
4. drizzle with olive oil, mix to coat
   
5. Add lemon juice, garlic and parsley, toss.
   
6. salt and pepper to taste
   
7. pile onto toasted sourdough bread

Also good stuffed in pasta shells, or on a bed of lettuce. You can use white wine vinegar in place of the lemon juice if you like & it's just as fabulous.