So awesome.

Bored this weekend? Have I got a couple of shows for you!

So I have been really bad about updating. I have signed up at Facebook. 'Nuff said.

I have been a bit busy. Between preparing for two birthday parties, I shot two shows. One closes this weekend, and the other next. Both are very much worth the price of admission.

First up is Working at NKU. It is a musical based on interviews with people who do any kind of work - construction, housewives, stockbrokers - really cool concept that is brilliantly executed.



This show was a tough shoot. The lighting is very dramatic (read very dark and very bright at the same time) with lots of action happening in the dark. There is a lot of dancing in the show which also made it a hard shoot since low light ( requiring slower shutter speeds) and high speed (the dancers) don't mix. I managed, but my trigger finger hurt by the end of the show! I also think I am going to start charging hazard pay for my equipment. It is hard to try to keep the camera out of the way of your tears when it is up on your eye or hanging from your neck!

Next up is Hamlet at Falcon. Don't let Shakespeare scare you off - the show is vibrant, accessible and even better - it is so well acted you can follow along! Shakespeare just requires that you give your mind a scene or two to catch up with the language. After that, you'll be fine and you may find you enjoy it. The other thing I forgot about with Hamlet is just how many phrases originated with this play: the plays the thing, sweets for the sweet, every dog shall have his day. Shakespeare left such a mark on our language, you owe it to yourself to see the play presented they way it was meant to be presented - on stage, not in a book. Oh - my husband and I did some scenic painting on this show - our first in quite a while. Come check out our handiwork.

(Look at how fab that wall and pillar support look! They must have been done by experts!)

(must include a Hamlet with a skull)

(obligatory Weedy Ophelia)

I have just given you your weekend to do list. Go see these shows! Support the arts and stimulate the local economy by going out to dinner afterward.

My girl hates the paps.

Fun with light.

I love having a house with tons of windows. I see the coolest things.

The reflection off one of my Jack Skellington mugs.



My afternoon tea.


Cool shadows of eyelashes and curls.



My cute kids.



My girl making a mess.

Valentine's day.

I will be painting a set on Valentine's day. I really think the whole thing is such a sham. You should tell those you love that you love them all the time, not because the marketing department at Hallmark told you do to so. I guess there are a lot of people who share my point of view! Go here for a good laugh and send an e-card or two.

7 years.

I have officially been a mom for 7 years. Wow. It's been a good 7 years - I hope I get a lot more. This guy is one of the best things to ever happen to me! I love you, boy.

9:18am 2002

9:18 am 2009

Dead City at New Stage Collective

New Stage Collective is currently running an amazing piece of theatre. It is kinetic and touching all at once. Dead City is a re-imagining of James Joyce's Ulysses, with a female protagonist. It is hard to explain. The show is part play (an incredibly well acted one), part rock concert ( amazing lights and multi-media elements) and part dance ( well oiled movement throughout the scenes.)
The story about a women trying to make an emotional connection, decide where is she going now and figure out what she actually wants out of a marriage really spoke to me. It was thoughtfully played out by the ensemble cast, no small feat with everything going on. The show as a whole really conveyed the feeling of how hard it is to find anything real in this fast paced world where people whirl around us briefly then disappear.

Craving a certain auntie's pretzels?

The only reason my boy begs to go to the mall is for Auntie Anne's pretzels. Those things are addictive! Well, my man was sick today so as a treat I dug out a knock off recipe that I have had some success with before. I have since learned a bit more about baking, so I thought maybe it would be even better this time. I was right! I have learned the importance of temperature and yeast, the patience to allow for a proper rise, all that good stuff. I also have a better understanding of flour, so I knew I (probably) could switch out the high protein bread flour for high protein wheat flour and feel a bit better about giving these to the kids. Here is the recipe.


Hot Pretzel Recipe ( it was an Auntie Ann's knock off, but I altered it a touch.)

dough:
1 1/2 cups lukewarm water
1 1/8 tsp. active dry yeast
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 1/8 tsp. salt
1 cup whole wheat flour
3 cups all purpose flour

wash:
2 cups really warm water
2 tbls baking soda

1.Combine the water and yeast in the mixer bowl with the paddle attachment. Mix to combine.
2. Add in the sugar and salt. Mix to combine.
3. Add the 3 of the four cups of flour, mix to combine.
4. Add the 4th cup of flour, mix a bit then switch to the dough hook attachment and knead until smooth and elastic. Add a bit of water if there is any flour residue at the bottom. I had to add about two tablespoons of water.
5. Allow to rise at least 30 minutes ( I waited about 40.)
6. Mix two cups warm to hot water with 2 tablespoons baking soda. Make sure to stir periodically.
7. When dough has risen a bit, knead it for a minute then begin to pinch off pieces to make the pretzels. Make dough ropes somewhere between 1/2 inch to and inch thick and shape into a pretzel. It is really up to you as to how big or what shape you want. I made 12 traditional shaped, medium sized pretzels with this recipe. Dip in the soda bath to coat and lay out on a Silpat or parchment lined cookie sheet. allow to rise for another 1/2 hour.
8. Heat oven to 435-450 ( I did 435 because my oven runs a bit hot). Bake for 10 minutes.
9. Move to a wire rack to cool.


It is now up to you how to flavor. My kids love them with cream cheese. My husband loves them brushed with melted butter and sprinkled in kosher salt.

If made into 12 portions, each pretzel is 158 calories before topping. I will let you know if they freeze well, as I will be freezing some for later.

How cool is this?

Coraline

(My girl her 3-d glasses)

We loved it! It was so breath-taking, made even more so when you know the entire movie was hand-made. The 3-d was really cool. My daughter (who is three) shivered every time it seemed as if something leaped out at you. I rarely go to the movies, but I will be going back to see this again. I just have to see it in 3-d one more time. I want to live in Coraline's world. I love the old painted lady she lives in, I love all of the old wallpaper and the crazy garden that came with the house, I love the side show/circus vibe that runs throughout it all. I am amazed and grateful that the film makers embraced the darker edge of the book while still allowing my children to enjoy the movie. Below are pictures of the kids with button eyes. We made these at the Coraline website. The kids spent two hours on the site playing around after we got home. They just couldn't get enough.



We went to see the film with friends, so of course lunch was in order after we emerged into the light. To keep the kiddos happy, we headed to Chipotle. Our family has a sort of tradition at this hallowed house of the baby sized burrito - daddy makes sculptures out of the foil for the kids to play with. One of the heads actually survived the trip home, so I thought I'd share.

For Kira with a big "Thank You!"

The kids love the dollhouse sooooooo much. My girl is to my right, playing with it as I write!

As you can see, it was a hit even before it was put together!



Here is C3PO in the stroller.


Luke taking a break.



This is why you should never invite the Emperor over - he always shows up with uninvited guests and he trashes your house.



The balcony became a lookout for awhile.


Here is the look my girl gave me when I mentioned it was time to put the house away and get ready for bed.

Here is the requested pic of my glorious table (please forgive the mess - I need to sort out all of the stuff the husband has dropped in it's spacious cubby) :

Snacktime

I'm a good mom...

Allowing the kiddos to watch a movie, let's say Raiders of the Lost Ark, with the subtitles on makes it educational, right? I am creating a print rich environment and all that stuff.

Cats fit on the windowsill, children fit in the snow...

So when there is this much snow, what else can you do but open the back door and let the kids loose? They loved it. Played on the swing set even though it was COATED in ice. We also went sledding, but I left the camera behind. It was my first time ever on a sled and I decided not to put my digital baby in harm's way. The analog babies have snowsuits, the digital one does not.











In case you're wondering about the title of this post (since there are no cats in windowsills in any of the pics) it comes out of the lyrics of a song from one of my favorite shows, Pippin. The song is called "Corner of the Sky" and I have sang it as a lullaby to both of my children.