recipe for a cold day: hot custard
Nothing like a hot custard on a cold winter day…or a cool custard on a warm day depending on which hemisphere you’re on!
Danika Dinsmore invited me to participate in a a recipe “chain.” If this sounds like great fun for you, keep reading–the directions are at the bottom of this post.
Personally, while I didn’t mind doing the recipe part, it was the chain part that I didn’t 
like: I didn’t want to ask 20 of my friends to send recipes to the person at the top of the list–even if that person was Danika!
But I didn’t want to break the chain either so I sent my custard recipe to both Danika and the person at the top of the list. Since my son wanted me to make him some, I bothered to take some photos of the process using my iPhone.
This recipe for custard is super easy and satisfying. The trick to making custard is having a system. To cook the custard, you must be able to nest one oven happy bowl in a second one filled with water. But it is so easy to do that I started making it for myself when I was in third grade.
Preheat oven to 350.
scald:
2 cups milk
That means cook it until there’s a wrinkly film on top–about 4-5 minutes in the microwave.
in the smaller bowl whip by hand:
4 eggs
add slowly to the eggs while mixing:
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
the warm milk
Grate nutmeg on top. Bake for about an hour with the custard mixture resting on very hot water; if you don’t, it won’t have that lovely silky smooth custardy texture. Set the timer! I forgot and mine got a little too done as you can see from the bottom picture… Test by slipping in a knife; if it comes back clean, it’s cooked. Cool if you can be patient. Enjoy!
If you want to get this going amongst your friends, here’s a copy of the email invitation I received:
Happy Holidays! If you’re anything like me, you like to cook during the holidays.
I am participating in a collective, constructive, and hopefully TASTY experiment. As such: You have been invited to be part of a recipe exchange concept. I hope you will participate. I’ve picked those who I think would make this fun. Please send a recipe to the person whose name is in position 1 (even if you don’t know him/her) and it should be something quick, easy and without rare ingredients. Actually, the best one is the one you know in your head and can type right now. Don’t agonize over it, it is one you make when you are short of time.
After you’ve sent the recipe to the person in position 1 below and only to that person, copy this letter into a new email, move my name to position 1 and put your name in position 2. Only mine and your name should show when you send your email. Send to 20 friends BCC (blind copy). If you cannot do this within 5 days, let me know so it will be fair to those participating. You should receive 36 recipes. It’s fun to see where they come from! Seldom does anyone drop out because we all need new ideas. The turnaround is fast as there are only 2 names on the list and you only have to do it once.
Tough Love & Life Lessons: Mars & Saturn Meet
Don’t you love Saturn? What a beautiful planet in this neon Saturn infrared photo from APOD (more details below).
I’ve been mulling over the skies this month more than usual. There was the amazing astronomical sights with the Geminids meteor shower which was somewhat clouded over and then, two weeks later, the full moon winter solstice complete with a lunar eclipse–which we couldn’t see because of the super cloudy skies. Two astronomical events I was looking forward to for a year came and went.
These are minor really. More major? My friend taking his life on solstice and having to share difficult news with another, not to mention conflicts with my siblings over my mother’s estate. Communication this month has been seriously difficult: I just couldn’t seem to find my voice or express myself. Finally, the subject of grades. I love my job as a college teacher, but I hate assigning grades. I thought I had turned in most of my grades but there they were, more than I’d care to admit, students who had turned in work late or offered other challenges, that I had to deal with today. I hate having to compress and conflate all that was and wasn’t accomplished into one simple letter. I much prefer 26.
According to Astrology.com, the stars can explain all this as “the Universe’s version of tough love.” The article continues:
Mars is the planet of war, and it wants to toughen you up, while sensible Saturn wants you to learn discipline. Read more…
Go hear “The Kings Speech” recommends guest blogger Ron Wells
Planning on seeing a movie over the holidays? Here’s a review and a recommendation for The Kings Speech by guest blogger Ron Wells. (SPOILER ALERT!)
Against the backdrop of Hitler’s rise to power, the English look to their king for support and strength. Standing in the way is a microphone, the “wireless Pandora’s Box” that threatens to send the future King running back to his castle in shame.
3:15 Experiment Poetry: time passes
It’s near the end of 2010. I’m a bit choked up. It’s been a really really challenging year full of losses–Marshall’s loss of mobility (and fortunate full recovery from a broken neck), the loss of Paul Squires and my mom, the loss of my natural blonde hair and my confidence during the bizarre drama of the Women’s Conference, the loss of another friend last week when he took his life. I’m grateful to my friends who have helped me along; I’m looking forward to putting 2010 behind me and moving forward in 2011.
Because it is that time of year for reflection about the passage of time, here are two 3:15 Experiment poems from my new poetry collection, middle of the night poems from daughter to mother :: mother to son (now available from en theos press). Please mark your calendar to join me on 3/15 for a reading in Ventura!
Monday August 3, 2009
3:15 am, home
where does it start &
where does it end?
the baby sighs, snores
the fountain purrs
a car on the freeway
over ocean tide
no blare of fog horn
tells me sky is clear
the moon waxing near full
would cast enough light
to write this night if
I trusted I’d stay awake
(For more poetry, check out the Monday Poetry Train …)
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I’m dreaming of a GREEN Christmas…
Collage Tree by Danika Dinsmore
Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas!
If you like me dream of a green Christmas, you want to think about ways you can:
REDUCE
REUSE/RECREATE
RECYCLE
Here are some ideas about how to get your “green”on this holiday season including trees, cards, wrap, electronics, yourself, and your home!
TREE
Years ago we bought a tree. We planned to plant it then cut it down later but it’s still in its pot. We keep it outside and watered and bring it in when it’s that time of year. We actually bring it by the front door after Thanksgiving and sometimes decorate it there and bring it in closer to Christmas since the tree does better outside than inside.
But if you have a live CUT tree, there’s a number of ways you can dispose of it more “greenly” including taking it outside for the birds to roost on and composting the needles. Many communities have green or brown waste or special tree pick up days. Just don’t throw it in the trash! They take up a lot of room in the landfill and they can be of use.
CARDS
I love receiving mail; e-cards just aren’t the same as receiving something in an envelope delivered to my door! While cards can be reused, you can also make something new and wonderful out of something “old” like Danika Dinsmore who took old photographs and collaged them to make this wonderful festive ” tree.” See another one of her creations and learn more about Danika’s card making process in this blog post. Read more…
All Aboard! 2010 is leaving the station!
“The thing about trains… it doesn’t matter where they are going. What matters is deciding to get on.” from The Polar Express
Last year after Christmas, we headed to Flagstaff Arizona where we braved a snowstorm and lots of fresh snow to take a ride on the Polar Express Train which leaves Williams Arizona and heads toward the Grand Canyon. Some magic is involved and the Train arrives at the North Pole where Santa turns up. Most of the time, he even boards the train to distribute bells to all the good girls and boys. Carols are sung and hot chocolate served (we brought flasks to make ours into adult beverages) and a good time was had by all!
It’s now 2010 and we’re certainly on board for a train heading fast for 2011! Thank you for getting on board with me as a subscriber! !
“There is no greater gift than Friendship,” says Santa Claus in The Polar Express.
Thank you for yours!
To a Thoughtful Holiday Season & Compassionate New Year: A Guest Post by Grant Marcus
I received the following as an email from my friend Grant Marcus, a peace activist and a poet. He agreed to let me publish it here with a few small changes. Look for more of Grant’s guest posts in 2011!
A FEW THOUGHTS FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON from Guest Blogger Grant Marcus (written Dec. 23; edited Dec. 27)
During the holiday’s Congressional session, President Obama worked out a “compromise:” Billions of dollars in tax breaks for the wealthiest people and a year’s extension of unemployment for those who can’t find work in a crisis economy. Hundreds of billions in giveaways for those who don’t need it, while congress doles out a few crumbs to those who do. So, our so-called democracy proves to be an aristocracy of inequality that would make our founding fathers ashamed.
The greatest slap in the face was not the selfish actions of the Senate, but the fraudulent faith behind it. You see, nearly every last senator claims to be a devoted Christian, which, by the way, means to be “Christ-like.”
So many senator millionaires (over half of them are) catering to the rich and making hostages of the poor–It sets my mind to wondering, what does it mean to be a “Christian,” or Christ-like? Read more…
In her review of middle of the night poems from daughter to mother :: mother to son (en theos press), Frankie Drayus writes:
In these poems there is a deep connection to all five senses and how they figure into daily life; what we eat, see, touch, hear, and smell while going about our daily tasks are overlooked by most and captured as significant pleasures by Gwen, who lives with her body open to the sensual.
These are humble poems, in that the writer is humbled by the stars sparkling overhead or by the little things her son learns which inspire awe. Happily she is able to close her hand around a pen, even at 3:15 am, and share it with her readers.
This voice is completely unguarded, unprotected, yet strong. Grounded. This voice loves life. Some people, especially when faced with difficult circumstances, long to run away, to start over, or even to be someone else, whereas these poems are all about staying, putting down roots, and growing. They are present. They are about being here, now.
These tender, honest poems embrace life in all of its simple, unpretentious beauty – its elemental beauty – earth, sea, moon, stars, mother, son. Even when there is loss and grieving, what I notice most is how much life there is, all that is blooming and thriving. The abundance of her life. What I notice is joy. Read more…
Watch the Solstice Lunar Eclipse Online NOW as it happens!
You can watch the lunar eclipse that’s going on RIGHT NOW by clicking this link!
It’s very very cool!
But please come back to Art Predator and visit again! Subscribe by email!
www.slooh.com
It’s also on ustream: http://www.ustream.tv/spacevidcast
Enjoy!
I know, it’s not the same AT ALL as watching it live in person because it’s in black and white –I think?– so you don’t see any of the oranges and reds but it’s pouring down rain here in southern California and it looked like I’d have to drive for hours to go see it…Know that I was SERIOUSLY tempted!
Update–I was wrong! As the eclipse progresses, the color is starting to show! Very exciting! Photo above taken at 11:40pm Pacific Time!
Update–midnight: photo #2
winter solstice activities & rituals
Happy New Year!
Winter solstice 2011–a lunar eclipse and a time to celebrate the return of light, both in day–sunlight–and at night–moonlight.
The following post offers a solstice ritual. If you don’t want to keep reading, simply light a candle or three, set your intentions, your resolutions for what’s coming next, and welcome the sun’s return.
If you are local, at 430pm Tuesday please join us at the end of the Ventura Pier to say hello and good bye followed by a walk to Candelight (Santa Clara and Figueroa) for a gathering of planet conscious people organized by VCCool.
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