Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

 

I have been lucky enough to spend my birthday these last two years on tour in Europe.  Last year, if you may or may not remember, was spent in Lubeck, Germany… where I started the day with a vitamin C filled shot of Fanta “Plus” deliciousness given to me by Sabrina.  Let’s look back on that moment, shall we?

NTP!!!

 

This year, the “demur,” brunette Sabrina thought she’d be a little more tour appropriate and surprised me with this buh-mazing deliciousness:

Sabrinta Clause is my new favorite mythical gift giver!!!

 

So here’s the back story on why this is so amazing.  Those seven years ago when I went to visit Mallory in Maastricht she not only introduced me to real Belgian waffles but to the heaven that is Speculoos cookies.  Originally made during the Christmas holiday season (the spices involved are cinnamon, ginger, pepper, cloves, cardamom and nutmeg), they have become available year round in recent decades.  Up until a couple of years ago, however, you could only get your fix in the form of a cookie. 

 

As my host mother explained, there was an invention competition in Belgium and the winning idea ended up being a woman who created a Speculoos paste (like peanut butter) which then snowballed into a lot of other Speculoos flavored items, like the Cote d’Or chocolate you see above as well as…

ICE CREAM!!!!!

 

And yes… I did try every variety I could get my hand on.  The best, though, was when Vera brought out her Speculoos mousse/custardy deliciousness of a dessert:

I’m actually surprised there was even a chance to take this picture given how quickly I inhaled it.

 

What a fantastic early (and unexpected) birthday treat from Sabrina!!  Full disclosure, I am about a whole city behind on the blog and though I have just gotten back from spending my 27th hiking in the Alps you won’t be hearing about it until a bit later… next blog stop is Eberbach, Germany!

 

Artist: Princess J./ Album: Overnight Success

A Night Like This

 

This past Saturday at the John Cleary Gallery I worked my first opening night reception, celebrating the Houston premiere of Keliy Anderson-Staley’s Imagined Family Heirlooms.

Installation shots of Keliy’s Baking Pan Series and Americans: Contemporary Tintype Portraits

 

Response was enthusiastic to Keliy’s work, which includes a wide range of photographic techniques as well as the incorporation of found objects into the exhibit.

Keliy (left) discussing her work with an interested attendee

 

Imagined Family Heirlooms, 2011

 

Patrons were also treated to milk (white Russians) and cookies, inspired by the artists Baking Pan Series and served by the gallery’s in-house bartender/baker/husband of the director, Arnaud Couturier.

Remember… milk makes your bones GROOOOWWW!!!

 

Keliy, Catherine and I would like to offer a warm thanks to all who attended and made this exhibit opening a great success!

Keliy, Catherine and I.  (Stop hogging the spotlight, “Kristin”!!!!!)

 

Installation as seen through reflection of Found Child's Dress # 1, 2011

 

Artist: The Cure/ Album: The Head on the Door

The Cookie Factory

 

In preparation for Keliy Anderson-Staley’s Imagined Family Heirlooms, Catherine and I decided to have a “theme” to go along with the drinks and snacks for the opening.  Inspired by Keliy’s Baking Pan Series we instantly thought of milk and cookies!

Installation shot of the Baking Pan Series

 

So instead of spending a Friday night out on the town, I attempted to make three different batches of cookies: chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, and snickerdoodle. Monica also made a surprise guest appearance to help me out with some of the baking.  Some of you may remember her from my first outing to the John Cleary Gallery oh so many months ago! Let’s see how that turned out, shall we?

So much for homemade… besides, I’ve realized I’m more of an Ansel Adams wannabe than a Martha Stewart anyway!

Looking forward to seeing you all at the opening tomorrow, Saturday March 26 between 6 and 8pm! Come for the chocolate chips and stay for the fabulous photography.  (Well, and the white Russians certainly can’t hurt either)

 

Artist: Danny Elfman/ Album: Edward Scissorhands

C is for Cookie

 

Christmastime (which C is also for) also means it’s Maersk butter cookie time!!! Mallory’s dad works for the shipping company and for the past 7 years I have gotten a tin of them.  When I lived in Ann Arbor I would always fly into Houston, which meant a stop in The Woodlands on the way back to Crockett, which meant getting to see Mallory, which meant *breath* MAERSK COOKIES!

Mallory’s parents, Greg and Denise, actually got to deliver them this time because when we met up for breakfast with Santa earlier this month.  

Joseph, Denise, Greg, and the Star of Maersk

 

My favorite ones are the ones that look like braids, and my only instruction to friends eating from the tin is: “Okay, but none of the braids.”  One time my friend, Will, just laughed and grabbed three of them.  Our friendship almost ended on that day.

Ingredients: Butter, sugar, love, flour, crack, more butter

 

So… THANK YOU BELL FAMILY for feeding my sugar habit! Also, just because it’s Christmas, and according to that scene from Love, Actually, at Christmas you tell the truth, these cookies are basically the only reason I have kept up my friendship with Mallory.  She’s actually pretty boring.  Sorry you had to here it here first, Mal! HAVE A FUN TRIP TO DISNEY!!!!!

Artist: Marilyn Horne 

So this isn’t so much a song from an album as it is a song from a Sesame Street episode.  Deal with it! (Also, you might remember it from my previous post about opera singers who sang on the show)