voices visions replays

Put on your own oxygen mask first

Boy Kings Series: Edward VI

"Boy Kings: Edward VI"(Cardboard, Pencil, Acrylic)

Final:


Stage 2:


Stage 1:

Boy Kings Series: Tutankhamun

"Boy Kings: Tutankhamun"
(Cardboard, Pencil, and Acrylic)

Final:

Stage 2



Stage 1

Artistic Biscuits: Dark Chocolate Fennel Biscuits

My coworkers at "Team Umizoomi" spanked a huge project the other day and to celebrate, I made them these.


2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons sugar
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
6 Tablespoons (3/4 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/2 a bar (or whatever looks like the right amount) of dark chocolate (I used 77%), chopped
3/4 teaspoon dried fennel seeds, roughly chopped into smallish bits
1 cup well-shaken light buttermilk

Preheat oven to 450°F.

Whisk together flour, baking powder, sugar, baking soda, salt, and fennel, then blend in butter with your fingertips until mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in chocolate. Add buttermilk and stir until just combined.

Form dough into 1 1/2" round balls and place about an inch apart on a large buttered baking sheet. Bake in middle of oven until golden, roughly 10 minutes.

April Fool's Shenanigans

THIS MORNING'S EMAIL CHAIN:(with only a few responses, posted without names to protect the dignity of the gullible)

Sent: 4/01/11 8:30 amFrom: Linda Beck
To: familySubject: And overnight we become a family of 8
Even with all the tests at the vet a week or so ago, I guess it never occurred to anyone to check and see if our little Naps was pregnant. Well, after a night of inexplicable spasticness on her part, i awoke to see the population in our apartment had increased by four. Strangely enough, none of the kittens have tails, reminiscent of my precious long gone cat, Nougie.
Way to go stray cat. Way to find a place to deposit your kittens.
___
Sent: 4/01/11 8:31 am
From: Linda BeckTo: family
Subject: And overnight we become a family of 8
Did the picture go through? I'm having phone issues. Argggg technology!!
Family members and friend kindly congratulate us on the new arrivals!
"How cute is that" What color are they? and--- WHERE did she have them? Can't wait to see the proud family! Congrats g'ma and g'pa!"

"Nope no pics. Congratulations! 6 new kids in one year. Man! You guys must be exhausted~!!!" ___Sent: 4/01/11 8:40 amFrom: Linda BeckTo: family
Subject: And overnight we become a family of 8
Well, apparently the picture didn't go through. I'll try to send it from work. I don't remember Momkey or Half-Nose's kittens being able to walk when they were just born but apparently my memory is failing. I had to chase three of them back into the apartment before I left.
Oh, and they're almost purple in colour... lavender whiskers. Very pretty.
(Various responses from family members and friends arrive - none of which convey disbelief in the fantastical colour of the kittens.)

"This email chain is almost crazy enough for me to think someone’s sending spam from your account! Congrats on the purple kitties"
___
Sent: 4/01/11 9:00 amFrom: Linda BeckTo: family
Subject: And overnight we become a family of 8
Thanks! They're very cute, even if they look a little like were dropped in the Paas Easter Egg dye. Any theories on what would make them come out like that? I can't find anything on the web. She's a street cat, so who knows what she got into. Their toes are kind of turquoise. Very strange.
My loving family member sincerely asks, "Are you're sure they're KITTENS?"
___
Sent: 4/01/11 9:44 amFrom: Linda BeckTo: family Subject: And overnight we become a family of 8
Just talked to Jeremy -

Now there are 6 kittens!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
___
Sent: 4/01/11 10:20 amFrom: Linda BeckTo: family
Subject: And overnight we become a family of 8
Take 4 on sending the picture... Fingers crossed that it goes through this time.

"Yeah, something is weird with them. U should get them checked out. It's a stray cat, so it could be anything. It's in their eyes too they're like bright blue. Either it's something that will go away later or they're just gonna be that way. I would take them to the vet though."
But finally:
"Damn you. April 1st huh?"

And by the way, I Photoshopped those kittens purple - I didn't borrow any kittens and dye them. Sheesh, people.