Im back.

It's been a really long time, but I am back and am excited to share some ideas and projects that I find useful in my after school drawing instruction classes. I am mostly doing this for my own records and to keep track of what works and doesn't with my students. Hope you enjoy!

my new favorite toy.

Is this not the BEST wind-up toy you have ever seen??
Found this at a cute little toy-ish store called Chicken Little here in SB while trying to entertain my friend Aimee's kiddles. I couldn't resist.

http://www.chickenlittlekids.com/

!!!!!!!!!!!

So my roommate brought home this yellow beauty.

I'm-a-gonna learn how to play it if it kills me.

she made my Monday

Yaaaay! It's so great to see good friends.

eat it: Bruschetta with salami and balsamic reduction

seriously. i made some bomb diggity bruschetta last night. It's a little different from the typical recipes but it's easy peasy and flippin delicious so herrr ya go....

You will need:

2 large ripe tomatoes
a bunch of basil (i picked mine from my basil plant which I miraculously haven't killed yet, I'd say about 10-15 leaves??)
1 Garlic clove
1 tbsp of lemon juice
Salt and fresh ground pepper
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
3/4 c grated asiago cheese (can also use fresh mozzerella or parmesan, or whatever yummy cheese you have in the fridge)
1 french baguette (or any kind of fresh bread)
sliced salami (about 15 slices if youre using the whole baguette)

ok so the topping part is pretty self explanatory chop up the tomatoes, garlic and basil... put them in a bowl with the lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste.

Slice up the bread into 1 inch wide diagonal slices and top with grated asiago. Place on cookie sheet and bake until cheese melts and bread is crispy.

While that is baking pour the balsamic vinegar into a saucepan and bring to a boil, then bring down to a simmer, stirring constantly, reduce it to about half until you have a syrupy texure. I didnt time how long it takes but you can always refer to these instructions too :
http://www.ehow.com/how_4476187_balsamic-vinegar-reduction-sauce.html

Slice your salami into strips and place on top of the bread slices, add a spoonful of the bruschetta topping and drizzle it all with the balsamic reduction.

So good with a nice bottle of wine. Also, if you have extra balsamic reduction it's delicious drizzled over fresh strawberries and whipped cream for dessert :)

city life

I'm missing minnesota in a serious way.
I just want to do this:















And play all day with my little love bug of a sister:













And eat ice cream on the dock at lake harriet...




















Soon enough...