Melty Kiss

I decided to take a break from Meiji's chocolate covered almonds to try Melty Kiss. The box stated that the chocolate, "Gently melts in your mouth like a snowflake" - as if I could resist! They're absolutely delicious and reminiscent of those icy squares but with green tea/matcha chocolate on the inside with a dusting of powdery chocolate on the outside (and a 100 times better!). I ♥ melty kisses!

These ads make me feel frisky

Oh no you di'n't

"Ah, say it ain't so, Joe..there you go again. Blah, blah. Doggone it". Her folksy speech is the stuff of nightmares.

Lovely day

I've been listening to this song a lot lately. It makes me happy and reminds me of my lil' family. Wishing you a lovely day.

The Devil is in the details

Tonight, I went to a wonderful workshop at The Paper Place to learn about konnyaku.

Konnyaku is an interesting thing - it's derived from a plant known as the Devil's Tongue Root and is best known as a foodstuff in Japan which usually takes the form of a tasteless, gelatinous slab or noodle-like item. Because it has no taste and is composed mainly of water, it's an excellent addition to dishes that are saucy as it really absorbs the flavor of whatever it's placed in. For the purpose of this workshop, we learned about konnyaku as a treatment for paper - the beautiful textures that can be created, the added strength and durability that result, and the way to get these effects. In Japan, konnyaku has been used for centuries to make kamiko (paper clothing).

Devil's Tongue Root starch is added to room temperature water and is stirred for about 20 minutes. In this time, you'll see the amazing transformation as the liquid goes from thin to a very thick gelatinous paste. If you're not using it right away, you should place it in the fridge and revisit it every two hours or so to stir it. (It keeps for about a week but you'll know when its gone bad - it gets even smellier than it normally is).

Basically (keeping in mind this is just a two-second description from a newbie), you brush a thin coating onto each side of your paper. Wait until the glossy sheen dries before applying the paste onto the other side. We hung our sheets up on a clothesline to dry with teeny tiny clothespins. When the sheets were dry (but still pliable), we began working with them. The resulting paper is momigami. Judith, the manager of The Paper Place who is also an artist, facilitated the workshop. She shared some really wonderful tips on how to create different textures and offered project ideas for the lovely papers (including ones which involved stitching).

It was so much fun to 'play' with the coated paper and such a tactile activity (albeit a bit stinky). We were all busy scrunching our papers and wrapping them around paint brushes to see what kind of effects would produced. In the end, we all became disciples of konnyaku thanks to Judith's wonderful guidance. :)

Here are a couple of photos from tonight. If you look closely, you can see some of the different textures that were created. I can't wait to try this at home and introduce it to my fellow paper-luvin' peeps!

Vintage computer ads

Mokuhanga

I received an email from the talented printmaker, Akemi of Kozo Studio (257 Broadview Avenue), regarding an exciting upcoming event that she and a group of others has been working towards for the last year:

Mokuhanga
Contemporary International Japanese Woodblock Printmaking
October 3 - November 15
The Japan Foundation

The Japan Foundation Toronto and JUN /KEN ARTS Collective, present a unique gathering of work by eight contemporary artist printmakers including a selection by their former teacher, artist Akira Kurosaki of Kyoto. Countries of origin include England, Ireland, Japan, Australia and Canada. These artists have flourished in individual directions, while they continue to work as printmakers employing Japanese woodblock or mokuhanga.

Keizo Sato, Master Japanese Printer, will be doing a demonstration on Wed. Oct. 8th from 7 to 9 pm at the Japan Foundation.

Akira Kurosaki, world renowned Japanese Printmaker, will be giving a lecture on the development of Modern Japanese Printmaking on Thurs., Oct. 9th from 7 to 9 pm at the Japan Foundation.

Carol Dorman and Elizabeth Forrest will be giving a lecture on Mokuhanga: Past and Present on Fri., Oct. 24th from 7 to 9 pm at the Japan Foundation.

For more information, please visit Mokuhanga Toronto.

If you aren't familiar with Mokuhanga, Canadian artist Elizabeth Forrest provides a wonderful description (courtesy Mokuhanga Toronto) :

What is Mokuhanga?
An appreciation

In Asia and Europe, woodblock printing developed into separate, but in some ways, parallel traditions. To inquire into woodblock printing is to collide with some impressive contributions to cultural enrichment in various regions of the world: the invention of paper, moveable type and the printing press, leading to the spread of literacy and all that implies. Buddhist practices in China and Japan, before 1000 CE, saw the relationship between repeating stamped images of the Buddha on an unfurling paper scroll, and the prayer rhythms of the mantra. Later, gradual secularization in Europe and mercantile prosperity in Asian societies enabled woodblock prints to become an inexpensive mode of disseminating images for pleasure and connoisseurship.

The evolving technology and social roles of Japanese woodblock prints lead one into all manner of resonances that can be revisited in contemporary work. For some artists especially printmakers, the fascination leads inevitably to the medium itself.

Speaking as one who came from far to research Japanese woodblock in Kyoto, the fascination lay not only in the technical learning experience, there was also a rich process of acculturation. Like the other foreigners in this exhibition I began with a temporary commitment which then extended into years. This kind of commitment also meant developing a facility in the language and daily customs. It meant responding to a hothouse of contemporary, as well as richly preserved, artistic activity in Japan. After a time, ordinary objects, architecture and art, became fraught with history, meaning and inner logic. As one caught up in the struggles of becoming a social being in a foreign land, the rituals of Japanese woodblock printmaking provided a profound key to understanding this strange universe.

This intense immersion experience may account for the passion that accompanies working in a medium that remains challenging, exotic and most importantly, capable of creating moments of the sublime, in the process itself.

Chocolate love

I'm obsessed with these and have been eating them like there's no tomorrow. They're Japanese and oh, so delicious (oishi!). They also have a version with rice crisps in the chocolate but I have yet to find them here in Toronto. I've already spoken to Sanko on Queen Street telling them about this tantalizing variety. I also asked if it might be possible to stock Mango Gokuri in their shop. They only have Gokuri's 'Miracle of Grapefruit' drink at the present time.

If they bring these two items in, then I will have the makings of a perfect lunch: konbu onigiri (yum!), Mango Gokuri, Meiji chocolate-covered almonds with rice crisps and of course, some kind of fruit. :)

A hot recipe for a cool day

It's a damp day here in Toronto. The perfect day for wooly socks, making cards, writing in your journal, cozying up to a good book and having something warm (or hot) to chill those bones. Here's a recipe that won't disappoint those who appreciate a little heat...

Chipotle Avocado Corn Chowder

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups organic plain soy milk
2 1/2 cups frozen organic white and/or yellow corn, defrosted
1/4 cup organic silken tofu
1 large ripe avocado, peeled and diced
3-4 canned chipotle peppers, drained and rinsed
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
black pepper to taste

Directions:

Combine the soymilk, tofu, peppers, 2 cups of the corn, and 3/4 of the avocado, salt, and pepper in a blender or food processor. Puree until smooth. Add the remaining corn and avocado. Pour into saucepan and use medium heat to warm.

[We actually used a chipotle sauce instead of jalapenos and it turned out delicious]

To round out the meal, we had some fresh bread and some spicy vegan sausages.

Serves: 4

What's Your Story? Grasshopper

The dreadlocks, plastic grasshopper, flashy sneakers and little record stand were impossible to resist. My latest post on What's Your Story features Derek, aka Grasshopper.

What's Your Story? Be true to yourself

Some people are born with an impeccable sense of style but when you couple this with a charismatic personality to boot, you feel like you might have just met the coolest person on earth. This is what I experienced when I met and interviewed Jules for the latest post on What's Your Story?

I was walking along Queen St. with my cousin who was visiting from Vancouver when I passed a record store where the ever-so-elegant Jules was leaning against an iron gate in front of a record store. I couldn't help but notice how stylish he was with his sharp hat, stylin' sports jacket, fitted vest, vibrant colors and yes, even a printed silk hanky peeking out of his breast pocket. I had to approach him and what I said was, "My husband would kill me if he knew I passed by you and didn't ask to interview you". (Of course, I was being facetious and the reality is, I probably wouldn't have forgiven myself if I hadn't approached him.) So began my spiel...

Jules graciously agreed and to my delight, he wasn't only a pleasure to interview and speak with but he was also a very fun 'subject' to photograph. He had a wonderful way of speaking and the kind of laugh that made you feel all warm inside.

To read his interview, please visit What's Your Story?.

What's Your Story? Graffiti Artist/Superhero

Meet Lewter - Graffiti Artist/Superhero.

To read his interview, please visit the latest profile on What's Your Story?

Vegan chocolate cupcakes

I was in the mood for something sweet after dinner so I whipped up the following recipe (courtesy of chow.com):

Ingredients:

1 cup soy milk
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract, chocolate extract, or more vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder, Dutch-processed or regular
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

* Preheat oven to 350°F and line a muffin pan with paper or foil liners.
* Whisk together the soy milk and vinegar in a large bowl, and set aside for a few minutes to curdle.
* Add the sugar, oil, vanilla extract, and other extract, if using, to the soy milk mixture and beat until foamy.
* In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add in two batches to wet ingredients and beat until no large lumps remain (a few tiny lumps are OK).
* Pour into liners (or greased muffin/cupcake pan), filling 3/4 of the way. Bake 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
* Transfer to a cooling rack and let cool completely.

They've just come out of the oven and are cooling as we speak. Mmm...they smell delicious. Can't wait to frost them and have one with a cup of caramel rooibos tea. :)

Things happen...

What kind of things? Sounds intriguing...

Defcon 4

Guess what's on the tube right now?

Spork, Speef and other delights

What's Your Story? Yoga in everyday life

Cynthia Funk is the owner of two yoga studios here in Toronto. The Yoga Sanctuary on College Street, her first studio, is a lovely space to practice and do your teacher training.

She first learned yoga at age 19 when she was a treeplanter.

For the complete interview, please visit the latest post on What's Your Story?

Smile

The Paper Place launches online shop!

This post is dedicated to all you paper lovers out there. You know who you are - you secretly like to rub wonderful papers against your skin and can be seen with a dreamy look on your face as you handle those intoxicating pieces.

The Paper Place on Queen Street here in Toronto has just launched their online shop! And right now, everything online is 15% off for their 'Sneak Peek Sale'. (How wonderful is that?!)

You can choose from the following categories:




Within each of these categories are pictures of the lovely patterns and colors that are available including a little write-up about each. It's a great opportunity for those of you who can't pop into the lovely store for a visit. (As always, phone orders are also welcome.)

If you've never had the pleasure of visiting The Paper Place, here is a peek:

[All photos courtesy of The Paper Place website]

What's Your Story? Bows and the feel of lentils

Adriana and Gabrielle are the creative forces behind the new shop, Trap Door, located at 2993 Dundas Street West here in Toronto. Their shop is dedicated to showcasing local/Canadian fashion and accessory designers, as well as artists.

I had the pleasure of interviewing them for the latest post on What's Your Story? To read their interview, please visit the latest post on What's Your Story?

Is it too early to think about...

Halloweenie?
Or the holidays?

Hmm...

These are strange ads. I don't think I like them.