Right Brained Gal

Happy Birthday to my Sister Cindy

Today is my only sister CIndy's birthday and I want to wish her a Happy Birthday and thank her for being such a good friend. I know we fought like hell when we were kids, but things really mellowed out when my mom died and we formed a special bond from then on. My sister is someone who has know me all her life, and still wants to spend time with me. That's what you call a real friend.

La Sylphide

This weekend I attended the Los Angeles Ballet production of La Sylphide at UCLA and was reminded of how much I enjoy dance, especially the grace and smooth precision of ballet.  La Sylphide contained everything I crave in a love story: romance, betrayal, heartbreak and a witch. Watching ballet is like getting a massage with feathers. Grace and beauty accompanied by music.  Telling a story, without a word spoken.

It was a beautiful day, and since we got there early, we were able to take in the beauty and enormity of the UCLA campus. Since most of the students were gone for the three day weekend (UCLA is on the quarter system) it was empty and very peaceful.  My oldest daughter attended UCLA for post graduate work and would have appreciated the amount of parking that was available today.

Thank You, Martha

I had to bring a dessert to a Memorial Day party and since fresh raspberries and strawberries are everywhere, I decided to make this recipe from Martha Stewart Living magazine.  It was perfect, and so good accompanied with fresh whipped cream.  I highly recommend it. I have to admit, I didn't roll the pastry, I just pressed it into the tart pan, and it turned out great. Here is the recipe compliments of Martha Stewart.

Raspberry Custard Tart

• Pate brisee (recipe below)
  
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, plus more for surface
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 pound (3 1/2 cups raspberries, plus more for garnish
  
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
  
  Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Roll pate brisee to 1/8-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Fit into a 9-inch pie dish, and trim edges, leaving a 1-inch overhang. Tuck overhang under so edges are flush with rim, and crimp edges. Prick bottom of dough with a fork. Freeze for 15 minutes. Line dough with parchment, and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake until edges begin to turn gold, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove weights and parchment. Bake until crust is light gold and cooked through, 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack.
2. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees. Whisk flour and 1/2 cup sugar in a medium bowl. Add egg and cream, and whisk to combine. Toss raspberries, remaining cup sugar, and the salt in a medium bowl. Spoon berries into crust, then pour in cream mixture, filling to just below the rim.
3. Bake until custard is set but still a bit wobbly in the center, about 45 minutes. Let cool in dish on a wire rack. Cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or up to 1 day). Garnish with fresh raspberries, and serve cold.

Pate Brisee

Makes one 9-inch crust

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
  
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  
• 4 ounces (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 2 to 4 tablespoons ice water
  

Directions

1. Pulse flour, salt, and sugar in a food processor until combined. Add butter, and process until mixture resembles coarse meal, about 10 seconds. With the machine running, add ice water in a slow, steady stream until mixture just begins to hold together.
2. Shape dough into a disk, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour (or up to 2 days).

Happy Memorial Day

As a young girl growing up in Pennsylvania, I remember going to the cemetery with my mother, sister, aunt and cousins to plant flowers on my uncle and maternal grandparents graves.  It was an annual ritual that celebrated the beginning of summer, while paying our respect to our deceased family members.  I am many miles away from Pennsylvania, so there is no way I can visit my parents graves and continue the tradition.  I would especially love to put a flag on my father's grave to honor him for giving up so much of his youth, to fight for our country. As you grow older, and your parents are long gone, you realize what unconditional love was all about and what a void there is in your life when it is gone.

The Calm Before the Storm

I have had writers block the last few months.  It has been extremely hard for me to blog, but I feel that I need to, now more than ever. I have been hiding from life and isolating myself, to the extent that I don't even know who I am anymore. 

To quote one of my favorite artists (the fact that he used real candy for his art and encouraged the public to help themselves is a huge plus) who has always been inspirational to me for what he stood for:

Above all else,

It is about leaving a mark that I existed;

I was here.  I was hungry.  I was defeated.

I was happy.  I was sad. I was in love.

I was afraid.  I was hopeful.

I had an idea and I had a good purpose.

And that's why I made works of art.

        Felix Gonzalez-Torres

              

Illustration Friday - Parade (Rose Parade)

  I lived in Pasadena so long, when I hear the word parade, I immediately think roses.  It is amazing how beautiful the floats are and how much work goes into each and every one.