Some sites to drool over

I received a subscription to Bust Magazine for my birthday from my sister this past November. One of the magazines many lovely features is the thoughtfully chosen advertising in the back. Mostly small blocks with a little image and a website. Many of them are independent artists or Do it yourself-ers.
The pieces on these sites inspire me. They make me want to go back to art school. And take metal smithing classes! and fiber art! and....lots of other classes! I hope they inspire you the way they have me. Here's a two links* to my faves from the recent issue:

www.kristianaparn.com
www.lurajewelry.net

and here's two others that refuse to be directly linked:

www.manekicollection.com
www.bg2770design.com (portland,me!)



This is the GORGEOUS Smoke Wing Cicada Ring from Lura Jewelry by Megan Steer


* by "links" I mean real active links that connect you to actual sites! I have finally have figured it out! Good god that took me forever! ( it was as simple as needing to click "copy" instead of "cut". And to do it in the right order. Phew.)

A Kino Proby weekend : Part II

Photos by Katryna

Adam Kurtz- guitar/vocals and Jarlath McGuckin- bass guitar/vocals



Jess Greer- drums/mandolin

Kino Proby finished out their weekend long cd release party saturday night at the All Asia. Each still donning their formal attire, the musicians hopped onto stage with the same boundless energy. The show was definitely a different vibe than the previous nights performance, lending itself to a more familial feel, with band and fans sharing a lot of laughs.

If you have ever been to a KP show at the All Asia, you know that the band is within arms length of the dance floor, and only a few inches above the crowd. At various times during the show the entire crowd was jumping up and down to the catchy tunes and during the slower ballad style pieces, fans just swayed in unison to Kurtz and McGuckins well sung melodies.

As always, Greer was the backbone of the band keeping his beats tight and strong, coming up front for only one song with his mandolin and giving the tune a latin feel. All in all, the band stayed true to their patented wild style, getting the crowd riled up and being chanted back on to stage after ending for a few encores. Finishing out the performance, they knocked over instruments while the guitars were feeding back with shrill notes, only to finally jump off stage into a chorus of cheers.
It was all over too soon, and I for one, am looking forward to the next show already.

A Kino Proby weekend : Part I

Last nights performance kicked off the weekend long party celebrating the bands new release, " Kino Proby, Live at the Big Easy" The venue was Port City Music Hall (Portland, Me) and was a first for the band, also a completely kickass spot. The sound was amazing and the light show was fun and well synchronized to the music. As a matter of fact, the entire place was ultra cool in visual and auditory design.

The guys walked out on stage each wearing a tux and looking for all the world like a trio of dapper ninjas. It took a couple songs to get the crowd going but Adam Kurtz (vocals/guitar) has a way of warming up the fans into near frenzy, so exemplified by inviting fans who were wearing KP t's to dance on the stage.

The energy of the show was high as always and the guys all radiated "rock star" through out the first set. Somewhere in the next they brought it down with a few seated acoustic pieces with Jess Greer (drums) coming up front with his fantastic mandolin stylings. In this way the band creates an intimacy that has inspired an almost fanatical loyalty in their followers these last five or so years, and its only getting stronger with every annual show.

Jarlath McGuckin ( vocals/bass guitar) was in good form last night, home for a short respite from his work in Russia, where he's been living the last 4 yrs. His vocals were clear and sweet as always and his bass kept tight time with with Greer's booming drums. Jarlath and Adam kept true to their patented theatrics with off stage jumps, kneeling postures, ripping guitar solos and all out rock and roll personas.

I expect tonight's show will be bring an even higher energy as its at their old stomping grounds, "The All Asia" in Cambridge, Ma. There's barely a few inches of lift on the stage in this smaller venue and it always makes for a really interactive and wild show. So tonight I will rock out to their highly danceable tunes with the rest of their highly danceable fans, and I'll keep you posted*



Kino Proby pose for a quick photo in front of the Port City Music Hall last night after their show and before heading to one of their notorious after parties.












* and by "posted" I mean bumbling through piecing words together after an unaccustomed 3 hrs of sleep.

Kino Proby

"Кино Пробы (Kino Proby) at Portland City Music Hall this Friday 1/8/10. $5adv/$8 at the door. Rock it Rock it Rock it. Be there. Get your Russian rock on with Victor 1, Victor 2, And Victor 3!! All in the states for this wild weekend!"

This Band Kino Proby is my husband Jess on drums and our friends Adam Kurtz on Guitar and vocals and Jarlath McGuckin on Bass guitar and vocals.

Check out their website at www.kinoproby.com

Also they were featured in the Portland Phoenix this week! " Portland's Best Band in the World"

Come support my people, they put on a hell of a show and it always a blast! And You know I'll be there!

A new dawn, a new day, a new life!

When I completed my Massage and Polarity training the instructors asked all of the students to write them selves a letter of positive affirmations for the coming year which they would send to us in exactly a years time. I did, and when I received it in the mail a year later, everything I had written had come to fruition.

This is an empowering exercise that brings clarity and focus to the next year of your life.I encourage you to write yourself this letter, seal it in a dated envelope, and store it with your holiday decor not to be opened until the following year. Or staple it to back of the December page of your 2010 calender.

Some examples from my letter this year:

I Affirm I support my body through practicing Yoga twice a week.

I Affirm myself and my family live in abundant health.

I Affirm I am playful

I Affirm I am patient, kind, and compassionate with myself and others.

I Affirm I am taking a overnight trip to the New England Aquarium with my husband and children.


The key is to use "I am" as opposed to "I will", or "I'm trying". Be specific. If you write it with the intention that it is already happening, it is.

Cheers and Many Blessings to you in 2010!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A delightful vegetarian recipe*

I guess I've been thinking a lot about my past travels lately, because everything I'm cooking is inspired by something I've loved eating whilst away. Every trip I've ever taken is defined by the food I've eaten and shared. So here's one I came up with inspired by a Carribbean Restaurant in New Orleans**.



Carribbean inspired Stir fry

2 plantains sliced***
1 red pepper chopped
1 Tablespoon minced fresh ginger
1 clove minced garlic or more if you'd like
2 carrots, shredded
olive oil

1 to 1 1/2 cups Pineapple
1 can black beans
teaspoon of cinnamon
Kosher salt to taste

1 bunch cilantro, coarsely chopped
5 scallions thinly sliced

1 1/2 cups cooked rice


Plantains:

1.Preheat a large skillet with about a 1/4 inch of olive oil on med heat. When hot but not smoking add Plantain in a single layer
( you will probably need to do this in batches)

2. Fry until browned and then turn.

3. Use a slotted spoon to remove plantains and place on a plate. Top with another plate and squish plantains. Return to skillet. Fry until browned. Remove plantains and drain on paper towels or a clean dish cloth. Repeat until all plantains are fried. Set aside.


Stirfry:

1. Heat one table spoon (ish) of olive oil in a large skillet on med. heat. Add garlic, ginger and red pepper and saute 3 or so minutes.

2. Add Black beans, carrots, pineapple and cinnamon. Stir occasionally cook until heated through, 5-7 minutes .

3.Mix in plantains, cook 3- 5 min more.

4. Add salt to taste

5.Serve over rice, Garnish with cilantro and scallions

ENJOY!

* My little people even liked it

** googling " Carribbean Restaurant New Orleans, LA" came up with West Indies Cafe and I want to say that's the place I went. The descriptions of the wall painting sound right.

*** Cooking the plantains earlier in the day really makes for a quick preparation at dinner time.