Man and Martin at MOMA

Man and Martin at MOMA

Oil on Wood

10"X10"

 This man is mulling over Agnes Martin's "Falling Blue" at SF MOMA. I am going to have to go spend some time soaking it all in next week before the museum closes for renovation June 2. They say humans like change. I must not be human because I like things just the way they are.  Maybe I am a dog. 

The Things We Save - Grannie's Crystal Cake Platter

The Things We Save - Grannie's Crystal Cake Platter

Oil on Masonite

8"X10"

This is the large crystal platter, the mere sight of which makes my mouth water for the rich, sweet, creamy crunch of the Porcupine Cakes it has housed.  Even in the dark, it sparkles with the light of many birthday candles and even more celebrations of Life.

As promised to many of you who asked, here is the Porcupine Cake recipe I learned to make standing by Grannie's side.

Buy soft Lady Fingers. Maybe 4 packages, depending on size cake you want to make.

Make some strong coffee.

Break out the rum.

Make French Coffee Icing (Recipe to follow)

Build the cake:

Layer of Lady fingers, opened up. 

Spoon on a little coffee and rum onto each lady. 

Put another layer of ladys (opened up).

Thin layer of icing

Put another layer of ladys (opened up).

Spoon on a little coffee and rum onto each lady. 

Two or three more layers.

Then frost all around.

Then stick almond slices all over the cake, leaving one end for a face. Use raisins or whatever strikes your fancy for eyes

and mouth.

French Coffee Icing:

Sift 1 2/3 cups confectioner's sugar

Beat until soft 1/2 cup butter

Add these ingredients gradually. Blend until they are creamy.

Add: 1/8 teaspoon salt

3 Tablespoons strong HOT coffee

Beat for 2 minutes.

When icing is cool, add 

1 teaspoon rum.

Beat well.

Spread.

It is very rich. All that butter and sugar. Small slices suffice.

Time Out from Grazing

Time Out from Grazing

Oil on Wood

10"X22"

It's always a good idea to pay attention who's in your pasture. 

The Things We Save - Grannie's Crystal Cup and Saucer

The Things We Save - Grannie's Crystal Cup 

and Saucer

Oil on Masonite

10"X8"

If Grannie only knew how often I think of her. How her crystal sparks memories. Special recipes recreated in the New World, served in her small kitchen. The unspoken sadness of what was lost mingled with the comfort of a family gathering. 

If she only knew I still make her porcupine cake and serve it on her crystal platter. Life goes on. And with it all the seemingly insignificant past that gets played again for the next generation. Nothing is lost.

Meeting House

Meeting House 

Oil on Wood

12"X12"

In the wake of Mother's Day I am feeling deeply grateful and at the very same time, full of longing. Missing my mother and missing mothering my children. Missing having family all around. Memories surface like reflections on a window.  There and not there. Gone, but forever the best part of who I am.
Madeline Levine's Opinion piece in Sunday's New York Times, "After the Children Have Grown" says it all. Beautifully.

Catching a Glimpse of Superman

Catching a Glimpse of Superman

Oil on Masonite

10"X8"

I took myself to the DeYoung Museum this afternoon for a little people-watching-Superman-watching. That would be Mel Ramos', Superman. Never fails to lift my spirits. 

I've done it before and I will do it again. 

See prior Superman watcher paintings here.

Never gets old.

Crowd Sourcing

Crowd Sourcing

Oil on Wood

12"X12"