"Let us our lives, our souls,
Our debts, our careful wives,
Our children, and our sins,
lay on the King!"
William Shakespeare, "Henry V" Act IV, Scene 1
The genius of Shakespeare has long been discussed but I have found an instance of it that I cannot allow to be lost in the conversation about Costumes.
While re-charting the costume changes for the Paper Wing Theatre's production of "The Tragedy of MacBETH", I noticed that King Duncan is in 3 scenes and then gets killed (we have added that as a scene). “King” MacBeth is in 3 scenes and then gets killed.
The Bard had a distinct sense of symmetry and one might even conclude that he is making a statement that all “Kings” are the same. There are many scholarly resources that I could look into for more evidence of the playwrights views of the monarchy, but time is too short - I rely solely on the text.
This is just one of many intricacies of the play, but one that is not so obvious until you see it on a COSTUMES CHART!
By the way, I am in my last week before Dress Rehearsals. It's exciting, scary, thrilling, and TIME-SENSITIVE!
Showing posts with label The Gothic Gourmet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Gothic Gourmet. Show all posts
Monday, July 01, 2013
Friday, June 21, 2013
"Double, Double, Toil and Trouble" - The Three Weird Sisters Get Clothed
Ha! You thought, from this title, that the Three Weird Sisters in our production of "MacBETH" were naked didn't you?! If so, you were a victim of a double entendre. The word "clothed" in this sense means "to be covered in cloth" as opposed to "to wear clothes". This is the sort of wordplay that I ADORE in Shakespeare and in real life... ehem! But I digress.
Happy was the night when I wrapped the witches in cloth. In my previous post, I discussed the horror I was feeling at cutting fabric without having my actresses in front of me so the relief I now feel is great! Though I have more to do, I feel much better about my progress.
In the next day or two I will be handing off projects to our seamstress. This is a new situation for me as I have always been the only one working on projects of this sort (with the exception of the exceptional help my husband has been through the years). I will be getting a feel for what type of work she does and that will help me to know what I can hand off.
Today's Plan
Get info about Seamstress
Run through revised script
Account for each Character (already in progress)
Account for each Player (already in progress)
Account for each Costume Change (already in progress)
Account for each Costume Piece (already in progress)
Design "mini-LOOKBOOK" for "Apparitions"
Discuss "Apparitions" with Director
Work with actor on costumes for King and Siward
Work with actors on costume questions / issues
Begin plan for Soldiers' costumes
This is a LOT! This is basically how I spend everyday. No wonder I'm not sleeping. Up until last week, I was able to "sleep, perchance to dream" the answers to my present and pressing questions. Now, being sleep-deprived and stressed, I find the answers are coming to me slower. THAT is why all of the forms that I have created and maintained are so critical - they are my lifeboat in this turbulent sea - they are the blueprint to the House of Beverly MacBETH!
Oh! One thing to add to this list... PROPS! I must get together with the Director to discuss the PROPS as they pertain to costumes. Whew! That's a biggie!!!!!!
Be sure to check out the Links I have on the right sidebar. There are some new ones, and all of them are fascinating!!!!
And here, for the scholarly students of Shakespeare (ehem!), is an excerpt from the immensely interesting (scintillating) website, SHAKESPEARE RESOURCE CENTER regarding a double entendre in MacBETH.
Happy was the night when I wrapped the witches in cloth. In my previous post, I discussed the horror I was feeling at cutting fabric without having my actresses in front of me so the relief I now feel is great! Though I have more to do, I feel much better about my progress.
In the next day or two I will be handing off projects to our seamstress. This is a new situation for me as I have always been the only one working on projects of this sort (with the exception of the exceptional help my husband has been through the years). I will be getting a feel for what type of work she does and that will help me to know what I can hand off.
Today's Plan
Get info about Seamstress
Run through revised script
Account for each Character (already in progress)
Account for each Player (already in progress)
Account for each Costume Change (already in progress)
Account for each Costume Piece (already in progress)
Design "mini-LOOKBOOK" for "Apparitions"
Discuss "Apparitions" with Director
Work with actor on costumes for King and Siward
Work with actors on costume questions / issues
Begin plan for Soldiers' costumes
This is a LOT! This is basically how I spend everyday. No wonder I'm not sleeping. Up until last week, I was able to "sleep, perchance to dream" the answers to my present and pressing questions. Now, being sleep-deprived and stressed, I find the answers are coming to me slower. THAT is why all of the forms that I have created and maintained are so critical - they are my lifeboat in this turbulent sea - they are the blueprint to the House of Beverly MacBETH!
Oh! One thing to add to this list... PROPS! I must get together with the Director to discuss the PROPS as they pertain to costumes. Whew! That's a biggie!!!!!!
Be sure to check out the Links I have on the right sidebar. There are some new ones, and all of them are fascinating!!!!
And here, for the scholarly students of Shakespeare (ehem!), is an excerpt from the immensely interesting (scintillating) website, SHAKESPEARE RESOURCE CENTER regarding a double entendre in MacBETH.
- / - / / - / - / The curtain'd sleep; witchcraft celebrates
Here again we see a trochee following a caesura in a standard Shakespeare variation. Curtain'd sleep in this context is a double entendre that plays upon the literal meaning of bedcurtains and a more figurative meaning of "veiled" that suggests hidden from consciousness. Celebrate denotes the solemn performance of rites rather than its more festive connotations with which we associate its use.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
"I may know your character better than you do right now!"
So in my earlier blog post,
I discussed my costume design binder that had Questions, Cast List, LOOK BOOK,
etc. in it. These were just the beginning of the essentials that I’ve been
collecting in there.
The rehearsal schedule is
critical to have printed out in my binder. There have been a few days shuffled
around and I was able to make quick notes about them with out having to use my
laptop or change my calendar on my phone while the director is still talking.
I also needed the working
script so that I could breakdown the scenes. This is one of the most important
processes of all. One must completely understand the play and its action to be
able to determine the type of clothing needed, and the number of costume
changes that are necessary.
I want to take a moment to
say that it is critical for the costume designer to be a most of the
rehearsals. Often the Director and the players are blocking scenes and may add
or cut from the existing work. The
costumer must be very familiar with the material to be able to help “guide” the
Director if, say, one knows that a scene that is being cut will dramatically
affect the main character’s ability to complete his costume change. That
decision could affect many characters that way. Another example would be if the
Director adds a scene. The costumer must be there to understand the new
dynamics and likely “add” a costume change to the actor’s gear. The costumer
has to know the action and timing of the play as well as the Director does to
be able to have all of the appropriate clothing, etc come out on time.
To breakdown the scenes, I
read through the entire script without stopping or noting anything. This helps
one to know the feel of the story and gain a sense of its timing. Having
“MacBETH” as my favorite Shakespearean play was both an advantage and a
disadvantage for me. The advantage came from my intimate knowledge of what the
“traditional” presentation of the play looks like which was vitally important
when conferring with the Director and the Producer – “I know whereof I speak…”
– and have the “internal clock” of the play ticking in my head. The
disadvantage is that knowing the play very well, I found myself anticipating –
action – movements – tones – instead of having a good clean reading of the
text. Regardless, I got through the first reading and moved on to note-taking.
The second reading of the
text, I held pencil in hand and made ready. Looking up each Act number and
Scene number, I noted the place within time, the location, and the characters
that all appeared. So for example:
Act I, Scene I:
A desert place.
(Three Weird Sisters)
Act I, Scene II:
A camp near Forres.
(King Duncan, Malcolm,
Donalbain, Lennox, Attendants, Sergeant, Rosse, Angus)
And so on through the whole
play. Of course, the importance of this is clear. 1) One must know where in the
play the action is happening; 2) One must know what environment the actors will
portray, and 3) One must know which characters will be in the scene. Here I add
an extra bit – 4) One must know which actors are NOT in the scene. This goes
back to timing. Knowing the play well, I know that Lady MacBETH does not appear
immediately in the play and that there will be necessary “Hair & Make-up”
time for her. Balance that with the other players going on and coming off of
the stage and the fact is clear: I need to know where EVERYONE is EVERY SECOND
of the play. I need every second of time I can get.
OK. It goes a little bit
farther now. Opening the script for the third time, I read it with one thought
in mind the entire time: what is the costume each character is wearing at this
moment. Reading through the text, I listed the three weird sisters’ costume
change #1, MacBETH’s costume change #1, Banquot’s costume change #1, and so on.
It got tricky though. There are multiple characters coming in and out of the
scene, so meticulous attention is required. As I moved on through the test, I
noted, MacBETH’s costume change #2, MacBETH’s costume change #3, and so on –
for each character in the play.
Here’s a screen grab of the
first two scenes of Act I:
By this time, I was feeling
like a Shakespearean scholar, but it doesn’t end there. I began the process of
matching the actors to their roles. Simple, right? Well, not so much. The words
are easy enough but learning the faces with the names is not. Plus this was
when I began requesting Sizes. By the time I actually got to touch the first piece of clothing, I was able to say to any character in the play, "I may know your character better than you do right now!" TRUTH!
Ah, but I’ll leave that for
my next post.
Monday, June 10, 2013
The Gothic Gourmet: Dreaming of Costumes Blog
I have been dreaming of costumes for my whole life.
I’m sure it started with my mother dressing me in beautiful dresses as a little girl. Once I turned "Tom-Boy", I liked the more sporty stuff. By High School, I was a New Romantic / Punk wearing leather skirts and just starting to explore the ‘unisex’ look. First year of college brought me into Designer clothes. This was just one part.
Then there was Easter, Christmas, and Halloween. Easter shopping was elegant and always “something more’. Christmas was about color and celebration. Halloween, though, as you probably have already guessed, was where the concept of DESIGNING took shape.
The early years saw store bought costumes. One favorite was “Casper The Friendly Ghost”. Dang! How old was then? Maybe 6? Maybe 7? Eventually, I started to come up with my own costumes. The routine was like this: “Gah! It’s Halloween tomorrow and I haven’t made a costume yet! What do I have?” followed by a search through the closet, then the garage. Inspiration usually came from a weirdly bent piece of metal or a branch that had been trimmed from the tree in the backyard. Once I had a concept, I would go back to the closet or more likely the scrap bag of fabrics. From there I would start “my build”. To be honest, there were very few times when I sewed an outfit completely, though I sew. No! On such short notice, creativity is the master of invention and costumes were constructed from my wild imaginings. I wish I had photos from back then. It would be interesting to see how many of those creations were truly successful and how many were… not.
Anyhow, those were the early years… the courageous early years where I learned how much I LOVED COSTUMES! I loved the potential. I loved the failures almost as much as the successes because inevitably those unsuccessful ones taught me to take a chance, even try a new technique, damn the consequences. Oh, I just love that! “Damn the consequences!”
In recent years, I’ve been more precise in my practice. Some costumes: My son’s Space Cadet costume was fun; Renaissance outfits for Dane, Patrick, and myself. Those were very demanding projects and didn’t employ any “build” to them. They were straight up sewing projects. No child will forget my "Other Mother" from "Coraline" complete with button eyes that I wear for two straight days. There's just too many to enumerate. The next “build” was my DALEK GOWN. I have photos of that process and will post them in a separate blog entry. The idea there was to de-construct a gown to re-construct it… and then add the DALEK to it. It was a very fast-paced project and really was the longest in the end.
And here I am today! Embarking on a super secret dream that I didn’t realize I had until it was handed to me. I am so in love with this idea! And yet, I admit, it’s a – - BIG. SCARY. COMMITMENT. That’s OK. I have a new motto this year – NO FEAR! Or put more poetically – FEAR NOT! Ha! It makes me feel better when I say that… and that is what gets me through all of the scary stuff I’ve been through in my life only now it has a name – FEAR NOT!
When I accepted this challenge, the first thing Patrick said to me was, “You HAVE to Blog this! Blog the whole process.” Something about that rang so true in me. So this is the beginning of that. Now that my costuming background is exposed, I’ll move on to my process in the next post.
I’m sure it started with my mother dressing me in beautiful dresses as a little girl. Once I turned "Tom-Boy", I liked the more sporty stuff. By High School, I was a New Romantic / Punk wearing leather skirts and just starting to explore the ‘unisex’ look. First year of college brought me into Designer clothes. This was just one part.
Then there was Easter, Christmas, and Halloween. Easter shopping was elegant and always “something more’. Christmas was about color and celebration. Halloween, though, as you probably have already guessed, was where the concept of DESIGNING took shape.
The early years saw store bought costumes. One favorite was “Casper The Friendly Ghost”. Dang! How old was then? Maybe 6? Maybe 7? Eventually, I started to come up with my own costumes. The routine was like this: “Gah! It’s Halloween tomorrow and I haven’t made a costume yet! What do I have?” followed by a search through the closet, then the garage. Inspiration usually came from a weirdly bent piece of metal or a branch that had been trimmed from the tree in the backyard. Once I had a concept, I would go back to the closet or more likely the scrap bag of fabrics. From there I would start “my build”. To be honest, there were very few times when I sewed an outfit completely, though I sew. No! On such short notice, creativity is the master of invention and costumes were constructed from my wild imaginings. I wish I had photos from back then. It would be interesting to see how many of those creations were truly successful and how many were… not.
Anyhow, those were the early years… the courageous early years where I learned how much I LOVED COSTUMES! I loved the potential. I loved the failures almost as much as the successes because inevitably those unsuccessful ones taught me to take a chance, even try a new technique, damn the consequences. Oh, I just love that! “Damn the consequences!”
In recent years, I’ve been more precise in my practice. Some costumes: My son’s Space Cadet costume was fun; Renaissance outfits for Dane, Patrick, and myself. Those were very demanding projects and didn’t employ any “build” to them. They were straight up sewing projects. No child will forget my "Other Mother" from "Coraline" complete with button eyes that I wear for two straight days. There's just too many to enumerate. The next “build” was my DALEK GOWN. I have photos of that process and will post them in a separate blog entry. The idea there was to de-construct a gown to re-construct it… and then add the DALEK to it. It was a very fast-paced project and really was the longest in the end.
And here I am today! Embarking on a super secret dream that I didn’t realize I had until it was handed to me. I am so in love with this idea! And yet, I admit, it’s a – - BIG. SCARY. COMMITMENT. That’s OK. I have a new motto this year – NO FEAR! Or put more poetically – FEAR NOT! Ha! It makes me feel better when I say that… and that is what gets me through all of the scary stuff I’ve been through in my life only now it has a name – FEAR NOT!
When I accepted this challenge, the first thing Patrick said to me was, “You HAVE to Blog this! Blog the whole process.” Something about that rang so true in me. So this is the beginning of that. Now that my costuming background is exposed, I’ll move on to my process in the next post.
Thursday, December 09, 2010
Health Crisis and the Climb Back Up!
Here's the post I made on Facebook:
"Thank you for all of the emails over the last 5 weeks. Just after Halloween I was diagnosed with triple positive breast cancer and have been very focused on taking the necessary steps to wellness. It's crazy fast once one gets this news-surgery 2 weeks ago, chemo starts next week. The way I see it, the cancer is off of me, and in the office of sick and dying people getting chemo, I'll be the happy, healthy person."
It was succinct in that 420 character limit imposed by fb, but there's more to the story. There's "Enlightenment" in this story.
One of the first friends to learn of my situation was Chanté Shiwa Shanti of Sacred Energy Medicine (http://sacredenergymedicine.com)... poor thing! She experienced my face of grief, yet took that moment to say, "Whoa! Wait a minute! This diagnosis is not who you are!" And the journey began.
Over the next few posts I will discuss some of the self-exploration I did, guided by Chanté and those closest to me. It was a time of grace and blessings - a time to recognize that reflections are in mirrors and broken glass - and a time when Spirit chooses to die or to LIVE!
"Thank you for all of the emails over the last 5 weeks. Just after Halloween I was diagnosed with triple positive breast cancer and have been very focused on taking the necessary steps to wellness. It's crazy fast once one gets this news-surgery 2 weeks ago, chemo starts next week. The way I see it, the cancer is off of me, and in the office of sick and dying people getting chemo, I'll be the happy, healthy person."
It was succinct in that 420 character limit imposed by fb, but there's more to the story. There's "Enlightenment" in this story.
One of the first friends to learn of my situation was Chanté Shiwa Shanti of Sacred Energy Medicine (http://sacredenergymedicine.com)... poor thing! She experienced my face of grief, yet took that moment to say, "Whoa! Wait a minute! This diagnosis is not who you are!" And the journey began.
Over the next few posts I will discuss some of the self-exploration I did, guided by Chanté and those closest to me. It was a time of grace and blessings - a time to recognize that reflections are in mirrors and broken glass - and a time when Spirit chooses to die or to LIVE!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
DID YOU KNOW...?
Did you know that I love to work-out, especially with weights. There is something quite meditative for me in the physicality of movement, though Yoga and such lack a certain intensity that I thrive on. Sometimes I find myself daydreaming of a good little soccer game with a bunch of kids or an evening back on my favorite Curling Ice, but these are not easy to come by right now.
When I get this urge, I know it's time to step up the intensity of my normal work-out. Here are some of my favorite ways of doing that.
1) JUMPING ROPE -- This is one of those childhood acitivities that I loved soooooo much that I stll delight in doing it. I'm hoping to put together a small group of friends --who also like jumping rope -- to try doing "double dutch" again. Oh! How I LOVED that!
2) HIKING -- The Central Coast of California has some impressive and daunting hikes in glorious forests, but I'm also a big fan of hiking the steep streets of Old Monterey. Inevitably, one hiking there will end at one of many fabulous city parks. While taking in the sights at the park, add Jumping Jacks, push-ups, deep knee lunges, and high kicks.
3) JOGGING ON THE BEACH -- They say that jogging barefoot in beach sand is the very best way to do it. The Monterey Peninsula has breath-taking beaches as well as walking/biking trails that hug the beaches. I have never been a willing jogger (ever) but I am determined to start now because the scenic beauty contributes much to ones sense of health.
4) BICYCLING BY THE BEACH -- These walking/biking trails listed above offer a relatively safe way to get in a lot of milage while taking in the sights. I gave up bicycling many years ago but now a new yearning has started in me and this is on my list of "must do" activities.
5) GARDENING -- About the time I start getting bored in my work-outs, I always seem to notice that the yard needs to be weeded, the garden needs planting, or the trees need pruning. These activities, when aproached with vigor, work every muscle in the body and burn intense amounts of calories when you continue to push through fatigue to get the job done. There is nothing like collapsing in exhaustion in a lawn chair and enjoying the beauty of your labors.
I would love to know what YOU do to add intensity to your work-outs. And what do you wear to work-out? In keeping with my goth sensibilities, I wear black band girly tees adn black yoga pants.
Be well. Be healthy. And beware!
From the Sunny Side of the Graveyard,
Beverly - The Gothic Gourmet
When I get this urge, I know it's time to step up the intensity of my normal work-out. Here are some of my favorite ways of doing that.
1) JUMPING ROPE -- This is one of those childhood acitivities that I loved soooooo much that I stll delight in doing it. I'm hoping to put together a small group of friends --who also like jumping rope -- to try doing "double dutch" again. Oh! How I LOVED that!
2) HIKING -- The Central Coast of California has some impressive and daunting hikes in glorious forests, but I'm also a big fan of hiking the steep streets of Old Monterey. Inevitably, one hiking there will end at one of many fabulous city parks. While taking in the sights at the park, add Jumping Jacks, push-ups, deep knee lunges, and high kicks.
3) JOGGING ON THE BEACH -- They say that jogging barefoot in beach sand is the very best way to do it. The Monterey Peninsula has breath-taking beaches as well as walking/biking trails that hug the beaches. I have never been a willing jogger (ever) but I am determined to start now because the scenic beauty contributes much to ones sense of health.
4) BICYCLING BY THE BEACH -- These walking/biking trails listed above offer a relatively safe way to get in a lot of milage while taking in the sights. I gave up bicycling many years ago but now a new yearning has started in me and this is on my list of "must do" activities.
5) GARDENING -- About the time I start getting bored in my work-outs, I always seem to notice that the yard needs to be weeded, the garden needs planting, or the trees need pruning. These activities, when aproached with vigor, work every muscle in the body and burn intense amounts of calories when you continue to push through fatigue to get the job done. There is nothing like collapsing in exhaustion in a lawn chair and enjoying the beauty of your labors.
I would love to know what YOU do to add intensity to your work-outs. And what do you wear to work-out? In keeping with my goth sensibilities, I wear black band girly tees adn black yoga pants.
Be well. Be healthy. And beware!
From the Sunny Side of the Graveyard,
Beverly - The Gothic Gourmet
Monday, November 09, 2009
IT'S MONDAY! O, GLORIOUS DAY!
Well, it's been all about the music today! Started with Aerosmith, AC/DC, and Twisted Sister, now tonight is all about MOONSPELL and Rammstein!
I'm currently reading "Witches, Werewolves, and Fairies", a book translated from French. Interesting historical references like St. Augustine's WEREWOLF observations. It's my research for a story I'm writing.
Tomorrow, ParaWomen SCREAM Radio ventures into TV on LiveParanormal. It's a live WebCam Broadcast that we call ParaWomen SCREAM TV.
I'm currently reading "Witches, Werewolves, and Fairies", a book translated from French. Interesting historical references like St. Augustine's WEREWOLF observations. It's my research for a story I'm writing.
Tomorrow, ParaWomen SCREAM Radio ventures into TV on LiveParanormal. It's a live WebCam Broadcast that we call ParaWomen SCREAM TV.
Sunday, October 04, 2009
RADIO APPEARANCES
It's been a long and challenging summer for me, but as you know, I love a challenge.
I made my way down to the Carnival of Darkness Film Festival in Hollywood. It was fabulous event highlighting the Indie Horror short film genre. The crowd was interesting, eclectic, and well networked which made for GREAT Interviews. That's right! I interviewed many cool peeps and hope you'll visit my YouTube Channel to check them out. www.YouTube.com/gothicgourmet
I also moved house this summer. It's so hard to do, but there were many good reason to get a change of scenery. Of course, as I was busy working on the packing, everything else revved up and some things just had to wait for this week.
Questions are still coming about CURLING. The truth is, I haven't had the health, the wealth, or the free time to enjoy my favorite, or rather my BELOVED, sport. I love the ice. I love my friends there. I love the feeling of wind in my face as I slide out of the hack. So, it's been a year since I've curled. I'm sad thinking about that. I still stretch in case I can get up there to do it, but I finally took my curling gear out of my trunk last week. The realization that I just can't do it right now hit me with a thud.
I was a guest on Allie Cheslick's "Wings of Love" Radio Show last week. She is one of my dearest radio friends and has always encouraged me and my efforts. Next, I'll be a guest on Andrew Brewer's "The Rock 'n' Roll Psychic" Radio Show on Monday, October 5, 2009. The will be 4pm Pacific Time -- please adjust for other time zones. :-) Then on Oct 14th, I'll be a guest on Tanya Douglas' Radio Show at 5pm Pacific, and on the 15th I'll be on Nightstalkers Paranormal Radio at 9pm Pacific.
SunnySideoftheGraveyard.com is having a 20% storewide sale to celebrate all of the publicity that I'm getting this month.
OK. The first horror film is a supernatural horror and went on hold because I had to pack all of the equipment, etc. for the move. No matter how well I labeled the boxes, it's just never enough. Wish me luck on pulling it all together for a mid-autumn shooting schedule. The second horror film is still in scriptwriting and is developing into an intensely interesting cult horror film. It's great and hard to have two going at once... for obvious reasons.
I am proud to announce the creation of G'night Gnome Productions which has a focus on feature films, tv, and radio broadcasting. Principles: Beverly Van Pelt, Patrick Golden, Amy Williamson, and Ian Clark.
So that's the update. Hope everyone is celebrating the harvest of another amazing year and really to roll gracefully through another holiday season!
~Bev
I made my way down to the Carnival of Darkness Film Festival in Hollywood. It was fabulous event highlighting the Indie Horror short film genre. The crowd was interesting, eclectic, and well networked which made for GREAT Interviews. That's right! I interviewed many cool peeps and hope you'll visit my YouTube Channel to check them out. www.YouTube.com/gothicgourmet
I also moved house this summer. It's so hard to do, but there were many good reason to get a change of scenery. Of course, as I was busy working on the packing, everything else revved up and some things just had to wait for this week.
Questions are still coming about CURLING. The truth is, I haven't had the health, the wealth, or the free time to enjoy my favorite, or rather my BELOVED, sport. I love the ice. I love my friends there. I love the feeling of wind in my face as I slide out of the hack. So, it's been a year since I've curled. I'm sad thinking about that. I still stretch in case I can get up there to do it, but I finally took my curling gear out of my trunk last week. The realization that I just can't do it right now hit me with a thud.
I was a guest on Allie Cheslick's "Wings of Love" Radio Show last week. She is one of my dearest radio friends and has always encouraged me and my efforts. Next, I'll be a guest on Andrew Brewer's "The Rock 'n' Roll Psychic" Radio Show on Monday, October 5, 2009. The will be 4pm Pacific Time -- please adjust for other time zones. :-) Then on Oct 14th, I'll be a guest on Tanya Douglas' Radio Show at 5pm Pacific, and on the 15th I'll be on Nightstalkers Paranormal Radio at 9pm Pacific.
SunnySideoftheGraveyard.com is having a 20% storewide sale to celebrate all of the publicity that I'm getting this month.
OK. The first horror film is a supernatural horror and went on hold because I had to pack all of the equipment, etc. for the move. No matter how well I labeled the boxes, it's just never enough. Wish me luck on pulling it all together for a mid-autumn shooting schedule. The second horror film is still in scriptwriting and is developing into an intensely interesting cult horror film. It's great and hard to have two going at once... for obvious reasons.
I am proud to announce the creation of G'night Gnome Productions which has a focus on feature films, tv, and radio broadcasting. Principles: Beverly Van Pelt, Patrick Golden, Amy Williamson, and Ian Clark.
So that's the update. Hope everyone is celebrating the harvest of another amazing year and really to roll gracefully through another holiday season!
~Bev
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
THE GOTHIC GOURMET LOSES MIND, STARTS NEW CREATIVE PROJECT
So there are times when one needs a creative project in order to remember the Artist inside. Since I am about half way through my recovery time, I thought now would be the time to challenge myself and my team to something new.
Here are the first two brainstorming sessions between me and my writing/directing partner Patrick Golden.
This is the first conversation…
This is the second conversation a short (very short) time later…
Here are the first two brainstorming sessions between me and my writing/directing partner Patrick Golden.
This is the first conversation…
This is the second conversation a short (very short) time later…
Friday, January 30, 2009
SunnySideoftheGraveyard.com
It's official! We have a soft launch of our new online retail store, SunnySideoftheGraveyard.com.
Why the name? Well, for many years my sign-off has been "From the Sunny Side of the Graveyard," and how fitting it is. I'm know for looking at the sunny side of things, even the paranormal. It's like shining a flashlight into a dark room. I suppose I have always used humor and sentiment to make my way through challenging times and now the idea of "Sunny Side of the Graveyard" seems more relevant than ever.
The theme of the retail store is Paranormal Culinary Lifestyle and that pretty much sums it all up for me. You'll see what I mean when you click over.
So, we found a variety of products and are continuing to add new items all the time. It's a time consuming process, and frankly, I LOVE IT! There is something very personal in it for me. I enjoy using these items and they help me to create happier and intrinsically valuable experiences.
We started the Paranormal category with candles and incense that I have come to depend on in my daily rituals and in some of the Paranormal work that I do. These are useful tools for anyone - not just mediums, witches, and paranormal researchers.
In the Culinary category, you will find a fun variety of silicone ice trays that also work great as chocolate molds. Two of the best sellers of these are the Gin and Titonic (oceanliners and icebergs) and the Cool Shooters so you can freeze your own shot glasses... OR... make chocolate cups to fill with fruit, mouse, or fresh ground almond butter.
The Lifestyle category is full of fun items that help you make a statement. My favorite item right now is the COFFINS UMBRELLA - yes, coffins on a grey field. It's COOL and very attention getting.
Also in Lifestyle is the Valentine's Day Special. The HEARTS RAINBOOTS are so cute with white hearts on a reddish pink background. They're only available in one size, UK 38 which is between size 7 and 7.5 in the USA. The number 23 has a particular significance for me so these boots are 23% off through Valentine's Day!There are many products in the works and it's been intersting to see pre-orders. We've been filling pre-orders with merchandise enroute resulting in the need to re-order. This means we haven't even been able to have them in stock yet. Wow! That was an unforseen activity and that learning curve is kind of fun too!
That's the "quick and dirty" on the soft launch. I'll post more shortly and then make a big announcement about the projected Grand Opening!
Monday, July 28, 2008
BEVZ NEIGHBORHOOD
This is a Photo Blog.
After reading Haunted Amy’s blog, which was inspired by Madelyn Alt’s, I really started to think about what are the elements in my area that make it My Neighborhood. Would I walk down the street taking photos? Would I pick a theme? Finally, I grabbed my camera and just drove around.
I took 125 photos that day. Of course, not all of them looked good, and many were different angles of the same scene. These are the best of them. Regrettably, my favorite subject turned out to be a long streak . . . taken in the car, I tried to capture the essence of my favorite Wild Turkeys that gather on ranchland near Highway 68, the Salinas-Monterey Highway. These creatures are elusive and fascinating, elegant while still strange looking.
Anyhow, what follow are photos of buildings and places that have influenced me – either by being a formative part of my past, or by being an interesting part of my present.
Old Town Salinas – Salinas, CA. I leave three blocks from here. You can see the smoke as haze from the numerous and catastrophic fires that surround the Central California Coast.
First Awakenings – Salinas, CA. My very favorite breakfast/lunch restaurant. They also have a Monterey location that is equally fantastic!
The National Steinbeck Center – Salinas, CA. Yes. I live four blocks from a center dedicated to area’s most famous writer . . . and I’ve never gone there to check it out. Shameful, really! It’s a product of having John Steinbeck and his work shoveled down my throat for most of my life. Yet, I will visit there this summer. Promise!
Star Market – Salinas, CA. This is the market I go to when I need that something special. They have an immense collection of domestic and imported beers and wines, a butcher extraordinaire, and generally carry the best produce the Salinas Valley has to offer.
Separating Salinas from all other parts of California, one finds the most interesting farmlands. Produce ranges from strawberries and lettuce, to broccoli and artichokes. It truly is “The Salad Bowl of America”. Again, notice how dark the sky is from the smoke.
http://www.sancarloscathedral.net/images/history2.jpg">
Cathedral San Carlos Borromeo de Monterey also known as the “The Royal Presidio Chapel” is the smallest cathedral in the continental United States and is the location of the so-called “Plymouth Rock of the Pacific Coast”. This is my parish where, as a teenager, I first became aware of the Chapel’s haunted past when I myself experienced a paranormal event. I can only imagine what spiritual chaos is being stirred up as workers clamor to rescue the aged building.
Ah . . . the Cemetery! This is San Carlos Cemetery in Monterey, CA. I use to live four blocks from this cemetery where my grandmother is interred. It is a lovely and tranquil place.
Except when all the children are across the street at the famous Dennis the Menace Park erected by Hank Ketchum. This train, at the entrance of the park, was an integral part of my childhood. Actually, it is fitting that one can travel a few steps between the beginning of life (a childrens park) and the end of it (the park of eternal rest).
This is one view of Lake El Estero, a man-made lake. In the distance you can see Dennis the Menace Park. In the foreground, one sees the distinctive shape of Monterey Cypress trees. On the placid lake, paddle-boaters enjoy sharing this space with Canadian geese, mallards, loons, and seagulls. When I look at this photo, I feel like I captured some small flavor of the early ‘70s when I was a child feeding the ducks.
The Robert Louis Stevenson House – Monterey, CA. Well . . . this was actually a hotel that RLS stayed in while visiting the Monterey Peninsula. It is said that he wrote “Treasure Island” while here and it is known that Point Lobos is the actual location of “the Island”. This is only one of the most haunted locations in the area.
The building is not square to the street (hm, methinks this contributes to the hauntings) so here is another photo of the front. The small Carmel stone entry leads to the beautiful gardens contained within a huge, private courtyard. I went to High School a few short blocks away and this was one of my hang-outs when I choose to enhance my education outside of the confines of school. =^)
A one view of the back entry to what is now a museum. There have been many sightings of a woman in the windows or on the stairs here. Note the sandbags near the doorway. This area of Monterey . . . the most historical . . . has a consistent water intrusion issue that spans the centuries.
This is just a small peak into the expansive gardens.
The other side of the back of the building. I can look at this area for hours and not release the passage of time.
Back out through the Carmel stone garden entry lays one of Monterey’s oldest streets.
This is one of three Carmel stone structures on the street. This building was empty for more than two decades. One day, shortly after graduating university, I decided to call the owners to ask about how much they wanted for it. The windows were broken and the building had structural damage so I was sure the price would be low. Instead I was told that it would cost $5,000,000.00. Too rich for my blood! I had wanted to put a bed and breakfast there, with a bakery in the front lobby. Within a year, the building was being repaired for occupancy. What business opened there? A bed and breakfast with a bakery in the lobby! sigh
Next post is Bevz Garden!
B.
After reading Haunted Amy’s blog, which was inspired by Madelyn Alt’s, I really started to think about what are the elements in my area that make it My Neighborhood. Would I walk down the street taking photos? Would I pick a theme? Finally, I grabbed my camera and just drove around.
I took 125 photos that day. Of course, not all of them looked good, and many were different angles of the same scene. These are the best of them. Regrettably, my favorite subject turned out to be a long streak . . . taken in the car, I tried to capture the essence of my favorite Wild Turkeys that gather on ranchland near Highway 68, the Salinas-Monterey Highway. These creatures are elusive and fascinating, elegant while still strange looking.
Anyhow, what follow are photos of buildings and places that have influenced me – either by being a formative part of my past, or by being an interesting part of my present.
Old Town Salinas – Salinas, CA. I leave three blocks from here. You can see the smoke as haze from the numerous and catastrophic fires that surround the Central California Coast.
First Awakenings – Salinas, CA. My very favorite breakfast/lunch restaurant. They also have a Monterey location that is equally fantastic!
The National Steinbeck Center – Salinas, CA. Yes. I live four blocks from a center dedicated to area’s most famous writer . . . and I’ve never gone there to check it out. Shameful, really! It’s a product of having John Steinbeck and his work shoveled down my throat for most of my life. Yet, I will visit there this summer. Promise!
Star Market – Salinas, CA. This is the market I go to when I need that something special. They have an immense collection of domestic and imported beers and wines, a butcher extraordinaire, and generally carry the best produce the Salinas Valley has to offer.
Separating Salinas from all other parts of California, one finds the most interesting farmlands. Produce ranges from strawberries and lettuce, to broccoli and artichokes. It truly is “The Salad Bowl of America”. Again, notice how dark the sky is from the smoke.
http://www.sancarloscathedral.net/images/history2.jpg">
Cathedral San Carlos Borromeo de Monterey also known as the “The Royal Presidio Chapel” is the smallest cathedral in the continental United States and is the location of the so-called “Plymouth Rock of the Pacific Coast”. This is my parish where, as a teenager, I first became aware of the Chapel’s haunted past when I myself experienced a paranormal event. I can only imagine what spiritual chaos is being stirred up as workers clamor to rescue the aged building.
Ah . . . the Cemetery! This is San Carlos Cemetery in Monterey, CA. I use to live four blocks from this cemetery where my grandmother is interred. It is a lovely and tranquil place.
Except when all the children are across the street at the famous Dennis the Menace Park erected by Hank Ketchum. This train, at the entrance of the park, was an integral part of my childhood. Actually, it is fitting that one can travel a few steps between the beginning of life (a childrens park) and the end of it (the park of eternal rest).
This is one view of Lake El Estero, a man-made lake. In the distance you can see Dennis the Menace Park. In the foreground, one sees the distinctive shape of Monterey Cypress trees. On the placid lake, paddle-boaters enjoy sharing this space with Canadian geese, mallards, loons, and seagulls. When I look at this photo, I feel like I captured some small flavor of the early ‘70s when I was a child feeding the ducks.
The Robert Louis Stevenson House – Monterey, CA. Well . . . this was actually a hotel that RLS stayed in while visiting the Monterey Peninsula. It is said that he wrote “Treasure Island” while here and it is known that Point Lobos is the actual location of “the Island”. This is only one of the most haunted locations in the area.
The building is not square to the street (hm, methinks this contributes to the hauntings) so here is another photo of the front. The small Carmel stone entry leads to the beautiful gardens contained within a huge, private courtyard. I went to High School a few short blocks away and this was one of my hang-outs when I choose to enhance my education outside of the confines of school. =^)
A one view of the back entry to what is now a museum. There have been many sightings of a woman in the windows or on the stairs here. Note the sandbags near the doorway. This area of Monterey . . . the most historical . . . has a consistent water intrusion issue that spans the centuries.
This is just a small peak into the expansive gardens.
The other side of the back of the building. I can look at this area for hours and not release the passage of time.
Back out through the Carmel stone garden entry lays one of Monterey’s oldest streets.
This is one of three Carmel stone structures on the street. This building was empty for more than two decades. One day, shortly after graduating university, I decided to call the owners to ask about how much they wanted for it. The windows were broken and the building had structural damage so I was sure the price would be low. Instead I was told that it would cost $5,000,000.00. Too rich for my blood! I had wanted to put a bed and breakfast there, with a bakery in the front lobby. Within a year, the building was being repaired for occupancy. What business opened there? A bed and breakfast with a bakery in the lobby! sigh
Next post is Bevz Garden!
B.
Friday, March 28, 2008
LYRICS FROM THE SOUNDS
Here we are/
perched high above the weekend/
waiting for our turn/
to soar into the clouds.
High above the clouds/
we fly into the darkness/
until we reach the MOON/
and find our sleeping shroud.
perched high above the weekend/
waiting for our turn/
to soar into the clouds.
High above the clouds/
we fly into the darkness/
until we reach the MOON/
and find our sleeping shroud.
So basically, there are beats sounding in my head all of the time. Not the way it happens with musicians... I only wish that were the case. No, for me it's a thumping "drums 'n' bass" beat that continues, waiting for me to put down words, before it finally moves on to the next beat.
I can't always see the words though. Sometimes the beat lingers in my head for months... or longer... waiting for my imagination to see what I hear.
I was asked if these words, above, are lyrics. The answer right now is yes, but it is unclear to me what I will ultimately do with them. I suspect that they will find their way into the book I'm writing as it fits the feel and rhythm of the thing.
As the lyrics say, here we are perched high above the weekend, so I hope everyone has a great one.
B.
Friday, February 08, 2008
RADIO INTERVIEW WAS AMAZING - THANKS ALLIE!
Well, thank you Allie of WINGS OF LOVE Radio.
Today's interview was FAB and Allie was a great interviewer. We talked about a wide range of topics including Goth, Entertaining, Food, Horror movies, The Gothic Gourmet online, the soon to launch Online Retail, and my upcoming Books (and desire for a publisher).
Allie showed my photos in the chat room and I had the opportunity to talk about my Cosmic Twin... VLAD QUIGLEY at length.
Who else? The Bone Jangler and my friend/fan Lauri from Dallas, TX!
Whew! There was a lot going on there including recipes and I wanted to be sure to include those here.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
APPETIZER
Prepare 3 per person
Per serving
Shittake Mushroom
1 Tbsp diced Tomatoes
Goat Cheese
1 Tbsp diced Yellow Bell Pepper
Olive Oil
Salt and fresh cracked Black Pepper to taste
Trim stem of Shittake Mushrooms all the way down to the base. Set on Cookie sheet.
Saute diced Tomatoes in pan. Season with salt and pepper. Put on top of Shittake and spread evenly.
Take Goat Cheese and cut into 1/4" think medallions. Place one medallion on top of each stack.
Top with diced Yellow Bell Peppers.
Before it goes in 425 degree oven, drizzle with olive oil and put a little water in pan. Heat through.
Finish with fresh cracked Black Pepper on top.
~~~~~~~~~~
MAIN COURSE
Black Pasta with Pesto Sauce and Fresh Vegetables
1 package of Black Squid Ink Pasta
Fresh peas, carrots, or vegetable of choice
2 cups Fresh Basil Leaves
3 Tbsp Pine nuts
1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese grated
Salt and Pepper to taste
Prepare pasta according to directions.
Steam vegetables to al dente.
Put basil, oil, pine nuts, garlic, salt and pepper into a blender or food processor. Blend to a paste, but NOT until smooth.
Transfer to a bowl and add parmesan cheese.
Just before the pasta is done, stir in a little of the hot pasta water into hte pesto to thin it out.
Toss pesto with drained pasta and steamed vegetables.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
DESSERT
Chocolate Bundt Cake with Simple Blackberry Sauce
Chocolate Bundt Cake (prepare ahead of time)
3 cups of fresh or frozen Blackberries
1/3 cup Sugar
Grated Lemon Zest
In a sauce pan, bring to simmer the Blackberries, Sugar, and Lemon Zest. Stir until sugar is dissolved then cover and simmer another 5 minutes.
Serve rustic style as is or press through sieve for refined texture.
Place slice of cake on plate and drizzle Blackberry Sauce.
Today's interview was FAB and Allie was a great interviewer. We talked about a wide range of topics including Goth, Entertaining, Food, Horror movies, The Gothic Gourmet online, the soon to launch Online Retail, and my upcoming Books (and desire for a publisher).
Allie showed my photos in the chat room and I had the opportunity to talk about my Cosmic Twin... VLAD QUIGLEY at length.
Who else? The Bone Jangler and my friend/fan Lauri from Dallas, TX!
Whew! There was a lot going on there including recipes and I wanted to be sure to include those here.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
APPETIZER
Prepare 3 per person
Per serving
Shittake Mushroom
1 Tbsp diced Tomatoes
Goat Cheese
1 Tbsp diced Yellow Bell Pepper
Olive Oil
Salt and fresh cracked Black Pepper to taste
Trim stem of Shittake Mushrooms all the way down to the base. Set on Cookie sheet.
Saute diced Tomatoes in pan. Season with salt and pepper. Put on top of Shittake and spread evenly.
Take Goat Cheese and cut into 1/4" think medallions. Place one medallion on top of each stack.
Top with diced Yellow Bell Peppers.
Before it goes in 425 degree oven, drizzle with olive oil and put a little water in pan. Heat through.
Finish with fresh cracked Black Pepper on top.
~~~~~~~~~~
MAIN COURSE
Black Pasta with Pesto Sauce and Fresh Vegetables
1 package of Black Squid Ink Pasta
Fresh peas, carrots, or vegetable of choice
2 cups Fresh Basil Leaves
3 Tbsp Pine nuts
1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese grated
Salt and Pepper to taste
Prepare pasta according to directions.
Steam vegetables to al dente.
Put basil, oil, pine nuts, garlic, salt and pepper into a blender or food processor. Blend to a paste, but NOT until smooth.
Transfer to a bowl and add parmesan cheese.
Just before the pasta is done, stir in a little of the hot pasta water into hte pesto to thin it out.
Toss pesto with drained pasta and steamed vegetables.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
DESSERT
Chocolate Bundt Cake with Simple Blackberry Sauce
Chocolate Bundt Cake (prepare ahead of time)
3 cups of fresh or frozen Blackberries
1/3 cup Sugar
Grated Lemon Zest
In a sauce pan, bring to simmer the Blackberries, Sugar, and Lemon Zest. Stir until sugar is dissolved then cover and simmer another 5 minutes.
Serve rustic style as is or press through sieve for refined texture.
Place slice of cake on plate and drizzle Blackberry Sauce.
Friday, September 28, 2007
The Gothic Gourmet Online Catalog is Coming Soon
As the dust clears on Summer's passing and the winds of changing leaves stir up an Autumnal color-scape, it is time to look to the future and the promise that it holds.
As loyal readers, you are the first to know that we are in the process of developing The Gothic Gourmet Online Catalog. Forgive me for being brief on details as things are changing by the minute, but there are many exciting things on the horizon.
We will be integrating the Online Store into the GothicGourmet.com website and, in theory so far, the site will evolve in appearance retaining the blog, news, recipes, etc. with the final component being the e-commerce section. Even this will come up in segments and will take nearly one year to be fully realized, yet from the start, we will be able to take credit cards using a secure system and the offerings are sure to please.
Overall, I cannot give you the exact date of the Grand Opening but the anticipation is overwhelming. It is just so exciting to actualize an entrepreneurial dream... and to share that dream with YOU!
Thank you all. And keep the feedback coming! Bev @ GothicGourmet . com
B.
As loyal readers, you are the first to know that we are in the process of developing The Gothic Gourmet Online Catalog. Forgive me for being brief on details as things are changing by the minute, but there are many exciting things on the horizon.
We will be integrating the Online Store into the GothicGourmet.com website and, in theory so far, the site will evolve in appearance retaining the blog, news, recipes, etc. with the final component being the e-commerce section. Even this will come up in segments and will take nearly one year to be fully realized, yet from the start, we will be able to take credit cards using a secure system and the offerings are sure to please.
Overall, I cannot give you the exact date of the Grand Opening but the anticipation is overwhelming. It is just so exciting to actualize an entrepreneurial dream... and to share that dream with YOU!
Thank you all. And keep the feedback coming! Bev @ GothicGourmet . com
B.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
GOURMET SUMMER
Wow!
That's the basic exclamation to describe my summer!
I was recently interviewed on an AWESOME radio show called, The League of Extraordinary Paranormal Women. It's on BlogTalk Radio and if you missed it, you can still hear me in the Archive of the show. Here's the link:
The League of Extraordinary Paranormal Women on BlogTalk Radio then click "Archived Segments".
On the show, we discussed my upcoming article called, "The Ghost Hunters' Picnick" (the extra "k" is a nod to the paranormal). In the article, I have focused much attention on The Ghost Hunter - what happens to the individual during times of stress, the perceptions used to investigate, and the types of food that will support the whole person without interfering with the Investigators' primary tools... the senses.
And special "Thank You!" to Amy and Kristy for giving me the opportunity to be part of their amazing show.
I was also interviewed for INK Magazine where I discussed the origin of The Gothic Gourmet and some of my interests. At the end of the interview, I discovered that it is a Fashion Column. I was surprised! Thank you Beth Elderkin. Can't wait to see the article.
I want to thank THE SERPENTEENS and in particular my very good friend Glenn Sorino for the FABULOUS mention in the acknowledgements for their new album, THE SUPERHUMAN MONSTER SHOW. The CD Release Party was Saturday, July 14TH, and these guys are the real deal in entertainment! Check them out at http://www.serpenteens.com/ and on Myspace. My favorite song is Hell California!
Then there is another very good friend of mine - Vlad Quigley, from across the pond (South London). He has done me the great honor of asking to use my likeness in his artwork. So flattered was I that I crashed my computer before finding the headshots to send him. Be that is it may, Vlad is a brilliant artist whose work has been described as Pop Art Nouveau (Pop Art meets Art Nouveau). Drawing horror comics and art for rock acts and celebrities, Vlad is an inspiration. Besides ME... some notable subjects are Sir Roger Moore (yes, James Bond!), Dollhouse Days Are Over, Rubella Ballet, the London Goddess Temple, Babyshambles, X-Ray Spex's Poly Styrene, Skye Edwards, SugarBitch, Jessica Jaymes...
Vlad... You're such a Bristish ICON! Thank you, Love!
There was the Gala Opening for the new NAPASTYLE store in Los Gatos. NAPASTYLE is the brainchild of fabulous chef and all-around-good-guy MICHAEL CHIARELLO. Check out my blog and photos on Myspace.
And finally, there is a special place in my heart for the Fabulous Wendy Brickman, Publicist and Marketing Guru! Thank you, Wendy. You're the best!
Thursday, January 11, 2007
BRUCE CAMPBELL
Well, I just saw Bruce Campbell in a FABULOUS commercial for OLD SPICE. Bravo, Bruce! Sophisticated Humor is startlingly appropriate in your capable hands.
If you haven't seen it, it will undoubtedly be on YouTube momentarily.
I gotta go out to buy some OLD SPICE now.
B.
Friday, March 31, 2006
ROMANCE IS SIMPLE
Take a thoughtful approach!
Simple meals are by far the best for entertaining, for feeding your family, or for a nice repast by yourself. They may often be easy and quick to prepare, having an elegant appearance when presented with style.
Use the freshest fruits, vegetables, and meats available to you. Shopping at local Farmers Markets, vegetable stands, produce markets, etc. for seasonal products from your area is a great way to support your community as it supports you. Consider growing some of your own produce as well. I have an abundance of Heirloom Tomatoes and Aji Chili Peppers to support my kitchen. These are straight from the vine so freshness is guaranteed. Fresh roasted tomatoes, stuffed or not, make an exceptional and delicious centerpiece for a simple meal, and homemade Salsa may be used as a condiment or sauce.
Any conversation about freshness of produce naturally leads to nutrition. I have had the privilege of taking several classes with Chef Ron Patterson. Chef Ron makes an excellent point about color variation in the planning and execution of any meal. A well-balanced meal is one in which each element is of a different color. For example, one of my very favorite simple meals is Poached Salmon Fillets with Lemon and Dill served with steamed Fresh Green Beans and lightly boiled young Carrots with Tops. Each food represents a diverse set of minerals and nutrients, as well as distinctive flavors that can stand alone or together, and the variation of color is appealing.
Alright, I also liberally use frozen and canned products. “Oh. Blaspheme,” you say. Hey, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with creating a wonderfully nutritious and elegant meal using canned turkey (see recipe for Bev’s Curried Turkey), plain white or brown rice, and a store bought bag of baby spinach (for a warm Wilted Spinach Salad). Remember, style is in presentation.
Copyright © 2004-2006 The Gothic Gourmet
Simple meals are by far the best for entertaining, for feeding your family, or for a nice repast by yourself. They may often be easy and quick to prepare, having an elegant appearance when presented with style.
Use the freshest fruits, vegetables, and meats available to you. Shopping at local Farmers Markets, vegetable stands, produce markets, etc. for seasonal products from your area is a great way to support your community as it supports you. Consider growing some of your own produce as well. I have an abundance of Heirloom Tomatoes and Aji Chili Peppers to support my kitchen. These are straight from the vine so freshness is guaranteed. Fresh roasted tomatoes, stuffed or not, make an exceptional and delicious centerpiece for a simple meal, and homemade Salsa may be used as a condiment or sauce.
Any conversation about freshness of produce naturally leads to nutrition. I have had the privilege of taking several classes with Chef Ron Patterson. Chef Ron makes an excellent point about color variation in the planning and execution of any meal. A well-balanced meal is one in which each element is of a different color. For example, one of my very favorite simple meals is Poached Salmon Fillets with Lemon and Dill served with steamed Fresh Green Beans and lightly boiled young Carrots with Tops. Each food represents a diverse set of minerals and nutrients, as well as distinctive flavors that can stand alone or together, and the variation of color is appealing.
Alright, I also liberally use frozen and canned products. “Oh. Blaspheme,” you say. Hey, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with creating a wonderfully nutritious and elegant meal using canned turkey (see recipe for Bev’s Curried Turkey), plain white or brown rice, and a store bought bag of baby spinach (for a warm Wilted Spinach Salad). Remember, style is in presentation.
Copyright © 2004-2006 The Gothic Gourmet
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