by Christina Waters | Feb 18, 2008 | Home, Movies |
Not glued to the tube during this year’s Oscar telethon — I’ll be at a wine class for two of the three hours — I will nonetheless remain in solidarity with all the Red Carpet bling, AND the award-winners. These will include:
Daniel Day Lewis for Best Actor – his incandescent portrayal of obsessed oil baron Daniel Plainview shows us how the West was really won.
Javier Bardem for Best Supporting Actor (even though his was arguably the central performance in the film “No Country for Old Men”) Bardem is an uncanny chameleon with vast reservoirs of power and charisma. His performance as an idiosyncratic assassin was the centerpiece of this year’s best film.
Julie Christie for Best Actress – The Academy loves to reward a body of work – as well as enduring screen radiance. Julie Christie has both, and her performance in “Away From Her” was indelible. (more…)
by Christina Waters | Feb 17, 2008 | Art, Home |
China — its art and history, inspired a new museum-wide exhibition opening this weekend at the Museum of Art & History, in downtown Santa Cruz. Based upon relationships brokered by curator Susan Hillhouse, the ambitious network of presentations involves collaborations with dozens of artists from China and California, and with Chen Gallery of Santa Cruz. Thanks to April Chen, a working artist’s studio typical of those in China will be recreated on-site, among other displays of Chinese furniture and crafts. In addition to the photography of Beijing artist Wang Ningde and Shanghai artist Wang Dong Ling, who lived in Santa Cruz from 1989 to 1991, the show explores the work of local art practitioners who have visited and been inspired by China. Thse artists include Sara Friedlander, Victoria May, Gloria Alford, Wallace Boss, Dana Eaton, Mattie Leeds, Joel Magen, and Gary Snider.
Ying: Inspired by the Art and History of China opens February 23 and continues through June 29. Not to be missed!
by Christina Waters | Feb 17, 2008 | Home |
Gramma Gouin’s WWI Applesauce Cake: This recipe for an exceptional tea cake comes from my Aunt Virlyne Gouin, a terrific cook and baker, who learned this recipe from her mother-in-law, Annie Gouin. It was a favorite war-time dessert as “eggs were hard to get,” says my aunt. And this cake is made entirely without eggs. Also my aunt tells me that other fruit purees, e.g. persimmon, pear, kiwi, can be substituted for the applesauce. And a splash of brandy, or sometimes vanilla, doesn’t hurt either!
To 2 cups sifted flour, add:
1 c. sugar
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking soda
1 T. cornstarch
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cloves
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
3 T chocolate or cocoa powder
Add: 1 c. chopped walnuts
1/2 c. raisins (or dried cranberries)
1 1/2 c. applesauce
1/2 c. melted butter
Pour into loaf pans or 9 x 12 baking pan – or muffin pan for cupcakes
Bake at 350 degrees for about one hour.
This tea cake freezes beautifully, and like many fruit and nut loaves, just gets better with age. It is wonderful with coffee, tea and grappa.
by Christina Waters | Feb 17, 2008 | Home |
Our very own downtown enoteca Vinocruz, was showcased in Friday’s Wall Street Journal. And for good reason. This little gem of a tasting depot – tucked behind the Octagon on Cooper Street – offers 185 wines from 64 area wineries, some famous and celebrated, others small and family-run. If you haven’t stopped by to stretch your oeno-palate and chat with Jeffrey and J-P, then get on over there. Say hi to Bodhi for me! Vinocruz is located in Abbott Square, off Cooper Street – 831/426 VINO – and is open for tasting of our finest local wines Mon-Th 11am-7pm (until 8pm on weekends); Sun noon to 6pm.
. . . And over at Manresa, with its gorgeous interior, killer tasting menu and two Michelin stars, chef-entrepreneur David Kinch has been nominated for a James Beard award, Best Chef: Pacific. Manresa’s chef de cuisine, James Syhabout, is nominated for Rising Star Chef of the Year. If you haven’t yet visited the outstanding Los Gatos restaurant that Kinch has grown into a world-renowned destination, you will want to treat yourself to the Citrus Modernista Dinner, (more…)
by Christina Waters | Feb 16, 2008 | Home |
Stay tuned – you might just find this delightful anniversary image on a tote bag very soon!
