Vacation snacks & Pottery workshops

This Friday marks the start of school vacation week in Massachusetts.  It can be a challenging time for families not going away on vacation.  Parents look for things to keep kids happy, active and having fun. Dedham, Massachusetts, for the third year, will institute "no TV week" It's a great idea that encourages parents and kids alike to think outside the box, literally, and get out and about.

On Wednesday, April 18th from 10-11am, I will host a make a clay bunny workshop for kids first grade and older. Parents too!  

Learn to make a bunny out of clay by pinching and pulling.  Then add details like ears, eyes, feet and a nose using the scratch and slip technique. 

bunny with glaze awaiting kiln

I will dry your bunny, give it a clear glaze (see above) and fire it in a kiln at Potters Place

When your bunny is done, you can come to the Dedham Guild for pick up. It takes a little while, but I'll let you know when you can take your clay pet home.

meet "Flora", my country bunny

Sign up through the Dedham Guild. Click here for more information.

Kids need snacks to keep them fueled for creating!

Also called GORP

GOBBLEDY GOOK

4 cups chex rice cereal
1 cup peanuts
1 cup raisins
1 cup sunflower seeds
1 cup pretzels
3 tbsp. margarine, melted

Place all ingredients in a 2-quart re-sealable plastic bag, seal and shake until mixed. 

 The Food and Pottery Connection:

add colorful m&ms to the mix

now they're ready to play with clay!

I'm also offering a tile workshop for teens and adults.  Click here for information on my Saturday, April 21st workshop through the Dedham Guild.

Some of the above photos have been added to illustrate my ideas.  Search google images for photo credits.

red velvet cupcakes and mixing bowls

Red Velvet Cupcakes 

(and a bowl for mixing)

I scroll through pictures on foodgawker and epicurious on my iphone when I'm looking for ideas for planning meals.  With Valentine's Day just a few short days away, I've been searching "red velvet cupcake" recipes. My research yielded a lot of recipes that called for buttermilk, but I like to use ingredients that I might have on hand. Let me know if you don't think this one is the best:  

McCormick's recipe makes 30 yummy red velvet cupcakes.  
(Sour cream is their secret ingredient.)

2 1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (I like Droste)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup milk
1 bottle red food coloring
2 teaspoons vanilla

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt in medium bowl. Set aside.

2. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed 5 minutes or until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Mix in sour cream, milk, food color and vanilla. Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until just blended. Do not overbeat. Spoon batter into 30 paper-lined muffin cups, filling each cup 2/3 full.

3. Bake 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted into cupcake comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire rack 5 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely. Frost with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting.

 

You'll need another bowl for mixing the frosting

Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting:  

  

Beat 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened, 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened, 2 tablespoons sour cream and 2 teaspoons vanilla in large bowl until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in 1 box (16 ounces) confectioners' sugar until smooth.

Because I can only dream ... about actually reaching the front of the line at Magnolia's Bakery for one of their red velvet cupcakes, I'll have one of my own instead.

For more food and pottery ideas, follow me on Pinterest.

  

14 days til Valentine's Day - pottery for your sweetheart

Breakfast in Bed

Homemade pancakes served on a plate made by hand

Food and pottery - oh yeah~!

Hands down best pancake recipe ever....

2 eggs

1 1/4 cup milk

3 tsp sugar

1 1/2 cup flour

1 3/4 tsp baking powder

3 tsp melted salted butter

Mix all wet ingredients except butter. Add wet to mixed dry ingredients. Add melted butter.  Spoon 1/4 cup rounds onto warmed buttered skillet. Serve with local maple syrup or wildflower honey ... warmed. Makes 10-12 pancakes.

Are you following the countdown?

Kate Hust

Ice Cream is the one treat I could not live without...Kate Hust has a thing for ice cream too.  In fact she has a page on her blog devoted entirely to ice cream recipes. 

Kate "loves to sew, knit, paint, and draw but always comes back to clay.  She enjoys mixing all of these mediums to make new genres and unusual pieces." She writes a blog full of photos and words that illustrate how moments in her life translate into pieces of art.  One cannot read it and not go away with the feeling that life is good and full of hope.

"We cook almost every night so I love making things that we would use in the kitchen; pitchers, garlic dipping bowls, mugs... " and to go with that: ice cream...

Kate shares this recipe:

Carmel Latte Ice Cream

2 cups whipping cream
1 cup milk
2 large eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1 packet Starbucks carmel VIA
1 packet Starbucks decaf VIA

Whisk eggs and sugar together.
Add creams, milk and via coffee packets. Stir until dissolved.
Freeze in maker according to manufactures instructions. Transfer to freezer safe container and continue to harden in freezer.

"As much as I love these items, I am most proud of my pieces that put a twist on functional pottery. Last year I began making journal covers from clay. I love mixing ceramics with other materials like silk, leather, paper and wool." The result changes the traditional functionality to one that works in tandem with feeding the soul and nurturing the inner self.

Find out more about Kate's art on her blog and etsy shop.

Kate Hust: 

"I make art because it brings me great joy, and I thrive from sharing it with others."