My view Wednesday

This has been my view every day for the last 2 months... and it's about to end.

Creativity with dandelions

Do you remember the last time you blew on a dandelion?

Photo from Shutterstock

I do. As a kid, I loved them because they were soft, pretty and so much fun to scatter around. I grew up in a household however, that considered dandelions to be a great enemy against which major wars should be fought (and were to great success, as I recall). Maybe that's why I find this art installation by German Artist Regine Ramsier so much fun (all remaining photos are courtesy of the artist's website)

Looking at this, it took me a while to realize there were real dandelions. Here's how she put the exhibit together:

Yes- I know dandelions are weeds and we are not supposed to like them. I just love that this exhibit dares us to think about them in a different way. I mean- how could a rational adult (especially one with a lawn) think that a dandelion could possibly be beautiful....?!

Inspiration

It's actually quite a cathartic and rewarding process, this editing business. I was thinking today that once this project is done, there are a few areas of life where application of this would be a good thing. You know- closets, dresser drawers and life in general.

Maybe this is where I'll start when I wake up in a few weeks and find out, to my great shock, that I am no longer a graduate student. I guess I'm going to have to start thinking about what I'm going to do next...

Toward Easter: Part 1

As Lent began this week, I thought Robert Cundick's amazing choral piece, "Behold, this is the way" and Bob Chilcott's breathtakingly beautiful "God So Loved the World" would be a fitting way to open this journey toward Easter. 

Here are these two pieces, sung by the University of Utah Singers. 

Milestone

At 3:14 AM this morning, I completed the last chapter of my thesis.

While there is still much editing to do this weekend (and another paper to write next week), it feels like a major milestone worth celebrating. 

Photo courtesy of Flickr

Jeff's contribution

Jeff has been an unwavering source of support while I've been in school. Throughout January and February, he has assumed most of our basic domestic chores so that I can eat, sleep, write and edit. Those who know Jeff know he LOVES chocolate and anything sweet. Here's his idea of a happy afternoon snack. He knows that I can't eat candy unless I first organize it into colour groups so he even took care of that.

Don't worry.... this was followed by a peeled orange, which is my idea of an afternoon snack. 

Pater Noster

Today marks the first day of Lent. To begin this 40 day journey of contemplation and reflection, here are the Salt Lake Vocal Artists with the incredibly beautiful Pater Noster (The Lord's Prayer) by by Filipino composer Fidel Calalang Jr. 

Writing update

A friend asked me yesterday how I'm feeling about my thesis. Well... it's coming. This past weekend, I spent more than 30 hours rewriting the last chapter (I really wasn't happy with my first draft) and once it is approved, I can start pulling the whole thing together. There are continuity issues to watch out for, and a pretty long reference list to manage. I need to have the final version forwarded to my supervisor by Thursday for a final read through. As a result, I'm feeling like this:

I love how at the end of the piece, the singers are sounding more and more like a bunch of clucking chickens. That feels just about right.

And off I go. 

Writing humour

After a straight two months of writing, I can completely relate to this:

This confirms I really need to step away from my computer...

Sunshine

After lots of grey weather, there were a few sunny days this week. Here on the Wet West Coast, moments of sunshine bring a lot of hope. I won't pretend that the past two months of thesis writing haven't been without a lot of frustrating moments and that weariness has not set in this weekend... but as a fellow student said recently, "We can finally see that the light at the end of the tunnel isn't a train!". This week marks the beginning of Lent, a time I see as quiet and contemplative. I thought therefore, today's music needed a bit of sunshine. 

I recently learned of a Korean musician and composer, Dr. Johann Kim, who has a passionate vision to instill  young musicians with a love and appreciation for traditional hymns. To do this, he has arranged hundreds of hymns for various levels of music skill and launched the New Praise Youth Festival, a Festival of classical Christian music  that takes place in Korea, China and the US. Here is one young student, Gloria Koh, playing Dr. Kim's arrangement of the old gospel hymn, Heavenly Sunshine. 

Indian food part 2

Two weeks ago, I shared our recipe for non-dairy Butter Chicken. When I make Indian food, I usually make a curried meat, a curried vegetable and Basmati rice with peas. Our favourite curried vegetable dish is Aloo Gobi which is basically, curried cauliflower and potatoes with tomatoes and ginger. It's a very common dish in India and Pakistan (with thousands of variations) and we love it.

adapted from All Recipes

To cut down on cooking chaos, I usually pre-measure spices

serves 6

2 teaspoons oil (veg/grapeseed/olive)

½ onion, finely chopped

¼  teaspoon mustard seeds

½ teaspoon garam masalla

¼ teaspoon coriander

¼ teaspoon cumin

¼ teaspoon turmeric

Pinch dried red pepper flakes (optional)

3 roma (plum) tomatoes, chopped

2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger root

1 potato, diced into small cubes

1 head cauliflower, broken into small florets

½ teaspoon white sugar

salt to taste

½ cup of water

chopped cilantro

Heat oil over a medium-high heat. Add onions and cook until brown and slightly crisp. Toss in the mustard seeds; when they start to pop, add the garam masalla, coriander, cumin, turmeric and red pepper flakes.  Stir well to incorporate the spices into the oil. Add the chopped tomatoes and ginger, stirring well. Cook for about a minute, until tomatoes begin to soften. Add the potato, cauliflower, sugar and salt; stir well. Add the water and cover, cooking until the potatoes are cooked and the cauliflower tender yet crunchy, about 10 minutes. Stir well and serve garnished with chopped cilantro. 

Adding cauliflower to the spiced tomatoes

The completed meal: Aloo Gobi with Curried Chicken, Basmati rice with peas and naan bread

Inspiration

This week, I have been writing the last chapter of my thesis, a literature review on the topic of organizational change (and how to lead it effectively). In the end, I think it all comes down to this:

Graphic Source

Seems like common sense,huh?

My View Wednesday

Worried that grey skies and long hours in my basement office might be less than inspiring, my dear spouse cheered up the view right above my desk.

The Nanaimo City Council passed a bylaw last year allowing each household to raise up to 6 chickens on their property. I'm really hoping the chicken on that fence is the result of Jeff's artistic skill and not a hint of things to come....!!

Have a heart

Photo from pinterest

Jeff's Birthday

Happy Birthday to the patient, supportive and incredibly loving guy who has completely driven the ship (and  done everything to keep it going) while I've been locked in my office for the past 6 weeks.... well, make that the past two years. I'm so looking forward to having a "normal" life with you again, soon.

Captain Jeff on the Mediterranean 

Hope and trust

I chose today's piece, Mendelssohn's I waited On the Lord partly for the organ- it's Jeff's birthday tomorrow and he loves pipe organs, especially small Chamber ones like this one. The other reason I chose it is because for me, this pieces captures all I want to say about Valentine's Day (also coming up this week). Jeff and I both waited a long time to find each other- journeys that were often difficult and lonely for both of us. I'm just glad we never gave up and stopped trusting. We feel immeasurably blessed as a result.

I waited for the Lord, He inclined unto me, He heard my complaint.

O bless’d are they that hope and trust in the Lord.

Text by William Bartholomew

Performed by the Master Class of the Paris Academy of Voice

Julien Godawatta, conductor, Iain Simcock, organ

Morgan Colomb, soprano, Laura Jarrell, soprano

World record

If you haven't already heard about the water ski record that was recently broken, it's pretty cool. 

Inspiration

Poster found on Etsy

My View Wednesday

This Wednesday, we have the fourth and final instalment in our series of original origami marine art. While I love the art, I think this means I have to get out of my office a little more.

True vintage

If you haven't seen the Queen's coronation before, the entire thing is available on youtube. Here's Part 1. 

Diamond day

60 years ago today, Queen Elizabeth acceded the throne. No matter how you feel about the monarchy, you must agree that there are few people in the world who dutifully show up for work every day for 60 years. Some argue that being queen is accompanied by some incredible perks. Retirement, however, is not one of them. An official photograph was released yesterday to celebrate this landmark event (Queen Victoria is the only other monarch in British history to reach 60 years on the throne) and it's interesting to contrast it against a portrait taken at the coronation in 1953.

official Coronation portrait by Cecil Beaton

and official Diamond Jubilee portrait by John Swannell

The Head of State Opening Parliament for the first time in 1952 and most recently, in late 2011

                 Riding Surpise in 1952                                                and still riding at just shy of age 86, January 2012

         On a state visit, 1954                                                                    Hosting a state visit, November 2011

The same tiara (and hairstyle?!) in 1952 and 2011

The official celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee will happen in June. I'll blog more about this and look at some of the highlights of her reign in April and May, leading up to the big celebration.

Compassion Hymn

Keith and Kristyn Getty (mentioned previously here) have written a beautiful song for congregational worship entitled "Compassion Hymn". Like most Getty collaborations, this piece pairs a meaningful text with really lovely music. It's a piece I find myself humming the chorus without realizing it, through the week. I think that's what a good hymn does- it becomes relevant and applicable in daily life.
  

                                                                              Sheet music and Lyrics are available at Gettymusic.com

Indian food part 1

Indian food is tough for those who can't have milk as it is laced with ghee (clarified butter) and cream. After some experimentation and recipe try-outs, I have come up with a dairy free version of Butter Chicken that's just as good. My secret is coconut milk but don't worry- you really can't taste the coconut with everything else. While I want to remain humble, I have to say that it's just delicious.

adapted from a few places (
serves 6-8

4-5 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pepper

2 Tablespoons oil (vegetable, grapeseed, olive or a mix)

2 Tablespoons curry powder

1 onion, very thinly sliced into inch long slices

4 cloves garlic, crushed

1 (14 oz) can coconut milk (full fat)

1 (28 oz) can stewed, crushed tomatoes

1 cup or 1 small (8 oz) can tomato sauce

3 tablespoons sugar

chopped cilantro

Cut chicken into into 1/2-inch chunks and season with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add onions and reduce heat to medium-high. Cook onions until they become brown and slightly crisp. Add curry powder and garlic- cook 30 seconds more, stirring constantly. Add chicken, tossing lightly to coat with curry oil. Reduce heat to medium, and cook for 7 to 10 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink in center and juices run clear. Add coconut milk, tomatoes, tomato sauce, and sugar stirring well to combine. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 40 minutes.  Serve garnished with chopped cilantro over steamed Basmati rice with naan bread and Aloo Gobi (recipe coming next week) on the side. 

Chef Jeff sautéing chicken

Butter chicken served along with Aloo Gobi, Basmati rice with peas and naan bread

Inspiration

Easily said. Less easily done.

My View Wednesday

Still at my desk.... so here's #3. (For a reminder, refer to #1 and #2)