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Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Papier-mâché, aka Paper Mache



Paper mache is cheap, messy and way fun! This brilliant concoction of just flour, water and old newspaper strips will produce a strong solid material that can be sanded, cut, drilled into, painted and waterproofed. Amazing!
*Paper Mache*
2 cup all-purpose flour
3-4 cups water
newspaper, torn or cut into small squares or strips
 medium size balloons blown up
12-16 oz cups for drying
freezer paper to line table

To make the paper mache glue mixture:
(1) In a large container, add 2 cups of flour and 3 cups of water. Mix thoroughly until creamy, a consistency like pancake batter and regular Elmers glue. If it's too thick and pasty, add more water in small drips at a time to make more runny. To thicken, add more flour, a tablespoon at a time. Mix thoroughly to get rid of the clumps.

Applying the paper mache glue mixture to balloons to make a hollow spherical object:
(1) Blow up a balloon and tie the end.
(2) Tear up newspaper pages into small strips for a smoother application (the thin jagged edges). For a rougher finish and crisp look, use scissors to cut the newspaper into small 1-2 inch squares.
(3) Take a piece of newspaper and dip into the flour-water glue mixture (saturate the newsprint) and apply directly onto the balloon. Keep doing this until 1-2 layers of newspaper completely cover the balloon. 
(4) Place the balloon, with the tie side down, on the open rim of the cup for drying. Allow the first application to dry completely before adding the second layer of newspaper. It must dry completely to prevent mold.
(5) Repeat the application until at least 3-4 layers of newspaper has covered the balloon. The first layer may take a few hours to dry (if you live in Utah where it's super dry). It's best to leave it overnight to dry and apply the next layers the next day.  

I swear by this freezer paper from Costco, waterproof polyethylene coating on one side and white drawing paper on the other, ideal for all crafts and art projects. Disposable table covers make a crafty life so easy! Tape all the seams together to prevent any wet spills to damage your table. (When you are finished, just roll it all up and throw it away!)
In a large container, add 2 cups of flour and 3 cups of water. Mix thoroughly until creamy, a consistency like pancake batter and regular Elmers glue. If it's too thick and pasty, add more water in small drips at a time to make more runny. To thicken, add more flour, a tablespoon at a time. Mix thoroughly to get rid of the clumps.
Newspaper! For a smoother surface, tear the newspaper strips. For an edgy geometric look, cut newpaper into 1"-2" squares.
Max demonstrates with rubber gloves to avoid gooey sticky fingertips. He takes a strip of newspaper and dips, saturates, into the glue mixture.
Apply the wet gooey newspaper strips directly onto the balloon.
Each person develops their own style. Miriam soaks handfuls of newspaper strips at a time in glue. Then packs and pats it onto the balloon. Then she pours handfuls of glue directly onto the balloon, rubbing, pushing and squeezing glue into all the layers and crevices.
Yeah, it gets way messy. BUT if you have that wonder paper lining your table, you are all set. Clear the table and just roll up the liner carefully and throw it away. If you properly taped and sealed all the openings, you are all clean and safe!
A solid rock-hard surface can be obtained by applying at least 4 layers of newsprint between generous layers of glue. We packed on at least 3 layers at one sitting. Allow these spheres to dry overnight.
When they are completely dry, pop the balloon. Now you have a hard, strong, solid, hollow, spherical object that can be sanded, drilled into, painted and waterproofed.
Coming soon to a nearby post...the final pieces ;) 
Earlier, my little rippers Miriam and Michael kill it at PCMR.

xoxo

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Ahh, flowers from ... ROOTS flower shop



Beauty like this is mind-boggling.
Caught in a trance (playing Fade Into You by Mazzy Star) staring at this arrangement from Roots. I'm in love with this, Stef! xo

ROOTS
(801) 363-7668
fax (801) 363-6665
324 South 400 West
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
rachael@rootsflowers.net

Monday, March 28, 2011

Wahso



It was exactly one week after my femur surgery, my debut on crutchesbrilliant night out! Orna and Geoff and a bunch of fun and fabulous New Yorkers escorted me out to Wahso, our favorite restaurant on Main Street.  

Chef Ryan Burnham outdid himselfthe food was sensational, particularly the fish dishes. Six people from our table actually ordered the Miso Black Cod (?!) and loved it. We threw in multiple orders of the spiced edamame, sashimi and tartare appetizers. Drooling over every bite, we gushed over the magic...the flavors, textures, colors, plating. Even the carrot cake...omg!
Roasted Beet Salad, roasted baby beets, caramelized fennel, french feta, mango, marcona almonds and ginger vinaigrette.
Yellow Fin Tuna, hand cut yellowfin, fresh wasabi, ginger, jalapeno, toasted sesame seeds, coriander wonton.
Hamachi Sashimi, japanese yellowtail, compressed cucumber, fresh wasabi, asian pear, hon shimeji mushrooms, yuzu-soy sauce.
Steamed Pork Buns, roasted kurobuta pork belly, pickled vegetables, sriracha, hoisin sauce.  
Green Curry Mussels, pei mussels, lemongrass, ginger, thai herbs, grilled bread.
Forbidden Chicken Curry, pan roasted organic chicken breast, forbidden black rice, romanesca cauliflower, pineapple chutney and banana curry sauce.
"Mulligatawny" Morgan Valley Lamb, curry rubbed lamb sirloin steak, ginger scented lentils, roasted winter vegetables.
Miso Black Cod, marinated alaskan cod, baby bok choy, trumpet mushrooms, calrose rice and lemongrass-scallion dashi.
Winter Squash Carrot Cake, cream cheese ice cream and carrot compote.
Toasted Coconut Creme Brulee, "A Signature Wahso Dessert," served in cracked coconut, pokey stick.
Chef's knife coconut meat strips.
Honey Apple Dessert Wontons, warm ginger caramel, honey almond ice cream.
Chocolate Fortune Cookies.
We love you Orna and Geoff!! xoxo

Wahso
(435) 615-0300
Located upstairs on the lower part of Main Street.
577 Main Street
Park City, UT 84060
Wahso on Urbanspoon

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Park City Medical Center



It's true! I snapped my femur by tripping on the sidewalk in Salt Lake City en route to the Lady Gaga Monster Ball Concert at the Energy Solutions Arena :'( Seriously, no stilettos, gunshots or motorcycles involvedit was just the freakiest of freak accidents! 

My surgery was performed by Dr. Phil Davidson (truly the best orthopedic surgeon on earth) at the Park City Medical Center (PC Hospital) where I was cared for by an impeccable staff of nurses and aides for four nights, and nourished with post-op healing food by Chef Jason Kieffer. It has been an epic road to recovery thanks to my amazing husband, super awesome kids, brother Brian, Billie and the love and support of BFFs.

Pre-accident, pre-Gaga shot... mommy-daughter fun times at the Hotel Monaco. xoxo

Post-accident, post-op nourishment at Park City Medical Resort... I mean, Hospital ;')...
Buckwheat Pancakes, Fresh Berry Compote, Maple Syrup.  Tasty, best pancakes I've ever had (for real).
Toast, Herbed Turkey Sausage Patty.  
Oatmeal Brulee, turbinado sugar crust, chopped pecans.  "Oatmeal Brulee" was ridiculously good.
Lavender Lemonade.
Tortellini and Red Sauce.
Thai Vegetables, Brown Rice.
Chicken Noodle Soup.  Amazing clear flavorful broth.
Arugula Mozzarella Tomato Balsamic Sandwich.  Incredible flavors and so fresh, fresh, fresh.
Steamed Vegetables, Brown Rice.
Seasonal Fruit Plate.
Herb Veggie Eggwhite Omelette.  
Pineapple Chicken Sandwich.
Steamed Vegetables, Brown Rice.
Strawberry Banana Smoothie.
Berry Buckwheat Pancakes, Fresh Peach Compote, Maple Syrup.
Egg-white Veggie Omelette, Oven Baked Red Skin Potatoes. 
Rosemary Mashed Potato.  Wow...incredible.
Rainbow Chard.
Orange Braised Fennel with Apple and Sage.  Addicting, crunchy, sweet, tart.
Herb Gnocchi, Butternut Squash, Blue Cheese.  Unusual preparation, insanely good.
Some hospital literature...

Diana's Pignole Cookies with Black Currants were to die for. 
Look! Five days after my femur operation, I'm cruisin' the aisles of Walmart Supercenter in my sweet little ridemotorized wheelchair shopping cartstocking up on waterproof medical tape, vaseline, gauze, bandaides, men's sweatpants, etc., etc.  ;')
Thank you for all the concern, sympathy, love, books, magazines, sketchbooks, flowers, food, snacks, phonecalls, emails, FB comments, text messages, vm, songs, music, prayers, dreams... xoxo

Silver King Cafe at the Park City Medical Center
900 Round Valley Drive, Quinn's Junction
Park City, UT 84060
located inside the Park City Medical Center on the first floor
Breakfast: 7am-9:30am
Lunch 11am-2:30pm
Dinner 5pm-7:30pm
Limited Serf-serve Menu 7am-8pm