currently {9.23}

Currently? More like…barely!

I aim for mid-month currently posts…but I s’pose tail-end is better than not-at-all.

So here we go. Five verbs in September. Here’s what I’m currently —

{learning}

Silk screening. (Or screen printing.)

Andy Warhol might come to mind first, but Charley Harper is my favorite silk screen artist. When I had the chance to look closer…like, super close…at his work on exhibit in March, I could not get a grip. The precision…clean lines…clarity? How on earth.

When it comes to visual arts, though, I’m all fandom (no skill). And screen printing I not only admire — but I want to better understand the process.

So I’m thrilled to be taking a two-part introductory class with this fabric artist at our local library. I made Phase I of my print last Thursday; tomorrow I’ll learn how to squeegee chrysanthemums. (Fingers crossed I’ll have a project or 4 to show you next week!)

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{recording}

The food + drink I prepped and packed for retreat.

(It’s part of a nourished body, mind, + spirit, after all!)

I’m recording what we loved so 1) we don’t repeat anything too soon and 2) to give me ideas for ‘a take on…’ [whatever we loved previously]. There’s always a soup, for example…this time, Julia Child’s French Onion recipe. And a grains + greens salad…this time, a wheat berry, barley and arugula base.

Here are two new favorites you might not think of as ‘prep aheads.’ They were…experimental, and I was pleased as punch with how well they panned out:

Dutch baby batter is easy to blend ahead, store in a Ball jar, then pour in a hot buttered pie plate to bake. It doesn’t get much easier for something so decadent. (I need to make these more often. Talk about elevating ordinary to extraordinary!?!) Find the 5-ingredient recipe here.

This was fantastic — though it needs a better name! It’s ‘Coconut Fish + Tomato Bake’ from NYT Cooking (but here if you don’t subscribe). I blended and stored the sauce in a Ball jar; picked up farmstand tomatoes on my drive; and bought fresh fish nearby (though could’ve packed vacuum sealed filets). Highly recommend — not a forkful left on our plates!

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{assisting}

In late-late summer, inspired by Great British Baking, Elsa spent days on end in the kitchen. And after a few successful batches of scones, she directed her can-do spirit to selling scones on the sidewalk on Saturday mornings.

E’s the baker; I assist…with out-of-town groceries, lifting the baking stones, and refilling cake stands for her sale table. I offer ideas, like subbing dried fruit for fresh. (wet! spreading!) Most fun is dreaming up new combos together — currently, pumpkin spice with butterscotch chip and chai latte with cinnamon-vanilla drizzle.

She makes really good scones. (And they’re not nearly as sweet as they sound).

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{reviewing}

Last year, we moved from greater Denver to our rural hometown in Western New York. The county’s population is 20% the size of our former; like all things, that has pros and cons. One of many pros? How much is available to my kids.

Maybe not available. ‘Accessible’ is a better word.

It’s a case of fewer people; more space. A less competitive environment; more affordability. Lots of community; less anonymity. People seek people out! Ask others to join. From volunteering to scouting, swimming, summer jobs, music, sports (and E. won’t let me forget horses), we feel engaged in meaningful ways — without running ragged (or always saying no).

I expressed this last winter in conversation with someone, unbeknownst to me, on the Chautauqua County Youth Bureau. In short, this board grants funds to local organizations that mentor, teach, coach, or in some way support county youth. What a privilege to join them this year!

So, I’m currently reviewing and scoring proposals to give money to people doing great things with kids.

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{asking}

Need to restock?

In case you haven’t already seen it [everywhere!] this week… here’s the link.

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What ‘verb’ are you up to…currently?