Nothing like the smell of an artist's studio

Thanks to my darling sister-in-law, Vicki, the smell of artist's oil paint is part of my life again. We are so fortunate to have a new gallery and painting studio here in Johnson County, Kansas. It is called ARTichokes and is located in Mission Farms at 105th and Mission Road in Leawood, Kansas. http://www.artichokeskc.com/. So far, I have taken four classes and have loved every moment, even though I haven't been all that thrilled with my painting! ARTichokes is owned by several women, one of which is Becky Pashia. I am enrolled in one of her classes this month and I think she is wonderful. I think the painting I did in her last session might actually be pretty good considering I painted it. My subject was the Grand Canyon and it was a major undertaking for me, but with Becky watching over me, I must admit, it isn't too bad.

Ada Koch is another instructor at ARTichokes and I took her class as soon as I returned from Sicily. With my trip fresh in my mind and a thousand photos to choose from, I did a painting of a gypsy sleeping on the cathedral steps in Taormina, Sicily. In no way did I come close to showing the classic beauty of this tiny town built on the very top of a mountain overlooking the Mediterranean. I am sure I will return to this subject in a future painting, I just have to promise myself to leave all human beings out of my paintings! Ada is an amazing teacher, and I look forward to taking another of her classes. She has a series of classes on painting as the Impressionists painted. It is loose and free painting, in a very calculated way! Ada has a very clear way of describing what you need to look for, and what you need to paint.

In case you haven't guessed, I am so glad to be back at an easel. And painting at ARTichokes is the way to do it. Not only do they have wonderful instructors, but with your class fee you get the canvas, the paint, the brushes! You don't have to carry all your paints and supplies with you! What a concept!

Something is always cooking!

I am sure there are people in the world who would find my wanting to live in the kitchen strange, offensive, maybe even repugnant. For me, it is my perfect place. If I could build my dream home, it would be a 2 story house with a porch that wrapped completely around the it, with a vineyard and a creek, lots of trees, and by all means,a big lovable dog named Luciano. As for that kitchen I want to live in....that is what the first floor would be, my kitchen. There would be Viking equipment and Italian tile everywhere you looked! I'd have antique tables and chairs, enough for 24 guests to sit down comfortably, plenty of elbow room. All with a great view of the business end of the kitchen. I would have "open kitchen" as opposed to "open house" every weekend. I would expect everyone to have at least 4 hours to come and enjoy a dinner I make myself, drink wine from the family vineyard, Somerset Ridge Vineyard and Winery, http://www.somersetridge.com/, listen to a great music (maybe live piano music by Kansas City's own David McCubbin), and enjoy wonderful conversation. My guests will feel free to stroll through the vineyard and along the creek in nice weather. In the winter (Kansas does get cold and windy) they can enjoy the art work on the walls, sit by the giant fireplace, have another glass of wine, maybe even dance to the music. And I'm sure someone will want to see close up what is happening on that Viking stove! In the summer there would always be a big crockery pitcher of sangria, in the winter, a pot of mulled wine. If there is no live music that evening, there might be Pavarotti for everyone to sing along with! Maybe some Mediterranean Guitar music, or how about some Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra? I suppose if I am serving Pork and Green Chilie Stew I'd better have some Country Western we can all two step to! Maybe a little Willie Nelson......

Food, wine, music and friends, what more could you ask for!

Now for the second floor, my space, my office, computer, 750 cookbooks. There will be a big spacious comfortable bedroom, a giant jacuzi tub, plenty of closet space, flat screen tv visible of every part of the 2nd floor.

That's it, that is all I want....except I want to cook a big pot of Green Chile Stew.
This recipe is from my nephew , who lives in Denver. It has become a family favorite.


Green Chile Stew

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 large onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 fresh jalapeno, seeded and minced

2 pounds lean, boneless pork butt, 3/4" cubes

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 16 oz can tomatoes, undrained

2 7 oz cans whole green chiles, cut 1" wide strips

1 medium potato, peeled and grated

2 cups water

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon dried leaf oregano

1/2 teaspoon salt, to taste

Heat oil in a 5 quart pan over medium heat. Add onion, garlic and minced jalapeno. Cover and cook until onion is soft but not brown, about 4 to 5 minutes.

Add pork and cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until meat is no longer pink, about 10 minutes. Stir in tomato paste until evenly blended. Coarsely chop tomatoes and add to pan with juice.

Add green chiles, potato, water, cumin and oregano, bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer 1 hour, until meat is tender. Add salt to taste, starting with 1/2 teaspoon. Continue to simmer, uncovered for 15 minutes, or until stew is thickened to your liking.