Holocaust Remembrance Day

Saturday, April 30 at sunset, according to the Jewish calendar was the beginning of the observation of 2011 Holocaust Remembrance Day, while officially on Sunday, May 1, it was observed by all others. In light of this somber reflection I wish to share a painting I completed in May 2008 in response to the ‘German Question’ and my thoughts about the Holocaust.

Remembrance, May 2008

MM/C 24 x 24” inches

During the process of this painting it was first known as “The German Question,” upon the completion the painting was named “Remembrance.” Briefly I had considered “Absence of History,” a title my son had suggested and a title I am reserving for another canvas.

Please light a candle in honor of Remembrance Day

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum - frequently asked questions

The next Holocaust Remembrance Day will begin at sunset on April 18, 2012 for the Jewish people and observed by others on Thursday, April 19.

(^..^)

♥

Celebrating a royal wedding with a cake

In honor of the occasion of the event in England, I set out to bake a Bunt cake, shaped in a crown for my British neighbor Valerie, who was hosting a brunch for some of the ladies in the area.

Decorated with Borage flowers

bow and ribbon to emulate Kate’s veil and train

Unfortunately I was unable to photograph Valerie’s beautiful table setting as I had a cardiologist appointment and when I was there not all the food was set up. Nevertheless I can tell you that there was a portrait of William and Kate just below the flower arrangement. A beautiful light and airy fabric cascaded down from the elevated flower arrangement, creating wonderful hills and valleys. In between the rolling material was set a typical British silver tea service and dishes.

Photo by Valerie

Valerie honored me by having reserved the center of the table for my cake, that too was elevated by a glass pedestal. I had also dropped of a plate of mini blueberry muffins, decorated by two different Dutch irises, a number of Borge and yellow Daisy flowers.

I hope that you all had a great time sharing the event with friends as we have so little to celebrate these days.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William and Catherine

Hugo Burnand/Clarence House/PA/Landov

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with attendants and then with families

Hugo Burnand / Clarence House / PA / Landov

The recipe 

8 tbsp./40 oz. unsalted butter

1 cup of sugar

4 large organic brown eggs

3 1/2 cups of flour

1 1/2 cups of firm Greek yogurt

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. orange extract

2 tsp. vanilla extract

3/4 cup dried apricots - diced

3/4 cup yellow raisins

3/4 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup pecans, cut into small pieces

So you though I would not show face?

Somebody has to tell you how to make the cake!

Directions

1. On a large dish or medium bowl mix the apricots, raisins, cranberries and pecans, then dust with flower to prevent them from sining to the bottom during baking
2. Mix the soft butter with sugar until well blended
3. Add one egg at a time and blend
4. Add orange and vanilla extract and briefly blend
5. Slowly add the flour with the mixer at low to medium speed. After half of the flower has been added, add the yogurt and mix, then resume adding the remaining flour. If the dough feels to thick and not elastic enough, add a dash of milk.
6. Using a spatula, fold in the dried fruit and nut mixture until well distributed. Do not use the hand blender or mixer for this step.
7. Now add the mixture to a Bunt pan that was buttered and dusted with flour.
8. In a preheated oven set to 350° degrees, set the cake mold in the center of the oven. Check after 45 minutes by inserting a toothpick or cake needle. Cake usually takes 50-60 minutes to bake.

Enjoy

(^..^)

♥

The winners to our calendar bookmarks

Can you tell I am upset with dad?

I know, dad lost all track of time, he has just too many irons in the fire and I had to show dad my sharp and long nails today since I cannot crack a whip like humans. I guess he got the message as here he finally gets around to presenting the second quarter winners to the calendar bookmark contest.

So this evening dad made his selection and then imported each digital file into PhotoShop for the usual cropping, but also making any refinements to the image like adjusting the level, curves and any colour corrections. So without any further delay, here is the spring calendar winners.

Quincy

For the month of April we have Michelle’s cat Quincy starting off the Spring Quarter. Quincy who had just a birthday two weeks ago, which he had celebrated in a grand style with everyone in attendance. You should be forewarned that visiting Michelle’s blog Chocolate and Marmalade Tea, because it has something even for humans, they are called delicious recipes and wonderful stories, including lots of illustrations from the 1950’s on the sidebar. So drop by and see Quincy’s birthday bash.

Oh before I forget, Michelle had also sent some pictures of Quincy that were Black & White and since dad loves Black & White photographs, we will be making it an options from now on. Thank you my dear for suggesting it.

Neytiri

One picture above all stood out this time, it came from Ms K in Canada, who had everything going for her when she took a picture of Neytiri. There were a few others of Neytiri, but what I particularly liked about this one, was the pose and especially the over all tonal qualities of light, the surroundings and of course Neytiri herself, who was made up to be the princess she is. Some of you may recognize the name Neytiri from the movie Avatar and I think it is very fitting indeed.

Neytiri shares her spot with Canadian Num-Num Fund director Clooney, who is a real ham and loves to pose for the camera in all sorts of costumes and situations. Neytiri has been keeping a close eye on Clooney as she herself begins to carve out her own acting road to stardom. So drop on by and see what the two of them are up at Clooney’s Num-Num Fund and I guarantee you will stay awhile as Ms. K does some very imaginative writing to go along with the interesting pictures.

Maui

Making a second appearance is Katnip Lounge, but only after giving everyone else who was not a previous winner a shot at the spring quarter. However Trish made a strong showing with Maui, or is it that Maui made a strong showing?

Since Trish had entered five images, the other ones were of Sylvester and Felix, but Maui beat them both, especially with a very shy look, while appearing to be deep in contemplation about something very important. Dad loved  seeing Maui being photographed with the camera lens wide open, since it made the background very much out of focus and gave the fur a special touch. Of course we should also mention that the exceptional mustache helped get the extra vote that pushed Maui into the June slot.

So here are the three pictures assembled into the final print version and remember to get the full size version, you have to click on the link beneath the picture, which well then take you to our Picasa ‘Freebie’ album.

To download the PRINTER version, click here

In closing we just wanted to add that for those of you who did not make it to please try again. Ms K tried real hard and succeeded with Neytiri and so can you. Now I know it is somewhat difficult for many of you to photograph your feline in a vertical format, since a number of you sent in pictures framed horizontally. Michelle’s picture of Quinn I was able to crop and achieve a vertical format, but only because it was large enough.

However with 2012, I am going to make it easier on everyone by redesigning the calendar bookmarks with a horizontal format, in the hope that this will attract more participants to the contest. Still I wish for those individuals who did not enter but have thought of it will do so, as now is your chance because better weather is on it’s way, providing more opportunities for you to capture that shoot that just may secure a spot on the next six openings.

Thank you to all those who have entered, Miss Kitty and I have appreciated your participation.

(^..^)

♥

Where does the time go

Where o’ where does the time go, for it seems only a few years ago that MIss Kitty was a little kitten, but now she is eighteen years of age, or is she. It appears there is a difference of opinions in this family and I am good at religion but poor in math; German proverb. So how old is Miss Kitty then?

According to my daughter, who is nineteen and not twenty, but in her second year at UCSC, coming home every two weeks or so for groceries, some gas and pocket money, a little studying and then catching up with friends; in other words, life in the fast lane; corrected me in saying that she was three when we adopted Miss Kitty.

Now that would make Miss Kitty sixteen, not the eighteen I have been boosting, yet since her birthday comes first before my daughter, that would make her seventeen, which is still an achievement and making MIss Kitty the madam matriarch of the family in human years. So I apologize for my mathematical error to you and Ms K, hoping she will forgive me.

Ms K by the dinning room window

As for her birthday, which we did celebrated with her, Ms K was camera shy and even if I could have possible obtained a picture, the lighting would have been poor since we were in another storm, just like the one we have been having for more than twenty-four hours with no end in sight until a break this coming Sunday.

As for gifts, well, she has about everything a feline her age could want, besides she would rather have the person attention from me, especially in the morning when we cuddle close and I give her body messages and belly rubs that are followed by a facial rub, all of which she takes in with great pleasure.

from Kerstin and her felines Finchen and Ayla

On the day of Ms K’s birthday, a beautiful card made by Kerstin arrived from Germany. It certainly was a surprise for her as well as for dad. We wish that we were not separated by and ocean and a continent, for we would love to visit them or have them visit us. We both thank you for your thoughtfulness and heartfelt words that accompanied your art work and which have touched us very deeply.

Finchen and Alya in the forground (photo Kerstin)

Please have a visit to Kerstin’s blog ‘Finchens Katzenblog,’ which has the current post Fincehen out in the garden, checking out and smelling the various colored crocus flowers and inspecting the pots with seedlings to see if anything was happening. When you drop in to have a look, don’t be afraid because the blog is in German, since all you have to is click on Google translate.

Birthday Card from Lutzia

In the mail came another birthday card for MS K. This one from Lutzi, who also resides in Germany. Though she does not have a cat personally, Lutzia is very fond of all living creatures, as this is reflected in her paintings and photography, which can be viewed on her blog, “Lutzias-Art.” 

The bird that is pictured in her card is one that regularly comes to her feeders and though Ms K no longer chases birds, she does loves to watch them. She especially likes the colourations of this feathered creature. 

Now I should add that it was very easy to miss, but you know dad is a real hawk, examining everything very carefully when he noticed that the stamps were carefully selected to send another message. For the stamp on the right contains a message, “Sending good wishes,” that alone brought an even greater smile, to an already big one. Thank you my dear for your gift of friendship.

First attempt in oil

Now I could end here but a few months ago, Lutzia asked if I could make available some photographs of Ms K as a source and reference to paint her portrait. We made available in Picasa a folder with numerous images for her. The months passed by quickly but then in an email came a surprise that knocked dad’s socks off. The first two portraits of Ms. K.

Second version, also in oil

We could not believe how very well Lutzia captured Ms K’s expression and especially her colourations in the second version. Lutzia said she might try again and in a few weeks she surprised us once more.

Acrylic version

This time she decided to work in Acrylic since it afforded her certain options that resulted in stunning replication of Ms K’s fur. I mean it is so realistic looking, that one can almost feel its soft and silky texture. You are certainly a superb artist Lutzia!

Digital manipulation

With the acrylic image came also one in which she did a photo manipulation, expressing her visual creativity in another form and manner.

Thank you dear friend for sharing your creativity, art and friendship with us. You too have touched our hearts with your love and kindness.

As we bring this post to a close, we did wish to add we have received some wonderful photographs from those who have entered our photo contest and that the winners will be posted shortly. Finally, dad has been under the weather for almost three weeks and just yesterday we learned that the nausea, dizziness, faintness and just feeling down right awful has been do to the changes in the medications, which are being partly stopped so they can leave his system.

(^..^)

♥

A painting, an award—life is good

It seems we have disappeared once again and it is not al his fault. With the weather being so cold and because we have had also a lot of rain, I have been hibernating like some bear in a cave up in the high Sierra’s, only my cave is a fur house. It has not only been keeping warm, it has me sleeping in their at time for more than ten hours at a time, only coming out for some nibbles of food and you know, sandbox business. 

Are you aware that I am turning eighteen this month and as we get older, we are no longer into playing games or much of any other activities, so I cannot blame dad, even though he too contributed to our absence.

Some of you may know that dad is an artist and because last year most of his time was spent in cardiovascular rehabilitation, he has not painted, that is for almost two years. For him art is his life, it is what he lives for and though things are still a daily struggle, he had a surge of creativity that just needed to be harnessed.

Canvas size: 36x48” inches

So here you see dad is painting in the kitchen that is his make-shift studio. He is applying a gesso ground to the surface of the canvas, so that it can receive various white and buff colored acrylic paint, which was then followed with oil paints. 

White on White

You may be wondering what it is to represent or what the materials are. Dad has been working on a photographic series since 2005, in which he photographed telephone poles in the city of Berkeley, California. Poles that were covered with thick layers of fliers and staples, which had been torn off before new ones were being added, a process that has taken years. Dad’s last two posts at his other blog, The Artist Within Us, shows images from the series he has named “Typography Graveyard.” 

As for the materials, well to recreate on a large scale these torn little pieces of paper, dad used grocery paper shopping bags. Their stronger construction made it an ideal choice and once several layers of medium gel had been applied to both sides and then painted, the forms took on a more solid state of form. Dad’s been happy with the results, especially with the soft variations of whites.

Recently we were the recipients of an award from Mumsy, Chancy and Co. and earlier this evening we wrote our apologies to Mumsy for having taken so long to acknowledge their gracious gift. We hope you can forgive us.

Now Mumsy, Chancy and Co. became followers of our blog this year and though one might say we are new friends, a visit to their blog will have you feeling very quickly like old comfortable friends one has known for years. So won’t you drop in on them if and make a new friend.

Now the award comes with two request, to share seven things you may not know about me, Miss Kitty that is and to pass the award along to fifteen others. Now by now you know that dad restricts new recipients to three, so that there is some elevation of pride with the award. So here is our list to whom we wish to bestow the ward to:

• Katnip Lounge and their baker dozen of felines in their cabana. Many of you already know Tricia and her many adoring feline companies who live a life of luxury. Her photographs are just wonderful and earlier this year, one of her cats graced our calendar bookmarks.

• Clooney’s Num-Num Fund is another sight that one just cannot get enough of. Her writings are hilarious and the accompanying pictures a riot. You have got to stop on by.

• Gwundergarten, Alexandra’s bilingual blog, so you have no excuse not to visit. Her cat Noah makes several appearance but also shares the site for other very interesting things and right now Alexandra is showing some beautiful photographs of flowers while Noah (who also appeared on out bookmark calendars) is supervising her.

Seven things you may not know about me. Let see now, what can I share that is not embarrassing or a sworn secrete.

• I have my birthday is coming up this month, even though we do not know the exact date, we all settled on the 15th
• I am patient but persistent, especially when I am hungry and it is not dinner time
• When big sister is away at USC, I really miss her and cannot wait for her return
• Getting use to strangers, especially when they are friends of big brother and sister
• When it comes to food, I am very picky
• In the morning, while I lay on the bed and dad gives me belly rubs, I am in heaven
• Watching television while being on dad’s lap is being the center of attention

———

It is that time of year again

As we bring this post to a close, a quick reminder that there is still some time left to enter our calendar bookmark photo competition and if you can help spread the word among your friends that would be great—just keep in mind the guidelines & requirements. We greatly appreciate the assistance.