I am back in Portland, enjoying getting back into a daily routine and allowing my creative muscles to flex in a familiar environment. Not being able to get into the kitchen (or have access to my other art supplies) for over two weeks was difficult! But now that I am back, it has been nice easing back into a routine with my kitchen and collection of “stuff” I can make things with at my fingertips.

My friend Chelsea, (also a fellow MFA student and classmate), and I are working on a collaborative book together. We wanted the book to be a work of art in and of itself. Hand drawn illustration, special typography and font choices, all screen printed and hand bound with unusual materials used for the covers will make each book a special edition and an individual piece. We are working under a pen name, which will be announced shortly. Stay tuned for more on this lovely project!

For the meeting, Chelsea made a Peach Pie from peaches she has froze from this summers bounty. It was amazing! I literally inhaled two huge pieces and licked my fingers when I was done. Tasting those peaches in the dead of winter was truly a gift and really gave me the optimistic boost I was needing in this cold, dark climate. She didn’t use a recipe, but threw it together by making a basic pie dough, then she tossed the peach slices with big slices of ginger, no sugar, nothin’, just peaches and ginger, and baked it at 350 until it bubbled. If you have any frozen fruit from this summer’s bounty, try making yourself a pie this month. It will bring to life those long-past memories from summer and make these short winter days seem a bit more bearable.