Christine Comeau

I’ve written my own press releases before, so this is the first time someone does it for me and I am so grateful that I am a magnet for miracles.

“Struts Gallery & Faucet Media Arts Centre is pleased to host a presentation by current Ease Down the Road Artist in Residence, Christine Comeau. Please join us Tuesday, October 13 from 5 - 7 pm for an informal artist talk and seasonal refreshments. Christine has been working in the Studio at 7 Lorne Street, since September 12, developing a variety of multi-media projects. Patchworks, her research into personal narratives related to clothing, will manifest into a new web-based project compiling locally recorded stories. Christine will also launch a new cooking zine with a foreword by Dr. Pipit Alswater, and possibly even screen a selection of new video work or give a lecture on a selection of her favourite subjects.

Christine is originally from Quebec City but now resides in Halifax where she maintains an active and interdisciplinary social art practice. A gifted storyteller with a wry sense of humour, her talk promises to be an informative and interesting account of her experiences and experiments in Sackville, from drawing and baking to volunteering at the Salvation Army. This event is free and open to the public, stop by after work for some fascinating conversation and delicious baked goods.”

Friday I jumped in the pool at Mount Allison, expecting the shock of cold water. Lo and behold! found myself immersed in an abnormally warm swimming pool!

Christine : Is it just me or is the water really warm?
Lifeguard : The swimming pool’s been really warm this week. Someone must have been playing with the dials. Last week it was too cold.
Christine : Some day…
Lifeguard : Yes, some day we’ll get it just right.
Christine : How long is it going to be like this?
Lifeguard : It will take a while. A swimming pool doesn’t cool down that fast.

Swimming in a really warm swimming pool is a strange experience. For one thing my muscles got so relaxed that it was a bit of a stretch to convince them of the need to make an effort to keep me from drowning. Now, I thought, this is probably the closest I’ve come to what it might feel like to swim in a pool of saliva. (Actually the pool was slightly colder than saliva; when I checked, the temperature was 89°F / 32°C.)

Facts about human bodies :
- Their normal temperature is about 37°C!
- They are about 60% water!
- Your tears are salty!

Using pumpkin and spices in this recipe makes delicious, moist, melt-in-your-mouth brownies.

 Mix all the dry ingredients:
1 Cup flour (I use 1/2 white 1/2 whole wheat)
2/3 Cup cocoa powder
1/2 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp cinnamon
pinch of salt
pinch of nutmeg
1/3 C chocolate chips and / or walnuts

In another bowl, mix wet ingredients:
1/2 Cup oil
3/4 Cup packed brown sugar
1 egg           s
1 Cup cooked pumpkin, mashed
2 tsp fresh grated ginger (or 1 tsp dry)

Combine wet ingredients with dry ingredients, mix, just enough, not too much.
Bake in a square pan, at 350°F
40-50 minutes, but that really depends on your oven.

Make it Vegan! Replace the eggs with 1 Tablespoon of lemon juice. Try it, it’s amazing!

Note from my Editor: “Hi Christine, I’m excited that you’re posting this recipe!  It’s so delicious.  I have altered it somewhat.  I also put in about 1/4 teaspoon of cardomom.  I buy the pods, shell them, and grind up the inside parts in a coffee grinder.  I also like to add hot chili sometimes. Love Amanda”

Here’s a recipe for you this morning. I’m sharing this recipe because I want to share my love for oats. Oats are so nutritious!

Morning Smoothie

You will need a blender.

When you wake up soak about 2/3 Cup OATS in about 1 Cup soy milk or milk. Then do something else for a while, like take a shower or walk the dog or write a letter or do yoga. (You can soak oats the night before, too). Add 1/2 banana, 2/3 Cup blueberries (local, from the 5-pound box in your freezer), and 1 Teaspoon Honey or Maple Syrup if you need that sweetness in your life right now. Blend until smooth. Voilà!

***

Some people may not feel the same way about OATS as I do, so I gathered a few quotes from the net…

“Oat protein is nearly equivalent in quality to soy protein, which has been shown by the World Health Organization to be equal to meat, milk, and egg protein. The protein content ranges from 12–24%, the highest among cereals.”

“Oats contain more soluble fiber than any other grain, resulting in slower digestion and an extended sensation of fullness. One type of soluble fibre, beta-glucans, has proven to help lower cholesterol.”

… but remember, true love is not about quotes or scientific research.

Quilters!

I’ve been living with this idea of a “Patchwork of stories” in the back of my mind for a little while now, so I decided to pay a visit to the Sackville Quilter’s Guild (which I found out about on the amazing Sackville.com website). I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but now I can tell you that the Quilter’s Guild is a wonderful group of quilters who have created a space to learn, help and encourage each other. They will be offering a beginners’ class on November 7th.

Northern Inexperience!

I was so excited about Wednesday night’s screening of Clare Halpine’s videos, because I’m a fan of everything Northern. Clare’s videos were funny and a good storytelling experience, so I hope she will keep getting grants and making art. I guess sometimes making fun of how pathetic we are is what saves us from being really pathetic in the end for real. Oh, Clare, I wish I’d had your sense of humour after graduation.

Eggs!

I’ve been cooking a lot of eggs lately. I’d like to share a recipe with you.

Recipe:

1) Mix about 2 cups of cooked rice with 1 egg and 1/2 cup grated cheese. Press rice mixture in a 9″ pan, bake 10 mins at 350° F (Tip: cook rice with a bay leaf… or just use leftover rice, yeah, leftovers!)

2) Cover with fresh tomato slices, crushed garlic and a sprinkle of olive oil.

3) Mix 4 eggs, black olives, more cheese, and herbs (basil, thyme…) and pour on top of tomatoes. Bake for another 25-30 minutes (until eggs are set). Enjoy!

Today is Unpacking and Cleaning day. After a few experiences of living somewhere new in the past few months (one other place was Yasodhara Ashram, where I learned how to make beds with hospital corners), I have discovered this Amazing Fact: It takes me exactly 10 days to adjust to a new place. On the 10th day I’ll wake up thinking “Hey it’s time to unpack and settle in here, now I feel like it!”

I think 10 days is pretty good, not as good as instantly, but a lot better than never feeling at home anywhere, ever (it happens).

So this is my desk now. There’s no “before” and “after” pictures, but trust me, the difference is mildly disturbing.

And this is my bed. It’s one of the biggest beds I’ve ever seen so I’ve also been using it as an office and storage space. This is where I do all my bookkeeping, reply to letters and email, keep my record collection, my garden tools, and a few little things that might come in handy some day.

I’m busy volunteering at Salvation Army, so check back later for awesome blogging from Struts! In the meantime, there’s 4 (now 3, one has just been adopted) really cute kittens in the window at the vet’s on Main Street