Memoirs of a Lysha: July 2009

July 23, 2009

Vancouver: Séraphine

Out in Theathers now is Séraphine (it's won 15 awards!) - I've posted the synopsis below, along with the link to the trailer and wikipedia page. Out in Theathers now is Séraphine (it's won 15 awards!) - I've posted the synopsis below, along with the link to the trailer and wikipedia page.

http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/seraphine/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Séraphine_Louis

"Séraphine is the story of Séraphine Louis aka Séraphine de Senlis (Yolande Moreau), a simple and profoundly devout housekeeper who in 1905 at age 41, self-taught and with the instigation of her guardian angel began painting brilliantly colorful canvases. In 1912 Wilhelm Uhde (Ulrich Tukur), a German art critic and collector - he was one of the first collectors of Picasso and champion of naïve primitive painter Le Douanier Rousseau - discovered her paintings while she worked for him as a maid in his house in Senlis outside Paris. A moving and unexpected relationship develops between the avant-garde art dealer and the visionary cleaning lady leading to Séraphine’s work being grouped with other naïve painters – the so-called “Sacred Heart Painters” - with acclaimed shows in France, elsewhere in Europe and eventually at New York’s MOMA . Martin Provost’s poignant portrait of this now largely forgotten painter is a testament to the mysteries of creativity and the resilience of one woman’s spirit."

July 13, 2009

Vancouver: It's Official!

So, it's official! As of this evening, I have secured myself a place on British Airways Flight #84 to Vienna. :o) Here's the run-down:

Vancouver > London September 20th 8:35 pm-1:40 pm Flight 84

London > Vienna September 21st 6:45 pm-10:00 pm Flight 706

And of course the return flight is too far in advance to book, but will be sometime in June. :o) I'll be flying with Alaska to Vancouver on the 17th to spend the weekend with Colin before leaving for Vienna.

July 08, 2009

Vancouver: Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution

Pass it on! Today I bought Jamie Oliver's (the naked chef) new book "Jamie's Food Revolution".

The idea behind "Pass It On" is to inspire people who have never cooked to give it a try and then, once they’ve learned a recipe, to teach two other people how to make it too. He also wants to mobilise anyone who can cook to pass on their skills by teaching their friends, family or workmates how to cook good, honest, affordable food.

During and after World War I, terrible food shortages meant many people in Britain were malnourished. So when World War II broke out, the government appointed the Ministry of Food to help families make the most of wartime rations. It had to make sure there was enough food to go around and also to educate the public about food and proper nutrition so they’d be healthy and fighting fit.

Nowadays, fewer than a third of Americans cook their dinners from scratch, and although 75% of people in the US eat most of their meals at home, over half those dinners are fast food, delivery or take-out! So, regardless of recessions and credit crunches (and unemployment!) we all need to know how to cook simple, nutritious, economical, tasty, hearty food (especially me!)

Anyway, so I'm going to take on Jamie's challenge of trying (at least) one recipe from each section in his cookbook and passing it on to friends and family (electronically, since, unfortunately, my Canadian location makes getting together each week difficult) ;o) If I find one which turns out especially well, I'll let you all know! And, then if you in turn try it out and like it, Pass It On!

July 06, 2009

Vancouver: Summer Reading List #1

This summer is a once-in-a-lifetime reading opportunity! Unemployment and a new apartment (pictures coming soon!) across from a park makes for good reading conditions. Here are a few I've read so far and am currently reading, more updates later!

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