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My name is Melody M. Nuñez, and I’m an artist and a writer. Please look around my website and make yourself at home. I post new blog entries on Tuesdays & Thursdays, and hope you’ll subscribe to my blog and come back often! To learn more about me, please view the “About” page…SUBSCRIBE
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Category Archives: life in general
Dim Sum – Yum!
Have you ever had dim sum? I’m definitely a fan. Not only is the food delicious, the overall dining experience is, too! For those who are unfamiliar with dim sum, and who didn’t read my Chinatown post from last spring, the folks at Wikipedia tell us that dim sum is a Cantonese term for a type of Chinese dish that involves small individual portions of food, usually served in a steamer basket or on a small plate. Going for dim sum is usually known in Cantonese as going to “drink tea”. If you’ve had tapas it’s kind of like that, but with Chinese food. Dim sum is much more fun though, particularly if you visit a restaurant that serves the food out of rolling carts like the one in the photo above.
PICTURE THIS: You’re sitting at your table, hot tea already steaming in a white, handle-less cup. Your table is soon visited by one of several servers, and the server is wheeling a cart that contains delectable dishes. One by one the cart’s dishes are offered to you. If something catches your eye you nod, and the plate or metal basket is placed on the table. Your dining “ticket” is stamped, indicating what you’ve selected so your bill is easily totaled at the end. If you’re not interested, a polite no suffices.
You may not know the name of what you’ve selected, or exactly what’s in it, but you don’t care. You just know that it looks and smells great. Whether you eat with chopsticks or a fork, you dig in – enjoying both the food and the lively atmosphere in the room. When the next cart rolls by the selection process is repeated. You wash all the tasty food down with hot tea, and if you’re wise you’ll end the meal with something from the dessert cart – maybe some little tarts or mango jello. YUM.
HELPFUL HINT: Because a dim sum meal is composed of little plates/servings, and because you’ll probably want to try several of the tempting dishes, it’s best to dine with at least one or two other people. That way you’re able to order a wider variety of dishes and taste more things before getting full and throwing in the towel, so to speak. That said, I’ve had several dim sum lunches while dining solo. You can always take home leftovers if your eyes end up being bigger than your stomach!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this peek at a recent dim sum lunch hubby and I enjoyed. We dined at Capital Seafood in Irvine, CA and I definitely recommend it. Please let me know if you have any questions, dear readers, and please let me know if you opt to eat some dim sum yourself!
Warm regards,
Melody
Haiku: Lavender
Lavender petals
and a deep yellow pollen -
exquisite beauty.
I love taking a stroll around the nursery, drinking in the beauty of the plants. Between the shapes, textures, patterns, colors and scents I’m in heaven – it’s such a treat for my senses. I yearn for the day when I’ll finally have a garden, and can grow fruits and veggies in addition to flowers. In the meantime, you just may run into me strolling around the aisles and paths at the local nursery – camera in hand and a smile on my face…
Warm regards,
Melody
Haiku: The Excavator
Fluffy white bunny
Are you digging to China?
You’re cute and messy…
As you can see, our white, female rabbit – Cypress – loves to dig. Because our rabbits are “house rabbits” they don’t have a yard to dig in, but they do spend their daylight hours on our covered and walled patio. Hubby was inspired to get some dirt from his father’s garden (we knew it would be pesticide and poison free) and let the rabbits have at it, and Cypress is quite the digger. Pinto doesn’t dig nearly as much. In fact, he seems most adept at getting dirt showers from Cypress and sitting there looking all spotted and cute!
The bunnies nearly always have us laughing, and digging is just one of the things they do that makes us laugh. What do your pets do that crack you up? I hope you’ll comment and share their antics!
Warm regards,
Melody
Also posted in haiku, pets, poetry
Tagged house rabbits, pet rabbits, rabbit video, video
6 Comments
Santa Ana Artists Village
Southern California is full of wonderful cultural and culinary opportunities, and the creative spirit and great eats boldly collide in the Santa Ana Artists Village. Located in Downtown Santa Ana, the Artists Village is home to galleries, “make and take” studios geared towards paper arts and mixed-media, street corner food carts, and fabulous restaurants.
A bit grungy, bohemian and decidedly urban, the Artists Village also has beauty and charm galore. From the distinctive architecture of structures like the Santora Building, to the “slice of life” peek at locals going about their business, the Artists Village is a sight to see. With its varied eateries, you’ll definitely want to take a bite out of the Artists Village!
Artistic Endeavors
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The Santa Ana Artist Village is home to many galleries, ranging in size from very small to very large, and the most common mediums shown are paint and sculpture. Some studios offer hands-on experiences and classes, and two of my favorites are Studio Crescendoh and The Art Bar. Geared towards those of us who love paper arts and mixed-media, Studio Crescendoh and the Art Bar offer a wide variety of classes – from lettering and art journaling to painting. I recommend these venues if you’d like to make art – not just look at it!
Grand Central is one of the anchors in the Santa Ana Artists Village.
Colorful paintings grace the walls of Studio Crescendoh, but they offer classes in a variety of artistic mediums…
Restaurants
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I certainly haven’t been to all the eateries in the Artists Village, but I’ve really enjoyed those I have visited. Two of my favorites are the Gypsy Den and Memphis.
Gypsy Den: Budget-friendly, this is the most artsy and bohemian of my three picks. Their baked goods are delicious, and the coffee house feel takes me back to the Beatnik scene in the 60’s – though I hadn’t even been born yet!
I love the decor at the Gypsy Den – so eclectic and colorful!
It’s only right that some artwork should grace the walls…
There’s plenty of seating to enjoy a bite. I took this photo just after they’d closed on New Year’s Eve day, so it’s customer-free.
Memphis: A bit pricier than the Gypsy Den, Memphis has fab food and a great, modern interior. I love that the afternoon sun creates wrought-iron-shaped shadows in the restaurant’s interior windows, and having breakfast for lunch was a treat!
A bit of the interior at Memphis, including the wrought iron work up top…
I opted for breakfast, though it was after 2 p.m.
Eggs over easy, French Toast, and chicken-apple sausage. Yum!
I’ve also heard great things about Lola Gaspar, but haven’t made it there to taste their food for myself yet and hope to change that very soon. Located just down the way from Memphis, and across the courtyard from the Grand Central Building, this restaurant is right in the center of the action…
Art Walk
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The Artist Village really comes alive on the first Saturday of each month, when many of the galleries throw open their doors and welcome in the public. From larger galleries with special shows to single-artist studios displaying their on-going work, the Art Walk is a great way to see a variety of artwork. You can also sip some wine and nosh on the snacks folks often lay out, if you’re just looking for a nibble.
Architecture & Ambiance
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One of my favorite things about the Santa Ana Artists Village is the look of it – all the the little details that give it a unique flavor. Naturally, architecture and some historic buildings play a big part in that. In my mind, the gorgeous Santora Building is the grand dame of the village, and the center of it all. Built in 1929, it’s Spanish Ultra Baroque Design delights me.
The ornate stone work combined with wrought iron (seen elsewhere on/in the building) is lovely…
An interior photograph of the Santora Building.
A clock tower in Santa Ana…
Bare branches reach out to the Grand Central Building.
It’s more than the big structures, though. It’s the old street lamps, the trees, and even the streets themselves. These are some of my favorite things about the Santa Ana Artists Village, and if you’re a fan of details like this, it’s best that you visit during daylight hours to take in all the lovely visual details that make this area unique.
The base of an old lamp post beckoned to me.
Gritty, yet still beautiful – near the Santora Building.
Hope to See You There…
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I hope you’ve enjoyed this little peek at the Santa Ana Artists Village. If you live in Southern California – or if you’re planning a trip to Orange County – I hope you’ll stop in for a visit!
Warm regards,
Melody
Also posted in art, ethnic food, inspiration, photography, restaurants, travel
Tagged Santa Ana Art Walk, Santa Ana Artist Village, Santa Ana CA
10 Comments
DIY: Making Greeting Cards from Scraps!
As previously mentioned in my post about making your own greeting cards, I send out a lot of cards. Thank you cards, “just because” cards, birthday cards – you name it! And because we’ve been on a tighter budget for the past year, I’m focusing more on making cards instead of buying them.
Today I’m sharing how I made dozens of lovely cards on the cheap. The main ingredients? Decorative paper scraps, blank greeting cards and envelopes, and a bit of time.
Paper scrap hoarders, this one’s for you!
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If you’re like me, you hate to throw away smaller pieces of paper and often save them for someday. Well, someday has come! This is the perfect way to use some of the scraps of paper you’ve saved. Similar to quilting, this is a way to let some of your favorite pieces of paper live on in a new project – one that will brighten someone else’s day.
Greeting Cards from Scraps – Materials
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Blank greeting cards and envelopes
Decorative paper scraps & colored cardstock
White cardstock
Elmer’s Glue Spots (or another adhesive)
Rubber stamps
Black ink pad
How-To: It’s as easy as 1-2-3!
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1. Cut your decorative paper scraps into rectangles.
2. Select three paper pieces that appeal to you and adhere them to a blank greeting card vertically.
3. Stamp a greeting onto a white rectangle with black ink and adhere the greeting piece horizontally.
Helpful Hints:
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1. Measure before you start cutting: my cards have three vertical rectangles and one white horizontal rectangle. My blank greeting cards measure 5” x 6 ½”. My vertical rectangles are 1 ¾” x 4” each. My white, horizontal rectangles are 1 ½” x 2 ¾”.
2. Cut an assortment of colors and patterned scraps, so you have many pieces to play with. Try a variety of color combinations and patterns together. Because I was using scraps I ended up with different color and pattern combinations that I might’ve used if I’d started with all new materials. This is a great creative exercise!
3. Batch each set of tasks together to save time: cut all the vertical rectangles, then cut all the horizontal rectangles, then stamp all the greetings at the same time, etc.
One Design, Many Occasions…
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This card design will work for just about any occasion, if the sentiment, colors and patterns are appropriate. The design is simple enough that you can play with color and texture without overwhelming the eye…
The Nitty Gritty
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I made 28 cards in this batch. Each blank card/envelope cost me 20 cents. I already had the paper scraps, rubber stamps, ink, and adhesive, so the cost of each card was well below the $3.00 average one might pay for a greeting card from a store. Total potential savings? Over $75!
That doesn’t factor in time spent, of course, but I’m basing this “nitty gritty” on money put out for materials. Besides, for me, making cards to send to those I care about is an act of love. And you definitely can’t put a price on a loving gesture…
Please let me know if you have any questions. Will you try making some of your own Greeting Cards from Scraps? If so, happy crafting!
Warm regards,
Melody
Also posted in art supplies, crafts, DIY, inspiration
Tagged making cards from scraps, paper scraps
12 Comments
A Great New Year’s Resolution? Generosity! 6 Simple Ways to Give
It’s nearly time for the New Year – a time when many make plans and wipe their slates clean. I happen to believe that any day is a great time to begin anew, but there’s nothing quite like a brand-spanking-new year! If one of your goals is to increase your charitably based efforts, de-clutter your home, or to get out and meet more people this list may help. I’ve done all six things on this list, at one time or another, and recommend them wholeheartedly. You’ll help yourself – and others!
1. Donate Food to Your Local Foodbank
If you have enough food in your kitchen, consider those who don’t the next time you go shopping. Pick up a few (or several) non-perishable items and donate them to your local food bank when you’re able. Spending a few dollars on some rice and canned veggies may not break your bank, but can make a big difference to those in need. My family needed the assistance of a food bank a time or two when I was a child, and I’ve never forgotten the kindness of those strangers who provided for us.
2. Donate Some of Your Possessions to a Thrift Store
If you’re overwhelmed with a lot of extra “stuff”, consider doing a purge and donate the items you don’t need or want to a charity thrift store. Assess your possessions with an impartial eye. Do you really need them all? I’m sure there are some things that you really and truly don’t need anymore, and by passing them along to someone who does it’s a win-win.
3. Donate Blood
This is an easy one, but it’s a very important public service. Good karma points and free juice and cookies can be yours for a bit of your time and a pint of your blood! If blood makes you squeamish and/or needles freak you out, simply choose another option from this list…
4. Brighten Someone’s Day with a Kind Gesture
Paying for a stranger’s coffee, smiling and saying hello, or giving someone a Random Acts of Kindness card are great ways to spread a bit of kindness without having to invest an inordinate amount of money or time. That said, there’s always time for courtesy!
5. Volunteer Your Time
If you’re interested in working with people or animals, consider volunteering with a literacy program for adults, help out at the local animal shelter, mentor a child, or volunteer to help out in a public school classroom. You’ll help change lives for the better – including your own!
6. Be a Secret Santa For Someone In Need
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There are many opportunities to do this, whether it’s through a group set up at the mall or through a church. I provided gifts for homeless families whose children attended a special school in Orange, CA, and had a great time playing Santa! You can purchase gifts for one child or an entire family – whatever fits in your budget.
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Are You Ready?
I hope you’re inspired to make generosity a big part of your New Year. I find it’s a pleasure to help others, and enjoy the warm glow that comes from lending a helping hand. If you are interested in doing one or more of the things on my list (or doing something else to give), I suggest getting started, or putting it on your calendar NOW. You may not do your Secret Santa shopping for another ten months, but you’ll be reminded of your intention and can follow through when the time is right. Choose a specific month or day for your act of generosity – or when you’re going to start. You’ll be much more likely to bring your plan to fruition.
I’m wishing you all a happy and healthy New Year…
Warm regards,
Melody
Haiku: Growth
Outer skin is dry,
but new growth can still prevail.
Life’s what we make it.
With the bulk of the holidays past, my thoughts are turning to the New Year. What do you hope to do, see, and be in 2012? I’m still shuffling things around in my mind, but I know I want my heart, understanding, kindness and generosity to keep on growing…
Warm regards,
Melody
Sweet Memories of Brach’s
When I think back on my childhood Christmases, my favorite memories and most nostalgic images come from when I was twelve and younger. My family lived in a little two-bedroom apartment on Joanne Court for most of those years. Our celebrations were definitely simple, but they were festive and fun all the same. Though money was tight, we put out cherished decorations, had gaily wrapped packages under the tree, and enjoyed special holiday foods.
I’ve shared some of our holiday goodies here in recipe form, and it truly doesn’t seem like the Christmas season is complete without making – and eating – homemade Magic Cookie Bars and Chocolate Fudge. Some of the sweets in my cherished memories were store-bought though, and they were yummy.
I had yet to be introduced to See’s candy at that age, but we did usually get a box of Whitman’s Sampler. The chocolates were tasty, and their handy-dandy chart helped ensure you’d get a piece you liked. Another treat that sweetened the holiday season was Brach’s candy. Back in the day there was a Brach’s display at the grocery store, where you could mix and match your favorite candies and buy them by weight. I loved having Brach’s at home, filling our glass candy dish with their pretty colors and sweet flavors.
My favorites were Royals (flavored caramels), Butterscotch disks, and the Neopolitans – brown, pink and white hunks of coconutty goodness. Though the wrappers have changed, I still love the colored foil wrappers of the Royals. So pretty…
Brach’s are no longer available as a mix-and-match candy at my local grocery stores, but I did find Royals at a nearby party store and was really glad they weren’t gone for good. And having photographed the candy for this blog, I now have actual photos to go with my mental pictures. Sweet!
Warm regards,
Melody
Chocolate Fudge Recipe
Fudge is always a welcome treat, but I usually only make it around the holidays. This recipe is the one my mom made when I was growing up, and it’s dee-lish! Perfect for sharing with family and friends at gatherings, it also makes a nice holiday gift for friends and co-workers. This recipe includes nuts, but they can easily be omitted for folks that don’t like nuts or are allergic.
Chocolate Fudge Recipe
Ingredients:
18 oz. of semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 pint marshmallow cream
2 cups chopped nuts (I use walnuts)
1 TBSP vanilla
2 sticks margarine or butter
1 large can of evaporated milk (12 oz.)
4 ½ cups sugar
Yield: 5 pounds of fudge
Directions: Place the first five ingredients into a very large bowl, then set aside. Put the evaporated milk and 4 ½ cups sugar in a saucepan and boil for a full 15 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour mixture over the other ingredients and beat thoroughly. Pour the fudge into a 13″ x 9″ pan lined with wax paper. When cool, cut fudge into squares. Store in refrigerator.
I hope you enjoy this fudge recipe, dear readers…
Warm regards,
Melody
Also posted in baking, holidays, recipes
Tagged chocolate fudge recipe, fudge recipe, holiday recipes
8 Comments
My Festive Cubicle!
It’s that time of year again – time to bring some holiday cheer to my cubicle at work! I decorate differently each year, and enjoy the variety of using new color schemes and decorative themes. Some of you may remember last year’s décor, which included many of the vintage elements I collect: old spools of thread, postcards and letters, black and white photos, ribbons, and silver cooking/baking molds. I loved the way last year’s decorations came together, and though I’ve gone a completely different route this year, I love this decorating scheme just as much.
I decided to use the vintage tin ornaments that I purchased at a thrift store last month as the starting point for my décor – everything grew from there. I was lucky enough to score fourteen ornaments for a mere $7, and though I was tempted to add them to the cache of tin ornaments that grace our tree at home, I ultimately decided to debut them at the office.
I already had the silver wreath and silver tree, as well as the vintage star tree topper. In fact, I didn’t have to purchase a thing to deck my cube out in silvery style – aside from the vintage tin ornaments. The silver stars on the walls are the aluminum star ornaments I made and posted about last week. (Click here for instructions on how to make them.)
The other decorative element I made myself is the white hand-cut snowflakes, and the only materials needed for those were copy paper and scissors. My cubicle décor is definitely both frugal and festive!
The silver wreath frames a tin angel ornament.
The silver tree is decked with a star tree topper, glass ball ornaments, and more tin ornaments.
Snowflakes, lights, ribbons, and trim spruce up the beige fabric walls of my cubicle.
Six of these vintage ornaments hang on the tree.
The aluminum star ornaments I made from Diet Coke cans brighten the walls, along with paper snowflakes.
Two vintage bird ornaments are nestled among the cloud of white at the base of the tree…
I’ve decorated at home already, too. Have you put up your holiday decorations yet? Will you decorate at work? I welcome your comments…
Warm regards,
Melody
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Also posted in holidays, vintage
Tagged Christmas decorations, decorating a cubicle, decorating for the holidays, tin ornaments
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