Two friends reunited (via facebook) bridging the time gap of 30 years, the geographical gap - Australia and USA, and the generation gap; by blogging about food, fashion, fotography, fitness, family, and friends.
Renotta ........http://rrtdesigns.blogspot.com/ Web- www.shopatnextdoor.com/ http://projectknitway.blogspot.com/
Clara ........"Developing a fusion of contemporary food with health, fitness and creative ideas.
http://fitinyourjeanscuisine.blogspot.com - Web www.fitinyourjeanscuisine.com/
http://babyboomerconnections.blogspot.com/ Web www.babyboomerconnections.com.au/


Saturday, August 28, 2010

Wrapped in Roasted Vegetables



Roasted Vegetable Wrap at the Boatshed at Balmoral is a favourite, their version including roasted pumpkin, eggplant, onion, beetroot, leafy greens, and falafel.
Hints of Moroccan are suggested in the following version, where roasting the vegetables brings out their natural sweetness and preserves their rich vitamin and mineral content. These vegetables are also wonderful as a side dish - a good idea being to cook more than you need and use the leftovers for the wraps. The Yoghurt Sauce is a useful option to add interest and flavour.


Yoghurt Dressing
To 1/2 cup thick yoghurt add 2 tblsp chopped mint, 2 tsp chopped mint, 2 tsp honey, 2 tsp ground cumin.



Ingredients:


1 medium eggplant cut into 3cm / 1in chunks (sprinkle with salt, left for 20 mins, rinse and pat dry)
500 g / 1lb pumpkin cut same size as eggplant
1 red capsicum, seeded & cut into chunks
1 red onion - sliced
2 tbsp olive oil
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste - (or Cayenne Pepper)
2 teasp each cumin and paprika (or use a commercial brand of Moroccan seasoning)
1-2 cloves crushed garlic
2 teaspoons chopped fresh coriander / and or mint / and or basil
2 handfuls green leaves such as baby spinach or rocket and extra fresh herbs to serve
4 large tortilla wraps (thin)
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to high. Arrange the coated vegetables in a single layer on two baking sheets and coat with the garlic, oil and spices. Roast until the vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes. Fold in the spinach or rocket.

To assemble the wraps, spread 1-2 tbsp. of the yoghurt over each tortilla, enough to thinly cover one side of the bread completely. Next, divide the roasted vegetables evenly between the tortillas. Roll up the wraps, starting at the bottom. To keep the filling from pushing forward, keep pulling the rolled part toward you; this also helps to make a firm roll.
Serve toasted, with leafy greens.


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Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Co-ordination of design is special

 Hi R
What I really love about your work is the co-ordination of design and how you put things together with the seasons.  Your combinations re colour, design, concept are fabulous. 
I embrace your love of fall - My concept re  Wisconsin in the fall is of a beautiful time  - however leading to Winter. 
Goldenrod...August 24th










I love goldenrod. It signals the onset of fall, my favorite time of the year.


















Set For Awhile...August 23rd
If you look closely at the pewter pendant, you will see that I embossed it with the leaf on tomorrow's pie














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Monday, August 23, 2010

Nature Walk in Mosman

Hi there
Exercising with a purpose yesterday included a bush walk to Cobblers Beach.  Following our trusty guide, written by Rotarians, in 1981, we set off from the "Sports Pavillian, stopped to admire the view of Middle Harbour, then wound our way through the bush to Cobblers Beach.  Still quite natural  with minimum shade, it is a peaceful spot, ideal for children and when the cold south wind blows." 
Hmmmmm - I don't think that Mr Brian Leckey and Mr Alan Kendall of Mosman Council and his wife who did much car driving and typing, had been there recently. 

A fabulous walk, including fortifications for Middle Head and early bush flowers - however I suggest you leave the children at home!
Clara





















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Friday, August 20, 2010

Tasty Prawns Starters use Coriander/mint/basil/rocket – one or the lot

Prawns with Asian Seafood Dressing and Fresh Herbs
Serves 6 as a starter

Clara's chorus - Coriander/mint/basil/rocket – one the lot at last minute as well as during.  Herbs can go in the dressing, or be part of a bed to serve.  Leafy greens are the little black dress of cuisine.


Stir fry or BBQ about 24 medium sized prawns (with a little olive oil and sesame oil) until they change colour – about 2 minutes. Serve with dressing – you can pour this on after they are cooked before serving.







Dressing
1teasp sesame oil
1teasp soy sauce
2 tbsp fish sauce
2 tbsp lime juice
½ teasp brown sugar
1 tblsp toasted sesame seeds (opt)


 
BBQ'd Prawns and Calamari with Chilli Lemon dressing 



Serves 6 as a starter


6 medium calamari tubes, cleaned, cut in half lengthwise, open out flat with the inner side facing upward. Score the flesh in a crisscross pattern.
12 medium green prawns, peeled and deveined (tails intact)Rocket - to serve as a bed
Lemon Chilli Dressing
Combine 1/4 cup lemon juice, 2 teasp zest with 1/3  cup olive oil, 1 clove crushed garlic, 2 large red chillies, seeded and finely chopped, 1 teasp sugar, sea salt.   Marinate prawns and calamari in 1/3 dressing in refrigerator (1-2 hrs).  
Clara's Chorus - Coriander/mint/basil/rocket – one or the lot at the last minute, as well as during.


Char grill over high heat in batches until cooked. Toss rocket with a little dressing, place on plates - top with seafood and extra dressing.   


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Thursday, August 19, 2010

There is Nothing Like a Pair of Great Fitting Jeans





These are some of my favorite looks from our new fall collection. Lynee put them together on her fashion blog




It's fun to see how she puts items together for all ages. Personally I love a mid rise jean too. It's just so much more comfortable. J Brand has great jeans. I'm also a big fan of Citizens, Seven and Paige. Each brand has a mid rise style in lots of washes and leg openings. I still like the look of a skinny jean with a long belted tunic or fly away top. Add a scarf and a handbag and you're good to go.




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Fit in Your Jeans, whatever that means

Hi R
From a friend of mine who loves to dress up;   and being a country girl, said, "There is only one thing worse than "Mutton dressed up as Lamb" and that is "Mutton dressed up as Mutton."  So true!

Having spent hours tonight, looking at jeans from a mature style perspective, this is one image I thought said it all.






















  


Sooooo .... many shapes and designs along with advice on how the mature / larger / shorter / etc woman looks best. 
I like this image from your website http://www.shopatnextdoor.com/
as this style can be worn well with boots, but personal choice for me  is a slightly higher rise.  There are so many body shapes and styles it must be really tricky to advise how we can use our jeans to enhance and improve our ever changing shape/style.

I am wondering what your favourite jean style is - and since I am visiting you in October, what you will be wearing?  I adore the straight leg jean with a high boot, or the bootleg style with a boot under.  Need your professional reassurance. 

Still struggling with Photoshop  (I have bought Elements)  and this is an image Liz and I worked on today (my new friend when we both couldn't get there after an 8 week course).  It's very raw but I like it.  Based on one of the jeans photos you posted. I love photoshop. 
Would appreciate feedback.
Clara




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Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Significant scarves add flair and panache

Hi R
Loved your blog on dancing.  My feet were not made for dancing - an early aspiration was to be a ballerina but since at that age and stage,  I was built, according to my parents' friends - Grrrrrr, like a 'front row forward', this didn't happen.  I didn't know what a FRF was but somehow knew it wasn't where I wanted to be.  Besides I inherited the family trait of large feet......

However, Isadora and I share shoulders and neck (more so these days)  made for wearing scarves.  

I have worn significant scarves seriously for the last two decades or since Pashminas made a statement, with the beginning of a more stylish method of draping.  (Long scarf folded in half, placed around the neck, then the two ends threaded through to sit at the neckline.)  

Since then they have adorned my wardrobe, (taking up 1/3 of the valuable space), allowing a neutral overall hue for basic garments.  They embellish and enhance with their splashes of colour, softness and  flattering draping, or add flair and panache.

This week, I enjoy your creative use of colour, texture  and drapery to enhance our neckline and decolletage.
Clara
Tied and True...August 13th



























Tying One On...August 12th



















Wrapping It Up...August 11th



Wrapping it up...despite the 90 degree weather, we're ready for fall! (Clara's favourite Mobius Scarf)













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Tuesday, August 17, 2010

These Feet are Made for Dancing


This could be the start of my life story. I love to dance! My earliest memory is in our kitchen as a young child, tapping on the linoleum floor and begging my mother to let me take dancing lessons. In her post depression frugality mode, she rummaged a pair of tap shoes that were three sizes too big for me. I clopped around till my parents finally signed me up for lessons. The classes were a few blocks up Park Avenue in a woman's basement. For our "recital" we danced in her dining room on wood floors while the "audience" watched from her living room. It was Christmas time and we wore flannel snow flake pajamas for costumes. Eventually I graduated to a real dance studio and was chosen to be the star's partner. I was in heaven, tapping away to the likes of Honey Bun from South Pacific and Franky and Johnnie. My partner Lou Ann and I performed all over our town with Swanee, our piano player to accompany us. I recently reunited with my dance partner after 50 plus years. We can still cut a rug. More to follow.

Granny Renotta

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I adore scarves. So who was Isadora?

Hi R / wonderful, creative, individual  women out there / and the men who love and put up with us..........

It was time to start a new file within my blogger file, which I called 'Women to Admire'.  The impetus for this particular blog, was wanting to record how much I adore scarves, hence the question "Who was Isadora?" 
 hence .....
Having read more about her, I doubt I would slot her into that category.  Perhaps -  Amazing Women / Women who danced / Women who moved ahead of the pack etc. 

 Personally I  admire her for her amazing spirit, and as with other feminist women, she blazed our trail.  "What trail?" our daughters may ask.  Another day, another blog, but believe me, "Baby, we have come a long way." 

The famous poet and writer Carl Sandburg in his poem, Isadora Duncan: wrote:

"The wind? I am the wind.
The sea and the moon? I am the sea and the moon.
Tears, pain, love, bird-flights? I am all of them. I dance what I am.
Sin, prayer, flight, the light that never was on land or sea?
 I dance what I am."      Isadora Duncan

ps - I had a personal 'Isadora moment'.  With my burnt orange scarf around my neck, having bought G his delicious salad at Cafe Balmoral, an unsuspecting male stood on the end of my trailing scarf.  Suddenly, I felt an alarming tightening around my neck. 

What is the ending to this story?
Clara

Clar

Then - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Isadora Duncan
Born - 1877 San Francisco, California, U.S.   Nice, France Field -  Dance and choreography
Died - 1927 (aged 50)

Movement -  Modern dance
Isadora Duncan  was a dancer, considered by many to be the creator of modern dance. Born in the United States, she lived in Europe and the Soviet Union from the age of 22 until her death at age 50. In the United States she was popular only in New York, and then only later in her life. She performed to acclaim throughout Europe.

Duncan's fondness for flowing scarves was the cause of her death in a freak automobile accident in Nice, France. Duncan's large silk scarf, while still draped around her neck, became entangled around one of the vehicle's open-spoked wheels and rear axle, breaking her neck.
She was a pioneer of 20th-century American dance, often credited with moving dance away from strict formal structures and toward more free-flowing forms of personal expression. She wore Grecian-style gowns, often performed barefoot, and startled audiences by employing such everyday human movements as skipping and running.

An Unconventional Life

 In 1913, both children, with their nurse, drowned in an accident on the Seine River. They were returning home after a lunch with Isadora and Paris Singer.


In 1922, she married Sergei Yesenin, a Russian poet who was eighteen years her junior. Yesenin was also an alcoholic whose drunken rages brought Isadora negative publicity. Within a year, he returned to Russia where he suffered a mental breakdown and was institutionalized. Upon his release, he died under mysterious circumstances on December 28, 1925. Isadora was a bisexual and had lesbian relationships with the poet Mercedes de Acosta and the writer Natalie Barney.


Read more http://contemporarydance.suite101.com/article.cfm/isadora_duncan#ixzz0wqptGK9c






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Monday, August 16, 2010

Carpe diem - Bright Bright Sunshiny Day

Hi R
The result is very beautiful.  The process is even more special as it expresses a sheer love of creativity.  Sometimes the quality of a moment is so amazing, you need to capture it. Translucent, ethereal.......Carpe diem - Interpreted in Latin as 'seize the day', or sometimes as 'enjoy the day, pluck the day when it is ripe'.   Clara


A Bright, Bright Sunshiny Day...August 15th

I snapped this monarch butterfly resting on thistle in my garden. I printed it on fabric, "framed" it with sheer muslin and suspended it in an old frame from my mother. This way the light can filter through it. I think it will be lovely propped in a window in the midst of winter. Thanks to Lucy and Karen for the seeds of an idea and Clara for the title.


 
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Saturday, August 14, 2010

I can see clearly now

Hi Granny R

I am looking forward to hearing about what you saw when you looked inward due to putting your new contact lens in back the front.

Yesterday was a bright, bright, sunshiny day ........ at the end of winter - great for light writing (photography), and this song has been going around and around in my head since your blog.    Clara



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Thursday, August 12, 2010

I Can See Claraly Now

Granny Renotta Makes Contact
In the midst of all the commotion in my life I threw caution to the wind along with all my readers and went for a mono vision contact. I'd been hearing about it from other grannies and finally took the plunge. I walked down to Brookfield Vision for an eye opening experience http://www.brookfieldvision.com/ and one hour later left with one contact and great vision. It's been great to be able to read without searching all over for a pair of readers. Added bonus, I feel 20 years younger...a face lift without the lift. Course there are a few obstacles to surmount. Today I felt something was amiss as I wasn't seeing so clearly and my eye kind of ached. Turns out I had the contact in inside out. I had great insight even though I couldn't see.
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Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Half way point reached in Renotta's creative challenge





 Welcome to my journey as I photograph something I create everyday for a year... RRT



R wrote - So just in case anyone is counting, today was my half way point. Hopefully it's all down hill from here. Stay tuned.
Clara - I am!!!  Congratulations on a super human effort!  And you still had time to tend 'Shop at Next Door', as well as becoming a granny (emotional effort).  As I have said before, it is fortunate that there are more hours in a day in the Northern Hemisphere.
The albino buck pillow is awesome, and it is great to see a fall inspired mobius scarf but my favourite is the runner with the images of your favourite textile pieces.  I appreciate the number of creative processes involved, integrating the old with the new.  I guess that's what Fit in Your Jeans (Grannycircle) is about. 
ps - which name do you like best - would love to hear your thoughts. 






Wrapping It Up...August 11th











Wrapping it up...despite the 90 degree weather, we're ready for fall!


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Who Let the Cat Out of the Bag...August 10th






Forgive me for this less than stellar photo, but if you look closely you will see a zillion mosquitoes attacking everything including me.


8/9/10






Table It...August 8th





I needed a change of pace, so I decided to do this table runner. I hand dyed a piece of muslin and appliqued fabric photo images of some of my favorite textile pieces from my collection. I like the mix of cultures.





The Buck Stopped Here...August 7th







This awesome albino buck roamed our northwoods for years. I was fortunate enough to take this photo of him last fall. This winter was his last with








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Tuesday, August 10, 2010

'Fit with Your Jeans Cuisine' is up and running.

Hi to all our friends out there who love fresh food with flavour and still want to 'Fit in Your Jeans',


The long awaited 'Fit with your Jeans Cuisine' is up and running on my website http://www.babyboomerconnections.com.au/  then click on 'Fit with your Jeans Cuisine'.   It is an archive of the recipes posted on Grannycircle and Babyboomer blogs, with the added 'gift of my experience and life long passion for fabulous food.'     


I dedicate this, with love, to my daughter, who was so busy socialising, that she missed out on what was happening in the kitchen.    'Catch up time' now involves phone calls from the supermarket as to what would go with what etc.   I love those phone calls and hope they will continue for a long time, but it's also for others out there who like to eat well and still look great in jeans. (My son was an avid student in the kitchen at the time, motivated probably by a healthy appetite and with his creative mind, puts amazing flavours together.)


'Fit with Your Jeans Cuisine' is a work in progress and will evolve and morph with time.  I have to say that I am excited re the fluidity, and flexibility that this E medium allows me to express my ideas on  healthy concepts of food and fitness for all ages.
Clara
ps - They, ie my children, now teach and lecture me.  And yes, I still want the latest cookbook even though there is no room for any more.  I like Roberto's suggestion, "You can never have too many cookbooks.  When you run out of space, store them in the boot of your car."  A good Italian boy!
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Saturday, August 7, 2010

Chew Chew Philosophy invites comment

On pets - "It impresses me the power of companionship, the pivotal support that pets can provide in life. They share our emotional territory without judgement or blame. It is that atmosphere of acceptance - of wordless cheer- that is so deeply comforting even transforming."Pets" Barney Bardsley.

"Chew Chew, Sydney's first dog and cat restaurant, has a regularly changing menu, including beef steak and mushrooms, fish soup, chicken wings,  and treats such as goat's yoghurt jelly and lamb bones...."  Mosman Daily.  Owners are not catered for but can BYO. 

Ms  Okamoto, decided to start the restaurant when expanding her Chew Chew pet food business which provided home delivery of pet food and supplements.  (There is take away and home delivery for the shy or not so social animals.)


Her recipes are based on Japanese nutritional principles, focusing on balancing the meals which include carrot, pumpkin, shitake mushrooms mixed with organic meat.  Ms Okamoto believes that it is a mistake some people make to  give their pets just the same food as this could lead to nutrition deficiency.  She also "dishes up free consultation in pet care, nutrition, behaviour and training. 


Within the same article was the following:-

Big day out and a gelato treat

DOG-LOVERS can travel over the bridge on Sunday and treat their pooch to a gelato.

The Dogs Day Out, organised by Manly council, is at Clontarf Reserve from 10-30 am to 2 -30pm.
Dog owners can get a portrait of their pet, buy them a dog gelato and check out the market stalls.
There will also be demonstrations by the Manly and district kennel and dog training club and NSW police dog squad.  Details - 9976 1430


Clara - I did a quick Google (Carnivore V Omnivore) but there seems to be as many differing views re diets for pets as there are for bring up babies, so I'm not going there.  What I will say though, is that I think Ms Okamoto is a brave woman and I hope she is good at 'Crowd Control'.  Perhaps she also needs the NSW police dog squad on call.  Another thought is that it would be a lively, fun outing, perhaps ideal for 'meating up with new friends'. 

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Friday, August 6, 2010

First dog Restaurant opens in Sydney

I Need to Take a Big Breath...August 6th












and Paws for a Moment!













Three's Company...July 24th







The boys love their new shopping bag. Visit us at Wagfest at Mitchell Park in Brookfield on September 11th. For more information, go to http://www.ebhs.org/


Hi R
I thought you might enjoy this article from our local paper.  Clara


 Front Page headline -
'Princess chew-ses meals of perfection'


The North Shore really knows how to  pamper it's pooches with the first dog restaurant  opening its doors and serving up cappucinos and organic cupcakes. 
Chew Chewhas been open next to Wollstonecraft Station for just three weeks and has become a meeting place for dogs and their owners, founder and head chef Naiko Okamoto said. 

With a regularly changing menu, including beef steak and mushrooms, fish soup, chicken wings, and treats such as goat's yoghurt jelly and lamb bones, there is something for the fussiest canine.





Pasta bolognaise  - one of the doggy delights






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On becoming a granny

R wrote
Anthony Janis Foss...August 5th





Baby Anthony arrived today at 4:18 am. He weighed in at 7lb 4oz and 18 inches long. Everyone is doing great and he loves his pillows!

Tony is sooooooooooo beautiful!
 

The Miracle - "A single living cell in the mother's womb gives rise to a human being with all his/her complex systems after a nine-month adventure."

And to the grandparents a few platitudes which suddenly become true.

Grandchildren are the dots that connect the lines from generation to generation. ~Lois Wyse


When a child is born, so are grandmothers. ~Judith Levy


Never have children, only grandchildren. ~Gore Videl


Becoming a grandmother is wonderful. One moment you're just a mother. The next you are all-wise and prehistoric. ~Pam Brown


Being grandparents sufficiently removes us from the responsibilities so that we can be friends. ~Allan Frome


When grandparents enter the door, discipline flies out the window. ~Ogden Nash


Grandfathers are for loving and fixing things. ~Author Unknown


Everyone needs to have access both to grandparents and grandchildren in order to be a full human being. ~Margaret Mead

A grandma's name is little less in love than is the doting title of a mother. ~William Shakespeare


The best place to be when you're sad is Grandpa's lap. ~Author Unknown

It's amazing how grandparents seem so young once you become one. ~Author Unknown

 Soon I will be an old, white-haired lady, into whose lap someone places a baby, saying, "Smile, Grandma!" - I, who myself so recently was photographed on my grandmother's lap. ~Liv Ullmann

A child needs a grandparent, anybody's grandparent, to grow a little more securely into an unfamiliar world. ~Charles and Ann Morse

I particularly like the last quote since it means that even if you don't have grandchildren of your own, there are children near you who need a grandparent. 
Nonna Clara 

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Thursday, August 5, 2010

Everyone loves their pillly.

Hi R
I am blown away with your new collection re pillows.  Just happens to be an area where I spent time in a silk screening sense.  Which gives me appreciation for what you  have created below in just one week!!!!!!
Wild thing - I think I love you.........
Love Clara

Animal Parade...August 4th












For Baby Tony upon his arrival


Bobcat Bob...August 3rd





















The Lion...August 2nd






The lion in summer














Here Kitty, Kitty...August 1st







Another addition to my Wild Things collection, soon to be unleashed.















It's Raining...July 31st







Cats and Dogs

























Here's Looking at You Kit...July 30th







Another addition to my Wild Things Collection. It's in the bag.
















The Butterfly Effect...July 29th






















Cat Nap...July 28th
























Leaves of Grass...July 26th








As I Was Going to St Ives...July 26th






As I was going to St Ives I met a man with seven wives and each wife had seven sacks, and each sack had seven cats...





Let Bisons be Bisons...July 23rd



For Flora...I appliqued this fabric photo onto a pillow top and framed it with hand woven ikat fabric that I have been saving for just such a piece. The photo is one of many beautiful photos taken by my good friend Flora.





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