Hello Friday and friends!
It’s been a good end of the week in my part of the world – how about you?
Another great 5 for FRIDAY line-up today!
Beginning with the ART ILLUSTRATION featured today which was a Lobby Card for “The Philadelphia Story” starring Katherine Hepburn, Cary Grant and James (Jimmy) Stewart.
I didn’t know exactly what a Lobby Card was so I did the Google thing and here’s the definition according to gobacktothepast:
“Lobby cards are promotional photographs printed on heavy card stock paper. They were meant to be displayed in the massive lobbies of movie palaces before the film came out, working alongside posters to promote coming attractions. This gave audiences an early look at the film’s cinematic grandeur, albeit in still form.”
Now we know what Lobby cards are/were!
I haven’t been to a movie theater in quite a while, especially the “movie palace places” with massive lobbies and beautiful railings leading up the stairs to the balcony, elegant lighting and ornate carpeting (yes, there were actually 2 in Billings, Montana where I grew up – The Fox Theater and the Babcock Theater) – but I’m guessing Lobby Cards are no longer — anywhere.
Totally looks like they were a super cool advertisement for everyone-get-excited and get-ready for-the next coming cinematic attraction!
STEPHANIE’S CHIC ON THE CHEAP never disappoints with her creative ideas and sharing them with all of us!
I’m so gonna save a paper towel core and make a heart out of it and stamp some cards and gift bags for Valentine’s Day — and I’m even thinking to the back of envelopes that I send to friends, family and to whomever opens the envelope that I’ve mailed a check to pay a bill. HA! Random handmade heart surprise.
I failed to ask Steph after she zapped over her column several days ago if I could make 2 hearts with one paper towel core – one on each end – because that thought just cruised into my mind.
I totally have celery on my grocery list. PLUS pimento cheese.
I plan to cut the stalk of celery as Steph instructed, let it dry for a bit, and eat the celery ribs slathered with pimento cheese like I remember my grandpa doing and loving for a little snack.
I can’t believe how cool the “celery stalk roses” look! Hello organic art!
I, too, am thinking about which pair of faded jeans I have that will be the lucky one to get rose stamped! Love it.
Thanks, Steph, for another fun, outside the box TIP!
QUICK QUESTION
What’s a food combo I just can’t get behind? Me? Chicken and Waffles. True, ha.
WHALE STORY
Stole my heart. Daymakers – all of the rescue team members were to that Humpback Whale. Applause!
ZITI AND SPINACH BAKE RECIPE
Is fantastic. If I’m not its biggest fan – I don’t know who could be. I am in love with this recipe and have been for years. I’m so delighted that I was reminded of this recipe again, because I will be making it this weekend. One for now and one for later on. It’s a winner-winner-winner!
THANKS ONE AND ALL
For popping in today and giving us a read and a shout. We are so grateful.
READY? SET. READ ON!
STEPHANIE’S
CHIC ON THE CHEAP
Hello!
I found some fun DIY stamp ideas to share today – with stuff you probably already have around your house.
I’m thinking Valentine crafts with these stamps, however, hearts and roses are actually a year ’round thing.
You can use acrylic paint if you want to do your stamps on paper – or – fabric paint if you want to stamp on fabrics.
These stamps would make super cute cards, paper gift bags or you could use fabric paint to print on t-shirts, sweatshirts or a canvas tote bag!
So many options for both paper and fabric!
PIC #1
The first stamp is made with a paper towel roll.
Just roll in half, then push one of the folds inward to form a heart shape and secure with a rubber band.
PIC #2
This stamp is actually the end of a celery stalk – cut straight across. Then used to create a rose stamp!
Let your cut celery stalk dry out for a few hours — before using it as a stamp — so that the moisture will absorb out of the celery stalk.
(( Pro Tip))
To Avoid paint drips when I am stamping with paint, I never dip my stamp directly into the paint. Instead, I dip a sponge in the paint — then — apply it to the stamp.
Just thought of something else! You could “fancy up” some old, faded jeans by stamping on black roses (or any color) on the pockets or around the hem of the jeans.
Hmmm … I’m thinking what jeans I want to do this with!
Doesn’t get any easier than this!
Have fun stamping!
~ Stephanie’s Chic on the Cheap
is exclusive to Daymaker Readable Art
send questions or comments to Stephanie
in the Comment section of today’s episode
QUICK QUESTION
WHAT’S A FOOD COMBINATION YOU JUST CAN’T GET BEHIND?
THE WHALE
And the story goes like this:
A female humpback whale had become entangled in a spider web of crab traps and lines. She was weighted down by hundreds of pounds of traps that caused her to struggle to stay afloat. She also had hundreds of yards of line rope wrapped around her body, her tail, her torso, a line tugging in her mouth.
A fisherman spotted her just east of the Farralone Islands (outside the Golden Gate) and radioed an environmental group for help.
Within a few hours, the rescue team arrived and determined she was bad off, the only way to save her was to dive in and untangle her — a very dangerous proposition. One slap of the tail could kill a rescuer.
They worked for hours with curved knives and eventually freed her.
When she was free, the divers say she swam in what seemed like joyous circles. She then came back to each and every diver, one at a time, and nudged them, pushed them gently around. She thanked them.
Some said it was the most incredibly beautiful experience of their lives.
The guy who cut the rope out of her mouth says her eye was following him the whole time — and he will never be the same.
~ Courtesy of and with permission
poeticexpressions.co.uk
Thanks! Mike and the Team
ZITI AND SPINACH BAKE
I feel like I’ve posted this recipe maybe about a year ago – it’s sooo good and easy — Today, I’m giving it front row seat recipe spot. I’ve made it more times than I can count – I love it!
It’s an outstanding, meatless recipe that might possibly become a family favorite. I serve it with a large chunk of crusty, buttered bread on the side (think baguette).
Serves 8-10
HERE’S HOW WE MAKE IT:
IN A LARGE SKILLET, OVER MEDIUM-HIGH HEAT, SAUTE UNTIL LIGHTLY GOLDEN BROWN:
- Enough olive oil to saute the following 2 ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups finely chopped yellow onion
- 2 TBSP minced garlic
ONCE THE ONION AND GARLIC ARE SOFT AND HAPPY IN THE OLIVE OIL.
ADD AND STIR IN TO MAKE THE MARINARA SAUCE:
- 2 – 26 ounce cans diced of tomatoes (NOT drained)
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp pepper
- 1 TBSP dried Oregano
- 1 TBSP dried Basil
- 1 tsp dried red pepper flakes
SIMMER ABOUT AN HOUR OVER MEDIUM LOW HEAT – NO LID – STIRRING OCCASIONALLY UNTIL MUCH OF THE TOMATO LIQUID HAS EVAPORATED AND THE HERBS AND SPICES HAVE BECOME ONE WITH THE SAUCE.
WHILE MARINARA SAUCE IS SIMMERING:
IN A GIANT MIXING BOWL GENTLY STIR TOGETHER WITH A RUBBER SPATULA UNTIL WELL COMBINED:
- 3 eggs, lightly beaten with a fork
- 1 pound shredded Mozzarella cheese
- 1 pound Ricotta (matters not if its full fat ricotta or low fat ricotta).
- 1 – 28 ounce can of spinach, totally drained of its juices
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 pound Ziti pasta, cooked to package directions (al dente)
- 2/3 of the finished cooked marinara sauce
PREHEAT OVEN TO 375*
SPRAY A LARGE BAKING PAN (think sheet cake pan) WITH A NON-STICK SPRAY.
SPOON IN PASTA + MARINARA SAUCE + SPINACH MIXTURE FROM BOWL TO BAKING PAN
TOP WITH REMAINING 1/3 OF MARINARA SAUCE + ADDITIONAL 1 CUP SHREDDED MOZZARELLA CHEESE
COVER LOOSELY WITH FOIL AND BAKE 30 MINUTES
REMOVE FOIL AND BAKE AN ADDITIONAL 20 MINUTES UNTIL THE TOP CHEESE IS GOOEY MELTY
REMOVE FROM OVEN AND LET SIT ON COUNTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES
SERVE!
(( Pro Tip ))
This recipe can be divided between 2 smaller baking pans. I most often do it this way and use aluminum disposable pans (think 8″ x 8″).
Bake one on the day – as per recipe instructions above —
AND THEN!
Cover the 2nd pan in tightly wrapped foil and slide it in a giant plastic Ziplock bag and put it in the freezer.
Use a marker to write “Thaw and bake at 375* for 50 minutes” – to remind yourself – and freeze it to bake another day!
Ta-dah!
~ Hippie Cowboy recipe box
Ziti and Spinach! Two of my Favs!
Stacy, hi!
This Ziti and Spinach bake is a rockstar! Promise.
Can’t wait to hear your feedback when you have a chance to make it.
Pretty sure the opening line of your feedback review will start with 3 letters — OMG
Thanks for the read and giving us a little extra love with a comment. HUGE
Totally love Stephanie’s celery roses! Simple and beautiful. And appreciate her tip about applying the paint to a sponge then the stamp. Sure to save on cleanup!
Sweet sweet whale story. Never underestimate nature!
Always appreciate meatless recipes and the spinach and zita sounds delightfully satisfying.
Happy weekend!
Agree, Carol, the celery roses are simple and beautiful + the pro tip about applying paint to a sponge and then to the stamp. Learning curve be gone! ha
The Whale story has been popping in my mind from time to time. Such a great story of heart. I can actually picture the whale’s eye (as the rescue diver reported) watching him cut the rope around the mouth. Sooooo cool.
Spinach and ziti recipe – can’t wait for your feedback when you have an opportunity to give it a spin in your kitchen!
Grateful for your support in reading and engaging. So very special and meaningful.
Stephanie’s Easy Stamping Ideas: What a great idea for us grandmothers to share when our little ones come to visit.
Now for Today’s cartoon characters: I look forward to them each week as they always cause me to laugh. Like today’s Moses crossing the Red Sea with cell phone technology. And then there’s the turtle covering up his head as he watches a scary movie. It reminds me of our 2 year old grandson when watching scary cartoons, he would stand behind grandpa’s high backed chair and peak around on occasion. Nice memories.
Indeed Steph’s stamping ideas are a total hero-with-your-cape-on fun for when little ones come to visit!
Love the story of your little 2 year old grandson peaking around Grandpa’s chair watching a little scary at a time on a cartoon.
Indeed, good memories.
Thanks, Marty. Appreciate ya!