Artist Spotlight: Jacob Hashimoto and his epic "Gas Giant"

"Epic" does not convey how big and all-encompassing this art installation is. Right now, "Gas Giant"...the awe-inspiring paper kite installation by artist Jacob Hashimoto...is on display at the Museum of Contemporary Art Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles until June 8th.  

The Los Angeles Times likened Hashimoto's masterpiece to "weather", which I completely agree with.  The installation reaches to the highest point of the museum and spreads across the area, drifting low and rolling through the space.  I love that though the thousands of kites are not moving, taken as a group they seem to be  in motion as if they have become the clouds and are slowly dipping and rising to completely immerse people in the installation.  "Gas Giant" is an experience...which is the best kind of artwork.

I WANT to see this installation in person...but for now I will have to live vicariously through other people.  LOVE it!

(photos via Supertouch)

My Pinterest Menu: Week of March 24th

I was feeling like moving to more of a Spring inspired menu this week...until yesterday.  Winter seems to be determined to stick around a little longer, so instead of fighting it, I'm going to go with it.  I am cooking up some of the more comforting foods I have on Pinterest this week.  I am really excited about the Autumn Arugula Salad.  Maybe a little too excited : )

Some hits from last week were the Bangers and Colcannon with Guinness Onion Gravy and the Honey Lime Tequila Shrimp Tacos. Both were super good!

Here is this week's menu...Enjoy : )   

Monday: Mongolian Beef

via Just a Taste

Tuesday: Autumn Arugula Salad

via how sweet eats

Wednesday: Roasted Pork Loin with White Wine, Garlic and Rosemary 

via Daily Dish Magazine

Thursday: Chicken and Sweet Pepper Linguine Alfredo

via Better Homes and Gardens

Friday: Guinness Beef Stew with Cheddar Herb Dumplings

via Host The Toast

The Grocery List:

Mongolian Beef- (this recipe serves 2, double to serve 4)

• Vegetable oil
  1/2 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
  1 tablespoon minced garlic
  1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
  1/2 cup water
  2/3 cup dark brown sugar
  1 (1-pound) flank steak
  1/4 cup cornstarch
  3 scallions (green parts only), sliced into 1-inch pieces
• Autumn Arugula Salad-
  2 tablespoons coconut oil
  1 acorn squash, sliced in 1/2-inch thick rounds and seeds removed
  1/4 teaspoon salt
  1/4 teaspoon pepper
  2 teaspoons brown sugar
  1/2 cup whole pecans, chopped
  1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  6 cups baby arugula
  1 avocado, sliced
  1 pomegranate, arils removed
  1 seedless cucumber, sliced
  1/3 cup pomegranate juice
  1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  1/2 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
  1 garlic clove, freshly grated
  1/4 teaspoon salt
  1/4 teaspoon pepper
  1/3 cup olive oil
• Roasted Pork Loin with White Wine, Garlic and Rosemary-
  1 Pork tenderloin
  1/4 cup olive oil, plus about 2 tablespoons for searing the tenderloin
  1 cup white wine
  Juice of one lemon
  3-4 cloves of garlic, minced
  1 small yellow onion, chopped
  Fresh rosemary, about 2-3 sprigs
  Kosher salt and black pepper
• Chicken and Sweet Pepper Linguine Alfredo-
  6 ozs dried whole wheat linguine
  2 tsp canola oil
  1 medium red sweet pepper
  1 medium zucchini and/or yellow summer squash
  8 ozs. package chicken stir fry strips
  1 10 oz. container refrigerated light Alfredo pasta sauce
  1/3 c finely shredded Parmesan, Romano or Asiago cheese
  2 tsp snipped fresh thyme
  1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• Guinness Beef Stew with Cheddar Herb Dumplings-
  2 lbs stew meat / beef chunk
  ¼ lb applewood-smoked bacon
  1 onion, finely chopped
  1 stick celery, chopped
  2 carrots, peeled and chopped
  2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  2 turnips, peeled and diced
  2 parsnips, diced
  4 oz tomato paste
  12 oz Guinness extra stout
  4 cups low sodium beef broth
  2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  1 bay leaf
  3 sprigs thyme
  Chopped parsley
  ½ lb cremini mushrooms, sliced
  1 ½ cups self-rising flour
  ½ tsp garlic powder
  ¼ cup shortening
  ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar
  ⅔ cup milk
  1-2 tablespoons mixed fresh herbs, chopped

A Saturday Song...

I am excited about this weekend.  We don't have anything planned, but I am excited nonetheless.  It is going to be a beautiful day! And even though I was only away from the girls for one weekend, I am excited to have a couple days with them, where I don't have to be saying "hurry" and let's go" : )

Here is a song for your Saturday...

)

I hope you have a wonderful weekend : )

The Friday Five...

Last week was all about getting ready for my annual weekend getaway with my high school girlfriends. We went to NASHVILLE this year...and it was nothing like I though it would be...and everything I wanted it to be.  I wanted to share Nashville with you as soon as I got back, but I have been trying to get life back to normal this week, which took a lot more time and energy than I thought it would.  I mean, I was only gone for three days!  

Anyway, next week, I am Nashville bound...at least in pictures : ) Until then, here are a few things I LOVED this past week...

{ This cowboy may be my favorite of all time.  He was the greeter at the door of what turned
out to be my favorite architectural salvage store in Franklin, TN.  LOVE him! }

{ In preparation for my trip, I bought a new camera bag, that looks nothing like a camera bag.
 I LOVE it!  Finally, I can go everywhere without looking like a tourist...even though I might be : )  }

{ I arrived home from my trip to find that my new specs arrived while I was gone.  Ink black and
ballet pink two-tone frames : )  Lookmatic will go down in history as one of my favorite finds of all time! }

{ We got to do a lot of things in Nashville, but I think The Patterson House was a favorite for many
of us.  Can't go wrong with a secretive "depression era" style speakeasy .  }

{ When I got home...I was greeted at the door with flowers and the sweetest letter
from my family.  I should go away more often : )  Blessed! }

What are Your Five?