Dining Creatively with Creative Friends

Week Eight - dining on "H'
with the Happy Hippy Helen ...

This blog explores the art of FINE DINING in the company of CREATIVE FRIENDS.
Each week I hold a dinner party themed on a letter of the alphabet - A to Z.
The menu follows the alphabet, and at each dinner I host a creative guest of honour whose name also corresponds with that letter of the alphabet.
Each guest and their work is featured on this blog - and there is also be A to Z etiquette tips for the guests at the end of each posting ...

slaving away in the kitchen ...

And finally at the end of the blogging ( November ) you will be able to purchase a creative book featuring the guests and the recipes.
__________________________________________

... enjoy dinner with Helen ( and other guests Barry and Fiona, Noela and Carolyn ) ...
but first ...

Hypochondriac's Grace by Fred Moore

Dear Lord, we ask you if you will,
put your blessing on this meal.
We ask you Father, if it pleases,
protect us from these new diseases.

Please bless the spinach, and the romaine.
And cleanse it of some lurking ptomaine.
God, bless our ice cream and our cola.
Pray it's not teaming with ebola.

And pray the deli didn't sell us
coleslaw ripe with salmonellus.
We also ask a special blessing;
no botulism in the dressing.

While we regard your higher power,
make sure the deviled eggs aren't sour.
And please Lord, bless our sirloin tip,
and purge it of E. Coli's grip.

A special blessing on the sherry,
oh Lord, we need no dysentery,
so it not poisons, nor impacts,
or liquefies our lower tracts.

And Lord, make sure no one is able
to get sick and die upon this table.
So bless, Lord, all this food we share.
Insure no deadly virus there.

And once we're full and satiated,
we pray we aren't all contaminated,
and wind up just another toll,
for the Center for Disease Control.

One last thing Lord, if it's OK,
Please hold this blessing that we pray.
For all this fear, and all this fright,
has made us lose our appetite.

***Amen***
___________________________________________

.... H ....

Guest of honour
Helen Almberg










Entree #1...
Halloumi cheese
with pea & avo salad







Entree #2...
Pickled Herring
with egg salad






Main Course...
Hot Dog !!!
with vegies







Dessert...
Hazelnut Flourless
Chocolate Cake





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Artist in Profile - Helen Almberg

I was born in Stockholm, Sweden.
After 3 years of textile, weaving and sowing studies and wanting to be a fashion/ costume designer I went on to do another 3 years at Beckman’s College of Design. I did get to work on a few film productions – none of which were very memorable, except for Ingmar Bergman’s version of Mozart’s “The Magic Flute”.

1978 - Stockholm
third from left ...



I ended up as a graphic artist working for advertising agencies in Stockholm. Then after 10 years of late nights and deadlines, decided that it was time for something totally different and migrated here to Australia – ending up on Magnetic Island.













After 12 years on the Island, which included being a founding member of the Magnetic Island Arts Coop, I moved to glorious Maleny in 2001.
So much of my inspiration comes from the love of typografi, symbols, colour and texture.
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Etiquette Tips from Madame de Plumes ...










Humour is an essential part of the Australian personality. Their humour is often aimed at themselves or their country, and is often self-deprecating.
If you are teased, you are expected to reply in kind, with good humour. Such self-confidence will increase an Australian's respect for you. They do not admire a subservient attitude.
But more than anything Australians enjoy baiting foreigners. It is their way of making you feel at home.
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The next posting will be 11 October - when you'll meet "I" - that's me !!! and dine heartily on the handmade healthy "I" menu.
_________________________________________

To receive regular updates on this blog -
follow the prompts at the top of this page ...
and please pass this Blog onto all your Blogging Foodie Friends ...

Cheers - Ken Munsie

Dining Creatively with Creative Friends

Week Seven with the Green Gastronome Gary ...

This blog explores the art of FINE DINING in the company of CREATIVE FRIENDS.
Each week I hold a dinner party themed on a letter of the alphabet - A to Z.
The menu follows the alphabet, and at each dinner I host a creative guest of honour whose name also corresponds with that letter of the alphabet.
Each guest and their work is featured on this blog - and there is also be A to Z etiquette tips for the guests at the end of each posting ...
And finally at the end of the blogging ( November ) you will be able to purchase a creative book featuring the guests and the recipes.













... enjoy dinner with Gary ( and other guests "thanks for the Stocks" Wendy and Noela ) ...

but first ...

Great Galloping Gourmets!
- Garry Claridge - August 2010

Got:
Garlic in the soup
Grenache in the goblet
Goulash on the spoon
Greens in the gourd
Glaze on the pikelet
Gorgeous guests

Gorging gracefully with growing gastronomy
Glade gut-full - Gotta go
Grateful Goodbye
_______________________________________________

... G ...






guest of honour
Garry Claridge









Guacamole

Garlic Soup

Gnocchi
and Greek Salad







Grilled Pineapple Crepes
with Grapefruit Possett




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Artist in Profile - Garry Claridge - Artist, IT whizz and Federal Greens Candidate

In my early teens my mother accused me of being a "daydreamer". Maybe being "right-brain" dominant, and "left-handed", explains that!

Perhaps, my "daydreaming" is important in my work as an informations systems developer and my social developmental efforts as a "systems thinker". While developing software (programming), being creative is very important, as the process can be very free-form, with the results potentially showing great variance from a perceived purpose.

My art is mostly experimental, that is because I "never-have-time" to grasp a particular style. Photography has always been my artistic base; probably been too impatient to become proficient at other forms. Since moving to Maleny in 2000 I have been tutored in drawing by Peter Hollard, and watercolour painting by James Fearnley. These new skills have given me greater scope to express my need for artistic escape (just wish I had more time ;). The COMA exhibitions have also been a great help in providing motivation to produce art pieces and hence gain confidence.













The other passion is the need for a more peaceful, equitable and sustainable world. As a systems thinker, and with background studies in mathematical modelling and economics, I understand, and dream about, what is possible! Hence, my involvement with The Greens.

Taking the next step is one of both individual and collective courage.
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Etiquette Tips from Madame de Plumes ...










Good manners put people at their ease and brings out the best in all of us. Good manners indicate a sensitivity; in contrast, those without good manners are society's outcasts and are generally short on friends!
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The next posting will be Tuesday 14 September - when you'll hobnob with the happy hippy "H", and dine heartily on the handmade healthy "h" menu.
___________________________________________

To receive regular updates on this blog -
follow the prompts at the top of this page ...
and please pass this Blog onto all your Blogging Foodie Friends ...

Cheers - Ken Munsie

Dining Creatively with Creative Friends

Week Six and the fabulous Fiona fascinates ...

This blog explores the art of FINE DINING in the company of CREATIVE FRIENDS.
Each week I hold a dinner party themed on a letter of the alphabet - A to Z.
The menu follows the alphabet, and at each dinner I host a creative guest of honour whose name also corresponds with that letter of the alphabet.
Each guest and their work is featured on this blog - and there is also be A to Z etiquette tips for the guests at the end of each posting ...
And finally at the end of the blogging ( November ) you will be able to purchase a creative book featuring the guests and the recipes.

... enjoy dinner with Fiona ( and other guests Audrey, Barry, Priscilla and Rick ) ... but first ...

Fate's Cruel Blow ... by Buttercup

Oh! to be a cauliflower
beside a Brussel Sprout
deep within my cauli heart
I'd positively shout

I'd be happy in a casserole
consomme or stew
oh! my little Brussel Sprout
if there I was with you

I'd pass up all the carrots
the peas hold no attraction
from my little Brussel Sprout
I'd get my satisfaction

I'd swim on through the gravy
with hope arising still
oh! my little Brussel Sprout
love, must have it's fill

Searching for my long lost love
I'd inch across the plate
oh! my little Brussel Sprout
I fear it is too late

With knife and fork descending
the end is very near
oh! my little Brussel Sprout
do not shed a tear

With cries of help ascending
as I slithered down his throat
oh! my little Brussel Sprout
I hope the blighter chokes !!
___________________________________________

... F ...












Guest of honour - Fiona Dempster










Entree - Fetta and Basil hash Browns










Mains - Filet of Fish with Fragrant Rice and Fennel Bake










Dessert - Fruit Fondue
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Artist in Profile - Fiona Dempster - Calligrapher, Book Maker

I describe myself as a calligraphic and book artist, because I love letters, words and books and they form the basis of my artwork.

I am a self confessed cartaphile (my made up word for paper-lover), graphyophile (my made up word for lover of writing) and bibliophile (lover of books and I didn’t make that one up).














I am not a fan of the arts-crafts divide and arguments that rage in the pages of art journals and in the halls of art schools about what is art and what is craft (usually suggesting that ‘art’ is better than ‘craft’); I have never felt ‘lesser’ than a painter because I am a designer and a maker!

My work is often quiet, small and intimate. It quietly draws you in and asks you to spend some time with it.

This is in part why I love artist’s books - books that allow the viewer to be intimate with the work; to have a one on one experience and to be drawn into the artist’s world, often quietly and
slowly.

You can follow Fiona's Blog at ... < http://paperponderings.blogspot.com >
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Etiquette Tips from Madame de Plumes ...







Formal etiquette requires that when writing to a divorced lady you address her as Mrs Jane Smith but when writing to a widow, she is Mrs Jonathan Smith - as when she was married. However, unfortunately the modern trend is just to call her plain Jane Smith, most inelegant!
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The next posting will be Tuesday 10 August - when you'll meet
the green gastronome "G", and dine on the generous "g" menu.
___________________________________________

To receive regular updates on this blog -
follow the prompts at the top of this page ...
and please pass this Blog onto all your Blogging Foodie Friends ...

Cheers - Ken Munsie

Dining Creatively with Creative Friends ...

Week Five and the enigmatic Emma entertains ...

This blog explores the art of FINE DINING in the company of CREATIVE FRIENDS.
Each week I hold a dinner party themed on a letter of the alphabet - A to Z.
The menu follows the alphabet, and at each dinner I host a creative guest of honour whose name also corresponds with that letter of the alphabet.
Each guest and their work is featured on this blog - and there is also be A to Z etiquette tips for the guests at the end of each posting ...
And finally at the end of the blogging ( November ) you will be able to purchase a creative book featuring the guests and the recipes.
... enjoy dinner with E ( and other guests Jacquie, Don, Lisa and Steve ) ... but first ...

Elvers - James Crowden

Thin filaments smelling of the North Atlantic
Prone to the Gulf Stream and Spring tides
Are drawn by the moon

Into the clutches of man and boy
Wriggling filaments that crawl to the sides
Of slimy rivers, rhynes and ditches

Glass eels, a rite of passage
For all concerned,
Translucent, pale and gelatinous,

Taoist delicacy, avowed aphrodisiac
Fry up gently in bacon fat
Break in an egg or two.

Scramble, stir and serve on toast
Chopped herbs, the elver cake
Very welcome in the hungry gap.
_________________________________________

... E ...





Guest of Honour ...
Emma McDonald









Entree ... Egg and Cheese Puffs









Main Course ... Enchiladas

Dessert ... Eggnog and Rum cake

_________________________________________

Artist in Profile - Emma McDonald ... Visual Artist

Emma is an artist of extraordinary talent and versatility. Her arts practice envelops all genre from draughting, sculpture and painting through to calligraphy and map making.
She has exhibited her sculptural works and works on paper with great acclaim and success in galleries in Sydney and Maleny.
Emma is currently part of a team of Maleny artisans working on unique musical instruments. They are Hubbub ...

HUBBUB MUSIC

Emma and Steve

Hubbub is a troupe of music lovers who formed in 1995, moved by a common fascination with the power of music, and by a conviction that 'music is everywhere'.
As well as our SOUND PLAYGROUND, PERMANENT SOUND INSTALLATIONS and HUMAN RHYTHM WORKSHOPS, other preformances and activities include musical street and stage theatre, catered to suit any festivity or event.

We have developed a set of unique programmes for schools, playgrounds, and community festivals and celebrations - suitable for all ages, abilities and nationalities.
The main focus of all our activities is to broaden musical accessibility in our communities, by providing interactive musical installations, workshop facilitation and active performance art.

Emma

Hubbub Music have completed many projects over the last few years.
Many are permanent fixtures such as a number of their outdoor installations. Others by their very nature, only exist for a short period of time - but retain a lasting impact.

Emma and Steve




Says Emma: “Steve’s choice of application to a musical format helps people that don’t necessarily understand music. The music is very accessible and it doesn’t take much effort to get a good sound out of hitting a tuned bar.”
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Etiquette Tips from Madame de Plumes ...

Eating before your host or hostess have started their meal, is ill mannered, even if you are feeling ravenous. And Please - eat everything that is put on your plate, or at least most of it. Rejection is rather rude and besides, remember the starving millions in other parts of the world.
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The next posting will be Tuesday 03 August - when you'll meet
the fabulous "F", and dine on the flavorous "f" menu.

___________________________________________

To receive regular updates on this blog -
follow the prompts at the top of this page ...
and please pass this Blog onto all your Blogging Foodie Friends ...
Cheers - Ken Munsie

Week Four and the dapper David delights ...

Dining Creatively with Creative Friends ...

This blog explores the art of FINE DINING in the company of CREATIVE FRIENDS.
Each week I hold a dinner party themed on a letter of the alphabet - A to Z.
The menu follows the alphabet, and at each dinner I host a creative guest of honour whose name also corresponds with that letter of the alphabet.
Each guest and their work is featured on this blog - and there is also be A to Z etiquette tips for the guests at the end of each posting ...
And finally at the end of the blogging ( November ) you will be able to purchase a creative book featuring the guests and the recipes.

... enjoy dinner with D ( and other guests Helen, Judith, Alan and Audrey ) ... but first ...
_________________________________________

Local Valentine Limericks ...
penned by David Crewe

There was a young lady called Pam
Met a boy at Baroon Pocket dam
She had one night of bliss
But the problem with this –
She has ended up pushing a pram.

A churchgoing lady from Noosa
Said that morals were getting much looser
She found it was true
After Hymn 92
When the organist tried to seduce her.

The was a young lady called Esther
Who stripped in the woods at Peachester
She got only as far
As her knickers and bra
When the police came along to arrest her.

There was a young lady called Janey
Who had seven kids in Maleny
When asked why it was
She said it’s because
There’s not much to do when it’s rainy.

There was a young lady from Witta
Who claimed that she wasn’t a quitter
But she ran from the table
As fast as she’s able
From the thing on her bottom that bit her.

Mick and Mabel who lived in Eumundi
Only had sex on Sunday
But Mable was keener
So she went to Yandina
And did it with Nigel on Monday.
_________________________________________

... D ...



Guest of Honour ...
David Crewe

Entree ...
Dolmades ( home made of course )
served with avocado, rocket and Fetta

Mains ...
Drumsticks
cooked slowly in lemon juice
served with Dijon drenched cabbage,
potatoes and rice noodles






Dessert ...
Decadently dark
chocolate truffel






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Artist in Profile ... David Crewe
- Actor

Words inspire me, written or spoken– but especially the spoken word. I love the rhythms of Shakespeare’s blank verse; the purity and condensed wit of a perfect limerick; the power of a simple idea to move nations, expressed in the greatest speeches; and the ability of talented actors to touch our emotions when they take hold of a writer’s script.
The words may be written down first, but when transformed into speech they are new born, taking on a new life: able to excite, intrigue, arouse, amuse, challenge and even inflame.










Churchill knew this: “We shall fight them on the beaches….”. Kennedy knew this:” Ask not what you country can do for you….”;Lincoln knew this: “…..a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.” And the greatest preachers, demagogues, dictators and warmongers of all time knew this.
We use words in every part of human activity, and where they don’t exist to communicate what we have to, we make new ones, or adapt old ones. We have words for sounds, words for feelings, words for the smallest particles that make up our physical world and even a single word, on its own, can conjure.
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Etiquette Tips from Madame de Plumes ...









Don't forget to divulge to the host your eating disorders on being invited to dine.
To announce your inability to eat fish just as the seafood pie is being served, is such a No No ...
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The next posting will be Tuesday 13 July - when you'll meet
Ms E from Witta, and dine elegantly on the "E" menu.
_________________________________________

To receive regular updates on this blog -
follow the prompts at the top of this page ...
and please pass this Blog onto all your Blogging Friends ...
Cheers - Ken Munsie

Week Three - Carolyn Dines in Style

Dining Creatively with Creative Friends ...

This blog explores the art of FINE DINING in the company of CREATIVE FRIENDS.
Each week I hold a dinner party themed on a letter of the alphabet - A to Z.
The menu follows the alphabet, and at each dinner I host a creative guest of honour whose name also corresponds with that letter of the alphabet.
Each guest and their work is featured on this blog - and there is also be A to Z etiquette tips for the guests at the end of each posting ...
And finally at the end of the blogging ( November ) you will be able to purchase a creative book featuring the guests and the recipes ... enjoy C ... but first ...
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Curried Squirrel - James Crowden

Take a brace of squirrel,grey not red
Not poisoned, better shot,
One assumes they are already dead.

You have to experiment, it is the only way
My brother brought them home
Cooked them on the Saturday.

Oriental spices wafted through the house
Coriander, cumin, turmeric and ginger
Could have been rabbit, badger or mouse.

Don't be fooled, they are a menace of course
Ruthlessly stripping leaves from tree to tree,
Remove the shot, the secret is in the sauce.
_________________________________________

... C ...








Guest of Honour - Carolyn Fowles-Prince









Cauliflower and Potato Soup






Chicken Korma with Cashews
served with Carrot and Cabbage
and Rice








Chocolate and Cranberry Mousse

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Artist in Profile ... Carolyn Fowles-Prince

Carolyn first started dancing at the age of seven after nagging her parents silly to let her go to ballet. After studying ballet, modern, tap and national dancing styles for many years she eventually embarked on a four year B.Ed in dance. There she studied contemporary and classical dance, choreography, dance history and appreciation and teaching dance in an educational setting.

..."C" at the bar ...

On leaving university, she managed nightclubs for the Rank Organisation for four years and then returned to teaching at Braintree College on a full-time performing arts course, teaching pre-university students. Her favourite memories from this time include taking a group of students to dance at London Festival Hall in a national choreographic competition, putting on numerous shows ie 'Jesus Christ Superstar', 'Westside Story' and 'the Crucible'. She worked with a great group of very talented teachers and students, many of whom have remained friends to this day.

In 2002 Carolyn and husband Mark moved to Australia and up to Maleny in 2005. Here they enjoy the green natural surroundings and vibrant arts community. Although Carolyn isn't teaching any longer, she still has a strong love of dance and may return to teaching at some point in the future.
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Etiquette Tips from Madame de Plumes

Conversation is a matter of equal give and take. Never turn your back to the person sitting beside you. Don’t talk about yourself all night because after all you may not be very interesting !
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The next posting will be Wednesday 30 June -

when you'll dine divinely on delicious "D"

and meet the dapper Mr D.
_________________________________________

To receive regular updates on this blog -

follow the prompts at the top of this page ...

and please pass this Blog onto all your Blogging Friends ...
Cheers - Ken Munsie

__________________________________________

Week Two - Meet Barry

Dining Creatively with Creative Friends ...

This blog explores the art of FINE DINING in the company of CREATIVE FRIENDS.
Each week I hold a dinner party based on a letter of the alphabet - A to Z. The menu follows the alphabet, and at each dinner I host a guest of honour whose name also corresponds with that letter of the alphabet.
Each guest and their work is featured on this blog - and there is also be A to Z etiquette tips for the guests at the end of each posting ...
And finally at the end of the blogging ( November ) you will be able to purchase a creative book featuring the guests and the recipes ... enjoy B ... but first ...
_________________________________

Thank you to Lyn and Rodney for this poem by Elisabeth Rowe ...

A la Carte ...

Let me prepare for you
Cornfed carp with a coulis of saffron marmalade
Filo parcel of snails in sorrel sauce

Let me bring to your table
Caribbean caviar with galette of pistachio and endive
Ballotine of quail with mozzarella

Consider tonight’s special
Rack of pigeon with roquefort and chargrilled pinenuts
Red mullet in a maple syrup marinade

And for the sweet tooth
Quenelles of passion fruit parfait with parmesan shavings
Beetroot sorbet in a spun sugar basket

Don’t come here to eat
If you don’t know your bourride from your bouillabaisse
Don’t cry for me, fettucine

This is my philosophy:
Recipes are like dogs, they can smell fear; saucepans have ears
Knives have a way of cutting
_________________________________

... B ...











Guest of Honour - Barry Smith

Brie and Baba Ghanoush on Bread

Borscht

Beef with Prunes, Basmati Rice & Broccoli

Dessert

Bombe
filled with berries
and Lemon Ice Cream

_______________________________________________

Artist in Profile ... Barry Smith









the artist at work

Barry Smith is a sculptural artist and metal worker who lives and works in Maleny in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Queensland, Australia.
Barry recycles materials and objects to create three dimensional forms. His sculptural work brings together discarded timber, rusted metal and rods, copper and brass plate and wire and rivets.
Barry works salvaged timber to bring out the richness of its colour and grain and often contrasts this with rusted or patinated metals. Barry’s sculptural work tends to emphasises sharp edges, clear lines, squares, cubes and grid patterns.
In the main his metal work focuses on objects such as palm held bowls, incense burners and fonts that reflect and aid quietness, stillness and meditation.




Bowl 10: Crystals
Recycled brass strainer, glass beads, crystals,brass rod & timber.
200mm high

He works with other artists to create and promote placemaking artworks that contribute to a sense of place and community.
Barry is a member of the Collaboration of Maleny Artists (COMA), National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) and Arts Connect Inc . Barry is also a founding member of ArtSite a community enterprise that promotes and manages community placemaking art in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
Barry’s work is also held in private collections in Canberra, Brisbane, Aceh, Melbourne, Japan and Sunshine Coast and Hinterland.

http://www.rustnstuff.blogspot.com/

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Etiquette Tips from Madame de Plumes








Be prompt in answering invitations. Formal written ones require a formal written reply unless otherwise indicated. Details of the invitation should be repeated in the acceptance or refusal.
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Next Posting will be Tuesday 22 June ... meet "C" ...
To receive regular updates on this blog - follow the prompts at the top of this page ...
cheers - Ken Munsie
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