|
|
Blog
1/6/09 - Holiday traveling/visiting is coming to an end, but with a flurry and a flu. I'll be back home (barring flight cancellations) late tuesday night, and wednesday will be spent shipping orders. And I'll also get caught up on this week, inking etc. But for now, I did rough pencils, so you'd have something to enjoy. :)
Best wishes, -christopher
-------------------------
1/2/09 - I can't help but think today's strip is a bit crueler than usual. But, I couldn't change it because Blake is too much ME here, especially the last frame. And it makes me laugh because my friends and I joke about it sometimes. AND because I'm changing and this is more a shadow of who I was (I hope).
Anyhow. Sorry (kidding).
-christopher
-------------------------
1/1/09 - Happy New Year! I hope it's a great one for you. :)
-christopher
-------------------------
12/31/08 - Wow, I'm getting a lot of suggestions for books, thank you all! I'll try to compile the list and post it, and then review them one-by-one as I read them. :)
-c
-------------------------
12/29/08 - QUESTION! I'm looking for book recommendations. but let me specify.
I'm currently about 2/3 through reading "Ender's Game" and am amazed. I want to read other books like this. So, first, what qualities in this book I am drawn to and inspired by?
The characters are truly clever/tactical/politically-savvy, they push themselves really hard, they are confident.
Possibly the main striking difference to me from the usual "hero" novel is that the usual protagonist is not confident and is tested until they have the will and confidence to do what is needed. In the books I am looking for, the characters have some of this doubt, but mostly from the beginning know they've already passed that threshold, and what they really need is to refine what they have, or to have their strengths severely pushed by circumstance or intention (crime, villain, political motivation, etc).
The only other book which readily comes to mind is "Trickster's Choice" by Tamora Pierce.
So, I'm not looking for your favorite sci-fi or fantasy novel, please. What I'm looking for are books which share these qualities I mentioned. And if they're on audiobook, I will definitely read them. if they are only on paper, I will do my best, but I am a slow reader, I rarely have time for full fledge on reading.
If you have ideas, thank you ahead of time! Email me!
-------------------------
12/27/08 - A "Boston Kreme" is a Bismark to most everyone outside of the New England area. "The poor woman's eclair" as it were.
I am so pleased that having Dee show up with a shovel and donuts precludes any need to explain anything.
-------------------------
12/25/08 - BTW, happy holidays to everyone. I've been a bit distracted to mention it. :)
I've had a lovely week. Making latkes and Borsht with Siri and Anya. Opening "Chrismas" (no "t." They cheerfully named it thus for my benefit) gifts from my family with them before I flew off again. Lighting the menorah with Jess, Filipo, and family (and more latkes, and I learned to make applesauce: EASY!).
Anyhow. Greetings and warm wishes and all that. I made a pie on Saturday (Mac apple with butterscotch pieces tossed in), but forgot to take a picture. But here's a present from my brother and my sister-in-law. Very well, I am aptly branded. :)
And a picture and my nephew (the other) Miles and I. Cheers!
-------------------------
12/24/08 - Thank you all for the nice comments I received about yesterday's strip. :)
Now? Me and luggage and location all united. Although, burning it at both ends here. And like a year ago, I find myself getting ready to go stand in the front yard in the freezing snow at 3:00 in the morning to upload the strip because that's the closest wireless signal. Life is full of obstacles, and I am glad that for the most part they amuse me.
-------------------------
12/23/08 - Whew, weather is nutty! I'm stuck somewhere, going to somewhere else, and all my drawing stuff is in a third location. but I wrote today's strip, and uploaded it through my phone. I'll see what i can do tomorrow to get back on top of it all.
-------------------------
12/22/08 - So far I have survived the snow, although it may be a foot deep, and doesn't show signs of stopping.
-------------------------
12/20/08 - It is blizzarding outside. Tonight I drive across three states while it continues to blizzard. I'd be more concerned, but I'm a slow and cautious driver, and it's awfully pretty.
-------------------------
12/19/08 - Today's strip makes me really happy. For various reasons.
-------------------------
12/16/08 - Inked!
-------------------------
12/16/08 - Today was an unexpected day of travel, and it is 3:00am and I only have the pencils done.
Enjoy! I'll ink it sometime after waking. :)
-------------------------
12/9/08 - I'm leaving today for a month (to visit family for the holidays).
Any original artwork from before December 1st won't be shipped until January 7th.
I will be working from the road, and the strip will continue as normal, and I will have every strip after December 1st with me and so I will be able to ship those.
Topatoco handles my books and T-shirts, so they won't be affected.
-------------------------
12/8/08 - I am leaving tomorrow for a month (to visit family for the holidays). If you wish to purchase any original artwork dating before December 1st, it needs to be ordered today or else it won't be shipped until January 7th.
I will be working from the road, and the strip will continue as normal, and I will have every strip after December 1st with me and so I will be able to ship those.
Topatoco handles my books and T-shirts, so they won't be affected.
-------------------------
12/1/08 - I am entertained by this turn. I just wanted a "normal" song and dance routine, but the music accidentally ended up being somewhat... industrial. Hm. I guess even Little Dee and Bjork intersect at some point.
-------------------------
12/2/08 - Sometimes you're just in the mood to dance.
A couple things.
I am traveling to visiting family on December 10th. I will not bring originals pre-Dec-1st with me, so if you wish to order an original strip from the archive, do it before December 8th, or it will have to wait to be shipped until the January 6th (I know, it's wayyyy too long, I agree).
General holiday ordering through Topatoco. If you wish it shipped by the holidays, DO IT NOW! And again, they now have gift certificates, which is nice, and good for any Topatoco merchandise.
Jeffrey Rowland of Topatoco just informed me: "International orders need to use Express/Priority/UPS and US orders should consider ordering before December 12 if they want their things for Christmas."
-------------------------
12/1/08 - Yeesh. Is it December already?
-------------------------
11/29/08 - I think the bathroom is a funny place, if you have a talking fish in the tub.
-------------------------
11/28/08 - So, this pie-making happened on Wednesday.
My friends Danielle and Matt came over Naomi's (who is away, I am house-sitting) and we made pies. Matt made pecan, Danielle made a carmelized-pear custard tart type thing, and I made a fairly standard apple pie.
Well, standard except with some bits of Norwegian Ski-Queen Gjetost-Cheese thrown in. I love the slightly sweet carmelized taste of this strange brown goat cheese, and it goes well with apples (and much to our surprise, with nutmeg.) (Tangentally, it also went strangely well with nutella.) It was fine, a bit overly salty perhaps, and mellowed nicely by the next day. But it doesn't melt very much, and so if i did it again, i would shred it and mix it in a bit more.
This crust was a new thing for me, but not really. I mixed vodka in with the water (thanks to Naomi's generous liquor shelf). This twist was first mentioned to me by Noachoc two weeks ago, and then by my friend Mary who told me scant hours before I made this pie, who had heard it on NPR.
So, my crust (since we've begun talking recipes). How do I do it? The trick with crust, as you may know, is to keep it cold. So, I freeze my butter and also put ice-cubes in my water before adding the water (I don't add ice cubes to dough). If I was organized (or felt it enough of an issue) I'd freeze the flour and bowl too.
So, I throw in 2 cups of flour. I then take 1.75 sticks of butter and chop it (sharp knife) lengthwise in four strips, tip it sideways and cut the four strips into a total of 16 sticks, and then cut them off and add them row by row (16 little cubes per row), breaking them apart each row and rolling them in the flour. I then start adding water and mixing it by hand. Some people won't use their hands because of the added heat, but I work quickly and briefly and am uninterested in not using my hands. This is a sensual thing for me, a physical thing, this baking. Keep adding splashes of water until it barely holds together enough to roll.
I've come to love rolling dough ever since I realized it doesn't stick if you throw down generous amounts of flour. Just cake the sucker. Roll out about 3/4 of the dough. Once rolled, fold it in half, and in half again: this makes it easy to pick up, place in the pan, and then unfold. Cut of the generous trim and mix the trim back in with the rest of the dough. Roll that out, fold it, then cut slits in the two fold edges (which come out as "v"s when unfolded). Throw the folded top in with the bottom and then toss the pan in the fridge while you make the innards.
Now, about the vodka. A common problem people seem to have is adding too much water. Water makes the dough easier to handle, but it means it bakes doughier and harder. The vodka helps, because it simply evaporates and doesn't leave any taste.
My final assessment isn't helpful though. We all have knacks, and for me, it's crust (well, and a few other things in life). So, I didn't notice a difference in taste, and since I don't over-water my dough normally, I didn't notice a texture difference either.
Anyhow. On another note: I used Granny Smiths, which always disappoint me, but I have not found another west coast apple which does please me. Granny's have the tart, but the flavor (lack of flavor?) doesn't interest me. I really need to buy one of every local apple and think about the tastes.
-------------------------
11/27/08 - Happy thanksgiving. Much love to you all.
-------------------------
11/26/08 - Oh, and my apologies about the intrusive "rich-media" banner ads which have been dangling all over the screen. I thought I had disabled them through my advert site, but hadn't. But I'm pretty sure I did it correct this time, so you shouldn't see them anymore.
Oh, and I forgot to mention yesterday, I can still do a few more re-draws (see below, 11/11/08) before the holidays, if anyone wishes.
-------------------------
11/25/08 - I know it's early, but just a heads-up for holiday shopping. The earlier you order, the better to secure timely arrival. I have no special sales, but Topatoco is now offering gift certificates, which is exciting. And as ever, the Little Dee books make great gifts for young ones in your life (as well as for us adults). And there's the teeshirts and totes as well.
Also, I remembered to take a picture of the pie I made this week. It has a oatmeal crust, which I made, thinking of my sister (celiac disease). The custard was orange flavored, from the zest and juice of 3 Satsuma Oranges. Also mixed in were cranberries and chocolate morsels.
THE RECIPE
And this is what i think i did, based on memory and from scraps of paper where I wrote down things from about 5 different recipes.
let's see. The crust. Mix together:
1 cup quick oats
1/3 cup brown sugar
4 tbsp butter, soft or melted
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla
And then spread it out in a greased pie plate
The custard. Mix together:
1 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup OJ (squeezed from about 3 small oranges, or 2 big ones)
zest from oranges you got the OJ from
5 large egg yolks
1/2 cup + 1 tbsp sugar
Then I threw in a bunch of cranberries cut in half. I also threw in a handful of chocolate chips, but they didn't melt and came out hard and distracting. :(
I put the custard in the crust and baked at 350 for 30 minutes. Let sit for another 20. Then refrigerate for 3 hours.
Voila. in hindsight, I may have added more sugar to the orange bit, not too much though. Just to make is lightly sweeter. And then I'd cut up more cranberries and cook them into a bit of a paste before putting them in. For a tart to balance the sweet oj custard. Maybe even cook the cranberries in a bit of lemon juice. The chocolate, perhaps I would have melted it in with some butter, maybe a bit of cream, to soften it. Then put the chocolate in the crust first, followed by the custard.
Who knows. Just thinking out loud. Good luck!
-------------------------
11/24/08 - Ah, so soon, the holidays start rolling back in. Hello, Turkey.
-------------------------
11/20/08 - Which is why it is always useful to keep a snow shovel in your bed.
-------------------------
11/19/08 - Today's strip was inspired by a word by Thorn 44. Thank you!
-------------------------
11/18/08 - Feeling a bit better. The fever broke yesterday evening, but I'm still pretty wiped. Nonetheless, I did manage to draw yesterday's strip and today's.
-------------------------
11/17/08 - This is the first time I've been this sick for ages. Fever, sweating, fading in and out. Anyhow, hopefully I'll be better tomorrow and I'll re-draw what I've done. but this is the best I was able to today.
-------------------------
11/13/08 - Today's strip is based on a fond memory of my father's sense of humor and sometimes frustrating (to my mom) rearing ideas.
-------------------------
11/12/08 - Oh right, and more pies of course. Although I seem to only remember to take a picture of them every other week.
On November 2nd I made a pie (pictured below) which was a brownie mix on the bottom (from a box, due to laziness) with a raspberry pie layer on top. The juice from the berries unfortunately mixed with the batter, and so the brownie part never quite cooked in the middle. In fact, I cooked it extra long, which made the crust tough but still did not help the brownie part. It tasted fine (who doesn't like brownie batter), and I received many compliments including in the from of a broken plate from children fighting for possession, but I wished to improve on it.
This week, the 9th, I made a pie with a thin cherry pie layer below, a crust on top of that, and then baked it slightly to let the crust begin to cook. Put a homemade brownie mix on top (altered to be super-gooey). It also was very well-liked, especially the brownie mixture, but the middle layer of crust did not cook. Nick suggested I broil it next time before adding the brownie mixture on top, and I think he may be on to something, he is very clever, and an amazing cook.
-------------------------
11/11/08 - I made this offer a few weeks ago, to re-draw older strips for people for $80. I have been working extra hard to get them done, and am just finishing up the orders I received. So, if you wished those, or any various freelance art etc for the holidays (or merchandise of course), if you do it now, i can get it done before the holidays. Reposted below!
That strip you always wanted is NOW AVAILABLE
Over the past couple of years I have received many emails from people who wished to purchase a strip, but found it was sold before they got to it. I am now offering to re-draw ANY strip for $80. And worth every penny.
Not only will I make sure that any strip ordered before November 1st will be drawn and mailed by December 1st, but also the funds raised will be going directly into the Little Dee book#3 fund, which should be to the printer around year-end, and hopefully to you by February or March.
Come on, you know you want to. Maybe something from...
knitting?
Rogues of Woool?
Milk Bubbles & Buttery Noses?
Rap Battle?
-------------------------
11/10/08 - Man, I loved dressing up as a kid. :)
-------------------------
11/6/08 - Congrats to Shaenon Garrity and Jeffrey Well's, their comic strip Skin Horse is now running simultaneously at UClick's GoComics. An awesome and deserving strip. Go, Shaenon and Jeffrey!
-------------------------
11/5/08 - I know you all come here for comics, and not politics. But I wish to briefly comment on yesterday's election.
I support Obama as politician, but what I wish to state here is just how much I am moved by what a monumental milestone this is on our nation's road towards racial equality, towards acceptance and tolerance.
And not to be shadowed out, Clinton and Palin, candidates running for president and vice-president, movement towards sexual equality, shifting of public acceptance. I wish there had been more, but am glad there was some.
I have been pleased or sad during previous elections (depending on my favored candidate's success), but this one choked me up.
-------------------------
11/4/08 - Phew. I've been working overtime at both work and play. I always wondered this about kings and celebrities. And my thoughts seem to have matched the reality: you work your life towards a goal, but you know that it's not going to change or satisfy anything.
There is no answer, life is just life. it's good to find a path that suits your temperament, such as becoming a full-time cartoonist has suited my wandering nature. But everything else, it remains the same.
you go on. Life gives you the same hurdles as far as happiness and interpersonal relationships. And it's all good. Be good to people. Laugh. Eat good food.
Anyhow. It's late. I'm rambling. Enjoy the superhero storyline.
-------------------------
past Dee blog notes
|
