Artichoke Dip to die for ........by Kay Sjulin and Joyce Oroz

I recently experienced a dip...a hot dip...that made my toes tingle, my heart dance and my mouth speak in four languages at once. Ok, I really liked it so here is the recipe my friend Kay used. Hope your toes will tingle too.

Artichoke Dip

2-3 cans artichoke hearts in water( drain completely)

1 cup each Parmesan, Kaseri & Asiago cheeses ( grated)

a dollop or 2 of mayo to bind all ingredients together

Extras include 1/4 yellow onion, chopped

6 or more garlic cloves, finely chopped

6 crispy bacon slices, crumbled

Chop chokes and add cheeses mixing thoroughly. Add extras, if desired!! Use a few dollops of mayo just enough to bind.

Pour into 8" pyrex dish. Bake @ 350 for 35 minutes.

Serve with crackers or chips or bread slices.

Can be made ahead and reheated.

Party On!......by Joyce Oroz

We all know that Solow is an exceptionally bright basset with a nose for sniffing out trouble. What you might not know is how he handles Josephine's social calendar. He is the planner and organizer of much of the entertaining at the Stuart household, including costumes. Josephine invites her friends to dinner. Solow demonstrates wild greetings, great costumes (such as bunny ears), fine bass melodies and a demonstration on humility after a futile cat chase.


Occasionally Solow invites his lady-friend over for a relaxing porch party. Half-way through the festivities she typically decides to take time out for a nap. Solow understands that it is spring and his lady-friend is simply working on her tan before bikini season arrives.

Being a party-animal, Solow loves a "mixed" crowd. Josephine tries not to look surprised at Solow's guest list. She encourages David to bring Fluffy to her next party while Solow secretly smiles and plots another Fluffy-chase.
Later in the season, Sandy is showing signs of exhaustion and Coral is dead on her feet from dancing in circles. But Solow parties on!

Round-abouts and Gila Monsters......by Joyce Oroz

I recently traveled by automobile to another state. Ten hours of normal driving and three hours lost in round-abouts. It seems this other state, which I will not state, wants to look like Europe. They would be better served if they eliminated all the cacti and Gila Monsters instead of installing round-abouts.
I don't think round-abouts belong on this continent, except in the case of giant statuary of famous people like Washington, Lincoln or Elvis.
Europeans are used to nonsensical structures encircling their statues, as long as they are esthetically copesetic with the landscape.
Americans don't have time for circling a round-about senselessly, trying to figure out which exit to take. After several tries, failed lane changes and wrong exits, the dizzy driver must stop at an out-door cafe for a small cup of strong coffee or tea with milk and crumpets.
Are we turning into Europeons?
Despite the round-abouts, it was a lovely state to visit and not one Gila Monster misbehaved.

What goes with cupcakes?.......by Joyce oroz

A party is coming soon at a gallery near you, (if you live in or near Aromas.) The celebration happens March 16 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at the Dragonfly Gallery. What are we celebrating? Cupcakes! And St. Patrick's Day, and best of all--the accomplishments of Christine West. She is the AHA artist who designs and fabricates beautiful paper scenes in shadow boxes and lovely gift cards.
It won't be a party without you, so plan to drop by for giggles and cupcakes!

PS Don't tell anyone, but Grace is running a St. Patricks Day special. Any set of earrings with green in them are on sale for $5.00 a pair!

The gallery is bursting with new items--and cupcakes! See you there.

A Gaggle of Girls.......by Joyce Oroz

                    So what is a gaggle of girls? Are we talking geese?

My interpretation runs a little looser than just geese. If I see more than one giggling female of any species, I label it a gaggle. I don't want to braggle, but I love wordage. These gals are hanging out together, working on their tans and barking at the fisherman to hurry up with lunch. Gaggles always do lunch!

                                      Three pretty girls is a gaggle.

Two girls and a filly is a gaggle.

But the true definition of "A gaggle of girls"

is, women who do lunch for long stretches of time with great humor.

Chainsaw Mystery.........by Joyce Oroz

 

 

 

 

When Josephine takes a walk, where does she go? What is her neighborhood like? Today I’m going to tell you about the cheerful side of her block, the sunny side of her life as a painter and part-time sleuth. After solving a dangerous and dastardly mystery, Josephine normally unwinds by taking Solow for a walk—or is he taking her? Anyway, the road takes them to the top of a hill and down the other side. Jo and Solow generally speed up on the down-hill, (as much as a short-legged bassett can) but coming home, the up-hill seems steeper than they remember. They plod along until they reach the top where a nice reward is waiting. Daffodils line a neighbor’s fence and a blooming plum tree is enveloped in pink blossoms. She drinks in the beautiful scene as Solow sniffs everything in sight.

 

AHA, a six-foot strawberry tree is missing. Only a stub and a leaf remain. She checks for chainsaw marks. Yes, it was a chainsaw, but whose saw? Who is trying to wipe out California’s strawberry trees? And then she sees the burn pile at the side of the neighbor’s house. There rests one more tree on the ash heap, one more tree to be cremated against its will. Now Josephine will have to solve the mystery and bring the chain-saw operator to justice. Stay tuned for more news from Aromas.

Artist of the Month, Christine West........by Joyce oroz

 

Creative and talented, Christine West is the perfect choice for “Artist of the Month” for March at the Dragonfly Gallery. She has a large number of unique cards and shadow boxes on display at the gallery. Christine is an active member of the Aromas Hills Artisans. She has been making exceptionally beautiful and clever greeting cards for over three years. Her style of paper work, 3D montage, is not very common in the USA but is all over Europe and England. Christine knows because she is from England and visits often. Everytime she goes home, she comes back to the USA with new supplies—glue, graphics, pens, etc. and plenty of new ideas. She loves to use her computer which has a graphics program. Christine also loves going to craft shows, but she says the most fun of all is designing and constructing the beautiful cards and shadow boxes. She has had great success selling her line of Deco Ladies Shadow Boxes in particular. She admits she has always been “crafty” (sewing, crocheting and making jewelry, glass and leather items).

Christine always liked paper fabrication best and enjoys making custom cards for special occasions … or just because. She says her sister-in-law in the UK makes the most beautiful cards and got her started on a grand passion.

Here is Christine West in her own words.
“A few customers come to my house for a "private showing", always fun. It is really a treat to receive a card made especially for you with your name and topic or style on it. I have a couple of friends who order custom cards every month for all the birthdays etc. coming up. I do spend a lot of time and energy on my "paper work" but I don't want a job !!! I am a "gym rat" taking 7 classes each week - yoga, pilates, step and zumba, also love to read, cook, entertain and garden.
I live in "Paradise", on 13 acres at the end of Elkhorn Slough with my husband George and my two beautiful Irish Terriers (named Harry and Margaret after my Mum and Dad).
We have lots of space for all of us to spread out and play and lovely views all round, it is very calm and peaceful.
My sister and a life-long college friend are both coming to visit this year, as they both did last year. It's a good place to be and so much warmer than England!!
I retired 4 years ago (GM with a Corporate Food Service Co) and LOVE my life.
I have made new friends, new interests, found skills I didn't know I had, and become a calmer happier person (ask George !!) I don't think work is good for you......

Good news--Christine will be demonstrating her paper fabrication process at the Dragonfly Gallery, so of course there will be a party to celebrate the creation of beautiful greeting cards. Since it all happens the day before Saint Patricks Day we will share our music and cupcakes with you!
See you at the gallery Saturday, March 16th from 1:00 to 4:00.