National Almond Day and RESOBOX Exhibition Extension

National Almond Day

Today is a day devoted to almonds.  Most of the almonds we eat come from California, but they originated in Asia.  Almonds have become well-known for their health benefits and are an extremely adaptable nut.  They are good in sweet and savory dishes, salads, and trail mixes.  As a snack, almonds are good raw, but even better toasted and tossed with different spices and seasonings.  

For a comprehensive look at almonds, I recommend the official National Almond Day website.

This Christmas, I received some raw almonds, almonds covered in an orange and honey topping, and Hershey's Kisses with almonds.  Needless to say, my family is big on nuts and other edible gifts.  

In honor of the almond, I plan to start my dinner tonight with a green salad topped with roasted almonds and other goodies.  

RESOBOX Exhibition Extended

World Amigurumi Exhibition vol. 2: Crocheted Culture Celebration!

 This is the second year that RESOBOX gallery in Long Island has hosted an amigurumi exhibition.  Amigurumi are small, stuffed, crocheted or knitted animals and anthropomorphic dolls.  The art started in Japan and has swept over the world over the past few years.  These cute, stuffed dolls are beloved by children and adults.

RESOBOX's exhibition features artists from all over the world.  This year, the theme was a crocheted culture celebration so each artist submitted at least one amigurumi that featured a part of their native culture.

The exhibition has been extended, so there's still time to view a room full of cuteness in person.  All items are for sale and will remain on exhibit through the end of March. 

Right before Thanksgiving, I packaged up two trays of my amigurumi for a trip to New York.  I included a wide variety of stuffed cuties, including pieces that are available in my shop and new items created especially for the exhibition.  

In honor of Chicago, I crocheted a couple Chicago-style hot dogs.  Chicago is definitely a food town, with several iconic offerings.  One of the best and most clearly defined is the Chicago-style Hot Dog, also known as the Chicago Red Hot.  The all beef frankfurter is topped with yellow mustard, chopped white onions, bright green sweet pickle relish, a dill pickle spear, tomato slices, pickled sport peppers and a dash of celery salt.  The complete assembly of a Chicago hot dog is said to be "dragged through the garden" due to the many toppings.  NEVER put ketchup on a hot dog in Chicago!! 

I also created a few catfish in honor of growing up in rural Missouri.  When relatives came to visit my grandmother in her tiny town of McGirk, Missouri, fresh-caught fish were often on the menu.  The fish were from Spring Lake on the property.  When eating the delicious, fried fish, everyone knew to be on the lookout for the errant small bone.  These amigurumi are a playful nod to the catfish - a cute cat head attached to the body of a striped fish.