Merry Marzipan, to you

My Partner in crime has made a trip south to partake in an adorable and delightful Norwegian tradition with her family, known as Marzipan making. Now, the dictionary states, "Marzipan is a confection consisting primarily of sugar and almond meal. Some marzipan is flavored with rosewater. Persipan is a similar, yet less expensive product, for which the almonds are replaced by apricot or peach kernels.". Of course I know and love it as the edible molding clay. People tend to make beautiful fruits and vegetables (traditionally that it is) with their marzipan, and often dip it into chocolate. It's even rolled thin and used for icing on cakes.



A little history on the treat, "The art of combining ground almonds and sugar into a paste is over 1000 years old and originated in the Orient. It is believed to have been brought to Europe by Arabs through Spain. There, it grew quickly in popularity as a dessert, but only for royalty and the wealthy because of the extremely high price for sugar. It wasn't until the beginning of the 19th century that sugar prices came down and marzipan became a dessert more people could afford.

Marzipan was also used for medicinal purposes well into the 18th century. It was used both as a way to make bitter pills more palatable, as well as medicine for specific illnesses. It was known as "energy bread," "heart sugar," and "marzipan for the sick."

Commercial production of marzipan in Germany dates back to 1806 in the city of Lübeck. The Niederegger Bakery began the tradition here and many other bakeries soon followed to make Lübeck the "Marzipan Capital." Today, Lübeck marzipan is known worldwide for its excellence and consistent quality."

Marzipan is not unique to Germany. It is made in the United States, Austria, Italy (Marzapane), Spain (Mazapan), Denmark (Marcipan), Portugal (Maçapão), Latin America (Mazapán), the Middle-East (Lozina), and many other counties.
We like it made in Norway ;).

Though through my browsing on the world wide web, I found some amazing pieces I felt I should share with you, so you can get as excited about marzipan as we are. It's a whole new medium for me, though I haven't gotten to make it yet, I hope to play soon.







Happy baking,
B

(if you click the title it will bring you to wikipedia, where you can learn more.)

A Scanner Darkly: A Story for Our Time.

Just watched a Scanner Darkly, and am in hot pursuit of the literature in which it was based on. I found a free adobe version via google, downloaded it and started reading this morning.
Written in 1977 by Phillip K Dick, set in the near future of 1994 Orange County. Where we are under constant surveillance, and 20% of the population is hooked on Substance D. A mind altering tablet that is extremely addictive, and obviously illegal. An undercover narcotics agent battles the drug in his personal life as well as his professional one. The two constantly merging as his grasp on reality consistency worsens.
Granted I'm not a critic, or literary expert by any means. But I did find a personal connection to the story line as well as some of the characters. It was compelling, engaging, and very complex. I suggest as many of you read this as possible, though it was set in what to us is the past, it is very prophetic in nature and appeals to us all in this day of prescription drugs, immunizations, and recession through governmental control.
READ LEARN LIVE. BE EMPOWERED.

link enclosed to the download-able book.

A lesson in Compassion, Understanding, and LOVE

(Click the title to view the article)

I am a Christian, (not the best but I still I am) and the one thing my parents taught me above all else was Love Others. The definition of Christian means "Christ Like" there are so few out there that remember who Jesus chose as friends or to minister to; tax men, whores, fishermen, gamblers, lepers, criminals, need I go on? He loved them, all of them. It puts us to shame not only as a religion, a group, a people, but also as human beings that we must mock the dead in order to make a mute point. Yes we are aware that we are viewed as sinners, but I see more love and compassion come from most of the sinners I know than the big hot aired men in congress' news.
So Mr Mike Adams, I'm sorry that at your age and in your place in life you feel you need to publish junk like this to be heard, it did get my attention. I just wanted to let you and everyone else out there know, that I love you, GOD loves you, and he loves me and my partner. When that day of judgment comes, you too will stand before him to answer for you self.
Peace brother,
B

Triumph

There is a moment when you realize how to fix a problem (in my case technical issues) and it's just so sweet you have no words.

What about you guys?? Post your memorable or just simple revelations.

A Call For AID

I HAVE A DESPERATE CALLING TO YOU OUT THERE! Feeling a bit mute, and having creative block migraines, please start filling my page with ... ANYTHING, bitching moaning, philosophy, Anything goes right now.

I just got a new scanner and will post all the new work that comes from your posts. Please put me to work, I need a distraction and an awakening.

The moment of truth... We hold these self truths to be well a little shitty.

There is a moment in your life when you realize you are just full of shit... I need a shovel and a walk. . . My pen and sketch book will do just fine.
(Who wants to give me a topic to unearth and plant on a page.)

Fly BY

Starting the Animation process today, keep an eye out for the new posts. You may recognize some of the stories. Enjoy your day everyone, It's beautiful out go for a walk, hug a tree, sing with a stream, just be out. I'm going to go paint in the garden
<3 Always Peace
-B

Silver screen? Or maybe Pewter.

So last night with in all the swimming thoughts in my head, I heard a beat. Shallow and quiet at first, then it grew. As I listened harder into my pillow I heard words. Turn the bass up let the beat drop, these were on a repeat, my mind filled in the rest with statements. Of my freedom to listen to what I will, looping around each other over and over. As the song subsided I kept seeing a title flash on a stack of paper, a screen play? Where as the title will be concealed for the time being I can tell you I have added a new project to my schedule. Time to get to work.

B and E, What is Nada Dada to you?

This is the first of many interviews to come in the future. Our good friend Brain Bird, Videographer extraordinaire, stopped by camera ready to ask us some questions. Just a little insight of how we felt as showing artists in Nada Dada. It's mostly me, but there was one mic that he laid on my collar, you can see the artist hard at her work. Leave your thoughts, whats on your minds??

-B

(click the title to watch the interview and add us on youtube if you haven't already ALWAYS PEACE)