Lisa Johnson 
The first time I saw this commercial, I wanted to know what was next. Who is the wife? How do they meet? Was that a restaurant he was going into? What did he eat? 😋
Since Back to the Future day is now behind us, I’ve been thinking about time travel this week and was reminded of this ad. I can’t be the only one who was intrigued by this commercial. Wonder if there will be a follow-up?
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Image: YouTube
Back in January, I wrote a post about a Corita Kent art exhibit in Pittsburgh. Those of us in the Boston area know her work from the bright colors on the gas tank by the expressway. But her art extends far beyond that.
Last month, a new exhibit of her work called, “Corita Kent and the Language of Pop” made its debut at Harvard Art Museums. The exhibit does not end until May 8, 2016*, so we have time to plan to see it — for those of us who are local or even if you are planning a trip to the Boston area. I will definitely make my way over there!
As a celebration of the exhibit, last week Harvard University Dining Services hosted a Corita Night in the dining halls. They asked, “what would happen if food and art collided?”
The Harvard Gazette reported that Chefs answered the question by creating meatballs inspired by her image “song about the greatness,” which was used in a DelMonte ketchup ad and reads “Makes meatballs sing.”
Luke Parker, Winthrop House’s senior chef, drew on his love of spice and dished out Thai chicken meatballs seasoned with curry, lemongrass, and coconut milk. …
Over in Leverett House, chef Kathleen Smith drew on her travels in Mexico — and her Mexican boyfriend — to create the night’s menu. Her albondigas came drenched in a spicy chipotle sauce.
Sounds like a delicious menu and shows how Corita Kent‘s art is timeless and continues to inspire us all.
*Updated 4/3/2016* I was just watching a segment on CBS Sunday Morning about Corita Kent and realized that I got the dates wrong on this post. Unfortunately the exhibit at Harvard ended in January and I missed it again! Ugh! Well, if you are near San Antonio, you do have until May 8th to see it.
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Image Credit: song about the greatness, © Courtesy of the Corita Art Center, Immaculate Heart Community, Los Angeles, Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Margaret Fisher Fund.
Last week I found a new favorite podcast, Magic Lessons with Elizabeth Gilbert. I’m of big fan of hers in general and loved Eat, Pray, Love.
Her new book, Big Magic, is being added to my ever growing and impossibly long list of books to read.
Brene Brown is another favorite author. On this podcast from about a month ago, Gilbert interviewed Brown about her new book, Rising Strong. Also being added to the list!
The conversation was fascinating. When they were talking about creativity, they spoke about something that I believe very deeply. We are all creative. No exceptions. The issue is whether you are using your creativity or not.
In my life, I found that it felt stifling and self-harming to ignore my creative side. That is one of the reasons why I started blogging. Brown said, that unused creativity is not benign.
So much of the violence, turmoil and disease that exists in the world today could probably be at least somewhat alleviated if everyone took this to heart.
What creative thing have you done today? There’s still time to figure it out. If we truly want to be well, we must. Unused creativity is not benign…
Looking for a Boston PR guy? Well, that’s literally Chris Haynes’ handle on Twitter. He’s currently celebrating 17 years as the founder of his public relations firm, CBH Communications.
Chris shares fun events and stylish happenings around the city, along with pictures showing the beauty of New England. His pictures of places like Nantucket will make you swoon and feel nostalgic for somewhere that you’ve never been. And then there’s the food.
He works with some of my favorite places in Boston, probably yours too. Recognized as one of “Style Makers of Boston,” Chris helps us all up our game.
For the seventh part of the interview series, You Pick Six, let’s hand the wheel over to Chris!
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What is a favorite simple recipe to prepare at home?
My grandmother’s pie crust recipe. So simple, easy and the best! I still have the recipe that I hand copied (spelling mistakes and all) when I was a little kid onto a recipe card. My niece and nephew ask me to make it –but not for pie crusts, but for these little treats we called Lamby Tails. Basically you make the crust, roll it out, butter it and then top with a sugar and cinnamon mix. Then roll and chop! No one can resist. Even my vegan sister!
What is a favorite dessert?
Right now Blackbird Doughnuts in the South End.
What is some of the best advice you’ve ever received?
Professionally: Clients do not owe you thank you if they are paying you. Personally: Try not to push your life stresses onto friends or family –they won’t hang out long if you do.
What is a favorite childhood food memory?
My grandparents lake house and swimming!
What do you think that most people don’t understand about food?
That if it’s ‘unattractive’ or ‘unfamiliar’ they will not try it. Period. Duh, your pallet grows and changes with age — you have to taste and taste and taste.
You couldn’t get the ‘jaws of life’ that they use on cars to get an oyster down my throat — that is until I started doing PR for Legal Seafoods and had to eat one at a media dinner. Then it hit me like a truck — they were delicious! The best! Today I cannot get enough.
What is the best meal you ever had and where was it?
When I went to summer camp as a kid, I clear as day, remember the counselor going around the fire pit and asking us, “if we could eat at any restaurant in the world, where and what would it be?” All the other kids answered McDonalds, Wendy’s, etc. I yelled out “the restaurant on top of the Eiffel Tower!” Everyone just looked at me, but truth be told, my favorite movie at the time was Superman II and there was scene at the then restaurant in the Eiffel Tower. Anyway, fast forward to three years ago and I finally achieved dining at my dream restaurant and a result the BEST MEAL I ever had! My friend and I dined at Alain Ducasse, Le Jules Verne in the Eiffel Tower. I’m not sure I have ever or will ever have a better meal!
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Thank you so much for participating Chris!
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Photos by Chris Haynes.
I like a nice surprise. Especially, when it involves food. Even better when it’s dessert. And a chocolate dessert at that.
Now I wish that I could say that this actual cake was presented to me as a surprise and I got to eat it. Not quite. But I did get the next best thing. A surprise tweet!
Five years ago on the old blog, I gave away a festival bundt cake after having won a set of three Nordic Ware Bundt pans from Courtney. I didn’t need to keep all three. Edi was the lucky winner.
I hadn’t thought much about the pan since. Out of the blue this week, Edi showed me a picture of the Chocolate Chip Zucchini Cake with Chocolate Ganache that she baked! Thanks to a comment below by Candelaria, Edi is sharing how she made it, so we can all try.
I’ve made the cake twice and it turned out great both times. I’ve never put nuts in it. The first time had no frosting. I’ve made no other alterations to the recipe.
I used Ghiradelli chocolate chips. I could not find out how many ounces were in the bag, but it’s the typical size bag. I used those leftover after measuring out what I needed to make the ganache frosting.
I only made half the recipe. I used half and half and a little butter, a little vanilla extract. Enjoy!
So nice to see that the pan has found a happy home and is being used! Now I have been reminded that I haven’t used the pan that I kept!
By the end of this year, this must be remedied! There hasn’t been much baking here and I think it’s time to create some new recipes. Stay tuned!
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Photo Credit: Edi
