Look at this gorgeous Tree!

Most of us have a seasonal decorating tradition, but let me introduce you to Danielle. She is not only an accomplished artist, but also a dedicated art collector.

Since 2003 Danielle has been collecting art for her 12′ Tree, and she spends months carefully  placing and arranging the art on the branches. I think you’ll agree, this creative conifer really is an ever changing work of art!

Danielle graciously told me about the process of creating this visionary Tree in the interview that follows.

aotm: I see your spectacular Tree as an ongoing work of art! How long have you been creating your ” Tree Of Art”?

D: “I’ve been putting up a Christmas tree with the most interesting store bought ornaments I could find since I was sixteen.  Even then, arranging the ornaments always felt like an Art project to me.  I started the “Artist” tree in 2003 when I first learned to use the computer at age thirty-eight (I KNOW!!!!) and discovered Ebay and it’s Artists, followed by Etsy and it’s Artists in 2005.”

aotm: What inspired this vision?

D: “I LOVE ART!!!!  Especially sculpture of any medium. But I like to live in simple, clean lines without a lot of stuff ( think gallery space).  So I thought “how can I enjoy hordes of art at once within my simple space?” And I came up with using our 12′ Christmas tree where there’s plenty of space for art and it stays up for 3 or 4 months for everyones enjoyment:):)”

aotm: Tell us how you choose the pieces in your collection.

D: “I choose what I feel are the most interesting and well made of every medium ( glass, paper, wood, clay, fabric etc.). I have a thing for kooky expressions, creepy/cute & I’m currently obsessed with food sculpture.  Also, if I see a larger piece of Artwork that I like, I’ll ask the Artist if they’d like to recreate it smaller for the tree.”

aotm: I know you are an artist yourself, and create Art Dolls. Are any of your own pieces on your tree?

D: “I’ve been working on a series of “sideshow” figures since 2003.  Since I do them in my spare time, they may never be complete, LOL, so until then I’ve displayed a couple of the finished pieces on the tree.  So far, the “large” lady, the “little” lady, the “upper torso only” lady, the armless lady, the pinhead guy and the gender confused “half man, half woman” have all made an appearance on the tree.”

aotm: You have told me it takes months of careful arranging and modifying before your Tree is ready for viewing. Can you describe this process?

D: “Hmm, do I want people to know how crazy and anal I really am (LOL!)??  In a nutshell, it takes four days to assemble the 12′ artificial tree, spread the branches and lift each branch into place with a small piece of plastic.  Fifteen minutes to move the living room furniture to the perimeter of the room.  Three hours to set up two 8′, two 6′ and two 4′ tables, tape cardboard around the edges ( so the Art can’t fall off ), and cover with acid free tissue paper.  One hour to bring out the 15 boxes of Art.  Two days to unpack all the art & place on the tables according to medium.  And six to eight weeks (depending on the amount of time I can devote to it per day) to stand 3 to 5′ away from the tree holding a piece of art at arms length, deciding where it would look the best.  I try to mix up the mediums and colors to make the overall effect fun and pleasing to the eye!!!”

aotm: Wow! That really is dedication to art! As one of the many artists represented on this creative Tree Of Art, I can only say I am very honored to be a part of this fantastic and beautiful vision Danielle! Thank You!

All photographs courtesy of Danielle S.

There’s nothing like borscht. It’s simple to prepare, and comforting. And beet season lasts from winter to early spring! And while it’s been a long winter and what seems like an even longer wait for spring as my blog hiatus indicates, some delicious beet-y dishes were served the last three months.

This borscht fest began as a conversation with my friends Otilia and Tudor. I wanted to observe their preparation of my family favorite, which was always just a sweet and savory mix of beets and the kitchen sink.

So one snowy day in the Pacific Northwest I watched the windows steam up as Tudor prepared our borscht,  and Otilia gave me the secrets of borscht in Romania.

In a beet shell Romanian borscht is vegetarian, and “borscht” refers to a starter not unlike the sponge we use in sourdough bread. This imparts a sweet and sour taste.

Is this a soup served at holiday time?

“Yes and no. Borscht is not really a traditional Romanian holiday soup, because it’s a dish that Romanians eat everyday, before the main course. It’s the Romanian equivalent for the French salad, if you will. It’s not festive, and yet, it is indispensable. Also, for Romanians, “Borscht” refers to all kinds of soups, it is not specific to the ones based on beetroots.” Otilia explained that soups become Borscht after adding the secret ingredient: the fermented starter.

What, no recipe?

“The traditional ingredients are: beetroots, onions, carrots, a few potatoes, oil, and “Borscht” (which is a kind of sour soup made from fermented wheat bran that Romanians add to any type of soup, to turn it into “Borscht”). In case you don’t have the “borscht”, you can add some lemon juice at the end, to give it the same sour taste. Beetroot borscht is traditionally eaten with a dollop of sour cream”.

So, the defining magic is in the “borscht”?

“In Romania, borscht designates the base ingredient of any sour soup, called “borscht” or “ciorba”. It’s in fact a sour liquid, made of wheat bran and sour cherry leaves. The sour liquid is added at the end of cooking.”

Otilia then told me you need a start from another “borscht”, to produce your own! She also said that only the grandmothers really know how to make this!

Is Tudor always the soup chef?

“It varies between me and Tudor. If you’re interested, we can do it again for another borscht recipe”.

It was absolutely sweet and delicious!! Write me down for another borscht day in your kitchen,  and thank you both!!