Monday, August 02, 2010

Food For Thought...

I got a very nice email today from a reader who was concerned that there wasn't enough "writing" and enough "art" in "The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton" and that I ought to save the "food pictures" and "pet pictures" for other blogs. She mentioned that she was not a "cat person" and came to the blog looking for jewelry, "not nature observations".

I love hearing from people and I am always open to receiving criticism. While I appreciate the opinions of those who frequent my humble corner of cyberspace, I do think though that the content of my blog should be left to my discretion. It is, after all, my blog. I also believe that my work is inspired by everyday experiences and that inspiration can be found in everything. You could walk into a room and pick up a can of soda... and already you'd have the makings for a thousand stories or a million images. You could talk about the origins of the soda, the history of the company, why it was there at all, if it was opened or closed, hot or cold, a secret pleasure, or if it was flat or fizzy. You could make a piece of jewelry using the colors of the can as the muse or the color of the effervescent liquid. You could smash the can. You could cut the can or pierce it. You could write poetry about it or turn it in for a nickel. Life is Art...

And with that being said, here's what I made for dinner:

I must admit that I don't put a whole lot of planning into my dinner menus. I know a lot of people that when they go shopping, they know exactly what they're going to get. They know exactly how many servings it'll make and on what day they'll serve it and sometimes even on which plate they'll serve it on. I'm not one of those people. Most of the time I look around and see what's going to go bad first and invent recipes around those ingredients. It's kind of like being on a reality game show. Of course, I won't receive $10,000 at the end of the meal, just the satisfaction that nothing went to waste and that it tasted good and nourished the body.

Looking around the kitchen earlier this evening, I saw lots of peppers. The garden has been very generous with them. I didn't have the fixings to make stuffed peppers or pepper steak. I had made a pepper salad the other night and wasn't really in the mood for another. So I made a pepper stir-fry and incorporated half of a grilled chicken. I used fresh basil from the garden to brighten the flavors. Food, I think, is a way of showing your love. If properly inspired, you can turn anything into a feast.

I believe that whatever you're making, whether it's art or dinner... if it's made from the heart, it'll always be delicious.

38 comments:

ABSOLUT - eklektik said...

I love your blog and yes, life ist art:)

Vintajia Adornments said...

Don't ya just love the 'what-you-should-do-police' and the 'I-expect-this' nazis!
It IS your blog, write as you please

Trish said...

Yay Andrew!!! I agree wholeheartedly. All of your writing no matter what it is about is food for thought and for the soul. And the photos are definitely Art too.
Ignore the pooh-pooh-ers!Follow your bliss!

The Hole Bead Shoppe said...

I have to admit. I don't look at your blog every single day. But when I do look, I read several posts at once. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the variety. Food, pictorials, editorials, instruction, links, etc.
I always leave your blog feeling better about why I'm doing what I'm doing. I feel you take time to give us "word" food...sprinkled with pictures.
If some blog stalker wants to only see a diarreheal diatribe on jewelry facts, maybe they should start their own BLOG. Or better yet, go visit FMG FREE FUN jewelry making pages....

twinkie....shaken, not fried.

Rebecca said...

It's your blog!! You can put what you like here - it's your space. We are guests - invited I'm sure but still guests at your table! I love that each post is a snapshot into your life, not just your jewellery making because you're right, life is art and how joyful to fully affirm that.

Stephanie said...

You forgot the kitty pictures!

Lois Moon said...

Well, she probably wouldn't like the "Dog Shot of the Day" that I put at the end of my posts. When you teach and you spend the summer puttering around the house with two crazy corgis there is no way to avoid throwing them in the blog. As you put it so well, the parts of you life are what inspires you. I had ravioli diablo and baby spinach salad for dinner.

Keep on keeping on.

Eve Smith said...

Well for one thing your dinner does look very tasty, i think you should put what ever in you blog, we all may be artists etc but we do write about our day to day lives in our blogs and we all like to be nosy to see what everyone is getting up to, and sometime i feel i know people just reading their blogs, so there,x

Lorelei Eurto said...

I too have been told what to put and what not to put on my blog. I wonder if it's the same person!
I swear, some people don't have anything better to do!

That meal looks delicious! We had spicy stuffed peppers with burger and cheese, and sauce, with a side of flat noodle fresh pepper pasta. Now I'm wishing I took a picture of it!

Zoe Nelson said...

Honey, you just keep doing what you've been doing. I'm sure that there are many more of us that enjoy your non-jewelry posts than those that don't. It's good to get to know the whole person, not just the jeweler.

Diana P. said...

I can't believe someone actually had the nerve to write to you about what you should and shouldn't put on your blog. Some people need a hobby... BTW, I like seeing what you cooked because I love food, lol!

Unknown said...

What I like about your blog is that its always intresting. You write with such eloquence that it keeps the reader wanting more you have a wonderful way with words! Stay true to you its who you are. Food, cats and jewellery are great fodder!

Courtney Breul said...

Food is art! Good for the soul as well. I love seeing what you make, it inspires me! Don't change a thing.

Roberta Warshaw said...

I always read your blog and love the variety of things you write about. It is hard to write everyday, let alone write about the same things over and over. I try to write only about jewelry on mine but every so often I feel the need to talk about something else.
I for one, love your food photos. I wish I could remember to take pictures of all the dishes I make!

Joan Tucker said...

oh puleeze; the person should write their own blog.

Unknown said...

The thing I love about blogs over websites is that I get to know the person behind it. I love that blogs are not all business and show the human side.

I love that you love cats and you obviously must love food, or you wouldn't take such time to cook it and then show it to us. While I admire your jewelry and learning about your creative processes, I admit I come more for the everyday-ness of your life.

Thank you for decidedly not censoring your blog to the whims of others and remembering this is your space to post as you please!

Erin Strother said...

Your blog is about food and pets and nature and jewelry and everything that is you. Write about what moves you, and other people who also enjoy these things will enjoy your blog. It is yours to create. I'm glad you are yourself and don't worry about what some closed minded person thinks!
Erin S

kate mckinnon said...

Don't you even DARE to change one scrap of your blog, which I read not only daily but every time you add an entry (Love the Safari Top Sites blue star showing up to let me know you have a new post...)

It's nice when people let us know what they want, I think in general that it's good for us to be upfront with each other. But it doesn't mean that we have to give it to them, simply that we have an understanding that a person wants A, and we provide A,B and C.

I'll weigh in and say I love the cat and food pix and wouldn't want a one of them to go away.

I think of my blog as a very effective filtration device. If a person doesn't like my blog, first of all, they surely will not like me. And secondly, I probably will not like them. And I don't want to do business with people who don't like me and who I don't like. Sure it cuts into my salary to be exactly who I am, but hey. I'm happy. And my life is not littered with jackwagons.

I love you, Andrew Thornton. And now I must say that I am starved for a picture of Babette and Paulo.

Fanciful Expressions said...

Well, I'm new to your blog and I find it quite interesting. Plus, I LOVE cats. So, you just keep doing what you're doing.
Perhaps, the person that criticized should write her own blog with content that she appreciates.

jenna@sweetfineday said...

You go Andrew! That is all.

sandi m said...

I'm always amazed when peeps tell an owner what they should or shouldn't write on THEIR bog!! I don't get it. If I'm not interested in someone's blog, I just move on. Why even waste time commenting?
Beh - you just keep writing whatever you want: jewelry, books, trips, gardens, cooking, cats, bugs, photos, art... and we'll just keeping coming back.

Nancy K. said...

Hi, I too check about once a week or so. I enjoy reading several posts at once. I really enjoy your comments about the food you make, I think making food is a form of art too. While I am more of a dog person than a cat person, I always love seeing any type of animal pictures in people's blogs. So bring on the cats. Thank you for all that you write and please keep at it!

Gaea said...

I can't even get through the rest of your wonderful post with out saying this:

What an asshole.

Craftymoose Crafts said...

I am a new follower on your blog & one of the things that attracted me was the variety of your posts--all interesting!

Jamar said...

I see your photographs and your meals as art. I love them all.
I appreciate you and your willingness to be open and share.
I'm thoroughly blessed by YOUR blog.....and now that I've seen your dinner......I'm hungry as well.

Anonymous said...

I love the food and kitty pictures!!!! It's all a part of your personality and don't change a thing!
Besides, the food pictures are awesome--art in itself.
I always imagine what those pictures would taste like...
Kim (Texas)

Mary Lynne said...

I love your blog for what it is - a feast of ideas, photographs, and sometimes jewelry. Thank you for your open heart and mind and for sharing these things with us.

And if anyone dares to say no food or kitty pictures or self-portrait Fridays, well just let them go read some other blog. (Probably one affiliated with some heartless corporate entity.)

I love your blog just the way it is.

Sharon Driscoll said...

Smiling at the dinner, you, the kitty babes, and the art. Sounds like someone needs to learn to be a part of enjoying the moments in life. They are everywhere and in everything. Continue on with anything that you want to share, I'll most certainly be reading.

Unknown said...

I love that you answered her by posting another food picture. :)

I have never ever thought to write to someone to tell them what I think they should write about on their blog. That has never ever even crossed my mind. I find it amusing that she felt the need to go out of her way to say something to you. Ha!

Cynthia Thornton said...

Well, that's nice they took the time to help improve your space. You seem to get folks who like to be helpful.

Faye said...

Your life journey
Your creative journey
Your blog.....
(which kindly shares both).

What you capture to share here is, really, about whatever captures your eye, your heart, your moments in and of time.

Some should remind themselves they are visitors to your world. The remainder of us truly enjoy "pulling up a screen" to the varied pieces of life (day to day or art or insight) you share each time we arrive!

Faye

graygirlstudios said...

you are so funny! and spot on. I wish I was a good a chef as you.

San Dee said...

It is true that seeing pictures of food and nature in "the Writing and Art..." can be confusing, so I see where this person comes from.

But it is also true that this is your blog and you can write about anything that you like!

If they are not happy, they can stop reading.

I just wanted to add as well that maybe there is no need for aggressivity and name calling in the comments?

Robbie said...

I enjoy it all...it's your life, your art, your choice!

SueBeads said...

I love that you were so kind about this!

Melissa J. Lee said...

Hear, hear, Andrew!

Raida said...

I love your blog, don't change a thing! Raida

Ellen Stoune said...

I think perhaps woman caught an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm or something like it and was then inspired to try the same "wit" with you.

I have to think that because to realize that there are really people like that in world is painful for me.

But you know... you are kind of falling down in the kitty department. Yeah, you can make some nice looking jewelry but do you have to talk about that?! Show me the cats!!

LOL! Keep it real, Andrew. You're awesome!