Mr. Peacock enjoys making homemade soups, especially when the weather is cold and dreary. This Chez Panisse Spinach Soup has been a longtime favorite, because it is so simple, economical and healthy. It is especially comforting after a holiday season of rich foods and treats. I love Alice Waters(Chez Panisse) recipes because she likes to use a minimal amount of ingredients for maximum flavor and this "green" soup is no exception. You probably already have most of the ingredients in your kitchen and it uses just water—not chicken broth. This simple soup is fantastic as it is, however, feel free to make it your own and play around with the ingredients. I use it as a starter “base” for a variety of soups. This time I added a half of a red bell pepper, but you could add leftover shredded chicken or whatever you have. Alice Waters suggests garnishing with garlic butter or swirls of crème fraiche or small buttered croutons with grated Parmesan and drizzled olive oil. I went really simple and just placed a couple of garlic croutons on each bowl.
Simple Spinach Soup Serves 6 Adapted from Chez Panisse Cooking. You can buy that cookbook and other Chez Panisse cookbooks here.
4 tablespoons unsalted butter (this adds so much flavor—do not substitute margarine or oil) 5 ¼ cups water 1 large carrot (Mr. Peacock used 2 medium), diced 1 stalk of celery (Mr. Peacock used 2 small stalks), diced 1 medium onion, diced 3 bunches of spinach (about 1 lb.), de-stemmed, washed, and drained (Mr. Peacock used 5 large handfuls of baby spinach) Salt and pepper to taste (Mr. Peacock used about 1.5 teaspoons of salt and a few grinds of fresh ground black pepper)
1) Melt the butter in a wide stainless-steel pot. Add ¾ water and the diced carrot, celery and onions (Mr. Peacock also added a diced half of a red bell pepper that was hanging out in the refrigerator). Cook at a low simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.
2)Add the remaining 4 ½ cups water and bring to a boil. Add the spinach and cook over high heat for 1 minute, stirring until all of the spinach is well wilted. Do not cover the pot: Volatile acids, which are released when the vegetable is heated, will condense on the lid, fall back into the pot, and cause discoloration and make the soup a dull color.
3)Carefully pour the entire mixture in a blender and pureé. Sometimes I like the soup to be super smooth and thoroughly puree it for a few minutes and it becomes almost creamy, while other times I will just blend it for a few moments and leave it a little chunky with flecks of veggies. Pureé the mixture to your desired preference.
4)Garnish as desired and serve!
Mr. Peacock will make large batches of soups with homemade stock and freeze them for lazy days, however, this particular spinach soup is best served immediately, rather than made ahead. The barely wilted spinach will make the pureé a beautiful bright green—but will turn to a dull army green after about 30 minutes, so plan accordingly. Make some spinach soup this weekend—it’s cheap, easy and yummy! Popeye would be proud...
Mr. Peacock was immediately enamoured by these expressive tattooed gents the moment he laid eyes on them. Each one of these charming guys are handmade by American artist and crafter, Mimi Kirchner, who started making dolls in 2001, after many years as a studio potter. She also beautifully photographs these toile de jouy fellows.
Mimi settled into her current style of dolls in 2005, after clearing out her mother’s house and being inspired by all of the wool fabrics she got from her mother.
Mr Peacock: What inspired your first tattoo doll? Mimi Kirchner: I was noticing tattoo imagery and people with tattoos everywhere. And I started thinking about making a tattooed man or woman doll. I love illustration and was thinking about the fun of an illustrated person.
MK:My doll ideas usually start with a vague, rather unformed idea and it can take months before a doll gets made. Over the months, I get a continuing flow of little bits of input that add to a more complete idea.
MK:My dilemma with the tattooed doll was the tattoos—how to make them? My first thought was embroidery and I played with that idea. It became obvious that would be much too labor intensive.
MK:My next idea was to ask my brother (Paul Kirchner) to help—he is an illustrator whose style would be perfect. I thought he could draw on the fabric with a permanent marker. That got me thinking about fabric that already had drawings on it and finally I thought of toile! I wasn't sure if it would look like tattoos to anyone but me. I made the first doll and put it up on Flickr—immediately people started commenting, so I knew it was a success!
MP: Your faces are so expressive on these tattooed gents. Do you look at a photograph of a man or just create these fellows from your heart? MK:I studied photos of models in a GQ Magazine and did some sketches until I felt comfortable with male faces.
MK:Most of my artwork over the years has focused on women and children so I was stepping out of my comfort zone! I made a simple paper template of where the features go. Then I mark out the eyes, nose and mouth placement onto the fabric. I do a very simple drawing with a water soluble pen and then I start with the embroidery. Each doll becomes it's own individual person as I embroider. I am always amazed!
MP:Do you use random remnants or look for specific fabric for specific dolls? MK:Mostly I use random remnants. I try to use what I've got and not go looking for specific fabrics. When I needed the toile for the tattooed men, I had some scraps and then I bought some remnants on Etsyand ebay.
MK:I have so much fabric that I really should never buy another scrap—of course that doesn't stop me. Sometimes a fabric will inspire a doll, but usually I have an idea and I search through what I've got. Sometimes when I am looking for a specific fabric, because I need something just so—I can never find it!
MP:Any favorite dolls as a child? MK:I had several different cloth dolls that I loved—a Raggedy Andy and another handmade one that I named Emily. I liked them because they seemed old-fashioned to my 8 year old self, and that was very appealing.
MK:When I was a little bit older, I loved the Madame Alexander dolls, although I think I mostly loved making all kinds of things for them—clothes and rooms. I played with dolls into my early teens—very uncool!
MP:Have you ever got too attached to a doll you made and couldn't part with him or her? MK:Well, yes, I have a few that I haven't been able to part with. Also, if I really like a doll and someone I know, or whose work I admire buys it, I feel better because at least I know where it has gone. I have always felt that selling my artwork is like dealing with a litter of kittens—you want to feel that they go to a good home where they will be loved.
Stop by Mimi’s Etsy shop here, and see her amazing dolls and other goodies. She has a very cute and quirky “Boy with Black Eye”doll at her Etsy shop right now. The dolls shown in these photos have been sold, but will give you a good representation of the style of Mimi's tattooed gentlemen.
If you visit Mimi's Etsy shop and see a doll you like, you better buy it when you see it, because it probably won’t last very long—especially these fantastic tattooed gentlemen. Keep in mind these dolls are handmade and each one is unique and takes time to make. If you don't see a doll that grabs your eye at Mimi's shop, be sure to check back again.
By now, you already know that Mr. Peacockloves plaid.I am swooning over Mimi’s latest project—this breathtaking plaid quilt made of cozy wool shirts. To see what Mimi’s currently creating, take a peek at her blog,DOLL-The Art and Craft of Mimi Kirchner. Thanks Mimi!All photos courtesy of Mimi Kirchner.
Mr. Peacock is a certifiable dish queen, but has to question the motives of the $485,000 set of new china the Bushes recently purchased for the White House. Admittedly, it was paid for through a charitable foundation—but why now? Especially with our fragile economy, the wars, et all—it seems like a very poor decision. If the china was that "wore-out"...then the Bushes should have been more gracious, and let the Obama family select a new set of china. Nancy Reagan was severely criticized for purchasing china at an awkward time—but at least she had good taste.
As a child, my mother would make me promptly write a thank you note after I received gifts or was treated to special dinners or events by grandparents, aunts, uncles or whomever. I would usually make a homemade thank you card or sometimes my mom would let me pick a card from her stash of greeting cards she kept in a shoebox. Mr. Peacock still hand writes thank you cards, however, not as promptly as my mother did. In fact, I’m just getting around to writing my holiday thank you cards, but I guess I have a good excuse for my tardiness this time.
There is no excuse, however, for not writing thank you cards. Mr. Peacock thinks thank you cards are especially meaningful in this frenzied digital age of email and text messaging. I’m not very fond of George H. W. Bush, but after watching the PBS American Experience documentary, I was impressed that people remembered his heartfelt thank you notes he would write. After initial meetings with colleagues, politicians or dignitaries, Mr. Bush Sr. would often send a simple note thanking the person for the opportunity of a friendship. You can use a blank card or just a simple piece of paper as a thank you note, it’s your own personal message that is important—although a nice card can make it extra special. Here’s some of Mr. Peacock’s favorite thank you cards:
Mr. Peacock loves these blank letterpress cards from Dandy Lion Pressthat have original pocket watch drawings printed on metallic paper. The envelope even has a little clock detail printed on the flap.
This series of birds on chairs, by Screech Owl Design, are witty and elegant. I especially like the middle card, "Oystercatcher posing on Reitveld Chair."
Set Editions has a clever “every card you need this year”box of 40 cards—each card is printed with a simple color graphic and message. How easy is that? All the cards you need in one box and includes 6 thank you cards.
Here’s a few thank you cards I’ve received from friends this past year. My friend, Jon, always promptly sends a chic engraved note card with his monogram at the top—custom printed, from Tiffanys.You can also commission your own thank you cards or monogrammed note cards from a letterpress studio—there's probably one in your area too. If you're in the Baltimore, Maryland area—check out Typecast Pressfor custom letterpress projects.
Mr. Peacock would like to express his sincere gratitude to everyone who reads my blog and for all of the wonderful comments and emails! I appreciate the warm welcome to the blogosphere. Thank You!
Let's hope the economy gets back on track after President Obama's inauguration...but until then we can dream about these goodies: (click image to enlarge) 1)Finally a book devoted to the talents of the late peacock Stephen Sprouse! Mr. Sprouse was one of the first American designers to mix graffiti and a punk aesthetic with fashion. Mr. Peacock remembers repeatedly going into the only US location of Printemps and trying on an amazing Stephen Sprouse jacket over and over again. The jacket was way beyond my budget at the time, but it was very seductive each time I tried it on—I now regret not splurging. His unique sensibility has inspired designers from John Galliano to Marc Jacobs. The graffiti logo bags he designed in collaboration with Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton in 2001 sold-out instantly, but an updated Stephen Sprouse for Louis Vuittoncollectionwill be back at Louis Vuitton stores this Friday. Pre-order the Stephen Sprouse bookhereor here.
2)This Gambler's Lockbox Key & Die Necklace would make a splendid talisman for 2009—the key symbolizing new opportunities and the die symbolizing prosperity or courageous risks. The oxidized sterling silver key and die gently hang on a 28” sterling silver chain. Keep in mind that the die is an antique found object from the 1800’s, so each one will slightly vary. Quantities of this Digby & Iona necklace are limited, buy one here.
3)New Year's Eve is over, but you can still drink lots of champagne and even the cheap stuff would taste better in these exquisite old-school champagne saucers. These modern looking “Series B” Champagne Cups were designed by Josef Hoffman in 1912 using a technique called “Bronzitdekor” in which the crystal surface is decorated with a brownish-black enamel. These beauties aren't cheap, so don't let your friends get too tipsy and accidentally break one. These champagne cups are permanently on Mr. Peacock's gift registry. Buy a sethere.
4)This charming Domino Box (12”w x 6”d x 6.25”h) would be perfect for stashing game cards or even real dominoes. It’s hand painted and made of south pine lumber with a neatly hinged lid. Its simplistic folk art style would be a nice contrast in a modern interior. Buy one here.
4)Mr. Peacock loves this witty Lucien Pellat-Finet cashmere sweater embellished with faux aviator sunglasses made of tiny gold and silver crystals. You can also order a custom Lucien Pellat-Finetcashmere sweater with Lucien’s iconic “leaf” or skull , or other selected graphics in whatever colors you choose. Take a look here. FYI: Mr. Peacock is a size medium.
Mr. Peacock salutes the internationally acclaimed artist and design legend, Tony Duquette. He created amazing décor, costumes, jewelry, stage sets and interiors. Whether he was using priceless precious stones or tchotchkes from the 99-cent store, this gentleman peacock was committed to creating unique and dazzling beauty using whatever materials that inspired his artistic vision. Mr. Duquette was born in 1914, in Los Angeles. His creativity was nurtured by his parents—especially by his free-spirited and artistic mother. He turned down a scholarship to Yale and instead accepted a scholarship to attend the Chouinard School of Art in Los Angeles, where he met his soulmate, Elizabeth "Beegle" Johnstone. They both were Geminis too—like Mr. Peacock.
Tony Duquette and Elizabeth "Beegle" Johnstone dressed in costumes of their own invention, circa 1935.
Mr. Duquette nicknamed her Beegle because she had the soaring poetry of an eagle and the industry of a bee. They married on Valentines Day in 1949 and created their own fabulous world together. Tony Duquette and his beloved Beegle were married for over fifty years and lived and worked together until her death in 1994. Mr. Duquette died from a heart attack in 1999. Over the years their friends included: Gloria Swanson,Greta Garbo,Agnes Moorehead,Mary Pickford and Herb Alpert—just to name a few. He was the godfather of Liza Minelli. Cobina Wright, Elsie de Wolfe and Tony Duquette at the opening of his first one-man exhibition, circa 1947.
The interior decorator pioneer and international arbiter of taste, Elsie de Wolfe (Lady Mendl), befriended Mr. Duquette and became his mentor and archangel. She really launched and promoted his creative genius.
Mr. Duquette’s work has become highly collectable, and of course very expensive. Baker Furniture recently unveiled The Selected Works of Tony Duquette.Hutton Wilkinson (see video above), president of the Duquette Foundation, and lifelong friend and associate of Mr. Duquette, worked closely with Baker in its choices, producing an exceptional best-of-class archival anthology. Here’s some of Mr. Peacock’s favorite pieces:
The Abalone Chandelier(circa 1952) was originally unveiled as part of Duquette's one-man exhibition at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The chandelier was then part of the Charles and Palmer Ducommun Bel Air residence.
Years later, Duquette acquired the piece from the estate and hung it prominently in his own home, Dawnridge, where it remains today.
The Ghost Snail lamp (circa 1970) has been recreated from cast resin poured into an intricately hand-carved mold. The interior is fitted with twin frosted 40-watt bulbs, illuminating through the natural pin shell veneer in a soft, hypnotic glow. This lamp reminds Mr. Peacock of the giant snail in the original Doctor Dolittle film from 1967.
I think it inspired the snail used in one of Bergdorf’s amazing 2008 holiday window displays.
The Biomorphic Console (circa 1965) was originally designed for the Charles and Palmer Ducommun Bel Air residence and is impeccably recreated by Baker in cast resin.
Mr. Peacock loves the undulating form of this unique piece.
The Terrapin Lamp (circa 1960) features a large cast bronze shell that is backlit with a 40-watt bulb. This lamp takes many of its cues from lamps originally designed by Mr. Duquette for a private penthouse in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Mr. Duquette designed his first piece of jewelry for the Duchess of Windsor.Mr. Peacock is swooning over this brooch made of black moonstone, pearls and diamonds. You can buy it here.
The tourmaline heart and citrine brooch is also fantastic and would look quite smart on Mr. Peacock's lapel. Buy it here for your Valentine.
If you don't already own a copy of the amazing book, Tony Duquette, purchase a copy here. ''Decorating is not a surface performance,'' Mr. Duquette once said, ''It's a spiritual impulse, inborn and primordial.'' Bravo Mr. Duquette!
Mr. Peacock hopes everyone had a nice holiday week. I had a cooking mishap in the kitchen on Christmas day. I burned my right wrist with hot oil—ouch! I went to the doctor the next day and was treated for the burn, however a few days later, I noticed a red stripe creeping up my arm—and I knew that wasn't a kind omen. My sister, Samantha, was accidentally bitten by one of her dogs a few months ago and ended up staying in the hospital a few days with the same red stripe. We went to the hospital immediately, and they gave me a 2 hour IV of antibiotics and the red stripe slowly disappeared from my arm. I'm still a bit incapacitated, but recuperating quickly.
I received some thoughtful gifts over the holiday, including some vintage milk glass pieces and a quirky porcelain Deerman figurine.
This curvy vintage porcelain teapot, made in Germany, was also part of my "White Christmas" goodies. I'm looking forward to using this teapot in the new year.
Mr. Peacock loves the quirkiness of this Deerman figurine. You can buy one here(if it's in stock) and see other pieces by ceramic artist, Megan Bogonovich. I also received this little square 1970’s book on Max Ernst, one of the founders of the Dadaist. It has over 90 color plates, however the color reproduction is rather dark. You can get one here. The cover (above) shows a detail of: Attirement of the Bride(La Toilette de la mariée), 1940. Oil on canvas from the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice.
The Postman Cheval (Le Facteur Cheval), 1932. Paper and fabric collage with pencil, ink, and gouache on paper from the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice.
Mr. Peacock enjoys making homemade soups, especially when the weather is cold and dreary. This Chez Panisse Spinach Soup has been a longtime favorite, because it is so simple, economical and healthy. It is especially comforting after a holiday season of rich foods and treats. I love Alice Waters (Chez Panisse) recipes because she likes to use a minimal amount of ingredients for maximum flavor and this "green" soup is no exception. You probably already have most of the ingredients in your kitchen and it uses just water—not chicken broth. This simple soup is fantastic as it is, however, feel free to make it your own and play around with the ingredients. I use it as a starter “base” for a variety of soups. This time I added a half of a red bell pepper, but you could add leftover shredded chicken or whatever you have. Alice Waters suggests garnishing with garlic butter or swirls of crème fraiche or small buttered croutons with grated Parmesan and drizzled olive oil. I went really simple and just placed a couple of garlic croutons on each bowl.
Simple Spinach Soup
1) Melt the butter in a wide stainless-steel pot. Add ¾ water and the diced carrot, celery and onions (Mr. Peacock also added a diced half of a red bell pepper that was hanging out in the refrigerator). Cook at a low simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.
2) Add the remaining 4 ½ cups water and bring to a boil. Add the spinach and cook over high heat for 1 minute, stirring until all of the spinach is well wilted. Do not cover the pot: Volatile acids, which are released when the vegetable is heated, will condense on the lid, fall back into the pot, and cause discoloration and make the soup a dull color.
3) Carefully pour the entire mixture in a blender and pureé. Sometimes I like the soup to be super smooth and thoroughly puree it for a few minutes and it becomes almost creamy, while other times I will just blend it for a few moments and leave it a little chunky with flecks of veggies. Pureé the mixture to your desired preference.
