my sister's art

I have this irresistible urge to post something today. Namely, the link to my sister's new website: http://www.magdalenaalmy.com. She just shared it with me, since she's been working on putting it together to promote herself as an artist. I think it's gorgeous. And since it's an open website, available to the public, I have no qualms about flaunting it here.:) I am insanely proud of her, despite the fact that we don't see eye to eye on many issues (politics and religion, most importantly, as anyone who has been following this journal knows already - but let's leave that painful topic alone for the moment). Sometimes I think she was simply born in the wrong century - and if you take a look at her art, you will understand what I mean. There are many contradictions about her, and she is a mystery even to me sometimes, though I know her better than most people. But whatever else there is behind the carefully created 'public image' you will see on the 'Bio' page, there is definitely immense artistic potential. And I'm not saying this because she's my sister. Anyway... feel welcome to browse, or even contact her if you are so inclined (she is trying to sell her art, after all) - just don't tell her you found the link in my LJ, since she doesn't know I have one.:P And I'd rather keep it that way for now, not being sure how she would feel about some of the things I post here (the slash, for one; as well as any mentions of her & her ideological outlook, obviously). But you may, of course, say that you are a friend of mine and that I told you about the website - that would be, indeed, most welcome (just don't mention the name Floating Leaf, since she has no idea who that is :P). Or just take a lurker's look around and tell me what you think.:)

my little mundane pleasures ;)

Just because I can, here are a few more recent shots of my place (as opposed to the ones I posted sometime last year). No particular reason, other than perhaps documenting the progress of my 'settling in' and making the apartment look more cosy. ( It's the little things that make a home.:) )

I have also discovered the absolute culinary hit of the summer: seafood salad with citrus vinaigrette. It tastes like pure heaven. Must have been the food of the gods in some ancient Mediterranean culture, or something. I like seafood pretty much any way I can have it, but it is sublime indeed when mixed with fresh greens, white wine vinegar, grapefruit and avocados. So simple... so perfect. The unquestionable number one on my list so far.:) Though the tuna salad with green beans, red potatoes, hard-boiled eggs and olives I made last week is probably a close second.:P A bit heavier, calorie-wise, but well worth it. I could probably alternate between one and the other for a good month or so before I got tired of it... lol. Not that I have to, since there are about 15 other recipes I mean to try out in the near future. I know I've probably said it about a hundred times by now, but I never thought that eating healthy could be so much fun. If I'd had a clue, I would have started YEARS ago. I just never believed it was worth the time and trouble to cook for yourself on a regular basis. But it totally is, in so many ways. Except you won't know until you try it, and I would never have tried it if I'd thought I had a choice (other than letting myself grow heavier and heavier, until it's too late to ever go back to looking & feeling like myself again). Well... better late than never, I suppose.

Speaking of late... I should totally be in bed by now.:/