Join.Borrow.Enjoy.Return at the Art Lending Library

"Everlasting Light"

Many people (including myself) cannot afford to purchase an orignal piece of art, but deeply enjoy the beauty of orignal artwork. Do you want an orignal piece of art at your home or business, but don’t have the cash to make the purchase? Solution: Get a library card from the Art Lending Library and checkout a piece and enjoy for months!

Step 1: Join

The Art Lending Library provides a network of lending and borrowing original artwork to the general public for FREE. Sign up at an opening and get a library card at 201 Yesler Wy. Suite B Seattle, WA.

Step 2: Check out

Attend a library opening and reserve a piece for delivery by the librarians to members’ homes or business.

Step 3: Install

Art Lending librarians will come to your home or business and install the art for you.

Step 4: Enjoy

 Gaze and admire your borrowed piece of art for 4 months.

Step 5: Return

Once time is up, the librarians will come collect the artwork, take a picture of you and the piece and return back to the gallery. Choose a new piece of artwork at the next opening or reserve your favorite piece time and time again.

So what are you waiting for? Get a library card!

Next Event: March 1st, First Thursday art walk for their Grand Opening (this won’t be a check-out event)

Questions? Email artlendinglibrary@gmail.com and visit their website and Facebook page.

Below are a few pieces previously featured at the Art Lending Library

"a wandering into morning, wading into evening and sifting into sleep" from: "The Mailbox in the Woods"

"Bodi seti satva" from, Atoms. Motion & the Void

14 Ways an Economist Says I Love You

 I just saw this and had to share it with my fellow economists courtesy fosslien.com. Hope you enjoy a good laugh!

Another good one

Top 5 Reasons to Yelp

Over the years I have become an avid user of Yelp. Why you ask? Because Yelp gives me a snapshot of the restaurants, events or services through the eyes of consumers.  If I’m in a new city, country or even my hometown Ballard, Yelp is my go to resource for finding the best of the best and almost guarantees a memorable experience.

After having a horrifying experience last weekend at a hotel in Hilo, Hawai’i that my aunt had booked (she should have used Yelp), I introduced her to the site. She now says she will always Yelp prior to making any hotel reservations in the future. Sorry Naniloa Resort, you have been yelped and it doesn’t look good.

1. Transparency- Allows recent customers to share their experience, good or bad with others and hold merchants accountable for their service and products. The availability of information allows consumers to make informed decisions and seek out highly rated merchants. Transparency creates an incentive for below average merchants to improve their products and services (which is my next reason).
2. Better Products/Services- Increased transparency leads to higher quality products and services. Companies don’t want to establish a bad reputation that the entire world can see.
3. Meet new people- Yelping is social. Read other reviews, become a fan of fellow yelpers and get to know people who share the same tastes.  Get out of your house and into the world! You are bound to meet interesting and passionate people.
4. Tell your story- Writing reviews on Yelp and becoming an elite member allows users to create almost a diary or timeline of the restaurants, hotels and cities they have traveled too. Give it a try, sign up on Yelp and watch your reviews grow. Take a look back on your review history and let the memories roll.
5. Explore new neighborhoods, cities and let your adventurista side out- Yelp allows users to explore new places. From speakeasy bars to the best Tom Yum a city can offer, the site lets people expand their horizons, create new experiences and lasting memories.

So what are you waiting for?

Get Yelping!

How To Cook A Kumu (Goat Fish): Hawaiian Microwave Style

Aloha,

My recent trip to the Big Island of Hawai’i exposed me to island culture, food and hawaiian cooking. During my trip I enjoyed every meal with my aunt and uncle and discovered new culinary techniques that I must share!  On the second to last night we enjoyed Kumu, purple potato salad, barbecued pork and bok choy while watching the blazing sunset near Kohala Ranch. This was my first time trying Kumu and definitely not my last. I admit, I was skeptical when my uncle said he was cooking a whole fish in the microwave, but I was very wrong. The fish came out tender, moist and delicious in a matter of minutes. Thanks Uncle Stewart and Aunt Sue for your wonderful meals and inviting us into your beautiful home!

Mahalo

How to Cook A Whole Fish: Microwave Style

Ingredients:

• Whole Kumu (goat fish scaled, gutted and gills removed or find a good fishmonger)
• Minced garlic
• Bok Choy
• 4 Tbsp Shoyu (soy sauce)
• Handful minced green onions
• Cilantro
• Tbsp Brown Sugar
• Sliced ginger
• 3 Tbsp Peanut Oil
• Pinch of salt
• 1/4 water

Cooking Time: 3 minutes per lb

Directions:

Place fish on serving plate and stuff ginger into the cavity of the fish. Salt the fish and pour 1/4 cup water onto the serving tray underneath the fish. Place plastic wrap over plate and microwave 3 minutes per pound (Our fish was 5 pounds= 15 minutes microwave time).  Mix shoyu with brown sugar in a small bowl. Heat peanut oil over medium-high heat in saucepan. Sautee garlic in a frying pan and add Bok Choy until wilted. Pour shoyu mix over Bok Choy in frying pan. Remove fish from microwave and check if done with a fork (fish should easily flake if done). Sprinkle cilantro and green onions over fish. Place bok choy around the fish on the serving plate and drizzle entire fish lightly with hot peanut oil (Allowing the veggies to fully cook).

Ohoiho!

Kohala Sunset

P.S. If you are concerned about the safety of microwaving plastic wrap, please read the disclosure below courtesy PlasticsInfo.org:

Q: Is it okay to use plastic wrap with high-fat foods in the microwave?

A: Yes, it is okay to use plastic wrap with high-fat foods in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Plastic wrap is not heated by microwave energy, but it can be heated by contact with hot foods. Normally, foods in a microwave oven do not become hot enough to bring the wrap to its melting point. However, because certain foods with high fat content (such as butter) can become very hot in a microwave oven, most manufacturers recommend leaving an inch of air space between the food and the wrap or turning back a corner for ventilation. The instructions on various plastic wraps may vary, so again, it’s always a good idea to check the label.

Sunflower & Sun-dried Tomato Pasta {Gluten Free}

Yesterday was one of those days where nothing seems to go smoothly. It was getting late and I needed to make something quick from the ingredients already in my cabinet. Since it’s near the end of the week, my fridge was on the empty side and I wanted to throw together a delicious, yet simple meal for Thursday night. This recipe requires almost no planning and delivers an effortless and healthy meal from ingredients already hiding in your kitchen. Next time I will add grilled chicken breast and a bottle of vino. This dish is worth celebrating!

What You Will Need:

• Gluten Free Pasta (I used Fusilli but any type will do)

• Sun Dried Tomatoes (half jar)

• Sunflower seeds (1/4 cup)

• Artichokes (canned)

• Capers (1/4 cup or less)

• Fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano (as much as your heart desires)

Use any amount of ingredients you like, whether you are cooking for one, two or an entire group. Boil lightly salted water, add pasta and cook for 7-10 minutes (depending on type of pasta). Slice artichokes into quarters. Once pasta is al dente, strain pasta and mix additional ingredients in a large bowl. Sprinkle with Parmigiano-Reggiano and that’s it!

Buon Appetito!