AMAZING ALASKA!!

Hard to believe it is February already!  Hard to believe just last week it was raining in Alaska, warm and sunny in Northern California and 6 degrees in New York City!  California thinks it is springtime with all the ornamental cherry and plum trees beginning to bloom, New York thinks the winter will never end and Alaska knows they are just ready for anything!

I mention Alaska because I have just returned from Homer where we had a family reunion. All three brothers getting together to visit their mom and share memories and life stories.  Their last time together was twelve years ago and there sure was a lot of catching up.  Besides doing much listening, and somewhat less talking I spent my time thinking about KITCHEN ART.  We found recipes from their mom and similar to my old family recipes pre-mixed flour was a staple ingredient.  Also, similar to my family, being economical was their mind-set.  Zora's great-grandparents would certainly love KITCHEN ART!!  Even if I say so myself!

Besides thinking about family and past generations I focused on the art of the area.  Most people think of Alaska as an unsettled rugged  state.  Well, that is true, but only partly true.  Artwork flourishes and Homer is filled with many beautiful galleries.  Naturally nature is the inspiration for much art and in Alaska there is the Native American influence as well as the influence of the animals.  We knew one artist who was famous for her octopus ink sketches.  And then there is the ice.  Even though it was raining slightly when we were there, there still was the ice.  Ice sculpture competitions are a popular activity each winter.  Then there is the scenery which is a delight for every photographer.  Bald eagles and moose are frequent sightings as are the vast snowy mountains.

Once again I was reminded and amazed by the ingenuity and creativity of people.  Elaborate or simple, rainy, sunny, or freezing cold artwork flourishes!

So here is a simple KITCHEN ART project dedicated to my snowbound friends in New York and my good-spirited friends in Alaska.  And inspired by one of my favorite holidays,  Saint Valentine's Day!

RAINBOW CRAYONS HEARTS*

Tired of giving candy to your children on St. Valentine's Day?  Prepare crayon hearts, kids will love them and they will last much longer!

INGREDIENTS:  peeled crayon bits, ice water, plastic sandwich bags, ties, tin foil

TOOLS:  metal heart cookie cutters, cookie tray, bowl, oven*, spoon

INSTRUCTION:  *Adult supervision is required.  1.  Place small bits of old crayons into plastic bags.  Bright colors work better. Close with twist tie.  2.  Line cookie tray with tin foil.  Put down heart cookie cutters with baggies inside.  Press the bag with crayons into the cutter so they are about 3/4 full.  3.  Place tray in slightly warm oven or hot sun (if you can find it).  TIP:  if oven is too hot the baggies will melt.  4. Let crayons melt until soft, about 20 minutes.  Remove from oven and carefully flatten out any bumps with spoon to create smooth heart shape.  Cool, carefully remove from cutters and drop baggie into ice water.  6.  Remove crayon hearts from baggie.  Give with paper for Saint Valentine's Day!  TIP!  Remember around Valentine's Day heart-shaped cookie cutters are available in most cooking stores.  And they come in all sizes!

ADDITIONAL IDEAS:  Make rainbow crayons in other shapes, using other cookie cutters or molds made from tin foil!