What about April?

Hey gals, this month has been a most terribly busy (and even overwhelming and busily terrible) month, and it is coming to a close without it's Culture Club meeting really fast here. Things are still extremely busy with me but I was wondering if any of you would want to scramble and help make a meeting happen in the next week or so? If not that is definitely fine but having monthly meetings will have to be a group effort so if not this month try to share future months and activities that you will be willing to host.
I am totally willing to help organize your input and suggestions into a concrete schedule. So let the brainstorming begin.
Just some last ditch suggestions for this month:
-We can go out to lunch together for a future CC meeting planning session
-Go see a cool movie together
-Visit the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point
-And also.... I teaching a photography class for an enrichment night for my ward at my house tuesday 28 at 7 pm. If you would want to come and learn more about photography this is also an option.

Im excited to here from ya'll.

In the meantime here is an absolutely lovely film that will spark the creativity (and romance) that is in all of us. Happy Spring, too!

March CC meeting = Exotic Enlightenment

Thanks to all that came out for the activity. Most of the

info discussed has been posted in the post below so either if

you weren't able to make it and you are wanting to get filled

in or if you were able to participate and you just want to

review in case you missed something, its there for you. Thanks for

all your patience as I was more than just frazzled that day and

putting you to work the moment you walked through my door

probably wasn't what you all had in mind, but for the most part

the food turned out alright thanks to all your willing hands and

in case you were wondering I never found out what went wrong

with the cashew fudge, I tasted it later that night and it was basically

like a very nutty sorbet (since we had put it in the freezer to get it

to thicken up) but please do to post some of your favorite Indian

recipes if you have any, so we can feel a little more edified in

that department. But as for the cultural info a big thank you

to our little Kitch! You did great.

For more pics of the event click here....

India lecture notes

Some History:

Major influential invasions-

Aryan 1500 BC

-Brought sanskrit language

-Brought Vedas (hindu scripture)

-Caste System

3 major Islamic Invasions: only the last held influence

-1st-Arabs 8th century

-2nd-Turks, Afghans, Persians 13th century

-3rd-Moguls 16th century- actually succeeded, Taj Mahal was built

by a Mogul

Religion:

Hinduism-

-enfolds other religions (believes Christ and Buddha were avatars* of vishnu)

*avatars are reincarnations of Gods

-Polytheistic

-3 Major Gods: Brahma(creator), Shiva (destroyer: like summer to fall),

Vishnu (the preserver like spring from winter)

-3 Popular Gods: Krishna (blue), Parvati (mother goddess {name of character in

Harry Potter}), Ganesh (elephant god)

-Varna or Caste System {5 levels}

-Kshatriya-warrior

-Brahman-priestly, intellectuals (highest)

-Vaisya-merchants

-Sudras-peasants

-Parians-untouchables

-Reincarnation

-Cycle of death and rebirth=samsara

-Getting reborn into different caste (after living only one caste in

per life) is based on the total Karma collected in the proceeding life

- Moksha/Mukti- "release" liberation from the cycle, when one has

reached the highest level, reunite with Brahman

{Painting of Krishna, is NOT believed to have multiple arms they just

represent different personality traits}

Hindu Temple

3 major tiers representing different levels of glory

-1st is decorated with human and carnal figures representing the level

of the natural man (can be painted and brightly colored)

-2nd- less carvings of figures and what carvings there are of Gods (?)

-3rd is decorated with only geometric tessellation as they are considered

the purest form of art, no figures to make into idols, {same reasoning as

Islam's for using only tessellation and calligraphy in their art}

Isalm-

-Monotheistic-one god Allah

-Everyone is equal as they submit to Allah

-Started by Mohammed

-believed to be the last great profit in the line of Adam, Noah, Abraham

-Orphaned at a young age, raised by family

-As a young man help resolve a major issue of the black rock stollen

from mecca, each leader from all the different tribes in the area

wanted to be the ones that brought back the rock, source of

contention, Mohammed's solution was to carry back the rock on a

cloak which was lifted by each leader at a corner.

-Then started to become influential religious leader

-Last part of his life became a war lord conquering and creating the

Islamic empire

-After Mohammed died Islam population divided

-Sunni- believe that the rule of the religion follows with whom the

latest prophet designates ( much like LDS take on presidency of the

church after Joseph Smith died) make up 90% of islam population

-Shi 'ite- believes that the religion should be ruled only by descendants

of Mohammed (Much like RLDS take on who should be president

of the church after JS died) Make up 10% of population

-Religious Scripture

-Qur'an/Koran- passages written down in poetic form of what

Mohamad said, Mohammed did not write it, Official cannon,

moral guidance and legal instruction

-Sunnah- "way and manners of the prophet", official cannon

-Hadith- not official cannon, actual content disputed and changing

-The 5 pillars of the faith

-Shahadah- creed, excepting Allah as god, testifying of Mohammed

-Salah- Prayer, 5 times a day, facing mecca,

-Zakat- alms -giving

-Sawm- fasting during month of Ramadan (only eating when it is dark)

-Hajj- pilgramage to mecca, must walk around the Kaaba (black cube

housing the black rock) 7 times

**only a minority of conservative sunni population believes Jihad to

be a sixth piller of Islam

-Jihad- "to struggle" defined as "exerting one's utmost efforts

to contend with an object of disapprobation" definitions of

such "objects" differ whether it be aspects of ones own self or

a visible enemy. This difference is important when discussing

the motivations of groups such as al-Qaeda.

{Love the motion blur of the groups circling the Kaaba}

Buddhism-

-Started by Siddhartha Gautama- Hindu prince in Nepal saddened by

the poverty he was seeing set out to find a way to reach enlightenment

without having to go through all the castes

-Buddhism caught on very fast as it taught that everyone could reach

enlightenment

-Traveled to China where it caught on fast but didn't last long due to

overpowering governments (hmmmm, I wonder if there is any connedtion

to there being 5 stories on buddist pagodas and there being 5 castes in

the Hindu religion....arent they both showing how many levels there are

in the progression to enlightenment?) (If any of you know for sure there

really is a connection, please post about it)

Music:

(Kitch has by now taken back her lecture notes so I cant refer to them

so I will outline what I remember but Ill try to get her to edit this post

and fill in some blanks)

Hindustani: India's classical music

Qawwali:known for its highly ornamental singing, use of harmonioum

Filmi: Baliwood musicals. Usually very escapest and unrealistically

happy. Huge productions of singing and dancing. Kissing and

romantic gestures usually not allowed and considered

offensive (reason why Richard Gear got all that flack for

kissing the indian actress that presented his award), but

suggestive dance moves make up for some of that lost sex appeal.

Other Facts:

Bindis and other forehead marks-

-Bindis- Mark usually red placed on the 6th chakra (seat of wisdom)

stared out being a mark worn by married woman only, color red

chosen for being auspicious and believed to bring fortune

-Marks that are associated with caste

click here for information (look for section 1:5)...

Henna- paste painted on the skin in intricate designs, traditionally

for weddings, believed that beauty brings fortune, some brides

henna decoration can be so intricate and need so many re-applications

that it can take up to 4 days to be ready for the event, grooms will get

henna as well

Notice traditional saris are always draped over the left shoulder.

As you may have noticed, I started loosing my

steam towards the end of this post. If any of you have

any more information or interesting facts please feel 

free to post them.

GeT ExCiTed

::REMINDER::

Just reminding you girls about

our CC meeting coming up this Saturday the 21st.

If you have accepted a food assignment &

have any questions just let me know.

Or haven't accepted one yet but want to.

::LETS MEET::

@ 12:00 Pm

Bethany's House

get excited.

If you liked the brushes I used in the above poster

(Which Im sure that Crystal would have made a much cooler one)

Here is a link. They are an exciting new find for me.

And the image was an image that I shot and then

used the "cut out" filter in photoshop to stylize.

That filter reminds me of the work that this girl does

a great idea for some personalized wall hangings

that you could make yourself or get through her.

Sorry for the random tangent

just thought I would let you know as

I would love to hear your creative ideas.

March Culture Club Meeting: INDIA

{Image I took at the Krishna Temple last saturday during the Night of Shiva Festival}

Hey girls the theme for next months meeting has been chosen....India. Kitchen will been kind enough to give us a lecture/ presentation based on all the amazing things she is learning in her eastern art and culture class at BYU. Religion, music, traditions, and general culture will be discussed. Along with fun activities where all your 5 senses will be enlivened. Unfortunately I dont think Slumdog Millionaire will be out on DVD by then as it would be perfect to watch and discuss together. Go watch it if you can or have an interest in it as it is an amazing film about India. But we can read a book to supplement what we will learn in the meeting and have a little book club action added into the mix. The book that Libby recommended is "A Fine Balance" by Rohinton Mistry. Its about 600 pg long (which is about half as long as MY favorite book on India which we didnt choose for obvious reasons) so I thought I would give you a heads up so that you gals can start reading it. 

Where: Bethany's House

When:The tentative date for this meeting will be March 21st and probably will go for a good part of the afternoon.

We wanted to Study India this next month as the Festival of Colors will be held at the Kirshna Temple in Spanish Fork on March 28. An extremely popular and fun festival to attend where they throw colored chalk and eat good food. So we thought that we would get you in the mood. PLEASE comment back and let me know if this date will work for you or any suggestions for the activity. Thanks. Im totally excited.

Bethany's 30 min Recipes

Zucchini Risotto

4 sm zucchini, cut 1/2'' thick

1 Chopped and seeded tomato

1 onion finelt chopped

1 clove of garlic minced

3-4 cups chicken broth (2-3 cans)

1 1/2 cups raw Arborio rice (looks like really short and fat grains of rice, found next to the noodles in the store NOT the asian or rice sections)

Saute onion in 1 T olive oil until limp, Add 1/3 tsp. salt and 1 cup of broth, zucchini, and rice. Stir then cook over med low heat until liquid is gone, then add another cup of broth. Repeat until all broth is used. This will make the rice creamy. Sprinkle with 1/4-1/3 cups parpasan cheese and toss.

Rosemary Lemon Chicken

Very easy. Wash and trim chicken breasts, spread out on plate and then sprinkle 1 1/2 tsp olive oil, 1 tsp grated lemon zest, 1tsp finely chopped rosemerry, 1/4tsp salt, 2 cloves of garlic onto the chicken and then rub in the flesh with the back of a spoon. Place in fridge while you assemble and get the risotto cooking. When the risotto is ready saute chicken until done and then serve over the risotto.

Beef Stroganoff (Reece's Favorite)

3 T. butter

1/2 cups green onions chopped

1-2 cloves of garlic minced

2 lbs extra lean hamburger

4 cans sliced mushrooms (optional)

6 T fresh lemon juice

6 T Red Wine Burgundy

2 cans beef consomme

2 tsp salt

1 pkg (12oz) egg noodles

2 cups (one small tub) no fat sour cream

Melt butter in a deeper saute pan, saute onions and garlic, add meet and brown, add mushrooms lemon juice, wine, consomme, and salt. Add noodles (uncooked) 15 min till noodles are soft. Just before serving mix in the sour cream but dont let the mixture boil.

I think the secret ingredient is the wine and lemon juice. Dont blush you are all old enough now to go buy some if this stuff (for cooking purposes only).

February C.C. Meeting = Yummy

Thanks to Libby for hosting the February Culture Club meeting. She did a cooking demonstration for an impressive, healthy, and very yummy 30 min meal and did a wonderful job. She cooked Salmon with a brown sugar glaze, brown rice, asparagus, and garlic breadsticks. It was fast and amazingly tasty. We got great tips on where to shop, what to get, measuring tips, and seasoning suggestions. Not to mention sweet chic little binders to store our recipes. It was so fun to spend an afternoon learning and chatting with my lovely ladies. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. She is going to post the recipes soon. We were also asked to bring our favorite 30 min recipe which I will post soon as well. All of you feel free to post your delightful yet fast recipes even if you couldn't make it to the meeting. I cant wait till next month. Be planning on our monthly meetings being about the 2nd or 3rd saturdays of every month so mark those on your calenders, we will hold the meetings those weeks with whoever can make it that month. I look forward to see all of you.