Winter Yard and Garden Week One

After much procrastination and excuses, it is ready! The raised garden that I hope to add to our household’s security in case of zombie apocalypse is ready for seeds!

Arizona has horrible soil for just about anything to grow in so instead of relying on digging into the backyard, which also has an array of broken water systems under it, I built the garden plot on top of the hard ground. I also have the luxury of an abundance of decorative river rock covering a quarter of the yard. The river rock worked great to create a irrigation bed to lay the layers of soil on top of and to surround the garden plot. I am also so fortunate to have several leaf shedding trees surrounding the yard. The fruits of their decay litter the yard faster than I can usually dispose of it but it is great for a mulch layer on top of the rocks.

Now, I have a layer of tightly packed large rocks that allow water to run through, but not too fast. Above the rocks, a layer of mulchy plant to catch more water, and to decay into further nutrients for the next layer. Finally, store bought rich soil tops it all off. A low rock wall and a chicken wire frame to keep critters at bay surround all the layers. The next step is to wait a few days for the current layers to settle a bit before adding layer of my very happy compost, and a final layer of more soil. I may try to grow some plants as it sits now though, just to see if they take. I would really like to give the compost a bit more time to decompose and I really am trying t save money after the holidays.

Any seed suggestions for winter in Arizona?

Nomday: Broccoli, Chicken & Exploding Garlic

Creamy Broccoli Chicken

Approximate Cost: $16.00

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 6 – 8 hours

2 cans Cream of Broccoli Soup

2 pounds Boneless, skinless chicken breast

1 bag Frozen broccoli florets

5 cloves Pressed Garlic

1 pint Heavy cream

Salt and Pepper to taste

Place all ingredients in crock pot and cook on LOW heat, stirring occasionally.

This recipe was easy and cheap! We spent less than $20.00 on all ingredients.

Because we used fresh garlic cloves, I thought it would be fun to use the shaking trick to peel the entire bulb. I recommend using a container that will not pop open. As Max put it, “have you ever seen a chicken shot from a cannon?” Yeah, it was like the garlic spontaneously sprouted feathers and blew them out all over the kitchen. I am still picking garlic bits out of my hair.

The Making of a Bellydance Video: Day One

I have never done this before. I have no idea what I am doing. I have seen enough finished products that I know what I am trying to make it look like. I know how to teach a belly dance class. I know how to write a basic script. These were my pros and cons before I even got to the business of making an instructional Bellydance video. I am still not certain I have any clue at all what I am doing, if I am qualified or if it will be worth anyone’s time. The things that I do know so far; I am having a grand time, I am learning along the way, and I am creating something that I think, at least some of my students will get a kick out of.

The Script

Being a writer and a bellydancer does make sense every now and again. Typically, I see the plot monkey writer come out when I am working on a stage performance. What is the story the dances are trying to tell and why should the audience see the dances in a particular order? When I write the syllabi for my classes it is nice to have a firm grasp on the English language and proper formulae for creating an outline.

I am still in the early stages of understanding proper script formatting and creation of a written diagram for a director. I am not sure if my method will work for everyone, but so far, it has made the work stress free and really fun.

In the video I am working on, I want to have several short videos on the proper break down and execution of each move the student will come across in the primary choreography. The camera man did not need to know what the moves were prior to filming. He did need to know if I would be traveling directionally, and when to stop and start recording.

Make-up and Costuming

On the first day of shooting, we planned to work on basic move breakdowns only. For learning movements, it is always easier to see the body and not get lost in a confusing blur of glitter and fancy costuming. While Shaun worked on arranging lighting and stabilizing the camera, I dressed as if heading out to teach any typical class, black yoga pants, black sleeveless top and coin belt.

Again because of the need for easy visuals and because I knew those lights were going to make things rather warm, I opted to pull my hair into a neat bun. I did add a little color with a headband and dangle earrings to match the coin belt.

Make-up was a bit of a different story. I typically do no more than maybe eyeliner and lip gloss to class, but the lighting in the studio would require full performance make-up to not look ill, so on with the show.

Eye of the Beholder

Most important to note here; trust your camera man! If he is good at what he does he will know what lighting to use, how to angle the camera and where in the room you should stand to make the image in the frame look fantastic. Second guessing his work is only going to frustrate both parties. Do make staging notes to the effect of; eliminate shadows and minimize angle changes though. Just telling him that this is a video for instructional purposes should let him know not to get artistic and keep it simple.

I gave a simple list of the names of each move to the camera man so he could read them off to me instead of my running back and forth to see what I wanted to do next. I also told him before each move if I would be traveling and we checked the view of the camera before proceeding. I let him know in the outline to help me stay within a 40 second to minute long clip for each move, and we really did pretty awesome at that!

Time to Make a Moving Picture

To make it extra easy for the camera man, and for the viewer later, I made certain to introduce each move with the commonly used name and a brief verbal explanation. I carefully explained each component of the move then demonstrated the movement a few times through smoothly and completely. I finished each segment by saying the name of the move a second time, this allowed the camera man to know when I was really done.

Because of our prior communication and the simple but well defined outline created, this part was easy for the camera man, and really easy for me, if I didn’t get a few slips of stage fright here and there.

Some moves are easier to understand from different angles. Do not make your camera man move all of his equipment, find the best lighting and turn your body to better demonstrate the movement. You would not ask your entire class or your audience to move around you, have the same respect for the camera.

Outtakes

It is going to happen! And, if you let it, it can make the project even more fun. Not to say you should get carried away with the giggles or trying to do a section to death trying to get perfection, but those funny oops moments are what it is to be human. Don’t get mad. Have a quick laugh with your camera man and move on. But don’t delete them! Someday you will need to relive that moment when you said 100 degree turn rather than 180.

Tomorrow is Another Day

Tomorrow we move on to the breakdown of the song and a final full costume display of the completed dance. I am excited, and a little nervous, but I am going to follow my own words and have fun no matter what!

*Look for AdeebA Korsana’s Bellydance Level One Video set for release Spring 2012*

Until then, check out AdeebA’s Bellydance classes in Peoria, Glendale and Phoenix, Arizona; www.easalle.com , Easalle.z@gmail.com , and bint Hazine dance troupe; Facebook.com/bint.hazine .

Holiday Shopping 80sixed

Give different; shop local, up-cycle, make something, give a gift of service! Comment or message me and I will ship your Arizona order for free!

By the way,

http://www.amazon.com/shops/80_sixed all the used books and media you could ask for!

http://80sixed.ioffer.com/ games, costumes, bellydance accessories, and 80's nostalgia!

Steak and Mushroom Stir-fry, Asparagus and Potatoes

My son and I are about to partake in the adventure that is National Novel Writing Month! With that journey only a week away and my birthday just this past weekend, I decided to splurge a bit.

Steak and Mushroom Stir-fry

Prep: 30 min

Cook: 30 min

Serves: 4

1 Lbs. Stir-fry strip steak

1 package sliced baby bella mushrooms

6 – 7 pearl onions

¼ cup Red wine

¼ cup olive oil

3 tbsp. Greek spices

Marinate meat in a portion of the wine, oil and spices. Pan cook meat and veggies with remainder of wine, oil and spices.

Buttered Asparagus

Prep: 5 min

Cook: 10 min

Serves: 4

1 lbs. asparagus

Butter to taste

Clean and cut asparagus. Melt butter in pan. Cook asparagus until soft.

Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

Prep: 10 min

Cook: 20 min

Serves: 4 – 6

1 lbs. Red potatoes

½ cup shredded sharp cheddar

½ cup milk

½ stick butter

Salt & pepper to taste

Boil potatoes until soft, drain and mash with forks or spoon. Blend with shredded cheddar, milk and butter. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Enjoy as a great last meal to fuel your next adventure, or in celebration with someone special.

bint Hazine Dancers Make Harem Pants!

Yesterday’s bint Hazine rehearsal made me even more excited about upcoming performances especially the State Fair with Dancers of DeNile! All three songs look amazing and I am increasingly impressed with the growth of so many of the new dancers. I still think Last Kiss is my favorite, which is out of character for my tastes since I am usually much more of a fast and peppy music fan. I love the fluidity. When I performed the song as a solo the first time the best compliment was that it “gave me chills”. As a troupe dance, watching it gives me chills!

I was excited to see the ladies step into another phase of bellydance performance on Monday evening too. We needed something more professional than yoga pants for the State Fair performance and for future events more than just the Next Coffee stage. Harem pants are a primary piece to most styles of bellydance costuming and they are very simple to make. Beyond learning the dance steps and understanding music, I feel that dancers looking to be on the stage should understand basic costume construction. Buying costumes prêt-a-porte is often a far greater expense than a beginner is willing or able to expend, learning to make basic costume pieces is priceless.

Basic harem pant patterns can be found online very easily. My favorite method is four cuts and four runs through the machine!

Basic Harem Pants

Measurements:

Hip to Ankle, plus 2 inches

Crotch to Ankle, plus 1 inch

Hip circumference

Ankle circumference

Materials:

Approx. 2.5 yards 45 or 60 width Light weight fabric (We used chiffon)

Approx. 1.25 yards .25 - .5 inch elastic

Cotton thread

Scissors

Tape measure/ ruler

Chalk

The width of your harem pant legs will depend on your fabric width. I love huge balloon like pants so I typically aim for 60 width fabric. Some materials are finicky to sew, so be aware if you are new to sewing. Silks and satins may look very lovely but are equally tricky to work with.

1. Smooth out any folds or wrinkles in your fabric before cutting. Be sure your edges are straight, trim if you have to. Harem pants are very forgiving but it helps to be as accurate as possible.

2. Fold fabric in half the long way and be certain to match edges before cutting.

3. Measure the full length of your pant leg using the Hip to Ankle measurement, remember to add two inches to your actual body measurement. (example: My hip to ankle is 32 inches. I add 2 inches, so my final fabric length should be 34 inches.)

4. CUT – cut straight across the width of the fabric.

5. Measure your inseam, from crotch to ankle. Add one inch to actual body measurement. (example: Inseam on me is 22 inches, plus one, equals 23 inches.) This measurement is typically 9 inches less than your outer leg measurement. Remember that number.

6. Making sure your fabric is still folded the long way and all edges are straight; measure from the base of the pant up using the inseam number. Mark with chalk.

a. For closed leg pants:

i. Measure 2 inches in from the open edge. Mark with chalk a half “U” shape from the edge, then two inches in, and straight to the top of the pant.

ii. CUT out the half “U” shape.

b. For open leg pants:

i. Measure 2 inches in from the fold. Mark with chalk a half “U” shape from the fold, then two inches in, and straight to the top of the pant.

ii. CUT out the half “U” shape.

7. Repeat steps 1 – 4 to create the second leg.

Now for the sewing!

1. Unfold pants and smooth any wrinkles. Lay both leg pieces together with pattern (pretty) side facing one another. Match crotch openings and pin.

2. SEW crotch with narrow zig-zag stitch. Remember to secure ends b. Remember to secure ends backing over stitching. For fabric that may fray easy or tear (or if you do a lot of crazy floor work and splits) flatten seam open and zig-zag stitch to reinforce.

3. Fold top edge of pants to create 1 inch casing for elastic. Remember to roll raw edge under enough to hem inside casing. Pin.

4. SEW along bottom edge of casing, be sure not to shrink your casing by sewing too close to the top edge.

5. Leg options

a. For closed leg pants:

i. Align inseams and pin. SEW .25 inch seam. For fabric that may fray easy or tear flatten seam open and zig-zag stitch to reinforce.

b. For open leg pants:

i. SEW hem along all raw edges.

6. Repeat step four to create ankle casings.

Now to thread the elastic! Elastic should fit comfortably around hip and ankles. Measure and pin before cutting. Once you are satisfied with the fit of your harem pants be sure to sew ends together securely.

I hope this helps beginning bellydancers create a fun, essential piece to their costumes.

Check out bint Hazine on November 5^th, 2011 at 11:00AM, dancing with Dancers of DeNile at the Arizona State Fair, to see the harem pants made from these instructions.