I created a lovely new dish this week–Vegan Pumpkin-Stuffed Shells with Sage Butter–but the weather has been too gray to photograph. (An artist friend showed me how to make a beautiful light box for photographing “still lifes,” but I just haven’t constructed it yet.) I’ll probably make the recipe again before I post it, as it’s no longer fresh enough, but I have the recipe saved as a draft.
In the meantime, I wanted to apologize for “the empty platter” lately. As soon as my husband and I arrived home from a week’s vacation last Saturday, the pre-service week for teachers began on Monday and the sky clouded over for the week (but it is so nice and cool). Then, yesterday, was the much dreaded/anticipated oral surgery. What an experience! (My periodontist, Dr. Ken Cavallari is a genius, as I slept through the night–on no pain killers other than Ibu-Profen–and I’m here typing this barely 12 hours later. Plus I felt NO pain during the hour-long surgery–imagine!) Finally, for the next two days, I’m involved with the Rock-n-Roll Half Marathon in Virginia Beach.
In lieu of a recipe, I’m posting the poster for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half. Their theme was “A Slice of Americana,” so I went for a vintage look with the motel signs and vintage fishing lure, especially. (Notice, vegan friends, it has not caught a fish, but a running shoe! The porpoise and hermit crab are wild and free!) We titled the piece “Rock ‘n’ Roll Road Trip.” I painted all of the imagery on top of a copy of a 1930s map of VA Beach, as well as incorporating copies of VA Beach postcards from the same era that I found at a local antiques store. The compass rose is painted on a rock CD that I found on the side of the road when I was walking my dogs, and the cardinal points are made from guitar picks that I glued onto the back of the CD. Barely visible in the center of the composition are shoe prints from the sole of a running shoe that I also found on the side of the road on a different dog walk. What are the chances? It seemed like a sign!
I’ve been invited to be the race’s “official artist” for eight of the nine years of its existence. The original art is raffled off for charity (raising $8,000-9,000 each of the last few years) and I sign posters of it for the runners/families at the Fitness Expo that precedes the race. The proceeds from poster sales is also donated to the Race’s charity(ies). I keep accepting the invitation from Competitor’s Group to serve in this capacity because their staff members have become good friends over the years and I love interacting with the runners and their supporters who come from all over the country, some year after year. Plus it allows me to contribute significantly to their charities–e.g. Team in Training and the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society nationally + lots of local charities–in a way that I couldn’t otherwise.
But back to cooking soon! For the next two to four weeks, I’m on a “soft diet,” so look for soups, dips and smoothies plus the Vegan Pumpkin-Stuffed Shells with Sage Butter–oh-so-divine for fall. I can eat the filling and sauce at least. Honestly, the diet is the worst part of the whole experience.
Happy Labor Day!
September 4, 2009 at 8:15 am
Hey There! I always find out the coolest things about you! I had no idea you were the "official Artist" for the rock N' roll half. My parents have driven the pace car for years, though have given it up this year. It is a wonderful event full of some of the best people- including you! How neat! Hopefully I'll see ya down there.
I hope the new school year treats you well and that you had a fantastic summer!
September 4, 2009 at 10:05 pm
Tres cool as always! One of my coworkers is running it this weekend; it's her first marathon. I bragged to her recently that the poster artist is one of my dearest friends. Now she'll see why I was braggin'. Hugs!
sonya
September 4, 2009 at 10:44 pm
No way, Anne! Other than getting up early, I would think that driving the pace car would be one of the coolest jobs of the race weekend. I couldn't agree with you more about the people the race bring together. It's such a treat to be involved. We just got back from a dinner at Pasta e Pani (Joe's great suggestion) with 10 of the Merchandising staff (who call themselves the Shameless Commerce Division), and they are just the nicest bunch of folks.
Summer was full and a nice change of pace. But I'm ready for school to start again. Tell your parents hi! I hope you're still loving your job.
Cheers!
September 4, 2009 at 10:47 pm
Thanks, Sonya! That's so sweet of you. It's turning out to be the favorite of the eight(!) I've done. Who is your coworker? I hope she'll come by my "booth" if just to say "hi." It's going to be such a nice weekend here. Cooler and dryer than most race weekends of the past. Still, I don't know how the runners do it, many of them many times a year around the country. I've got the easy job comparatively speaking.
Much love dear friend,
~B
September 5, 2009 at 5:23 am
This is an awesome post even if I am a bit broken hearted that there are no food pictures! The poster is amazing, though! You are incredibly talented.
And the pumpkin stuffed shells sound scrumptious.
September 5, 2009 at 7:17 am
Aw, thank you. It was a really fun project; a great challenge for me.
It KILLED me not to post the shells recipe and photo. I promise, it is coming up as soon as I can eat normally again. Or maybe I'll make it sooner, as I can still eat the filling and sauces (there's actually two: a light marinara and the sage butter). My dogs would be more than happy to eat the scraped out shells.
September 6, 2009 at 9:20 am
One of the reasons I admire you so much is because you do so much on top of being an awe-inspiring teacher. This poster is tres cool, congrats.
September 6, 2009 at 10:51 am
Hi sweetheart! Thank you so much for this post; it means so much.
I just visited Threadedletters (what a fabulous name for a fabulous blog–what layers of meaning!) and left you a comment.
It goes without saying that I'm so very proud of you for many reasons.
September 9, 2009 at 11:16 am
I always refer to you as Renaissance Woman!!! Beautiful poster, lovely blog. You are so talented and generous. Thanks Betsy!
September 9, 2009 at 6:07 pm
I'm not even close, you nut! But, coming from you, I consider your feedback the highest praise. And I'm humbled. Thank YOU.
September 13, 2009 at 9:41 pm
Hi Betsy – My wife and I came from Ohio to run the VA beach RNR half Marathon and we weren't able to get a poster… is it possible to purchase one online? gsomodi@eyemg.com
September 14, 2009 at 6:39 pm
Hi Glenn~
I hope you and your wife had a great race; we're glad you came all the way from Ohio. I emailed Competitor's Group about your request and was given this link to their merchandise department:
http://www.eliteracingstores.com/vbh-accessories.html
If you scroll to the bottom, the poster should be on the right.
Thanks for your interest and come back next year!
~Betsy
October 22, 2009 at 6:22 pm
Wow, I am glad I came across this blog. This event was the first half marathon that I ever ran. Flew in from Beaumont, TX to take part in it after a friend of mine told me how great it was in 2008. I have many memories from the weekend, and a copy of the signed poster hanging in my office. Its a great work of art that I get many comments about. Thank you for signing it.
=Sebastian
October 22, 2009 at 8:24 pm
Greetings to a fellow Texan! I was born in Dallas where I lived until I was 8 and still have family in Big D and Houston.
You're awfully kind to take the time to write. It is always so gratifying to hear from runners who bought posters and are still enjoying them. Between you and me (and the rest of cyberspace), I think you got the best poster; 2009 is my favorite so far! The pleasure of making and signing it was all mine.
Hope to see you next year!
~Betsy
October 27, 2009 at 10:55 pm
Thats why it is so good….. it has Texas roots. HaHa. I love Virginia. I have roots there. My mother and all of her side of the family is from there so have several close friends and loved ones in your great state. Even considering moving to VA Beach next year.
I love the poster, to me it has that classic "Americana" feel to it. I will be there next year, and probably a few times in between, but def. for the Half next year. I'm already signed up. HaHa
Best wishes,
=Seb
October 28, 2009 at 6:13 am
Exactly!
We love it here–though I've been happy everywhere I've lived (it's all about meaningful relationships and meaningful work)–and trust you will to if you move. If you do, move as close to the beach as you can. We live on a beautiful salt marsh, but we're inland, and sometimes I feel we might as well be living in Ohio!
The theme for the race this year was "A Slice of Americana," so I'm glad that came through. They've never had a theme before and it helped a lot. Glad you have your space reserved for next year. Cheers!