The pantry gifted with friendships

 

Flamingos are a thing with me. They symbolize fun, relaxation and a beachy, palm feel. My kitchen is full of them, because people keep giving them to me! My pink pals help me cook and guests always comment on my flamboyance of flamingos.

Pickle earrings, a Yellow Submarine tea maker and other foodie gifts come my way and I love it. Later, I’ll share more about how they fit into my pantry and other décor. Today, remind yourself that little presents and notes that fit into the theme of both the sender and the recipient can truly make someone’s day.

Cooking like Wes - There is no way one could browse through “The Wes Anderson Cookbook: Whimsical Recipes Inspired by the Director and His Films” and not begin to plan a party. Or several parties.

The director known for palates, framed portraits, quirky defined, the Wilson family and Bill Murray roles, is from Houston. “Rushmore” was filmed in Houston and Baytown. Anderson is a delightful enigma who who brought us “The French Dispatch,”  “Bottle Rocket,” “The Royal Tenenbaums” and many more.

            His films make us laugh, and wonder what exactly he may have meant and make us hope that we “got” it. No need for alarm. We can watch them again and again.

            This book is from Chris Peterson with Recipes by Michelle Anderson and illustrations by Heidi Peel. It is unofficial and unauthorized, and pure fun.

            Be prepared to watch these movies as research and then make and serve the food to understanding film buffs and enjoy the whole process again. Do this with every movie mentioned. Bonus points if you experience a film for the first time which you may have missed.

A quick peek of selections from this beautifully illustrated Harvard Common Press book include:

• Motel Room Margaritas as inspired by Anthony Adams’ bucketful from the ice machine.
• Lime Mocktail to cool the Indian heat from “Darjeeling Limited”
• Hibachi Chili,  a restorative memory of “Isle of Dogs”

 

“The Art of the Clash” – Permission for tension is Sophie Oertzen Willilamson’s gift in a coffee-table sort of design book. Anything can be curtains if you want them to be. Color is your statement. If someone gifts you a trunk, you have a coffee table or book stand. “A Manifesto Against Mundane Design” is the subtitle. She says your mix is like having a chocolate chip cookie with salt flakes, and then having the classic without the salt. Something is just missing after that experience, and it’s the tension of your creativity. You are your own closest friend, her mom taught her. Show off your books, use your colors and create your tension.

 

Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie surrounded by sentimental trinkets and making art clash. Share with her via panews@panews.com