drawing flowers

‘drawing flowers’ is the collaborative work of friends rae friedman, oli smith and g vahl. a weekend at the cottage illuminated our desire to create something together, and a zine is where our practices intersect. a place where each of us can share our thoughts and creative executions as our friendship blossoms with the awakening of spring. xoxo, team

buddha belly by g As kitchy as rubbing the buddha’s belly may be, I will always remember that moment – and isn’t that exactly what meditation is for, getting washed over with a wave of moment?

I was sitting in the nicely upholstered chair, my feet tucked below as my knees hung over from my slight slouch. Head resting, stem nestled on the top of the chair. Hands clasped over my stomach – Oli on the stool, Rae on the couch. Spruce about. Dim light in the fairy house. Like we are high in a tree, tucked away where no one can see. The three step incline from the sunken den branches to two nests. The kitchen could still be seen with ‘80s guests. Dark beams support overhead. With a single pane overlooking the dame of my dreams, Lake Michigan my queen.

Oli did a big sweep, a memorial to all the good times under this roof. Dirt collected like dust from fairies who once fluttered through. A guest book filled with memories of love and youth.

Spring is wet on the coast – boggy. Skunk cabbage sprouting. A flock of deer bounding.

In the endless grey skies, we rein the moment with each other’s breath – of a slight whisky drawl – center, with the buddha as our mentor.

a bideaux read ah-bid-yeuh meaning i bid you an ode an homage in admiration by g Her soft voice and spiral curls, speaking my dreams – her house her studio creating a constant, embedded in her being, how i hope to be.

A depthly knowledge, a vault of local clout, many experiences about, yet stays put here in our little city on the lake that blows her spiral curls and laughs her sweet voice out.

spring salutation

by g

Soul shuttering loneliness, lingering from failed Aries affection.

Yet, yonder friendships flourish, buds blossom – pansy pollen.

Toxic tolerance abandoned. Approaching queer quench.

Blushing, basking, mezcal mixing, country cycling, Patti praising – spring salutation.

poems and illustrations by oli

APRIL 12th, 2021. crumbs on the table draped in golden hour seagulls fly betrayed above the lake. half-glasses emptying at double speed like an old dog’s love i’ll stay awake.

APRIL 13th, 2021. sheboygan sad like the flag. a mouse waits around to get picked off by an eagle; empty diner blues deluxe.

APRIL 14th, 2021. mother visits tomorrow- we’ll still wear our masks!! recorded 9 layers of percussion;;; trying to make something that lasts.

APRIL 16th, 2021. i wish i could walk the way the hawk flies. free and high above the world needing nothing to float but that which is already given.

cooking tips from rae

quick mint growing tips:

M

int is a ‘weed’to avoid an entire yard take-over, plant mint in a pot

M

int is a perennial- it comes back every year, the fun never ends!!

M

int likes sunbut if it’s in direct sunlight, make sure to water it a lot otherwise it’ll shrivel up

M

int likes to be picked and used in all of your tasty food and drinks If you don’t pick it regularly, it won’t grow strong and full (it might not taste as sweet)

while studying in Da Nang, Vietnam, I ate a bowl of Bun Cha noodles for lunch every day for three straight weeks (before skipping class to go to the beach). what makes this dish so spectacular is the fresh mint which adds a bright pop to balance out the savory grilled meat/tofu. bun cha was the first (and only) dish I felt even remotely confident in recreating when I returned home.

Bún chả

Vietnamese vermicelli noodle dish with fresh

ingredients : 1 package Vermicelli Rice noodles Shredded lettuce, carrots, cucumber Roasted peanuts, chopped Chopped basil, mint, cilantro 1 block of tofu tofu marinade : Cut tofu into small cubes, coat with: A good squeeze of hoisin sauce Spoonful of chili-garlic sauce Squeeze of lime juice Salt and pep, pinch of ginger powder Allow to marinade for as long as you’d like. Even 10 minutes will do. nước chấm (sauce to pour over noodles): 2 Tb Rice vinegar 3 Tb fish sauce 3 Tb sugar 2 Tb lime juice 1 garlic clove, minced 1 birds eye chili pepper

directions: Prepare the vermicelli noodles according to the package instructions Use a grater or mandolin to julienne the carrot and cucumber. Chop the lettuce into small pieces Pan fry the tofu on medhigh heat until crispy on all sides. Tofu takes a while to cook, be patient

:)

To make the sauce, combine all ingredients in small bowl.

Roughly chop the herbs and peanuts

spring orders by rae

our perfect picnic strawberries wine or hard kombucha gibbsville sharp cheddar Potter’s crackers Zapp’s Voodoo chips Rocket Baby baguette apple or pear Outpost oatmeal chocolate cookies goat cheese tarts with rosemary fig jam with london fog cheese Outpost curry chicken salad genoa hard salami

picnic possibilities get goods from G. Groppi Food Market (1441 E. Russel Ave.) and then go Cactus Club for some bevs (2496 S. Wentworth Ave.) OR from the Outpost in Bayview (2826 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.) and take it to South Shore Park (2900 S. Shore Dr.) on the lake!

the trio’s top takeout ‘traunts speed queen bbq 1130 W. Walnut St. blue star cafe 1619 N. Farwell Ave.

nino’s southern sides 4475 N. Oakland Ave. paradigm coffee and music 1202 N. 8th St. Sheboygan