Gert Mathiesen/Pam Smilow Animal Series: Daisy Elephant 8” x 10” mixed media giclee print $150

three things we love

Naadam Cashmere Sweaters

This is the unbelievable story of Matt and Diederik, a group of Mongolian goat herders and a sweater company called NAADAM. I own two of their $75 pure cashmere sweaters and I can't recommend them enough.. .It is almost too hard to believe how this company came about, but even if it this story is only half true, it is a great story!

Two guys, Matt Scanlan and Diederik Rijsemus, college buddies, looking for an adventure end up in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia and run into some locals, Bodio and Ishee. They become instant friends and end up traveling with them back to their families, nomadic goat herders in the middle of the Gobi Desert. The rest I will leave to this great video, which tells the tale much better than I ever could. I guarantee you, it is worth the four minutes and it will leave you wanting more (watch this second video too to see the service projects they are doing for that community). And don't be surprised if afterwards, you find yourself on your way to buying one of their $75 great cashmere sweaters.

Connie Hogarth, Activist

Connie with her good friends Pete and Toshi Seeger

If you want an example of a life worth living at the service of humanity, you don't have to go any further than peace and social justice activist Connie Hogarth (1926-2022), who died peacefully in her sleep last Friday at the ripe old age of 95. The world has lost a true warrior.

I was lucky enough to have known Connie for most of my life, since 1968 when she co-chaired the local campaign office of Gene McCarthy alongside my dad Mel Smilow. I was also a frequent visitor in Connie's home (she was the mom of one of my good high school friends), where she welcomed me with open arms, taught me a few cooking tricks along the way and inspired me with her boundless loving energy, enveloping everyone who stepped through her door figuratively and literally. She was open, caring and always on the go fighting the good fight: against the Vietnam War, trying to shut down Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant, fighting for immigrant rights, against racism and the death penalty to name just a few of her causes. I don't think there was a day that went by where she sat idle, as illustrated in this beautiful montage of her life.

Amy Goodman, another one of our national heroes, wrote this tribute to Connie on Democracy Now, fitting that it was on Valentine's Day....

And here is an interview with her that goes back to 1996, as it appeared in the New York Times...

Connie was a true and pure gift to us all and if there is one message that comes from her life, it is to inspire all of us to keep on walking forward, fighting for peace and justice and never ever giving up.

Spinach Chickpea Casserole

I wasn't planning on including another recipe this week but had this Sephardic Spinach Casserole at my book club a few days ago made by my friend Joan and it was off the charts delicious--and healthy too! Since I am trying to eat less meat in general, this really is a perfect vegetarian main dish. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

SPANEKH B'JIBEN (Spinach Casserole)
INGREDIENTS
Makes 6-8 servings
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, peeled, trimmed and chopped
2-3 10-ounce boxes frozen spinach, defrosted, or 2 packages fresh
6 ounces Muenster cheese, grated
6 ounces cottage cheese
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 15 1/2-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed (optional)
1/2 teaspoon allspice (optional)
Plain yogurt

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Oil a 9-inch by 13-inch glass baking pan, or, for thicker servings, one that is 8-inches by 8-inches square.

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, saute onion in the olive oil until slightly brown, add spinach and cook until heated through and spinach juices cook down. Transfer vegetables to a mixing bowl and add remaining ingredients. Mix thoroughly.

Pour into baking pan, smooth out the top and place in oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Bake until lightly brown on top and bottom.
Optional: Serve warm with plain yogurt. Source: Adapted from >Joan Yedid of Cleveland. Watch the documentary Hugs and Knishes about her and her family cooking traditions on a pbs station near you. .

Charity of the Week:
Democracy Now

Painting of the Week

Pam Smilow All You Need is Love (Oatmeal) mixed medis on canvas 54” x 54” $7500

About The Author

New York City based contemporary artist, Pam Smilow created the creative lifestyle blog “things we love” in an effort to foster a sense of community during times of isolation and reflection. To read more about her and her art, visit her website and check out the essay written by the Hammond Museum's Frank Matheis entitled The Sophisticated Innocence of Pam Smilow.. And by the way, let me know in the comment section what you think of the new haircut...