(It’s time to block out harsh reality for a while and return to pretty pictures and words.)
You see
We are all
Nothing but Stars
Passing each other
In the night.
A Little Poem by Athey Thompson
Art by Tijana Lucovik
What Do You See
Reply
Author Archives: Enchanted Seashells
Leon Russell Memories by Ann Bell, The Queen of Tulsa Sound
The “Queen of the Tulsa Sound” is Ann Bell, a pioneering vocalist and performer instrumental in defining the unique musical style known as the Tulsa Sound alongside legends like Leon Russell, the one and only Master of Space and Time, and J.J. Cale.
Inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, Bell’s distinctive voice and deep involvement with the scene earned her that title for her significant contributions and ongoing legacy.
As a backup singer for the original Joe Cocker and Leon Russell Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour and album, she was an important part of the band and is remembered for her contributions to the “Tulsa sound” that Leon Russell helped create. She has also participated in reunion and tribute events in the years since.
I never get tired of hearing this story. I surely wish there was a recording of Leon that night….
Ann is one of the very talented backup singers here (wearing an awesome outfit), along with the GAP Band. I love this comment: “No matter how cool you think you or your band is, you will NEVER be as cool as Leon Russell and the Gap Band doing this Marvin Gaye classic.”
Sunglasses off, shirt open, those EYES...”Wait now. WAIT!” So much Leon joy…
Recorded for the TV show, Midnight Special with Wolfman Jack, “Ain’t That Peculiar” is a classic Motown song originally by Marvin Gaye, but Leon Russell turned it into something spectacular with his signature energetic performance. Watch the entire show here: https://youtu.be/19z9JSaTm8c?si=n96fSGGrQxQuer2R
Easy Homemade VEGAN English Muffins
I love soft and chewy English muffins but they seem to be full of chemicals and dough conditioners and preservatives, so I thought I’d bake a batch of them since I’ve lately had some baking successes.
Did you know that English Muffins need no oven? They cook on the stovetop and it couldn’t be easier to whip up a batch.
In fact, it’s SO easy. I’m not going to bore you with too many photos to document every step; you can find them all over the internet if you need a more in-depth how-to.
Homemade English Muffins are crispy, chewy, golden brown, and full of nooks and crannies.
ENGLISH MUFFINS
-3 cups all purpose flour
-2 teaspoons yeast
-2 teaspoons sugar
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-1/2 teaspoon baking soda (this is what creates the nooks and crannies!)
-2 TBS neutral oil
-1 cup + 2 TBS warm water
-1/3 cup cornmeal. (cornmeal gives muffins their authentic texture.)
I used my stand mixer which made the whole process way less time consuming, but you can definitely use a hand mixer or go totally old school and mix it all by hand, which will take longer, but is actually quite satisfying…your choice.
- Add all ingredients EXCEPT the cornmeal to the mixing bowl. I used the dough hook. Mix on medium for about 7-10 minutes until the dough comes together in a sweet little elastic ball. Only add a drop or two of more water if it looks too dry.
- Place the dough into an oiled bowl, cover and let rise for about an hour or so until doubled in size.
- While the dough is rising, line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and coat it with the cornmeal.
- When the dough is doubled in size, it’s ready to roll out. Empty the dough onto a floured board and roll out to about an inch thick.
- Using a three-inch cookie cutter or a glass dipped in flour to prevent sticking, cut out about eight muffins. You can re-roll any remaining dough to use it all up.
- Place on the cornmeal sprinkled baking sheet, and dust the tops of the muffins with more cornmeal.
- Lightly cover with a towel and let rise again for about 30-45 minutes.
- Toward the end of the rise, heat a griddle, cast iron pan, or frying pan over medium heat. Do NOT oil the pan.
- When the muffins are puffy, gently place the muffins on the griddle. Cook undisturbed for about 7 minutes until a peek reveals the proper deep golden brown color. Turn and cook for another 7 minutes or until you see that same mouthwatering color.
- Transfer to a wire rack and let cool. You can refrigerate or even freeze them, but trust me, they won’t last that long.
- They’re easy to fork-split and toast.
I was in a hurry to taste the finished product so I didn’t take the time to perfectly roll and cut, so they’re not uniform in size.
They’re easy to fork-split and toast. These are definitely not the prettiest English Muffins, but they’re oh so delicious with vegan butter and raspberry jam.
K Pop Demon Hunters
First it was a unicorn obsession, now it’s this…have you heard of K Pop Demon Hunters? It’s a global phenomenon.
Up until a couple months ago, I never had heard of them, but it became front and center on my radar because of Angel Girl and what she wanted for Christmas and Hanukkah.
That’s all she asked for–ANYTHING Demon Hunter-related, and those are the songs she wants to listen to (NOT Leon Russell lolz), which meant I had to educate myself FAST so I would know what it’s all about.
K-pop stands for Korean Pop, referring to popular music originating from South Korea, known for its blend of diverse musical styles (pop, hip-hop, R&B, electronic) and highly visual, performance-focused productions, often featuring idol groups with synchronized choreography and elaborate fashion. It’s more than just a genre; it’s a cultural phenomenon with a massive global following.
KPop Demon Hunters is about a world-famous K-pop girl group — Huntrix — who secretly use their music and powers to fight demons and maintain the magical barrier (Honmoon) protecting the human world. Their mission becomes complicated when a rival demon boy band, the Saja Boys, tries to steal their fans’ souls, especially as one member, Rumi, grapples with being half-demon herself. The film blends K-pop, action, comedy, and Korean folklore, exploring themes of self-acceptance, shame, and finding strength in community, all set against the backdrop of a musical battle for humanity’s souls.
Some online pearl clutcher types have expressed concern about of the Demon Hunters messages but there are far more important things to worry about in this world, in my opinion. I’m not all that happy about the merchandising aspect of it, but I’ll support what the Angel Kids like, whether it’s unicorns or skateboarding, ‘cos that’s what grandmas do.
Angel Girl’s favorite character is Zoey, and I was able to procure a Zoey bobblehead that she adored, along with some of the figures to hang on her backpack, and posters for her bedroom wall. Other family members gifted her with sweatshirts and clothing, so I think she’s a happy Angel Girl.
And now you know about as much as I do about K pop Demon Hunters. Let’s just hope I can figure out how to create a Demon Hunter birthday cake when it’s that time again…
Cloud Art
These clouds are works of art.
I like what Bob Ross said about painting clouds: “Let’s build us a happy, little cloud that floats around the sky.”
(Photo credit to Enchanted Seashells)
Year of The Fire Horse!
Well, this is definitely an intense start to a new year, along with the first full moon of 2026 on January 3, the Wolf Moon!
2026 is the rare Year of the Fire Horse in the Chinese zodiac. It commences on February 17, 2026, and will bring powerful themes of passion, transformation, and dynamic energy.
This significant event occurs only once every sixty years, blending the Horse’s traits (strength, freedom) with Fire’s (enthusiasm, innovation) for bold action, breakthrough, and potential burnout if not balanced, a year marked by both great opportunity and intense change.
According to Chinese astrology, Horse is confident, agreeable, and responsible, although they also tend to dislike being reined in by others. They’re fit and intelligent, adoring physical and mental exertion; they’re decisive but also easily swayed and impatient.
Click this clink to find your Chinese Zodiac sign:
New Year Greetings With a Fling of Sandpipers 𓅪
And now we welcome the new year. Full of things that have never been.
Rainer Maria Rilke
We’re getting ready for another storm but yesterday it still was sunny and warm. Check out these south-facing sandpipers, all looking in the same direction. I wonder what they’re thinking about…
Maybe they’re hoping 2026 will bring peace and harmony and love to the world. That’s my wish, too.
Do you know what a group of sandpipers is called?
There are many recognized collective nouns for a group of sandpipers:
𓅪 a bind
𓅪 a cluster
𓅪 a contradiction
𓅪 a fling
𓅪 a hill
𓅪 a time-step
My personal favorite is a “fling” of sandpipers.
𓅪 Happy 2026!
Hauʻoli Makahiki Hou
Is It Rude To Dispose of Your Dog’s Poop in Someone Else’s Trash Can?
Yes. It’s rude. It’s disgusting and stinky and gross and can be left behind when the trash is emptied.
Somebody keeps throwing their dog poop bags in my trash can. It occurs after I put the cans out before our regular pick up day.
THIS time I saw who did it only they ran away and I wasn’t able to follow them, but that proves they were obviously aware of their stupid action. I didn’t recognize the neighbor OR his dog, so I don’t know who it is.
I fished the VERY FULL bag of poop out of my trash can and left it on the curb.
I can’t understand why it’s so hard for someone to just take THEIR poop home. It’s not mine and I don’t want it. Don’t get a dog if you can’t handle carrying a poop bag. It’s poor etiquette as well as being lazy and RUDE, perhaps illegal.
While not explicitly a separate criminal offense in all cases, putting dog poop in someone else’s private residential bin in Carlsbad without their permission is a form of unauthorized dumping or theft of services, and it could lead to legal fines or civil action.
- Unauthorized Use: Trash collection is a paid private service to the homeowner, so using their bin without consent is essentially using their property and services without permission. This can cause issues for the homeowner, such as the bin reaching maximum weight limits, which could result in extra fees.
- Carlsbad Municipal Code: Carlsbad, like many California cities, requires dog owners to immediately clean up and properly dispose of their pet’s waste in a trash receptacle. The law emphasizes that disposal must be done appropriately.
- Illegal Dumping Statutes: Under California Penal Code § 374.3 PC, it is a crime to dump “waste matter” on private property without the owner’s consent. While this is usually an infraction with a fine, repeated offenses or significant amounts of waste can escalate the penalties.
- Nuisance and Trespassing: The act of walking onto a private driveway or property to deposit waste without permission can also be considered trespassing or a public nuisance.
In short, it is considered inconsiderate and can be illegal. The proper disposal method is to use your own trash bin or a public pet waste station.
It’s not just about me. This behavior tells me you don’t care about our public workers at all. You’re fine with the trash folks having to handle bins that are lined with excrement.
In the summer time it turns into a shit soup that reeks to high heaven. It disgusts me that some of my neighbors have no respect for ME or the people who literally do your dirty work.
A little Googling reveals that this seems to be a frustrating and RUDE problem everywhere, not just in my community, as it’s essentially illegal dumping and disrespectful.
Here are some solutions that are offered online:
Simple and Non-Confrontational:
- Signs: Place a clear sign on the lid saying “No Dog Poop” or “Not a Public Bin”.
- Relocate Bin: Keep your bin in a garage or fenced yard until collection day to make it less accessible.
- Physical Barriers: Use a heavy brick on the lid or a bungee cord/strap to keep it shut.
More Direct Solutions:
- Talk to Neighbors: Politely explain the issue; they may not realize how bothersome it is.
- Bin Locks: Invest in a lockable strap or padlock for your bin.
- Security Camera: A camera can deter offenders and provide evidence if needed.
Last Resort:
- Check Local Laws: Some areas have ordinances against using private bins for public waste; contact your local council.
- Document & Report: If it continues, you can document it and report it as illegal dumping to local authorities.
Is this a problem where you live? How do you deal with it? I’d love to hear any suggestions…
Easy Vegetable Soup + Best Ever Focaccia, The Star of The Show!
I hope everyone enjoyed a peaceful Christmas as we count down to 2026! Here in SoCal, we had 56 mph wind gusts along with heavy rain for most of Christmas Eve, which made for a cozy holiday.
It seemed like a great time to choose soup as a first course. For whatever reason(s), as often as I make variations of this recipe, the end result is inconsistent. Sometimes it’s great, sometimes NOT.
This time, I nailed it! The flavor was absolutely PERFECT, exactly what I had hoped for, and I decided to dust off my baking chops and make individual herby focaccias to accompany it.
I don’t know if it’s because of their diminutive size or the infused herbal fragrance, but these are seriously the best — every single bite is simultaneously crusty and chewy — flawless perfection.
I tend to make gigantic batches of soup, enough to feed an army, so this time I thought I’d scale it down to a more manageable amount.
Easy Veggie Soup
🌿 Saute 1/2 onion, a couple ribs of celery, and 1/2 bell pepper.
🌿 When onions are translucent, add two teaspoons of vegan Better Than Bouillon.
🌿 Cook for a few minutes and add 8 cups of water, along with two bay leaves.
🌿 Add two or three sliced carrots.
I think this is where the magic happened. For some reason, I was out of tomato paste AND canned tomatoes. I didn’t feel like going to the store and was lucky enough to find a jar of marinara sauce in the pantry so I added about 3/4 cup, stirred, and brought it back to a low simmer.
🌿 Let it cook for a couple hours or so, adding more water as necessary.
🌿 Cut one or two potatoes into bite sized pieces and add along with a can of beans (any kind will work, I used garbanzo beans).
🌿 Simmer until potatoes are soft, adding more water as needed for desired soupiness.
🌿 Finally, add 1/2 cup alphabet pasta, some garden herbs, a bit of Hawaiian sea salt and pepper.
Options: Add cubed tofu, more beans…or blend for a smoother consistency.
🌿🌿🌿 🌿🌿🌿 🌿🌿🌿 🌿🌿🌿 🌿🌿🌿 🌿🌿🌿 🌿🌿🌿 🌿🌿🌿 🌿🌿🌿 🌿🌿🌿
Individual Focaccia
* 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
* ¾ cup warm water
* 1 ⅔ cups all-purpose flour
* ¾ teaspoon sea salt
* 1/2 teaspoon sugar
* 2-3 tablespoons olive oil. I use avocado oil because I don’t really like the taste of olive oil. Flaky salt for topping. I chopped some of the same garden herbs: sage, chives, oregano, thyme added to the soup.
* Add the yeast to a medium bowl, then pour the warm water slowly over it. Let the mixture sit for five minutes to allow the yeast to activate.
* Add the flour, sea salt, and sugar to the yeast mixture and stir together until it forms a shaggy dough. It’ll be sticky, so you can use a bench scraper or silicone spatula. Although hands work great, too, it’s messy.
* To develop gluten, fold the dough over itself a few times until it’s stretchy and no longer shaggy.
* No kneading necessary!
* Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap, then set in a warm place to rise for about an hour or until doubled in size.
* In a square 8 inch baking pan or a couple smaller pans for individual servings, drizzle a tablespoon of the olive/avocado oil to cover the bottom.
* When the dough has doubled in size, transfer the dough to the oiled baking pan(s). Gently spread the dough so that it covers the entire bottom of the pan. Push or lightly stretch the dough into the corners a couple of times to get it to stick.
* Lightly cover the dough and let rise for about 30-40 minutes, until visibly puffy.
* During the last few minutes of proofing, preheat the oven to 425°F
* Drizzle 1-2 teaspoons avocado/olive oil over the top of the puffy dough, along with herbs if used.
* Press your fingertips through the dough to the bottom of the pan and back out to form dimples.
* Sprinkle the flaky salt evenly across the top of the loaf. Bake for about 20 minutes or until brown.
* Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes before eating.
Soup + focaccia makes a great first course or dinner. Add a salad for a complete healthy meal.
Christmas Songs by Leon Russell
On this Christmas Eve EVE, it’s a perfect time for some Leon Russell trivia…
Record producer Phil Spector spent several sessions recording a collection of songs with his Wrecking Crew for a Christmas album called A Christmas Gift for You. One of the greatest moments during those sessions was when “Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)” was recorded by Darlene Love.
Leon Russell was one of three piano players and Darlene said that Leon got into the song so much “he played a like a man possessed; it was almost like a concerto. He played himself right off the bench and onto the floor and kept playing.” It’s undeniably Leon; he was about twenty-one years old at the time.
At the same recording session, Cher did some background vocals and Sonny Bono was on percussion!
Enjoy these holiday songs from the one and only Master of Space and Time, Leon Russell. For you Grateful Dead fans (not me), this was recorded with Jerry Garcia at the Armadillo World Headquarters November 1972.
Leon Russell’s music is now owned by George Harrison’s Dark Horse Records. Here’s “The First Noel” from Leon Russell Hymns Of Christmas:
Christmas Songs by Leon Russell
Enchanted Seashells | Princess Rosebud 