Saturday, January 31, 2009

The Little Black Dress

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About a year ago I realized my dinnerware wardrobe needed some updating. My beloved blue and white dishes had dwindled down to a few chipped and mismatched plates. I was ready for a blank canvas---at a great price. I kept my eyes open for several months and finally happened upon some white dishes at my local Food Lion...$1.00 apiece. At that price I was able to buy 24, then found bowls at the thrift store for 25 cents each. Over the months I have gradually added to my set of Whites. Why White?

White dinnerware and pottery is the Little Black Dress of the kitchen. Like the quintessential cocktail dress it can be paired with ”pearls” and become fabulous for a formal dinner. Mix it up with flats and a Pucci scarf and you have the perfect casual for everyday. White easily consorts with all levels of society from Saturday thrift store shopping finds to antique English Ironstone received as a thoughtful wedding gift.


This adorable heart shaped ramekin is the perfect example of how versatile White is...individual portions of: baked macaroni and cheese, corn pudding, creme brulee, instant chocolate pudding or homemade chocolate mousse, asparagus souffle, m and m's, oatmeal, french onion soup, need I go on?. And the best part about this newest addition to my collection is the price...$1.00 each at Michael's!

Thursday, January 29, 2009

The Rose


“Nobody sees a flower – really – it is so small it takes time – we haven't time – and to see takes time, like to have a friend takes time”. Georgia O'Keefe

Sweet Valentine Cards in my Etsy shop!

Monday, January 26, 2009

In Bloom


Spotted peeking over a stone wall, reminiscent of The Secret Garden...Flowering Quince: Chaenomeles speciosa. The color alone makes you catch your breath.

Saturday, January 24, 2009


He bestows rain on the earth; he sends water upon the countryside. (Job 5:10)

Friday, January 23, 2009

Eating Seasonally


Usually around this time of year I receive a box or bag of grapefruit from my Father and his wife who live in Florida and have a hundred year old grapefruit tree in their backyard. They are the sweetest, juiciest, freshest and most beautiful citrus I have ever tasted.

The natural abundance of the seasons seems so logical as a way of eating—it is difficult to believe we, as a culture, have ever gotten away from this. What is better than.... a deep scarlet tomato surrounded by the jade and verdigris of summer, a juicy claret colored pear plucked from copper and sepia leaves, bright jade and saffron citrus against the ashen January sky, and crisp, pungent early emerald lettuces amidst the spring blossoms? It seems eating local, seasonal produce not only tastes better and is better for us, it is a better choice economically and environmentally.

And so I am determined to be a better steward by taking steps to put food on our table that is seasonal and local. The first steps in this process (and it is a process!) have been locating local sources for meat, dairy, and produce, planning a larger garden, and learning how to “put up”.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Birding Georgia

Having just met my deadline for the March/April issue of Newnan Coweta magazine, I now have time to begin a long promised series of Bird paintings for my First Born---our resident birder. This is the first in the series---an Acadian Flycatcher.
A 12 year old whose driving ambition is to beat the Georgia "Big Year" record of 331 species.


He started in January with a four day trip traversing the perimeter of Georgia with a trusted driver...Dad. His map, with route in red (beginning and ending in Augusta).

Monday, January 19, 2009

In Bloom: Helleborus × hybridus


This little Lenten Rose bowed her head just enough for the sun to melt the tiny ice diamonds on her crown.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

The Ice Storm

We are in the midst of our coldest temps thus far this winter---20's at night, 30-40's during the day. In the South that is cold, so we have kept the wood piled on the fire and took to reminiscing about The Ice Storm. It happened while we were living on the farm---January of 2005.



Three days of sharing meals with neighbors, wet clothes, lots of hot chocolate, farm chores, games, sleeping in front of the fire---great memories.

Friday, January 16, 2009

My Chair

When we moved into this house 2 years ago I was determined to have my own “space” where I could retreat---physically, emotionally and spiritually. I go here for coffee, contemplation, quiet time, reading, and occasionally I'll relinquish it to favored children.


I am very thankful for this small space and the beauty and comfort it provides. It suits me aesthetically and was created economically---two “musts” for me. The club chair and ottoman were hand-me-downs which I recovered with clearance fabric. Inexpensive, but fabulous velvet and linen pillow from Wal mart...yes, Wal Mart!. The “antique” tole shelves began their life as white bookshelves in my boy's nursery-- I painted them black, added a gold leaf design and scratched them up a bit. I made the curtains from toile fabric found on the $1.00 per yard table at...yes, Wal Mart! They are lined with a pale blue found on the same table. The best part is the window that provides incredible light and and ever changing views of our backyard and the creek.


The battered and crusty tiered table was found at a second hand store. For 11 months it holds all my current reading material, but in December it moves into my son's room where it is transformed into a snowy Christmas village. (Sorry for the blurry photo!)

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Contrasts


The first sweet blush of the promise of spring. The delicate tissue-like quality of these buds are highlighted by the dark gnarly trunk and branches, rendered almost black by a recent downpour. The contrasts within our lives are mirrored in beauty around us.

Friday, January 9, 2009

In Bloom


Violas...Johnny Jump Ups...Smile makers.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Planting Whiskey Barrels

We have this wonderful carport attached to our home---wonderful I say because of the many uses it has: dumping ground for camping equipment, golf clubs, bicycles, skateboards, a place to play when it's raining, storing gardening equipment and on and on (but not for cars, of course!). Most importantly it serves as an entertaining space. We hang our outdoor awnings (painter's canvas drop cloth), clean up the mess, add some tables with pretty linens and voila---an outdoor dinning area. So... because we use this for entertaining and because EVERYONE enters our home through the carport, I wanted some big containers filled with flowers to make it more welcoming. We purchased 3 whiskey barrels-large and inexpensive. Here you see them planted with sweet potato vine, black eyed Susans, and daisies for a Golden Anniversary party.

In the fall I realized I really wanted something a little more permanent in the barrels--not wanting to change everything seasonally. Initially I thought about some type of evergreen topiary, but I needed three and they can be quite pricey. Finally I decided on an ornamental peach tree. Perfect---height, fall color, spring flowers, attractive summer foliage and peaches for a Georgia peach!

Variegated ivy, pansies, mustard and kale were arranged underneath. Next summer I could leave the trees and ivy and plant some annuals or perennials.

And hidden under it all some parrot tulips to surprise us in the spring.

Here are the barrels in January after they have filled out a bit.

Look for a profusion of pale pink buds and ruffly salmon-colored tulips in the spring.

Monday, January 5, 2009

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Ten Years


Before we rang in the New Year, we celebrated the birthday of our second son. I decorated the chandelier with sparkly balls tied with satin ribbon and an inexpensive beaded tree garland. On the table lots and lots of candles, maidenhair ferns, and a few baby pics, then add in a roaring fire and we were set for a festive evening.

It was a sweet family night with a homemade pizza bar, fresh crisp salad, red wine for the adults, chocolate birthday cake and...Grandparents, Cousins, and Aunt in attendance.

Friday, January 2, 2009

2009


The bright new bud of fresh possibilities and beauty---a new year!