Like I said yesterday… beauty everywhere you look. There is an amazing water view from nearly everywhere you stand. I love this island! Catch you back here tomorrow!
View from the Grand Hotel porch – Mackinac Island, MI
Month: October 2011
Ahhh, nothing like a salmon color geranium!
I love geraniums. They have a way of making something drab come alive. I especially love this salmon color, something a tad different from the typical red. This shot was taken on the way to the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, MI. My mom, sister and I were there for a little R&R in between my mom finishing chemo (YAY!) and beginning radiation… We had the best time ever. We spent a few hours at the Grand Hotel and had so much fun! Bring your camera with you to the island, there are so many photos to be had. It’s difficult for me to focus when there’s so much to photograph, ha ha…
Enjoy your day and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!
Artist to watch… Chris Groves!
Chris Groves has got an eye for art. His paintings are breathtaking. Most (to me) have that rare old world look to them. This one is a bit different, this one is looser, but is so awesome. Chris has his work at the Horton Hayes Gallery downtown Charleston. This is one beautiful gallery and his work fits perfectly within its walls.
Here’s a blip from the Horton Hayes Gallery. If you’re in the area, stop in the gallery, if not they have an excellent website! I just love his pieces from Italy!
Chris Groves’ love of art grew from his early experiences with nature and the introduction of a master sculpture in his youth.
Groves was born in Boulder, Colorado, but soon moved with his family to Slidell, Louisiana. Those early years in Slidell were spent outside, exploring the woods, swimming in the bayou, boating, fishing, playing with snakes and other wild animals. It was during those years that Groves learned to love the outdoors and nature.
At the age of ten, Groves’ family returned to Boulder where he continued his exploration of nature with countless hikes, mountain climbs and camping trips. His parents gave him a nature-drawing book and Groves latched onto it as a source of awe and inspiration. He would spend countless hours copying the drawings and enhancing them with his own interpretation. His parents, recognizing their sons’ talent and appreciation of art, hired a private tutor to instruct him in basic techniques. Soon, Groves’ interest turned from nature to people. Groves looked to magazines, friends and siblings as a source of inspiration and drew detailed portraits of their faces.
In high school, Groves met sculptor, Glenna Goodacre, the mother of a school friend. Meeting with her and seeing some of the success she enjoyed as a artist (Vietnam Women’s memorial, Sacagawea US Dollar design) helped to inspire Groves’ own artistic aspirations.
After graduating from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a B.F.A. in Environmental Design, Groves spent the next ten years as an art director for two large companies, all the while continuing to study and hone his fine art skills.
Groves has studied at the Florence Academy of Art in Italy, the Colorado Academy of Art, the Loveland Art Academy, the Cottonwood Art Academy and the Denver Arts Students League. He also enjoyed a private, two- year mentorship with artist Jay Moore, which he considers a turning point in his artistic career.
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Eat for a better memory… 7 Ways to get sharp, and WHO doesn’t need this?
I ran across a great article from Reader’s Digest magazine. You know, that oh so conveniently sized magazine that easily slips into your purse in case you get stuck somewhere and need something to read!? Some of us don’t want to constantly look at our phones. I prefer the actual paper magazine… same with books, but that’s me. Reader’s Digest has fantastic articles, one being EAT FOR A BETTER MEMORY – 7 WAYS TO GET SHARP. I would like to know anyone who doesn’t need to know this information. None of us wants to suffer mental decline. It happens to the best of us, it’s part of aging, BUT there ARE things you can do to become “sharper”… From Reader’s Digest:
Boost brainpower with blueberries.
Studies have shown blueberries help prevent and reverse age-related memory loss.
Did you read that… PREVENT and REVERSE?!!!
When I looked into this further there was a study that included blueberries, but a few other things I thought I would share… From ABCnews.com
Scientists published a study adding more fuel to the growing belief that exercise boosts brain health. She said research has long shown that exercise is beneficial for brain function and memory – this study helps show why.
John Grohol, a clinical psychologist and founder of the online mental health resource PsychCentral.com, said that exercise is one of the best things you can do to keep your brain healthy. “This study just adds to the evidence that physical activity can enhance and keep our brains healthy,” he said.
Regarding blueberries… here’s what they had to say:
This week, scientists published research suggesting that antioxidant-rich blueberries could improve memory in older adults.
The study, involving scientists from the University of Cincinnati, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Canadian Department of Agriculture, included volunteers in their 70s. One group drank the equivalent of 2 to 2.5 cups of blueberry juice every day for two months. The control group drank a blueberry-less juice.
The scientists said the group that drank blueberry juice demonstrated improvement on memory and learning tests. “These preliminary memory findings are encouraging and suggest that consistent supplementation with blueberries may offer an approach to forestall or mitigate neurodegeneration,” the report said.
Diet – A study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in January 2009 found a definite link between caloric restriction and mental function.
Meditation – “People who meditate, research has shown, have a better ability to cultivate positive emotions,” Grohol said. “In doing so, they help maintain their own emotional stability which helps with overall well–being and brain health.”
In May, Psychological Science published a study indicating that a certain type of meditation may help the brain hold on to images for short periods.
New Experiences – “The brain seems to really benefit from novelty and new experiences,” said Grohol. But instead of paying money for so-called brain games that may or may not be effective, Grohol suggests people can just do crossword puzzles or play Sudoku games. Learning new languages and other similar pursuits are also good for the brain.
So have a bowl of oatmeal with blueberries on it (I never thought that sounded good until I tried it and ohmygosh!!!), take a walk or jog around the block, learn something new and then sit down and meditate.
That’s a lot to absorb, but every little change we make can help, right?! Ok, instead of talking the talk, I’m going to walk the walk… headed to make some oatmeal & blueberries now!
Catch you back here tomorrow, and again next Thursday for the next installment on foods to eat to stay sharp!
Can’t get a good dinner quicker than this!
Ooooh, Wild Alaskan Coho Salmon, Shells with Brie and Asparagus along with Martha’s Tomato, Basil and White Bean Salad. A delicious dinner that was quick to prepare. I had made the bean salad a little earlier in the day. It’s so easy and the taste is beyond belief (as I mentioned in Monday’s post), but the longer it sits the tastier it is! The salmon and the shells with brie/asparagus came directly from Trader Joe’s freezer section. AND the salmon is boneless and skinless as well. Fred cooked the salmon. I know a lot of people like it rare’ish… I like mine crispy with no chance of flipping around… this just had a little butter on it, then was sautéed in olive oil, with salt and pepper and a little squeeze of lemon juice toward the end. The frozen shells with brie I wasn’t sure about. It sounded good at the time, but hmmm, you never know. It was good! It’s a small package and says serving size is 2 and it was PLENTY! This is an example of a good dinner put together in no time! What are some of your favorite “quick to throw together” meals?? I’d love to know!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Artist to watch… Tom Curry!
I love to introduce artists that you might not run across… good ones, artists that are unique… I would like you to meet Maine artist, Tom Curry. This is a fabulous pastel on paper entitled BOAT HOUSE, I love the orange undertones, its a very striking piece! It’s at Gleason Fine Art in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. If you’re in the area, check him out! If not, check out Gleason’s website, he’s under the CONTEMPORARY ART section. The artist also has a FABULOUS website, (click HERE)… so check him out! Here’s a blip from his website (the Artists Statement):
Life on the Maine coast is charged with a brilliance, a wildness. The waters are a living green ecosystem, radiating wonder. There’s an urgency to my work because so many of these places are being lost to development.
Nature, ever changing, offers countless compositions. I want to evoke a place, time and atmosphere in my work. The natural world is my big studio, filled with opportunities to observe nature and explore its seamless miracle. Open air painting is a selection process: this sky, these waves, this foreground. It’s not a fragment, but a series of experiences not limited to space and time like a photograph. Many places feel sacred to me, places where the landscape evokes a sense of stewardship and reverence.
I have worked with pastel more than 20 years. The medium’s fluidity and immediacy allow me to capture the ever changing light, water, and atmosphere. I often return to work in the same locations with infinite daily results.
Many artists influence my work: Ferdinand Hodler, Wolf Kahn, Marsden Hartley, Tom Thompson and Rockwell Kent. I also find inspiration in Jean Baptiste-Camille Corot’s paintings of the Italian countryside, as well in the work of Edgar Degas, Fairfield Porter, Edward Hopper and Rockwell Kent.
Enjoy! Catch you back here tomorrow!
Meatless Monday: Martha’s Tomato, Basil and White Bean Salad
Let me start by saying. This. Is. Awesome. AND more importantly, I’m not really a bean eater. Some beans are OK, black beans, chili beans, but I don’t seek them out… this recipe changed my outlook on beans. This is one quick dish that is out of this world good. This tastes like it came straight from Italy. The only thing you heat is the oil and mainly to infuse the garlic into it. Trust me, this recipe will quickly become a family favorite!
Click HERE to go directly to Martha Stewart’s site to easily print the recipe, or see below… either way… ENJOY!
MARTHA’S TOMATO, BASIL and WHITE BEAN SALAD
Prep/10 min. Total Time/35 min. Serves: 4
Ingredients
- 2 cans (19 ounces each) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 pound small roma (plum) tomatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- Freshly ground pepper
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 small garlic cloves, minced
Directions
- Combine beans, tomatoes, basil, and salt in a bowl, and season with pepper.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, and cook, stirring, until fragrant but not browned, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Pour over bean mixture, and gently toss. Let stand 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld. Salad can be covered and kept at room temperature up to 4 hours.
The magnificent homes on the West Bluff, Mackinac Island, MI
I know I said the East Bluff was my favorite… but… the West Bluff is also my favorite. These homes are impeccable and pristinely maintained, and that can’t be an easy (or cheap) job. It takes a lot of love to keep them looking like they do. The flowers are breathtaking. These are homes to be proud of for sure (as are many on Mackinac Island!). Ironically one of my favorite homes is the second from the left in the photo, the smaller one (which truly isn’t a small house, the others are just very large). It’s the sweetest home I’ve ever seen with a view that’s to die for. I would love to live in this house year round…. Ah, a nice dream for sure! On my Mac I can double click on the image to enlarge… hopefully PC users have that same capability… its nice to be able to see it a little closer! If you ever get a chance to visit Mackinac Island, MI I highly suggest it, it will be unlike anywhere you’ve ever visited in your life!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Homes on the East Bluff, Mackinac Island, MI
I love the word “bluff”, it’s such a cool word, I guess because we don’t have any bluffs in our area… the East Bluff on Mackinac Island is one of my all time favorites. The homes are magnificent. In this photo you see the Island House Hotel (the white building with red roof) and the East Bluff the road above. Mackinac Island is an island I could live year around on and be so very happy. It might get a little crowded in the summer, but I think it would be definitely worth it! If you ever get a chance to go to Mackinac Island I highly suggest it. It’s perfect for those who like to hike, bike, walk (no cars), there are horses (for taxi’s), so don’t be put off entirely if walking isn’t your thing! The food (at the Island House… heavens… I cannot get it out of my mind!), the great places to stay… Island House Hotel is my personal favorite, the fudge and now… even Starbuck’s! Check it out if you get a chance!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Happy birthday mom!
Woohoo! A special day indeed! It’s my mom’s (also known as Sheila Fidler) birthday! I love this picture of her. When we were young my parents had a sailboat, we would cruise for three weeks in the summer to Georgian Bay (Canada), beautiful coast! My parents both raced sailboats, we had the best time. This picture was obviously taken on a sailboat, this is an old photo, one that I believe my dad developed in the basement of our first house. It’s gotten stained over time and a bit wrinkled, but the image is still awesome, just like my mom!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!
I WISH YOU THE HAPPIEST BIRTHDAY EVER, YOU CERTAINLY DESERVE IT!
I love you and miss you… ! Here’s to MANY more HAPPY birthdays! xxoo me
Coming soon… The Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure… Oct 15, Daniel Island, SC
Ok, this is a heads up to everyone out there who can help make a difference. The Lowcountry Komen Race for the Cure is next Saturday, October 15 on Daniel Island.
If you can’t be there to run or walk, there are other options, check out their website it’s a good one. A site that offers not only race information but breast cancer information as well.
Check it out HERE – here’s to everyone making a difference. Somethings got to happen!
Hang in there, it’s almost the weekend…!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
A five star fall dessert… Cinnamon Apple Cake – from Cooking Light Magazine!
Fall is in the air… or at least in Charleston, SC it will be soon! What do you think of when you think of fall? I think of apple cider, I think of Yate’s Cider Mill in Rochester, MI. One of my all time favorite places to grab some great crisp, sweet apples, a cup of apple cider, aaaaahhhhhh, and one of those sinful cider mill doughnuts rolled in granulated sugar and cinnamon. Ah, wish they were right around the corner, but its probably a good thing they are far away… VERY far away. If you want a dessert that isn’t too bad for you and has the bonus of making your house smell FAN-TAS-TIC! This is the recipe for you!
Continue reading “A five star fall dessert… Cinnamon Apple Cake – from Cooking Light Magazine!”Artist to watch… Betty Anglin Smith! October Skies show opens Friday!
Talk about spectacular paintings. Ohmygosh! I love Betty’s work. I love her style, her GREAT colors and fantastic subject matter. Most of the time what Betty paints is what she looks at from her studio, on the water in Meggett, SC. A setting that makes you think you’re back in time with the big old oak trees, the water, the cottage that has been restored beyond preciousness… the fabulous porch, the backyard, it’s a mecca of beauty! The most perfect spot for an artist to paint!
Betty’s paintings have presence. You notice them. They’re beautiful on brown walls :), they’re beautiful on ANY color wall! My husband and I are both big fans. We have so many favorites, well, Betty is just one of our very special favorite artists. You know how I’ve mentioned before that we just can’t buy a painting from someone we don’t admire, respect or at least like? Betty is the absolute nicest woman, she’s a blast to talk to, we love catching up with her about her painting trips around the country. Check out their (Betty and her triplet kids, two painters and a photographer, all amazing!) website, they’re in a gorgeous gallery downtown Charleston, SC. It’s like a movie set, a perfect backdrop for beautiful paintings!
If you’re in Charleston you simply cannot miss Betty’s show… OCTOBER SKIES will be in the gallery for the art walk on October 7, 2011… check with the gallery if you have any questions. Click HERE to go to the Smith Killian Gallery website.
A blip about the artist from the Smith Killian Website:
A native of the Carolinas, Smith has firmly established herself in Charleston’s artistic community. With a style consisting of large brush strokes and bold, vibrant colors, Smith has grown exceptionally accomplished at capturing the expansive marsh vistas, beaches and waterways that are an integral part of the Lowcountry landscape. Following the birth of her children, who incidentally are triplets, Smith enrolled in art classes at the Gibbes Museum of Art in downtown Charleston, where she further developed her love of painting. “I really became serious about it immediately”, Smith recalls. “It was like a part of me that I had not been able to fulfill yet. I was lost in it.” For the past twenty-five years, Smith has dedicated herself to painting, and though her subject matter frequently reflects the Lowcountry landscape, her success has far outgrown the confines of South Carolina. Her work has been shown in prominent galleries across the nation, from New York, Washington D.C. and Martha’s Vineyard, MA, to San Francisco, and Carmel, CA. In addition, many of her pieces are included in some of the nation’s finest corporate collections such as Walt Disney World, IBM, and Johnson and Johnson. But despite being a native of South Carolina, her love of broad and encompassing landscapes, which are frequently the subject of her work, grew out of a trip she took to Santa Fe, New Mexico in the late seventies. The tidal landscapes of the Lowcountry presented Smith with different challenges to the ones she encountered in New Mexico. Rocky Mountains, awe-inspiring canyons and windswept deserts were suddenly replaced with mile-upon-mile of flat marshland – a world seemingly void of the diagonal lines that artists use to balance a painting and add depth. Seeking out diagonal lines in a predominantly flat environment forced Smith to examine the Lowcountry more closely. It was then that she discovered that the lines were to be found in the colorful shifting clouds and meandering creeks. Using large brushstrokes and eye-catching colors, Smith has grown adept at capturing not just the physical nature of a place, but the feeling as well. Her paintings, whether they depict vibrant sunsets or the sweeping expanses of the Lowcountry marshland, give the viewer a sense of the immediacy of the moment as though Smith, working against the clock, was able to capture the essence of her subject. “I can’t emphasize enough just how much I want my work to look quick, impulsive, and spontaneous, like it just happened and flowed, as opposed to appearing overworked”, Smith explains. She adds that the bold colors she uses give the paintings an element of surprise “so that you are not looking at something you have seen a thousand times before. It is making you more aware of the colors that are actually in the landscape”, Smith explains. “These colors are there, I just exaggerate them as much as possible. I want my work to be expressionistic, whilst also remaining in the realm of reality.”
See you at the art walk! Catch you back here tomorrow!
A stay at the Island House Hotel on Mackinac Island, MI = HEAVEN!
Mackinac Island, MI… ahhh the memories. It’s one of the most magical places on earth. It’s like you’re back in time (no cars, bikes and horses only) with modern conveniences (AC for the warm months, great coffee shops, fabulous food, amazing scenery everywhere you look… fantastic hiking/biking trails, the list goes on and on)… My mom, sister and I headed out for a three day vacation, something we had never done before. Now I wonder what took us so long?! What a great time we had. Due in great part to the Island House Hotel. We had a fabulous room that overlooked the marina/Straits of Mackinac and wrapped around for views of downtown. It was magical. If you haven’t been to Mackinac Island, MI, it’s a place YOU MUST put on your bucket list. If you want a truly special stay, I would hands down choose the Island House Hotel. With it’s wide sweeping porches full of rocking chairs, a view that simply cannot be beat, the comfortable, clean and beautiful rooms, the dining room (1852 Grill Room) that will make your head spin it’s so good… I’m a bit of a drama queen but not in this case. Trust me. I know a lot of you are artists… this is a beautiful place to paint, it’s a small island with a rocky coast and beautiful views. It’s much like Maine in the way the coast looks, especially on the back side of the island. My sister and I took a ride around the island at sunset… like I said… heaven! A ride around the island is only about 8 miles.
Mackinac Island is situated between the upper and lower peninsula of Michigan. You reach it by ferry, there are three ferry lines, Sheplers, Arnold, and Star Line. Arnold is closest to the Island House, Shepler is the one that we’ve taken since we were kids, and I’m not that familiar with Star Line… but however you get here, you need to!!
Check out the 1852 Grill Room’s MENU – let me just say, there are a lot of restaurants on the island. We had dinner the first night at the Island House, and it was so delicious (out of this world good!) we went back the second night, and again the last night! The whitefish was to die for, as was the Greek Pasta Toss… the desserts, the coffee, oh heavens… and I didn’t even bring up the heavenly breakfast buffet did I? Let me just say, that put a smile on everyones face!
One of my favorite parts of the trip was getting up early each morning, heading to the lobby, pouring a cup of coffee and heading out to the porch to watch the dark sky lighten. I met a lot of nice people and we had a great time! Next trip will be with my husband! We haven’t been to the island together in about ten years!
The Island House Hotel is a beautiful historical hotel that is impeccably managed. Each and everyone was so kind, it was a real treat. Check out their website, it’s a good one! Click HERE to read about the history of the hotel which is fascinating! Here are a few pictures from our trip, the rest will appear on weekends on this blog… catch you back here tomorrow!
Sunset on Mackinac Island, MI
I am captivated by beautiful sunrises and sunsets. This was one of them. While the sky was not overly dramatic, the brilliance of the golden light from the sun was amazing. We were on bikes on the back side of Mackinac Island as the sun was setting. We pedaled like crazy to get back to civilization, ha ha… because once the sun sets it’s dark. Very dark, no street lights… it was a beautiful bike ride! Photos like this make me want to resume my Almost Daily Pic blog where I could have larger images… I am torn. Ugh!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
ARTFOODHOME.COM 