Fred and I were in Maine, we were at a bakery across from the Farnsworth Museum when we spotted this poster in the window entitled “Homer” by artist JAMIE WYETH. It was shortly after our Jack Russell Terrier (JRT), Reginald, passed away after 14.5 years. We missed him. He was a smooth coat JRT unlike Homer. But this painting was a reminder of his spirit. We don’t usually buy posters, but this one we had to have… the little guy has such spunk. Now we have a rough coat JRT (“Charlie”) who looks amazingly like this painting, except that his face is half light and half dark. He’s a trip! Jamie did such an awesome job of catching every nuance of this breed of dog.
Yeah, I know… Awesome, isn’t it? Fred and I first met Tim on Monhegan Island, ME in 2006. When we first ran into him he was set up in front of the Island Inn. Gutsy! Then I watched him paint… wow. I told him that I was just starting to paint and he gave me tips and explained what he was doing and gave me many many book titles to read. I had so much information, I scribbled my notes inside the pages of Carlson’s Guide to Landscape Paintingby John F. Carlson that I had run to the Lupine Gallery to buy! This painting, Monhegan Evening was from that trip. The sun was setting, and Tim was sitting on a big rock, talking and painting away… WHOA!
Congratulations to Tim, he appears in PLEIN AIR magazine, Spring 2011 – It’s on the stands NOW… Barnes & Noble, etc. etc. I’m going to run out and get one this weekend!
Tim Bell is a painter in the American Impressionist tradition. His work reflects the influences of painters such as John Twachtman, Charles Hawthorne, Hovsep Pushman and Henry Hensche.
A graduate of Frostburg State University, Tim conducted his post-Graduate studies at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts in Annapolis, Maryland and the Cape Cod School of Art in Provincetown, Massachusettes.
Timothy Horn, a California artist that can paint “normal scenes” such as a street with a stop sign, and make it come to life. Much like Colin Page, where he can paint something I wouldn’t dream of painting and it turns out to be awesome! A true talent. Timothy Horn is a great artist, if you haven’t been to his website lately check it out! Check out the workshops, the many gallery links as well as the available paintings.
This painting is entitled LOOKOUT and is under the RESPINI tab on his website. Here’s a quick explanation – more detail on his website: Since 2003 I have been participating in the annual exhibit “Ranches and Rolling Hills” which is a benefit for the Marin Agricultural Land Trust. As a participant in this show I have access to approximately 40 ranches in Marin. I have visited many of them and painted on maybe a dozen.
If you get a chance, check out Tim’s website… enjoy your day, it’s going to be a beauty!
SIMPLY. BRILLIANT. I saw this and now I want it…! I love to bake, and I have measuring cups and measuring spoons, but look at this… made by TOVOLO, the handles of the measuring cups are measuring spoons! Brilliant! Then… the part that I love the most that makes you think WHY DIDN’T I THINK OF THAT?!!! is the little rubber ring that the measuring cup can sit on. I have a silicone spoon from these people and I LOVE IT. Bought it at a little kitchen shop in Mount Pleasant, SC. I use it daily and each time I reach into the drawer to pull it out I think WHAT A GREAT PURCHASE THIS WAS!
Ok, maybe I’m a bit dramatic? Humph!
Happy Monday everyone! I’ll catch you back here tomorrow…
BEEP BEEP BEEP… this is a public service announcement… A reminder that at 2AM it’s Daylight Savings Time… so before you go to bed tonight (or if you’re like me, you’ll do it now so you won’t forget and then you’ll be early for everything… ugh) set your clocks ONE HOUR AHEAD… (and YES, if you’re wondering… I did have to say… “Spring forward/Fall back” to be sure I had that straight. Otherwise this would be a very very bad public service announcement, now wouldn’t it?) Other than the alarm clock, remember the microwave, the stove and every other gadget in the world that doesn’t know how to miraculously change the time all by itself!
Are you one of those people who for weeks after the time change keeps thinking… “but it’s really…”” (i.e. it’s 8pm, but it’s really 7pm)? I’m curious… am I the only one?
Does anyone know why we change the time? Well I did some reading on this and there doesn’t seem to be a clear definition as to why. There are many theories but they don’t all agree. Which can only mean the reason we have Daylight Saving Time is BECAUSE… THAT’S WHY! My very professional opinion and I’m sticking to it!
BEEP BEEP BEEP… This ends the public service announcement. Good day…
MMMMM, I am thinking of a Taco Boy salad right now… sure sounds tasty, it’s much more than “just a salad”, it’s an experience! Really. Oooolala, with those tasty thin tortilla chips and a side of guacamole, ohmygosh! A treat that can’t be beat!
We took a break last night, sat down, and turned on the TV… what does Tivo have to offer us on this fine evening? Hmmm, Army Wives… Cool! First show of the season. Guess where part of it was filmed?? INSIDE TACO BOY! YAY! Good for them!
If you haven’t been to Taco Boy yet… RUN… don’t walk! I’ll probably see you there sipping on my half sweet half unsweet tea (It’s DESSERT!), munching on those oh so wonderful thin tortilla chips dipped in guacamole, salsa or for the heavenly treat… QUESO! Take a peek at their menu, it’s too hard to decide which tasty dish to order! Did I mention how cool the place is? They took an old run down building and transformed it into an ultra cool place to hang out with friends, or just your sweetie. Don’t take my word for it, head on down to Taco Boy. We have yet to visit the one on Folly Beach, but it just won the BEST OF CHARLESTON 2011 for best restaurant on Folly Beach! Congrats to ya man!
CHARLES SOVEK, great artist, super nice guy… I can’t remember who stumbled across his website first, me or my dad… It was FULL of information. An artist that SHARES his knowledge, WOW! I devoured his information, he made it look so easy. I ordered the BASICS book and received the nicest postcard from him and a note written inside. How truly thoughful was that? I will treasure that always. Charles Sovek passed away June 8, 2007. While his website remains full of the information he provided years ago, we will miss his constant updates and wonderful paintings!
This painting entitled “Backyard Vignette” is 9×12 gouache on board. It’s one of our treasures… Fred surprised me with this painting one day. We always looked at his website and picked the ones that we would buy if we could… and tada… one day, there it was! If you get a moment check out his website www.sovek.com , you can still order books and DVD’s and SEE all his wonderful work. There are so many paintings on this website it will boggle your mind!
If you’re like me and you like to cook… a good pan is essential. One that has worked for me for years and years is my Le Creuset French Oven. I have the 7.5 qt and that puppy is heavy, but that’s why everything that is cooked in it does so well. It’s great for big pots of soup, stews, just about anything… I’ve used it over and over and over, and I think it has now bit the dust. Partly my fault (boo hoo) I guess… The finish started to come off the bottom mostly, or so I thought… I took it to a local kitchen store, where they told me to clean it with Bar Keeper’s friend, and it would be good as new. They also told me it was OK to use regular stainless spoons, etc. I started scrubbing, the thought disgusted me that this was hardened cooked on food stuck to the bottom of my pot. UGH. I scrubbed and scrubbed and it started to come off… OHMYGOSH, like a new pot… then I started up the sides where it was about an inch high of the same and then I stopped dead in my tracks. This isn’t hardened food, this is THE FINISH. Oh, boo… the pot is no longer non-stickish… it’s super stick’ish. So I’ll save for another one day. For now I’ll wish I would have visited the LeCresuet website sooner!
With that being said, I highly recommend this pot. You see all the chef’s use it, it’s quality stuff! Just don’t use Bar Keeper’s Friend or any other product that can scratch the surface INCLUDING stainless spoons… use wooden, ugh.
I love unique art, you know, a painting that’s different from everything else you see… The first year we stopped in Wiscasset Bay Gallery we fell in love with Geer Morton’s paintings. Such vibrant colors and nice loose style. LOVE IT! My husband surprised me with a painting of flowers that is just the happiest little piece. It brightens up our kitchen on a daily basis. If you get a chance, stop in Wiscasset Bay Gallery and check out his work, or visit his website! (Image and info: WiscassetBayGallery.com)
Here is a great blip that came from Wiscasset Bay Gallery website about Geer Morton:
Born in Damariscotta, Maine in 1935, Geer Morton began painting as a young man. He was drawn to California where he immersed himself in a movement of art now known at the San Francisco School–notably recognized through the work of Nathan Oliveira and Richard Diebenkorn, with whom Morton studied at the prestigious San Francisco Art Institute. Morton went on to become Chairman of the Design Department and an Instructor of Painting and Drawing, and to develop his own style of art. Morton’s paintings can be found in numerous private and corporate collections, and he has exhibited extensively throughout the United States. Morton is still actively painting from his homes in Lubec, Maine and San Diego, California.
The second image, not such a great photo of such a great painting… taken with my Blackberry… it’s the painting that hangs in our kitchen. LOVE. IT. This painting makes me happy… Our painting:
Charleston, SC artist Shannon Smith can catch the light in a painting like nobody’s business… whenever I see the sun behind the trees I think of Shannon’s paintings. Very versatile, this artist can paint anything! And she does! If you aren’t familiar with Shannon’s work, check the Smith Killian Gallery . You will notice there are a few other artists with the last name of Smith. Betty Anglin Smith and her triplets, Shannon, Jennifer and Tripp – All. Amazing.
My sister and I took a workshop from Shannon a while back and it was SO INFORMATIVE. Just the opportunity to watch her paint helps so much! It was a great workshop and I highly recommend it! If YOU are in the market for a workshop in the May timeframe, Shannon Smith and Laurie Meyer will be giving one in ITALY… click HERE for more information. More than just a workshop, it looks like quite the adventure!
A craving for something sweet. Ugh. You know how it is when something pops into your head, like a nice warm oatmeal cookie fresh out of the oven. The wonderful smell of cinnamon permeating the room… ohhhh and a nice cold glass of milk to go along with it… Ahhh, let me get ahold of myself! That’s what happened to me the other day. OATMEAL. COOKIES. This thought popped into my head and would not escape. Finally I gave in. I’ll take some to a neighbor, saving myself from eating too many! So off I went. Armed with a NEW oatmeal cookie recipe, I started measuring… then all of a sudden something didn’t seem right with the recipe… Hmmm, let me check online and see if there were any comments on this recipe… duh. Something I always do BEFORE I try a recipe, not while I’m almost done measuring all the ingredients! TRAGIC COMMENTS. Eek, how can I save these cookies now that I have most of the ingredients comingled? I popped the lid off the Quaker Oat cannister and TADA staring back at me is the Vanishing Oatmeal Cookie recipe everyone knows and loves. I tried to adjust to get the ingredients measured to the new recipe and without hesitation popped those babies in the oven. Worst case? The baked cookies don’t taste good… Silver lining? Yep, the dough is awesome! Ha… Thankfully they turned out. I ate too many (it was lunch) and now I’m done with them for a while… Next time I may substitute cranberries for the raisins and add walnuts. If these cookies are sounding good to you, you can get them via the Quaker website OR off the lid on your cannister of oatmeal. Otherwise, here it is! Happy day! Catch you back here tomorrow…
Vanishing Oatmeal Raisin Cookies (QuakerOats.com)
Ingredients
1/2 cup (1 stick) plus 6 tablespoons butter, softened
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
3 cups Quaker® Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)
1 cup raisins
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, beat butter and sugars on medium speed of electric mixer until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well. Add oats and raisins; mix well.
Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheets; remove to wire rack. Cool completely. Store tightly covered.
My husband and I met Colin Page several years ago while we were in Port Clyde, Maine. He was set up not far from Monhegan Boat Line and he was painting the ice cream shop. I still remember that painting, the colors, the composition… wow, all were perfect! Colin is someone who can pull off painting something ordinary like a street with a stop sign and a telephone pole AND make it look stunning! Whenever my husband and I see the white light on the water from the sun or a picturesque intersection, we always say… “ahhhh, a Colin painting!” so true!
Colin was one of the guys in the cottage down from us, in the PAINTAPALOOZA group, (I know I keep saying this will be a future story… I need to do it don’t I?) – it was so exciting to see so much awesome artwork in one house by all these amazing artists!
Colin gets an A+++ for keeping his website so updated! It cannot be easy to be an artist AND keep up a website, blog, etc. etc. You must check out his website AND his journal. Valuable information. This guy is good. We have a painting of his that we absolutely love, lobster boats and the white light from the sun. Simply amazing!
Colin is in several galleries, we’ve only been to DOWLING WALSH, very nice! If you’re in Rockland, Maine sometime, check it out!
And you thought a saucer couldn’t be sexy? Ha. Look at the lines of this Nelson Saucer Pendant Lamp. It’s a beauty. We’ve had one for years now, and it’s been moved from dining room, to dining room (ok, so we have a furniture moving around problem… ) and now it happily resides in the kitchen. Where it makes a nice quiet statement. It says… WE. AREN’T. OLD. YET.
I love lighting that makes a statement. This says hip but not crazy, a little funky and “with it” which is so nice paired with antique pine, traditional rugs, etc. A little of the unexpected amongst traditional (expected) is always a treat to the eye.
My opinion.
Happy Monday everyone… I’ll see you back here tomorrow…
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