This house plan is from a company I respect so much. GOLogic. It is our dream once Fred retires to build one of their homes. We’re always looking at the plans and trying to figure which one would work best for us. Why not save money (and the environment) all while living in a beautiful, efficient, well thought out house?
Just look at all the standard options, the construction, and the overview… this company truly has their act together! It’s a house you can feel good about building! See a plan that you’ve fallen in love with? Check out the Process of Buying a House link…
Here is the plan, via the GOLogic website. If you’re interested in building one of their plans, here’s the link… there is also a separate link if you use your own contractor and you want to purchase plans only. Personally, I want the people who have done it time and time again with great results to be the ones to build my home one day…
It’s so nice to have a mudroom, a place to store all the shoes, jackets, etc and keep them out of the way! A small powder room down stairs is perfectly tucked in the corner. I love the open kitchen/living/dining spaces… and the exterior of this house… whoa! Good looking! Did I mention the windows? Read about them… they’re gorgeous, but they’re also about as efficient as you can get!
This plan has all bedrooms on the upper level. There are variations of this plan, and one has the master bedroom downstairs. Since we’re planning for our next house to be the last house we build, we would probably opt for that plan. Check out the other plans available, they’re fabulous!
I swear, some artist’s have the hugest hearts… with all the devastation that has pummeled Mexico, your help is needed! Frank Gardner has started a fundraiser selling his paintings at super prices. Once some of his fellow artists found out about this adventure, they shared their paintings as well… These paintings are sold on a first come first serve basis… and they are stunning… check it out! They are going quickly, so if you check and there are none left, but you would like to help out anyway… I’m sure that can be arranged! If there is any way that you can donate any amount, it would be more than appreciated. Frank is easy to get in contact with… Just email him…
Here’s the latest from Frank 9/24/13 PM:
We are at $2,200. dollars so far in less than one day! Added new pieces today by Peter Kalill, Dennis Poirier, Colin Page and me. More coming soon. If anyone wants to donate or purchase please contact me.
Below is information from a newsletter from Frank… what a great group of artists!
I hope you are all well. This newsletter is to let you all know that for the next week or so, I am going to be using the My Paint Box blog to set up a fundraising campaign. We are raising money to help people affected by the tropical storms that battered the Mexican coasts last week. The one-two punch of Manuel’s first landfall on Sunday and Tropical Storm Ingrid’s lashing of México’s east coast on Monday. (Ingrid was a hurricane offshore, but made landfall as a tropical storm.) Manuel became a hurricane before heading back to shore for a second hit on México’s upper west coast. So far, at least 80 people have been killed in Mexico from the storms, not including the 58 people missing from a landslide in La Pintada, located a few hours north of Acapulco.As you probably know, my family and I live in Central México. While were wedged between the two storms and got a lot of rain last week, we were spared the brunt of these storms. As we began see reports from the affected areas we began to think of a way that we could help, beyond just taking a few canned goods down to be donated, we want to try and help in a bigger way. I can’t imagine losing everything and or losing friends and family members in a disaster like this.I decided to make the small gesture of putting a few of my paintings up for sale at specially reduced prices to raise some money for relief. Then take that money and buy necessities and non perishable goods to donate to the Mexican Red Cross. Both my niece and nephew are volunteers with the Mexican Red Cross here in San Miguel and the Red Cross has the best infrastructure for getting donations where they need to be.Before I could even get some pictures taken and get it on line friends began contacting me wanting to help out. This project continues to grow with the more than generous support from people who want to help. Please keep checking back, because we will continue to add more donations that are available.On my blog are images of donated artwork and other items. Many of these items can be seen at Galeria Gardner, Zacateros 75 in San Miguel de Allende. Some things that have been donated by friends will be shipped by them directly to the buyer. We think trying to auction these items will get too confusing and time consuming for everyone. After much thought we decided to go with the “Buy it Now” system of a set price, first person to make the offer to buy it gets it. Below each item I will put the Title, Artist’s name and information, Special Fundraiser Price, Shipping cost if applicable, and any other pertinent information.Because these are also available “off line” we are not using a “Buy it Now” button to avoid selling a piece twice. If you are interested in purchasing anything listed below you must email me at frank@frankgardner.com with the name of the item and your desire to purchase. Please do not try to purchase in the comments section of this blog. We can’t check email constantly, but the first email in my box for each item, or person that buys in person at Galeria Gardner, will get it. We can accept payment with PayPal on line, or cash and checks in person at the gallery. If buying on line, I will contact you to confirm your purchase. and send a PayPal payment request.Remember to keep checking back for more items. We will be adding more soon. Please help out in any way you can. Every little bit helps. Thank You. http://frankgardner.blogspot.com
If you have not seen the damage from these storms you can see images here:
WOOT! WOOT!Confetti falls from the sky, the music is blaring… this is my 1,000th post on this blog! A daily post for nearly three years… I can’t believe I’ve made it this far! A big thank you to all of you who read it!
This was a thrilling find on FINECOOKING.COM! I like a sure thing… a recipe where the cooking time is fairly consistent… this has worked for EVERY pork tenderloin that we have grilled this summer. I guess if you had a large one or a tiny one, the results might vary a bit, but use a meat thermometer if you have one, and you’ll be fine!
I didn’t brine our pork tenderloin, I took a ziplock and micro planed a few cloves of garlic (or mince), poured in some olive oil (enough to coat the pork) and some pepper… mush it around and add the pork tenderloin. Seal the bag, move it around to get it nice and coated. [Note: something you might not know about me… I’m weird about meat… 1) it can only go on the bottom shelf in the fridge per dr. oz… so no meat drips (*GASP*) to prevent contamination of any other food 2) I put the sealed bag inside another bag (told ya… weird) 3) I put that bag inside a plastic container (see… weird! when that container comes out of the fridge it goes directly to the dishwasher… it does not pass GO, it does not collect $200… straight to the DW!)… I drive Fred crazy… enough said…]
Grill burners all on high… Fred puts the pork on at 400 degrees… temp continues to rise… or you can wait until it reaches a higher temp… either way yields great results!
Place the oiled pork tenderloin onto a hot grill and CLOSE THE LID. NO PEEKING!
Set timer for 7 MINUTES… yep, use a timer for each step, you don’t want to forget… because if you’re like me, you’ll have good intentions, you’ll keep your eye on the grill for 6 minutes and 50 seconds and then something will capture your attention and off you go… then you think to yourself… what’s burning?? Ugh, that would be dinner… that scenario hasn’t happened yet because I use a timer, but I guarantee you that it would… if I didn’t…
When timer goes off, FLIP the pork tenderloin… (note the action shot, thankyouverymuch!)… CLOSE THE LID! NO PEEKING.
Set the timer for 6 minutes! (Did I say no peeking?) – it’s really important that the grill is closed… so I wonder why I didn’t take a photo of that? Hmmm…
When the timer goes off… TURN THE GRILL OFF… DO NOT OPEN THE LID!!!
Set the timer for 5 minutes!
Then… just to be sure it’s done, insert an instant read thermometer (thickest part of the meat), it should read 145-150 degrees. If it doesn’t just close the lid and check on it in a few more minutes. Ours always has registered perfectly!
Then remove the pork from the grill, place a piece of foil over the top and let it rest for 5 minutes… it’s worked hard, it needs a break!
To recap this 7-6-5 method: Grill on high, place oiled pork tenderloin on grill, close lid – 7 minutes.
Flip to other side, close lid… 6 minutes
Turn grill off… (keep lid closed) 5 minutes
Take temp… let rest 5 minutes if it’s reached 145-150
From FineCooking.com (Use this link to see their entire recipe, I did not brine my, however, they show you how… I need to try it some time! This link also gives details for charcoal grills)
Season and grill
Rub the brined tenderloins all over with the glaze and then season with the pepper. Or, season to taste with another flavoring of your choice.
Heat a gas grill, turning all the burners to high until the grill is fully heated, 10 to 15 minutes.
Put the pork on the hot grill grate. Close the lid and grill for 7 minutes.
Turn the pork over, close the lid, and grill for another 6 minutes.
Turn off the heat (keep the lid closed) and continue to cook the pork for another 5 minutes. At this point, an instant-read thermometer inserted into the middle of the thickest end of the tenderloin should read 145° to 150°F. (If not, close the lid and let the pork continue to roast in the residual grill heat.)
Remove the pork from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes before carving. Cut across the grain into 1/2-inch slices and serve immediately, with the sauce of your choice.
It’s nice to have this recipe isn’t it? Pork tenderloin is a lean cut of meat, although it is considered “red meat” for those of you who limit your red meat intake… it goes great with little red potatoes, a salad, or rice and blackbeans… yum!
I was thrilled to find this recipe on FineCooking.com… woohoo! Happy to share my good finds with you!
“Trunks and Sky in Winter” by David Grossmann [image: Abend Gallery]This is not a pretty painting… David will know that I’ve read his NEWS page “What not to say to an artist”. It made me smile. This isn’t a pretty painting, no… that’s not how I would describe it. A brilliant painting? A unique perspective that I absolutely adore, something fresh and different, that’s how I would describe this painting. I enjoy David’s style, very nice!
Read a blip about David from his oh so nice website(and be sure to check out his NEWS page, its fabulous!):
Art has been a constant presence in David Grossmann’s life. Drawing was his favorite activity as a child, so he spent much of the time exploring his imagination through pencil and paper. David’s family consistently encouraged his love of art, and some of his first art lessons were from his grandmother, who taught him to use oil paints when he was ten years old.
A love of the outdoors has also been a life-long companion for David. He lived in Chile until he was fourteen, and the towering Andes, the vast ocean, the barren deserts, and fertile valleys shaped his appreciation for the beauty of nature. When he left Chile and moved to Colorado, the majesty of the Rocky Mountains brought a touch of familiarity through the time of transition and culture shock. At that point, David continued to study art and also began taking art-related jobs, including painting commissions and a series of illustrations for a publishing company.
While still in high school, David studied drawing with artist Valorie Snyder. He went on to earn degrees in business and Spanish, and then attended a classically-based art academy in Boulder. It was at the academy that David had his first class in plein air (outdoor) painting. He responded immediately to the challenges of this new method and the way it fit perfectly with his love for the outdoors. David’s dedication to landscape painting kept growing, eventually leading him to study with renowned artist Jay Moore.
Since then, David’s work has been included in many exhibitions, including national shows sponsored by Oil Painters of America, The American Impressionist Society, and Salon International. Southwest Art Magazine featured him as one of their “Artists to Watch,” and David’s work has also been included in Plein Air Magazine and American Art Collector Magazine. In her description of his work, acclaimed artist Nancy Guzik said that he “goes beyond his paint by bringing a sensitivity that appears to be magic.”
David continues to find inspiration from all over Colorado, the western United States, and wherever else his travels may take him. His adventures have spread from Patagonia, Eastern Europe, Africa, and Central America. No matter what location inspires his work, David’s paintings are noted for their understated sense of tranquility: “I like to think of my paintings as prayers and as visual poems. They are simplified rhythms of color, light, and shape. On the surface they are quiet whispers, but I hope that they convey a depth of emotion to anyone who takes the time to stop and listen.”
Is there anything better than to wake up early, have fabulous coffee, chat with friends, have a wonderful breakfast, go for a hike, stop for a snack, sit and read, go for another hike or two, or three… come back to the inn, take a shower and head to dinner… nope. I’m hear to tell you there is nothing better! To relax like this is truly a luxury!! Hope you have your luxury relaxation some time soon!
There is something mesmerizing about this!
Hey! Happy first day of Autumn… WOOHOO, my favorite season begins!!
Oh, how I have Monhegan on my mind… going to miss the nice cool air, the seagull’s morning wake up call, the fabulous food, and our friends! We hope to be there next year!
Jon Redmond has been described as a “poet of light and shadow” and I would say that’s a pretty accurate description. This guy’s work is absolutely out-there-amazing! The way Jon can simplify a scene, quite like Edward Hopper, keeps his paintings contemporary and unique in style. Each and every one of his paintings is unreal! This is only one of the paintings that Jon is exhibiting at the Somerville Manning Gallery located in Greenville, DE. There are so many wonderful paintings it was difficult to choose only one! If you’re anywhere near Greenville, DE, make your way to his show if at all possible! The opening reception is Friday (today!!) and the show runs through October 12, 2013. If you aren’t in the area, then check out Jon’s work on the gallery’s website!
“Jon Redmond is a poet of light and shadow, whose paintings reflect a range from the clarity of Vermeer to the palette of an impressionist. He is a master at capturing the natural beauty and wonder of the Brandywine Valley, and he has also encompassed the essence of landmarks and scenery he has encountered in his travels to Philadelphia and Maine”
I swear Coastal Living has some wonderful house plans on their website. This featured plan is called the BLUFFTON (SL-594) and it’s an exclusive design for Coastal LIving by Hall and Hull Architects, Inc. A beautiful plan that can be used in different ways, which is so nice these days! Proves that when you have a good plan you can fit a lot of living into a 1,435 square foot space!
Just look at all the wonderful porches! It’s nice to have French doors in the family room… let the cool air in (well, as soon as we can open windows!)… One thought, it might be a good idea to screen the back porch, that way the French doors could be opened without mosquitoes getting in the house, as well as sit on the porch without being “bugged”, hee.
It’s so nice when a house plan can be versatile, and this one is. There is a lovely dining room off of the kitchen, and while many people enjoy a formal dining ensemble, some of us just don’t use it. So personally, I would put my desk, a few wing backs (ours aren’t formal, they’re slipcovered in white duck cloth), maybe a neat old table that we could use if we had people over for dinner, but otherwise would put books and a lamp on it. I would maybe even tuck one of those cool (and compact!) wood stoves made by Rais (love this model!) in the family room for the cooler months. Heat and fire add such ambiance, and they take off the winter chill! Elegant, a bit modern and useful!
“Hicks Valley” by Samantha Buller [image]This is a nice painting by Samantha Buller… there is an art (pun intended) to painting a scene that has been simplified to project a specific feeling, kind of like you’re there… without all the hoopla getting in the way. This painting has nice brush strokes, and a composition that keeps your eye in the painting. My favorite part of this painting is the driveway. Love it! I never thought I would like power lines in a painting… until one day I saw Colin Page do a painting, power lines and all… and the power lines MADE the painting over the top good! Great job Samantha!
Samantha is part of a show at Elliot Fouts Gallery (EFGallery.com) through September 26, 2013 – if you’re in the Sacramento, CA area, be sure to stop in and check it out, otherwise check it out online, the gallery has a great website!
Samantha Buller currently lives in Sonoma County after painting and teaching in Kansas for the past two years. She received her BFA in Painting from the Academy of Art University, San Francisco. Originally from the Bay Area, her work reflects the beautiful light and modernism that is found in Northern California. Her work has been shown in the Hall of Justice in downtown San Francisco, in business’ and several galleries, as well as on the set of a prime time television show.
She studied a semester abroad in Italy, which has greatly influenced her love and passion for the arts. “Italy was full of rich, golden colors. The culture is truly inspiring for any type of artist and to have the opportunity to paint while standing amongst an Italian sunflower field, should be one experienced by all.”
Her love of color completely drives her work. She is inspired by the art of Wayne Thiebaud for his paint application, color, and composition, as well as the works of Raimonds Staprans for his layering techniques. She chooses to paint simplistic objects to create a clean, strong design, sharing interest with the negative space.
*UPDATED WITH TRAILER LINK… the previous Vimeo link was not working… (You can also Google “Monhegan Light Trailer” or click the link below…)
You’ve got to watch this movie trailer. I swear this movie is going to be a winner! I just recently found out that a group of students from Ohio University’s School of Media Arts & Studies created a film based on a short story by Richard Russo. The story is about a cinematographer who travels to Monhegan Island to confront a painter about his relationship with his deceased wife. There is an actual story line. The scenery is beyond stunning. I have to give them a thumbs up on all levels. For those of you who have been to Monhegan, this will transform you back to that special place.
Update 2025: while the trailer and website for this film are no longer available (therefore links didn’t work) I’ve removed them from this page…
Update 12/2025: I heard from Frederick Lewis, who along with his students, produced this film – he provided updated links, thank you!
I pulled this from: lpfilmforum.com (no longer an operable link for this film)
More than a short film, really, “Monhegan Light” approaches the mid-length genre at almost thirty minutes running time. The film was produced by a team of Ohio University students, led by Associate Professor Frederick Lewis (who executive produced) and directed by Joe Battaglia, an OU student. Money was raised to produce the film ($18,000) which was shot on location in four days on Monhegan Island, Maine.
For those of you who are familiar with Monhegan you will notice Alison Hill‘s paintings, as well as her yard and her living room (with cool orange sofa)! This group did such a fantastic job. They raised the money, they worked hard and I really want to promote them!
If you’re interested in behind the scenes movie making, watch this video they made… you will see gorgeous scenes of Monhegan around18-19 minutes into it. Marcus DeAnda did a great job as the main character. So believable and he had so much emotion. Perfect casting. Great job to all the actors, Joe Battaglia (Director and Producer) and all the people behind the scenes. Its amazing how much work is involved. Read more about them all on their Facebook page!
R Gregory Summers. Amazing work. Love his biography… We the people like to hear the intimate parts of an artist’s life (not to be too nosey) as well as info about your art, who your mentors are, who your fellow painters are… and Summers shares with us his personal story as well as the story about his art career. So interesting.
“In Ailies’s Glade” won 2nd place (oils) in the 2013 STEM Plein Air competition and it will soon be on its way to Charleston, SC – and will be included in the American Impressionist’s Show this year which will be at M Gallery of Fine Art in Charleston, SC. The show runs September 28 – October 30, 2013 with the opening reception on October 4th in conjunction with the French Quarter Art Walk!
Born in the Flint Hills of Kansas, the oldest boy in a family of 8. Summers has always had a love for art, and the great outdoors, spending much of his youth on outdoor excursions, or indoors with pen or brush in hand.
Enlisting in the USAF in 1974 paid his way through college on the GI Bill earning an Assosiciates Degree in Commercial Art. Fresh out of school Summers married his 1st wife and began his professional career as an artist at Hallmark Cards Inc. in Kansas City, Missouri.
During the next 20 plus years, he raised 4 children being very active in their upbringing, and helping in community service projects, scouting, coaching, sports.
The 21st century brought many changes in his life. The biggest was the realization that alcohol was not the cure-all that he thought it was, and that the only way forward was to put it behind. With this knowledge, a new marriage to a loving and supportive wife Summers was able to focus on what he did best, and that is paint.
Through a continuing education course at the Kansas City Art Institute he was introduced to painting “en Plein air”. This was the real turning point in his art. Never before had he considered going outdoors to paint. It was the spark that was needed to rekindle the fire that had almost been smothered.
It is the love of the land and the people that he went on to form the Missouri Valley Impressionist Society, and Brush Creek Art Walk. Sharing his visions of a world joined as one through art.
We go outdoors to enjoy the land, or stay inside to avoid it. It is Gregory Summers an outdoor artist that brings the outside in.
We look forward to welcoming Summers to Charleston – be sure to check out his website! Catch you back here tomorrow!
Monhegan… ah… am I ever going to stop posting photos? Well, I just had to, we have some friends who are there this week, next week and the following week! I can’t wait to see their photos! I bet the weather will be perfect! This photo was taken (I think) when we hiked along trail 1… past Dead Man’s Cove and back up into the woods… it is M A G I C A L ! Some are there to paint, others to show family around a wonderful place they have yet to visit, and another who is going to read, relax, swim and hike! You always feel better once you’ve visited Monhegan, it gets your priorities back in place. Really!
Is Charlie waiting for a carriage to come and pick him up? Is he on stage? I’m thinking it’s more of the latter, although he would be too thrilled if a horse came by to visit him! This was taken on a hot humid day downtown Charleston, SC… we are all looking forward to fall/winter/spring! No complaints about the cold from me! This has been the best summer since I moved to Charleston in 1989… amazing! Windows open two days in August, and again today in mid September… that NEVER happens!
Woohoo, grateful for the small things! Have a great day… Catch you back here tomorrow!
Millie Gosch is a plein air painter from the Atlanta, Georgia area. Her work is fabulous! Millie’s compositions are interesting, the brushstrokes are nice, and that beautiful green in the distance.. LOVE IT!
“First Light” by Millie Gosch
Had to include one more… I would say she nailed it! Millie has a fabulous website, here is just a short blip (read more on her website) about her…
I love to paint from life and I love to be outdoors, so naturally painting en plein air is a good fit for my art. During the spring and fall, I spend a lot of time painting field studies. From those studies, I paint larger pieces in the studio. I don’t use photographs at all. I paint what I know, and what I love is nature. My favorite subjects are big open fields, sunrises, sunsets, trees, the lowcountry, and the southland. I use a limited palette of primary colors. In my work I strive to bring my viewer into the painting and let them make it their own experience. -Millie Gosch
At Restoration Hardware I believe they have a solution for everything. How many people have run across a beautiful painting, but you hear that they have no wall space… hmmm… well here is a solution! This is the Circa 1970 Lighted Easel available at Restoration Hardware! The price isn’t cheap ($895), but it affords you the ability to sneak in one more painting to your collection! This easel is height adjustable. Its design is sleek and classy. This easel is constructed of stainless steel and has cast brass fittings and a nickel finish. The built in spotlight adjusts at three points. The base is weighted for stability…
!["Trunks and Sky in Winter" by David Grossman [image: Abend Gallery]](https://artfoodhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/david-grossman-trunks-and-sky-in-winter-abendglry.jpg)
ARTFOODHOME.COM 
