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Bright blue skies and bounty from the community garden. Here are a few picture mosaics ...
Honey bees, patty pans, zebra striped tomatoes, and a baseball bat sized zucchini.
In the background, well it's the cell tower that had the entire town talking for years...now blending in to the back of the woods...an afterthought.
Linking this post to Smiling Sally for Blue Monday and A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday.
♥, Susan
Over the years some of us amass collections of eye pleasing items that bring back memories like waves crashing to the shore. Like the tide the wave of memories come and go. There are probably as many reasons for beginning a collection as there are for anything else, but the fact remains that we tend to accumulate and what we put together as a collection has a way of making us happy. [unless you are a complete minimalist and if you are, this is your moment to turn away]
My collection or main collection, is functional art in the form of aluminum, hand made, hand hammered, dating back to the late 1930's and prewar 1940's. A very short window of time in American history, spurred by the invention of how to manufacture aluminum which was once a metal so scarce that it was considered to be more valuable than gold.
This bowl made by the Wendell August Forge was one of several items that I "won" in an auction recently. A collection came up as a group for auction mid July, filled with some very exciting items. They were grouped in large lots making it necessary to bid inclusively for items that I did not really want just to get the one item that I did want.
My decision not to travel to the auction site was a good decision because it is so easy to get caught up in the rhythm of an auction. Auctioneers have a way of drawing you in and before you know it, you are paying for things you might not have wanted. Technology has made it so easy though. I could see every lot of items as they came up for bidding and could see the bids coming in right on my little laptop.
In the end, I bid on exactly what I wanted and I got it! The vase with the zinnia motif that drew me in more than twenty years ago is now mine along with some other great items. Some of the items in my collection date into the 1950's and although the dies cut from steel that make the pictures on the pieces were cut by hand, some of my items have been partially manufactured. I have to be honest and say that the aluminum pieces I hold in highest regard are the ones that were hand made.
The stunning lotus blossom candle sticks are mine as well. Some of the trays and bowls that came with these items will be sold on Etsy and possibly Ebay in addition to some other pieces from my collection because I want to showcase these vintage sculptures of functional art to their best decorative possibilities.
The craftsmen/forgers/artists who created these original pieces deserve a place in American history, at least as folk artists who found a niche at a time when making a living in our country was difficult at best.
I have added some pictures to give you an idea of what inspired this art...much of it coming from nature, animals, birds, sea-life, and the world around us. Many of the motifs were decidedly masculine, and I have found myself drawn not only to the florals, but to the intricately detailed inspiration of the artists, Arthur Armour, Jim de Ponceau, Otto Pisone, Clayton Sheasley, Natale Rossi, and many others.
The auction experience was exciting and left me with the challenge of how to display an ever growing collection. It is good to know that when other collectors move forward in their lives and make available what they are leaving behind that other collectors can have the opportunity to add new items to their collections. I hope that this post might inspire some decorators to consider using functional art in their decor and that maybe it will have educated or inspired some to see vintage items in a new light.
This post is being linked to Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday and Little Red House for Mosaic Monday.
♥,Susan
Since it has been hotter than hades at the Jersey Shore, and since we are under water restrictions here, much of the garden is starting to look very dry and sad. I thought I would wander the community garden for what looked hopeful.
The Cosmos in their pretty shades of purple made me smile, and the marigolds
are still hanging in there. Pumpkins, tomatoes, patty pan and zucchini are so far not affected by lack of rain.
Like a moth to a flame, or a hive of very busy hornets, I am fascinated by this nest, and came back a second time to take more pictures of it.
It is much busier than it was last time I was in the garden. I wonder if it has something to do with the heat, humidity and/or the lack of rain. I want to assure you that I am taking these pictures from a safe distance as the nest is way up high in the tree. I am hoping for some rainy days this week...and maybe some cooler temperatures.
Linking this post to Little Red House for Mosaic Monday.
♥, Susan
Words to describe pink...warm, sweet, girlish, pretty, hot, and how about floral. Pantone, the color experts named pink their color of the year. I think the zinnia's got the bulletin on that information.
This morning, I found these lovely zinnias on the kitchen counter. My husband, who I am thinking of renaming the Jolly Green Giant, (he is 6'4") was up at the crack of dawn and out to the community garden. While there to water, he also saw that some of the garden abundance was ready to be picked. Along with those lovely posies on the counter, I also noticed this mass of green,
covering the rest of the counter top. The aroma from the basil is just intoxicating! Looks like I will be busy today...making pesto and freezing it, and baking some zucchini breads. Now, those green beans...to freeze or to can...I think I will blanche and freeze them. Looks like there will be plenty to donate to the community food bank this week as well.
In my previous post, I wrote about vintage tablecloths that have been listed on Etsy. Many sold immediately and I am honestly grateful for that. More were added, including this collection of cloths with a calla lily motif. I amassed a small collection in different colors. I always had the feeling that these were meant for a Bridal shower or wedding celebration and wondered if they came in so many colors to match the wedding party colors. They are now up for grabs on Etsy and I really hope that someone uses one on a table under a wedding cake.
This post is being linked up to How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday. Wishes for everyone to stay cool and comfortable and most of all safe through this very hot weekend.
♥, Susan
A long, long time ago, our grandmothers figured out a little way to bring cheer to their otherwise drab kitchens. They would save their household money, a penny here a nickle there, and go off to Woolworths or what ever five and dime store was in their area and bring home a treat.
I am ever grateful to those lovely ladies for taking such good care of their table linens.
because they still make me smile today. If you like flowers from the garden, or big bowls of fruit in season, then the motifs and patterns of these tablecloths can be irresistible. A friend sent me this picture of her son's lemonade stand.
I don't think it gets any cuter than this!! It occurred to me that the tablecloth was probably bought years ago while I still had my store, and that this little entrepreneur is unaware of how old the pretty tablecloth he is leaning on is. I hope he made a bundle! Speaking of entrepreneurs, the tablecloths seen stacked in this post have all been listed on Etsy this week. I am trying to sell some of my collection to help pay for some goodies I bought at an auction for my other collection...there will be an upcoming post on the vintage hammered aluminum I purchased and what it was like to bid on line at a live auction. The one thing that I have learned from collecting is that vintage loves vintage.
The vintage Fiesta ware dishes work so well with the vintage tablecloth and of course the vintage milk glass vase.
It all led me to wonder whether sixty plus years ago a designer was inspired by a bouquet of outrageously colored zinnias because it seems that these things were made for each other.
Linking this post to Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday and Tales from Bloggeritaville for Thrifty Thursday.
♥, Susan
Interior design has always fascinated me...from those very early years when I would move around the furniture in the bedroom I shared with my sister...I never realized how good natured she was about that, just going with wherever her bed and dresser wound up next. Interior design is taking a back seat these days to exterior design or specifically, clever design in the gardens.
This is my friend Mark...he has been gardening for as long as I have known him. He is the person who grew these amazing tomatoes last year.
This year, Mark has developed a system of trellises in his plot at the community garden. He has melons and squash growing up the trellises. Brilliant!! One of the reasons that we have not grown melons and pumpkins in our garden is space...they take up a lot of it...this idea of Marks is amazing...stay tuned and I will show you more as the vines grow.
Inspiration hit me hard this morning, not only in the gardens, but also at the Sunday Farmers Market in Red Bank, NJ.
Just look at all of this stunning produce!! From the golden beets to the purple onions...gorgeous!! Remember, you can click on any of these pictures to enlarge them.
Should you think that it was only the produce that caught my eye, you would be wrong. There were pies, quiche, breads, floral bouquets and of course the booth selling chain mail jewelry. Yes, for all of those who needed a chain mail hoody, I now know where to procure one. If you are LARPing in the woods this weekend (live action roll play), or just want to sword fight with your spouse...I found the perfect accessory...do you love this as much as I do?
Getting back to the garden this morning, green beans are up and ready to be picked.
Not having a bag or basket with us this morning, they went into my purse...yup...the one lined with polka dots...we will be having a green bean and potato salad with dinner tonight...steamed beans, boiled potato, covered in a mustard vinaigrette and sprinkled with capers...oh joy! Now, while we were at the garden this morning, our good friend Mark (remember him from the beginning of this post?) pointed out a most amazing sight.
Up in the tree on the edge of the community garden is a hornets nest. I wasn't sure if I could get a good shot of it, but I think I did it justice. How beautiful is this?? I am in awe that these not so little bees could make this thing and boy would I love to touch it and see what it feels like, but no, I won't. Want a close up? Okay
there it is. I am planning to have a copy made of this picture to hang in the office. Mother Nature...inspiring and amazing!
This post is being linked to Little Red House for Mosaic Mondays, Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday, Smiling Sally for Blue Monday (miss you Sally, hope you are feeling better this week), and A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday. Thank you all for hosting these events.
♥, Susan
Is it really bad manners to lick your plate? Last night, I was invited, last minute to sit in on a cooking demonstration at Taste and Technique in Fair Haven, NJ. This perfect little gem of a kitchen features many different styles of cooking classes, some hands on and some demonstrations. I have written about my experiences in this post and this one.
Originally, I was taken by the way this store and studio is set up, the classes teaching some techniques that I wasn't too familiar with. Last night was the second time that I got to witness first hand the Chef Joe Romanowski cook a meal. Start to finish, I was intrigued. The menu seemed pretty basic...jumbo lump crab souffle, corn chowder, roast vegetable tart, grilled fennel crusted tuna, and peach crostata with blueberry compote. With the demonstration, you are given a print-out of all of the recipes...as I followed the Chef through his brilliant and very concise demo's, it occurred to me several times that I would never have thought to finesse a recipe the way he did. First up was the corn chowder and crab souffle. I have made corn chowder before...I was actually raised on corn chowder made by my mother from corn grown on Long Island year after year. I looked at the recipe skeptically...no potatoes, no bacon...hmm, how good can this be? This is the recipe: Corn Chowder
2 onions cut into small dice
2 stalks celery
8 cups corn stock
7 cups corn kernels
1 tbsp salt & pepper
1 cup heavy cream
3 tbsp olive oil
Place the olive oil in a heavy bottomed sauce pot. Add the chopped onion and celery. Add a little pinch of kosher salt and sweat with no color until tender, about 8-10 minutes. Add the corn stock and bring to a boil. Add the corn kernels an simmer for 5 minutes...season soup. Puree half of the soup and strain back into pot. Thin the soup out with a touch of heavy cream.
Right about now you are asking what exactly is corn stock...basically it is the cobs of the corn (a dozen), cooked in a gallon of water (brought to the boil and simmered for 45 minutes) until it develops into a milky stock. Now here is where the cooks and the magicians part ways. The soup was oh so good, however, the Chef added the little corn souffle's to the soup...
bringing this dish to an other worldly culinary experience. Who would think to add a little souffle to soup? A very good, very sought after Chef. The dish was so good that the three beautifully dressed, lovely ladies sitting next to me came within inches of licking their bowls. The man sitting on the other side of me sighed contentedly when he finished... and me...well I just wanted more! If that had been the only dish it would have been worth coming out for this class/demonstration. The ideas and secrets that I learned last night will keep me busy in the kitchen for months to come. Here is Chef Joes recipe for the crab souffle:
3/4 cup heavy cream
2 large eggs lightly beaten
2 tsp dijon mustard
1 cup crustless white bread
2 tbsp diced red onion
2 tbsp diced celery
1/4 cup grated swiss cheese
pinch of parsley
1 cup lump crab meat
salt and pepper
Whisk together all of the ingredients except for the crab. Fold in crab meat after all is whisked. Cover and let chill for 1 1/2 hours. Spray molds with vegetable oil spray and fill with crab mix. bake for 20 minutes at 375 degrees. Let rest for 5 minutes before you pop them out.
There was more and all were equally successful and amazing.
The summer squash tart, brought to a whole other level with the goat cheese and basil oil. Then there was the main course...
Fennel encrusted tuna in a sauce that left everyone wanting bread to sop it up with...there was no bread, but I did leave with the recipe! To finish the meal...
Honey scented peach crostata with lemon blueberry compote. Stunning to look at and completely gone in the wink of an eye.
So, why am I telling all of you brilliant cooks out there about this meal? Because there is always something more to learn. There is always a technique, a method, an ingredient that one of us might not know about or have thought of and expanding our culinary horizons is what makes us foodies in the first place. I hope to try all of the recipes that I learned last night and to share them with you first hand after I practice my own "perfect" execution.
Joe Romanowski is the Chef and part owner of Bay Avenue Trattoria in Highlands NJ. Taste and Technique Cooking Studio is in Fair Haven, NJ. They can both be found by clicking on the links. This post is being linked to Miz Helen's Country Cottage for Full plate Thursday, and Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday.
♥, Susan
For gardeners, I think this is the moment....this is where the visual payoff comes in.
The gardens at the Jersey Shore are not only a riot of color, appealing to our human eyes, but the birds, bees and other less appreciated animals (deer and bunny rabbits) seem to be enjoying them as well.
The eye takes in all of the flowers in various shades of purple...the hydrangea, globe thistles, rose of sharon and hosta flowers...finally getting a cool break from all of the color by focusing on the whites in the garden.
Our backyard garden has produced some fantastic Spring cabbage, and the Japanese tomato ring has run amok with butternut squash for the second year in a row.
The community garden is a sea of green dotted with technicolor zinnias. It is almost impossible not to cut a few of the flowers and put them together to make a bouquet.
I keep finding those beautiful garden colors in the vintage linens that I brought out to the screened porch. Usually staying in an eye soothing simplicity of shades of white, I went with a bit of a departure in decorating the screened porch this week. Vintage quilts, tablecloths and barkcloth covered pillows are livening things up.
For me, Happiness in summer has a lot to do with family and impromptu get-togethers...fresh Jersey corn and tomatoes, and a lovely keylime tart to celebrate by birthday.
A new (yes different from my others) pair of denim blue Ugg sneakers that need no shoe laces...a gift from my kids, made this celebration cool...that I had all of my kids, and my husband home at the same time, now that is something else to celebrate!!
While taking pictures at the community garden, I came upon this bird, resting on a large Kale leaf. I am not really sure if the leaf is Kale, but more importantly, I wonder what sort of bird this is...if you know, please leave a comment. I will leave you with this chorus-line of zinnias waiting to burst into bright colors...I wonder if they know how beautiful they will be. Linking this post to The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays, Smiling Sally for Blue Monday, Little Red House for Mosaic Monday and Between Naps on the Porch for Met Monday.
♥, Susan
There is a sign at the beginning of this bridge limiting the weight of the vehicles that can travel over it.
It is the Oceanic Bridge spanning the Navesink River in New Jersey and it connects the little peninsula that we live on to a much larger town. It is also the bridge that the folks living in the area congregated on to watch some spectacular fireworks.
The bridge opens up to allow large boats through, several times a day, and although most of us who live here are used to waiting, patiently for the bridge to come back down. The bridge is getting old and is in need of updating and repair.
There has been a legal fight going on because it might make more sense to replace the old bridge with a span bridge that does not open and close. It will be higher than the old bridge and although I would miss this nostalgic span, I understand the need for progress. The view will be different and well, like everyone else, I am slow to accept change. Somehow though, I feel that the awe inspiring sunsets will be just as beautiful and the view from a more modern bridge will still make for a perfect spot to view the July 4th fireworks.
Linking this post to A Southern Daydreamer for Ourdoor Wednesday.
♥, Susan
Sending wishes for a happy Independence day to all!
Also a happy birthday to Kyle and Adam! Wishes for a speedy recovery to Smiling Sally on this Blue Monday, 4th of July. Linking the fireworks to Little Red House for Mosaic Monday.
♥, Susan
