When we were building our house eleven years ago, I had my heart set on having a classic blue and white kitchen. I found some beautiful, hand-painted blue and white Delft tiles at a local tile and stone shop, but when I started adding up the total cost to do the entire 30 linear feet […]
A Wish Come True
I’ve dreamed about it for more than twenty years. I’ve hoped and longed for it, wished for it, and planned for it… and it’s finally happening! Tomorrow is the day I’m flying off to Ireland!! Ring of Kerry It seems like I’ve spent at least half of my life yearning to see those deep green […]
Fresh Corn and Basil Tart
Isn’t fresh corn on the cob just one of the best things in life? When you bite into those sweet yellow kernels, dripping with butter, you just can’t help smiling. Well, here’s another idea for enjoying summer corn, fresh from the field: a delicious Corn and Basil Tart. The cornmeal in the crust gives it […]
Down-Home Barbecue Meatloaf & Sweet Potato Fries with Rosemary
My husband, Fred, was out doing the manly thing all afternoon, brush-hogging the weeds along our driveway, and I thought he deserved a good, hearty dinner after all his hard work. I decided to make him a real meat-and-potatoes meal, so I pulled out my favorite meatloaf recipe, one that I got years ago from […]
Holding Onto Summer
It was a perfect summer morning when I stepped outside onto the patio to give our little grey kitty, Genevieve, a scratch behind the ears. The temperature was just right and a gentle breeze ruffled the leaves on the trees. The deep blue sky was dotted with puffy white clouds. Birds were chirping and flitting […]
Sketches Along the Way
We made our annual trek to Oak Island, North Carolina, two weeks ago, and the day we drove down there just happened to be the date of the 32nd Worldwide Sketchcrawl. Artists from all over the globe were holding sketching marathons in their hometowns, getting together in groups to draw and paint their local scene. […]
Casual Drapery Panels with Custom Styling
My client’s home featured a gorgeous kitchen with wide windows offering spectacular lake views. My job as a window treatment designer was to add some softness, color, and warmth to a room that was filled primarily with hard surfaces. Of course, preserving the view was of great importance, also. Breakfast area – before Using my […]
Summertime Cantaloupe-Peach Soup
I really enjoy making this soup in the summer when cantaloupes are in season. It’s a nice change from eating cantaloupe in chunks or wedges, and the combination of ingredients is so yummy! I usually have it for breakfast, but, when there’s a batch of it in the fridge, I can’t leave it alone, and […]
Sketchbook Journeys – Colorado: Page 7
The final page of this vacation sketchbook is probably my favorite. It brings back memories of one perfect day filled with glorious scenery, sunshine, laughter, and fun. 9″ x 12″ I love, love, love this painting! The colors, the subject matter, the light and shadows. It says “Colorado” to me: aspen and pine trees, mountains, […]
Sketchbook Journeys – Colorado: Page 6
One of the highlights of our week in Colorado was the day we spent hiking at Mueller State Park. There were wildflowers everywhere! I sketched just a sampling of what we saw. 9″ x 12″ Even though there were 5 or 6 wildflower books at the house where we were staying, and I searched through […]