A Natural Progression — Jennifer Lanne

IN UPSTATE NEW YORK, there’s a 1700’s era home on a farm named Devils Hop. Inside lives a self-taught artist, Jennifer Lanne. She describes herself as having a “crush on color,” as Jennifer lives in layers of paint of every shade. Countless landscape paintings, crackled still life renditions of bouquets, and swatches displaying every gradient imaginable surround her daily. Color to Jennifer Lanne invokes a giddy sense of first love, and the result of that love is radiant.

It’s a tricky combination to evolve and stay current artistically yet stay true to yourself and personal style.

My first ‘real’ studio was and still is where I currently paint and design, in my barn studio. Before that, it was at a kitchen table, floor or anywhere I could find the space! I started out with one room in the barn, which has expanded to two rooms...which will probably expand again at some point! There is a huge loft space above where my studio currently resides that is calling my name.

I am all about growth. As an artist it’s just the natural progression of things—challenging myself to always be improving, innovating and just plain editing my artwork and myself constantly, to make a better version. The worst thing for me as a creative person is to become stagnant.

My artwork has further matured over time, and I now find myself drawn to more classic motifs with an upscale vibe—grandiose-scaled painted florals and landscapes with just enough aging and distressing to temper them from being too pretentious. I want my pieces to have a “new-fashioned” flair to work in a modern environment as well as cross over to play nicely in vintage themed décor.

"My mind is soaking up its surroundings non-stop — almost to a bothersome degree, as it’s hard to switch it off."

I felt my artwork and style would lend nicely to home prod- ucts such as pillows, poufs, and throw blankets, as well as tabletop accessories.

When you’re a creative person it seeps into every aspect of your life. I am constantly on the hunt for inspiration. Colors intrigue me. Compositions and textures fascinate me. I am continuously creating my own colors which nature and my surroundings grace me with in abundance. I am also drawn to the past...antiques and vintage items. Large theatrical backdrops and moody Hudson Valley landscapes, well-aged pieces, honest wear and patina really speak to me.

I was a painter/artist when I was first published and still am though now am dappling more in design, as well as a little photography. I have a tiny background in interior design as well as floral design so that sneaks it’s way into my work as well. Photography started as a necessity as being an artist you need to showcase your work, especially in such a visually centric age that we are in. Vignettes of fabulous, fun, curated vintage finds peppered with some saturated florals can tell an exciting story!

It is a tricky balance to do what artists love, while also having to attach price tags to our work. Marketing is often my biggest challenge, though, despite this and other obstacles, I am proud of being able to conquer them on my own. It’s not easy getting back up so many times after experiencing so much defeat. It’s hard letting go of what you feel “should be” and moving on to what is. Even just simply “letting go” of a painting that just doesn’t seem to come together...to crumple it up, throw it away and start over, can be difficult.

More On Jennifer

WEBSITES: JenniferLanne.com, ArtAtHomeCollection.com

INSTAGRAM: @jenniferlanne.devilhopfarm

This story originally ran in Where Women Create.

Create to Heal — Bessie Zinz

Take your work to a place that changes your perspective and opens your mind.

BESSIE ZINZ designs and crafts handmade handbags and soft, home goods from organic fabrics and vintage textiles under her label, Besserina. She also creates traditional art and takes photographs inspired by her daily living on a woodland farm. Her love of handmade led her to co-found A Day in the Country Handmade & Vintage Market—an annual gathering of like-minded makers in Bessie’s hometown of Northeast Ohio. She spends her days loving on her five sweet children, creating beauty and keeping house.

I GREW UP sitting on the fender of a Minneapolis Moline tractor bottle-feeding runt piglets, ear tagging calves and breaking steers. I spent my summers cooking for farmhands, eating warm tomato sandwiches with my brothers, digging potatoes, swimming in the pond and napping under a willow tree. I still live in this same county where I grew up, now managing my farm and woodland. Our house sits on the edge of a lake, surrounded by oaks, pines, hollyhocks and hydrangeas—a place of solace that I love dearly.

Most of the members of my family were entrepreneurs. Call it stubborn or call it hard- headed independence; it’s just built into my DNA. My mother made art dolls, and her sewing studio was in my bedroom. Most nights I’d nod off to sleep listening to the whirring of her old Kenmore. My job was to turn doll arms and fill them with stuffing. She and my grandmother would host a private show in the woods around the holidays. It was by invitation only, but women would sneak in and strip the place bare.

My drive to create has changed over the years. I used to lock myself up in a little playhouse in the backyard and paint my little heart out, just to try to escape from reality. As I got older and started a family, I created out of necessity as young families on a budget sometimes do. In 2012, my husband was diagnosed with cancer and passed away three years later. I struggled to create over the next few years, as my husband was my biggest fan and greatest supporter. Without him, what was I?

Then one day a family friend asked me to alter some of his clothes to fit him; he’d lost his arm in an accident. I cried the entire time I was stitching away. Grief is a funny thing. It brings out something inside of you that is raw and real. Slowly I started making and quickly realized I was making to mend my heart.

Six years ago, in my hometown, I co-founded a handmade and vintage market—A Day in the Country. Finding and connecting with other inspiring souls, as well as, assisting them with an outlet to showcase their passions means the world to me and is the premise for our market. As a handmade maker, it can be frustrating to be a part of a show or market and compete with reproductions and mass-produced items. Our market strives to bring authentically handmade products to our attendees. It’s a two-day event in the fall, with amazing makers both local and from afar. We incorporate make-and-take projects and also get children involved by teaching skills like embroidery and crochet. Keeping these gentle arts alive by passing them on to younger generations and sparking their creative spirit is very important.

Creative magic doesn’t always have to happen inside your studio, no matter how much of a sanctuary it is to you. Inside your house, above the garage, or off your property in a rented warehouse, wherever it may be, find a place that is easily accessible that you want to escape to. I incorporate aspects into my studio that invigorate all of my senses. Sturdy wood furniture helps me feel grounded, windows lend fresh air and provide a beautiful view and a comfort- able chair provides a place to relax when the need arises. Plenty of storage and a place for everything help tremendously. French doors allow me to be closed off from the rest of the house but still keep an eye on my children. Stations for each project with an easy flow help me stay organized and on task. I maintain a mood board filled with magazine clippings, sketches, photos, ideas and goals.

Setting up my studio properly has given me a workspace to clear my mind and find my purpose again; learning to use that raw sadness to look inside myself and find my authentic gifts and what really matters in life. I no longer create just to make inventory—I create to heal.

The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in
all the details of daily life.

William Morris

More On Bessie

Besserina.com

Instagram: @Besserina

A New Project: A Farmhouse

Since I was very young, I usually say four, I have known that one day I would inherit my family’s farmhouse in rural western Kentucky. If you’ve ever read my writings you know how deep my roots run in the clay filled soils of Kentucky. While I was in Kentucky a couple of weeks ago I learned the time had come for me to inherit the farmhouse. Naturally I quickly began work on developing plans for the garden, the landscaping, the garages, the barn, and the house. For two decades I have been gathering antiques and pieces and art and books that would some day fill the house. It feels crazy that in a few short months I will be filling the rooms that my great great grandfather built with pieces I’ve collected from all across the U.S.

Over the coming weeks I will be sharing more of the before shots, the plans, and the inspiration for what I will create in this 125 year old space. I do hope you’ll stay tuned. Next week I will share some exterior shots of what it currently looks like.

I cannot wait to dive in with my favorite makers, American made brands, and antique hunters to make this the most photogenic and content producing space. I get giddy just thinking about all my beautiful pieces coming out of storage and into a real home.

If you follow along closely you know my studio is in an old coal house in the back yard, you also know I have plans to convert a two car garage into a photo studio, and have dreams of a greenhouse and restoring the orchard out in the back yard.

Oh, oh, oh…I will be having a small Barn Sale and weekend of workshops and classes this summer. If you’d like to be involved in any of this email me (editor.folk@gmail.com).

And most important… I will be preparing the farmhouse to be an AirBNB! A quiet rural oasis on a working farm. A space that will be filled with folk art, Americana, pastoral views, and a vast collection of VHS tapes.

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Follow my Farmhouse Pinterest board for more inspiration:

A Conversation Dan Carter

I recently started following London born photographer Dan Carter and his images of South Africa. The purity and the honesty of the images had me wanting to learn more…

Where are you from? I was born in the UK but I’m currently living in Cape Town, South Africa and right now, I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. It’s the most beautiful, complex and fascinating place and I am determined to dedicate years and years to building our nation. My heart for this country grows every day.

Why do you explore/ what’s changed about you from traveling? For a long time, travel was just an excuse to explore the most beautiful locations and simply to seek out adventure wherever I could; an escape from everyday life. I’m a natural introvert so there was nothing I enjoyed more than heading out to the Alps, finding a little chalet up in the mountains and spending days on my own, running the trails. There’s an unmatched tranquility out there.

These days, it’s slightly different. My greatest goal is that through my work, I can tell a new story and begin to change the narrative.  There is so much beauty and diversity across South Africa and a whole lot more untapped creativity. There is a desperate need to change perspectives and challenge a lot of stigmas. I think it’s really important to remember that whether or not you are a photographer, we are all storytellers and we have to be really careful how we use our voices. We have the privilege to tell stories but even more importantly, a responsibility to play a part in changing stories. Photography has become an outlet to share hope, light and to give someone a voice.

What is your 9-5? I am a full time photographer and have been freelance for the past 4 years, focusing primarily on social media content creation. Before going freelance I talked my way into a number of jobs I was unqualified for, from pizza chef to barista. In the early days, I was desperate to work for myself so I suppose I was chasing the ‘freelance lifestyle’ more than I was pursuing a passion for photography but I fell in love with storytelling in the process. I find so much beauty in the untold.

What is your favorite place you've visited? Without a doubt, Malawi and Rwanda are some of the most incredible places I’ve travelled to so far. Most of us arrive in a country like Malawi with so many preconceived ideas of how it will be yet hour by hour, with every conversation and each km they were broken down. The reality is, we are all somewhat the product of our upbringing but if we are not open to having our perspective challenged, that can be a pretty dangerous place to be.

In Malawi we experienced the most beautiful scenery, staying in mountain huts at the summit of Mount Mulanje and beside Lake Malawi’s pristine beaches. Everyone we met was incredibly welcoming and hospitable; it was a beautiful adventure. The diversity of Southern and East Africa is unmatched and I would love to spend the next few years exploring there. 

What is the single greatest moment of humanity you've experienced while traveling? On one of my first visits to South Africa, I met a young guy by the name of Shawn. He was a car guard which for those who don’t know, is when people (often homeless) will look after your car and help you park for small change. What started with a hot chocolate led to a great friendship and I’d meet Shawn at his spot every evening, chatting about life, hopes and aspirations. It was the biggest blessing to me, that I was able to walk alongside him as he faithfully fought to change his situation. He never lost hope. He never stopped believing that there was more for him, even in gruelling winters, he would never lose hope. It was in these moments that I was reminded why South Africa would one day become home. He’s now living in Johannesburg with an amazing job and a transformed life. His determination, friendship and never failing hope has been a huge inspiration to me.

Who is the most dynamic and thought provoking person you've ever met? One of my favourite photographers is a man called Andile Bhala from Soweto. We were hiking table mountain a few months ago when he turned to me and said, “If you look after the neighbourhood the neighbourhood will look after you…so when the neighbourhood has your back, you’re safe.” It was then that I realised, we can’t always choose where we find ourselves but we can choose what stories we tell and we can choose to seek out the beauty everywhere we go. Honestly, that has shaped my photography forever. I no longer care to tell my own story when there are thousands upon thousands of untold stories that will impact and transform the mindsets of generations. If I can just play a small part in that, I’ll be happy.

What would you say to your former self? Don’t try and do it all on your own. Consistency is always key, just one step at a time and trust the process. You don’t have to see the end from the beginning and perfection isn’t always the goal, sometimes it’s just about telling the story.

What gives you hope? I see a generation who is not defined by their surroundings. I see a generation rising up who refuse to accept the way things are and are prepared to work towards a brighter future. Social media so often gets stick because we’ve created a ‘me me me’ culture but actually, it can be a great platform to showcase your work and tell important stories. Let’s not blame the tool for how we decide to use it.

Where to next? As I write this I’m currently on route to Sydney which is super exciting. The only place I’ve visited in Australia is Melbourne so my expectations for coffee in Sydney have been set pretty high. After that, I’m really looking forward to getting home to Cape Town and spending as much time as possible exploring my city and its' surroundings.

— dancarternow.com | @dancarter

Heirloom Oatmeal Cookies

A perfect summer treat. Oatmeal cookies are the perfect combination for a snack that won't leave you feeling all overly sweet on a hot summers day.

Oatmeal Cookies

2.5 C Old-Fashioned Oats, Uncooked
1.5 C Self-Rising Flour
1.5 C Brown Sugar, Firmly Packed
1 C Shortening
4 t Cinnamon
1 t Vanilla
0.5 C Milk
2 Eggs

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Mix well by hand or with stand mixer. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake 10 minutes.

Old Fashioned Chocolate Pie

Old Fashioned Chocolate Pie

Pie is probably my favorite dessert. Actually it is, it is without question my favorite dessert. Well, bread pudding is right up there with it. This recipe is a traditional chocolate pie, but it incredibly easy. It is perfect for any season. Pie really should be celebrated all year long.

A classic southern chocolate pie recipe just like your grandmother used to make. Perfect for the baptist potluck, a funeral dinner, or as a gift to a new neighbor. Pairs well with sweet tea, fire flies, and heirloom quilts.

1 cup sugar

3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa 

4 tablespoons cornstarch

2 egg yolks

3/4 cup cream

1/4 cup water

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 tablespoons butter

Pre-Baked pie crust

Combine sugar, cocoa, cornstarch, egg yolks, cream and water in a saucepan, and cook until thick, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and add vanilla and butter. Stir well. Pour into a baked pie crust. Top with meringue.

Strawberry Pie

Warmer weather cannot come soon enough! I found myself sitting here dreaming of days when you can step outside barefoot and feel the grass between your toes.

 One of my favorite things to do when the weather turns warmer is go strawberry picking. I absolutely love strawberries and none of the store bought ones ever seem to taste as good as the ones we pick ourselves. On the way back from the farm they always make our car smell so good and all I can think about is eating them dipped in warm, melted chocolate...my favorite!

There are so many things to do with your fresh strawberries, like making jam or ice cream or fresh smoothies...the possibilities are endless. One of my favorites however, is a nice slice of strawberry pie.

This is the easiest pie that I have ever made and by far one of the best.  Maybe it's because I love these fresh strawberries so much or maybe it's because of all that incredible whipped cream that I pile on top of my pieces. The vanilla pudding mix whipped with the cream is the best. There's no way I could go back to eating store bought whipped cream after this! Just wait until you try it.

What do you like to make with strawberries?

Strawberry Pie

3 quarts strawberries, hulled and divided

1 1/2 cups sugar

6 Tablespoons cornstarch

2/3 cup water

10-inch deep-dish pie crust, baked

1 cup whipping cream

1 1/2 Tablespoons instant vanilla pudding mix

Optional: A few drops of red food coloring

In a large bowl, mash berries to equal 3 cups; set aside along with remaining whole berries. Combine sugar and cornstarch in a large saucepan. Stir in mashed berries and water; mix well. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly; heat and stir for 2 minutes.

Remove from heat, add food coloring if desired for red color. Pour mixture in a large bowl; chill for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mixture is just slightly warm. Fold in remaining whole berries. Pour into prepared pie crust, chill for 2-3 hours. Place cream in a small mixing bowl, use a hand mixer to whip cream and pudding mix until soft peaks form. Spread whipped cream mixture around edge of pie or dollop on individual slices. Serves 8-10. 

Strawberry Pie photography, styling, and recipe by Rikki Snyder. Find more from Rikki on her website and on Instagram—@RikkiSnyder.

Chocolate-Filled Red Velvet Cupcakes

Being that red velvet is one of my all time favorite desserts, these sinfully delicious chocolate-filled red velvet cupcakes topped with cream cheese frosting can always be found somewhere in the kitchen this time of year. Grab one and prepare to indulge!

Chocolate-Filled Red Velvet Cupcakes

1 cup milk chocolate pieces

1/4 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup plus 1 Tablespoon butter

1 egg

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder

3/4 cup sugar

2 teaspoons red food coloring

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup buttermilk

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon white vinegar

For filling, in small saucepan combine chocolate pieces, cream and 1 Tablespoon butter. Stir over low heat until chocolate is melted. Transfer to small bowl; cool for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cover and freeze about one hour, until fudge-like consistency. Divide into 12 portions and working quickly with hands, roll each portion into a ball. Place in freezer. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a muffin pan with 12 paper bake cups. In a small bowl stir together flour, cocoa powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt; set aside. In a medium mixing bowl beat the 1/4 cup softened butter with mixer on medium to high for 30 seconds. Gradually add sugar; beat on medium until combined. Beat on medium 2 minutes more, scraping side of bowl occasionally. Beat in egg, food coloring and vanilla. Alternately add flour mixture and buttermilk, beating on low until combined. In a small bowl combine baking soda and vinegar; stir into batter. Divide half of the batter among the cups. Place a ball of filling on batter in center of each cup and spoon remaining batter into cups. Bake 15-18 minutes or until tops spring back when lightly touched. Remove and cool 10 minutes. Serve warm or cool completely and top with cream cheese frosting. Makes 12 cupcakes. 

Cream Cheese Frosting

8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

8 Tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces and room temperature.

1 cup confectioner’s sugar

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Place cream cheese in a medium mixing bowl. Using a rubber spatula, soften cream cheese. Gradually add butter and continue beating until smooth and well blended. Sift in confectioner’s sugar and continue beating until smooth. Add vanilla and stir to combine. Yields about 2 cups. 

A History of Valentines

Valentine’s Day is a decidedly handmade celebration. How can it not be when love is so personal, friendships so treasured, and the traditions of the holiday so old, that a simple love note penned from the hand seems a most apropos gesture of the heart?

A STORY BY JEN O’CONNOR

— earthangelsstudios.com

At one point or another, we’ve all ventured to fashion a Valentine card.  Bits of construction paper, the frill of a doily, markers, crayons…these are the things of school days’ crafting that have survived memory and time.  They’re still present at the most technologically advanced of today’s grammar schools and likewise, in our habits of dashing off a love note festooned with a doodled “heart” or an “x” and an “o”…or two. 

We learned early on, the gesture of a simple card is perfect, if the sentiment is true.  Valentine’s Day is best celebrated when we're given the excuse to express sweet feelings in a few, well-chosen words, or with the help of a more-clever writer’s imprinted ditty or eloquent dedication.

And while there are a legions of commercially produced Valentines onto which you can add that personal flourish, something given by hand – however simple, charms the recipient. Indeed since Valentine cards predate postal service by centuries, those most traditional among us still hand deliver cards – a gift in themselves -- with envelopes unsealed, simply tucked in as etiquette dictates all hand-delivered correspondence should be.

A Peek at the Sweetest Holiday’s History

While there is little reliable information to confirm one Saint Valentine, the most common of histories describe him as a Roman priest imprisoned and killed for marrying Christian couples.  That said, we have acknowledged February 14 as the feast day of “Saint Valentine” since the 1400s. This feast day has grown in fact and fable, history and tale, and has long been associated with the declaration of courtly love.

The first statements of love in honor of Saint Valentine’s Day, were said to be sung or recited and are referred to as poetical or amorous addresses.  Handwritten notes emerged in the 1400s with the very first written Valentines attributed to the imprisoned Charles, Duke of Orleans, in 1415. During his time of confinement in the Tower of London, the besotted young Duke passed time writing romantic verses for his wife, far off in France. More than 60 of his heartfelt poems have survived and are preserved among the treasures of the British Museum.

So how did Valentine greetings become tradition in a time when reading and writing, paper and pens were not the things for the common man or woman?  Love finds a way.  The tradition of putting forth heartfelt sentiments continued as it could among Western Europeans and by the Eighteenth Century exchanging written Valentines was in vogue among the educated and wealthy, and an emerging tradition among those with less means. 

Symbols and More

If kisses are the language of love, what then of the language of flowers?   Long before the modern tradition of giving that endorphin-raising chocolate as a token of affection, flowers were gifted with style and purpose. A Persian art-form known as the "language of flowers" was brought to Europe by Charles II of Sweden in the 1700s. 

Bouquets were exchanged among lovers bearing detailed messages and romantic secrets. Surviving floral dictionaries of the time show the more popular the flower, the more associated with its presence. The red rose –the favorite flower of Venus -- represented romantic love; hundreds of years later we’re continuing this tradition with dozens of red roses delivered as a message of love on Valentine’s Day.

Many also ask where and when the heart emerged as a symbol of the holiday, it’s bright red double fluted shape bearing no resemblance to an actual heart.  Indeed, in the late 1700s and early 1800s religious piety appeared even in love notes – referencing the divine’s intervention in pulling two souls and hearts together.  It is thought that the "Sacred Heart" of Jesus often depicted on these cards became the "Valentine Heart"; likewise too the angelic seraphim evolved into the more festive and babyish cupid that dons cards today. Folklore even tells of lace-making nuns who turned scissors to paper to make paper lace for the decoration of Valentine cards and thus not only the preponderance of reverent love notions and spiritual dedications of the heart survive, so does the presence of lace at the holiday.

Valentines in America

By the second half of the 19th Century early manufactured Valentines became available and the golden age for artistically layered, lush and sentimental Valentines flourished from 1840-1860.  This is owed to Esther Howland, an industrious female entrepreneur who embraced the opportunity to create the first mass-produced, commercially available cards for the holiday after receiving her first Valentine in 1847, the year she graduated Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts.  Her father was a stationer and she had access to printed papers, perforated lace papers and trims imported from England (where the first mass produced Christmas cards had originated). With the assistance of artistic friends and a shrewd, early application of assembly line techniques, she created an extremely profitable business in greeting cards.

During this time, many emulated her grandly manufactured and stylish cards and chose to hand-make or embellish printed blanks or create their own Valentines with decorative materials like paper laces and ribbons, Dresden trims, honeycombed tissue, watercolors, colored inks, embossed paper hearts and more. Many of these cards can be seen among these pages and are favorites among holiday and ephemera collectors.

By the Victorian era when daily post was available for one cent --  called the "penny post” – Valentine postcards could be mailed to far off sweethearts.  Though the tradition of hand-delivered, hand-made cards perpetuated, penny postcards were all the rage and went hand in hand with printing advancements in lithography. Further, from about 1890 through WWI the hobby of collecting and displaying postcards, tradecards and paper follies abounded and served as entertainment in parlors across the country. 

By 1920, a Valentine was given or sent by almost everyone.

But, not all of these were sweet, Vinegar Valentines were caustic or sassy in their messages and were a fad, as were “love notes” when manufactured cards were designed for a brief period to resemble currency. These “money” cards were eventually banned – they appeared to infringe on counterfeit laws – but the moniker “love note” remained.  That said, the American tradition of exchanging cards was by this time, firmly rooted.

20th Century Traditions

A merrier, festive, and more playful touch emerged as Valentines were factory printed in the 20th Century.  By the 1920s – fueled by the penny post and modern production techniques-- oodles of cards – many shown here – were available and so affordable, that cards could be hand delivered to school chums, neighbors and more casual friends.  

Of course, more ardent cards were available, but the “packs” of printed cards that are still popular today found a niche and the idea of a secret admirer abounded in the anonymity of pre-printed cards.  These early 20th century traditions have perpetuated and remain today as our American tradition.

So as you gather your sweetest thoughts to share with loved ones and friends this Valentine’s Day remember, that a simple, written expression of love and affection is the centuries’ old tradition that’s created the most heartfelt of holidays.  And if you make it a handmade holiday…it’s always from the heart.

— earthangelsstudios.com

Standard

I have never really understood what a "bold" coffee is.  I have observed many people use the term as a security blanket––"Oh, just give me the boldest one you have;"  and while I may refer to my coffees as familiar, kind, smooth, and every now and then as a mistake (ok, more often than not), I have yet to have been greeted by one boldly.  There is an inescapable ambiguity with the term "bold," like "beautiful" and "standard."  I find the patina on on my great-grandfather's metal oil dripper to be beautiful; but that is not to suggest that you, or anyone else for that matter, will find much interest in the oxidized marble swirl paired with scuff marks and caked dirt.  Like beauty, we all define life's standards differently.  My standard is my morning.  It's standard.  It begins with a not-so-graceful stretch in bed, a throwing of the expired charging cord, and the regrouping of last night's scattered pillows.  I often start the day's genesis only to immediately fall back into bed.  Some mornings the sun greets me; others, I get things started for him first.  Regardless of what my mornings consist of or what position I wake up in, I treat my mornings all the same: as a standard.  The morning is something that no one can take away from me.  The beginning breaths, ticking at an early hour are mine.  The day's start is a full set of lungs, it is the opening of eyes––whether or not one wants to––and it is a refreshening of the senses.  The new day is a new opportunity.  Call it bold, call it beautiful... but my standard yields a new start for every day.  Don't we deserve that?  Don't we all?

A knife and fork at the dinner table should not be anymore standard than the morning's white light or the soft sheets keeping me in bed.  The day's exposition is not to be identified as a luxury but I choose to handle it as such.  The early hours spent during the start of the day are perfect for their simplicity.  The time caught in soft illumination contrasts the busy day to follow.  I value the time I have to speak with my body, to find color, to open my eyes.  Perhaps I am at fault for finding comfort on the left side of the clock; maybe I am no different than the man searching for a bold coffee.  

Standard is not to suggest that my mornings are static; please, do not misinterpret my words.

Bold, beautiful––standard.  Mornings are expositional to the day.

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Ice Cream Sandwiches

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Ice Cream Sandwiches

FOR THE STRAWBERRY HAND PIE CRUST
3 cups flour
4 Tbsp granulated sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp salt
½ tsp nutmeg
8 oz unsalted butter, cold
6–10 Tbsp ice water

1 egg

1 Tbsp milk

FOR THE STRAWBERRY HAND PIE FILLING
¾ lb strawberries, caps removed, cut into 1” slices
1 stalk rhubarb, chopped
3 Tbsp granulated sugar

FOR THE ICE CREAM
1½ cups strawberry ice cream

To Make the Crust 

1. Mix dry ingredients in large bowl. Grate butter over bowl on largest hole setting. Stop every 2 minutes to stir in grated butter bits (avoid 1 giant butter shard clump). 

2. Add water in small increments, stirring until all water is added. Knead dough 30 seconds to disperse moisture. 

NOTE: Grab handful of mixture; squeeze. If it sticks together when released, it’s fine. If it completely crumbles apart add 1–2 Tbsp water. Once dough holds its shape divide into 2 balls.

3. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lay sheet of parchment on flat working surface; lightly dust with flour. 

4. Place 1 dough ball on parchment, pat it to a rough oval shape a few inches thick. Lightly flour the top, lay another sheet of parchment on top, roll out dough to about ⅛” thick between sheets of parchment. Repeat with other ball (2 sheets of dough between parchment).

5. Line large baking sheet with parchment paper. Use 3” round cookie cutter to cut out bottoms of hand pies, place them on baking sheet with 2” inches space between. 

6. Use slotted spoon to put some sliced strawberry filling on top, leaving ¼” border around to seal crust.

7. Use 3½” round cookie cutter to cut tops of hand pies out of other sheet of dough. To seal, dip finger in water, trace around edge of bottom crust. Place larger dough circle on top, press edges to seal. 

8. Use fork to crimp edges, use knife to cut a few small holes in top to allow steam to escape. Repeat until you've made 12 hand pies.
9. Whisk together egg and milk; lightly brush on pies. Place them in oven, bake until golden brown about 40 minutes. Cool before assembling.

To Make the Filling 

1. Toss strawberries, rhubarb, sugar in medium bowl until combined. Empty mixture into small saucepan; bring to boil over medium-high heat. 

2. Reduce heat to low, simmer until strawberries have softened, some liquid has evaporated; 15–20 minutes. 

3. Remove from heat, set aside, cool to room temp.

To Prep the Ice Cream Centers 

1. Line ¼ cup measuring scoop with plastic wrap. Use spoon to scoop ice cream into measuring cup; compact it. 

2. Turn it onto tray lined with parchment paper, remove plastic wrap from top. Line cup with plastic wrap again; repeat until you have 6 mounds of ice cream. Place tray in freezer 1 hour.

To Assemble the Pies
When ready to serve, assemble by placing each ice cream disc in between 2 pies.

Cinnamon Hot Chocolate

Before we go any further there is one thing that I must confess, I have a huge sweet tooth. And I mean huge. However, if there was one flavor that I could ever love more than chocolate it would be cinnamon. And so, you can imagine my excitement when the two are combined. This hot cocoa is nothing short of delightful and is a great drink to sip on a cold winter evening. It will warm your bones, and liven your taste buds. 

Cinnamon Hot Chocolate

3 ounces semisweet chocolate

1 Tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 cups milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

A few drops of almond extract

Whipped cream, chocolate shavings and cinnamon sticks for garnish.

Cut chocolate into pieces and place in blender or food processor. Add sugar and cinnamon. Cover and blend or process until finely ground. Cook and stir chocolate mixture and milk in a large saucepan over low heat about 10 minutes or until chocolate melts. Remove saucepan from heat; stir in vanilla and almond extract. Beat with a rotary beater until very frothy. Serve in mugs. Top with whipped cream, chocolate shavings and cinnamon sticks if desired. Makes about 4 (8-ounce) servings.

Lakes of teal -Emanuele Mariotti

There’s one word that comes to mind scrolling through Emanuele’s photos, breath taking. Okay, that’s not one word but still. Scrolling through his pics I can’t help but marvel at the insane places he’s been and seeing these places through his lens (literally) inspires me a ton. Plus, I’m always a fan of seeing gay relationships portrayed the way he and his boyfriend are in Emanuele’s pics. Please, if you’ve gotten this far you HAVE to check out his images down below!

Why do you adventure?

I've always had a beautiful relationship with nature since I was a child. I started camping when I was very young as a boy-scout and I never stopped exploring because I really love the forest and the wildlife.

Why do you explore?

I explore because I'm curious. When I was young I always wanted to see the landscape behind the hill, and now I still want to go beyond the surface of things, to see the hidden beauty behind.

Why take risks in life?

I think that everyone needs to take some risks and get out of their comfort zone sometimes to feel alive, without always being worried about the consequences.

Where are you from?

I'm from Rome, Italy, a city that I love and where I was born and raised.

What is your 9-5?

I do many things during my day, I don’t have a routine. When I’m in Rome I try to work-out in the morning with my boyfriend, the rest of the day is always a surprise. I work as a photographer and I develop personal photography projects. During the weekend I always try to explore new places.

When you were growing up what or who did you want to be?

I grew up nurturing many dreams. One of my favorite dreams was to be a wizard like Harry Potter, to have the power to change things and to live in a magic world (which happens also without having superpowers XD)

Favorite place you've visited?

I have many favorite places. One of the latest that I have added to the list of favorites is definitely Lake Braies, which is a lake in the middle of the Dolomites. I've been there because my boyfriend gifted me a weekend there for my birthday and it was amazing. The atmosphere was perfect, and that place looks amazing every time of the year, so you never get bored. Another beautiful place I’ve been recently is Trentino Alto-Adige, in the north of Italy, in particular, Resia and Carezza lakes. I also loved Japan, in which I lived for a month.

Place you most desperately want to visit?

Iceland for sure, but also Canada (I’d love to spend some time in a cabin house in the middle of the forest), Cuba, Thailand. The entire world :P

What is the single greatest moment of human humanity you've experienced while traveling? There are many. The ones I liked most are the stories of the old men and women I met throughout my trips. We should learn from those stories, they could be very precious.

What has changed about you because of your travels?

I have become more curious. I think the more you travel and get to know other cultures the more you want to know and discover in the world.

Who is the most dynamic and thought provoking person you've ever met?

My boyfriend for sure. It's thanks to him that I grew my passion for traveling, discovering new places, and sharing experiences with him. He's a really curious person, even more than me, so it's always cool to arrange new trips together. We travel a lot and we never want to stop.

If you could travel with one person in history or in the present who would it be and why?

my grandmother in history, because I loved the way she lived and the passion she had living her life. My boyfriend in the present because of all of the things I said before.

Must-haves for travel?

For sure a camera. I can't imagine traveling without that. For the other things, I don't think I'm the best person to ask this kind of question because It's always hard for me to pack -every time I'd like to carry half of the house with me. The essentials... camera, a good book and someone you love by your side.

What would you say to someone who has never traveled before?

You're definitely wasting your time. Open your eyes with the beauty of our world.

What is the single greatest lesson you've learned from someone that is different than you?

It is very important to understand that everyone is different, and everyone deserves respect. So, respect, learn and listen to who is in front of you. Don't be selfish and accept the world and its differences.

When did you feel you were most out of your comfort zone. What did you learn from that lesson?

I always feel out of my comfort zone when I do something I don't know. Doing things we don't know can be scary, but it helps us to improve, to prove our limits and be aware of them

What would you say to your former self?

feel free to be who you are because you deserve it. Don't be afraid to do what you like and fight for your dreams.

What gives you hope?

love. Human love is the thing I most need to be hopeful.

Where to next?

I’d like to go to Bali at the beginning of the next year. I’d love to come back again to the mountains of north Italy before it gets too cold.

Is flannel always in season?

I think so. Flannel means forest to me. So it's always the season to go to the forest wearing a flannel shirt.

Travel tips? Live with locals, as a local: taste the local food, explore the historical sites, dive into the daily life and get in touch with people living in the place you are visiting, try to understand their habits

Give us a story from one of your trips that will be impactful to the reader?

I had many little ones but I don't think any of them would be very impactful. I think many interesting stories have to come on my trips.

Based on your travels what is the single most needed improvement for humanity to be stronger?

Be more helpful to each other. Because only together can we be stronger.

You can follow more of Mica’s adventures on his Instagram and Facebook

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I feel like the more I travel the more I grow as a person... -Marijus Kuokstis

“I feel like the more I travel the more I grow as a person” is my biggest take away after learning a bit more about Marijus and his travels. He’s a down to earth photographer who just so happens to have one of my favorite pictures ever, one that I have titled ‘the 0’ -hope he’s okay with that haha. scroll through some of his pictures and read about some of his travels below!

Why do you adventure? Adventures give me the feeling of living. We all want to do many things, be in many places, meet so many people, going through on an adventure helps me do these things which makes me happy.

Why take risks in life? You can't get anywhere in life without taking risks, you only do good when you are taking risks and pushing your boundaries.

Where are you from? Siauliai, Lithuania.

When you were growing up what or who did you want to be? Full-time filmmaker/photographer.

Favorite place you've visited? The Austrian Alps.

Place you most desperately want to visit? Machu Picchu, Peru.

What is the single greatest moment of human humanity you've experienced while traveling? Visiting Phuket Elephant Sanctuary in Thailand, it was a pleasure to meet such good people who are taking care of elephants who have suffered from working long hours in the logging and tourism industry.

What has changed about you because of your travels? I feel like the more I travel the more I grow as a person, being in a new environment lets me appreciate the little things that make life so exciting and memories so unforgettable.

If you could travel with one person in history or in present who would it be and why? Probably, Christopher McCandless - his story was told in an amazing movie 'into the Wild' he probably was a cool guy.

Must-haves for travel? Comfortable shoes and a camera of course to capture these moments.

Give us some travel tips: First off, rise early. Going out before sunrise will let you see and experience a place in a completely different and unique way. Don't be afraid to travel alone, you'll learn a lot about yourself.

Based on your travels what is the single most needed improvement for humanity to be stronger? Always be kind and helpful.

What would you say to someone who has never traveled before? Start with exploring places around you, sometimes you'll be surprised how many beautiful locations are just around the corner.

What would you say to someone who has never traveled before? Don't think, just do it, you'll see the world in all different colors.

What is the single greatest lesson you've learned from someone that is different than you?

The more you learn to adapt the more you will feel your similarity with them.

When did you feel you were most out of your comfort zone. What did you learn from that lesson?I remember my first trip to USA, I went there as a student with work and travel program and being from a small country like Lithuania and barely speaking English was a challenge for me, but at the end of the day I spent there 4 months, met amazing people, improved my English and had one of the best summers in my life.

What would you say to your former self? Be patient and never stop wandering. 

What gives you hope? Sunrise and sunset 

Where to next? Austria

Is flannel always in season? Flannel is always a good choice.

You can follow more of Mica’s adventures on his Instagram and Youtube

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All The White Horses - A Whimsical Christmas

Styling: Jana Roach, Vanessa Pleasants of The Vintage Whites Market,
www.vintagewhitesblog.com
Photography: Alicia Brown, www.aliciabrownphotography.com

Christmas is a magical time, especially in northwestern Montana when the snow is falling. Vanessa and I are both incredibly inspired by the colors and traditions surrounding the season, and we translated that into this bright and whimsical vintage Christmas shoot.

Carousel horses, painted white and glittered, adorned the table. Antique clocks ticked away in the tree, and sweet teddy bears kept us company as we ate. Candles flickered, and the smell of fresh juniper branches and spruce filled the air, rising from under our thick rope table runner. Our linens were wrapped with velvet bows to add warmth to the room. Vintage mismatched china in blue and gold create a warm Christmas tone for dinner. Blue is one of our favorite colors, especially for winter. We love a white winter wonderland, and blues add color without being too harsh or overpowering to a clean white palette. Nearly every Chirstmas, Vanessa decorates with some sort of blue in a house full of whites. This year, her Christmas is inspired by the vintage dishes she found, patterned with a very unique blue wheat print. While searching for vintage finds in a thrift store, Vanessa came across a carrousel horse and had a vision of one under a tree. That vision sparked the theme for the tablescape, and she later realized that the vision stemmed from the classic movie White Christmas, when the lead character opens a gift and inside is a beautiful white horse.

We used thick rope to create a runner that added great texture to the table. Simply trim a piece of cardboard to the length and width you want your runner to be, and hot glue rope strands to the cardboard until it is completely covered. You can vary your thickness if you want, but we love the look of thick rope in contrast with the soft, navy velvet bows.An old, painted dresser made a perfect buffet in the dining room. Since it is smaller than a buffet or hutch, it is the perfect match for a snug room. Store linens and silver in the drawers, and hang a wreath or garland on the mirror. Presents wrapped in craft paper, ruffled crepe paper, and velvet make for a beautiful landscape under the tree. Ribbon strung through an old watch adds a unique touch to the wrapping. Leaving bigger vintage toys unwrapped under the tree reminds us of the childlike joy and happiness of the season.

I’ve spent a majority of my winters in the northwest, which means plenty of cold weather and big winter coats. I remember the first year my family moved to Montana, we couldn’t see out of the windows because they were covered in snow. We had nine feet that year, and could sled off of our roof on to the thick piles of snow below. I can’t remember a Christmas where my parents didn’t do something special for us. They never start Christmas morning without a pot of coffee, thick pieces of bacon, or fluffy pancakes. For my brothers and I, this was torture because we had to wait until they were done eating before we could open presents. Everything was always wrapped in gorgeous coordinating colors, which inspired ideas for wrapping presents for this shoot. We always had a note from Santa hidden in the tree, and often one more surprise after all the gifts were unwrapped. I’m so thankful for the things my parents did to make Christmas special for my brother and I, and I am so excited to pass those things along to my kids one day.

Bringing the past to life with vintage touches made this shoot one of our favorites, and we were honored to use decorations that someone cherished years ago. Whether you’ve inherited or collected vintage over the years, recreate a Christmas from days gone by for a special holiday season! Wishing you and yours a merry Christmas from Vintage Whites!

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If We Only Knew -Veterans Day

By: Martha Passman | 2012

On a dusty shelf, in a tiny thrift store in North Georgia, sat an old gold plated glass liquor decanter.

As I traveled along my usual route through the shop, I spotted a decorative bottle resting among vintage glasses and candlesticks, $2.95!  Of course I put it in my stash of finds without a second glance.  I was already thinking about the next treasure to be found.

After a long day of picking, boxes and bags of newspaper wrapped items are usually deposited where ever space is found in my garage, until I can prepare them to be put in my shop.

Months later, while un-wrapping a couple of boxes of merchandise, I came across the decanter.  I studied its shape and speckled remains of gold and I thought how pretty it would look on a book shelf or in a collection of vintage bar finds and bottles.   As I sat there studying the bottle, I noticed a label for the first time, Kentucky Tavern – Personally Selected for Kenneth Gissonne; Rio Rita; 403 Bomb SQ 43 GRP.

I can’t describe the feeling that came over me!  Was this a gift for a person who was part of a bomb squadron?   What or who was Rio Rita?  I immediately dropped everything I was doing and headed straight for my lap top!

The first thing I researched was 403 Bomb Squadron.  Yes!  There it was, the 403rd Bomb Squadron was an active unit of the United States Air Force from 1940 to 1946.  Then later reactivated and then closed during 1961. 

It was activated in 1940, during WWII, as a long range reconnaissance squadron that operated over the mid Atlantic states and later the Newfoundland Straits and the North Atlantic shipping lanes.   In 1942, it was reassigned to Australia and flew from Australia and New Guinea and participated in the Battle of Bismarck Sea.  The squadron also flew over China and Japan performing multitudes of bombing runs.

Now I was on to something!  Next was Rio Rita!  Initially, all I could find was information on a 1927 romantic comedy musical named Rio Rita, written by Florenz Ziegfield and a 1929 movie based on the same story. The story does involve spies and secret service so I assumedsince the movie was the most popular of its day, it must have been well known.  

I finally came across copies of old newsletters that began in 1981.  Known as the 43rd Bomb Group Assn. Inc. – these men remained connected via mailed newsletters and annual meetings!  The 43rd Bomb Group, calledKEN’S MEN, consisted of four different squadrons of bombers, the 403rd being one of them!

I read through several newsletters, announcing member’s deaths, changes of addresses, comments and memories by different members, until, there it was, a small paragraph in the 32nd edition from August, 1989.

“Bryan A. Flatt, 403rd, a new member, says to tell Kenneth Gissonne, 403rd Navigator, he was on the Wewak Mission, 27, August, 1943, and had returned (to base) when Rio Rita came in for landing, shot up, no landing gear, etc.  He will be at the reunion, so see him there to talk it over.”

Ah Ha!  So the Rio Rita was a plane and Kenneth Gissonne was its Navigator!  It sounded as if they had been through an air battle!  I was excited to finally find something!  

Then in an earlier newsletter, 31st edition, dated, May 1989 I read, “On 8/23/43, mission which turned out to be a little rough. Plane was Rio Rita, Crew: Pilot, George Putnam; Co-Pilot, John Taylor; Navigator, Kenneth Gissonne; Bombardier, Phil Wolf.”  The newsletter goes on to list several crew members.  It then states:  “Damage, One KIA, three wounded, two engines shot out, nose wheel retracted, over 200 bullet holes.”

Thank goodness they were able to make it back to base!  I could not imagine the horror of being shot at, losing engines, possibly being on fire and injured and dying crew members! I found three different mentions of the air battle and subsequent crash landing in the air field, but cannot confirm the actual date.  

More research and several hours later I finally found a photo, there she was, the Rio Rita, a B24 Liberator Bomber!

After reading hours of newsletters, absorbing these veteran’s lives, I was overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude.  Over 750 men were killed serving in the 43rdGroup. These men who were teenagers and 20 year olds, left their homes, traveled to Australia and then New Guinea of all places, experienced terrible Japanese bombing runs on the island, saw native families and villages destroyed, death and suffering not only of the locals but their brother airmen as well.  They came home filled with memories they would never forget.  They came home sharing a bond of experience, hardship, pride and patriotism!  

Each newsletter included a section called Gone But Not Forgotten, listing the men who passed away since the previous newsletter, and there it was, Kenneth Gissonne passed away on March 20, 2005, as reported by his daughter.   I found a mention of his birth on an archival website, October 16, 1920.  He was 22 years old when he left for Australia and died at the age of 84.  Kenneth Gissonne flew 35 missions with one pilot, Al Putnam, and then went on to also fly missions out of the 63rd Group as well.

I thought about my own grandfather, who fought during World War One in France and my father who fought during the Korean War in Korea, and wondered what hardships they encountered, what experiences and memories traveled home with them.  

And yet, even now, during modern times, all the lives lost since 911, the sacrifices and struggles made by today’s military families, the men and women of our United States Armed Forces continue to protect our nation, our freedomsand our rights!   They make the same sacrifices today as those made decades ago and as they travel around the globe, they carry the same unwavering sense of duty andpatriotism!

The gold Kentucky Tavern Bourbon bottle will stay with me.  I have not been able to confirm when Mr. Gissonne received the gift.  Pure conjecture on my part, but I would think it was a special gift presented to him as a 50thAnniversary of his veteran service from WWII, which would mean he received it sometime in the early 1990’s.  

Over the years, I have purchased many things that included clippings or notes or dried flowers that instantly took me to another time.  These vintage and antique items that we all love to collect have a story!  They represent someone’s life, someone’s home, their taste in clothes or furniture or even liquor!  Or they may go one step further, and teach a lesson about history, brotherhood and duty!

Next time you see a memento from the past, pay homage to it, you never know what you might learn!  Past and present, I am forever humbled and grateful for the men and women of the United States Armed Forces!  Thank You!

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One Nation Under God -Veterans Day

By: Linda Burgess | 2012

Patriotism, as defined by Webster, means great love of one’s own country and loyalty to it. I learned that in my home, my school and in my church. I grew up in a home and family with a World War II veteran, my dad, and a Pearl Harbor survivor, my great uncle.  My father-in-law also served in World War II. My father-in-law also served in World War II. Several years after Dad’s death, I gained a Korean era veteran for a step-father. Yes, patriotism flourished in my home. 

Each school day began with prayer and THE Pledge of Allegiance. Pictures of patriots hung in our classrooms…George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. An American flag proudly hung from the center of the frame around the blackboard. One of the greatest honors was holding the flag while the entire class recited The Pledge. Chills still run up and down my spine as I recall those mornings in a small, rural school in western Kentucky. 

Vacation Bible school held similar places of honor as each day three people made the cut and proudly marched into the church carrying the Bible, the Christian flag or the American flag. On special occasions such as Veterans’ Day or Flag Day or Memorial Day we sang songs such as “God Bless America”, “America, the Beautiful”, or “America” after the church recited The Pledge of Allegiance. 

I often scratch my head as I wonder what happened to all of this. Why do we not see those patriots’ pictures in our classrooms? Why do school children not pledge their allegiance to our flag? Why do we not hear the stories our veterans have to share? Why do many churches not display our American and our Christian flags? The answers neither come TO me nor FROM me but the questions present themselves as fodder for thought. 

Dad never talked to me that much about his military experience. I know that he was an unbelievable marksman who declined the job of sniper. He could hit his target when shooting from the hip with a pistol. He never admitted to that being more than an accidental hit. I hunted with him on many outings where every shot brought home a bird, squirrel or rabbit. He didn’t believe in wasting ammunition. My granddad taught him that during the lean years of the Great Depression. He once ran across a plowed field, dropped to one knee and with one shot, took down a deer on the run. It was a clean shot right through the heart. I knew he never saw action once he arrived in Europe. He helped with clean up and police action. The peace agreement had been reached and signed while he was en route to France. Dad often talked of the beauty of the areas he saw, in spite of the destruction of war. He always wanted to visit Europe again but he never got that opportunity. Among other mementos of Dad, I proudly own one of his dog tags. Part of my tradition for Veterans’ Day is wearing his dog tag in honor of his service. I’m thankful he didn’t have to fight but equally thankful for his patriotic spirit that was willing to fight for our freedom and all the things that make our country great.

My great uncle rarely spoke of Pearl Harbor until after he retired. To some he was known as Doc. Others knew him as Pappy. To me he was Gussie Boy. Although Dad was the marksman, Gussie Boy taught me how to shoot. I had a brand new BB Daisy BB gun and couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn. I competed with my brothers (one older and one younger) that Christmas but spent more energy fussing because I couldn’t hit the target. Gussie Boy came to my rescue. He showed me how to use the sights properly and I became a regular Annie Oakley, a name my 21 year old nephew also used on me recently. Gus also gave me my first real gun but that’s another story for another time. During those years of my childhood I didn’t grasp the magnitude of Gus’ service. On Dec. 7, 1941, he would have just been 2 months beyond his 31st birthday. That explains the nickname Pappy. He served aboard the USS Tracey, docked in the harbor that fateful Sun morning. He told of how he stood ironing his dress whites as the attack ensued. He traded his iron for his weapon and, as the saying goes, the rest is history. Along with Dad’s dog tag, I have one of Gus’ that I also wear on Veterans’ Day. That is my way of remembering my two favorite veterans on a special day as well as honoring both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy. 

Though I didn’t have much time to really get to know my father-in-law, one of my favorite family photos hanging over my desk is one of him in his uniform. Three WW II veterans greatly influenced my life personally and my life in general. When I began teaching sixth grade, I found it very easy to incorporate a special unit wrapped in World War II information. People such as Bill Burgess, Gus Burgess and Jamie Reid preserved our freedom and set the wheels in motion for America to become the greatest nation on Earth. Although those three men were no longer available to visit with my classes, I found others who did. Perhaps my motives were, in part, selfish, but I felt the burning desire for stories to be shared with today’s young people. My generation seems to have dropped the ball with teaching patriotism, respect for our country and to the men and women who keep us free. 

One of my favorite visitors was a woman who served as a nurse during World War II. She came to my class each year for 12 years. She brought her nurse’s uniform and joked about it not fitting. She never failed to tell about going through basic training just the same as any other soldier. My students found it interesting that a nurse carried a rifle, crawled under barbed wire and tossed grenades. “Mert” never left U.S. soil. She served at the Greenbriar Hotel which was converted to a military hospital for a time. Her duties and specific training found her working the spinal cord injury ward. She always shared the story of a big, athletic young man determined to overcome his injuries and walk. With tears and quivering voice we learned that the day came to prove he could walk but the injury to his spinal cord was too great and he could not walk. Mert said she often wonders what happened to him after he left the hospital. These stories need to be preserved and retold. They are the stories of true American heroes.

My mother remarried many years after Dad’s untimely death -another great guy and a veteran. Clark served during the Korean Conflict. Again I was blessed to have a patriot in the family. I didn’t talk to Clark about his military time but he often spoke about friends he made when he and Ben’s grandmother lived on different Army posts and of how they “took in” young soldiers and their families as they tried to make life a little more like home. That’s just the kind of spirit that makes our nation strong. 

Seeing pictures of my fathers and my great uncle send chills up and down my spine. I get emotional when I hear “The Star Spangled Banner” (when sung properly and not so stylized you don’t recognize it) or when I see a squad of veterans bear the colors in the local Christmas parade. I love listening to John Philip Sousa marches and watching fireworks on the 4th of July. I step aside when uniformed service men/women walk in my direction. I feel the need to pull over and stop along the roadside when meeting a convoy of military vehicles. I still stop and watch as military helicopters pass over my head. I secretly hope they can see that I pause to honor them in my own way. I wish I could hear Dad talk about the beauty of Germany or ask Gus more questions about Pearl Harbor. I wish I could thank Jamie and Clark for their service. Since I can’t do that, I can, hopefully pass along my love for America and my sense of respect to those who serve in the armed forces. We ARE the greatest nation and I, for one, wouldn’t live anywhere else.

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Autumn in the Catskills {& Leaf Peeping Tips}

It is no secret that autumn is my favorite season. I should preface this piece by saying I love the beauty of each and every season. I love the warmth and the outdoors of summer. I love the rebirth of spring. I even love the calm quiet of winter. Autumn however is my favorite. The spirit of the season, a season of thanksgiving, a season of harvest, and a season of the landscapes being washed in color absolutely captivates me each year. The past two years I have gone to the Pacific Northwest for the autumn season. This year it was decided I would spend it with small trips to Maine, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and my favorite, the Catskill region of upstate New York.

This past weekend we returned to Hudson Woods to photograph the peak week of the autumn leaf peeping season. I have never had the luxury of capturing peak week for leaves. This year was an absolute treat and I would be remiss if I didn’t thank Hudson Woods for the ability to photograph their property.

I wanted to prepare a short guide of my tips for photographing leaves. We ended up having a day of full sun and a day of overcast skies and light rain. You will be able to tell the difference in the images.

We should start by acknowledging that yes, “leaf peeping” is a real term…and describes the act of intentionally viewing the changing leaves of the autumn season.

Autumn here in the east begins in late September and truly continues on through mid November. The first signs will be the drying of the grasses and ground cover, and of course the vibrant colors of the goldenrod. The leaves will begin to change, subtle hints of yellow will appear. An occasional red tree will appear. Slowly over the next two months the landscapes will morph into a full painterly scene of rich golds, oranges, reds, and yellows. The final phase of fall will be soft yellows and deep burgundies of the last remaining trees. In my opinion this final phase is the best time to view Central Park. The other phases are best spent in the wilds of the New England region.

I personally prefer photographing on overcast days. I find the colors to pop much when the contrast between light and dark isn’t as strong. On sunny days it is too easy for the sky to become over exposed while trying to perfectly capture the color of the leaves.

The harshness of a bright sun will also cause the camera to draw more contrast to the negative and positive spaces in the wooded areas, especially if the trees are in uniform parallel lines. An overcast day will have a softening effect that will make wooded images much more pleasing to the eye.

The most important thing to remember is to always have the camera ready. Otherwise mundane moments become an interesting oasis of inspiration when the colors are at their peak. Don’t be afraid to pull of the road (where it is safe) and take tons of shots.

It is also important to be okay with editing. You can bring out the color in the editing process.

The season is fleeting. Enjoy it. Take as many photos as you’d like, but more importantly enjoy the journey.