Our Studio Retreat

Wow, it has been a busy week! Not much time for blogging... but I have a very fun update from my weekend to share with you now. Al and I took all of the ladies from my studio down to Bray's Island. A time to relax, enjoy one another's company... and to be inspired by South Carolina's beautiful lowcountry!

Enjoy some of our pictures from the weekend below!

Our first stop was the rookery. If you look closely across the water you will see all of the birds that have built their nests. The trees were covered! You can also tell that our weather was gorgeous all weekend!

Using our binoculars, we were able to get a better view of the great egrets, snowy egrets, herons, blue herons, and moorhens... just to name a few!

A great egret (yellow beak, black toes) watching over her nest and a snowy egret (black beak, yellow toes) below.

Using the scope we were able to get a great view of the birds, nests, and the fluffy little babies! Here Audrey demonstrates how to use the scope when winking-impaired :)

A great egret watching over her nest right after we saw a heron swoop in and steal one of her sticks.

Great egret babies - they were playing and pecking at each other like true siblings!

Joan and Beckie at dinner our first night.

Of course we brought our Olive along. She loves Brays as much as we do!

Stephanie, up early to ride bikes around the Island!

We spent one day in Beaufort, SC... and on our way stopped by Old Sheldon Church. This is where Erin and Jacob were married!

Group shot in front of Old Sheldon!

Stephanie and Joan enjoying the view in Beaufort.

We went on a historical carriage ride... of course I had to say hello to our horse, Newman :)

Everyone pitched in to make a beautiful dinner back at the house...

 It was a beautiful weekend... our artistic juices are officially recharged!

Strawberry Shortcakes

Hi Friends!
Today I wanted to share the recipe of one of my family's favorite desserts. It's an American classic... strawberry shortcake!

photo-credit: http://www.myfrienddebbie.com/article_master.php?id=1148

The recipe I use is easy to find and easy to make! It is printed on every box of Bisquick pancake mix.

"Must-Haves" for this recipe:
-in season, sweet strawberries
-homemade whipped cream or ice cream :)

Enjoy!

Strawberry Shortcakes

*makes 6 shortcakes
4  cups sliced fresh strawberries
1/2 cup sugar
2 1/3 cups pancake mix
2/3 cup milk
3 Tbsp sugar
3 Tbsp butter, melted
whipped cream/ice cream

Heat oven to 425. Mix the strawberries and sugar, set aside. Stir pancake mix, milk, 3 Tbsp sugar and he butter until soft dough forms. Drop spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet - there will be 6 total. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Split shortcakes while warm - fill and top with whipped cream/ice cream.

Easy Strawberry Freezer Jam

Are you ready for day 2 of strawberry week!?? :)

photo credit: http://kitchenfervor.blogspot.com/2010/05/homemade-strawberry-preserves.html

Every strawberry season, Stephanie makes strawberry jam... and lucky for us she always brings some to the studio to share with everyone. It is fabulous!

Inspired by the recipe on the Sure Jell box, she has experimented with different ways of making it through the years. Below is her recipe - sweet and simple. You don't even have to boil water!

photo credit: http://rosylittlethings.typepad.com/posie_gets_cozy/2008/07/strawberry-free.html

Strawberry Freezer Jam

2 quarts strawberries
1 pack Sure Jell
4 cups of sugar (sugar substitutes are not recommended!)


Mash strawberries in a food processor. Mix in Sure Jell and sugar. Put the strawberry mixture in air tight containers in the freezer.
Tah-dah! Your jam will be ready for breakfast the next morning :)

Enjoy!

Me-Oh-My... for Strawberry Pie!!

This week is dedicated to all of my fellow strawberry lovers!! All week I will be posting some of our favorite strawberry recipes :)

You see, every year when strawberry season comes we can bet on Mary Beth stopping by The Peach Stand on her way to the studio and bringing us a beautiful basket of strawberries. Yum!

We love these little red treasures... and our families love them too. Here is Stephanie's daughter a few years back enjoying one right off the vine! Who knew eating strawberries could be so cute?

We love to eat them... and to paint them too!

First up, Audrey is sharing a Strawberry Pie recipe from one of her dear friends, Jessica. And this is a grandmother's recipe... so you know it's good!! The recipe can be found on her friend Jessica's blog - Kettler Cusine.

A note from Audrey:

Hi friends! I saw this recipe on my girlfriend's blog and had to try it! She is an amazing cook so I knew it would not disappoint... and I was right! This recipe is quick, easy, and delicious. I followed the recipe exactly and used Annie's pie crust. Oh, and I also used orange liquor in my whipped cream - only because that's what I had on hand. Sweet and fresh, this pie is perfect for the warmer temps that are coming our way. Yum, yum, and yum. Enjoy!!

Sweet Tea & Screen Doors at Cracker Barrel!

I hope everyone is having a great weekend! Just wanted to share a few pictures of our newest collection (in stores now) at Cracker Barrel. The program is called Sweet Tea & Screen Doors. It's all about the lazy days of summer and front porch living. With images of screen doors, rocking chairs, potted flowers, pie, and sweet tea... it is the perfect collection for summer!

Wall decor...

Stone coasters... Avoid table rings and keep Mom happy this summer. Mother's Day is coming up after all! :)

Pass along plates make sharing treats with friends even sweeter!

Picnic Baskets... (this is the top view)

Shopping Bags... care for the planet in style, y'all!

Themometors for your porch... to measure those hot summer temps!

Magnets with cute little southern sayings...

Visit Cracker Barrel soon to see these and other items for yourself. 

And enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Artist Spotlight - Dale Chihuly

Dale Chihuly is one of the great American artists of our day. Born in 1941, Chihuly began working with glass as an interior design major at the University of Washington. From there he went on to study and work in many places around the world including the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and the Venini glass factory in Venice. His unique perspective and vibrant use of color make his glass sculptures distinguished treasures. Chihuly's work is featured across the United States and abroad in many prestigious museums and gardens. If you ever have the chance to see his sculptures you are sure to become an instant admirer. I think his work is simply fabulous and had the pleasure of seeing it first hand when his exhibit came to the Mint Museum here in Charlotte.

photo credit: http://wanewscouncil.org/category/events/

Currently, his work is on exhibit in Dallas, Texas at the Dallas Arboretum. If you live near Dallas this is a must-see!! If, like me, you will not be in Dallas during the show, no need to fret! Audrey, who works for the studio from Dallas, had the chance to go last weekend and took some photos for me to share with you all right here on the blog!

Enjoy.... and if you ever have the chance to see Chihuly's sculptures for yourself don't pass it up!

Remembrance

Today I am remembering my father-in-law, Mr. Sam Allen Winget. This would have been his 94th birthday!

Dad was a beloved husband and father, and an amazing grandfather too. He built the house on our farm where he lived and worked with Mom for over fifty years. The same farm where Al and I built our house when we got married and still live today. He was known for his green thumb and had an amazing vegetable garden that fed his family and friends in all seasons. Dad loved his family, his community, and his church where he became an elder in 1943.

Our three children had very special relationships with their grandfather. Growing up next door to their grandparents was such a blessing. Dad was so involved in their lives, finding joy watching the boys play sports and Erin ride her horses. Leading by example, he taught them so many precious lessons about life.

A sweet moment captured. Dad holding Mac and Erin when they were babies. Mary Beth made the beautiful painting below from this photo!

We lost Dad the summer of 2006, but the memories of his life keep him close at all times. Part of him is everywhere on our farm and we still miss him dearly. Below is a blog entry that my daughter Erin wrote in 6/08. I hold it so dear and wanted to share it again with everyone today.

Dirt reminds me of who I am and where I come from. I grew up on a farm and my grandfather was famous for his garden. Out of the earth he could grow the most delectable things. I much preferred an evening spent plucking the treats from his apple trees to any dessert in a restaurant. He would grow a special spot of watermelons every summer just for me and I would turn up my nose at any corn other than his. His hands were stained with the red clay of North Carolina and his fingernails were always short and dark around the edges from the soil. He would till his plot for gardening and I can remember the smells and feeling of the fertile ground that would produce treasures to share with our neighbors and friends. It was a dirty job but it was magic to me. He welcomed me to learn from him and help him plant, weed, harvest and water. No job was a clean job and I knew that I would need a bath after helping my granddaddy but it was worth it.

Dirt reminds me that we're all the same. My grandfather showed me that being dirty is a part of life and I shouldn't be afraid of a job that I have to roll up my sleeves to do. Dirt is not a mark of shame. It is a sign of a hard day's work and not something to be looked down on. I believe that dirt unites us because there is no escaping it. It is in every city and town in some form and no matter how hard you try to rid your house or your body of it there will always be some there. I believe that instead of trying to figure out a way to make my life more sterile and clean I should embrace the messiness and enjoy the process.

Happy Birthday, Dad! We love and miss you!