Although the weather was overcast, the roadside flowers were as bright as ever. At some scenic vistas I stopped the car to get a closer look at them and couldn’t resist the temptation to pick some. The first flowers I noticed were Goldenrod—clumps of yellow blooms lending a striking contrast to the fall prairie’s bronzes, russets, oranges, and purples. According to some native plant websites, Goldenrod is a sure sign that the first frosts of winter are not long away.

As I traveled further, I decided I would try to make a nice bouquet for my friend from these found treasures. I’m no expert, but I did my best to identify some of the plants I found along the way.

Aster pilosus or White Heath Aster makes late displays of small, white flowers, with yellow centers, on branched stems. Sometimes they have a purplish flower rather than the more typical white. The flowering branches have a soft, hairy covering.

I think this is Tall Boneset or Eupatorium altissimum. Boneset is a member of the aster family.  It has a small white flower that will certainly lend a nice filling to my bouquet—a good substitute for baby’s breath. 

                      

The Ox-Eye Sunflower, or Heliopsis helianthoides, has golden yellow, daisy-like flowers that the butterflies apparently love.

                       

Western Sunflower or Helianthus occidentalis, has bright yellow flowers on leafless stems.

I gathered enough wildflowers to make a fantastic autumn bouquet.

Here are a few links that may help you identify some of the wildflowers in your area:

www.wildflower.org/explore

www.mywildflowers.com

http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/intermediate.asp?curGroupID=11

www.mobot.org/MOBOT/Research/links2.shtml

 

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This Granville, Ohio-based artist and entrepreneur has a “problem” that most artists would love to have. “I’m constantly inspired,” says Brice. “I’m inspired in the most unexpected ways, and by the oddest things. It’s the best thing about being an artist, but also the worst, especially when I’m out flea marketing and get inspired by an antique scrapbook or a set of awesome retro iced tea glasses that I can’t live without. I mean, I have student loans to pay!”

Brice and his Green Velvet business partner, Elizabeth Carr, believe that art exists to bring joy to everyone. “I know it’s possible to address political and social turmoil through art, but I just want to focus on what’s good. There are so many stressful things going on in today’s hectic world. I use my art to take people away for just a moment, to give them a grin, a giggle, or a sigh. I rely on other artists to do the same for me, whether it’s a good play, a great song, or even that piece in a local art show that speaks to me.”

See the inspiring assortment of handmade stationery, adornments, and other whimsical items available at Green Velvet Glitters at

www.mygreenvelvet.com/index_glitters.html

                  
       Brice finds inspiration in everything from old neon signs...

                    
                                     ...to vintage postcards.

Even his doodles are inspired, this one probably by an antique flea-market chandelier.

 

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Recently I was in Atlanta for a shoot and scouting. Atlanta is full of wonderful shops, restaurants, galleries, parks, and many of my favorite friends. One of my stops was Bella Cucina, a specialty foods shop in the Virginia Highlands area, to pick up some Meyer Lemon Spread for my husband, Frank (he loves it on toast and muffins). How fortunate I was to run into Alisa Barry (Bella Cucina’s owner and founder) and have a chance to catch up. The shop is fabulous—a design by Alisa’s partner, Smith Hanes, that takes one back to Italy. Every detail is edited to the fullest. The packaging, bags, décor, even the tasting spoons are wonderful.

We have worked with Alisa and Smith on a couple of shoots. They are masters of their talents. Smith is a designer with a serene aesthetic; Alisa’s Mediterranean-inspired foods and recipes keep you coming back for more. Our food shoot (featured in the December 2005/January 2006 issue) was memorable. Smith worked with Thom Driver on propping and styling, while Alisa prepared the food and Rob Brinson photographed. We worked quickly and efficiently and had a wonderful time. While watching Alisa prepare the food, I saw how effortless it was for her. She really seemed to enjoy it. It got me thinking.

On my flight home, I decided that I was going to learn how to cook. I am a terrible cook, and there are just a few recipes in my recipe card box. My favorites are my grandmother’s corn bread stuffing and a marinade from a former neighbor that Frank uses when he grills. 

The next morning I met with Barbara Martin, HOME COMPANION’s executive editor, to go over the shoot and discuss future projects. While telling her about the shoot, I proclaimed that I was going to learn how to cook. She turned to me and said, “And I am going to become a brain surgeon.”  I guess that tells it all.  We had a good laugh. Barbara is not a brain surgeon and I still haven’t learned how to cook, but I still think I can.

                    
Alisa’s home office, designed by Smith: so airy and light, casual and sophisticated.

                           
A corner of a hallway could easily go unnoticed, but Smith creates a special space with a neutral palette and an element of natural surprise.

                                   
            Alisa preparing the food with Smith and having fun.

                            
                     The meager contents of my recipe box.
 

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My maternal grandmother passed away when I was 22 years old. Unfortunately, I didn’t know her well because she homesteaded in Kentucky and my family moved to Arizona before I was born. Despite this, my grandmother’s stories survive with me, as do her beautiful hand-stitched quilts displayed in my home.

Apparently, I’ve inherited my craftiness from Grandma Viola. And once a month I participate in a girls’-night-out game of Bunco with my lively friends, just as she did in the 1930s. It’s odd to realize that my grandmother was once a young woman who liked to cut loose with her peeps. She must have been a fun-loving gal, because there’s no other way to play Bunco.

According to the World Bunco Association, the game dates back to the 1800s and was played by groups of women, schoolchildren, and couples. Apparently the game hasn’t changed much in the past century.  I believe it’s survived for the simple fact it’s fun, requires zero brainpower, and taps into the basic human desire to win hard, cold cash.

Our little group began with a simple conversation with my friend Tamara. Always ready for a party and good food, we began making a list of our most creative girlfriends. Excellent cooks and bakers went to the top of the list (after all, you can’t have a decent party without chocolate). Within minutes, we had a list of the required 12 regular players and a 12-person “sub” list to handle the ever-present scheduling conflicts that crop up in any group of busy women.  Our name – Dice Girls Finish First – popped immediately into my head and we were, literally, on a roll.

Dice Girls Finish First meets the third Tuesday of the month. We rotate hostesses and bring our own refreshments. Tamara has this terrible rule that the best candy/chocolate stays at the head table (also known as the winner’s table—definitely where you want to plant yourself for the evening), so you have something to aspire to as you roll the dice.

I’m now officially a Bunco fan. I only wish I could talk to my Grandma Viola to see if our monthly girls’-night-out parties are anything like hers were more than 70 years ago.

Links:
World Bunco Association: www.worldbunco.com/history1.html
captions:

                 
One of my crafty friends embroidered our team name on the Bunco bag. Dinner, dessert, and snacks are integral parts of the game.

                 
Our Bunco team, Dice Girls Finish First, enjoying a girls’ night out.

                 
Here I am with our hand-embroidered Bunco bag and hand-sewn dice.

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