Breakfast in Louisville, Guest Blog
It always feels good to receive communication from your grown up children. The little ding on the iPhone and it’s a photo message from my son. It wasn’t quite like having breakfast together but I enjoyed receiving this before the start of the school day Thursday morning.
Mark was on business in Louisville and took this shot his breakfast at the Anchorage Cafe. I read about this Farm to Table place and Mark said it is worthy of endorsement, “Mom, they make all of their own stuff from local sources.” When I asked him if I could blog his breakfast shot, he heartily agreed. “The Rwandan medium roast coffee was French pressed to perfection.” he told me. “And the chef makes the scrambled eggs sprinkled with fresh ground pepper, topped with two strips of Benton’s Smoked Bacon. The BEST bacon in the universe.” I asked for more info on the bacon.
He said,” it tastes like smoky smoked smoke”. Hmmmm. Hickory. I liked how he sent me the details on the food items. And how he appreciated the chef’s efforts.
Hearing from him makes for a happy day.
What I Found on the Sidewalk by School
I walked on by-
nearly passed it up-
even thought it caught my eye.
It’s a rush and a hike between schools.
Time’s always short.
But after I stepped past, I turned around
got down on one knee and shot this little gift
to me- hard boiled yolk, a bit dried,
rolled in sandy crumbs,
abandoned on a sidewalk, fell from a lunch bag
or on the way to the nearby dumpster, missed.
Easter is over.
Didn’t make it to the egg salad bowl.
I drove by after school, to see if it was smashed
maybe rolled an inch, more dry, but still there
all those hours later, just not in as good a light!
Pyrex Fruit Bowl Levitation in Afternoon Light
When I get home from school I put the kettle on and make a cup of tea. Or a cuppa as some friends say. Unwind.
And I sit at the kitchen table, wait for the water to boil. I saw the fruit bowl reflected in the diner print.
I am sure it has been there before but today I saw it.
Guest Bed Where I’m Sleeping – Just About Full
Anna was in her own bed as she has an early swim meet, leaving the house by 6:30 AM
A busy picture. So busy I -
transformed it to black and white due to the wild colors, stripes, patterns and conflicting light. Caught with the iPhone without a flash, just a snippet of the fun I enjoy with the grandchildren when I visit. Now the boys say they want a campout with grandma but I think it is my iPod touch they want to use to watch a cartoon. We’re in the basement guest room. Maura(3) looks around and says,”There are no windows.” That’s true, not in this room. Hope no one wakes up at 3 AM and is missing his or her own bed.
First Jelly Roll I’ve Baked in Years and a Blooming Hellebore
Filled With Homemade Four Fruit Jam- Sour Cherries, Raspberries, Gooseberries and Currants
I brought the dessert.
Otherwise Known as a Lenten Rose
These bloom in the snow and are quite beautiful. Hellebore is a hell of a name, though. My friend is quite a gardener.
Matzoh Ball Soup and Homebaked Challah
Full Moon from my Driveway
3 Sleeping After Dinner at Lala’s & See if You Can Find Murphy
Dinner at Lala’s and James’ home. Building with Lego. I’m “grandmaing” the three youngest grandkids this weekend as the eldest is at a swimmeet in Cincinnati. With her parents, of course.
So we watched Laura and James’ wedding video they received this week and Jack and Michael were ring bearers and Anna and Maura flower girls so they liked seeing themselves but then Jack(4) goes in the kitchen at seven and says, ” Could someone please start making dinner!” We were caught up in reliving the November wedding. Laura baked some homemade pizza and I had taken a spinach pie. For dessert I’d made the Farm Journal Blue Ribbon Banana Cake with buttermilk and real butter instead of the shortening the recipe calls for.
We piled into the van and I drove home and barely a block away and all three kids fell asleep! When we got home I carried each one in, made a stop with them and then took off their shoes and put them in their beds. I’d sat in the van for a moment when we got into the garage and thought to myself, okay, now what will I do with all of them asleep. Michael really came in on his own power once I got him guided a bit. And Murphy was so excited to accompany the family for the evening.
I didn’t have a plan of what to blog tonight and thought WordPress would have posted the Weekly Photo Challenge by this time but they didn’t and I was “on duty” with the kids so hadn’t thought about what to put up.
Can you see Murphy? He is wide awake.
Like a Piece of Jigsaw Puzzle on Wet Pavement
Puddle reflection
… and Flat Ruthie is in Homer Alaska today so check out the snowy scenery here
Weekly Photo Challenge: Self-Portrait
Along the Monongahela River by late afternoon light and at night on the way home from the Waterfront in Homestead. Two of my favorite views, anytime of day or night!
I had the cardboard “me” in the car already. We make people out of brown corrugated boxes. I always make myself as a model for the students, this year with gray yarn hair!
Some of you know I teach Art in the City K-8th grade. Not too many people get to make themselves out of scrap cardboard at their job. The “Flat Ruthie” (have you ever seen Flat Stanley?-I photographed him for granddaughter Anna’s school project) was driving around with me cause I was thinking it might make a fun Christmas card, myself and the skyline or something.
In 2009 I was in a self-portrait show at Silver Eye Center of Photography. I can’t tell you how many images I shot of myself in my kitchen, trying to look young and thin. Figured I could achieve both effects with myself as a cardboard puppet. No wrinkles on the smooth cardboard.
Along Beechwood Boulevard looking to Homestead
Guest Blogger/Photographer Rob Finds His Own Eye
I received the loveliest email and photo from a family friend in northern Illinois. He graciously consented to be guest blogger today. You might have read his comments on blog posts of mine. He collects MGs and is a certified pie judge. A dear friend. What I always remember is how Rob and his wife Mary drove to Rockford, Illinois for my mother’s funeral service and also came to have lunch in Milwaukee and offer friendship and support when I took Laura to college at Marquette. Here is Rob’s note and photo-
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I love following your blogs and the interesting subjects that you always seem to capture at the right moment. You also inspire me as I sit and think deep thoughts about what is around me and look at things differently. Today I finished up some yard work getting ready for the cold weather that is expected in the near future. The temperature was around 64 degrees and it was a little cloudy. As I sat on the patio enjoying a nice glass of wine, i took out my iphone and captured this photo that just seemed to be something unusual about it. The reflection of the homes on the other side of the lake, the cloudy sky, the metal patio table, the branches of the tree and of course the glass of wine. Do I have an eye or should I go back to go? Thanks. Rob
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love, Ruth |
Big Dog Coffee Shop Reflected in Their Nuova Simonelli Machine
It is a stunning and shining beauty of an Espresso machine, the Nuova Simonelli. And as I stood waiting for my coffee, I noticed the reflection of the chairs and wall. I read that they are getting ready to put up some new art so I caught it on a plain green wall day.
I love that Big Dog Coffee Shop opens at 6 AM. They make authentic conversation with you and never seemed annoyed or put out like a coffee shop I used to go to every morning(and the other place doesn’t open ’til 7AM) . I feel welcomed, appreciated. It’s friendly but not fake. And their coffee is delicious, too. They are on the flats of the South Side and I teach on the slopes. Just right.
Once our book club met in the back room. It’s a welcoming space. Pretty soon they will start using the fireplace, too. I like the oatmeal bar for a splurge some days. Big Dog Coffee is more than just the jolt of morning caffeine. It is a joyful start to the day!
Not Sure How Long it is….
Pulled over to capture this sign.
There are listings for homes if you're in the market and also a Hard Road Cafe
Everybody Loves Italian Men
Strip District shopping on Saturday AM I finally saw the sign R told me about a few weeks ago. In fact, I parked right in front of it.
After I loaded up the car and got into the driver’s seat to pull out of the parking space, there were two women responding to the sign! More difficult to read the sign at that angle but I thought the addition of the women going in really added to the scene.
Little People®- 3 Generations
I never played with Fisher-Price Little People® as a child but I used to love to play with the FP garage with Mark in 1977. I can still hear that ding as he would crank the elevator. The wooden figure on the left is from the 70′s and belonged to my DIL. The one on the right is 2011. No one is going to choke on that girl!. Was in the basement playing with the grandchildren and saw these three figures in a bin. Stood them up on top of the toy shelf. Just a compare and contrast photo. With the good old iPhone. By the way I was at the Apple store and it was hopping, people outside in a queue with precious tickets to get a new iPhone. Just crazy. And I am not going to write about my excessive data and computer crash and some loss of photographs. Instead I will shoot more and be grateful I have the weddings I need to work -safe on the original cards, Phew. Trying to keep what is important in perspective. So you lose about 16,000 images? The backup on the external hard-drive did not do what it was supposed to do. It is not bad news from a doctor. I am sure there are many of you who can relate to loss of data. Or the simple playing with little toy figurines and using one’s imagination.
I like the personality of the old wooden one on the left.
What J Brought Over for Dinner Tuesday
Going back to school has been an adjustment. The weather changed and is cool and damp. Donned a sweatshirt and even put the hood up (thanks Laura for leaving your Marquette hoodie in the drawer) Tonight my friend brought over a pot of Marcella Hazan’s Spaghetti Meat Sauce. Carrots and onions, some wine, cream, fresh tomatoes (I will have to ask for the specific recipe if anyone would like it) Steve brought some salad and a crusty loaf of Italian. J brought the cheese to grate over the pasta. The pasta was the thickest I had ever seen and just delicious. It went well with the thick meaty sauce. We had a nice meal together and good conversation, some laughs and though I was tired from teaching, the dinner was satisfying and appreciated. A real spirit lifter! Thanks J!
Windsor the Rescue Horse – Guest Blogger is my D-i-L in Hardy VA
You are the guest blogger today, Erika! Surprise. I received your photo(s) of the horse while I was at dinner with Laura and James (who are in town for a wedding this weekend) and we all agreed it was really good picture of the horse. I said it looks like Mr. Ed’s cousin, a talking horse. Laura said it might be, Ted. So I texted to ask his name and you said Windsor. Once a race horse, now a rescue horse. The grandchildren fed him apples and carrots. He’s happy in his new home and well cared for and well fed now. He and Murphy seem to be communicating in the third photo. Thanks for sending the pic updates of vacation. Looks like a great time and I miss being there as I start the new school year. 
Make Way for the Wild Turkeylings
#1 Rule for Photographers. ALWAYS carry a decent camera. Even if not your best one, a GOOD one.
#2 Rule for Photographers Refer to Rule #1. ALWAYS You might miss that shot.
But there I was off to the first day of school, wondering how I would get two art rooms ready for Monday’s students and Matthew was coming with me to lift and haul and help set up. JB came later and knew what to do to prepare.
And what did we see on the the way to school? A Wild Turkey family (gaggle, flock, covey???) And did I have a decent camera with me? No. I broke the rules.
Had to photograph the mother turkey and her 5 chicks(?)/children with the trusty iPhone. I kicked myself all the way to school afterwards. You just can’t predict what will be in your path.. Moving right along up the sidewalk. Turn the corner down the alley.
A fun sighting. Wish I had the old 70-200 mm lens, too. They are some strange looking creatures.
Summer Salad Lunch- Spinach, Raspberries, Gorgonzola, Pine Nuts and Red Onion
What else can I say? It was fresh and delicious and the berries, cheese and nuts were a wonderful combination. Pine nuts are so pricey these days.
At the Italian store today pine nuts were $19.95 a pound!
We drove over to Labriola’s on Freeport Road and I bought some provisions for supper on the front porch for another friend. Romano chicken, tomato/fresh mozzarella salad, lettuce, Vietnamese Spring Rolls from Tram’s on Penn (Thanks Steve) with a peanut or chili sauce on the side, and Breadworks Rustic Italian bread and Sour Cherry Pie from Patty’s Farm Market for dessert. That’s the stand where I bought a dozen or more pies when Mark and Erika got married 9 years ago and I had the rehearsal dinner in the backyard.
My friend R and I caught up over a refreshing lunch outside the Phipps Conservatory. Lemonade to drink.
After lunch there was a Farmer’s Market on the front lawn and there were some incredibly pushy customers that surprised me. I guess if there are only 8 boxes of blueberries, you have to get right in there and grab them or they are GONE! There were lovely organic beets and garlic scrapes and blackberries and tomatoes. Basil and dill scented the air of one table as I waited my turn. R bought some ripe peaches to make peach ice cream. I used to make a peach ice cream out of Joy of Cooking when I was married in ’74 as my SIL gave us a fancy ice cream maker ( it needed rock salt!) and was electric. If you need some ice cream recipes here is a link I found. I should go downstairs and retrieve the Joy of Cooking recipe.
BLT Essential Ingredients from Local Bryant Street Market
I enjoy shopping in a smaller market. A place that isn’t an airplane hangar or cluttered with patio furniture and piles of stuff at the ends of the aisles. Just down the hill is a reopened market on Bryant Street, cleaned up and offering La Prima coffee to grind, a delicatessen case filled with all sorts of meats, cheeses and salads. Sandwiches to go. Enrico’s Biscotti. In the freezer they have Donatelli’s Italian Ravioli-mushroom, artichoke, roasted red pepper and traditional cheese. They sell Allegro Hearth Bread, fresh produce and Turner dairy items, Bob’s Red Mill grain products, spices and Chuckles . They’ve extended their hours and will deliver to your home. After my appointment I stopped in to get lunch ingredients as a friend was coming over to eat. BLT on T shouts summer to me!
Shopping list- Vine ripened tomatoes, sliced with serrated knife
Head of garden lettuce, washed and patted dry
Boar’s Head bacon slices, cooked in cast iron skillet and drained on paper towels
Hellmann’s mayo, in a glass jar
Allegro Hearth Bread, toasted in the fancy toaster V gave me for my 50th bday
Potato chips
Tahitian Vanilla Gelato, for dessert
Front porch, to sit out and eat
A summer day
A friend to share the meal.
5901 Bryant Street
Pittsburgh PA 15206
Phone: (412) 661 8720
Hours: Mon-Fri 8 AM to 8 PM
Sat 9 AM to 7 PM
Recognizing Great Customer Service
You know good customer service is no easy thing to come by these days. Except at Home Depot. Check out this stack of badges and pins awarded to Liz for giving great customer service. Liz knows where EVERYTHING is in the whole store…switchplates, twine, recycle bin, picture hooks, the right shaped shovel for the job, you name it! She was gracious to allow me to capture her numerous awards and her wearing them, too. She has to be the nicest Home Depot employee there is!! Modest, too.
A topic I’ve written about before-
The frustration of making a call
and pushing buttons in response
to an electronic voice.
Remember when a human used to answer?
You notice when someone is caring or kind,
courteous and or helpful.
Easter Bunny with Knapsack of Tiny Colored Eggs
This is a shot of a portion of my sister’s Easter display. When we lived in Germany we bought the loveliest Easter ornaments. We moved there in 1986 and the Gasthaus where we stayed had a platter of dirt with grass growing and colored eggs resting right in the grass. I thought it was so cool! I still have not reproduced that decoration yet but think about it every year.
Easter Past
When I was little there was a big deal
about an Easter dress and hat,
a scratchy crinoline inside.
An outfit to be photographed in–
under the blossoming cherry tree.
Little white gloves, patent leather shoes
buckle strap, new white ruffled anklets.
A purse to match.
To hold what?
An embroidered hanky, ironed.
Times change.
If you want to read the story of my grandmother’s vintage quilt stars from the Keep or Pitch blog post click here
Mother Mary- Springtime NYC
Someone placed a bouquet in the crook of her arm. Today’s post remembers friend and poet Christina Murdock who passed one year ago today, a week short of her thirtieth birthday.
from Let it Be by John Lennon and Paul McCartney
When I find myself in times of trouble Mother Mary comes to me Speaking words of wisdom, let it be. And in my hour of darkness She is standing right in front of me Speaking words of wisdom, let it be. Let it be, let it be. Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.
Foot High Tower of Onion Rings
The last couple of days has been lovely eggplants and inviting mangoes still-lifes. Time to shake things up. Cowgirl Restaurant offers a FOOT high tower of onion rings on their menu. Mary suggested it for a starter. The party of 5 at the adjoining table ordered one, too. The tower is reminiscent of the kids’ game Ring Toss or those stacking towers of graduated size doughnut rings on the white base. When it’s brought to the table, other diners can’t help but stare and there’s an audible response as they watch it served. There are healthier choices available- corn chips and blackeyed peas salsa or the “made fresh twice daily” guacamole with onions, garlic, cilantro and lime juice. Someone had a birthday celebration and you should have heard the giant triangle being stuck repeatedly to get everyone to sing. No room for dessert- no peach blueberry cobbler , no lemon meringue pie but one of their specialties is
| Cowgirl’s Original Ice Cream Baked Potato | |
| vanilla ice cream shaped like a big ol’ spud, dusted in cocoa and topped with loads of hot fudge, chopped pecans, whipped cream and a little pat of butter (frosting.) |
Eggplant Still Life
Three varieties. White. Striated and regular. They are going to be roasted at 500 degrees for 45 minutes. The insides scraped out after they cool. Four pounds worth. Then the oven reduced to 350 and the flesh mixed with 2 eggs, 8 0unces of feta cheese and one cup of grated Gruyere, 5 T of sunflower oil and a bit more for the baking dish. 4 T of matzoh meal. Mix together and bake for an hour. Drizzle top with a bit of the oil. The recipe from the New York Times Food column by Molly O’Neill March 30. 1997, Almodrotoe de Berengena (Turkish Eggplant Flan)
Aubergine
Four pounds of eggplant, waiting to be roasted.
How to Get Kids to Look at the Camera Lens
Before last night I’d never even heard of a Shutterpal, nor did I know I needed one! I think it is going to be great! I have four grandchildren 2-7 years old and getting their attention simultaneously is tricky. I think this monkey dangling from my camera lens is going to be key in getting some fun photos. Using a Beanie Babies® Socks the Monkey ($4.99), I created a Shutterpal. (click to see the B is for Boy Blog Tutorial with more detailed directions and photos by a cool mom) Won’t need to jingle keys or squeak a squeaky toy to get the baby to look at me when I want to photograph. Laura sent me the link on how to do it but I did it the easy way, without a sewing machine. I did use the suggested seam ripper and a pair of really sharp sewing scissors to open the back seam and empty the stuffing and beans from the torso section of the little guy. I cut out the entire circle of the lens cap right up to his seams all around the torso section. Then I stitched all around the circular hole. Added a red potholder loop as stretchy binding to finish off the raw edge and stitched it on with buttonhole thread. Now I need to go and visit the grandchildren and try it out!! True you don’t always want them to look directly at the camera but with the four grandchildren I am thinking this will be a good solution. Maybe I can do a fun monkey voice. It is always great when the other grandmother is there to get their attention when we are doing the more formal posed ready-for-church-dressed-in-our-best shots.
The camera lens goes right through the monkey!
Here you can see the empty torso with the potholder loop sewn around
This is not for Everyone
Won’t work with a point-and-shoot
but Laura sent me this DIY link.
Saw it and thought of me.
She knows how frustrating it can be.
For the times when you want to capture
a baby and/or toddler’s attention.
She inspired me to be creative.
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