Sunday, January 31, 2010

A River Runs Through It


"Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world's great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs.
I am haunted by waters."

-Norman Mclean, "A River Runs Through It"

Photo of Umpqua River, circa 1976 by Gary Arabian

Rivers run through our family: I spent the first half of my childhood on the Siuslaw River in Oregon; the granddaughter of a legendary river guide. My husband is an avid fisherman, as is his twin brother, our sons, and nephew. It's in our blood, rivers and fishing.

It makes sense that we would be drawn to vintage paintings of rivers like the one above. It is a lovely European oil of a pastoral scene with cows in the river.

What is it about rivers that inspires artists, writers, poets and the like to create a work of art?
Thornton Wilder said: "It is only in appearance that time is a river. It is rather a vast landscape and it is the eye of the beholder that moves." The above river is the Trinity, a legendary steelhead stream in Northern California.


This little painting is probably by a "Sunday Artist" as there is no signature, but I love the muted colors and the bend in the river.

A beautiful fly fishing stretch on the McCloud River in Northern California.
"What makes a river so restful to people is that it doesn't have any doubt - it is sure to get where it is going, and it doesn't want to go anywhere else." -Hal Boyle


Another European river scene with cows. I love the reflection on the water.

The Mattole River is near Eureka and one of Mr. A's favorite rivers to fish.


He loves it so much, and I was lucky to find this little impressionist painting of the Mattole by California Artist Carl Sammons.

The Trinity River again. Notice the fisherman in the distance and the steelhead on a fly in the foreground. Pure poetry. What artist wouldn't want to paint this scene!

This was our very first painting! It is of the Eel River, and we found it at our favorite antique store in Healdsburg years ago. Circa 1923 by local amateur artist.

Mr. A's beloved handmade wooden river boat. It has been down virtually every major trout and steelhead stream in California and Oregon. It is in it's own way a "work of art."

This little naive painting is another example of an inspired hobbyist painter. I love the deer crossing the stream.

The McCloud River looking quite majestic. This is serious fly water.

I had my friend Diana paint this from a photograph. It's of Mr. A fishing the Yuba River.

Twin brothers, circa 1999 on some river, somewhere.....

This is a print of a lovely bucolic stream with cows. I picked it up at a second hand store!

A chip off the old block!

A European oil we recently added to the collection. I love the castle!

And yet another scenic river photograph.......
........And so "Life imitates art far more than art imitates life." --Oscar Wilde

Are you "haunted by waters" also?

* * *

I'm joining Susan for Outdoor Wednesday at A Southern Daydreamer. Be sure to visit her and see all the other outside photos and inspiration.
I'm also linking up to Watery Wednesday for the first time. Check it out!

I'm linking up to Chari at Happy To Design for Sunday Favorites.




Thursday, January 28, 2010

Our Wine Country Kitchen with Chef Aaron


I am featuring the kitchen in our Wine Country home for "Show and Tell Friday" and "Foodie Friday" as well. It seemed like a logical segue from my last post of the dining room and tablescape.

The view above takes in most of the room, which is basically round, or octagon shaped. The floor is gray/green cement.

Looking to the right is an industrial shelving unit with the cookware and plates, stove and sink. The door leads out to the vegetable garden. The previous owner left us the shelving units, barstools, window coverings, and even the cookware!

Close up of the industrial Thermador range, and the subway tile backsplash.

The ceramic tray of oils, vinegars, salt and herbs at the ready.

One of two sinks. This one looks out to the old oak tree. I love the Carrera marble countertops.

A close up of the Fortuny fabric roman shades used throughout the kitchen. The previous owner has a window covering business, so I feel lucky that all the curtains and blinds in the house are actually to my taste.

Looking to the left of the room is another industrial shelving unit, and a cozy seating area.

Originally, this area was used as a kitchen dining area, but sister-in-law Ann talked me in to getting rid of the table and chairs and creating a seating area instead. The best idea yet! I love sitting here watching whoever is cooking, or having my morning coffee. The chairs are from Crate and Barrel. The pillows are also Fortuny.

The shelving unit to the left with plates, linens, cookbooks and serving pieces.

Close up of my majolica pieces. The green plates in the middle are actually plastic. Perfect for serving outside.

This old wooden wine box came in handy for storing Pellegrino.

The view from the seating area. The island dominates the room with it's higher than usual countertop, two dishwashers and another sink. I find it interesting the mix of high and low end materials in this kitchen. The cabinets are inexpensive MDF Thermofoil, yet expensive Carrera marble tops them. Most of the appliances are high end, yet the refrigerator isn't. Just an interesting side note.

Close up of the island countertop.

The wall cabinet behind the island, which I featured in a previous post.

Close up of inside the wall cabinet with some of my bistro ware.

Back to the beginning. We just made a big circle around the room!

We enjoy cooking in this kitchen, as do our two "foodie" kids. While visiting for the weekend a few weeks ago, Aaron, my "culinary autodidact"son made the most incredible dish. Homemade ricotta gnocchis with a quail boullinaise sauce. Delicious!

I attempted to photograph him in the process of making this dish:

He first assembled his ingredients, or "mise en place."

He pulled all the meat off the four quails.

He then sauted it all together with some tomato sauce and paste.


While the boullinaise was simmering, he made the ricotta gnocchis.

And there you have it: a very hearty meal! Sorry, I don't have the recipe. It's all in Aaron's head!

I'm joining Cindy at My Romantic Home for "Show and Tell Friday."
I'm also joining the potluck "Foodie Friday" hosted by Michael at Designs by Gollum.
Be sure to check out both of these blogs for recipes and inspiration.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Rural Scenes Tablescape


Just for fun last weekend, I decided to create a tablescape using the dishes on the dining room hutch. I imagined a table set for a casual lunch with our neighbors down the road.

My friend Diana found this plate at an estate sale and gave it to me for my birthday several years ago. I then went crazy trying to find more of this pattern! It is called "Rural Scenes" which was designed by Clarice Cliff for Royal Staffordshire.

I used a natural theme for this tablescape using twig placemats and worn wood candle holders, tray and containers for the paperwhites.

The napkins are French ticking.

The table is rough hewn teak--very rustic.


The pastoral scene on the plate is of woodsmen hard at work, with their wives and children watching. It is particularly endearing to me because my father was a lumberjack.

I love the border with the harvest tools and bee skep in brown transferware.


Looking through the pocket doors into the dining room.

Looking down the table toward the kitchen with all the candles aglow.

The candles all lit in the chandelier above.


The wall sconce.


More candlelight.

This pattern comes in mulberry, blue and red as well. I have the mulberry plates which are perfect for Easter.

The platter has a lovely pastoral scene of a man feeding chickens.

Another look at the hutch with the plates on display.

I'm joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday. Be sure to visit and see all the other participants and their beautiful tables.

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