Souvenirs:
Fifi O'Neill

photograph by Traci Thorson
in may of 2011, Jeanne Oliver's bag was hanging on the door for sale, as well as a flower I made from brown recycled paper and newspaper...
this image is now in the pages of Where Women Cook magazine
those flowers were noticed by Carrie Rosen, from hot house market, who sold her wares of all sorts at that same sale... in may of 2011 

traci thorson photography

i am so sorry to say i didn't shop in carrie's booth, or anyone else's booth

here's another shot of the flowers, but I put them on cattle fencing I rolled, added lace to the outside, and the flowers underneath...


traci thorson photography

i was so busy with a newborn and hosting that large farm to table dinner with Fifi, that there just was not any time...
but today, I'm in Indiana on a photoshoot with Traci Thorson at Carrie's new shop!
an amazing shop in LaFayette Indiana
hot house market
Carrie and Todd hired me to make those flowers and a few other things... but it's mostly a fun mini-road trip with a good friend
we thought we'd squeeze in a photoshoot while we're at it:)

... on another topic...

I'm also linking up with Jennifer Rizzo for her garden walk...



flag bunting on the vegetablr garden fence



the wonderful scent of privet in bloom

lastly but not least
a bird house my mom & dad made for us

have a fantastic rest of your day... a wonderful weekend...
and may you be an inspiration for others in virtue
with grace

xo+blessings,

slow cooked lamb shanks... asparagus with Hollandaise sauce... white bean ragout... homemade fettuccine... warm rhubarb-Bourbon compote with vanilla ice cream

That is what I served for Fifi O'Neill and Mark Lohman (a friend and the wonderful photographer of this book), and our other guests that filled the long farmhouse table outdoors, at a farm to table style dinner late last spring.
All those recipes are now in Fifi's new book, The Romantic Prairie Cookbook
It was a pleasure having Fifi over for dinner again, and though there were some mishaps (like my oven breaking down) it all was meant to be that way. The recipes in the oven had to be changed quickly, and a quick trip to the garden inspired me, and from the reaction from our guests, they were more than happy with the results.
I'm honored to have been in this book.
Like Fifi's description of the book: "Field-fresh recipes and homespun settings"

here are a few shots from the rhubarb-bourbon compote...

this will be my 'go to' cookbook this 2012... there are some really great recipes and beautiful settings in here...

thank you so much Fifi for asking me to be in this cookbook it was such a pleasure preparing the food... and bringing it all to table
xo+blessings,