trying to avoid bananas is hard for this mother of six... it's so easy to keep a few on hand in the cooler in the car for a quick snack for baby Daniel or the other kids (or me)... but it is not a local fruit
if I was to eat local fruits that are available at my farmer's market it would be mostly berries in the late spring — summer and then apples, peaches, and the possible plum
not complaining, but pretty much just whining that I wouldn't be able to eat bananas again if I go with that idea of only eating seasonal and local with no waste
with all that being said, I did recently have a few bananas on hand, and some ripe strawberries
for this food styling, I brought it into one of my favorite pieces of furniture that rests off of our living room... it's an old cabinet, and Jason replaced the back boards with a wide tongue and groove... a recently favorite place for me to take photographs of my last food styling job for Jo Packham's new book which I had the honor and priviledge to work on (more on that later)
even makes a great dessert if served with ice cream or freshly whipped cream
in blueberry season, add whole blueberries as a substitute for strawberries
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
yes, there will be a giveaway, from myself and Jo Packham but I think it's vital for others to know a bit about who she is
Jo is the amazing woman behind some beautiful publications such as Where Women Cook magazine. Together, Jo and I (and my very talented friend & photographer Traci Thorson) have now completed a few projects... Working with Jo, I couldn't help but be encouraged by her enthusiasm and entrepreneur spirit... it really got me wondering more about her Finding more about her has only increased my opinion of her strength and versatility and confident creativity this woman possess... very wonderful traits to aspire to have. To tell you all how prfoundly amazed I am that she has chosen me to work with her on a few projects, is quite frankly not only an understatement, but has given me the confidence to keep doing what I am doing: just being me
so here's a little Q & A... with Jo Packham... 1) You have helped so many women attain their dreams. What prompted you to start doing that? It is something that I have always done — for as long as I can remember. I believe that when we help each other we are all so much stronger. And I don't believe in competition because there is more than enough for everyone and we need to inspire and be inspired by each other.
2) Out of all the women you have met along this journey of your life, whom would you like to thank the most? My mother. She was wiser than her education and taught me to have confidence in myself and how to find the answers that I needed.
3) What kind of art/creativity do you like to do in your spare time? I make jewelry and paint walls with tiny brushes in lots of different colors.
4) What is the hardest thing you have ever had to do? Lay-off an employee due to circumstances that were beyond our control
5) Due to your business and life experience, what advice do you have for someone who is stuck and wants to break into being published? Do your homework and don't give up. Try a different angle. Wait a month and try again.
6) You are a wife, mother, friend and business woman... some of us know you professionally, but tell us about what you like to do on a day off... if I am not with my grandchildren or my children I really do like to work. It is what I do even when I don't get paid.
7) What projects are you currently working on? Anything you can reveal to us??Magazine #3 and new licensing agreements under WWCook. 8) What is your favorite kind of cupcake? red velvet
9) What is your favorite color? green — bright chanteuse green
10) If you could pin down your style, what would you name it? bohemian — eclectic
Thank you Jo... for everything... it is always such a pleasure working with you. it was an honor having my name on the cover of the latest issue and being inside your beautiful quarterly magazine (which is really like a mini cookbook!)
