I{HEART}ART: Inspiration: Independence Day!

"God Bless America" Mixed medium paint/photo collage by Tina C. Wells

It has become our tradition that we venture up to Orange County to spend the Fourth of July with my sister and her family. The photo in this collage was taken last 4th of July of my two kids and my niece and nephew. 
Over the past year, I have been having wonderful fun experimenting with mixed medium, paint/photo collages. Ultimately, I would like to hang twelve of these pieces (10”x10” each) together... stay tuned. 
Send me a picture, and I will get started on a piece for you ;)

Simply Creative: Pallet Flag

 This rustic flag hangs outside in my backyard. It was made by my friends Joseph and Kristen and given to our family as a gift. The flag is painted on a pallet, with painted metal stars attached. I am so lucky to be the recipient of their talent and creativity! (Thanks again, friends!)

RECIPE: Patriot Shortcake

It has been some crazy roller coaster ride since summer began at our house, and as much as I want to make something fabulously creative for our 4th of July celebration, I need to keep it simple this year. But sometimes simple is the best. This delicious dessert is perfect for the 4th, or any other summer day. 

Patriot Shortcake

I cheated. I bought the Trader Joe’s shortcake biscuits. I LOVE them. They are only slightly sweet, very much like a scone. This buttery, salty shortcake, with tart, sweet fruit, and creamy ice cream or whipped cream is the perfect flavor combination. 

Shortcake (plain scone or biscuit would work)
Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream 
Sliced strawberries
Blueberries
teaspoon+ of honey

Layer in individual dishes shortcake (bottom), scoop ice cream, berries mixed with honey (top with whipped cream if not using ice cream).
Enjoy!

For great menu ideas and recipes, see my post from last 4th of July: http://winsomewren.blogspot.com/2012/07/day-after.html

July 4th goodie buckets: 
http://winsomewren.blogspot.com/2012/07/fourth-of-july-festivities-we-are.html

I{HEART}ART: Inspiration: Pets!

"Mr. Fluff" by Tina C. Wells

This little guy belongs to my friend Donna. I'm pretty sure he rules the ranch! Pet portraits are fun and affordable; an especially good gift. To view more pet portraits, visit my website: www.tinacwellsart.com 

RECIPE: Herbes de Provence

A few weeks ago, I spent a lovely afternoon catching up with my friend Donna. Her beautiful property in Jamul is called Hillside Ranch. I love it there...horses, barns, succulents, gardens, and her charming internationally eclectic hacienda. Her raised, covered, edible garden is wonderful. The photos below show the amazing bounty! I was the lucky recipient of some her fresh-from-the-garden vegetables. 

Bountiful harvest at Hillside Ranch!

Donna shared with me another project she has been working on, her herb garden. Herbs are fairly simple to grow, and nothing compares in your cooking. She has been drying her herbs and making homemade batches of Herbes de Provence. Drying herbs is quite easy. Two simple methods:

1. Clip herbs, tie stems, hang to dry in warm, dry spot; approximately 2 weeks
2. Lay herbs on a cookie sheet and place in a warm 150 degree oven 3-4 hours, with the oven door open a little.

Donna used a recipe for Herbes de Provence from Keys Creek Lavender Farm in Valley Center (north east San Diego county). It sounds like a wonderful place to visit, and I am looking forward to taking a trip to there. I did a little research on Herbs de Provence, and one thing is certain, no two recipes are exactly alike. Herbes de Provence are traditionally used to flavor meats and vegetables. Use directly as a spice rub, or create a marinade: 1/2 cup olive oil, juice of one lemon, 2 TBS herbs. Another suggestion, slice french bread, spread with olive oil and goat cheese, sprinkle with herbs, bake.
I will list 2 recipe versions. Because there does not seem to be one standard, I would say that experimentation and personal preference are the rule. 

Herbes de Provence (basic recipe, equal parts)
Savory
Rosemary
Thyme
Oregano
Basil
Marjoram
Fennel

Lavender Farm Herbes de Provence
1 part Fennel
1 part Mint
2 parts Lavender
2 parts dried orange peel
2 parts Bay leaves
3 parts Rosemary
3 parts Savory
3 parts Marjoram
3 parts Thyme

I{HEART}ART: Inspiration: Cactus Wren

"CACTUS WREN" by Tina C. Wells, Acrylic on canvas, 8"x8"

A quick get-away took us to Carefree, AZ. We sat on our secluded desert porch and watched this little cactus wren hop from plant to plant. I love the polka-dotted belly and tail. 

JOURNEY: Carefree

Carefree, Arizona: The Boulders

Over the Memorial Day weekend, we took a trip to see my husband’s family in AZ. With built-in babysitting, we dropped off the kids in Phoenix and headed for an overnight stay in Carefree, Arizona. It doesn’t sound like a real place, does it? More like a state of mind, but actually Carefree is a real location just northeast of Phoenix. It does live up to its name; truly I felt as though I was getting away, breathing deeper, relaxing in this desert oasis. Carefree, and its sister town of Cave Creek is all that I want Arizona to be, with its wild-west, rustic charm, a little bit Cowboy and a little bit Indian. There are many small meandering shops with everything from tourist tchotchkes, to specialty western wear, rustic furnishings, and restaurants. Speaking of restaurants, I recommend El Encanto for Mexican fare- so charming with a pond tucked into the courtyard.  

Love this desert landscape

El Encanto, Cave Creek, AZ

Flemming's in North Scottsdale is a short 20 minute drive and has a great happy hour

We stayed at a wonderful resort called The Boulders. As the name would suggest, huge boulders tower above. It has an amazing understated glamour, sprawling across several miles with pools, golf course, spa. The rooms are tucked into little 3-room villas, walking accessible or by golf cart, with private entrances and patios, so that we hardly saw another person there. We were celebrating our 15 year anniversary which is coming up in 2 weeks. The resort brought us a nice bottle of champagne that we enjoyed on our porch, overlooking cactus, boulders, quail, lizards and rabbits...and my favorite, the Cactus Wren, Arizona’s state bird. The weather was mid-90’s which is perfect pool weather in the desert. The only disappointment was that we couldn’t stay longer...

The Boulders Resort 

Rugged desert landscape from our porch

Carefree on Dwellable

RECIPE: Mexican Corn Bake

I got this recipe from my grandmother years ago, but it never fails to please. A great side dish with your favorite mexican or southwest entree. Serves a crowd!

1/2 cup yellow corn meal

1/2 cup oil

2 eggs

2 small jars pimentos

2 small cans chopped green chilis

2 cans (15 oz each) creamed corn

2 cups sharp cheddar cheese

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp baking powder

salt & pepper

Mix ingredients together, bake in greased 9x13 casserole pan 1 hour in preheated 350 degree oven. 

I{HEART}ART: Inspiration: In the Garden

"Garden Roses" By Tina C. Wells, acrylic on canvas

For me, painting is often a solitary endeavor. I’m an introvert by nature, and my time painting is usually a wonderful escape for me. I can think, and dream. I pour out some creativity, and in turn, I magically get filled up. This is true most of the time. But sometimes, I am fortunate enough to spend time painting with a friend, which fills me up in a different way. One lovely afternoon, my friend Gracie and I set up our paints outside, picked some roses from my garden and placed them in an old silver pitcher, and painted. We laughed and talked and played with our paints. It was a wonderful change for me.  Less focus, less pressure, more freedom. I look at this painting and it makes me smile at the memory.

SIMPLY CREATIVE: Fragrant Herb Bundle

This week I was visiting a friend who I hadn't seen in quite a while, and wanted to bring her a little something. I clipped some herbs from my garden and tied them together, along with a rose bud and a tag that gave a use for each herb. Clipped herbs stay fresh in a vase, or wrapped in a damp paper towel in the refrigerator, or hang them to dry. Enjoy!

MY FRIEND, THE WREN...

Little Genevieve tries to sneak a peek at the baby wrens

When I was a little girl, my grandfather made this adorable, hand-carved bird house for me. It used to hang outside my window growing up, and now hangs in my backyard. Through the years, many little birds have made their nests and had their babies there. This year, none other than a wren (this variety is called a Bewick's Wren) took up residence and had a nest full of babies! What a winsome cottage my old bird house made for her.

I{HEART}ART: Inspiration: Genevieve's Giraffe

Giraffe and Butterfly Mural

My daughter Genevieve has just turned 3 and at last I have finished decorating her room! It has been an evolving process that started with a small nursery in a temporary space. At one year old, we moved her crib into her bedroom. Her big girl bed came a year later...and finally at 3, the room is complete. This very slow process has made me question myself; why did this take so long? As someone who has been part of designing countless nurseries and kids rooms, ideas for my daughter’s room seemed to spin around my brain and never land. When I finally made my decisions, executing the plan then took months (although painting in your toddler’s room is logistically challenging). But, alas, it is finished.

Butterfly mural

I just couldn’t go with pink, even though Genevieve, already opinionated at 3 years old, has informed me that pink is her favorite color. In fact, when I asked her if she liked her butterfly room, she said, “yes, but orange is not my favorite...pink is!” Oh well, what’s done is done. 

Genevieve’s room has many special things. Her bed (headboard and footboard) and vanity were my grandmother’s. Purchased in New York in the 30’s, I love the beautiful carved wood. The walls feature hand painted butterflies which are beautiful, graceful, and represent new life. Genevieve loves giraffes, so I wanted to include one in her room to add some fun and whimsy. The gallery wall has repurposed items that were all painted white. The tea set was my mother’s, a wedding gift, hand painted from Norway. The words above her closet are from the book of James in the Bible: “Every good and perfect gift comes from above...” She is here today because God stirred in the heart of my friend Daphne, who after having 4 of her own children, offered to be our surrogate. Genevieve is biologically ours, but Daphne carried the pregnancy. She is surely our gift from heaven above! 

Mother’s Day Keepsake

Last Mother’s Day, we started a new tradition in our home. I had recently read a magazine article about a woman who had started a celebration journal. Every holiday or special occasion she asked her children to put an entry in the journal. As small children they scribbled with crayons and wrote their names. As they grew, the entries changed. In some, there was elaborate art work, in others, memorable words. I absolutely love this idea! Instead of a card for birthdays, mother’s day, etc., I ask my kids to put something in the special journal. It is so nice that years of memories to come will find a place in this book and will be a treasure I can keep forever.

Blessings to you, Moms everywhere...and may you enjoy a few quiet moments to yourself on Sunday!

I{HEART}ART: Inspiration: BIRTHDAY!

"Happy Birthday Cake!" art by Tina C. Wells

For a special birthday for my grandmother a few years back, I decorated a simple white cake with flowers, and later painted a small 12" x 12" canvas of the image. It makes for festive decor when celebrating a birthday. 

This past weekend, my little Genevieve left the 'terrible 2's' behind and turned three years old! Such a big girl now. We had a sweet celebration, all in an Alice in Wonderland theme...specifically a Mad Hatter Tea Party. With both boys and girls coming to the party, and Genevieve's love of tea parties, it seemed like a good fit.

Mad Hatter Tea Party!

Decorating for the party was great fun! My sister-in-law was a huge help (actually, I am sure I could have never pulled it together without her). That morning we attempted to transform my backyard into Wonderland! We strung paper lanterns, set the long table with tea pots, large mushrooms, bugs, a chandelier, topiaries, tea cups, etc. I stuck with a black and white color scheme and added pops of color. I dragged out every interesting chair and ottoman I had to put around the table. In the yard I hung a chandelier in the tree, propped up mirrors, frames, paintings, and hidden creatures in the bushes. I had painted the Cheshire Cat, and Absolom the Caterpillar on cardboard and tucked them in the shrubbery as well.

In search of costumes for the Alice theme, my mom and I found this dress packed away in a trunk at her house. She had made it for me when I was about the same age, to be the flower girl in my Aunt and Uncle's wedding. It was just Genevieve's size, and she thought it was a perfect party dress! The history brought a smile to my face and made it special.

Birthday Girl Genevieve in vintage "Alice" attire

A few hats, props, and costumes always make kids parties more fun (and a little champagne for the grown-ups never hurts either). I made a crazy hat for big brother Kenny to play the Mad Hatter. I rallied some party goers to dress as the March Hare, White Rabbit, Queen of Hearts, a Card, and the Cheshire Cat. And me...? A talking Flower, what else?

I served "tea" (ok, iced tea, lemonade, and punch...it was almost 80 degrees), and cakes. The kids were all seated and I announced that we were celebrating everyones Unbirthday, and Genevieve's Birthday! The cupcakes had mini playing cards stuck in each one, and Genevieve's had a flower with her face glued onto the center. The adults had their choice of chocolate heart shaped cake, raspberry-lemon rose cakes, or cupcakes.  

As I was baking away for the whole week prior, I decided to bake a little more and have an old-fashioned Cake Walk at the party. The kids circled the table while tunes from the movie played; they stopped at a numbered chair when the music stopped. If their number was drawn, they got to choose from 5 mini cakes. The next game was the old 'pin the tail on the donkey', except this was Pin-the-Grin-on-the-Cheshire-Cat! 

Then, just like in Wonderland, we moved on to Croquet!

I have to say that I had a ball planning this! Who knows how much time I spent, all for three short hours of fun...but no regrets, I'll make up for the lost sleep somehow. The memory of laughter and smiling faces makes it all worth it. Happy Birthday, Genevieve...and a very Merry Unbirthday to You!

SIMPLY CREATIVE: Tiered Platters

A while back, I was at Anthropology, where rarely can I afford to buy anything, but enjoy wandering through the shop and soaking up the creativity. That particular day I saw this amazing tiered dish with layer upon layer of tea pots and other dishes attached, together forming a wonderful tower. It was horribly expensive, and even if I could afford it, where would I store such a thing? I decided I surely could make something like it. I found an inexpensive white tea set and started stacking with my dishes. I certainly didn't want to permanently glue my plates to this contraption and started brainstorming other options...Ah-Ha! What if I used poster putty to attach the dishes together? It worked! This stack is held together with nothing but poster putty (purchased at Staples) on the tops and bottoms of each center piece. I finished it off by using the putty to attach tea spoon and small cocktail forks to the plates. When I was finished using it for the party, I carefully pulled it apart. It added splash and whimsy to my serving table. Give it a try!