thursday

Early in the spring we scatterd a packet of poppy seeds in a spot we designate for annual flowers.  When they bloomed, honeybees and bumblebees buzzed and bounced around like balloons. Each flower lasted but one day yet by the next morning when I'd look out the kitchen window, fresh ones were open. I collected a ton of seeds for next year, far more than what we started with.

I'm going to take a break for a week or so. When I return I hope to have some ocean views and my book cover to share with you!

Take care and I'll see you soon,

H

process

I haven't shown you much from the studio lately so thought I'd share something. Considering how I normally begin a painting with round shapes, I decided to try an exercise. I cut up one of my watercolor paintings and moved the pieces about on a sheet of paper, trying various arrangements; thinking about "muchness" in this particular one. Being one who primarily works in two dimensions it is sometimes good to work things out physically and carry what I learn back to the palette and paper. Plus it is liberating to cut things!

And these are some recent works, awaiting final decisions. There are a couple from which I am considering having archival prints made, which would be a new thing for me.

Thanks for dropping by,

H

summer

Some film photos from a visit we took to the wetlands on a rather warm afternoon. Here's a few more glimpses of summer at my website. I've been updating it the past few days, adding new work and info and sections and purchase capabilities and wow, what a job!

Some recent bits to share:

Rachel's blog turned 4 years old!

Summer Seas, a gorgeous collection from Martha and Jenifer. 20% of sales will be donated to The Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund.

I really like this thought of Jen's, I'm "feeling short on words, but big on quiet".

My starburst letterpress cards were pictured in the July issue of Better Homes and Gardens!

Thank you for sharing your recipes, I agree, simple is best, especially when it comes to fresh tomatoes!

Till soon,
H

I say tomatoes

Last week when I took the above film shot the tomatoes were just beginning to ripen. Then last night M. brought in this haul, below. I see lots of tomato, mozzarella, basil with balsamic vinegar in the near future. 

The cucumbers are also prolific, but I think they're about to slow down. Yet the squash and zucchini are producing like gangbusters so I'm looking for recipes to use them up. There's a recipe variation for zucchini muffins in a Moosewood cookbook I want to try.  And the other night I made this tomato zucchini tart of Rachel's, which is so good. You've got to try it. And twice (to use the cucumbers and tomatoes) I've whipped up a summer salad from the recent issue of Vegetarian Times which has a garlic and basil dressing poured over freshly chopped red onions, cucumber, and tomatoes. It's simple, cool and flavorful, just right for these hot humid days.

Do you have a favorite tomato, cucumber or squash recipe?

the summer of bike rides

As long as the weather is cooperative most nights when M. gets home from work, we will go for a bike ride. This evening was back in early June, on a Saturday and there was a particularly humid, hazy cast to the air. Humidity is more pleasant with the breeze you generate biking, as opposed to walking, in my opinion. And you don't really notice how sticky you are until you stop. So we rode for about seven miles I believe, following the levee trails around, as they are guided by the river on one side and farmland on the other.  The fields have a certain aroma in the summertime, which is distinctly Kansas, a sweetness that drifts up in cool intermittent waves. All I can say is it smells deeply green with a cast of blue. Then down in the valley we spotted a single doe standing motionless, watching us, staring right back and slowing to ride softly past.

I think I will remember this as the summer of bike rides.