buds

photo by Kristen Bach

Antiquin'

Lots of different people go to antique stores for all kinds of reasons, but I think creative people love to go antiquing just to find fodder for the imagination.  So many curious and wonderful objects, textures and shapes to fire your creativity.  I know that's why I go. I don't really need anything.of course, it's fun to have something to hunt for, too, but I'm mainly looking for ideas.  This shop has been mentioned before, but it's a good one and it always is changing.

photos and words by Rebecca Wood

Hellebores

photo and arrangement by Rebecca Wood

camelias

photo by Kristen Bach

shrimp + grits

Living in the South, you enjoy your fair share of Shrimp and Grits and everyone makes them a little different. 

The other day we were craving some.  Maybe it was Mardi Gras that had them on our mind. We got some fresh shrimp and made some for supper. 

When I make shrimp and grits I don't follow any rules or recipes, but they always taste yummy.

ingredients 

1 1/2 pound fresh shrimp 

Cajun seasoning

butter

garlic

flour

fresh parsley

grits

milk

water

salt and pepper to taste

directions 

-shell and remove vein from shrimp

-make shrimp stock:  put shrimp shells in about 4 cups water and cook on medium heat for 45 minutes or longer 

-sauté the shrimp in 3 Tbsp butter and toss some Cajun seasoning and garlic in, do not overcook

-remove shrimp and keep drippings in the pan

-add more butter if needed to make a roux. 

-While you are doing this, get your grits started

-follow the directions on your package.  we love Red Mule Grits which are locally ground here in Athens

-use 1/2 water and 1/2 milk for creamy grits.  you can always add some butter for a richer flavor

-drain your shrimp stock through a colander

-add your stock to the roux and stir

-when the grits are finished add the cooked shrimp to your 'gravy' and stir

-add fresh parsley and salt and pepper to taste

photos and recipe by Kristen Bach

blue sky

photo by Kristen Bach

Magnolia Love

The Magnolias that are budding and blooming all around me have have been catching my eye hinting that spring is around the corner!

photos and words by Kristen Bach

new growth

photo by Kristen Bach

glinting grass

I love these winter days where the air is so clear and the sun is so bright, and the sky is so blue.  The sky is a thrilling shade of deep, bright blue that rivets the senses.  The sunlight glints so on the pasture grasses, it feels like heaven.

photos and words by Rebecca Wood

Hellebores + blue sky

photo by Kristen Bach

blooming in the woods

Even though our Winter has been quite mild....seeing daffodils in full bloom gets me craving Spring!  We were at the Botanical Gardens and they had started.  We'll get to see these beauties in full bloom for a month or so.

photos and words by Kristen Bach

pines

photo by Kristen Bach

in my garden

i picked a small bouquet today: hellebores, pieris, and purpled heuchera leaves:

photograph & arrangement by rinne allen

Quince

photo by Kristen Bach

An Atlanta Food Trip

This past weekend we were faced with some bitter cold days.  We made a last minute trip to Atlanta to visit some of our favorite food spots in Atlanta.  We headed to the De Kalb Farmers Market, Buford Farmers Market, and Gu's Bistro which we read about here! 

Atlanta's Buford Highway is lined with amazing groceries and ethnic restaurants- it sure makes for a fun day! 

photos and words by Kristen Bach **forgive the iphone pics :)

green is a comin'

photo by Rebecca Wood

sparkles in the water

photos and annimation by Kristen bach

silhouette

photo by Rebecca Wood

Beech Beauty

In between rains, I took a walk in the woods and was bewitched by beeches glowing in the woods.  Soon, the bronze leaves will be pushed off by new growth.  Here's a few pics.

photos and words by Rebecca Wood