moss covered floor

Photo by Kristen Bach

brick beauty

While scoping out wedding locations with my sister, I took her to this old brick building that I have always admired.  This open ceiling space is filled with textures, layers, and the potential for something awesome.  I have always wanted to do a dinner in here......and this visit has got me thinking.

photos and Words by Kristen Bach

new growth

photo by Kristen Bach

a baby shower

last week, we had a little baby shower for my sister lucy. eventhough she is having a boy, we had lots of pink at the shower...partially because susan, who was the host, has a lot of pink in her house, but also because the hellebores are out and they have a hint of pink to them. we also made some little paper boats and mixed in some shells and found objects.

arrangements by rinne & martha . photographs & words by rinne allen

rust

phot by Kristen Bach

banana cream pies in Mason Jars

My husband is a big fan of banana cream pies.  For his birthday I made some mini pies in mason jars to serve at his party.  Everybody likes banana cream pie right?

ingredients

makes 14 tiny mason jar pies

4-5 bananas 1 sleeve graham crackers

3/4 cup toasted pecans

1 stick unsalted butter

1/3 cup sugar

4 egg yolks

3 cups milk

2/3 cup sugar

5 Tbsp cornstarch

2 tsp vanilla

1 tsp salt

2 cups heavy whipping cream

1/4 cup confectioners sugar

Directions

-melt butter

-add salt to taste

-combine all ingredients in food processor and pulse until well crushed

-press a few tablespoons into the bottom of small mason jars

-bake for 6-7 minutes or until lightly browned  the custard

directions

-In a saucepan whisk together milk, sugar, cornstarch and salt.  Simmer for a few minutes whisking the entire time.

-Whisk the beaten egg yolks into mixture.  Strain if you are wanting a smooth texture.  Now cook custard for 2 minutes over medium heat until it thickens

-Stir in 1 tsp vanilla

-Sour custard into a bowl and cover custard directly with plastic wrap.

-Put bowl over an ice bath to cool. 

-Make whipping cream by whipping the heavy cream, confectioners sugar and fold in 1 tsp vanilla, keep cool

-When custard is cooled slice 2 bananas

-Layer a few slices of banana on the crust

-Add a layer of custard

-Make a layer of bananas

-Add a generous dollop of whipped cream and top with a slice of banana.

photos and recipe by Kristen Bach

Spring Whites

photo by Kristen Bach

FRIDA + DIEGO

Last weekend we headed to the High Museum of Art in Atlanta for the Diego & Frida Exhibition.  It was a wonderful show and worth a visit!

carved wood

photo by Kristen Bach

Old Abstracts

I passed through the remains of an old town, Appalachee on a recent grey day.  I poked my head inside this old storefront, and saw amazing abstract layers of texture and color.  Feast your eyes.

Photos and words by Rebecca Wood

Winter Vines

photo by Kristen Bach

Mossy Floor

When it's the dead of winter and I need a dose of green I head to the forest and hike around.  The floors of the forest are always coated in moss of every shade.  These walks tide me over until the green of spring hits.....

photos and words by Kristen Bach

quince beauty

photo by Kristen Bach

little white bells

photos and arrangement by Kristen Bach & Maypop Wren

Leaves + Frost

photo by Rebecca Wood

Books to inspire a Southern Kitchen

People always ask what my favorite Southern Food cookbooks are.  Here is a handful of my favs.  A New Turn in the South.  Written by friend and local Athens, GA chef this one is filled with beautiful images (taken by beautyeveryday contributor, Rinne Allen), whimsical drawings, and great food. 

Southern Foodways Allaince:  A community Cookbook.  This one has some great recicpes and this organization does great things for preserving the Southern Food Culture. 

Edna Lewis' The Taste of Country Cooking.  I am a big fan of Edna Lewis.  This book is filled with great recipes as well as some wonderful stories to go along. 

The Lee Bros.  Southern Cookbook:  Stories and Recipes for Southerners and Would-Be Southerners.  This is my go to book for a classic southern meal. 

Bon Appetit' Y'all, by Virginia Willis is another good book for some classic recipes and some really yummy desserts. 

Stock your shelves at Avid Books, our favorite local independent book seller!

words by Kristen Bach

trees + water

photo by Kristen Bach

drawing time

I'm determined to draw more than ever this year.  I'm going to let all my ideas come from drawing.  One of my favorite art school teachers, Robert Corker, always said to think of 'drawing' in the same sense that you think about 'drawing' water from a well, or 'drawing' someone out.  It means to focus on getting nearer and nearer to that something.  In my studying, i'm trying to draw out the essence of the branch.  What is it's true,  unique expression.  How can I 'draw' that out?

photos, words, and drawings by Rebecca Wood

Pines + blue sky

photo by Kristen Bach

old town textures

Here's some great textures from a rainy day walk through an old town.

 photos and words by Rebecca Wood