smalltown storefront

photograph by rinne allen

truck love

i saw this truck for sale on my morning walk. always loved this model in this color. i don't need a truck now, but it might be worth it just to stare at the turquoise and rust color in the back!

photographs and words by rebecca wood

lace sleeve

photograph by rinne allen

tapestries

not sure why i call these tapestries, except this explosion of life and color and birth and death is like a giant tapestry of life; full of color and pattern and life. if i had a ton of patience i would make big photorealistic paintings of these, or maybe a giant hooked rug, and just stare at it all day. entranced by the colorful chaos.

birds on a wire

photograph by rinne allen

italianate

i drove by this old italianate home when i was visiting rural illinois this summer. even though it was rough around the edges, it's beauty made me pull over for a closer look.

photographs and words by kristin karch

dew & wire

photograph by rinne allen

fall greens

it is that time of year when things are transitioning...the garden is coming off its summer run and things are dying back or newly emerging...we don't have a lot in flower at the moment- just some straggling green mophead hydrangeas. but, what we do have is a lot of green texture: hosta, fatsia, ferns, redbud leaves, mexican sunflower seedbeds, sea oats, etc.

together they combine to make a portrait of the garden this time of year.

words & photographs by rinne allen

wish

photo by kristen bach

beauty berry soda

beauty berries, what a good name right?  the beauty berry bush has always been a favorite of mine, i love it when fall comes and the beauty berry bushes start to show their colors.  over the past couple of weeks, the berries have been ripening to their deep purple and their branches are weighted down with their heavy fruit.  beauty berries are not all that sweet or tart but have more of a fragrant medicinal flavor.  making this beauty berry soda would be a great addition to a fall drink.

beauty berry soda

ingredients:

1 1/2 cup water
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 cup beauty berries, fully ripe, washed
20 peppercorns
a splash of balsalmic vinegar
soda water

directions:

simple syrup:
-boil the water
-lower to a simmer and add the sugar
-stir until dissolved
-add the beauty berries and peppercorns
-remove from heat and cool
-strain the berries and peppercorns
-chill the simple syrup

soda:

-add some simple syrup
-pour in some soda water
-add a splash of balsalmic vinegar and stir
-use this soda in your favorite drink
-enjoy!

photos and recipe by kristen bach

garden tomatoes

photograph by rinne allen

secret quarry

outside carlton, ga off of a dirt road, there is this abandoned rock quarry. i love the colors and shapes of the stone reflecting in the water..

photographs and words by kristin karch

peegee hydrangea

photograph by rinne allen

secret meadow

i came across this glowing meadow as the sun was setting. there is a hint of fall color. it seemed so magical….

photographs and words by rebecca wood

sky water

photograph by rinne allen

gas station bathroom

i told you this was a whole other blog! so much beauty in such a small space. once again, inspirations for large abstract paintings…from olar, sc.

photographs and words by rebecca wood

butterfly & joe pye weed

photograph by rinne allen

pinks & reds

we have had a longer heat than normal this year...because of this, our dahlias are barely hanging in there...it has just been too hot.

so, when our friend mandy dropped off this bouquet of dahlias and cosmos to me, i was so happy! i have been in a dahlia-deficit...enjoy!

photographs by rinne allen

blue sky and apples

photo by kristen bach

apple picking

Every fall our family heads North to go apple picking.  We try to choose a different orchard and location each year.  This year we went to an apple area outside of Asheville, NC.

Naturally the next couple of weeks are filled with lots of apple eating and baking.  stay tuned for some apple recipes!!

photos and words by kristen bach