Beth Maynor Young's amazing photography
Beth Maynor Young's amazing photography
I'm not sure where I've been, not to know about Beth's amazing work. After ten years with Southern Living, she's been hiking, paddling, camping, and no telling what else around the state and capturing some of the most amazing shots I've ever seen.
I'm blown away by her work (maybe more of an obsession?). What a joy it was to learn about her wonderful life's work.
Looking forward to learning more and helping her spread the word about the amazing beauty we have right here in our little state.
Cheers Beth!
Beth Maynor Young's amazing photography
Museum of Alabama - Dr. John Hall
Museum of Alabama - Dr. John Hall
John Hall weavese Alabama's archeological history into mezmerizing stories. So much fun to learn about "the land of alabama".
Museum of Alabama - Dr. John Hall
Museum of Alabama grand opening
Museum of Alabama Grand opeining
What fun we had in Montgomery. It's always wonderful to visit with people that appreciate your work. And it seemed that we were blanketed with new friends in Montgomery. The weekend started with a real Alabama waterfront, al fresco dining experience, heat, humidity cicadas and all on Thursday night. Ed Bridges, the consummate Southern gentleman hosted this wonderful gathering of the consultants, designers, artists, illustrators and photographers that collaborated on this amazing project-all new friends.
Really couldn't believe the building where the Alabama Department of History and Archives houses the newly inaugurated Museum of Alabama. Really stunning. This building was built in the '40s. The interior is just as stunning as the exterior.
Museum of Alabama Grand opeining
Thank you Steve Jobs
Just saw on the news that Steve Jobs has resigned from Apple Computer. I don't know if anyone has created more, better, products that have improved my life more than Steve has. 27 years of Macs and iproducts is enough I suppose. Thank you Steve Jobs.
organic maple dining table finds amazing home
Organic maple dining table
This organic maple dining table found an amazing home. Our friends from "across the River" Rusty and Lisa Alexander, have been building an amazing home. And yesterday we delivered this quite amazing organic maple dining table (iidssms).
This beautiful home was designed by acclaimed Winter Park architect Phil Kean, and is quite unique, particularly for our area. Beautifully modern, simple lines everywhere you look.
And, it seems that everywhere you look there's also a view of our beautiful Wilson Lake.
The Alexander's are being quite generous with sharing it. They are still planting sod, welding a beautiful floating staircase, and completing all the details, hopefully in time for our upcoming Shoals tour of homes. If you are local (or not) and want to see a modern home done well, this might just be a good chance.
The next opportunity will be when the NAHB (National Home Builder's) have their annual show. Phil's own home will be the 2012 New American Home and open for views during the show in February.
I'm going to have to get back over here to the Alexander's when there's better light, or with a photographer that know's what he's doing for some pics of the home and the organic maple dining table that do it justice.
Organic maple dining table
Curiosity, creativity and hard work
Andrew Zuckerman discusses curiosity, creativity and hard work. I'm so far behind on my posts and what we've been up to lately, but this is better. Enjoy . . .
Solid Cherry Daybed set just out of finishing room
Solid Cherry Daybed set
We've been working on this solid cherry daybed set for a while. Honestly, I don't know much about daybeds. This one's meant to be used more as a couch or chair, or just slide out the overlapping console table and you've got your traditional daybed.
The couch/chair idea seems to work pretty well when pillows are placed on the bed/against the console - with the console table and pillow acting sort of like a chair back.
We plan to sell this two piece unit as a set. We don't make or sell the mattress, that seems to be widely available or custom made through your decorator.
Solid Cherry Daybed set
Anderson's donate $150,000 Ipads for our students
$150,000 Ipads for our students
From today's TimesDaily, Anderson Foundation is donating $150,000 in Ipads to local schools. This is big, in so many ways.
Amazingly generous, and beneficial gift toward the areas furture. Thanks (again) to our very generous Anderson friends.
$150,000 Ipads for our students
Puppy's first kayak trip down Cypress Creek
Puppy's first kayak trip down Cypress Creek
Bella-Architect Joey Leavitt's pupp decided to escort us this trip (the brown one).
Great timing this past weekend. I sooo needed to some R&R, and our new golden retriever has now had all her shots and the vet (I mean Linda) ok'd her to take her first trip down Cypress Creek. I don't think there's a better way to commune and get (my mind) back to a calm creative place that right in the middle of nature. And for me, immersion is almost manditory.
We are so fortunate to have this beautiful natural wilderness surrounding us. And it's really good to see more and more folks enjoying it. Having lived on the creek most of my life, I typically simply put in behind the house, paddle upstream to our favorite spot - just below the old brick plant and confederate uniform plant where the creek turns and the water really flows.
Puppy's first kayak trip down Cypress Creek
killer low head dam
Killer low head dam
I needed a quiet stress free weekend, and, for the most part, I found one. What a special pleasure it was to paddle our golden retriever puppy down our backyard creek for the first time (next post).
Much like we've done for almost 50 years, we put in at Cox Creek Bridge. And, within ten minutes we are greeted by THE DAM. The dam that has been killing our residents for decades. The dam that was built without approval of the Corp of Engineers.
But the really terrifying thing about it is that it looks/sounds/feels so harmless. It's nothing like Niagara Falls, that you can hear from miles away. This little dam actually looks like a nice little "whitewater moment". A brief and short change in water elevation - the kind of thing that paddlers on a hot summer day are looking for.
The dam's innocense is so misleading, it continues to even mislead it's critics, who believe that it's only dangerous when the water is high - like after a rain. This is absolutely not true, and believing this and particularly printing this in the paper will only cause more deaths.
I have a particular interest in this problem for several reasons; 1) Dad and I were the founders of the Great Cypress Creek Raft Race back in the late 70's and early 80's. Hundreds of mostly locals enjoyed the creek during this summertime event. After a few years of the event, the city installed this dam. After realizing how dangerous it was, and after seeing our insurance for the race skyrocket, we cancelled what some resident's have claimed to be the best event in the city (certainly the wettest).
2) I have been sucked under into the dam's undertow. Several year's ago, I (and my Dad's dog Wilbur) were both pulled under. I had ignorantly paddled thru the opening of the dam on an inner tube and Wilbur followed close behind. We were both pulled under, only for maybe 20 seconds?, before arriving back at the surface for air (and life). But back at the surface, I even then had trouble getting out of the reverse currrent's grip. I was held appro 5' from the dam. Swimming toward the concrete wall or away didn't work, but to the side did. I instantly had more "respect" for this innocent looking dam, and have portaged my kayaks around ever since. I've often thought of the irony, had it turned out differently, of "Cypress Creek Raft Race Found drowns in Cypress Creek. Whew, gives me chills remembering the event.
3) I've lived most of my life on the creek. Through the summer months I've been seeing more and more residents enjoying it, typically paddling down the Raft Race Route of Cypress Creek Bridge to the Park below the Nelson Starkey (still miss him) Bridge. And when talking with many of the younger nature lover's, I can see that they really don't "believe" the risk.
It's way past time to solve this killer problem. Our current City Council had nothing to do with the installation of the dam. But it's totally their responsibility to solve the problem. I'm thinking that it needs to be blown up. But I don't know the details or all the alternatives. I also don't even know exactly if the dam is actually providing water, or is just a backup or what? I guess that's the first question here.
Back off the soap box (for now)
this week's agenda
It's always good to get back home, sleep in our bed, and get back to my very comfortable zone, the studio. After weekend storms, the sky has cleared, the humidity has plummeted (a good thing for me) and it actually felt almost cool on the way to work at 7:00 this morning (although the forecast for the afternoon is an even 100).
For the week's agenda. Let's see. Plenty of work outside with the Lucas planer. Have several more oak slabs to plane. Then, tomorrow or thursday, we'll convert it (the lucas) back over to what it was made for, a sawmill, and slab some of the beautiful trees folks have dropped off recently. Looks like cherry and oak will be the flavors of the week. Both from friends. Both with interesting stories that we look forward to sharing.
Inside we've got lot's of projects to complete, as well as new pieces to build. Amazing massive maple slabs that will become a very natural edge dining table and low table. Each approx 8' long. A couple of really small, almost rustic but with a mid century modern vibe (hopefully) in the works. Refinishing the 14' long conference table that has been on display at Robert Trent Jones of the Shoals club house.
Planning the presentation for Montgomery. Considering a September visit to the HD Boutique show in Miami. Choosing a couple of pieces for the Tupelo Furniture Market. Planning our booth layout for High Point. Designing the two page ad for the High Point Resource guide.
Oh, and we should have our monthly monoLOG newsletter published next week. Clearly all of this isn't due this week. Thank goodness for that, and for work (which happens to be play).
(Southern) Sour Dough Bread
Southern Sour Dough Bread
As more distant visitors stop by the website and blog (and our studio), one area that I'd like to share is the best of the South. Seems like the news only shows the "other" side. And there is such a wonderful, thoughtful, creative, colorful side to our people and places that most have never heard of, I'm looking forward to sharing as I come across it. But as (almost) always, with all honesty and in full disclosure, I will also share "the other side" when it bothers me or get my attention.
This little nagging pet peeve has been lingering for a few years. And bubbled back up during our Saturday morning visit to the local farmers market this morning.
It all started several years ago, when my hygienist started making bread and cookies. I rarely eat sweets, but everyone raves over her desserts. Then one First Friday she was displaying a one of my favorite things; sour dough bread. I was so pumped. I purchased a loaf, took it home, heated it up, and . . . total disappointment. It tasted like dessert. The next month I saw Laura again, and told her that someone must have enjoyed my sour dough bread, and that I ended up with someone's dessert. Well, she quickly explained that "southern sour dough" bread is sweet. - Although to be clear, the note on the bread lists it as "sour dough". She explained again, that I should know where I live, and that Southerners like it (everything) sweet. Confused and disappointed, and gave it one last try. Asking Laura if she'd ever been to San Francisco (no) or had she ever tried (non southern) sour dough bread (no). My last question was why the heck does she even call it sour dough bread since there is clearly absolutely nothing sour about it. Again, she had a great reply that the bread begins with a "sour dough starter".
Again, this was years ago. I clearly lost this battle, and if I was going to survive any future dental work I knew that I'd better quit while I was ahead. And I did. That is, until now. Over the past year, this same Groundhog Day routine has been repeating itself - several times. I'll find another vendor at First Friday street fair selling sour dough bread. I'm pumped. I buy. I take it home and it's NOT SOUR. Same thing at our Farmers Market. Same conversation. Same outcome. Same disappointment.
The only thing I can come up with is that locals are knocking off Laura's bread, calling it the same thing Laura is, and selling it to unsuspecting locals. Which, I might add are developing quite a following.
Ok, to today. Although there still is no sourdough bread at the farmer's market. There is some amazingly wondeful fresh, real crusty savory bread. Sorry I don't have any bread pics. I was too busy sharing my excitement this morning. But I look forward to taking some video's, spreading the word, and doing what I can to help this unique (in our community) true artist continue her trade for many many pounds to come.
Southern Sour Dough Bread
Oh, just to clarify. I having norhin against sweet bread, cakes, pies, sweets, etc. Just don't taunt us by calling it sour dough. A few of us know better.
Bill's Gamblin Hall - revisited
Even if I loved Las Vegas, four trips in eight months is more than enough for a while. And after staying in the luxurious Trump Intl a couple of weeks ago, this week's visit to Bill's was with - well - clarity.
Lets start with the bad. At reservation, when the gal handed me the key and mentioned proudly that I would be enjoying a room with a view - I should have known something was up. And it was. The view was great. Overlooking the Paris, the strip and a great view of the Bellagio watershow. The problem - my second floor room right above the street was not quiet. And I should have requested a move. Next time I'll know, because in Vegas, the strip doesn't start to quieten down before 4 or so.
Although other's might find more issues, my only additional complaint is that the room retained just a hint of musty cigarette smoke. After I was in the room for a minute or two, I no longer noticed it.
Now to the great side of Bill's. In this economic time, a very important consideration is the price. Although I've actually paid as little as $38 per night before, I think the room averaged around $48. Gosh, even in Alabama, that's almost unheard of.
And we are talking about possibly the best location in all of Vegas. Right on the strip, beside Bally's. There was a show shuttle from Bally's to the World Market Center, so I just walked across the street each morning, and was ushered straight to the Market Center as if I was somebody. Fun.
So, in previous posts I've talked about the amazing steak and eggs breakfast special - before 6:00am, the afterhours nightclub that I haven't been able to stay up long enough for just to take a pic for the blog. But my new find this trip, is the off the charts chinese cuisine in this little hole in the wall.
After the show on Tuesday, I was whooped and didn't see any better, easy options for dinner close by (although remind me to tell you about some awesome options across the street in Paris hotel and casion), so I took a quick shower and took the (very slow) elevator down from the second floor to the lobby and restaurant. I saw that the last page of the menu was Chinese food selections. I asked the (totally worn out looking) waiter about the Chinese food. She actually came to life and said it was amazing. I gave it a shot, and it actually was. Really, really good. (I forget the name) but the dish was chicken and veggies with noodles. The noodles tasted like they were made right there. The chicken breast meat was perfectly moist and trimmed the way it should be. And the sauce was over the top awesome.
As I was checking out I confirmed that the person cooking the Chinese food was Chinese. They said they were, and that they had been cooking in this restaurant ever since the (previous) hotel (the Barbary Coast) opened. And that it (the Chinese food) was the best thing on the menu for DECADES. They also gave me a tip that this item, along with the kung pao chicken, were the two really good Chinese items on the Chinese menu.
Well, just in case the price and location hadn't already sold me on where to stay during the Winter Market, I absolutely will have to Stay at Bill's and will absolutely be looking forward to another GREAT Chinese food dining experience while I'm there.
Las Vegas Summer Market
Our first showing to the west coast market has been wonderful. Seems like this market (or at least a good sector of it) is more thoughtful about sustainability and really gets what we are doing. Having much fun up here in the beautiful World Market Center, sharing ShawLiving's beautiful space. The show will be going on two more days. I'll be heading back home a day early - friday morning. If you are in town for this wonderful west coast market, be sure to stop by. ShawLiving Space, 5th floor, building B.
Rupert Murdoch
Way behind on posting here but had to share this one
Rupert Murdoch
is said to be deeply moved and touched
by all the messages of condolence and support
left by friends and family...
on Amy Winehouse's mobile phone.
Tennessee Valley Museum of Art
We dropped off a couple of pieces for a local showing at the Tennessee Valley Museum of Art last week. And earlier this afternoon enjoyed a nice gathering of friends, artists and music at the Museum.
No trump fan here, but . . .
No Trump fan here.
I'm clearly no Donald Trump fan. Typically, would never consider staying at one of his properties (even if it's just a franchise). But, I suppose, everyone has their price. . . and, this week, my price was 70 bucks.
Although not my personal taste, I have to admit that this Trump property has a lot going for it. It's really beautiful - if you can handle the glitz. It's quiet. I think this one is only because the Don was totally snubbed in Vegas. They didn't allow him to build a casino along with the hotel. And for this reason, the property, unlike most in Las Vegas, it's quite comfortable. No walking thru miles of casinos just to find the elevator. No massess of tourists looking around and stepping all over each other. Beautiful quiet pool. I hear the spa here is wonderful, but didn't get a chance to find out.
I suppose the reason the price is so right, must be the economy. And it's really tough to see a city so clearly hurting. Las Vegas is having a tough time, and I'm afraid it may take a decade or so (just my guess) to get turned around.
No Trump fan here.
AWFS Las Vegas 2011
AWFS Las Vegas 2011
I always enjoy speaking with experts in the areas that I'm particularly interested in. These days, it's so easy to receive advice. Seems like everybody has an opinion on almost any subject. Although it might seem a bit like an older/maybe obsolete paradigm, the business/marketing model of the trade show is hard to beat.
In the woodworking world, every two years that Atlanta IWF show has been the one to attend in the US. For the past few years, AWFS has held a nice show as well in Las Vegas. This is the first one that I've had the opportunity to attend.
Really great to meet with other wood workers as well as the industry experts in each of the varied niches.
AWFS Las Vegas 2011
Robert Currey - Atlanta Market
Robert Currey - Atlanta Market
My friends at Currey & Co. have it going on. Every market their booth is one of if not the most happening spots in town! There seems to always be a party going on. And in my mind, to qualify for a party there has to be fun, food, friends, and usually includes booze (even though I can't partake any longer). Here's a picture of Robert Currey along with our dear friend Liz Young that joined us from Tampa.
Robert shared one piece of wisdom for us to try at the next High Point Market. I'm taking notes from this market master, and can't wait to see the outcome!