BARNHEART

BARN RAISING 1984-2011

Fred and I bought the farmhouse and barn in 1984. Both structures were in need of attention, but the barn had to be completely rebuilt from inside out. I helped take the original beaded siding off, clean it and cut it. Fred did the hard work as you can see from the 1984 picture. He put new treated beams and posts in, and one by one the structure became sound, until the March Northeaster'.
After the storm, the barn looked tilted, so everything had to be readjusted and straightened before the doors and siding could be fitted. It was a monumental job, and today we are still fixing bits and pieces. Somewhere along the way, we came across the original barn builder's gun case, owner Charles Newton and also owner of the farm and house. We hung the case in the barn over the original sliding doors.

BOOKBINDING

One of my favorite stores is Paper Source in Princeton (they are also online). They will provide you with all the information you will need for producing your own bound books for photos, recipes, genealogy or anything! The supplies are minimal - bone burnisher, bookbinder cloth tape, PVA glue, cellulose, bound inserts, your scanned art for the cover, and old heavy cardboard. The tape and glue are also useful for any damaged, older books that you would like to restore.

COZY WINTER MORNING AT HOME

ESCAPE TO THE INDIAN RESTAURANT

My new washing machine arrived today, but not without drama. Whenever a new appliance has to be connected in our older home (100+ years), there is always the concern about installation. This time, it was the hot and cold faucets, they began gushing water as soon as the new hoses were attached. Fortunately, my husband Fred was here and he and the delivery men saved the day! Meanwhile, at the Indian Restaurant, all was well. The Tandoori Chicken was hot and tender, along with all the flavorful dipping sauces for the Naan bread, the cheese cubes with boneless chicken, and gulab jamal dessert with mango mousse. A perfect afternoon - savasana!

MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY - 2011

Chris and I had a long conversation today about Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, and responsibility. It was alot for an 8 year old to think about, but it was the time to talk about it.

WINTER READING ADVENTURES FOR AGES 8-15

Right before Christmas, my husband and I visited our favorite used bookstore, "The Bookworm" which is in Cranbury, NJ. They have quite a selection of childrens' books and I happened to find a boxed set of 3 adventure stories for my 8 year old grandson. The author's name is Rick Riordan, and my grandson, Chris could not put them down. One night we found him, with his flashlight reading in his bed at 1:00 in the morning. The trilogy contained,
"The Lightning Thief"
"The Sea of Monsters"
and "The Titan's Curse"
When Chris was finished with these books, we found Rick Riordan's latest works in Barnes & Noble, (in hardcover) and he purchased "The Battle of Labyrinth" and "The Last Olympian",
which will keep him busy for awhile.

THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS SNOWSTORM

BIRDS AT NIGHT

One of the places that the wintering birds go at night is the bamboo groves in my backyard. They shelter themselves in large numbers for warmth and safety. I can see them fly in right before it gets dark and hear their gentle sounds at night.

SKETCHBOOK SPOTS

SNOWY DAY SALAD GREENS AND QUICHE

Even though temperatures are below freezing at night, the outdoor lettuce (which is protected by plexiglas and a polycover) is thriving. The container is on the southside of the house, it heats up during the day, and much of the warmth is retained for night chill.
It was a perfect day to make Quiche, new snow on the ground and plenty of fresh eggs in the frig
(Thank you Chickens!)

QUICHE (Preheat oven to 325 degrees)
2 9 inch pie shells
7 Extra large eggs
3/4 cup half & half
1/4 cup milk
1 lb. Swiss cheese (shredded) or Monterray Jack cheese
3/4 teaspoon nutmeg
dash salt & pepper

With electric mixer beat eggs, milk and half and half until light and foamy, add seasonings and sprinkle in shredded cheese, place in oven for 40-45 minutes. Remove and cool on rack.
Serve with salad and bread.

LOOKING BACK, LOOKING FORWARD

This snowy season of being hunkered down inside my house has forced me to go through my archives, photos, papers, memorabilia, life, and artwork. This year I lost two great teachers - my illustration professor from college, Beth Krush, Illustrator Emeritus, and dear Joan Longo, Art Director with the most amazing sense of design - clean, precise and exact, she never wavered.
I learned so much from both of them, and miss them tremendously. From time to time, I will be posting work from their direction and influence.

TWELFTH NIGHT

CORNCRIB

Frozen Tundra Vineyard

URGENT REMINDER TO FEED THE BIRDS

There is more snow in the forecast and the birds who are wintering around us have a hard time finding food. It is important to make sure that feeders are filled. Suet cakes and black oil sunflower seeds are especially nutritious and keep them warm. They are depending on us!

NEW OPAQUE WATERCOLOR SET

A VERY BRAVE PATIENT

Chris came through surgery and is now home in recovery. The Philadelphia Childrens' Hospital in Voorhees has everything to make you comfortable, an excellent staff, comfortable waiting rooms, a gourmet coffee machine, and an ICEE machine for the patients.

GETTING READY FOR THE HOSPITAL

Our grandson Chris is having his surgery today at Childrens' Hospital. He is quite prepared and ready to have new ear tubes and adenoidectomy. We are getting an early start and should be back before dinner.

WALK BACK TO THE BARN IN THE EVENING

The chickens finally ventured out today, they enjoyed a full day of sunshine, which is beneficial for good egg production, I understand. Frosty, the barn cat escorted them back to their barn at dusk, he is quite happy with his new bedding.

ANCIENT BEECH TREES

SWEETEST SONG

The Red Winged Blackbird, the sweetest song cut short, 5,000 of them, due to fireworks and subdivisions.

CAUTIOUS CHICKENS

It has been over a week since the Christmas Day blizzard hit, and the chickens are still quite concerned about venturing out. I have shoveled a walkway for them to their ranging area, but it seems quite risky to them. The red-tailed hawk is also free-ranging and the chickens against the white snow are like a bullseye for him. So for now, the Golden Comets are quite happy and safe in the barn, with fresh food, water and new daily straw.

HOLIDAY SHOW AT PRINCETON

The Childrens Library had their annual Holiday Show at the new Princeton Chemistry Lab this year. It was a show on the many ways that we communicate in our world. The new building is almost finished and after the show we were able to visit the various rooms and labs. We also met the builder, Mr. McConnell!

SMOKEY SIAMESE GETS A YOGA MAT

Smokey Siamese became an indoor cat last month. When he was outside on the grape trellis he fell and hurt his back leg. After a rush visit to the vet and several xrays later, the vet said that Smokey should not be let outside. Smokey S. being a New Orleans rescue cat arrived in our care as a declawed cat, and besides it being a terribly inhumane and cruel procedure, cats cannot protect themselves in the wild or semi-wild. So Smokey is adjusting to being an indoor pet and practicing yoga with us. Here he is on his new silkscreened mat, enjoying his pampered moment.

POLAR PLUNGE - ASBURY PARK, NJ

Quite a crowd came out on this New Years' Day to watch the the Polar Plunge a charity benefit in Asbury Park. The party continued inside Convention Hall, warming up with music, drinks, food, shopping and bagpipers. The last stop on the way back to the car was the Candyteria on the boardwalk for gum drops, malted milk balls and gummy bears.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011!

ENGLISH SCONE RECIPE

These Scones are very delicious and keep for a week in the refrigerator. Preheat your oven to 390 degrees and lightly grease round cake tin.


3 Cups of Flour
1/3 Cup White Sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons of Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon of Baking Soda
1 Tablespoon of Cinnamon
Dash of Salt
3/4 Cups of Cold Butter cut into chunks
1 Cup of Buttermilk
Powdered Sugar

Add dry ingredients in large bowl, mix in buttermilk and butter chunks, form into ball and push into cake tin. Score lightly into 8 wedges. Bake for 40 - 45 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar when cool.

BAMBOO IN SNOW

THE BEAR POND FERRY

THE BEAR POND FERRY

http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/the-bear-pond-ferry/12559321?showPrevi

PAINTED BUNTING

Painted Bunting Folded Cards, 5" x 7", printed from original silkscreen with matching envelopes.

TOUCAN

Full color notecards, printed from original silkscreen. The inside is blank, packages of three with white envelopes, 4" x 5 1/2".

BLACK CROWNED NIGHT HERON

Full-color notecards, printed from original silkscreen, inside is blank, packages of 3 with white envelopes.