Today is the Day of the Dead.....



Mural by Michael Benoit

Despite its macabre name, Dia de los Muertos, or The Day of the Dead, is a celebration. It's a chance for family members to remember, honor and celebrate the life of loved ones that have passed; it isn't mourning, it is a joyful remembrance. It’s also a chance to appreciate the people still in your life and celebrate life with them.



Sculpture by Michael Benoit

In Mexico on the Day of the Dead, families travel from their villages out to the graveyards to visit their departed loved ones. They visit fun loving Uncle Jose and bring him a sip of tequila, they carry toys to the children that departed too early, and they decorate the graves of relatives with marigold garlands and candles. Some families bring the favorite foods of the departed and picnic at the graveside. They sing, remember, laugh, and tell stories. They are there to commune with the dead, unafraid, and happy. Death's morbid side is buried under music and remembrances; Mexicans celebrate life with their remembrance of death.



Sculpture by Michael Benoit

El Dia de los Muertos is one of my favorite days of the year. I love the colors, vibrant orange and pink. I love Catrinas, the dressed-up skeletons participating in all their favorite activities, like dancing and cooking and getting married. I love the decorated sugar skulls, and most of all I love the significance.



Mural and Sculpture by Michael Benoit

All Pictures above are the fabulous creations of artist Michael Benoit of the Bone Garden Cantina in Atlanta, Georgia. Sweetie and I will be celebrating El Dia de los Muertos at their annual outdoor festival on Saturday November 5th. Please join us there, they'll have music and dance performances all day. You'll enjoy drink specials and traditional Day of the Dead cooking, plus you can take home one of their hand crafted Sugar Skulls. It's always a rockin' celebration at Bone Garden Cantina!  

Cheers Amigos!

Lori in Blue Ridge, GA

A Pig Deal - Hogs, Bourbon and Music...

Fall means it's time for a good old fashioned pig roast at our favorite place ITP (inside the Atlanta perimeter) - Local Three.  We'll soon be spending the afternoon out on the patio at the annual “Roast a Fatty” pig pickin’ party. Chefs Hall and Muss slow roast a home-grown hog from Gum Creek Farms south of Atlanta.  They'll be using a roaster that I’ve only seen at their roasts, it's called the La Caja China Roasting Box.  The aromas coming out of that box are delectable and the unveiling of the finished fatty is quite the spectacle.  Camera's flash, the crowd of hungry guests "ooh" and "aah", and we all await the first taste of the roasted pork goodness.

Photos from the first "Roast a Fatty" at Local Three

The Local Three staff also whips up a load of the delicious sides and feature a smooth Bourbon like Belle Meade. Their bourbon is an old family recipe that was developed during prohibition in the '20s. It was so....good!  If you like Bourbon, this is the event for you!

And to top it all off, everyone receives a commemorative “Roast a Fatty” T-shirt….love the logo on the T-shirt from the first event, see the design below.  We’ll see y’all out on the patio real soon…November 6th....y'all join us!  Cheers!

Rinda's Summertime Photography Scavenger Hunt 2016

Fellow blogger Rinda, is hosting her annual summertime photography scavenger hunt; below is my second photo entry.  There are a total of 21 items on the list of things to photograph; I'll be posting additional items as I find and photograph them. This is a great way to get to know my new town, Blue Ridge, GA.

Item #3 - A Skeleton

 Our favorite restaurant in Atlanta is Bone Garden Cantina, my photo(s) of a skeleton were taken in the restaurant.  All artwork featured here was created by Michael Benoit.

   

Cheers!

Lori in Blue Ridge, GA

Throw your hands up and enjoy the ride...

"Life is like a roller coaster. You can either scream every time there is a bump, or you can throw your hands up and enjoy the ride." author unknown.

Well, it’s been awhile since I've posted to this blog…

Since my last post, my life has been a ROLLER COASTER ride with big drops, high speed upside down loops, and many sharp twists and turns.  Life got so hectic that I put my Etsy shop on vacation and I took a break from blogging….well, I’m back. 

Here are some of the roller coaster details:

1. Big Scary Drop - I left my career of thirty years due to stress and unhappiness; I was fed up but not ready to retire.

2. High Speed Upside Down Loops - For the first time in my career I had to develop a resume and interviewed for a new executive job; amazingly I got the first job I applied for.
3. Splash Down - I started my new job with Macy’s Systems and Technology as a Project Manager.
4. Sharp Turn - Due to the long commute we decided to move out of the city and into the burbs of Atlanta.  Yes, the devoted city dwellers moved OTP (outside the perimeter).
5. Fast Spiral - After a whirlwind search for a new home we chose John’s Creek, GA.
6. Burst of Acceleration - We packed and moved within 30 days of signing a contract. Miraculous!
7. Unexpected Twist - The moving company truck size was not estimated correctly so we ended up moving a lot of stuff ourselves in the June heat wave. YUK! 
8. Smelly Swamp Dive - Days after moving into the house the sewer backed up inside the house, the hardwood floors were ruined and the house was extremely stinky.
9. Unplanned Trajectory - The yard was torn up, a new sewer line went in, a beautiful birch tree was removed (sad), the first level floor was torn out, subfloor was dried out, everything was sanitized and the hardwoods were replaced.  This all took about 30 days to accomplish, and a hotel became our temporary new home.
10. Surprising Blind Curves – Trying out new businesses and restaurants has been a pleasant surprise. We’ve found many great places to enjoy food and drinks.
11. Screeching Brakes – We have settled in and look forward to our future living OTP.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Lori

Weekend at the Lake...

My Sweetie and I are planning a lake front weekend with a group of our close friends.  Within easy driving distance from Atlanta is the Ritz-Carlton Resort at Reynolds Plantation on Lake Oconee.

 

 

I know we will spend some time relaxing on this lovely terrace. I can picture myself having a bite of lunch while reading the book I recently purchased about a couple who impulsively moved to Key West from England. It's a very amusing true story.

 

I love the design of this bar, a great place for the group to gather before dinner. Like any large group, we usually have some late arrivals...hair, makeup, and matching shoes to the sundress takes time (wink)!





Our friend Richard has rented a boat for the weekend. The resort has a dock that we can use all weekend.  This patio looks like a good spot to dry off and enjoy a tall cool cocktail and some munchies after playing in the lake all afternoon.

 

Planning on a great weekend with our 'family' of friends.

Cheers!

 

 

Atlanta Artists and Crafters - New Meetup

Clipboards used for Jewelry Display

While chatting with some fellow Etsy sellers, we were discussing how much we all love creating our art, but we all need to focus some of our time on selling it. I found a new Meetup group in Atlanta called "Art Biz in the 'Burbs"; the sponsor will focus on creative ways to advertise and market our creations through digital, social, and traditional media. Additionally, we will discuss galleries, gift shops, shows, art walks, and exhibitions. Together, we hope to expand our visibility and increase our understanding of the ever-changing art market.

If you are in the Atlanta, GA area and would like to join the group, I've included the link to the Meetup site below.  The first meeting is on Monday March 18 in northeast Cobb. 

http://www.meetup.com/Art-Biz-in-the-Burbs/ 

Logging My Favorites...Local Three

Kitchen and Bar

This is the eighth installment of an ongoing log of my favorite things. Periodically I will post a favorite. It might be a person, or a place, or even an event. Hopefully it will help you get to know me a little better. I'd love your comments and I hope to make some connections through our mutual enjoyment of these treasures.



Photo Credit: Never Eat Solo Meetup



What took me so long to log this favorite?... Local Three Kitchen and Bar…Atlanta, GA

I may not be a true food critic, but I do consider myself a Foodie. I consider Local Three a destination-worthy restaurant. What is a “destination-worthy” restaurant you ask?  I believe it’s an eatery that will actually motivate you to get in your car, travel inside the perimeter (into the city for those not familiar with Atlanta), and search out a place that is so wonderful you don’t want to leave.

 

Perhaps it's the ability of Local Three’s staff to make you feel comfy and cozy.  To build an overall experience that makes you think, if only for an hour or two, that you’re dining in a friend’s home or maybe your mom’s kitchen.  



Todd Mussman, Ryan Turner, and Chris Hall


Using one the best kitchens in the country, co-owners Chef Chris Hall, Chef Todd Mussman, Business Dude Ryan Turner, and the Local Three staff offer a neighborhood spot with really good food, a wide selection of beverages and exceptional service!



A few of my Favorites



You enter the restaurant through the “hidden” wide plank wooden door into the come-as-you-are atmosphere and "foie gras in your flip flops" ambiance. They consistently serve the best quality cuisine at affordable prices. And on Sundays, they invite you into the kitchen to “fix a plate” at their buffet style Sunday brunch…love it!

Chef Chris Hall’s Viewpoint:  “We’re operating under one guiding principle: “You can’t argue with delicious.” That really sums up our culinary philosophy. It will of course be seasonal and we’ll keep it as local as we can—not exclusively, but we want to support farmers close to us when we can. Fresh is best. We’re not trying to do anything earth shattering or revolutionary, we just want to cook great food that people enjoy!”
 

OH, did I mention the velvet Elvis, original folk art and "The Dude" Lebowski on the wall?  You just can’t be pretentions with velvet Elvis greeting you.  

              

Chef Hall said it best: “We’re serious about our food, not ourselves.”

Go!  Now!  Be prepared to “sit deep and stay long” – they live by their philosophy and they want to get to know you … I can attest to this.

 Take a Peek at the Menu and Get Directions: Local Three Kitchen and Bar, Atlanta, GA

A Pig Deal - Hogs, Bourboun and Music...

Last Sunday we were invited to a good old fashioned pig roast at our favorite place ITP (inside the perimeter) - Local Three.  We spent the afternoon out on the patio at the first annual “Roast a Fatty” pig pickin’ party. Chefs Hall and Muss spent the morning slow roasting a home-grown hog from Gum Creek Farms south of Atlanta.  They used a roaster that I’ve never seen before, the La Caja China Roasting Box.  The aromas coming out of that box were delectable and the unveiling of the finished fatty was quite a spectacle.  Camera flashes, oohs and awes, and a crowd of hungry guests awaiting the first taste of the pork goodness.

The Local Three staff whipped up some of the delicious sides they are known for and special guest Charles Nelson of Nelson's Greenbriar Distillery brought down a load of his smooth Bellemeade Bourbon; they use an old family recipe that was developed during prohibition in the '20s. It was so....good!  If you like Bourbon, you must try this one! Kevin (our favorite barkeep) kept the crowd happy with his crowd pleasing bourbon concoctions.

We met some great folks, David and Claire who were seated at our table. David took the pictures in this post because I forgot my camera…again. Hope to see them again at another Local Three event.

And to top it all off, we got commemorative “Roast a Fatty” T-shirts ….love the back of the shirt…see the design below.  We’ll see y’all out on the patio again real soon…Cheers!

Rust, dust and an aging crust!

I've mentioned before that I'm a big supporter of buying local and an even bigger enthusiast of buying handmade merchandise.  I also make an effort to upcycle odds and ends around the house giving them a second life as it were.  

I was recently introduced to an Atlanta artist named Rodger Thomas of Benclif Designs. Rodger’s creations are right up my alley (literally, in Atlanta) and his use of up-cycled materials is refreshing.  Relics that would otherwise collect dust are repurposed into useful household lighting, giving them a new life, function, and keeping the original designs nearly intact.

From Rodgers Website…

"Rust, dust and an aging crust! That's what I look for when I am out there hunting for my lighting inspiration."

 “My art creations are all about upcycling. I take vintage and antique relics from the past and give them a new purpose.  Chrome percolators, plastic rotary telephones, metal sprayers, lunchboxes, Thermos bottles, vintage tin cans, jars, adding machines, projectors and a myriad of others, all make for some pretty interesting and exciting lighting creations.  Those are things I search for when junking.”

 “Obviously, my percolator lamps are my favorite! But I am always on the hunt for that vintage relic in a basement or closet…that certain thing in which or on which a light bulb will shine new life.  Sometimes, I don’t have a vision for it initially but just a sense it can become a light or lamp. I’m the upcycling guy (or at least one of the upcyclers)!  My passion is lights and lighting, but repurposing and upcycling speak to my sense of efficiency and practicality.”

I love this local artist’s work, you can view his recent designs in his Etsy shop at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/BenclifDesigns

Cheers!

Lori in Atlanta

Hot Molten Glass...WooHoo!

 

Finally, the weekend I’ve been waiting for has arrived. I’ll be attending the 50th birthday celebration for the American Studio Glass Movement at the High Museum of Art.  WOOHOO!

I’m a lampworker; I make glass beads and small glass items. This celebration is a wonderful opportunity to see master glass artists in action.  The Corning Museum of Glass artists (gaffers) will take glowing gobs of molten glass and skillfully shape them into vases, bowls, or sculpture. The Gaffers will be explaining this dynamic process and answer audience questions along the way. Live glassblowing demonstrations and guest appearances by artists Richard Jolley, Johanna Grawunder, and Gyun Hur will be free to the public. I so excited!

If you’re interested in more information about the Studio Glass Movement, continue reading the article below…

A Brief History of the

Studio Glass Movement

by Lynda Olsen Adelson

The American Studio Glass Movement, which began in the early 1960s, is a new phenomenon in the century’s long history of glass as an artistic medium.

For the first time in more than 3500 years, technology allowed artists to make glass alone and unaided, without the necessity of a factory environment. Prior to the 1960s, glass was made only in large scale industrial settings.

At established art glass factories like Steuben (United States), Waterford (Ireland) or Baccarat (France), hundreds of employees work in an industrial environment, mass producing glass objects. These factories produce a large number of pieces each day, and employees are assigned to one part of the multi-stage process involved in making each object. There are designers, glass batchers, glassblowers, cutters, polishers, etc.

American studio glass differs from factory glass in that the individual artist completes all aspects of the creation of a piece, from design through signature. These studio artists generally "batch" their own glass, using sand (silica), ash and metallic oxides to create their raw material. The quantity of work they produce is extremely limited. Most studio glass artists will make fewer pieces in their lifetimes than factories like Baccarat or Waterford will make in one day.

In 1962, Harvey Littleton, professor of art at the University of Wisconsin , and Dominick Labino presented a glass workshop in conjunction with the Toledo Museum of Art. These men are recognized internationally as the "fathers" of the American Studio Glass Movement.

Convinced that it was finally possible for an individual artist to undertake glassblowing by working entirely alone, Littleton and Labino provided information on furnace construction, glass formulas, tools, techniques, etc.

The Toledo workshop was the beginning of the American Studio Glass Movement. In the decades since then the number of American Studio Glass Artists has gone from virtually none to more than 1,000. Internationally, American glass artists are acknowledged as the undisputed leaders in creativity and originality. Dale Chihuly, a Seattle artist who established the famed Pilchuck Glass School , is widely credited with advancing public awareness of glass as an artistic medium.

The Corning Museum of Glass is recognized as having the world's finest collections of glass art objects, dating from antiquity through the 20th century. Each year the Corning Museum sponsors an international juried competition, which attracts more than 2,000 submissions from all over the world, with only 100 pieces selected for inclusion in the museum's New Glass Review and permanent collection of 20th Century Glass. Since the beginning of the New Glass Competition in 1979, American artists have dominated this important award contest, consistently accounting for more than half of the 100 winning selections each year.

See You at the High Museum!

Lori in Atlanta