There are so many artists showing their work it is hard to know where to start. Besides, everyone has different tastes so it's hard to guide someone on such personal choices. But here are a few that I have to mention.
George Barry makes metal scultures from found objects such as birds from nuts and bolts. Or a life-size, operational figure on a bicycle. Very unusual and creative.
The artisans at Mendoza's Bella's Artes handcraft earrings, necklaces, and bracelets from silver and stones. Very reasonably priced.
The Pump Project on Shady Lane is a complex with many artists. One of my favorites was Erika Jaeggli. Love her still lifes and beaches!
I also love the porcelain dinnerware by Sunyong Chung. They look like watercolors.
Happy Hunting!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
Report from HEB
Sunday afternoon I stopped by the HEB on Bee Caves Road for a few things I forgot the day before. Over an hour later I emerged having eaten my way through the store! No dinner for me!
The station at the Cafe on the Run counter had turkey & potatoes (good), cranberry chutney (very good), green beans (good). The meat department had ham (good), roast beef (very good) with horseradish sauce, and mashed potatoes. The scallops (not my favorite) were in the fish department and behind it were egg nog (2% and yummy) and cookies. And then truffles (wow!) and coffee. And then....pumpkin ice cream and chocolate mint chip ice cream (great). I nearly forgot...pumpkin pie also! What a day!
I guess they were featuring their Thanksgiving foods....They sold me. If they do this again, go try the goodies.
Earlier in the day, I had wandered into Williams Sonoma and they were serving turkey & dressing made from focaccia (very good), mashed potatoes and gravy (great), and green bean casserole (good). If this keeps up, I'll put on the pounds before we even get to Thanksgiving!
The station at the Cafe on the Run counter had turkey & potatoes (good), cranberry chutney (very good), green beans (good). The meat department had ham (good), roast beef (very good) with horseradish sauce, and mashed potatoes. The scallops (not my favorite) were in the fish department and behind it were egg nog (2% and yummy) and cookies. And then truffles (wow!) and coffee. And then....pumpkin ice cream and chocolate mint chip ice cream (great). I nearly forgot...pumpkin pie also! What a day!
I guess they were featuring their Thanksgiving foods....They sold me. If they do this again, go try the goodies.
Earlier in the day, I had wandered into Williams Sonoma and they were serving turkey & dressing made from focaccia (very good), mashed potatoes and gravy (great), and green bean casserole (good). If this keeps up, I'll put on the pounds before we even get to Thanksgiving!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Wine Night!
I love Tuesday night when it a wine class with Jeremy Parzen! Tonight we talked about and tasted the wines of Veneto. If you don't remember my first blog about Jeremy, he has a Ph.D. in Italian and has traveled, studied, and tasted throughout Italy. His blog, Do Biancho, is great fun for an approachable look at wines. By the way, he will be at Vino Vino with Kermit Lynch on Monday, Nov. 9 to introduce Kermit's new CD, Man's Temptation. (But you need reservations; call 512-465-9282 ) To preview: http://www.amazon.com/Mans-Temptation-Kermit-Lynch/dp/B002JODUN4
But back to the wine. We started with Bisol Prosecco. I love this! Light in body (11-12 percent alcohol) and great with food, especially seafood. This is not a cheap substitute for Champagne, but a great food wine. $18
I bought a Soave Classico by Inama. Remember when Soave was a cheap bulk wine? No more! This one had bright acidity and is a great value for $15.
We moved to the reds with two Zenato Valpolicellas. Higher alcohol content here. These wines come from near Lake Garda and enjoy good drainage and ventilation from the lake. In the $25 range.
But the treat was a Valpolicella Classico Superiore from Quintarelli, a legend in Italian winemaking. $62 (at Austin Wine Merchant)but this was a special purchase; it retails for more! We're talking handwritten labels and a winemaker who won't release a wine until it meets his high standards.
The classes have not been "stuffy" and Jeremy makes wine even more interesting by sharing his experiences in Italy. These have been wine & food classes, not just wine tasting. Thanks, Jeremy!
But back to the wine. We started with Bisol Prosecco. I love this! Light in body (11-12 percent alcohol) and great with food, especially seafood. This is not a cheap substitute for Champagne, but a great food wine. $18
I bought a Soave Classico by Inama. Remember when Soave was a cheap bulk wine? No more! This one had bright acidity and is a great value for $15.
We moved to the reds with two Zenato Valpolicellas. Higher alcohol content here. These wines come from near Lake Garda and enjoy good drainage and ventilation from the lake. In the $25 range.
But the treat was a Valpolicella Classico Superiore from Quintarelli, a legend in Italian winemaking. $62 (at Austin Wine Merchant)but this was a special purchase; it retails for more! We're talking handwritten labels and a winemaker who won't release a wine until it meets his high standards.
The classes have not been "stuffy" and Jeremy makes wine even more interesting by sharing his experiences in Italy. These have been wine & food classes, not just wine tasting. Thanks, Jeremy!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Outing to Nordstrom Rack
I'm sorry; I posted this a couple of days ago, but something ate it so I'm posting it again.
You knew I would make it to Nordstrom Rack soon! I love a discount but some discount stores carry secondary lines. The store had already been open for several days when I got there, but it was still crowded.
They carry lots of good brands but I don't think all of this merchandise is carried in their stores. They had lots of Sofft shoes (which are a necessity due to my early days of pointy shoes and high heels) but they fit sort of weird, perhaps why they were here. But I could spend a long time just browsing the shoes! Lots of shoes.
Separate racks for designers such as Nanette Lapore separates and Alberto Makali tops, but again I'm not sure that these are from the store. I did see some great leather gloves that were very reasonable.
I would definitely go again. I think you could find some good deals but you have to be lucky also.... or find out when they get shipments!
While I was out that way, I stopped by Ann Taylor. Dale Coker has been telling us about the this season's classic looks there. They had some basics like a black skirt and white blouse for $39 each. They looked a lot more expensive!
You knew I would make it to Nordstrom Rack soon! I love a discount but some discount stores carry secondary lines. The store had already been open for several days when I got there, but it was still crowded.
They carry lots of good brands but I don't think all of this merchandise is carried in their stores. They had lots of Sofft shoes (which are a necessity due to my early days of pointy shoes and high heels) but they fit sort of weird, perhaps why they were here. But I could spend a long time just browsing the shoes! Lots of shoes.
Separate racks for designers such as Nanette Lapore separates and Alberto Makali tops, but again I'm not sure that these are from the store. I did see some great leather gloves that were very reasonable.
I would definitely go again. I think you could find some good deals but you have to be lucky also.... or find out when they get shipments!
While I was out that way, I stopped by Ann Taylor. Dale Coker has been telling us about the this season's classic looks there. They had some basics like a black skirt and white blouse for $39 each. They looked a lot more expensive!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
This is going to be a great Thanksgiving!
Guess what! My son, Scott, is coming home for Thanksgiving. This is a big deal..my kids live in Arizona and New York so they don't get home often. Scott and I are going to research new restaurants, exhibits, etc. so I'll have lots to tell you about!
Also, I think I'm going to break down and get a new computer. If you've tried to email me or Pat's Picks you may have had trouble. Lots of emails are going in a black hole. I hate setting up things like a new computer..... sounds simple but it never is. But I'll have expert assistance with Scott here.
By the way, I saw Dan and Linda Baker, jewelers from Dallas, at the International Gem & Jewelry Show. They have beautiful things... love to look and hear the stories about how they develop the pieces. Anyway, they are thinking of having their Master's Art Show in Austin. That would be great! The artists are selected to be the best in their fields.
Also, I think I'm going to break down and get a new computer. If you've tried to email me or Pat's Picks you may have had trouble. Lots of emails are going in a black hole. I hate setting up things like a new computer..... sounds simple but it never is. But I'll have expert assistance with Scott here.
By the way, I saw Dan and Linda Baker, jewelers from Dallas, at the International Gem & Jewelry Show. They have beautiful things... love to look and hear the stories about how they develop the pieces. Anyway, they are thinking of having their Master's Art Show in Austin. That would be great! The artists are selected to be the best in their fields.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Jewelry on 5th
The Art of Jewelry opened Friday night, and, not being one to miss any jewelry show, I was there. It was a wonderful chance to see one-of-a-kind creations from award-winning artists. Intricate metal designs, beads, gems and the artists were there to explain how they created the pieces.
I spotted some earrings that reminded me of some I bought years ago. Sure enough, it was the same artist only now she has a full line of earrings, cuffs, necklaces & more. Christi Klug cuts delicate shapes in metal for unique shapes. One of her designs is above (center). Check the Website http://www.arton5th.com/Jewelry-Perm/Preview/preview-AOJ.htm for a peek at some of the other designs.
The jewelry was modeled by 5'11" gorgeous models in strapless, black cocktail dresses. I'm not sure they would look the same on a 5'4" slightly pudgy woman in jeans!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Italian Wine 101
Hurrah! I was on the wait list for the first Italian wine class at the Austin Wine Merchant and I got in! Jeremy Parzen teaches the six-class series. Jeremy has a Ph.D. in Italian from UCLA and is a published author and translator of Italian works. In addition, his articles on food, wine and food history have appeared in national cooking magazines.
He is at his best in a class like the ones at Austin Wine Merchant. This is not a wine geek class but a very approachable look at the food and wine of some of the major producing regions of Italy. When talking about the structure of the wine, he calls the Montepulciano d'Abruzzo a Friday night wine...good with pizza. The Campania Aglianico is a Saturday night wine... for steaks and hearty stew.
And....he has kept all wines in a reasonable price range. All were $13 - $25. These are beautiful wines, many from small producers.
There are five more classes: Tuscany (Oct 13, $37.50), The Other Piedmont (Oct. 20, $25), Piedmont's De Facto Cru System (Oct. 27, $37.50), the Enigmatic Wines of the Venato (Nov. 3, $37.50), and Italian Wine & Civilization (Nov. 10, $25)
Cheers!
He is at his best in a class like the ones at Austin Wine Merchant. This is not a wine geek class but a very approachable look at the food and wine of some of the major producing regions of Italy. When talking about the structure of the wine, he calls the Montepulciano d'Abruzzo a Friday night wine...good with pizza. The Campania Aglianico is a Saturday night wine... for steaks and hearty stew.
And....he has kept all wines in a reasonable price range. All were $13 - $25. These are beautiful wines, many from small producers.
There are five more classes: Tuscany (Oct 13, $37.50), The Other Piedmont (Oct. 20, $25), Piedmont's De Facto Cru System (Oct. 27, $37.50), the Enigmatic Wines of the Venato (Nov. 3, $37.50), and Italian Wine & Civilization (Nov. 10, $25)
Cheers!
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