Author: Anna

Maple Syrup Season!

Maple Syrup Season!

A few weeks ago, on our way to Milwaukee, I noticed maples being tapped in someone’s backyard.  I smiled. Temperatures in Northern Illinois must have reached above freezing during the day and below freezing at night. This sap seeking process is a seasonal ritual that 

Skunk Cabbage Unsticks Itself

Skunk Cabbage Unsticks Itself

Skunk cabbage is a happy harbinger of Spring. This cabbage patch is popping up in the muddy banks of our creek near the rickety wooden bridge. Skunk cabbage is a good reminder to steadily grow in spite of the cold, clingy mud that threatens to 

Caps For Sale!

Caps For Sale!

The sun will come tomorrow – or if not tomorrow – very soon! When the sun does show itself again, Keep its beautiful rays off of your face while supporting your favorite team – be it team berry, mushroom, snail, or leaf! Which is your 

Donut Ornament!

Donut Ornament!

Oh those donuts! They’re dough delicious! Here’s a hand stitched donut ornament made from upcycled, hand dyed fabrics – including a  vintage napkin. This cake donut is apparently frosted in raspberry glaze and adorned with fun sprinkles.

Snowdrops Despite Lack of Snow

Snowdrops Despite Lack of Snow

I sort of can’t believe that these snowdrops have surfaced. I mean, it’s the usual time that they bloom, but they usually sprout after several feet of snow have melted. At this point in the season, we have forgotten what the ground even looks like, 

Donuts and Coffee

Donuts and Coffee

Coffee and Donuts! Coffee and Donuts! Coffee and Donuts, today!  That’s my song celebrating this beautiful dunking duo, and here is my artwork.  Happy Wednesday!

Donuts So Good You’ll Go Nuts

Donuts So Good You’ll Go Nuts

Happy Fat Tuesday!  This is my favorite holiday – for obvious reasons. How do you indulge today?  In past years, we made pancakes for dinner or ate chocolate for breakfast. Tonight we are going to make a rich and creamy mac and cheese and homemade 

Hide The Pickle Ornament

Hide The Pickle Ornament

A pickled ornament – guaranteed to keep for eternity – to be hidden on your Xmas tree – and found on Xmas morning by the child most motivated to be the first to open a present.

Pickles As Tablescape

Pickles As Tablescape

A portrait of a table set with a platter of pickles!  Pickles make a meal special. They’re a bit extra – a briny bonus. 

Perfect Pickles

Perfect Pickles

Pickles!  We love pickles so much. I’m surprised that we haven’t made any of our own (other than quick refrigerator pickles).  I bought these sour sweethearts from the local grocery store, Deli 4 You, in Algonquin – where you can source your bulk pickles directly 

Real Love For Purple Cabbage And  Black Cats

Real Love For Purple Cabbage And Black Cats

More Cabbage! This one – a nice tablescape featuring purple cabbage and a black cat. In all seriousness, cabbage feels like one of those foods that is connected to my DNA. Whether it was a juicy cabbage roll or assertive sauerkraut or tomatoey cabbage soup 

Winter Cabbage: Zeli!

Winter Cabbage: Zeli!

Nothing goes better with cabbage than cabbage. It’s a real winter staple and a refreshing summer slaw. Cabbage is a real keeper all year long. We cooked it up last night in the Czech fashion – which is braised, sweet and sour. To make Czech 

2023 Artist in Residence Accepting Applications!

2023 Artist in Residence Accepting Applications!

Calling All Artists! Writers! and Makers!!!!! It’s time to apply to the 2023 Spring Bird’s Artist Residency Program!!! This Residency is for anyone wanting to finish that project they’ve been meaning to complete, OR for those dreaming of something new that they’d like to develop 

Honey Vanilla Ice Cream

Honey Vanilla Ice Cream

Ice cream has always been a big part of Pat and my relationship. In particular we have been devoted to Dairy Queen. It was a perfect destination and provided a sweet opportunity to be together sharing stories over spoonfuls of blizzards. Now a family of 

Coffee Mug Ornament

Coffee Mug Ornament

Okay, here is a hot, steamy cup of coffee – ornament for this cold, wintry day! I embroidered a rooster on this soft-sculptural mug because my very favorite coffee mug has a rooster on it. Also roosters famously crow in the morning, and that is