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 

Modest Coffee Roasters

Modest Coffee Roasters

My morning coffee is my most cherished ritual. I have waxed lyrical about it many times and have generated devotional art to it. In March of 2020, when everyone stormed the stores for toilet paper and bottled water, I amassed armfuls of chocolate and coffee. 

Mother of Butter Ornament

Mother of Butter Ornament

Mooooo! Here is my ornamental tribute to the Mothers of Butter – to the true Dairy Queens – our utterly beloved barnyard animals – Cows. What are your favorite ways to showcase butter in your meals? Butter on toast? Sitting on the top of a 

Better with Butter

Better with Butter

This week, our local food came to us from the farm located across the street from us. All Grass Farms cultivates pasture raised meat, raw milk, and organic eggs. In addition to a well stocked farm store, they offer CSA boxes, farm tours, and a 

Green Smoothie Ornament!

Green Smoothie Ornament!

Inspired by our trip to the local Organic Rootz shop, I sewed this green smoothie ornament from various scraps. I love green smoothies because they feel indulgent and nutritious at the same time. This ornament: Measures approximately 7.5” x 4” Is made from upcycled and 

Organic Rootz

Organic Rootz

We ended our winter break with our first trip to Organic Rootz, a health food store that is located just down the road from us in Algonquin. I’ve been meaning to visit for a LONG while. To be honest, we are much more likely to 

Sunny Winter Day

Sunny Winter Day

The phrase, “The sun is out!” has been repeated several times in my household today. Winter, in this part of the world, provides us with a bevy of grey days. We have so many grey days that the occasional presence of sun feels outstanding and 

Full Moon January 2023

Full Moon January 2023

Happy Full Moon!!!! It’s the first full moon of 2023, and I am looking forward to drawing and painting more this year. I felt a bit rusty making this image in my sketchbook yesterday, and so, I’m looking forward to devoting more time to practicing 

Sandwich Art

Sandwich Art

We love eating sandwiches at our house. (Who doesn’t?) But Winter’s cold weather can make the usual cold cuts seem too cool to warm our hearts.  And so we  are delighted to have recently discovered a hot sandwich to warm us on chilly nights. It’s 

A Poem by Maria Carvalho: A Shining Moment

A Poem by Maria Carvalho: A Shining Moment

Winter can feel interminable and impenetrable  – especially during the grey days of February, and it’s poems like this one from Maria Carvalho that remind us that the grey is not permanent and indeed permeable.  There is always sun behind that heavy bank of clouds! 

Poem by Candice Marley Conner: Sleeping Beauty and the Moss-piglet 

Poem by Candice Marley Conner: Sleeping Beauty and the Moss-piglet 

In case you are like me and feel a sudden and desperate pressure to transform into a magic productivity machine – now that we are a bit past the holidays, enjoy this beautiful, poetic reminder to slow down, from author Candice Marley Conner. Candice wrote 

January – A Poem by Mary Fontana

January – A Poem by Mary Fontana

As some of you know, the final issue of my Woolgathering magazine featured poetry. This beautiful and timely poem was written by my dear friend, Mary Fontana, whom I met while volunteering at Annunciation House (a couple of decades ago-yikes!)  Follow Mary on Instagram @maryfontanawrites